Crying Behind Sunglasses with Keila Dolle

Actress, visual artist, and Keila’s dear friend Christina Elizabeth Smith is on the show to share how she’s turned her trauma into meaning. Christina talks about how she’s tied her suffering to a larger mission and how her real-life experiences as a survivor of sexual assault informed her performance on NCIS New Orleans. She shares how chanting meditations have helped her heal and process trauma, and using painting as a form of therapy. Keila and Christina also talk about the power of community, and why reaching out and not hiding yourself (especially when you’re in pain) will help you nurture yourself and heal.

Today on Crying Behind Sunglasses:

• How Christina uses painting and art as therapy
• The way Christina ties her suffering to a larger mission to make it have meaning
• The way her real-life experiences informed her performance on NCIS
• Chanting meditations to help move trauma & energy through the body
• The power of language: being a survivor vs. a victim
• Surrounding yourself with nurturing energy & being discerning in who you spend time around
• How we as a community can better support survivors of sexual assault

Follow host Keila Dolle: @keiladolle // @cryingbehindpod

Follow Christina Elizabeth Smith: @christinaelizabethsmith + @amrtaart

This show is sponsored by BetterHelp. Get 10% off your first month of online counseling at https://www.betterhelp.com/cryingbehindpod

Be sure to follow Crying Behind Sunglasses on your podcast app and leave a review!

Episode guides and more info: www.cryingbehindpod.com

Comedian Riley Silverman is on the show to talk about finding herself through Dungeons and Dragons and her experience as a trans woman. Riley reveals how through storytelling and role-playing, she was able to explore her identity in a safe space, and shares why it’s important to give yourself space to explore your identity and sexuality without attaching to specific labels.

Today on Crying Behind Sunglasses:

• How Riley’s creativity is fueled by playing Dungeons & Dragons
• Role-playing as a way to explore your gender identity & sexuality
• Exploring identities & sexuality without attaching to labels
• Riley’s experience as a trans woman before vs. during the pandemic
• Executive dysfunction, ADHD, and finishing projects
• Tips for decluttering your home & staying sane while working from home

Follow host Keila Dolle: @keiladolle // @cryingbehindpod

Follow Riley Silverman: @rileysilverman + Ripley Improv

Referenced book: Unf*ck Your Habitat

This show is sponsored by BetterHelp. Get 10% off your first month of online counseling at https://www.betterhelp.com/cryingbehindpod

Be sure to follow Crying Behind Sunglasses on your podcast app and leave a review!

Episode guides and more info: www.cryingbehindpod.com

2023 UPDATE: GG Sauvage (the artist formerly known as Rachel) changed her name legally and professionally after this interview aired. The audio remains unedited.

GG Sauvage is a self-love and empowerment coach, comedian, and co-host of Basic Witches ( https://podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/basic-witches/id1429037983 ). You’ll love Rachel’s unapologetic approach to life and ability to quickly dig deep into conversation. She shares her experience healing after sexual assault, how she faced her perpetrator in court, and pushed for him to have mental health resources while in prison. She unpacks how witchcraft helped build her confidence back after the assault and why being a witch is so empowering. GG also explores her sexual liberation from joining OnlyFans, but ultimately her decision to leave social media. The conversation wraps up with a hot-tips card pull from GG! Today on Crying Behind Sunglasses: * How to be unapologetically yourself * Why GG feels empathy for her attacker * EMDR & tapping for releasing trauma * Becoming a witch after growing up catholic * GG’s decision to leave Instagram & OnlyFans * Reclaiming your body after sexual assault This show is supported by : * BetterHelp | Get 10% off your first month at betterhelp.com/cryingbehindpod ( https://www.betterhelp.com/start/?go=true&gor=start¬_found=1&transaction_id=1024a2c0b8611f1dce0637e682429a&utm_campaign=123&utm_content=&utm_medium=Desktop&utm_source=affiliate&utm_term=cryingbehindpod ) Follow Rachel: * YouTube: Rachel Laforest ( https://www.youtube.com/channel/UCck61XhU8EXfNp2Efnbzrzw ) * Website: rachellaforest.com ( https://rachellaforest.com/ ) * Course: Learn to F.L.Y. ( https://rachellaforest.com/learntofly ) * Podcast: Basic Witches ( https://podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/basic-witches/id1429037983 ) Connect with Katy: * Podcast Instagram: @cryingbehindpod ( https://www.instagram.com/cryingbehindpod/ ) * Katy’s Instagram: @katydolle ( https://www.instagram.com/katydolle/?hl=en ) * Episode Guide: cryingbehindpod.com ( https://www.cryingbehindpod.com/ ) * Facebook Group: Crying Behind Sunglasses ( https://www.facebook.com/groups/cryingbehindpod ) This show is produced by Soulfire Productions ( http://soulfireproductionsco.com/ )