Reclaiming Your Sexual Self Workshop | with Mallory Hanfling, LCSW | Friday, Oct. 17th, 2025 | The Provincetown Inn, Provincetown, Massachusetts during Women's Week | 9:30 a.m.- 12:30 p.m. | Reclaiming Your Sexual Self Tickets, Fri, Oct 17, 2025 at 9:30 AM | Eventbrite Mallory Hanfling, a late-in-life lesbian/firefly, queer therapist, and sexuality educator provides attendees with the SexEd that you wish you got in high school. Covering everything from anatomy and the mechanics of all different types of queer sex, to toy maintenance, and to sexual communication and consent, Mal will help you reconnect with your sexual self, learn how to listen to and trust your body, and answer the questions you were too shy to ask out loud.

"Strengthening Love: Building Secure Bonds for Lesbian Couples" is a comprehensive course for lesbian couples who are seeking to build a better relationship. Designed by lesbian psychologist and couples therapist, Dr. Robin Sesan, this course is ideal for any lesbian couple who finds themselves stuck in a rut, desires connection, and wants to build emotional safety in the relationship. This do at your own pace course includes video instruction, worksheets, and offers an online community in Authentically Us, where couples can discuss the outcomes of their assignments for each course unit. Yes, you can learn how to create positive interaction and build intimacy that lasts! Learn more and register at https://healthylesbianrelationships.com/

🫣OK, I'm Gay, Now What?

Download the free Self-Care and Boundary-Setting Scripts guide that accompanies this episode! http://bit.ly/3V0qlQs

Calling all later-in-life newbies! If you're a woman who is just starting the process of coming out, this episode is for you. Host Anne-Marie Zanzal and her fellow coach, Barbara Rowlandson, unpack the complexities of coming out later in life, discussing themes such as compulsory heterosexuality, internalized homophobia, cognitive dissonance, and the importance of community support. Anne-Marie and Barb provide insights on navigating early feelings, setting boundaries, and the significance of self-acceptance in the journey of identity exploration. Don't forget to download the free 1 pg pdf with the 3-circle map for clarity and scripts for boundary setting, starting challenging conversations, and journal prompts.

🔥 What You’ll Learn in This Episode:

💡 Ideas for boundary setting when having challenging conversations.

🏳️‍🌈 The external forces that keep us from identifying our authentic sexuality until later in life.

🧠 Understanding how our brains keep us safe and the concept of cognitive dissonance.

🌟Why "LGBTQ affirming" support may not be enough and what to look for in a therapist or coach.

📢 Practical advice and achievable steps for change.

💬 Join the Conversation!

💬What are your biggest perceived challenges in coming out? 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/

Reclaiming Your Sexual Self Workshop | with Mallory Hanfling, LCSW | Friday, Oct. 17th, 2025 | The Provincetown Inn, Provincetown, Massachusetts during Women's Week | 9:30 a.m.- 12:30 p.m. | Reclaiming Your Sexual Self Tickets, Fri, Oct 17, 2025 at 9:30 AM | Eventbrite Mallory Hanfling, a late-in-life lesbian/firefly, queer therapist, and sexuality educator provides attendees with the SexEd that you wish you got in high school. Covering everything from anatomy and the mechanics of all different types of queer sex, to toy maintenance, and to sexual communication and consent, Mal will help you reconnect with your sexual self, learn how to listen to and trust your body, and answer the questions you were too shy to ask out loud.

"Strengthening Love: Building Secure Bonds for Lesbian Couples" is a comprehensive course for lesbian couples who are seeking to build a better relationship. Designed by lesbian psychologist and couples therapist, Dr. Robin Sesan, this course is ideal for any lesbian couple who finds themselves stuck in a rut, desires connection, and wants to build emotional safety in the relationship. This do at your own pace course includes video instruction, worksheets, and offers an online community in Authentically Us, where couples can discuss the outcomes of their assignments for each course unit. Yes, you can learn how to create positive interaction and build intimacy that lasts! Learn more and register at https://healthylesbianrelationships.com/

In this episode of Coming Out & Beyond: LGBTQIA+ Stories, host Anne-Marie Zanzal welcomes Mallory Hanfling, a Philadelphia-based therapist specializing in identity development, coming out, and connecting with one’s most authentic self. As the founder of Courage to Grow Counseling, Mallory provides a safe and supportive space for LGBTQIA+ individuals and couples, helping them navigate the challenges of later-in-life coming out.

But Mallory’s work doesn’t stop there—she’s currently pursuing a PhD in Human Sexuality at the California Institute for Integral Studies (CIIS). Her research focuses on how community mitigates the impact of compulsory heterosexuality on later-in-life LGBTQIA+ individuals.

As a passionate advocate for community, Mallory coined the term "Fireflies" to represent women, non-binary, and trans people who are exploring their sexual identity later in life. Through her weekly Firefly peer support group, she helps Fireflies at all stages of their journey connect, share, and empower one another.

Whether you're coming out later in life, questioning your identity, or looking for a supportive community, Mallory’s insights and experiences will resonate deeply.

🔥 What You’ll Learn in This Episode:

💡 How Mallory helps later-in-life LGBTQIA+ individuals navigate identity development

🏳️‍🌈 Why community is essential for those coming out later in life

🧠 The role of therapy in healing from compulsory heterosexuality

🌟 What it means to be a "Firefly" and how to join the Firefly peer support group

🎓 How Mallory’s PhD research is changing the conversation around later-in-life queerness

📢 Practical advice for embracing authenticity and self-discovery

🌐 Learn More About Mallory Hanfling

You can learn more about Mallory and her work on her website, https://www.couragetogrowcounseling.org/about

Books that resonated with Mallory are Untamed by Glennon Doyle https://www.goodreads.com/en/book/show/52129515 and Bossy Pants by Tina Fey https://www.goodreads.com/book/show/167987272-bossy-pants?from_search=true&from_srp=true&qid=zHsUsI2...



Mallory's coming out song is Drive by Incubus. https://youtu.be/fgT9zGkiLig?si=g98J8LJ24IjUvXBm

💬 Have you experienced a later-in-life coming out journey? Share your thoughts and experiences 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" is a comprehensive course for lesbian couples who are seeking to build a better relationship. Designed by lesbian psychologist and couples therapist, Dr. Robin Sesan, this course is ideal for any lesbian couple who finds themselves stuck in a rut, desires connection, and wants to build emotional safety in the relationship. This do at your own pace course includes video instruction, worksheets, and offers an online community in Authentically Us, where couples can discuss the outcomes of their assignments for each course unit. Yes, you can learn how to create positive interaction and build intimacy that lasts! Learn more and register at https://healthylesbianrelationships.com/

Wing Women Weekend, October 15-18, 2025, Provincetown, MA - a conference for women/non-binary persons who are new to the LGBTQIA+ community! This conference is all about connection, finding queer community, and having a whole lot of FUN! For the full conference schedule and to sign up, visit https://wingwomenweekend.com/ and use the coupon code PRIDE in June to receive 10% off.

This week on Coming Out & Beyond: LGBTQIA+ Stories, host Anne-Marie Zanzal and fellow later-in-lifer Barbara Rowlandson talk about #wlw dating later in life. Barbara Rowlandson is a coach for women who come out later in life with a focus on catalyst relationship recovery and dating resilience, and a Registered Psychotherapist (Qualifying) in Ontario, Canada. Dating later in life - whether you're new to dating women or a long-out person who just hasn't dated in a very long time - dating can feel daunting, complex, and disappointing. Anne-Marie and Barbara explore the unique challenges of dating women later in life, the importance of understanding personal values and doing self-work, how to uncover limiting beliefs about dating, cultivating psychological flexibility, dealing with dating disasters and more. This is a fantastic episode for any woman who is about to step into the dating pool, or for those who have been dating and struggling to meet the right person.

For those interested in Barbara's coaching services, you can book a free consultation call here: https://calendly.com/lavender-dating-team/connection-call-with-barb

Learn more about Barbara's services and find 'The List' pdf downloadable template mentioned in the podcast at https://lavenderdating.com/

Direct link to 'The List' pdf download: https://lavenderdating.com/the-list

❓ What to Expect in This Episode:

🌈Discussion about finding yourself and getting clear about values after a long term relationship, and why this is an important step before dating.

🌈Clues on how to recognize limiting beliefs - and how to counter them.

🌈Reflection on setting boundaries and how to hold them.

🌈Tips for mindfulness practices to beat dating anxiety.

🌈Thoughts on what to do when you encounter a 'dating disaster.'

✨ Why This Matters:

Taking the next step into dating represents a major shift for many women that can feel very uncomfortable. Dating requires a willingness to try and to fail, and failure can sometimes feel very personal or painful. By adjusting our mindset around dating, we can create a much better experience for ourselves, one where we can meet people without pressure of expectation and shrug off negative experiences without taking rejection personally.

💬 Join the Conversation:

What is your biggest dating concern? What challenges have you run into, either within yourself or interpersonally? 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!

"Strengthening Love: Building Secure Bonds for Lesbian Couples" is a comprehensive course for lesbian couples who are seeking to build a better relationship. Designed by lesbian psychologist and couples therapist, Dr. Robin Sesan, this course is ideal for any lesbian couple who finds themselves stuck in a rut, desires connection, and wants to build emotional safety in the relationship. This do at your own pace course includes video instruction, worksheets, and offers an online community in Authentically Us, where couples can discuss the outcomes of their assignments for each course unit. Yes, you can learn how to create positive interaction and build intimacy that lasts! Learn more and register at https://healthylesbianrelationships.com/

Wing Women Weekend, October 15-18, 2025, Provincetown, MA - a conference for women/non-binary persons who are new to the LGBTQIA+ community! This conference is all about connection, finding queer community, and having a whole lot of FUN! For the full conference schedule and to sign up, visit https://wingwomenweekend.com/ and use the coupon code PRIDE in June to receive 10% off.

This week on Coming Out & Beyond: LGBTQIA+ Stories, host Anne-Marie Zanzal interviews Dr. Samantha Winterberg, who shares her personal journey of coming out and her extensive experience in health psychology. Anne-Marie and Dr. Winterberg discuss the catalysts for coming out, the challenges of navigating open relationships, and the importance of communication. Dr. Winterberg's new workbook, "Coming Out in Adulthood" addresses the fears associated with coming out and the impact of childhood trauma on LGBTQ+ identities. Their conversation touches on spirituality, the role of religion, and the significance of understanding one's identity beyond societal labels. 

You can order your copy of "Coming Out Later in Life" here: https://a.co/d/dvRYXUe

Find Dr. Samantha Winterberg online at https://www.bayintegrativewellness.com/

Follow Dr. Winterberg on Instagram: samanthawinterberg 

A book that Dr. Winterberg found to be personally transformative is "Living in the Light: A Guide to Personal and Planetary Transformation" by Shakti Gawain: https://www.goodreads.com/book/show/336734.Living_in_the_Light

Dr. Winterberg's coming out song is I Shall Be Released by Grace Potter and the Nocturals: https://youtu.be/CyLcyqrmF3o?si=nKfbC0bXXm2f-tl6

❓ What to Expect in This Episode:

🌈Discussion about how childhood trauma can impact the coming out process, but it does not define it.

🌈Reflections on the importance of spirituality in self-acceptance and joy.

🌈Thoughts on why open relationships require strong communication and self-awareness.

🌈Understanding why coming out is often catalyzed by significant life events or relationships.

✨ Why This Matters:

Understanding and contextualizing our formative experiences is crucial for insight during the coming out in adulthood process. This episode underscores how addressing fears, gaining self-acceptance, and coming out on your own terms can lead individuals to better mental health.

💬 Join the Conversation:

What did you think of Dr. Winterberg's observations? If you're a later-in-lifer and something in this episode really hit home for you, please share in the comments! We'd love to know what resonated.

🔗 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!

"Strengthening Love: Building Secure Bonds for Lesbian Couples"  Learn more and register at https://healthylesbianrelationships.com/

Authentically Us is an online peer support community for late-blooming women who love women. Learn more about Authentically Us at https://annemariezanzal.com/

This week on Coming Out & Beyond: LGBTQIA+ Stories, host Anne-Marie Zanzal chats with Tennessee drag queen Kennedy Ann Scott. Kennedy is one of six drag queens featured in the soon to be released Harper Collins publication, "No Tea, No Shade: Life as a Drag Queen" (scheduled release date is September 23rd, 2025, now available for pre-order purchase). Kennedy's story is characterized as a journey of acceptance. Bullied as middle and high school student, Kennedy had the support of a teacher who made life bearable and ultimately inspired him to become an educator himself. Now a middle school teacher, Kennedy, who was recently award teacher of the year by his school board, fosters acceptance and safety for his students. As Kennedy Ann the drag artist, she also works to champion LGBTQ and trans rights, emphasizing the need for acceptance and understanding in society, particularly for marginalized communities.

You can order your copy of "No Tea, No Shade: Life as a Drag Queen" in advance now on Amazon: https://www.amazon.com/dp/006343055X/?bestFormat=true&k=no%20tea%20no%20shade&ref_=nb_sb_ss_w_scx-en...

Book description:

"No Tea, No Shade is an essential read for anyone who has searched for a way to feel like themselves." -- Booklist

Intimate, hilarious, and inspiring essays by celebrated drag queens Kennedy Ann Scott, Lagoona Bloo, Alexis Michelle, Olivia Lux, Julie J., and Nina West.

No Tea, No Shade is a collective anthem written by six drag queens who believe in equality, peace, and in a world that loves and respects all people. The defiant legacy of drag will endure fearmongering and hate because their hearts have endured the unthinkable, their courage has been relentlessly tested, and to be blunt, they have the balls to prevail.

Kennedy Ann Scott was awarded Teacher of the Year in Nashville, Tennessee. Lagoona Bloo starred on the Off-Broadway hit Drag: the Musical, and Alex Michaels received a stellar review from the New York Times for their role in La Cage Aux Falles at Barrington Stage Company. Olivia Lux starred in Rent and Kinky Boots. Julie J raised more than $100,000 for trans and LGBTQIA+ organizations. Nina West received an honorary doctorate in May 2024 and is a well-known entertainer, having worked with everyone from Glenn Close to Kermit the Frog.

When these gorgeous queens wear a stunning gown with picture perfect makeup, haters label them as inappropriate and unlawful. They are entertainers not predators. Drag is an art of self-expression that, at its core, affirms and uplifts LGBTQIA+ people.

No Tea, No Shade features thirty essays discussing:

• Social activism, Drag Story Hour, and education.
• Coming out, gender, and equality.
• Relationships, setting goals, and rejection.
• Celebrating womanhood, family, and image.

Despite the pervasive danger of being authentic and real, these drag artists have chosen to fight for LGBTQIA+ rights. They remind us that a person’s identity shouldn’t be marginalized to genitals. Identity categories are not as important as we have been led to believe, and the shade casted on drag is just a scapegoat. It is a distraction political figures and trolls use to lure people away from caring about serious issues like equality, gun violence, poverty, and racism.

No Tea, No Shade shines a light on a community of people who are paving the way for a better world and holding the light for others to step up.

A movie that resonates with Kennedy Ann is (their grandma's favorite!) is 'Steel Magnolias': https://www.imdb.com/title/tt0098384/

❓ What to Expect in This Episode:

🌈Kennedy Ann's coming out story and emphasis on how the acceptance of their grandmother made all the difference for a young, gay kid who experienced bullying.

🌈Discussion on how current and pending changes to Tennessee legislation have a profound impact on drag culture and LGBTQIA+ representation.

🌈Thoughts on how affirming teachers can make a profound difference for queer kids during the turbulent period of adolescence.

🌈Conversation about how Kennedy Ann came to be involved in the book project, "No Tea, No Shade: Life as a Drag Queen."

✨ Why This Matters:

Kennedy Ann's story illustrates the hardships and the joys associated with growing up gay. Kennedy Ann's positivity is inspirational! The emphasis on doing 'the work' in therapy, embracing humor and joy, and being the positive change you want to see in the world is evident in Kennedy Ann/Benjamin's story. This is a fantastic episode for anyone who needs inspiration in the face of adversity.

💬 Join the Conversation:

If you're a person in the LGBTQIA+ community, did you have an adult in your life who made growing up more bearable? What brings you joy as a queer person? 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!

"Strengthening Love: Building Secure Bonds for Lesbian Couples" is a comprehensive course for lesbian couples who are seeking to build a better relationship. Designed by lesbian psychologist and couples therapist, Dr. Robin Sesan, this course is ideal for any lesbian couple who finds themselves stuck in a rut, desires connection, and wants to build emotional safety in the relationship. This do at your own pace course includes video instruction, worksheets, and offers an online community in Authentically Us, where couples can discuss the outcomes of their assignments for each course unit. Yes, you can learn how to create positive interaction and build intimacy that lasts! Learn more and register at https://healthylesbianrelationships.com/

Wing Women Weekend, October 15-18, 2025, Provincetown, MA - a conference for women/non-binary persons who are new to the LGBTQIA+ community! This conference is all about connection, finding queer community, and having a whole lot of FUN! For the full conference schedule and to sign up, visit https://wingwomenweekend.com/ and use the coupon code PRIDE in June to receive 10% off.

It's an exciting week on Coming Out & Beyond: LGBTQIA+ Stories, as host Anne-Marie Zanzal is joined by psychologist Dr. Robin Sesan and lesbian business owner and marketing expert Anna Empey to discuss themes surrounding lesbian relationships. This episode comes at the precipice of the launch of their collaborative project, "Strengthening Love: Building Secure Bonds for Lesbian Couples," an evidence-based course, culturally sensitive course on the psychology of lesbian relationships and practical advice on how to build stronger bonds in couples. In this wide-ranging conversation, Anne-Marie, Anna, and Robin cover topics such as sexual minority stress, attachment styles, misconceptions about lesbian identities, the importance of lesbian community and much, much more. The episode is a must-listen for any queer woman, in a relationship or not, who desires a deeper understanding of the challenges and strengths of lesbian intimate partner relationships.

Learn more about the Strengthening Love: Building Secure Bonds for Lesbian Couples course at https://healthylesbianrelationships.com/

❓ What to Expect in This Episode:

🌈Conversation about challenges of lesbian couples in finding effective, culturally informed couples therapy.

🌈An overview on attachment theory and sexual minority stress.

🌈Personal stories of identity shifts and relationship dynamics in later-in-life lesbian relationships.

🌈Insights on the impacts of societal expectations and internalized homophobia on queer relationships.

✨ Why This Matters:

Lesbian intimate partner relationships are unlike any others. Challenges of lesbian relationships are not well researched or talked about in common discourse around couples therapy, and therefore it can be very difficult to find information relevant exclusively to lesbian couples. Lesbian couples deserve to have competent care and to be understood in their identities and for their unique joys and challenges. 

💬 Join the Conversation:

Are you in a committed lesbian relationship? What have you noticed that is different about lesbian relationships that sets them apart for heterosexual, gay, or non-binary partnerships? 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/

Wing Women Weekend, October 15-18, 2025, Provincetown, MA - a conference for women/non-binary persons who are new to the LGBTQIA+ community! This conference is all about connection, finding queer community, and having a whole lot of FUN! For the full conference schedule and to sign up, visit https://wingwomenweekend.com/ and use the coupon code PRIDE in June to receive 10% off.

"Maybe I'm Not Straight" and "When the Catalyst Relationship Ends" are do-at-your-own-pace courses for women who are reconsidering their sexual orientation and overcoming the end of their first lesbian relationship. Accessible, information-packed, and easy to do, these courses represent many years worth of experience working with women who come out later in life. Purchase your course and receive your first month subscription to Authentically Us, a safe online space for women who are coming out and beyond, for free! Learn more at https://annemariezanzal.com/courses-from-anne-marie-zanzal/

This week on Coming Out & Beyond: LGBTQIA+ Stories, host Anne-Marie Zanzal welcomes back her fellow coach Barbara Rowlandson to the podcast for a conversation about things they wish they understood before embarking on a divorce journey. Anne-Marie and Barb cover some of their biggest missteps and common negative and usually-untrue beliefs that many women hold about the divorce experience. Anne-Marie and Barb reflect and share advice with compassion, encouraging curiosity, and share a few laughs throughout this very informative and engaging episode. While Anne-Marie and Barb both identify as lesbians and are speaking from their experiences in divorcing their ex-husbands, this episode is relevant for any woman, queer or straight, divorcing a person of any gender.

❓ What to Expect in This Episode:

🌈Conversation about getting the facts from professionals before making decisions.

🌈Encouragement to slow down and go through the process thoughtfully.

🌈Advice about taking time through the process for self-discovery and healing.

🌈Emphasis on why community and professional support is key to navigating separation and divorce in the best way possible.

✨ Why This Matters:

The decision to leave your marriage is one that may be fraught with anxiety, guilt, and shame. It takes time and deliberation to reframe our thinking and unlearn messages about what it means to be a good woman, wife and mom. Learning to prioritize ourselves may feel hard, but that's because it is unfamiliar, not because it is not worth doing.

💬 Join the Conversation:

Are you thinking about separating from your spouse? What are your biggest concerns? Let's talk about them 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!

Wing Women Weekend, October 15-18, 2025, Provincetown, MA - a conference for women/non-binary persons who are new to the LGBTQIA+ community! This conference is all about connection, finding queer community, and having a whole lot of FUN! For the full conference schedule and to sign up, visit https://wingwomenweekend.com/ and use the coupon code PRIDE in June to receive 10% off.

"Maybe I'm Not Straight" and "When the Catalyst Relationship Ends" are do-at-your-own-pace courses for women who are reconsidering their sexual orientation and overcoming the end of their first lesbian relationship. Accessible, information-packed, and easy to do, these courses represent many years worth of experience working with women who come out later in life. Purchase your course and receive your first month subscription to Authentically Us, a safe online space for women who are coming out and beyond, for free! Learn more at https://annemariezanzal.com/courses-from-anne-marie-zanzal/

This week on Coming Out & Beyond: LGBTQIA+ Stories, we bring you a guest who has had not one, but two coming out stories! Nate is a trans man who began his gender journey in his 50s. Nate's gender transition was preceded by coming out as a lesbian in his mid-30s. In his conversation with host Anne-Marie Zanzal, Nate shares his journey of self-discovery, discussing the challenges of coming out to family, the importance of support groups, and the complexities of navigating male privilege. Nate reflects on his transition, the medical changes he underwent, and the emotional impacts of his sexuality and gender transitions. Nate's story reminds us of the significance of self-acceptance and offers advice for others in the LGBTQIA+ community.

For information, advocacy and support for gender transitions, visit https://www.diversitycenter.org/

❓ What to Expect in This Episode:

🏳️‍⚧️Messages about the importance of self-acceptance during the transition journey.

🏳️‍⚧️Thoughtful reflections on male privilege, and its unexpected, negative associations.

🏳️‍⚧️One man's thoughts on clues that he might not be the gender he was assigned at birth.

🏳️‍⚧️Conversations about the differences between coming out as gay vs. coming out as trans.

✨ Why This Matters:

Self-kindness, self-acceptance, and a strong sense of self-worth are crucial for LGBTQIA individuals, especially through a gender transition journey. This episode aligns with the our principles for wellness during the coming out process: self-compassion, community, and mindfulness.

💬 Join the Conversation:

Are you questioning your gender? Or maybe you've recently realized that you aren't the gender you were assigned at birth. How are you coping? What are you noticing? 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/

Wing Women Weekend, October 15-18, 2025, Provincetown, MA - a conference for women/non-binary persons who are new to the LGBTQIA+ community! This conference is all about connection, finding queer community, and having a whole lot of FUN! For the full conference schedule and to sign up, visit https://wingwomenweekend.com/ and use the coupon code PRIDE in June to receive 10% off.

"Maybe I'm Not Straight" and "When the Catalyst Relationship Ends" are do-at-your-own-pace courses for women who are reconsidering their sexual orientation and overcoming the end of their first lesbian relationship. Accessible, information-packed, and easy to do, these courses represent many years worth of experience working with women who come out later in life. Purchase your course and receive your first month subscription to Authentically Us, a safe online space for women who are coming out and beyond, for free! Learn more at https://annemariezanzal.com/courses-from-anne-marie-zanzal/

This week on Coming Out & Beyond: LGBTQIA+ Stories, host Anne-Marie Zanzal interviews Lonay Halloum, a queer relationship coaching and Rapid Transformational Therapy practitioner. Lonay shares his coming out story, the challenges he faced with family acceptance, and the importance of self-acceptance and support systems. he discusses his journey through relationships, hitting rock bottom, and discovering transformative therapy methods that helped him rebuild his self-worth. The conversation emphasizes the significance of understanding both conscious and subconscious mind work in personal growth and healing.

You can find Lonay's website here: https://rainbowjourney.co/

Follow Lonay on Instagram, radiantheartsjourney

❓ What to Expect in This Episode:

🏳️‍🌈An emphasis on the need for a strong support system during the coming out process.

🏳️‍🌈Conversation about changing limiting beliefs and understanding the unconscious mind.

🏳️‍🌈Education on how Rapid Transformational Therapy can address deep-rooted beliefs about self-worth.

🏳️‍🌈Reflections on the ongoing struggle with internalized homophobia in the LGBTQIA community.

✨ Why This Matters:

Self-kindness, self-acceptance, and a strong sense of self-worth are crucial for LGBTQIA individuals, especially through the coming out process. Spending some time to uncover subconscious limiting beliefs and how they impact our emotions and behaviors is part of the process when working on personal growth and healing.

💬 Join the Conversation:

Are you caught up in negative patterns and are on a path to discovering why? Has self-acceptance been a struggle for you? 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!

Wing Women Weekend, October 15-18, 2025, Provincetown, MA - a conference for women/non-binary persons who are new to the LGBTQIA+ community! This conference is all about connection, finding queer community, and having a whole lot of FUN! For the full conference schedule and to sign up, visit https://wingwomenweekend.com/ and use the coupon code PRIDE in June to receive 10% off.

"Maybe I'm Not Straight" and "When the Catalyst Relationship Ends" are do-at-your-own-pace courses for women who are reconsidering their sexual orientation and overcoming the end of their first lesbian relationship. Accessible, information-packed, and easy to do, these courses represent many years worth of experience working with women who come out later in life. Purchase your course and receive your first month subscription to Authentically Us, a safe online space for women who are coming out and beyond, for free! Learn more at https://annemariezanzal.com/courses-from-anne-marie-zanzal/

This week on Coming Out & Beyond: LGBTQIA+ Stories, host Anne-Marie Zanzal chats with author Scott Stirrett. Author of 'The Uncertainty Advantage' and founder of Venture for Canada, Scott shares his personal journey of coming out, the impact it had on his career choices, and how he founded a nonprofit to help young people navigate uncertainty in their careers. Scott shares a personal account of how he manages his OCD, his processes for managing feelings around uncertainty, talks about challenges faced by marginalized groups, and reflects on the importance of values in personal growth. This is a fantastic episode for anyone at any age who is seeking to build their resilience and flexibility in the face of adversity.

You can purchase Scott Stirrett's book, The Uncertainty Advantage, here: https://www.amazon.ca/Uncertainty-Advantage-Launching-Career-Change/dp/1459753224

Learn more about Venture for Canada here: https://ventureforcanada.ca/

Books that influenced Scott are Virtually Normal by Andrew Sullivan: https://www.goodreads.com/book/show/1717573 and Man's Search for Meaning by Viktor E. Frankl https://www.goodreads.com/book/show/4069.Man_s_Search_for_Meaning

❓ What to Expect in This Episode:

🏳️‍🌈Scott shares his coming out story and underscores that the coming out process is never quite done.

🏳️‍🌈Scott talks candidly about his experiences wrestling with OCD and the processes for becoming okay with uncertainty.

🏳️‍🌈Anne-Marie and Scott talk about his six pillars for embracing uncertainty.

🏳️‍🌈Thoughts on the learning that comes with reflection.

✨ Why This Matters:

We're living through turbulent times. The world has become more unpredictable than ever, and learning how to become more comfortable with uncertainty gives us the mental flexibility to endure and succeed.

💬 Join the Conversation:

Is psychological or emotional flexibility something you've had to cultivate? Tell us 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/

Watch the video of the episode on YouTube: https://youtu.be/AyzDFRwurJc

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