Outside The Spotlight
In this series, performing artists open up about their mental health journeys and how those journeys impact and foster their art. They also share tips and tricks they’ve learned along the way. Each episode features two artists in conversation from various artistic disciplines including music, poetry and comedy. The discussions are 100% unfiltered and led by the artists, so each episode takes on a life of its own—focusing in on whichever topics the artists feel are best suited to their conversation. At various points throughout these discussions, the artists take breaks from chatting to perform (songs, poems or comedy bits), giving us a taste of what they’re accustomed to sharing in the spotlight amidst the discussion of their lives outside of it. This series deals with difficult subject matter that may not be suitable for all listeners. Listener discretion is advised.
Outside The Spotlight
Episode 1: Cat Abenstein & Roxie Lenton
Cat and Roxie talk about their diagnoses (depression, anxiety, ADHD, BPD, OCD), the importance of talking openly about mental health, meeting with doctors when first seeking help, rejection sensitivity, outside perception, escapism, importance of validation, writing as an outlet, burn out, loss, effects of the pandemic, trying to find the right medications, side effects, differentiating between illness & self, support systems, tools they have found helpful, and panic attacks.
Interspersed throughout the discussion are a few performances relating to the mental health journeys of these artists, with Cat sharing poetry and Roxie playing some acoustic songs.
Content/Trigger Warnings include language, substance abuse, suicidal ideation, self-harm, death/grief, and panic attacks.