Dear Katie: Survivor Stories

'I wanted everyone to be happy. I didn't want to be a burden.' Coming from a lineage of powerful women, Paula forges her own path as an immigrant in the United States. She shares her knowledge with us as a female entrepreneur mastering both feminine and masculine energy to craft a life of balance and peace.  Find out more about Paula here: https://linktr.ee/paulalacobara Host: Katie Koestner Edito...

Meeting for hot chocolate, Taryn breaks her one rule and allows a man to drive her home since he says 'his momma raised him right'. He quickly begins pushing her boundaries, refusing to leave, and finally assaulting her for almost an hour. Today, Taryn speaks up for herself and others, fighting to advocate legally for survivors in her state.  Hosts: Claire Kaplan and Emily Wang Editor: Benter Oluo...

"Women are really strong. We really are very strong." From infertility to sexual violence, Leslie Morgan Steiner has spent her career documenting and discussing the experiences that have become markers of many's experience of womanhood. Today, she shares her wisdom on being outspoken in male-dominated fields, and what it means to be both a powerful woman and a victim.  Find out more about Leslie M...

"I don't remember when it became normal to sit on the guy's lap, but it was." Escaping a turbulent home life, Seth spends his weekends playing video games with an older friend. While initially, their friendship seems safe, he quickly finds himself accustomed to abuse to preserve his newfound freedom. Fearing for the next child, Seth decides to report his abuser to the police and collects evidence...

Join us through breathing and movement exercises as we learn about the ways our body holds experiences and how we can work with our bodies to promote a path to healing. Carol Beringer, a Movement Reeducation Specialist, shares her experience and knowledge with us to connect our minds and bodies. Find out more about Carol and her work at https://pilatesandmore.com/   Hosts: Emily Wang and Katie Koe...

"We're standing in tender solidarity... and we feel safe to hold hands, even metaphorically, and create this beautiful circle of survivors standing together." Julie Wallach, an outspoken activist and author, shares her experiences with surviving trauma and the many different responses to sexual violence. She brings light to the dissociation and self-doubt many survivors face, and reminds us of the...

We ask Renee Williams, the Executive Director of the National Center for Victims of Crime, all of our pressing legal questions. While Law and Order may be entertaining, our ideas of what occurs in the courtroom may not be accurate.  Renée is the executive director of the National Center for Victims of Crime. She also serves as the director of the National Crime Victim Bar Association, an affiliate...

In this episode, we invite TBone McGowain to share his experiences as a male survivor coach. He works with men who have experienced sexual abuse or assault and are dealing with the aftermath, accompanying them on their healing journeys to help them achieve the life they desire.  Hosts: Katie Koestner and Claire Kaplan Editor: Benter Oluoch Producer: Emily Wang

This week we share the powerful voices of Jon Vaughn and Josh Rubin. Jon Vaughn made waves around the world as one of the few to publicly speak out against the abuse of University of Michigan doctor Robert Anderson in 2020, leading over 1000 survivors in a lawsuit against the university that settled in 2022. Today, he is a testament to the power of speaking out and advocating for what is right aga...

Coming out to their teddy bear, Lindz Amer quickly found themselves at the center of internet controversy. Navigating online vitriol from a young age, they found solace in connecting with other queer folk and making content for LGBTQ+ children. They are best known for their webseries Queer Kid Stuff, their book Rainbow Parenting: Your Guide to Raising Queer Kids and Their Allies, and their debut p...

'I didn't look pretty anymore, I had stopped taking care of myself... I was no longer the family hero.' Cheryl Spera is a trauma-sensitive yoga instructor and the founder of Higher Ground Recovery & Yoga which provides trauma-sensitive yoga classes to substance use and behavioral health facilities in the Philadelphia region. She is a woman in long-term recovery from alcoholism. After two decad...

Rebecca Coffey comes to us to share her personal story of sexual violence and her work with dance therapy. She brings us into our bodies and reminds us how impactful it has been for her and other survivors in their own healing journey. Hosts: Claire Kaplan and Emily Wang Editor: Benter Oluoch Producer: Emily Wang

Coming to shore this week is Jessica Browning, a sailboat-living harpist who shares her story of the violence that occurred throughout her childhood. Today, she dedicates her career to voicing her healing through music and encouraging survivors to trust themselves and their healing journey.  Hosts: Claire Kaplan and Emily Wang Editor: Evan Mader Producer: Emily Wang  

Isolated in a foreign country during a study abroad program, Christy is assaulted and finds herself pressured to keep quiet. She spends years suffering in silence, eventually overcoming her trauma and sharing her story with us today, reminding our listeners that they are not alone.  Hosts: Claire Kaplan and Luiza Leite Editor: Benter Oluoch Producer: Emily Wang

'You don't want to go somewhere you can't see yourself in.' This week, Mike Short, professor and advocate, shares his experiences with diversity and equity in academia. While the world has taken many steps forward, Mike acknowledges the many weaknesses and failures of the current system, particularly when it comes to sexual harassment and discrimination.  Host: Katie Koestner Editor: Evan Mader Pr...

This week we are accompanied by three phenomenal individuals who all graduated from Rosemead High, a Southern California High School where sexual violence was rampant and normalized. Through Matt’s investigative work, along with two survivor stories, we are introduced to their efforts to change the education system, support the many who have also been victimized by their high school, and advocate...

All the way from Finland, Eva Biaudet talks about her role as a politician through working through battling the negative impact of human trafficking. She emphasizes how important sex education is through child development, diving into how enforcing equal satisfaction and engagement through romantic relationships at a young age is an important part of creating healthy and safe sexual environments. ...

This week, we get to know Dr. Shena Young, a psychologist healer and mental health futurist in LA. We listen as she talks about her life role to hold space for Black individuals healing from trauma, and she puts into perspective how important it is to understand the mind, body, and spirit. For more information on Shena and her work, visit www.embodiedtruthhealing.com Hosts: Claire Kaplan and Katie...

In this week’s episode, Guy D’Andrea, attorney at LBK, dives into his advocacy and how he navigates sexual assault cases in institutional settings. Sharing his expertise, he sheds light on how the legal system operates and the connections he can make with his clients. Host: Katie Koestner Editor: Evan Mader Producer: Emily Wang

Ben Perrin, a law professor at the University of British Columbia, shares his work breaking the cycles of trauma and abuse. He gives insight into his personal experiences working with his wife, who is a victim of childhood abuse, and how this development has shaped his life and relationship.  Hosts: Claire Kaplan and Katie Koestner Editor: Evan Mader Producer: Emily Wang

Victimized by her college study buddy, Melissa spends 17 years in Nicaragua mentally paralyzed and avoiding memories of her assault. Finally brave enough to return to the United States, Melissa opened her mind to healing, and today, shares how she uses her experiences to inspire others. Hosts: Claire Kaplan and Katie Koestner Editor: Benter Oluoch Producer: Emily Wang

In today's episode, Zahabiyah Yamasaki, founder of “Transcending Sexual Trauma Through Yoga”, gives us a glimpse of her work with trauma survivors. Due to her college stranger rape at the University of California - Irvine, Zahabiyah has dedicated herself to helping others who have also experienced trauma explore their mind body connection, feeling safe in their body, and healing. In her work, she...

Meeting by chance on a plane, Katie interviews Brandy Jeffries, a stand-up comedian and actor who also works in a security prison on death row. Brandy talks about the importance of the delivery of her jokes and her calculated approach to death row prisoners, which, despite being very different job descriptions, have very similar race and gender judgments. Ultimately, through Katie’s experience wit...

After losing her brother, her first perpetrator, Juliette tells the story of her family violence and five-man assault while studying abroad in Spain. Spending nine months in the hospital left her in physical trauma, shock, and with body image issues. Through her healing work, she becomes engaged in mind-body connections and uses her expertise to establish boundaries and communication with others....

This week, we discuss the connection between animal abuse and domestic violence with Phil Arkow, President & Secretary of the National Link Coalition. An internationally acclaimed lecturer, author, and educator, he is a consultant for the American Society for the Prevention of Cruelty to Animals and chairs the Latham Foundation’s Animal Abuse and Family Violence Prevention Project. He trains i...