In short
Podcast Episode Notes: Call Her Daddy - My College Soccer Trauma
Episode Overview
- Podcast Title: Call Her Daddy
- Episode Title: My College Soccer Trauma
- Release Date: [Insert Date]
- Host: Alex Cooper
- Description: In this episode, Alex Cooper opens up for the first time about the traumatic sexual harassment she experienced from her college soccer coach while playing Division 1 soccer at Boston University. The conversation reflects on her journey of healing and empowerment through the podcast and her new documentary, *Call Her Alex*, released on Hulu.
Key Themes and Discussions
Personal Trauma
- Alex details her experiences of sexual harassment by her college soccer coach.
- She expresses feelings of unease and discomfort in sharing her story, which she has kept private for a decade.
- The emotional impact of revisiting her past is highlighted, particularly during a visit to Nickerson Field, leading to a significant emotional breakdown.
The Power of Conversation
- Alex emphasizes the importance of dialogue in confronting personal trauma.
- She reflects on the support she has received from the "Daddy Gang," which has been essential in her healing process.
Societal Issues
- Alex discusses the systemic nature of harassment and power dynamics, noting that her experiences are part of a larger issue affecting many women.
- The episode aims to shed light on the ongoing harassment at Boston University, indicating that similar experiences are still occurring.
Identity and Shame
- Alex grapples with feelings of shame and fear of retaliation for speaking out, particularly because her abuser was a woman.
- She addresses the complexities of being a public figure while discussing personal trauma, acknowledging the potential for her story to be downplayed.
Empowerment and Support
- The episode conveys a message of solidarity for other victims of harassment, emphasizing that they are not alone.
- Alex's commitment to using her platform to advocate for victims is a central point, underscoring the responsibility that comes with having a voice in the public sphere.
Key Takeaways
- Healing Through Sharing: Engaging in open conversations about trauma can facilitate healing.
- Visibility of Victims: It’s crucial to recognize and support those who have experienced harassment, validating their experiences.
- Collective Responsibility: Especially for those in positions of power, it’s essential to speak out against ongoing abuse and create an environment where victims feel safe to come forward.
- Community Support: The role of community and support networks, like the "Daddy Gang," plays a significant role in an individual's healing journey.
Conclusion In this heartfelt episode, Alex Cooper not only shares her painful past but also takes a bold step towards empowerment, encouraging others to speak out. Her documentary, *Call Her Alex*, serves as both a personal reflection and a broader commentary on the enduring issues of harassment in society.
Written by AI. May contain mistakes. Listen to the episode to check what was said.
Transcript
Automatic transcript. May contain errors.0:00Hi, Daddy Gang. So there is no new Call Her Daddy episode this week because I just officially released my documentary Call Her Alex on Hulu. I cannot believe I'm finally getting to say that. I'm feeling extremely proud and emotional, but if I'm being honest, I also feel nervous and scared. Most people obviously know me as the host of Call Her Daddy, right? But I realize in releasing this new documentary, the world is going to learn about the one thing I've never really talked about before, which is the years of traumatic sexual harassment I endured from my college soccer coach. It took me a decade to tell this story, and I'll be honest, even saying the words to you right now I was sexually harassed by my college soccer coach I still feel uneasy and uncomfortable and anxious with all of it there is no right way to talk about it and open up about this but if I have learned anything from call her daddy there is such power in conversation so why now you may be asking over two years ago I went on my first live podcast tour and I thought it would be fun to just have a documentary crew follow the journey so I could share some of the chaotic behind the scenes moments along the way for anyone that couldn't come and enjoy but the entire direction of the film changed after my opening tour stop in Boston I had told the director that I wasn't sure I wanted to get into what happened to me in college in this documentary I figured let's keep it light let's keep it fun let's just approach it with a more positive energy and she was obviously extremely supportive and understanding but she did encourage me while we were in Boston, go back to BU, visit campus for the first time since I graduated, go back to the soccer field and just see what came up for me.
2:42And the minute I stepped on that field, I felt so small. money power status followers years of therapy none of it mattered I felt like I was 18 years old again completely powerless with no voice and the minute I saw Nickerson Field I broke down and I started sobbing. I didn't realize how much I had suppressed and how much I was still carrying with me. And I think I've hesitated to share my story for various reasons. I think the first obvious is that it's really painful to talk about. And I think a part of me also feels embarrassed that this happened to me the call her daddy girl in coming forward I was also afraid of retaliation I also worried people would downplay or dismiss the severity of what I experienced because the abuse wasn't physical and with a podcast that focuses on empowering women I felt shame that my abuser happened to be a woman and I was worried that sharing my story could quite literally undermine everything I stand for.
4:24Fuck the patriarchy, fuck misogyny. And so I kept going back and forth, back and forth to tell the world what happened, to not talk about it. What do I do? But then something happened where I immediately knew without a doubt that it was time for me to speak up. Towards the end of filming this documentary, new information came to light. I found out that other women had stepped onto that same field and experienced the same harassment I did. I discovered that the abuse and trauma I had been subjected to at Boss University was still actively happening on that campus in 2025, a decade after I left.
5:19And I spoke directly with one of the victims.
5:28Everything changed for me that day. And it really put in perspective that the harassment and abuse of power was and is so much bigger than me. It is systemic and it's happening everywhere. And so I realized that if a woman in my position who has power and a platform is still fearful, is still scared of speaking out about my own lived experience of sexual harassment, how the hell will any other woman feel safe and confident to come forward?
6:18Opening up about this in the documentary, yes, it is a way for me to share not only what I've endured, but what women continue to endure everywhere, every single day. so I'm here daddy gang today to say to any other victims you are not alone I see you I believe you and I stand with you
6:48I know that this experience doesn't define me and there are so many beautiful moments of my life that I also got to share over the course of filming this project. You will see parts of my wedding, my family, my closest friends. I'm showing it all. But it was extremely important for me to come on today and say just thank you, Daddy Gang, because I wouldn't be able to heal and grow and be sitting on this fucking couch and release this type of documentary if I didn't have you. Literally, I wouldn't be here without all of you. So thank you so much for always fucking supporting me and I hope you know the support is mutual.
7:45so with that said I love you guys go watch call her Alex on Hulu love you bye
From the publisher
For the first time, Alex opens up about what she endured while playing Division 1 soccer at Boston University and how she’s worked to find healing through Call Her Daddy ten years later.
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