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
176. Pamela France: Faith, Trauma, and the Truth That Follows [not-audio_url] [/not-audio_url]

Duration: 1:24:25
In this episode of Sexual Assault Survivor Stories, I sit down with Pamela France, author of the memoir Life Soup. Pamela shares her lived experience of childhood sexual abuse and the lifelong impact of trauma, alongside…
175. Amy Watson & HASSL: What You Allow Is What Continues [not-audio_url] [/not-audio_url]

Duration: 50:07
There are some episodes of this show that don't revolve around a single survivor story, but they still land just as hard—because they force us to look at ourselves. This is one of those conversations. It's not about reco…
174. Gemini: First the Assault. Then Saprea. [not-audio_url] [/not-audio_url]

Duration: 58:34
There's a distinctive aspect to this show that makes it different from most podcasts in this genre, and I consider it a privilege and honor to recognize those of you who make it that way. Sexual Assault Survivor Stories…
173. Beth: When "Normal" was Actually Rape and Sexual Assault [not-audio_url] [/not-audio_url]

Duration: 1:33:34
Beth is a survivor who reached out to me after realizing that memories she once believed were long buried were anything but inconsequential. As she explains, those memories began resurfacing as she engaged in EMDR—Eye Mo…
172. Erica: When a Husband's Power Became Sexual Violence [not-audio_url] [/not-audio_url]

Duration: 1:01:32
In this episode I sit down with Erica, a survivor whose experience exposes the devastating reality of coercive control, rape, and sexual assault within a marriage. Erica reached out to share not only what she endured, bu…
171. Dave Markel:  When Showing Up Means Slowing Down [not-audio_url] [/not-audio_url]

Duration: 7:55
Today, this episode is a brief reflection from me, recorded as a pause in the regular rhythm of the show. Rather than a guest interview, I'm speaking directly to you, my listeners, about the weight of trauma-informed wor…