On this episode of DIVINE & Diverse, my guest is Sean Hayden, actor, attorney, and host of the hit podcast series, Stage Combat: The Podcast. Sean and I have a deeply personal conversation about what happened to him on stage while performing, the resulting mental crisis, and how Sean has taken that experience to speak out about the troubling side of the theatre industry to bring awareness and support for the mental well being of theatre workers and promoting safe working practices.

We also discuss the impact of religion on performers, Sean’s own experience growing up as a Southern Baptist as young gay person, and how some roles may trigger past religious trauma or abuse.

Find out more about Sean and Stage Combat: The Podcast at Stage Combat (stagecombatthepodcast.com) and on Patreon at Stage Combat The Podcast | Cool stuff for actors/entertainment workers/their fans | Patreon

00:00 Introduction and Overview
03:09 Sean's Journey and the Creation of Stage Combat
07:09 The Importance of a Safe Work Environment
09:07 Changing the Perception of the Performing Arts Industry
14:04 Telling Other People's Stories
18:00 Breaking the Stigma of Mental Health
21:11 Advocating for Change in the Industry
25:56 Transition to Personal Stories
27:36 Sean's Experience with Religious Control
28:55 Growing up in a Strict Baptist Environment
32:22 Finding Refuge in Theater
34:51 Exploring Faith and Spirituality
38:06 The Importance of Community and Inclusivity
48:20 Addressing Religious Abuse and Trauma in the Performing Arts
51:59 Advocating for Change and Building a Community