Dear Katie: Survivor Stories

The bad boys are interesting, adventurous, and far more exciting the a run-of-the-mill accountant - or so Kristin thought. He quickly becomes controlling, preventing her from going out and trying to force her to stop her medication. Kristin's mental health becomes a vulnerability, a target for her abuser to leverage; however, as she heals, she finds a support system that empowers her to return to school and in turn, supporting fellow survivors. Today, she shares her knowledge and experience with trauma, as well as her own journey from victimhood to survivorship.  Hosts: Claire Kaplan and Katie Koestner Editor: Craig Stanton Producer: Emily Wang

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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