135. Lauren King and Shannon Porter: What They Don't Say Podcast Meets Sexual Assault Survivor Stories for a Power Episode

In this powerful crossover episode, I had the fantastic fortune to join forces with the hosts of the What They Don't Say: Sexual Assault and Everything in Between podcast for a special pod-share episode. It was an incredible opportunity for all of us to come together and share our unique perspectives on the journey of healing and justice after sexual assault. I've been following Shannon and Lauren's work for a while, and it was great to finally connect and collaborate. Their podcast offers such an unfiltered, raw approach to discussing trauma and healing, and this episode felt like the perfect chance to amplify that conversation. Shannon and Lauren dive deep into the realities that survivors face, from the emotional weight of trauma to the exhausting process of navigating the court system. They tackle what it really feels like to live with the aftermath of these experiences every day, and they aren't afraid to pull back the curtain on the messy, unglamorous parts of healing. Their no-holds-barred approach makes it clear that this isn't about sugarcoating anything—it's about talking honestly, without filters, and giving people the space to relate to the tough moments. In this episode, we come together for a candid conversation about the challenges we've faced and how important it is to keep sharing these stories, even when it's uncomfortable. We touch on the toll trauma can take on our lives and relationships, how the legal system can sometimes fail to offer the justice that survivors deserve, and the importance of community as a part of the healing process. It was truly an honor to share this unique episode with Shannon and Lauren, and I think you'll find it's a conversation that's real, heartfelt, and incredibly important. Whether you're a survivor, a supporter, or someone seeking to understand more about the realities of sexual assault and healing, this episode offers valuable insights and a reminder that you're not alone. An important side note: if you're finding value in these episodes, please take a moment to leave a 5-star rating on your podcast platform. AND, please send me a note of support. I can't tell you how much your emails mean to me—they fuel my passion to keep this podcast going. Here's my email address: dave@sasstories.com I truly look forward to hearing from you! Thank you again for being part of this journey with me. Don't miss next week's episode as I bring you a new, compelling episode —right here on Sexual Assault Survivor Stories, the SASS Podcast. See you next week. In the meantime, we encourage you to share this episode with your friends, family, and colleagues. Spread the word about Sexual Assault Survivor Stories, as we continue to amplify the voices of survivors and educate the public and professionals on the importance of trauma-informed care. Together, we Subscribe and Support: Don't forget to subscribe so you never miss an episode of Sexual Assault Survivor Stories; and, give us a five-star rating! Your support helps us continue to provide this important platform for survivors and advocates alike. I hope you will also do your part to bring justice to victims and survivors of rape and sexual assault. You can do that by sharing this episode with others. Also, please follow the Instagram page of sexualassaultsurvivorstories. It also helps the show grow, which is what I hope to accomplish to help lessen the prevalence of rape and sexual assault, as well as the prevalence of rape culture that surrounds us all. It only takes a minute, and I truly appreciate your support. On another note: I am a strong advocate and supporter of Survivor School (SS), founded and directed by CEO Arci Grey. In fact, Arci has made me a consultant to SS as she maneuvers the intricacies of directing and managing the content and growth of her amazing organization. I encourage you to strongly consider becoming a member of SS, and as an affiliate would appreciate it, if you do decide to become a member, to use this link: https://www.survivor-school.com/?ref=DAVEMARKEL Thanks again for listening! And as always, listed below are some additional important and meaningful websites I hope you'll take a look at and learn more about. https://www.whattheydontsay.com https://www.survivor-school.com/?ref=DAVEMARKEL www.arcigrey.com https://thejanbrobergfoundation.org https://www.napanews.org/ https://podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/invisible-no-more-lady-veterans-stories-of-military/id1754061590 https://startbybelieving.org https://evawintl.org/ https://safeinharmsway.org My email address: dave@sasstories.com