Andrea Gunning

Marisa can see the effect these images have on Saskia.

Saskia knows the shame isn't hers to carry.

She wants to talk about what happened to her.

That's why she's doing this podcast, dragging all this out into the light, despite how upsetting it can feel.

She's being brave.

For their part, her friends are starting to do the same.

They're showing up for Saskia and talking more about what happened on the podcast, but even more so with each other.

She's finding new stability with the people who've been there all along.

I'm so glad you guys are here.

On our last night in Maryland, Saskia invited all her people over for a party.

In the days before, she almost canceled the whole thing.

It had just been a full week of interviews.

We assured her she didn't need to throw a party on our account.

Her people would understand, too.

But she wanted to do it.

So she gathered everyone on her back porch.

Her siblings, her friends.

It was a tail end of summer.

The sun was setting, and the cicadas were in full swing.

Everyone sat in a circle of Adirondack chairs, eating cake, and trading funny stories from growing up.