Becoming Wilkinson

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Barry Schoenfeld is the creator of the California Community of Men.

Barry Schoenfeld founded and runs Clear Vision Partners, an independent marketing consultancy, based in Palm Springs.  Before moving to Palm Springs in 2014, he held several executive roles in advertising agencies in New York and Los Angeles.

In 2012, he founded The California Community of Men ("CalComMen"), a global mens' community of over 10,000 men-who-love-men, who goal is to provide drug, alcohol, smoke and electronics free spaces for men to engage & connect more genuinely and more authentically. 

In addition, he teaches online at seven universities across the country, on subjects ranging from opera to archeology to travel.

He lives with his husband Ron, of 15 years.

"The California Community of Men is a unique community of heart-centered, passionate and caring men, 18-90+ of all colors of the rainbow, faith traditions, sizes, shapes & abilities, who create spiritual & social events, personal growth workshops, and our unique, joy-filled weekends we call "Community Camp," without formal committees, officers or bylaws. Our goal is to build a radically diverse & inclusive community of men-who-love-men, the likes of which is rarely seen in Southern California.  We align ourselves with some of the values, beliefs and consciousness of the Northern California Billys, and the Radical Faeries.

 CalComMen is the only mens community in SoCal that reachs out to, and warmly welcomes ALL men-who-love-men (gay, bi, trans, queer, cis & straight).  We are also the only men's community that is drug, alcohol, smoke and electronics-free, so that we can connect and engage in new and more meaningful ways, with far fewer distractions".

CalComMen web site:  https://www.calcommen.com
Facebook Group:  https://www.facebook.com/groups/CalComMen

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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She's Iranian and she's opinionated.  After I interviewed Ideene for the last podcast episode, she insisted on switching mics and put me in the hot seat so she could interview me.  Here's the result.

Here's the link to Wilkinson's Vacation room rentals for males at his "Palm Springs Interlude":  https://www.airbnb.com/users/251586484/listings

Photo credit:  Selfie of us by Ideene Dehdashti

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

To contact Wilkinson- email him at [email protected]

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While living in Seattle, I became a couchsurfing super host.  

Over a few years, I hosted over 650 (primarily International) travelers in my home.  Lifelong friendships were formed with many of these folks, and not a few have subsequently visited me here at my place in Palm Springs.  

Ideene Dehdashti and her former boyfriend James are two such people. She and I chatted on one of her recent visits.  This is one of my most light-hearted episodes, and we had fun recording it.



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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LARRY DEAN HARRIS

Larry Dean Harris is a storyteller, playwright, producer and founder of Strong Words. He’s performed stories in LA, Chicago, his hometown Toledo, New York City and Palm Springs. As a playwright, he’s earned New York Outer Critics Circle Award, Ovation Award, GLAAD and LA Weekly Theatre Award nominations. Larry sits on the Council of the Dramatists Guild of America and teaches storytelling and performance with fellow Strong Words producer Marlene Nichols.

For more information on Strong Words events:   https://strongwordslive.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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How would you feel in this scenario?  You're  a twenty year old, and you  receive a phone call at work from the local hospital, coldly telling you that you are HIV positive and that you need to "Get your papers" in order because you only have 6-12 months to live?  That was FORTY years ago. Listen to Michael Sartori's amazing story...


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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Just in time to wrap up Mental Health Awareness Month!

Robert Aerts is a Licensed Marriage and Family  Therapist.   He owns and operates his own practice called Aerts Family Counseling in Apple Valley, CA.   Robert is a husband, father and grandfather. 

Robert graduated from Cal Baptist University with his Masters in Counseling Psychology and  has worked for public service for over 30 years.  He has worked with the Aging and Adult population as well as school aged children from elementary to high school.   Robert presented at the annual Models of Pride in Los Angeles sharing his story of his coming out.   

Currently he is working with adults on a individual basis.   His desire is to bring awareness to his community about LGBTQ  and the struggles that some may face in their journey.   

He can be reached at Robert [email protected].   
His Instagram is: @aerts_family_counseling

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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Carl is 74 and Michael is 40.  They've been together now for twenty years.  We discuss how that's worked out in this May-December romance, partnership and marriage.

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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Bryce Bailey, MA, ATR. 
Registered Art Therapist from Seattle, WA currently living in Palm Springs, CA. He launched his own creativity/ design consulting practice “EmpowerART Studio” and offers Per Diem Art Therapy at a local physical rehabilitation hospital. He leads art therapy groups and facilitates creativity workshops in community. Bryce is passionate about utilizing the creative process to facilitate personal growth, transformation, healing and connection through artmaking. He has worked with most populations but specializes in LGBTQ, at-risk adolescents, addiction recovery, and identity empowerment. Bryce has remained active in giving back to the recovery community for over 22 years, sober since 9/24/99. He enjoys his own artmaking through collage, mixed media, oil pastels, and visual journaling.

 Graduating from Antioch University Seattle's Masters in Psychology/Art Therapy program (2006), he interned at Seattle Counseling Service (LGBTQ), worked as art therapist and mental health clinician at Community Psychiatric Clinic and Michael’s House Dual-Diagnosis Treatment Center, facilitated creative recovery & visual journaling workshops in Miami, San Jose, San Diego, Palm Springs, and Seattle, and volunteered with homeless and LGBT youth in Seattle. His research project "Artmaking as a Component and Facilitator of Resiliency with Homeless Youth" was published in the Art Therapy Journal (2008). Bryce served on the Board of Evergreen Art Therapy Association chapter in Seattle from 2005-2015, presented at several national Art Therapy Association conferences, and became Local Chair for the 2013 American Art Therapy Association conference in Seattle. 

Bryce can be reached at: [email protected]; 
Instagram: @bryce_empowerartstudio

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 had another experience when I was meditating that affirmed my life was transforming again. I dreamed I was standing on a river bank. There were people in canoes peacefully rowing in a river. I came to understand that the river was peaceful flow. The people in the canoes waved and smiled to come in. I looked up and down the river bank. There were countless people standing on the banks. Some walked into the river and a canoe appeared for their transport. Some shook with fear on the side. Those in the river were committed. Somehow I knew it was a big commitment. I waded in and the next thing I knew I was in a canoe. I felt immense peace. I knew I would never go back to the river bank. At the same time, there was no judgment about those on the river bank. There was a simple invitation to wade into the peaceful river of life...

I have witnessed the prison-house closing in on the growing child within myself and within my family. My work is dedicated to millions who have felt bound by the conditions that would imprison. My story is not unique. My message is simple, never ever give up! There is always hope. It is my intention that as you hear the story of my journey,  you will remember from deep within you-- your calling, your purpose, and your recovery of the truth of who you are. You are already free.
You simply need to remember."           

Larendee Roos
Founder Director Miracle Activation Center
Founder CEO Roos Advisors
Partner Ador Development
Facilitator Trainer Pathways of LightGrateful
Spouse, mom, and grandmother. Daughter of Abba Father.

To contact Larendee, simply text her at 1-801-209-3611

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

Bob Blackford discusses how he felt after donating blood, only to have the clinic subsequently call him in to discuss  some "irregularities" that the testing had revealed.... then informing him that he was HIV positive.  This was when he was in the ministry, was married with kids and it was prior to meds being developed.  He basically heard a death sentence.  He had to not only tell his wife that he was HIV positive, but also that he had had some gay sexual experiences.  He describes how they negotiated that, managed to raise two daughters, wrote a book and then share the mic with his wife in telling their joint story to an International audience.  And he tells how feels to be in Palm Springs, living his authentic life today as a gay man.

Photo: Copyright Wilkinson/2022

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

To contact Wilkinson- email him at [email protected]