Sailor's Disgrace: Surviving Military Sexual Assault and Navigating the Aftermath

Julian Bell
  • 5.0 (2)
  • Mental Health

Military Sexual Assault (MSA) is a prevalent problem within all branches of the military. Our soldiers, sailors, and airmen are at risk of sexual assault and harassment while defending our nation. This podcast is a safe space for MSA survivors, military members, and others to share their stories, form a community, gather resources, and understand this devastating issue. Music by www.waywardblues.com Please follow us on Instagram/Facebook/Youtube: https://linktr.ee/sailors_disgrace

  1. Help Yourself in Order to Help Others

    06/24/2025

    Help Yourself in Order to Help Others

    “So shines a good deed in a weary world.” William Shakespeare  It’s been a while since I’ve made an episode, but I want you know that I have been hard at work.  Safe Waters is taking off in a positive direction and I have reached new milestones in my healing journey.  Through deep meditation and breath work, I have been able to tap into a deeper sense of self and am finding my path in life.    While the journey of healing continues, I now walk more confidently and assuredly than ever before.  It is a beautiful place to be, and I am grateful for all the love, kindness, and support I have received along the way.   Please leave comments or questions if you feel so inclined.  I would love to hear your feedback! Thanks for listening, and take care of yourselves. Theme music by David Brown of Wayward Blues - check him out at www.waywardblues.com and on Spotify https://linktr.ee/sailors_disgrace Note: The episode title picture is of me as a baby - I have recently found how to love that version of me and wanted to share with all of you.

    26 min
  2. Interview with Safe Waters

    12/31/2024

    Interview with Safe Waters

    “Strength in Healing” Safe Waters Motto Humble, grateful, and proud - that is how I am feeling right now.  I am proud to announce that we have officially formed our non-profit, Safe Waters.  Currently, we have four members on the Board of Directors.  If you follow the podcast and group then you are already familiar with Joanne Cloud and Meghan Klement.  Our new friend, Emily Hand, is the President of Safe Waters and comes to us from Wisconsin.   Please listen to the interview to get a run down of who we are, what our goals are, and how you can help! I think our mission statement sums up what our goals are pretty well: “Safe Waters is dedicated to providing a safe, supportive, and empowering space for Coast Guard members who have experienced sexual assault and harassment within the Service. Our mission is to foster healing, promote resilience, bolster prevention, and create a community where survivors are empowered to share their experiences and find solidarity.” More information will come in the following weeks.  Our website is launching soon as well as our helpline.  We are also setting up methods to receive donations so you can help as well. Thanks for listening, and take care of yourselves. Theme music by David Brown of Wayward Blues - check him out at www.waywardblues.com and on Spotify [https://linktr.ee/sailors_disgrace]

    1h 17m
  3. Interview with Astrid Parks

    06/07/2024

    Interview with Astrid Parks

    ***Trigger Warning - This Episode Contains Content That is Graphic in Nature*** Welcome back to our first storyteller interview. Astrid Parks is a survivor of Military Sexual Assault which occurred while on active duty with the Coast Guard. Her story is an important lesson in how to identify the signs of grooming. I’m grateful that Astrid reached out to our group and proud that she is taking the steps she needs to heal. Everyone’s journey is different and we can all learn something by sharing our stories. Thank you so much for sharing, Astrid. We are not alone! Thanks for listening, and take care of yourselves. Theme music by David Brown of Wayward Blues - check him out at www.waywardblues.com and on Spotify https://linktr.ee/sailors_disgrace #sexualassault #metoo #sexualabuse #survivor #rapeculture #rape #sexualviolence #consent #abuse #believesurvivors #metoomovement #rapevictim #sexualharassment #rapesurvivor #nomeansno #awareness #mentalhealth #endrapeculture #sexualassaultawareness #supportsurvivors #ptsd #trauma #rapeawareness #survivors #timesup #coastguard

    48 min
  4. Episode 4: Catharsis

    02/22/2024

    Episode 4: Catharsis

    "God, it was good to let go, let the tight mask fall off, and the bewildered, chaotic fragments pour out. It was the purge, the catharsis." Sylvia Plath I had the great honor of speaking at the Senior Executive Accountability Transparency Review Implementation Summit at Coast Guard Head Quarters a few weeks ago.  In short, I was able to share my full story and thoughts on Coast Guard culture to all the flag officers (Commandant included), Gold Badge Master Chiefs, and senior civilian personnel.  It was a truly humbling experience and I am in awe at how the universe puts us on the path we are intended to walk. While I am hopeful that we are on the right track as a service, we are going to experience much pain and growth to get to where we need to be.  Congressional investigations are still pending as outlined in this article I mentioned during the episode:  https://www.cnn.com/2024/02/16/politics/coast-guard-sexual-assault-senate-records-invs/index.html Please let me know what you think - is the Coast Guard and military in general heading in the right direction?  What else can be done to shift our culture? Thanks for listening, and take care of yourselves. Theme music by David Brown of Wayward Blues - check him out at www.waywardblues.com and on Spotify https://linktr.ee/sailors_disgrace

    27 min
  5. Episode 3: Accountability and Transparency Review (ATR) Report

    12/16/2023

    Episode 3: Accountability and Transparency Review (ATR) Report

    Episode 3: Accountability and Transparency Review (ATR) Report   “It is easy to dodge our responsibilities, but we cannot dodge the consequences of dodging our responsibilities.” Josiah Stamp  Episode three is a deep dive into the ATR report that came out earlier this week.  There are more questions than answers at this point with my main concern being the lack of real accountability for the people behind the Fouled Anchor report and its subsequent cover up.   In personal news, I am working directly with the ATR team.  They are a dedicated team of professionals and are interested in using my story for Coast Guard wide training.  I am humbled and a little blown away by all the attention this is getting.  The fact that I started this podcast earlier this year just before the Fouled Anchor report was released and how it has all intertwined is beyond me.  Life is truly incredible.   Also, one of the first action items on the ATR agenda is to host an executive summary in Washington, D.C. this coming February with Admirals, Gold Badge Master Chiefs, and SESs.  The ATR team wants me to speak at this summit so the attendees get a full account from a survivor.  I am honored to be invited to such a high profile event and won’t squander this opportunity to gain some insight on where we are headed as a service.   Thanks for listening, and take care of yourselves. Links to the full ATR review and associated documents: https://www.uscg.mil/alwaysready/ Theme music by David Brown of Wayward Blues - check him out at www.waywardblues.com and on Spotify https://open.spotify.com/artist/0KgZ83CWsea30o358XU3S9... ⁠https://linktr.ee/sailors_disgrace⁠

    36 min
  6. Episode 2: Fall Out

    10/18/2023

    Episode 2: Fall Out

    “Men are not punished for their sins but by them.” Kin Hubbard Season 2 continues with a discussion on some of the news surrounding Fouled Anchor.  There are a few examples of former high ranking officials falling from grace, but is that enough?  Also, the current Commandant, Admiral Fagan, has ordered a full review of the Coast Guard’s sexual assault and harassment program with a 90 day Accountability Transparency Review.  I submitted a response a few weeks ago and will have a phone interview with Headquarters next week.  I will follow up in a future episode and let everyone know how it goes. As mentioned in this episode, below are links to the relevant news stories: Admiral Ray Steps Down from Loy Institute: https://www.military.com/daily-news/2023/08/19/coast-guard-academy-official-linked-sexual-misconduct-coverup-resigns.html Captain Sulmasy Resigns as Head of Nichols College: https://www.cnn.com/2023/09/21/us/glenn-sulmasy-coast-guard-investigation-invs/index.html Admiral Fagan Orders Top Down Review of SAPR Program: https://www.military.com/daily-news/2023/07/19/coast-guard-orders-top-down-review-after-failure-respond-sexual-assault-reports-academy.html Theme music by David Brown of Wayward Blues - check him out at www.waywardblues.com and on Spotify https://open.spotify.com/artist/0KgZ83CWsea30o358XU3S9?si=e8jb3BEJS2yvBirLqR8-PQ  ⁠https://linktr.ee/sailors_disgrace⁠

    14 min
  7. Episode 1: Fouled Anchor

    08/23/2023

    Episode 1: Fouled Anchor

    "Shameful deeds are taught by shameful deeds." Sophocles Welcome to season two! Join me as I dive in to the recent Fouled Anchor investigation report. Nearly two decades of negligence and poor leadership at the Coast Guard Academy are brought to light in a CNN report and it is not pretty. I analyze each section of the report and share my insight as to why this report was buried by senior Coast Guard officials for nearly three years. Please provide your feedback on this episode. What are your thoughts on Fouled Anchor? Send a message here or interact with our Facebook Group. Click here for a full copy of the report: https://www.documentcloud.org/documents/23873916-operation-fouled-anchor-report Theme music by David Brown of Wayward Blues - check him out at https://www.waywardblues.com and on Spotify https://open.spotify.com/artist/0KgZ83CWsea30o358XU3S9?si=e8jb3BEJS2yvBirLqR8-PQ https://linktr.ee/sailors_disgrace

    36 min

  8. Season 2 Trailer

    Season 2 Introduction

    Welcome back to the podcast! Season 2 is underway and I am excited to post new content very soon. I have some interviews lined up which I am really looking forward to sharing with you all. Also, there has been a lot of developments regarding Fouled Anchor and the impact it has made on the Coast Guard. We will dig deep on this story and discuss the ramifications it has had on the service as a whole. Furthermore, I am looking for ideas, content, and voices! Anyone that would like to contribute to the podcast, please let me know! The community is growing and the support has been nothing short of amazing. Thank you to everyone that stuck it through the first season. The support of friends, family, shipmates, and strangers has been truly humbling and I am grateful beyond words for all of you. Take care of yourselves and standby for more content in the very near future! https://linktr.ee/sailors_disgrace

    2 min
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Trailer

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About

Military Sexual Assault (MSA) is a prevalent problem within all branches of the military. Our soldiers, sailors, and airmen are at risk of sexual assault and harassment while defending our nation. This podcast is a safe space for MSA survivors, military members, and others to share their stories, form a community, gather resources, and understand this devastating issue. Music by www.waywardblues.com Please follow us on Instagram/Facebook/Youtube: https://linktr.ee/sailors_disgrace

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