Join the Maybe I'm Not Straight 3-Day Clarity Experience, January 6-8, 2026. For women who need a safe, affirming opportunity to explore their sexuality.: https://annemariezanzal.com/this-authentic-life-3-day-clarity-experience/

Happy New Year! In our first episode of 2026 host Anne-Marie Zanzal welcomes special guest, queer entrepreneur Anna Empey. Anne-Marie and Anna have a long history of working together, but in this episode Anne-Marie draws on Anna's personal story of deconstructing internalized homophobia and conditioning from a conservative faith tradition. In this compelling conversation, they explore the complexities of coming out and the ongoing journey of self-discovery. They discuss the pressures of societal expectations, the emotional landscape of coming out, and the importance of finding queer community and support. This episode is a poignant reminder that coming out is not a one-time event, but a continuous process of growth and change, highlighting the need to cultivate resilience, self-reflection, and finding joy in the journey.

❓ What to Expect in This Episode:

✨Understanding that change happens over time in layers and conversations.

✨Deconstruction is about asking what can be discarded from our 'before' life and what is worth carrying forward.

✨Why coming out is never 'once-and-done' but rather a continuous journey.

✨How opposite things can be true, like grief and relief that coexist in the coming out process.

Authentically Us is a support community for later-in-life LGBTQ women at all stages of the coming out and beyond process. Coming out later in life is often accompanied by suffering. Whether you're looking to deconstruct messages from a conservative faith tradition, experience divorce-related guilt, or struggle with feelings of shame around your coming out or sexual identity, Authentically Us has the right kind of support for you. Monthly subscription to Authentically Us on Mighty Networks is $35/month, but you can try your first week for free. Find Authentically Us at https://bit.ly/Authentically-Us

💬 Join the Conversation:

Are you someone who is deconstructing the lessons of your life prior to coming out? What are your takeaways from this episode? Let's talk about it in the comments!

🔗 Visit our website:

Anne-Marie's : [ annemariezanzal.com]

🔗 Follow us on social media:

💠 Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/amzanzal

💠 Instagram:https://www.instagram.com/annemariezanzalcoaching/

💠 Twitter: twitter.com/annemariezanzal

💠LinkedIn:https://www.linkedin.com/in/annemariezanzalpurposefulempowerment/

👉 Don’t forget to like, share, and subscribe for more inspiring stories and advice on navigating life, love, and everything in between!

Join the Maybe I'm Not Straight 3-Day Clarity Experience, January 6-8, 2026. For women who need a safe, affirming opportunity to explore their sexuality.: https://annemariezanzal.com/this-authentic-life-3-day-clarity-experience/

It's that time of year again, when we wrap up the reflections on a year's worth of episodes! Join host Anne-Marie Zanzal and podcast producer Barbara Rowlandson as they reflect on what they loved the most about this year's show and special guests. This year in review episode is an annual tradition now at Coming Out & Beyond: LGBTQIA+ Stories, and it's a light-hearted look back at all we've accomplished, plus some tantalizing tidbits of what's in store for 2026!

❓ What to Expect in This Episode:

✨Anne-Marie and Barb share the episodes that stuck with them the most.

✨Sneak peeks at future plans for the podcast and programs for women who are exploring their sexuality.

✨Exploration of a wide range of topics, including dating, internalized homophobia, and the importance of community support.

✨Understanding why the conversation around queerness should focus on identity beyond sexuality.

Authentically Us is a support community for later-in-life LGBTQ women at all stages of the coming out and beyond process. Coming out later in life is often accompanied by suffering. Whether you're looking to deconstruct messages from a conservative faith tradition, experience divorce-related guilt, or struggle with feelings of shame around your coming out or sexual identity, Authentically Us has the right kind of support for you. Monthly subscription to Authentically Us on Mighty Networks is $35/month, but you can try your first week for free. Find Authentically Us at https://bit.ly/Authentically-Us

💬 Join the Conversation:

What were you favorite episodes of Season 6? Did you have a fave guest? Share your thoughts in the comments!

🔗 Visit our website:

Anne-Marie's : [ annemariezanzal.com]

🔗 Follow us on social media:

💠 Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/amzanzal

💠 Instagram:https://www.instagram.com/annemariezanzalcoaching/

💠 Twitter: twitter.com/annemariezanzal

💠LinkedIn:https://www.linkedin.com/in/annemariezanzalpurposefulempowerment/

👉 Don’t forget to like, share, and subscribe for more inspiring stories and advice on navigating life, love, and everything in between!

Join the Maybe I'm Not Straight 3-Day Clarity Experience, January 6-8, 2026. For women who need a safe, affirming opportunity to explore their sexuality.: https://annemariezanzal.com/this-authentic-life-3-day-clarity-experience/

This week on the podcast, host Anne-Marie Zanzal welcomes author and entrepreneur Lydia Coulter. Lydia writes queer fiction and has developed a luxury BDSM brand, Kilter, offering accessories that consider women's needs. Lydia shares her coming out story, her experiences in complicated relationships with women who were not out and experiencing internalized homophobia, and how BDSM has served as a tool to explore her identity. Lydia emphasizes the need for self-discovery and the positive impact of being true to oneself on overall happiness.

❓ What to Expect in This Episode:

✨Exploration of the challenges of dating someone who is not out.

✨Why BDSM is often misunderstood and can be a way to explore identity.

✨Why queer womanhood encompasses more than just sexual identity.

✨Understanding how life changes when you make choices that align with your authentic self.

Lydia's Instagram: @lydiacoulter

Lydia's website: www.lydiacouter.com

Check out Lydia's BDSM products: www.bykilter.com

Authentically Us is a support community for later-in-life LGBTQ women at all stages of the coming out and beyond process. Coming out later in life is often accompanied by suffering. Whether you're looking to deconstruct messages from a conservative faith tradition, experience divorce-related guilt, or struggle with feelings of shame around your coming out or sexual identity, Authentically Us has the right kind of support for you. Monthly subscription to Authentically Us on Mighty Networks is $35/month, but you can try your first week for free. Find Authentically Us at https://bit.ly/Authentically-Us

💬 Join the Conversation:

Have you dated someone in the closet? Has BDSM improved your life and helped you to discover more about yourself? Let's talk about it in the comments!

🔗 Visit our website:

Anne-Marie's : [ annemariezanzal.com]

🔗 Follow us on social media:

💠 Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/amzanzal

💠 Instagram:https://www.instagram.com/annemariezanzalcoaching/

💠 Twitter: twitter.com/annemariezanzal

💠LinkedIn:https://www.linkedin.com/in/annemariezanzalpurposefulempowerment/

Join the Maybe I'm Not Straight 3-Day Clarity Experience, January 6-8, 2026: https://annemariezanzal.com/this-authentic-life-3-day-clarity-experience/

Exploring sexuality – what does that even mean? And how do you do it, especially after having been in a long term relationship? In this episode, Anne-Marie Zanzal and Barbara Rowlandson discuss the complexities of exploring one's sexuality, particularly for those who may be coming out later in life or questioning their identity. Anne-Marie and Barbara emphasize the importance of curiosity, courage, and self-reflection in this journey, while also addressing societal expectations and the concept of compulsory heterosexuality.

❓ What to Expect in This Episode:

🔍How compulsory heteronormativity affects many people's perceptions of their identity.

🪞Why self-reflection is crucial in understanding one's sexual orientation.

🗺️How personal experiences can serve as catalysts for exploration.

👥Understanding one's feelings and sensations is key to exploration.

✨ Why This Matters:

It's important when exploring your sexuality to investigate the impact of patriarchal norms on women's identities and relationships, the importance of exploring one's sexuality, and the role of media in shaping perceptions of queerness. This episode underscores the need for self-discovery, curiosity, and community support in navigating the complexities of sexual identity, particularly for those coming out later in life.

Authentically Us is a support community for later-in-life LGBTQ women at all stages of the coming out and beyond process. Coming out later in life is often accompanied by suffering. Whether you're looking to deconstruct messages from a conservative faith tradition, experience divorce-related guilt, or struggle with feelings of shame around your coming out or sexual identity, Authentically Us has the right kind of support for you. Monthly subscription to Authentically Us on Mighty Networks is $35/month, but you can try your first week for free. Find Authentically Us at https://bit.ly/Authentically-Us

💬 Join the Conversation:

Can we have a conversation about exploring sexuality? If you've done this already, how did you go about it? What came up for you? What did you have to unlearn?

🔗 Visit our website:

Anne-Marie's : [ annemariezanzal.com]

🔗 Follow us on social media:

💠 Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/amzanzal

💠 Instagram:https://www.instagram.com/annemariezanzalcoaching/

💠 Twitter: twitter.com/annemariezanzal

💠LinkedIn:https://www.linkedin.com/in/annemariezanzalpurposefulempowerment/

👉 Don’t forget to like, share, and subscribe for more inspiring stories and advice on navigating life, love, and everything in between!

Oh, and if you want to check out that lovely woman who chops wood, her handle is @NicoleCoenen - you're welcome! ;)

This week on the podcast, host Anne-Marie Zanzal welcomes fellow author and later-in-lifer, Sarah Locke. Sarah shares her journey of coming out later in life and living with multiple sclerosis. Sarah's personal value of authenticity shines through as she relates the challenges of coming out later in life, holding boundaries with her parents, and self-advocacy while navigating the early days of her MS diagnosis. Sarah discusses her advocacy work which includes founding Locke's Promise, a nonprofit supporting individuals living with MS. Tune in and you'll be inspired by Sarah's journey of acceptance, personal growth, self-advocacy, journey to sobriety and learn why telling your story is powerfully healing.

You can learn more about Locke's Promise and purchase Sarah's book, "Living Out Loud: A Memoir of Speaking Up, Breaking Free, and Finally Being Seen" here: https://www.lockespromise.com/

Follow Locke's Promise on Facebook here: https://www.facebook.com/people/Lockes-Promise-Inc/61574949238113/?_rdr and on LinkedIn here: https://www.linkedin.com/company/lockes-promise-inc/

🔥 What You’ll Learn in This Episode:

❤️ Why your story is your strength.

❤️ How coming out draws the right people to you.

❤️ How advocacy arising from personal challenges can give life purpose and meaning.

❤️ Why support systems are crucial for well-being

🏳️‍🌈 and much more!

💬 Join the Conversation!

💬Have you turned a personal challenge into inspiration for advocacy? Who supports you in those challenges? Comment below and let's talk about it!

❤️Join Authentically Us! A supportive community for those coming out later in life to the LGBTQIA+ community. Connect, share, and find guidance on your journey through mutual support groups, workshops, and live Zoom meetups. 💜Sign up today at www.annemariezanzal.com

💠 Visit our website: : [ www.annemariezanzal.com]

💠 Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/amzanzal

💠 Instagram:https://www.instagram.com/annemariezanzalcoaching/

💠LinkedIn:https://www.linkedin.com/in/annemariezanzalpurposefulempowerment/

👍 Like, subscribe, and hit the bell to stay updated on powerful stories from Coming Out & Beyond!

"The Catalyst Chapter: #For WLW Navigating Love's First Chapter and Beyond" Learn more about the course and register at https://annemariezanzal.com/courses-from-anne-marie-zanzal/#catalystrelationship

"Strengthening Love: Building Secure Bonds for Lesbian Couples": A course for building better communication and strong relationships. https://healthylesbianrelationships.com/

❤️The Best Tool For Change? Love! - Part 2

This week, we're back with part 2 of Anne-Marie's engaging conversation with author and transformation coach, David Cunningham. If you haven't watched part 1, do yourself a favor, go back and give it a listen, as it's where David drops several gold nuggets of wisdom about love, self-love, and shares his coming out story.

In part 2, Anne-Marie and David dig even deeper into themes of love, forgiveness, and leading a values-oriented life. David shares about how to lead with love while we're experiencing difficult emotions, shares perspective on separating our core sense of self from our emotions, how mindfulness about our values informs our behaviors, and explains why the quality of our life is never dependent on another. David also shares why he recently sent a copy of his book to every single member of Congress! This episode is a fantastic conclusion to a very compelling conversation that you won't want to miss.

Connect with David on Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/DavidCunninghamAuthor

Learn more about David's work and his book, 'Your Love Does Matter,' at https://www.yourlovedoesmatter.com/

🔥 What You’ll Learn in This Episode:

❤️ The distinction between how we feel vs. who we are.

❤️ Concepts of forgiveness - what does it mean? How do we achieve it?

❤️ How to lead with love when we are angry or sad.

❤️ How a values-led life leads to purpose and love.

🏳️‍🌈 and much more!

💬 Join the Conversation!

💬Do you lead with love? Is self-acceptance and forgiveness a challenge for you? What did you take away from this episode? Let's talk about it in the comments!

❤️Join Authentically Us! A supportive community for those coming out later in life to the LGBTQIA+ community. Connect, share, and find guidance on your journey through mutual support groups, workshops, and live Zoom meetups. 💜Sign up today at www.annemariezanzal.com

💠 Visit our website: : [ www.annemariezanzal.com]

💠 Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/amzanzal

💠 Instagram:https://www.instagram.com/annemariezanzalcoaching/

💠LinkedIn:https://www.linkedin.com/in/annemariezanzalpurposefulempowerment/

👍 Like, subscribe, and hit the bell to stay updated on powerful stories from Coming Out & Beyond!

#comingout #comingoutandbeyond #comingoutlgbtqiastories #comingoutlaterinlife #lgbt #lgbtq #lgbtqia #2slgbtqia #lgbtqpodcast #queer #queerpodcast #podcast #love #selfacceptance #personalgrowth #transformation #leadwithlove #leadership #boundaries #embracingemotions #lovefootprint #davidcunningham

"The Catalyst Chapter: #For WLW Navigating Love's First Chapter and Beyond" Learn more about the course and register at https://annemariezanzal.com/courses-from-anne-marie-zanzal/#catalystrelationship

"Strengthening Love: Building Secure Bonds for Lesbian Couples": A course for building better communication and strong relationships. https://healthylesbianrelationships.com/

❤️The Best Tool For Change? Love!

David Cunningham believes that love is a powerful tool for transformation. As an author and transformation coach, David is committed to teaching others how to use love to create a path to acceptance, better communication, forgiveness, conscious leadership, and connectedness with others. In this part 1 of 2 podcast episode, host Anne-Marie Zanzal, explores with David topics related to his personal experiences in learning about the transformational power of love, including his coming out story and reflecting on how stepping into his identity as a gay man transformed his relationships with people he cares about. David highlights the significance of self-love and forgiveness, sharing insights from his mentors and the courage it takes to love freely, advocating for a world where love prevails as the primary way of being. This is a profound, compelling conversation centered on the power of love and our relationship to our most vulnerable emotions. Tune in next week for part 2!

Learn more about David's work and his book, 'Your Love Does Matter,' at https://www.yourlovedoesmatter.com/

🔥 What You’ll Learn in This Episode:

❤️ How love is instrumental to personal transformation.

❤️ How coming out impacted David's relationship with his son for the better.

❤️ The role of love in effective leadership.

❤️ Why quality of our life comes from who we choose to be, not what we receive from others.

🏳️‍🌈 and much more!

💬 Join the Conversation!

💬Do you lead with love? Is self-acceptance and forgiveness a challenge for you? What did you take away from this episode? Let's talk about it in the comments!

❤️Join Authentically Us! A supportive community for those coming out later in life to the LGBTQIA+ community. Connect, share, and find guidance on your journey through mutual support groups, workshops, and live Zoom meetups. 💜Sign up today at www.annemariezanzal.com

💠 Visit our website: : [ www.annemariezanzal.com]

💠 Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/amzanzal

💠 Instagram:https://www.instagram.com/annemariezanzalcoaching/

💠LinkedIn:https://www.linkedin.com/in/annemariezanzalpurposefulempowerment/

👍 Like, subscribe, and hit the bell to stay updated on powerful stories from Coming Out & Beyond!

#comingout #comingoutandbeyond #comingoutlgbtqiastories #comingoutlaterinlife #lgbt #lgbtq #lgbtqia #2slgbtqia #lgbtqpodcast #queer #queerpodcast #podcast #love #selfacceptance #personalgrowth #transformation #leadwithlove #leadership #boundaries #embracingemotions #lovefootprint #davidcunningham

"The Catalyst Chapter: #For WLW Navigating Love's First Chapter and Beyond" Learn more about the course and register at https://annemariezanzal.com/courses-from-anne-marie-zanzal/#catalystrelationship

"Strengthening Love: Building Secure Bonds for Lesbian Couples": A course for building better communication and strong relationships. https://healthylesbianrelationships.com/

This week on Coming Out & Beyond: LGBTQIA+ Stories, we're revisiting an episode from season 4 on the ups and downs of catalyst relationships. Host Anne-Marie Zanzal sits down will fellow coming out and catalyst relationship coach, Barbara Rowlandson. In this episode. Barbara shares the story of her catalyst experience and reflects on how the relationship precipitated some very big and quick changes in her life. Anne-Marie and Barbara examine the gifts of the catalyst experience, the hard lessons, share some of their best advice about navigating that first lesbian relationship, and talk about steps for recovery if the relationship ends.

🔥 What You’ll Learn in This Episode:

🏳️‍🌈 How catalysts cause us to stop and reconsider our wants and needs.

🏳️‍🌈 Why grieving the end of your marriage while in a new relationship is so hard.

🏳️‍🌈 Making meaning of your catalyst experience when it is over.

🏳️‍🌈 Why finding community is vital for healing after a catalyst experience

🏳️‍🌈 and much more!

💬 Join the Conversation!

💬Have you had a catalyst relationship experience? How are you today? What learn? What do you feel like you need most right now? Let's talk about it in the comments!

❤️Join Authentically Us! A supportive community for those coming out later in life to the LGBTQIA+ community. Connect, share, and find guidance on your journey through mutual support groups, workshops, and live Zoom meetups. 💜Sign up today at www.annemariezanzal.com

💠 Visit our website: : [ www.annemariezanzal.com]

💠 Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/amzanzal

💠 Instagram:https://www.instagram.com/annemariezanzalcoaching/

💠LinkedIn:https://www.linkedin.com/in/annemariezanzalpurposefulempowerment/

👍 Like, subscribe, and hit the bell to stay updated on powerful stories from Coming Out & Beyond!

"Strengthening Love: Building Secure Bonds for Lesbian Couples" https://healthylesbianrelationships.com/

TW: Hate groups, racism and homophobia are discussed. Some strong language is used. Listener discretion is advised.

This week on Coming Out & Beyond: LGBTQIA+ Stories, host Anne-Marie Zanzal chats with Spencer Macnaughton, Editor-in-Chief and founder of Uncloseted Media, a nonprofit LGBTQIA+ -focused newsroom. In a time when America is reconfiguring its systems to marginalize LGBTQIA+ citizens, Uncloseted Media is working to explore the anti-LGBTQIA+ landscape. Guided by principles of non-partisanship and rigorous journalistic standards, Uncloseted Media shines a light on people and stories that might otherwise go unheard in a world that is increasingly working to suppress queer voices. In this episode, Spencer shares the story of his journey in creating a nonprofit LGBTQIA+ newsroom and his own coming out experiences. Anne-Marie and Spencer also touch on the impact of societal conditioning on queer identities, the role media plays in shaping perceptions, and the urgency of telling stories that highlight the ongoing fight against hate and discrimination.

🔥 What You’ll Learn in This Episode:

🏳️‍🌈 Why trust is essential in journalism, especially for LGBTQIA+ communities.

🏳️‍🌈 Stories of resilience and allyship that inspire hope and change.

🏳️‍🌈 How media representation significantly impacts LGBTQIA+ identity formation.

🏳️‍🌈 Why finding community is vital for personal and collective well-being.

🏳️‍🌈 and much more!

You can follow Uncloseted Media on Substack here: https://www.unclosetedmedia.com/

💬 Join the Conversation!

💬What does LGBTQIA+ representation media mean to you? Let's talk about it in the comments!

❤️Join Authentically Us! A supportive community for those coming out later in life to the LGBTQIA+ community. Connect, share, and find guidance on your journey through mutual support groups, workshops, and live Zoom meetups. 💜Sign up today at www.annemariezanzal.com

💠 Visit our website: : [ www.annemariezanzal.com]

💠 Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/amzanzal

💠 Instagram:https://www.instagram.com/annemariezanzalcoaching/

💠LinkedIn:https://www.linkedin.com/in/annemariezanzalpurposefulempowerment/

👍 Like, subscribe, and hit the bell to stay updated on powerful stories from Coming Out & Beyond!

"Strengthening Love: Building Secure Bonds for Lesbian Couples" https://healthylesbianrelationships.com/

TW: This episode explores grief as related to the coming out experience and may be difficult for some to hear. If you are grieving and are experiencing a mental health emergency, call 9-8-8 for crisis support.

Download our grief guide and worksheets here: https://bit.ly/amz-grief-handout

In this part 2 episode on healing grief host Anne-Marie Zanzal and her fellow coach, Barbara Rowlandson continue to explore the complex emotions surrounding grief when coming out later in life. If you're someone who is in the 'messy middle' of coming out and/or divorce we highly encourage you to listen, as parts 1 and 2 of these episodes on grief address the most common experiences we see in individuals who come out later in life. Anne-Marie and Barb pick up where they left of in part 1, discussing the last two stages of grief – depression and acceptance. They discuss recognizing and addressing depression, offer practical coping strategies for the depression stage, and emphasize the significance of community.

🔥 What You’ll Learn in This Episode:

❤️‍🩹Why incremental change is a big deal.

❤️‍🩹How aligning values with actions brings peace.

❤️‍🩹How engaging with queer media can foster a sense of belonging.

❤️‍🩹The importance of community and daily rituals for self-care

🏳️‍🌈 and much more!

Read Anne-Marie's article, "The Unexpected Grief of the LGBTQIA+ Coming Out Experience." https://annemariezanzal.com/the-unexpected-grief-of-the-lgbtqia-coming-out-experience/

💬 Join the Conversation!

💬Are you on the other side of the 'messy middle?' What practices did you adopt to lift the grief? 

❤️Join Authentically Us! A supportive community for those coming out later in life to the LGBTQIA+ community. Connect, share, and find guidance on your journey through mutual support groups, workshops, and live Zoom meetups. 💜Sign up today at www.annemariezanzal.com

💠 Visit our website: : [ www.annemariezanzal.com]

💠 Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/amzanzal

💠 Instagram:https://www.instagram.com/annemariezanzalcoaching/

💠LinkedIn:https://www.linkedin.com/in/annemariezanzalpurposefulempowerment/

👍 Like, subscribe, and hit the bell to stay updated on powerful stories from Coming Out & Beyond!