Overview of 🚨IMMEDIATE RELEASE🚨 - I Am Being Threatened For Protecting Children...
Host Shawn Ryan responds publicly to a demand letter from lawyers for Kanakuk Ministries (a Missouri Christian summer-camp organization) that threatened defamation litigation over comments made on his podcast. Ryan refuses to retract or apologize for airing allegations of longstanding sexual abuse at the camp, explains his legal position, invites discovery, affirms support for survivors, and highlights the role of confidentiality agreements in silencing victims.
Key facts & timeline
- Shawn Ryan received a demand letter from Kanakuk’s lawyers (Husch Blackwell) asking him to:
- Take down a segment of his podcast,
- Issue a public apology, and
- Stop discussing the matter.
- The 10-day deadline in that demand letter has passed; Ryan declined to comply.
- Ryan says his attorney has responded and that Kanakuk should sue if they wish — he welcomes discovery and depositions.
- Ryan asserts Kanakuk’s own lawyers admitted core facts in their letter.
Main claims made by Ryan (and what he cites)
- A former senior Kanakuk employee and camp director, Pete Newman, sexually abused children at the camp for multiple years in the early 2000s; Ryan says Newman is now serving life sentences (reported as admitted in counsel’s communications).
- Between 20 and 30 civil lawsuits were filed against Kanakuk, and multiple confidential settlement agreements (NDAs) were executed that prevented victims from speaking publicly.
- The true number of victims is unknowable but may be far higher than the number of filed suits because of NDAs and alleged cover-ups.
- Kanakuk continues to operate camps at the same location where abuse occurred; Ryan calls this “operating on a crime scene.”
Ryan’s sources: guest Elizabeth Phillips (whose brother he says is a victim), public court records, and media coverage of Newman’s prosecution.
Legal context and Ryan’s defense
- Under Tennessee law (the venue Ryan cites), a defamation plaintiff must prove falsity and actual malice — that the speaker knew the statements were false or had serious doubts about them.
- Ryan argues he relied on credible sources and public records, and claims Kanakuk’s lawyers effectively conceded the “core” allegations (that employees abused children and survivors were silenced by confidentiality agreements).
- Ryan frames Kanakuk’s demand as an attempt to intimidate reporting and survivors rather than a legitimate effort to correct falsehoods.
- He explicitly invites litigation and discovery to force disclosure of internal records, abuse allegations, settlements, and financials.
Calls to action and resources
- Ryan urges support for survivors and highlights No More Victims, the organization Elizabeth Phillips founded, which advocates for legal reforms and accountability for institutional child sexual abuse.
- He encourages survivors to come forward and reassures them: “I see you. I believe you.”
Notable quotes
- “No, I don't negotiate with pedophiles or the people who defend them.”
- “I will not be silenced.”
- “You’re not the victim here. The children you failed to protect are the victims.”
- “If they want to sue me, bring it on. We welcome discovery.”
Why this matters
- Allegations involve institutional sexual abuse at a youth camp—an issue of urgent public concern affecting parents, children, and survivors.
- Use of NDAs in settlement agreements raises questions about transparency, the true scope of harm, and public safety.
- Legal threats against journalists or podcasters discussing abuse can chill reporting and deter survivors from speaking.
What to watch next
- Whether Kanakuk (or its lawyers) files a defamation lawsuit against Shawn Ryan.
- Any litigation or discovery that could produce:
- Detailed accounts of abuse allegations,
- Settlement terms and NDAs,
- Internal investigation reports, and
- Financial records related to settlements and operations.
- Further reporting from Ryan’s show or other outlets, and actions or legislation promoted by No More Victims.
Additional note
- The episode also included a commercial sponsor segment (Alpine Plastic Surgery), unrelated to the legal dispute or the abuse allegations.