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**Content warning: this blog post discusses childhood sexual abuse. Topics may not be appropriate for all readers**
Comedian and mental health advocate Sebastian Scales’ has a unique gift for striking the incredible balance between frankness and compassion, making his perspective on trauma a refreshing one. Sebastian joined us for the 2nd episode of the Scoot podcast: “Healing Trauma Through Humor”. The What Happened To You Foundation founder has brought both levity and a focus on healing to Sebastian’s stand up comedy by sharing his experience with childhood sexual abuse. WHTY is both a podcast and organization created by Sebastian, dedicated to spreading awareness and encouraging discussion about all forms of trauma. Collectively, these arms of WHTY propel a mission to inform and perform, as Sebastian knows too well the cost of staying silent. “Trauma will stay with the body until you process it,” said Sebastian, who didn’t seek out professional therapy until adulthood. “For so long I was afraid and ashamed to speak about my experience,” reads the comic and activist’s statement on WHTY web site. “Something led me to try it out (as onstage material) once and it completely changed my life. Here’s a way to bring something like that up when people are smiling and laughing.” Scales has also learned that in articulating his abuse story, he encourages others to share their own. “All these things you almost feel guilty talking about because you feel like you’re burdening the (listener)..it’s so crucial we create an open dialogue {about mental health and trauma},” said Sebastian. Having survived sexual abuse between the ages of 8 and 10, Sebastian understands that sharing pain can be just as uncomfortable as concealing it. WHTY’s site feature resources such as Some Secrets Should Never Be Kept, a read aloud children’s story addressing sexual abuse from a child’s viewpoint. From youth to adulthood, Sebastian seeks to demystify and remove the taboo from talking about traumatic events and impact. Much like Sebastian’s interview, the podcast delivers an intense mix of entertainment and gravitas to the “trauma talk.” The host himself notes that interviewing guests with “different backgrounds and types of trauma” offers varied content for anyone listening and “once you’re laughing it’s easier. Laughter takes the power back. If you’re the one bringing it up and people are laughing, it’s very disarming. It give people permission to process what you’re saying in a different way.” Combining individual therapeutic treatment and creating an open, public forum has reminded Sebastian that the simple practice of verbalizing our pain “makes you feel like a new person- lighter.” For more insight on Sebastian’s story, work, and “What Happened To You” podcast, you can listen to his interview on Scoot, available wherever you listen to podcasts. Here is the Spotify link: The Sebastian Scales Show | Podcast on Spotify Learn more about our organization: http://www.scootyfund.org. Follow us on Instagram and LinkedIn. Learn more about What Happened To You Foundation: What Happened To You Foundation (whtyfoundation.org) You can follow both WHTY and Sebastian Scales on Instagram: Sebastian Scales (@sebastianscales) What Happened To You? (@whtypodcast)
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