Sanity Sessions: Real Talk

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

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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

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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

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In this 5-minute SNAP Session, Dr. Dawn calls out the nonsense behind Jimmy Kimmel’s firing after comments about the Charlie Kirk shooting while the White House politicians misspeak daily with no real consequences. 

It’s a Real Talk check on free speech, double standards, and why comedians get canceled faster than leaders get corrected.

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In this 5-minute SNAP Session, Dr. Dawn gets real about redemption vs. reputation through three lenses: her cousin Richard’s redemption story, the mess of the Epstein files, and her own sometimes-funny, sometimes-hard journey of “growing up.”

This isn’t about gossip...it’s about how our stories, our scandals, and our struggles shape the way we show up in the world.

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In part two of this powerful conversation, Dr. Dawn and her cousin, Richard go deeper—unpacking the ongoing process of healing, rebuilding trust, and redefining purpose after incarceration. They talk about what accountability looks like, how faith and family played a role in his recovery, and the daily fight to stay grounded when old wounds and old patterns try to resurface.

This episode isn’t just about survival—it’s about transformation. It’s about what it really takes to create a new story for your life, even when others only remember your past. Together, they explore the hard truths, the small victories, and the hope that comes from refusing to let brokenness have the final word.

If you’ve ever wrestled with starting over, struggled to forgive yourself, or needed a reminder that redemption is possible—this part of the story will speak directly to you.

Check out Richard's book SouljaStory on Amazon.com

Follow Richard @lifeafterlife_RichardCrosson

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