Inspiring Conversations with Bathsheba Smithen of Cage Free Voices

Today we’d like to introduce you to Bathsheba Smithen.

Hi Bathsheba , thanks for sharing your story with us. To start, maybe you can tell our readers some of your backstory.
From Broken Systems to Building Kingdom
By The Queen Bathsheba

My story doesn’t begin with success—it begins with survival.

I was born into poverty, one of nine children raised in a single-parent household. From the start, I understood what it meant to live with lack—lack of resources, lack of stability, and at times, lack of love. At a critical moment in my life, my mother, burdened by her own personal struggles, rejected me. I was left to navigate a world that seemed determined to silence me.

By the age of 23, while still trying to find my own footing, I became the primary caregiver for my teenage brothers. I stepped into the role of parent and protector before I ever had the chance to fully be a daughter. Homelessness, instability, and emotional trauma threatened to define me. But instead, they refined me.

I didn’t pursue higher education for accolades—I pursued it for survival and for service. I earned a bachelor’s degree in biology and a master’s in health systems management with a concentration in health policy. I wasn’t collecting degrees; I was collecting tools—to challenge broken systems from the inside out.

From Pain to Purpose

Life dealt me another blow: a painful divorce. Suddenly, I was a single mother, navigating grief, responsibility, and the daunting task of reinvention. But through it all, I had one unwavering desire—for my daughter to receive a world-class education.

When I couldn’t find it, I built it.

My daughter—brilliant, creative, and full of light—became the inspiration behind Cage Free Voices, the company I founded not just to educate, but to heal, liberate, and amplify. Today, she’s not only thriving—she’s the voice behind our animated character, a symbol of everything I fought to build: a world where every child is seen, heard, and respected.

A Vision Tested by Fire

Building Cage Free Voices has never been a straight climb—it’s been a stormy ascent. I’ve lost everything three separate times—resources, partnerships, and, at moments, even hope. But I never rebuilt from scratch. I rebuilt from experience.

Through every setback came clarity. Through every fall, a higher rise. Today, Cage Free Voices spans education, media, music, and global advocacy. It’s not just a company. It’s a movement.

I created Cage Free Voices Online Learning to support neurodiverse K–12+ learners through a culturally responsive, trauma-informed approach. I launched Cage Free Voices Records to help artists turn their platforms into instruments of healing and liberation. And I grew a global podcast and media network to give voice to those who are too often ignored. Our message is clear:
“See Yourself, Even If the World Is Blind.”

Through it all, my faith has been my anchor. I’m not just raising a daughter—I’m raising a generation. A generation of young people who are unafraid to speak, sing, and lead without apology.

From the Ashes, A Throne

Today, I am a thought leader, a speaker, an EdTech innovator, and a media executive. My life is a testimony to resilience, revelation, and righteous rebellion.

I’m not just disrupting broken systems—I’m building new ones.

And if there’s one thing I want you to remember, it’s this:
No matter where you start, your voice was never meant to be caged.

We all face challenges, but looking back would you describe it as a relatively smooth road?
The Cost of Building Freedom
By The Queen Bathsheba

Building Cage Free Voices has never been easy—for me, it’s been a crucible.

I didn’t have investors. I didn’t come from generational wealth. What I had was grit, a God-given vision, and a daughter I refused to let inherit the trauma of a broken system.

In the early days, I poured everything I had into the company—financially, emotionally, spiritually. There were times I had to choose between keeping the lights on and keeping the mission alive. And still, I pressed forward.

When the weight of it all threatened to crush me, it was the voice of God that kept me going—steady, unwavering, a divine whisper reminding me there was purpose beyond the pain. And along the way, there were those who personally supported me—whether financially, through housing, transportation, or with emotional strength—offering what they could when I had nothing left to give. Their faith in me became part of the foundation I now stand on.

I’ve lost everything three times: relationships, homes, partnerships, and platforms—each loss more painful than the last. I’ve known the sting of betrayal from people I trusted, the heartbreak of building something sacred only to watch it fall apart, and the silence of doors that wouldn’t open—not because they couldn’t see the vision, but because they weren’t willing to support it.

There were days when all I had left was the sound of my daughter’s voice—the very same voice that now brings life to the Cage Free Voices animated character. That voice reminded me why I started.

But in the midst of the storm, on the long road of trial and sacrifice, I met Dr. Jacqui Virgil.

Where others hesitated, Dr. Virgil leaned in. A seasoned leader grounded in education, sports management, and equity, she brought not only insight but integrity. She became more than a collaborator—she became a co-architect of the mission. Our partnership was forged through shared values and mutual resilience—two women, both tested by life, who refused to let the world silence their calling.

Today, Dr. Jacqui Virgil serves as Executive Partner and part owner of Cage Free Voices. She brings strength, structure, and strategic foresight to this movement. Together, we’ve built not just a brand, but a blueprint—anchored in cultural truth, community healing, and visionary impact.

Cage Free Voices doesn’t stand as a polished brand—it stands as a battle-tested movement, forged in pain and powered by partnership.

Appreciate you sharing that. What should we know about Cage Free Voices ?
About Cage Free Voices
By The Queen Bathsheba

Cage Free Voices isn’t just a company we built—it’s a movement we birthed from pain, purpose, and the pursuit of truth. It’s a dynamic multimedia platform and mission-driven space dedicated to uplifting authentic, culturally rooted voices through creative expression, education, and community empowerment.

We created Cage Free Voices to reclaim narrative freedom—giving artists, learners, and changemakers the space and tools to speak truth boldly and unapologetically.

Our Mission

At our core, Cage Free Voices is a multi-service EdTech system designed to empower youth and adults who struggle with self-image and identity. We offer transformative learning experiences that meet people where they are, not where society expects them to be. By centering neurodiversity, we’ve helped students grow by 2 to 4 grade levels in reading in just 2.5 months. That’s not just progress—it’s liberation.

What We Do
• Educational Innovation & EdTech: We build culturally responsive, neurodiverse learning environments that honor cognitive differences and unlock untapped potential.
• Artist Development: We support indie artists with the tools, partnerships, and platforms to build sustainable careers—without compromising their voice or vision.
• Media & Storytelling: Through our global podcast network and multimedia projects, we tell stories that reflect our culture and catalyze healing.
• Partnership & Advocacy: We build bridges with leaders, educators, and businesses who value equity and truth—because transformation doesn’t happen in isolation.

What Sets Us Apart

Cage Free Voices is not just a brand—it’s a battle-tested movement born from real trials, grit, and an unshakable commitment to cultural integrity.

Unlike conventional platforms, we center neurodiversity, cultural truth, and spiritual resilience in everything we do. Our foundation is firmly rooted in Christ and the principles of the Kingdom of God, which guide every decision with divine purpose.

Our leadership isn’t theoretical—it’s lived. As a team led by The Queen Bathsheba and Dr. Jacqui Virgil, Executive Partner and co-owner, we operate with integrity, insight, and shared vision. Our partnership is built on truth, not titles.

What We’re Most Proud Of
• Our Resilience: We built this from the ground up—without traditional investors or generational wealth. We’ve survived betrayal, loss, and countless setbacks. And we keep going.
• Our Impact: We’ve created platforms that don’t just entertain—they heal, educate, and transform. Our original content reaches audiences worldwide.
• Our Community: We’ve created inclusive, empowering spaces where learners and artists are seen, supported, and celebrated.
• Our Leadership: As two women who’ve walked through fire and still carry the torch, we lead with courage, clarity, and cultural wisdom.

Cage Free Voices is more than media. It’s a blueprint—for freedom, healing, and creative expression in a world hungry for truth.

What sort of changes are you expecting over the next 5-10 years?
Looking Ahead: The Future of Education and Entertainment (2025–2035)

The next 5 to 10 years will usher in a transformative era in both education and entertainment—industries that are rapidly converging through technology, cultural demand, and a global hunger for authenticity and inclusivity.

The Future of Education

Education will no longer be defined solely by rigid curricula or standardized testing. Instead, we’re entering a time where personalized, culturally relevant, and neurodiverse learning models will take center stage. Hybrid and immersive learning environments—leveraging AI, gamification, and community-based learning—will become the norm, particularly for students historically underserved by traditional systems.

Students will increasingly demand learning experiences that reflect their identities, honor their lived experiences, and empower them to be problem solvers, creators, and leaders. Education will shift from content delivery to identity formation and life application—centering the whole person, not just academic achievement.

Cage Free Voices is leading this charge by pioneering a neurodiversity-centered EdTech system that addresses self-image, identity, and literacy—helping learners grow 2–4 grade levels in reading in just 2.5 months. As the world moves toward more inclusive and adaptive learning systems, Cage Free Voices is already delivering the blueprint.

The Future of Entertainment

In the entertainment world, the next decade will be defined by authenticity, values-driven content, and the rise of independent creators. Audiences are increasingly rejecting superficial narratives in favor of storytelling that is soulful, transparent, and transformational. The future belongs to content that heals, teaches, and liberates—especially for historically marginalized communities.

Entertainment will become a primary mode of education, social impact, and spiritual engagement. Animation, music, podcasting, and digital storytelling will serve not just to entertain, but to shift culture, challenge systems, and build global communities.

Cage Free Voices is again at the forefront. With its multimedia storytelling platforms, artist development programs, and spiritually rooted content, CFV is producing powerful narratives that are both culturally and Kingdom-centered. From voice-acted animations to podcasts and indie music, Cage Free Voices bridges entertainment and education to move hearts, minds, and systems.

A Movement, Not a Moment

As both industries evolve, Cage Free Voices is not merely adapting—we’re shaping the future. By fusing spiritual growth, cultural truth, education, and media, we are designing a new model: one where voices once silenced now lead, where learning is liberation, and where creativity is a pathway to healing.

In a world hungry for vision and authenticity, Cage Free Voices stands at the vanguard—boldly building what the future requires.

Contact Info:

• Website: https://cfvonlinelearning.com
• Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/cagefreevoicesllc , https://www.instagram/cagefreevoicesrecords
• Facebook: https://m.facebook.com/cfvonlinelearning/ , https://facebook.com/share/1FyD5Y6ubj/
• LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/company/cage-free-voices/
• Youtube: https://www.youtube.com/@cagefreevoices
• Other: https://cagefree-records.com

Image Credits
Image credits:

The John F. Kennedy Center for the Performing Arts
Katmai
Virginia Tech