Nadine Crocker is an actor turned filmmaker whose life story is nothing short of extraordinary. In this deeply emotional and raw conversation, Nadine opens up about her suicide attempts, her journey into sobriety, the generational trauma she had to break, and the passion behind her film Continue—based on her true story.
How addiction and suicidal ideation shaped her early life
The moment that changed everything
What sobriety has meant to her survival
Why she had to walk away from toxic family systems
How she raises a neurodivergent child with compassion and awareness
The behind-the-scenes truth about writing, directing, and funding Continue
The healing power of storytelling and vulnerability
And how she’s turning her pain into purpose through her nonprofit work
If you or someone you love struggles with mental health, this episode is a lifeline.
If you’re a creator, this episode will inspire you to make the work that scares you.
If you’re human, this episode will move you.
Trigger Warning: Suicide, addiction, trauma, eating disorders.
Learn more and Continue the FIlm: https://www.continuethefilm.com/aboutus
Follow Nadine: https://www.instagram.com/nadinecrocker/
Follow Keesha: https://www.instagram.com/keeshawscott
Follow The Podcast: https://www.instagram.com/cakefordinnerpod
01:00 — Surviving a suicide attempt & why sobriety saved her life
02:23 — From Fresno to LA: chasing acting dreams
03:30 — Moving to LA alone at 16
05:07 — Landing Hannah Montana & early career struggles
06:45 — Raising money & writing a film no one wanted to fund
07:58 — Why great filmmaking requires risk
08:51 — Stigma, shame & the first film festival Q&A
10:26 — Using film to break the silence around suicide
12:33 — How her real life shaped the script
16:57 — What was fictional and what was real in Continue
17:44 — Her real mental health journey: AA, outpatient, recovery
19:12 — The authentic friendships that helped her heal
21:10 — Her husband’s role in the movie (and real life!)
23:55 — Parenting after trauma & the power of empathy
24:45 — Eating disorders, self-harm & darkness
26:30 — Advice for young girls struggling with depression
27:28 — Finding tools to get through tomorrow
29:18 — PTSD diagnosis & generational trauma
31:32 — How sobriety reshaped her life
33:14 — Boundaries, family separation & inner peace
35:18 — The team she built to stay healthy
36:37 — Emotional sobriety & community
37:30 — Parenting a neurodivergent child
41:22 — Coping with autism diagnosis + therapy journey
42:08 — Marriage, partnership & surviving together
47:00 — Nadine’s creative process: writing films in 5 days
48:09 — Her nonprofit + mission for mental health advocacy
49:02 — Turning pain into purpose