What happens when the people who are supposed to protect you become the very people responsible for your pain?

In one of our most emotional and personal conversations, author Nat Hagee joins the Str8Up Show Podcast to share their journey of survival, resilience, and healing.

Through their memoir, Surviving Hagee, Nat opens up about growing up in a prominent religious household, enduring childhood sexual abuse, and the painful silence surrounding their experiences.

Nat also discusses the lasting effects of trauma, struggles with addiction, the pursuit of justice, and the importance of therapy, self-love, and breaking generational cycles.

Host Calvin shares his own experiences as a survivor of childhood abuse, creating an honest and vulnerable conversation about guilt, family betrayal, faith, and finding the courage to heal.

This is more than a conversation about surviving. It's about reclaiming your voice, finding peace, and learning how to thrive.

In This Episode

• The story behind Nat's memoir, Surviving Hagee
• Childhood abuse and the consequences of family silence
• Growing up with a father who was a minister and police officer
• The emotional and psychological effects of childhood trauma
• Addiction, relationships, and the search for healing
• Religious trauma and the abuse of authority
• Seeking justice and confronting complicated family emotions
• Therapy, mental health, and breaking cycles of abuse
• Finding happiness and learning to love yourself
• Nat's message of encouragement for fellow survivors

ABOUT NAT'S BOOK

SURVIVING HAGEE BY NAT HAGEE

A deeply personal memoir exploring childhood trauma, family relationships, survival, and the journey toward healing.

Available on Kindle. Paperback release scheduled for October 31, 2026.

FOLLOW NAT HAGEE

Instagram: @surviving_hageenat

TikTok: @.survivinghagee

ORDER SURVIVING HAGEE

• Paperback
• Hardcover
• Kindle

TRIGGER WARNING

This episode contains discussions of childhood sexual abuse, sexual assault, physical and emotional abuse, addiction, and suicide attempts. Some portions of this conversation may be difficult for listeners. Please prioritize your well-being and listen at your own discretion.

SUPPORT RESOURCES

If you or someone you know has experienced sexual violence, confidential support is available through RAINN's National Sexual Assault Hotline.

Phone: 800-656-HOPE (4673)

Website: https://rainn.org

For mental health or suicide crisis support in the United States, call or text 988.

BOOK'EM WITH XEROPRIME 99 | STR8UP SHOW PODCAST | SEASON 10

Reading is fundamental, but are we doing enough to encourage the next generation to pick up a book?

The Str8Up Show Podcast introduces Book'Em, a new segment dedicated to celebrating authors, writers, poets, and the power of literature.

For our inaugural installment, Calvin welcomes back longtime friend of the show Dorsey, better known as XeroPrime 99, to discuss his transition from gaming enthusiast and storyteller to published fantasy author.

XeroPrime 99 takes us inside his creative process, explains why he wanted to develop fantasy worlds featuring characters who reflect Black culture, and discusses the importance of making literature exciting and accessible to younger generations.

IN THIS EPISODE:

• Why Calvin created the Book'Em segment to spotlight authors and encourage literacy.
• The growing concern surrounding reading proficiency and literacy in our communities.
• How an elementary school assignment inspired XeroPrime 99's lifelong passion for writing.
• The connection between video games, anime, fantasy literature, and original storytelling.
• The inspiration behind Dreadwake, a horror fantasy adventure blending online gaming, artificial intelligence, and real-world consequences.
• Exploring The Unimaginable Realm of Prime: Origins Volume One, a collection of six stories featuring superheroes, assassins, and fantasy adventures.
• Why Black representation, natural hair textures, cultural identity, and diverse characters are important in fantasy literature.
• Introducing How to Become a Thief: The Black Paw Method, a fantasy adventure featuring a goblin and a mysterious raccoon.
• Overcoming writer's block and learning to finish a story before worrying about editing.
• Encouraging aspiring writers and young creators to take positive risks and share their work.
• A special reading from Lyrical Flux, a space adventure described as Romeo and Juliet meets Bonnie and Clyde.

BOOKS DISCUSSED:

1. Dreadwake
   A horror-inspired fantasy adventure exploring what happens when an artificial intelligence begins influencing the direction of an online game.
2. The Unimaginable Realm of Prime: Origins Volume One
   Six interconnected stories set in the fictional world of Prime, featuring the cities of New Saint and Nocturne, with superheroes, assassins, and culturally inspired characters.
3. How to Become a Thief: The Black Paw Method
   A fantasy adventure set in Nocturne following a young goblin whose encounter with a mysterious raccoon leads him into the world of thievery.

BONUS READING: LYRICAL FLUX

Stay tuned for a special reading from Lyrical Flux, a science fiction adventure combining romance, danger, and space exploration.

FOLLOW XEROPRIME 99

TikTok: @XEROPRIME
Instagram: @BOOKS_BY_XEROPRIME99

BOOKS AVAILABLE ON AMAZON

Search for XeroPrime 99 and his published titles on Amazon.

CONNECT WITH STR8UP

Website: https://str8upshowpodcast.com

Catch up on previous episodes, discover more guest stories, and explore the conversations that make Str8Up a platform for culture, creativity, and authentic storytelling.

ABOUT BOOK'EM

Book'Em is a Str8Up Show Podcast segment highlighting authors, poets, and storytellers whose work deserves to be discovered. From emerging independent writers to established literary voices, Book'Em celebrates the imagination, culture, and experiences behind the stories we read.

Have a story to tell or a book to share? Connect with the Str8Up Show Podcast for future guest opportunities.

Remember, there's only one rule to our show. You gotta be Str8Up!

DJing is more than selecting songs. It's about understanding music, connecting with audiences, and mastering your craft.

IN THIS EPISODE:

• DJ IC3's journey from house parties to the FIFA World Cup
• Her friendship and professional relationship with Snow Tha Product
• Essential DJ equipment, Serato, and music pools for beginners
• Understanding BPM, musical keys, and seamless transitions
• Reading the crowd and playing across different genres
• Overcoming challenges as a woman in the DJ industry
• Perseverance, chasing dreams, and the emotional power of music

RESOURCES MENTIONED:

• Serato DJ: https://serato.com
• DJcity: https://www.djcity.com
• Shazam: https://www.shazam.com

FOLLOW DJ IC3

TikTok: @DJ_IC3_
Instagram: @DJ.IC3

CONNECT WITH STR8UP SHOW PODCAST

Website: https://str8upshowpodcast.com