Welcome to The Lionhearted, a podcast featuring stories by the brave and badass people who spend their lives fighting the one thing absolutely no one wants to talk about - child sexual abuse.  And that's why we call them the lionhearted.

In this episode, we get to hear Special Victims Detective Nova Simon in all her vulnerability and honesty, take us through a story, unlike any you have heard before. It involves the height of hippie culture, a scandalous-at-the-time biracial marriage, a cult and an ungodly man. Nova endured what no child should ever experience but fortunately for all of us who know her, she has landed in a job - a calling - that harnesses her fierce compassion to fight for child victims in the way they deserve. She embodies what is possible when you turn your adversity into your superpower.

Trigger Warning:

Please note that this episode contains depictions of sexual violence that some people may find disturbing. If any of the content in this podcast has brought anything up for you, please reach out or speak to someone you trust.

Darkness to Light, a leading nonprofit focused on child sexual abuse prevention, also provides links to resources for support. Full disclosure: Andrea Harner is currently Board Chairperson of Darkness to Light.

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Host: Andrea Harner

Guest: Nova Simon 

Producer: Andrea Harner and Amanda Kelso

Editing: Kevin Tosi

Show resources: 

• Darkness to Light National and State Resources
• Darkness to Light: Talking with Children
• Los Angeles Sheriff’s Department: Victim Resources