“Dressing as a woman for the first drag for the first time certainly had an enormous impact on my life.”An award-winning author, artist and journalist with Ivy League degrees, Meredith Talusan’s story has humble beginnings. She grew up in a rural village in the Philippines, born an albino boy. As the only light-skinned and light-haired child for miles and miles -- who also happened to like other boys -- Meredith was used to feeling different. But when she immigrated to the U.S., her sense of cognitive dissonance deepened further. All of a sudden, she was perceived as an able-bodied, native-born American. By the time she got to Harvard, Meredith found herself reflecting over issues around race, class, sexuality and her place within the gay community. But a drag show would change the trajectory of her story -- and illuminate a path toward her true self. https://letsnottalkaboutit.comHosts: Camille TuuttiSharon TigerAmanda Ziadeh Guest: Meredith Talusan, author of "Fairest"Expert: Dr. Akua K. BoatengEditor:Tessa HallBehind the Scenes: Lisa AbeytaMusic: “Incoming” by Jeffrey C. Mund "Arms of Gold" by Tape Machines

“There's a tremendous amount of stigma about coming forward, especially for men.” It wasn’t until Phil Goldstein was 30 years old he began unpacking a childhood trauma subconsciously affecting his adult life. As a kid, Phil was sexually abused by his older brother, and he kept it to himself for years, along with feelings of shame, guilt and fear. But when Phil met the woman who'd become his wife, sex and intimacy problems led him to therapy, where he opened up about his childhood sexual abuse. Already an established journalist, Phil is about to become a published author with a poetry book that narrates his trauma and emotions in their rawest forms. He found solace in expressive poetry, and has chosen to combine that passion with speaking out about something so stigmatized. https://letsnottalkaboutit.comNational Sexual Assault Telephone Hotline, operated by RAINN (Rape, Abuse & Incest National Network): 1-800.656.HOPE (4673) Hosts: Camille TuuttiSharon TigerAmanda Ziadeh Guest: Phil Goldstein, author of "How to Bury a Boy at Sea" (Stillhouse Press)Expert: Dr. Akua K. BoatengEditor:Tessa HallBehind the Scenes: Lisa AbeytaMusic: “Incoming” by Jeffrey C. Mund "Arms of Gold" by Tape Machines

“Every single day was just complete hell.”Ashley Brumbaugh’s father was her hero without a cape. So, when he was diagnosed with cancer, Ashley fell apart. Internalized stress led to chronic pain, which brought about an addiction to painkillers at 14. After her father died, Ashley spent years in and out of depression, self-isolation and substance abuse. But this wasn’t the end of her trauma. While in recovery, Ashley was trapped in an abusive relationship that lasted 6 years. Eventually, she left when her abuser was at work -- and she never looked back. Today, Ashley is a writer helping people escape the real world through storytelling. https://letsnottalkaboutit.comNational Domestic Violence Support Hotline:Call 1-800-799-7233 or text SAFE to 88788Hosts: Camille TuuttiSharon TigerAmanda Ziadeh Guest: Ashley BrumbaughExpert: Dr. Akua K. BoatengEditor:Tessa HallBehind the Scenes: Lisa AbeytaMusic: “Incoming” by Jeffrey C. Mund "Arms of Gold" by Tape Machines

"I knew that if we were to share people's stories, we would help connect others and help others find a positive path forward in some way."For two seasons, we've shared the stories of ordinary people overcoming extraordinary struggles -- and now, it's time for our story! In this bonus episode, we share the genesis of the podcast, who we are and why we're doing this. We also highlight some of the episodes that resonated especially with us -- although it's hard to pick a few:Marcus Bullock from episode Picture Your Son in PrisonEvelyn Chumbow from episode Modern-Day Slavery in the Land of the FreeKaitlin Roig-DeBellis from From Horror to Hope: A Sandy Hook Survivor StorySulome Anderson from episode Beyond BorderlineRitu Adams from episode When Men Kill WomenAmber Hart from episode Hungry for an IdentityWe also give our podcast expert, Dr. Akua K Boateng, a shoutout for her tremendous work as a licensed psychotherapist and for helping us understand and make sense of trauma.We'll be back next week with another regular episode. In the meanwhile, let's keep talking about it -- life is hard AF and  sharing it shouldn't be. https://letsnottalkaboutit.comHosts: Camille TuuttiSharon TigerAmanda Ziadeh Editor:Tessa HallBehind the Scenes: Lisa AbeytaMusic: “Incoming” by Jeffrey C. Mund "Arms of Gold" by Tape Machines

"It’s so surreal to lose two people at the same time, especially in this sort of really dramatic, violent, unthinkable sort of way. "Sara Cobb is, unfortunately, no stranger to death and grief. Her oldest brother, Steven, died as a child when he climbed up a power line he mistook for a tree. He was electrocuted while his younger brother, Skyler, helplessly watched. Skyler was never the same after that. Decades later, Sara received a call that Skyler and his fiancee had died in a murder-suicide. This unimaginable tragedy led Sara to learn about grief counseling, mental health and trauma in order to help others. She formed the first-ever support group for murder-suicide survivors -- a club no one wants to belong to, as she puts it. https://letsnottalkaboutit.comHosts: Camille TuuttiSharon TigerAmanda Ziadeh Guest: Sara Cobb of My Grief ConnectionExpert: Dr. Akua K. BoatengEditor:Tessa HallBehind the Scenes: Lisa AbeytaMusic: “Incoming” by Jeffrey C. Mund "Arms of Gold" by Tape Machines

"I deceived myself to believe that I was being empowered."Aaron Crowley was attending college in LA when a talent scout for a gay porn studio reached out to him with a proposition. Being short on cash, Aaron said yes. He spent the next few years doing gay porn, thinking it was empowering and providing him control over his own sexuality. But that’s what the porn industry wanted him to think. Deep down, Aaron felt degraded, exploited and unloved. It wasn’t until he heard the words “Jesus loves you” he made a change that set him on the trajectory to find his true purpose. https://letsnottalkaboutit.comContent warning: This episode contains talks of rape, sexual violence and sexual assault. Hosts: Camille TuuttiSharon TigerAmanda Ziadeh Guest: Aaron Crowley, author of "Bought with a Price: A Gay Christian's Memoir from Porn Sets to Love"Expert: Dr. Akua K. BoatengEditor:Tessa HallBehind the Scenes: Lisa AbeytaMusic: “Incoming” by Jeffrey C. Mund "Arms of Gold" by Tape Machines

“Starting your own business is this perfect incubator for a mental health crisis.” On paper, Jessica Manuszak totally has her life together. She owns a marketing agency and has written copy for companies like Nike and Levi’s. But beneath the surface-level image of successful client bookings and cash flow, Jessica was chronically mentally and physically sick. Then one day, she checked herself into a mental health facility to address her diagnoses. Over the past 7 years, Jessica has worked to take care of her mind and body, while also passionately advocating for mental health awareness, particularly among fellow entrepreneurs and freelancers. https://letsnottalkaboutit.comHosts: Camille TuuttiSharon TigerAmanda Ziadeh Guest: Jessica Manuszak of  Verve & Vigour Expert: Dr. Akua K. BoatengEditor:Tessa HallBehind the Scenes: Lisa AbeytaMusic: “Incoming” by Jeffrey C. Mund "Arms of Gold" by Tape Machines

“Near the end of the worst part of my schizophrenia break, I really wasn't living in reality; I was living in hell.”Apollo Ellis’ resume reads like a who’s who of the tech world: Sony, Intel, Apple, Oculus and NVIDIA. This Ph.D. engineer has three degrees in computer science from renowned schools -- and he speaks Chinese. But one thing you’d never guess from his long list of accolades is his past in a gang or his history of drug abuse. Or more notable: his lifelong battle with schizophrenia. Throughout the years, Apollo had episodes of paranoia and psychosis, but he never understood they were symptoms of a mental illness. It took decades to get a diagnosis, but when that finally happened, medication helped stabilize him -- and his success skyrocketed. https://letsnottalkaboutit.comHosts: Camille TuuttiSharon TigerAmanda Ziadeh Guest: Apollo Ellis, author of "Through the Valley: Streets, Schizophrenia, and Success in Tech."Expert: Dr. Akua K. BoatengEditor:Tessa HallBehind the Scenes: Lisa AbeytaMusic: “Incoming” by Jeffrey C. Mund "Arms of Gold" by Tape Machines

“My opportunity to be a kid got taken from me very early in my life.” Brenda Myers-Powell was just a child when she turned to prositution to support herself and her two young daughters. Over the next 25 years, Brenda’s life was in the streets, selling her body and numbing herself with drugs. She finally escaped after a customer nearly killed her, and she sought refuge at a safe house where she got counseling and job training. Today, Brenda helps trafficking victims through The Dreamcatcher Foundation, which she co-founded, and advocates strongly for women in hard circumstances. https://letsnottalkaboutit.comContent warning: This episode contains talk and details of violence, rape and sexual assault. Hosts: Camille TuuttiSharon TigerAmanda Ziadeh Guest: Brenda Myers-Powell of The Dreamcatcher FoundationExpert: Dr. Akua K. BoatengEditor:Tessa HallBehind the Scenes: Lisa AbeytaMusic: “Incoming” by Jeffrey C. Mund "Arms of Gold" by Tape Machines

“The very first thing I thought when I heard the first shot wasn't why, but it was, "I can't believe the Columbine is happening here.”In the blink of an eye, an ordinary day can turn into horror. On Dec. 14, 2012, Sandy Hook Elementary School teacher Kaitlin Roig-DeBellis was with her class when she heard the unmistakable sounds of gunshots.  Without hesitation, she crammed herself and her students into a small bathroom -- and saved 16 lives in what's now known as the deadliest elementary school shooting in U.S. history.  Traumatized by the events, Kaitlin was a shell of her former self. But she decided to take her power back, starting with letting go of her “whys?” Today, she’s moving forward, not moving on -- and choosing hope as she shares her story to inspire others to do the same. https://letsnottalkaboutit.comContent warning: This episode contains talk of gun violence. Hosts: Camille TuuttiSharon TigerAmanda Ziadeh Guest: Kaitlin Roig-DeBellis of Classes 4 ClassesExpert: Dr. Akua K. BoatengEditor:Tessa HallBehind the Scenes: Lisa AbeytaMusic: “Incoming” by Jeffrey C. Mund "Arms of Gold" by Tape Machines