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Adam's story and his struggles.

Even though we each have dreams for that perfect life, many times we self sabotage ourselves for some hidden reason.  Adam shares the struggles he's had over the past several years with failed gay relationships, hurting himself and hurting others whom he's loved and lost.  Thankfully, his suicide attempts were not successful and he's here to share his poignant story with us. 

It's so easy to judge others.  "Why didn't you do that"?  "Why did you say that"?  "Didn't you learn anything from the last time this happened"?  And yet, so many times we all do this type of thing to ourselves.  Hopefully, Adam's courage in sharing his story will give each of us insight into the way we so often behave in the very same way.

And perhaps it will remind us to truly appreciate whom we have in the person sitting there, right in front of us.

The National Suicide Prevention Lifeline is now: 988 Suicide and Crisis Lifeline
Text or call 988 on your cell phone for help.

LGBT youth crisis helpline. If you are thinking about harming yourself — get immediate support. Connect to a crisis counselor 24/7, 365 days a year, from anywhere in the U.S. It is 100% confidential, and 100% free.
https://www.thetrevorproject.org/get-help/

Photo: Copyright Wilkinson/2022

Opening and closing music courtesy the very talented Zakhar Valaha via Pixabay.

To contact Wilkinson- email him at [email protected]

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Peter Gordon is a licensed marriage and family therapist with a private practice in Palm Springs, CA.  

His life's path progressed from his days as a youth in NYC through various careers including a brief stint as a gypsy in the New York theater world to a landscape designer in Santa Fe, NM and then on to graduate school for counseling psychology at university outside of San Francisco at 50 years young 

Peter's initial desire for his new career path was based on a desire to work with queer youth navigating the treacherous waters of coming out, which, as most baby boomers know, was traumatic at best, at least until Stonewall and the modern movement toward equality.  

However, his plans were fouled by the advent of the internet which allowed queer youth to connect world wide, from small towns to large cities in an entirely new way, accessing a community and achieving a degree of acceptance and self-respect, thereby limiting the need for a therapist. But there was still a lot of trauma in the LGBT community; and Peter focused on working with clients to heal using a relatively new theoretical model for trauma - EMDR.*  

Gradually, Peter began to understand the ultimate limitations of various existing theoretical models of recovery programs, psychotherapy and psychotropic medications**.  The idea of plant medicines being used therapeutically has caught his attention and focus. 

The recent positive research regarding the therapeutic benefits of the use of psychedelics to heal trauma, help addicts and alcoholics recover, and increase a sense of spirituality and connectedness has changed the direction of his practice. 

Peter's practice is now heading into the future of healing trauma at a deeper level by combining psychedelics and therapy.

*EMDR: Eye Movement Desensitization and Reprocessing.
**Psychotropic Medications:  A psychotropic drug is a drug that affects behavior, mood, thoughts, or perception (such as antidepressants).

Peter is available for consultations and can be reached at:
[email protected]

Photo: Copyright Wilkinson/2022

Opening and closing music courtesy the very talented Zakhar Valaha via Pixabay.

To contact Wilkinson- email him at [email protected]

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Sam Salar is a Persian, Jewish Gay man who has created the law firm LEGALLY QUEER in order to give back to the LGBT community.

Sam discusses the struggles he had growing up in his Persian, Jewish family/community. His parents struggled to understand and accept who he was as a gay man, but they ultimately came around and became the ones who would help other Persian/Jewish parents understand and accept their gay children.

Sam earned his law degree and then started his career in litigation (where he had been working as a paralegal in that field) prior to passing the California bar exam.  When he passed the bar, his friends then asked him "Are you happy"?  But he knew he wasn't. 

His mentor suggested to him that perhaps he should consider switching to a practice that would give back to the LGBT community.   So after some consideration of that suggestion, he created LEGALLY QUEER. 

And today he IS happy!

Contact Sam:   
Sam Salar R., Esq.
[email protected]
310-666-5546
Instagram: @legallyqueer_
Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/legallyqueer

Photo: Copyright Wilkinson/2022

Opening and closing music courtesy the very talented Zakhar Valaha via Pixabay.

To contact Wilkinson- email him at [email protected]

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Aneela Zaman is the author of Goodbye Isn't Goodbye.

Still recovering from her separation and divorce, she meets an older gentleman in her yoga class.  Though obviously smitten with her, nevertheless, he accepts her wish to be merely friends, and not cross the line to be romantically involved.  She tells the story of her gradual realization that this gentleman (although far from being the ideal partner that she had formed in her head) was everything that she wanted in a man.  Shortly after she had this awakening, he was diagnosed with cancer and passed away only months later.

She talks about her journey in this process, and describes how John now comes to her from the other side of the veil, guiding her and encouraging her:

"The perched butterfly on your morning newspaper, the fluttering of a delicate hummingbird directly at eye level, the flickering of bedroom lights just as the radio plays your favorite song. Coincidence? Mere acts of randomness? What if there was more? What if each seemingly random act carried a message, and one not always from this realm? When your deceased loved ones come knocking, perhaps it's only the heart that can ever know for sure. As in this tale of friendship turned to romance and the connections that spanned beyond space and time".

 "Goodbye Isn't Goodbye" is available on Amazon: https://www.amazon.com/dp/1545287805?psc=1&ref=ppx_yo2ov_dt_b_product_details

She is also a very accomplished Realtor:
Aneela Zaman Luxury Estates.
Contact Aneela here: https://www.facebook.com/aneelazamanrealestate

Photo: Copyright Wilkinson/2022

Opening and closing music courtesy the very talented Zakhar Valaha via Pixabay.

To contact Wilkinson- email him at [email protected]

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Growing up, Edras Cordova's father constantly reminded him of a saying.  Edras chose to remember his father's teaching by having it tattooed across the top of his chest.  Roughly translated, the words say:  "Only the one who carries a knapsack knows what's in it".

 We never know what another person is going through.  Edras took the message to heart and it softened him.  Unfortunately, it appears that his siblings and other family members did not learn such a message.

People are so often trapped in their religious beliefs and systems that they are blinded to truth and reality.

Many of my prior podcast guests have told stories of being trapped in such systems, and they described how they were able to escape and ultimately live fulfilled lives as their authentic selves.

Edras Cordova and his brother were both gay.  Edras was able to navigate his escape route from the Jehovah's Witness cult (his word) and to go on to live a life he never thought possible when he was trapped in that religious system.

His brother was not so fortunate.  He chose a path of staying in the system, marrying, have two children and believing that somehow he would be "cured" or "fixed" and being gay would go away.

The torment and pain of being caught in such an untenable position ultimately drove him to multiple suicide attempts.  Two weeks before taking his own life, he told his family that he was either going to live his gay life, or commit suicide.

Edras discusses the pain and fallout of his brother's choice in hopes that people who are caught in such systems will open their eyes and hearts to the truth:  If we don't allow ourselves and others to be who they are, the cost will be unbearable.

The National Suicide Prevention Lifeline is now: 988 Suicide and Crisis Lifeline
Text or call 988 on your cell phone for help.

LGBT youth crisis helpline. If you are thinking about harming yourself — get immediate support. Connect to a crisis counselor 24/7, 365 days a year, from anywhere in the U.S. It is 100% confidential, and 100% free.
https://www.thetrevorproject.org/get-help/

Photo: Copyright Wilkinson/2022

Opening and closing music courtesy the very talented Zakhar Valaha via Pixabay.

To contact Wilkinson- email him at [email protected]

Send us Fan Mail

Chris Hassett is a singer- song writer and recording artist (His 6th album of original songs is coming soon). 

Chris is also the co-author of Friendship Chronicles -  Letters Between a Gay and a Straight Man.

About Chris Hassett
Chris Hassett has been delighting audiences with his unique style of singing, song-writing &  story-telling for four decades. An accomplished entertainer with a rich baritone, Chris can also point to successful careers in coaching, teaching, publishing, manufacturing and communications. His passion for music, however, has remained strong throughout his life and it now drives his current creative projects. He’s working on a sixth album and hopes to introduce a dozen or more original love songs to his audience in the spring of 2023. A published author, he also hopes to continue with a second book project.

His original songs come from his heart, drawing upon his life experiences as a gay man. Although his original lyrics have particular appeal for open-hearted types, he has been known to win over a large audience that crosses all lines -- gender, sexual orientation, genre, age, and even political persuasions. For more information on his music, visit his website, www.chrishassett.com.

Chris also has his own YouTube channel (www.youtube.com/cahassett49), an artist page on iTunes (Chris Hassett), and he maintains a strong presence on Facebook (Chris Hassett Music) & Instagram (@kitchencrooner).

Brief Bio

Chris is the third of five boys, born to Frank and Doris Hassett. As an Air Force family, the Hassetts moved from base to base every few years (and sometimes every few months) throughout his childhood, eventually settling in California. In that same Central Valley town, Merced, Chris also spent his early adult years as a high school math teacher and swim coach. Music was always a big part of family life — not so much in an organized way as in a constant, impromptu way, with dad usually getting the ball rolling. Chris was fortunate to inherit his dad’s love of singing and strong voice. In spite of developing a wide-range of interests in his life, Chris knows that singing is what he does best.

Chris was singing regularly in the San Diego area from the early 1980s. Whether in private or community concerts, benefit or professional gigs, Chris earned a reputation as a poised, naturally humorous and gifted entertainer with a powerful and expressive voice. In 2009, he began a recording career and now has five albums to his credit. About half of the tracks across those albums are his original compositions.

In 2018, Chris — suddenly single and ready for a change of scenery — moved from San Diego to Palm Springs. Although more than half of the time in his new town has been affected by COVID restrictions, he remains optimistic that this desert town will give him the community, resources and music opportunities that he craves.

Aside from music & writing, Chris is an accomplished swimmer, gardener and yoga enthusiast. He has close ties to his three surviving brothers and has maintained strong friendships with people across the decades.

If you are interested in a copy of his book, Friendship Chronicles, you may contact him via email: [email protected] ($15 plus $3 for shipping).

Photo: Copyright Wilkinson/2022

Podcast opening and closing music courtesy the very talented Zakhar Valaha via Pixabay.

Chris' song in this podcast is "This I Promise You." Copyright 2012 Chris Hassett. All rights reserved.

Contact Wilkinson- [email protected]

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Bill Kavanagh, LMFT

Author of “Keep Your Fork; Something Sweet is Coming”

 Bill was determined to dedicate his future towards helping others discover the path of healing that he had personally discovered after a life of extreme highs and lows.  Today, his writings and therapy techniques are focused on creative methods of dealing with the challenges that life offers us.  As a writer for Psychology Today, he addresses ideas that can relieve trauma and transform it into happiness. 

 Bill is a Licensed Marriage and Family Therapist in Southern California.  After battling Stage IV cancer, he received his Masters Degree in Clinical Psychology from Antioch University Los Angeles, and was selected to be commencement speaker.

 Prior to becoming a mental health professional, Bill spent his career writing scripts and producing major events, including those for the Walt Disney Company,  Olympic Ceremonies and several  awards shows.  

 Bill has embraced beauty and acquired grace, along with the power and strength to write his book, which he believes can offer others a similar chance for courage and peace as they take their next steps forward.

Contact Bill:  [email protected]

Photo: Copyright Wilkinson/2022

Opening and closing music courtesy the very talented Zakhar Valaha via Pixabay.

To contact Wilkinson- email him at [email protected]

Send us Fan Mail

From an article by Max Berlinger in Vogue Runway:

"Some designers create for fantasy, some designers create for reality, and then there’s Rio Uribe of Gypsy Sport, who doesn’t bother differentiating between the two. In fact, that blurring of the lines is a hallmark of his brand, which draws deeply on the Chicano American experience and then filters it through Uribe’s viewpoint as a queer man.

This season, the designer showed in Los Angeles, the city where he was raised and has returned to during the pandemic. He had originally planned to show here in March of 2020, but the coronavirus upended that. So the mood atop the Petersen Automotive Museum, where his runway show was staged just as the sun dipped below the Pacific, was ebullient. Hoots and whistles rose up as the lights went down, and the clapping began before the first model even hit the catwalk. The clothes matched the vibe.

“The main arc is about Chicano culture,” Uribe said. “But there’s so many subcultures under that umbrella.” So he pulled together the looks of various groups: the swaggering machismo of the lowriders; the ornate street look of the cholos and cholas; the zoot-suit-wearing pachucos and their elegant pachuca wives, who flourished in L.A. during the 1950s; and the whitewashed, exoticized version of the bombshell Latina that was offered up by Old Hollywood. Sprinkle on top of those elements a heavy dose of the drag and vogueing scenes, and you get a sense of Uribe’s vision...."

Check out Gypsy Sport at Vogue Runway:
https://www.vogue.com/fashion-shows/designer/gypsy-sport

And in LA Fashion Week:
https://lafw.net/portfolio-item/gypsy-sport/

Gypsy Sport's page:  http://gypsysportny.com

Photo: Copyright Wilkinson/2022

Opening and closing music courtesy the very talented Zakhar Valaha via Pixabay.

To contact Wilkinson- email him at [email protected]

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In this podcast episode, Eddie discusses what circumstances in his life brought him to the place he is today.  It's an interesting and poignant story of this father of eight, now living his best gay life in Palm Springs.

Bonus: He reveals why he wears a cape while dancing each week at Oscar's Sunday Tea dance, and what the cape symbolizes.

And Eddi talks about the group he created some time ago: 

 "Among Friends is all about... YOU!!!

We exist to provide a platform to produce true community in the Palm Springs Area. We are an event company that loves to do fun activities, Interactive movies, and charity events to bring the community together.

Come join us...

Even if you don't know anyone... 

You are AMONG FRIENDS."

Find Eddie and the gang of community -minded friends on FaceBook (Copy and paste):  http://www.facebook.com/Amongfriendscommunity/

Photo: Copyright Wilkinson/2022

Opening and closing music courtesy the very talented Zakhar Valaha via Pixabay.

To contact Wilkinson- email him at [email protected]

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I met Anthony some time ago. He was an Airbnb guest at my place in Palm Springs. 

He made the decision at a birthday party that his coworkers had thrown for him.  He just couldn't spend the rest of his life in that corporate job .  So he carefully made plans for his exit strategy and then began a journey to discover parts of the world that he hadn't seen before.  And in the process, he began to discover his true self.

Photo: Copyright Wilkinson/2022

Opening and closing music courtesy the very talented Zakhar Valaha via Pixabay.

To contact Wilkinson- email him at [email protected]