The Lionhearted Podcast

Andrea Harner and Amanda Kelso

The Lionhearted is a true crime podcast spotlighting the brave badasses who spend their lives fighting the one thing no one wants to talk about - child sexual abuse. Join your host, forensic interviewer Andrea Harner, as she gets up close and personal with these unforgettable stories. read less
True CrimeTrue Crime

Episodes

Introducing—The Lionhearted
Sep 24 2023
Introducing—The Lionhearted
The Lionhearted is a true crime podcast spotlighting the brave badasses who spend their lives fighting the one thing no one wants to talk about - child sexual abuse. And that's why we call them the lionhearted. Join Host and Forensic Interviewer Andrea Harner as she gets up close and personal with these unforgettable stories.Hi there, it's Andrea, your host and forensic interviewer. In case you don't know what that is, I interview kids who've been abused, mostly child sexual abuse. Well, after years of doing this, I just couldn't stomach the fact that 90 percent of the time these kids get no justice. Fuck that. I had to do something or I was going to become a vigilante or knock it out of bed in the morning. So I ranted enough to my friend and producer Amanda.And she said, why don't we start a podcast and try to do something about it?Obviously she's brilliant and knew how to talk me off the ledge.So we knew we wanted to focus on the helpers, like Mister Rogers says, "Look for the helpers. You will always find people who are helping." Well, these are the helpers.They're who we call the lionhearted because they're brave enough to prosecute child sexual abuse, to investigate it, to write and make movies about it, while most people won't even talk about it or admit it's even a pervasive problem. I mean, how does it sit with you to know that one in four girls and one in six boys will be sexually abused? I am not okay with that. The fact that even just talking about child sexual abuse is so taboo is great for the offenders because the soul crushing crime happens in the silence surrounding it.So if you're as outraged as I clearly am that children are getting hurt, and that the system fails them over and over again, or want to learn how to better protect your kids, or just love true crime podcasts featuring people on the front lines, you've come to the right place. The Lionhearted podcast is for you. Join me as we hear personal and unforgettable stories this season.Here are teasers of these stories. Writer Stephen, at age 13, is so excited to go to his Jewish summer camp, only to have his childhood hijacked and life derailed by the beloved camp director. So how does he fight back? Patty, a seasoned prosecutor of crimes against children, gets handed her biggest case yet unsee. And she gears up for a massive court battle. Nova's stepdad does ungodly things to her while espousing godly scriptures. Well, now she's a special victims detective carrying a gun and a badge. Fifty years after the fact. You heard me right. Five zero. Filmmaker Jennifer realizes she was victimized by a US Olympian and he now needs... To go down along with his name on the walls of prestigious institutions. To hear these stories and more, go to lionheartedpod.com or download for free wherever you get your podcasts.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.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.Email us your thoughts!lionheartedpod@gmail.comHost: Andrea HarnerProducer: Andrea Harner and Amanda KelsoEditing: Kevin Tosi Theme Song: Teddy Duran ★ Support this podcast on Patreon ★
Stephen's Story—This Guy Thinks I’m Special
Sep 26 2023
Stephen's Story—This Guy Thinks I’m Special
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. In this episode, Stephen Mills, winner of the 2022 National Jewish Book Award for his memoir Chosen: A Memoir of Stolen Boyhood, joins host Andrea Harner to share his story as a survivor of child sexual abuse while attending a summer camp. At 13 years old, Stephen was a sweet and sensitive boy, so excited to go to his Jewish summer camp in Connecticut. Little did he know that the larger than life beloved camp director was going to derail his life forever.  Using his writing superpower, Stephen takes us into what it was like to have his little body and childhood hijacked by the one person he so looked up to. And who everyone, including his parents, seemed to adore. Fortunately, he was able to find his foothold on the path to healing, though as he mentions, it's an ongoing process as it is for all trauma survivors.He also discusses the urgent need for all organizations who serve and work with children, to be trained in child sexual abuse prevention.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.Email us your thoughts!lionheartedpod@gmail.comHost: Andrea HarnerGuest: Stephen Mills Producer: Andrea Harner and Amanda KelsoEditing: Kevin Tosi Theme Song: Teddy DuranShow resources: Stephen Mills’ book, Chosen A Memoir of Stolen BoyhoodDarkness to Light National and State ResourcesDarkness to Light: Safety at Summer CampWhat happened to you? By Oprah Winfrey and Bruce PerryHalf the House By Richard Hoffman (memoir mentioned by Stephen in the show)The Tricky Part By Marty MoranThe Body Keeps Score By Bessel van der Kolk ★ Support this podcast on Patreon ★
Episode 2: Patty's Story—Believe Children
Oct 2 2023
Episode 2: Patty's Story—Believe Children
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.Before being tapped for her current role as the Executive Director of the Beau Biden Foundation for the Protection of Children, Patty Dailey Lewis was prosecuting crimes against children for decades as the Deputy Attorney General of Delaware's Department of Justice. In this episode she shares one particularly heinous case in which she played a pivotal role. The setting is a small town in Delaware in which parents trusted their beloved pediatrician. The entire town was brought to its knees when they what this exalted community member had done to hundreds of children, some as young as three months old.And it all began with one mom believing her child. As Patty says, “because of her, people's lives were saved.” This is one of those stories you wish weren't true, but it is, and you'll never forget it.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.Email us your thoughts!lionheartedpod@gmail.comHost: Andrea HarnerGuest: Patty Dailey LewisProducer: Andrea Harner and Amanda KelsoEditing: Kevin TosiShow resources: Beau Biden Foundation: Link: https://www.beaubidenfoundation.org/Family Resources at the Beau Biden FoundationThe Leadership Council on Child Abuse and Interpersonal Violence “How often do children’s reports of abuse turn out to be false?”Safe Shores: Child Sexual Abuse: The Myths and TruthsDarkness to Light National and State Resources ★ Support this podcast on Patreon ★
Episode 3: Nova's Story—From Victim to Detective
Oct 9 2023
Episode 3: Nova's Story—From Victim to Detective
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.Email us your thoughts!lionheartedpod@gmail.comHost: Andrea HarnerGuest: Nova Simon Producer: Andrea Harner and Amanda KelsoEditing: Kevin TosiShow resources: Darkness to Light National and State ResourcesDarkness to Light: Talking with ChildrenLos Angeles Sheriff’s Department: Victim Resources ★ Support this podcast on Patreon ★
Episode 4: Jennifer's Story—V is for Victim
Oct 16 2023
Episode 4: Jennifer's Story—V is for Victim
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 focus on a filmmaker who spent decades thinking she was okay, and in fact, more than okay—successful— in everyone's eyes until what happened to her when she was 13 came roaring back, forcing her to confront it. How does a filmmaker deal with childhood trauma and engage in self-exploration?Make a film, of course! Well, Jennifer Fox's film titled THE TALE, which is based on her true story of abuse and took years to make, was released in 2018 to great critical acclaim and to standing ovations at Sundance. But it was only while standing on that stage being lauded as a victim did Jennifer realize she was deeply uncomfortable being called a victim and that she still had so much more to reconcile about her past and her future identity as a survivor.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.Email us your thoughts!lionheartedpod@gmail.comHost: Andrea HarnerGuest: Jennifer FoxProducer: Andrea Harner and Amanda KelsoEditing: Kevin TosiShow resources: THE TALE on HBONYTimes: For Years She Said a Coach Abused Her. Now She Has Named a Legend.Child USA: Delayed DisclosureDarkness to Light National and State ResourcesPeter Levine: Founder of Somatic Experiencing: What is Somatic Experiencing? ★ Support this podcast on Patreon ★
Episode 5: Monica's Story—Listen Like a Detective
Oct 23 2023
Episode 5: Monica's Story—Listen Like a Detective
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 our guest is child abuse expert Monica Borunda who is a licensed therapist, Professor of Child Abuse, Trauma, Law and Ethics at Cal State LA, and especially important for this conversation, she is a veteran forensic interviewer. We will get into what a forensic interviewer does, but in short, forensic interviewers are trained to interview children (and adults with disabilities), who are suspected to have been abused, in a way that is trauma informed, developmentally and culturally appropriate, child-centered, non leading and legally defensible. Monica has over 17 years experience and has conducted over 1600 forensic interviews. She shares the stories she cannot forget and the important lessons she has learned that will help you listeners better protect kids.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.Email us your thoughts!lionheartedpod@gmail.comHost: Andrea HarnerGuest: Monica BorundaProducer: Andrea Harner and Amanda KelsoEditing: Kevin TosiShow resources: The Center for Connection, Monica BorundaTrauma Proofing Your Kids by Peter Levine, Maggie KlineBeing the Safe Adult resource by Darkness to LightTalk to Kids about Body Safety and Boundaries resource by Darkness to LightChildren’s Advocacy Center (CAC) Model Explained by National Children’s AllianceDarkness to Light National and State Resources ★ Support this podcast on Patreon ★
Episode 6: Kevin's and Tashanna's Stories: Our Helpers Need Helpers Too
Oct 30 2023
Episode 6: Kevin's and Tashanna's Stories: Our Helpers Need Helpers Too
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. In this episode, we feature two people, a lionhearted couple named Kevin and Tashanna McNeil, who share the very hard truth that you cannot outrun trauma. As they write so perfectly in their new book, “We meet on dates. Our trauma meets in relationships.” We dive into that big topic and how we need each other to heal.We also discuss the often ignored crisis, which is that first responders, such as Kevin, who was a special victims detective, and Tashanna, who is an Pediatric Urgent Care nurse, carry so much vicarious trauma and are woefully under supported. The helpers need help too. The good news is that there is hope yet and it can be found in their new book called Sound the Alarm: The Challenges First Responders Face and the S.A.F.E.R. Method to Overcome Them.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.Email us your thoughts!lionheartedpod@gmail.comHost: Andrea HarnerGuest: Kevin McNeil, Tashanna McNeilProducer: Andrea Harner and Amanda KelsoEditing: Kevin TosiResources mentioned on the show: Sound the Alarm: The Challenges First Responders Face and the S.A.F.E.R. Method to Overcome Them by Kevin McNeil and Tashanna McNeil - Available on AmazonThe Twelve ProjectBeing First: A Course for First Responders on The Twelve ProjectFollow Kevin McNeil on Instagram: @kevin_mcneil_The Twelve Project on LinkedInThe Twelve Project on FacebookAdditional resources: Trauma Stewardship by Laura van Dermoot LipskyTrauma Proofing Your Kids by Peter Levine, Maggie KlineTrauma and Childhood Development resources by Darkness to LightDarkness to Light National and State Resources ★ Support this podcast on Patreon ★
Episode 7: Kathryn’s Story—A Civil Rights Movement for Children
Nov 13 2023
Episode 7: Kathryn’s Story—A Civil Rights Movement for Children
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. It's hard to overstate the impact of the laws that Kathryn Robb, Executive Director of Child USAdvocacy has changed and continues to change in service of child sexual abuse victims.She knows the science that most survivors don't ever tell, but if they do, they most often do so in their 50s. So the laws need to account for the dynamics of delayed disclosure and provide what the spirit of the law intended, which is to hold the perpetrator of this heinous crime accountable even after the passage of time. In this special episode, she shares her own story of abuse, but also something that is more recent and especially heartbreaking. She truly embodies not just a lionhearted professional, but a lionhearted mom. Trigger Warning:Please note that this episode contains depictions of sexual violence, child sexual abuse and incest 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. Please take care of yourselves and know you are never alone. 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.Email us your thoughts!lionheartedpod@gmail.comHost: Andrea HarnerGuest: Kathryn RobbProducer: Andrea Harner and Amanda KelsoEditing: Kevin TosiResources mentioned on the show: Child USAdvocacyKathryn Robb, Esq. Child USAdvocacy BioChild USAChild USA 2023 Statutes of Limitations TrackerJustia: The Court’s Pause: A Necessary Change for Victims Op-Ed by Kathryn RobbJD Supra: Working to End Child Abuse with Kathryn RobbAspen Ideas Festival Panel (video): How do we stop the crisis of child sexual abuse? Entitled: How Male Privilege Hurts Women by Kate ManneAdditional resources: Trauma Stewardship by Laura van Dermoot LipskyTrauma Proofing Your Kids by Peter Levine, Maggie KlineTrauma and Childhood Development resources by Darkness to LightDarkness to Light National and State Resources ★ Support this podcast on Patreon ★
Episode 8: Michael's Story—Civil Justice Warrior
Nov 20 2023
Episode 8: Michael's Story—Civil Justice Warrior
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. The story we are talking about today requires a longer than usual intro and a trigger warning right at the outset because of the shocking details of the crime. We will cover the case of the largest single payout that any school district in the country has ever paid to date: 139 million. It involves the Miramonte Elementary School which is a part of the Los Angeles Unified School District.Our guest today, Michael Carrillo, was one of the civil attorneys for the dozens of victims and their families who won this monumental civil case. The offender is a guy named Mark Berndt, who was a long time beloved teacher at the school who, among other things, exposed himself to students, fondled students, and fed his semen to these elementary school kids. This is an important story, as there are lessons to be learned, and we are so grateful for this frontline look into this.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 also provides links to resources for support. Show resources: Michael Carrillo’s Bio LAist Article about the Miramonte Civil Lawsuit Additional resources: Trauma Stewardship by Laura van Dermoot LipskyTrauma Proofing Your Kids by Peter Levine, Maggie KlineTrauma and Childhood Development resources by Darkness to LightDarkness to Light National and State Resources ★ Support this podcast on Patreon ★
Episode 9: Jim’s Story—From FBI Profiler to Hollywood Creative | PART 1 of 2
Jan 16 2024
Episode 9: Jim’s Story—From FBI Profiler to Hollywood Creative | PART 1 of 2
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. How many people do you know who host a massively popular true crime podcast called Real Crime Profile, have been writing and producing for the TV show Criminal Minds for all 16 seasons and counting, formerly was an FBI profiler & an FBI agent investigating child sex crimes and child abduction cases? Well, I'm pretty sure there is only one that fits this description and his name is Jim Clemente. This episode is the first of two episodes and it takes you through Jim's childhood, his transition out of the FBI and into Hollywood as a writer and producer. Jim Clemente then details the whole spectrum of child sex offenders by getting into their mind and motivations. And thanks to his decades of studying the inner workings of child sex offenders, we can better understand the nuances and complexities in order to prevent child sexual abuse. He is an excellent storyteller and I have no doubt you will be wowed by this episode and eager to hear the next.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 also provides links to resources for support. Email us your thoughts!lionheartedpod@gmail.comHost: Andrea HarnerGuest: Jim ClementeProducer: Andrea Harner and Amanda KelsoEditing: Kevin Tosi Show resources: Darkness to LightCriminal Minds TV ShowS8 E19 “Restoration”S.9 E16 “Gabby”S10 E23 “The Hunt”Real Crime Profile PodcastBest Case, Worst Case PodcastXG ProductionsWithout Consent, a novel by Jim ClementeNational Center for Missing and Exploited ChildrenChild Molesters, a Behavioral Analysis by Ken LanningStop it Now: https://www.stopitnow.org/Dr. Fred Berlin : https://www.hopkinsmedicine.org/profiles/details/frederick-berlinThe Well-Armored Child: A Parent’s Guide to Prevent Sexual Abuse by Joelle Casteix ★ Support this podcast on Patreon ★
Episode 10: Jim’s Story—Going Undercover for the FBI as a Victim and Overcoming as a Survivor | PART 2 of 2
Jan 24 2024
Episode 10: Jim’s Story—Going Undercover for the FBI as a Victim and Overcoming as a Survivor | PART 2 of 2
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. In this second of a special two-part interview spotlighting Jim Clemente, you'll hear how Jim went undercover with the FBI to make a case against the man who abused him and countless other young boys. You'll also hear how he overcame cancer that he got from helping at the World Trade Center after the September 11th attacks, among other truly movie-like experiences he's been through. The most inspiring people are those that have been through enormous hardships and not only survived, but have turned their stories into something bigger than themselves. No one exemplifies this better than Jim Clemente. And in typical Clemente-fashion, Jim tells his stories with equal parts passion and optimism.We hope you will appreciate his engrossing storytelling and his deep knowledge and wisdom.Trigger Warning:Please note that this episode covers difficult topics and contains depictions of child sexual violence that some people may find disturbing. Please take care listening, and of 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 also provides links to resources for support. Email us your thoughts!lionheartedpod@gmail.comHost: Andrea HarnerGuest: Jim ClementeProducer: Andrea Harner and Amanda KelsoEditing: Kevin Tosi Show resources: Lionhearted Podcast S1 E9: Jim’s Story—From FBI Profiler to Hollywood Creative | PART 1 of 2Darkness to LightCriminal Minds TV ShowS2 E12 “Profiler, Profiled”S7 E18 “Foundation”S8 E19 “Restoration”Real Crime Profile PodcastBest Case, Worst Case PodcastXG ProductionsWithout Consent, a novel by Jim ClementeChosen: A Memoir of a Stolen Boyhood, by Stephen MillsSafe 4 AthletesNational Center for Missing and Exploited ChildrenThe Well-Armored Child: A Parent’s Guide to Prevent Sexual Abuse by Joelle CasteixOrny Adams: Comedian and friend of Jim Clemente ★ Support this podcast on Patreon ★