Hannah Sward on Her Memoir "Strip": Uncovering Truths on Trauma, Sex Work & the Road to Sobriety

For the 164th episode of Private Parts Unknown, host Courtney Kocak welcomes Hannah Sward, author of Strip: A Memoir. Hannah opens up about her unconventional childhood, including being abandoned by her mother, living with her poet father, experiencing sexual abuse as a child, and (of course) a stint on a commune. She also shares her entry into sex work, first as a call girl and then as a stripper, working alongside her sister, why she started using crystal meth, and how she finally got sober after losing a decade to addiction. We discuss Hannah's current perspective on the changing cultural attitudes towards sex work, how her family reacted to the book’s contents, and how writing the memoir was healing in that it coincided with her recovery yet also came with the emotional challenges of revisiting past traumas. For more from today's guest, Hannah Sward: Follow Hannah on Instagram @hannahswardauthor Buy Hannah's book Strip: A Memoir Check out Hannah's website hannahsward.com Psst, Courtney has an 0nIyFan$, which is a horny way to support the show: https://linktr.ee/cocopeepshow Courtney is also teaching the writing and publishing intensive of your dreams this September. It's called Back to School Pitch Party, and it will definitely take your writing practice to the next level and help you land those dream bylines. To join the fun, head to courtneykocak.com/teaching and use code PRIVATE for $100 off. Private Parts Unknown is a proud member of the Pleasure Podcast network. This episode is brought to you by: Our Sponsor, FLESHLIGHT, can help you reach new heights with your self-pleasure. Fleshlight is the #1 selling male sex toy in the world. Looking for your next pocket pal? Save 10% on your next Fleshlight with Promo Code: PRIVATE at fleshlight.com. Love2Play is the biggest online gaming destination. Turn your downtime into fun time; click the link https://bit.ly/joinwithPRIVATE or visit love2play.com and use promo code PRIVATE to claim 50 Free spins with a $50 minimum deposit. STDCheck.com is the leader in reliable and affordable lab-based STD testing. Just go to ppupod.com, click STDCheck, and use code Private to get $10 off your next STI test. Explore yourself and say yes to self-pleasure with Lovehoney. Save 15% off your next favorite toy from Lovehoney when you go to ppupod.com, click Lovehoney, and enter code Private at checkout. https://linktr.ee/PrivatePartsUnknownAds If you love this episode, please leave us a 5-star rating and sexy review! —> ratethispodcast.com/private  Psst... sign up for our Private Parts Unknown newsletter for bonus content related to our episodes! privatepartsunknown.substack.com Let’s be friends on social media! Follow the show on Instagram @privatepartsunknown and Twitter @privatepartsun. Connect with host Courtney Kocak @courtneykocak on Instagram and Twitter. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices