Forged in Fire: LGBTQ+ Leadership

By Forged In Fire

Meet LGBTQ+ superheroes! Explore the nexus of LGBTQ+ identity and leadership development through interviews with leaders in business, government, academia, advocacy, entertainment and more! We'll dive... more

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FAQs about Forged in Fire: LGBTQ+ Leadership:

How many episodes does Forged in Fire: LGBTQ+ Leadership have?

The podcast currently has 79 episodes available.

Forged in Fire: LGBTQ+ Leadership episodes:

February 13, 2024 Creating Space For Everyone with Dr. A.C. Fowlkes
As someone with multiple minority statuses, Dr. A.C. Fowlkes, puts the onus on himself to create space for other individuals with multiple minority status. Having broken through a lot of glass ceilings, he's had a number of different times where he just wanted to throw in the towel. But understanding that if he didn't do something, people in the future, perhaps even his own child, would face the same barriers he's kept fighting to remove those challenges. Dr. Fowlkes has challenged stereotypes and false beliefs across industries, worked to help many of society's most stigmatized individuals, and is the author of the new book, Transgender Inclusion: All the Things You Want To Ask Your Transgender Coworker But Shouldn't.
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47min
January 30, 2024 Totally, Eminently Qualified with Eric Fanning
Totally, eminently qualified was how Senator John McCain describe our guest, Eric Fanning, during his confirmation to be Secretary of the Army. In a career that weaves in and out of senior roles in government and industry, currently as CEO of the Aerospace Industries Association, Fanning was often the first gay person to occupy those heights. Yet that rarely comes up publicly, the focus is on his qualifications. Still, his sexual orientation played an important role in the way he developed as a leader. Being gay gave him perspective on himself and those he served that helped shape him into a leader of teams capable of incredible things and thriving through change.

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50min
January 16, 2024 Kick It Open and Hold the Door with Amanda Simpson
Engineer, test pilot, public servant, and CEO only begins to describe Amanda Simpson's career and leadership flight path. She's flown over 60 different types of aircraft, but the most perilous takeoff may have been the one to finding her authentic self. Amanda's journey is filled with moments where she kicked open doors for other transgender people to follow her and was simultaneously recognized for her many professional accomplishments. Amanda's passion is evident in everything she pursues. Her commitment to technical excellence, developing strong teams, and building a trajectory to the future is an inspiration to all leaders.
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50min
November 14, 2023 Season One Recap with The Team
Featuring returning guest Blake Dremann as our host for this episode, the Forged in Fire team looks back at our first season. There we so many insightful guests, amazing storytellers, and heroes on the show this season. Learn what surprised us, what we learned about making a podcast, and what our light-bulb moments were! We also ask for your feedback as we look to make Season 2 even better than the first.
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46min
October 31, 2023 In It To Win It with Vic Basile
As the first Executive Director of the Human Rights Campaign Fund, Vic Basile led a significant coalescence of the LGBTQ+ rights lobbying community during the AIDS crisis and fought prejudice and bigotry on Capitol Hill. In his new memoir, Bending Toward Justice: A Memoir of Two Decades of LGBT Leadership and the Founding of the Human Rights Campaign, he tells the story of those challenging years and sets the stage for the continued growth of the organization into today's Human Rights Campaign. We dive into his lessons learned and how he grew into the roles he needed to fill in order to create an effective organization that addressed both the needs of the LGBTQ+ community and the legal voids that drove those needs.
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44min
October 17, 2023 A Very Visible Man with Jamison Green
In a storied career across many fields, Jamison Green has impacted countless lives, particularly those of transgender men. His 2004 memoir, Becoming a Visible Man, became the publisher's bestselling book of all time and was updated to a second edition in 2019. Jamison has successfully led nonprofit organizations, changed anti-discrimination laws, reformed insurance exclusions and diagnostic protocols, and published articles and books on many aspects of transgender health and rights. His indefatigable energy motivates his writing and speaking engagements and spills into his storytelling. The sum of all that work is Jamison delivering hope for a better and more just existence to the lives of so many.
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59min
October 03, 2023 Look Me in the Eye with Brianna Titone
Colorado's first transgender state legislator, Brianna Titone, is now in her third term. Recently, in a moment that blended her leadership and personal journey, Brianna's authenticity and the power of her representation shown through in a moment where she dared some house colleagues to look at her as they advocated for anti-LGBTQ+ laws. Her presence, and her ability to listen, build bridges, and get results, has led her to be the first transgender legislator elected by peers to a leadership position. Brianna's story is one of an inspirational leader who serves as a link in the chain, building off the accomplishments of other leaders and creating the conditions for future LGBTQ+ leaders to be far more commonplace and to reach far greater heights.
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53min
September 20, 2023 Attack of the 50ft Chicken! with Ron Oden
Storytelling is an art and Ron Oden has mastered the craft in a way that draws you in. Ron was the first gay African American to be elected Mayor of an American city when he won in Palm Springs in 2003. He has many identities: professor, administrator, pastor, public servant. There's no doubt service to others is a theme in everything he does. You might not expect a story about an enormous chicken to be in the midst of a grand sweep of history, with Ron weaving a tale more than 150 years long in the interview, but it connects so many elements of racial injustice, speaking out, and creating a better future. Ron was recently elected to the LGBTQ+ Victory Institute’s Hall of Fame for his long history of activism and service. Don't miss this conversation!
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49min
September 05, 2023 Ad Astra Per Aspera with Lt Gen Leah Lauderback
She's not yet on a Starfleet recruiting poster, but Leah Lauderback's journey to the stars has not been without hardship either. As the first out LGBTQ+ person to achieve the three-star rank of Lieutenant General and having been instrumental in the stand-up of the United States Space Force, Leah has boldly led teams into new frontiers and shattered barriers everywhere she's been. Getting there wasn't easy as she had to hide a major part of her identity for years under Don't Ask, Don't Tell and risked everything whenever she confided in someone she thought was a friend or ally. Listen in to find out how she became the humble leader she is and how she's pushing for continuing change and a brighter future.
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50min
August 22, 2023 Coming Home with Miguel Mansur
Content Note: This episode includes discussion of suicide and mental health. If you or someone you know is struggling, support is available. In the United States, you can call or text 988 to reach the Suicide & Crisis Lifeline. Veterans and service members can also press 1 after dialing 988 or text 838255 to reach the Veterans Crisis Line.
In this episode of Forged in Fire, Dr. Liz Cavallaro sits down with Aruban Senator Miguel Mansur to explore leadership, identity, and the courage it takes to return home and create change.
Before entering politics, Miguel considered himself a citizen of the world. After leaving Aruba at 14 and living in multiple countries, distance offered an escape from homophobia and stigma. Yet even in more accepting environments, he still faced personal struggles with depression and substance abuse.
During the COVID-19 pandemic, an economic article Miguel wrote sparked an unexpected turning point. What began as commentary quickly evolved into political action. Miguel founded the political party Accion 21 and went on to win election to the Aruban Parliament.
Miguel shares a deeply personal story about authenticity, resilience, and what it means to build leadership rooted in lived experience. His journey reflects the challenges of LGBTQ identity, mental health, and public service in a rapidly changing world.
If you care about leadership, LGBTQ representation in politics, mental health advocacy, and global perspectives on democracy, this conversation offers a powerful look at how one leader is working to shape the future of Aruba.
🎧 Listen now and follow Forged in Fire for more conversations with leaders shaping their communities.
#ForgedInFire #Leadership #LGBTQLeaders #MentalHealth #Politics #Aruba

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1h 3min

FAQs about Forged in Fire: LGBTQ+ Leadership:

How many episodes does Forged in Fire: LGBTQ+ Leadership have?

The podcast currently has 79 episodes available.