Courage to Be Courageous

David Gurzenski Luke grew up in upstate New York in the city of Albion . David was a soft-spoken introvert and had tragedy hit him at 11 years old when his father died of a heart attack. He eventually moved to Arizona, where he attended Arizona State University, and got his Bachelors Degree in Journalism in 1969. He also became the editor of the school newspaper at ASU in his first year of school. He got married to a beautiful woman named Pam and ended up having two beautiful girls, Jennifer and Julia. David felt the pressure of being married with all the things couples go through in the first few years of marriage. From a young age, he knew he was attracted to men, but had a tremendous amount of shame and guilt. He met a very outgoing classmate who had confidence, and they ended up having an affair but the shame and guilt was so strong he went into depression. David eventually came out to Pam when she asked him if he was having an affair with a woman, and he said "no it was an affair with a man". His wife, Pam, whose father is a doctor suggested he get a lobotomy to change his orientation, which David found shocking . The doctor did refer him to a psychiatrist to help him become straight. Obviously it didn't work. David also went onto the University of Arizona, where he received his Masters in Journalism in 1972. He became the editor of the University of Arizona's newsletter, and also was the Associate Director of the Alumni Association. He went on to have a successful career in journalism holding several positions. Unfortunately, he was fired from two positions due to being a gay man. He took both employers to court for discrimination and was successful in winning both cases.This shows a tremendous amount of courage on David's part. David met his life partner and husband Alan who is a Substance Abuse Counselor, and they've been together 19 years. His husband, Alan formed a group called " Life Challenges Support Group" which he supports free of charge for anyone who is facing challenges in their life and needs courage to get through them.

David Pederson grew up in a mining town in Leadville Colorado, where his father was a miner. When the family moved to Wisconsin, David worked in a retail outlet for Amity Leather and later, as a property manager for over 500 apartments. He later worked in furniture sales and decorating, and then started to work more on his writing, which was his real passion. David knew he was different and especially at puberty, realized he was gay. David kept silent because of his shame and having fear he would be rejected by his family and society. Later on, as he used courage to come out as gay, he was mugged by four cowardly men and was "gay bashed" outside a local bar. After spending two weeks in the hospital and having a plastic plate put in his head, David had to deal with his fear and used courage to get through it. By using courage, he went back to the same bar where he was mugged and met Alan, who is now his husband and they've been together 29 years. David pursued his passion for writing, and after a number of setbacks he used courage to "Keep Moving Don't Stop" as his motto. Because of this, he landed a publisher and has successfully written 10 books; seven books on Heath Barrington series and three on the Mason Adler series. This is an incredible story of using courage to get through your fear and " Keep Moving Don't Stop!"

Gypsy Haake who became known as just "Gypsy" became a Hollywood star. He was featured in over 118 shows both in films TV and on stage. This is an incredible podcast about Gypsy who is now 91 years old and served as the Master of Ceremonies for the Palm Springs gay pride parade. Gypsy, who worked with numerous Hollywood stars such as Mel Brooks and his wife Ann Bancroft, Lana Turner, Lucille Ball, Jane Fonda, and also from 2017 to 2018 Miley Cyrus where he filmed a video with her and also did the VMA awards. He traveled all of the world and is known as his work in LA Cage Aux Folles in Hollywood before it became a movie. Most of the above stars saw Gypsy perform as the Masters of Ceremonies at the dinner theatre. Gypsy, will talk about experiencing the aids crisis, the Stonewall riots in 1969 and the courage he had to get through those. He will also talk about his personal life as a gay man and some incredible lessons of acceptance for who you are such as when you look at the person in the mirror and you love the person in the mirror you have total acceptance of who you are, you will not be rejected . You may be rejected by others, but you are accepted by you. Gypsy said remember acceptance is the opposite of rejection. All of us can learn some incredible examples from the lessons Gypsy gives us.

This podcast is an incredible, powerful story from Patrick Harkness, who lost his brother Scotty being senselessly murdered. Scotty was a beautiful human being who had "special needs " who showed courage throughout his entire life. He was active, his whole life in Special Olympics playing basketball, baseball, track, and field, and golf. Scotty, who died at almost 60 years old, was passionate about everything he did. He loved people and did things for people . He showed courage to work his way up through group homes to come to independence of living on his own. His brother Patrick said he was the most kind, loving and supportive individual." "You could know Scotty always had a smile on his face " said Patrick. He volunteered on his own to help in "Club Sar " moving fitness equipment and cleaning equipment 30 hours a week as a gift to the club. The club even dedicated a bench Scotty with his name on it when he died. When he was walking home from a restaurant, he was murderously killed, and it sent shock through the entire community . The City of Scottsdale Arizona had an Adaptive Recreational sports group that supported all Special Olympics individuals and Scotty was a trailblazer in that community .All the proceed of the "go fund me" that was established for Scotty was given 100% to the special Olympic committee to buy all of them New Jerseys with the name of Scotty on the jersey. This was the gift that his brother Patrick gave the Special Olympics. Scotty loved as his idol Chuck Norris and had 22 T-shirts of Chuck Norris. Chuck Norris was contacted and actually did a video at his funeral which you will see at the end of my podcast you will hear Scotty Harkness voice followed by the audio of Chuck Norris at Scotty's funeral. We have a tremendous amount of courage not only for Scotty, but for his incredible brother Patrick .You must see this podcast. It is powerful and yet heart wrenching. For Donations to his fund: https://give.classy.org/ScottyHarkness

This is an incredible podcast of two great men who have persevered through the odds and have used courage and optimism, to get through their fear and setbacks. Cam Davis has a Bachelor of Science degree in Political Science/ Psychology and English, a JD degree, and an MBA. He is presently the Managing Director of Investments for Wells Fargo Advisors. Sam Randazzo has a Bachelors of Science in Advertising and Marketing from Ferris State University in Eaton Rapids, Michigan. Sam has been in media and advertising for his entire career and ended as the Managing Director of Media Maniacs, a company that he owned. Cam has had to reinvent his career three different times, being at the top of his game and losing a substantial amount of financial security two times over. He will show perseverance, as well as positive attitude of optimism and moving forward. Sam, who has had 12 back surgeries and two neck surgeries, and is still facing more surgeries, showcases moving forward despite health challenges by having a positive attitude with a great partner/husband who totally supports him. This is an great story of two incredible people who've had to learn, adapt, change, through adversity, listen and understand one another to accomplish their life goals. This is a riveting and powerful podcast.

Dennis lived in a generation where you could not come out as gay because it was considered a psychiatric disorder. He even made a couple attempts at suicide. Dennis lived in a generation where there was no moral support and no role models for LGBTQ individuals. He used education to bury his feelings, receiving a bachelors degree two masters degrees, and a PhD in Public Health . He connected to The Trevor project and applied to become a voluntary youth crisis counselor in which he has been doing for three years .The Trevor project receives calls from all over the United States with children between the ages of 13 to 24 years old, who are struggling with suicide forLGBTQ youth .Dennis is a digital counselor which is done over the Internet . The Trevor project is the one that I, Dan Bolen support and you will get to see the inner workings of a volunteer youth crisis counselor . The film Trevor was released in 1995 and received an Oscar for Best Short Subject at the 67th Academy Awards. For those that would like to trained to be a voluntary youth crisis counselor you can go to their website www.thetrevorproject.org. Not only does Trevor Project receive digital program calls, but they also have a suicide hotline number 1866-488–7386 or text 678–678

Crystal Waltman was extremely good at softball, and got a scholarship for Central Arizona College for softball and won two national championships in softball . After receiving her Associate Degree she went on to Arizona State University, and received her Bachelor Degree in Communications . After the death by suicide of her best friend, she started to bury her feelings and become numb to any emotion. She used alcohol to numb all the feelings she had. After struggling in her marriage and having a beautiful daughter named Liv Crystal hit rock bottom . When she was driving home from a restaurant intoxicated with her daughter in the car it brought her to surrender; It brought her to her knees. With the support of her family, who were at first in denial she was able to get sober . She released a book/memoir, entitled "Quitting to Win", A Proven Plan to Let Go of Bad Habits ,Learn to Feel and Love Yourself. It gets top ratings on Amazon. This is an inspiring story of a beautiful woman, embracing her fear and using courage to get through it.

Crystal's website is www.crystalwaltman.com. Please check out this incredible podcast!

Mike Klein graduated with a Bachelors of Science degree in finance from Arizona State University, and received his Master in International Management (MIM) at Thunderbird University. He grew up in Mesa Arizona where he was a member of the LDS church. He also went on a mission for the church and became a high achiever in all the leadership positions in the Mormon church thinking that if he did all these good things and high achievements in the church that God would take away his gayness. Mike struggled a good part of his life, trying to fit in and trying to deny that he was a gay man. He even went to repetitive/conversion therapy. The reality was he was attracted even more to men which added more shame to his life. Mike married his wife and proceeded to have seven children and continued struggling with himself, even to the point of considering committing suicide. He tells a fascinating story of how he was able to pull his life together and become his authentic self. He will also talk about his relationship with God, and what God thinks of him. This is an incredible podcast.