From Exotic Dancer to Hollywood: Why Performing for Others Nearly Cost Me Myself

From Exotic Dancer to Hollywood: Why Performing for Others Nearly Cost Me Myself

From Exotic Dancer to Hollywood: Why Performing for Others Nearly Cost Me Myself #demisexual #queerawakening #hollywood #sexuality #relationships #traumahealing #authenticity #lifetimemovies2025newrelease What happens when a woman follows the most unconventional path imaginable?Anxiety vs Red Flag Self Trust Guide Freebie - www.therapykay.com/freebieIn this episode of **Not So Dumb Blonde Podcast**, I sit down with **Tessa Scott**, a Hollywood screenwriter, television writer, actress, and creator behind the hit *Single Black Female* Lifetime movie trilogy, to talk about her extraordinary journey from serving in the U.S. Navy to working as an exotic dancer before building a successful career in Hollywood.Tessa shares the realities of life inside the strip club, why exotic dancing was both empowering **and** rooted in survival, how she secretly wrote screenplays between dances, and the unexpected skills that prepared her for the entertainment industry.We also dive into how working in clubs changed her perspective on men, relationships, confidence, and human behavior—and why it's time to challenge the stigma surrounding women in the industry.Whether you're interested in Hollywood success stories, personal growth, women's empowerment, or the psychology behind human behavior, this conversation is one you won't forget.👇 Let us know in the comments:**What surprised you most about Tessa's story?**👍 If you enjoyed this episode, don't forget to Like, Subscribe, and Share!---## Chapters00:00 Introduction: From Navy Veteran to Hollywood Screenwriter02:47 Exotic Dancing: Empowerment vs. Survival Explained06:01 Writing Screenplays While Working in a Strip Club09:00 How Exotic Dancing Changed Tessa's Perspective on Men & Relationships11:54 Breaking the Stigma Around Exotic Dancing14:46 The Surprising Skills That Helped Tessa Succeed in Hollywood17:30 Reading People: Psychology, Confidence & Human Behavior20:15 Lessons on Creativity, Resilience & Reinvention22:45 Final Advice for Women Pursuing Unconventional Dreams---## In This Episode✔️ Tessa Scott's incredible journey from the Navy to Hollywood✔️ The truth about exotic dancing and the misconceptions surrounding it✔️ Empowerment versus survival in the adult entertainment industry✔️ Writing screenplays while working in a strip club✔️ How stripping changed her views on men and dating✔️ The psychology of reading people and understanding behavior✔️ Building confidence through unconventional experiences✔️ Breaking stereotypes surrounding sex work✔️ Lessons that helped Tessa become a successful screenwriter---## About Tessa ScottTessa Scott is a television writer, screenwriter, actress, and content creator known for writing Lifetime's *Single Black Female* film series. Her unconventional path—from military service to exotic dancing to Hollywood—has given her a unique perspective on storytelling, resilience, relationships, and human psychology.---# KeywordsTessa Scott, Hollywood screenwriter, screenwriting, exotic dancing, stripper stories, empowerment, women's empowerment, survival, Hollywood career, television writer, creativity, relationships, dating advice, psychology, confidence, success story, entertainment industry, Navy veteran, life after the military, women in Hollywood, personal growth, storytelling, female entrepreneur, self-confidence, reading people, communication skills

Red Flags or Trauma Trigger? Learning to Trust Yourself Again

Red Flags or Trauma Trigger? Learning to Trust Yourself Again Have you ever questioned whether you're noticing a genuine red flag—or whether your anxiety is responding to an old trauma? 1. DBT Self Trust Serious Introduction- Wise Mind- START HERE - https://youtu.be/Sc5wJHrfmGU2. Week #1 - https://youtu.be/WtNnkwTnqY8 ANXIETY OR RED FLAG FREEBIE - www.therapykay.com/freebie In this episode, we're breaking down one of the biggest challenges many trauma survivors face: learning how to separate intuition from fear. Using practical Dialectical Behavior Therapy (DBT) skills, I walk you through a simple three-step framework that can help you stop second-guessing yourself, identify unhealthy relationship patterns, and communicate more effectively. * The difference between trauma triggers and relationship red flags * Why anxiety can distort your perception * The DBT skill that helps rebuild self-trust * Observable facts versus assumptions * Why patterns matter more than isolated incidents * Healthy communication in relationships * Emotional regulation and relationship anxiety * Building confidence in your own judgment Whether you're healing from childhood trauma, navigating dating, or simply trying to trust yourself again, this episode offers practical tools you can begin using today. If this episode helped you, please follow the show, leave a review, and share it with someone who may need to hear it. Free Resource: Download the Anxiety or Red Flag? guide at: https://www.therapykay.com/freebie [https://www.therapykay.com/freebie] Keywords: Red Flags, Trauma Triggers, Anxiety, DBT, Relationships, Self-Trust, Emotional Intelligence, Communication Skills, Mental Health, Relationship Anxiety, Trauma Recovery, Healthy Relationships, Dating After Trauma. In this episode we discuss:

Dating After Divorce: Attachment Styles, Healing & Finding Love Again

Dating After Divorce: Attachment Styles, Healing & Finding Love AgainHave you ever wondered why you keep finding yourself in the same relationship patterns, even when you're trying so hard to make different choices?Dating after divorce can feel overwhelming, especially if you're struggling with anxious attachment, avoidant attachment, trust issues, or unhealthy relationship patterns. #attachmentstyles #dating #divorce #redflags #traumabond #trauma #relationship #selftrust #datingpsychology #toxicrelationships Free Anxious vs Red Flag: DBT Self Trust Reset - www.therapykay.com/freebieIn this episode of Not So Dumb Blonde Podcast, I sit down with psychologist Dr. Diane Strachowski to explore how attachment styles shape our relationships, dating experiences, communication patterns, and emotional reactions—especially after divorce or heartbreak.We discuss anxious attachment, avoidant attachment, secure attachment, and why understanding these patterns can be one of the most powerful steps toward healing and building healthier relationships.Whether you're newly divorced, recovering from a breakup, questioning your dating patterns, or trying to create more secure connections, this conversation is packed with practical insights and encouragement.## In This Episode✨ What attachment styles are and how they develop✨ Why anxious and avoidant partners are often drawn to each other✨ How divorce can reveal unhealthy relationship patterns✨ The difference between wants and needs when dating after divorce✨ How to communicate your needs more effectively✨ The role of self-discovery and healing after a breakup✨ Why journaling can help identify emotional patterns✨ How to distinguish anxiety from genuine compatibility concerns✨ Red flags, green flags, and healthy relationship indicators✨ Signs you're truly ready to date again✨ Finding love later in life and embracing new beginnings## Chapters00:00 Dating After Divorce & Attachment Styles02:48 What Is Attachment Theory?06:02 How Divorce Reveals Relationship Patterns08:49 Anxious, Avoidant & Secure Attachment Styles11:48 Dating After Divorce: What Changes?14:49 Communication Skills for Healthy Relationships17:48 Healing After Divorce & Self-Discovery20:48 Trauma, Trust & New Relationships24:11 Relationship Growth After Divorce25:36 Rebuilding Your Identity After Divorce27:01 Journaling for Healing & Self-Awareness28:35 Anxiety vs Intuition in Dating30:32 Red Flags vs Green Flags in Relationships32:01 How to Communicate Your Needs Effectively34:28 Finding Love Later in Life38:30 Signs You're Ready to Date Again41:40 Community Support After Divorce44:01 Aging, Growth & New BeginningsOne of my favorite takeaways from this conversation is that healing isn't about becoming perfect—it's about becoming more aware of your patterns, understanding your needs, and learning how to show up authentically in your relationships.If you've ever worried that it's too late to find love, struggled with attachment wounds, or felt stuck repeating the same relationship dynamics, this episode is for you.Connect with Kay📱 Instagram: @itstherapykay @notsodumb_blondeIf you enjoyed this episode, please follow the show, leave a review, and share it with someone navigating divorce, healing, dating, or relationship challenges.#DatingAfterDivorce #AttachmentStyles #Relationships #HealingAfterDivorce #AnxiousAttachment #AvoidantAttachment #SecureAttachment #RelationshipAdvice

Why You Can't Always Trust Your Intuition in Relationships

Why You Can't Always Trust Your Intuition in Relationships Everyone says, "Trust your gut." But what if your gut is responding to old wounds instead of present reality? In this episode, Kay explores how trauma, attachment wounds, emotional neglect, and inconsistent caregiving can distort our perception of relationships and make it difficult to know whether we're experiencing genuine intuition or anxiety. If you've ever found yourself overanalyzing text messages, assuming someone is upset with you, constantly seeking reassurance, or feeling like you're always waiting for the other shoe to drop, this conversation is for you. You'll learn why hypervigilance is often mistaken for intuition, how the nervous system adapts to unpredictable environments, and what it takes to rebuild trust in yourself after trauma. In this episode, we discuss: • Why trauma can hijack your intuition • The difference between intuition and hypervigilance • How emotional neglect impacts adult relationships • The "Neutral Face Trap" and why we fill in the blanks • Why your brain prioritizes survival over accuracy • How anxiety disguises itself as intuition • Practical DBT-based tools for rebuilding self-trust • The difference between fear and wisdom One of the most important takeaways from this conversation: "The goal isn't to stop trusting yourself. The goal is to stop letting fear impersonate your intuition." 🎁 FREE RESOURCE Download the Anxiety or Red Flag Guide: www.therapykay.com/freebie [http://www.therapyk.com/freebie] This free guide helps you determine whether you're experiencing a genuine red flag or an activated trauma response so you can make decisions from Wise Mind rather than fear. ABOUT THE SERIES This episode is Part 1 of a 4-Part DBT Self-Trust Series. Introduction: Wise Mind – The Foundation of Self-Trust Part 1: When Trauma Hijacks Your Intuition Part 2: Red Flag or Trigger? How to Separate Facts from Fear Part 3: DEAR MAN – How to Ask for What You Need Part 4: FAST – How to Protect Your Self-Respect in Relationships Follow for more conversations about relationships, trauma, DBT skills, attachment wounds, emotional regulation, and rebuilding self-trust.

Coming Out Later in Life: Healing Trauma, Finding Queer Identity & Living Authentically

Coming Out Later in Life: Healing Trauma, Finding Queer Identity & Living Authentically | Valerie Wittman FREE Anxiety vs Red Flag DBT Guide - www.therapykay.com/therapykay What happens when you stop living according to who the world expects you to be and start listening to who you truly are? In this special Pride Month episode of the Not So Dumb Blonde Podcast, therapist, author, and advocate Valerie Wittman shares her powerful journey of healing from trauma, discovering her queer identity, and embracing authenticity later in life. Valerie opens up about navigating the intersection of being both a therapist and memoir writer, the vulnerability required to share your story, and how writing became a tool for healing. Together, we explore complex PTSD, people-pleasing, self-trust, narrative therapy, and the courage it takes to challenge societal expectations and live authentically. Whether you're exploring your own identity, healing from childhood trauma, questioning long-held beliefs, or simply looking for permission to be more yourself, this conversation offers hope, validation, and practical wisdom for your journey. 00:00 Introduction 01:15 Author vs. Therapist: Navigating Vulnerability and Professional Boundaries 03:20 Why Sharing Your Story Can Help Others Heal 05:10 Healing Through Writing and Memoir 07:35 Complex PTSD Recovery and Reclaiming Your Narrative 10:15 Narrative Therapy: Rewriting the Story You Were Given 13:05 How Childhood Experiences Shape Identity 16:20 Learning to Trust Your Body and Inner Knowing 20:10 People-Pleasing as a Trauma Response 24:45 The Impact of Societal Expectations and Heteronormativity 29:30 Discovering Queer Identity and Coming Out Later in Life 35:20 Living Authentically and Improving Mental Health 40:15 Boundaries, Self-Respect, and Emotional Healing 44:30 Self-Care as a Foundation for Recovery 48:20 Vulnerability, Connection, and Human Resilience 52:15 The Inspiration Behind Lost on Purpose 56:30 Advice for Anyone Beginning Their Healing Journey 59:45 Closing Thoughts and Where to Connect with Valerie • Coming out later in life and embracing queer identity • Healing from complex PTSD and childhood trauma • The relationship between authenticity and mental health • How heteronormative expectations influence identity development • People-pleasing, perfectionism, and trauma responses • Trusting your intuition and inner wisdom • Narrative therapy and reclaiming your story • The healing power of vulnerability and self-disclosure • Writing as a tool for self-discovery and recovery • Boundaries, self-care, and emotional well-being • Living authentically during Pride Month and beyond "Our scars don't disqualify us, they make us." "Trust your body and your inner knowing." "Healing is nonlinear and part of growth." Valerie Wittman is a therapist, author, and advocate whose work focuses on trauma recovery, identity development, authenticity, and personal transformation. Through counseling and storytelling, she helps others reconnect with themselves, challenge limiting beliefs, and create lives aligned with who they truly are. 📖 Lost on Purpose by Valerie Wittman 📖 The Power of Vulnerability by Brené Brown 📖 Untamed by Glennon Doyle 📸 Connect with Valerie: @midnite.musing [https://www.instagram.com/valeriewittman/] www.oldsoulsearching.com Topics Covered: Queer Identity, LGBTQ Mental Health, Coming Out Later in Life, Pride Month, Complex PTSD, Trauma Recovery, Authenticity, Self-Discovery, Narrative Therapy, People-Pleasing, Childhood Trauma, Personal Growth, Boundaries, Self-Trust, Memoir Writing, Emotional Healing, Mental Health, Therapy, Vulnerability, Self-Acceptance. ChaptersIn This Episode We Discuss:Memorable QuotesAbout Valerie WittmanResources & Links