Sexual Assault Survivor Stories Podcast - SASS
Sexual Assault Survivor Stories -SASS- is a weekly podcast designed for the purpose of providing victims and survivors of sexual assault and rape information and a forum to better understand the complexities, adversities, victories, and all the dynamics of surviving and healing. But it's not just for victims and survivors! It's a podcast of learning about trauma-informed interviewing and the neuroscience of trauma and memory, understanding the victim impact of rape and sexual assault, knowing how to recognize the psychophysiological responses of interpersonal trauma, and developing healing strategies and best-practice responses for all of these components. And the main goal of the podcast is to help bring justice to victims and survivors, recognizing that the best way to do this is by talking about our experiences and spreading information...because we all know someone who has been affected by rape or sexual assault. .
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188. Martha Gagnon: The Hidden Pattern Behind Coercion
05/05/2026
188. Martha Gagnon: The Hidden Pattern Behind Coercion
Martha Gagnon joins me for a deeply important and, at times, difficult conversation about coercion, control, and what she ultimately came to understand as rape within an intimate relationship. Her story doesn’t follow the narrative many people expect—and that’s exactly why it matters. In this survival story, Martha’s relationship with this particular person began as what appeared to be healthy, emotionally aware, and enlightened. But it slowly shifted into a pattern of pressure, manipulation, and control that escalated over time. Martha walks us through how coercion operated in her relationship—how repeated pressure, emotional punishment, and the eventual inability to safely say no created a dynamic where compliance felt like the only option. She shares, in powerful detail, the moment that would later become central to her healing journey, and how confusion, self-blame, and manipulation kept her from recognizing the violation for what it was. As she began to process her experience, Martha encountered something many survivors face: the gap between lived experience and legal definition. Despite being believed, her case did not meet the legal standard for rape in her state. That realization became a turning point—not only in her personal healing, but in her advocacy. She has since founded Define Consent Iowa, working to push for a clear, comprehensive legal definition of consent that better reflects the realities survivors experience. This episode is not just about one story—it’s about a broader misunderstanding that exists around coercion, consent, and trauma. Martha’s voice brings clarity to something that is often minimized or dismissed, and her work is helping others recognize their own experiences, feel less alone, and begin to heal. An important side note: if you’re finding value in this show and these conversations, please consider leaving a 5-star rating on your podcast platform—it truly helps more people find these stories. You can also follow Sexual Assault Survivor Stories on Instagram and 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. And if you’re a victim or survivor and you feel like you might be ready to share your story—whether for your own healing or to help someone else—reach out to me. We can start a conversation, with no pressure and no expectations. You can email me directly at dave@sasstories.com. Please include a phone number where I can reach you, because I genuinely prefer to talk with people who are considering guesting. Thank you to everyone who has already reached out—and please keep those emails coming. I truly look forward to hearing from you. Here are some critically important links that I hope you’ll take the time to explore. Where a contribution is requested, please consider doing so. Thank you—for listening, for believing survivors, and for being part of this community. linktr.ee/defineconsentiowa 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. (Check out & for more information on “Start By Believing”!) Thank you for tuning in. --Dave
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187. Sophie: “If I Said No Again…What Would Happen?”
04/28/2026
187. Sophie: “If I Said No Again…What Would Happen?”
Sophie was 14 when she entered a relationship that, at first, felt familiar and exciting. Over time, that relationship shifted into something she couldn’t fully understand in the moment. What began as connection turned into pressure, confusion, and a growing sense that she was responsible for someone else’s emotions, safety, and survival. This episode traces how that shift happened. Not through a single moment, but through a pattern—pushing boundaries in public, introducing sexual expectations early, using guilt and fear, and layering in threats of self-harm. Sophie describes what it felt like to be 15 and trying to manage all of that at once, while still telling herself she was just trying to make things work. By the time the sexual assault occurred, she was already navigating a situation where saying no no longer felt like a real option. Years later, Sophie began to understand what she had lived through. Through therapy, reflection, and eventually reporting, she started putting language to experiences that once felt confusing and disconnected. Her story includes the reality of not being believed the way she should have been, and still choosing to speak. What she shares here is honest, grounded, and a reminder that understanding often comes long after the moment itself—and that doesn’t make it any less real. An important side note: if you’re finding value in this show and these conversations, please consider leaving a 5-star rating on your podcast platform—it truly helps more people find these stories. You can also follow Sexual Assault Survivor Stories on Instagram and 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. And if you’re a victim or survivor and you feel like you might be ready to share your story—whether for your own healing or to help someone else—reach out to me. We can start a conversation, with no pressure and no expectations. You can email me directly at dave@sasstories.com. Please include a phone number where I can reach you, because I genuinely prefer to talk with people who are considering guesting. Thank you to everyone who has already reached out—and please keep those emails coming. I truly look forward to hearing from you. Here are some critically important links that I hope you’ll take the time to explore. Where a contribution is requested, please consider doing so. Thank you—for listening, for believing survivors, and for being part of this community. 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. (Check out & for more information on “Start By Believing”!) Thank you for tuning in. --Dave
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186. Joseph Born: The Hidden Reality of Child-on-Child Harm
04/21/2026
186. Joseph Born: The Hidden Reality of Child-on-Child Harm
Joseph Born grew up surrounded by the raw, untamed beauty of Alaska—a childhood filled with exploration, curiosity, and the kind of freedom that most people would associate with innocence. But beneath that backdrop was something far different. In this episode, Joseph shares the part of his story that rarely gets talked about with the clarity it deserves: child-on-child sexual abuse, and the lasting imprint it leaves long after childhood ends. What makes this conversation so important is not just what happened, but how it showed up—behavioral shifts, confusion, acting out—things that are often misunderstood, dismissed, or punished instead of recognized for what they are. We spend time unpacking what those early indicators can look like when a child doesn’t have the language, the safety, or the understanding to say, “Something’s wrong.” Joseph walks through the weight of secrecy and shame that kept him silent, and how that silence shaped the way he saw himself and the world around him. This is one of those conversations that challenges the way adults think about behavior in children and forces a more honest look at what might be underneath the surface. It also brings attention to something that still doesn’t get nearly enough discussion—how children can act out harm on other children, often without anyone recognizing the deeper context behind it. Joseph also takes us into his path forward. Therapy didn’t erase what happened, but it gave him a way to understand it, to process it, and to begin to separate who he is from what he went through. We talk about what healing looks like in real life, and why awareness, education, and open conversations are critical if we’re going to do better for the next generation. This episode isn’t easy. But it’s necessary. And if there’s one thing to take from it, it’s this: the conversations we avoid are often the ones that matter most. An important side note: if you’re finding value in this show and these conversations, please consider leaving a 5-star rating on your podcast platform—it truly helps more people find these stories. You can also follow Sexual Assault Survivor Stories on Instagram and 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. And if you’re a victim or survivor and you feel like you might be ready to share your story—whether for your own healing or to help someone else—reach out to me. We can start a conversation, with no pressure and no expectations. You can email me directly at dave@sasstories.com. Please include a phone number where I can reach you, because I genuinely prefer to talk with people who are considering guesting. Thank you to everyone who has already reached out—and please keep those emails coming. I truly look forward to hearing from you. Here are some critically important links that I hope you’ll take the time to explore. Where a contribution is requested, please consider doing so. Thank you—for listening, for believing survivors, and for being part of this community. 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. (Check out & for more information on “Start By Believing”!) Thank you for tuning in.--Dave
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185. Sara Perry: This Changes How You Think About Healing
04/14/2026
185. Sara Perry: This Changes How You Think About Healing
This week’s episode takes us into a part of the healing conversation that doesn’t get talked about nearly enough. I sit down with Sara Perry, founder of Haven Space () in Houston, Texas, to explore what it means to approach trauma and intimacy through the body—not just the mind. Sara is a somatic sex educator and sexological bodyworker who works with individuals and couples to reconnect with themselves after experiences of disconnection, shame, or trauma. Her work blends coaching, somatic practices, and body awareness to help people understand how their nervous system responds to stress, touch, and intimacy. It’s grounded in consent, safety, and the understanding that the body holds onto more than we often realize. The body keeps the score…remember? (Thanks, Bessel van der Kolk!) What stood out in this conversation is how much this aligns with what we already know about trauma. Survivors don’t just carry memories—they carry physical responses, tension, and patterns that don’t always make sense until you start looking at the body as part of the story. Sara breaks that down in a way that’s accessible without oversimplifying it. This episode might stretch your perspective a bit, and that’s okay. If nothing else, I hope it opens the door to thinking about healing in a broader way—and reminds you that there is more than one path forward. An important side note: if you’re finding value in this show and these conversations, please consider leaving a 5-star rating on your podcast platform—it truly helps more people find these stories. You can also follow Sexual Assault Survivor Stories on Instagram and 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. And if you’re a victim or survivor and you feel like you might be ready to share your story—whether for your own healing or to help someone else—reach out to me. We can start a conversation, with no pressure and no expectations. You can email me directly at dave@sasstories.com. Please include a phone number where I can reach you, because I genuinely prefer to talk with people who are considering guesting. Thank you to everyone who has already reached out—and please keep those emails coming. I truly look forward to hearing from you. Here are some critically important links that I hope you’ll take the time to explore. Where a contribution is requested, please consider doing so. Thank you—for listening, for believing survivors, and for being part of this community. 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. (Check out & for more information on “Start By Believing”!) Thank you for tuning in. --Dave
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184. Emily: I Was Living My Life Like Nothing Happened
04/07/2026
184. Emily: I Was Living My Life Like Nothing Happened
This week, Emily joins the show to share a story that has lived quietly beneath the surface while life continued to move forward around it. As a young woman navigating the early stages of adulthood, she opens up about what it means to carry the impact of sexual assault while still showing up in the world in ways that appear “normal” to everyone else. This conversation explores the contrast between outward life and internal reality—how someone can be building a future, maintaining relationships, and staying socially connected, all while holding onto something deeply unresolved. Emily speaks candidly about that disconnect, and the weight that comes with it over time. We also talk about delayed processing—something that so many survivors experience. The idea that trauma doesn’t always fully surface right away, and that understanding what happened can take months… or years. Emily’s story highlights how that realization unfolds, and what it feels like to begin putting language to something that once felt confusing or undefined. Emily’s experience is a reminder that survivors don’t fit into a single narrative. They are individuals moving through everyday life—often while carrying experiences that others may never see. Creating space for those stories to be told is how we begin to better understand the full picture of trauma and healing. An important side note: if you’re finding value in this show and these conversations, please consider leaving a 5-star rating on your podcast platform—it truly helps more people find these stories. You can also follow Sexual Assault Survivor Stories on Instagram and 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. And if you’re a victim or survivor and you feel like you might be ready to share your story—whether for your own healing or to help someone else—reach out to me. We can start a conversation, with no pressure and no expectations. You can email me directly at dave@sasstories.com. Please include a phone number where I can reach you, because I genuinely prefer to talk with people who are considering guesting. Thank you to everyone who has already reached out—and please keep those emails coming. I truly look forward to hearing from you. Here are some critically important links that I hope you’ll take the time to explore. Where a contribution is requested, please consider doing so. Thank you—for listening, for believing survivors, and for being part of this community. 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. (Check out & for more information on “Start By Believing”!) Thank you for tuning in. --Dave
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183. Darlene Lekowski: She Buried the Truth as a Child…What Happened When It Resurfaced?
03/31/2026
183. Darlene Lekowski: She Buried the Truth as a Child…What Happened When It Resurfaced?
Before I get into these notes, I want to pass along this from this week’s guest, Darlene Lekowski. She mentioned during our conversation that her audiobook, Shattering Silence, is dropping to just ninety-nine cents this coming Thursday, April 2nd, as her release-day promo. Go to amazon.com and look-up her book title, again—shattering silence, and you’ll find the promotional deal. This is a limited-time opportunity, so if you’re hearing this on or before april 2nd, 2026, go take a look—you won’t want to miss this audiobook in Darlene’s own voice! ****************************************************************************** This week I sat down with Darlene Lekowski, a survivor of sibling sexual trauma and abuse, who carried a secret for more than fifty years before finding her voice. What unfolds in this conversation is not just a story of what happened to her as a child, but what it means to live an entire life shaped by silence… and what it takes to finally break it. Darlene shares how growing up in a family where appearances mattered forced her into a reality where speaking out didn’t feel like an option. Instead, she learned to survive by staying quiet, staying in control, and protecting everything around her—even at the expense of herself. And as she explains, that kind of survival doesn’t just stay in childhood… it follows you into adulthood, into relationships, into every corner of your life. But this conversation isn’t just about what was taken from her. It’s about what she chose to take back. When the truth she had buried for decades came to the surface, Darlene was faced with a decision that so many survivors wrestle with—stay silent or finally stand in it. What she did next changed everything, not just for her, but for the people who will hear her story and recognize themselves in it. There’s a depth to this conversation that’s hard to put into words. It’s about courage, yes… but it’s also about release. About what happens when you stop trying to hold it all together and start allowing yourself to move forward in a different way. Darlene is now using her voice to reach others who are still carrying their own silence, and her story is one that will stay with you long after this episode ends. An important side note: if you’re finding value in this show and these conversations, please consider leaving a 5-star rating on your podcast platform—it truly helps more people find these stories. You can also follow Sexual Assault Survivor Stories on Instagram and 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. And if you’re a victim or survivor and you feel like you might be ready to share your story—whether for your own healing or to help someone else—reach out to me. We can start a conversation, with no pressure and no expectations. You can email me directly at dave@sasstories.com. Please include a phone number where I can reach you, because I genuinely prefer to talk with people who are considering guesting. Thank you to everyone who has already reached out—and please keep those emails coming. I truly look forward to hearing from you. Here are some critically important links that I hope you’ll take the time to explore. Where a contribution is requested, please consider doing so. Thank you—for listening, for believing survivors, and for being part of this community. Facebook: Darlene Lekowshi Instagram: @darlenelekowski 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. (Check out & for more information on “Start By Believing”!) Thank you for tuning in. --Dave
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182. Cassie Nicholas: When Help Was a Setup
03/24/2026
182. Cassie Nicholas: When Help Was a Setup
Cassie Nicholas returns to the podcast with a story that is as urgent as it is revealing. After everything she has already survived, Cassie found herself in a situation that looked—on the surface—like support and stability. People she trusted offered help, a way to get back on her feet, a path forward. But what she began to recognize, piece by piece, was something far more dangerous: those same individuals were attempting to traffic her. In this episode, I sit down with Cassie as she walks through that realization—how subtle the warning signs can be, how manipulation can be disguised as care, and how quickly vulnerability can be exploited. Her story is a stark reminder that trafficking doesn’t always come in obvious forms. It often hides behind trust, relationships, and promises that feel safe…until they aren’t. What makes this conversation so powerful isn’t just what Cassie escaped—it’s how she continues to move forward. She shares how she recognized what was happening, how she got out, and what it took to protect herself in a moment where everything could have gone very differently. There’s a clarity in her insight that comes from lived experience, and it offers something critical for listeners: awareness. But beyond the danger and the escape, Cassie brings something else to this conversation—perspective. She talks about healing in a way that doesn’t ignore the weight of trauma, but also doesn’t allow it to define her future. Her ability to maintain a positive outlook isn’t about denial; it’s about choice. It’s about deciding, day by day, how she’s going to carry what’s happened to her without letting it take everything from her. Cassie’s voice is one that stays with you. Not just because of what she’s been through, but because of how she chooses to live now. This episode is about survival. It’s about awareness. And it’s about what it really means to keep going. An important side note: if you’re finding value in this show and these conversations, please consider leaving a 5-star rating on your podcast platform—it truly helps more people find these stories. You can also follow Sexual Assault Survivor Stories on Instagram and 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. And if you’re a victim or survivor and you feel like you might be ready to share your story—whether for your own healing or to help someone else—reach out to me. We can start a conversation, with no pressure and no expectations. You can email me directly at dave@sasstories.com. Please include a phone number where I can reach you, because I genuinely prefer to talk with people who are considering guesting. Thank you to everyone who has already reached out—and please keep those emails coming. I truly look forward to hearing from you. Here are some critically important links that I hope you’ll take the time to explore. Where a contribution is requested, please consider doing so. Thank you—for listening, for believing survivors, and for being part of this community. And if you’d like to donate some sustenance to Cassie, let me know; I’ll fill you in on how you can get her some much needed monetary support!! By the way, Mountain to Mountain: The Ranch, by Cassie, is a must read!! 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. (Check out & for more information on “Start By Believing”!) Thank you for tuning in. --Dave
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181. MJ: A Few Minutes That Changed Everything
03/17/2026
181. MJ: A Few Minutes That Changed Everything
In this powerful interview, MJ shares her journey through sexual assault, dissociation, and healing. We explore trauma's impact on the body and mind, the importance of support systems, and pathways to recovery. Discover the profound insights from MJ, a university student and trauma advocate, as she shares her story of resilience and healing after sexual assault. Trauma can alter the course of our lives in unimaginable ways; her journey through trauma began during her sophomore year. In this post, we’ll explore the insights she shared during our conversation about how trauma impacts the mind and body, and the steps toward healing that can inspire others. MJ is a passionate advocate for mental health and trauma recovery, She reached out to share her story after being inspired by the podcast "What They Don't Say." Her experiences have shaped her desire to help others navigate their own trauma journeys, and she aims to work in trauma-informed care after graduation. MJ's experience of sexual assault during her sophomore year marked a turning point in her life. She recalls the moment vividly, stating, "If that short few minutes of my life never happened, my life would be in a completely different trajectory." This realization highlights how pivotal moments can redefine one’s identity and path. During a fraternity party, MJ encountered a situation that escalated into sexual assault. She describes feeling paralyzed and unable to voice her discomfort, which is a common reaction among trauma survivors. "I kept moving towards the side of the bed… to tell him that I was not comfortable with his touch, but he continued to do it," she recalls. This experience underscores a harsh reality: the struggle for consent and the trauma that follows. One of the critical insights from MJ's story is her experience with dissociation. As a protective mechanism during the assault, she felt detached from her body. "It was like I was separate from myself," she explained. This response is not uncommon among survivors and can complicate the healing process. Understanding dissociation is vital for trauma-informed care. MJ's journey toward healing involved significant steps, both personally and academically. After a year, she reported her experience to her university and engaged with the Title IX process. She emphasized the importance of seeking support, saying, "The morning after was crucial, as I received support from my best friends." This support system played a vital role in her recovery. MJ has explored various therapeutic modalities, including internal family systems and somatic therapies. She shared, "In those times, I can come back to my body and really feel it in a controlled setting." This highlights the importance of finding therapies that resonate with individual experiences, as healing is not one-size-fits-all. An important side note: if you’re finding value in this show and these conversations, please consider leaving a 5-star rating on your podcast platform—it truly helps more people find these stories. You can also follow Sexual Assault Survivor Stories on Instagram and 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. And if you’re a victim or survivor and you feel like you might be ready to share your story—whether for your own healing or to help someone else—reach out to me. We can start a conversation, with no pressure and no expectations. You can email me directly at dave@sasstories.com. Please include a phone number where I can reach you, because I genuinely prefer to talk with people who are considering guesting. Thank you to everyone who has already reached out—and please keep those emails coming. I truly look forward to hearing from you. Here are some critically important links that I hope you’ll take the time to explore. Where a contribution is requested, please consider doing so. Thank you—for listening, for believing survivors, and for being part of this community. 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. (Check out & for more information on “Start By Believing”!) Thank you for tuning in. --Dave
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180. Norma Peterson-Part 2: Furthering the Discussion of the Evidentiary Abuse Affidavit
03/10/2026
180. Norma Peterson-Part 2: Furthering the Discussion of the Evidentiary Abuse Affidavit
This week, I am again featuring as my guest, Norma Peterson, Executive Director of Document the Abuse, to talk about the lasting impact of the Stacy Peterson case and the broader importance of documenting abuse when systems fail survivors. Our conversation explores how power, media narratives, and institutional silence can obscure truth—and why preserving survivor stories is not only important, but necessary. As Executive Director, Norma oversees the organization’s survivor-centered advocacy, education, and documentation initiatives. A central focus of her work is the Evidentiary Abuse Affidavit, the primary tool used by Document the Abuse to help survivors formally record patterns of abuse, coercive control, and systemic failures in a clear, structured format. Norma explains that the affidavit is typically used to create a contemporaneous, survivor-authored record that can support legal proceedings, civil actions, advocacy efforts, or simply preserve the truth when no formal action is taken. Norma also shares insight into the mission behind Document the Abuse, the importance of accountability, and how documentation itself becomes a form of advocacy—particularly in cases where justice remains unresolved. This episode is a thoughtful examination of memory, truth, and our collective responsibility to listen, even when answers are incomplete and outcomes are uncertain. For listeners who want to learn more or support this work, Document the Abuse is a nonprofit organization dedicated to preserving survivor voices, documenting patterns of abuse, and ensuring that stories are not erased when systems fall short. Through tools like the Evidentiary Abuse Affidavit and survivor-centered leadership, the organization works to center truth, accountability, and the belief that documentation can be a powerful step toward justice. An important side note: if you’re finding value in this show and these conversations, please consider leaving a 5-star rating on your podcast platform—it truly helps more people find these stories. You can also follow Sexual Assault Survivor Stories on Instagram and 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. And if you’re a victim or survivor and you feel like you might be ready to share your story—whether for your own healing or to help someone else—reach out to me. We can start a conversation, with no pressure and no expectations. You can email me directly at dave@sasstories.com. Please include a phone number where I can reach you, because I genuinely prefer to talk with people who are considering guesting. Thank you to everyone who has already reached out—and please keep those emails coming. I truly look forward to hearing from you. Here are some critically important links that I hope you’ll take the time to explore. Where a contribution is requested, please consider doing so. Thank you—for listening, for believing survivors, and for being part of this community. 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. (Check out & for more information on “Start By Believing”!) Thank you for tuning in. --Dave
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179. Dr. Asher: Survivor-Led, System-Changing
03/03/2026
179. Dr. Asher: Survivor-Led, System-Changing
Let me introduce you to this week’s guest, Dr. Asher. I wanted her here on the show because she is someone whose work sits at the intersection of lived experience, rigorous research, and embodied understanding of trauma. Dr. Asher is a survivor, a scholar, and a systems-level educator who has spent more than two decades studying what sexual trauma actually does to the brain and nervous system—and what institutions consistently get wrong in their response to it. Her work is not abstract. It is not performative. And it is not built on buzzwords. Dr. Asher speaks from lived survivor experience while also bringing PhD-level qualitative research and a deep, somatically grounded understanding of how trauma lives in the body. She challenges organizations to move beyond surface-level “trauma-informed” language and into something far more difficult—and far more necessary: trauma-responsive cultures that protect dignity instead of unintentionally repeating harm. Healthcare systems. Law enforcement. Universities. Legal professionals. Faith communities. Policy leaders. These are the environments where response matters most. These are the environments where misunderstanding trauma can compound damage. And these are the spaces Dr. Asher is actively influencing. Her upcoming Soul Care for Self-Care Summit on Saturday, Mar 14, 2026, from 10 am to 2:30 pm MDT is a reflection of that commitment. It is designed to center survivor voice without spectacle, without pressure, and without forcing disclosure for the sake of optics. The summit focuses on clarity, nervous-system safety, ethical leadership, and real accountability. Not just performance, or branding, but real change! It’s a free summit, and it’s for rape and sexual assault victims, of course. But if you’re not a victim/survivor, but care for, are acquainted with, or love someone who is, you can be part of this summit, too! Here’s the link to sign up: If you care about how the sexual assault trauma brain is understood—or misunderstood—inside institutions, this episode matters. Because what happens after disclosure can either support healing… or create a second injury. Dr. Asher is working to make sure it doesn’t do the latter. An important side note: if you’re finding value in this show and these conversations, please consider leaving a 5-star rating on your podcast platform—it truly helps more people find these stories. You can also follow Sexual Assault Survivor Stories on Instagram and 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. And if you’re a victim or survivor and you feel like you might be ready to share your story—whether for your own healing or to help someone else—reach out to me. We can start a conversation, with no pressure and no expectations. You can email me directly at dave@sasstories.com. Please include a phone number where I can reach you, because I genuinely prefer to talk with people who are considering guesting. Thank you to everyone who has already reached out—and please keep those emails coming. I truly look forward to hearing from you. Here are some critically important links that I hope you’ll take the time to explore. Where a contribution is requested, please consider doing so. Thank you—for listening, for believing survivors, and for being part of this community. 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. (Check out & for more information on “Start By Believing”!) Thank you for tuning in. --Dave
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178. Norma Peterson: The Power of the Evidentiary Abuse Affidavit
02/24/2026
178. Norma Peterson: The Power of the Evidentiary Abuse Affidavit
This week I sit down with Norma Peterson, Executive Director of Document the Abuse, to talk about the lasting impact of the Stacy Peterson case and the broader importance of documenting abuse when systems fail survivors. Our conversation explores how power, media narratives, and institutional silence can obscure truth—and why preserving survivor stories is not only important, but necessary. As Executive Director, Norma oversees the organization’s survivor-centered advocacy, education, and documentation initiatives. A central focus of her work is the Evidentiary Abuse Affidavit, the primary tool used by Document the Abuse to help survivors formally record patterns of abuse, coercive control, and systemic failures in a clear, structured format. Norma explains that the affidavit is typically used to create a contemporaneous, survivor-authored record that can support legal proceedings, civil actions, advocacy efforts, or simply preserve the truth when no formal action is taken. Norma also shares insight into the mission behind Document the Abuse, the importance of accountability, and how documentation itself becomes a form of advocacy—particularly in cases where justice remains unresolved. This episode is a thoughtful examination of memory, truth, and our collective responsibility to listen, even when answers are incomplete and outcomes are uncertain. For listeners who want to learn more or support this work, Document the Abuse is a nonprofit organization dedicated to preserving survivor voices, documenting patterns of abuse, and ensuring that stories are not erased when systems fall short. Through tools like the Evidentiary Abuse Affidavit and survivor-centered leadership, the organization works to center truth, accountability, and the belief that documentation can be a powerful step toward justice. An important side note: if you’re finding value in this show and these conversations, please consider leaving a 5-star rating on your podcast platform—it truly helps more people find these stories. You can also follow Sexual Assault Survivor Stories on Instagram and 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. And if you’re a victim or survivor and you feel like you might be ready to share your story—whether for your own healing or to help someone else—reach out to me. We can start a conversation, with no pressure and no expectations. You can email me directly at dave@sasstories.com. Please include a phone number where I can reach you, because I genuinely prefer to talk with people who are considering guesting. Thank you to everyone who has already reached out—and please keep those emails coming. I truly look forward to hearing from you. Here are some critically important links that I hope you’ll take the time to explore. Where a contribution is requested, please consider doing so. Thank you—for listening, for believing survivors, and for being part of this community. 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. (Check out & for more information on “Start By Believing”!) Thank you for tuning in. --Dave
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177. Daniel: Courage Doesn’t Always Feel Brave
02/17/2026
177. Daniel: Courage Doesn’t Always Feel Brave
In this episode of Sexual Assault Survivor Stories, I sit down with Daniel—a listener who became a storyteller. Like many of the voices you hear on this podcast, Daniel didn’t come to the microphone because he was certain or fully healed. He came because something in these conversations resonated deeply enough that staying silent no longer felt like the right option. What follows is a powerful, honest conversation about sexual assault, courage, and the complicated decision to speak when fear is still very present. Daniel first reached out to me unsure whether he was ready, or even capable, of sharing his story. We stayed in touch, talked it through, and over time he made the choice to step forward. That decision—made quietly, thoughtfully, and without pressure—says a lot about the kind of strength that often goes unseen. This episode explores what it means to sit with trauma, to question your readiness, and to eventually claim your voice on your own terms. This is a survivor-centered episode, and one that reflects something core to SASS: healing doesn’t require certainty, polish, or confidence. It requires honesty and a safe place to land. Daniel’s story is a reminder that courage doesn’t always roar—sometimes it shows up as a single message sent, a difficult conversation, or the willingness to be heard. Listener discretion is advised. And if this episode brings anything up for you, please take care of yourself and reach out to someone safe. You are not alone. An important side note: if you’re finding value in this show and these conversations, please consider leaving a 5-star rating on your podcast platform—it truly helps more people find these stories. You can also follow Sexual Assault Survivor Stories on Instagram and 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. And if you’re a victim or survivor and you feel like you might be ready to share your story—whether for your own healing or to help someone else—reach out to me. We can start a conversation, with no pressure and no expectations. You can email me directly at dave@sasstories.com. Please include a phone number where I can reach you, because I genuinely prefer to talk with people who are considering guesting. Thank you to everyone who has already reached out—and please keep those emails coming. I truly look forward to hearing from you. Here are some critically important links that I hope you’ll take the time to explore. Where a contribution is requested, please consider doing so. Thank you—for listening, for believing survivors, and for being part of this community. 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. (Check out & for more information on “Start By Believing”!) Thank you for tuning in. --Dave
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176. Pamela France: Faith, Trauma, and the Truth That Follows
02/11/2026
176. Pamela France: Faith, Trauma, and the Truth That Follows
In this episode of Sexual Assault Survivor Stories, I sit down with Pamela France, author of the memoir Life Soup. Pamela shares her lived experience of childhood sexual abuse and the lifelong impact of trauma, alongside a deeply personal account of healing grounded in her Christian faith. Life Soup is not written to shock or sensationalize—it’s written as testimony, reflection, and invitation for survivors who may feel isolated or unseen. Pamela’s perspective is shaped not only by her own story, but by decades of service to others. She has worked in Child Protective Services, served students and families in higher education, and spent the latter part of her career as a school counselor. That combination—survivor, advocate, and professional—gives her voice a rare depth and clarity. This conversation explores what it means to carry trauma quietly, to live a functional life while still carrying unhealed wounds, and to slowly reclaim wholeness over time. This is a faith-forward episode, and it’s also a survivor-centered one. Pamela’s story reminds us that healing does not follow a straight line, and that hope can coexist with grief, anger, and unanswered questions. Listener discretion is advised. And as always, if this episode brings anything up for you, please take care of yourself and reach out to someone safe. You are not alone—and stories like Pamela’s exist because silence should never have the final word. An important side note: if you’re finding value in this show and these amazing episodes, please take a moment to leave a 5-star rating on your podcast platform. AND, follow SexualAssaultSurvivorStories on Instagram, then, 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. And if you’re a victim or survivor and are ready to tell your story in order to help yourself or someone else heal, let me know, and we can start a conversation about the possibility of you being on the show. Here’s my email address: Thank you to all of you who have reached out to me already. Just provide me with a phone number where I can reach back out to you…because I like to talk to people who are interested in guesting. And please keep those emails and texts coming…I truly look forward to hearing from you! Here are some critically important links that I hope you’ll take the time to explore, and where a contribution is requested, please consider doing so! — Thank you!! (Pamela's book on Amazon 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. (Check out & for more information on “Start By Believing”!) Thank you for tuning in. --Dave
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175. Amy Watson & HASSL: What You Allow Is What Continues
02/03/2026
175. Amy Watson & HASSL: What You Allow Is What Continues
There are some episodes of this show that don’t revolve around a single survivor story, but they still land just as hard—because they force us to look at ourselves. This is one of those conversations. It’s not about recounting trauma; it’s about what allows harm to keep happening in everyday spaces, and what it actually takes to interrupt that. This episode asks questions most people would rather avoid, and it does so in a way that’s direct, practical, and impossible to brush off. My conversation with Amy Watson was exactly that kind of dialogue. We talked about prevention, responsibility, and the reality that good intentions don’t create safer spaces—people do. We spent time talking about men’s roles in this work, not as an accusation, but as a call to step up. Who speaks up when something isn’t right. Who stays quiet. And how often silence gets mistaken for neutrality. Nothing about this conversation felt abstract. It was grounded in real-world behavior and real-world consequences. If you’re someone who believes harassment and violence should be addressed before harm occurs—not just after—this episode is worth your time. Amy’s work through HASSL is about action, not optics. About doing something when it would be easier to do nothing. Episode 175 isn’t a passive listen. It challenges you to think differently about your role in the spaces you occupy and what responsibility actually looks like when it matters. An important side note: if you’re finding value in this show and these amazing episodes, please take a moment to leave a 5-star rating on your podcast platform. AND, follow SexualAssaultSurvivorStories on Instagram, then, 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. And if you’re a victim or survivor and are ready to tell your story in order to help yourself or someone else heal, let me know, and we can start a conversation about the possibility of you being on the show. Here’s my email address: Thank you to all of you who have reached out to me already. Just provide me with a phone number where I can reach back out to you…because I like to talk to people who are interested in guesting. And please keep those emails and texts coming…I truly look forward to hearing from you! Here are some critically important links that I hope you’ll take the time to explore, and where a contribution is requested, please consider doing so! — Thank you!! 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. (Check out & for more information on “Start By Believing”!) Thank you for tuning in. --Dave
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174. Gemini: First the Assault. Then Saprea.
01/28/2026
174. Gemini: First the Assault. Then Saprea.
There’s a distinctive aspect to this show that makes it different from most podcasts in this genre, and I consider it a privilege and honor to recognize those of you who make it that way. Sexual Assault Survivor Stories is not built around celebrity guests, polished talking points, or rehearsed narratives. It exists because of something far more rare and far more meaningful—trust. Again and again, people who begin as listeners reach out, not to be heard for the sake of attention, but because they’re finally ready to speak their truth in a space that feels safe enough to hold it. What makes this show what it is—what gives it its authenticity and its depth—is that, more often than not, my listeners become my guests. These are individuals who have sat quietly with these stories, sometimes for years, recognizing pieces of themselves in the voices of others. When they step forward, it’s not to perform or impress, but to contribute to a shared act of healing. That transition—from listener to storyteller—is powerful. It’s where courage shows up without fanfare, and where vulnerability becomes an offering rather than a risk. That is the soul of this podcast. It’s why these conversations land differently. They aren’t extracted or produced; they’re entrusted. And that trust—extended to me, and to everyone listening—is what allows this space to be real, to be human, and to be healing. It’s also what makes this show such a compelling listen, because what you’re hearing isn’t scripted or sensationalized. You’re hearing people reclaiming their voices, often for the first time, and in doing so, reminding all of us why telling the truth still matters. And that brings me to this week’s guest. Gemini’s courage and fortitude are unmistakable in the way she tells her story—her sexual assault, the aftermath, and the complex reality of what it meant to navigate her experience at Saprea. This is not an easy conversation, but it is an honest one. Gemini speaks with clarity, strength, and a willingness to go places many survivors never feel safe enough to enter out loud, and her voice adds something essential to this ongoing dialogue. To Gemini—and to every guest who has trusted this space with their truth—thank you. This show exists because of your willingness to step forward, to be seen, and to remind others that healing is possible, even when the road there is long and uneven. Your voices are the heart of Sexual Assault Survivor Stories, and I’m deeply grateful for each of you. An important side note: if you’re finding value in this show and these amazing episodes, please take a moment to leave a 5-star rating on your podcast platform. AND, follow SexualAssaultSurvivorStories on Instagram, then, 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. And if you’re a victim or survivor and are ready to tell your story in order to help yourself or someone else heal, let me know, and we can start a conversation about the possibility of you being on the show. Here’s my email address: Thank you to all of you who have reached out to me already. Just provide me with a phone number where I can reach back out to you…because I like to talk to people who are interested in guesting. And please keep those emails and texts coming…I truly look forward to hearing from you! Here are some critically important links that I hope you’ll take the time to explore, and where a contribution is requested, please consider doing so! — Thank you!! 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. (Check out & for more information on “Start By Believing”!) Thank you for tuning in. --Dave
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173. Beth: When “Normal” was Actually Rape and Sexual Assault
01/20/2026
173. Beth: When “Normal” was Actually Rape and Sexual Assault
Beth is a survivor who reached out to me after realizing that memories she once believed were long buried were anything but inconsequential. As she explains, those memories began resurfacing as she engaged in EMDR—Eye Movement Desensitization Reprocessing—with her therapist, opening the door to a deeper understanding of what she had endured. (It’s amazing what a good sexual assault/rape therapist can do for clients!) Beth shares her experience inside a coercive and controlling relationship that ultimately included rape, and how that environment systematically eroded her self-image, autonomy, and ability to function long before she had language for what was happening. This deeply personal and sometimes difficult conversation explores how coercive control operates quietly and persistently—how manipulation, exploitation, and sexual violence can become normalized within relationships and obscured by expectation, loyalty, and silence. Beth speaks candidly, boldly even, about the long process of recognizing abuse for what it was, the internal conflict that came with that realization, and what it took to begin disentangling herself from a relationship designed to keep her powerless. We also talk openly about healing, therapy, and the ways Beth has reclaimed her voice and sense of self through intentional, transformative work. This is a difficult but necessary episode—one that sheds light on the realities of coercive control and affirms the experiences of survivors who may still be questioning their own. Beth’s story is not only about survival; it is about clarity, courage, and the strength it takes to speak when silence feels safer. If any part of this conversation resonates with you, please know that you are not alone, and that what you experienced matters. Important information: If you’re finding value in this show and these conversations, please take a moment to leave a 5-star rating on your podcast platform. It makes a real difference. I’d also greatly appreciate for you to follow Sexual Assault Survivor Stories on Instagram and send me a note of support. I can’t tell you how much your emails mean to me—they truly fuel my passion to keep this podcast going. And if you’re a victim or survivor who feels ready to share your story—whether to help yourself heal or to help someone else—you’re welcome to reach out. You can email me at dave@sasstories.com, and we can start a conversation about the possibility of you being on the show. Please include a phone number where I can reach you, because I prefer to talk directly with people who are interested in guesting. Thank you to all of you who have already reached out, and please keep those emails and texts coming—I genuinely look forward to hearing from you. Here are some websites for you to peruse, and if you can make a donation where a donation is asked for, thank you! If not, no worries…just you being aware makes a difference! 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. (Check out & for more information on “Start By Believing”!) Thank you for tuning in. --Dave It is with gratitude and deep appreciation that I publish Beth’s poem: Everything at Once My 1 st boyfriend, and I’m in love. Naïve, trusting and inexperienced, coerced onto the bed. He knows I not ready, I don’t want to But he makes his move anyway Forced on my back, he’s in between my legs The pain is excruciating My words – NO, NO, NO! His silence My words – YOU’RE HURTING ME! His silence My words begging him – STOP, STOP! His CHOICE to keep going Everything hits me all at once. I’m overwhelmed - Confusion, Panic, Why is he not responding to me? The pain He won’t look at me I don’t exist to him I’m not a person I’m an object Ignored, used – violated The pain Why won’t he stop? He is my boyfriend. How could he be doing this to me? Shocked, betrayed – terrified. The pain I freeze, my body won’t move I can’t make it stop Please make it stop OH GOD – HE’S NOT GOING TO STOP! The pain My first time is against my will My first time – rape The excruciating pain Despair consumes me. My body says don’t fight, don’t move, don’t breathe. It is wise and it takes over. I’m detached now and no longer feel the pain. There is a window on the wall behind the bed. To the left, a closet door. It’s brown with 6 horizontal panels, each the same size running down the length of the door. The doorknob is old fashioned – An ivory knob with a decorative plate. We are in an odd position on the bed. Not at the top by the pillows but close to the bottom. Soft, white sheets are pushed up and wrinkled to my left instead of by our feet. In front of the bed, the bedroom door but I can’t get to it. Trapped beneath him, on the right side of the mattress, I stare at the brown closet door With the 6 panels and The ivory doorknob . . .
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172. Erica: When a Husband’s Power Became Sexual Violence
01/13/2026
172. Erica: When a Husband’s Power Became Sexual Violence
In this episode I sit down with Erica, a survivor whose experience exposes the devastating reality of coercive control, rape, and sexual assault within a marriage. Erica reached out to share not only what she endured, but the long and difficult process of recognizing abuse, breaking free from it, and beginning her healing journey. This conversation examines how power and control can operate quietly and persistently—how manipulation, exploitation, and sexual violence are often obscured by relationship roles, social expectations, and silence. Erica speaks candidly about what it took to escape an environment designed to strip her of autonomy, and the strength it required to reclaim her voice and independence. This is a difficult but necessary episode—one that sheds light on the realities of coercive control and affirms the resilience of survivors who choose to speak their truth. Erica’s story is not just about survival; it is about courage, clarity, and the power of being heard. Important information: if you’re finding value in this show and these amazing episodes, please take a moment to leave a 5-star rating on your podcast platform. AND, follow SexualAssaultSurvivorStories on Instagram, then, 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. And if you’re a victim or survivor and are ready to tell your story in order to help yourself or someone else heal, let me know, and we can start a conversation about the possibility of you being on the show. Here’s my email address: Thank you to all of you who have reached out to me already. Just provide me with a phone number where I can reach back out to you…because I like to talk to people who are interested in guesting. And please keep those emails and texts coming…I truly look forward to hearing from you! Here are some critically important links that I hope you’ll take the time to explore, and where a contribution is requested, please consider doing so! — Thank you!! 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. (Check out & for more information on “Start By Believing”!) Thank you for tuning in. --Dave
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171. Dave Markel: When Showing Up Means Slowing Down
01/06/2026
171. Dave Markel: When Showing Up Means Slowing Down
Today, this episode is a brief reflection from me, recorded as a pause in the regular rhythm of the show. Rather than a guest interview, I’m speaking directly to you, my listeners, about the weight of trauma-informed work, the importance of rest, and what it means to show up honestly when the work feels heavy. For survivors, professionals, and advocates alike, this episode is a reminder that healing is not linear, strength is not measured by endurance alone, and slowing down is sometimes the most responsible choice. Regular guest episodes of Sexual Assault Survivor Stories will resume next week. An important side note: if you’re finding value in this show and these amazing episodes, please take a moment to leave a 5-star rating on your podcast platform. AND, follow SexualAssaultSurvivorStories on Instagram, then, 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. And if you’re a victim or survivor and are ready to tell your story in order to help yourself or someone else heal, let me know, and we can start a conversation about the possibility of you being on the show. Here’s my email address: Thank you to all of you who have reached out to me already. Just provide me with a phone number where I can reach back out to you…because I like to talk to people who are interested in guesting. And please keep those emails and texts coming…I truly look forward to hearing from you! Here are some critically important links that I hope you’ll take the time to explore, and where a contribution is requested, please consider doing so! — Thank you!! 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. (Check out & for more information on “Start By Believing”!) Thank you for tuning in. --Dave
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170. What Stayed With Us: The Conversations From 2025 We Couldn’t Shake
12/30/2025
170. What Stayed With Us: The Conversations From 2025 We Couldn’t Shake
As this year comes to a close, I wanted to take a moment to pause and reflect, not with a countdown or a highlight reel, but with intention. This episode brings together a handful of powerful moments from conversations released in 2025 that truly captured what Sexual Assault Survivor Stories is about: survivor courage, hard truths, clarity around trauma, and the willingness to sit with conversations that don’t offer easy answers. The clips you’ll hear were chosen using a hybrid approach—listener engagement, impact, and significance. They include moments from conversations with Rachel Izzo, Katie Koestner, Dr. David Lisak, Anne Marie Hauben, and Marina Lacerda. Each clip stands on its own, but together they tell a larger story about this past year: one marked by honesty, accountability, and a continued commitment to doing this work thoughtfully and responsibly. This episode is less about “the best” in a traditional sense and more about what mattered. To every guest who trusted me with their story, and to every listener who showed up, listened closely, and shared these conversations—thank you. As we move forward, the mission remains the same: to listen, to learn, and to create space where survivors are heard without judgment and without pressure. An important side note: if you’re finding value in this show and these amazing episodes, please take a moment to leave a 5-star rating on your podcast platform. AND, follow SexualAssaultSurvivorStories on Instagram, then, 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. And if you’re a victim or survivor and are ready to tell your story in order to help yourself or someone else heal, let me know, and we can start a conversation about the possibility of you being on the show. Here’s my email address: Thank you to all of you who have reached out to me already. Just provide me with a phone number where I can reach back out to you…because I like to talk to people who are interested in guesting. And please keep those emails and texts coming…I truly look forward to hearing from you! Here are some critically important links that I hope you’ll take the time to explore, and where a contribution is requested, please consider doing so! — Thank you!! 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. (Check out & for more information on “Start By Believing”!) Thank you for tuning in. --Dave
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169. Shannon Porter: "What They Don’t Say" Is in The House...and The Social Media Reels People Can’t Ignore
12/23/2025
169. Shannon Porter: "What They Don’t Say" Is in The House...and The Social Media Reels People Can’t Ignore
I’m happy to announce that I’m joined once again by Shannon Porter, host and co-founder of the What They Don’t Say podcast. Shannon returns to talk about the evolution of her work, her growing presence on social media, and what’s driving her to speak more openly, and more frequently, about the realities of surviving rape and sexual assault. Our conversation centers on the reels and posts Shannon is producing to help shed light on what survivors face every day: how people respond when a survivor shares their story, the misunderstandings that follow trauma, and the emotional labor survivors are often expected to carry. Shannon shares insight into the messy, painful, and confusing parts of her own journey, alongside the resilience and clarity that continue to shape her voice and her advocacy. This episode dives into day-to-day survival after trauma, relationships and intimacy, the legal process, and the importance of saying the things that too often go unsaid. It’s an honest, grounding conversation that helps normalize survivor experiences and “normalize the conversation.”™ An important side note: if you’re finding value in this show and these amazing episodes, please take a moment to leave a 5-star rating on your podcast platform. AND, follow SexualAssaultSurvivorStories on Instagram, then, 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. And if you’re a victim or survivor and are ready to tell your story in order to help yourself or someone else heal, let me know, and we can start a conversation about the possibility of you being on the show. Here’s my email address: Thank you to all of you who have reached out to me already. Just provide me with a phone number where I can reach back out to you…because I like to talk to people who are interested in guesting. And please keep those emails and texts coming…I truly look forward to hearing from you! Here are some critically important links that I hope you’ll take the time to explore, and where a contribution is requested, please consider doing so! — Thank you!! 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. (Check out & for more information on “Start By Believing”!) Thank you for tuning in. And--Merry Christmas, Happy Hanukkah, and Seasons Greetings to ALL my listeners!! --Dave
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168. Marina Lacerda: When Epstein Power, Money, and Rape Collided — and She Survived
12/16/2025
168. Marina Lacerda: When Epstein Power, Money, and Rape Collided — and She Survived
For decades, Marina was known only as “Minor Victim-1” in legal documents — a label that stripped away her humanity while protecting those responsible. In this conversation, Marina reclaims what was taken from her: her voice, her story, and her identity. She speaks not just about what happened, but about what it costs to survive abuse at that scale — the trauma that lingers, the mistrust that settles in the body, and the long road back to agency and truth. This episode is not sensational, and it is not speculative. It is grounded in lived experience and courageous truth-telling. Marina shares what it was like to finally speak, to cooperate with investigators, and to carry the weight of knowing her testimony mattered — even when justice felt incomplete and accountability felt painfully limited. Her story exposes the human toll behind headlines and reminds us that behind every “case” is a real person who had to keep living afterward. This is a heavy episode — and an essential one. It asks us to listen carefully, to believe survivors fully, and to understand that silence is rarely chosen freely. Marina’s courage doesn’t demand pity; it demands attention, responsibility, and change. I’m deeply grateful to her for trusting this space and for allowing us to bear witness to a truth that should never have been hidden in the first place. An important side note: if you’re finding value in this show and these amazing episodes, please take a moment to leave a 5-star rating on your podcast platform. AND, follow SexualAssaultSurvivorStories on Instagram, then, 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. And if you’re a victim or survivor and are ready to tell your story in order to help yourself or someone else heal, let me know, and we can start a conversation about the possibility of you being on the show. Here’s my email address: Thank you to all of you who have reached out to me already. Just provide me with a phone number where I can reach back out to you…because I like to talk to people who are interested in guesting. And please keep those emails and texts coming…I truly look forward to hearing from you! Here are some critically important links that I hope you’ll take the time to explore, and where a contribution is requested, please consider doing so! — Thank you!! (Marina’s Instagram page: Marina Lacerda|Voice for Survivors) 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. (Check out & for more information on “Start By Believing”!) Thank you for tuning in. --Dave
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167. Erin Williamson: Love146 — Pulling Children Back from the Darkness
12/10/2025
167. Erin Williamson: Love146 — Pulling Children Back from the Darkness
Erin Williamson joins me for an incredibly important conversation about her work with Love146, a nonprofit organization dedicated to protecting children from human trafficking and walking alongside young survivors on their path to healing. Erin shares what this work truly looks like — not the headlines, but the day-to-day reality of survivor care, long-term recovery, and prevention education — and how essential it is to understand trafficking as a real issue affecting real children in communities across the country. We discuss the profound impact trafficking has on children’s brains, bodies, and emotional development, as well as the challenges faced by the professionals who serve them. Erin speaks openly about the emotional toll of this work, the importance of sustainable caregiver support, and why trauma-informed practices are critical for both survivors and survivor-care providers alike. This episode is an honest, compassionate look at why public education matters — because awareness is not just knowledge, it’s prevention. Erin’s perspective reminds us that turning toward difficult truths is a necessary step in protecting vulnerable kids and strengthening the communities around them. Please, check out their website: AND, if at all possible, please donate to this amazing work. Even if it’s just a little…every little bit helps! Thank you!! An important side note: if you’re finding value in this show and these amazing episodes, please take a moment to leave a 5-star rating on your podcast platform. AND, follow SexualAssaultSurvivorStories on Instagram, then, 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. And if you’re a victim or survivor and are ready to tell your story in order to help yourself or someone else heal, let me know, and we can start a conversation about the possibility of you being on the show. Here’s my email address: Thank you to all of you who have reached out to me already. Just provide me with a phone number where I can reach back out to you…because I like to talk to people who are interested in guesting. And please keep those emails and texts coming…I truly look forward to hearing from you! Here are some critically important links that I hope you’ll take the time to explore, and where a contribution is requested, please consider doing so! — Thank you!! https://love146.org 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. (Check out & for more information on “Start By Believing”!) Thank you for tuning in. --Dave
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166. Jason Patrick Berry: Secrets Beneath a Perfect Childhood
12/03/2025
166. Jason Patrick Berry: Secrets Beneath a Perfect Childhood
This week on Sexual Assault Survivor Stories, I sit down with Jason Patrick Berry, author of the brave and unflinchingly honest memoir Secrets Beneath. Jason’s story is one that quietly breaks your heart and then slowly helps rebuild it. On the outside, his childhood looked perfectly normal, even picturesque. But behind closed doors lived a painful reality of abuse, secrecy, and survival that no child should ever have to experience. In Secrets Beneath, Jason pulls back that veil and walks us through the lasting impact of trauma, including post trauma stress, anxiety, and emotional isolation, while also showing what it looks like to keep choosing healing day by day. This conversation is personal, raw, and deeply human. Born and raised in Connecticut and now living in Florida with his husband Shaun and their two beloved dogs, Jason brings not only his survivor voice into this space, but his heart for wellness, recovery, and holistic self-care. He speaks openly about how reconnecting with nature, creating mindful routines around health, and learning to nurture his body and nervous system have become essential parts of his healing journey. There is no polished recovery narrative here, only an honest reflection of what healing truly looks like. Layered, imperfect, courageous, and ongoing. The kind of truth that lets listeners exhale and quietly think, “I am not alone in this.” What struck me most in this conversation is Jason’s willingness to be completely seen. Not as some inspirational figure wrapped up in a neat storyline, but as a real person still walking the road of healing, still learning, and still refusing to allow his abuse experiences to define the rest of his life. His openness about living with anxiety and frequent memory activators brings powerful validation to experiences so many survivors silently hold inside. Jason does not minimize the pain, but he also refuses to ever give up hope. His voice is gentle, steady, and deeply relatable in all the best ways, and the motivation is to always help others who’ve experienced similar abuse. This episode reflects the very heart of Sexual Assault Survivor Stories. Amplifying survivor voices, dismantling silence, and reminding every listener that healing is not only possible, it’s allowed. Jason shares the truth many are afraid to speak aloud, and in doing so creates space for others to discover their own courage. I am genuinely grateful for his vulnerability and for the trust he placed in this platform to tell his story. Secrets Beneath is not just a memoir, and this episode is not just an interview. It is a conversation that invites others to speak, to heal, and to believe that life can hold more than what trauma ever tried to dictate. An important side note: if you’re finding value in this show and these amazing episodes, please take a moment to leave a 5-star rating on your podcast platform. AND, follow SexualAssaultSurvivorStories on Instagram, then, 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. And if you’re a victim or survivor and are ready to tell your story in order to help yourself or someone else heal, let me know, and we can start a conversation about the possibility of you being on the show. Here’s my email address: Thank you to all of you who have reached out to me already. Just provide me with a phone number where I can reach back out to you…because I like to talk to people who are interested in guesting. And please keep those emails and texts coming…I truly look forward to hearing from you! Here are some critically important links that I hope you’ll take the time to explore, and where a contribution is requested, please consider doing so! — Thank you!! (Order Jason’s book on Amazon!) 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.
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165. Anonymous: A Return Guest Shares Some Meaningful Impacts of Being a Guest on SASS
11/25/2025
165. Anonymous: A Return Guest Shares Some Meaningful Impacts of Being a Guest on SASS
This week on Sexual Assault Survivor Stories, I’m joined once again by a guest whose voice made a deep impact the first time she appeared on the show. For this episode, she’s choosing to remain anonymous and will be known as “Ann”—a decision that becomes increasingly meaningful as you hear why she reached out to return. Ann came back to talk about a part of the survivor experience that rarely gets acknowledged: what happens inside a person after they share their story publicly, and how the emotional ripple effects can show up long after the recording ends. In this conversation, Ann walks us through the internal shifts, realizations, and unexpected reactions she went through after her initial episode aired. She wanted to help future guests understand that the process of speaking about trauma—especially sexual assault—is powerful, and with that power comes impact. Her goal wasn’t to warn anyone away from being a guest, but rather to shed light on the importance of preparing emotionally, mentally, and spiritually for what it feels like to bring such a personal story into the world. Her honesty lays out a roadmap that many survivors will find both grounding and validating. If you’ve ever considered sharing your story on this show, Ann’s insight might be one of the most supportive gifts you could receive. This episode doesn’t discourage—it equips. It empowers. It gives language to the quiet places survivors often navigate alone. And as always, the Sexual Assault Survivor Stories family welcomes every story with compassion, respect, and the unwavering belief that survivors deserve to be heard, believed, and supported every step of the way. An important side note: if you’re finding value in this show and these amazing episodes, please take a moment to leave a 5-star rating on your podcast platform. AND, follow SexualAssaultSurvivorStories on Instagram, then, 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. And if you’re a victim or survivor and are ready to tell your story in order to help yourself or someone else heal, let me know, and we can start a conversation about the possibility of you being on the show. Here’s my email address: Thank you to all of you who have reached out to me already. Just provide me with a phone number where I can reach back out to you…because I like to talk to people who are interested in guesting. And please keep those emails and texts coming…I truly look forward to hearing from you! Here are some critically important links that I hope you’ll take the time to explore, and where a contribution is requested, please consider doing so! — Thank you!! 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.
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164. Rita Smith: The Voice That Changed the National Conversation
11/18/2025
164. Rita Smith: The Voice That Changed the National Conversation
In this week’s episode of Sexual Assault Survivor Stories, I’m honored to welcome someone whose name has become synonymous with advocacy, leadership, and meaningful systemic change. Rita Smith has spent more than four decades reshaping how this country understands, responds to, and prevents violence against women. From her grassroots beginnings to her national-level impact, Rita has consistently shown up for survivors with a rare blend of humility, strength, and deep psychological insight. Rita’s work reaches across some of the largest platforms in the nation. She has served as Senior Advisor to the National Football League for more than 11 years, guiding the NFL’s policies, training, and cultural shifts around domestic violence and sexual assault. As Vice President of External Relations for DomesticShelters.org, she strengthens community programs around the country, builds partnerships, supports frontline advocates, and provides a steady, trusted voice to the national media. She’s also spent years consulting for organizations nationwide and serves on the board of Restoration Project International, supporting victims of sex trafficking with compassion and expertise. But what stands out most in our conversation today isn’t just Rita’s résumé—it’s the heart behind the work. She brings decades of crisis intervention experience, conflict-resolution skill, and trauma-informed understanding into this discussion. You’ll hear the wisdom of someone who has sat with survivors, challenged institutions, trained leaders, and refused to accept the status quo when it harms those who need protection most. Rita’s clarity, steadiness, and lived commitment to justice remind us that change doesn’t come from policy alone—it comes from people willing to keep showing up, year after year. This episode is a powerful reminder of what it looks like when advocacy meets integrity. Whether you’re a survivor, a professional in this field, or someone trying to understand how we build safer communities, Rita Smith’s voice will leave you thinking differently about the systems around us—and inspired to push them toward something better. An important side note: if you’re finding value in this show and these amazing episodes, please take a moment to leave a 5-star rating on your podcast platform. AND, follow SexualAssaultSurvivorStories on Instagram, then, 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. And if you’re a victim or survivor and are ready to tell your story in order to help yourself or someone else heal, let me know, and we can start a conversation about the possibility of you being on the show. Here’s my email address: Thank you to all of you who have reached out to me already. Just provide me with a phone number where I can reach back out to you…because I like to talk to people who are interested in guesting. And please keep those emails and texts coming…I truly look forward to hearing from you! Here are some critically important links that I hope you’ll take the time to explore, and where a contribution is requested, please consider doing so! — Thank you!! 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.
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163. Anne Marie Hauben: The Truth About Non-consent, Trauma, and Speaking Up
11/11/2025
163. Anne Marie Hauben: The Truth About Non-consent, Trauma, and Speaking Up
Sexual Assault Survivor Stories Podcast with Dave Markel
Guest: Anne Marie Hauben I’m honored to share this week’s episode of The SASS Podcast with someone whose courage doesn’t just echo across a microphone—it reverberates across decades of silence, retaliation, and survival: Anne Marie Hauben. Anne Marie isn’t just a guest. She is a truth-teller, an advocate, and a woman who refused to let a lifetime of dismissal define her story. After more than 30 years of carrying the weight of an assault she endured at 18 years old, she decided she would not stay silent any longer. And in doing so, she carved out a path of empowerment for survivors everywhere who feel trapped between trauma and the societal forces that try to suffocate their truth. This conversation is raw, urgent, and profoundly human. Who Is Anne Marie Hauben? • She is a survivor of a 1990 sexual assault, perpetrated during a senior trip to Bermuda when she was 18 and extremely intoxicated. The reported perpetrator was Ward, a former city councilor in Melrose, Massachusetts. • Anne Marie endured decades of silence shaped by shame, traumatic memory, lack of parental safety, and the fear that telling the truth would bring more harm than healing. (Written testimony) • In 2016 and again in 2018, she privately confronted her perpetrator through personal messages seeking accountability, remorse, or even acknowledgment. Both attempts were ignored; the second resulted in her being blocked. (Testimony) • In 2023, when her perpetrator ran for city council, her trauma was violently retraumatized and shoved back into the light. The anxiety, fear, flashbacks, and PTSD symptoms became overwhelming, forcing her to grapple with her past in a public way to protect herself, her community, and other survivors. (Testimony) • She ultimately sought legal guidance and published a public statement so voters would know who they were electing. Instead of support, she faced a wave of defamation threats, intimidation, and a coordinated effort by community members to discredit her. (Testimony) • Today, she is a vocal survivor-advocate pushing for reform in defamation law, accountability in local government, protections for survivors, and cultural change around how we respond to sexual violence. • She uses her platform, Amplified Voice Healing, to speak openly about her story, help other survivors reclaim their voice, and educate the public about the patterns of retaliation, shame, and silence that protect perpetrators. () Why I Asked Anne Marie to Be on the Show • Because I’m committed to giving survivors a place where they’re believed, respected, and heard—and Anne Marie has spent the last two years being silenced and attacked for speaking the truth. • Because her experience is a masterclass in how systems, communities, and defamation laws are weaponized against survivors who dare to speak out. • Because she embodies the intersection of trauma neuroscience, public accountability, and the lived experience of surviving both assault and decades of retaliation. • Because her voice is needed. For college students. For mothers. For anyone grappling with whether they’re “allowed” to speak. For every survivor who worries they’ll be called a liar, crazy, or unstable simply for telling the truth. • Because her story is not just her own. It is woven from the same cloth as Chanel Miller, E. Jean Carroll, Christine Blasey Ford, and every survivor whose truth confronted a powerful man shielded by convenience and denial. What We’ll Explore in This Episode • The assault itself: what Anne remembers from that night in Bermuda, what trauma did to her memory, and what the aftermath looked like for an 18-year-old trying to survive without support. • The neuroscience of delayed disclosure: why trauma keeps victims silent for years or decades—and how shame, fear, and protective forgetting shape a survivor’s timeline. • Retaliation, defamation threats, and silencing: how community members, friends of the perpetrator, and public officials weaponized intimidation against her to shut down her voice. • Rape culture in action: what happens when a small-town political ecosystem decides that a man’s reputation is worth more than a woman’s truth. • Healing, advocacy, and finding purpose: how Anne turned her pain into public testimony, activism, and a platform for educating others about accountability and survivor protection. My Personal Reflection I want to acknowledge Anne Marie’s courage. What she carried for three decades would have broken many people. Yet she continues to speak out with clarity, strength, and conviction, not just for herself but for every survivor who has been told to stay quiet. Listening to Anne Marie share her story so openly, and hearing the resilience and emotional labor it took to put her truth into the public square, is proof that SASS is a platform is for victims and survivors to be able to further their pursuit of justice and the commitment to normalize the conversation. Anne Marie’s experience is not just recounting a traumatic event—she’s exposing the machinery that keeps perpetrators safe and survivors silent. I’m grateful Anne chose to trust me with her story. I’m grateful my listeners get to learn from her, feel with her, and rethink what accountability truly looks like. And I’m truly proud to have had her on this show. Audience Takeaway • No survivor owes anyone immediate disclosure. Trauma rewrites the rules of time. • Anne’s experience is both a warning and a call to action. Rape culture is not theoretical—it’s lived every day in the systems that dismissed and attacked her. • If you are a survivor: you’re not alone. Your timeline is valid. Your truth is yours to tell when you are ready. • If you are part of a community, a school, a department, or a justice system: please pay attention. These patterns repeat everywhere. Silence is the abuser’s best friend. • And if you’ve ever wondered why survivors take years to speak: this episode will change the way you think about trauma forever. Anne Marie, thank you for standing up, speaking out, and refusing to keep your pain quiet. And to our SASS listeners: brace yourselves. This episode is powerful, necessary, and is one of those important conversations I regularly bring to the podcast to help normalize the conversation about rape and sexual assault. An important side note: if you’re finding value in this show and these amazing episodes, please take a moment to leave a 5-star rating on your podcast platform. AND, follow SexualAssaultSurvivorStories on Instagram, then, 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. And if you’re a victim or survivor and are ready to tell your story in order to help yourself or someone else heal, let me know, and we can start a conversation about the possibility of you being on the show. Here’s my email address: Thank you to all of you who have reached out to me already. Just provide me with a phone number where I can reach back out to you…because I like to talk to people who are interested in guesting. And please keep those emails and texts coming…I truly look forward to hearing from you! Here are some critically important links that I hope you’ll take the time to explore, and where a contribution is requested, please consider doing so! — Thank you!! 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.
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162. Dr. David Lisak, PhD: The Man Who Shaped My Work — Sharing Science, Wisdom, and Hope
11/04/2025
162. Dr. David Lisak, PhD: The Man Who Shaped My Work — Sharing Science, Wisdom, and Hope
I’m so honored to share this week’s episode of The SASS Podcast with someone who is far more than a guest—he’s a mentor, a guiding light, and a dear friend: Dr. David Lisak, PhD. I’ve personally known David since 1992, when I met him at a training conference where we were both teaching on rape and sexual assault investigations. From those early days of my journey into trauma-informed investigations, inspired by David, he set the bar for what rigorous, compassionate, science-based work looks like. I’m grateful every day that our paths crossed. Who is David Lisak? David is a clinical and forensic psychologist whose career has been defined by an extraordinary depth of research into interpersonal violence, sexual assault, and the long-term impact of childhood abuse—especially in men. () He earned his PhD from Duke University and later served as Associate Professor of Psychology at University of Massachusetts Boston. () His research includes seminal work on so-called “undetected rapists” — men who committed sexual assault but were never prosecuted — helping shift how the criminal justice system and institutions think about serial offending and victim vulnerability. () He is a founding board member of 1in6 — a nonprofit dedicated to supporting male survivors of childhood sexual abuse and trauma. () David’s work has had real-world reach: trainings across every U.S. state, consultation with the military, and involvement in major judicial and prosecutorial education efforts on sexual assault. () On a personal level, David is himself a survivor of childhood sexual abuse. He turned that lived wound into a mission: to break silence, deepen understanding, and empower both survivors and the professionals who serve them. () Why I Asked David to Be on the Show Because when I think about trauma-informed interviewing, especially in the sexual assault realm, nobody blends the neuroscience, the forensic rigor, the interviewing technique, and the survivor-centered ethos quite like David. Because I’ve seen firsthand how he mentors (me and others) with humility, curiosity, and a deep commitment to doing no additional harm. Because our book and masterclass work (on trauma-informed investigations) simply wouldn’t be as strong without grounding from his research and example. Because the connection is personal. As someone in this field, you hope for a few mentors who walk the talk. David is one of those. I’m deeply honoured to have him here, and I want our audience to know just how lucky we are to learn alongside him. What We’ll Explore in This Episode The neuroscience of trauma in sexual assault: what happens in the brain and how knowing that changes how we interview survivors. The dynamics of perpetration: David’s research on serial offenders, undetected rapists, and how institutions often miss the patterns. Interviewing victims without retraumatizing: practical tactics, grounded in empathy, science, and the deep lessons David has gleaned over decades. What it means to bring a trauma-informed lens into the criminal justice system: both the opportunities and the hard realities. David’s personal journey: how his own survival informed his work, and how hope and resilience can coexist with the gravity of this subject. Some Notable Highlights & Quotes In one of his foundational works, David describes the paradox-that despite sexual assault being treated as one of the most serious crimes, the vast majority of rapes are never prosecuted—and the myths around victim behavior and perpetrator profile still linger. () His 2002 study, “Repeat Rape and Multiple Offending Among Undetected Rapists”, revealed very sobering statistics: among a sample of men who had self-reported acts meeting the legal definition of rape, the average number of rapes per offender was roughly six. () David is quoted in a military base article saying: “Sexual violence is a global problem. It affects every institution and community. The only question: Is it confronted with honesty and commitment?” () From his story on 1in6: “He turned from farming to psychology… He transformed his early traumatic experiences into a career of research and clinical work, focused on trauma.” () My Personal Reflection David, I want to say directly: your friendship, your mentorship, your unwavering standard have meant more to me than I can adequately express in these notes. You have modeled for me what it means to combine rigorous science with deep compassion; to enter the “hard space” of sexual assault investigation without turning away; to always center the survivor’s lived experience while equipping professionals with clear, actionable insight. Having you on the SASS Podcast feels like coming full circle. I’m proud, humbled, and ready to dive deep with you. Audience Takeaway (for them to remember) Think of this not just as a “talk episode” but as an opportunity: with David here, you’ll be challenged to think differently about trauma, interviewing, and systems of response. If you work in criminal justice, victim advocacy, forensic interviewing—or even just care deeply about supporting survivors—tune in with a notebook handy. David brings insights you’ll want to capture. And if you’re a survivor or know one: you’ll hear someone who both understands the science and honors the person behind the trauma. That combination is rare—and precious. Thank you, David, for accepting my invitation, for journeying with me into this space, and for being the kind of mentor I’ve aspired to be like. And to our listeners: brace yourselves for one of the richest conversations we’ve had on The SASS Podcast. An important side note: if you’re finding value in this show and these amazing episodes, please take a moment to leave a 5-star rating on your podcast platform. AND, follow SexualAssaultSurvivorStories on Instagram, then, 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. And if you’re a victim or survivor and are ready to tell your story in order to help yourself or someone else heal, let me know, and we can start a conversation about the possibility of you being on the show. Here’s my email address: Thank you to all of you who have reached out to me already. Just provide me with a phone number where I can reach back out to you…because I like to talk to people who are interested in guesting. And please keep those emails and texts coming…I truly look forward to hearing from you! Here are some critically important links that I hope you’ll take the time to explore, and where a contribution is requested, please consider doing so!—Thank you!! 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.
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161. Diane: Fighting for Justice for Almost 50 Years…Because It’s That Important!
10/28/2025
161. Diane: Fighting for Justice for Almost 50 Years…Because It’s That Important!
I had a SASS listener reach out to me a few months ago via email. It was a short email, but it sure got my attention. The writer, Diane, told me that she had been listening to SASS for a while, and that she was very appreciative of the show, as she is a survivor of military sexual assault (MSA) from almost 50 years ago. She also told me she had sent me a large envelope of important information about her case…certified, return receipt. That’ll peak you’re curiosity! I did get a large envelope a few days later. It was a pretty full, 9x12 , mailing envelope, full of documents—letters, law enforcement reports, a narrative of Diane’s story—enough to keep me reading for about an hour. And what I read was both horrific and miserable information, but frustrating and compelling at the same time. It was a compilation of most of the work that Diane had been compiling for the past almost 50 years in order to try to get the Army to bring a retired physician back into active duty for the purpose of having him court-martialed. Can you imagine how frustrating it must feel to have your case investigated by one of this country’s foremost criminal investigation agencies, have the investigation result in being substantiated, sue the perpetrator civilly, and win, and then to have the Army’s prosecutors refuse to prosecute your case…for no particular reason other than to save face for the Army because to court-martial a retired colonel, doctor, from the Army would be embarrassing. Yeah…that’s what happened. It’s asinine; you’re gonna want to hear the story from Diane herself. So listen to this episode. Then, share it with everyone you know. Because it’s that important! An important side note: if you’re finding value in this show and these amazing episodes, please take a moment to leave a 5-star rating on your podcast platform. AND, follow SexualAssaultSurvivorStories on Instagram, then, 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. And if you’re a victim or survivor and are ready to tell your story in order to help yourself or someone else heal, let me know, and we can start a conversation about the possibility of you being on the show. Here’s my email address: Thank you to all of you who have reached out to me already. Just provide me with a phone number where I can reach back out to you…because I like to talk to people who are interested in guesting. And please keep those emails and texts coming…I truly look forward to hearing from you! Here are some critically important links that I hope you’ll take the time to explore, and where a contribution is requested, please consider doing so!—Thank you!! 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.
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160. Inside The Epstein Era: An Important Re-airing From The Jan Broberg Show
10/21/2025
160. Inside The Epstein Era: An Important Re-airing From The Jan Broberg Show
This week’s episode of Sexual Assault Survivor Stories is a powerful replay of Episode 223 from The Jan Broberg Show — an episode that I was honored to join alongside Beth Magnetic, host of the Mormon True Crime Podcast. In this deeply important conversation, Jan, Beth, and I confront one of the most disturbing and misunderstood realities of our time: how a trafficking operation like Jeffrey Epstein’s could remain functional, protected, and operational for more than four decades — despite countless victims, despite obvious warning signs, despite so many people “knowing” something was wrong. What unfolds in this conversation is not just about Epstein. It’s about the dangerous intersections of wealth, privilege, and political radicalization. It’s about the systems that hold more allegiance to influence than to justice. It’s about a culture that is quicker to protect a powerful perpetrator than to believe a terrified teenage girl. And at its center — it’s about the neuroscience of trauma. We talk honestly about why victims don’t “just come forward,” how the brain reacts to betrayal by high-trust offenders, how dissociation and freeze responses still get interpreted as “consent,” and how our culture repeatedly re-traumatizes survivors the moment they dare to speak. Jan, Beth, and I push directly into the root of this: society still does not want to look at the truth of sexual violence. Not in churches. Not in elite institutions. Not when the perpetrator has a famous last name. And that refusal to confront the truth is exactly what keeps the next Epstein alive. If we are ever going to break the cycle, we have to normalize these conversations — not in whisper rooms, not in back channels — but openly, nationally, relentlessly. That is the core mission of this podcast — to elevate the survivor’s voice, to educate the public with the neuroscience of trauma, and to help ignite a cultural change where victims are believed the first time they speak. If this episode moves you, please share it. That is how change begins — one shared truth at a time. 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: 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! Here are some critically important links that I hope you’ll take the time to explore, and where a contribution is requested, please consider doing so!—Thank you!! My email address: 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.
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159. David Wood: Searching for Answers—Finding Courage and Clarity; Part 2
10/14/2025
159. David Wood: Searching for Answers—Finding Courage and Clarity; Part 2
This is the concluding episode of David Wood’s horrific story and search for answers to his life-long confusion and turmoil. David is an Australian journalist and copywriter now based in Darwin, Northern Territory. He reached out to me by email after listening to several SASS episodes and recognizing his own story in the voices of others. I was immediately captivated by David’s email…which turned into several emails through our ongoing efforts to make this episode happen. The bumps in the road as we struggled to put this together were well worth it for me. And I think you’ll also find it well worth it to listen to David’s episodes. I won’t spend a lot of time here describing this episode…it’s something so powerful and so impactful, you’ll just have to listen to it to absorb its phenomenal importance. There is a previous SASS episode that I mentioned this week regarding Katie Stewart…if you’re interested in learning more about Katie and the interesting connections between her story and David’s, it is Episode 35. I also mentioned two books during this episode; one by Dr. Bruce Perry, and the other by concert pianist, James Rhodes. You’ll find the links to where you can purchase these books listed below. If you’re a survivor, a loved one, or a professional in the field of investigating or prosecuting sexual assault cases, this conversation is a reminder to keep looking until the story you’re told matches the truth you feel. I love how David’s through-line is simple and powerful: if the explanations you’ve been given don’t make sense, don’t stop. Keep asking better questions. Keep seeking better care. And keep choosing the kind of community that believes you, and stands with you. 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: 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! Here are some critically important links that I hope you’ll take the time to explore, and where a contribution is requested, please consider doing so!—Thank you!! (Instrumental: A Memoir of Madness, Medication, and Music by James Rhodes, Amazon.com) (The Boy Who Was Raised as a Dog, by Dr. Bruce Perry, Amazon.com) (Kennedy Alley: A 100 Mile Journey; GoFundMe link) (Amazon link to I, Sean/a) (SASS Episode 35, on Spotify) My email address: 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.
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