The Human Challenge

Since childhood, Sara developed maladaptive behaviours growing up in a tiny shack with no electricity and an abusive father who sold her to the sex trade at the age of three. In and out of foster care for much of her life, it was finding herself in prison where Sara finally decided it was time to seek support and services for her mental health. Initially denied, she fought for access to services, and for what she couldn’t receive, she taught herself. Since her release, nothing has stopped her from fighting for justice. In her role at Northpine Foundation, Sara has served over 7500 formerly incarcerated people, reduced homelessness by 86%, lowered recidivism to 4.7%, and saved taxpayers over $1.13 billion of incarceration fees per year, over $68 million per year in hospital stays, and over $43 million in emergency visits. She also raised median income for formerly incarcerated people from $14,000 to $58,000. But her biggest impact has been looking into the eyes of the prison guard who sexually assaulted her and countless women in prison, and saying that she believed in him and forgave him. In this episode, Sara tells her story from the greater thread of social justice — from the effects of colonization on the prison system, the programming of society, and the political system. For Sara, social justice looks like changing the system; specifically, it’s rebuilding the house from the very foundations.

Cheri Chafin Norris was 16 years old when she became addicted to methamphetamine — and her father’s drug dealer. She wrote to God through her journals for 20 years, recently digging through them to put together her new book, ​The Purpose of Abundance​, re-discovering her own connection to God, the miracles that were always in front of her, and religion's reflection in modern society. She sifts through experiences dealing with addiction, recovery, and relationships, dismantling shame along the way. Now, a speaker, entrepreneur, and investor, Cheri helps incarcerated people find jobs, reminding us the wisdom of God is always available, even when it feels like He isn’t there.Get your copy of The Purpose of Abundance on Amazon: https://www.amazon.ca/Purpose-Abundance-40-Day-Guide-Hearing/dp/196425193100:00 - Episode Primer01:22 - The Purpose Of Abundance03:16 - Becoming Dad's Drug Dealer06:20 - Miracles09:04 - Relationship & Addiction14:06 - God In Modern Society19:15 - Don't Stay The Shame28:45 - Changing The Past30:30 - God's Final Answer36:09 - End Credits

In this episode, I talk about headlining Transform The Night and how it all came to be with opening act, DJ Seith, and speaker, Karen Bird, Founder of Nakehndan.Transform The Night was a benefit concert held on Sunday, September 28th, 2025. With a contribution from Northern Credit Union, we were able to contribute $3,000 CAD to our community spotlight partner, Nakehndan, supporting Indigenous survivors of abuse across Northern Ontario.Headliner: Vanessa Ferlaino Opening Artist: DJ SeithCommunity Spotlight: Nakehndan Speaker: Vanessa FerlainoSpeaker: Karen Bird / NakehndanVenue: The SpeakeasyVideo: Rogers

On Sunday, September 28th, award-winning artist, Vanessa Ferlaino, headlined Transform The Night. With a contribution from Northern Credit Union, we were able to contribute $3,000 CAD to our community spotlight partner, Nakehndan, supporting Indigenous survivors of abuse across Northern Ontario.00:00 - Headliner Speaker: Vanessa Ferlaino26:21 - Community Spotlight Speaker: Karen Bird, Founder of Nakehndan33:44 - Headliner Performance: Vanessa Ferlaino1:21:55 - Closing & CreditsHeadliner: Vanessa FerlainoCommunity Spotlight: NakehndanSpeaker: Vanessa FerlainoSpeaker: Karen Bird / NakehndanVenue: The SpeakeasyVideo: Echotech and Rogers

Injustice comes in many forms in Hebron, the largest city in The West Bank, and the epicentre of The Arab-Israeli Conflict. Jehad has not forgotten the survival mechanisms, the suffocating permits, or the violence that fuel his social justice work in Canada, where he has led some of Ontario’s largest organizations and supported various minoritized communities since his arrival in 1988.But Hebron is home for Jehad, who also has memories of family, culture, bustling city streets, fresh bread, and Enab Dibs. His Palestinian culture is something he has been able to explore deeper in Canada where he is not asked to present permits everywhere he goes, and where his culture is not banned, unlike back home.Jehad visits home with his own children every year, where he is reminded of the grave injustices that still exist. The violence in The West Bank has increased over the last few years, leading to a death toll of over 250 Palestinians in this year alone. Having lived through the occupation himself, he says: “The only consistency in The Arab-Israeli Conflict is the Israeli occupation.” Government complicity, normalized violence, and the weaponization of anti-semitism have led to the silencing of Palestinian voices and justification of genocide and occupation.Tying his social justice work with his experience living under occupation, Jehad shares how Palestinian culture has been deeply embedded in his advocacy work; his experiences living through occupation and genocide; and ultimately, what he believes is the road to liberation for all.The Human Challenge is an award-winning podcast hosted and produced by Vanessa Ferlaino. Watch the full episode on her Youtube channel. Don't forget to subscribe! The Human Challenge was recognized by Amazon Music and ACAST as an "Indie Podcast Amplifier”. Guess what? We're on Rogers TV! Check us out there!Learn more about Laidlaw Foundation’s work with Black and Indigenous youth at https://laidlawfdn.org/Learn more about The Human Challenge at https://vanessaferlaino.com/thehumanchallenge

In 2012, Karen Bird’s life took a turn; her teenage daughter disclosed she had been sexually abused. "Mother Of A Survivor" shows the eleven-year healing journey of a mother and her family, leading to the creation of Nakehndan, a non-profit weaving Indigenous and modern healing modalities for sexual abuse survivors to heal as a family unit. Filmed at the beautiful Shingwauk Kinoomaage Gamig (SKG), an Indigenous higher learning institute in Baawaating, Vanessa sits down with Karen Bird about how it all came to be — and how landing the CEO role at Batchewana First Nations brought her back home.The Human Challenge is an award-winning podcast hosted and produced by Vanessa Ferlaino. Watch the full episode on her channel vanessaferlaino. Don't forget to subscribe!The Human Challenge was recognized by Amazon Music and ACAST as an "Indie Podcast Amplifier".Guess what? We're on Rogers TV! Check us out there!---Learn more about Nakehndan: https://www.nakehndan.ca/Learn more about Shingwauk Kinoomaage Gamig (SKG): https://shingwauku.org/Learn more about Vanessa Ferlaino and The Human Challenge: https://vanessaferlaino.com/thehumanchallenge

Join Vanessa Ferlaino on "The Human Challenge" as she sits down with Bayan Khatib, co-founder of The Syrian Canadian Foundation. Bayan recounts her journey from Aleppo, Syria to Canada, highlighting her pivotal role in activism and the fight for a free Syria. From translating a powerful memoir of human rights violations to leading community efforts, Bayan's story is one of resilience and hope. Tune in to hear about her experiences, the challenges faced, and her hopes for Syria's future. The Human Challenge is hosted and produced by Vanessa Ferlaino. Watch the full episode on her channel. Don't forget to subscribe!The Human Challenge is an award-winning podcast, recognized by Amazon Music and ACAST as an "Indie Podcast Amplifier".Guess what? We're on Rogers TV! Check us out there!

We made it! There's so much to celebrate in this 50th milestone episode of The Human Challenge! Join host, Vanessa Ferlaino, who confirms our recent announcement that we are officially on Rogers TV! Vanessa also shares insights from her new book, recaps the launch party, and tells us some new things we can expect from the podcast, including community spotlights, new themes, and solo episodes! Vanessa also reflects on her journey, the connection between healing and liberation, and bringing our inner and outer worlds together for real change."Thanks so much for staying with me! I can't wait to share with you what's in store for us this seasons!" - Vanessa FerlainoThe Human Challenge is hosted and produced by Vanessa Ferlaino. Watch the full episode on her channel. Don't forget to subscribe!The Human Challenge is an award-winning podcast, recognized by Amazon Music and ACAST as an "Indie Podcast Amplifier".Guess what? We're on Rogers TV! Check us out there!Get her new book at vanessaferlaino.com/expansion