Behind Beautiful Things

In this gripping episode of Behind Beautiful Things, host Kevin welcomes Peggy, author of Surviving the Family Kingdom, for a powerful conversation about cult survival, family trauma, and breaking free from control.

Peggy shares her experience growing up in a nomadic childhood under the authority of her mother, who led a tightly controlled family cult. She describes being raised to obey without question, the psychological dynamics of cult leadership within a family structure, and the lasting impact of spiritual and emotional manipulation. Most importantly, Peggy reveals how she found the strength to escape the cult environment — not only for herself, but to protect her own children.

This episode explores themes of cult recovery, coercive control, family systems abuse, trauma healing, survivor empowerment, and resilience after religious extremism. Peggy’s story is one of courage, commitment, and unconditional love — a testament to what it takes to break generational cycles and rebuild a life rooted in freedom.

If you’re interested in cult survivor stories, memoirs about escaping abusive family systems, trauma recovery, or stories of personal transformation, this conversation is both eye-opening and deeply inspiring.

Tune in to Behind Beautiful Things for a moving dialogue about survival, strength, and reclaiming your life.

Please note: This episode contains descriptions of sexual assault, suicidal ideation, domestic abuse, and verbal abuse. Please take care while listening.

Check Out Peggy’s Work:

https://peggysharr.com

Behind Beautiful Things Website: www.sadtimespodcast.co

Follow Behind Beautiful Things on Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/groups/373292146649249

Follow Behind Beautiful Things on Instagram: @behindbeautifulthingspodcast

Learn more about Kevin’s Professional Speaking and Acting at www.kevincrispin.com

Check out Kevin’s substack: https://allconviction.substack.co

Get your very own “Sad Schwag”: https://www.teepublic.com/stores/hysteria51/albums/253388-sad-times-podcast?ref_id=9022

Editorial note: Behind Beautiful Things is committed to sharing various stories from generous guests. The hope is to allow any number of stories to be shared to help people feel less alone and, perhaps, more empathetic. It is important to clarify that the guests’ stories, perspectives, and sentiments do not necessarily reflect the views and beliefs of Behind Beautiful Things in any way. Please note that Behind Beautiful Things is in no way a substitute for medical or professional mental health support.

See Privacy Policy at https://art19.com/privacy and California Privacy Notice at https://art19.com/privacy#do-not-sell-my-info.

In this compelling episode of Behind Beautiful Things, host Kevin welcomes Amanda for a powerful conversation about childhood trauma, healing, and restorative justice. Amanda bravely shares the difficult experiences she endured as a child and how those formative challenges shaped her path toward an extensive education in criminal law.

Together, they explore the principles of restorative justice — a justice model that centers victims, prioritizes accountability, and seeks healing over punishment. Instead of pitting individuals against each other within an adversarial legal system, restorative justice focuses on dialogue, repair, and community-based solutions.

This episode dives into topics including trauma recovery, criminal justice reform, victim advocacy, legal education, accountability, and alternatives to traditional prosecution. If you’re interested in restorative practices, justice system reform, survivor empowerment, or the intersection of law and healing, this conversation offers insight, depth, and hope.

Tune in to Behind Beautiful Things for an inspiring and informative dialogue about resilience, justice, and creating meaningful change.

Please note: This episode contains descriptions of sexual assault, homocide, violence, and domestic violence. Please take care while listening.

Check Out Amanda’s Work:

Website - https://amandacarrasco.com/

Instagram - https://www.instagram.com/amanda_the_brave_one

TikTok - https://www.tiktok.com/@amandacarrasco.com

X - https://x.com/Amanda_Carrasco 

Linked in: https://www.linkedin.com/in/amanda-carrasco-48b377173/

Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/profile.php?id=61575975954441

Behind Beautiful Things Website: www.sadtimespodcast.com

Follow Behind Beautiful Things on Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/groups/373292146649249

Follow Behind Beautiful Things on Instagram: @behindbeautifulthingspodcast

Learn more about Kevin’s Professional Speaking and Acting at www.kevincrispin.com

Check out Kevin’s substack: https://allconviction.substack.com

Get your very own “Sad Schwag”: https://www.teepublic.com/stores/hysteria51/albums/253388-sad-times-podcast?ref_id=9022

Editorial note: Behind Beautiful Things is committed to sharing various stories from generous guests. The hope is to allow any number of stories to be shared to help people feel less alone and, perhaps, more empathetic. It is important to clarify that the guests’ stories, perspectives, and sentiments do not necessarily reflect the views and beliefs of Behind Beautiful Things in any way. Please note that Behind Beautiful Things is in no way a substitute for medical or professional mental health support.

See Privacy Policy at https://art19.com/privacy and California Privacy Notice at https://art19.com/privacy#do-not-sell-my-info.

In this episode of Behind Beautiful Things, host Kevin sits down with Angie, author of All I See Is Violence, for an in-depth conversation about Indigenous history, identity, and storytelling. Angie shares her early life growing up in an Indigenous community, her personal educational journey, and the experiences that shaped her voice as a writer.

Drawing from extensive research into the history of Indigenous peoples, Angie discusses the inspiration behind her novel All I See Is Violence and how it explores the lasting impact of colonization, intergenerational trauma, systemic injustice, and cultural resilience. This episode dives into themes of Indigenous heritage, historical truth, reconciliation, and the power of literature to confront difficult histories.

If you're interested in Indigenous history, Indigenous authors, historical fiction, social justice, education, or culturally rooted storytelling, this conversation offers insight, honesty, and depth.

Tune in to Behind Beautiful Things for an important discussion about history, healing, and the stories that must be told.

Please note: This episode contains descriptions of suicide, mass violence, and experiments on children Please take care while listening.

Check Out Angie’s Work:

https://www.angieelitanewell.com

Behind Beautiful Things Website: www.sadtimespodcast.com

Follow Behind Beautiful Things on Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/groups/373292146649249

Follow Behind Beautiful Things on Instagram: @behindbeautifulthingspodcast

Learn more about Kevin’s Professional Speaking and Acting at www.kevincrispin.com

Check out Kevin’s substack: https://allconviction.substack.com

Get your very own “Sad Schwag”: https://www.teepublic.com/stores/hysteria51/albums/253388-sad-times-podcast?ref_id=9022

Editorial note: Behind Beautiful Things is committed to sharing various stories from generous guests. The hope is to allow any number of stories to be shared to help people feel less alone and, perhaps, more empathetic. It is important to clarify that the guests’ stories, perspectives, and sentiments do not necessarily reflect the views and beliefs of Behind Beautiful Things in any way. Please note that Behind Beautiful Things is in no way a substitute for medical or professional mental health support.

See Privacy Policy at https://art19.com/privacy and California Privacy Notice at https://art19.com/privacy#do-not-sell-my-info.

In this episode of Behind Beautiful Things, host Kevin sits down with Stacey, author of Empty Cupboards and several other books, for a candid and deeply moving conversation. Stacey shares her experience of a sudden nervous breakdown in 2001, the ongoing daily challenges of mental health recovery, and the personal and family tragedies she faced along the way.

Through her story, Stacey reflects on resilience, healing, and the long road toward hope, offering listeners an honest look at what it means to continue moving forward after profound emotional trauma. This episode explores themes of mental health awareness, perseverance, and the power of storytelling in the healing process.

Please Note: This episode contains discussion of suicidal ideation. Please take care while listening.

Check Out Stacey’s Work: https://staceypowells.com

Behind Beautiful Things Website: www.sadtimespodcast.com

Follow Behind Beautiful Things on Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/groups/373292146649249

Follow Behind Beautiful Things on Instagram: @behindbeautifulthingspodcast

Learn more about Kevin’s Professional Speaking and Acting at www.kevincrispin.com

Check out Kevin’s substack: https://allconviction.substack.com

Get your very own “Sad Schwag”: https://www.teepublic.com/stores/hysteria51/albums/253388-sad-times-podcast?ref_id=9022

Editorial note: Behind Beautiful Things is committed to sharing various stories from generous guests. The hope is to allow any number of stories to be shared to help people feel less alone and, perhaps, more empathetic. It is important to clarify that the guests’ stories, perspectives, and sentiments do not necessarily reflect the views and beliefs of Behind Beautiful Things in any way. Please note that Behind Beautiful Things is in no way a substitute for medical or professional mental health support.

See Privacy Policy at https://art19.com/privacy and California Privacy Notice at https://art19.com/privacy#do-not-sell-my-info.

In this powerful episode of Behind Beautiful Things, host Kevin sits down once again with Sarah, author of the forthcoming memoir in verse, Conjuring the Hurricane: The Best Way to Save Your Life Is Any Way You Can. Sarah shares her deeply personal journey as a domestic violence survivor, opening up about how she found the strength and resources to leave an abusive relationship.

Together, Kevin and Sarah explore the lasting impact of childhood experiences, generational trauma, and the long road to healing. Sarah also discusses how her lived experience now fuels her work helping others navigate trauma, recovery, and self-preservation. This honest and compassionate conversation sheds light on survival, resilience, and the many paths toward reclaiming your life. us for an episode about courage, healing, and finding hope after trauma.

Please note: This episode contains descriptions of domestic abuse and suicide. Please take care while listening.

Check Out Sarah’s Work:

Website: www.sarahhansonwrites.com

Substack: sarahhansonwrites.substack.com

Inagram and Threads: @sarahhansonwrites

Behind Beautiful Things Website: www.sadtimespodcast.com

Follow Behind Beautiful Things on Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/groups/373292146649249

Follow Behind Beautiful Things on Instagram: @behindbeautifulthingspodcast

Learn more about Kevin’s Professional Speaking and Acting at www.kevincrispin.com

Check out Kevin’s substack: https://allconviction.substack.com

Get your very own “Sad Schwag”: https://www.teepublic.com/stores/hysteria51/albums/253388-sad-times-podcast?ref_id=9022

Editorial note: Behind Beautiful Things is committed to sharing various stories from generous guests. The hope is to allow any number of stories to be shared to help people feel less alone and, perhaps, more empathetic. It is important to clarify that the guests’ stories, perspectives, and sentiments do not necessarily reflect the views and beliefs of Behind Beautiful Things in any way. Please note that Behind Beautiful Things is in no way a substitute for medical or professional mental health support.

See Privacy Policy at https://art19.com/privacy and California Privacy Notice at https://art19.com/privacy#do-not-sell-my-info.

In this special episode of Behind Beautiful Things, host Kevin sits down with Sarah, an author and resident of Minneapolis, MN.

In this conversation, Kevin speaks with Sarah about what it is really like on the ground as an American city is under siege from its own federal government. Sarah bears witness to the chaos and cruelty on the ground. But more importantly, she speaks about the strength of community, the humanity in all of us, and the power of kindness. Please join us!

A list of resources in the Twin Cities:

https://mspmag.com/arts-and-culture/general-interest/ice-minnesota-support-immigrant-communities-fundraisers-food-drives-trainings/

Behind Beautiful Things Website: www.sadtimespodcast.com

Follow Behind Beautiful Things on Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/groups/373292146649249

Follow Behind Beautiful Things on Instagram: @behindbeautifulthingspodcast

Learn more about Kevin’s Professional Speaking and Acting at www.kevincrispin.com

Check out Kevin’s substack: https://allconviction.substack.com

Get your very own “Sad Schwag”: https://www.teepublic.com/stores/hysteria51/albums/253388-sad-times-podcast?ref_id=9022

Editorial note: Behind Beautiful Things is committed to sharing various stories from generous guests. The hope is to allow any number of stories to be shared to help people feel less alone and, perhaps, more empathetic. It is important to clarify that the guests’ stories, perspectives, and sentiments do not necessarily reflect the views and beliefs of Behind Beautiful Things in any way. Please note that Behind Beautiful Things is in no way a substitute for medical or professional mental health support.

See Privacy Policy at https://art19.com/privacy and California Privacy Notice at https://art19.com/privacy#do-not-sell-my-info.

In this episode of Behind Beautiful Things, host Kevin sits down with Patton, author of The Father You Get: And the Ones You Make, Believe In, and Become, for a deeply personal and reflective conversation. Patton opens up about his relationship with his father, including the impact of addiction, grief, and loss on their bond.

Patton shares his journey of losing his father and the emotional work that followed—coming to terms with a complicated relationship and ultimately redefining what it means to be a son and a father. This episode explores themes of healing, forgiveness, generational influence, and personal growth, offering listeners an honest look at how we shape our identities through both the parents we’re given and the parents we strive to become.

Please Note: This episode contains discussion of sexual abuse, alcoholism, child abuse, and incest. Please take care while listening.

Check Out Patton’s Work:

Substack: pattondodd.substack.com/

Website: pattondodd.com

IG: @pattondodd

Behind Beautiful Things Website: www.sadtimespodcast.com

Follow Behind Beautiful Things on Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/groups/373292146649249

Follow Behind Beautiful Things on Instagram: @behindbeautifulthingspodcast

Learn more about Kevin’s Professional Speaking and Acting at www.kevincrispin.com

Check out Kevin’s substack: https://allconviction.substack.com

Get your very own “Sad Schwag”: https://www.teepublic.com/stores/hysteria51/albums/253388-sad-times-podcast?ref_id=9022

Editorial note: Behind Beautiful Things is committed to sharing various stories from generous guests. The hope is to allow any number of stories to be shared to help people feel less alone and, perhaps, more empathetic. It is important to clarify that the guests’ stories, perspectives, and sentiments do not necessarily reflect the views and beliefs of Behind Beautiful Things in any way. Please note that Behind Beautiful Things is in no way a substitute for medical or professional mental health support.

See Privacy Policy at https://art19.com/privacy and California Privacy Notice at https://art19.com/privacy#do-not-sell-my-info.

In this episode of Behind Beautiful Things, host Kevin sits down with Andrea, author of Better Off Bald: A Life in 147 Days, for a powerful and heartfelt conversation. Andrea shares the inspiring story of her sister Adrienne and her courageous battle with liver cancer, reflecting on their close bond, Adrienne’s resilience, and the lasting impact of her journey.

Listeners will hear Andrea discuss her early life, the deep relationship she shared with her sister, and how Adrienne’s legacy led to the creation of Blue Faery, a nonprofit organization dedicated to raising awareness and support for liver cancer patients. This episode is a moving exploration of love, loss, advocacy, and honoring life through purpose.

Please Note: This episode contains discussion of suicide and sexual abuse. Please take care while listening.

Check Out Andrea’s Work:

https://www.facebook.com/bluefaerylivercancer/

https://www.instagram.com/bluefaeryliver/

https://www.linkedin.com/company/blue-faery

https://twitter.com/BlueFaeryLiver

https://www.youtube.com/c/BlueFaery/

Behind Beautiful Things Website: www.sadtimespodcast.com

Follow Behind Beautiful Things on Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/groups/373292146649249

Follow Behind Beautiful Things on Instagram: @behindbeautifulthingspodcast

Learn more about Kevin’s Professional Speaking and Acting at www.kevincrispin.com

Check out Kevin’s substack: https://allconviction.substack.com

Get your very own “Sad Schwag”: https://www.teepublic.com/stores/hysteria51/albums/253388-sad-times-podcast?ref_id=9022

Editorial note: Behind Beautiful Things is committed to sharing various stories from generous guests. The hope is to allow any number of stories to be shared to help people feel less alone and, perhaps, more empathetic. It is important to clarify that the guests’ stories, perspectives, and sentiments do not necessarily reflect the views and beliefs of Behind Beautiful Things in any way. Please note that Behind Beautiful Things is in no way a substitute for medical or professional mental health support.

See Privacy Policy at https://art19.com/privacy and California Privacy Notice at https://art19.com/privacy#do-not-sell-my-info.

In this week’s episode of Behind Beautiful Things, host Kevin interviews Blair, author of A Schizoid at Smith: How Overparenting Leads to Underachieving, for an insightful conversation about mental health, identity, and self-understanding. Blair shares her upbringing in a home that lacked emotional connection and nurturing, and how those experiences shaped her development and eventual diagnosis of Schizoid Personality Disorder. She explains what this diagnosis means for her life and offers valuable perspective for others navigating similar experiences. Blair also explores the powerful role of music as a way to interpret emotions, understand life, and find meaning. Join us for a thoughtful and eye-opening episode focused on mental health awareness, personal growth, and the healing power of creativity.

Please Note: This episode contains discussion of suicide and bullying. Please take care while listening.

Check Out Blair’s Work:

https://rockingtributes.com

Blair’s Book:

https://www.amazon.com/Schizoid-Smith-Overparenting-Leads-Underachieving/dp/1639889272

Behind Beautiful Things Website: www.sadtimespodcast.com

Follow Behind Beautiful Things on Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/groups/373292146649249

Follow Behind Beautiful Things on Instagram: @behindbeautifulthingspodcast

Learn more about Kevin’s Professional Speaking and Acting at www.kevincrispin.com

Check out Kevin’s substack: https://allconviction.substack.com

Get your very own “Sad Schwag”: https://www.teepublic.com/stores/hysteria51/albums/253388-sad-times-podcast?ref_id=9022

Editorial note: Behind Beautiful Things is committed to sharing various stories from generous guests. The hope is to allow any number of stories to be shared to help people feel less alone and, perhaps, more empathetic. It is important to clarify that the guests’ stories, perspectives, and sentiments do not necessarily reflect the views and beliefs of Behind Beautiful Things in any way. Please note that Behind Beautiful Things is in no way a substitute for medical or professional mental health support.

See Privacy Policy at https://art19.com/privacy and California Privacy Notice at https://art19.com/privacy#do-not-sell-my-info.

In this episode of Behind Beautiful Things, host Kevin sits down with Jasmine for a raw and inspiring conversation about resilience, healing, and personal growth. Jasmine shares her experience with relentless childhood bullying, the emotional impact of her parents’ painful separation, and her father’s serious health challenges. She also opens up about navigating difficult relationships and addiction, and how those struggles shaped her journey toward healing. Today, Jasmine uses her lived experiences to support and inspire others facing similar challenges. Join us for a powerful episode focused on mental health, recovery, and turning adversity into purpose.

Please Note: This episode contains descriptions of bullying, physical abuse, domestic violence, Military PTSD, and addiction. Please take care while listening.

Behind Beautiful Things Website: www.sadtimespodcast.com

Follow Behind Beautiful Things on Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/groups/373292146649249

Follow Behind Beautiful Things on Instagram: @behindbeautifulthingspodcast

Learn more about Kevin’s Professional Speaking and Acting at www.kevincrispin.com

Check out Kevin’s substack: https://allconviction.substack.com

Get your very own “Sad Schwag”: https://www.teepublic.com/stores/hysteria51/albums/253388-sad-times-podcast?ref_id=9022

Editorial note: Behind Beautiful Things is committed to sharing various stories from generous guests. The hope is to allow any number of stories to be shared to help people feel less alone and, perhaps, more empathetic. It is important to clarify that the guests’ stories, perspectives, and sentiments do not necessarily reflect the views and beliefs of Behind Beautiful Things in any way. Please note that Behind Beautiful Things is in no way a substitute for medical or professional mental health support.

See Privacy Policy at https://art19.com/privacy and California Privacy Notice at https://art19.com/privacy#do-not-sell-my-info.