Stories from Encircle

Now Stacey's in the hot seat.

What does queer joy mean to you?

The one, the only, Olivia Jaramillo!

You're going to make people think that I'm terrible. Support Encircle's mission at encircletogether.org/give! #lgbtq #queer #encircle #podcast #siblings #family

Keep your eyes pierced for announcements about Encircle's next location in Heber City, coming soon! To support queer youth in Heber City, this podcast, and Encircle's mission, consider donating at encircletogether.org/give!

Someone make Stacey read Percy Jackson. To support Encircle's mission to build a better future for LGBTQ+ youth and to sustain this podcast, consider donating at encircletogether.org/give

Can we, like, help people live their best lives? Support Encircle and our mission to build a better future for queer youth by donating at encircletogether.org/give!

How could you know? Stacey chats with JK Studios and Studio C buddy Adam Berg! Support Encircle's mission and this podcast at encircletogether.org/communitycircle

This is delicious. Support Encircle's mission at encircletogether.org!

What fly? Queer youth are the future. Support Encircle's mission to build a better future for them by donating at encircletogether.org/give.

Is life actually better after coming out? Join us for today's episode from the Stories from Encircle vault, recorded almost a year ago with former BYU Valedictorian Matt Easton (he/him) and our host Stacey Harkey (he/him)! To support Stories from Encircle and our mission, donate at encircletogether.org/give

In today's MONUMENTAL episode, Stacey (he/him) interviews co-founder of the Trevor Project, founder of the Future Perfect Project, and Academy Award Winner, Celeste Lecesne (he/they). Learn more about the Future Perfect Project! https://www.instagram.com/thefutureperfectproject/ https://www.thefutureperfectproject.com/ Donate to support Encircle's mission and this podcast! encircletogether.org/give

"We have a lot to learn from this community, and I think we would all benefit from spending time in these homes." - McKenzie Bauer (she/her), Co-Founder of Thread Wallets On today's episode our Guest Host, Encircle Founder and CEO Stephenie Larsen chats with McKenzie about motherhood, leading organizations as women, and their journeys to becoming allies and advocates for the queer community!

"We just want to be there to support you on whatever path you choose to take." - Andy. We're joined this week by Sabina Mendoza (she/her) and Andy Cupp (he/him) from The OUT Foundation. Learn more about their organization at https://www.theout.foundation/ ! Support Encircle, our mission, and this podcast at encircletogether.org/give!

Stories from Encircle's SEASON TWO PREMIERE! Your brand new host Stacey Harkey (he/him) interviews Equality Utah's Executive Director, Troy Williams (he/him). How many superhero references can you count?

Love yourself, love others. No Sides, Only Love. Encircle + Enso: A perfect partnership. Encircle Founder and CEO Stephenie Larsen (she/her) chats with Enso Co-Founder Brighton Jones (he/him), before we march together on Sunday at Utah Pride!

How culture and queerness intersect... with a few references to Everything Everywhere All at Once.

Let's go, lesbians! In this episode, Kylie Larsen (she/they), Tia Larson (she/they), and Liùsaidh Riddle (she/her) all take turns interviewing each other about their experiences as Lesbians, and why Lesbian Visibility Week is so important! Support Encircle's mission and this podcast by joining the Community Circle! encircletogther.org/communitycircle

This week singer and songwriter Greyson Chance (he/him) joins us before his big race supporting Encircle! He interviews Encircle youth, Luke, age 16 (he/him). Hear their stories and Greyson's advice about how to become your best self!

On today's episode of Stories from Encircle, Camlyn Giddins (she/they) sits down with longtime friend Sammi Trujillo (she/her) from the HIV Vaccine Trials Network as they talk about how Sammi overcame the homophobic outlook she grew up with when her best friend came out. Take this survey and support the HIV Vaccine Trials Network! https://freeonlinesurveys.com/s/taqUdOUc#/0

Today is Trans Day of Visibility! We see you, we support you, and we love you

To round out our celebration of Women's History Month, we're sharing this conversation between Dr. Leandra Hernandez (she/her) from Utah Valley University and Dr. Lisa Diamond (she/her) from the University of Utah, as they discuss Women's History, queer feminists we should know more about, and a discourse on the state of women's rights, accomplishments, and the fight for a better future. Dr. Leandra H. Hernandez (Ph.D., Texas A&M University) enjoys teaching health communication, gender studies, and media studies courses. She utilizes Chicana feminist & qualitative approaches to explore Latina/o/x cultural health experiences, Latina/o/x journalism and media representations, and reproductive justice and gendered violence contexts. Her teaching philosophy is informed by social justice approaches, and she is passionate about mentoring undergraduate students through diverse and inclusive research projects. Dr. Lisa M. Diamond's research focuses on sexuality, gender, and intimate relationships, and their implications for health and well-being over the life course. Her primary research areas include (1) fluidity in sexual and gender expression among women and men, (2) biological underpinnings of sexual desire and experience, (3) the impact of early-life adversity on social and sexual development, and (4) the implications of sexual well-being for physical and mental health. In addressing these questions, she uses a diverse range of research methods, including longitudinal observation across multiple time spans, controlled laboratory experiments, and collection of biomarkers (such as oxytocin, cortisol, and markers of systemic inflammation).

In today's episode of Stories from Encircle, our founder and CEO Stephenie Larsen (she/her) sits down with a new member of the Encircle team, Stacey Jackson-Roberts (she/her), and they talk about the impact that Stacey has had leading the charge for better healthcare, legal protections, and acceptance for trans women.

Today is all about the unique intersection of Black identities with queer identities! We hear from Chris Amador (they/them), Jeannie Williams (she/her), Mimi Cole (she/her), and Stacey Harkey (he/him), as they talk about some heroes of theirs, some lessons about intersectionality, and their hopes for a brighter future for queer Black folks. No Sides, Only Love. Encircle gives a home to youth and family programs, mental health services, and subsidized therapy for the LGBTQ+ community. Support our mission at encircletogether.org/give!

Join us for a short discussion with Encircle youth, Kiana (she/her), as she discusses with Camlyn Giddins (she/they) some of her favorite topics, including her journey, her exploration with her sexuality and the support she's received, along with some fun stories about martial arts, horse riding, and her time at Encircle.

A special collaborative podcast episode with The Queer Athlete Podcast. Today we celebrate National Women and Girls in Sports Day, and this year is the 50th anniversary of Title IX. Hear Emma Gee (she/her), Mina Margraf (she/her), and Mica Schoenrock (she/her) discuss their experiences as queer female athletes and their hopes for the future of sports.

This week, we're joined by Jordan Jackson (he/him) and Tayler Pace (he/him). Jordan and Tayler run LGBTQ.UT, an app that provides information about crisis and community resources, local events, and educational materials for the queer community. Hear their stories, what motivated them to involve themselves in the tech and resources sphere, and what their goals and hope are for the app. And make sure to check out their website LGBTQ.UT and their Instagram page, @lgbtq.ut

Stories from Encircle presents... The Story OF Encircle! Learn more about what inspired Encircle, how we've grown, the lessons we've learned, and a little bit about where we're going as Encircle's CEO Stephenie Larsen (she/her) sits down with Encircle COO Jacob Dunford (he/him).

Join us for a short discussion with Encircle youth, El (she/they), as she discusses with Willow Webb (she/they) some of her favorite topics, including her journey, her exploration with gender and the support she's received, and of course, mushroom facts.

The first episode of our new series focused on sharing the stories of the young folks that come to Encircle: Becoming! In this episode, hear Bei's story of realizing and coming to understand their sexuality and gender identity, and some of the lessons they've learned along the way.

Listen to the giggles, the gratitude and the experiences of returning guests and new faces in our very first Stories from Encircle Roundtable! We're joined by a panel of young adults and friends from the Provo Encircle home, as they talk about how to take care of yourself at Thanksgiving dinner and the holidays, advice on being with family who is less than supportive, and encouragement on how to be authentic to your identity and your self. The Roundtable guests include Willow (she/they), Wren (they/them), Taylor (he/him), Lee (they/them), Chris (they/them), with Roundtable host Cal (he/they).

This Trans Remembrance Day, we invite you to listen to bj Nelson (she/her) and Taylor Melamed (he/him) discuss their experiences coming out, transitioning, and living their authentic lives as trans people.

Camlyn Giddins (she/they), our very own Community Outreach Coordinator at Encircle, sits down with Co-Owner and Co-Founder of Grey Hawk Enterprises, Isaiah Mataele (he/him) to talk about the moments of queer joy that have lifted them up, the support they've received from family and friends, and the solidarity we need to build a better community for all.

Encircle staff members Adam White (he/him) and Sean Allsop-Pukahi (he/him) chat about how they've grown, found themselves, and found their community in the years since they first met as queer college students.

How have you learned to embrace your full identity? Assistant Home Director Nicole Ostermiller sits down with Encircle Youth Jeramy (they/them) and they chat about their stories, their passions, and their hopes for the future.

Original cast member of Studio C and co-founder of JK Studios Stacey Harkey (he/him) sits down with Encircle Founder & CEO Stephenie Larsen (she/her) to talk about his time as a gay BYU student, his experience both in and out of the closet, and their hopes for queer youth in the community around BYU.

To commemorate Bisexual Awareness Week (9/16-9/23) and Celebrate Bisexuality Day (9/23), Willow Webb (she/they) and Cal Haynes (he/they) share lessons learned, issues facing the Bisexual community, and their experiences as interns at Encircle this summer.

Lakshan Lingam (he/they) speaks with muralist, athlete, and van-lifer Rian Kasner (they/them) about their experiences as a queer person and their development as an artist. Rian has painted a mural in the Encircle home in St. George, has just finished one in the Salt Lake City Home, and will be doing more at other Encircle homes in the future.

A conversation with 2019 Brigham Young University valedictorian Matt Easton (he/him) and Encircle Founder and CEO Stephenie Larsen (she/her) about Matt's experience as a gay man and his reaction to recent comments made about him from the pulpit at BYU.