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 3 - Shelynn Fretz & David Roman (Femme Fragile)
Shelynn and David talk about recognizing mental health issues as an adult, anxiety, depression, family dynamics, positive supports, dealing with panic attacks, chronic fatigue and insomnia, taking a break to deal with health, grieving the loss of certain activities, imposter syndrome, experiences with medication, living with OCD, art being a therapeutic place, feeling like a burden, the struggles of parenting, finding coping techniques, the importance of communication, societal perception of physical appearance and its effect, level of comfort with performance, and finding someone to help advocate for you.
Shelynn and David also play some acoustic versions of a couple of Femme Fragile’s songs.
Content/Trigger Warnings include language, child abandonment, eating disorders, body dysmorphia, plastic surgery, panic attacks, grief/death and extreme spiritual approaches to mental health.