Shows
Her Ink EmpireEp: 6 Tattoos, Trauma, and the Journey Back to Wholeness with Kelsey HarperIn today’s episode, I got to sit down with Kelsey Harper.
Kelsey is a clinical psychologist, a writer, a little witchy, and a survivor herself. She offers virtual therapy for folks with trauma, complex trauma, and borderline personality disorder across different states. She also hosts the Initiated Survivor podcast, where she speaks directly to the issues facing survivors of gender-based violence and sexual violence—and shares parts of her own recovery story.
Kelsey shares how intuitive tattooing became a key part of her healing journey. We talk about how tattooing brought her back into her...
2025-07-0950 min
Lady Preacher PodcastLisa Sharon Harper: A Very Good Gospel (Replay)For Black History Month, we are going back through the archives and listening to the voices of some of the incredible Black Women who have been on the show.Prolific author and speaker, Lisa Sharon Harper, joins us this week, speaking about how we are all made in God’s image and called good, and how often we forget that - about ourselves and about each other. She shares her journey of discovering what the “very good Gospel” is and offers that good news to us, inviting us into the vision God ha...
2025-02-241h 02
Bad Behavior with Sterling Mulbry & Blair PeytonS2 Ep15: “Between Me and My Therapist” with Kelsey HarperThis week on Bad Behavior: Writer and Performer Kelsey Harper returns to brag about her spring! Then, she’ll play a game of Heaven or Hell inspired by her and Sterling’s LA show, “Phones Down.” Plus, Kelsey shares a story involving texting a photo to her therapist. Can she redeem herself after being deemed bad last year?
Check out "Pigeon Presents: Night Picnic" on Friday, May 10th and “Phones Down” on Wednesday, June 12th - both begin at 7:30p at Lyric Hyperion in Los Angeles, CA!
Leave a voice message or text your morally questionable story and YO...
2024-05-0837 min
Initiated SurvivorWomen's Intimacy Expert Rena Martine on How Survivors Can Reclaim Their Bodies with IntimacyIn this episode, I had the pleasure of speaking with Rena Martine, a women's intimacy expert and ex-sex crimes Deputy District Attorney, about the intersection of trauma and sexuality. We discussed how coaches can work towards a more inclusive and less colonized approach to supporting survivors, as well as the healing potential of BDSM and Kink. Rena shared her insights and expertise on how survivors can reclaim their sexuality and overcome triggers through exposure therapy and restaging traumatic events while normalizing conversations around sexual fantasies and desires. If you're interested in learning more about Rena's work, check out her...
2023-08-0935 minInitiated SurvivorKaleigh Cornelison on the Freedom of Consent: How We Can Show Up for Our YouthIn this episode, I sit down with Kaleigh Cornelison, an expert working with youth ages 14-24 on issues including relationships, identity, sexual health, and life transitions. We dive into the topic of consent culture and pleasure-based sex education, especially for LGBTQ+ youth. We discuss the challenges and opportunities of teaching consent culture and how to model consent in different situations and relationships, and how adults can repair their relationship with consent in order to create a safe and empowering environment for young people. Our conversation is filled with insights and ideas that can help promote a positive culture of...
2023-07-2540 minInitiated SurvivorAsk A Psychologist Anything (Part 2): PTSD, Triggers, Dating, and Finding a TherapistWelcome back to Ask a Psychologist Anything! In Part One, I answered questions about sensory processing disorders, being an ally, and being a support system. In this 2nd installment, we tackle PTSD, coping with triggers, navigating dating as a survivor, and finding a good fit therapist. I offer practical strategies for soothing the body's response to triggers, as well as how to move forward and identify the next best step for you in your own journey. I also discuss ways that you can find a therapist that actually works for you, and how to potentially fix a previously broken therapeutic...
2023-07-1130 minInitiated SurvivorMistress Justine Cross on Consent, Kink Communities, and BDSMMistress Justine Cross is a professional BDSM consultant, kink educator, and lifestyle Dominatrix based in Los Angeles. Justine is the owner of Dungeon East and has over 15 years experience as a lifestyle Dominatrix and BDSM consultant, being featured on several magazines and newspapers including The Try Guys, Los Angeles Magazine, Playboy, Nylon, LA Weekly, Time Out Los Angeles, Buzzfeed, Salon, Vice, Huffington Post and The Guardian. In this episode, Justine sits down with Kelsey to discuss the importance of consent and communication in both BDSM and survivor communities. They cover how the kink community can be accessible to survivors, t...
2023-06-2055 minInitiated SurvivorDr. Dani Rosenkrantz on Intersectional Identities and Radical Joy in the LGBTQ+, Jewish, and BIPOC SpaceDr. Dani Rosenkrantz is a licensed psychologist in Florida, a Jewish and LGBTQ+ Mental Health Expert, a LGBTQ+ and BIPOC Empowerment Collaborator, and Sexual Health and Wellness Champion. She founded Brave Space Psychology, where she aims to help others trust their inner wisdom, while conquering the feeling of self-doubt, anxiety, and disconnection that can overwhelm us. I sit down with her to talk about intersectionality in sexual trauma, and how oppressive forces aim to separate and isolate individuals of communities. She shares how empowering it can be to reclaim love, joy, and self-compassion in the face of oppression. Throughout our...
2023-06-1338 min
Bad Behavior with Sterling Mulbry & Blair PeytonS1 Ep20: “Humiliated In Front Of The Band” with Kelsey HarperThis week on Bad Behavior: Writer and Performer Kelsey Harper (What Can I Get Started For You Podcast, Something Like… Musical) is cozied up in Sterling’s LA bedroom to assess unhinged bird behaviors (inspired by her comedy duo, Pigeon) on a scale from Heaven to Hell. Plus, she’ll share a morally ambiguous story from her days of playing college tuba. Will Kelsey be deemed good or bad?
Connect with Bad Behavior:
Instagram | TikTok | Sterling and Blair on Instagram | Sterling and Blair on TikTok
Original music by HoliznaCC0 and Ketsa. Licensed under Creative Commons: By Att...
2023-05-2439 minInitiated SurvivorAsk a Psychologist Anything: Repressed Memories, Sensory Processing Disorder, and Being an AllyWelcome to a new series on Initiated Survivor where I will be answering any and all listener questions about recovery, healing, trauma, and anything else you would like to know from a psychologist. In Part 1, I answer questions about repressed memories, the risk of false memories, sensory processing disorders, treating someone who has said disorder, and how to best support a friend who may be struggling with their recovery after being sexually assaulted. All questions will be anonymous to protect everyone's privacy, and if you want your question to be answered next time, please contact me through DM or...
2023-05-1627 minInitiated SurvivorKaleigh Cornelison on Gender Based Violence for Adolescence: Teen Dating & ViolenceKaleigh Cornelison, LMSW, LCSW, specializes on working with teens, educating them on dating violence, sexual assault, bystander intervention, and consent. In this episode, Kaleigh shares her expert knowledge on the way that sexual assault and gender based violence is effecting the youth of today. She covers the various forms of intimate partner violence that teens are most susceptible to, how teens give her hope for the future, and what we can do as adults to be allies to the young people of today.
Topics/Triggers:
Gender Based Violence for Adolescence
Intimate Partner Violence...
2023-05-0233 minInitiated SurvivorSexual Assault Awareness Month: Ways To Center Our RecoveryApril is Sexual Assault Awareness Month. This is the month where we focus in on ourselves and our survivor community, centering our healing and recovery. I wanted to sit down and talk to you about some of what is going on this month, and the ways that I am trying to heal and what you could do for yourself this month too.
Topics/Triggers:
Survivor Love Letter by Tani Ikeda
Denim Day by Peace Over Violence
Run Towards the Danger: Confrontations with a Body of Memory By Sarah Polley
Francesca Lia Block's Writing...
2023-04-1825 minInitiated SurvivorResiliency and Allyship with Kristen HoganKristen Hogan was last seen on the podcast in "Good, Strong, and Brave with Kristen Hogan" where she recounted her experience with surviving intimate partner violence. As a founder of Good.Strong.Brave, Kristen wants to empower other women to feel good enough as they are. Part of that is having the resiliency to go on in spite of the trauma we as survivors have endured. It is from our pain that we gain wisdom about who we are and what the world is. But that wisdom can hold uncomfortable truths, and Kristen and I speak on how our...
2023-04-0428 min
Lady Preacher PodcastLisa Sharon Harper: A Very Good GospelProlific author and speaker, Lisa Sharon Harper, joins us this week, speaking about how we are all made in God’s image and called good, and how often we forget that - about ourselves and about each other. She shares her journey of discovering what the “very good Gospel” is and offers that good news to us, inviting us into the vision God has for the world, and a profound belief that God’s peace is possible.About LisaFrom Ferguson to New York, and from Germany to South Africa to Australia, Lisa Sharon Harper leads tr...
2023-03-271h 06
Initiated SurvivorSkills Spotlight - Radical GenuinenessRadical Genuineness is a skill, principle, and personal value that focuses on saying what you mean as you are. It is directly tied to authenticity and honesty in your relationships. It was also something that was very difficult for me to accomplish in my own life, as I used to be afraid about sharing all of who I was with the people around me. With practice, I was slowly able to show up genuinely rather than simply placating people. I want you all to be able to do the same. So, in this skills spotlight, I break down what...
2023-03-2127 minInitiated SurvivorBarb Jenkins on Survivor Activism, Jane Doe No More, and Rape Culture EducationBarb Jenkins was last on the podcast in 2022, in the episode "Reclaiming Justice". Now, she comes back on to share all that she has done to find a way back to herself again. Part of what she lost in her attack was the joy she had in her hobbies like volunteering. While she will never be the same person she used to be, she has found new ways to help other survivors and even make a change with perpetrators of sexual violence by going into prisons and educating them on rape culture.. She has reclaimed so much of her...
2023-03-0725 minInitiated SurvivorHow I Survived Falling ApartThese last few months I have taken a step back from several things in my life, due to a lot of overwhelming anxiety and fear. Even though I could logically understand that my feeling of doom was inaccurate, my body still felt as through something terrible was right around the corner. So how do you keep going when everything is falling apart? In this episode, I open up about how I personally got through this moment of anxiety and reached a place of safety again. If you are going through this now, please know I am keeping you and...
2023-02-2131 minInitiated SurvivorRestoring Our Identities with Therapist Raina LaGrandRaina LaGrand (she/her) is a Mixed (Black and white) Queer therapist, coach, and speaker based in Ypsilanti, MI. In her practice she helps mixed people embody their identities with confidence and build the community they've always dreamed of. She also helps intergenerational couples have brave conversations about identity, family, trauma, boundaries, and more. In this episode, we discuss the loss of identity that follows a sexual assault, and how it resembled a controlled burn.
Topics/Triggers:
Loss of Identity from Trauma
Connection to Community
Physical Reactions, Anxiety, and Bodily Discomfort
Trauma as a Grief Experience
...
2023-02-0729 minInitiated SurvivorThe Difference Between Forgiveness and Reconciliation with Bobbie BecerraYou may remember Bobbie Becerra from her previous episode on Intimated Survivor, where she recounted her life and childhood abuse. She opened up about how she broke her own generational chains, and stopped her cycle of trauma. One of the essential steps in that was to let go of the societal pressure placed on survivors to forgive their abusers. Instead, Bobbie has adopted a method of reconciliation, where she recognizes the multiple truths she is living at one time. We share how our religious upbringing instilled the notion that to forgive was our duty, why our trauma interfered with...
2023-01-0337 minInitiated SurvivorHow We Can Each Create Our Own Survivor-Safe CommunitiesIn our last episode with Kat McGinty, we explored larger scale methods to creating survivor-safe communities. In this follow-up, I wanted to take the same topic down to an individual basis, and explore the ways that we as individuals can help create communities where survivors will feel safe. Following the publication of the Open Letter in Support of Amber Heard as well as the release of the film "She Said", I've been feeling a renewed hope for a sexual violence free future. In order to get to that world free of gender-based violence, we must all do the work to...
2022-12-2044 minInitiated SurvivorCreating Survivor Centered Communities with Kat McGintyKat McGinty was last on the podcast to share her recovery journey and how she went from survivor to thriver. Since then, Kat has created her own female-led production company to provide a safe space for other survivors in the entertainment industry. She takes us through her decision to start a business, her perspective on the Me Too movement from an insider's perspective, and what survivors can do for fellow survivors.
Topics/Triggers:
Rape Culture
Brett Kavanaugh, Harvey Weinstein, and The Me Too Movement
Protecting Survivors First
Sexual Assault in the Entertainment Industry
Why Uma Thurman...
2022-12-0637 minInitiated SurvivorExpanding on 'Believing all Survivors'In episode 44, Olivia Pepper spoke on the heavy gifts that survivors receive throughout the "after". It made me look back on the first year of the podcast including my previous thoughts on believing all survivors — episodes 1 and 2 of Initiated Survivor, "Why I Believe All Survivors" and "We Believe All Survivors". In these early episodes, the strategies I spoke about were primarily on an individual level. But when believing all survivors takes the dismantling of far-reaching systemic injustices, what can we as individuals do? Listen to the full episode to find out.
Topics/Triggers:
Rest & The future of...
2022-11-2237 min
Redefine Fitness with Kelsey WellsUnfolding For You: In Conversation with Cleo Harper Founder Vanessa LeveyThe WHY behind my clothing collection for Cleo Harper! Our story goes back seven years and it’s pretty crazy to look back on the journey that led us here. Vanessa is an empowered woman, wife, mother, and entrepreneur whose success I hope will inspire you as much as it does me. AUTHENTICITY AND KINDNESS WIN! I share some things I’ve never everrr brought up before. ILYSM Never give up on your dreams. XxKels
2022-11-0950 minInitiated SurvivorHeavy Gifts with Olivia PepperOlivia Pepper is returning to Initiated Survivor after their previous episode, "Nurturing Trauma Through Community", where they spoke about their transition from victim to survivor. In this episode, Olivia has returned to tell more about their recovery journey and how the process of healing themselves has led them to activism for others. We speak on community, the work of those that came before us, and how to best show up for survivors. They share with us their vision of the future, why they have been driven to action, and what they want other survivors to know.
Topics...
2022-11-0828 minInitiated SurvivorRoe v. Wade & SurvivorsIn the aftermath of the unprecedented reversal of established precedent, survivors are left wondering what to do. With the Supreme Court becoming increasingly more conservative following the reversal of Roe vs. Wade, many of us survivors are left with a staggering loss of bodily autonomy, independence, and resources. In a follow-up from my previous take on the United States post-Roe vs. Wade, I open up about the ramifications of this Supreme Court decision and what we can do in the here and now.
Topics/Triggers:
Why we need to vote both locally & federally to protect survivors’ rig...
2022-10-2530 minInitiated SurvivorThe Truest Heart with Amy MalinAmy Malin is the creator and CEO of Trueheart, which serves as an in-between of Hollywood and philanthropy. A survivor of sexual assault and human trafficking, Amy founded Trueheart during her recovery process. Alongside her husband/business partner Scott Malin, Amy has raised thousands for a wide variety of causes including Domestic Violence, Gender Equality, HIV/AIDS, Homelessness, Human Trafficking, Hunger, LGBTQ+ Rights, Poverty, Racial Equality, The Arts, The Environment, Women’s Empowerment, and more. Today, she shares how she came to be so passionate about helping others and why she chooses to live her life leading with hope, li...
2022-10-1149 minInitiated SurvivorRecovery Through Psychedelics with Veteran and Neuroscientist Kim MecklenburgKim Mecklenburg survived childhood sexual assault from family as well as at the hands of her commanding officers during her time in the Marine Corps. Taking us through how she was able to recover due in part to the aid of psychedelics, Kim shares what it means to finally feel free in her body once again. She has also taken what she learned about survival and recovery and turned it into Kim Chi Wisdom, where she helps to dismantle rape culture by performing "Life Intelligence™ For Leaders" Workshops. She also helps other survivors with their recoveries through neuroscience-backed methods — lett...
2022-09-2750 minInitiated SurvivorStanding in Your Strength with Nichol BridgesNichol Bridges is a survivor of multiple incidents of violence. A current member of the RAINN Speakers Bureau, Nicole bears all in this Initiated Survivor interview. From her childhood when she encountered unwanted sexual advances from men much older than her, to being assaulted by multiple peers, to suffering violence at the hands of an ex-boyfriend, Nichol recounts these horrific experiences as an open book. Nichol's strength shines through her raw honesty of her life as a survivor. Taking us through the moment she first started to heal to when she decided to become a force of change, Nichol is...
2022-09-1343 minInitiated SurvivorSurvivor to Thriver with Kat McGintyKat McGinty experienced multiple assaults that had a lasting impact on her life and mental and physical health. After a long recovery process and battle against constant panic attacks, Kat has gone from survivor to thriver. She takes us through the impact of the immediate aftermath of her assaults and how the initial reactions of those around her stunned her into silence. The minimization that she faced caused her to go into a level of heightened stress anytime she even contemplated telling her story to others. Coming onto the podcast in this episode is a milestone in her recovery...
2022-08-3033 minInitiated SurvivorThe far-reaching effects of trauma with Kelly JohnsonKelly Johnson is a writer, public speaker, community engagement professional, and survivor of sexual violence. She has her masters in Public History from American University and is extremely passionate about literature. She created a Writers for Hope, which seeks to raise money for The Every Voice Coalition and the Lambda Legal Fund through the annual auctioning of books, writing advice, and story-based items. Today she comes onto the podcast to share her story of survival. Early one morning, Kelly was brutally beaten and violated by a stranger who was waiting outside her home. In what she calls the shattering...
2022-08-1645 minInitiated SurvivorGood Strong and Brave with Kristen Hogan"You are good enough. You are strong enough. You are brave enough."
This is Kristen Hogan's mantra — one that she has lived by throughout her recovery journey. Now a mental health and intimate partner violence advocate, Kristen has turned her mantra into a platform, Good.Strong.Brave, to help empower young women in the face of trauma. Lacking any sexual education from her school or family, Kristen shares the shock that came from realizing she had been assaulted and drugged by her then-boyfriend. Kristen's story is important and more common than many believe, with current statistics from RA...
2022-08-0235 min
Initiated SurvivorBreaking Generational Chains with Bobbie BecerraBobbie Becerra is the author of Learning to Take It: How I Learned to Accept Abuse where she recounts her life and the childhood abuse that impacted her journey. A Los Angeles native raised by her mother, Bobbie thought it was normal for her and her brother to suffer through physical and sexual abuse. She talks about how difficult it was to become aware of the generational trauma and actually break the cycle of trauma. It was only after 30 years of being trapped in a constant state of abuse that she found a way out through writing her memoir. N...
2022-07-1943 minInitiated SurvivorThe Fighter with Ginger RexGinger Rex has an undeniable warrior fighter spirit. She survived a brutal assault by a home intruder, and spent decades learning how to be with herself again. Finally finding a sense of peace after reevaluating her relationship with God, Ginger opens up about her recovery journey. From distancing herself from enablers, to gently overcoming her triggers with the help of her daughters and husband, to letting go of her relentless pursuit of justice, Ginger has found a way back to herself again and hopes that sharing her story will help others do the same.
Topics/Triggers:
...
2022-07-0541 min
Initiated SurvivorSurvivor to Warrior with Meghan GoodeMeghan Goode is a therapist and survivor who, after a lifetime of recovery, is a true warrior. She shares her story of being assaulted by a group of three males that she was familiar with in the spring of 1987 in her early teens. Having been abused by her parents and bullied by her peers, she shares how her life was impacted by what these "community heroes" had done to her. From substance abuse to a suicide attempt, it wasn't until Meghan got her masters in counseling and began to help other victims that she started to heal. She grew...
2022-06-2142 min
Initiated SurvivorReclaiming Justice with Barb JenkinsBarbie Jenkins is a fierce, brave survivor who chose to stay true to herself after a lifetime of abuse. Now a part of the Survivors Speak Outreach Team at Jane Doe No More, Barb joins the podcast today to share her experience as a survivor of childhood sexual abuse and being an adult rape survivor by a man she had sought to help. She takes us through the process of going to court, the effect of realizing that she was on trial rather than her attacker, as well as the fear she felt towards losing her family and reputation...
2022-06-0752 min
Initiated Survivor"Real Victim" and Survival MechanismsAs the final week of the Johnny Depp vs. Amber Heard trial approaches, I am joined by Lauren to talk about the implications that Amber's treatment in the public eye has for all survivors. Whatever you feel about Johnny Depp and Amber Heard, there is simply no "right" way to be a victim. You can never know how you will react until you are in that situation, and each survivor has a different story and a different coping strategy. In this episode, I share what my survival mechanisms were when my attacker began to stalk me. This was difficult...
2022-05-2441 minInitiated SurvivorWhat a “True Victim” Looks LikeDespite what we may have been taught by the media and TV, there is no one way to be a victim. Following up on our examination of the public backlash that domestic violence survivors face, today we are discussing the vast intricacies of domestic abuse relationships and what it means to be a "true victim". From power imbalance and gaslighting to love bombing and psychological disorders, these situations are never as simple as they seem.
Topics/Triggers:
What domestic violence really looks like
What people often get wrong about domestic violence relationships
The concept of reactive...
2022-05-1934 minInitiated SurvivorRape Culture in the Public BacklashI know that I said I was taking a break from solo episodes due to burnout, but after all that is happening on the news, I needed to share my thoughts with all of you. If you're like me and you're struggling with the public response to a very public trial involving domestic violence, sexual assault, and defamation, I want you to know that you are not alone. Whenever a survivor is attacked, every single one of us is affected. So in this bonus episode I'm sitting down to talk about how the public backlash to this trial is...
2022-05-1733 min
Initiated SurvivorBurnout + Tools to Cope with itToday, burnout has essentially become inevitable. We live in a capitalistic society that continuously demands more and more from us no matter how drained we are. If you've ever felt alone in your burnout, know that it is an exceptionally common experience. It is even more common among survivors of trauma who have to provide for their basic needs while on their recovery journey. I'm actually feeling burnt out myself, which is why I was inspired to record this episode. If you've ever wanted to know the psychology behind burnout, things to watch out for, and some skills to...
2022-05-0331 minInitiated SurvivorRadical AcceptanceRadical Acceptance has been a crucial part of recovery for many survivors, including myself. It is a skill that helps you reclaim your life by experiencing and facing our trauma head-on. It teaches us to release what we cannot change, and move forward with what is in our control. It helps us move from simply staying alive to reclaiming our sense of self — fully aware of our emotions and experiences. Listen in to learn more about radical acceptance, how you can apply it to your own life, and why it is an essential part of mindfulness.
Topics/Tr...
2022-04-2634 min
The Burned-In Teacher Podcast with Amber HarperEducate and Rejuvenate with Kelsey Sorenson of Wife Teacher MommyIn this episode, I talk with Kelsey Sorenson, former substitute teacher turned CEO of her own business, Wife Teacher Mommy. Kelsey shares her inspiring story of how she was able to transform her experiences with burnout into a flourishing business that works to support teachers. In this episode, she also shares her advice for those Burned and Unbalanced teachers out there so they have the strategies they need to approach each day feeling rejuvenated.
2022-04-2539 minInitiated SurvivorCommitment to Justice with Aarefah MosaviAarefah Mosavi is a proud Muslim-American woman who holds a BA in Peace and Conflict Studies with a minor in Human Rights from University of California, Berkeley. She has been a staunch advocate for human rights in all forms, with a particular interest in regional conflict, political science, and human rights law. She has also fought for over a decade to get justice for herself after being raped by Chester Brown on her college campus. Targeted due to her gender and religion, Aarefah walks us through how we can support her and all survivors going forward. In this episode, w...
2022-04-1944 minInitiated SurvivorThe Will to Survive with Georgia DuranteSexual Assault. The Mafia. Hollywood. Stunt Driving. Survival.
Georgia Durante has been inspiring women for decades. A Rochester native, Georgia's life was transformed after being raped at 17 by her brother-in-law, narrowly escaping with her life. While she started her childhood as "The Kodak Girl", her journey to recovery found her becoming a getaway driver for the Mafia. Continuing her will to survive, Georgia escaped to California with her daughter and used her skills to become a stunt driver in the entertainment industry. Now armed with her own stunt driving company Performance Two, Georgia continues to share her...
2022-04-1229 minInitiated SurvivorStalking TraumaThere are various definitions about what constitutes as stalking, as well as different laws in place to try and protect victims of stalking such as the Violence Against Women Act. In this episode, we are deep-diving into what stalking is, the different motives behind stalking someone, and the effects of stalking trauma.
Topics/Triggers:
Details about my attacker stalking me after my rape both online and in person
Not feeling safe in crowds or out in the world
Fight, Flight, Freeze, or Fawn reactions
Stockholm Syndrome and other Reactive Attachment Responses
Learning to deal with confrontation...
2022-04-0539 minInitiated SurvivorBeing Authentic with Danny CyganDanny Cygan has traveled the country, from the east coast to the west, sharing his story with everyone he can. Currently settled in Portland, Oregon, Danny has been on a recovery journey after coming to terms with the sexual abuse he suffered as a child at the hands of his own brother. With his other siblings threatened into silence, Danny suffered for years before finally realizing that what he was experiencing was not normal. Once he opened up to someone about what he had lived through, he went down a path of healing. Transformed from his experience, Danny opens...
2022-03-2938 minInitiated SurvivorEMDRRounding out our mini-series on different therapeutic interventions is EMDR, or Eye Movement Desensitization and Reprocessing. It's one of the more popular intervention methods due to the vast amount of evidence proving its effectiveness. It was originally designed by Dr. Francine Shapiro, who had a distressing memory come up one day while walking in the park and calmed herself down by rapidly moving her eyes between two lights in front of her. She studied this experience, coming up with the theory that bilateral stimulation of the left/right hemispheres in the brain helped process trauma into the mind's long...
2022-03-2247 minInitiated SurvivorReclaiming Who You Are with Denni BengstonDenni Bengston was just 15 years old when she met her abuser. She didn't know it at the time, but he was 4 years older than her. She also didn't know that she was being groomed and coerced into sexual acts every time he threatened her, filled her inbox and voicemail with messages, or separated her from her loved ones. He created a psychological environment that kept her trapped. It wasn't until he was arrested on drug charges and his phone confiscated that law enforcement discovered the true nature of their relationship. Now, Denni comes onto the podcast to share her s...
2022-03-1538 minInitiated SurvivorDBT for TraumaBuilding upon our previous episode on Dialectical Behavior Therapy, we are going to discover how DBT can be applied to trauma recovery. For those who chose this type of therapeutic intervention, you can expect to see both a skills-based approach to trauma recovery through the use of DBT framework theory as well as use of prolonged exposure to the traumatic event. DBT also incorporates mindfulness principles when handling trauma in order to raise our awareness of emotional burdens and disassociation. Whether it's to reach long term goals or dealing with acceptance and change, DBT can be a useful tool...
2022-03-0852 minInitiated SurvivorSomatic Experiencing with Dedeker WinstonDedeker Winston is a relationship coach, writer, podcast host, and advocate for polyamory. She is a somatic-practitioner-in-training, and joins us to introduce another therapeutic intervention method for you to consider on your recovery journey. Somatic experiencing is all about bodily sensations. It ties together both our physical and psychological experiences to guide our nervous system through its trauma response and into healing. Not all practitioners come from psychiatry, with some having backgrounds in physical therapy, dance, or being a chiropractor. One of the things that draws people — including myself — to this method of intervention is that you do not have...
2022-03-0148 minInitiated SurvivorDBT There are a lot of therapeutic methods and interventions that help those recovering from sexual violence, sexual assault, trauma, and PTSD. In this mini-series, we are going to go discuss different methods so you can hopefully find what may work for you. This episode is focused on Dialectical Behavior Therapy or DBT. DBT is a form of therapy created by Marsha Linehan that focuses on resolving or stabilizing symptoms of chronic emotional dysregulation, borderline personality disorder, bipolar disorder, anxiety, depression, PTSD, and trauma. It requires a lot of hard work from both the client and therapist, with the ultimate go...
2022-02-2243 minInitiated SurvivorCarving Your Own Path with Mimi Amaral8/10 rapes are committed by someone close to the victim, and today Dr. Mimi Amaral comes onto the podcast to share her unique recovery journey after a close friend she had known for years raped and assaulted her. Taking what some may call an unconventional path, Mimi chose not to pursue therapy and instead to guide her recovery intuitively by what she knew of herself and her spirituality. An accomplished author of four books as well as speaker for organizations like RAINN and Verity, Mimi wants any listeners out there to know that we each have our own recovery journeys to...
2022-02-1549 min
Initiated SurvivorStages of Trauma Recovery- Part TwoIn the finale of this two-part special, we are examining what recovery means to survivors. In Part One, we went through the progression of emotional tone as someone begins to process their trauma. Now, in Part Two, we are looking at the three main stages of recovery: Establishing Safety, Remembrance and Mourning, and Integration and Reconnection. Heavily influenced by Judith Herman's "Trauma and Recovery: The Aftermath of Violence--from Domestic Abuse to Political Terror" , my own recovery journey and the journeys of others, we come together to see that recovery is not a straight line. Instead, it is like a...
2022-02-0844 minInitiated SurvivorHiking My Feelings with Sydney WIlliamsAssault and shame. Childhood emotional abuse and newfound boundaries. Recovery and hiking. The Bachelor.
Sydney comes onto the podcast to share her unique journey to radical self-acceptance and radical compassion after being assaulted by a coworker one night while she was sleeping. Having just moved to Florida with her family with plans to change the world of medicine, the assault completely changed the trajectory of her life. She would face unhealthy habits, not being believed by family, and a diagnosis of a chronic illness. She would keep it hidden for over 11 years until, one day, she and...
2022-02-011h 20Initiated SurvivorStages of Trauma Recovery- Part OneIn this two-part special, we are dissecting what trauma recovery truly is. In Part One, we will be examining the different emotional stages that we pass through when we embark on this journey of reclaiming what we lost. Then, in Part Two, we will discuss the three main stages of recovery, from establishing safety, to remembrance and mourning, to reconnection and integration. Together, we will walk through the stages step-by-step as based on my own experience, the experiences of other survivors and therapists, and the one-of-a-kind book "Trauma and Recovery: The Aftermath of Violence--from Domestic Abuse to Political Terror" by...
2022-01-2530 minInitiated SurvivorPre and Post Assault, Lauren tells her story. As survivors, our recovery process is integral to reclaiming our power and our voice. It’s easy to feel as though we are the only person going through a traumatic, world-shattering event following the assault. But the fact of the matter is that we are not alone, and that there are people out there trying to heal from the same things that we are. Today, Lauren sits down with us to walk us through her recovery, pre and post assault, in hopes to empower others to own their stories and encourage them that they will survive whatever it is the...
2022-01-1852 minInitiated SurvivorTrauma: PTSD (Part Two)For part two of our Post Traumatic Stress Disorder episode (make sure to listen to Part One first) we are going to continue our conversation by reviewing what the symptoms are, how this connects to our understanding of trauma, how this coincides with survivors as well as statically what we see for survivors vs the general population.
Topics/Triggers:
What is PTSD and what does it really look like, as the qualifications for a diagnosis of “trauma” are much more defined than most people realize. Although just because something isn’t clinically diagnosed as trauma use does n...
2022-01-1148 minInitiated SurvivorBeyond the Image with Nikki DuBoseBeing a survivor in the modeling industry involves a complete reassessment with your body, sexuality, and sense of self. Today we sat down with Nikki DuBose, an American former model and the founder of Live ED Free, an EDIT™Certified Eating Disorder Recovery Coaching Service, to discuss her experience as a survivor within the modeling and entertainment industry. She is a Psy.D. student in Clinical Psychology at Meridian University and holds a B.A. in psychology from California Southern University with honors. She received her training as an Eating Disorder Recovery Coach Specialist through the EDIT ™ Certified Program unde...
2022-01-0441 minInitiated SurvivorBonus: Guided Meditation- The MeadowFind a quiet place to sit back and relax today with Kelsey's guided meditation on a simple meadow...no matter where you are. No matter your circumstances, taking these short eight minutes to check in with your body and self will prove essential for your soul.
If you took anything away from today’s podcast, please share it with someone who may need to hear it. And if you really want to support the podcast please give us a rate/review.
If you or anyone you know is suffering through trauma contact the National Sexual As...
2021-12-3011 minInitiated SurvivorReclaim the Date with Kris PedrettiAt 15 years old on December 18th, 1976, survivor and sexual assault advocate Kris Pedretti was attacked by the Golden State Killer, Joseph DeAngelo. Her father told her never to speak about this event again, and for almost 50 years she kept her story to herself. Never getting the chance to speak about what she went through kept her stuck in her “before” state, going through two marriages and becoming unstable and reckless. It wasn’t until Joseph DeAngelo was caught in 2018 that Kris came face-to-face with all that she had kept buried. Join me as I speak with Kris on the anniversary of her...
2021-12-1852 minInitiated SurvivorHoliday Survival SkillsAs soon as December rolls around, our culture begins to promote this feeling of togetherness and celebration. We are flooded with messages of the importance of family and friends and how we should be joyous and grateful. But what happens when the holidays bring about a sense of anxiety, stress, and pain rather than the joy we are told we should be feeling?
In today’s episode we will be discussing how we can deal with the pressure to be around others, and how we can plan ahead for events and for gatherings with friends and family.
Topics/Triggers:
The ne...
2021-12-1452 minInitiated SurvivorBonus: Skills Spotlight- Sitting with EmotionsThis topic is very common on social media...but no one really tells you how to do that. People tend to mistake “white-knuckling” through something when what we truly mean is sitting in/processing emotions. Today I am going to give you some steps to achieve our goal of allowing them to happen and pass through us without it overtaking us.
If you took anything away from today’s podcast, please share it with someone who may need to hear it. And if you really want to support the podcast please give us a rate/review.
If y...
2021-12-0909 minInitiated SurvivorTrauma: Defined (Part One)Tune in to today’s episode as we dive even further into what exactly trauma is, why we must be specific in diagnosing it, and why we need to work towards supporting people by helping them understand what they’re actually going through.
Topics/Triggers:
The three different usages of the term trauma: Traumatic Exposure, Traumatic Response, and Ongoing Traumatic Symptoms.
Why pain does not have to be trauma in order to warrant getting support.
The Fight-Flight-Freeze response & how our genetic code determines which one we do in a given circumstance.
How the expanded definition of trau...
2021-12-0746 minInitiated SurvivorTelling Our Stories (with Jesse)Former guest and survivor Jessie is back and today she is sharing her own survivor story as your host Kelsey also shares more of hers. Jesse was one of the first people to truly inspire Kelsey to accept and take power back after her assault and after today you will absolutely feel the same! The goal for today’s episode is to make any other survivor see the similarities in these stories and know that they are truly not alone.
Topics/Triggers:
Why assault is often questioned and not identified for years due to the media dep...
2021-11-3031 minInitiated SurvivorAssumptions of Survivors (with Sarahi Gutierrez)We kick things off with a centering invocation today before we get started, and then former guest Sarahi Gutierrez and I are discussing patients’ assumptions of clinicians, on both sides of the table. And how survivors are positively affected by holding these to be true. Sarahi Gutierrez is a licensed clinical social worker out of San Diego. She has a master’s from Columbia with an emphasis on DBT. She draws from her professional experiences and from her personal experiences as well.
Topics/Triggers:
Diminishing barriers what slow recovery
If we can all be mindful and hold as...
2021-11-1640 min
Pathway PodcastThe Wild Adventures of Freshman Year with Kelsey HarperLearn about our guest, Miss Kelsey Harper, as she shares some funny and embarrassing stories about her freshman year! She'll leave with some tips on how to survive college as well!
2021-11-1520 minInitiated SurvivorBonus: Guided Meditation- Four PointsFind a quiet place to sit back and relax today with Kelsey's guided meditation on The Four Points. No matter your circumstances, taking these short eight minutes to check in with your body and self will prove essential for your soul.
If you took anything away from today’s podcast, please share it with someone who may need to hear it. And if you really want to support the podcast please give us a rate/review.
If you or anyone you know is suffering through trauma contact the National Sexual Assault hotline at 1-800-656-4...
2021-11-1109 minInitiated SurvivorWhat is Internalized Gaslighting?Did you know Gaslight was a 1944 movie about a husband who convinced his wife she was losing her mind in order to get out of their marriage? In modern times this term is used to describe deliberate and conscious efforts to make someone question their reality.
Today we are going to thoroughly explore it, how it operates, how it interferes with survivors’ recovery, and what exactly you can do about it right now.
Topics/Triggers:
The difference between gaslighting and invalidation
How chronic gaslighting creates internalized gaslighting
Public figures and how allegations against them ar...
2021-11-0931 minInitiated SurvivorBonus: Skills Spotlight- Self SoothingIn today's Skills Spotlight, we are going to discuss different simple ways you can self-sooth. Whether it be before, during, or after a stressful event, or just a way to make your day a little calmer.
If you took anything away from today’s podcast, please share it with someone who may need to hear it. And if you really want to support the podcast please give us a rate/review.
If you or anyone you know is suffering through trauma contact the National Sexual Assault hotline at 1-800-656-4673 or online at https://hot...
2021-11-0409 minInitiated SurvivorReporting Assault (with Lauren Von Bernuth)Guest Lauren Von Bernuth joins Kelsey to continue the conversation on the many reasons survivors don't report an assault. The goal of these conversations is to figure out how we can create a more supportive environment as a whole for any trauma survivor.
Topics/Triggers:
The difference between shame and guilt when it comes to survivorship
How debilitating trauma can be in terms of day to day life, let alone dealing with the details of reporting
How going through the process at Peace Over Violence can be a part of the healing journey
How reporting to a...
2021-11-0244 minInitiated SurvivorBonus: Guided Meditation- GroundingFind a quiet place to sit back and relax today with Kelsey's guided meditation on Grounding. No matter your circumstances, taking these short eight minutes to check in with your body and self will prove essential for your soul.
If you took anything away from today’s podcast, please share it with someone who may need to hear it. And if you really want to support the podcast please give us a rate/review.
If you or anyone you know is suffering through trauma contact the National Sexual Assault ho...
2021-10-2810 minInitiated SurvivorWhy Survivors Don’t ReportIn today’s solo episode, we are covering the common misunderstanding survivors and those closest to them grapple with: reporting. And why they often chose not to.
Topics/Triggers:
How the request for “taking actions” with something like a report, is coming from a place of love and care from those who mean well, but it can actually come off as pressure for survivors.
“Why didn’t the report sooner” can be a failure statement to a survivor
It’s not and it never was the survivor’s responsibility to bring the perpetrator to justice or to prevent them...
2021-10-2632 minInitiated SurvivorBonus: Skills Spotlight- Mammalian Dive Reflex for Anxiety and Emotional DistressWe’re getting very literal today for our first Skills Spotlight episode. These are some simple tricks to use your body’s natural survival mechanism, the Mammalian Dive Reflex, deliberately. This is most useful to regulate emotions in acute distress, high anxiety, flashbacks or trouble sleeping.
Note: if you have a heart condition, blood pressure issues, or any eating disorders, this is best avoided as it could change your body temperature drastically.
If you took anything away from today’s podcast, please share it with someone who may need to hear it. And if you really want to support the podcas...
2021-10-2105 minInitiated SurvivorNurturing Trauma through CommunityToday your host Kelsey is joined by guest Olivia Pepper. Olivia is a star poet and hereditary Tarot reader, a practicing mystic and ritualist, and a community organizer building communities of justice through reconnection.
Topics/Triggers:
The transition from victim to survivor
The concept and term survivor itself, why it can be powerful but why it can also be limiting.
Restorative justice and how speaking with other trauma victims can alleviate the loss of connection
Societal roots of true community and healing.
Check out more from Olivia here!
If you took anything away...
2021-10-1943 minInitiated Survivor10 Assumptions About SurvivorsEpisode 5 is all about assumptions, the very best kind.
10 constructive assumptions about survivors.
These can help us be more effective at understanding the survivor experience to meet them where they are and potentially help aid in the recovery process. And to enable ourselves to take steps and actions to make a change.
Topics/Sneak Peak:
The base truths we can lay as the foundation to respect and aid in the healing process for survivors of rape or sexual assault.
Steps for survivors to reclaim power in their life.
Why engaging in recovery...
2021-10-1234 minInitiated SurvivorInternalized Gaslighting (with Sarahi Gutierrez)Today I meet with my good friend Sarahi Gutierrez, a licensed clinical social worker out of San Diego. She has a master’s from Columbia with an emphasis on DBT. She draws from her professional experiences and from her personal experiences as well. We discuss internalized gaslighting and how this presents for survivors and what to do about it.
Topics/Triggers:
What it looks like, what it means, what it is, and how do we know when it’s happening
Discerning what is truly your truth vs what has been driven into you
Releasing shame around gaslighting by realizing it can b...
2021-10-0540 minInitiated SurvivorBonus: Guided Meditation- Finding Your CenterFind a quiet place to sit back and relax today with Kelsey's guided meditation on Finding Your Center. No matter your circumstances, taking these short eight minutes to check in with your body and self will prove essential for your soul.
If you took anything away from today’s podcast, please share it with someone who may need to hear it. And if you really want to support the podcast please give us a rate/review.
If you or anyone you know is suffering through trauma contact the National Sexual Assault hotline at...
2021-09-3008 minInitiated SurvivorMy Recovery StoryYour host Kelsey is sharing her personal survivor story. Why is this important? Ultimately we want to end rape and all rape culture. And calling it out as it is is the first step.
Topics/Triggers:
Who helped her along the way, who she couldn't turn to and why.
How working with a psychiatrist and using prescribed meds aided in her recovery.
The simplest ways her friends showed up for her in this time.
The distractions that didn’t serve the process.
Some very common survivor instincts she had and exhibited
The forms of recovery that hel...
2021-09-2839 minInitiated SurvivorWe Believe All SurvivorsWe Believe All Survivors
Kelsey and guest + fellow survivor Jesse discuss how and why survivor belief and understanding is pivotal not only to recovery but also ending rape culture in our world today.
Topics/Triggers:
The baseline for believing survivors
How idolized figures often get free passes when it comes to rape culture
The unspoken limits put on women in a male-dominated society
Simple tools to make sexual assault and rape survivors feel more comfortable
How sometimes survivors themselves have trouble believing their own story and are victims of their own “victim-blaming” or gas-lighting
If you took anything away from toda...
2021-09-2135 minInitiated SurvivorWhy I Believe All SurvivorsKelsey delves deep into her understanding and beliefs on why she believes all survivors of any type of harassment or attack.
Topics/Triggers:
The importance of this topic.
Calling it out and naming it takes away some of its power.
Reducing and eliminating the gaslighting the survivors feel.
Restoring power too pressed communities and oppressed people.
What a false allegation is and why it is terribly defined and tracked.
The role trauma plays in reporting and recovery.
If you took anything away from today’s podcast, please share it with someone who may need to he...
2021-09-1436 minInitiated SurvivorTeaserSurvivors of sexual assault face unique challenges in recovering from trauma and re-entering their lives. Clinical psychologist and survivor Kelsey Harper speaks directly to survivors and offers practical skills to reclaim their life. In this podcast, you will learn new skills to build a resilient life and gain inspiration from the community of survivors sharing their stories of grit and power.
PODCAST COMING SEPT 14th!
2021-09-0102 min
Pasta Party10) Naughty Little Pets (ft. Maeve Dunigan and Kelsey Harper)New York comedians, writers and co-producers of the Pigeon Present variety show (IG: @pigeon_presents) Maeve Dunigan (@maevedunigan) and Kelsey Harper (@Harper_Kelsey) join the guys to talk about what sports they would add to the Olympics. Then, a man brings his misbehaving cat to the veterinarian.
2021-06-2332 min
Do U Have Any Stories?Carl HolderPlaywright and actor Carl Holder joins the pod today! We talk switching high schools, falling in love during the pandemic, and writing at dawn!
2021-06-1154 min
Do U Have Any Stories?Cait GillespieSupply chain expert and reading extraordinaire Cait Gillespie joins the pod today!!! We neglected to say that she has run a marathon, but we DO discuss the true meaning of "hot girl summer" and, her missing the prom bc she was number 1 in the state in DECA.
2021-06-041h 18
Do U Have Any Stories?Milo AllenThis week chef, baker and model extraordinaire Milo Allen joins the pod!!! We talk modeling, his upcoming wedding and the state Florida makes an appearance too!
2021-05-281h 09
Do U Have Any Stories?Brittany Tennant MorelandBrittany Tennant Moreland joins the pod this week!!!!!! We talk dating the same guy in high school, stepping away from the Mormon church, and everything in between!
2021-05-211h 39
Do U Have Any Stories?TenzingThis week Tibetan-American actress and model Tenzing joins the pod!! We talk singing opera, India, and the dream farm life.
2021-05-141h 11
Do U Have Any Stories?Annabel and Sabina MeschkeFirst ever TWIN EP featuring Sabina and Annabel Meschke! We talk salmonella and the difficulties of cooking eggs, miniatures, and exclusive behind the scenes drama in Kelsey and Sabina's sketch class at NYU.
2021-04-301h 24
Do U Have Any Stories?Hillary RuckerThis week, Kelsey talks with one of her high school choir teachers, Hillary Rucker (or Ms. Malone for the real ones). They talk being late to choir 😇, her new life in Germany, and her having to perform at prom with her show choir (!!).
2021-04-231h 13
Do U Have Any Stories?Alan JohnsonRetired podcaster Alan Johnson joins the pod to discuss pranking, TMJ, and no sex 2020!!
2021-04-161h 24
Do U Have Any Stories?Abi HernandezArtist and flight attendant Abi Hernandez joins the pod today! We talk about going to high school together, being a little bit of a bitch, and yes, her art!
2021-04-091h 20
Do U Have Any Stories?Zo LaFeminaThis week Zo joins the pod!!!! We talk hobbies, our old coffee shop job, and their experience working as an electrician.
2021-04-021h 10
Do U Have Any Stories?Anthony FerraroAnthony from Twitter joins the pod today. We discuss fashion, (not) writing, and yes, "comedy".
2021-03-2656 min
Do U Have Any Stories?Taylor HendersonToday, protagonist Taylor Henderson joins the pod! We talk show choir, book competitions, and the reframing of goals.
2021-03-191h 25
Do U Have Any Stories?Episode 2: Luis SeijaTexas native and resident at New York's Mt. Sinai, Luis Seija, joins the pod today! We discuss The Pan, fashion looks in the hospital, and his lovely mom.
2021-03-051h 04
Do U Have Any Stories?Do U Have Any Stories? FT: Maeve DuniganFirst guest of the pod MAEVE DUNIGAN stops by and to chat Mr. Cat, (not) being bad in high school, and chic-ly podcasting at her bf's house.
2021-02-261h 00
The Radiant Podcast with Kelsey Chapman#147 AMPLIFY: Morgan Harper NicholsPopular Instagram poet and artist Morgan Harper Nichols has created her life’s work around the stories of others. Morgan’s popular Instagram feed (@morganharpernichols) has garnered a loyal online following, and each poem she shares is created in response to the personal stories submitted by her friends and followers. Known for its lyrical tone and vibrant imagery, Morgan’s work is an organic expression of the grace and hope we’ve been given in this world. In addition to her burgeoning career as a poet and illustrator, Morgan has also successfully established her reputation as a musician, with her song “St...
2020-07-2943 min
The Radiant Podcast with Kelsey Chapman#132: Morgan Harper NicholsPopular Instagram poet and artist Morgan Harper Nichols has created her life’s work around the stories of others. Morgan’s popular Instagram feed (@morganharpernichols) has garnered a loyal online following, and each poem she shares is created in response to the personal stories submitted by her friends and followers. Known for its lyrical tone and vibrant imagery, Morgan’s work is an organic expression of the grace and hope we’ve been given in this world. In addition to her burgeoning career as a poet and illustrator, Morgan has also successfully established her reputati...
2020-04-0142 min
The Skillful Podcast#21: Surviving Sexual Assault with Dr. Kelsey HarperToday I’m talking with Dr. Kelsey Harper, a clinical psychologist and DBT therapist who works with trauma, PTSD, and chronic emotion dysregulation. With over a decade of work spanning varying settings and clientele, Kelsey has established a private practice in Santa Monica and observed time and again, that many clients reported extensive histories of trauma leading them to seek therapy and healing in their adult lives. With her own personal recovery as a survivor of sexual assault and experience working with the unique needs of survivors in their recovery journey, she built a new community called Warrior Reclamation to o...
2020-02-0538 min
On Comedy WritingGraduate School with Kelsey HarperAlan talks with Kelsey Harper (The Magnet) about graduate school.
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2018-12-1255 min
The Radiant Podcast with Kelsey Chapman#58 Morgan Harper NicholsMorgan Harper Nichols is an artist and designer, who specializes in making work for people and their stories. Her song, “Storyteller” has garnered over 1 million Spotify plays and her self-published book of poetry by the same title is a #1 Amazon Bestseller in Inspirational Poetry. Morgan lives in Los Angeles, California with her husband Patrick, and has made her life’s work about creating for the stories of others, through music, words, art, and design. Morgan began her career as a college admission counselor in 2010 months after graduating with her bachelor’s degree. In 2012, she transitioned into a full time touring musician. While...
2018-06-2657 min