Gray Area Stories

Erica and Johanna lay down on the floor with content creator Anna Akana to discuss changing the narrative of sexual violence and allyship. How do we approach a world without rape culture? By holding each other accountable - which is uncomfortable work! Lean into the discomfort with us!  [Content Warning]: This is a podcast where survivors share stories of sexual assault, sexual violence, and r*pe.  Follow @annaakana on Instagram Follow us @grayareastories and visit www.grayareastories.com Hosted by Johanna Middleton and Erica M. Hart Edited by Sarah Kaplan Produced by Erica M. Hart Theme Song by Nailah Hunter Show logo by Brianna Guerra

Erica and Johanna are joined by special guest EbonyJanice for a party of passion and pleasure. From using vibrators that suck (in a good way!) to feeling all of our feelings, how do we connect to our embodied sensuality after sexual trauma? EbonyJanice discusses strategies for loving ourselves out of shame.  [Content Warning]: This is a podcast where survivors share stories of sexual assault, sexual violence, and r*pe.  EbonyJanice is a hip hop womanist, scholar, and a black girl dream expert.  Follow EbonyJanice at @ebonyjanice on Instagram Follow us @grayareastories and visit www.grayareastories.com Created and hosted by Johanna Middleton and Erica M. Hart Produced by Erica M. Hart Edited by Sarah Kaplan Theme Song by Nailah Hunter Show logo by Brianna Guerra

In this episode, we discuss the way in which sharing our stories of sexual assault can help us to acknowledge our trauamas. Is there a difference between sexual assault and sexual trauma? Why do we blame ourselves for sexual violence that doesn't feel "bad enough"? Grab a cup of tea or some Halloween candy and join our conversation! [Content Warning]: This is a podcast where survivors share stories of sexual assault, sexual violence, and r*pe.  Tess is a Filipino-American actor, writer, producer, rollerskater, and horror film fanatic. Follow Tess at @tesssbartholomew on Instagram Follow us @grayareastories and visit www.grayareastories.com Created and hosted by Johanna Middleton and Erica M. Hart Edited by Sarah Kaplan Produced by Erica M. Hart Theme Song by Nailah Hunter Show logo by Brianna Guerra

Take a deep breath and join us as we explore the authority of our voices and the power of claiming and shaping our stories with Thea Monyeé. How can we practice trusting our instincts as survivors when those around us wish to place our stories in their own containers?  [Content Warning]: This is a podcast where survivors share stories of sexual assault, sexual violence, and r*pe. Thea Monyeé is a licensed therapist and Oya priestess in the Ifa tradition, committed to creating healing opportunities to Black/Marginalized bodies through the decolonization of joy, mental health, and pleasure. Follow @theamonyee on Instagram Follow us @grayareastories and visit www.grayareastories.com Hosted by Johanna Middleton and Erica M. Hart Edited by Maya Bingham Produced by Erica M. Hart Theme Song by Nailah Hunter Show logo by Brianna Guerra

  Join us for our first ever Joy Episode - a series of episodes all about cultivating joy! Erica and Johanna sit down with a super special guest, Johanna's sister and all-around magical human, Nailah Middleton-Haynes aka Nailah Hunter!!! Nailah takes us through her joyful morning - dropping into a flow state while practicing music and choosing stillness.  Nailah Hunter is an experimental sound artist from Los Angeles. She combines harp, synth, found sounds, and voice to create reflective sonic landscapes. Follow @nailah.hunter on Instagram for more information. 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

This week Johanna and Erica welcome survivor guest Vilna Bashi to share her stories. They discuss the inadequate, or, as Vilna puts it, the "horrible and stupid-ass" terms used to describe acts of sexual violence.  Later, Vilna helps us dive into visioning a world where all people can walk safely and proudly, with their chests held high. Join us by dunking your feet in some water while we honor Vilna's story. [Content Warning]: This is a podcast where survivors share stories of sexual assault, sexual violence, and r*pe.  Survivor Vilna Bashi is (in no particular order) a professor, sociologist, slooow writer, painter, Mama, gluten free baker, seamstress, nerd. Follow Vilna @vtreitler in Twitter, and @vilnabashi on Instagram Follow us @grayareastories and visit www.grayareastories.com Created and hosted by Johanna Middleton and Erica M. Hart Produced by Erica M. Hart Edited by Maya Bingham Theme Song by Nailah Hunter Show logo by Brianna Guerra

Erica and Johanna reflect on a listener-submitted story from Michelle, leading to a very "gray area" conversation. This week's Blanket Burrito is any small object you can fiddle with in your hands. ! So grab something petite and prepare for dialogue about reporting sexual assault and also reacting to an extraterrestrial if they moved in next door. [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 Created and hosted by Johanna Middleton and Erica M. Hart Edited by Erica M. Hart Theme Song by Nailah Hunter Show logo by Brianna Guerra If you would like to submit a listener story, there are three ways to do it. -Email us at [email protected] -Leave us a voicemail at 213.340.6245 -Fill out the story submission form at grayareastories.com

Erica and Johanna are pleased to welcome survivor guest Candace Nicholas-Lippman. Light a strawberry shortcake-scented candle and join us as we witness Candace's truth and discuss the magical qualities of journaling.  [Content Warning]: This is a podcast where survivors share stories of sexual assault, sexual violence, and r*pe.  Survivor Candace Nicholas-Lippman is an artist, actress, and spoken-word poet. She stars as Janelle in the STARZ series Blindspotting. She is the author of the three-part series Purpose in Poetry and the creator of the one-woman show A Rose Called Candace.  Follow Candace at @candace.nicholas.lippman on Instagram Follow us @grayareastories and visit www.grayareastories.com Created and hosted by Johanna Middleton and Erica M. Hart Edited by Maya Bingham Produced by Erica M. Hart Theme Song by Nailah Hunter Show logo by Brianna Guerra

At long last, Johanna and Erica are back, and this time, there's SEASONS! Join them as they remember the summer (all things Travis Barker) and introduce the upcoming JOY SERIES (as well as introducing Johanna's NEW DOG!!!!) Welcome to Season 2, friends!  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

With tears and laughter, Joh and Erica discuss grief and the loss of a dear friend as well as the excitement of an upcoming wedding! This week's listener submission story comes from Tara who says "when thinking about what story to share, my first thought was 'which one should I share?'" Tara's story reflects the healing aspect of sharing your story in a safe container to a trusted person when you're ready. [Content Warning]: This is a podcast where survivors share stories of sexual assault, sexual violence, and r*pe. This episode includes additional discussion around grief and death.  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 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