Welcome to Unspoken: Conversations with Candace 

Where we talk openly about “taboo” topics in order to spark difficult and uncomfortable conversations. Where we allow a safe place for anyone who has trauma to be heard. Unspoken: Conversations with Candace is about speaking your truth by using your voice because YOU MATTER! 

Each season on my podcast has its purpose. And for Season 3, it is dedicated to All Male Survivors.=

I want to express my sincerest gratitude and acknowledge Jeff Tjugum. He was curious to learn more about my podcast. Once I explained my vision for season 3, he wanted to help. Thank you Jeff for your sponsorship and support. 

Special Thanks to Jesse Daso for assisting in the planning, and logistics and helping to invite guests for Season 3. 

And last but not least, Neil Parekh, my Season 3 co-host. Neil arranged to have Digimentors produce the show on a pro-bono basis. Digimentors is helping me step out of my comfort zone by implementing video production. This form of media stream will be available broadly via social media and our websites. I am extremely grateful to work with Neil and Digimentors. 

Trigger Warning – 

Before we begin, I want to make you aware that we are going to be talking about some very sensitive issues. All of our guests are male survivors of sexual assault. They will be sharing very personal stories about rape, incest, sexual abuse and/or assault. Please take a moment and make sure you are in an appropriate place to watch and/or listen. Some of the descriptions may be explicit and have the potential of bringing up a range of emotions. It is more than ok for you to hit pause and come back to this later, if you find that you need to. 

Neil Parekh is the VP of Events and Communications for Digimentors, a social/digital consulting agency working with a range of clients including nonprofits, corporate partners, and other organizations. He has 25 years of marketing and communications experience telling other people’s stories. The hardest story he has ever had to tell is that of being sexually abused as a child. It was only a few years ago that he first spoke publicly about this. As you will hear in Episode 1, Neil is still finding his voice. He is helping bring Unspoken: Conversations with Candace to video serving as both the co-host and producer for Season 3. Connect with him on Facebook, Twitter, LinkedIn, Instagram, Mastodon, and his website.