Dear Katie: Survivor Stories

S8E10 Breaking Free from Domination Consciousness

Sydney Searchwell-Simpson is a writer, artist, yogi, permaculture practitioner, and lover of Life whose work (and embodied life) merges spirituality and social action. Inspired by insights on her spiritual journey, her experience of sexual and domestic violence, and a lifetime of activism, Sydney’s upcoming books and podcast explore how we can love and be free through and beyond what she calls “domination consciousness”. She walks a path of the Heart and is intentionally exploring how she can live, build, love, and create new ways of being and relating that are conducive to Life.

Host: Katie Koestner

Editor: Evan Mader

Producers: Catrina Aglubat and Emily Wang

S8E9 Cocktail Waitress to American Ninja Warrior

Missing her uniform jacket after a long work day, Kelly runs back into the bar where she works to grab it. Ready to go home, she gets ready to unlock her car when a strange man appears from the darkness. Running for her life through a parking lot, Kelly screams for help when her assailant grabs her ponytail and beats her into the pavement. Dismissed by the police and blaming herself, she finds herself continually trying to prove her own worth. Continually challenging herself to physical extremes, Kelly begins to find balance and healing, becoming an advocate for other women in the health and fitness space. 

Dr. Kelly Barron is a dedicated advocate for women’s health, specializing in empowering women to navigate menopause and other key life transitions with confidence and strength. She is a licensed chiropractor, menopause specialist, founder of Tempesta and host of The KellFire Show.

Host: Katie Koestner

Editor: Evan Mader

Producer: Emily Wang

S8E8 Meet TransLatina Activist and Survivor Bamby

'I also understand and see that the experiences that I have survived are the same experiences that many members of our community continue to experience today, particularly young people.'

Bamby Salcedo is a prominent and celebrated transgender Latina activist, known all over the world for her passionate and productive social, political, and economic influence. As the President and CEO of the TransLatin@ Coalition, Bamby steadily leads this nationally recognized organization that advocates for and addresses the issues of transgender Latinas throughout the United States. She received her Master’s Degree in Mexican and Latin@ Studies from California State University, Los Angeles, and also developed the Center for Violence Prevention & Transgender Wellness, a multimillion-dollar, multipurpose, multiservice space for Trans people in Los Angeles. Her life story has been the subject of two documentary films, TransVisible: Bamby Salcedo’s Story and LA QueenCiañera.

Host: Katie Koestner

Editor: Evan Mader

Producers: Catrina Aglubat and Emily Wang

 

S8E7 Revenge Porn vs Image Based Abuse

As a high school teacher, Sophie Maddocks first noticed her students engaging with technology in novel, dark ways. Determined to protect the young people around her, she went on to study how technology has shaped the landscape of sexual abuse. Today, Sophie is an expert on digital abuse with 12 years of experience working across schools, universities, and non-profits. She is passionate about collaborating with young people to navigate the challenges of growing up online.

Hosts: Katie Koestner and Catrina Aglubat

Editor: Evan Mader

Producers: Catrina Aglubat and Emily Wang

S8E6 Take Back The Night Roundtable: Auburn, Bowling Green, and Embark CN

Making waves across the country, three activists discuss their experiences organizing Take Back the Night, sharing insights into safety, survivorship, and making a difference. 

Kori Koschalk-Newmister is a higher education professional focusing on eradicating interpersonal violence. Her 20+ years in prevention education have allowed her to educate, empower, and support thousands of individuals in her community. She is currently the Assistant Director of Interpersonal Relations at Bowling Green State University and pursuing her Masters in Popular Culture. When she's not on campus, you can find her with her wonderful partner, Mike, pups, Lily and Marvin, watching reality TV (specifically on Bravo).

Rebecca Pacheco (she/her) is the Development & Education Manager at Embrave: Agency to End Violence and the Coordinator of the Peel Committee Against Women Abuse (PCAWA). She is driven by her passion for gender equity, intersectional feminism and ending gender-based violence. She is a strong advocate for the policy and system-level change that is necessary to prevent gender-based violence and properly support survivors of violence.

Faith Fluker is a 22-year-old reproductive justice and sexual health advocate pursuing a degree at Auburn University. She started as a curvy and confused preteen, but has recently become a confident young woman who believes in sticking up for herself and those around her. Faith has worn many hats in the past, including President of her college’s Planned Parenthood chapter, where she hosted a Take Back the Night March. She is also a Spring ‘25 initiate of the Kappa Chi Chapter of Alpha Kappa Alpha Sorority Inc.

Host: Katie Koestner

Editor: Sydney Tiller

Producers: Catrina Aglubat and Emily Wang

S8E5 Read Salinger's Franny and Zooey and Then Let's Talk

'I remember Mark being a really good friend to me.'

Coping with grief after the loss of her father, Jeannie finds support among a small gathering of friends. Feeling safe enough to drink, one of her closest high school friends assaults her when she is unconscious in his bed. Recalling her sense of betrayal, Jeannie shares her journey through denial and doubt to owning her story and healing. Pouring her truth into her writing, she is the author of multiple nonfiction works, including Things We Didn't Talk About When I Was a Girl.

Host: Katie Koestner

Editor: Evan Mader

Producers: Catrina Aglubat and Emily Wang

Re:wind to Re:process Track S5E14 Deck of Cards for Healing Mantras

In today's throwback episode, Zahabiyah Yamasaki, founder of “Transcending Sexual Trauma Through Yoga”, gives us a glimpse of her work with trauma survivors. Due to her college stranger rape at the University of California - Irvine, Zahabiyah has dedicated herself to helping others who have also experienced trauma explore their mind body connection, feeling safe in their body, and healing. In her work, she emphasizes the importance of community through survivorship, where resilience and tenderness shine through.

Hosts: Claire Kaplan and Katie Koestner

Editor: Evan Mader

Producer: Emily Wang

S8E4 Sports Illustrated Swimsuit Cover Model Arrested 11 Times in Activism

With over four decades of experience,  Ann Simonton has dedicated herself to teaching media literacy, with a particular focus on exposing everyday sexism and promoting awareness of sexual abuse prevention. She has fearlessly engaged in nonviolent civil disobedience — resulting in 11 arrests — to highlight social hypocrisy, racism, corporate greed, and the perpetuation of misogyny under patriarchy and capitalism. Simonton has spoken globally on the various ways mainstream media encourages and invites harm to women and children using examples from advertising, film, pornography, radio, television, popular beauty pageants, and more.

Host: Katie Koestner

Editor: Evan Mader

Producers: Catrina Aglubat and Emily Wang

S8E3 Horror Movie with Real Life Villain

'It doesn't go away.'

'It's there forever.'

Sharing her experiences in an industry known for superficiality, actor Sarah Hodkinson navigates trust, violence, and betrayal throughout her personal journey. She brings to light the ways that denial and dismissal rob survivors of justice in the face of sexual violence, using her voice and her story to push for change. 

Host: Katie Koestner

Editor: Evan Mader

Producers: Catrina Aglubat and Emily Wang

S8E2 Protectors and Cheerleaders as Healing Partners

'I had a decision point of: either I am going to live or I am going to die.'

Speaking on the internal battles survivors face, the dynamic Jean Ibanez Payne shares hidden troubles with suicidal ideation and darkness while living the seemingly perfect life. Today, Jean stands as a powerful advocate for survivors of abuse, using her voice and her story to ignite hope in others. In 2014, she left her successful corporate career to start TI Verbatim Consulting (TIVC), with a mission to help people work better together. Through her speaking engagements and personal coaching services, she encourages women, particularly those who have faced similar battles, to embrace their vulnerabilities and see them as gateways to strength.

Host: Kate Koestner

Editor: Evan Mader

Producers: Catrina Aglubat and Emily Wang