In my interview with Bree Schumacher, host of the Seize Your Midlife podcast, I take the ultimate plunge in vulnerability.

I dive deep and share my story.

Over the years as an advocate and activist artist, I have worked hard polishing my skills so I can talk about difficult topics with ease. I’ve stood before high school and college students, gatherings of community activists and nonprofits as well as numerous corporate groups. In each setting, I talked about my experiences being sexually assaulted without batting an eye. On other occasions, I would find myself on a stage or platform standing at a safe and comfortable distance from the crowd, ironically feeling hidden and isolated from reality under the hot white spotlight. As I would begin to give my speech or sing my song, I would feel the rush of a thick, protective armor sweeping over my body, mind and heart. Then on autopilot, I would say the words I had written and rehearsed for the speech or ceremoniously hit the notes for the song, appropriately nod my head to the audience when I was finished as a gesture of gratitude, and then I would simply disappear.

There have been moments when a compassionate and loving person has told me they admired me for telling my story.