In this episode of Living OUT Loud, Michele sits down with Bertie Gardner, Program Director at LGBTQ Saves, for a powerful conversation about creating safe spaces, building trust, and supporting LGBTQ+ youth in meaningful ways.

Bertie shares the heart behind their work, what inspired their journey into advocacy, and the real-life impact of providing access to resources, education, and community for those who need it most. Together, they explore the gaps that remain in support and financial empowerment, and why this work is more urgent than ever.

This episode is a reminder that connection, compassion, and intentional action can truly change lives.

Tune in for a conversation centered on resilience, belonging, and the power of showing up for others.

#podcast #queerspaces #lgbtq #livingoutloud #texas

In this episode of Living OUT Loud, Michele sits down with trailblazing filmmaker Nicole Conn, a visionary who helped redefine what love stories could look like on screen.

Long before representation became a mainstream conversation, Nicole was courageously telling deeply personal, emotionally rich stories centered on LGBTQ+ relationships. From her groundbreaking film Claire of the Moon to a body of work that continues to explore love, identity, and truth, her voice has remained unapologetically authentic.

This conversation goes beyond filmmaking. It’s about what it means to create from a place of truth, to lead with vulnerability, and to build a legacy that gives others permission to be seen.

Together, Michele and Nicole explore:

• The art and responsibility of directing intimate, human stories
• What it took to be visible as a lesbian creator when the industry wasn’t ready
• How storytelling can shape identity, healing, and connection
• The legacy Nicole is building, both on and off screen

This is a conversation about courage, creativity, and the power of living your truth out loud.

In this episode, Michele sits down with Beth Goldfinger, founder of Modern Affection Prints, a queer stationery and card line rooted in authenticity, visibility, and love that feels true.

What started as a creative spark has quickly grown into something much bigger. Beth is creating space for people to see their relationships, identities, and emotions reflected in ways that traditional cards have often missed. Her work is tender, intentional, and quietly powerful.

Together, Michele and Beth explore the moment that inspired Modern Affection Prints, the importance of representation in everyday connection, and what it means to build something that is both deeply personal and widely resonant. They also talk about the vulnerability that comes with creating in public, the role of community in growth, and how small acts like giving a card can carry so much meaning.

This conversation is a reminder that being seen and understood should never be a luxury. It should be the standard.

Whether you are building something of your own, craving deeper connection, or simply love a good origin story, this episode will leave you feeling inspired and grounded in what really matters.

Takeaways

• Queer representation in greeting cards
• Embracing vulnerability and authenticity

Chapters

• 00:00 Emotional Journey of Building a Brand Rooted in Identity

This week's conversation on Living OUT Loud with Chih Lin, explores courage, reinvention, and what it really takes to navigate and evolve beyond corporate America. From the leap into entrepreneurship to building a tolerance for discomfort, Chi Lin shares her journey of pivoting with intention while staying grounded in joy, yes, even in something as simple as dumplings.

We dive into the complexities of business relationships, the need for creativity and flexibility, and the deeply personal experience of coming out. At its core, this episode is about embracing change and stepping fully into who you are.

Chi Lin also unpacks the power of authentic storytelling, especially in marketing and branding, and how vulnerability creates real connection. She shares her vision for helping others discover their true selves, find joy, and step into their next chapter with clarity and confidence.

Takeaways

• Courage
• Reinvention
• Authentic storytelling
• Connection through vulnerability

Chapters

• 00:00 Courage and Reinvention
• 06:19 Navigating Relationships in Business
• 13:18 Tolerance for Discomfort
• 19:21 The Joy of Dumplings
• 40:43 Chi Lin's Next Chapter: Helping Others Find Authenticity

In this episode of Living OUT Loud, Michele sits down with Phoenix City Council candidate Michael Mazzocco to explore a life rooted in connection, service, and community.

From navigating a childhood shaped by constant movement to becoming a connector and advocate in Phoenix, Michael shares the personal moments that led him to step into the political arena.

This is a conversation about more than a campaign. It’s about identity, inclusion, and the responsibility we carry to create spaces where people feel seen and valued.

Because at the heart of every city… are the people who choose to show up for it.

#podcast #LivingOUTLoud #queer #Phoenix #government

Takeaways

• Community support
• Personal growth Unity in diversity
• Community engagement

Chapters

• 00:00 Introduction to Michael Mazzocco
• 05:42 Impact of Moving and Community
• 12:53 Exploration and Personal Growth
• 23:03 Power of Community and Diversity
• 28:39 Journey into Nonprofit Work
• 37:38 Challenges and Solutions for Phoenix
• 46:47 Leadership and Vision

This week's solocast explores the journey of healing and self-discovery, emphasizing the rewards of healing and the importance of recognizing the quiet, specific moments of growth and transformation. It delves into the ordinary moments of healing, the discovery of contentment and joy, and the process of healing and growth, ultimately encouraging listeners to embrace their own healing journey.

Healing isn't one moment, it's a series of quiet, specific ones. The moment you finally say you need help. The Tuesday night you're doing your homework before next week's session. And the Wednesday afternoon, six months later, when something would have leveled you before and it doesn't.

In this solo episode, I'm getting honest about what it actually looks like to work on yourself. Not the performative version. The real one moving through my divorce at a snail's pace not because I was broken, but because I was paying attention. Making a pact with myself not to do it alone. Learning how to build real friendships and develop a kinder relationship with myself.

We talk about the loneliness of healing, and why it's only a season. And we talk about what's waiting on the other side: the ordinary walks you savor, the joy that sneaks up on you, and what it feels like to finally be available to your own life again.

If you're in the messy middle right now, this one's for you. You're not behind. You're just thorough.

#healingjourney #podcast #workingonyourself #therapyworks #selflove #queerjoy

Takeaways

• Healing is a series of quiet, specific moments
• The rewards of healing include feeling present and joyful

Chapters

• 00:00 Embracing the Healing Journey

In this powerful and necessary conversation, Michele sits down with Ivy Hill of the Campaign for Southern Equality to explore what equality truly means in this moment in American history.

This is not a surface-level discussion about policy. It is an honest look at how legislation impacts real people, real families, and real lives across the South. Together, they examine the urgent challenges facing LGBTQ+ individuals, the fight to protect access to affirming healthcare, and the emotional weight carried by those working on the front lines of advocacy.

Ivy speaks candidly about courage, resilience, and what it takes to continue showing up when progress feels uncertain. This conversation holds space for complexity, humanity, and hope without minimizing the seriousness of the moment.

At its heart, this episode asks a profound question: What does dignity look like when it is fully protected, and what does it cost when it is not?

This is a conversation about justice, belonging, and the kind of leadership rooted not just in strategy, but in care.

Takeaways

• Community care is essential for creating spaces where individuals can feel seen and valued.
• Access to gender-affirming healthcare is a critical front in the fight for equality, and policy change is necessary to ensure dignity and respect for all.
• Living out loud means showing up authentically and creating spaces where others can do the same.

#LGBTQEquality #SouthernVoices
#AdvocacyInAction #DignityForAll #HealthcareIsHumanRights

Chapters

• 00:00 Freedom, Leadership, and Small Joys

In this deeply moving episode, Michele sits down with author Jackie L. Disch for a heartfelt conversation about love, loss, and what it truly means to live with grief rather than “move on” from it.

Through the lens of her powerful memoir, Losing Katy: A Memoir of Love, Loss, and Living Grief, Jackie shares the story of her beloved wife Katy, the journey through illness and loss, and the evolving relationship she now holds with memory, love, and presence.

Together, they explore how grief is not something to solve, but something to carry. How love does not end. And how storytelling can become both survival and connection.

This conversation is tender, honest, and ultimately hopeful. It invites us to rethink what it means to heal, to remember, and to continue living while holding the people we love.

A beautiful reminder that grief is not the opposite of love. It is love that continues.

#loveislove

#grief

#podcast

#author

#livingoutloud

In this heartfelt episode, Michelle and Dani explore identity, emotional safety, and the courage it takes to create spaces where people can fully be themselves. The conversation delves into Dani's coming out story, her journey from marketing to therapy, and the creation of safe spaces for the queer and trans community. They also discuss the concepts of belonging, inclusion, and the changing landscape of therapy in the modern world. The conversation delves into the world of therapy, exploring topics such as therapeutic empathy, supervision, cultural competence, healthy love, relationship dynamics, the U-Haul effect, building foundations in relationships, therapeutic success, creating inclusive therapy spaces, and cross-border collaboration. It emphasizes the importance of boundaries and the impact of therapy on individuals' lives.

Takeaways

• Belonging and Inclusion
• Identity and Emotional Safety Therapeutic empathy
• Importance of boundaries

Chapters

• 00:00 Exploring Identity and Belonging
• 06:06 Becoming a Therapist
• 13:19 Internal Family Systems
• 19:03 Dealing with Shame and Anxiety
• 27:05 Therapeutic Empathy and Understanding Trauma
• 32:11 Healthy Love and Relationship Dynamics
• 40:04 Therapeutic Success and Overcoming Fear of Therapy

The conversation with Paul Conroy delves into his personal journey, the founding of Outfront Theater Company, and the LGBTQ+ community center feasibility study. It highlights the role of queer theater as a space for celebration and escapism, as well as the importance of community-driven spaces for the LGBTQ+ community. The discussion also emphasizes the evolving nature of community spaces and the significance of belonging within these spaces. The conversation delves into the empowerment of the queer community and the importance of creating joy and connectivity. It also explores the impact of cultural institutions and the role of storytelling in shaping the future of Atlanta.

Takeaways

• Queer theater offers a space for celebration and escapism.
• The LGBTQ+ community center feasibility study aims to create a sustainable and community-driven space. Queer community empowerment
• The importance of creating joy and connectivity

Chapters

• 00:00 Introduction and Outfront Theater Company
• 07:59 From Artist to Founder
• 17:01 The LGBTQ+ Community Center Feasibility Study
• 23:52 Belonging and Evolution of Community Spaces
• 31:01 Empowerment of the Queer Community