Episodes

  • 28. Getting Uncomfortable with Anna Akana
    Dec 8 2022

    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

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    52 mins
  • 27. The Profundity of Pleasure with EbonyJanice Moore
    Nov 10 2022

    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

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    52 mins
  • 26. Knowing It’s Never Our Fault with Tess Bartholomew
    Oct 27 2022

    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

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    50 mins
  • 25. Your Story Belongs To You with Thea Monyeé
    Oct 13 2022

    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

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    50 mins
  • 24. Joy Episode with Nailah Middleton-Haynes aka Nailah Hunter
    Feb 24 2022

     

    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

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    33 mins
  • 23. Finding the Right Words with Vilna Bashi
    Feb 10 2022

    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

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    38 mins
  • 22. Listener Story: Michelle's Story
    Dec 16 2021
    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 GrayAreaStories@gmail.com

    -Leave us a voicemail at 213.340.6245

    -Fill out the story submission form at grayareastories.com

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    27 mins
  • 21. Your Truth is Still Your Truth with Candace Nicholas-Lippman
    Dec 2 2021
    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

    Show more Show less
    30 mins