Dear Katie: Survivor Stories

S3E20 Tribes and Villages Everywhere

This week, we host Nicole Matthews, Executive Director of the Minnesota Indian Women’s Sexual Assault Coalition and proud descendant of the White Earth Band of Ojibwe. She describes the ripples of violence that colonization have sent through communities across the United States, naming the intersectional nature of violence against native women. To truly understand and enact change, we must acknowledge the ways our histories and cultures affect our experiences of and approach to violence, and shine a spotlight on neglected victims and survivors of violence. 

Hosts: Claire Kaplan and Katie Koestner

Editor: Craig Stanton

Producer: Emily Wang

S3E19 Yoga Before Bedtime

On the first day of class, Laura sits in the back of the room, distracted by the summer heat, when her ex-boyfriend saunters in. Still friends, they hang out until the last day of class, when he invites her to celebrate with a cup of wine. Within 2 sips, she falls back and the hem of her pink skirt is seared into her mind as the last memory of the night, still present now 35 years later. Today, Laura shares her story of survivorship, her conflict with her mother, and ultimately, forgiveness. 

Hosts: Claire Kaplan and Katie Koestner

Editor: Craig Stanton

Producer: Emily Wang

S3E18 Lacrosse Center Moving Forward

At thirteen, Ray meets a new boy in her class, bumbling into her first awkward tween relationship. Her inexperience quickly becomes a vulnerability, and her new beau takes advantage of her naïveté to manipulate her into sexual activity. Blindsided by these new experiences, Ray's encounters with her young abuser become the subject of scrutiny as her school questions her story. Today, she shares her turbulent journey into adolescence, testifying to the resilience and strength of survivors as she fights the narrative of the lying victim and finds healing. 

Hosts: Katie Koestner and Claire Kaplan

Editors: Craig Stanton and Bob Kanygin

Producer: Emily Wang

S3E17 Zuni Cafe Brine Chicken (Special Guest: Kelly Sundberg)

A frog thrown in boiling water will jump out. But a frog put in a pot of water and heated to boiling will die. Author Kelly Sundberg describes her relationship with her husband, and how an initially innocent relationship slowly morphs into a storm of fear and violence. At first, her strength masks her suffering, but in the end, it saves her. Today, Kelly shares her story of abuse, survival, and liberation. 

To find out more about Kelly and her work, go to: https://kellysundberg.com/

Hosts: Claire Kaplan and Katie Koestner

Editors: Craig Stanton and Bob Kanygin 

Producer: Emily Wang

S3E16 Red Balloon in Belly

Trauma often causes a disconnect between the body and mind; to protect ourselves from the horrors of the present, we inhibit our ability to feel. However, this can prevent us from developing the emotional resilience to find our way out of our place of pain. A survivor of suicide, Matthew Green has created a path to healing from this inner discord. In this episode, he discusses his work with 5th Place, guiding students to a place of emotional safety and stability. To find out more about 5th Place, visit https://5th.place/

Hosts: Claire Kaplan and Katie Koestner

Editors: Craig Stanton and Bob Kanygin

Producer: Emily Wang

S3E15 One Legged Green (Special Guest: Ken Green)

Sleeping in the hallway at 12, Ken remembers mysteriously waking without pajamas, finding a family friend touching him. Threatened by the perpetrator to keep his silence, he suffers years of violence, finding golf as a refuge while isolated in a foreign country. 

Now, as a professional golfer, he shares his journey climbing his way out from pain, triumphing over the mental health challenges throughout his life to find his way to healing and success. 

Hosts: Claire Kaplan and Katie Koestner

Editor: Craig Stanton

Producer: Emily Wang

S3E14 7 Layer Chocolate Cake

From homeless to hero, Michael Unbroken is the author of the best-selling book Think Unbroken and is a coach, mentor, and educator for adult survivors of child abuse. He spends his time helping other survivors get out of "The Vortex" to become the HERO of their story! Michael hosts The Think Unbroken podcast and is on a mission to end generational trauma in his lifetime through education and information. Find more about Michael at https://www.thinkunbroken.com/

Hosts: Claire Kaplan and Katie Koestner

Editor: Craig Stanton

Producer: Emily Wang

S3E13 Rebellious Cherub

New to the college dating scene, Sarah is excited to experience all of hookup culture and lose her virginity. They find themselves in a casual relationship with a frat boy who pushes their boundaries over and over again. Sarah runs those moments through her mind, doubting whether it was her fault, and quickly finds herself experiencing the darker sides of fraternity brotherhood and a sexually charged party scene. Pushing beyond the abuse, they become an advocate for the survivors in their community, triumphing over trauma and finding solace in the sisterhood of survivorship. 

Hosts: Claire Kaplan and Katie Koestner

Editor: Craig Stanton

Producer: Emily Wang

S3E12 Ba Ba Beth Sheep

Barely old enough to form memories, Beth lies in fear in her bed, night after night. Her seemingly perfect family hides a dark core, burying her in psychological and sexual trauma. She emerges from her childhood a survivor, poet, and advocate, writing a path to strength and healing. 

Hosts: Claire Kaplan and Katie Koestner

Editor: Craig Stanton

Producer: Emily Wang

S3E11 Running in Neon

This week, our episode features Anita Kemi DaSilva-Ibru, a Nigerian physician who is dedicated to improving the lives of women and girls through medical practice, social activism and public advocacy against gender-based violence. 

Professionally, Dr. DaSilva-Ibru is a consultant specialist in obstetrics and gynaecology, as well as a public health physician, with over 20 years’ experience in private practice. She is also the founder of the Women at Risk International Foundation (WARIF), a non-profit organization that addresses the prevalence of gender-based violence, rape and the trafficking of young girls and women across Nigeria.

For more information on WARIF, visit https://warifng.org/ 

Hosts: Claire Kaplan and Katie Koestner

Editor: Craig Stanton

Producer: Emily Wang