Waking Up with Richie: Back and Better 

Hi Richie, I'm Patrick and I want to thank you for bringing awareness to the plight of adult entertainment stars. I'm a clinical and trauma psychologist and I have been for close to 40 years, I'm 65 now. I've treated people in the industry especially when I was practicing in Montreal, the porn hub capital of the world. Yes, there is invariably always a history of childhood trauma with low self esteem and low self confidence in those I have treated. Internalized self hate, if you will. We must never forget that they are people, human beings. My world view is that everyone deserves respect and love. We are all equal. I'm so sad that these ppl are often marginalized and seen as bad or wrong for the choices that they have made (re professional choices) and the stigmatization and discrimination that society places on them often leads to suicidal ideation and successful completion of suicide. As a human being this breaks my heart and tests my faith in mankind. But, I remain resolute in my commitment to reaching out to as many ppl as I can to help them on their journey. But I am only one. I wish that I could do more. Most therapists colleagues of mine have experienced early childhood trauma and I am no exception. I was in therapy for yrs before I could be cleared to work with others. We all deserve love, compassion and acceptance as a starting point. But we all need so much more. We are all unique and subject to the human condition. Much love Richie. This is my first time writing to you although I have been watching your videos for some years now. Hugs Patrick

I really enjoyed this video! Thank you for posting.

First of all I’m grateful to see you’re alright and doing well. It’s heartening to learn that you have found something that was lacking in your life. It’s one of those situations that you didn’t know you needed until it touched something in your soul and realized that this is what I’ve needed in my life. Also it’s great you had this revelation with your mother. Your segment that you talked about the death of the adult film performer and how you identified with her is incredibly soul-bearing and you put it all out there. Not only that the performers are stigmatized but how many have suffered from childhood trauma and internalized and manifested their pain with substance abuse and other ways of self harm. I’ve followed you and your channel for years now and I am astounded by your evolution and growth and your willingness to share. Suffice to say I will keep supporting you and in turn being inspired by you. Take care👍🙏😎

I really missed you, I'm glad you're back!!! I really enjoy your pod casts, the maturity, and the insight you provide is very encouraging. Don't let the internet and RU-vid trolls get to you, some people can only feel better about themselves by tearing down others. Those people will never know true happiness.

“Sharing is caring” Thank you for opening up your world to us. The benefit we gain of watching your journey is both the unique perspectives and your wonderful ability to present them on camera. It is good to hear you found a welcoming “community” at your church. Like the childhood rhyme, an open church is of the people, not the reverse.

Richie, I love you so much. I’ll NEVER unsubscribe to you. As you spoke, I witnessed my prayers being answered before my eyes. Praise God!!! Your comment about the young lady who committed suicide was amazing for your kindness and amazing insight. Your comments took raw courage and you articulated them so beautifully. You are an amazing young man. What a great video. You take my breath away for your candor, raw courage, profound insight and spiritual growth. Love the video and love you !!!!!

I noticed the exact same thing that happened when it was publicly disclosed that former adult star Jesse Jane had been found deceased in her home alongside her boyfriend from what appeared to be a drug overdose. Tons of negative responses and comments about deserving to burn in firey pits. As a mental health professional, I wanna thank you for bringing attention to this issue as it continues to be a problem and so many folks now believe they are all alone despite having access to the Internet and other forms of technology that has literally made the world a smaller place. As always, thanks so much for sharing...

Thankful you are ok and still thriving! You have nailed it son, on a multitude of levels that you probably do not fully realize, yet. I always appreciate your transparency and honesty as your maturity and personal growth are shining through ever-brighter these days. Kuddos!!

Your life is growing, improving, and evolving. I think it’s great that you are making changes to better yourself! Wishing you the very best and looking forward to your future videos…..❤

Perhaps the preacher was a viewer of your previous employment

Richie, I am so very proud of you. When I retired 4 months ago and resettled in Oregon, I also made it a point to plug into a local church (despite some of my past church experiences) because I knew it was a way to meet people and get involved in the community. I have found volunteer opportunities, new friendships, spiritual nurture, and sense of belonging. So I really related to what you were saying about the blessing you have received. I would also like to add that "Shelter" is one of my all-time favorite movies....I have a copy of the DVD and have shared it with friends many times.

Thank you Richie,for enlightening many of us,who are going through similar situations or trying to find reasons that help them to go back to the trails in life.I really hope you grab this new you and move on.Love and respect you from Brazil.

Good morning Richie. I look forward to viewing future "Waking up with Richie" videos. Thanks for allowing me to be a part of your life. It honestly seems like you're a family member speaking from the heart to me as an individual, telling me about the important things going on in your world. Please keep up the honesty, keep sharing the love. You're like a little brother, or an awesome son that I would love to protect. I am so proud of you. ❤️

Adult stars and sex workers bring a lot of happiness to the world. That may sound strange due to the lack of respect they are given. Their contribution has come a long way in being recognized as valid. Who knows what the future will bring as more people become well wishers and unhappy ppl who need to tear others down are called out as unnecessarily toxic.

Great video Richie. The ability of people to be cruel to one another never stops amazing me. We are only here for a short time. It's a better use of that time to be healthy, and friendly, and respectful of people.

Congrats on your personal growth. While not religious, I'm not going to dismiss someone because they find a sense of well-being in faith or belief. Your life, you do you. It's unfortunate how some people are forced into unfortunate circumstances in life because of the actions of others. Sadder is the choice people make to diminish the trauma from those experiences. Either believing they are empowering themselves by making questionable life choices or fully giving into destructive behavior. I'm keeping this vague because this is applicable to many aspects of life. That said, it's very easy to make assumptions and pass judgment on others. Especially when we perceive ourselves on a higher moral ground. But, the fact is, no one is perfect. We can't measure our worth or value based on others. We can only measure ourselves against the person we were yesterday and the petson we want to be.

Yes!!! You are growing up! Your do matter! I am 74 years old, divorced, gay, and now right with God.

Love your openness and honesty and humbleness. Keep your faith! May the All Mighty bless you and guide you the rest of your life.

Hey everybody.....If you want to support Richie, buy some of his candles. They are worth every penny. They smell wonderful and they come packaged very well. I received my order today. I saw the UPS guy toss the box over the front gate like a sack of potatoes. There was zero damage! If you want to support this young man in his goals, buy a candle or two.

Richie: You seem to always combine your new experience in finding faith with criticism of the adult entertainment industry. Perhaps you should split the videos up to see where you get the most views.

Richie, I love your Chanel. I look forward to seeing you. Keep it up and do it your way.

Glad you have found peace with God

Good job Richie 🙏🏽 God bless you.

Thank you so much for sharing more on your spiritual journey. I pray for you often that your peace will increase, and purpose and fulfillment will go on. You are being guided, I believe, in great new directions.

I will follow you and care about you always. Richie you seem to be the sweetest guy I have ever known. You are also the most beautiful guy i have ever seen. Bless you my sweet friend.

Thanks for sharing your experience. There is only one you in the world. I understand perhaps your concern. As someone who loves your past work I am selfish I guess wanting more. You get to make choices which may or may not make everyone happy. Happy can not be a goal. It’s a constant choice. You’re the chooser for you and no one else. Smile.

Richie, I am really concerned about this church thing. I know from lived experience religion is pure evil. I am in therapy for religious trauma. I don't trust any church and you don't deserve to be messed up by it. I care enough to say you deserve good things in your life not evil lies

Hi richie. I missed you on YT, so i am happy that you are back. I love your personality and your warm voice. IT sounds so good what u tell from this Church and the people there. I just wanna Look where I just can find the Film shelter. ❤from germany

Richie,,,proceed with caution with this new thing(church etc).

Hi Ritchie. I have been watching your channel for a while now and have seen positive changes in you. You are definitely growing spiritually and that is a great thing. I was raised in a evangelical home and went to church until 18 yrs old. That was a while ago. I can say with sincerity that many evangelical churches display some cultlike characteristics. Watch out for things like Isolation from others or society, superiority complexes and of course ' our truth is the truth " On a personal level this may not be your belief or practice and that is often true in many churches. However like many things the idea of total devotion by everyone is not necessary as long as you do not disrupt the general concensus. As you mentioned you have a good sense for identifying BS and that's a good thing. Keep sharp and try to be objective. When I decided to leave the church it allowed me to have a more well rounded belief system and a better understanding of God on a more personal level. Often we need certain things at certain times in life and later find out some things are no longer necessary. Take what you need and leave the rest.

Dave Slick passed in 2018 who was very new to that Industry. Broke my heart.

.. still loving your channel... and saw this thumbnail of you with the Shelter 2007 movie - a beautiful movie for its day, only Gods Own Country is better. I'll admit I popped back to watch you & Landon Wells 2018... a great flashback to past times of your life... you surely are the guy one will Bring Home to Mom with pride, one guy one day will be very lucky... keep the YT stories coming. Have you ever done a Q&A, growing up - family - coming out - vacations - world travel desires.... ?

Richie, you are a true lightworker. Keep doing what you're doing.

Thank you Richie for sharing. I’m so glad you are growing spiritually and trusting God to help you.

So glad you found a new Church. But as soon as they find out you ant got no money....they say "We will pray for you" and show you the door. And that is NOT a negative comment. Fact

I'm glad you found this new church, it sounds evangelical and those churches have become very popular. They have done away with a lot of the old methods and are appealing to a younger generation of worshipers. Gone are a lot of the vestments and rituals and the old very tedious music and they have been replaced with a less formal much more personal interaction with much better music and a far more welcoming atmosphere for worship and interaction. I'm not a very religious person but I do consider myself spiritual and my nephew is an associate pastor at a local evangelical church very similar to the one you have described. He often says that God has a plan for everybody. It sounds like he has put you back on track.

Glad you're back I was worried I'm glad you found a place you can call home and be around people as for social media I don't do any never had never will to much b/s I do subscribe to a few YT videos mostly News, movies, and of course your's now to change the subject could you please resend your PO box again because I sent you a card and I haven't heard from the bank if you got it so if you can please repeat the address again before I send anything else remember always be good to yourself first if not you're no good to anyone lov ya 😽!!!

Thanks for sharing your feelings. Hopefully the religious community will turn out to be supportive, accepting. They don’t always work that way. The tragic news about the performer stirs up emotions, and then the trolls are often brutal. Your openness, honesty, empathy are excellent attributes. All the best as you are doing what you can to keep going!

Zak wholeheartedly made this channel more fun bc watching you is just as fun as watching paint dry. Wasn’t a huge fan of his politics , but definitely gave you a taste of culture that you lacked big time. Seems to me that you want friends to simply live in your shadows and only view them as competition. I genuinely hope he starts a podcast or RU-vid channel one day, because he would absolutely mop the floor with you

God bless you Richie. Stay connected to the church. The Christian community tends to be caring and careful. I appreciate your transparency and humility. Prayers, Dwight

Thank Richie for sharing your video I really listen to what you were saying stay safe always respect from Frank ❤❤

You always have interesting content. I will continue to follow. Also getting back to church is a great thing. God has more for you to do in your life Richie ! Sounds like you have figured that out. God bless you !

Just found your channel. You’re doing a nice job. Keep your faith.

Oh shiii I wondered where you went glad to see your back ! 🎉

Glad you found contentment during this tumultuous time. I remember working on a project with Kagney in Vegas when we were like 24/25 (I think) and she had a chameleon soul. No moral compass pointing her north, just an inner indecisiveness that was as wide and wavering as the ocean. ❤️ I was running around behind the scenes so I didn't know her intimately but we really clicked because we knew we were safe with each other in an unsafe environment surrounded by people who were waiting to prey on us.🫤 I don't know how it feels to be a performer, but I know some of the craziness that comes with the industry. You definitely aren't alone in your struggle, I've heard similar stories from others trying to put that part of their life behind them.... I will say that you are spot on, and gotta way more mature mindset than others. You are processing everything gracefully and I'm really impressed with your attitude of gratitude! 😆... So if you start to doubt yourself remember all those rooting for you

Richie, I hope you are not being forced into religion, feeling compelled to please others. Religion has done me more harm than good so I don't subscribe to any or believe there is any loving God. It is up to you what you believe and hope you don't get damaged the way I have by it

Richie so great to have you back to the Waking Up with Richie videos. I am so happy you are close to your Mom. Happy you have found a church you are comfortable in. Richie I have always prayed for you and love you so much. I wish for you a good life with ALL your needs met. Take care and Blessings for you.

That poor woman i really feel sorry for her the hateful comments about her are just cruel and disrespectful

Richie,,,YOU LIKE GUYS. Its time you post a video and be honest.

*Richie sending some love your way.* Worried about you kid!❤❤ Hope you're ok; if not please ask a mental health professional for help. Your doctor and older longtime friends can help with referrals/recommendations to a psychologist❤❤

the iafd channel listing the death of p*rn stars, pages and pages... heartwrenching - real people, real lives

Hi Richie! I respect you a lot, I didn't even know you had a RU-vid channel, I always watch your contents (those..), you're very good boy, not only actor. I would like to pursue the same career as you for a few years... do you recommend it?? my parents are absolutely against it and unfortunately sad... also from the fact of being gay/bi... they tell me that this is not normal and natural to want to have sexual relationships with other men. they are very religious. I'm suffering a lot, sexuality is a primary need that cannot be suppressed, psychological well-being is affected.... I've had depersonalization for 2 years now, a consequence of these things that are constantly said to me. Don't know how to get out of it anymore, I didn't choose to be gay and have desires for other men. being called with horrible terms such as unnatural, sodomites, psychotic...is unacceptable and very offensive in 2024. Because of all this, I can't stand it anymore, I can't do anything anymore, all these things have ruined my life to the point of depersonalization. I am convinced that God would never want to make one of his sons suffer because he's gay, and all of the intimate acts are a simple consequence of this orientation. In fact, I don't understand how people can talk about perversion and filth or other horrible things...if it's a simple natural instinct. These rumors have generate intrusive thoughts that litteraly have destroyed my intimate and emotional life. I pratically can't live anymore, live my sexuality (because of those thoughts, and by the way, until 1 year ago I've always been attracted to the world of hard, imagine how I can feel in this moment if even the thought of have a very simple relationship with a boy scares me..imagine the dream to become a hard actor...), and I experience any daily action with senseless fears. What do you think about my case Richie. Will I stay like this forever or will I get out of this situation? Being told to suppress my sexuality because it's "not natural" is what's making me suffer the most. until 2 years ago I was the exact opposite, I also wanted to start an OF profile...now I practically can't even think about these things anymore, an indescribable and intrusive fear comes over me...that I am sick...that I will go to hell etc etc. there was a period of depression always with these thoughts where I couldn't even sleep anymore, again because of these thoughts. I can't practically have erotic thoughts anymore... my mind gets blocked😢 Thank you so much richie if you want to read 😃😃🤗

BTW, Shelter is a terrific film! Right up there with Trick and Latter Days...

Glad you are okay. Enjoy time with your mom. Enjoy your new church family. We'll never meet, but you have a friend here. Blessings.

Hello! I am glad you have found a place. I trust and hope it works out! My only suggestion is to proceed with a little caution. Just a little, to be on the safe side. Thank you for the video. Hugs! I wonder how many of the people attacking the poor suicidal woman actually watched her films, or similar, consttantly. That makes it even worse. She did deserve a better life.

Richie, wish you’d post soon. Miss you.

Congrats to u on finding the new 'church' & new friend(s) there. I went to Catholic schools for 9 out of my 12 formal school years. Just found out last year my parents didn't send us there for the religion, they just didn't want to put us in public school. That's a huge price to pay if you ask me. In regards to KAgney Lynn Karters' suicide > people are heartless assholes and that sucks. I was taught young that if you don't have anything nice to say then don't say anything at all. That has worked out for me in life. Your explanation as to why people enter the adult film industry....i never thought about that. I am sorry to anyone who has a past that leads to that.

No new videos Richie? It's been a couple weeks, hope you're doing well.

Your truly an amazing young man.

Wonderful video. I have seen many before but this one encouraged me to subscribe. Your comments are on point. My admiration for what you do has increased the way the Grinches heart did. Continued success and Blessings to you and mom.😊 P.S. I know a twenty-three year old in South Texas who could learn so much from you. Talking about putting aside one's ego to see what is out there describes him to a "T". 😯

10;35 reminds me of the posts on X by Greyson Lane, he too moved away from content making but is thinking of returning... his posts are so honest and thought provoking - seen as free meat in clubs, groped, free sex demands etc etc... the same morons who are unable to process it's acting, a skill, and off camera is totally different to on camera...

Well done Richie

Great video. You are on the right path and the best is yet to come. God has a plan for you!! Much love ❤❤

I’m proud of you my friend always trust God ❤

Richie...you promised a new video for Friday. Did not happen. . What's going on.

I do want to follow you.

I support you ❤

Shelter is a good movie🙂

Your joined a cult!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

If your sad and lonely "casual sex" is just going to make you even more sadder and lonelier. 😢

the handsome Jack Parr - ru-vid.com/video/%D0%B2%D0%B8%D0%B4%D0%B5%D0%BE-0PdHmWHRBLQ.html did a great short.... our world is so screwed up

So anyway it would appear "religion" has fallen by the wayside no prominent silver cross being displayed...not commercially god for his channel i suppose

❤❤💯

Where is Zach ?

When r u gonna inv me over to tell the wildest stories u heard

You must be going to the wrong Catholic Church if that’s what you got. Meanwhile don’t drink the cool side after your worship. They’re ALL the same

Richie. I’ve been thinking and looking at this video. You are a victim of internalized homophobia. It seems that that this is very active in your present life. We have seen videos of this for quite a while. I’ve supported you by buying candles. But you need to get help and get out of this homophobia before it’s too late. This is my last comment.

So a comer ial de vision, especially in America as you begin to fail ju p on the good old "Religion" bandwagon all those future subscribers "he's been saved by god" just need to wait on him retaining as a cosmological and start to tell fortunes