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The Dear Katie Podcast features survivors of sexual assault, rape, and abuse; supporters; authors; celebrities; and agents of change about their survivorship and support. Learn how their journeys can help all survivors and their supporters. Delve 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.
After Katie Koestner appeared on the cover of TIME Magazine at age 18 as the first person to speak out nationally and publicly as the victim of “date” rape, she received 100+ letters from others who had never told anyone about their own story. Katie wrote back to all of them, and some of them have now been guests on her Podcast 30+ years later to share their story with the world. The name “Dear Katie” honors all survivors in the power of sharing their story. Silence changes nothing.
Episodes
Friday Jun 21, 2024
Friday Jun 21, 2024
'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
Thursday Jun 13, 2024
Thursday Jun 13, 2024
Rebecca Coffey comes to us to share her personal story of sexual violence and her work with dance therapy. She brings us into our bodies and reminds us how impactful it has been for her and other survivors in their own healing journey.
Hosts: Claire Kaplan and Emily Wang
Editor: Benter Oluoch
Producer: Emily Wang
Thursday Jun 06, 2024
Thursday Jun 06, 2024
Coming to shore this week is Jessica Browning, a sailboat-living harpist who shares her story of the violence that occurred throughout her childhood. Today, she dedicates her career to voicing her healing through music and encouraging survivors to trust themselves and their healing journey.
Hosts: Claire Kaplan and Emily Wang
Editor: Evan Mader
Producer: Emily Wang
Thursday May 30, 2024
Thursday May 30, 2024
Isolated in a foreign country during a study abroad program, Christy is assaulted and finds herself pressured to keep quiet. She spends years suffering in silence, eventually overcoming her trauma and sharing her story with us today, reminding our listeners that they are not alone.
Hosts: Claire Kaplan and Luiza Leite
Editor: Benter Oluoch
Producer: Emily Wang
Thursday May 23, 2024
Thursday May 23, 2024
'You don't want to go somewhere you can't see yourself in.'
This week, Mike Short, professor and advocate, shares his experiences with diversity and equity in academia. While the world has taken many steps forward, Mike acknowledges the many weaknesses and failures of the current system, particularly when it comes to sexual harassment and discrimination.
Host: Katie Koestner
Editor: Evan Mader
Producer: Emily Wang
Thursday May 16, 2024
Thursday May 16, 2024
This week we are accompanied by three phenomenal individuals who all graduated from Rosemead High, a Southern California High School where sexual violence was rampant and normalized. Through Matt’s investigative work, along with two survivor stories, we are introduced to their efforts to change the education system, support the many who have also been victimized by their high school, and advocate for survivors beyond.
Host: Katie Koestner
Editor: Benter Oluoch
Producer: Emily Wang
Thursday May 09, 2024
Thursday May 09, 2024
All the way from Finland, Eva Biaudet talks about her role as a politician through working through battling the negative impact of human trafficking. She emphasizes how important sex education is through child development, diving into how enforcing equal satisfaction and engagement through romantic relationships at a young age is an important part of creating healthy and safe sexual environments.
Host: Katie Koestner
Editor: Evan Mader
Producer: Emily Wang
Thursday May 02, 2024
Thursday May 02, 2024
This week, we get to know Dr. Shena Young, a psychologist healer and mental health futurist in LA. We listen as she talks about her life role to hold space for Black individuals healing from trauma, and she puts into perspective how important it is to understand the mind, body, and spirit.
For more information on Shena and her work, visit www.embodiedtruthhealing.com
Hosts: Claire Kaplan and Katie Koestner
Editor: Benter Oluoch
Producer: Emily Wang
Thursday Apr 25, 2024
Thursday Apr 25, 2024
In this week’s episode, Guy D’Andrea, attorney at LBK, dives into his advocacy and how he navigates sexual assault cases in institutional settings. Sharing his expertise, he sheds light on how the legal system operates and the connections he can make with his clients.
Host: Katie Koestner
Editor: Evan Mader
Producer: Emily Wang
Thursday Apr 18, 2024
Thursday Apr 18, 2024
Ben Perrin, a law professor at the University of British Columbia, shares his work breaking the cycles of trauma and abuse. He gives insight into his personal experiences working with his wife, who is a victim of childhood abuse, and how this development has shaped his life and relationship.
Hosts: Claire Kaplan and Katie Koestner
Editor: Evan Mader
Producer: Emily Wang