Gray Area Stories

[Content Warning]: This is a podcast where survivors share stories of sexual assault, sexual violence, and r*pe. In this episode, Natalie's story includes instances of sexual manipulation and coercion as well as mentions of rape. The stories are told between the 18 minute and 34 minute mark but are referred back to throughout the episode.

Natalie talks through her childhood and teen years in her creative nonfiction essays, which dive into different forms of sexual coercion and manipulation. She shares how creative writing, discovering her boundaries, and becoming sober have all contributed to her healing journey.

Survivor Natalie Lima is a writer and teacher. Find her on IG and Twitter @natalielima09 and read more of her writing at natalielima.com/

Follow us @grayareastories and visit www.grayareastories.com

Hosted by Johanna Middleton and Erica M. Hart

Edited by Erica M. Hart

Theme Song by Nailah Hunter

Show logo by Brianna Guerra

[Content Warning]: This is a podcast where survivors share stories of sexual assault, sexual violence, and r*pe. In this episode, Kyra's story includes instances of r*pe as well as mentions of harm done to additional survivors. The story is told between the 14 minute and 36 minute mark but is referred back to throughout the episode. This episode was recorded in July of 2020. Kyra requested an update to address recent events regarding Malcolm London, which you will hear at the end of the episode.

Survivor Kyra Jones is a Black queer multidisciplinary filmmaker, sex educator, and survivor advocate. Find her on IG @kyra.a.jones and Twitter @blkassfeminist

Follow us @grayareastories and visit www.grayareastories.com

Hosted by Johanna Middleton and Erica M. Hart

Edited by Erica M. Hart

Additional editing by Maya Bingham

Theme Song by Nailah Hunter

Show logo by Brianna Guerra

[Content Warning]: This is a podcast where survivors share stories of sexual assault, sexual violence, and r*pe.

Follow us @grayareastories and visit www.grayareastories.com

Hosted by Johanna Middleton and Erica M. Hart

Edited by Erica M. Hart

Theme Song by Nailah Hunter

Show logo by Brianna Guerra

[Content Warning]: This is a podcast where survivors share stories of sexual assault, sexual violence, and r*pe. In this episode, Marissa's story includes sexual assault at a party. The story is told between the 2 minute and 4 minute mark but is referred back to throughout the episode.

Follow us @grayareastories and visit www.grayareastories.com

Hosted by Johanna Middleton and Erica M. Hart

Edited by Erica M. Hart

Theme Song by Nailah Hunter

Show logo by Brianna Guerra

Light a crackling wood wicked candle and join Erica and Johanna in conversation with guest Rebecca Ume Crook, joining all the way from Nairobi, Kenya.

[Content Warning]: This is a podcast where survivors share stories of sexual assault, sexual violence, and r*pe. In this episode, Rebecca's story includes partner r*pe and other acts of sexual assault. The story is told between the 15 minute and 22 minute mark but is referred back to throughout the episode.]

Rebecca describes her journey of knowing her own truth--from feeling pride in the creation of her photography work to unpacking the narrative she had been telling herself regarding the partner r*pe she survived. As a self-described learner and leader, she calls for more spaces for us all to practice how we ask permission.

Survivor Rebecca Ume Crook is an educator, a faciliator, and a photographer. She runs Metis, a nonprofit in Kenya dedicated to building local leadership and innovation to transform education. Find her on IG @stickylittleleaves

Follow us @grayareastories and visit www.grayareastories.com

Hosted by Johanna Middleton and Erica M. Hart

Edited by Erica M. Hart

Additional editing by Maya Bingham

Theme Song by Nailah Hunter

Show logo by Brianna Guerra

This week Erica and Joh speak with Katie O'Brien as she shares her survivor story and her journey to becoming more vulnerable. After a suggestion from her therapist, Katie challenged herself to be more honest when expressing her emotions, combatting the shame she felt when being vulnerable. Katie speaks to the surprising friendships and opportunities she's experienced since becoming more vulnerable. And how she's learned to listen to her inner "ping."

[Content Warning]: This is a podcast where survivors share stories of sexual assault, sexual violence, and r*pe. In this episode, Katie's story includes a man exposing himself in public and being hired for an event wherein her boundaries were crossed. The story is told between the 10 minute and 22 minute mark but is referred back to throughout the episode.

Survivor Katie O'Brien is an actor, writer, and Executive Producer of Teachers on Paramount Network. Find her on IG @katieclaireobrien

Follow us @grayareastories and visit www.grayareastories.com

Hosted by Johanna Middleton and Erica M. Hart

Edited by Erica M. Hart

Theme Song by Nailah Hunter

Show logo by Brianna Guerra

Join Johanna and Erica in conversation with Yasi Aker as she shares how radical acceptance and feeling her feelings has shaped her survivor journey. After a nervous breakdown years ago, Yasi went on a journey--a trip to the Vatican, getting baptized, an Ayahuasca ceremony, becoming a Buddhist--and she describes this as a journey "back to health rather than healing."

[Content Warning]: This is a podcast where survivors share stories of sexual assault, sexual violence, and r*pe. In this episode, Yasi's story includes sexual abuse as a child, r*pe in teenaged years, and drug-facilitated r*pe. The story is told between the 14 minute and 25 minute mark but is referred back to throughout the episode.

Survivor Yasi Aker is a storyteller, singer-songwriter, filmmaker, and teacher. Find her on IG @iamyasi

Follow us @grayareastories and visit www.grayareastories.com

Hosted by Johanna Middleton and Erica M. Hart

Edited by Erica M. Hart

Additional editing by Maya Bingham

Theme Song by Nailah Hunter

Show logo by Brianna Guerra

Erica and Johanna check-in around their definitions of the "gray area" and their goals for the podcast moving forward.

[Content Warning]: This is a podcast where survivors share stories of sexual assault, sexual violence, and r*pe.

Follow us @grayareastories and visit www.grayareastories.com

Hosted by Johanna Middleton and Erica M. Hart

Edited by Erica M. Hart

Theme Song by Nailah Hunter

Show logo by Brianna Guerra

Get to know hosts Johanna Middleton and Erica M. Hart as they discuss their upcoming podcast, Gray Area Stories, and what the "gray area" means to them.