Podcast
Dear Katie: Survivor Stories
Hosted by Katie Koestner · EN
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.
42episodes
Episodes
Newest firstAll episodes
S9E13 Ship Assault Leads to Pink Berets (Uploaded for Spotify)
1w ago01:19:54Tap to summarize'Today, if I had to change course, I would still choose the Navy.' Stephanie Gattas is a U.S. Navy veteran and mission-driven marketing and communications leader based in San Antonio, Texas. She’s the Founder and Executive Director of The Pink Berets, a nonprofit supporting women veterans and first responders through trauma-informed, holistic wellness programs. She’s also the CEO of Tactical One, a newly formed women’s safety technology company focused on building tools that help women feel safer in everyday life. Stephanie brings a blend of real-world leadership, advocacy, and practical strategy to every conversation. When she’s not working, she loves cooking, especially when it’s an excuse to gather people and take care of her community. Host: Katie Koestner Editor: Evan Mader Producers: Catrina Aglubat and Emily Wang
Transcribe →S9E13 Ship Assault Leads to Pink Berets
1w ago01:19:54Tap to summarize'Today, if I had to change course, I would still choose the Navy.' Stephanie Gattas is a U.S. Navy veteran and mission-driven marketing and communications leader based in San Antonio, Texas. She’s the Founder and Executive Director of The Pink Berets, a nonprofit supporting women veterans and first responders through trauma-informed, holistic wellness programs. She’s also the CEO of Tactical One, a newly formed women’s safety technology company focused on building tools that help women feel safer in everyday life. Stephanie brings a blend of real-world leadership, advocacy, and practical strategy to every conversation. When she’s not working, she loves cooking, especially when it’s an excuse to gather people and take care of her community. Host: Katie Koestner Editor: Evan Mader Producers: Catrina Aglubat and Emily Wang
Transcribe →S9E12 FGM Followed by Sierra Leone Civil War Rebels Gang Rape (Uploaded for Spotify)
2w ago01:08:08Tap to summarizeSurviving incredible normalized violence from a young age, Adama Nyama Bah lives in incredible pain in silence as her suffering is celebrated. Sharing her harrowing personal journey finding freedom after being repeatedly victimized, she finds power and healing by speaking up and fighting for the voices of fellow survivors. Adama is a strong advocate for survivors of sexual violence and aims to provide holistic support that will enable individuals to live meaningful and fulfilling lives. Host: Katie Koestner Editor: Evan Mader Producers: Catrina Aglubat and Emily Wang
Transcribe →S9E12 FGM Followed by Sierra Leone Civil War Rebels Gang Rape
2w ago01:08:08Tap to summarizeSurviving incredible normalized violence from a young age, Adama Nyama Bah lives in incredible pain in silence as her suffering is celebrated. Sharing her harrowing personal journey finding freedom after being repeatedly victimized, she finds power and healing by speaking up and fighting for the voices of fellow survivors. Adama is a strong advocate for survivors of sexual violence and aims to provide holistic support that will enable individuals to live meaningful and fulfilling lives. Host: Katie Koestner Editor: Evan Mader Producers: Catrina Aglubat and Emily Wang
Transcribe →S9E11 Woman Warrior Yogi (Uploaded for Spotify)
3w ago00:56:03Tap to summarize"Even just the honoring of 'it happened' ... is just so important." Halli Lou Faulkner is a somatic therapist and trauma-informed trainer who specializes in creating healing spaces for sexual assault survivors. Drawing on body-based practices, mindfulness, and compassionate presence, she supports individuals and communities in reconnecting with their bodies and restoring a sense of safety, agency, and wholeness. Through her trainings and programs, Halli Lou helps women cultivate resilience, deepen embodiment, and build pathways toward collective healing. She loves reality TV, swimming in the ocean, and riding bikes with her six-year-old daughter. For more information on Halli Lou Faulkner and her work, look here: https://www.emdrandpsychotherapy.com/about/ https://www.hallifaulkner.com/trauma-informed-training https://www.hallifaulkner.com/somatic-therapy
Transcribe →S9E11 Woman Warrior Yogi
3w ago00:56:03Tap to summarize"Even just the honoring of 'it happened' ... is just so important." Halli Lou Faulkner is a somatic therapist and trauma-informed trainer who specializes in creating healing spaces for sexual assault survivors. Drawing on body-based practices, mindfulness, and compassionate presence, she supports individuals and communities in reconnecting with their bodies and restoring a sense of safety, agency, and wholeness. Through her trainings and programs, Halli Lou helps women cultivate resilience, deepen embodiment, and build pathways toward collective healing. She loves reality TV, swimming in the ocean, and riding bikes with her six-year-old daughter. For more information on Halli Lou Faulkner and her work, look here: https://www.emdrandpsychotherapy.com/about/ https://www.hallifaulkner.com/trauma-informed-training https://www.hallifaulkner.com/somatic-therapy
Transcribe →S9E10 1 US Coast Guardsman and 2 Navy Men with 1 Blue Cup (Uploaded for Spotify)
4w ago01:15:58Tap to summarizeTrying to keep his head down after breaking the rules as a new Coast Guard officer, Julian is on his best behavior when he is invited to drink with some other officers. Trusting his new friends, he is drugged and raped, floating back to his room in a haze. Julian represses these memories for years, until a class brings old memories to the surface, and he shares his story openly with the instructor, beginning his healing journey. Julian Bell is a retired U.S. Coast Guard Chief Warrant Officer with 23 years of service and the founder of Safe Waters, a nonprofit dedicated to supporting survivors of sexual assault and harassment in military communities. During his career, he served as a victim advocate and worked to elevate survivor voices and push for greater accountability within institutional systems. After witnessing the gaps in support for many survivors, he helped build Safe Waters to provide peer connection, resources, and community-centered healing. Julian is now preparing to pursue a graduate degree in counseling psychology so he can continue supporting survivors through trauma-informed care. He lives in California with his wife and children and remains deeply committed to advocacy, healing, and cultural change. Host: Katie Koestner Editor: Evan Mader Producers: Catrina Aglubat and Emily Wang
Transcribe →S9E10 1 US Coast Guardsman and 2 Navy Men with 1 Blue Cup
4w ago01:15:58Tap to summarizeTrying to keep his head down after breaking the rules as a new Coast Guard officer, Julian is on his best behavior when he is invited to drink with some other officers. Trusting his new friends, he is drugged and raped, floating back to his room in a haze. Julian represses these memories for years, until a class brings old memories to the surface, and he shares his story openly with the instructor, beginning his healing journey. Julian Bell is a retired U.S. Coast Guard Chief Warrant Officer with 23 years of service and the founder of Safe Waters, a nonprofit dedicated to supporting survivors of sexual assault and harassment in military communities. During his career, he served as a victim advocate and worked to elevate survivor voices and push for greater accountability within institutional systems. After witnessing the gaps in support for many survivors, he helped build Safe Waters to provide peer connection, resources, and community-centered healing. Julian is now preparing to pursue a graduate degree in counseling psychology so he can continue supporting survivors through trauma-informed care. He lives in California with his wife and children and remains deeply committed to advocacy, healing, and cultural change. Host: Katie Koestner Editor: Evan Mader Producers: Catrina Aglubat and Emily Wang
Transcribe →S9E9 Seatbelt in the Home Depot Parking Lot (Uploaded for Spotify)
Apr 2300:52:41Tap to summarize'What good would it do? I heard that over and over.' Today’s guest is Leslie Crowe, a writer, advocate, and survivor who brings honesty and compassion to difficult conversations. Leslie is the proud mom of two sons and a longtime autism advocate who founded NeedQuest to help families navigate resources for children with special needs. She is also a breast cancer survivor and a fierce advocate for survivors of childhood sexual abuse. After many years of silence, Leslie found the courage to release her shame and speak openly about her experiences, using her voice to challenge silence and create space for healing, truth, and accountability. Host: Katie Koestner Editor: Evan Mader Producers: Catrina Aglubat and Emily Wang
Transcribe →S9E9 Seatbelt in the Home Depot Parking Lot
Apr 2300:52:41Tap to summarize'What good would it do? I heard that over and over.' Today’s guest is Leslie Crowe, a writer, advocate, and survivor who brings honesty and compassion to difficult conversations. Leslie is the proud mom of two sons and a longtime autism advocate who founded NeedQuest to help families navigate resources for children with special needs. She is also a breast cancer survivor and a fierce advocate for survivors of childhood sexual abuse. After many years of silence, Leslie found the courage to release her shame and speak openly about her experiences, using her voice to challenge silence and create space for healing, truth, and accountability. Host: Katie Koestner Editor: Evan Mader Producers: Catrina Aglubat and Emily Wang
Transcribe →