You Matter!

Sean Escobar was sexually abused as a child by someone who was the pillar of his community; the offender was a respected figure in the Mormon Church and a founder of the Sundance Film Festival. Sean was silent about the abuse from 1993 until 2019, when he came forward after confronting his abuser.

Maeve DuVally, Managing Director of Communications at Goldman Sachs, shares her story as a transgender female, the evolution of which occurred while working at the financial services giant, Goldman Sachs.

Billy Bean played Major League Baseball from 1987 to 1995 as an outfielder for the Detroit Tigers, Los Angeles Dodgers, and San Diego Padres. During this time, Billy was living life as a closeted gay man. In this episode, Billy shares his story that is well documented in his memoir, Going the Other Way, and discusses his role as Major League Baseball's first Ambassador for Inclusion. Bean is now t...

Tyler Perino, the survivor of college hazing rituals while a student at Miami University in Ohio, and his mother Laura, talk with Karen about Tyler's experience in an effort to educate others regarding the dangers of hazing and to stop hazing on college campuses.

Fountain Walker, Vice President of Global Campus Safety at New York University's Department of Public Safety discusses his role in the Department with Karen and shares his vision and insight regarding safety here in New York City and on campus.

Cindy Liccardo, former senior Mercer County assistant prosecutor and chief of the Megan's Law unit, and Lew Korngut, former Mercer County assistant prosecutor and chief of the homicide task force speak about the origins of Megan's Law.

Dr. Greg McDonald, Chief Deputy coroner from Montgomery County, Pennsylvania, and the Dean of the School of Health Sciences,and the chair of the department of Forensic Medicine and Pathology at the Philadelphia College of Osteopathic Medicine, speaks about the pathology of drug abuse.

Juan Acosta, a young activist who has dedicated his life to fighting on behalf of the LGBTQ+ community, particularly as it pertains to the LGBTQ+ rights and its intersection with mental health, shares his story, and speaks about his book, published together with Lady Gaga.

Monique Riley, a sex trafficking survivor and the founder and CEO of Freedom Youth, New York City in the Bronx, shares information about her organization that helps victims and survivors of trafficking, domestic violence and sexual assault.

Katie Hood, CEO, speaks about her organization, One Love Foundation, the nation's leading educator of young people on the topic of healthy and unhealthy relationships, as both a primary prevention strategy for relationship abuse and as an investment in the relationship health of the next generation.

Father-daughter singing duo Mark and Ava Mabry perform their original song Eating Alone , and discuss sexual exploitation, harassment, and victimization.

Mandy Bass, survivor of a home invasion that almost killed her,  shares her journey of recovery that resulted in Mandy forgiving her attacker.

Tim Hesler, a certified treasury professional and assistant treasurer, global banking, cash management and treasury operations for New York University, speaks about financial health and safety.

Sergeant Joe Paglione, supervisor of the Special Victims Unit in the Mercer County, New Jersey, Prosecutor's Office, speaks about his unit and how it serves both adults and children in Mercer County.

Jane Reynolds, a forensic nurse examiner and Coordinator of the Sexual Assault Response Team in Mercer County, New Jersey, speaks about the treatment and care of sexual assault victims. She defines the term SAFE, an acronym for sexual assault forensic examination kit, describes its contents and explains the examination process.

Jim and Evelyn Piazza share the story of their son, Tim, and their mission to end hazing on college campuses. Tim died as a result of hazing rituals while a student at Penn State University in February 2017. This episode debuts on what would have been Tim's 23rd birthday.

Gabrielle, a dating violence and sexual assault survivor, shares her story with Karen.

Quentin Vennie is a celebrated wellness expert, motivational speaker and author of the bestselling memoir Strong in the Broken Places . His work has been featured in the Huffington Post , Thrive Global Entrepreneur , Fox News , mindbodygreen and others. Quentin has been recognized as one of Black Enterprise Magazine's 100 Modern Men of Distinction and by the American Foundation for Suicide Prevent...

Jodee Blanco is the author of seven books on bullying, including the seminal New York Times bestseller Please Stop Laughing At Me, a catalyst for the anti-bullying movement. As the movement's first voice, she travels to schools sharing her story to save lives and has spoken to thousands of people worldwide. CBS Evening News and USA Today featured her story, and she has written for CNN.com and The...

Karen opens Season 3 of You Matter! with former Rutgers football player, Eric LeGrand. After suffering a severe spinal cord injury in 2010, Eric became a motivational speaker and source of inspiration and hope for many. Eric speaks about his love of football, his injury and perseverance, and his foundation, Team LeGrand.

Retired New Jersey State Police Lieutenant Thomas Paret, formerly of the state police's polygraph unit, explains to Karen what a polygraph is, its purpose, and what it measures. Please note, this episode was recorded remotely during the COVID-19 pandemic.

Katie stops by to speak with Karen and Sabah about parenting her transgender daughter Sarah, who was designated a male at birth.

Maisie Breit from the NYC Mayor's Office to End Domestic and Gender-Based Violence meets with Karen and Presidential Scholar Karen Wang to discuss gaslighting: how to understand the signs, and the resources available in New York City that can help those affected.

Near-death survivor, heart transplant recipient, and Ambassador to Columbia University and New York Presbyterian Hospital Cherie Aimée shares her story about crossing into another realm after going into cardiac arrest.

Author, consultant, and thought leader Leslie Morgan Steiner discusses Women's Leadership, Overcoming Adversity and Surviving Violence Against Women speaks with Karen and Sabah about domestic violence and why women stay in those relationships.