Meg Appelgate is the Founder and CEO of Unsilenced, a nonprofit organization launched in January 2022 to support past, present, and future victims of institutional child abuse. A survivor of the Troubled Teen Industry (TTI), Meg was abducted from her bed at age 15 and confined in abusive facilities for three and a half years—an experience that drives her mission to expose systemic abuse and fight for reform. Her 2024 memoir, Becoming UNSILENCED: Surviving the Troubled Teen Industry, chronicles her harrowing journey and transformation into one of the leading national voices demanding change. In 2023, she testified as an expert before the Montana State Senate, helping secure passage of HB 218, landmark legislation increasing oversight and regulation of TTI programs. Her work continues to empower survivors while pushing for transparency, accountability, and legal reform across the industry. Alongside her advocacy, Meg serves as Vice President and Managing Director of the Gochnauer Foundation, supporting philanthropic initiatives aligned with justice and healing. She lives with her husband, Ben, and their four children, dedicating her life to ensuring that no child endures what she once did. Join this channel to get access to perks: https://www.youtube.com/channel/UCkoujZQZatbqy4KGcgjpVxQ/join Shawn Ryan Show Links SUBSCRIBE: http://www.youtube.com/@ShawnRyanShow Sign up: https://shawnryanshow.com/pages/newsletter Support the Show: https://www.patreon.com/VigilanceElite Listen on Apple: https://podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/shawn-ryan-show/id1492492083 Listen on Spotify: https://open.spotify.com/show/5eodRZd3qR9VT1ip1wI7xQ?si=59f9d106e56a4509 Follow on TikTok: https://www.tiktok.com/@shawnryanshow Follow on Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/shawnryanshow/ Follow on Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/shawnryanshow/ Follow on Snapchat: https://www.snapchat.com/@shawnryanshow Follow on X: https://twitter.com/ShawnRyanShow SRS Podcast Playlist: https://www.youtube.com/playlist?list=PL4pqo9Uoh0WuUKxw0BmaK1yrg9Kd7E4lk #vigilanceelite #shawnryanshow Links: Personal Website - www.megappelgate.com Memoir - https://a.co/d/3P5hM37 IG - https://www.instagram.com/megappelgate TikTok - https://www.tiktok.com/@megappelgate Facebook - https://www.facebook.com/Megappelgate1 X - https://x.com/megappelgate Unsilenced Website - www.unsilenced.org Shawn Ryan Show Sponsors: Go to https://calderalab.com/SRS and use code SRS for 20% off your first order. If you’re serious about selling to the Department of War, go to https://SBIRAdvisors.com and mention Shawn Ryan for your first month free. Live better longer with BUBS Naturals. Get 20% OFF on collagen, MCT creamers, and more with code SHAWN at https://bubsnaturals.com/srs Don’t let your money sit around—put it to work with Stash. Go to https://get.stash.com/SRS to see how you can receive $25 towards your first stock purchase and to view important disclosures 03:05 Cease and Desist Threats 05:36 Meet Meg Applegate 12:14 Adoption Industry Concerns 15:19 Finding Birth Family 26:24 Childhood and Teen Years 33:52 Assault and Being Sent Away 45:30 Troubled Teen Programs 53:06 Overmedicated and Sedated 58:08 Monitored Parent Contact 59:27 Level System Control 01:18:03 Runaways and Surveillance 01:21:48 Turning 18 and Leaving 01:29:17 No Oversight or Regulation 01:32:58 Psych Degree And Masking 01:36:59 Shame After Speaking Out 01:50:15 EMDR Healing Explained 02:00:04 Parents Learn The Truth 02:02:50 Working With Paris Hilton 02:09:19 Justice And Accountability Fixes 02:12:48 Red Flags And Program Archive 02:20:49 Final Thanks And Share