Personal testimony is key to is key to breaking stigma, fostering empathy, and challenging societal norms. Embracing our full selves leads to a more just and compassionate world.
I am a public speaker who focuses on the politics of public shame, self-acceptance and resilience, and how storytelling can drive social change and inspire resilience in others.
I believe in the importance of visibility, voice, and the power of personal experience in reshaping cultural narratives.
Select events
“Writing Through Challenging Times” Literary Salon at The Draw sponsored by Council for the Arts (March 1, 2025)
“Politics & Prose at the Warf” Talk/Reading with Charlotte Clymer in Washington, DC (November 16 2024)
"Parenting and Prose: Balancing Creativity and Caregiving" - Panel event co-hosted by Pen Parentis and The New School's Creative Writing Program, New York, NY (October 22, 2024)
Melissa Petro in conversation with Kiese Laymon at 92nd Street Y Watch here
“Shame on You” Book Launch at Barnes & Noble - Reading and Q&A with Tiffanie Drayton and Erin Khar (September 10, 2024) at Barnes & Noble, Atlantic Avenue, Brooklyn, NY (Sept 10, 2024)
Melissa Petro in conversation with Sari Botton at The Spotty Dog. Hudson, NY (November 2, 2024)
Presenter at the Sex work matters: exploring money, power and intimacy in the sex industry at the CUNY Graduate Centre (2014)
How Sex Worker Advocacy Groups and Anti-Trafficking Organizations Can Work Together: presented at the International Human Trafficking, Prostitution and Sex Work Conference at The University of Toledo (2012)
Empirical Research in Sex and Justice: panel presentation at The Sex & Justice Conference hosted by The Institute for Research on Women and Gender the University of Michigan, Ann Arbor (October4-6, 2012)
Work Study: Sex Work and the New School Student panel discussion co-sponsored by Eugene Lang School, n+1, and Paradigm Shift, moderated by Jennifer Baumgardner with Melissa Febos (March 22nd, 2011)
Select Podcasts:
Marginalia: Melissa spoke with host Tom Isern about her experiences and insights related to shame and societal expectations. https://www.kmuw.org/podcast/marginalia/2024-09-10/melissa-petro-on-her-book-shame-on-you-how-to-be-a-woman-in-the-age-of-mortification
KERA Think: Melissa Petro joins host Krys Boyd to discuss her own story and how shame is used as a weapon https://think.kera.org/2024/09/12/how-shame-is-used-as-a-weapon/
This Is the Author: Melissa appeared on an episode where she discussed her book "Shame on You," sharing insights into the moments that inspired her writing and her experience recording the audiobook. penguinrandomhouseaudio.com
Under the Influence with Jo Piazza: Melissa discussed the parallels between shame in sex work and motherhood. https://podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/surviving-shame/id1544171101?i=1000684899263
No Shame with Rebecca Woolf Melissa was featured on Episode 11 of Rebecca Woolf's podcast, where she shared her personal journey of public humiliation and offered insights on combating societal shame. podcasts.apple.com
The What About Podcast: Melissa appeared on the "What About... Shame" episode with hosts Danny Nucci and Jason M. Burns, exploring the complexities of shame in contemporary society. https://open.spotify.com/episode/6kj653lNKUdveAS8UDefgC?go=1&sp_cid=812d1d4781270b7df6f82dfab2fe4210&utm_medium=desktop&utm_source=chatgpt.com&nd=1&dlsi=2472070ff0d34ecb
Inside Mental Health: In an episode entitled, “Shame as a Feminist Issue: Reclaiming Your Story," Melissa conversed with host Gabe Howard about how shame leads to negative mental health outcomes and strategies to build resilience and reclaim one's story. https://podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/shame-as-a-feminist-issue-reclaiming-your-story/id1175777581?i=1000670029394&l=ar
Season of Stuck: Melissa joined host Deanna deBara for an episode titled "How Shame Keeps Us Stuck," exploring the impact of shame on personal growth. https://podcasts.apple.com/es/podcast/how-shame-keeps-us-stuck/id1751171964?i=1000675744497
The Book I HAD to Write: Melissa discussed her journey in an episode entitled “From rejected memoir to six-figure book deal” with host Paul Zakrzewski. https://podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/the-book-i-had-to-write/id1619822354
Insights from the Couch: in an episode entitled "Overcoming Shame with Melissa Petro," Melissa shared her experiences navigating public scrutiny and offered insights on creating supportive environments for healing. https://podcasts.apple.com/gb/podcast/insights-from-the-couch-mental-health-at-midlife/id1745180987
The Release: In this episode, titled "Life After Mass Media Humiliation," Melissa discusses her 2011 Huffington Post essay that led to her resignation from a New York City elementary school teaching position. https://www.iheart.com/podcast/269-the-release-podcast-175917205/episode/life-after-mass-media-humiliation-with-257634254/
About Your Mother: Melissa explored shame after mass media humiliation with host Jennifer Griffin https://byjennifergriffith.com/podcasts/exploring-shame-after-mass-media-humiliation-with-melissa-petro/
The Uplifters Podcast: #103: How a Teacher's Public Shaming Liberated Her Voice with host Aransas Savas