Sanity Sessions: Real Talk

What would your marriage be called if it were a movie? And what does your spouse do that drives you crazy? The Crossons and the Strawns have plenty to say! This is Part 2

Recorded in Bali over a year ago, this conversation starts with laughter and gets real about handling hurt, communicating differently, and what has helped us through the hardest seasons of marriage. We’re talking faith, commitment, and learning to listen without always trying to prove we’re right.

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Life has brought some laughter, some painful losses, and a whole lot of moving between Pennsylvania and Massachusetts. In this brief catch-up, I’m keeping it real about what that’s looked like and sharing what’s coming next on Sanity Sessions: Real Talk.

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Two couples, a card game, and plenty of stories to tell. Recorded in Bali while celebrating Shawn and Nikki’s ninth wedding anniversary, this episode brings you into a candid conversation with Dr. Dawn, her husband Jermaine, her cousin Shawn, and his wife Nikki.

From a message passed through a sister to college memories at Penn State, we revisit how our relationships began and what made us want to know each other better. Of course, we don’t agree on every detail!

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This episode is the series finale of the Sanity Sessions: Real Talk — Special Edition series with Aswad Thomas, Vice President of the Alliance for Safety and Justice and National Director of Crime Survivors for Safety and Justice.

In Part 3, Dr. Dawn Crosson and Aswad bring the conversation full circle—focusing on responsibility, power, and the work that lies ahead. This episode centers on what survivor-led systems change truly requires, the accountability of leadership, and how healing, advocacy, and justice must move forward together.

This is a grounded, honest close to the series—challenging listeners to think beyond survival and consider their role in building systems that honor and protect survivors.

Listen to the CSSJ podcast with Host Aswad Thomas

Join Crime Survivors Safety and Justice

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This episode is Part 2 of the 3-Part Sanity Sessions: Real Talk – Special Edition featuring Aswad Thomas, Vice President of the Alliance for Safety and Justice and National Director of Crime Survivors for Safety and Justice.

In Part 2, Dr. Dawn Crosson and Aswad move beyond the origin story and into the work of healing—what it actually takes to move from surviving trauma to becoming grounded, accountable, and intentional in leadership.

This conversation centers on self-awareness, boundaries, and the responsibility that comes with lived experience. Together, we unpack how personal healing shapes how we show up for others—and why unhealed trauma cannot be ignored when doing systems-level work.

Listen to the CSSJ podcast with Host Aswad Thomas

Join Crime Survivors Safety and Justice

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In Part 2 of this powerful conversation, Dr. Dawn Crosson continues her dialogue with Rhonda Parker-Taylor on what it really means to heal after trauma.

Together, they explore resilience as a lived practice—not a buzzword—highlighting the importance of self-awareness, mentorship, and intentional joy. Rhonda shares how writing became a therapeutic outlet in her healing journey and why building a personal resilience toolkit is essential for navigating life’s hardest seasons.

This episode is a reminder that joy and pain can coexist—and that healing doesn’t require rushing, perfection, or pretending.

Follow Rhonda Parker-Taylor on IG @rhondaparkertaylor

Check out her book Crossroads on Amazon

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This episode marks Part 1 of a 3-Part Sanity Sessions: Real Talk – Special Edition featuring Aswad Thomas, Vice President of the Alliance for Safety and Justice and National Director of Crime Survivors for Safety and Justice.

In this opening conversation, Dr. Dawn Crosson and Aswad begin by grounding the series in lived experience. Aswad shares his personal journey through trauma, loss, and survival—and how those experiences shaped his path toward healing, leadership, and national advocacy.

This episode sets the foundation for the series, exploring the human story behind the work and the importance of honoring survivor voices before discussing systems, policy, and change.

Listen to the CSSJ podcast with Host Aswad Thomas

Join Crime Survivors Safety and Justice

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Follow Dr. Dawn on IG: @drdawnonthereal and join our broadcast channel
Websites: www.onepps.com  www.halainc.org

In this conversation, Dr. Dawn and Rhonda Parker-Taylor explore the themes of resilience, trauma, and healing. Rhonda shares her personal journey of overcoming trauma, the importance of mentorship, and how writing has served as a therapeutic outlet. They discuss the significance of finding joy amidst life's challenges and the necessity of building a resilience toolkit to navigate through difficult times. Rhonda emphasizes the power of self-awareness and intentionality in the healing process, encouraging listeners to embrace their experiences and seek joy even in adversity.

Follow Rhonda Parker-Taylor on IG @rhondaparkertaylor

Check out her book Crossroads on Amazon

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Follow Dr. Dawn on IG: @drdawnonthereal and join our broadcast channel
Websites: www.onepps.com  www.halainc.org

In Part 2 of Healing or Just High?, Dr. Dawn continues the conversation with Tara Portelli on psilocybin therapy and trauma recovery. Building on Part 1, this episode goes deeper into the real work—integration, accessibility, and what healing actually requires beyond the experience itself.

This is an honest, respectful dialogue between two different perspectives, grounded in truth, clinical experience, and the shared goal of helping people heal without

Check out Tara's webiste here. Follow her on IG @iamtaraportelli shortcuts.

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In Part 1 of this conversation, Dr. Dawn sits down with Tara Portelli to talk about something that’s stirring a lot of conversation: psilocybin therapy as a treatment for trauma and mental health. Tara takes us on her journey from working as a paramedic to becoming a psilocybin therapist, and how one experience with the therapy changed the way she understood her own trauma.

We dig into the science behind psilocybin, talk about what “integration” really means after these kinds of experiences, and get real about who this type of treatment might actually work for. We also touch on the spiritual side of these experiences and why solid guidance and support are non-negotiable when you’re stepping into this kind of work.

Check out Tara's webiste here. Follow her on IG @iamtaraportelli

Support the show

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BuyMeaCoffee

Follow Dr. Dawn on IG: @drdawnonthereal and join our broadcast channel
Websites: www.onepps.com  www.halainc.org