190. Dr. Lori: Healing Every Day After Sexual Trauma

190. Dr. Lori: Healing Every Day After Sexual Trauma

Author: Dave Markel May 19, 2026 Duration: 35:36
Dr. Lori from Still Whole Wellness returns to the show for a deeply thoughtful conversation about healing, spirituality, trauma, boundaries, self-worth, and the daily work of becoming whole again after sexual trauma. This isn't surface-level self-help language. It's an honest discussion about what healing requires when trauma has impacted the way you think, speak to yourself, trust yourself, and move through the world. We talk about the idea that healing isn't something that only happens inside a therapist's office once a week. It's something that must become intentional every single day. Dr. Lori explains how unresolved trauma can quietly shape every area of a person's life, from relationships and physical health to self-talk, spirituality, and personal boundaries. She also shares how her own experiences ultimately led her to create Still Whole Wellness and write her book, Still Whole: A Blueprint for Healing. One of the most powerful parts of this conversation centers around boundaries. Dr. Lori explains why boundaries are not restrictions, but freedoms. They are evidence of self-worth. We also talk about reclaiming your voice, subconscious healing, the role spirituality plays in recovery, and why survivors often struggle to believe they deserve peace, rest, or happiness after trauma. This episode is reflective, practical, spiritual, emotional, and incredibly human. Whether you are actively healing, supporting someone who is, or simply trying to better understand the long-term impact of trauma, I think this conversation is going to stay with you long after it ends. An important side note: if you're finding value in this show and these conversations, please consider leaving a 5-star rating on your podcast platform—it truly helps more people find these stories. You can also follow Sexual Assault Survivor Stories on Instagram and 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. And if you're a victim or survivor and you feel like you might be ready to share your story—whether for your own healing or to help someone else—reach out to me. We can start a conversation, with no pressure and no expectations. You can email me directly at dave@sasstories.com. Please include a phone number where I can reach you, because I genuinely prefer to talk with people who are considering guesting. Thank you to everyone who has already reached out—and please keep those emails coming. I truly look forward to hearing from you. Here are some critically important links that I hope you'll take the time to explore. Where a contribution is requested, please consider doing so. Thank you—for listening, for believing survivors, and for being part of this community. https://www.stillwholewellness.com/ https://www.projectcallisto.org/ https://documenttheabuse.org/ https://hassl.uk/ https://saprea.org/ https://whattheydontsay.com https://1in6.org/ https://time.com/wp-content/uploads/2014/09/repeat_rape.pdf?utm_source=chatgpt.com https://safeinharmsway.org https://startbybelieving.org https://evawintl.org/ As mentioned, and emphasized, it's time to Normalize the Conversation.™ And please remember to Start by Believing…because we all know someone whose life has been impacted by rape or sexual assault. (Check out https://evawintl.org/ & https://startbybelieving.org for more information on "Start By Believing"!)Thank you for tuning in. --Dave

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: 50

Sexual Assault Survivor Stories
Podcast Episodes
206. Cat Wilson: Unapologetic, Unafraid, and Finally Heard [not-audio_url] [/not-audio_url]

Duration: 54:42
After a week off, I'm joined by Cat Wilson, a survivor, advocate, and outspoken voice in the movement to end violence against women. Cat is a HASSL Pro Ambassador and serves as the organization's country representative f…
205. Vanessa Wulff: No One Knew What She Was Surviving [not-audio_url] [/not-audio_url]

Duration: 1:32:53
Vanessa Wulff was working toward a future in chiropractic care when she became the victim of multiple sexual assaults and rape. In this episode, she shares what happened during that period of her life and the effects tho…
204. Jeff Kohler: The Courage to Become The Vocal Minority [not-audio_url] [/not-audio_url]

Duration: 35:19
Jeff Kohler enlisted in the United States Navy immediately after graduating from high school in 2005. Two years later, he received orders attaching him to the Army's 1st Battalion, 5th Field Artillery, 1st Infantry Divis…
203. Dr. Peter Verdin: "Gold in the Cracks" [not-audio_url] [/not-audio_url]

Duration: 51:45
For twenty-five years, Dr. Peter Verdin carried the truth of his childhood sexual abuse largely in silence. During those years, he became an accomplished athlete, playing four seasons for the University of Georgia and be…
202. The Betrayal Was Intimate: Understanding Coercive Sexual Assault [not-audio_url] [/not-audio_url]

Duration: 24:27
Several of my recent guests have described sexual assault that occurred within an intimate relationship and was accomplished through coercion rather than immediately recognizable physical force. Some of the responses I r…
201. Hannah King (Part 3): Still Hurting. Still Healing. Still Here. [not-audio_url] [/not-audio_url]

Duration: 56:28
This week I conclude my three-part conversation with Hannah King. What began with the night she was drugged and violently sexually assaulted has become a much larger story about everything rape can leave behind. Hannah s…
199. Hannah King (Part 1): The Long Road Begins Here [not-audio_url] [/not-audio_url]

Duration: 44:38
Some stories simply can't be told in a single conversation. This week begins a special three-part series with Hannah King, whose life changed forever after she was drugged and violently sexually assaulted while traveling…
198. Lyndsey Hackford: The Abuse I Thought Was Love [not-audio_url] [/not-audio_url]

Duration: 53:52
Domestic violence doesn't usually begin with violence. It often begins with what appears to be love. Small compromises become expectations. Isolation is disguised as protection. Control masquerades as concern. Little by…