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154. Caroline Markel: Big Changes Are Coming! What’s Next for Safe in Harm’s Way

Sexual Assault Survivor Stories Podcast - SASS

Release Date: 09/09/2025

154. Caroline Markel: Big Changes Are Coming! What’s Next for Safe in Harm’s Way show art 154. Caroline Markel: Big Changes Are Coming! What’s Next for Safe in Harm’s Way

Sexual 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...

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153. Pastor Michael Neely: ‘Till Death Do Us Part’ Almost Killed Him—Now He Fights for Survivors show art 153. Pastor Michael Neely: ‘Till Death Do Us Part’ Almost Killed Him—Now He Fights for Survivors

Sexual 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...

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152. Johnny Braun: What the World Refuses to See About Male Survivors show art 152. Johnny Braun: What the World Refuses to See About Male Survivors

Sexual 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...

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151. C Kimberly Toms: From Victimization to Voice—Changing the System show art 151. C Kimberly Toms: From Victimization to Voice—Changing the System

Sexual 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...

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150. Whitney Vergés: Breaking Barriers in the Sex Industry show art 150. Whitney Vergés: Breaking Barriers in the Sex Industry

Sexual 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,...

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149. Ariel Sorensen: Surviving Sexual Assault and Navigating Justice Abroad show art 149. Ariel Sorensen: Surviving Sexual Assault and Navigating Justice Abroad

Sexual 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...

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148. Dave Markel: Reflections and Impacts show art 148. Dave Markel: Reflections and Impacts

Sexual 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...

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147. A Repeat of Episode 43: Cashaye Barrera—An Episode Worth Hearing Again! show art 147. A Repeat of Episode 43: Cashaye Barrera—An Episode Worth Hearing Again!

Sexual 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...

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146. Jessica Pride & Verna Griffin-Tabor: Co-Founders of Sirona Healing Center show art 146. Jessica Pride & Verna Griffin-Tabor: Co-Founders of Sirona Healing Center

Sexual 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...

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145. Summer Heat: A Strength Compilation show art 145. Summer Heat: A Strength Compilation

Sexual Assault Survivor Stories Podcast - SASS

Welcome to Episode 145 of Sexual Assault Survivor Stories. It’s hard to believe, but the year is already half gone!...WoW! By way of celebrating this half-way point of this year’s shows, I wanted to provide a compilation of a few of the powerful, brave, survivors who have guested on this show. I picked out some of the more gripping and impressionable portions of these lady’s interviews as a reminder of how powerful these women are, and as a prod to nudge you to go listen to the episodes if you haven’t already, or to re-listen if you have! These are worth your time! An important side...

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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 with Safe in Harm’s Way but also the plans for the future that are poised to make a real impact in the world of rape and sexual assault advocacy. Her insights and strategies highlight the importance of proactive, survivor-focused approaches to justice, and the conversation is packed with actionable ideas and hope for victims and survivors. Listening to Caroline’s vision for the organization is both inspiring and energizing, giving us a glimpse of what’s to come and the difference one dedicated advocate can make.

I want to extend my deepest gratitude to Caroline for joining me once again and for providing such an informative and impactful discussion. The work she and Safe in Harm’s Way are doing is critically important, and the implementation of these forthcoming changes promises to bring even more tangible support and justice to victims and survivors of rape and sexual assault. Her commitment, foresight, and passion are genuinely admirable. It’s why she’s on this show so frequently!

For my listeners, I hope this episode leaves you with not only a sense of excitement about Caroline’s plans but also a renewed sense of the power that advocacy and action can have in the lives of survivors. Sharing this episode helps amplify these important conversations, supports the critical work of Safe in Harm’s Way, and contributes to the ongoing effort to normalize the conversation around sexual assault and rape. Every donation and share strengthens the ability of organizations like Safe in Harm’s Way to make a lasting impact and bring justice to those who need it most.

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: [email protected]  Thank you to all of you who have reached out to me already; and, if you’re interested in guesting on the show, please mention that in your email or text, and provide me with a phone number where I can reach you. Please keep those emails and texts coming…I truly look forward to hearing from you!

https://safeinharmsway.org

https://sironahealing.com/

https://www.whattheydontsay.com

https://www.survivor-school.com/?ref=DAVEMARKEL

www.arcigrey.com 

https://podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/invisible-no-more-lady-veterans-stories-of-military/id1754061590

https://startbybelieving.org

https://evawintl.org/

My email address:

[email protected]

As mentioned and emphasized, it’s time to Normalize the Conversation.™ And please remember to Start by Believing…because we all know someone whose life has been impacted by rape or sexual assault.

Thank you for tuning in.