The Sphere and the Wizard of Oz

From the Sphere to Our Streets: What The Wizard of Oz Taught Me About Rescuing Children

While in Las Vegas, I stepped inside the Sphere and watched The Wizard of Oz brought to life in breathtaking 16K imagery—so vivid it felt as though the story wrapped itself around us. Familiar scenes suddenly felt urgent. Timeless. And unexpectedly, deeply relevant to the work before us.

But the story began speaking to me even before we went inside.

Highlights

Outside the Sphere, in full daylight before the five o’clock show, the massive structure pulsed with color and movement. As a photographer, I was drawn to the shifting images—bright, immersive, impossible to ignore. It felt symbolic of the world our children are growing up in: endless images, glowing screens, and promises of connection, belonging, and a better life.

Displayed on the exterior of the Sphere was one of the most iconic scenes from The Wizard of Oz—the moment just after the house has fallen. The Wicked Witch’s legs are visible beneath it, and the red ruby shoes rest on the ground, waiting to be placed on Dorothy’s feet. The beginning of the journey. The moment before everything changes.

I took the photo—and when I lowered my camera, I noticed I was wearing red, glittery tennis shoes. A small detail, but one that felt like a quiet reminder: this story is not distant. It’s present. And it’s personal.
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Be sure to click all of the videos to enjoy the 16K resolution screen that wraps around the audience, and if you get the chance to go to the Las Vegas Sphere, you will not be disappointed.

As the film unfolded inside, I couldn’t help but see today’s children reflected in Dorothy’s journey—and the growing threat of online sexual exploitation and child trafficking hidden behind glowing screens. Much like the tornado Dorothy never saw coming, these dangers can appear suddenly and without warning, luring children into circumstances they never anticipated and changing their families lives in an instance.

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I'm turning this mission into a book — Rescue the Children — and funding it through Kickstarter, a crowdfunding platform where everyday people make projects like this possible. The campaign launches July 1st. Click here to sign up for a free notification when it goes live: Click Here [link].

Dorothy is a teenage girl longing for something more. She believes there must be a better life somewhere “over the rainbow.” Like so many vulnerable teens today, she is curious, hopeful, and searching. Online predators know this. They promise adventure, love, belonging, and opportunity—but what they deliver is control, deception, and harm.
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I too believe in a better world for our children, and now hear my hearts desire, as I humbly ask you to join The Mission to protect children!

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At Dorothy’s side is Toto—small, loyal, and fiercely loved. Toto represents innocence and youth, and the instinct to protect what is vulnerable. He is the reminder that even as Dorothy searches for more, there is still something in her that knows what is good and worth guarding. Predators aim to isolate children from that innocence, to separate them from protective voices and loving bonds.

Back in Kansas are Auntie Em and Uncle Henry—parents and caregivers praying for their child’s safe return. They sense something is wrong but don’t always know how to reach across the digital divide. Their hearts ache with hope, fear, and relentless love.

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Then there is the Wicked Witch, watching from her glowing globe. In the Sphere, that globe felt eerily familiar—like the phones, tablets, gaming systems, and laptops predators use to observe, groom, manipulate, and control children. The danger no longer arrives on broomsticks, it arrives on screens.

And the flying monkeys, once theatrical and obvious—now look different. They are the networks, platforms, algorithms, and enablers that do the Witch’s bidding. They carry out the harm, extend the reach, and create chaos, often without ever seeing the faces of the children they affect. They are a reminder that the threat is often hidden, indirect, and modern, but real.

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Yet this is not a story of despair. It is a story of companionship, courage, and redemption.

Along Dorothy’s path are those who walk beside her:

• The Scarecrow represents educators, mentors, and advocates seeking wisdom—learning how exploitation happens and how to stop it. He reminds us that knowledge matters. Prevention begins with understanding.
• The Tin Man longs for a heart, and he reflects caregivers, counselors, ministry leaders, and survivors who lead with compassion. He shows us that empathy is essential, because children don’t need judgment; they need love.
• The Cowardly Lion teaches us about courage. He represents law enforcement, whistleblowers, policymakers, and everyday citizens who choose to speak up, even when it’s uncomfortable or costly. Courage protects the vulnerable.

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And then there is the Good Witch.

She does not shame Dorothy for wandering. She does not frighten her into obedience. She gently speaks truth and offers protection. She reminds Dorothy—and all of us that the power to go home was already there. The Good Witch represents parents, faith leaders, advocates, survivors, and communities who guide without controlling, protect without exploiting, and choose light over silence.

You may not have a wand or a broomstick, but like the Good Witch, you can make a difference. You can learn to identify warning signs, speak up, educate others, and advocate for children in your community. My upcoming book, Rescue the Children: How to End Online Sexual Exploitation and Child Trafficking, will show you exactly how to get involved, protect the vulnerable, and be part of real rescue efforts. You don’t have to wait for someone else to act—your courage and knowledge can make a difference now.

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There is also the Wizard—not a distant figure of power, but one moved by Dorothy’s tears. When she cries because she wants to go home, he weeps too. He represents the good force among us—those who are not untouched by suffering, but deeply moved by it. Those who understand that real power is not illusion, it is love in action.

In the end, Dorothy discovers she was never alone. The help she needed was already walking with her. And the power to get home was closer than she realized.

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Yes, there is still evil in the world.

But there is also good, courage, wisdom, and heart.

And together, they are stronger.

The Good Witch tells Dorothy that she has always had the power to go home. Like Dorothy, every child deserves a path that leads not to exploitation, but to home, healing, and hope. We say, “There’s no place like home,” yet for many children the reality is more complicated. Not every child who is exploited is taken from their home. Many are exploited within the very place that should offer safety, love, and protection.

And just like Dorothy, every child deserves more than rescue. Every child deserves a home where they are safe, valued, and restored. Through Rescue The Children, you can read stories of children finding healing after trauma and reclaiming parts of the childhood that were taken from them. Their journeys remind us that true hope means more than simply being rescued. It means finding restoration, rediscovering joy, rebuilding trust, and having the opportunity to become more than what happened to them.
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The audience is all of us. Each member of this audience can make a real difference by learning the signs of grooming and exploitation, speaking up, protecting children in our families and communities, and advocating for safe spaces. You don’t need a wand or a broomstick—your awareness, courage, and action are what keep children safe. Together, as this audience, we can shine a light in the darkness, stand with vulnerable children, and guide them safely home.

P.S. If this piece moved you, here's one simple way to act on it: sign up to be notified when my Kickstarter launches on July 7th. Kickstarter is a crowdfunding platform — no commitment to sign up, just a notification when the campaign goes live. Click Here: [link]. It takes 30 seconds and means a lot to me!

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