Dear Katie: Survivor Stories

Katie Koestner
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Dear Katie: Survivor Stories

Katie Koestner, who appeared on the cover of TIME Magazine at age 18 as the first to speak out as the victim of ”date” rape, talks with survivors of sexual assault, rape and abuse about what they went through and how it impacted their life afterward. Katie delves into backlash, legal systems, campus reactions, family and friends, mental health, PTSD, substance use, body image, and the journey from hurt to healing and thriving.

  1. 5D AGO

    S7E12 Secrecy and Sexual Abuse in Mormon Country

    Valarie Clark Miller seemed to live a picture-perfect life, but her flawless facade masked a haunting past. Suffering a lifetime of abuse that eventually takes her life, her fight for justice continues with a newly released book, Hometown Betrayal: A Tragic Story of Secrecy and Sexual Abuse in Mormon Country, featuring the perspectives of her family. John R. Miller shares his experience navigating the cultures that protect sexual predators and raises awareness about sexual violence and its generational impact. He gives voice to the tragedy that Valarie experienced and carries her dream of helping other women and girls share their stories and heal.  John R. Miller is the CEO of JR Miller Enterprises, overseeing a diverse portfolio in real estate, private companies, public securities, agriculture, and aquaculture. He resides in Salt Lake City, Utah, with his wife, Nataliya, and is a devoted father and grandfather.  Host: Katie Koestner Editor: Evan Mader Producers: Catrina Aglubat and Emily Wang

    54 min

  2. APR 10

    S7E11 Custody Battles in the Court of Abuse

    Today, we're joined by Reneé Rodriguez, founder of Best Foot Forward Consulting and creator of The Custody Blueprint®, who empowers parents navigating custody battles with narcissistic co-parents.  Drawing from her own experience and a diverse background in education, coaching, and strategic planning, Reneé provides a proven framework for presenting evidence effectively in court.  She helps parents, often victims of psychological abuse, protect their children, build a case strategy, and secure the best possible custody arrangement.  Reneé's work, including her signature program The Custody Blueprint®, addresses the shame and helplessness many parents feel, offering them a path to victory and peace. Host: Katie Koestner Editor: Evan Mader Producer: Catrina Aglubat and Emily Wang

    53 min

  3. APR 3

    S7E10 Dancing to Techno, Tribal, and House

    'My father would beat my mother, and my mother would blame me.  Speaking about her experience growing up in a turbulent home, Sabrina Osso sheds light on the patterns of abuse and violence that encompassed her childhood. Fueled by the journey out of her early traumatic life, she dedicates herself to improving families and creating safe homes through her business, Osso Safe.  Host: Katie Koestner Editor: Evan Mader Producers: Catrina Aglubat and Emily Wang

    51 min

  4. MAR 27

    S7E9 From Rage to Resilience Myth: A Chat with Soraya Chemaly

    Soraya Chemaly is an award-winning author and activist. As a cultural critic, she writes and speaks frequently about gender norms, politics, and technology and their relationship to violence, risk, and social justice. She is the former Executive Director of The Representation Project and Director and co-founder of the Women’s Media Center Speech Project, both dedicated to protecting and expanding women's civic and political participation. Her first book, Rage Becomes Her: The Power of Women’s Anger, was recognized as a Best Book of 2018 by the Washington Post, Fast Company, Psychology Today, and NPR and has been translated into multiple languages. Her most recent book, The Resilience Myth, has just been released.   Host: Katie Koestner Editor: Evan Mader Producer:s Catrina Aglubat and Emily Wang

    59 min

  5. MAR 20

    Re:wind to Re:process Track S1E10 Expert Episode: Gordon Braxton, Author of Empowering Black Boys to Challenge Rape Culture

    Sit back and enjoy fantastic insights from our phenomenal guest Gordon Braxton.  Gordon Braxton joins Katie and Claire to discuss how his work as an activist and educator has shaped his upcoming book, which focuses on violence prevention and specifically addresses black boys. Braxton talks about challenging stereotypes, changing narratives, and the hope he sees in the next generation.  Braxton is a graduate of the University of Virginia and the Harvard Graduate School of Education. He was a peer educator in an all-male anti-violence group at the University of Virginia and won the Black Fraternal Council's Man of the Year Award. After graduating from UVA, he traveled alongside Katie Koestner as a presenter on the topic of sexual violence prevention. Hosts: Katie Koestner and Claire KaplanGuest: Gordon BraxtonProducers: Kelsey Styles and Emily WangEditor: Kelsey StylesGuest Coordinator: Emily Wang

    31 min

  6. MAR 13

    S7E8 Epstein's Date in My Day Planner

    'There was something just... sitting there.' Jess Michaels is a 3x founder, TEDx speaker, and dance industry professional with 30 years of experience as a performer, educator, and entrepreneur. She is also a 1991 survivor of sexual assault by Jeffrey Epstein who has lived with PTSD for over 30 years. Today, she's the founder, CEO, and driving force behind 3Joannes Sexual Assault First Aid. Through her work, Jess equips communities with trauma-sensitive skills, language, pre-crisis protocols, and post-assault resources that empower a united front against sexual assault while fostering heartfelt care for survivors. Host: Katie Koestner Editor: Evan Mader Producers: Catrina Aglubat and Emily Wang

    58 min

  7. MAR 6

    S7E7 Military Might out of Male Survivorship

    'I had been spending my entire career encouraging victims to report and I had never reported mine, I had never told anybody.' This week, Dave Markel shares his incredible journey from advocate to survivor. Initially working tirelessly with the justice system and advocacy network to serve victims of sexual assault, his work eventually frees him to share his own survivor story. Today, Dave shares his voice with thousands, hoping to connect with and support survivors around the world.  Dave Markel is the host and founder of Sexual Assault Survivor Stories, the SASS podcast. With over 40 years of work in the criminal justice profession, 18 of which were as a police officer and detective with the Lafayette, Colorado police department, Dave now provides training on trauma-informed interviewing, utilizing a foundation in the basics of brain responses to trauma and the impact on memory. Please do your part to help bring justice to victims and survivors of rape and sexual assault by subscribing to Sexual Assault Survivor Stories podcast, then rate and share the podcast with everyone you know! Host: Katie Koestner Editor: Evan Mader Producers: Catrina Aglubat and Emily Wang

    1h 9m

  8. FEB 27

    S7E6 Ancestral Advocacy: From Survivorship at UC Berkely to Montana

    Bringing attention to the crisis of missing and murdered Indigenous women, Dr. Annita Lucchesi sheds light on the populations at risk, how trafficking happens, and what we can do to help. Her personal journey mirrors the geographies of her community's struggles, resulting in her interest in mapping. Today, she researches Indigenous cartography, land-based violence, and earth sciences, merging her passion for geography with her Cheyenne roots.  Dr. Annita Lucchesi is a Cheyenne researcher, geographer, and community advocate. She lives on her ancestral homelands in southeast Montana, a few miles off of the Northern Cheyenne reservation. Anita is a survivor-leader with lived experience of trafficking, intimate partner violence, sexual assault, and police violence. She is the Founder and Executive Director of Sovereign Bodies Institute, a non-profit research center and service provider addressing violence against Indigenous peoples. Host: Katie Koestner Editor: Evan Mader Producers: Catrina Aglubat and Emily Wang

    51 min
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4.7
out of 5
25 Ratings

About

Katie Koestner, who appeared on the cover of TIME Magazine at age 18 as the first to speak out as the victim of ”date” rape, talks with survivors of sexual assault, rape and abuse about what they went through and how it impacted their life afterward. Katie delves into backlash, legal systems, campus reactions, family and friends, mental health, PTSD, substance use, body image, and the journey from hurt to healing and thriving.

Information

  • Creator
    Katie Koestner
  • Years Active
    2021 - 2025
  • Episodes
    155
  • Rating
    Clean
  • Copyright
    © Copyright 2021 All rights reserved.
  • Show Website
    Dear Katie: Survivor Stories

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