Welcome to Episode 11 of Triggers and Spiritual Medicine podcast with host, Laura Bonetzky-Joseph. Join us for a fun amazing podcast episode on “Reinventing Yourself After Cancer” with Actor, Producer & Renaissance Man – Eli Hans.
Eli shares his journey from growing up in a conservative home as a “gay boy” to a life of constant go go go to losing his partner to suicide to being diagnosed with a rare form of cancer with a 10% survival rate to 7yrs remission, to falling in love, to the importance of incorporating your intuition into your healing, to the pandemic … to what it took & the journey within in writing his journey of unpacking & healing his life in a rich authentic deep funny musical play that audiences are raving about – “Out of the Blue”
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ABOUT ELI:
Eli is a true Renaissance man; an actor, writer, artist, producer, director, singer, and recently, a composer. Eli has reinvented his career many times, from producer and director of TV commercials and large-scale corporate events to interior designer, and now a life and creativity coach. He has always dreamed of being on Broadway, and after surviving a dire cancer diagnosis, he decided to create an autobiographical musical called Out of The Blue, an inspiring story of hope and resilience in which he plays 25 characters. He recently had a sold-out run of his World Premiere in San Miguel de Allende, Mexico, and a successful U.S. Premiere at the Hollywood Fringe Theater festival.
This last link is a resources page on Eli’s Out of The Blue site related to themes of the show, in case audience members need support with : cancer, LGBT issues, suicide hotline, etc. https://www.outoftheblueshow.com/resources
Vision: To break the unrecognized endemic of unresolved unhealed trauma & create sustainable systems for recovery, healing & empowerment.
Mission: To help others rediscover the power that lies within and to find that treasure buried in the depths of the shadows. To help them become their own superhero.
We hope by addressing the intersectionality and connect the dots like a web of many of society’s challenges, we can help others understand the trauma infection that impacts all areas of life – addiction, domestic violence, racism, homelessness, sexual abuse, chronic health issues, cancer, environmental issues, climate change and more. In this NEW collaborative program, we hope by highlighting these infected areas and what they share in common, a new perspective of solutions, healing, and resolutions can be birthed.
This is a must watch or listen for any parent with guest, Ukumbwa Sauti who is an expert in all things men’s work, dismantling patriarchy, & conscious consent.
We talked about a recent incident locally where adults “innocently” published a photo of minor boys insinuating they were naked behind signs saying they will wash your adult cars for you.
We ask that you watch with an open mind through a different lens than maybe what you had before. We understand you might find this conversation triggering. We ask you to pause before jumping to reactionary mode.
This conversation is NOT to blame anyone, but to open a conversation about a topic that is typically silenced and how we, as a society, as a culture, have normalized certain unhealthy behaviors that can have detrimental consequences for generations to come.
1:5 women in the United States experienced completed or attempted rape during their lifetime.
24.8% of men in the U.S. experienced some form of contact sexual violence in their lifetime
1:3 female victims experienced rape for the first time between the ages of 11 and 17.
1:4 male victims experienced rape between the ages of 11 & 17
Only 25% of rapes in 2018 were reported to the police.
1:4 undergraduate women experienced sexual assault or misconduct at 33 of the nation’s major universities
In this episode, we talk about
the community backlash when addressing this issue
the subtleties of mixed message signaling
the harmful influence it has on children
the bystander impacts
how systemic issues created blind spots that on the surface can appear comical & funny
Why this kind of messaging is problematic
The “NOT intentional sexualization of teenage boys” (as someone in the local community put it) – and the gateway to unintentional grooming practices by predators & rapists that blur healthy boundaries & potential put our children in harm’s way.
Most survivors I’ve encountered self-shame because of imprinting placed upon them by a culture of abuse.
Let’s change this narrative.
In this episode we offer 5 things we can do now to begin that shift & BE a part of the solution.
Additional Resources:
National Sexual Violence Resource Center: https://www.nsvrc.org/statistics
Rape, Abuse and Incest National Network’s (RAINN) https://www.rainn.org/ or call their National Sexual Assault Hotline 800.656.HOPE (4673) to be connected w/ a trained staff member from a sexual assault service provider in your area
2) Follow Healing Trauma Through Spirit on Facebook (click here) and Instagram (click here) – Add help us with the algorithms by sharing, liking, and commenting on our content.
Help support our mission to BE a solution in the epidemic of unresolved unhealed trauma in society & culture of unhealthy trigger responses through healing, emPOWERment, events, speaking, and writing.
Plus, get discounts up to 50% OFF on Private sessions, events, classes, retreats, good karma and more.
4) Learn how to turn triggers into a power, click here.
We’ll feature a different guest w/ each episode sharing experiences & solutions w/ the greatest epidemic of our times world – an epidemic of unrecognized unhealed unresolved trauma that is placing misguided burdens on our society, increasing rates of chronic illness, mental illness, & addictions & stressing an already taxed broken healthcare system ill-equipped to treat root issues because it is NOT profitable.
Our goal is to highlight & address the commonalities all these issues share that plague our society including:
Racism
Domestic violence
LGBTQ discrimination
Homelessness
Addiction
Women’s rights
Sexual violence
Discrimination
Systemic oppression
Genocide
& more
By highlighting what all these issues share in common, we hope to create
greater awareness
unity building
understanding
inclusivity
solid long term healing
community building
societal cultural change
In this project, we hope to offer
practical tangible solutions for change
healing of unrecognized trauma held w/in the body
increased empowerment
increased sovereignty
experientials
how to’s
& more
ABOUT UKUMBWA:
Ukumbwa Sauti, M.Ed. is an educator, facilitator, speaker and consultant. His areas of work include his Men’s Work Initiative, Conscious Consent, anti-patriarchy, anti-racism, environmental issues, Indigenous spirituality and media studies.
Ukumbwa Sauti has taught cultural media studies engaging issues of race, sex and gender oppression, class, colonialism, modernity and technology. He has presented in academic, spiritual/cultural and community venues and taught classes on consent, sexual and intimate safety in sex-positive conferences and organizations for more than 15 years.
Ukumbwa currently runs an initiative called Men’s Work, engaging men and others in the process of interrogating and dismantling patriarchal privilege and power, toxic masculinity, misogyny and homophobia. He runs on-ground and online groups and events.
Ukumbwa consults with organizations and communities around issues of social justice, diversity and inclusion and sexual harassment.
ABOUT LAURA & “MY WHY” (on this series specifically)
I am a truth seeker & change maker. I highlight the shadows on topics most shy away from & invite difficult conversations on topics typically silenced. I’ve been this way for over 50 years.
As a professional healer, spiritual mentor, advocate & multiple trauma survivor (child abuse, sexual assault, attempted sexual abduction & domestic violence) who witnessed a lot & experienced my fair share of issues & my dedication spanning almost 20 years in healing the roots to the broken me, I see what is broken.
I’ve learned what works & what does NOT and I am here to share what works through the muck of what does NOT. Together let’s break the cycle of the continued perpetuation of unresolved unacknowledged unhealed trauma for a healthier world for all.
ABOUT UKUMBWA:
ABOUT LAURA & “MY WHY” (on this series specifically)
