Crossing the Line: The NCSESAME Podcast

About Crossing the Line: The NCSESAME Podcast

Hosted by Joelle Casteix, Crossing the Line: An NCSESAME Podcast dives into the stories, research, and reforms transforming how we protect students. Hear from survivors, advocates, scholars, and policymakers who are fighting to end educator sexual misconduct and create schools where every child is safe, supported, and believed.

Publisher

NCSESAME - Ntl Cntr to Stop Educator Sexual Abuse, Misconduct, and Exploitation

Category

education

Language

en

Explicit

No

First episode

7 Nov 2025

Latest episode

2 Oct 2026

Latest episodes

18 episodes in the feed.

1. 

   2 Oct 2026

   When Grooming Looks “Normal”: Inside the Not Just a Terrible Story podcast

   Stacie Love was groomed by her high school English teacher and later married him. For years, the people around her treated what happened as a love story. It wasn't. It was manipulation. And then Homeland Security came to their front door. Katy Klein and Sydney Gladu, the creators and producers of "Not Just a Terrible Story," join host Joelle Casteix to discuss the reporting that challenged that narrative—and exposed a larger history of educator sexual misconduct at Centennial High School in Oregon. In Episode 16 of Crossing the Line, we examine how grooming reaches beyond a student to families and communities, why survivors may take decades to recognize abuse, and what happens when schools ignore warnings or fail to investigate. Katy and Sydney also share what it took to obtain public records, the importance of student voices, and how they approached Stacie’s story through consent-based, trauma-informed reporting. Content warning: This episode discusses educator sexual misconduct, grooming, sexual abuse, and institutional failure. Listen to Not Just a Terrible Story wherever you get your podcasts. To learn more about NCSESAME and how to prevent and expose educator sexual misconduct, visit https://www.ncsesame.org (https://www.ncsesame.org). Stacie on TikTok: @stacielove_ Music rights: composer-k8lecvbvh

2. 

   15 Sept 2026

   Bonus Episode: Introducing Not Just a Terrible Story

   A woman discovers the hidden truth behind her marriage to her former teacher, exposing a culture of complicity and decades of alleged educator sexual misconduct. When Stacie Love married her former high school teacher, she thought it was a whirlwind romance. Two decades later, she discovered the truth behind the day their lives unraveled: a federal search, an unseen investigation, and a story far darker than she ever knew. Not Just A Terrible Story is a six-part investigation into one woman’s search for the truth, the scourge of alleged educator sexual misconduct, and a culture of complicity that protected predators for decades.

3. 

   13 Sept 2026

   Ep. 15: Organizational Betrayal: Dr. Charol Shakeshaft on Why Schools Enable Sexual Misconduct

   For more than four decades, Dr. Charol Shakeshaft has researched educator sexual misconduct and institutional conditions that allow it to continue. Her landmark (and controversial) work for the U.S. Department of Education helped establish the scope of the problem and changed how schools, researchers, and policymakers understand it. In this episode of Crossing the Line, Dr. Shakeshaft explains why schools so often protect adults and institutions instead of students. She and host Joelle Casteix discuss the language that minimizes abuse, the long-term effects on survivors, the failures of school policies and training, and the practice commonly known as “passing the trash.” They also examine what schools can do differently, including establishing clear boundaries, training employees to recognize and report concerning conduct, asking direct questions during hiring, documenting concerns, and creating a courageous culture in which speaking up is expected and supported. Dr. Shakeshaft is Professor Emerita of Educational Leadership at Virginia Commonwealth University and the author of Organizational Betrayal: How Schools Enable Sexual Misconduct and How to Stop It. Drawing on hundreds of cases, the book offers practical guidance and detailed checklists for parents, educators, and school leaders. Learn more about educator sexual misconduct and NCSESAME’s work to make schools safer at ncsesame.org (www.ncsesame.org). Crossing the Line is produced by the National Center to Stop Educator Sexual Abuse, Misconduct, and Exploitation. Buy the book (https://amzn.to/471P1hj) Learn more about Charol here (https://soe.vcu.edu/about-us/directory/full-directory/charol-shakeshaft-phd.html)

4. 

   9 Aug 2026

   Episode 14: From Survivor to Police Chief: Matt Antkowiak on School Abuse and Cover-Ups

   Matt Antkowiak spent decades investigating crimes against children before publicly revealing that he was also a survivor of childhood sexual abuse. In this episode of Crossing the Line, the retired police chief joins host Joelle Casteix for a candid conversation about educator sexual abuse, grooming, institutional cover-ups, survivor-centered investigations, and leadership during a crisis. Matt recounts the school abuse investigation that uncovered allegations involving a teacher and principal, the institutional resistance investigators encountered, and the evidence that helped expose a much larger history of misconduct. He also explains how his own trauma shaped his career, why listening carefully to a student’s outcry matters, and what school leaders must do when protecting children conflicts with protecting an institution. The conversation explores: • How grooming can progress almost imperceptibly • Why institutional betrayal can deepen a survivor’s trauma • The role of school administrators, law enforcement, and mandated reporters • How media attention can help uncover additional victims and evidence • Why survivor-centered investigations must minimize repeated questioning • Practical boundaries that protect students and educators • The need for meaningful accountability when schools conceal abuse Matt Antkowiak is a survivor, retired police chief, Army veteran, investigator, and author of Unconquerable: A Journey from Abuse to Protector to Advocate. Learn more about Matt at mattantkowiak.com. Crossing the Line is produced by NCSESAME, the National Center to Stop Educator Sexual Abuse, Misconduct, and Exploitation. Learn more, access resources, or support this work at ncsesame.org.

5. 

   14 Jul 2026

   Ep. 13: Two Survivors. One Predator. How They Turned Trauma Into a Movement | Sarah Hedlund & Diana Mondragon

   What happens when two women—living in different states—discover they were groomed and sexually abused by the same teacher? In this powerful episode of Crossing the Line, host Joelle Casteix sits down with Sarah Hedlund and Diana Mondragon, hosts of the podcast Blooming After Grooming, to discuss the extraordinary journey that brought them together. After years of believing they were alone, Sarah found Diana through a series of online clues. That single text message led to an unlikely friendship, a shared search for accountability, and a podcast that is helping survivors around the world feel seen. Together, they discuss: • How grooming can continue long after childhood • Why educator sexual abuse is so often misunderstood • The devastating impact of institutional betrayal • How schools, families, and communities miss warning signs • Healing, friendship, and finding purpose after trauma • Why changing the conversation is essential to preventing future abuse This conversation is honest, hopeful, and deeply human. Whether you're a survivor, parent, educator, advocate, or simply someone who wants to better understand grooming and abuse dynamics, this episode offers insight, validation, and hope. Guest Hosts: Sarah Hedlund & Diana Mondragon Hosts of Blooming After Grooming https://www.bloomingafterpod.com/

6. 

   24 Jun 2026

   Ep. 12: The Blind Spot: Female Educator Abuse and the Survivors We Overlook with Dr. Donna Bulatowicz

   What happens when a survivor's story doesn't fit society's expectations? In this powerful episode of Crossing the Line, host Joelle Casteixspeaks with educator, researcher, advocate, and survivor Dr. Donna Bulatowicz, whose life was forever changed by abuse at the hands of a female elementary school teacher. Donna shares her deeply personal story of grooming, abuse, institutional betrayal, retaliation, and the long road to healing. Her experience highlights a reality that is often ignored in discussions about child sexual abuse: women can be perpetrators, girls can be victims, and society's blind spots can leave survivors isolated and unheard. Together, Joelle and Donna explore why female-on-female abuse remains under-researched, why so many survivors struggle to find validation and support, and what parents, educators, and policymakers need to understand if we are serious about protecting children. This conversation challenges assumptions, exposes dangerous myths, and offers practical guidance for prevention. About the Guest Dr. Donna Bulatowicz is an educator, researcher, survivor advocate, and teacher educator whose work focuses on educator sexual misconduct, female perpetration, survivor experiences, and prevention. Through her scholarship andadvocacy, she is helping shine a light on a population of survivors who have too often been overlooked. Books mentioned: Can I Give You a Squish by Emily Neilson Rissy No Kissies by Katey Howes The Brave Knight by Diane Tarantini Listen to the Girls by Chrystal Giles

7. 

   17 Jun 2026

   Ep. 11: Making Noise Before #MeToo: Joelle Casteix on Truth, Advocacy, and Institutional Accountability

   NOTE: This episode is audio only. What does it take to speak truth to power when no one wants to listen? In this special crossover episode of Crossing the Line and Blooming After Grooming, host Joelle Casteix shares her personal journey from survivor advocate to nationally recognized voice for accountability, child protection, and institutional reform. Long before the #MeToo movement, Joelle was challenging powerful institutions, exposing abuse cover-ups, and advocating for survivors at great personal and professional cost. In this candid conversation, she discusses what it was like to be labeled "difficult," the realities of speaking out against the Catholic Church, and the lessons she has learned from decades of advocacy. Together, we explore survivor healing, resilience, whistleblowing, institutional betrayal, and the importance of continuing to make noise—even when change feels impossible. Whether you're a survivor, advocate, educator, parent, journalist, or simply someone interested in how social change happens, this conversation offers insight, hope, and a powerful reminder that one voice can make a difference. Topics discussed: • Survivor advocacy and healing • Grooming, abuse, and institutional accountability • The Catholic Church abuse crisis • Whistleblowing and speaking truth to power • Life before and after #MeToo • Resilience, hope, and creating systemic change • Child protection and prevention Subscribe to Blooming After Grooming and Crossing the Line wherever you get your podcasts. https://www.bloomingafterpod.com/

8. 

   19 May 2026

   Ep. 10: “You Wanted This”: The Lies Predators Tell | Michelle Denault on Grooming and Educator Sexual Abuse

   Before it’s abuse, it’s grooming. In this deeply powerful episode of Crossing the Line, Joelle Casteix speaks with survivor, advocate, and national speaker Michelle Denault about how educator sexual abuse often begins—not with force, but with manipulation, attention, secrecy, and emotional dependency. Michelle shares the devastating story of how, at just 14 years old, she was groomed by a popular teacher and coach who convinced her for years that their abusive relationship was “love.” What followed was nearly a decade of manipulation, secrecy, victim-blaming, and institutional failure. Together, Joelle and Michelle unpack: How grooming actually works Why “good kids” and loving families are still vulnerable The dangerous myths society still believes about educator abuse How shame keeps survivors silent for decades The lifelong psychological impact of coercive relationships The role schools and communities play in enabling abuse Why prevention requires adults to recognize the warning signs before abuse escalates Michelle also discusses the national prevention and training work she now does with schools, law enforcement, and educators across the country—helping adults understand the realities of grooming, power, coercion, and survivor support. This conversation is emotional, candid, and essential listening for parents, educators, policymakers, and anyone committed to protecting children. Resources: Michelle Denault: MichelleDenault.com (https://michelledenault.com?utm_source=chatgpt.com) National Center to Stop Educator Sexual Abuse, Misconduct, and Exploitation (NCSESAME) (https://www.ncsesame.org?utm_source=chatgpt.com) Crossing the Line Podcast (https://www.ncsesame.org/podcasts?utm_source=chatgpt.com)

9. 

   5 May 2026

   The Hidden Risks of International Exchange Programs: What Families Aren’t Told

   International student exchange programs promise opportunity, cultural immersion, and safety. But what happens when oversight fails? In this episode of Crossing the Line, host Joelle Casteix speaks with Danielle Grijalva, founder of the Committee for Safety of Foreign Exchange Students, who has spent nearly two decades documenting cases of abuse, exploitation, and systemic failure within the international exchange industry. Drawing on thousands of reported cases, this conversation exposes critical gaps in oversight—from inadequate background checks and lack of accountability to the silencing of vulnerable students far from home. This episode is essential listening for parents, educators, and policymakers navigating student exchange programs. In this episode: The reality behind international exchange program safety Patterns of abuse and exploitation in host placements Why reporting systems often fail students Key questions every parent should ask before sending a child abroad What educators can do when something doesn’t seem right If you’re considering a student exchange program—or working with exchange students—this conversation may change how you think about safety and oversight. Committee for Safety of Foreign Exchange Students: https://csfes.org/

10. 

    17 Apr 2026

    The Moment Before Misconduct with Dr. Jeffrey Haverland

    What does it actually take to prepare educators to recognize — and prevent — sexual misconduct in schools? In this episode, host Joelle Casteix talks with Dr. Jeffrey Haverland, professor of teacher education at the University of Dubuque and member of the NC SESAME Board of Directors, about his groundbreaking work integrating ethics and risk-based decision-making into teacher preparation programs. Dr. Haverland argues that most educator misconduct doesn't start with bad intent — it starts with poor training, blurred boundaries, and a profession that has never given teachers the tools to assess risk in gray-area situations. Drawing on years of grant-funded research, work with Iowa's licensure board, and collaboration with NC SESAME, he shares how scenario-based ethics education is changing how future teachers think — and how that change can protect both students and educators. Topics include: why ethics training must be live and in-person, how to use "vantage point" thinking in complex situations, the intent vs. impact framework, why ethics education creates a natural barrier to predators, and what every teacher, veteran or new, needs to hear about professional responsibility. If you work in education — or care about protecting kids in schools — this is a must-listen. 🌐 ncsesame.org | 📧 jhaverland@dbq.edu (mailto:jhaverland@dbq.edu)

11. 

    27 Mar 2026

    EP 7: They knew. They hid it . A discussion with the filmmakers of In Loco Parentis

    What happens when powerful institutions protect themselves instead of children? In this episode of Crossing the Line, Joelle Casteix interviews the filmmakers behind In Loco Parentis, a searing documentary exposing decades of sexual abuse and cover-ups at two elite boarding schools. This film goes beyond a single survivor story. It reveals how systems of power, wealth, and legacy can silence victims, protect perpetrators, and shape public narratives. Featuring: Joel Fendelman (award-winning filmmaker) James Chase Sanchez (scholar, filmmaker) and his cat, Lila In this episode, we discuss: Boarding school abuse and institutional cover-ups The impact of non-disclosure agreements (NDAs) on survivors How power and privilege influence accountability Why abuse is often minimized or ignored 🎬 Watch the Film (Limited Screening) NCSESAME is hosting an exclusive fundraiser pre-release screening of In Loco Parentis, including a live panel discussion with the filmmakers and survivor Hilary Mullins. Buy tickets here: https://kinema.com/films/in-loco-parentis-di8tcr (https://kinema.com/films/in-loco-parentis-di8tcr) About NCSESAME The National Center to Stop Educator Sexual Misconduct (NCSESAME) works to expose abuse, support survivors, and strengthen accountability in schools nationwide. Learn more about the film: https://www.inlocofilm.com/ Learn more about the filmmakers: https://www.poundofsnow.com/about

12. 

    8 Mar 2026

    Ep. 6: The Slippery Slope: Dr. Glenn Lipson on educator misconduct and prevention

    NCSESAME Board of Advisors Member Dr. Glenn Lipson shares deep insights into preventing educator sexual misconduct, understanding boundary violations, and supporting survivor healing. This conversation covers pathways to abuse, institutional responses, and practical tools for educators and administrators. Dr. Lipson is a clinical and forensic psychologist with decades of experience supporting trauma survivors and helping individuals build resilience after harm. Dr. Lipson brings deep insight into the psychological impact of abuse – especially educator sexual abuse— and, importantly, the pathways toward healing and strength. Links: National Association of State Directors of Teacher Education and Certification: NASDTEC.net Making Right Choices: MakingRightChoices.com Adverse Childhood Experiences Survey: https://www.psychologytoday.com/us/basics/adverse-childhood-experiences Model Code of Ethics for Educators: https://www.nasdtec.net/mpage/NCAEE_Educator_Ethics_homepage

13. 

    2 Feb 2026

    Ep. 5: Practical School Safety and the Law with Dr. Billie-Jo Grant

    In this episode of the Crossing the Line podcast, host Joelle Casteix speaks with Dr. Billie Jo Grant, NCSESAME board member and expert in preventing school employee sexual misconduct. They discuss the evolution of child protection strategies, the challenges faced by school administrators, the importance of open communication, and the role of Title IX in K-12 education. Dr. Grant emphasizes the need for thorough investigations, the identification of grooming behaviors, and the critical role survivors play in advocacy and legislative change. Chapters 00:00 Introduction to Child Safety and Prevention 02:32 The Evolution of Child Protection Efforts 05:35 Challenges Faced by Administrators 09:45 The Importance of Transparency in Investigations 12:27 Understanding Mandatory Reporting and Investigations 16:24 The Role of Title IX in K-12 Education 22:24 Navigating Title IX Complaints and Investigations 24:18 Investigating the Gaps in Abuse Reporting 31:44 The Role of Technology in Grooming and Abuse 34:36 Empowering Parents to Protect Their Children 36:43 Understanding Grooming Behaviors in Educators 42:53 The Importance of Survivor Voices in Advocacy

14. 

    12 Jan 2026

    Survivorship, Grooming, and Accountability: A Rosemead High School Survivor Speaks

    In this powerful and deeply honest episode of Crossing the Line, host Joelle Casteix sits down with Kristy Rowe, a survivor of educator sexual misconduct at Rosemead High School in Los Angeles County. Following journalist Matt Drange’s investigation into decades of abuse, grooming, and institutional cover-ups at Rosemead, Kristy steps forward to tell her story publicly — not for attention, but to stop the cycle. This conversation explores how grooming operates in plain sight, how “compliance” is misused to excuse abuse, and how vulnerable students are targeted when boundaries collapse. Kristy reflects on her teenage years, the absence of protective adults, and the normalization of inappropriate relationships — including teachers socializing with students, transporting them off-campus, and maintaining long-term contact. As a parent, former coach, and advocate, Kristy now sees clearly what was once obscured: minors cannot consent, and adults have an obligation to protect — not exploit. Her story sheds light on why accountability, mandated reporting, and survivor-centered reform are essential to making schools safer. This episode is about truth, courage, and what it takes to dismantle systems that protect predators instead of children. To learn more: He was my high school journalism teacher. Then I investigated his relationships with teenage girls. https://www.businessinsider.com/rosemead-high-eric-burgess-sexual-misconduct-investigation?investigative=6270043c17a7fe08795359b8 The predators’ playground: Unraveling 40 years of sexual misconduct at a single California high school https://www.businessinsider.com/40-years-of-sexual-misconduct-at-rosemead-california-high-school-2023-9?investigative=64b6dc464228262bfe7edd25

15. 

    7 Dec 2025

    The Reporter Who Wouldn’t Look Away: Matt Drange on Uncovering Abuse at Rosemead High

    Investigative journalist Matt Drange joins Joelle to discuss his groundbreaking reporting on educator sexual abuse at Rosemead High School—work that helped expose institutional failures and bring long-hidden truths to light. In this candid conversation, Matt shares how he earned the trust of survivors, what he uncovered in the district’s response, and why rigorous reporting remains essential to protecting students. This episode pulls back the curtain on what it really takes to hold schools accountable—and why stories like these matter now more than ever. Read Matt's work: He was my high school journalism teacher. Then I investigated his relationships with teenage girls.  (https://www.businessinsider.com/rosemead-high-eric-burgess-sexual-misconduct-investigation?investigative=6270043c17a7fe08795359b8) https://www.businessinsider.com/rosemead-high-eric-burgess-sexual-misconduct-investigation?investigative=6270043c17a7fe08795359b8 The predators’ playground: Unraveling 40 years of sexual misconduct at a single California high school  (https://www.businessinsider.com/40-years-of-sexual-misconduct-at-rosemead-california-high-school-2023-9?investigative=64b6dc464228262bfe7edd25 ) https://www.businessinsider.com/40-years-of-sexual-misconduct-at-rosemead-california-high-school-2023-9?investigative=64b6dc464228262bfe7edd25 An epidemic of sexual abuse in schools: Shoddy investigations, quiet resignations, and a culture of secrecy have protected predators, not students. (https://www.businessinsider.com/sexual-abuse-schools-inappropriate-student-teacher-relationship-predators-2023-12?investigative=657a8175b5ceb3ceac89fd6c )

16. 

    24 Nov 2025

    Terri Miller: From Whistleblower to National Advocate

    In this powerful conversation, Joelle sits down with Terri Miller, President of the NCSESAME Board of Directors, to trace her remarkable journey from exposing educator sexual misconduct in Nevada to becoming one of the nation’s most trusted advocates for student safety. Terri shares how her early work uncovering abuse shaped her commitment to accountability, what led her to SESAME’s founding mission, and the tireless support she now provides to survivors and families across the country. This is an essential episode for anyone who wants to understand how real change happens—and the courage it takes to lead it.

17. 

    7 Nov 2025

    Ep. 1: Faith Colson and Changing the Law

    In this conversation, Joelle sits down with Faith Colson, NCSESAME Board Member and national advocate working to stop educator sexual misconduct. Faith discusses the policy gaps that put students at risk, how “passing the trash” continues today, and the change survivors are driving nationwide. It’s a look at how personal testimony becomes public reform.

18. 

    7 Nov 2025

    Introducing Crossing the Line

    Introducing Crossing the Line, a podcast from NCSESAME. Each episode will explore the systemic problem of educator sexual misconduct—how it happens, why it continues, and what must change. Through interviews with survivors, experts, and policy leaders, we’re exposing the failures that allow abuse to persist—and lifting up the solutions that protect students. Learn more at NCSESAME.org

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Public platform figures. Ratings count people who left a rating, not total listeners.

Apple Podcasts (US)

5.0 / 5

7 ratings

Spotify

5.0 / 5

1 ratings

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Guest appearances

Books guests

Based on episode analysis; this does not confirm that the show is currently accepting guests.