In this bonus episode, we go beyond the surface of last week’s conversation about sexual assault and sexual coercion. This time, I open up about how these experiences shaped my journey while traveling — in ways no one would expect. It’s not just about trauma, but about awareness, boundaries, and how subtle forms of manipulation can change the way we see ourselves and others.

When editing the previous episode, Diego — my editor and friend of the podcast — broke down in tears. His reaction opened up an entirely new layer of conversation: how men experience and process stories of sexual violence, and how differently women live through it. We dive into the gender gap in emotional response, communication, guilt and empathy when it comes to consent.

We also discuss the devastating story of a young girl who was groomed and manipulated into sexual assault — a story that was shared with me after the previous episode aired. Her trust and honesty deeply moved me and before re-releasing this episode, I chose to pause and speak with her first. Because some stories deserve to be handled with care and the people behind them deserve to feel safe.

This episode is not about shame, but about understanding. It’s about giving language to situations many people struggle to name:

• When you say “no,” but it’s ignored.

• When pressure or manipulation turns your “no” into a “yes.”

• When society normalizes behavior that leaves deep, invisible scars.

Through open dialogue, we explore how power dynamics, culture and gender roles influence the way sexual coercion is experienced and (not) talked about — from both male and female perspectives.

By talking openly about these stories, we hope to break the silence around consent and emotional boundaries, empowering others to recognize early signs of coercion and to trust their intuition. Because the more we speak, the more we protect future generations — especially children and teens — teaching them that they are the boss of their own bodies.

Whether you’ve been directly affected by sexual assault, know someone who has, or simply want to understand the topic more deeply, this episode offers an honest and heartfelt conversation about vulnerability, healing and human connection.