#sponsored #ad #podcast #foryou Get 15% off OneSkin with the code DEVORAH at https://www.oneskin.co/DEVORAH #oneskinpod Kate opens up about a relationship that began when she was just 16 years old—with her 32-year-old high school softball coach. What started in secrecy eventually grew into years of manipulation, abuse, and silence from the adults who were supposed to protect her. She walks us through how the relationship began, how it continued even after the school was alerted, and how she carried the weight of it into adulthood. Despite everything, she went on to graduate college, finish law school, and become a prosecutor. And after years of therapy and rebuilding her life, she finally reported the truth to police in 2024. Her former coach has since pled guilty and is now awaiting sentencing. Kate's Links: Instagram: Kate_the_greaaaaat https://www.nsvrc.org/ https://rainn.org/learn-about-rainn/what-we-do/support-and-services/ https://oaesv.org/ https://www.dvpi.org/ Time Stamps: 00:00:00 — Why do some children hide their parents’ relationship issues because they feel responsible for protecting them? 00:01:42 — How does a parent’s intensity in sports shape a child’s self-worth later in life? 00:03:05 — Why do some parents share inappropriate emotional details with their children? 00:04:39 — What happens when a child becomes the “emotional buffer” between their parents? 00:06:02 — Why do kids feel obligated to handle adult chaos happening around them? 00:07:21 — How do infidelity and parental conflict reshape a child’s view of stability? 00:08:53 — Why do children get pulled into adult arguments as the “middleman”? 00:09:48 — How does witnessing a traumatic injury affect a child who’s already overwhelmed? 00:11:33 — How does early success in sports impact identity formation in teenagers? 00:12:20 — Why does being placed on JV trigger feelings of inadequacy in young athletes? 00:14:16 — Why do teens push themselves to extreme limits just to impress a coach? 00:15:36 — How does an adult in authority become “friendly” in a way that crosses boundaries? 00:16:41 — Why do grooming dynamics often begin under the disguise of mentorship? 00:18:27 — How does frequent texting from a coach blur emotional boundaries for a teenager? 00:20:13 — Why do abusers target high-achieving, approval-seeking kids? 00:21:09 — How does isolation from teammates deepen an unhealthy attachment to a coach? 00:23:12 — What makes a teen vulnerable to emotional manipulation from a trusted adult? 00:26:58 — Why do predatory adults escalate from emotional connection to physical contact? 00:30:14 — Why do victims often rationalize inappropriate behavior when they trust the abuser? 00:33:52 — How does secrecy strengthen the control an abuser has over a teen? 00:36:09 — Why do victims feel guilty for abuse they didn’t choose? 00:43:21 — What happens when a parent ignores early signs that something is very wrong? 00:47:36 — Why do some teens hide traumatic experiences to protect others from the truth? 00:52:04 — What emotional damage does long-term grooming cause in young adults? 00:58:29 — Why do abusers panic when their victim gains independence or plans to leave for college? 00:59:43 — How do institutions fail victims even when the evidence is overwhelming? 01:00:40 — Why do victims blame themselves when their abuser faces real consequences? 01:08:57 — How do trauma bonds keep victims emotionally attached long after the abuse ends? 01:12:44 — Why is telling the full story harder than living through it? 01:16:09 — What empowers a victim to finally report their abuser after years of silence? 01:17:54 — Why do detectives trained in trauma make such a difference for victims? 01:25:48 — How does hearing other survivors’ stories help victims finally see the truth of their own? 01:37:12 — What does accountability look like after years of denial and manipulation? Topics: Manipulation, Coercion, Abuse, Legal Justice, Child Exploitation If you have a unique story you'd like to share on the podcast, please fill out this form: https://forms.gle/ZiHgdoK4PLRAddiB9 or send an email to wereallinsanepodcast@gmail.com