Dear Katie: Survivor Stories

S6E10 Sharpest Sabre of Lipstick

'I wanted everyone to be happy. I didn't want to be a burden.'

Coming from a lineage of powerful women, Paula forges her own path as an immigrant in the United States. She shares her knowledge with us as a female entrepreneur mastering both feminine and masculine energy to craft a life of balance and peace. 

Find out more about Paula here: https://linktr.ee/paulalacobara

Host: Katie Koestner

Editor: Evan Mader

Producers: Emily Wang and Catrina Aglubat

S6E9 Silence is a No

Meeting for hot chocolate, Taryn breaks her one rule and allows a man to drive her home since he says 'his momma raised him right'. He quickly begins pushing her boundaries, refusing to leave, and finally assaulting her for almost an hour. Today, Taryn speaks up for herself and others, fighting to advocate legally for survivors in her state. 

Hosts: Claire Kaplan and Emily Wang

Editor: Benter Oluoch

Producer: Emily Wang

S6E8 Writing His Papers before Mine at B-School

"Women are really strong. We really are very strong."

From infertility to sexual violence, Leslie Morgan Steiner has spent her career documenting and discussing the experiences that have become markers of many's experience of womanhood. Today, she shares her wisdom on being outspoken in male-dominated fields, and what it means to be both a powerful woman and a victim. 

Find out more about Leslie Morgan Steiner here. 

Host: Katie Koestner

Editor: Evan Mader

Producer: Emily Wang

S6E7 Split Universes and Conquering the Giant

"I don't remember when it became normal to sit on the guy's lap, but it was."

Escaping a turbulent home life, Seth spends his weekends playing video games with an older friend. While initially, their friendship seems safe, he quickly finds himself accustomed to abuse to preserve his newfound freedom. Fearing for the next child, Seth decides to report his abuser to the police and collects evidence against him; his bravery leads to his abuser's arrest. Today, he heals through sharing his story and helping others. 

Hosts: Claire Kaplan and Luiza Leite

Editor: Benter Oluoch

Producer: Emily Wang

S6E6 Inner Core Strength and Alignment

Join us through breathing and movement exercises as we learn about the ways our body holds experiences and how we can work with our bodies to promote a path to healing. Carol Beringer, a Movement Reeducation Specialist, shares her experience and knowledge with us to connect our minds and bodies. Find out more about Carol and her work at https://pilatesandmore.com/ 

Hosts: Emily Wang and Katie Koestner

Editor: Evan Mader

Producer: Emily Wang

S6E5 Infinite Echoes of a Single Truth

"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

S6E4 National Center for Victims of Crime: A Conversation with the Executive Director

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

S6E3 One Car out of Chicago - Power Healing for Male Survivors

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

S6E2 White House Sidewalk Sit-in

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

S6E1 Queer Kid Stuff

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