Unscripted

A message people need to hear. Sometimes, you just have to speak your truth and know that the right ones will hear you. Trusting your intuition is like walking with God next to you. This won't be the last time you randomly hear from me. 

Are we complicit in the cycles of abuse? If we can't hold accountability and continue to allow our peers to get away with being abusive or being complicit to abuse, will we ever truly get anywhere or have our egos completely overcame us? If we give platforms to people with an abusive history and whom continue to run away from accountability, are we complicit?

 

I want to hear from you. 

Follow @sytworldwide

TW: Abuse 

 

Dance communities all over are joining us in the fight against abuse and supporting survivors, but Chicago seems to have a dark cloud (or person) hovering over them. The abuse of power is real here and this is only one story of many in the Chicago dance scene. 

Support them. See them. Believe them. 

 

If you a survivor in the Chicago dance community and would like to come on to the podcast to speak your truth, please feel free to contact us at [email protected] 

 

Follow us on Instagram @sytworldwide

The Unscripted podcast is for informational purposes only and is not a substitute for medical advice, diagnosis, or treatment. 

All conversations and information exchanged during participation on the Unscripted podcast, as well as on the associated Speak Your Truth Worldwide social pages are intended for informational purposes only. UNSCRIPTED is in full compliance with federal laws where people can freely speak their truth without facing legal repercussions and is protected under criminal code. 

Please be advised that the content of this podcast may be triggering for listeners. If you think you may have a medical or life threatening emergency, or you are suicidal, please call 911 or go to your nearest emergency room immediately. If you do not need immediate help but would like assistance or professional help in processing & healing from your experience, please feel free to reach out to SYTW for free & affordable resources at [email protected] 

National Sexual Assault Hotline 1-800-656-4673 available 24/7 

If you are a survivor who would like to speak your truth or an artist within the community/industry with a topic we need to discuss here please email us at [email protected]. We are here for YOU and the betterment of the dance & entertainment community/industry.

The content of Speak Your Truth Worldwide—the podcast, show notes, social media profiles—does not supplement or supersede the relationship and direction of your medical caretakers. Always seek the advice of your physician or other qualified mental health provider with any questions you may have regarding a medical condition or mental disorder. Never disregard professional medical advice or delay in seeking it because of something you have heard on the Unscripted podcast.

TW: grooming, child abuse, some talk of sexual harassment. 

Here we are. Over one year since Cierra, Lexi, Chris, Jesse, and 100’s of other brave souls came forward about the abuse they had endured while being a part of the now over, AOV (Academy of Villains). On this episode of UNSCRIPTED we have an anonymous guest from the no longer YSC (Young Skull Club), which is the former youth dance team under the direction of AOV/STUDIO V owners Christopher “Pharside” “CJ” Jennings and Krystal “Phoenix'' Meraz. She recites the toxic environment, abuse and grooming she endured and witnessed as a 15 year old under their direction and how it has carried with her to the present day. She, like many others, are still processing everything that has happened, especially after being validated by everyone else stories that have been shared thus far. Today she is ready for you to hear her truth. Like all of our episodes, please remember that this is a vulnerable recording and we encourage all listeners to hold a loving and supportive space for our guests at all times. These are raw conversations about real individual trauma. 

Support them. See them. Believe them. 

If you were a former member of YSC and would like to come on to the podcast to speak your truth, please feel free to contact us at [email protected] 

Follow us on Instagram @sytworldwide

The Unscripted podcast is for informational purposes only and is not a substitute for medical advice, diagnosis, or treatment.

All conversations and information exchanged during participation on the Unscripted podcast, as well as on the associated Speak Your Truth Worldwide social pages are intended for informational purposes only.

Please be advised that the content of this podcast may be triggering for listeners. If you think you may have a medical or life threatening emergency, or you are suicidal, please call 911 or go to your nearest emergency room immediately. If you do not need immediate help but would like assistance or professional help in processing & healing from your experience, please feel free to reach out to SYTW for free & affordable resources at [email protected] 

National Sexual Assault Hotline 1-800-656-4673 available 24/7 

If you are a survivor who would like to speak your truth or an artist within the community/industry with a topic we need to discuss here please email us at [email protected]. We are here for YOU and the betterment of the dance & entertainment community/industry.

The content of Speak Your Truth Worldwide—the podcast, show notes, social media profiles—does not supplement or supersede the relationship and direction of your medical caretakers. Always seek the advice of your physician or other qualified mental health provider with any questions you may have regarding a medical condition or mental disorder. Never disregard professional medical advice or delay in seeking it because of something you have heard on the Unscripted podcast.

TW: sexual assault 

On this episode of UNSCRIPTED co-hosts Kimia and Cierra sit down with the bold and strong N’tegrity Quinones whom in the past year has openly came out about an unfortunate situation that happened years ago from a prominent member in the break dance community. Since coming out and speaking her truth she has chosen to advocate for sexual assault and abuse survivors in the dance community and in this conversation N’tegrity goes through what worked for her when deciding to publically come forward and gives great advice for others who want to do the same. 

 

You can connect and support N’tegrity here:

* Instagram: @ntegrityinmotion 

* Her company: https://www.ntegrityinmotion.com/

* SIGN HER PETITION - https://www.ntegrityinmotion.com/post/sexual-violence

 

Follow us on Instagram @sytworldwide

The Unscripted podcast is for informational purposes only and is not a substitute for medical advice, diagnosis, or treatment.

The guest who come on to speak on this podcast 

All conversations and information exchanged during participation on the Unscripted podcast, as well as on the associated Speak Your Truth Worldwide social pages are intended for informational purposes only.

Please be advised that the content of this podcast may be triggering for listeners. If you think you may have a medical or life threatening emergency, or you are suicidal, please call 911 or go to your nearest emergency room immediately. If you do not need immediate help but would like assistance or professional help in processing & healing from your experience, please feel free to reach out to SYTW for free & affordable resources at [email protected] 

National Sexual Assault Hotline 1-800-656-4673 available 24/7 

If you are a survivor who would like to speak your truth or an artist within the community/industry with a topic we need to discuss here please email us at [email protected]. We are here for YOU and the betterment of the dance & entertainment community/industry.

The content of Speak Your Truth Worldwide—the podcast, show notes, social media profiles—does not supplement or supersede the relationship and direction of your medical caretakers. Always seek the advice of your physician or other qualified mental health provider with any questions you may have regarding a medical condition or mental disorder. Never disregard professional medical advice or delay in seeking it because of something you have heard on the Unscripted podcast.

On this episode of UNSCRIPTED we have the privilege of bringing on licensed therapist, somatic psychotherapist and EMDR practitioner, Inertia Dewitt (MFA, MA) to discuss Cultural/Identity Abuse and how it shows up in dance. As a dancer herself with ample experience in this industry, this is a conversation worth listening to! This is an important form of abuse to discuss because it is not one that is talked about enough, especially for how often we see it. 

 

After listening to this episode you may want to connect with Inertia and her brilliance! Here’s where to find her: 

 

* www.instagram.com/inertiadewitt

* www.inertiadewitt.com

* www.healingismutual.com -- free and low cost resources!

 

Follow us on Instagram @sytworldwide

The Unscripted podcast is for informational purposes only and is not a substitute for medical advice, diagnosis, or treatment.

All conversations and information exchanged during participation on the Unscripted podcast, as well as on the associated Speak Your Truth Worldwide social pages are intended for informational purposes only.

Please be advised that the content of this podcast may be triggering for listeners. If you think you may have a medical or life threatening emergency, or you are suicidal, please call 911 or go to your nearest emergency room immediately. If you do not need immediate help but would like assistance or professional help in processing & healing from your experience, please feel free to reach out to SYTW for free & affordable resources at [email protected] 

National Sexual Assault Hotline 1-800-656-4673 available 24/7 

If you are a survivor who would like to speak your truth or an artist within the community/industry with a topic we need to discuss here please email us at [email protected]. We are here for YOU and the betterment of the dance & entertainment community/industry.

The content of Speak Your Truth Worldwide—the podcast, show notes, social media profiles—does not supplement or supersede the relationship and direction of your medical caretakers. Always seek the advice of your physician or other qualified mental health provider with any questions you may have regarding a medical condition or mental disorder. Never disregard professional medical advice or delay in seeking it because of something you have heard on the Unscripted podcast.

Agencies taking advantage of talent. Under-paying and mistreating dancers. Doesn’t really seem like a surprise to hear, but why are we normalizing it and why do people say, “ It’s just the way the dance industry is.”? NO. We do not need to accept this. We need to talk about it and start standing up for ourselves and each other. In this episode Feliciano comes on to the UNSCRIPTED podcast to speak his truth about a couple unfortunate experiences he endured while being a part of a popular agency in San Francisco that fired him for asking questions about his and others dancers pay. His story helps to put a light on this type of mistreatment and we encourage anyone else who has a experience with this agency or any other agency-like company, please email us at: [email protected]

Follow us on Instagram @sytworldwide

The Unscripted podcast is for informational purposes only and is not a substitute for medical advice, diagnosis, or treatment.

All conversations and information exchanged during participation on the Unscripted podcast, as well as on the associated Speak Your Truth Worldwide social pages are intended for informational purposes only.

Please be advised that the content of this podcast may be triggering for listeners. If you think you may have a medical or life threatening emergency, or you are suicidal, please call 911 or go to your nearest emergency room immediately. If you do not need immediate help but would like assistance or professional help in processing & healing from your experience, please feel free to reach out to SYTW for free & affordable resources at [email protected] 

National Sexual Assault Hotline 1-800-656-4673 available 24/7 

If you are a survivor who would like to speak your truth or an artist within the community/industry with a topic we need to discuss here please email us at [email protected]. We are here for YOU and the betterment of the dance & entertainment community/industry.

The content of Speak Your Truth Worldwide—the podcast, show notes, social media profiles—does not supplement or supersede the relationship and direction of your medical caretakers. Always seek the advice of your physician or other qualified mental health provider with any questions you may have regarding a medical condition or mental disorder. Never disregard professional medical advice or delay in seeking it because of something you have heard on the Unscripted podcast.

Trigger Warning: topics on sexual abuse 

We continue the conversation on the 6 different types of abuse SYTW has chosen to do deeper research on and host Jesse Fields is talking with SYTW contributor and licensed therapist, Terry Hyde to help educate us and others on sexual abuse and how it shows up in dance. Terry comes from a strong background in dance in the UK and after a long run with ballet since the age of 6, he is now a highly seeked out psychotherapist for dancers. Terry help us learn the signs of sexual abuse, how to navigate through and where it best to get help after surviving sexual abuse. 

The Unscripted podcast is for informational purposes only and is not a substitute for medical advice, diagnosis, or treatment.

All conversations and information exchanged during participation on the Unscripted podcast, as well as on the associated Speak Your Truth Worldwide social pages are intended for informational purposes only.

As it pertains to Terry Hyde MA MBACP, he is a licensed psychotherapist, licensed by the British Association for Counselling & Psychotherapy, license number  00675566. Terry Hyde is a regular contributor to Speak Your Truth Worldwide, but he is not functioning as a psychotherapist in this environment. The same applies to any professionals who may appear on the Unscripted podcast.

Interaction with SYTW online should not be considered treatment or medical advice. You must always follow your medical professional’s advice and direction.

Please be advised that the content of this podcast may be triggering for listeners. If you think you may have a medical or life threatening emergency, or you are suicidal, please call 911 or go to your nearest emergency room immediately. If you do not need immediate help but would like assistance or professional help in processing & healing from your experience, please feel free to reach out to SYTW for free & affordable resources at [email protected] 

National Sexual Assault Hotline 1-800-656-4673 available 24/7 

If you are a survivor who would like to speak your truth or an artist within the community/industry with a topic we need to discuss here please email us at [email protected]. We are here for YOU and the betterment of the dance & entertainment community/industry.

Follow us on Instagram @sytworldwide

If you would like to contact Terry for professional help you can e-mail him at [email protected]

The content of Speak Your Truth Worldwide—the podcast, show notes, social media profiles—does not supplement or supersede the relationship and direction of your medical caretakers. Always seek the advice of your physician or other qualified mental health provider with any questions you may have regarding a medical condition or mental disorder. Never disregard professional medical advice or delay in seeking it because of something you have heard on the Unscripted podcast.

Resources used by Jesse:

www.apa.org 

www.psychologytoday.com

We continue the conversation on the 6 different types of abuse SYTW has been researching and Jesse is talking with SYTW contributor and licensed therapist, Carly Wielstein to educate us all. Carly uses specific examples of psychological abuse seen in dance and general life to help us learn some of the warning signs, how to navigate and get help. 

The Unscripted podcast is for informational purposes only and is not a substitute for medical advice, diagnosis, or treatment.

All conversations and information exchanged during participation on the Unscripted podcast, as well as on the associated Speak Your Truth Worldwide social pages are intended for informational purposes only.

As it pertains to Carly Wielstein, she is a California Licensed Marriage and Family Therapist, licensed by the Board of Behavioral Sciences, license number LMFT 117141. Carly Wielstein is a regular contributor to Speak Your Truth Worldwide, but she is not functioning as a Marriage and Family Therapist in this environment. The same applies to any professionals who may appear on the Unscripted podcast.

Interaction with SYTW online should not be considered treatment or medical advice. You must always follow your medical professional’s advice and direction.

Please be advised that the content of this podcast may be triggering for listeners. If you think you may have a medical or life threatening emergency, or you are suicidal, please call 911 or go to your nearest emergency room immediately.

If you are a survivor who would like to speak your truth or an artist within the community/industry with a topic we need to discuss here please email us at [email protected]. We are here for YOU and the betterment of the dance community/industry.

Follow us on Instagram @sytworldwide

The content of Speak Your Truth Worldwide—the podcast, show notes, social media profiles—does not supplement or supersede the relationship and direction of your medical caretakers. Always seek the advice of your physician or other qualified mental health provider with any questions you may have regarding a medical condition or mental disorder. Never disregard professional medical advice or delay in seeking it because of something you have heard on the Unscripted podcast.

Trigger Warning: Rape

On this episode of UNSCRIPTED Cierra brings on another survivor of a collegiate dance team in Riverside California. Selena was the first one to originally come forward about this serial abuser who is former director of the team. Selena paved the way and gave courage to the others who have come on anonymously to speak their truth and here she gets an opportunity to be heard once and for all. Please open your heart and hold space for survivors. 

If you are a survivor who would like to speak your truth or an artist within the community/industry with a topic we need to discuss here please email us at [email protected]. We are here for YOU and the betterment of the dance community/industry.

Follow us on Instagram @sytworldwide

It’s time to start educating on the 6 different types of abuse SYTW has been researching and we are starting off with bringing on licensed therapist, Carly Wielstein to educate us. Carly uses specific examples of emotional/verbal abuse seen in dance to help us learn some of the warning signs, how to navigate and get help. 

The Unscripted podcast is for informational purposes only and is not a substitute for medical advice, diagnosis, or treatment.

All conversations and information exchanged during participation on the Unscripted podcast, as well as on the associated Speak Your Truth Worldwide social pages are intended for informational and/or entertainment purposes only.

As it pertains to Carly Wielstein, she is a California Licensed Marriage and Family Therapist, licensed by the Board of Behavioral Sciences, license number LMFT 117141. Carly Wielstein is a regular contributor to Speak Your Truth Worldwide, but she is not functioning as a Marriage and Family Therapist in this environment. The same applies to any professionals who may appear on the Unscripted podcast.

Interaction with SYTW online should not be considered treatment or medical advice. You must always follow your medical professional’s advice and direction.

Please be advised that the content of this podcast may be triggering for listeners. If you think you may have a medical or life threatening emergency, or you are suicidal, please call 911 or go to your nearest emergency room immediately.

If you are a survivor who would like to speak your truth or an artist within the community/industry with a topic we need to discuss here please email us at [email protected]. We are here for YOU and the betterment of the dance community/industry.

Follow us on Instagram @sytworldwide

The content of Speak Your Truth Worldwide—the podcast, show notes, social media profiles—does not supplement or supersede the relationship and direction of your medical caretakers. Always seek the advice of your physician or other qualified mental health provider with any questions you may have regarding a medical condition or mental disorder. Never disregard professional medical advice or delay in seeking it because of something you have heard on the Unscripted podcast.