It's been 7 years since producing a podcast was first suggested to Dave as a platform for getting the nuances of the neuroscience of trauma and memory, and the foundations and principles of trauma-informed interviewing out to victims and survivors of rape and sexual assault. But, finally, the time has arrived. Phrases like "psychophysiological evidence," "trauma memory," "rape culture," and "perpetrator mentality" were relatively new to sexual assault investigators back then, and even now the level of sexual assault and rape investigation education leaves much to be desired, based on frequent comments from victims and survivors of sex crimes about the way their reports of rape and sexual assault are handled. Things are starting to change...not nearly fast enough, but changes are coming. SASS is part of a growing trend in this country to be taruma-informed and victim and survivor sensative. We all need to do our part to reduce the prevalence of rape and sexual assault...because we all know someone who's life has been affected by rape or sexual assault.

The out-of-this-world story of childhood kidnapping and sexual assault at the hands of a close family friend is finally being told in a way that Jan and her family members are happy with and support...in the form of a nine-part mini-series on Peacock TV. But that's not all...The Jan Broberg Story is a newly published book, co-written by Jan and her mother, Mary Ann Broberg. It's available through Amazon and on Audible, narrated by Jan herself. Both the book and the television mini-series were released just days apart in early October, and Jan's own podcast, The Jan Broberg Show, launched on September 6, 2022. All of this is part of an amazing survival story from Jan's double kidnapping at ages 12 and 14, and multiple sexual assault incidents that even she kept secret out of fear of retaliation from aliens she had been convinced were real, and had put her on earth to perform a mission of saving the alien's dying planet, a diabolical story concieved in the mind of her manipulative, pathological perpetrator, "B." In this episode I had the true honor of sitting with Jan and talking with her in a trauma-informed manner, to hear in her own words, a version of this story she was even surprised to hear.

You can learn more about Jan and her spell-binding story in the book https://janbrobergfoundation.org/

Trailer for A Friend of the Family:https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=FsOjzWsO5ls

This interview was a pleasure and an honor...and one which I had been looking forward to for a long time. And I wasn't disappointed; Joanne started at the beginning of her law enforcement career as a patrol officer in the San Diego Police Department, and progressed to where she is today as Executive Director of the End Violence Against Women-International, non-profit organization for law enforcement training. She shares many stories of trials and struggles throughout her years as a police officer, as well as the joys and triumphs she's had along the way. She also talks about the challenges that she and her staff and Board of Directors have in keeping the organization running in these financially lean times, with an eye on how things are still growing and flourishing. You'll agree with me, I'm sure, that Joanne is an inspirational and heroic leader and visionary, and like me, you won't be disappointed in listening to this interview.

You can learn more about EVAWI at: https://evawintl.org/

Find out about the 2023 International Conference to be held in Chicago, IL, April 11-13, 2023 https://evawintl.org/wp-content/uploads/2023-Conference-Brochure.pdf

Donate to EVAWI! https://evawintl.org/donate-now-2021-popup/

Become a supporter!--Start by Believing global campaign https://startbybelieving.org/

One of the most extraordinary stories of rape and interpersonal violence survival that I've heard in my career came from a chance encounter with a YouTube video. Court Carmody posted a poignant, yet brave, video several years ago, that I just happened to run across while doing some podcast research. Back when she posted the video, she was an active YouTuber and influencer who felt a sense of responsibility to her followers to tell her story of rape, and the subsequent questions of responsibility and shame that the rape evoked. But she also encouraged others who might see the video, and may have been through a similar abusive relationship to seek help, and not stay quiet about it. I was simultaneously intrigued and impressed by Court and her story, so I reached out to her to see if she would be willing to tell her story, and more, again for my podcast audience...she responded almost immediately with an emphatic "YES!" And it turns out that Court had been raped twice, both times by someone that she, initially, believed loved her, but who turned out to be people who saw her as nothing other than a "thing."

Court's bravery and willingness to tell her story, in gripping, and sometimes harrowing detail, is also a story of victory and triumph...she's now in a loving and caring relationship, married to a man who is constantly there for her with empowering support. Today Court is on a path toward a doctorate degree, and during the interview, made a stunning and happy discovery of survival and growth.

This story is also one of insight and instruction for law enforcement and criminal justice professionals on several levels. Make sure you share this episode with LOTS of people...including police, prosecutors, victim advocates, parents, friends, and colleagues....everyone needs to hear Court's powerful story!

As the co-host of The Jan Broberg Show podcast, I had the opportunity to interview her for her show; she, in turn, asked if she could interview me. I couldn't say no to my friend and colleague!...actually, it was an easy, "Yes!" So, although it has "aired" on Jan's podcast, I wanted to give my listeners the opportunity to learn a little be more about me and my career. So, here, for your enjoyment (hopefully!) and a bit more enlightenment about me, is my interview by Jan Broberg.

I do trauma-informed interview training, victim impact training on the neuroscience of trauma and memory, and other interpersonal violence, multi-disciplinary trainings for investigators, prosecutors, victim advocacy, medical and mental health professionals, human resources, and military and corporate leadership, all over the country. Call me for availability.

Learn even more: http://markel-consulting.com/

Being a Highly Qualified Expert for the Criminal Investigations Division of the US Army was a great honor and a professional highlight for me. And it afforded me the opportunity of meeting some phenomenal people, some of whom became close friends; one of those is COL Tim Cocanaugher, Ret. Tim was an attorney in the JAG Corps, as well as one of the top investigators of the Army National Guard, Office of Complex Investigations (OCI)—created to investigate reports of rape and sexual assault within the ranks of the National Guard.

Tim agreed to be interviewed for SASS, so that he and I could discuss his experiences as both a prosecutor and an investigator (OCI). There are several learning points for my listeners this week, that can have a positive impact on my audience of sex crime prosecutors, criminal and civil investigators, as well as for lay-persons who will have the opportunity to gain insight into how important it is to understand various aspects of investigating and prosecuting sex crimes. Things to listen for:

• The impact of being trauma-informed, from a prosecutor’s perspective.
• How not interrupting the victim/survivor of a sexual assault or rape during an investigative interview can have a great impact on the victim and the investigation itself.
• The importance of an empathetic approach in investigating sexual assault/rape.
• The cathartic effect on victims/survivors by empathic, trauma-informed investigators and prosecutors.

I appreciate the time that Tim took to be my guest, and to share his experiences and insights with us. Keep in mind that Tim and I are available for a two-day, trauma-informed investigation and interview training course. Contact me for further information.

This is PART 1 of a four-part series; an interview of Mac McDonald.

Mac McDonald was one of four people who, many years ago, brought up the idea of me producing a podcast to help educate and inform victims and survivors of sexual assault and rape, on trauma-informed interview principles, as well as the neuroscience of trauma and memory. It is with a thankful and proud heart that I am able to present this week’s episode—an interview of Mac. Mac has held true to their promise to be a guest on this show, and for that, I am eternally grateful.

Mac’s story is one of coercion, fear, and manipulation; their trauma still haunts and interferes in Mac's life. But Mac is strong and feels that if even one person is impacted positively by their story, they have done some good with their traumatic and hurtful experience. Mac’s heart is tender, yet strong. And they talk about the pain they endured for years at the hands of a poorly informed Title IX coordinator, as well as administrators at the college where their rape occurred. They have a message for that Title IX coordinator and the college administrators that resonates for everyone involved in Title IX investigations of rape and sexual assault: be empathic, and start by believing. Stop blaming victims. Start investigating predators and perpetrators. Mac wants to help bring justice to victims of rape and sexual assault, and I am grateful that I can help in that goal!

The interviews of the other three panelists who suggested I start Sexual Assault Survivor Stories will be posted in the following weeks…this is a series you won’t want to miss. Please pass on the word, that SASS exists to help bring justice to victims or rape and sexual assault. Tell everyone you know to listen to this podcast; because we all know someone whose life has been affected by rape or sexual assault. And remember: Start by Believing!

This is PART 2 of a four-part series; an interview of Jennifer Jones.

Continuing in this series, this interview of Jennifer is an emphasis of why this podcast is so important. Refer to the notes of Episode 7 to get the back-story of how this interview came to be…and this podcast for that matter! Jennifer is one of the four people who convinced me that this podcast needs to exist…albeit a long time in coming, as Jennifer so blatantly points out (but all in good fun!)

This interview is an example of many of the principles and techniques used in conducting a trauma-informed interview. Listen for the sensory questions, and how they’re asked…and then pay close attention to the detail that can be accessed by asking the right questions, in the right ways. There are some examples, also, of using explicit memory to bring about activation of implicit memory (i.e.the details of the blanket Jennifer talks about). This interview brought out much emotion, but only so much as Jennifer allowed herself to bring to the surface…Jennifer is in control of the interview. A critical aspect of this interview, and the catalyst to the amount of information Jennifer was willing to share, rests on empathy. It’s always important to remember that empathy is the key to initiating the interview, as well as maintaining the relationship throughout.

I want to thank Jennifer again, here, in this brief narrative. Her strength, bravery, and endurance are commendable, and I want everyone to know how grateful I am to Jennifer for her willingness to tell us about her horrific experience. But there is also much to acknowledge in her survivorship: Jennifer is the Assistant Director of the Shaw Wellness Institute, a "centralized location for health and wellness resources"* at Colgate University; she is in a loving, supportive relationship with her partner, and they are both involved in providing a loving, safe, and cuddly environment for their three foster children. And those are just a few highlights of how impressive Jennifer is with regard to being a strong, enduring survivor.

There are two more interviews being posted over the next two weeks…don’t miss out on this amazing series of powerful and impactful survivors. Please pass on the word to your circle of influence that SASS exists to help bring justice to victims or rape and sexual assault. Tell everyone you know to listen to this podcast—because we all know someone whose life has been affected by rape or sexual assault. And remember: Start by Believing!

*Shaw Wellness Institute, Colgate University, website, 2022.

https://www.colgate.edu/about/offices-centers-institutes/dean-college/shaw-wellness-institute

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