Blooming After Grooming

Blooming After Grooming

Turns out we, Sarah and Diana, have a lot in common despite living in different states. One of the more unfortunate thing we have in common is the same abuser: A high school English/Creative Writing/Journalism teacher. Join us as we take some deep breaths and emotional tums and talk through life after being groomed and sexually abused by someone who was entrusted with our safety. Content warning: Sexual abuse, lots of cussing

Episodes

October 6, 2025 39 mins

This is it! For real! The last episode of Season 1. Thank you once again for being a listener and for reaching out with your encouraging messages. We are looking forward to bringing you Season 2. In the meantime, take care of yourselves and each other.

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Double psych! This week's episode is also not the finale. Today we read some listener emails, talk about why we wanted them in the first place, and what we've reflected on since receiving a few. Join the conversation! What would you like to see? Also, did we get Miller's Girl taken off Netflix?!

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Dissonance by Megan Farison

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September 22, 2025 42 mins

Psych! This week's episode is indeed NOT the finale. Oh, that Diana and their empty promises. Today we talk about repairing harm and connecting with our abuser's former friend who messaged us back in 2023.

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September 15, 2025 53 mins

About 10 law firms later, one finally agreed to take Diana's case. Oh, and this was also the fall season when Diana was involved in three lawsuits at once. Enjoy this final chapter of this part of our story!

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September 10, 2025 59 mins

All roads lead back to Brooke Shields. At least in Season 1 of our podcast! What else could we have talked about on this Season 1 final Groom Scroll episode other than the Pretty Baby documentary? The two-part doc also brings up timely topics from current pop culture as well as topics we've talked about throughout Season 1.

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The Lolita Effect by Dr. M. Gigi Durham

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September 8, 2025 52 mins

In today's episode, we talk about the aftermath of the investigation and what finally got Diana thinking about pursuing a lawsuit.

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⁠The Libby App ⁠

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September 1, 2025 61 mins

We did it! Today's episode wraps up the school investigation. We chat about getting through those last months and celebrating how far we had come.

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August 27, 2025 53 mins

Today we chat about Labyrinth- a movie near and dear to the hearts of many! This beloved tale is a fave of Sarah, but one Diana has yet to see. Until now!

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Who’s bad? From Michael Jackson to David Bowie, why are some stars uncancellable? - Guardian article by Tim Jonze


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August 25, 2025 54 mins

This episode is brought to you by untreated ADHD! We are a tad all over the place today, and yet, we carry on with PART 2 of the school investigation process.

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IA Public Radio story link

Chicago Public Schools- Office of the Inspector General

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August 18, 2025 66 mins

Ooo child.. whip out that notepad and be ready to get schooled by people who barely understand it themselves! This episode gets into the convoluted labyrinth that is the misconduct reporting system of State Boards of Education (note: we only talk about IL and IA).

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One Love Foundation

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Today's Bloom Bonus circles back to details Diana was unsure of about the documentary. As well as a (tentative) update about Amanda Mustard and a recollection of an article by Luke Malone called "You're 16. You're a Pedophile. You Don't Want to Hurt Anyone. What Do You Do Now?"

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August 13, 2025 67 mins

EXTRA CONTENT WARNING. Today's GS feature is a rough but necessary watch for listeners seeking to better understand generational trauma. Especially when it relates to incest and child sexual abuse. We love being able to share visually stunning and impactful work created by survivors of sexual abuse. Listen with care.

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https://www.greatphotolovelylife.com/about

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August 11, 2025 69 mins

In today's episode, we begin telling the story of the emotional rollercoaster that was the school investigation. And we balance the awful by singing some groovy tunes.

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We continue our conversation about reaching out to people from the past. In today's episode, we talk about those who were adults at the time.

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July 30, 2025 53 mins

"Actually I shouldn't say that.. because I'm your teacher." Who doesn't remember that quote on the Ferris Wheel? In this week's Groom Scroll, we talk about every Millennial's fave 90's rom com: Never Been Kissed.

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Today we talk about reaching out to former classmates to build our case, and what a trip that was for both of us. We went on for quite a while and decided to split this one into two parts!

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July 21, 2025 66 mins

After the police investigation concluded, we knew the fight had to continue some other way. Little did we know what we were getting into with school and state boards. This week we talk more about those letters we've mentioned, and what it felt like to finally send them out!

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July 16, 2025 69 mins

Sarah and Diana discuss the 2023 movie May December, which stars everyone's favorite Jurassic Park actress - Julianne Moore! Lost World is hands down the best JP apart from the first. But that's a different podcast.

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Mary Kay Letourneau Wikipedia Page

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The best laid plans are.. most often not the first one. This week we talk all about what we thought we were going to do, and the reality check that followed. Sarah briefly mentions the Joyful Heart Foundation, check out their work!

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July 9, 2025 49 mins

That's right! We're here with another Bloom Bonus which includes a recap of Diana's experience at the life-changing and life-saving 20th Annual Conference on Crimes Against Women. Sorry, listeners, there is no Brooke Shields connection this time! bloomingafterpod.com

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