[Content Warning]: Child sexual abuse, rape, assault, sexual assault, acquaintance rape, attempted murder

Today, Jan is joined by Erika Shershun, MA, LMFT, who is a somatic psychotherapist who specializes in helping sexual trauma survivors reclaim the life they were meant to live. She’s the author of the Healing Sexual Trauma Workbook, the Healing Sexual Trauma Guided Journal (March 2025 release), the facilitator of the PESI Sexual Trauma Clinical Training, as well as for the upcoming Sexual Trauma Healing Journey (fall 2024). Her approach is trauma informed, rooted in somatic principles, drawing on neuroscience and integrative modalities like EMDR, energy psychology, parts work, and mindfulness. Erika offers individual online therapy sessions in California and provides coaching to clients outside of the state.

In part one of this two part episode Jan and Erika discuss the different responses to trauma, including freezing, fighting, fleeing, and fawning. Erika emphasizes that survivors should not blame themselves for their responses, as they are automatic survival strategies. They also talk about the importance of being believed when disclosing assault, as negative reactions can increase the likelihood of revictimization. Erika shares her own experiences of childhood sexual assault and multiple instances of revictimization. They discuss the concept of feeling safe in the body. Erika highlights the need for trauma-informed therapy and the importance of addressing trauma in the healing process. Jan and Erika discuss the need for therapists to receive proper training in sexual trauma. Erika shares her personal experience of not receiving the trauma work she needed in therapy and how she eventually found healing through somatic therapy.

Follow Erika Shershun:
erikashershunhealing.com
healingsexualtrauma.com

Buy Erika’s Book:
Healing Sexual Trauma Workbook

Mentioned Resources:
S.A.S.S.
P.E.S.I.
What Happened To You By Oprah Winfrey and Dr. Bruce Perry
Trauma and Memory By Peter Levine

If you are someone you know is experiencing emotional distress or suicidal ideation, please access the resources below:

National Suicide and Crisis Lifeline: Call/Text 988
National Sexual Assault Hotline (RAINN) : 1-800-656-HOPE (4673)
National Alliance for Mental Illness: 1-800-950-6264

Subscribe / Support / Contact:
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📷 Instagram

Jan Broberg Foundation:
💝 Foundation Website
📒 The Jan Broberg Story
🗞 Sign Up For Our Newsletter
💞 Thrivivors

In this series, Jan selects a word to focus on for each month, encouraging growth in a specific area and challenging herself and her audience. This month, the focus is on growth. In Jan’s exploration of the theme of growth she applies it to various aspects of life. She reflects on personal experiences and challenges, such as telling her story and dealing with tragedies. She discusses the importance of adversity and struggle to obtain personal growth, as well as the role of resilience and healing. In closing she also touches on the idea of progress through struggle, the need for self-care during difficult times, and knowing that this too shall pass.

Mentioned Resources:
Atomic Habits by James Clear
Abducted in Plain Sight
A Friend of the Family
A Friend of the Family: True Evil

If you are someone you know is experiencing emotional distress or suicidal ideation, please access the resources below:

National Suicide and Crisis Lifeline: Call/Text 988
National Sexual Assault Hotline (RAINN) : 1-800-656-HOPE (4673)
National Alliance for Mental Illness: 1-800-950-6264

Subscribe / Support / Contact:
🍎 Review on Apple
🎶 Review on Spotify
✍ Share Your Story
🌐 Podcast Website
🔴 YouTube
📷 Instagram

Jan Broberg Foundation:
💝 Foundation Website
📒 The Jan Broberg Story
🗞 Sign Up For Our Newsletter
💞 Thrivivors

[Content Warning]: Child sexual abuse

Today Dave Markel, friend of the podcast and host of the S.A.S.S. (Sexual Assault Survivor Stories) podcast, is hosting a round table featureing three male survivors of childhood sexual abuse; David Weeks, Lee Cooper, and Robert Marshall. Each was affected in their own ways, but today in part two of this episode, they come together to discuss the differences they’ve seen between all male survivor groups compared to mixed groups or what they’ve heard from all female groups. They express the need for male voices to be more forward in this field of healing, not to detract from any female support in the world, but since men are less likely to report or disclose those who are able to speak out are vital to raising awareness. They also converse on the mixed signals a man has to sift through in order to have security in their sexuality. Lee Cooper addresses his shift from wanting to heal to wanting to speak out and take his perpetrator to court. In closing; Robert calls for those who have survived these abuses who find that telling their story isn’t enough to take up advocacy, David stresses that we need to educate youth in psychology to better protect them from predators, and Lee emphasizes the need for core changes in the judicial systems so that predators are not favored.

If you or your business could use Dave's consulting services visit his website at: www.markel-consulting.com
Be sure to check out Dave Markel's podcast S.A.S.S.:
https://sexassaultsurvivorstories.libsyn.com/

Check Out David On Insta: Djweeks_

Check Out Lee’s Photography:
PlacesNowhere.com
Insta: coopscw

Check Out What Robert Is Up To:
Insta: roberthmarshalljr
The Survival Circle website or on Insta the_survivorscircle
Buy Robert’s Book:
Echoes

If you are someone you know is experiencing emotional distress or suicidal ideation, please access the resources below:

National Suicide and Crisis Lifeline: Call/Text 988
National Sexual Assault Hotline (RAINN) : 1-800-656-HOPE (4673)
National Alliance for Mental Illness: 1-800-950-6264

Subscribe / Support / Contact:
🍎 Review on Apple
🎶 Review on Spotify
✍ Share Your Story
🌐 Podcast Website
🔴 YouTube
📷 Instagram

Jan Broberg Foundation:
💝 Foundation Website
📒 The Jan Broberg Story
🗞 Sign Up For Our Newsletter
💞 Thrivivors

[Content Warning]: child sexual abuse, extortion, rape, psychological abuse, neglect

Today Dave Markel, friend of the podcast and host of the S.A.S.S. (Sexual Assault Survivor Stories) podcast, is hosting a round table featureing three male survivors of childhood sexual abuse; David Weeks, Lee Cooper, and Robert Marshall. Each were affected in their own ways, but today in part one of this two part episode, they come together to discuss the impact that their traumas had on them throughout their lives, how their experiences differ from those of female survivors of sexual assault and abuse, and what it’s like for men to disclose and reprocess their trauma in a legal setting.

If you or your business could use Dave's consulting services visit his website at: www.markel-consulting.com
Be sure to check out Dave Markel's podcast S.A.S.S.:
https://sexassaultsurvivorstories.libsyn.com/

Check Out David On Insta: Djweeks_

Check Out Lee’s Photography:
PlacesNowhere.com
Insta: coopscw

Check Out What Robert Is Up To:
Insta: roberthmarshalljr
The Survival Circle website or on Insta the_survivorscircle
Buy Robert’s Book:
Echoes

Mentioned Resources:
The Body Keeps The Score By Bessel Van Der Kolk

If you are someone you know is experiencing emotional distress or suicidal ideation, please access the resources below:

National Suicide and Crisis Lifeline: Call/Text 988
National Sexual Assault Hotline (RAINN) : 1-800-656-HOPE (4673)
National Alliance for Mental Illness: 1-800-950-6264

Subscribe / Support / Contact:
🍎 Review on Apple
🎶 Review on Spotify
✍ Share Your Story
🌐 Podcast Website
🔴 YouTube
📷 Instagram

Jan Broberg Foundation:
💝 Foundation Website
📒 The Jan Broberg Story
🗞 Sign Up For Our Newsletter
💞 Thrivivors

In this series, Jan selects a word for each month to focus on, encouraging growth in a specific area and challenging herself and her audience. This month, the focus is on Connection. Jan shares her personal experience of donating a kidney to her sister and emphasizes the importance of building real connections with others. She discusses the impact of technology on face-to-face interactions and the loneliness epidemic in society. Jan highlights the need for survivors of trauma to connect with others who believe and support them. She encourages listeners to reach out, reconnect with old friends, and engage in acts of kindness to foster connections.

Mentioned Resources:
Surgeon General Advisory
Psychologytoday: Research Backed Ways To Connect With Others

If you are someone you know is experiencing emotional distress or suicidal ideation, please access the resources below:

National Suicide and Crisis Lifeline: Call/Text 988
National Sexual Assault Hotline (RAINN) : 1-800-656-HOPE (4673)
National Alliance for Mental Illness: 1-800-950-6264

Subscribe / Support / Contact:
🍎 Review on Apple
🎶 Review on Spotify
✍ Share Your Story
🌐 Podcast Website
🔴 YouTube
📷 Instagram

Jan Broberg Foundation:
💝 Foundation Website
📒 The Jan Broberg Story
🗞 Sign Up For Our Newsletter
💞 Thrivivors

[Content Warning]: Ritualistic sexual abuse, psychological torture, violence

Today, Jan is joined by Jimmi Toro, an American contemporary, internationally acclaimed artist, author of his new book HEAL, founder of the non-profit Rescue11 whose mission is to protect children against predators. He is also a composer, and a music producer. Jimmi has spoken at numerous events and mental health panels, including the 2023 NBA All-Star event. He has also created art for various charity-related projects with Rescue11, Susan G. Komen Breast Cancer Foundation, Boys and Girls Clubs of America, Make a Wish Foundation, Habitat for Humanity, and The Orange Duffel Bag Initiative.

Jimmy Toro shares his experiences of childhood trauma and abuse, as well as his journey of healing and advocacy. He discusses the prevalence of child abuse, including ritualistic sexual abuse, and the hidden nature of perpetrators within communities. Toro emphasizes the importance of believing survivors and the need for men to be advocates in preventing and addressing abuse. He also highlights the work of his organization, Rescue11, in protecting children from predators. Toro shares insights on facing trauma head-on and the power of healing from suppressed memories. Jimmi and Jan highlight the book 'The Body Keeps the Score' by Dr. Van Der Kolk as a valuable resource for understanding trauma. Jimmi shares his personal experience of facing and transforming traumatic memories, emphasizing the importance of empowering the inner child. He explains how art and storytelling can be powerful tools for healing and expressing personal power. The conversation concludes by addressing the need for greater awareness of child predators and the urgency of addressing the epidemic of childhood sexual abuse.

Connect with Jimmi Toro:
Rescue11
JimmiToro.com

Buy Jimmi’s Book:
HEAL

Mentioned Resources:
The Body Keeps The Score by Bessel Van Der Kolk

If you are someone you know is experiencing emotional distress or suicidal ideation, please access the resources below:

National Suicide and Crisis Lifeline: Call/Text 988
National Sexual Assault Hotline (RAINN) : 1-800-656-HOPE (4673)
National Alliance for Mental Illness: 1-800-950-6264

Subscribe / Support / Contact:
🍎 Review on Apple
🎶 Review on Spotify
✍ Share Your Story
🌐 Podcast Website
🔴 YouTube
📷 Instagram

Jan Broberg Foundation:
💝 Foundation Website
📒 The Jan Broberg Story
🗞 Sign Up For Our Newsletter
💞 Thrivivors

Today, Jan is joined by Joelle Maletis, a highly acclaimed international speaker, psychotherapist, and trauma expert with a global following. She is also the author of a TED-Ed video on PTSD that has garnered over 3.2 million views, and is available in 28 different languages. Her focus is on helping people overcome obstacles and lead fulfilling, balanced lives. Joelle started JRM&A Inc. to help others discover their hopes, dreams and abilities to thrive through adversity, trauma and mental challenges. Her achievements include being a guest speaker on ABC's 60 Minutes: Beyond the Headlines, and receiving the DOD's HIRE Vets Medallion Award. She is also about to launch a new series of therapy workbooks.

Joelle shares her personal journey of healing from complex PTSD and emphasizes the importance of a holistic approach to recovery. She provides practical advice for individuals seeking help, including therapy, support groups, and resources such as books and workbooks. Joelle discusses maladaptive relationships and the fear of getting off the toxic roller coaster. She explains that maladaptive relationships are predictable and provide a sense of control, even though they are harmful. She also emphasizes the importance of learning skills for emotional regulation and somatic healing. Joelle explains her therapeutic approach, which includes a client-centered, trauma-informed model that incorporates various techniques such as cognitive processing therapy and EMDR. Jan and Joelle explore the concept of self-love as a skill that can be learned and practiced. Joelle shares her journey of healing from childhood trauma and how it led her to become a therapist. They also discuss the power of gratitude, calming the central nervous system, and understanding the neuroscience behind healing. In closing, Joelle introduces her workbook on self-love and explains how it incorporates various skills and techniques to promote self-compassion and personal growth.

Contact Joelle:
JRM&A
Insta

Buy Joelle’s Books:
Give Yourself Self Love Journal
Give Yourself Self Love Workbook

If you are someone you know is experiencing emotional distress or suicidal ideation, please access the resources below:

National Suicide and Crisis Lifeline: Call/Text 988
National Sexual Assault Hotline (RAINN) : 1-800-656-HOPE (4673)
National Alliance for Mental Illness: 1-800-950-6264

Subscribe / Support / Contact:
🍎 Review on Apple
🎶 Review on Spotify
✍ Share Your Story
🌐 Podcast Website
🔴 YouTube
📷 Instagram

Jan Broberg Foundation:
💝 Foundation Website
📒 The Jan Broberg Story
🗞 Sign Up For Our Newsletter
💞 Thrivivors

[Content Warning]: Child sexual abuse, sexual abuse, marital abuse, sexual extortion, rape, stalking, physical abuse, death of an unborn child,

Today, Jan is joined by Marcia Roberts Mikels who has a PhD in Forensic Psychology, is an author, and owns a consultancy that seeks to help those who have been a victim of domestic violence. Marcia shares her journey of escaping an abusive marriage and the challenges she faced as a single mother. She discusses the escalation of abuse, the custody battle, and the connection between domestic violence and child abuse. Marcia also talks about finding love and support, starting a consultancy with her husband to help domestic violence victims, and recently obtained a PhD in Forensic Psychology. She emphasizes the importance of commitment and shares the role her mother played in her life. Jan and Marcia discuss the importance of believing and protecting victims of abuse. They emphasize the power of belief, support, and peer-to-peer communities in the healing process. Marcia shares her personal experience with the legal system and the need for better support for survivors. The conversation concludes with insights on resilience-building in children and advice for survivors navigating the legal system. They discuss the need for legal change to protect victims of domestic violence and child abuse. Marcia goes over the challenges faced by victims in the court system and the importance of advocating for good parenting plans. Marcia encourages individuals to reach out for help and offers resources through her consultancy.

Contact Marcia if you need her help:
Facebook
Insta

Buy Marcia’s Books:
New Day
Tomorrows

Mentioned Resources:
Voices Against Violence
Why Does He Do That by Lundy Bancroft
The Joyous Recovery by Lundy Bancroft

If you are someone you know is experiencing emotional distress or suicidal ideation, please access the resources below:

National Suicide and Crisis Lifeline: Call/Text 988
National Sexual Assault Hotline (RAINN) : 1-800-656-HOPE (4673)
National Alliance for Mental Illness: 1-800-950-6264

Subscribe / Support / Contact:
🍎 Review on Apple
🎶 Review on Spotify
✍ Share Your Story
🌐 Podcast Website
🔴 YouTube
📷 Instagram

Jan Broberg Foundation:
💝 Foundation Website
📒 The Jan Broberg Story
🗞 Sign Up For Our Newsletter
💞 Thrivivors