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⚠️ Gentle Note for Listeners

This episode includes discussion of Military Sexual Trauma (MST), sexual assault, PTSD symptoms, therapy, and trauma-related beliefs.

While this conversation focuses on healing, growth, and practical tools, some topics may feel activating for certain listeners. Please listen at your own pace, take breaks if needed, and return when it feels supportive.

Your well-being comes first.

In Episode 6, I shared how fear quietly shaped some of the biggest decisions in my life—and how I didn't fully recognize its influence until much later.

But awareness is only the beginning.

In this follow-up episode, I take you behind the scenes of my current healing journey and share how Cognitive Processing Therapy (CPT) has helped me better understand the beliefs, patterns, and trauma responses that continued to influence my decisions long after the danger had passed.

Together, we'll explore:

🔹 Why awareness alone doesn't create change
🔹 How trauma-related "stuck points" can quietly shape our lives
🔹 The difference between thoughts and facts
🔹 Why learning to pause can be one of the most powerful tools in healing
🔹 How to practice self-accountability without turning yourself into the problem
🔹 What I'm still struggling with—and what continues to help

This is not a conversation from the perspective of someone who has everything figured out.

It's an honest look at what healing can look like in real time from someone who is still doing the work.

If you've ever wondered why certain patterns keep showing up, why fear can feel so convincing, or how to begin making decisions from awareness instead of urgency, this episode is for you.

📢 Upcoming TAASA Webinar Series

I'm honored to be partnering with the Texas Association Against Sexual Assault (TAASA) for a two-part webinar series focused on Military Sexual Trauma, healing, advocacy, and survivor-centered conversations.

🗓️ June 17, 2026
🗓️ June 24, 2026

Registration details will be announced soon. Follow me on Facebook and Instagram @ThrivingBeyondMST for updates.

🎧 Listen. Reflect. Heal. Thrive.

#ThrivingBeyondMST #MilitarySexualTrauma #MSTAwareness #TraumaRecovery #CPTTherapy #PTSDHealing #SelfAccountability #MentalHealthPodcast #VeteranVoices

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Please be aware...

This episode includes discussion of sexual assault, domestic violence, trauma-informed decision-making, and how fear can shape relationships and life choices over time.
 You’re encouraged to listen at your own pace, pause if needed, or return when it feels supportive.

 Your safety—emotionally and physically—comes first.

Fear doesn’t always show up as panic.
 Sometimes, it looks like decisions made quickly… quietly… just to feel safe again.

In this episode of Thriving Beyond MST, host Dalia reflects on how fear—shaped by Military Sexual Trauma, repeated harassment, and domestic violence—quietly influenced life-altering choices long after the danger had passed.

Through personal reflection, trauma-informed neuroscience, and cultural context, this episode explores:

• How fear functions as both protector and driver
• The difference between self-blame and self-accountability
• Why urgency can feel like intuition after trauma
• How the brain adapts—and how it can heal

Recorded on Sexual Assault Survivors Day in Texas, this episode honors survival while offering a grounded path toward awareness, choice, and compassion.

Whether this is your first time listening to this podcast, or if you’ve listened before—

I want to hear from you

🎧 Please subscribe, share this episode, and leave a review—it helps more survivors find us.

💬 DM me or comment via social media or to [email protected].

And always remember:

We see you. 

We honor you. 

And we will not stop fighting until there are no more stories like yours.”

Listener-Supported Podcast
Thriving Beyond MST is listener-supported through Buzzsprout.
If you’d like to help sustain survivor-led conversations like this, support options are available in the show notes.

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Please note that this episode includes sensitive content related to Military Sexual Trauma (MST). Listener discretion is advised. Take care of yourself and feel free to pause or return to the episode when you’re ready.

In this deeply personal and purpose-driven episode, host CPT (Ret.) Dalia Galvan takes listeners behind the scenes of her graduate research project at USC Annenberg, Building Safer Platforms: How MST Survivors and Supporters Engage With Healing Podcasts, fueling the podcast’s mission.

From her own MST experience as a young Airman to her journey as a critical care nurse, podcaster, and researcher, Dalia opens up about the painful truths and the healing purpose that drives her research. 

She invites listeners to participate in her trauma-informed survey (75 participants still needed) and 1-on-1 interviews (8 participants still needed) to help improve digital support platforms for MST survivors and allies. 

💜 This episode is for every survivor who’s felt invisible—and every supporter ready to listen. 

✅ 100% anonymous
 📝 75 survey participants needed
 🎤 8 interview participants needed
 📲 Survey link: https://usc.qualtrics.com/jfe/form/SV_73rxBg7bozbbO9o

 📧 [email protected]

🔗 linktr.ee/thrivingbeyondmst_podcast

🌐 https://thrivingbeyondmst.buzzsprout.com

Subscribe, review, and share—because the silence ends here.

#ThrivingBeyondMST #MSTAwareness #PodcastResearch #MilitarySexualTrauma #TraumaInformedCare #DigitalHealing #VeteranVoices #VeteransHelpingVeterans

IMPORTANT PHONE NUMBERS  ***If you are experiencing an emergency, please call. 911**  - VETERANS CRISIS LINE 24/7, Dial 988, then #1 or Text 838255  - Women Veterans Call Center at 1-855- VA-WOMEN  - Caregiver Support 1-855-260-3274  Additional Resources 

1. Make the Connection (www.maketheconnection.net/conditions/ military-sexual-trauma): Make the Connection is a compilation of videos of veterans sharing their experiences with military sexual trauma.  

2. BeyondMST(App)(BeyondMST|VAMobile): BeyondMSTwas designed to help people heal from sexual assault or harassment during military service. 

3. Service Women’s Action Network (SWAN) (www.servicewomensactionnetwork.org): SWAN is the voice of women who have served or are currently serving in the military.  

4. Protect Our Defenders (www.protectourdefenders.com): Protect Our Defenders (POD) Legal Services Program is the only program in the country providing free legal services specifically for survivors of military sexual assault and sexual harassment. 

5. Combat Sexual Assault (www.combatsexualassault.org/aboutus): Our mission is to empower survivors of sexual violence by helping them find their voice and overcome barriers to obtaining justice, all while disrupting the cultural stigma surrounding the disclosures of these crimes. 

6. National Veterans Legal Services Program (www.nvlsp.org): Our goal is to ensure that every MST survivor who qualifies for disability benefits receives the benefits they deserve.  

7. Male Survivor (www.malesurvivor.org): A 501(c)(3), non-profit, public benefit organization committed to preventing, healing, and eliminating all forms of sexual victimization of boys and men.  

8. Rape, Abuse, Incest National Network (www.rainn.org): RAINN is the nation’s largest anti-sexual violence organization.

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In this landmark episode of Thriving Beyond MST, host Dalia welcomes her very first guest — retired Army SFC and Washington Army National Guard Victim Advocate Coordinator, Freyja Eccles — for a raw, unfiltered conversation about what it really means to stand up for MST survivors.

From Freyja’s behind-the-scenes perspective as a longtime Victim Advocate (VA) to the transformative power of purpose-led healing, she and Dalia unpack MST misconceptions, the compounded impact of trauma, and the urgent need for culturally competent, trauma-informed care.

💥 If you’ve ever felt unseen, unheard, or unsupported in your healing journey — this episode is for you.
 💡 If you’ve wondered what advocacy looks like when no one is watching — this episode is for you.
🌱 If you're planting your own seeds of purpose — you're already part of this movement.

Released in honor of Sexual Assault Awareness Month, this conversation is bold, vulnerable, and deeply needed.

🎤 Don’t miss Dalia’s presentation, “Seeds of Solidarity: Empowering Voices Through the Thriving Beyond MST Podcast” at the 2025 TAASA Conference in Denton, TX.

📞 Resources Mentioned:
Veterans Crisis Line – Dial 988, then Press 1
National Sexual Assault Hotline – 1-800-656-4673
Safe Helpline (DOD Survivors) – 877-995-5247 or safehelpline.org 

LinkTree --> https://linktr.ee/thrivingbeyondmst_podcast

🎧 Tune in now and discover why healing in community isn’t just powerful — it’s lifesaving.
 👇 Subscribe, leave a review, and share with someone who needs to know: they are not alone.

We see you. We honor you. And we will not stop fighting until there are no more stories like yours. 

#ThrivingBeyondMST #SurvivorVoices #MilitaryAdvocacy #NotJustApril #SAAPM2025 #VeteransHelpingVeterans

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What is the real cost of silence after Military Sexual Trauma? In this powerful and deeply personal episode, host Dalia—veteran, survivor, and advocate—pulls back the curtain on the hidden impacts of MST that most never hear about: the toll on survivors, their families, military readiness, and the trust we place in those meant to protect us.

Released on April 1st to honor Sexual Assault Awareness Month, this episode explores:

• The mental and emotional weight survivors carry in silence
• The damage done to military units, leadership, and morale
• The overlooked cost to families, friendships, and even how survivors experience love
• The systemic failures survivors still face within VA and military care

Dalia shares how her own experience with PTSD, loss of trust, and healing shaped this podcast—and why reclaiming her voice is part of reclaiming her life.

💥 Don't miss the announcement about her upcoming presentation at the 2025 TAASA Conference in Denton, TX:
“Seeds of Solidarity: Empowering Voices With the Thriving Beyond MST Podcast.”

💙 We see you. We honor you. And we will not stop fighting until there are no more stories like yours. 

🎧 Follow @thrivingbeyondmst to join the conversation and hear stories of resilience, healing, and reform. Linktree-> https://linktr.ee/thrivingbeyondmst_podcast

Subscribe, review, and share—because the silence ends here.
#MilitarySexualTrauma #MSTAwareness #SexualAssaultAwarenessMonth #VeteranVoices #ThrivingBeyondMST #VeteransHelpingVeterans

IMPORTANT PHONE NUMBERS  ***If you are experiencing an emergency, please call. 911**  - VETERANS CRISIS LINE 24/7, Dial 988, then #1 or Text 838255  - Women Veterans Call Center at 1-855- VA-WOMEN  - Caregiver Support 1-855-260-3274  Additional Resources 

1. Make the Connection (www.maketheconnection.net/conditions/ military-sexual-trauma): Make the Connection is a compilation of videos of veterans sharing their experiences with military sexual trauma.  

2. BeyondMST(App)(BeyondMST|VAMobile): BeyondMSTwas designed to help people heal from sexual assault or harassment during military service. 

3. Service Women’s Action Network (SWAN) (www.servicewomensactionnetwork.org): SWAN is the voice of women who have served or are currently serving in the military.  

4. Protect Our Defenders (www.protectourdefenders.com): Protect Our Defenders (POD) Legal Services Program is the only program in the country providing free legal services specifically for survivors of military sexual assault and sexual harassment. 

5. Combat Sexual Assault (www.combatsexualassault.org/aboutus): Our mission is to empower survivors of sexual violence by helping them find their voice and overcome barriers to obtaining justice, all while disrupting the cultural stigma surrounding the disclosures of these crimes. 

6. National Veterans Legal Services Program (www.nvlsp.org): Our goal is to ensure that every MST survivor who qualifies for disability benefits receives the benefits they deserve.  

7. Male Survivor (www.malesurvivor.org): A 501(c)(3), non-profit, public benefit organization committed to preventing, healing, and eliminating all forms of sexual victimization of boys and men.  

8. Rape, Abuse, Incest National Network (www.rainn.org): RAINN is the nation’s largest anti-sexual violence organization.

Support the show

Support the Work Behind Thriving Beyond MST

Send us Fan Mail

"We see you. We honor you. And we will not stop fighting until there are no more stories like yours."

In this powerful first episode of Thriving Beyond MST, host Dalia shares the deeply personal journey that led to the creation of this podcast. From personal survival to advocacy, this episode unveils the realities of Military Sexual Trauma (MST), the systemic failures survivors face, and the urgent need for change.

But this podcast isn’t just about the problems—it’s about the solutions, the resilience, and the movement to reclaim our voices and our futures.

🔹 Why MST survivors deserve to be heard, supported, and empowered
🔹 The impact of MST on service members and veterans
🔹 Stories of strength, healing, and the people who make a difference
🔹 The mission of this podcast: Holding institutions accountable, pushing for justice, and ensuring survivors never fight alone

This is more than a conversation. It’s a movement.🎙️

🔔 Subscribe now and join us as we break the silence, demand justice, and build a future where no one has to survive what we did.

🎧 Listen now on [Apple Podcasts | Spotify | Google Podcasts | Your Preferred Platform]

#MilitarySexualTrauma #MSTSurvivors #ThrivingBeyondMST #EndMST #Veterans #Advocacy #Healing #Justice

Podcast Website: www.thrivingbeyondmst.buzzsprout.com
IG: @thrivingbeyondmst

YouTube: www.youtube.com/@ThrivingBeyondMST_Podcast
Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/profile.php?id=61564703747509
Email: [email protected]

 IMPORTANT PHONE NUMBERS
 ***If you are experiencing an emergency, please call. 911**
 - VETERANS CRISIS LINE 24/7, Dial 988, then #1 or Text 838255
 - Women Veterans Call Center at 1-855- VA-WOMEN
 - Caregiver Support 1-855-260-3274
 
 Additional Resources
1.     Make the Connection (www.maketheconnection.net/conditions/ military-sexual-trauma): Make the Connection is a compilation of videos of veterans sharing their experiences with military sexual trauma.
 2.     BeyondMST(App)(BeyondMST|VAMobile): BeyondMSTwas designed to help people heal from sexual assault or harassment during military service.
3.     Service Women’s Action Network (SWAN) (www.servicewomensactionnetwork.org): SWAN is the voice of women who have served or are currently serving in the military.
 4.     Protect Our Defenders (www.protectourdefenders.com): Protect Our Defenders (POD) Legal Services Program is the only program in the country providing free legal services specifically for survivors of military sexual assault and sexual harassment.
5.     Combat Sexual Assault (www.combatsexualassault.org/aboutus): Our mission is to empower survivors of sexual violence by helping them find their voice and overcome barriers to obtaining justice, all while disrupting the cultural stigma surrounding the disclosures of these crimes.
 6.     National Veterans Legal Services Program (www.nvlsp.org): Our goal is to ensure that every MST survivor who qualifies for disability benefits receives the benefits they deserve.
 7.     Male Survivor (www.malesurvivor.org): A 501(c)(3), non-profit, public benefit organization committed to preventing, healing, and eliminating all forms of sexual victimization of boys and men.
 8.     Rape, Abuse, Incest National Network (www.rainn.org): RAINN is the nation’s largest anti-sexual violence organization.  
 9.  Help for homeless veterans 1-877-4AID-VET

Support the show

Support the Work Behind Thriving Beyond MST

Send us Fan Mail

In this episode host, Dalia, shares a personal and uncensored account of Military Sexual Trauma (MST) and associated Post Traumatic Stress Disorder (PTSD) symptoms. She candidly speaks about the sexual assault event and details the emotions and thoughts leading up to, during, and after her assault. Dalia also speaks about pivotal moments that shaped her ability to cope with challenges, ad the courage to thrive despite pain, and her motivation to help other survivors of MST.

LinkTree to all channels and social media
Podcast Website: www.thrivingbeyondmst.buzzsprout.com
Email: [email protected]

IMPORTANT PHONE NUMBERS
***If you are experiencing an emergency, please call. 911**
- Women Veterans Call Center at 1-855- VA-WOMEN
- Caregiver Support 1-855-260-3274

Additional Resources
1.     Make the Connection (www.maketheconnection.net/conditions/ military-sexual-trauma): Make the Connection is a compilation of videos of veterans sharing their experiences with military sexual trauma. 

2.     BeyondMST(App)(BeyondMST|VAMobile): BeyondMSTwas designed to help people heal from sexual assault or harassment during military service, also called military sexual trauma (MST). 

3.     Service Women’s Action Network (SWAN) (www.servicewomensactionnetwork.org): SWAN is the voice of women who have served or are currently serving in the military. 

4.     Protect Our Defenders (www.protectourdefenders.com): Protect Our Defenders (POD) Legal Services Program is the only program in the country providing free legal services specifically for survivors of military sexual assault and sexual harassment, and bystanders and whistleblowers who are suffering retaliation for intervening or reporting sexual assault or harassment. 

5.     Combat Sexual Assault (www.combatsexualassault.org/aboutus): Our mission is to empower survivors of sexual violence by helping them find their voice and overcome barriers to obtaining justice, all while disrupting the cultural stigma surrounding the disclosures of these crimes. 

6.     National Veterans Legal Services Program (www.nvlsp.org): Our goal is to ensure that every MST survivor who qualifies for disability benefits receives the benefits they deserve. 

7.     Male Survivor (www.malesurvivor.org): MaleSurvivor is a 501(c)(3), non-profit, public benefit organization committed to preventing, healing, and eliminating all forms of sexual victimization of boys and men through support, treatment, research, education, advocacy, and activism. 

8.     Rape, Abuse, Incest National Network (www.rainn.org): RAINN (Rape, Abuse & Incest National Network) is the nation’s largest anti-sexual violence organization. RAINN created and operates the National Sexual Assault Hotline 

9.  Help for homeless veterans 1-877-4AID-VET

Support the show

Support the Work Behind Thriving Beyond MST