129. Katie Koestner: Dear Katie: Survivor Stories Podcast Host Shares an Episode with SASS!
Sexual Assault Survivor Stories Podcast - SASS
Release Date: 03/18/2025
144. Alan Manwaring: This is Just a Teaser on Strength, Resilience, and the Road to Healing
Sexual Assault Survivor Stories Podcast - SASS
Welcome to Episode 144 of Sexual Assault Survivor Stories. This is just a short teaser…something to get you prepared for a much longer, intensive interview that will be airing in just a few weeks. Alan has been on the show four times previous to this episode…and the one that’s coming up will be his sixth! He’s worth listening to! In today's episode, Alan discusses the challenges he's faced and the progress he's witnessed in raising awareness and support for survivors. We explore his advocacy work, his reflections on healing, and the ongoing journey towards justice and understanding....
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143. Becky Nulle: From Trafficked to Triumph; A Story of Survival and Healing
Sexual Assault Survivor Stories Podcast - SASS
This is an episode of massive importance. My deepest thanks to my guest, Becky Nulle, who endured horrific experiences of rape and sexual assault from multiple perpetrators, one of which was the Deputy Superintendent of Chicago Schools, James Moffat, in the late 70’s and early 80’s. Becky was one of 5 victims that suffered rape and sexual assault from Moffat who was finally charged and prosecuted in the mid-80’s. But Becky’s story starts with parents who, as she puts it, were neglectful. Becky was victimized by bullies at school, vulnerable, and easy prey to “Darrel” who...
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142. Dave Markel: A Not So Empty Week—The Mission Continues
Sexual Assault Survivor Stories Podcast - SASS
In this solo episode of Sexual Assault Survivor Stories (The SASS Podcast), host Dave Markel takes the mic alone to deliver a powerful, reflective, and informative monologue. While there’s no guest again this week, the episode is anything but empty. Instead, it offers a thoughtful exploration of recent survivor stories making headlines, along with an in-depth look at survivor-led advocacy, cultural change, and resources for healing. Dave begins by spotlighting three courageous individuals: Alex Cooper, host of Call Her Daddy, who recently spoke out about the harassment she endured as a...
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141. Dave Markel: Rape Culture—My Take: What It Is and What to Do About It
Sexual Assault Survivor Stories Podcast - SASS
This week it’s just me. I want to clear up any confusion on my view of what rape culture is, and how we can do something about it. There’s a lot in here about the impact of rape culture. Please listen in! It’s time we start normalizing the conversation. An important side note: if you’re finding value in these episodes, please take a moment to leave a 5-star rating on your podcast platform. AND, please send me a note of support. I can’t tell you how much your emails mean to me—they fuel my passion to keep this podcast going. Here’s my email address: I truly...
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140. Violeta Bagia: An Author’s Bold Truth – Overcoming Trauma and Telling Her Impactful Story
Sexual Assault Survivor Stories Podcast - SASS
Today I have the privilege of hosting Violeta Bagia, an accomplished author hailing from the vibrant landscapes of Australia. Violeta joins me to share her profound journey, intertwining her experiences as a survivor with her passion for storytelling. Her writing career, marked by a poignant blend of resilience and empathy, has captivated readers worldwide. Today, she opens up about her personal ordeal with rape and manipulation, bravely navigating the aftermath and reclaiming her narrative through prose. Born and raised in Bosnia-Herzegovina she and her mother immigrated to Germany when...
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139. Nicole Florisi: Unwavering Dedication in the Mission to Bring Justice to Victims and Survivors
Sexual Assault Survivor Stories Podcast - SASS
Hi! I'm glad you're here!...this is some powerful information. When you listen to this episode, consider this: Nicole is more than just a business colleague and mutual advocate for bringing justice to victims and survivors of interpersonal violence; she is a good friend, confidant, and someone whose integrity and unwavering dedication inspire everyone around her to do better and be better, both professionally and personally. I want to tell you a little bit more about Nicole than I have in past episode notes, because who she is, and what she has accomplished, is important for you to know in...
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138. Victor Lyons: An Approach to Trauma Recovery and a Path to Healing
Sexual Assault Survivor Stories Podcast - SASS
This episode is a deep dive into the transformative journeys of individuals making significant strides in trauma recovery and advocacy. I am finally having the opportunity to shine a spotlight on Victor Lyons, a dedicated trauma incident reduction coach whose work has reshaped the landscape of trauma recovery. Victor Lyons was introduced to me through Derrick Hurley (Episodes 125 through 128), and brings to this show a wealth of experience and expertise in his role as a trauma incident reduction coach. With a background rooted in psychology and extensive training in trauma-informed care,...
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137. Leslie McFadden; Part 2: A Gut Punch
Sexual Assault Survivor Stories Podcast - SASS
This is the concluding episode of Leslie McFadden’s appearance on Sexual Assault Survivor Stories. Leslie’s experience is a powerful example of the systemic issues that many survivors face. In October 2015, she was drugged and raped in Brooklyn. The last thing she remembers was drinks on Stone Street; she would wake up in a hospital many hours later, not knowing what happened. Slowly, she began to piece together that something terrible had occurred. When Leslie reported her sexual assault to the NYPD's Special Victims Unit, she faced additional trauma. One of the first questions a...
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136. Leslie McFadden; Part 1: A Gut Punch
Sexual Assault Survivor Stories Podcast - SASS
Never one to pull any punches, this SASS episode is no exception. This is a full throttle, deep dive, all-in listen. A Gut Punch. Leslie McFadden’s experience is a powerful example of the systemic issues that many survivors face. In October 2015, she was drugged and raped in Brooklyn. The last thing she remembers was drinks on Stone Street; she would wake up in a hospital many hours later, not knowing what happened. Slowly, she began to piece together that something terrible had occurred. When Leslie reported the assault to the NYPD's Special Victims Unit, she faced additional...
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135. Lauren King and Shannon Porter: What They Don’t Say Podcast Meets Sexual Assault Survivor Stories for a Power Episode
Sexual Assault Survivor Stories Podcast - SASS
In this powerful crossover episode, I had the fantastic fortune to join forces with the hosts of the What They Don't Say: Sexual Assault and Everything in Between podcast for a special pod-share episode. It was an incredible opportunity for all of us to come together and share our unique perspectives on the journey of healing and justice after sexual assault. I’ve been following Shannon and Lauren’s work for a while, and it was great to finally connect and collaborate. Their podcast offers such an unfiltered, raw approach to discussing trauma and healing, and this episode felt like the...
info_outlineI have listened, on and off, to the Dear Katie: Survivor Stories podcast for several years and had it in the back of my head that doing a podshare episode with her might be something that both our audiences might find informative and enlightening. So, with nothing to lose, I sent off an email asking if this was something she might be interested in. She responded that she thought it was a great idea—here’s that episode! This was recorded in the fall of 2024, so some of the references made might be a tiny it outdated, but the content of the episode is, and will be forever, vitally pertinent and ageless! If you want to hear a slightly different version of this same episode from the Dear Katie: Survivor Stories podcast that aired on March 6, 2025, the link is listed below. Her producers edited this mutual interview a little bit differently than I did.
For those of you who don’t know Katie:
Katie Koestner appeared on the cover of TIME Magazine at age 18 as the first to speak out as the victim of “date rape”, talks with survivors of sexual assault, rape and abuse about what they went through and how it impacted their life afterward. Katie delves into backlash, legal systems, campus reactions, family and friends, mental health, PTSD, substance use, body image, and the journey from hurt to healing and thriving. (Cite: Dear Katie Podcast home page: https://open.spotify.com/episode/61EYk28V2tI9qqTZA5UnN5?si=dc49fda7e8454346, copied 18 March, 2025.)
I think you’ll find this episode extremely informative, as we both describe our sexual assault and rape experiences as well as the impacts each of us endured, and how our healing journeys started and have progressed. And you’ll hear our mutual responses to being made aware of each other’s stories…it’s quite the episode, I think you’ll agree. This was a true pleasure and honor to do with Katie, and I am thrilled and honored that she agreed to do this with me!
Thank you for being a SASS listener. Please subscribe to the show, then give it a five-star rating. This helps in the grand scheme of algorithms to increase the opportunity of more people to know about and listen to this important and powerful podcast. I hope you will also do your part to bring justice to victims and survivors of rape and sexual assault. You can do that by sharing this episode with others, and that when you listen to others tell their story of rape or sexual assault, you’ll Start by Believing. Also, please follow the Instagram page of sexualassaultsurvivorstories. It also helps the show grow, which is what I hope to accomplish to help lessen the prevalence of rape and sexual assault, as well as the prevalence of rape culture that surrounds us all. It only takes a minute, and I truly appreciate your support.
And as always, listed below are some additional important and meaningful websites I hope you’ll take a look at and learn more about.
You’ll also notice in this episode that there are ads placed at the beginning, middle, and end of the episode to help bring attention to Arci Grey’s Survivor School, an organization in which I play a part as both a Masterclass Presenter, and as a member of the Survivor School advisory panel. There’s nothing like this phenomenally innovative approach to healing from trauma and becoming un-stuck. To join Survivor School, please use this link:
https://www.survivor-school.com/?ref=DAVEMARKEL
Thanks again for listening!
https://open.spotify.com/episode/61EYk28V2tI9qqTZA5UnN5?si=dc49fda7e8454346
https://www.survivor-school.com/?ref=DAVEMARKEL