Episode Summary

In this powerful and unflinching conversation, award-winning photojournalist turned filmmaker Amanda Mustard joins host Rosalia Rivera to discuss her deeply personal HBO documentary “Great Photo, Lovely Life.” This groundbreaking film examines eight years of Amanda’s journey to confront generational trauma within her family following decades of sexual abuse committed by her grandfather. Amanda’s courageous work doesn’t just expose family secrets; it reveals the devastating ripple effects of abuse, complicity, and the complex dynamics that protect perpetrators while silencing survivors. Through her investigative lens turned inward, she explores how families protect abusers, how silence becomes a survival mechanism, and how breaking cycles of generational trauma requires confronting the most uncomfortable truths. This conversation illuminates the nuanced reality of how incest and family abuse operate, why speaking up becomes dangerous, and how healing can begin with understanding rather than judgment. Whether you’re a survivor seeking validation, supporting a loved one who’s experienced trauma, or trying to understand how these cycles perpetuate, this episode offers profound insights into one of society’s most challenging issues.

Content Warning: This episode contains frank discussions about sexual abuse, incest, and family trauma. Please take care of yourself while listening.

Key Topics Discussed

• The complexity of family abuse: Moving beyond black-and-white narratives to understand the messy reality of being abused by someone you love
• Normalization within families: How abuse becomes normalized when no one knows how to address it
• Breaking generational cycles: The courage required to be the first person in a family to speak up
• The role of religion: How spiritual bypassing can both harm and help survivors
• Complicity vs. survivorship: Understanding the difference between enabling and surviving
• The power of acknowledgment: Why being seen and heard can be more healing than criminal justice
• Prevention perspectives: How speaking up earlier could protect more children
• Therapeutic journey: The importance of professional mental health support throughout the healing process

Key Takeaways with Timestamps

[00:00-02:00] Introduction and film trailer audio

• Amanda’s background as a photojournalist turned filmmaker
• The personal nature of exposing family trauma

[02:00-08:20] Film Overview and Purpose

• What “Great Photo, Lovely Life” is about
• Who the film was made for: survivors and those impacted by child sexual abuse
• Moving beyond simplified narratives of abuse

[08:20-13:15] The Decision to Document

• Why Amanda chose to film such personal family trauma
• Using journalism tools to investigate her own family
• The power of having the perpetrator acknowledge his actions

[13:15-21:11] The Normalization Process

• How abuse became normalized in Amanda’s family
• Leaving home and gaining perspective on her childhood
• Using photojournalism skills to seek truth within her family

[21:11-28:37] Family Dynamics and Relationships

• The impact on Amanda’s relationship with her mother
• Navigating co-dependency and the desire to “fix” family members
• The role of survival mode in preventing healing

[28:37-35:53] Religion and Spiritual Bypassing

• How evangelical faith both helped and hindered healing
• The problematic nature of forced forgiveness
• Understanding religion as both toxic and helpful for coping

[35:53-42:19] The Complexity of Perpetrators

• Why people who abuse can still be charming and loved
• How this complexity makes prevention more difficult
• The importance of understanding grooming behaviors

[42:19-47:19] Justice and Healing Options

• Why criminal justice isn’t always what survivors want
• The power of acknowledgment over prosecution
• Introduction to restorative justice alternatives

[47:19-52:34] Resources and Next Steps

• Discussion guide created with Johns Hopkins Moore Center
• Upcoming projects addressing cultural reactions to the film
• The importance of professional therapeutic support

[52:34-End] Closing Thoughts

• Practicing compassion while maintaining boundaries
• Understanding that everyone is carrying unseen trauma
• The ongoing work of breaking generational cycles

About Amanda Mustard

Amanda Mustard is an award-winning photojournalist turned filmmaker, born and raised on a Christmas tree farm in rural Pennsylvania. She spent over a decade as a photojournalist based between Cairo and Bangkok, working for prestigious outlets including The New York Times, National Geographic, and the Associated Press. Her HBO documentary “Great Photo, Lovely Life” represents an eight-year journey examining decades of sexual abuse within her own family.

Connect with Amanda:

• Website: amandamustard.com
• Film Website: greatphotolovelylife.com

Resources Mentioned

Film and Discussion Guide

• “Great Photo, Lovely Life” – Available on HBO Max
• Extended Discussion Guide – Available through Johns Hopkins Moore Center

Crisis and Support Resources

• National Sexual Assault Hotline (RAINN): 1-800-656-HOPE (4673) or online.rainn.org
• Crisis Text Line: Text HOME to 741741 or crisistextline.org
• National Suicide Prevention Lifeline: 988 or suicidepreventionlifeline.org
• SAMHSA National Helpline: 1-800-662-4357 or samhsa.gov/find-help/national-helpline

Adult Survivor Resources

• RAINN (Rape, Abuse & Incest National Network): rainn.org – comprehensive resources for adult survivors
• 1in6: 1in6.org – support specifically for men who experienced sexual abuse as children
• National Center for Victims: victimsofcrime.org – trauma recovery resources
• Survivors Network of those Abused by Priests (SNAP): snapnetwork.org – support for institutional abuse survivors
• Adult Survivors of Child Abuse (ASCA): ascasupport.org – peer support and healing resources

Therapy and Healing Resources

• Psychology Today Therapist Directory: psychologytoday.com/us/therapists – find trauma-specialized therapists
• EMDR International Association: emdria.org – find EMDR therapists for trauma treatment
• The Body Keeps the Score Resources: besselvanderkolk.com – trauma-informed healing approaches
• Trauma Recovery Network: traumarecoverynetwork.org – comprehensive trauma treatment resources

Family and Relationship Support

• National Domestic Violence Hotline: 1-800-799-7233 or thehotline.org – for family violence situations
• Al-Anon Family Groups: al-anon.org – support for families affected by trauma and dysfunction
• Adult Children of Alcoholics & Dysfunctional Families: adultchildren.org – healing from family trauma

Prevention and Education Organizations

• Johns Hopkins Moore Center for Prevention of Child Sexual Abuse: publichealth.jhu.edu/moore-center
• Moore Center Response to Great Photo, Lovely Life
• Darkness to Light: d2l.org – prevention education and training
• Stop It Now:  stopitnow.org  – prevention resources for families and communities

Host Information

Rosalia Rivera hosts AboutCONSENT™ Podcast, which sparks conversations about prevention, healing, and justice to end child sexual abuse while creating consent culture for current and future generations. The podcast provides a safe, shame-free, and judgment-free space for both survivors and those who support them.

Connect with the Show:

• Instagram: @consentparenting
• Podcast: @aboutconsentpodcast

Next Steps for Listeners

1. Watch “Great Photo, Lovely Life” on HBO Max
2. Access the discussion guide through the Moore Center
3. Share responsibly – Consider content warnings when sharing
4. Seek support if the content brings up personal trauma
5. Consider professional help for your own healing journey
6. Practice compassion in your own family dynamics

If you found this episode valuable, please share it with others who might benefit. Don’t forget to subscribe, leave a review, and tag @consentparenting and @aboutconsentpodcast on social media with your biggest takeaways. Let’s keep building safer spaces—one conversation at a time.