In this powerful episode of Defending Our Children, we sit down with Rick Gornto, founder of HigherUpTexas.org, to explore how purpose-driven mentorship is changing the lives of young people across our communities.

Rick shares the vision behind Higher Up Texas—a program that helps at-risk youth develop core values, life skills, and a sense of identity rooted in integrity and responsibility. With a passion for guiding the next generation, Rick discusses how intentional leadership and community support can break cycles of poverty, violence, and disengagement.

If you're a parent, educator, or advocate looking for real solutions to help our kids rise above today’s challenges, this is a conversation you won’t want to miss.

In this powerful episode of Defending Our Children, we sit down with Officer Dave Gomez — a nationally recognized School Resource Officer and digital safety advocate — to explore the real threats facing kids in today’s hyper-connected world. With a degree in Electronics Engineering Technology and over 15 years in law enforcement, Officer Gomez brings a unique blend of technical expertise and frontline experience to the conversation.

For the past 12 years, he’s been on the ground in schools, building trust with students and leading efforts to intercept online predators through sting operations. With more than 325,000 followers on Facebook, Officer Gomez has become a go-to resource for parents, educators, and communities seeking practical tools and up-to-date information on digital safety.

Tune in as Officer Gomez shares gripping stories from his work, offers actionable advice for families, and explains how we can all play a role in defending our children—both on and offline.

Don’t miss this essential conversation for every parent, educator, and child advocate.

In today’s powerful episode of Defending Our Children, we revisit the life-changing work of Valerie Soto and her organization New Life New You. This organization provides safe homes for women—many of them mothers—and their children who have been rescued from or have voluntarily left behind lives of drug addiction, human trafficking, forced labor, or sex work.

Joining us today are three courageous house guests, each at a different stage in their journey through the program. They share their deeply personal stories about how they came to terms with needing help, what it was like to take the first steps into a new life, and how the support of New Life New You has impacted them.

Listeners will hear first-hand accounts of what the transition from the streets to safety is truly like, the challenges and breakthroughs of rebuilding a life, and how faith and hope became pillars in their healing process. We’ll also explore the daily structure of the rescue homes, the practical services offered—from counseling to job skills training—and the transformative power of a supportive community.

This is a conversation about redemption, resilience, and the human capacity to rise again.