201. Hannah King (Part 3): Still Hurting. Still Healing. Still Here.

201. Hannah King (Part 3): Still Hurting. Still Healing. Still Here.

Author: Dave Markel August 5, 2026 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 speaks from where she is now, still carrying profound pain while trying to find her way forward. Her journey reminds us that survival can contain grief, anger, uncertainty, courage, and hope all at once, and that a survivor's voice matters even before every wound has healed. Hannah is blunt and forthright. She's honest and transparent. Her strength is unmistakable and commendable. She's all of this, all at once. I hope you take the time to listen to all 3 of her episodes, because what she says and how she says it is powerful and healing. An important side note: if you're finding value in this show and these amazing episodes, please take a moment to leave a 5-star rating on your podcast platform. AND, follow SexualAssaultSurvivorStories on Instagram, then, 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. And if you're a victim or survivor and are ready to tell your story in order to help yourself or someone else heal, let me know, and we can start a conversation about the possibility of you being on the show. Here's my email address: dave@sasstories.com Thank you to all of you who have reached out to me already. Just provide me with a phone number where I can reach back out to you…because I like to talk to people who are interested in guesting. And please keep those emails and texts coming…I truly look forward to hearing from you and hearing your input on the stories and guests featured on this show. Here are some critically important links that I hope you'll take the time to explore, and where a contribution is requested, please consider doing so! https://1in6.org/ https://soulwisesolutions.com https://safeinharmsway.org https://sironahealing.com/ https://www.whattheydontsay.com www.arcigrey.com 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. 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…
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…
196. Susan Bisaha: When Trust Hides Abuse [not-audio_url] [/not-audio_url]

Duration: 51:37
One of the most common misconceptions about child sexual abuse is the belief that children always know they're being abused. The reality is often far more complicated. In this episode, I sit down with Susan Bisaha, a lic…