Empowered & Out

Leadership, Kindness & Psychological Safety (ft. Sarah A. Scala, PCC)

Kindness isn’t soft—it’s strategic. Consultant, coach, and educator Sarah A. Scala (she/her) joins Empowered & Out to unpack how empathy and accountability can—and should—coexist, why psychological safety fuels performance, and what LGBTQ+ leaders need to sustain success with resilience, optimism, and grit.

What we cover

• Sarah’s origin story: from adventure learning to executive coaching
• Kindness as a performance driver (not a lowered bar)
• Practical ways leaders build psychological safety day-to-day
• The empathy + accountability balance (and why both matter)
• Resilience strategies for LGBTQ+ pros and teams
• Cross-cultural leadership lessons from global work
• Inclusion as a business outcome—not a “nice to have”

Quotable

• “Kindness with accountability doesn’t lower standards—it raises performance.”
• “Psychological safety is the engine of innovation.”
• “Inclusion isn’t separate from results—it drives them.”

Resources & guest links

• Website: https://www.sarahscala.com/
• LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/sarahscala/
• LGBTQ+ Solutions: https://www.sarahscala.com/lgbtq-solutions
• BlueSky: https://bsky.app/profile/sarahascala.bsky.social
• YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/@SarahScalaConsulting

Connect with Jonathan

• https://linktr.ee/empoweredandout

CTA

If this episode helped you, share it with a leader who needs it. Then rate & review on Apple/Spotify—it helps more LGBTQ+ pros find the show. 🌈

“You Don’t Have to Break Before You Begin” with Scott Kratchmer

Content Note: This episode includes mention of a past suicide attempt (approx. 36:20–39:30). Please take care while listening.

Episode in a Sentence

Older queer men are still navigating workplaces—and identities—built on other people’s comfort. Coach and advocate Scott Kratchmer shares why unmasking is a practice, what he calls the trades’ “silent gap,” and practical scripts you can use at work without outing yourself or over-explaining.

What You’ll Learn

• Why coming out is not one-and-done—and how it can happen more than once
• How unconscious masking shows up at work and at home (and how to stop)
• The “silent gap” facing queer men in blue-collar spaces (trades, fieldwork, male-dominated teams)
• Coming out later in life: joy and grief—and how to honor both
• Boundary scripts you can use today (even if you’re not out at work)
• A look inside Scott’s 12-week group “Authentically You” and the outcomes he sees

Guest

Scott Kratchmer — Founder, Scott Kratchmer Coaching. Scott empowers older queer men to live unapologetically in life and career and advocates for psychological safety in blue-collar environments.

• Site: scottkratchmer.com

• Social: @ScottKratchmerCoaching (Facebook, Instagram, LinkedIn)

• Group program: Authentically You (12 weeks; founding cohort)

Timestamps / Chapters

• 00:00 Welcome & setup
• 01:23 Coming out more than once (and sometimes going back in)
• 07:08 Blue-collar bullying & microaggressions—how it lands
• 11:39 Family conversations, letters, and choosing safety
• 34:55 The mantra: “You don’t have to break before you begin.”
• 36:20 Content note segment: past suicide attempt & the turning point
• 41:18 Unmasking in everyday life: from people-pleasing to partnership
• 49:30 The “silent gap” and why visibility feels risky in the trades
• 55:18 Coming out later in life: what we missed & what we gained
• 1:06:41 Inside Authentically You—self-love, acceptance, empowerment
• 1:14:48 Boundary scripts you can use at work today
• 1:16:30 Outro + how to connect with Scott

Note: Timestamps align to the raw transcript; final edited timing may vary slightly.

Resources Mentioned

• Scott Kratchmer Coaching — scottkratchmer.com
• Authentically You (12-week cohort)

If You Need Support

If you’re struggling, you’re not alone. In the U.S., dial or text 988 for the Suicide & Crisis Lifeline. In Canada, call or text 988. If you’re elsewhere, please reach out to local resources.

Connect with the Show

• Follow & Subscribe: Empowered & Out (Apple, Spotify, YouTube)
• Host: Jonathan Barbe — LGBTQ+ purpose & confidence coach
• Work with me: Book a discovery call https://linktr.ee/empoweredandout 

Sponsor / Credits (optional)

• Produced by Empowered & Out/Jonathan Barbe/JMB Coaching...

🎙️ Behind the Mic: Jerry Ryba on Voiceover Careers, Coaching Confidence & Showing Up Proud

If you’ve ever wondered what it takes to become a working voice actor — or thought “Hey, I’ve got a great voice, maybe I could do that…” — this episode is for you.

This week on Empowered & Out, I sit down with the legendary Jerry Ryba (aka Rybawitz, aka Jelly) — a talent agent with 35 years in the business and two decades of voiceover expertise. Jerry has helped launch and sustain six-figure careers in voice acting, from animation to national commercials to network promos, all while keeping it real, witty, and deeply human.

We talk:

🎤 What makes a great demo (and what most people get wrong)

🎙️ The difference between commercial, narration, animation & promo VO

🏳️‍🌈 How the industry is evolving for LGBTQ+ talent

📣 Why confidence — not just talent — is everything

🧠 And yes… we bust the biggest myths about VO (including the “read in your underwear” fantasy)

Whether you're VO-curious, already in the game, or just want some industry tea and Jerry’s iconic quotes, you don’t want to miss this one.

🎧 Listen now and get ready to laugh, learn, and rethink what it means to find your signature voice.

To find my guest, Jerry:

https://www.linkedin.com/in/jerry-ryba-5986283/

To connect with Jonathan:

https://linktr.ee/empoweredandout 

💬 “Authenticity Is a Journey — Not a Destination” with Don Pietranczyk

Episode Summary:

What does it really mean to be authentic at work — and does showing up differently in different rooms make you fake… or just smart?

In this powerful episode of Empowered & Out, host Jonathan Barbe sits down with 2023 TSNN DEI Award-winner Don Pietranczyk, a 30+ year veteran in the global conference, events, and trade show world. From navigating queerness in corporate spaces to unpacking “straight privilege,” Don opens up about what authenticity looks like across different stages of life and career — and how reading the room doesn't mean losing yourself.

We talk:

• How to navigate identity and visibility without masking
• Why authenticity evolves — and that’s a good thing
• Coming out in professional spaces
• Creating safe and empowering environments at work
• Volunteering, HIV+ advocacy, and why community support matters more than ever

Whether you’re early in your journey or just learning to own your story out loud, this episode will inspire you to stop waiting for “the perfect time” and start showing up now.

🎯 Key Takeaways:

• Authenticity is not a final form. It’s a living, evolving part of who you are.
• Reading the room isn’t inauthentic — it’s strategic empathy.
• The way you share your truth often shapes how others receive it.
• Community matters. Volunteering and visibility are acts of liberation.

💡 Mentioned in the Episode:

• GMHC (Gay Men's Health Crisis) – https://www.gmhc.org
• PBS & NPR Support – https://www.pbs.org
• Red Ribbon (HIV/AIDS awareness)
• “Friends of Dorothy” history
• Marie’s Crisis (NYC piano bar) 🎶

👋 Connect with Don Pietranczyk:

📧 [email protected]

🏆 2023 TSNN DEI Award Winner

✨ Work with Jonathan:

Ready to reclaim your purpose, rebuild confidence, and create a career where you can show up authentically?

[email protected] or book a free call @ https://calendly.com/jmbcoachingllc/discovery-call 

🧡 Join our Chosen Family on Patreon:

Get early access, bonus content, and community: patreon.com/empoweredandoutpodcast

🎧 Subscribe & Share:

If this episode moved you, don’t keep it to yourself. Leave a review, share it with a friend, and help others find their way to empowered authenticity.

From Surviving to Seen: Being Black, Queer & Bold in Today’s Workplace with Maya Garner

What was it like being out at work in the 1990s—and how much has really changed? In this powerful and personal episode, Maya Garner—a seasoned sales trainer, fierce advocate, and financial literacy educator—joins host Jonathan Barbe to share her experience navigating corporate America as a Black lesbian professional.

Together, they explore:

🌈 The difference between being “out” then vs. now

✊🏾 The reality of racism and queerphobia in the workplace

🧠 Mental health challenges in the LGBTQ+ and Black communities

💼 Financial literacy and estate planning for LGBTQ+ families

💬 And why visibility without protection isn't enough

Maya shares from the heart—and doesn’t hold back. This episode is a must-listen for anyone navigating identity, equity, and legacy in their professional life.

🔗 Connect with Maya and learn more about her work in financial empowerment @ linkedin.com/in/mayagarner.

📲 Subscribe, rate, and share this episode with someone who needs it.

Aging Out Loud: Media, Identity & Queer Masculinity with Manuel Ambra

In this episode of Empowered & Out, host Jonathan Barbe welcomes Manuel Ambra, a queer academic and marketing professional whose research focuses on the intersection of media, age identity, and mental health among queer men. Together, they explore how cultural expectations, media representations, and internalized norms shape how we see ourselves—and what it means to grow older in queer spaces.

Topics Covered:

• The difference between chronological age and age identity
• How queer men internalize media “scripts” about what aging should look like
• The dual stigma of ageism and heterosexism—and how it affects mental health
• Why authenticity and self-acceptance are vital at any age
• The role of autoethnography and reflexivity in queer research
• Tips for marketers and brands targeting LGBTQ+ communities authentically
• The impact of queer community “tribes” like twink/daddy/bear
• Why “making up for lost time” is bad advice for those who came out later in life

Guest Bio:

Manuel Ambra is an academic and marketer with a background in psychology, communications, and events. Originally from Italy and now based in the UK, Manuel’s work explores the complex ways queer men experience age, identity, and media influence. He’s the founder of MAVA, a communications and events agency, and is currently expanding his practice into the wedding industry.

📎 Connect with Manuel:

🌐 www.manuelambra.com

🔗 LinkedIn

🔗 Connect with Jonathan → FB, Insta and TikTok @jmbcoachingllc

Book a Free Coaching Call - https://calendly.com/jmbcoachingllc/discovery-call

💥 Support the Empowered & Out Podcast on Patreon at → https://patreon.com/empoweredandoutpodcast 

This week on Empowered & Out

Designing Your Best Professional Life with Marcia 🌈

What does it really mean to live your best professional life—especially when the world throws you curveballs?

This week on Empowered & Out, I sit down with the phenomenal Marcia Wall, a certified career coach, educator, and DEI-rooted professional who helps people build careers that feel like home. Her journey is deeply rooted in wellness, creativity, and resilience—especially in the wake of collective trauma like Hurricane Katrina, which reshaped her path and purpose.

Together, we explore:

✨ The myth of the perfect, linear career

✨ Why emotional + mental wellness must be non-negotiable

✨ The joy of being out and seen in our careers

✨ Career transformation after disruption

✨ Coaching that blends strategy and soul

This episode is for anyone craving more meaning, more freedom, and more joy in how they work and live.

🔗 Connect with Marcia →  https://linktr.ee/marciawall

🔗 Connect with Jonathan →FB, Insta and TikTok @jmbcoachingllc

Book a Coaching Call with Jonathan - https://calendly.com/jmbcoachingllc/discovery-call

💥 Join the Empowered & Out fam → https://patreon.com/empoweredandout

NEW EPISODE: Making Art, Finding Healing — A Trans Creative’s Journey with Dee Edney

This one hit deep

Dee Edney (aka Angeldee) is a singer-songwriter, producer, and trans creative based in the South of England—who didn’t just rebuild her life post-transition, she orchestrated it into a full-blown masterpiece.

From:

✨ Being hospitalized and told her life was “over”

➡️ To creating an album with 50+ musicians, 2 sonic artists, a cat, and a group of plants 🐾🌱

➡️ To launching Mad Unity, a 2-year festival for LGBTQIA+, POC, refugees, and neurodiverse folks...

This episode is raw, real, and powerfully honest.

We talk mental health, creativity, visibility, late-in-life transition, and what it takes to reclaim your story—on your terms. 🏳️‍⚧️

If you've ever felt "too late" to start over, this one’s for you.

🎧 Empowered & Out is streaming now — link in bio / show notes 💜

To find my guest, Dee

Solo artist (Angeldee) - https://linktr.ee/angeldeeartist

Band (Seb-E-deE) - https://linktr.ee/sebedeemusic

Dee’s community work - https://www.intothenowcic.org/projects

Jonathan Barbe is a Certified LGBTQ+ Life Coach, Empowering LGBTQ+ Professionals and Allies to Find their Purpose, Rediscover True Happiness, and Build Unshakeable Confidence and to Land Careers where they finally feel free to be their Authentic Self!

Empowered & Out is more than just a podcast about career advice—it’s a movement. A celebration of LGBTQ+ professionals stepping into their power, owning their worth, and showing the world exactly what we bring to the table. 

Empowered & Out Coaching is here to help LGBTQ+ professionals like you get clear on your purpose, rebuild your confidence, and finally land in careers where you can show up fully—without apology or compromise.

If you’re ready for that kind of shift, I’d love to support you. 

Go to https://calendly.com/jmbcoachingllc/discovery-call to apply.

Let’s build the career—and life—you actually want.

Find me on LinkedIn : https://www.linkedin.com/in/jonathanmbarbe 

TikTok : @jmbcoachingllc

Instagram : @jmbcoachingllc

Facebook: @JMBCoachingLLC

🎙  NEW EPISODE OUT NOW 🎙

Hey there, Empowered & Out Listeners! 

Extra Episode Drop: Chasing Worth, Choosing Wellness 🌿🌈 with Fran Lawn

What happens when you stop chasing external validation and start listening to your body, your truth, and your community?

Fran Lawn (he/him) is a Certified Nutrition Health Coach, educator, and LGBTQ+ wellness trailblazer who took a nonlinear path from landscape design to health coaching — and he’s not looking back.

In this week’s episode of Empowered & Out, we talk about:

✨ Coming out mid-career — and rebuilding life after divorce

✨ Choosing authenticity in wellness spaces that often exclude us

✨ Creating queer-inclusive coaching that nourishes all of you

✨ Going back to school at 47 (yes, really)

✨ Building resilience, trust, and community through truth-telling

If you’ve ever questioned your worth at work, felt unseen in health spaces, or wondered if it’s too late to change your life — this one’s for you.

🎧 Listen now wherever you get your podcasts — or watch the full video on YouTube!

https://www.youtube.com/@EmpoweredOutPodcast  

Connect with Fran

Instagram - @silverfox_nutrition

Connect with Jonathan

FB, Insta and TikTok @jmbcoachingllc

LinkedIn @jonathanmbarbe

Book a Coaching Call - https://calendly.com/jmbcoachingllc/discovery-call

In this episode of Empowered & Out, I sit down with Koray Lynx — a first-generation, queer creative whose story spans Germany, Turkey, and the U.S. As a queer Muslim immigrant, Koray’s journey is one of resilience, identity, and unapologetic self-expression.

We dive deep into what it means to live authentically at the intersections of culture, faith, queerness, and creativity — and why representation matters now more than ever. From navigating stigma and displacement to building art that blends memory, identity, and resistance, Koray’s story is a powerful reminder of what’s possible when we take up space as our full, authentic selves.

🌈 If you’ve ever felt like your identities don’t “fit” together, or you’ve struggled to be seen for all of who you are — this episode is for you.

Find my Guest: Koray Lynx on Instagram and TikTok @KorayLynx and Check out their website @ www.KorayLynx.com 

✨ Listen now wherever you get your podcasts, and let’s keep the conversation going.

Head to Patreon.com/EmpoweredandOutPodcast to support this podcast

To Find Jonathan go to FB, Instagram and Tiktok @jmbcoachingllc and LinkedIn @Jonathan Barbe