Life (UN)Closeted: LGBTQ & Heterosexual Coming Out Stories & Advice for coming out of life's closets!

There's nothing more important, as a human being, than having the rights to live life on your terms - provided it doesn't intentionally hurt someone else. From body autonomy, to loving who you love, and worshipping the way you choose to worship. Everyone deserves these rights. Yet, in the politically charged environment - not only in the U.S., but across the globe - the war against personal human rights is on. Helping me unwrap this fight in a big way, is my friend Alex Jamieson. Artist, activist, author, filmmaker, and overall beautiful human being. She's making her voice known through her Instagram videos, by calling out the hypocrisy that is the GOP hatred towards women, LGBTQ individuals, and anyone who doesn't fit into their box of how you should live your life based on their definition of living an"uncloseted" - so to speak, in their world. In this episode you'll... Discover Alex's amazing art in her Abortion Trading Cards and Facist Tarot Cards Unlock ways for standing firm in your resolve to be you regardless of what others think Learn ways to have a voice in this U.S. election to make a difference. About Alex Alexandra Jamieson audaciously spends much of her waking life making art despite not having any art school debt. A third-generation self-taught artist from Portland, OR, she gets her studio dirty in Brooklyn, NYC. In her other work, she has published five books on food, communication, and personal growth, and was the co-creator and co-star of the Oscar nominated documentary Super Size Me. Her latest art includes the Abortion Trading Cards and the Fascism Tarot Deck, both fundraisers for abortion access groups and pro-democracy work. She creates commissions for private clients around the world and has been featured as a writer and coach in Oprah Magazine, Martha Stewart Living, Good Morning America, CNN, USA Today, and more. Connect With Alex Abortion Trading Cards Website Facism Tarot Cards Website Ready to explore coaching? My goal is to support you in kicking ass and moving from, "Crap I'm stuck in this rut of life," to "Damn, I'm a badass gay/bi guy living a life the turns me on!" I'm a straight-forward, no BS kind of coach that challenges you to stop jerking yourself off, cut the lip service, and get in action - no excuses, no fears, no apologies. If you're ready to explore, invest a bit of time and a little bit of money in yourself and scheduled a "Your Next Move" coaching session today. Click here to schedule. 

Life is full of choices. Some easy, and some not so easy, right? Coming out, changing jobs, finding that just right soulmate. All of these decisions come with choices. Ironically, we put  a lot of emphasis on making the right choice, and too often try to find the easy choice simultaneously. Yay, who doesn't want the easiest way when given the chance. But, what if the easiest choice isn't always the right choice. That's what we're uncovering today. In this episode you'll... Discover how easy peasy may not be the best way to make decisions Unlock the fears that come with having to make the right, right, right choice Explore a comfortable way to be at peace with difficult choices About Rick Rick is a life and business coach, speaker, author, and podcaster. With his husband by his side and two grown children, life looks dramatically different than it did more than 20 years ago. “I started living by my expectations rather than others, and gained the confidence to love me. “Instead of seeking out hidden sexual experiences and lying about who I was, I found love with a man who embraced me and my kids. “Of course, none of this was easy. I wouldn't bullshit you. That's not my style.” In addition to speaking from stages around the country, today Rick helps men who are struggling with their sexuality to learn to be themselves, to stop making excuses, face their fears, and commit to living an unapologetic life. “The truth of who you are is far more powerful than the false truth you are pretending to be, so let's work together to show the world WHO YOU ARE!” Ready to explore coaching? My goal is to support you in kicking ass and moving from, "Crap I'm stuck in this rut of life," to "Damn, I'm a badass gay/bi guy living a life the turns me on!" I'm a straight-forward, no BS kind of coach that challenges you to stop jerking yourself off, cut the lip service, and get in action - no excuses, no fears, no apologies. If you're ready to explore, invest a bit of time and a little bit of money in yourself and scheduled a "Your Next Move" coaching session today. Click here to schedule. 

Uncertainty is a part of life, and definitely it is a part of coming out. The good news is, it doesn't have to be a part of your journey, nor a reason to keep yourself in the closet -in any aspect of life. But, how do you face these feelings of uncertainty, head on? That's the focus of today's podcast - navigating and embracing uncertainty. In this episode you'll... Learn what uncertainty triggers are and how to listen to use them to your advantage Uncover a key idea for embracing uncertainty Explore a a technique for turning uncertainty into certainty, even though nothing is certain About Rick Rick is a life and business coach, speaker, author, and podcaster. With his husband by his side and two grown children, life looks dramatically different than it did more than 20 years ago. “I started living by my expectations rather than others, and gained the confidence to love me. “Instead of seeking out hidden sexual experiences and lying about who I was, I found love with a man who embraced me and my kids. “Of course, none of this was easy. I wouldn't bullshit you. That's not my style.” In addition to speaking from stages around the country, today Rick helps men who are struggling with their sexuality to learn to be themselves, to stop making excuses, face their fears, and commit to living an unapologetic life. “The truth of who you are is far more powerful than the false truth you are pretending to be, so let's work together to show the world WHO YOU ARE!” Ready to explore coaching? My goal is to support you in kicking ass and moving from, "Crap I'm stuck in this rut of life," to "Damn, I'm a badass gay/bi guy living a life the turns me on!" I'm a straight-forward, no BS kind of coach that challenges you to stop jerking yourself off, cut the lip service, and get in action - no excuses, no fears, no apologies. If you're ready to explore, invest a bit of time and a little bit of money in yourself and scheduled a "Your Next Move" coaching session today. Click here to schedule. 

For many LGBTQ+ individuals, our past is what kept us in the closet and is still what haunts to this day. Even though we are out of the closet, we suffer from the past dictating our present and future. Today we dismantle that invitation for our past to have a seat at our present and future table, so that we can live rich and happy LGBTQ+ lives In this episode you'll... Define what elements of the past keep you hostage Unlock ways to consistently remove the past from your present and future Explore the signs of when you are allowing the past to trip you up and how to combat them About Rick Rick is a life and business coach, speaker, author, and podcaster. With his husband by his side and two grown children, life looks dramatically different than it did more than 20 years ago. “I started living by my expectations rather than others, and gained the confidence to love me. “Instead of seeking out hidden sexual experiences and lying about who I was, I found love with a man who embraced me and my kids. “Of course, none of this was easy. I wouldn't bullshit you. That's not my style.” In addition to speaking from stages around the country, today Rick helps men who are struggling with their sexuality to learn to be themselves, to stop making excuses, face their fears, and commit to living an unapologetic life. “The truth of who you are is far more powerful than the false truth you are pretending to be, so let's work together to show the world WHO YOU ARE!” Ready to explore coaching? My goal is to support you in kicking ass and moving from, "Crap I'm stuck in this rut of life," to "Damn, I'm a badass gay/bi guy living a life the turns me on!" I'm a straight-forward, no BS kind of coach that challenges you to stop jerking yourself off, cut the lip service, and get in action - no excuses, no fears, no apologies. If you're ready to explore, invest a bit of time and a little bit of money in yourself and scheduled a "Your Next Move" coaching session today. Click here to schedule. 

That piece of your that is hiding, you know the truth of who you are, is what the world really needs to see and get to know. In fact the world needs that - unless they are right wing crazies. But don't let them win. Realize that what the world needs now is YOU, sweet, confident, YOU. Here's how to have the confidence to release what is inside you to the world. In this episode you'll... Learn how to showcase your beautiful self to the world Unlock confidence with easy to learn steps Explore new ways to rethink what confidence means to you About Rick Rick is a life and business coach, speaker, author, and podcaster. With his husband by his side and two grown children, life looks dramatically different than it did more than 20 years ago. “I started living by my expectations rather than others, and gained the confidence to love me. “Instead of seeking out hidden sexual experiences and lying about who I was, I found love with a man who embraced me and my kids. “Of course, none of this was easy. I wouldn't bullshit you. That's not my style.” In addition to speaking from stages around the country, today Rick helps men who are struggling with their sexuality to learn to be themselves, to stop making excuses, face their fears, and commit to living an unapologetic life. “The truth of who you are is far more powerful than the false truth you are pretending to be, so let's work together to show the world WHO YOU ARE!” Ready to explore coaching? My goal is to support you in kicking ass and moving from, "Crap I'm stuck in this rut of life," to "Damn, I'm a badass gay/bi guy living a life the turns me on!" I'm a straight-forward, no BS kind of coach that challenges you to stop jerking yourself off, cut the lip service, and get in action - no excuses, no fears, no apologies. If you're ready to explore, invest a bit of time and a little bit of money in yourself and scheduled a "Your Next Move" coaching session today. Click here to schedule. 

Whether you're coming out of the closet, going for a job change, or choosing to start a relationship, insecurities have a way of screwing with your confidence. Truth is you confidence is actually louder than your insecurities. In this episode you'll... Uncover the truth about your confidence and how to leverage it in any situation Learn how to quell your insecurities and set them aside Explore what it takes to consistently confront your fears About Rick Rick is a life and business coach, speaker, author, and podcaster. With his husband by his side and two grown children, life looks dramatically different than it did more than 20 years ago. “I started living by my expectations rather than others, and gained the confidence to love me. “Instead of seeking out hidden sexual experiences and lying about who I was, I found love with a man who embraced me and my kids. “Of course, none of this was easy. I wouldn't bullshit you. That's not my style.” In addition to speaking from stages around the country, today Rick helps men who are struggling with their sexuality to learn to be themselves, to stop making excuses, face their fears, and commit to living an unapologetic life. “The truth of who you are is far more powerful than the false truth you are pretending to be, so let's work together to show the world WHO YOU ARE!” Ready to explore coaching? My goal is to support you in kicking ass and moving from, "Crap I'm stuck in this rut of life," to "Damn, I'm a badass gay/bi guy living a life the turns me on!" I'm a straight-forward, no BS kind of coach that challenges you to stop jerking yourself off, cut the lip service, and get in action - no excuses, no fears, no apologies. If you're ready to explore, invest a bit of time and a little bit of money in yourself and scheduled a "Your Next Move" coaching session today. Click here to schedule. 

It's time. Time for you to truly live your life (un)closeted. Yet, too often we are afraid of living our life in a way that FREAKS OTHERS OUT! To bad! You have the right to live your life on your terms, and if it freaks others out, that is on them. In this episode you'll... Be invited to take the risk of living life on your terms Learn how to embrace the risk of offending others in a loving way Explore what it takes to commit to you About Rick Rick is a life and business coach, speaker, author, and podcaster. With his husband by his side and two grown children, life looks dramatically different than it did more than 20 years ago. “I started living by my expectations rather than others, and gained the confidence to love me. “Instead of seeking out hidden sexual experiences and lying about who I was, I found love with a man who embraced me and my kids. “Of course, none of this was easy. I wouldn't bullshit you. That's not my style.” In addition to speaking from stages around the country, today Rick helps men who are struggling with their sexuality to learn to be themselves, to stop making excuses, face their fears, and commit to living an unapologetic life. “The truth of who you are is far more powerful than the false truth you are pretending to be, so let's work together to show the world WHO YOU ARE!” Ready to explore coaching? My goal is to support you in kicking ass and moving from, "Crap I'm stuck in this rut of life," to "Damn, I'm a badass gay/bi guy living a life the turns me on!" I'm a straight-forward, no BS kind of coach that challenges you to stop jerking yourself off, cut the lip service, and get in action - no excuses, no fears, no apologies. If you're ready to explore, invest a bit of time and a little bit of money in yourself and scheduled a "Your Next Move" coaching session today. Click here to schedule. 

Our intuition is our friend. But not if you don't tap it. If you ignore it, it will ignore you. Today we explore how to let your f*cking intuition guide you in those big decisions of life - coming out, careers, relationships, health, friendships, finances, etc. In this episode you'll... Tap into how to discover your intuition and leverage it Learn simple the signs that your intuition is guiding you to live your truth Explore how to muster up the courage to follow your intuition without fear About Rick Rick is a life and business coach, speaker, author, and podcaster. With his husband by his side and two grown children, life looks dramatically different than it did more than 20 years ago. “I started living by my expectations rather than others, and gained the confidence to love me. “Instead of seeking out hidden sexual experiences and lying about who I was, I found love with a man who embraced me and my kids. “Of course, none of this was easy. I wouldn't bullshit you. That's not my style.” In addition to speaking from stages around the country, today Rick helps men who are struggling with their sexuality to learn to be themselves, to stop making excuses, face their fears, and commit to living an unapologetic life. “The truth of who you are is far more powerful than the false truth you are pretending to be, so let's work together to show the world WHO YOU ARE!” Ready to explore coaching? My goal is to support you in kicking ass and moving from, "Crap I'm stuck in this rut of life," to "Damn, I'm a badass gay/bi guy living a life the turns me on!" I'm a straight-forward, no BS kind of coach that challenges you to stop jerking yourself off, cut the lip service, and get in action - no excuses, no fears, no apologies. If you're ready to explore, invest a bit of time and a little bit of money in yourself and scheduled a "Your Next Move" coaching session today. Click here to schedule. 

Rules, rules, rules. They are meant to be broken, and meant to be followed. But they are also meant to be rewritten. When you come out of the closet you lovingly rewrite the rules for you. In fact most the time when we shake up our lives we are rewriting the rules so that life can be better. Having the courage to unfollow a rule, break it and rewrite is what we are exploring today. In this episode you'll... Discover the joy of breaking and rewriting personal rules Learn simple techniques for loving a rule and letting it go Explore how to muster up the courage to break rules in a healthy way About Rick Rick is a life and business coach, speaker, author, and podcaster. With his husband by his side and two grown children, life looks dramatically different than it did more than 20 years ago. “I started living by my expectations rather than others, and gained the confidence to love me. “Instead of seeking out hidden sexual experiences and lying about who I was, I found love with a man who embraced me and my kids. “Of course, none of this was easy. I wouldn't bullshit you. That's not my style.” In addition to speaking from stages around the country, today Rick helps men who are struggling with their sexuality to learn to be themselves, to stop making excuses, face their fears, and commit to living an unapologetic life. “The truth of who you are is far more powerful than the false truth you are pretending to be, so let's work together to show the world WHO YOU ARE!” Ready to explore coaching? My goal is to support you in kicking ass and moving from, "Crap I'm stuck in this rut of life," to "Damn, I'm a badass gay/bi guy living a life the turns me on!" I'm a straight-forward, no BS kind of coach that challenges you to stop jerking yourself off, cut the lip service, and get in action - no excuses, no fears, no apologies. If you're ready to explore, invest a bit of time and a little bit of money in yourself and scheduled a "Your Next Move" coaching session today. Click here to schedule. 

You've heard it before and you will hear it again - "If you don't love yourself, how in the hell you gonna love somebody else?” - RuPaul and Amen! But it's hard, hard, hard to love yourself unless you give yourself permission to love all your self - every little bit form your head to your toe. That takes courage. That's what we'r also exploring this week is the courage to love and befriend yourself. In this episode you'll Explore what it takes to start loving yourself Unpack the simple tools for being your own best friend Take a hike on the wild side with a simple exercise in self-love About Rick Rick is a life and business coach, speaker, author, and podcaster. With his husband by his side and two grown children, life looks dramatically different than it did more than 20 years ago. “I started living by my expectations rather than others, and gained the confidence to love me. “Instead of seeking out hidden sexual experiences and lying about who I was, I found love with a man who embraced me and my kids. “Of course, none of this was easy. I wouldn't bullshit you. That's not my style.” In addition to speaking from stages around the country, today Rick helps men who are struggling with their sexuality to learn to be themselves, to stop making excuses, face their fears, and commit to living an unapologetic life. “The truth of who you are is far more powerful than the false truth you are pretending to be, so let's work together to show the world WHO YOU ARE!” Ready to explore coaching? My goal is to support you in kicking ass and moving from, "Crap I'm stuck in this rut of life," to "Damn, I'm a badass gay/bi guy living a life the turns me on!" I'm a straight-forward, no BS kind of coach that challenges you to stop jerking yourself off, cut the lip service, and get in action - no excuses, no fears, no apologies. If you're ready to explore, invest a bit of time and a little bit of money in yourself and scheduled a "Your Next Move" coaching session today. Click here to schedule. 

If you've ever caught yourself saying, " I can't conceive of that," then you've blown the possibility of what's possible. That mindset prevents us as LGBTQ+ individuals from becoming our own version of a Disney Imagineer for our lives. Break free of the BS of the inconceivable and get curious about what's truly possible. In this episode you'll Learn how to spot your BS inconceivable patterns Breakthrough negative thinking to step into possibility thinking Uncover the best ways to use your imagination for opening life's dreams About Rick Rick is a life and business coach, speaker, author, and podcaster. With his husband by his side and two grown children, life looks dramatically different than it did more than 20 years ago. “I started living by my expectations rather than others, and gained the confidence to love me. “Instead of seeking out hidden sexual experiences and lying about who I was, I found love with a man who embraced me and my kids. “Of course, none of this was easy. I wouldn't bullshit you. That's not my style.” In addition to speaking from stages around the country, today Rick helps men who are struggling with their sexuality to learn to be themselves, to stop making excuses, face their fears, and commit to living an unapologetic life. “The truth of who you are is far more powerful than the false truth you are pretending to be, so let's work together to show the world WHO YOU ARE!” Ready to explore coaching? My goal is to support you in kicking ass and moving from, "Crap I'm stuck in this rut of life," to "Damn, I'm a badass gay/bi guy living a life the turns me on!" I'm a straight-forward, no BS kind of coach that challenges you to stop jerking yourself off, cut the lip service, and get in action - no excuses, no fears, no apologies. If you're ready to explore, invest a bit of time and a little bit of money in yourself and scheduled a "Your Next Move" coaching session today. Click here to schedule. 

To begin to unpack our direction and our desires, we have to realize that our beliefs and values will guide us or fight us. Of course, we'd prefer they guide us. In order to make those beliefs serve us and serve us well, whether we're coming out of the closet, choosing a new career, or letting go of toxic people in our lives, we have to get ready to re-evaluate our beliefs in order for them to serve us and our long term goals of being ourselves in the world. In this episode you'll Learn how own beliefs can be our own worst enemies and how to break that habit Discover how to create empowering beliefs vs. disempowering beliefs Uncover the best way to focus on getting beliefs and values aligned About Rick Rick is a life and business coach, speaker, author, and podcaster. With his husband by his side and two grown children, life looks dramatically different than it did more than 20 years ago. “I started living by my expectations rather than others, and gained the confidence to love me. “Instead of seeking out hidden sexual experiences and lying about who I was, I found love with a man who embraced me and my kids. “Of course, none of this was easy. I wouldn't bullshit you. That's not my style.” In addition to speaking from stages around the country, today Rick helps men who are struggling with their sexuality to learn to be themselves, to stop making excuses, face their fears, and commit to living an unapologetic life. “The truth of who you are is far more powerful than the false truth you are pretending to be, so let's work together to show the world WHO YOU ARE!” Ready to explore coaching? My goal is to support you in kicking ass and moving from, "Crap I'm stuck in this rut of life," to "Damn, I'm a badass gay/bi guy living a life the turns me on!" I'm a straight-forward, no BS kind of coach that challenges you to stop jerking yourself off, cut the lip service, and get in action - no excuses, no fears, no apologies. If you're ready to explore, invest a bit of time and a little bit of money in yourself and scheduled a "Your Next Move" coaching session today. Click here to schedule. 

Here' the naked truth about being in a state of confusion. You can't get out of confusion until you get naked with your truth! Whether you are coming out of the closet, walking away from a bad relationship, going for a promotion, or letting go of people in your life that no longer serve you, you have to get fully naked with the truth behind that decision or situation to leave the confusion behind. In this episode you'll Find ways to embrace the truth without shame Learn how to use a simple process for embracing being naked in your truth Embrace the self-love of being naked with yourself, in your truth About Rick Rick is a life and business coach, speaker, author, and podcaster. With his husband by his side and two grown children, life looks dramatically different than it did more than 20 years ago. “I started living by my expectations rather than others, and gained the confidence to love me. “Instead of seeking out hidden sexual experiences and lying about who I was, I found love with a man who embraced me and my kids. “Of course, none of this was easy. I wouldn't bullshit you. That's not my style.” In addition to speaking from stages around the country, today Rick helps men who are struggling with their sexuality to learn to be themselves, to stop making excuses, face their fears, and commit to living an unapologetic life. “The truth of who you are is far more powerful than the false truth you are pretending to be, so let's work together to show the world WHO YOU ARE!” Ready to explore coaching? My goal is to support you in kicking ass and moving from, "Crap I'm stuck in this rut of life," to "Damn, I'm a badass gay/bi guy living a life the turns me on!" I'm a straight-forward, no BS kind of coach that challenges you to stop jerking yourself off, cut the lip service, and get in action - no excuses, no fears, no apologies. If you're ready to explore, invest a bit of time and a little bit of money in yourself and scheduled a "Your Next Move" coaching session today. Click here to schedule. 

Before you can step out of the confusion of your life's closets, you have to do this one thing! Admit your closet is a mess. It's in the messiness of our life's closets hat we find the path forward. We reveal the hidden secrets so that they are out in the open, and we free ourselves to be ourselves. In this episode you'll Learn how own that your closet is messy so that you can thrive Organize the messiness and prepare to leave confusion behind Uncover the best way to focus on getting out of that closet once and for all About Rick Rick is a life and business coach, speaker, author, and podcaster. With his husband by his side and two grown children, life looks dramatically different than it did more than 20 years ago. “I started living by my expectations rather than others, and gained the confidence to love me. “Instead of seeking out hidden sexual experiences and lying about who I was, I found love with a man who embraced me and my kids. “Of course, none of this was easy. I wouldn't bullshit you. That's not my style.” In addition to speaking from stages around the country, today Rick helps men who are struggling with their sexuality to learn to be themselves, to stop making excuses, face their fears, and commit to living an unapologetic life. “The truth of who you are is far more powerful than the false truth you are pretending to be, so let's work together to show the world WHO YOU ARE!” Ready to explore coaching? My goal is to support you in kicking ass and moving from, "Crap I'm stuck in this rut of life," to "Damn, I'm a badass gay/bi guy living a life the turns me on!" I'm a straight-forward, no BS kind of coach that challenges you to stop jerking yourself off, cut the lip service, and get in action - no excuses, no fears, no apologies. If you're ready to explore, invest a bit of time and a little bit of money in yourself and scheduled a "Your Next Move" coaching session today. Click here to schedule. 

We're kicking off a new series entitled "Living your life (UN)Closeted. Designed to make you think and to guid you out of the closets of your life, host Rick Clemons guides you by the hand to the freedom of living your life (un)closeted. We kick of the series exploring desire and freedom. In this episode you'll Learn how to get real with your desires Awaken to the vision of what true freedom means for you outside your life's closets Unlock the doorway to living by your desires, not your needs About Rick Rick is a life and business coach, speaker, author, and podcaster. With his husband by his side and two grown children, life looks dramatically different than it did more than 20 years ago. “I started living by my expectations rather than others, and gained the confidence to love me. “Instead of seeking out hidden sexual experiences and lying about who I was, I found love with a man who embraced me and my kids. “Of course, none of this was easy. I wouldn't bullshit you. That's not my style.” In addition to speaking from stages around the country, today Rick helps men who are struggling with their sexuality to learn to be themselves, to stop making excuses, face their fears, and commit to living an unapologetic life. “The truth of who you are is far more powerful than the false truth you are pretending to be, so let's work together to show the world WHO YOU ARE!” Ready to explore coaching? My goal is to support you in kicking ass and moving from, "Crap I'm stuck in this rut of life," to "Damn, I'm a badass gay/bi guy living a life the turns me on!" I'm a straight-forward, no BS kind of coach that challenges you to stop jerking yourself off, cut the lip service, and get in action - no excuses, no fears, no apologies. If you're ready to explore, invest a bit of time and a little bit of money in yourself and scheduled a "Your Next Move" coaching session today. Click here to schedule. 

For too long the voices of Christians have tried to silent the LGBTQ+ community. But what happens to their voices when Christian music artists sing the Lords praise, and those performers happen to be members of the LGBTQ+ community? Do they abandon them? Call them fake Christians? Film producer Ry Levey brings his newest documentary to life - Song Silenced - where he explores the intersectionality of Christian Musician and the LGBTQ+ performer. In this episode you'll Discover how quasi-Christians treat LGBTQ+ Christian Musicians Unlock power of what it takes to be Christian and LGBTQ+ Learn why these types of documentaries are so important in our current social climate About Ry Levey Ry knows that music is a vital expression for many people, and a powerful part of the faith community—it's a form of celebration of that belief. But what happens when your voice is silenced, for living your truth? In his new documentary, SONG SILENCED: COMING OUT IN CHRISTIAN MUSIC, Ry features beloved classic and current music artists and personalities like Marsha Stevens, Ray Boltz, Flamy Grant, Semler, Billy Newton-Davis, Jess Grace Garcia, Azariah Southworth, Rev. Diedre Gray, Jason & deMarco, Ricky Braddy, Trey Pearson, Derek Webb, Deacon Ross Murray and Ronté Pierce. The documentary tells the stories of faith-based music professionals, who took a great risk in coming out of the closet and faced silencing, and "Out" artists in the space, who share their message of love, faith, and inclusion far and wide, on a mission of equality and for the right to be who you are without sacrifice or silence. Ry is an Award-winning director of OUT IN THE RING. Support the film if you feel compelled Song Silenced Website

As we wind up Pride Season, why not think about your next beach read. Even more provocative, why not think about the importance of having LGBTQ+ representation in our fiction life. After all, art imitates life...right? Proving that point, author Christopher Rice, writing under the pen name of C. Travis Rice shares a sizzling romance between two gay men in a luxurious coastal beach setting that not only enables you to be taken away in your fantasies, and also reminds us that we are queer, we're here, and we are not going away. In this episode you'll Discover why C. Travis Rice believes that gay romance deserves a place on your book shelves Learn why gay mentors should still be a part of growth for any queer person Unlock how to embrace the challenges of shifting perspectives as you grow into a mature gay adult About C. Travis Rice CHRISTOPHER RICE is A New York Times bestselling author who writes under the pen name C. Travis Rice and delivers the fourth book in his Sapphire Cove series titled: SAPPHIRE DAWN. He is the recipient of the Lambda Literary Award. He is the Amazon Charts and New York Times bestselling author of: A Density of Souls; Bone Music, Blood Echo, and Blood Victory in the Burning Girl series; and Bram Stoker Award finalists The Heavens Rise and The Vines. An executive producer for television, he also penned 2 novels with his mother, Anne Rice: Ramses the Damned: The Passion of Cleopatra and Ramses The Damned: The Reign of Osiris. Together with his best friend and producing partner, New York Times bestselling novelist Eric Shaw Quinn, Christopher runs the production company Dinner Partners. Among other projects, they produce the podcast and video network TDPS, which can be found at www.TheDinnerPartyShow.com. He lives in West Hollywood, California, and writes tales of romance between men under the pseudonym C. Travis Rice. Connect With C. Travis Rice Website Instagram X-Twitter

Imagine being a young, closeted TV newscaster trying to make your way during the height of the HIV/AIDS epidemic. Then because of one innocent move out in public, your whole world shatters. Joining us today on the podcast is three-time Emmy® award-winning anchorman and best-selling author turned actor, Mark Pettit, to share his journey of coming into being himself in a world hellbent on telling him he would never work again because of his sexuality. In this episode you'll Hear the moments that most impacted Mark's life to help him live his truth Unlock hatred that existed and still exists towards the LGBTQ+ community Learn how live your truth, anything is possible About Mark Mark is a three-time Emmy® award-winning TV news anchorman and best-selling author turned actor. In his new, heart-wrenching memoir, ANKRBOY (a #1 bestseller on Amazon), Pettit reveals what it was like growing up as a young, closeted TV newscaster trying to make his way during the height of the HIV/AIDS epidemic. His first book, A Need to Kill, also went to #1 in three categories on Amazon. Pettit has worked in journalism for more than 30 years on both the national and local level. A former anchorman at CNN, Pettit also worked as an anchor and investigative reporter at WXIA-TV (NBC), KMTV-3 (CBS) in Omaha, and at CBS46 News (WGCL-TV) in Atlanta (Now "Atlanta News First"). As an actor, Mark has appeared in a number of hit TV series including "True Detective," "Mindhunter," "Mr. Mercedes," "Sweet Magnolias" and "The Game." Pettit is also Executive Producer and appears in the horror film "The Curse of La Patasola" which is airing now exclusively on STARZ and will soon be available worldwide. In this episode you'll... Hear Mark's  incredible + inspiring comeback story Why it's important to ignore naysayers and live your most authentic life Learn the importance of remembering history to continue our LGBTQ+ progress Connect With Mark Website Instagram LinkedIn YouTube

The journey of an LGBTQ+ persons life, more often than not, requires the GOD TALK. And even more often that not, that conversation kills their desire to talk about GOD. Today we have a candid discussion, just in time for Pride month, about the relationship you can have with GOD and all the lies you've been told. Author Dr. Jamie Marich shares her forthcoming book - You Lied to Me About God: A Memoir - is a captivating journey to coming to terms with being a Christian and a bisexual - OH MY! It's also available for pre-order now, wherever books are sold. In this episode you'll Discover how you can be Christian and a bisexual Unlock the answers for being with God in your own way Learn how God speaks to you and loves you even when extreme Christians want you gone About Jamie Dr. Jamie Marich (she/they) inspires people and systems to heal the wounds that keep them stuck, allowing for authentic transformation free of shame and stigma. A TEDx speaker, clinical trauma specialist, expressive artist, lay spiritual director, short filmmaker, Reiki master, yoga teacher, and recovery advocate, she unites all of these elements in her mission to redefine therapy. She is a woman in long-term recovery from an addictive disorder and lives with dissociative identities. As a queer woman who survived multiple spiritually abusive experiences in childhood and adulthood, Jamie is passionate about helping people to recognize where religion and spirituality may be causing harm in their lives so that they can chart a course for personalized healing. Jamie travels internationally teaching on topics related to trauma, EMDR therapy, expressive arts, and spiritual abuse while maintaining a private practice and online education operations in her home base of Akron, Ohio. Marich is the founder of the Institute for Creative Mindfulness and the developer of the Dancing Mindfulness approach to expressive arts therapy. Her new book - You Lied to Me About God: A Memoir - captures her story about the tumultuous she has had to be with God and the candid ways she has chosen to be Christian and a bisexual. Available for pre-order now. Connect With Jamie Website Instagram Facebook LinkedIn YouTube

Living your truth, and being who you are, is every human beings right - provided it doesn't hurt someone. Which is always the tricky thing to discern. Yet, how is someone being gender fluid hurting anyone? In reality it is just another aspect of whom a person is. So live and let live, and just go be your own version of an unapologetic rebel. Speaker and coach Don Mamone joins us for the pride celebration podcast about living their truth on their terms - as we all should. Take a listen and learn the how to me more aligned with yourself, and how not to succumb to the guilt and shame of living by others expectations. About Don Don Mamone is a speaker, identity coach & consultant teaching audiences and clients how to reach their maximum potential & impact by discovering & embracing their true identity and supporting companies dedicated to safe spaces that support unapologetic authenticity. Connect With Don Website Instagram Facebook LinkedIn

Embracing your transgender child is hard enough for many parents, but then add to the mix that your child comes from Nigerian descent and is part of the people of color community, and that brings on a whole new set of challenges. Sharing her own journey as a queer parent of a black transgender child, Dr. Lulu - fierce LGBTQ+ advocate - talks truths about how your journey to being a parent of transgender black child is one of our greatest gifts you can have as a parent. In this episode: Discuss the POC challenges of being queer and transgender Learn how a parent can be the best parent to the transgender child Explore and challenge the myths about God and acceptance About Dr. Lulu Dr. Lulu is a queer Nigerian-born pediatrician, mom of a transgender daughter, former Lt. Col., Disabled US Air Force Veteran, TEDx Speaker, certified parent/life coach, corporate consultant and recently added “comedian” and “indie actress” to her echelon. She is the recipient of the 2021 San Antonio LGBT Chamber Youth Advocate of the Year Award, 2022 San Antonio Business Journal D.E.I award and was a 2023 finalist for the San Antonio NAWBO 2023 “Rising Star” Award. Dr. Lulu was interviewed by Oprah Winfrey on “The Life You Want” Masterclass on Service, her mission is youth suicide prevention, with a special focus on LGBTQ+ youth, particularly, Black gender-diverse youth and their families. The CEO of Dr. Lulu's PRIDE Corner, an all-inclusive gender-affirming coaching & Consulting practice, Dr. Lulu speaks about intersectionality and allyship for the LGBTQ+ community and is the chief host of “Moms for Trans Kids Podcast”. Her focus these days is on helping communities affirm Black transgender children one family at a time. She is the bestselling author of 7 books including "How to Teach Your Children About Racism”. Her next books: “Invited In, How to Become the Parent Your LGBTQ+ Child Needs”, “About Your Black Transgender Child”, and "Allies in White Coats: LGBTQ Connect With Dr. Lulu Website Instagram Facebook LinkedIn

Fitness, looking good, wanting to be accepted for who you are as a Lesbian woman. It's all such hard work. Then add to the fact that being accepted as a Lesbian just compounds those feelings of acceptance from others and yourself, and life can really suck. Or does it? It's actually a mind game and a practice. To get you prepared to show off your stuff during Pride Season, I'm joined by Izzy Wagner, founder of Core Confidence Coaching who specializes in helping Lesbian women own their truth, their power, and make the most of their beautiful bodies. Let's go ladies! About Izzy Founder of Core Confidence Coaching, an online fitness business helping members of the LGBTQ+ community gain more clarity, freedom and confidence. I've had my own very tough upbringing around being gay and I'm just driven to help women not feel like they're being held back in their future! Connect With Izzy Instagram

From coming out to losing people in life, grief is part of he equation. Yet you an rise above grief and move forward, if you choose. Helping us unpack the grief of coming out and moving on is author Kevin O'Connor who learned a lot about grief living two floors above it in his family's funeral business. These experiences helped him navigate is way forward through lose, life, and finally coming out of the closet after two marriages. About Kevin Kevin O'Connor enjoys chronicling the stories of families and friends through tracing genealogical histories, writing, and picture collections. His prior writing includes personal letters, articles in professional publications, dissertations, anthologies, and presentations delivered at conferences, seminars, and webinars. He brings people together personally and professionally. Collaborating with friends and relatives, he plans family and class reunions. ​He sings and performs in theaters near his home. He is active with SMART Ride, a bicycling group that rides annually from Miami to Key West, raising funds for HIV treatments and education. He was an elementary teacher, principal, professor, and curriculum coordinator in California, Illinois, and Florida from 1973-2020. In his final educational position, he authored content and provided training in areas including support for substitute teachers, LGBTQ advocacy, and Sexual Health/Family Life. He resides in Ft. Lauderdale with his husband, Leon. Their family includes five sons and seven granddaughters. Connect With Kevin Website LinkedIn

Not sure monogamy is for you, but an open relationship scares you, but you do know something isn't working, and you know you just can't love only one person and make it work. Rather than assume it is all about sex, we're here today to have an open dialogue about all the ways to love and be in relationships. Deanna Fierman of All The Colors Counseling helps us see all the colors of the relationship rainbow in a healthy way. About Deanna Deanna Fierman is a licensed professional counselor in Colorado who established All The Colors Counseling and Consulting to provide a welcoming space for non-monogamous and LGBTQ+ individuals, couples, and polycules seeking support. Deanna has practiced psychotherapy in a wide variety of clinical settings since 2010, and has been an advocate, educator, consultant, and researcher in queer communities for decades. Connect With Deanna Website

Shocking as it might sound, you can be gay, Christian, a drag queen and to write the 1st traditionally published Christian Devotional as a Drag Queen - Hallelujah! Speaking her truth, Jeza Belle shares Jeza's Jesus Juice: A Drag Queens Christian Devotional for all to consume. Cause who couldn't use a little good in their life? About Jeza Jeza Belle is a Drag Queen, Comedian, Screenwriter, Director, Producer, and Award-Winning Author. With her guest articles appearing everywhere from the Huffington Post to the Advocate, her former celebrity interview column, the hilarious comedic variety live shows, and her multiple award-winning trashy cookbook "The Harlot's Guide to Classy Cocktails," Jeza's wry humor and highly-charged opinions have delighted people around the globe. Connect With Jeza Website Book Website

Coming out and being out is challenging enough. Then add to the mix your challenges with mental health and it could be potentially too much. So what do you do? You choose to thrive. A great example of this is our guest today, Dr. Zachary Stier who is thriving beyond his bi-polar diagnosis and embracing his life daily as a gay man, step-by-step, day-by-day. About Dr. Zachary Dr. Stier has been the director of Children's Services at Ericson Public Library in Boone, Iowa since October 2011. He has revolutionized services at the library for children and families through the expansion of early literacy programming, the redesign of space to emphasize play, family engagement initiatives, enhanced community partnerships with community, state, and national partners, after-school STEAM programming, to name a few. He was project director for NASA@My Library, is the Project Director for the library's equity project, Activating Community Voices, and Project Director for the library's piloted mobilized family engagement program, Little Engines. He recently became an independent consultant for the Space Science Institute and is the lead researcher on a project focused on STEM and Quality of Life. In 2011, Stier opened Mr. Z and Company, LLC, a consultancy firm for educators and librarians. He is also an adjunct lecturer for the University of Illinois Champaign iSchool graduate program teaching Early Literacy and Public Library Partnerships, a course he recently developed. He serves on numerous state and national boards and was recently selected to be part of the Fred Rogers Institute program, The Educators Neighborhood. He is a published author. He holds degrees from Des Moines Area Community College, Grandview University, Drexel University, and Concordia Portland, as well as postgraduate studies in Early Childhood from Erikson Institute, and a Doctorate in Education from Concordia Chicago. Connect With Dr. Zachary LinkedIn

Inclusivity doesn't have to be hard, it just has to be human. But to0 many humans today, think inclusivity is just too woke. Well, let's wake them up with the truth about inclusivity and how to have those tough conversations. Inclusivity and workplace culture expert Nate Shalev shares their insights on how this can work without it breaking down systems and relationships. About Nate Nate Shalev is a leading expert on inclusivity helping to create workplace cultures where both businesses and people thrive. They were named a LinkedIn Top Voice and have been highlighted in the Harvard Business Review, the NY Times, the Wall St Journal, and more. Nate earned a BA from Barnard College of Columbia University and an MA from New York University. They are the founder of Revel Impact, a consultancy that specializes in social impact and diversity, equity, & inclusion Connect With Nate Website LinkedIn

You have to be hiding under a rock and not listening to not know that Trans voices are under attack which only means, the entire queer community is under attack. Giving voice to the Trans community, TJ Billard shares their new book Voices For Transgender Equality: Making Change In The Network Public Sphere. This is great episode to learn about why and how to support our trans brothers and sisters. About TJ TJ Billard is an Assistant Professor and William T. Grant Scholar in the School of Communication and, by courtesy, the Department of Sociology at Northwestern University, where they are affiliated with the Institute for Policy Research and the Institute for Sexual and Gender Minority Health and Wellbeing. Outside of Northwestern, they are the founding Executive Director of the Center for Applied Transgender Studies in Chicago—the leading academic organization dedicated to scholarship on the social, cultural, and political conditions of transgender life—and Editor-in-Chief of the Center's flagship journal, the Bulletin of Applied Transgender Studies. Billard's research spans political communication, the sociology of social movements, and transgender studies, with a primary focus on the relationship between media and transgender politics in the United States and United Kingdom. They also conduct research on typography and graphic design, with an emphasis on the role of design in political branding. Billard is the author of Voices for Transgender Equality: Making Change in the Networked Public Sphere (Oxford University Press, 2024). The book offers an insider's view into transgender activism during the first two years of the Trump administration, during which trans people were thrust onto the center stage of US politics. Drawing on extensive on-the-ground observation at the National Center for Transgender Equality, Voices for Transgender Equality shows how these activists developed an unlikely blend of online and offline strategies to saturate a diverse ecology of national news outlets, local and community media outlets across the country, and both public and private conversations across multiple social media platforms with voices in support of their cause. Billard is also co-editor (with Silvio Waisbord) of Public Scholarship in Communication Studies (University of Illinois Press, 2024). Taking the position that “public scholarship” should not prioritize publicity for scholars and their ideas, but rather should prioritize serving the public good in ways that go beyond conventional scholarly work, the volume brings together an all-star cast of public scholars to offer both critical meditations on the role and importance of public scholarship in communication studies' various subfields and “how-to” guides for enacting public scholarship. Billard's current research project, tentatively titled Cisinformed: Disinformation and the Media War on Transgender Rights, focuses on the central role of misinformation in anti-transgender movements' political strategies in both the US and UK, why these strategies work, and what can be done to curb misinformation's influence on policy and public opinion. This research is supported by a five-year award from the William T. Grant Foundation's Scholars program. Billard's research has appeared in a number of prominent academic publications spanning several fields, including Communication Monographs, Digital Journalism, Frontiers in Psychology, the International Journal of Communication, The International Journal of Press/Politics, JCMS: Journal of Cinema and Media Studies, the Journal of Social History, Journalism & Mass Communication Quarterly, Marketing Theory, Mass Communication and Society, Media, Culture & Society, and Politics, Groups, and Identities, as well as in venues such as the Oxford Research Encyclopedia of Politics and the SAGE Encyclopedia of Trans Studies. Billard received their PhD from the Annenberg School for Communication and Journalism at the...

Imagine hiding your truth because of your work, your family, and more so out of your own fears of "Can this actually be me?" Today I have a candid conversation with Ron Thomas, actor, voice over professional, radio host, but overall a normal, everyday gay who was afraid to come out until he did. And if that sounds familiar then you will love this show as it is simply straight up truth talking about the fears of coming out. About Ron Ron Thomas a TV and Radio Host focusing on LGBTQ+ projects that deal with coming out later in life.  How to navigate that journey with support and positivity.

Imagine being 19, just coming out, and heading to NYC - broadway to be exact - and all those dreams turn into a different dream you never would have imagined. Now, fast forward 35 years later and you let that twist of dream guide you through all the other coming out journeys that life has to offer. That's where we are arriving today with author, screenwriter, filmmaker and actor, Gregory G. Allen as he shares his multiple coming out stories and a little gem of a book that any of those states that are banning books would have a hard time banning, because the subtext is all about just being yourself! About Gregory Gregory G. Allen is an award-winning author, screenwriter, filmmaker and actor. He has been in the entertainment industry for 35 years having acted in plays, musicals, TV, film and national tours. His short films have screened at 100 festivals around the world including twice at the American Pavilion at the Cannes Film Festival (Hiding in Daylight: Writer/Producer & Reparations: Writer/Director) in 2019 & 2020. He has been the recipient of several awards including Best Director and Best Screenplay for his short films and was inducted into the prestigious 125th Anniversary Year (2023) Marquis Who's Who for his dedication to the fields of arts, entertainment, and advocacy. Gregory has received writing grants from BMI, ASCAP, the Watershed Foundation and is a member of The Dramatist Guild, the Society of Children's Book Writers and Illustrators, and a former member of the BMI Musical Theater Workshop. He is the award-winning author of four novels, one nonfiction memoir, two short stories, and four children's books. He has spent over 15 years in arts management and currently is the manager of a theater in Westchester County, New York. Connect With Gregory Website Facebook Instagram LinkedIn

Were you raised to play it safe because you were afraid to cause others pain? Then, you decide to put on a happy face facade and instead of walking boldly through life, you held yourself back. Leaving the “unspeakable” feelings unspoken, until you finally decide to take a leap that might be your only chance to feel fully alive and to experience your new possibilities of what you are meant to be. In her new book, The Only Way Through Is Out, Suzette Mullen takes you on an introspective, bittersweet, and empowering, journey for coming-out and coming-of-age for every human who is longing to live authentically but is afraid of the cost. About Suzette Suzette Mullen (she/her) is a memoir and nonfiction book coach, retreat leader, and the author of the new memoir The Only Way Through Is Out, published by the University of Wisconsin Press. Her essays have appeared in the New York Times, today.com, among other outlets. As a book coach, Suzette focuses on amplifying the voices of LGBTQ+ writers as she guides them to find their deeper stories and define their big ideas. Suzette made a big leap personally and professionally at midlife and now lives in Pennsylvania with her wife and their rescue pup. Connect With Suzette Website Facebook Instagram LinkedIn

How do you step into an an attitude of being less hateful and more grateful when it comes to Christianity and LGBTQ+ individuals? You step beyond your diversity bias and stop practicing moral exclusions. Out and proud bisexual Amanda Udis-Kessler provides us with insights on how loving others and ourselves is the truest expression of floursing and being more christ like as LGBTQ+ individuals. All of this is explored through the lenses of her new books and spiritual music. About Amanda Amanda Udis-Kessler is a sociologist, writer, songwriter, progressive sacred music composer, and antiracism trainer. She came out as bisexual in 1982 and more recently has been coming out as a progressive Christian, an experience given more urgency by the upcoming (May 2024) publication of her book Abundant Lives: A Progressive Christian Ethic of Flourishing by Pilgrim Press. Find her writing at amandaudiskessler.com and her free-use music at queersacredmusic.com. Connect With Amanda Website Music Website

What do you do when you move from NYC to the Connecticut burbs to create LGBTQ+ Community? You literally create it yourself. Showing us the path on how to do that in any community, is Brian P. McGunagle founder of Westport Pride. Learn how he, his husband and kids are living out loud and proud in a small town community that has even battle the wars of book bans. About Brian Brian is the founder of Westport Pride.  Having moved to Westport with his husband in 2016, he was curious about what the LGBTQ+ community looked like and moreover where they were.  In the fall of 2020, during COVID, he posed these questions to the residents of Westport through a story featured on the popular 06880 blog.  The outpouring was overwhelming, and in 2021, Westport Pride was born. Brian is an active volunteer in Westport and serves on the Board of Directors at Positive Directions, Downtown Plan Implementation Committee, Aspetuck Health District Community Needs Advisory Committee, and The Westport Library Common Ground Initiative.  Brian also represents Westport Pride during TEAM Westport meetings. Brian has spent over 20 years in various senior positions within the financial services, retail energy, and residential real estate sectors.  He holds a bachelor's degree from Trinity College and an MBA from Fordham University.  Though currently on sabbatical, he is also a Postulant for Priesthood with the Episcopal Church in Connecticut. Brian lives in Westport with his husband Stephen Gustafson, their two children, several silkie chickens, and their moyen poodle Gracie.  He enjoys gardening, carpentry, and going to Compo Beach in his spare time. Connect With Brian Website Instagram LinkedIn

From a very young age he knew he was different in spirit, two-spirits to be exact. Yet, he pushed through, did the things that were expected of him, and yet, never lost sight of the essence of who he was. While he left the world of music for a time, the music never left him and the kaleidoscope of his life finally caught back up to him, nudging him back into his passion of music, story telling, and writing about the beauty of being an Indigiqueer artist and creative. Roger Kuhn talks about his two-spirit roots and being as well as talks about his new pop single Kaleidoscope and his new book Somacultural Liberation. About Roger Roger Kuhn's new single, “Kaleidoscope” - his first since signing with music label, So Fierce Music - is a dance song rooted in classic house and progressive EDM that asks listeners: what do you believe? and what does it mean to be free? For the artist, freedom is pursing his dreams and living his truth, which is why after working as a psychotherapist for the past decade, Kuhn decided to take time away from his practice and prioritize his creative expression once again.  “I love being a music artist,” explains the singer-songwriter whose breakout single from 2008, "What's Your Name," was crowned Song of the Year by the Stonewall Society for the Arts. “Even the lyrics in “Kaleidoscope” reflect on my joy,” Kuhn continues.  “I sing about flying through the sky, never being so high, and how I can't believe I'm not falling.  That's who I am when I am performing live or writing songs.  I am living my ultimate purpose and celebrating my authentic self.” Roger Kuhn's real self includes being a bi-racial, bi-cultural, Two-Spirit Indigiqueer artist.  His father was of German and Russian descent and his mother is a Poarch Creek woman.   He recalls his childhood in rural North Dakota as being a mix of curiosity and wonder where he would spend hours meandering through the forests on the family farm, singing and writing songs.  Sadly, there were moments of horror, too, as his father was an abusive alcoholic who terrorized Roger's family.  The pain was further exacerbated by the young boy's feelings of isolation as he began to question his gender and sexual orientation. Roger says his gender is best described as circular, meaning he is not on a fixed binary.   It is the same with his sexuality.   “Gender and sexual orientation can be seen through a kaleidoscopic lens,” he explains.  “When you peer through a kaleidoscope you see multiples shapes, colors, expressions, and beauty, which is what life is like if we allow ourselves to see beyond the ordinary.” Connect With Roger Website Facebook Instagram

When you know, you know, but when you act on what you know could take years. Transition Mentor, Wendy Cole shares her story of transitioning into her truth at age 67 to be the woman she always knew she was. Now she guides others to step into their rightful self, and take the journey of transition so that they can be authentically who they are meant to be and live a life filled with happiness. About Wendy As a Transition Mentor, Wendy Cole helps her clients face any significant life changes. Since 2017, Wendy has guided others through transitions. Her life experiences are the tools she uses. She believes in the mind's powers; she practices mindfulness, shifting her beliefs and energy to support herself going forward, making profound changes in her life, health, and finding joy in being. Knowing who you are, and not BEING who you are: this is the starting point of every Transitional situation. You KNOW who you truly are, in every aspect, but the outside is what matters. That is what people see. Taking that first transitional step is TERRIFYING. It's the stress: stress of the journey, stress of the mental weight, stress of worrying about the outside world… The physical transition is the easiest part; it's getting through the mental transition that holds us back. Knowing from childhood she was a girl, Wendy yielded to familial and societal expectations to fit in. At age 67, Wendy changed her life with her transition. Beginning in January 2015 she focused internally: accepting who she really was, confronting fears, doubts, and anxieties that held her back for decades. She took the leap of faith to find freedom and joy in being herself. By July 2015, Wendy was living as a woman. She had her long-awaited surgery at NYU Medical in 2017. Wendy knows by focusing inwardly to find freedom and joy will benefit the rest of your life. Connect With Wendy Website Facebook Instagram

It's Valentine's Day and time for some love and rejection. Let's hope more love than rejection. But, if have no agenda, and you learn to master rejection, then you can be happy and in love with yourself. Helping us give ourselves a little love this Valentine's Day is pop artist, Jaime Andrian, sharing his story of major pop star rejection and how he's learned to rebound to love himself. Plus he shares all about his new new single - If You Could Read My Mind! About Jamie Jaime Adrian's explosive new album, No Agenda, dips into multiple genres of dance music from Latin beat to country twists, house tracks and euro pop.  “I didn't want people to say it all sounds the same,” the artist reflects, with a grin.   Releasing with the album is Jaime Adrian's cover of “If You Could Read My Mind”. “That song was an anthem for me and my friends growing up,” he explains of the house music version, released in 1998 for the film 54.  “I jumped at the opportunity to record and put my own spin on it.  I hope I do it justice.”  Other tracks on No Agenda include “Jaded”, an original song about Jaime's obsession with Jade Thirlwall from the girl group Little Mix, and “Belong,” a nod to Jaime's self-described nerdy quirks.  “The songs I wrote are all based on my experiences or things I've seen people I love go through,” he explains. “Every song has a different attachment to me.”  Produced by Velvet Code, Jaime Adrian's No Agenda is being distributed by So Fierce Music/The Orchard/Sony Music Entertainment and is available on Apple Music, Spotify, and all digital platforms. Jaime Adrian was born on the east side of Chicago.  His father passed away when he was 17.  His mother raised him and his little brother and sister on her own.   It was a Mexican and very Catholic neighborhood and kids often made fun of Jaime for being different.  They called his love of singing “not something a real man would do” and for years, they managed to silence his voice. Until The X Factor came calling.  Jaime Adrian flew to Kansas City and after performing for the preliminary judges, he learned he had made it to the live show auditions!  The show did not go as planned, however.  L.A. Reid called Jaime's performance horrible karaoke.  Demi Lovato told Jaime that he was a good singer but that it was the wrong song choice.  He spent the rest of the day crying in his hotel room from embarrassment, determined to stop singing. In 2020, Jaime moved back to Chicago where he met music producer Velvet Code.   “Velvet encouraged me to find my voice again,” Jaime explains.  “We started with one song, then another, and another.” Their latest single, “Lollipop,” released this summer, won much acclaim for the young singer.   With its dark Latin/reggaeton pop beat, the track clapped back at the negative people who have tried to quash Jaime's spirit.   It appears on No Agenda. “If you would have told me before 2020 that I'd have a completed album in 2024, I wouldn't have believed it. I worked my butt off all last year to complete No Agenda, saving and paying for it all out of...

Love and connection. Who doesn't desire those things? Very few. So why is it so hard for us as humans, and especially LGBTQ+ beings to find it and keep it. It's starts by deliberately choosing to live authentically and doing the internal work so that love can show up. Guiding us today to that truth, is Moe Ari Brown, Hinge's (online dating app based on the premise that anyone looking for love should be able to find it) Love and Connection Expert. Take a listen and let's explore love and connection. About Moe Moe is Hinge's first ever Love and Connection Expert. They are a licensed Marriage and Family Therapist and one of the leading mental health experts in the realm of Transgender Identity. Over the past decade, Moe has worked with LGBTQIA+ individuals, couples, and families on their journey to love their authentic selves and establish meaningful connections. They are also a Diversity & Equity Consultant and former Adjunct Professor at Adler University. Moe graduated from Northwestern University with an MS in Marriage and Family Therapy. Connect With Moe Moe's Website Instagram LinkedIn

You can't turn on the news these days without white supremacy and racism being part of the headline news. Yet, how we define both these things isn't just about the color of one's skin. And then, how we choose talk, or not talk about them is what is causing more strife on the planet. Roxy Manning, PhD and Sarah Peyton share with us in today's podcast how to have antiracist conversation and how to truly understand our own biases, even when we think we don't have them. Plus they talk about their books -  How to Have Antiracist Conversations: Embracing Our Full Humanity to Challenge White Supremacy, and the companion workbook - The Antiracist Heart: A Self-Compassion and Activism Handbook. About Roxy and Sarah Roxy Manning, PhD is a clinical psychologist and certified Center for Nonviolent Communication (CNVC) trainer. She brings decades of service experience to her work interrupting explicitly and implicitly oppressive attitudes and cultural norms. Dr. Manning has worked, consulted, and provided training across the US with businesses, nonprofits, and government organizations wanting to move towards equitable and diverse workplace cultures, as well as internationally in over 10 countries with individuals and groups committed to social change. She also works as a psychologist in San Francisco serving the homeless and disenfranchised mentally ill population. She is the author of How to Have Antiracist Conversations: Embracing Our Full Humanity to Challenge White Supremacy and the co-author with Sarah Peyton of the companion text, The Antiracist Heart: A Self-Compassion and Activism Handbook. Sarah Peyton, Certified Trainer of Nonviolent Communication and neuroscience educator, integrates brain science and the use of resonant language to awaken and sustain self-compassion, particularly in the face of such difficult issues like self-condemnation, self-disgust and self-sabotage. She teaches and lectures internationally and is the author of the Your Resonant Self book series. She is also the co-author alongside Roxy Manning, PhD of The Antiracist Heart: A Self-Compassion and Activism Handbook. Connect With Roxy and Sarah Roxy's Website Sarah's Website Roxy Facebook Sarah's Facebook Roxy's Instagram Sarah's Instagram X-Twitter Roxy LinkedIn Sarah's LInkedIn

Every day seven hundred children enter the foster care system in the United States, and thousands more live on the brink. In his new “truly revealing” (Hilary Clinton) memoir, SAFE: A Memoir of Fatherhood, Foster Care, and the Risks We Take for Family, longtime activist Mark Daley traces his, and his husbands unlikely journey to parenthood through the American foster care system, shining a spotlight on how we treat the most vulnerable among us and sounding a vital call to overhaul a thoroughly broken system. About Mark MARK DALEY is a social activist, entrepreneur, and foster-turned-adoptive father. Daley has over two decades of experience in message development, communication strategy, and public policy, including as a communications director and spokesperson for then-Senator Hillary Clinton's 2008 presidential campaign. He has worked with more than thirty members of Congress, numerous governors, and other elected officials. He is the founder of One Iowa, the state's largest LGBTQ+ equality organization, and TheFosterParent.com, a national platform to connect interested families with foster organizations. Connect With Mark Website Instagram Facebook

Do you really want to cheat on your spouse, significant other, boyfriend, or girlfriend? Maybe you love them but you need to venture out of the script of monogamy. It's time to step into the juicy, exciting, and scary world of coloring outside of the lines of your relationship while avoiding playing with fire. Dr. Joli Hamilton takes on a candid stroll through how to make your unhealthy relationship a better open relationship. About Joli Dr. Joli Hamilton is the relationship coach for couples who color outside the lines. She is a research psychologist, TEDx speaker, best-selling author, and AASECT (pronounced ay-sect) certified sex educator. Joli also co-hosts the Playing with Fire podcast with her anchor partner, Ken. Joli's been featured in The New York Times, Vogue, and NPR. She's spent the past two decades studying and reimagining what love can be if we open our imaginations to possibility. Joli helps people create non-monogamous partnerships that are custom-built for their authentic selves, no more shrinking, pretending, or hiding required. Connect With Joli Website Instagram Podcast - Playing With Fire LinkedIn

"And in this corner we have an out, proud, wrestler." Wait, what? Wrestlers can be gay? Of course they can. We queers are everywhere, so let's celebrate with Ry Levey, film maker.His film Out In The Ring, showcases the hidden world of queer wrestlers and also parallels the nuances of the wrestling world imitate the queer world. From drag and performance art to the homoerotic costumes and positions. Nothing is left to the imagination when Queers invade the ring.About RyRy Levey is a 20+ year film industry professional who has publicized and or distributed over 100 Feature films, including award winning documentaries like Emmy Award winner MATT SHEPARD IS A FRIEND OF MINE, Oscar nominated THE INVISIBLE WAR, and films by documentary legends Frederick Wiseman and Steve James, Tony winning and Oscar nominated filmmaker/Theatre icon Julie Taymor and 2 time Oscar winner Sharmeen Obaid-Chinoy.His documentary feature directorial debut, OUT IN THE RING was the recipient of 4 Intl. film festival awards.Connect With RyWebsiteInstagramX - Twitter

It's 2024 and I want to invite you as LGBTQ+ individuals to step into a life of Radical Integrity. But, what does that mean? How can it benefit you? Today we explore that concept with author, soul coach, and body-centered therapist River Faire. He candidly shares how living a life of radical integrity has changed his life for the better and how you can do the same. About River River Faire is a multi-award–winning author, body-centered therapist, and Paris-trained chef-turned-holistic-wellness coach. For more than three decades, in a variety of modalities, he has assisted people with transformation and personal evolution. Currently, he hosts the video podcast, Radical Being with River Faire, and works with clients internationally in his signature, 8-week holistic coaching program. His new book, WHERE TWO WORLDS TOUCH: AN OUTSIDER'S MEMOIR IN ENGLAND, is forthcoming in December. Connect With River Website Podcast Facebook Instagram Twitter LinkedIn

Imagine gaining and losing 50 to 75 pounds every two years as a teen. Miserable, right? The imagine at 38 years old discovering that you issues with food and weight were a symptom of a much deeper issue: your childhood sexual abuse. Today's Guest, Patty Cabot, author of Not That Girl Anymore, shares the tremendous effort, the suspension of doubt, and a steadfast belief that took to come out of her food disorder and sexual abuse closet to find and love herself, so that she could find and love men. About Patty Beginning in her teens, Patty battled drastic weight fluctuations. Desperate to break the cycle and thinking it was what prevented her from meeting men, in her late 30s Patty embarked on a therapeutic journey that led to her unresolved childhood sexual abuse. Over 12 years she worked with her therapist and EMDR, a chiropractor to release trapped “fight or flight” responses, a sex therapist and attended group therapy for sexual abuse. Patty published Not That Girl Anymore, a memoir about the alternative therapies she explored in the hopes of undoing the ruin within to claim the happiness she – and everyone else struggling with trauma – deserves. Connect With Patty Website Instagram TikTok

It's the most joyful time of the year...or is it? For many of us the holidays bring joy, joy, joy but then it also brings stress, frustration, and overwhelm. Yet, in life, we are the master of our own joy! Today we explore how to bring joy into our life by planting seeds or creating little breadcrumb moments, with the Joy Boss - Quinn O'Briant. In this episode you will discover the shortcuts to more joy even in the craziest, most joyful time of the year. About Quinn Quinn O'Briant is the Joy Boss, and she's celebrating 30 years out of the closet! Quinn is the creator of the life-changing Joy + Money Mindset, Joyful Entrepreneur, and Joy-Based Business programs. Before she was the Joy Boss, Quinn founded and ran an innovation firm where she led a team that worked with Fortune 500 companies and large school districts. Quinn spent several years working at Google and is an alumna of Stanford University, Goddard College, and Emory University. Quinn believes joy is the key to living an unapologetic, authentic life. Connect With Quinn Website Instagram TikTok

There's human experience that we will all face at some point. The trauma and tragedy of losing someone we love or care about. It is inevitable. When that moment comes, whether it is losing your family due to them not embracing you as LGBTQ, or actual loss of life due to an accident or disease, you have a choice - Ride or Die! Author Jarie Bolander shares his Ride or Die Journey with us today and it is guaranteed to show you how similar his closet is to our own about coming out in the midst of a tragedy. About Jarie Jarie is the author of a bunch of books on business and entrepreneurship. The most current one is Story-Driven Decks, which is all about how to create a pitch deck that gets you that next meeting with investors. IT's book two of his Story-Driven Startups Series. His first non-business book, the subject of this podcast, came out in September and is about his late wife Jane and his experiences with her leukemia diagnosis and treatment. It's called Ride or Die: Loving Through Tragedy, A Husband's Memoir. Additionally, Jarie is an entrepreneur who for the better part of 30 years has been at various successful and not so successful startups. Currently he is a B2B Sales and Marketing strategy consultant that focuses on high ticket, complex products, mostly in SaaS companies that were put together via private equity. He lives in San Francisco and has found love again with a wonderful woman who has been instrumental in helping him live his best life after his first wife Jane passed away. Connect With Jarie Website Facebook Instagram Twitter LinkedIn

In a world of divisiveness, one thing remains constant to learning about humanity - being curious. To celebrate the 600th episode of Life (UN)Closeted, were going to invite you to realize, we all have genders, it more complicated than school science, shame and fears have no place in this discussion, and just because someone lives outside the box of your norm, doesn't mean they deserve your hate. Sharing his new book He/She/They: How We Talk About Gender and Why It Matters, Schuyler Bailar guides us to the table of curiosity, understanding, and empathy. About SchuylerSchuyler Bailar (he/him) is an educator, author, and advocate. He is also the first transgender athlete to compete in any sport on an NCAA Division I men's team. Schuyler's exemplary work has earned him numerous honors including NYC Pride Grand Marshall, the Out100, LGBTQ Nation's Instagram Advocate of the Year, and the Harvard Director's Award. He holds a degree in cognitive neuroscience and evolutionary psychology from Harvard and works in four research labs focusing on trans health.Connect With SchuylerWebsiteInstagramFacebookX-Twitter

There's a lot of backlash, misunderstanding and confusion about gender identity, as if it is something brand new. In this candid conversation about trauma, sexual and gender identity, Ann Pellegrini and Avgi Saketopoulou share their book Gender Without Identity and the challenges we face in embracing all sexualities and genders. About Ann & Avgi ANN PELLEGRINI (they/them; she/her) is Professor of Performance Studies & Social and Cultural Analysis at New York University, teaching classes on queer theory and psychoanalysis, among other topics, as well as a psychoanalyst in private practice. They are the author/co-author of three previous books, including “You Can Tell Just by Looking” and 20 Other Myths about LGBT Life and People, co-authored with Michael Bronski and Michael Amico (Beacon Press, 2013), which was a finalist for the 2014 Lambda Literary Award for Best LGBT Non-Fiction. Dr. Pellegrini has also co-edited two anthologies and is founding co-editor of the “Sexual Cultures” series at NYU Press. AVGI SAKETOPOULOU (she/her) trained as clinical psychologist in New York after emigrating from Greece and Cyprus, and subsequently completed training as a psychoanalyst at the New York University Postdoctoral Program in Psychotherapy and Psychoanalysis, where she currently teaches. She also serves on the faculty of the William Alanson White Institute, the Stephen Mitchell Relational Center, and the National Institute for Psychotherapies, where she offers courses on psychosexuality and gender. Her interview on psychoanalysis is on the collection of the Freud Museum in Vienna and she is the 2022 recipient of the Scholarship Award from the American Psychological Association's Division of Psychoanalysis. Dr. Saketopoulou is also the author of Sexuality Beyond Consent: Risk, Race, Traumatophilia (NYU Press, 2023). Connect with Ann Facebook Instagram Connect with Avgi Website Instagram Twitter - X

Here it is, the day before Thanksgiving in the U.S. For most of us, this is a time of family, gratitude, and munch, munch, munch on amazing food. Yet, for many of us this can be a time of year that is challenging at best. You might be alone, not have a circle of friends, or you may just wonder if being LGBTQ+ is even worth it. Hey, snap out of it and listen to ways to be grateful this Thanksgiving season. You are loved and worth being grateful for being your authentic awesome LGBTQ self. Need help coming out of the closet?Coming out, regardless of your closet, is about freeing yourself from excuses, fears, and learning to be unapologetically you. Sounds great, right? So why aren't you doing it? More than likely it is because you don't have the confidence to move forward because your fears and excuses are holding you back from being you the way you are intended to be.If that sounds like you, lets chat. I'll gift you 30 minutes of my time to explore what might be possible if you had someone in your court, focused purely on you and your next best steps. Schedule "Your Next Move Strategy Session" today.

Coming out is all about emotions and feelings. But what happens when you lean it the whole journey as a scrumptious experience. When you let your body, thoughts, images, and emotions come alive to the full potential of fully feeling you as you. Today, coach Juliette Karaman - the Feel Fully You coach, mentor, and guide shares four elements from her jewel box on how to life a fully free life feeling fully you. About Julia Juliette Karaman is a certified mind and body coach, expert on relationships, sensuality, healing, trauma and body shame. She specialises in the reinvention of the most intimate relationship in life… The one you have with yourself. With courses, coaching, VIP experiences and retreats Juliette has guided and mentored thousands of women over the past decade and a half, rewrite the relationship with self, confidence, their bodies, mind and spirit using her unique Rapid Release Rewire and Restore method ™. Her mission is to create a world where every woman, man, and any gender remembers the truth of who they are and where scrumptiousness, pleasure, ease, spirituality and sensuality are prioritised. She is a mother to 4 children in their early twenties who she loves fiercely. Connect With Julia Website Instagram Facebook

Life is a circus, a carnival, and sometimes it is simply the place you run away from because you realize, living a half-life just isn't worth it. Author, dad, business professional, recovering person of faith, who came into his truth during the COVID-19 pandemic and in his own way ran away from the circus that had become his life to live his truth as a gay man. He shares his story and his new memoir Creosote Rain about running away to live your full life. About Joe Joe Makston is a seasoned professional with over twenty years of experience in the banking industry. He then entered the technology space to lead learning & development and employee experience centers of excellence. However, it is his passion for leadership development that truly sets him apart. Joe has dedicated himself to nurturing and empowering individuals to reach their full potential, believing in the transformative power of leading self, leading others and leading together. In addition to his career, Joe has been a podcaster, TEDx speaker, and is an accomplished author. He co-wrote a book titled "Tummy Tales: Questions with My Dad" alongside Mars, capturing the heartwarming bond between a father and child. Joe continues to share his own personal story and encourages others to share theirs, recognizing the power of vulnerability and the building of genuine connections. His passion for storytelling serves as a catalyst for authentic communities where individuals feel seen, heard, and supported. Joe resides in North Central Phoenix, with his kids and two dogs, Olive and Scout. He enjoyed running and mountain biking on the vast trails in the Phoenix area. Connect With Joe Instagram Facebook LinkedIn Get the Book

There's an uprising that is beginning to happen. It's coming from the depths that says, "We will not be silenced." It also brings about feelings of being alone, lack of acceptance, lowered levels of self-love. All of which, can stir up the rebel within. As queer culture continues to feel that target on our backs, it is good to remember that the rebel within each of needs to be seen, heard, understood, and experience empathy. In her debut book, Rebel in Venus, dancer, choreographer, and author Marissa Alma Nick brings to light the way to be yourself in a world hell bent on taking your personal worth away. Today we explore ways to let your rebel shine and never back down. About Marrissa Marissa Alma Nick illuminates queer experiences with an authentic perspective on emerging concerns including mental health, trauma, sexual assault, abuse and gaslighting. More than anything, Rebel in Venus, is a book about empowerment, self-realization, self-acceptance and self-love - a coming-of-age story, about a woman who is realizing she can no longer outrun herself. Connect With Marissa Website Instagram