68. Jan Broberg: Focused, Intentional, and Resolute
Sexual Assault Survivor Stories Podcast - SASS
Release Date: 01/16/2024
Sexual Assault Survivor Stories Podcast - SASS
This captivating episode features Amanda Carrasco, also known as Amanda The Brave One, author of Becoming the Brave One; My Journey to Justice. Amanda’s story is one of unimaginable trauma and extraordinary resilience. She endured horrific sexual assaults and, while out of her home, suffered the devastating loss of her immediate family at the hands of another family member. Yet rather than allowing her trauma to define her, Amanda transformed her experiences into a platform for healing, education, and advocacy—helping survivors and professionals alike understand the realities of trauma...
info_outlineSexual Assault Survivor Stories Podcast - SASS
It’s finally happened!!--I’m honored to welcome back Caroline Markel, Founder and CEO of Safe in Harm’s Way, for an in-depth conversation that’s both exciting and, yes!...exclusive! Over the past two-and-a-half years, Caroline and her organization have been evolving in significant ways, and this episode offers a rare, behind-the-scenes look at the changes, developments, and forward-thinking initiatives that few people outside her immediate circle have been privy to. In this episode, Caroline shares her perspectives with openness and transparency, discussing not only what has changed...
info_outlineSexual Assault Survivor Stories Podcast - SASS
This week I had the privilege and pleasure of talking with Pastor Michael Neely, a man whose faith, courage, and resilience were tested in living his own personal marriage; that 15-year marriage nearly cost him his life. Michael now channels his pain into advocacy and works to turn churches into safe spaces and mentoring victims who once felt voiceless. And the really awesome part of all of this to me, is that his story is real, raw, gripping, and completely relevant to everything this podcast is about—and it will challenge everything you think you know about abuse, faith, and healing. I’m...
info_outlineSexual Assault Survivor Stories Podcast - SASS
It was an amazing day for me when Johnny Braun sent me a DM on Instagram. It was short, it was succinct, and it made me want to talk to him. Here’s what he said: “Hey there Dave, if you’re looking for another person to be on your podcast, I’d like to be on an episode. I experienced childhood sexual abuse.” That was it…that’s what started an amazing conversation, and my decision to have him as a guest today. I could go on and on about how amazing I know Johnny is. But I think he would rather I tell you about what I know about male sexual assault as a “thing” that needs to be...
info_outlineSexual Assault Survivor Stories Podcast - SASS
151. C Kimberly Toms: From Victimization to Voice—Changing the System C Kimberly Toms. She’s a survivor of rape and attempted murder, a filmmaker, writer, and business consultant. In 2013, a hopeful job move to Milwaukee turned into a harrowing ordeal when she was raped and stalked by a U.S. Department of State special agent who eventually also attempted to murder her. For the last 12 years, Kimberly has endured relentless trauma, systemic failures, and intimidation. The absolutely worst experiences, however, inspired advocacy; Kimberly created her documentary Escaping Fed and founded...
info_outlineSexual Assault Survivor Stories Podcast - SASS
The importance of this podcast includes the critical component of continuing to amplify the voices of those who've survived the unimaginable. This week, the show marks a significant milestone—Episode 150—and it’s only fitting that I have a truly monumental guest, Whitney Vergés. Whitney’s story is one of incredible courage as she bravely shares her experience of being drugged and raped. But what makes her journey even more powerful is the context surrounding her assault. Whitney, who has worked in the adult entertainment industry as both a stripper and the manager of the strip club,...
info_outlineSexual Assault Survivor Stories Podcast - SASS
Ariel Sorensen reached deep inside herself to muster the strength and fortitude to reach out to me to find out if she could share her gripping and harrowing tale of her rape and sexual assault during what was supposed to be the trip of a lifetime to South Africa. Ariel and her male companion, strangers in a foreign land, were offered nightly accommodations by an elderly couple they had just met. The couple’s generous offer seemed harmless at first, but as Ariel recounts, it was part of a carefully orchestrated manipulation. Things got worse when she was invited to stay in a separate bedroom...
info_outlineSexual Assault Survivor Stories Podcast - SASS
148. Dave Markel: Reflections and Impacts This week, since there’s not guest again, I want to take a moment to reflect on the growth and impact of the podcast. I am deeply grateful for the unwavering support from all my listeners, whose commitment has fueled the show's success and exponential growth. Whether long-time listeners or relatively new to the show, your passion and dedication are what have made SASS what it is today. I also want to emphasize the importance of normalizing the conversation around rape and sexual assault. By creating a safe space for survivors to share their...
info_outlineSexual Assault Survivor Stories Podcast - SASS
147. A Repeat of Episode 43: Cashaye Barrera—An Episode Worth Hearing Again! Sometimes life throws us a curve ball when we least expect it, and it changes the trajectory of the path we were on. That’s what happened this week when a guest who was scheduled to record with me had some unexpected events thwart our scheduled appointment and we weren’t able to record. So, I made the decision to do something I have yet to do on this podcast, and that is to repeat a past episode. It didn’t take me anytime at all to decide which one: you are about to hear Episode 43 again: my adopted...
info_outlineSexual Assault Survivor Stories Podcast - SASS
Welcome to Episode 146. It’s an honor and pleasure to introduce you to Sirona Healing Center of San Diego, CA. This episode features the two co-founders of Sirona, Jessica (Jess) Pride and Verna (Vee) Griffin-Tabor. Jess’s name may sound familiar to some of you who’ve been long-time listeners to SASS…she was my guest on Episode 44, in August, 2023. The reason I’m featuring Sirona Healing Center this week is two-fold: first, it’s a pleasure to have Jessica Pride back as a guest this week. Secondly, I am always pleased to present avenues of support and healing that my audience may...
info_outlineIf someone is serious about attempting to fulfil a significant, meaningful, and overwhelmingly difficult objective, the effort can often-times feel ineffective, even pointless. Having this type of purpose-filled lifegoal can be exhausting and often will end in frustration long before even a small dent can be made in the predicament. Especially if that objective is being fueled by a large accumulation of the populace who carry long-held misunderstandings of the scope of the problem, confusion on what the definition of the problem is, and/or is blatantly apathetic to the scourge. The measure of frustration is exacerbated if the plague seems to be supported, even if unwittingly, by an under-educated and seemingly indifferent social norm. When that menace is child, adolescent, or adult rape and sexual assault, the individuals striving to combat it must navigate a complex landscape of societal attitudes, legal intricacies, and deeply rooted misconceptions. Addressing such a pervasive and complex issue requires a multifaceted approach that includes education, advocacy, and legislative reforms. It becomes crucial to dismantle the prevailing myths surrounding rape and sexual assault, fostering a culture of empathy and awareness of the impact of trauma. As these dedicated efforts persist, it is imperative to emphasize the importance of community involvement, encouraging conversations that challenge harmful norms and empower survivors. By fostering a collective commitment to change, progress can be achieved, and the fight against sexual violence can evolve into a transformative force for societal well-being.
Someone who is focused, intentional, and resolute on finding a corrective pathway to accomplishing such a tremendous and overwhelming mission can easily become exhausted and needs consistent and constant support, both emotionally and practically, to sustain their commitment. The journey towards achieving such a formidable mission demands not only inner strength but also a reliable network of allies, resources, and encouragement. In the face of persistent challenges and setbacks, having a robust support system becomes indispensable, offering the necessary motivation and reassurance to navigate the complexities of the endeavor.
In my experiences of investigating the horrific and devastating crimes of rape and sexual assault, on persons of any age, as well as in my work as a trainer/consultant in this field, and now as the host of this podcast, which is dedicated to awareness and healing from these crimes, I have had the pleasure and honor of working with a multitude of both individuals and organizations whose efforts are directly involved in this very goal…reducing the prevalence, and increasing the awareness and positive societal responses, to rape and sexual assault. In fact, I have strived to highlight many of those individuals and organizations on this show. One of those individuals, who has in fact been a guest before, is back this week: Jan Broberg is here. I brought her back again to update us on what she is doing to further all those difficult, yet meaningful efforts to accomplish that which needs to be done to fight rape, sexual assault, and the apathetic societal norms that are pervasive all around us.
I brought Jan back on the show as my way of providing an avenue of helping replenish her, even if in a small degree…to provide that very consistent and constant support that I just mentioned; to provide a measure of emotional and practical encouragement to help sustain her and her commitment to victims and survivors of all ages, as she had done for me in agreeing to be on my show and allowing me to be the co-host on her podcast. And to provide you, my listeners, with her ongoing sense of focus, intention, and resolution that this work takes. She’s got it. As do all the people that work with her in her non-profit foundation, and those who are members of her Thrivivors On-line Community. Jan is one of those impressive people who are doing the hard work, like many others in this small-but-mighty force of people around the globe who are striving toward the same ends. Jan won’t quit. She as much as says so in this episode. It’s powerful and it’s meaningful. I hope you listen to this, and that you Start by Believing; because we all know someone whose life has been affected by rape or sexual assault.
Here are some critically important links I would appreciate you looking into:
https://thejanbrobergfoundation.org
https://www.peacocktv.com/stream-tv/a-friend-of-the-family
https://www.google.com/search?client=firefox-b-1-d&q=the+jan+broberg+story+book
https://www.thejanbrobergshow.com/
https://thrivivors.circle.so/home
#thrivivors #thejanbrobergfoundation #janbroberg #safeinharmsway #epizonstrategy #intentionallyfearless #thelastimsorry #feelingsmall #sasspodcast #retiredcop #traumainformed #traumainformedexpert #sexassaultvictim #survivorsunite #rapevictim #sexualassaultsurvivorstories #podcast #markelconsulting #jessicapridelawfirm #awareness #boundaries #gettraumainformed #safeinharmsway #projectbeloved #saan #irishangel #crimevictimsassistancecenter #coloradoassociationofsexcrimeinvestigators #girlsfightback #outdoordefense #worthfightingfor #supportsurvivors #mysurvivorstory #confidence #violenceprevention #awareness #boundaries #empowerment #speaker #trainer #thejanbrobergshow #thrivivors #thejanbrobergfoundation #internationalspeaker #genderequality #equality #selfdefense #selfdefence #safety #youreworthfightingfor #sassyselfdefenseguide #badassselfdefense #imworthfightingfor #vawa #ashforduniversity #amandacoleman #remembermolly #fightrapeculture #forcescience