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In episode 1848, Jack and guest co-host Pallavi Gunalan are joined by host of Better Offline, Ed Zitron, to discuss… 4 Chan Leak, More Details On What It’s Like to Be Elon Musk’s Baby Mama, Who Do We Blame For Gen Z’s Love Of Patrick Bateman? And more! Vote for Better Offline for the 29th Annual Webby Awards! More Details On What It’s Like to Be Elon Musk’s Baby Mama ‘American Psycho’ Director Baffled by ‘Wall Street Bros’ Still Idolizing Patrick Bateman: They Don’t Realize the Movie Is a ‘Gay Man’s Satire on Masculinity’ The sad, stupid rise of the sigma male: how toxic masculinity took over social media He was created to be a bloody monster. Now he’s an internet hero. Sigma grindset: TikTok's toxic worshipping of Patrick Bateman is another sign young men are lost Why are Gen Z men obsessed with Patrick Bateman from ‘American Psycho’? 25 years on, Patrick Bateman’s unsettling morning routine is normal American Psycho Teaches a Lesson in Media Literacy Know Your Meme: American Psycho / Patrick Bateman Kanye's 'American Psycho' Video And 'Yeezus' Get Official Releases Kanye West Goes American Psycho LISTEN: Yasashi - Slowed by CXSPER WATCH: The Daily Zeitgeist on Youtube! L.A. Wildfire Relief: Displaced Black Families GoFund Me Directory See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.
Chapters00:00Introduction and Background of Matt Nightingale02:05Understanding Identity and Early Realizations05:57Marriage and the Struggle with Sexual Orientation10:00Coming Out and the Journey of Acceptance14:01Reflections on Marriage and Family Life17:49Navigating Relationships with Children19:57Public Coming Out and Community Support22:15Coming Out and Its Impact25:02Navigating Relationships and Acceptance28:01The Evolution of Self-Acceptance29:58Finding Love During a Pandemic36:58Current Work and Spiritual JourneyIn this conversation, Matt Nightingale shares his journey of self-discovery as a gay man raised in a fundamentalist Christian environment. He discusses his early awareness of his sexual orientation, the complexities of marrying a woman while grappling with his identity, and the challenges of living a double life. Matt reflects on his experiences in reparative therapy, the impact of his coming out on his family, and the evolution of his relationships with his children and ex-wife. He emphasizes the importance of acceptance and understanding within the LGBTQ community and the Christian faith. In this conversation, Matt Nightingale shares his journey of coming out as gay, navigating the complexities of relationships, and evolving his understanding of faith and spirituality. He discusses the challenges he faced during his marriage, the acceptance he found within himself, and how he ultimately found love during the pandemic. Matt also talks about his current work in ministry and his passion for supporting others in their spiritual journeys, particularly those deconstructing conservative Christian beliefs.keywordsLGBTQ, coming out, marriage, spirituality, identity, acceptance, Christian community, advocacy, personal journey, family dynamics, coming out, LGBTQ+, self-acceptance, relationships, spirituality, ministry, love, personal growth, divorce, community supportBIOMatt Nightingale is a pastor, musician, speaker, writer, and spiritual director from San Francisco's North Bay Area. He is founder and executive director of Common Sanctuary, and co-pastor (along with his long-time best friend, Tony Gapastione) of The Quest.Matt's musical/creative exploits have included performing a solo show at the Tulsa Jazz Hall of Fame, singing the national anthem at two 49ers games and a stint with the San Francisco Gay Men's Chorus. His song, “Always Entertaining Me (The La-La Song)” was featured in the hit Korean drama IRIS, and his song, “Going Home” was recorded by Broadway star and Emmy winner Loretta Devine and is featured on the soundtrack of the short film “Neighbor.”For seventeen years, Matt worked as a worship pastor in the Evangelical Covenant Church, serving churches in Redwood City, CA; Houston, TX; Tulsa, OK; Seattle, WA; and Santa Rosa, CA. He is a graduate of the Spiritual Director Formation Program at The Journey Center Association and a member of Spiritual Directors International.As a gay Christian, Matt is passionate about the intersection of sexuality and spirituality, and he works to create safe, sacred spaces for people exploring these identities. His TEDx talk, “Choosing Gratitude and Hope,” with his former wife, Luanne Nightingale, tells their story of a mixed-orientation marriage, an evolving understanding of faith and sexuality, and the choice to divorce with gratitude and hope.Matt is the husband of Alejandro and the father of four adult children: Joshua, Jacob, Emily and Zachary.CONTACT:Matt's website: http://www.mattnightingale.com. Matt is also @mattnightingale on Twitter, Bluesky, Instagram and FB.To contact Wilkinson: BecomingWilkinson@gmail.com
In this episode of the 'Your Message Received' podcast, John Duffin gets to connect with Vinnie Potestivo, a renowned branding expert and talent energy cultivator. They discuss the importance of discovering one's authentic business voice, strategies for inspiring energy in written and audio formats, and acting with intentionality in professional growth. Vinnie shares his experiences at MTV, building platforms, programs, brands, and walking (running) tightropes, from a huge genre of new platforms. Who Vinnie has Elevated-Mandy Moore, Nick Cannon, Ashton Kutcher, Beyoncé Carter… and this is just to name a few. News, pop culture, the birth of reality TV, star making-Vinnie has had the privilege of elevating a diverse array of personal brands through original content. Music, reality (Millionaire Matchmaker, Real Housewives of NJ) Vinnie was originally more of the idea person, behind-the-scenes person, who has been encouraged to become even more front-facing. Recent personal challenges, have recently taken a toll- and Vinnie describes how grace and space play crucial roles in his own healing and growth. Vinnie Potestivo is all about service, giving back, and helping others to grow. Simply put, Vinnie builds brands for well-known authorities, and Vinnie build authority for well-known brands. Emphasizing networking, authenticity, and leveraging LinkedIn, Vinnie illustrates how leaders can drive visibility and build impactful relationships. Visibility isn't about being everywhere - it's about differentiating and showing up where it makes the most impact. With Vinnie's new "I Have a Podcast" platform-Vinnie was encouraged to become more front facing. This episode was deeply personal for me- fun, energized, emotional, seriously beneficial - you gotta listen. Vinnie Potestivo is wildly generous with tips, techniques, and proven success stories-all bound to elevate your brand too. One quick way to get a response, is to DM Vinnie on his LinkedIn page-noted below. Here are some sure-fire ways to learn more from Vinnie PotestivoOn Instagram @ihaveapodcasthttps://www.instagram.com/ihaveapodcast?igsh=bWE5NzR4M3BscWZ0LinkedInhttps://www.linkedin.com/in/vinniepotestivo/Don't forget to check out Vinnie's Branding Guide www.Vpe.tv/giftWhen you're ready to share your success story, join me as a guest on Your Message Received... Finding your Business Voice!? Send John Duffin a message on PodMatch here: https://www.podmatch.com/.../1684959784828x29467220990920... 01:00 Introducing Today's Guest: Vinnie Potestivo01:45 Vinnie's Journey and Insights on Energy04:24 Vinnie's Early Career and College Days06:12 MTV and the Art of Talent Development14:00 Navigating Corporate Media as a Gay Man at a very young age32:19 The Power of Intentionality and Vision34:45 Booking Talent for MTV35:59 Navigating Corporate Roadblocks37:12 Innovative Podcast Ideas38:50 Pitching and Selling Shows39:20 Transition to Audience-Centric Content41:28 Building Relationships in the Industry44:23 Personal Growth and Resilience48:36 Creating Impactful Content52:52 Leveraging LinkedIn for Visibility01:03:15 Final Thoughts and Gratitude
Seán's guest always wanted to be a dad but, being a single man, it took him a while to pluck up the courage to investigate the possibility of becoming a foster carer. Now, he is sharing his journey and has been writing about it in GCN magazine.The foster dad (who will remain anonymous) joins to discuss…
Seán's guest always wanted to be a dad but, being a single man, it took him a while to pluck up the courage to investigate the possibility of becoming a foster carer. Now, he is sharing his journey and has been writing about it in GCN magazine.The foster dad (who will remain anonymous) joins to discuss…
Michael is a gay man who sleeps with straight guys and he called in to talk all about it. Tune in to hear all the details including his fave married straight guy he's been “seeing,” how he met him and how long their hook up has lasted, the first time they hooked up and exactly what went down, how his wife found out and how she reacted, the threesome they all had and exactly what went down, what he disliked about the wife and how it turned him off, the second time they had a threesome and what went down, how and why money came into play between them, his previous experience on gay.com and the hook-ups with straight guys he had on there and how he feels about it all now, when he was diagnosed with HIV, how he found out and haw he became undetectable very early on, the drugs that were avail to take to avoid getting HIV and how and why he had never used them, how he deals with telling partners about his status and how his partners have reacted, how his fave, married lover felt when he told him, how his current partner felt when he told him. how his “hook-ups” with his fave married guy go down now, how his current partner knows about his hook ups but how and why he doesn't want to know about it, where he hook ups with all the straight guys, what most of them are looking for, how so many married guys hit him up and how it's a lot more common then people think, his side guys fantasy of being with a trans woman and how he feels about plus a whole lot more. **To see hot pics of Mr. and Ms. M plus my fother emale guests + gain access to my PRIVATE Discord channel where people get super XX naughty + hear anonymous confessions + get all the episodes early and AD FREE, join my Patreon! It's only $7 a month and you can cancel at any time. You can sign up here: https://www.patreon.com/StrictlyAnonymousPodcast MY BOOK IS NOW OUT FOR PRE-ORDER!!!! Strictly Anonymous Confessions: Secret Sex Lives of Total Strangers. A bunch of short, super sexy, TRUE stories. GET YOUR COPY NOW: https://amzn.to/4i7hBCd To Join SDC and get a FREE Trial! click here: https://www.sdc.com/?ref=37712 or go to SDC.com and use my code 37712 Want to be on the show? Email me at strictlyanonymouspodcast@gmail.com or go to http://www.strictlyanonymouspodcast.com and click on "Be on the Show" Have something quick you want to confess while remaining anonymous? Call the CONFESSIONS hotline at 347-420-3579. You can call 24/7. All voices are changed. Sponsors: https://www.dipseastories.com/strictlyanon Hear the hottest stories on Dipsea and get a 30-day FREE triaL Try VIIA! https://viia.co/STRICTLYANON and use code STRICTLYANON https://butterwellness.com/ For 20% off your Butter Wellness perineum massager use code STRICTLY https://bluechew.com Get your first month FREE! https://beducate.me/march2025 Use code anonymous to get an additional 10% off the campaign's current discount - that's 60% off Follow me! Instagram https://www.instagram.com/strictanonymous/ Twitter https://twitter.com/strictanonymous?lang=en Website http://www.strictlyanonymouspodcast.com/ Everything else https://linktr.ee/Strictlyanonymouspodcas Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices
We all love a good adventure, but let's be real—traveling as a gay man isn't just about picking a destination; it's about finding places where you can truly feel safe, seen, and celebrated. So, where in the world can you be your fabulous, free self without worry? This week, I'm joined by LGBTQ+ travel expert & Queer Adventurers founder, who's here to drop all the tips on traveling smart, safe, and stress-free. What you'll learn: How to spot red flags & know if a place is safe for LGBTQ+ travelers The best ways to maximize your travel budget while seeing the world Hacks to plan trips without the overwhelm – because travel should be fun, not stressful! Pack your bags, grab your passport, and tune in—this episode is your ultimate gay travel guide. About Lindsey Lindsey Danis empowers LGBTQ travelers to understand and advocate for their needs and plan incredible adventures while feeling seen, heard and supported. Lindsey writes regularly about LGBTQ travel for publications including AFAR, Condé Nast Traveler, TripSavvy, GayCities, and Longreads. Lindsey is the founder of the LGBTQ travel blog, Queer Adventurers, which offers travel planning advice, money-saving travel tips, and destination guides written for an LGBTQ audience, with a focus on female and nonbinary people. Newsletter subscribers get LGBTQ travel trend updates and free resources on how to make the most of every trip. Lindsey lives in the Hudson Valley of New York with her partner and two dogs. When not writing, Lindsey can be found hiking, kayaking, or cooking. Connect With Lindsey Website Queer Adventures Author Instagram Travel Instagram Hey Guys, Check This Out! Are you a guy who keeps struggling to do that thing? You know the thing you keep telling yourself and others you're going to do, but never do? Then it's time to get real and figure out why. Join the 40 Plus: Gay Men Gay Talk, monthly chats. They happen the third Monday of each month at 5:00 pm Pacific - Learn More! Also, join our Facebook Community - 40 Plus: Gay Men, Gay Talk Community Break free of fears. Make bold moves. Live life without apologies
On this episode Gareth told us how he suffered severe homophoblic abuse in a Dublin bar, just because he kissed his boyfriend. He asked us to name a shame the bar....
#RainbowCountry AWARD-WINNING 2HR Nationally Syndicated Gay Radio Show & A Canadian #1 LGBT Podcast Working To Give Voice To The LGBT Community & BEYOND! ON EPISODE 443: THIS WEEK ON AIR! Starting Tuesday 8PM ET Broadcast Radio | Streaming | Podcast
The return of a much requested STORYTIME from a number of years ago, prior to the big 'purge' of sexual content, that I have always regretted. This STORYTIME is from when I was just 19 years old and had taken a part-time job in construction. It tells of a little adventure that I got involved in during after hours drinking with a couple of the guys who were in their early 20's. This is Part 1 or a 3-part story. Part 2 will be on the air next week, with the brand-new Part 3 coming out a couple of weeks after that. I hope you enjoy the show. ** Please note that there is some sexual content in this story, so steer clear of it if you are offended by descriptive guy-on-guy sex **
Let's be honest. The planet is a little crazy these days, from politics to divides amongst us as humans on a wide variety of issues - including our rights being stripped away for being LGBTQ+- it is only going to get more challenging for many of us in marginalized communities. Today's podcast is for you gay men, truly for you, to help you find ways to navigate these challenging times and to stay resilient even in the face of those who would have us erased. Here's tips for staying on track, and being good to yourself. Hey Guys, Check This Out! Are you a guy who keeps struggling to do that thing? You know the thing you keep telling yourself and others you're going to do, but never do? Then it's time to get real and figure out why. Join the 40 Plus: Gay Men Gay Talk, monthly chats. They happen the third Monday of each month at 5:00 pm Pacific - Learn More! Also, join our Facebook Community - 40 Plus: Gay Men, Gay Talk Community Break free of fears. Make bold moves. Live life without apologies
In this episode of How to Find and Keep a Gay Man, we're tackling the “checklist syndrome” that might be keeping you from finding love. Do you have a laundry list of must-haves for your perfect partner—hot, rich, smart, fit, kind, and dog-loving (but not too obsessed)? Have your “non-negotiables” become armor to keep you safe from vulnerability and rejection? Join us as we dissect how unrealistic expectations and the gay beauty standard can block genuine connection. Through humor, sharp insights, and some hard truths, we'll help you reframe your dating approach by focusing on what really matters. Stop waiting for perfection and start seeing the beauty in what's real. Because love isn't about algorithms—it's about connection. Let's rewrite your list together. Tune in, open up, and take one step closer to finding your person.
Let's be honest. The planet is a little crazy these days, from politics to divides amongst us as humans on a wide variety of issues - including our rights being stripped away for being LGBTQ+- it is only going to get more challenging for many of us in marginalized communities. Today's podcast is for you gay men, truly for you, to help you find ways to navigate these challenging times and to stay resilient even in the face of those who would have us erased. Here's tips for staying on track, and being good to yourself. Hey Guys, Check This Out! Are you a guy who keeps struggling to do that thing? You know the thing you keep telling yourself and others you're going to do, but never do? Then it's time to get real and figure out why. Join the 40 Plus: Gay Men Gay Talk, monthly chats. They happen the third Monday of each month at 5:00 pm Pacific - Learn More! Also, join our Facebook Community - 40 Plus: Gay Men, Gay Talk Community Break free of fears. Make bold moves. Live life without apologies
The first year after coming out can feel like an emotional rollercoaster—exciting, scary, and full of questions. How do you navigate this transformative time while finding your community, and embracing your authentic self? In this episode, we're talking about the unique challenges and opportunities that come with living out for the first time. We'll discuss: What was your first year out like? What are some common struggles newly out gay men face, and how can they overcome them? How do you figure out who you authentically are after hiding for so long? What's your advice for building a supportive LGBTQ+ community? Whether you're newly out, supporting someone who is, or reflecting on your own journey, this episode offers practical tools, heartfelt insights, and encouragement for thriving in this pivotal year. Free download: The Gay Man's Survival Guide For Your First Year Out Today's Hosts: Michael DiIorio Matt Landsiedel Reno Johnston Support the Show - viewer and listener support helps us to continue making episodes - CONNECT WITH US - Watch podcast episodes on YouTube Join the Gay Men's Brotherhood Facebook community Get on our email list to get access to our monthly Zoom calls Follow us on Instagram | TikTok Learn more about our community at GayMenGoingDeeper.com - LEARN WITH US - Building Better Relationships online course: Learn how to nurture more meaningful and authentic connections with yourself and others. Healing Your Shame online course: Begin the journey toward greater confidence and self-worth by learning how to recognize and deal with toxic shame. Gay Men Going Deeper Coaching Collection: Lifetime access to BOTH courses + 45 coaching videos and 2 workshop series. Take the Attachment Style Quiz to determine your attachment style and get a free report.
THANK YOU TO OUR SPONSORS! SKIMS Shop SKIMS best intimates including the Fits Everybody Collection and more at: https://www.skims.com/trashtuesday MAGIC SPOON Get 5 dollars off your next order at Magic Spoon dot com slash TUESDAY. -Or look for Magic Spoon on Amazon or in your nearest grocery store. That’s Magic Spoon dot com slash TUESDAY for five dollars off. HOMECHEF For a limited time, HomeChef is offering my listeners 18 Free Meals PLUS Free Dessert for Life and of course, Free Shipping on your first box! Go to Home Chef dot com slash TRASHTUESDAY. Our hearts go out to all affected by the wildfires in Los Angeles. If you would like to Donate additional funds and learn more about the people affected please visit Khalyla's GoFundMe https://www.gofundme.com/f/rebuild-and-restore-support-pentagon-and-glenrose?attribution_id=sl:48df2628-a0e2-4f82-ad49-19718cd5409e&utm_campaign=man_sharesheet_dash&utm_medium=customer&utm_source=copy_link Join our Patreon! We wanted to make this a place to share all the things we can’t share on the main show. We will be donating all proceeds from the Patreon to help those affected by the wildfires in Altadena. https://patreon.com/TrashTuesdayPodcast?utm_medium=unknown&utm_source=join_link&utm_campaign=creatorshare_creator&utm_content=copyLink ______________________________________________________________________ Welcome to the Filipino Tigerbelly crossover episode you never know you needed!! Gilbert Galon (of Tigerbelly), Rudy Jules (of every podcast currently on) & Khalyla (OG Podcast Queen) get real deep & discuss the pleasurable experience of both holding your poo in and going poo, deflecting pain with humor, high school heartbreak, Sean Paul & why Asian cultures celebrate having a mistress. Chapters: 3:30 Welcome to the Filipino Episode 5:10 Is Jollibee Good or Am I Nostalgic? 9:00 Is Gilbert a Gay Man? 15:00 Not All Filipinos Hold Their Poo in 22:00 Gilbert Gets Deep 38:00 High School Heartbreak 47:30 Filipino’s Bringing Food to Each Others Homes 59:13 Mistresses in Asian Culture ______________________________________________________________________ FOLLOW TRASH ON SOCIALS: Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/itstrashtuesday Tiktok: https://www.tiktok.com/@itstrashtuesday MORE ESTHER: TikTok: https://www.tiktok.com/@esthermonster Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/esthermonster/ MORE KHALYLA: Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/khalamityk/ Tigerbelly Podcast: https://www.youtube.com/@UCIyIoM_Nd8HtY19fuR_ov2A More RUDY JULES! IG: https://www.instagram.com/rudyjuless/ Bad Friends Podcast: https://www.youtube.com/@BadFriends More Gilbert! IG: https://www.instagram.com/gilbits
Some of the deepest challenges we face as gay men, is letting go of shame around virtually everything we do. From sex and relationships, to body image and the overt need to prove ourselves in our careers. Today, along with my guest, Brandon Simpson, we cover a wide variety of topics to help you bring more joy into your life as a gay or bisexual man without letting today's world, steal your confidence to be you. This week, we're breaking down: Shame: How to release the weight of societal judgments and embrace your authentic self. Boundaries: Why setting them is self-care, not selfish. The Tech Effect: How apps and screens have changed the way we connect—and how to find real intimacy in a digital age. The Bright Side of Sex & Porn: Let's talk about pleasure, exploration, and how to embrace the positive role they can play in our lives. Through this honest conversations we hope you find wayst to build confidence, foster connection, and live unapologetically in the world. About Brandon Brandon Simpson is an Associate Therapist in Southern California. Throughout Brandon's career, he has made it his mission to create safe spaces for LGBTQ people to be their most authentic self, without the pressure of the work around them. Brandon is trained through the International Institute for Trauma & Addiction Professionals to help individuals and couples affected by sex and porn addiction. Brandon chose to become a therapist to create nonjudgmental spaces for open dialogue where people can pave the way for personal growth and healing. Connect With Brandon Website Instagram Hey Guys, Check This Out! Are you a guy who keeps struggling to do that thing? You know the thing you keep telling yourself and others you're going to do, but never do? Then it's time to get real and figure out why. Join the 40 Plus: Gay Men Gay Talk, monthly chats. They happen the third Monday of each month at 5:00 pm Pacific - Learn More! Also, join our Facebook Community - 40 Plus: Gay Men, Gay Talk Community Break free of fears. Make bold moves. Live life without apologies
Living in the closet is a unique experience that queer people must face. Yet each person's journey is shaped by culture, family dynamics, and social pressures. For some, living in the closet is about safety and survival. For others, it's the first step in a journey toward self-acceptance and authenticity. In this episode, we explore what it's really like to live in the closet and the complex emotions that come with it. We discuss: What was was like for you living in the closet? What did it take for you to come out? What advice would you give to someone who is in the closet but afraid to come out? Whether you're still in the closet, reflecting on your journey, or supporting someone else through theirs, this conversation offers empathy, wisdom, and practical guidance for navigating this deeply personal experience. Tune in for an honest and heartfelt discussion about courage, culture, and living your truth—at your own pace. Free download: The Gay Man's Survival Guide For Your First Year Out Today's Hosts: Michael DiIorio Matt Landsiedel Reno Johnston Support the Show - viewer and listener support helps us to continue making episodes - CONNECT WITH US - Watch podcast episodes on YouTube Join the Gay Men's Brotherhood Facebook community Get on our email list to get access to our monthly Zoom calls Follow us on Instagram | TikTok Learn more about our community at GayMenGoingDeeper.com - LEARN WITH US - Building Better Relationships online course: Learn how to nurture more meaningful and authentic connections with yourself and others. Healing Your Shame online course: Begin the journey toward greater confidence and self-worth by learning how to recognize and deal with toxic shame. Gay Men Going Deeper Coaching Collection: Lifetime access to BOTH courses + 45 coaching videos and 2 workshop series. Take the Attachment Style Quiz to determine your attachment style and get a free report.
Bill Glenn is the author of I Came Here Seeking a Person. A Vital Story of Grace; One Gay Man's Spiritual Journey. In the 70s, he trained to be a Catholic priest, but left the seminary at 29. But just as he left, his priestly gifts of love and compassion would be needed to get him — and the thousands of queer people he touched — through the AIDS Crisis.See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.
Isaiah Saldivar will be interviewing Richard Matthews who has gone viral multiple times for sharing how got rescued him from a LGBTQ lifestyle. This is a powerful testimony you must hearRichards Social Media Links Website: https://linktr.ee/richwithpassionMinistry Page: All Socials: @REDEEEMPT1ONYouTube: https://youtube.com/@richwithpassion?si=-0Tgya3EYkpnet9wPodcast: https://open.spotify.com/show/6ruWHcUBtnroMiyoSK1Osk?si=2YjvE7JSRrK2gm5uR9EQMQBooking Email: myredeemption@gmail.comSign up for his newsletter: http://eepurl.com/iWvtPE Personal:All socials: @richwithpassionwww.Isaiahsaldivar.comwww.Instagram.com/Isaiahsaldivarwww.Facebook.com/Isaiahsaldivarwww.youtube.com/IsaiahsaldivarOrder My New Book, "How To Cast Out Demons," Here! https://a.co/d/87NYEfcTo sow www.Isaiahsaldivar.com/partner
Season 3, Episode 7 of Breakfast with Manny PodcastIn this episode, award-winning filmmaker Eric Leven joins Dave and Manny to offer a fresh perspective on masculinity, exploring it through the lens of his experiences as a gay man. Known for his compelling work in gay history and health care, Eric shares nuanced insights that challenge traditional views of male identity, highlighting the intersections of sexuality, masculinity, and self-acceptance.Episode Highlights:Redefining Masculinity Beyond Stereotypes: Eric discusses how masculinity isn't confined to straight males. He shares his observations of the uncertainty many men face today about how they "should" act in the world, and how this hesitancy limits authentic expression.Challenging Stereotypes in the Gay Community: Eric reflects on his journey to finding alignment within the gay community, particularly through the “bear community”—a space where hypermasculinity is celebrated. He explains how discovering this group allowed him to see himself as fully masculine without needing to fit the “pink lens” stereotype of effeminate gay men.Unique Perspectives on Consent and Male Behavior: Eric highlights key differences in consent dynamics between the gay and straight communities, offering insights into how these differences shape his experiences and interactions.Key Discussion Points:Insights from Women: Eric shares conversations with his female friends on what frustrates them about straight men and what women desire from men today. These insights shed light on how male behavior can evolve to meet these needs.The Journey to Self-Acceptance: Eric opens up about the challenges of coming out and finding self-acceptance. He notes that as society shifts, straight men today are increasingly free to express themselves authentically, partly due to the strides made by the gay community.Key Takeaways:Masculinity is Multifaceted: Healthy masculinity isn't limited to one expression or orientation. Embracing this broader view enriches connections and self-awareness.Representation Matters: Discovering communities that align with one's identity, like the bear community for Eric, can provide spaces for genuine self-expression.Mutual Understanding: Learning from diverse perspectives on masculinity and behavior benefits men across orientations, fostering healthier relationships and self-acceptance.Don't forget to subscribe to the podcast on Spotify and YouTube to stay updated on future episodes. If you enjoyed this conversation, leave us a review and share your thoughts!
Mindfulness, meditation, self-mastery - all buzz, buzz, buzz worthy words these days. However, they are more then buzz words. They are are practices that as we ease out of the craziness of the holidays and 2024, can support all of us as gay men to embrace life through a new lens and settle into the daily chaos that can drive us crazy. From dating and relationships, to careers and the pursuit of purpose, mindfulness as we age should be top priority, just like going to the gym. Joining me today is Dr. Theresa Skoor - Dr. T - who doles out some powerful wisdom on how age mindully with joy, happiness, and fun. During this provocative episode you learn: How to release the baggage of aging with mindfulness Learn how to simply be present, from the bedroom to the board room Why mindfulness is a pleasure activator, even when pleasuring yourself About Theresa Dr. Theresa B. Skaar, also known as Dr. T, is an educator and facilitator dedicated to empowering individuals to meet life's challenges with more curiosity, ease, and joy. With a PhD in social psychology, certification in Mind-Body Medicine, and extensive Mindfulness-Based Stress Reduction facilitator training, she is uniquely qualified to help people achieve their personal and professional growth goals. Dr. T's workshops and speaking engagements cover critical topics such as managing burnout, cultivating self-awareness, navigating grief, and aging mindfully. Her expertise in evidence-based practices makes it easy for learners of all levels to understand and apply these tools in their lives. With her engaging demeanor, Dr. T brings humor, compassion, and relatable experiences to her presentations, making them informative and enjoyable. Participants leave her workshops and talks with actionable insights and tools that they can confidently apply to their daily lives. Dr. T loves to explore her creative side through watercolor and acrylic painting. She also enjoys reading, walks in nature, and knitting. She lives with her husband and their two dogs and deeply values her connections with friends and family. For Listeners of 40 Plus: Gay Men, Gay Talk Podcast Join Theresa for A Complimentary: Everyday Mindfulness: A Live Guided Session [video width="640" height="480" mp4="https://rickclemons.com/wp-content/uploads/2024/12/202412241359.mp4"][/video] Discover how mindfulness and meditation can bring more calm and clarity to your daily life. In this interactive one-hour session, you'll learn practical ways mindfulness can support you, participate in a guided mindfulness practice, and have the opportunity to ask questions. Whether you're new to mindfulness or looking to deepen your practice, this live session offers a welcoming space to explore and connect. Join us and take a mindful pause for yourself! These sessions are being offered on January 22, 2025, for free at the following times: 3 pm ET | 2 pm CT | 12 PT 5 pm ET | 4 pm CT | 2 PT 7 pm ET | 6 pm CT | 4 PT 8:30 pm ET | 7:30 pm CT | 5:30 PT CLICK HERE TO SIGN UP! DON'T MISS OUT! Connect With Theresa Website Instagram LinkedIn InsightTimer Hey Guys, Check This Out! Are you a guy who keeps struggling to do that thing? You know the thing you keep telling yourself and others you're going to do, but never do? Then
Greg Louganis is often considered the greatest diver of all time. But his sports journey was intertwined with his deep desire to be loved by his parents. He relives the moment when his HIV status, sexual orientation, and diving career all collided at once: the 1988 Summer Olympics.See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.
This week's episode features Annie Gayman, Vice President of Mining and Governmental Affairs at Lot Sixteen, discussing mining policy in the United States. Gayman highlights the dramatic shift in perspectives on mining, particularly as pro-green transition politicians recognize the critical need for metals to achieve their goals. She also delves into the results of a recent poll showing that the majority of Americans support domestic mining. To view Lot Sixteen and Candid Counsel's poll, visit: https://www.lotsixteen.com/blog/ft912pcegaj2kahrqdyfqaflpswsy9 All this and more with host Adrian Pocobelli. This week's Spotlight showcases Dave Ludwick, Senior Consultant at SRK, discussing innovative advancements in landform design aimed at enhancing mine closure outcomes. For more information, visit: SRK's website. Music Credits “Rattlesnake Railroad”, “Big Western Sky”, “Western Adventure” and “Battle on the Western Frontier” by Brett Van Donsel (www.incompetech.com). Licensed under Creative Commons: By Attribution 4.0 License creativecommons.org/licenses/by/4.0 Apple Podcasts: https://podcasts.apple.com/ca/podcast/the-northern-miner-podcast/id1099281201 Spotify: https://open.spotify.com/show/78lyjMTRlRwZxQwz2fwQ4K YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/@NorthernMiner Soundcloud: https://soundcloud.com/northern-miner
Justin, a young gay man working in a store in the City Centre, contacted us, disgusted that the store he works in are continuing to play the version of Fairytale Of New York with the word f*ggot... Should they give in to his request? This debate got very heated
Trauma has impacted us deeply—especially here in the U.S., where the 2024 election brought new waves of confusion and fear for us as gay men. How do we heal from these experiences? Where do we find the strength to move forward? In this episode, I'm joined by fellow life coach and podcaster Wil Fisher to explore how healing ourselves creates ripples of healing for others and helps us rebuild our communities, even in the midst of chaos. Here's what you'll take away: Practical paths to self-healing and creating spaces of comfort and resilience One powerful phrase that could shift everything for you Tools for acceptance and conscious living, helping you move forward with strength and clarity. Let's navigate this journey together and find light on the path ahead. About Wil Wil Fisher is the host of the podcast Queerly Beloved, founder of Willfully Living, his life coach practice, and facilitator of Awakened Hearts, a retreat for GBTQ men. Wil is on a mission to empower GBTQ men to lead lives of unwavering authenticity, unbridled freedom, and boundless joy! Before moving to San Diego, Wil served as the executive director of Easton Mountain, an LGBTQ retreat center in upstate New York. Wil also spent many years in NYC where he earned his MA in Applied Theater, raised money for GBTQ nonprofits, and co-founded a company called Man Question. His podcast, Queerly Beloved, explores topics around queerness and spirituality and features interviews with some of the most renown visionaries in of the world of LGBTQ spirituality. His group retreat, Awakened Hearts, invites GBTQ men to cultivate more self-love and experience open hearted connections with like-minded men. Heart Live Retreat - Joshua Tree, CA January 23 - 25, 2025 Learn More and Register Here For The Retreat Hearts Alive is a retreat for like-minded GBTQ men to come together, away from their default worlds, to reflect on their lives, connect with their hearts, do some powerful transformational work and boldly step into a more expressed and authentic version of themselves. We'll look at the areas of our lives where we aren't showing up in the most aligned ways and we'll discover strategies to shift that. Our time together will be nourishing and joyful as we playfully grow connections with each other and form loving, heart-centered community. Connect With Wil Website Instagram Facebook LinkedIn Hey Guys, Check This Out! Are you a guy who keeps struggling to do that thing? You know the thing you keep telling yourself and others you're going to do, but never do? Then it's time to get real and figure out why. Join the 40 Plus: Gay Men Gay Talk, monthly chats. They happen the third Monday of each month at 5:00 pm Pacific - Learn More! Break free of fears. Make bold moves. Live life without apologies P.S. get your free My Bold Life Manifesto, right here - rickclemons.com/manifesto/ You can also listen to the podcast on…
At what age do you start to embrace your age? Jeremy Bradley wonders if it's a gender difference or even dependent on your sexuality. JB says as a gay man in his 40s he's expected to feel -- and possibly viewed as -- over the hill. But, does he? He explains how even in his 30s he never shied away from telling people how old he was. Later, JB talks about how he doesn't relate to the gay community and largely distances himself from it because of how it's changed since he was, well, "in his prime."
Connor and Dylan are TALKING. TWINS. TALKING. In the words of Carrie Pipperidge from Carousel, “did ya like it? Did ya?” Well, we sure hope ya will! Recorded before Tammy Faye's gone-too-soon closing announcement, the twins dive into theatre news of the moment. Elf's glowing reviews, Paul Mescal's Streetcar going to BAM, whether Maybe Happy Ending's critical/audience response will catch up to ticket buyers, and the Scherzy Page Six Deepfake Gate. But that's not all, y'all. The demise of Twitter/X, the rise of RHOSLC and RHOP, and the drama of today, tomorrow, and yesterday are on the boards. Finally, Dylan and Connor discuss the Wicked film (including its press tour) before Dylan has his first viewing. Let us be glad and let us be grateful. PERIOD. By the way, who's the most famous out gay man in the world? Tune in to find out all of that and more.Follow DRAMA. on Twitter & Instagram & Tiktok & BlueskyFollow Connor MacDowell on Twitter & InstagramFollow Dylan MacDowell on Twitter & InstagramSubscribe to our show on iHeartRadio Broadway!Support the podcast by subscribing to DRAMA+, which also includes bonus episodes, Instagram Close Friends content, and more!
In this powerful episode, we hear Richard Matthews' remarkable journey from identifying as LGBTQ to becoming a passionate follower of Jesus. Richard shares his personal testimony of transformation, healing, and finding purpose in faith. Don't miss this inspiring story of hope and redemption.
In this episode, Melissa welcomes Richard, a 71-year-old gay man, who shares his journey through prostate cancer diagnosis, treatment, and recovery, offering an honest look into the physical, emotional, and relational changes that come with it from the perspective of a gay man. Key topics include: Prostate Cancer Diagnosis and Treatment Richard's decision to opt for robotic prostate surgery over radiotherapy and the recovery process that followed. Reflections on his initial fears, including concerns about anesthesia, biopsy discomfort, and his catheter experience during recovery. Sexual Rehabilitation and Erectile Health Richard discusses using a penis pump and pelvic floor exercises to prevent penis atrophy post-surgery, offering insights into the challenges and humor he's found in the process. Melissa provides recommendations on pump use, hair trimming for comfort, and ways to maintain sexual health as part of recovery. Intimacy and Relationship Adjustments Changes in Richard's intimate life with his partner, how they've adapted their relationship post-surgery, and exploring different forms of intimacy as they age. Open discussions on same-sex relationships and how prostate cancer impacts sexual health and partnership dynamics. Personal Reflections and Family Relationships Richard shares his late-in-life coming out journey, the importance of family connections, and maintaining positive relationships with loved ones, including his ex-wife and daughters. A heartfelt discussion on cherishing relationships and the importance of support systems through health challenges. Next Steps and Health Management Richard's ongoing regimen: daily use of the penis pump, pelvic floor exercises, upcoming PSA test follow-up, and transitioning from incontinence underwear as his continence improves. Listen to Richard's candid account of resilience, adaptation, and love as he navigates life post-prostate cancer. ---------- Websites: https://melissahadleybarrett.com Men's health only https://rshealth.com.au/ All genders http://www.menshealthphysiotherapy.com.au/ http://prost.com.au/ Facebook: https://m.facebook.com/p/Melissa-Hadley-Barrett-100085237672685/ https://www.facebook.com/profile.php?id=100085146627814 Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/melissahadleybarrett/ https://www.instagram.com/restorativehealth.clinic/ TikTok: @melissahadleybarrett YouTube: Melissa Hadley Barrett Linkedin: https://www.linkedin.com/in/melissa-hadley-barrett/ TEDX https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=IjHj1YTmLoA
From Accountant to CEO: Cory's Journey in M&A and LeadershipI'm thrilled to share some incredible insights from our latest podcast episode featuring Cory Gayman, the founder and CEO of JCG. Cory's journey in the tax and advisory space, particularly his experiences with mergers and acquisitions (M&A), is nothing short of inspiring. Here are some key takeaways that I believe will resonate with you, especially if you're an investment group or a growth-stage business owner.Key Lessons and Insights:The Real Work Begins Post-Acquisition: Cory emphasizes that while the acquisition process is exciting, the real challenge lies in integrating new employees and clients. Building relationships and ensuring everyone buys into the new culture is crucial.Leadership and Culture: Cory's leadership philosophy revolves around servant leadership. He believes in leading by example and fostering a positive workplace culture. His approach to leadership has evolved from doing everything himself to collaborating and supporting his team.Employee Development: Investing in employee growth is a priority for Cory. He encourages further education and certifications, providing flexible work hours to accommodate studies. This not only empowers employees but also strengthens the firm.Navigating Challenges: Managing cash flow during transitions and acquisitions can be tricky. Cory advises maintaining good relationships with banks and projecting needs accurately to navigate these periods smoothly.Capitalism and Entrepreneurship: Cory is a strong advocate for capitalism and the entrepreneurial spirit. He believes in the freedom to control one's destiny and the importance of supporting local small businesses.Adapting to Change: Embracing change and being open to new ideas and technologies is essential. Cory's firm was ahead of the curve in adopting cloud-based accounting software, which streamlined processes and improved client engagement.Building a Legacy: For Cory, success is not just about financial growth but also about the positive impact on the community, employees, and clients. He values the stories and experiences shared by his team, which reflect the positive environment he strives to create.Curious to Learn More?Cory's journey is filled with valuable lessons on leadership, culture, and the intricacies of M&A. His insights are particularly relevant for those looking to grow their businesses and navigate the complexities of acquisitions.Tune in to the full episode to hear Cory's story and gain actionable advice that can help you in your own business journey. Trust me, you don't want to miss this!
This podcast covers episodes 11,405 to 11,410. Ryan warns Daisy that she should be concerned about the lengths Kit will go to in order to get information about her. As Swain is hauled in to explain herself at the station, Carla does her a solid by garnering a brace of sought-after festival tickets. Sally is shocked to discover that the mice they suspect are living in their shed have brought a rucksack. David is shocked when he intercepts attempts from Clayton's prison to get in touch with Shona. Bethany throws Daniel out for perhaps the third time in three weeks when he attempts to take over the conversation at her hospital appointment. Ahead of the space launch, Billy looks for solace in a bottle after being duped by a man claiming to be a friend of Paul's. Tim misses the bowl. Bernie forgets about Chesney. David goes for a pee in the back garden.
Growing up Conor knew he was different but tried to convince himself he wasn't. After battling with mental health for years, he finally had to come to terms with the fact that he was gay. Coming out, he believed celibacy was the right choice for his life and his faith. He shares what that journey is like, and discusses why it was still important for him to come out of the closet, even if he still intends to stay single. Support us and Join our Monthly Zoom on Patreon: patreon.com/c/ITriedtoBeStraight Chat with us and others on Discord: https://discord.gg/ZDHCNEQc --- Support this podcast: https://podcasters.spotify.com/pod/show/i-tried-to-be-straight/support
To Connect with Jacob:https://jacobclancy.comTo Connect with Travis:https://www.travisstock.com/IG: @travers03LinkedIn: Travis StockPatreon: https://www.patreon.com/c/thenewmasculine
En este episodio del chile paara cerrar la temporada 2025, Adrián Andrés, Quique Galdeano y Kikín Soberanes dan un breve resumen de lo que fue el regreso del chile donde pudieron platicar diversas vivencias con heterosexuales y cuestionar si sus decisiones fueron las correctas y hacia dónde van. Replantearse el rumbo siempre es necesario sobre todo si se quiere seguir creciendo. Después de 5 años ininterrumpidos ¿cuál será el destino de Ningún Chile Te embona? Aquí se los contamos…
In this episode, me and my homie tese dive deep into what it means to be a man as a gay man. Society often paints manhood in a very specific way, but for many of us in the LGBTQ+ community, that definition doesn't fit. I share my own personal journey and reflect on how I've redefined masculinity in my life. We also discuss the importance of vulnerability, intersectionality, and how we support each other in exploring our own manhood. Join me as I explore how culture, relationships, and personal growth all shape our understanding of being a man. Tune in to my podcast for more episodes on LGBTQ+ topics and real-life banter!
How does the intersection of orthorexia, masculinity, and sexuality impact the journey to recovery? In today's episode, Livia Sara chats with Jason Wood. Jason turned his battle with orthorexia into a mission to break the stigma around men's mental health by publishing his memoir Starving for Survival. He is proud to serve on the board for two eating disorder recovery organizations, Running in Silence and SoulPaws Recovery Project. Jason is the Director of Community Engagement at ANAD and facilitates the organization's new men's peer support group. Through speaking engagements, his writing, and his advocacy work, Jason strives to be part of the important conversation that encourages everyone – especially men – to speak up, share their stories, and get the help they deserve. Key Topics Discussed: Jason's memoir "Starving for Survival" and his journey with orthorexia Stigma around men asking for help and showing vulnerability, leading to reluctance in seeking support Struggles with processing emotions and identifying them accurately Internalized homophobia and societal pressures around sexuality The power of words and language in shaping perception Childhood relationship with food, bullying, and fear of illness The hidden nature of eating disorders, the difficulty in recognizing their impact during the active phase, and the long-term effects they can have Accepting that we don't know everything and being open to learning from others
En este episodio, Adrián Andrés y Quique Galdeano platicaron con el Príncipe del Punk, Luis Miguel Díaz Morlet sobre el amor y el odio en redes. ¿Qué tanto lo fomentamos nosotros? ¿Es hate cuando respondemos el odio que nos llega? Todo esto y más platicaron los chiles en el penúltimo episodio de esta temporada.
Today we're asking the question "what the heck is happening out there dating?!" with Ryan Sheldon, author of the new book, "Fuckboys are Boring: A Gay Man's Guide to Dating (for everyone)." We'll take on the topic of the f*ckboy, how he dates, how you can spot him, and what you can do with your boundaries so you don't get emotionally caught up in their web! Unless you want to date the f*ckboy for some fun, in which case we have some tips for you, too! Ryan also shares about his experiences dating both sexes, and what it was like coming out after dating women and making the transition to dating men, oye! We'll also talk about dating psychology here, getting into the mind of men and why they do what they do. Intertwined in this conversation are tips and strategies for not chasing and allowing yourself to be calm, cool, and collected in the dating process - which worked for Ryan who is now dating someone that involves a meet cute moment in an Uber! Finally, we conclude with Ryan journey of body accepted and how becoming comfortable in his own skin changed everything and lead to more fulfilling experiences and connections. Don't forget to subscribe, rate, and review Flirtations on your favorite podcast platform, and share this episode to spread BFE - big flirt energy, all over the world! About our guest: Ryan Sheldon is a nationally recognized influencer, brawn model, and advocate for the LGBTQIA+ community. He has been featured on the TODAY Show and in publications like Psychology Today, Seventeen, and Teen Vogue, among others. In his latest book, FUCKBOYS ARE BORING: A Gay Man's Guide to Dating (for everyone), Ryan shares hilarious, heartbreaking, and candid stories from his personal journey through modern dating. Drawing from his own experiences, he offers a refreshingly honest and supportive guide for those seeking real connections in an era dominated by swipe culture. You can follow Ryan on Instagram @RealRyanSheldon and TikTok @RealRyanSheldon. To get a copy of "Fuckboys are Boring," check out Amazon, Barnes & Nobles, or anywhere books are found! About your host: Benjamin is a flirt and dating coach sharing his love of flirting and BFE - big flirt energy, with the world! A lifelong introvert and socially anxious member of society, Benjamin now helps singles and daters alike flirt with more confidence, clarity, and fun! As the flirt is all about connection, Benjamin helps the flirt community (the flirties!) date from a place that allows the value of connection in all forms - platonic, romantic, and with the self - to take center stage and transform lives for greater healing and deeper connections. You can connect with Benjamin on Instagram, TikTok, stream the Flirtations Flirtcast everywhere you listen to podcasts (like right here!), and find out more about working together 1:1 here.
In this episode of How to Find and Keep a Gay Man, the Matts dive deep into the bittersweet journey of finding and losing GOOD gay men. They explore the complex reasons behind breakups—whether initiated by us or by our partners. By identifying and discussing four internal blocks that may hinder our ability to maintain relationships (gremlins, assumptions, interpretations, and limiting beliefs) the hosts aim to help listeners gain a better understanding of their own patterns and behaviors in love...and hear ways to FIX what is broken. Tune in for an insightful conversation that could change your approach to finding and keeping love. And DO NOT miss this week's prayer time, "Catch and Release."
I think that I might have met my match. For the last few years I've been feeling as though I'm the person who talks the most about lost queer spaces, but journalist David Kennerley might actually be ahead of me. He loves queer nightlife so much that he's gone and written a whole book about the long-lost gay scene of '90s New York City. The book, Getting In: NYC Club Flyers from the Gay 1990s, includes flyers that he collected throughout the '90s from legendary spaces like the Palladium, Limelight, Splash, and Tunnel. But out of all of these lost spaces it was The Roxy that had his heart. We caught up to talk about his book, his early days in NYC, and his journey with his queerness. Grab a copy of Getting In: NYC Club Flyers from the Gay 1990s From David's site From Amazon UK From Amazon USA Other episodes about NYC lost queer spaces 'I'm Really Lucky That I'm Gay' - with Eric Marcus from Making Gay History Podcast 'Disco 2000 Was The Hub Of The Club Kids Scene' - with Abdi Nazemian "I Never Really Came Out To My Mother... She Read My Diary..." - with Sheria Mattis "Are You 'In The Life'?" - with Phil Corin Follow me Instagram: www.instagram.com/lostspacespod Facebook: www.facebook.com/lostspacespod TikTok: https://www.tiktok.com/@lostspacespod Sign up to the Queer Word newsletter: https://tinyurl.com/queerqueerword Support me Buy Me A Coffee: https://www.buymeacoffee.com/lostspacespod Follow my guest Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/davidmkennerley/ Website: www.GettingInClubBook.com
Adrián Andrés, Quique Galdeano y Sam del Río Félix nos hablan sobre su último intento de ligue y sus fracasos al intentar entablar nuevas relaciones. Y, aunque siempre les hemos visto en relaciones (a algunos hasta abiertas), en este episodio nos demuestran que siempre hay algo nuevo que aprender.
In this episode of How to Find and Keep a Gay Man, we're diving deep into the signs that help us navigate the dating world: red flags and green lights. Red flags are more than just personality quirks—they're indicators that someone may not share the values necessary for a long-term relationship. If you're looking for a forever partner, it's essential to recognize when someone's behavior or priorities aren't in sync with your vision for a meaningful connection. On the flip side, green lights are the qualities that draw us in, showing us that a man is relationship material. From honesty and commitment to actively working on the relationship and themselves, green lights align with the values we hold for building a lasting love. We'll explore specific examples of both red flags and green lights, and discuss why it's so important to stay true to your own relationship standards as you search for a partner. Whether you're dating now or preparing for your next relationship, this episode will help you refine your understanding of what truly matters. Tune in and learn how to spot the signs that lead to love—or signal it's time to move on. Key Highlights: What red flags really mean in dating How to identify green lights that indicate a healthy potential partner Real-world examples of both, to help guide your own relationship journey Why values alignment is key to finding long-term love Don't forget to follow up on IG: @howtofindandkeepagayman Facebook: facebook.com/findandkeepagayman/ TikTok: tiktok.com/@howtofindandkeepagayman
Shortly after getting saved as a gay youth, John Smid buried his sexuality and joined the leadership team in a conversion therapy program at Love in Action. After years leading the program, he finally comes to terms with the fact that no one was finding any success changing their sexuality, and starts asking big questions about what they're doing in the program.Support us on Patreon: patreon.com/ITriedtoBeStraightChat with us and other for free on Discord: discord.gg/7jwmTemc5y --- Support this podcast: https://podcasters.spotify.com/pod/show/i-tried-to-be-straight/support
Get your ticket to our free live show here, this Sunday, September 29th at 2:30pm in NYC! Stewart Butler shaped much of the vibrant queer culture in New Orleans, through his political activism. He was driven by the loss of 32 queer people in the Upstairs Lounge Fire in 1972 — a fire that he witnessed with his own eyes. Frank Perez is an LGBTQ+ historian who recounts Stewart's story for us.See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.
Erotic. Pleasure. Being authentically yourself as a sexual being. Some would have us shamed into oblivion for thinking that we deserve to be, being of pleasure. Not today. Joining me is today, erotic and pleasure expert - Ayce Kyptyn. Bringing his full trans masculine gay self to the conversation, Ayce shares his journey to his truth and how it brought him the pleasure of becoming an erotic expert to help individuals enjoy the pleasure of human pleasure. In this episode... Learn why erotic pleasure is so important to our essence as gay men Discover how to lose the shame about sexual pleasure Enjoy Ayce's forthright insights as a gay, transman on sexuality, gender, and erotic pleasure About Ayce Ayce has been in the coaching industry for 14 years! He is certified in the Erotic Blueprints, Bondassage, and is a student of Sexological Bodywork. Their passion has been centered around somatic embodiment and living an erotically liberated lifestyle as a gay, trans masculine individual. Connect With Ayce Website Instagram Facebook Hey Guys, Check This Out! Are you a guy who keeps struggling to do that thing? You know the thing you keep telling yourself and others you're going to do, but never do? Then it's time to get real and figure out why. Join the 40 Plus: Gay Men Gay Talk, monthly chats. They happen the third Monday of each month at 5:00 pm Pacific - Learn More! Break free of fears. Make bold moves. Live life without apologies
In this episode of How to Find (& Keep) a Gay Man, we tackle the difficult and often painful topic of cheating in gay male relationships, whether they're monogamous or open. We explore the main reasons why people cheat on their spouses or boyfriends, diving into the complexities that can lead to betrayal, from unmet emotional needs to societal pressures. We'll also discuss practical ways to avoid cheating, emphasizing the importance of communication, trust, and regular check-ins to ensure both partners feel fulfilled and secure. But what happens when cheating does occur? Should you stay and work it out, or is it time to leave? We'll provide guidance on how to navigate these tough decisions, offering insights for listening to your gut when it comes time to make this decision. Join us for an honest and empathetic conversation that aims to shed light on a topic many of us struggle with, but few are willing to talk about openly. Whether you're looking to prevent cheating in your relationship or trying to figure out what to do after it happens, this episode is here to help.
Download my FREE eBook here - http://www.growtribes.com/larry/join In this episode of 'Ideas Have Consequences,' I'm joined by Beckett Cook. Beckett shares his incredible journey from a successful career in Hollywood to a profound transformation brought about by his newfound faith in Jesus Christ. He delves into his upbringing, his struggles with same-sex attraction, and his experiences within the Hollywood scene. Beckett provides a moving account of the night that changed his life forever and the challenges he faced in coming out as a Christian to his gay friends. This powerful testimony highlights the redemptive power of faith and the impact it has had on both his personal and professional life. Follow Beckett Cook: YT - https://www.youtube.com/@BecketCook X - https://twitter.com/becketcook IG - https://www.instagram.com/becketcook/ Follow me everywhere: https://linktr.ee/larrytaunton ✉️ Get all the content I can't share publicly directly in your inbox… https://join.larrytaunton.com/ Special Offers: Birch Gold Group Text “IDEAS” to 989898 to Get your FREE no obligation Infokit and learn how to protect your savings with gold. Purehealth Research Stay sharp with Liver Health Formula Go to GetLiverHelp.com/Larry to receive a FREE 1 month supply of Nano Powered Omega-3's with your order
In this profound episode of Candid Conversations, Jonathan Youssef sits down with Becket Cook, author of "A Change of Affection: A Gay Man's Incredible Story of Redemption" and host of The Becket Cook Show. Becket shares his powerful testimony of living a homosexual lifestyle until a radical encounter with Jesus transformed his life. Raised in a conservative Christian family in Dallas, Texas, Becket navigated the complexities of his identity and faith, eventually finding his true calling in Christ.Join us as Becket recounts his journey from Hollywood's elite circles to a devoted follower of Jesus. He offers insight into how the church can compassionately and truthfully engage with issues of sexuality. Becket's story is a testament to the redemptive power of God's love and the importance of unwavering faith.Don't miss this inspiring conversation, a story of transformation and a guide for churches and individuals to navigate conversations about sexuality with grace and truth.Connect with Jonathan and the Candid community:Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/candidpodInstagram: https://www.instagram.com/candidpodTwitter: https://twitter.com/thecandidpodTranscript:This transcript recounts Candid Conversations with Jonathan Youssef Episode 261: A Gay Man's Incredible Story of Redemption: Becket Cook[00:02] JMY: Today's guest is a very special guest. It is Becket Cook. Becket has written a book called A Change of Affection: A Gay Man's Incredible Story of Redemption. He is the host of The Becket Cook Show, which can be found on YouTube. Raised in Dallas, Texas, Becket attended a Jesuit college preparatory school, lived the homosexual lifestyle until the Lord radically called him and drew him to Himself. And now Becket is out to help churches have the conversation about sexuality and help the church navigate. Becket, thank you so much for taking the time to be on Candid Conversations.[01:13] Becket: Thank you, Jonathan. Good to be here.[01:17] JMY: We've got to start with your story. It's profound and amazing. All salvation stories are amazing; yours is unique. I'd love it if you'd just give us a few minutes and navigate us through your testimony.[01:39] Becket: Yeah, I mean, I'm still in shock. I'm still in shock that this is my story after fifteen years. So, when I was very young I started to notice that I was attracted to the same sex, which was very a disorienting thing, especially at that time when it was very much taboo in Dallas and in my family. My family were Christians and of course, all of my peers and my schoolmates unanimously believed that, I mean, we didn't even have to say it; it was known that homosexuality was just wrong or bad or weird or sinful. And so I had this kind of dark secret. But I was very social in school. I even went steady with girls in seventh and eighth grade, and in high school, I dated three girls, seriously dated them. But it was all the while I knew I wasn't attracted to the girls. It was just like a social thing for me. And so in my junior year at Jesuit, I met a sophomore, and he was dealing with the same thing. He was dealing with the same-sex attraction. So when that happened, the floodgates opened because we became friends, and then like three months or six months, I can't remember how long into our friendship, we basically came out to each other one night at this club.And when that happened, we just started exploring gay life and gay culture in Dallas and going to gay bars. I was 15, he was 14. I don't know where my parents were, but by the time I was in high school, my parents were so checked out that I could be gone for three days, and they didn't even notice. God bless them, they're in heaven now.So we were going to gay bars in Dallas, not sure how we got into these bars, but we did, and then we were going to this one nightclub called the Stark Club. I mention this because it was such a seminal moment in my life. The Starck Club was very famous in Dallas, and it was designed by Philippe Starck, the French designer, and it was beautiful. It was just so, for lack of a better word, it was very chic. And so we started going to the Starck Club, and the first time I walked in, it was just very grand. There was this grand staircase with a red carpet that went up to these giant doors, and you walked into this beautiful space. And I walked in, and there were gay people, straight people, artists, trans people, drag queens—it's a whole mix of kind of the subculture, and the whole mix of artists.And so I walked in and it was like, ah, these are my people![05:28] JMY: You felt like you belonged.[05:29] Becket: Yeah, I belong here. And I started going. And we would go to Starck Club—it was open Thursday through Sunday, and we would go every night, Thursday night, Friday night, Saturday night, Sunday night we would go. And sometimes I wouldn't get home until 5:00 in the morning. And one time my dad was up. My dad was a lawyer. He was up at 5:00 in the morning (he would always get up at 5:00), and I walked in the front door, and he walked past me and kind of looked at me, and I was like, “Hi, Dad.” He didn't even say anything like “Where have you been?” My childhood was very permissive, for better or worse.So then, when I went away to college, the same thing happened. I met someone at college who was same sex attracted and then we eventually came out to each other and again I had a confidant, I had someone to talk to because I still wasn't out, but at this point in my life, I wouldn't have described myself as “gay” because I just thought this was a phase. This was a phase that will probably go away and I'll probably get married to a woman and have kids.It wasn't really my identity for this whole time in high school and college until after college I moved to Tokyo with my best friend from college. And we moved to Tokyo because we didn't really know what we wanted to do with our lives. I was premed in college, and then I realized I didn't want to be a doctor, which was bad after four years of studying.[07:23] JMY: A lot of investment.[07:25] Becket: You know it was really upsetting. And so I applied to law school, and actually, then, as kind of a backup, I applied to dental school. And so I got into law school and dental school. I was kind of like, “I don't know if I want to do any of this.” So both of us moved to Tokyo to kind of have a gap year, basically, to figure out what we wanted to do. And it was when I was in Tokyo that his friend from Texas came to stay with us, we'll call him “Adam.” Adam was part of the Christo exhibition in Japan. Christo was a very famous artist who recently died, a French artist, but he and his wife used to do these dramatic art projects like covering the Reichstadt in fabric. And they did this thing in Japan where they lined parts of Japan with umbrellas, like yellow and blue umbrellas. They did it in California and Japan.And so anyway, this guy Adam was part of that exhibition. So he stayed with us for like a week in Tokyo. And it was weird, because when I first met Adam, I had no interest and didn't think anything of it, but by the time he left, we had fallen in love, quote unquote. And so that was the first time I'd experienced that rush of emotion, that romantic feeling. And then we got into a relationship, and it was my first real relationship with a guy.And so that was a game-changer, too, because that's when it became my identity, homosexuality became my identity. And I was happy to be gay. I was like, “This is who I am. This is immutable.” I was thrilled. And while I was in Japan, my sister wrote me a letter asking if I was gay because she had had her suspicions for a long time. And so I wrote her back and I said yes and blah, blah, blah, blah, blah. By the way, p.s., don't tell Mom and Dad. I'll tell them when I get back home. And, of course, she told them immediately when she got my letter, which I was happy about because she did all the heavy lifting for me.[10:03] JMY: Softened the blow.[10:04] Becket: Yeah. So by the time I got home, my whole family knew. My family is very conservative, all believers, and so they, especially my siblings, were not happy about this. And my parents weren't either, but my parents' reaction was so loving and gracious. My mother, whom I was very close to, of course, was quite surprised, gay son, close mother, surprise, surprise. My mother cried. I walked into the kitchen that first night after I got back from Tokyo, and my mother just started crying, and I knew why she was crying.And I said, “Mom, what's wrong?” And she said, “I heard you're a homosexual.”And that's when AIDS was still kind of a death sentence, and so she was terrified, I was terrified about it, and so I just tried to calm her down.I said, “Mom, this is not a big deal. Don't worry about me.”The next day, my dad came up to me, and my dad is such a man's man; it surprised him to respond. Because he came up to me and he said, “Hey Beck, I heard you're a homosexual, and you know”—[11:32] JMY: Like he read it in the newspaper or something.[11:36] Becket: Yeah, and so he said, “Is there anything I did wrong as a father? Are you angry at me for this?” He listed three things, and it was basically—I can't remember what they were—did I not spend enough time with you? Did your brother beat you up or whatever, and I didn't intervene? Are you angry about that?And I was like, “Dad, no. This is not your fault. This is just who I am. It's not a big deal.”And that was kind of the end of the conversation with my parents. They never brought it up again. And what they did was so genius. Because I moved to L.A. So, when I got back from Tokyo, I realized I was not going to grad school; I was moving to Los Angeles because a lot of my friends moved here, and I was like, “I'm going to pursue writing and acting. And so I moved to L.A. My dad was so confused when I told him. It was like a couple of weeks before law school. I was enrolled in law school, and I was like, “Dad, I'm moving to L.A. tomorrow.”And he was like, “Huh?” He was so confused. And so I moved to L.A. and I had this group of friends that were brilliant in L.A. When I got here, I had this built-in group of friends because several of my friends from high school already lived here, and they all came from Brown and Princeton and moved with all their friends to the West Coast and to L.A. to work in Hollywood, in showbiz. My group of friends were so smart and funny and brilliant and ambitious. And they all were movers and shakers. All those people, guys, girls, straight, gay, the whole mix, the same people run this town now; they run Hollywood. So whatever you're watching on Netflix or whatever–[13:51] JMY: They're behind it.[13:52] Becket: And in fact, the Jeffrey Epstein whatever, Filthy Rich, was produced by one of my dear friends from back in that time. Anyway, so I had this great group of friends, I was out, and we all wanted to make it in Hollywood, which they were all—my friends were becoming huge stars or becoming huge directors or writers overnight. I mean, it was wild to see how quickly they became successful. Minnie Driver was a dear friend, and she did Good Will Hunting with Matt Damon. Suddenly, she was a movie star, and this was happening to all of my friends. Like Mariska Hargitay was Jayne Mansfield's daughter, but nobody really knew her, but then she got—I drove her to her audition for Law & Order: Special Victims Unit, and she's still on the show twenty-three years later. She's made a fortune on that show. Well, I won't tell that part about Mariska, but we're still friends.But this was happening to all of my friends. We all wanted to make it in Hollywood; we all wanted to find true love, and I cycled through five serious, serious boyfriends over the years in L.A., live-in boyfriends. And then we all wanted to have extraordinary experiences, which we were doing in spades because my friends were all in the business. And the guy I just talked about was Diane Keaton's producing partner. So we were always invited to everything—the Grammys the Oscars, the Emmys, the Golden Globes, the afterparties, to movie premiers every week. I was kind of in the mix.I met everyone in this town, literally everyone. I mean, name the person. I had dinner with Tom Hanks, Meryl Streep and many, many other people. Hung out at Drew Barrymore's, went to Prince's house where he performed a concert in his backyard for three hours, hung out with Paris Hilton at her house, and went to her wedding engagement. For years, this was my life.And then I was successful a little bit, and I acted. I was successful at commercial acting, and I did a couple of indie films, one was at Sundance, and that wasn't really taking off. The writing was difficult. I sold a couple of projects that didn't make it to series, so then I ended up becoming a production designer in the fashion world. I just fell into it with The New York Times Magazine because my friend was the editor for it. And so that became my career, doing fashion shoots, these super-high-end fashion shoots. And I did that for a very long time, probably twenty years, seventeen years, I'm not sure.And so after the years of all of this and years of going to all of these fun things and experiencing all these things, I just started to feel the law of diminishing returns and I just felt like, What is this all about? I can't keep going to these dinner parties and going to these events. And it all came to a head at Paris Fashion Week in March of 2009. I used to go to Fashion Week in New York and Paris and that particular week I had gone to a bunch of the runway shows and a lot of them had afterparties, and I was at this one afterparty in this club called Regine, in the middle of Paris, a legendary place. The owner just died recently. But I was there, and everyone from the fashion world was there.I was sitting with Rachel Zoe, who's a fashion girl and has a TV show, and her husband, Roger, and I just remember drinking champagne and looking out over the crowd, and everyone was dancing and having the best time of their life, and I just felt such an overwhelming sense of emptiness. I was like, whoa, where did that come from? So, I ghosted the party and went back to the apartment I'd rented in [unintelligible] and I was up all night in a panic about my future. I was like, what am I going to do for the rest of my life? This isn't satisfying me anymore. I can't just keep going to parties and fabulous things and traveling the world. Yeah, it was fun for a long time, but it's not doing it for me anymore. And I knew that Christianity was not an option because I was gay, so I can't pursue that, so what am I going to do? So I was very, very troubled.[20:07] JMY: Can I ask, did that thought enter your mind, the pursuit of faith? Was that a cognizant thought or was that just sort of part of the narrative? Did you sit there and take an account and think perhaps ...?[20:26] Becket: Well, no. I knew that from my entire life.[20:31] JMY: It was always there as a separation.[20:33] Becket: God's not an option for me. And by that time in my life I was a practical atheist. All of my friends were atheists (they still are, most of them, my old friends). And I just, by that time in my life, I really just believed or felt like the Bible was an ancient myth, like any other ancient myth. God was not real. It was weird. It was a weird kind of disconnect because I believed my family's faith was real, which was interesting. So when I would go home to Dallas, it was weird. They would talk about their faith, they would pray, and I could sense that it was real, but I just felt like it could never be something for me because—[21:21 JMY: It's like a compartmentalization, right? This works for you; that won't work for me. Interesting.[21:28] Becket: And so six months later in L.A. I was at a coffee shop with my best friend, who still is gay, although we're not nearly as close, in fact, we barely see each other, if ever, because of this. But I was with my best friend, and we were chatting, hanging out at our favorite coffee shop in Silverlake, and we looked over, and there was a group of young people with Bibles on the table. There were five physical Bibles on the table, which is a shocking sight to see in L.A. But not only L.A. but Silverlake, which is a super progressive part of L.A.We were stunned because my friend was an atheist as well. He was culturally Jewish, a secular Jew from New York, and it was just like we were shocked. But I was intrigued because of that night in Paris six months before. I was kind of intrigued about what this Christian thing was, and I wanted to explore it.So my friend said, “Talk to them. See what they're doing.”And I was like, “No, I don't want to talk to them!”And anyway, I ended up turning to them, and I always say this, it's like a Christian's fantasy come true when a gay atheist turns to you and says, “Tell me all about Christianity.” And so we got into this conversation for like an hour or two. It was a long conversation. And I said, “What is your faith? Like what do you believe? I don't remember. Just tell me what you believe.”And they were very competent with the Scriptures, and they knew what the Gospel was and were very knowledgeable. And they said they went to a church in Hollywood called Reality L.A., an evangelical church. And with my friends back in the day, evangelicals were the enemy. They were somewhere to the right of Atilla the Hun. But it didn't bother me. So I, of course, get to the question and I ask them, “What does your church believe about homosexuality?”And I kind of expected this answer, so it wasn't shocking. They said, “Well, we believe it's a sin.” Of course, that was 2009. Now, who knows what people will say.[24:27] JMY: It's a grab bag now.[24:29] Becket: I wasn't surprised by their response, but I was surprised by mine because I just kind of accepted that, and I didn't protest. And it's because of that night in Paris. I was open to hearing something different. I was just open at that point. God, obviously, was working with me.So they invited me to their church the following Sunday and I said, “I don't know. Just give me the address and I'll think about it.”So I had a whole week to think about it. And it was kind of a big deal because if any of my other friends, all my other atheist, Hollywood friends, found out that I'd gone to an evangelical church, it would have been super embarrassing, and they would have thought I was crazy. So I was debating all week: Should I do this? What if nothing happens? What if it's just fake and what if it's not real?But that following Sunday I woke up and I just was like, I'm going to do this. And I got in my car, drove to this high school auditorium where it meets on Sunset Boulevard, and I walked in. Before I walked in, I put the idea of homosexuality as my identity in this imaginary white box and put it on an imaginary shelf before I walked in. It was kind of weird. I don't know how that happened.And then I heard the worship music, which kind of freaked me out a little bit a first because I was like, Oh my gosh, Christian music, because I just saw this True Blood episode where (it was an HBO show that was disgusting, but anyway they satirized evangelical Christian worship music. And so I was like, Oh, this is weird.[26:38] JMY: That's not hard to do.[26:39] Becket: Yeah, exactly. But then it was actually nice, the music's nice. And I sat down by myself, I found a seat by myself, and the pastor came out and started preaching on Romans chapter 7 for an hour, and that's when everything started happening. Everything he was saying, every word he was saying, every sentence he was saying was resonating as truth in my mind and my heart and I didn't know why. I was literally on the edge of my seat, totally riveted to the sermon and to him, his speaking. And I was just like, What? This is true. What is he saying? I remember thinking, “This is the Gospel? This is good news!”And then after the sermon there were people on the sides of the auditorium on the prayer ministry that you could go get prayed with, and after his sermon there's another thirty minutes of worship time. So I walked over to this guy, which I reluctantly walked over to this guy on the side because, again, I was embarrassed to do this because I knew the people who had invited me there were probably watching me. And so I walked over to this guy and I said, “Hey, I don't know what I believe, but I'm here.” And he said, “Okay, let me pray for you.”And he prayed for me, and it was so loving and caring, and I was like, How does this random straight dude care about me so much?[28:14] JMY: Right.[28:16] Becket: Anyway, I went back to my seat and everyone else in the auditorium (there were a thousand people in the auditorium) everyone else was standing and singing and worshiping. And I sat down because I was just so overwhelmed by the sermon, by the music, by the prayer, and as soon as I sat down, the Holy Spirit just flooded me. I mean, it was like a Road to Damascus moment. God revealed Himself to me in the most powerful way. It was like God said, in my mind, God said, “I'm God. Jesus is my Son. Heaven is real, hell is real, the Bible is true. Welcome to my kingdom.”And I just burst into tears. I was doubled over, heaving and crying and crying for twenty-five minutes. And it was the most cathartic cry I've ever had. Everything came out. I was crying over the conviction of sin, but also the joy of meeting the king of the universe, Jesus Christ. And then I got home after the service. I don't really know how I made it home because I was such a wreck, and I got into bed to take a nap. And again, God did it again. God was like, “Here, here's some more Bible.”And I just, again, I just immediately, it was so real. It was like God's presence was right—it was there. And I burst into tears again and I was bawling in my bedroom, jumped out of my bed and was like, “God, you have my whole life, I'm yours. I'm done.”In that moment I knew that homosexual behavior was a sin. I knew that it was wrong. I knew that dating guys was not my identity anymore and I knew that dating guys was not a part of my future. But I didn't care at all, because I had just met Jesus. And I'm like, I'm going with that guy, forget those guys.And that was September 20, 2009, and I've never looked back. And I've never felt like life is unfair. Because I'm single and chaste, and I've never felt like life is unfair for me or like I'm being cheated out of something. I just feel like I can't believe that God had mercy on me and I'm in the Kingdom of God. And I have, by the way, eternal life, which is cool to have. So yeah, that's the story.[31:09] JMY: Oh, it's such a wonderful story, just even the way you give us the snapshots of those moments of what you thought you knew what you wanted and you know now the Spirit was preparing you and doing the work of tilling the soil of your heart to culminate in that moment. But as we know, that's not the end of the story. Your story continues on. And so I wonder if we could just talk a little bit about your family, how your family interacted with you. So a number of our listeners will be people who have family members, friends who are near to them who are living this lifestyle and they don't know what to do, they don't know what to say. Do I say a lot? Do I say a little? Do I say nothing? Where do I go?And I know some of that will be kind of case by case, but I think it will be helpful to hear what was it that the interactions of your friends and family who were believers? How did they sort of walk this out with you?[32:35] Becket: Yeah. My family ... Well, first of all, you know, because I moved to L.A. I was very disconnected from my family. But my parents, I was very close with my mother. We talked on the phone all the time. She came out and visited many times. My family was just kind of very hands-off because there was really nothing they could do. I was an adult, I lived in L.A. What would they do, come hunt me down and drive me to church?My parents were just brilliant. I just loved how they responded to and dealt with it. Because I did this episode on my show where I recently discovered a typed prayer that my mother did. My sister-in-law sent me a text, saying, “Hey, I just found this prayer that your mother typed to God basically, and I found it in an old box from some of your mother's things.” And she sent me this prayer. And that's what my parents did. They just loved me and prayed for me.My mother and this prayer are amazing; it's like twenty-four points. And the first point, because my mother knew, I guess, which was shocking to me, she just knew instinctively that she wasn't going to convince me not to be gay. So, she went straight to the throne room of the grace of God. She knew it was a spiritual battle. I wish I had the prayer with me right now. She said, “In the all-powerful name of the Lord Jesus Christ, we come against the enemy with the sword of the Spirit, the Word of God.”And when I read this prayer recently when I got it, I was stunned because my mother was praying for me all this time, but she never told me. Because if she had told me, “Hey Becket, I'm praying for you,” it would have been a disaster because I would have been like, “Why are you praying for me? I don't need prayer. This is who I am. Stop praying.” It would have upset me, so she never said that. My dad never said that.My sister-in-law, who is in my book, Kim, the way she dealt with it was brilliant, too, because whenever I would go to Dallas for the holidays, she would call me. She's an evangelical Christian, and I knew where she stood on this issue, too, but she would call me all the time, which I was kind of like, Why is Kim calling me? Why does she want to hang out with me? She knows I'm gay and she's a super-conservative Christian. She would call me and invite me to coffee, and we would hang out. And I would talk about my boyfriends, she would talk about God and what was going on in her life, and she never once pulled out the Bible and said, “Hey Becket, you know in Leviticus 18 …” She never, ever once did that. She just loved me.And then she prayed, unbeknownst to me, she was praying this verse over me for twenty years. In Acts 26:18, when Paul is in front of King Agrippa, and he's talking about how God sent him to preach to the Gentiles, he says, “to open their eyes so that they may be turned from darkness to light and from the power of Satan to God. That they may receive forgiveness of sins and a place among those sanctified by faith in Me.”So she was praying for me, my family members were praying for me, I get the impulse for parents, family members, friends, the immediate impulse is “I want to fix this. I want to fix the problem.” That rarely, if ever, works. However, there is an exception, a caveat I'll get to. But the best thing you can do is just be diligent in prayer and go straight to God. Because it has to be a supernatural thing. The Holy Spirit has to convict a person. There's no other way. Otherwise, it's just behavior modification.[37:31] JMY: Praise the Lord. Praise God that it's His work and not ours because we'd screw it all up.[37:37] Becket: Yeah, exactly. However, because of this new sort of generation of social contagion of LGBTQ+, you know, Brown University 40 percent of the student body—this just makes me laugh—40 percent of the student body identifies as LGBTQ. I mean, that is laughable. When I was in college, it was about 1 percent.[38:05] JMY: Now everyone is.[38:06] Becket: Yeah, now it's super popular. So I came out as gay at the wrong time, and now I came out as Christian at the wrong time. [unintelligible]. But anyway, so with that aspect of it, when you're a teenager just suddenly claims, “I'm LGBTQ,” or “I'm pansexual,” or “I'm nonbinary,” “I'm queer,” I think in those cases there should be, there could be some pushback from the parents in terms of saying, “Look …” Because this happened with me with a young woman, a teenage girl who came up to me at a conference and said, “I'm pansexual and nonbinary.”And I said, “Why? Why are you?” She didn't have an answer for me, and I said, “Are you that way because you want attention, popularity, street cred? Why do you think you're... because when I was your age, there was no such thing, so why do you think you're this way?”And she just started welling up with tears, and she needed, I just sensed in that moment she needed to be pushed back on. And later that day she ended up breaking down, getting prayed for my somebody, and she came to Christ.[39:39] JMY: It was a crisis moment for her, not a … it had not become a true identity where she had been encapsulated in something. She seemed confused more than anything. I mean, obviously, you could make that argument for anyone.[39:55] Becket: Yeah, this young teenage boy was like, “Oh, and I'm asexual.” And I was like, “You haven't even gone through puberty yet.”So yeah, I do think that when it is this kind of contagion aspect, I've done episodes on this, and I talk about this. You can trace exactly how we got to where we are in the culture from obviously from if you've read Carl Truman, you can go back to Jean-Jacques Rousseau, but even going back to the sexual revolution in the Sixties or the gay movement that started in 1969 at the Stonewall Inn, you can trace so clearly how we've become indoctrinated into believing the lies of the world. And it's just so obvious to me, and it's like, just the TV shows, Will & Grace and Queer Eye for the Straight Guy and Brokeback Mountain and all these gay-themed shows and movies were so powerful in the culture, and it changed so many people's minds on this issue.Of course, I was thrilled at the time. When I was living that life, I was thrilled. I was friends with Sean Hayes on Will & Grace, and I was friends with many of the people who created these shows.[41:33] JMY: They were changing the narrative.[41:34] Becket: Yeah. And it was like Madsen and Kirk, the book After the Ball, they published. These two Harvard guys, graduates, published a book called After the Ball, and I wish I had it right here. Where's my copy? Anyway, the book was published in 1989, and basically, it was about how to normalize homosexuality in America. It was the subtitle of the book. And everything in that book has come true. Everything they said in that book has come true. Basically, it was like talking about homosexuality until it was thoroughly tiresome. That was one of their points. Another one of their points was to make heterosexuals feel like you are a victim, and they'll come to your side and to your aid.And so all these things have come to pass, and that's why, even in the church, people are falling for this and caving to it, caving to the culture and buying this lie. And again, I challenge people to, okay, would you be … would you be thinking this way fifty years ago? Would you be thinking this way a hundred years ago? So obviously, the culture—[43:16] JMY: Not critically thinking.[43:117] Becket: Obviously, like the culture has influenced you. Because some of my friends, some of my high school—I say this all the time—in my high school, everyone believed it was a sin, it was wrong, in the girls' school, in the boys' school. Now some of those same people are like allies, LGBTQ allies, and it's like, gee, I wonder what's happened over the last thirty years? Maybe it's the power of persuasion from movies and TV, which I get. It is very powerful.And so yeah, that's why I think with some cases, in some cases it is good to say, “Hey, why don't we walk through the last fifty years and see how it has shaped what we believe?” And so that can be helpful, too.[44:17] JMY: You're uniquely gifted, coming out of that world and into the Christian world, to have a voice to the church. We even laughed about the fact that some churches wouldn't even have you to come and speak because you're kind of against them.What are the things that you're putting in front of churches and trying to coach them through or equip them with? How do we deal with the culture? How do we deal with our young people who are falling into it or our children who maybe are saying and asking these questions? It sounds like there's a level of asking good questions and pushing back, as you've just given us examples. But what are some ways you're helping the church navigate all this?[45:27] Becket: There are so many different ways. But like Jesus was the master at balancing grace and truth publicly. I read through all four Gospels, not often, in one sitting, and I just watch what Jesus does and how He interacts with tax collectors, prostitutes, and sinners. And at the woman at the well, first of all, He's talking to a Samaritan woman, which is crazy for a Jewish man to do, and He's so loving and kind to her. And she, you know, He's like, “Oh, go get your husband.” And she's like, “Oh, I don't have a husband.” And He's like, “Yeah, you were married five times.”[46:17] JMY: “The one you're with now isn't your husband.”[46:19] Becket: “And the one you're with now isn't your husband.” So Jesus doesn't compromise the truth, but He also is super gracious and grace-full. That's what I see in the church is I see this happen all the time where parents when their kids come out, they love their kids—and I get it—like they love their kids so much that they suddenly change their theology and become [Overlapping voices] in their theology. And it's like, no, that's not the answer, because if my parents had affirmed and said, “Oh, Becket, you're fine,” I would not have respected them, number one.And my family when I got saved, the first people I contacted were my family because they never lied to me. I talk about this in my book, Shadrach, Meshach, and Abednego; they refused to compromise God's Word by one iota. And they knew that they were going to go into a fiery furnace. They were not willing to compromise God's Word. And so that's my main thrust to the church is don't ever give up your convictions on this issue, but love your neighbor, your child as generously as you can, love them, love them. And the real key is to pray for them.The worst thing you can do is affirm them and say, “Oh, I don't think it's a sin anymore,” because that is leading them down a path of eternal destruction. That is the meanest, cruelest thing you can ever do to a child or anyone is say that to them. And so that's partly what I try to convey to churches. Also, I try to, sometimes, talk about what I go through; I spend a very long time going through every turning point in the history of the gay movement and how it has affected the culture and affected us.[48:48] JMY: I mean, just quickly if you've given that talk enough times, what kind of the high points of that? If you had to kind of—maybe you haven't prepped for that, but if you could just hit a couple of those high points for us.[49:02] Becket: The first high point was the Stonewall Inn in 1969, when police raided it. Because it was illegal to be gay in 1969 in the country. And so police raided the Stonewall Inn, which was a gay bar in the West Village in New York, and then there were riots, like three nights after that there were three nights of riots. That was June 28th. That's why Pride Month is in June. It used to be just one day, but now it's a whole month. Pretty soon it'll be all year, but that's a whole thing.[49:39] JMY: Perpetuity.[49:40] Becket: Yeah. And so that was a huge turning point because the year following, San Francisco, L.A., New York, I think Chicago had gay pride marches. That's when the pride marches started. They used to be called marches and now they're parades.[49:59] JMY: Like a protest.[50:00] Becket: Exactly, and that was a huge turning point of the gay movement. Then the AIDS crisis was a huge turning point because that's when the culture, right or wrong, the culture started to see gay men as victims, and so that was a huge, huge turning point. And there were so many movies, like Philadelphia, with Tom Hanks in that, and there were so many movies about that issue. And, interestingly, AIDS was something that propelled the gay movement forward. You would think it would do the reverse, but it propelled it forward. And so that was a big deal.And then in the Nineties—I mean, I'm skipping ahead of a bunch of stuff—but the Nineties, Will & Grace, Ellen, the sitcom with Ellen DeGeneres, she came out as a lesbian on the show, her character came out as a lesbian. And Will & Grace, it's like these guys are hilarious. I mean, what could be wrong with this? So—[51:22] JMY: Yeah, they're approachable,[51:23] Becket: They're cool. What could be wrong with this? And then a significant turning point was—oh, and then Sex and the City was a big deal in the Nineties. There was a gay character on that show. And Sex and the City was created by Darren Starr. I know Darren. And a lot of the writers on the show, the showrunner, is gay. Anyway, so what was interesting about Sex and the City is there were a lot of gay male writers on that show, and they were turning these women into gay men. The way these women had one-night stands and all this stuff. My friends and I would joke about it, like these are gay guys but in women's bodies. This is crazy. It's hilarious. So that show was a big game-changer.And then Queer Eye for the Straight Guy, that was major because that was the first time—I remember when that came out in 2003, I think, and it was five gay guys giving clueless straight guys makeovers. And that's when not only women and gay guys were watching, but that's when straight guys started watching because their girlfriends were like, “Oh my gosh, honey, you've got to watch this show; it's brilliant!”I remember telling a good friend of mine at the time, “This is going to change everything. This show is going to change everything.” And it did.And then you can skip to the, I mean, there were a lot of things, but you can skip to the legalization of gay marriage in 2015.[53:18] JMY: Yeah, Obergfell, sure.[53:19] Becket: That, of course, that's where we are now. And then now, of course, every city—So I lived right next to Beverly Hills, and Beverly Hills is very conservative because it's mostly Persian Jews who live in Beverly Hills. They're a very conservative group of people. They are very family oriented. And I was riding my bike the other day, and there was a pride flag painted on the sidewalk, in the middle of the street, an intersection, a pride, yeah, just like a pride thing. And I was shocked because I was like, wow, that's interesting that Beverly Hills would do this, because I know the mayor is conservative.But what I subsequently found out is that just like corporations have these rating systems where you have to be [Overlapping voices] you support—[54:24] JMY: Cities have them as well. Wow.[54:25] Becket: They get rated by I think it's the Human Rights Campaign, HRC. They get rated, so Beverly Hills doesn't want to lose tourism, so they will go along with it and put a pride flag on the street. And so now it's so ubiquitous, and I don't even know it at this point. I don't even know at this point how an unbeliever, or even some believers, can even believe that homosexual behavior is still a sin after all that's going on in the culture now. It's a rare thing, even for Christians now, to believe that it's still a sin.[55:15] JMY: it's almost like going back to first-century Christianity, where we're just so countercultural and so bizarre. How could you think there's only one God in Rome? And it's like we have all this plethora of gods? It is a sense of returning to thinking you're so backward and all this sort of thing.But the Lord's in control, and He knows what He's doing, and He's raised individuals such as yourself, and as we mentioned before, Rosaria and others, who are helping the church think critically and think helpfully and equipping and we're so grateful for the work that the Lord's doing in you. And so I want to say, Becket Cook, I'm so grateful for our time together and pray the Lord would bless your ministry.[56:24] Becket: Thank you, Jonathan. I appreciate it. And I'm really looking forward to coming to Atlanta and meeting you guys in person.[56:33] JMY: Absolutely.
Nana & Trish are gearing up for their upcoming live show in Charleston! Before leaving for the show, they debate what their plans should be and whether or not a boat rental is in their future. They also discuss Pat's weekend looking for love in Hells Kitchen, Nana's discovery of the most white trash thing ever, and their craziest bachelor and bachelorette party stories. Trish also learns about Nana's geography skills and pit sniffing habits. *** Chapters 0:00 Intro 2:04 Nana Reunited with Winston 4:01 The New Most White Trash Thing Ever 6:45 Did Trish Find Love in Hells Kitchen? 16:34 Nana's New Favorite Pizza Spot 19:41 Charleston Plans & Boat Rides 24:08 Bachelor & Bachelorette Parties 31:11 Should Pat Go See The Boston Celtics Play in the NBA Finals? 36:22 Sample Sales 42:52 The Dozen Trivia Tournament in Chicago 45:50 Traveling to Europe 50:58 Dating Show Round 2 in Charleston & Best Wings in Buffalo *** SUPPORT OUR SPONSORS Get your BODYARMOR Zero Sugar today at Walmart or a local grocery store near you! https://www.walmart.com/brand/bodyarmor/bodyarmor-sports-drinks-and-zero-sugar-sports-drinks/10009696 Head to https://FACTORMEALS.com/out50 and use code out50 to get 50% off your first box plus 20% off your next month. Go to https://Seed.com/ABOUT and use code 25ABOUT to get 25% off your first month. *** Buy tix to The Now She Will Tour!! https://nowshewilltour.com/ Atlanta, GA - May 2nd Austin, TX - May 9th Washington, DC - June 6th Charleston, SC - June 19th Buffalo, NY - July 11th Nashville, TN - August 8th Boston, MA - August 22nd *** Pat McAuliffe and Joey Camasta host a series of hilarious, no holds barred conversations that will leave you laughing on the floor. Shows air every Wednesday and Friday, with new guests weekly. Headphones required. iTunes: https://podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/out-about/id1534217005 Spotify: https://open.spotify.com/show/7rjGpD7sOD4zKOJ2eGXK2Q Follow us on... Instagram: @outandaboutpod, @barstoolpat, @JoeyCamasta Twitter: @OutAndAboutPod, @BarstoolPat, @JoeyCamasta TikTok: @outandaboutpod, @pat.mcauliffe, @JoeyCamastaYou can find every episode of this show on Apple Podcasts, Spotify or YouTube. Prime Members can listen ad-free on Amazon Music. For more, visit barstool.link/outandabout
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