Hey there Queer Kittens! 

This episode we’re so excited to bring you one half of the Bad Queers (@badqueerspod) podcast duo Shana Sumers! Hang with us and Shana as we discuss life, community and what it means to be a gold member of the Beyhive.

Shana shares her journey from being a music therapist,  to working for the HER app and how that led to the creation of the Bad Queers Podcast. 

She also discusses her current role as the senior manager of diversity, equity and inclusion at Hubspot, and how she focuses on the importance of building safe, identity-based professional spaces. 

We hope you enjoy! 

FEATURED GUEST:

Shana Sumers (she/her)

Shana is the Co-Host and Creator of Bad Queers Podcast. By day, Shana is a corporate baddie building online communities for professionals who deserve it most (aka those of us from underestimated backgrounds and identities) in order to help them achieve their professional goals. Shana is an Aquarius and has no idea what that means and my queer fun fact is that I used to work for a queer dating app.

EPISODE HIGHLIGHTS:

00:00 Introduction to Radical Acceptance and Self Care

00:37 Meet the Host: Vee's Journey and Mission

01:15 Confessions and Introducing Shana Summers

03:51 Shana Summers: A Force in the Queer Community

07:52 Beyoncé Trivia: Testing Shana's 'Gold Member' Status

16:51 Being Black and Queer: Shana's Perspective

20:16 Community Building: Shaina's Impact and Experience

20:44 Finding Purpose in Mission-Driven Work

21:13 Unexpected Career Shifts: From Music Therapy to Community Building

21:39 The Journey to Australia and Joining the 'HER' App

23:01 Returning Home and Navigating Career Challenges

24:13 The Unexpected Job Offer and Moving to Arizona

25:06 Starting Community at 'HER' and the Evolution of the Brand

26:52 The Birth of 'Bad Queers' Podcast

27:33 Transitioning to New Work and Building Communities for Professionals

28:19 The Importance of Community and Networking

30:56 Self-Care and Personal Well-being

33:08 The Power of Community and Building Foundations

36:07 Resources for Community Building and Professional Growth

40:31 The Impact of Community Events and the Power of 'Yes'

42:49 Final Thoughts and Acknowledgements

WELLNESS RESOURCES:

Check out all the wellness resources mentioned on the podcast here.

THE TEAM:

Host: V (All Pronouns Accepted) ⁠@lovenessmonsta⁠

Executive Producer: Stevie Cua (All Pronouns Accepted) ⁠@steviesees⁠

Producer: Leah Jackson (She/Her) ⁠@djmsjackson⁠

Associate Producer: Raphaella Landestoy (She/Her) ⁠@la.vida.bruja14⁠

Music: Produced and Composed by ⁠BASK⁠ aka Eric Guizar Vasquez (He/Him)

CONNECT:

Follow us on Instagram ⁠@questwellnesspod⁠

Be a guest on the pod ⁠[email protected]

Podcast is produced in collaboration with ⁠Kinoko Chocolates⁠ & ⁠Puka Puka Creative⁠. Episode transcripts available by request ⁠[email protected]⁠.