Dear Katie: Survivor Stories Katie Koestner

"We're standing in tender solidarity... and we feel safe to hold hands, even metaphorically, and create this beautiful circle of survivors standing together."
Julie Wallach, an outspoken activist and author, shares her experiences with surviving trauma and the many different responses to sexual violence. She brings light to the dissociation and self-doubt many survivors face, and reminds us of the ways we are standing together. 
Hosts: Claire Kaplan and Emily Wang
Editor: Benter Oluoch
Producer: Emily Wang

We ask Renee Williams, the Executive Director of the National Center for Victims of Crime, all of our pressing legal questions. While Law and Order may be entertaining, our ideas of what occurs in the courtroom may not be accurate. 
Renée is the executive director of the National Center for Victims of Crime. She also serves as the director of the National Crime Victim Bar Association, an affiliate program of the National Center.
Hosts: Katie Koestner and Emily Wang
Editor: Evan Mader
Producer: Emily Wang

In this episode, we invite TBone McGowain to share his experiences as a male survivor coach. He works with men who have experienced sexual abuse or assault and are dealing with the aftermath, accompanying them on their healing journeys to help them achieve the life they desire. 
Hosts: Katie Koestner and Claire Kaplan
Editor: Benter Oluoch
Producer: Emily Wang

This week we share the powerful voices of Jon Vaughn and Josh Rubin. Jon Vaughn made waves around the world as one of the few to publicly speak out against the abuse of University of Michigan doctor Robert Anderson in 2020, leading over 1000 survivors in a lawsuit against the university that settled in 2022. Today, he is a testament to the power of speaking out and advocating for what is right against all odds. 
Host: Katie Koestner
Editor: Evan Mader
Producer: Emily Wang

Coming out to their teddy bear, Lindz Amer quickly found themselves at the center of internet controversy. Navigating online vitriol from a young age, they found solace in connecting with other queer folk and making content for LGBTQ+ children. They are best known for their webseries Queer Kid Stuff, their book Rainbow Parenting: Your Guide to Raising Queer Kids and Their Allies, and their debut picture book Hooray for She, He, Ze, and They! 
Host: Katie Koestner
Editor: Benter Oluoch
Producers: Emily Wang, Megan Ray, and Catrina Aglubat

'I didn't look pretty anymore, I had stopped taking care of myself... I was no longer the family hero.'
Cheryl Spera is a trauma-sensitive yoga instructor and the founder of Higher Ground Recovery & Yoga which provides trauma-sensitive yoga classes to substance use and behavioral health facilities in the Philadelphia region. She is a woman in long-term recovery from alcoholism. After two decades of recovery, Cheryl relapsed, and it took her five long years to move from relapse to sobriety. She credits the depth and meaning provided by yoga as integral to her commitment to sobriety and supporting others in their recovery journey.
Host: Katie Koestner
Editor: Evan Mader
Producer: Emily Wang