140. Violeta Bagia: An Author's Bold Truth – Overcoming Trauma and Telling Her Impactful Story

140. Violeta Bagia: An Author's Bold Truth – Overcoming Trauma and Telling Her Impactful Story

Author: Dave Markel June 3, 2025 Duration: 58:25
Today I have the privilege of hosting Violeta Bagia, an accomplished author hailing from the vibrant landscapes of Australia. Violeta joins me to share her profound journey, intertwining her experiences as a survivor with her passion for storytelling. Her writing career, marked by a poignant blend of resilience and empathy, has captivated readers worldwide. Today, she opens up about her personal ordeal with rape and manipulation, bravely navigating the aftermath and reclaiming her narrative through prose. Born and raised in Bosnia-Herzegovina she and her mother immigrated to Germany when Violeta was a small child, then to Australia, leaving her father behind to fight in the army. It wasn't an easy transition for Violeta. There were massive cultural changes to navigate and new languages to learn. Through all of this, she also had to endure bullying from her peers. Violeta's journey into literature began as a means of catharsis—a way to articulate the complexities of trauma and healing. Her memoir and fictional works not only resonate with authenticity but also serve as a beacon of hope for survivors seeking solace and understanding. In this episode, she reflects on the transformative power of storytelling in her own recovery journey and offers profound insights into the healing process. In this amazing and insightful interview, we delve into the broader implications of her work, discussing the societal impact of survivor stories and the evolving conversation on trauma and recovery. Her perspective is truly a pathway into the understanding of her resilience, shedding light on the intersections of creativity, advocacy, and personal empowerment. Violeta takes us on a journey of courage, compassion, and resilience. It's an understatement when I say that her story is a testament to the strength of the human spirit and the power of narrative in fostering empathy and healing. You've got to give this a listen! These links will get you to all things Violeta! Please take the journey of checking out all of these! Violeta's main website : www.writepointcoaching.com Amazon AU : https://amzn.asia/d/3faEH26 Amazon US: https://www.amazon.com/dp/1763552594?ref_=cm_sw_r_ffobk_cp_ud_dp_JVCETR4FEJFBYM9ZP5QX Dragonfly Publishing: https://checkout.square.site/buy/WB4ZDMPWS7CO3U4KQ5S7YKNZ 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! On another note: I am a strong advocate and supporter of Survivor School (SS), founded and directed by CEO Arci Grey (another former guest on SASS). 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/free?ref=SASS Thanks again for listening! 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 Thank you for joining us for this important conversation. Remember, believing and supporting survivors is a crucial step in bringing justice and healing.

Hosted by Dave Markel, Sexual Assault Survivor Stories creates a necessary and nuanced space centered on personal narratives and expert understanding. Each week, this podcast shares firsthand accounts from individuals who have experienced sexual assault, offering a raw and respectful look at the journey from victim to survivor. These stories aren't just about the trauma itself; they delve into the complex path of healing, highlighting both the profound adversities faced and the hard-won victories, large and small. Listening provides a window into the emotional and psychological dynamics that define survival, moving beyond simplistic narratives to honor the full, often messy, human experience. Crucially, this isn't a resource only for those directly affected. The podcast deliberately expands the conversation to educate a broader audience. Episodes explore the principles of trauma-informed communication and break down the neuroscience of trauma and memory, explaining how these factors impact a survivor's recall and testimony. This approach fosters deeper empathy and insight, whether you're a supporter, a professional, or anyone seeking to comprehend these issues on a more informed level. By weaving together personal truth and psychological context, this podcast serves as both a sanctuary for shared experience and a vital tool for collective learning.
Author: Language: English Episodes: 100

Sexual Assault Survivor Stories
Podcast Episodes
186. Joseph Born: The Hidden Reality of Child-on-Child Harm [not-audio_url] [/not-audio_url]

Duration: 1:32:15
Joseph Born grew up surrounded by the raw, untamed beauty of Alaska—a childhood filled with exploration, curiosity, and the kind of freedom that most people would associate with innocence. But beneath that backdrop was s…
185. Sara Perry: This Changes How You Think About Healing [not-audio_url] [/not-audio_url]

Duration: 1:07:56
This week's episode takes us into a part of the healing conversation that doesn't get talked about nearly enough. I sit down with Sara Perry, founder of Haven Space (https://havenspacecoaching.com/) in Houston, Texas, to…
184. Emily: I Was Living My Life Like Nothing Happened [not-audio_url] [/not-audio_url]

Duration: 46:55
This week, Emily joins the show to share a story that has lived quietly beneath the surface while life continued to move forward around it. As a young woman navigating the early stages of adulthood, she opens up about wh…
182. Cassie Nicholas: When Help Was a Setup [not-audio_url] [/not-audio_url]

Duration: 45:53
Cassie Nicholas returns to the podcast with a story that is as urgent as it is revealing. After everything she has already survived, Cassie found herself in a situation that looked—on the surface—like support and stabili…
181. MJ: A Few Minutes That Changed Everything [not-audio_url] [/not-audio_url]

Duration: 51:49
In this powerful interview, MJ shares her journey through sexual assault, dissociation, and healing. We explore trauma's impact on the body and mind, the importance of support systems, and pathways to recovery. Discover…
179. Dr. Asher: Survivor-Led, System-Changing [not-audio_url] [/not-audio_url]

Duration: 1:01:35
Let me introduce you to this week's guest, Dr. Asher. I wanted her here on the show because she is someone whose work sits at the intersection of lived experience, rigorous research, and embodied understanding of trauma.…
178. Norma Peterson: The Power of the Evidentiary Abuse Affidavit [not-audio_url] [/not-audio_url]

Duration: 1:21:16
This week I sit down with Norma Peterson, Executive Director of Document the Abuse, to talk about the lasting impact of the Stacy Peterson case and the broader importance of documenting abuse when systems fail survivors.…
177. Daniel: Courage Doesn't Always Feel Brave [not-audio_url] [/not-audio_url]

Duration: 33:04
In this episode of Sexual Assault Survivor Stories, I sit down with Daniel—a listener who became a storyteller. Like many of the voices you hear on this podcast, Daniel didn't come to the microphone because he was certai…