95. Ashley Bendiksen: Powerfully Inspiring Others with Hope and Healing

95. Ashley Bendiksen: Powerfully Inspiring Others with Hope and Healing

Author: Dave Markel July 23, 2024 Duration: 40:20
Sometimes I am flabbergasted by how things work out to bring someone into my life for the purpose of helping to heal others through this show. This is one of those times…I found Ashley Bendiksen through Instagram, being duly impressed with her mission and accomplishments of bringing her story to national audiences to help bring justice to victim and survivors of interpersonal violence. But she also seemed vaguely familiar to me…then, during a pre-recording conversation I was having with her, she mentioned that I might know of her through a mutual friend of ours. It turned out that, in fact, she was correct!—the friend had recommended Ashley to me as a guest for this show, months ago, I just hadn't gotten around to reaching out to her. So, it was serendipitous that I had reached out to her so many months later. Ashley is a powerful force in telling of her abusive experiences and how those relationships shaped her into who she is today…someone who really relates to victims and survivors because she's been there. She's researched the dynamics and statistics. And she knows how to use her words to help bring positive influences into people's lives through her book, presentations, and articles. Ashley is available to come speak to your organization, your school, or your agency. And she'll make a lasting impact. Because she's authentic, transparent, and powerful. Her contact information is listed below. I encourage you to have her come speak to you, your students, your administration, or your employees. You won't be sorry. Here's where you can read about, contact, and find out about all things Ashley Bendiksen: https://l.instagram.com/?u=https%3A%2F%2Flinktr.ee%2Fashleybendiksen&e=AT0ZsAazKjkZPR9YKFh4_gBHVnWou8jhakAmH0dIFgOf0rIX_7uXXjJFa0jRqcMwee_rJJZ_IVSLd9gYOY1xLJmN-zAK1FKb54iXFopyXoScXXZd6KezMQ And some other links I would appreciate you taking the time to explore and read about, and where to write to me: https://Markel-Consulting.com https://startbybelieving https://evawintl.org/ https://thejanbrobergfoundation.org https://safeinharmsway.org davemarkel@gmail.com

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…