One Story At A Time

In this episode, Whitney LaMora, a  kind and talented human, shares her experiences navigating grief/loss, managing anxiety from a young age, and building a career in the arts. With a new found investment in and curiosity about herself and her mental health, she has created a thriving business that is known as a welcoming space for her community.

Katherine, a lover of plants and animals, and a talented devised theatre practitioner talks about the ways living with Bipolar Disorder has impacted her life. She speaks candidly about navigating intrusive thoughts, faking "being okay" on social media, and the deep need for sleep. All the while, feeling deeply supported in her marriage and lifted by her artistic outlets.

In this episode, Sharon talks about growing up feeling different from others. As she learned more about herself through role models from her favorite movies and books, Sharon developed a passion to help others with similar life experiences. Receiving a diagnosis of Autism at age 47 she is now dedicated to helping teens understand ADHD and Autism, and develop personal coping skills to live happy and healthy lives.

In this episode, Melanie shares her story of navigating her way through the loss of her father. Melanie explains the experience of physical and mental manifestations stemming from her grief, and how she was able to find the language to name her emotions. A gifted theatre artist, Melanie is passionate about creating conversation around grief and loss, and continues to share her story to reach those around her. 

In this episode Nayla shares her story of growing up experiencing feelings of not belonging. As she comes into her own managing friendships, her identity, and her mental health, one of her closest and deepest relationships - the one with her father, becomes strained. A talented musician and social worker, Nayla is passionate about supporting and advocating for the queer community and shares her story in hopes to do just that.

In this episode, Shelita shares her story of growing up in a loving family, strong in their faith and her journey into developing language around her mental health. As a leader and teacher by nature, she shares with honesty and authenticity about the power of journaling, prayer, and the deep connection between the mind and the body.

In this episode Max shares his journey toward understanding the importance of mental health after years of prioritizing physical health. We discuss the challenges of finding the words to describe our own emotions, and how Max has now found a new relationship to the idea of success. This is Max’s story.

In this episode Gabby shares the many different triumphs and struggles that have shaped her unique story. We discuss the trouble of finding a time to talk about mental health with others, the healing power of going for long walks, and navigating a relationship with a new therapist during a pandemic. This is Gabby's story.

Erasing the Distance is a non-profit arts organization founded in 2005 with the mission to disarm the deadly stigma that surrounds mental illness through the simple, but difficult task of sharing personal stories. Stories are initially shared in an interview style setting, then transcribed and shaped into monologues that actors perform for live audiences across the country. Each live performance is followed by a facilitated conversation allowing the audience to open up about their own experiences, ask questions, unpack personal bias, and gain a greater understanding of what it means to live with and manage mental health issues. "One Story At a Time" invites you into the interview portion of the story collection process to give you a full and unfiltered window into the beautiful, messy details that make up a life.