Entrepreneur, author, and recording artist Justin Calabrese has released his groundbreaking new album, Baptized in Regret, a raw and fearless exploration of overcoming bullying, religious abuse, and the lifelong effects of trauma. For Justin, the project is deeply personal — rooted in his own story as a three-and-a-half-year victim of relentless bullying in high school.
“Bullying doesn’t end when the school bell rings,” Justin says. “It stays with you. It changes how you see yourself, how you trust others, and how you move through the world. I’ve lived it, and I know its scars can last a lifetime. But I also know healing is possible.”
Baptized in Regret doesn’t just recount hardship — it offers a way forward. Justin uses the album as both a creative outlet and a platform for advocacy, sharing practical advice for those enduring bullying, religious coercion, or emotional abuse:
- Find Your Voice: “Silence only empowers the bully. Whether through music, writing, art, or speaking out — share your story.”
- Build Your Support Network: “One safe person can change everything. Seek out friends, mentors, counselors, or community groups who truly listen.”
- Protect Your Identity: “No one — family, church, school, or trend — has the right to dictate who you are or what you believe.”
- Invest in Healing: “Therapy, self-reflection, and healthy habits are not signs of weakness — they’re acts of strength.”
- Pay It Forward: “Once you heal, use your story to help someone else. It turns pain into power.”
Justin’s passion for combatting bullying comes not only from his personal experience but also from witnessing the ripple effects of unchecked cruelty — effects that can lead to isolation, depression, and lifelong self-doubt. His advocacy extends into the realm of religious justice, pushing back against belief systems taught through fear, manipulation, and force rather than free will.
“Whether it’s in a school hallway or a church sanctuary, coercion is a form of bullying,” Justin explains. “The moment you tell someone their worth depends on conformity, you’ve crossed a moral line.”
With Baptized in Regret, Justin hopes to give survivors of bullying and religious abuse something he didn’t have in his most difficult years — a voice that says, You’re not alone. You can rise above this.
The album is now available on all major streaming platforms.
About Justin Calabrese
Justin Calabrese is an entrepreneur, author, business consultant, and recording artist whose work bridges creative expression and social advocacy. A survivor of both severe bullying and religious coercion, Justin now dedicates his platform to empowering individuals to reclaim their identities, embrace their freedom, and heal from past wounds.