Queerly Beloved

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Nyle Biondi is focused on helping people to heal from chronic pain and symptoms through the mind/body connection and neuroplasticity. He is a licensed marriage and family therapist living in Boulder County, Colorado. Historically, he has focused primarily on working with trans and queer youth and young adults. In recent years, he has shifted his 

The divine timing of it all has made it possible for this episode to be a great follow-up from the last solo podcast. So I explore similar issues, but with an expert!

We start with Nyle sharing how the my drag avatar question almost had him back out of the interview and why

Nyle then shares the distinction that chronic pain in your brain and nervous system and not in your body. 

I share with Nyle about my recent shoulder issues and the healing psycho somatic healing journey I’ve been on- including a big somatic release from the day before. 

We both share about recent whirlwind romances that ended abruptly and caused some heartbreak and what we're learning from them and the healing they opened us up to- and in general observe how  challenging moments in our lives are opportunities healing and growth. 

We then explore the trap some spiritual folks get in where they use their tools to bypass emotions that want and need to be expressed. And we look at where emotional suppression come from- especially for queer folks

Nyle then offer some tips for identifying internal emotions and how to express and release them. And, finally, Nyle tells about what happened on his personal journey that lead him onto this healing path for himself and now in service to others.  Then we end sharing how healing work has the capacity to bring peace to the world. 

Check out Nyle's work here- www.healingwithinpsychotherapy.com

And click here to see his course on healing chronic pain- www.healingwithinpsychotherapy.com

Learn about me and my work here- 
https://www.wil-fullyliving.com/

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Solo podcast! After a recent shoulder injury, I've been learning how to be with pain, and I've gotten to receive a lot of lessons in that experience that can be applied to other areas of my life. One major lesson is seeing 
 
 I also explore in the episode how I've come to see that I've been repressing anger for some time. I've began to see how and why I've been doing that and have found new ways to relate to anger that honors the emotion and allows it to move on. 

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Carl Siciliano is the Founder of the Ali Forney Center, which he built up to become the nation’s largest organization providing housing to LGBTQ youth. He is also the author of Making Room: Three Decades of Fighting for Beds, Belonging, and a Safe Place for LGBTQ Youth. In his youth, Carl spent several years living with and serving unhoused people as part of the radical Catholic Worker Movement and spent eight months living in Benedictine monasteries. 

My brief backstory with Carl is that I worked for the Ali Forney Center for the bulk of my time living in NYC where I served as their director of special events and got to see the org grow very quickly. I love the Ali Forney Center and all the folks connected to it- especially the people it serves, and reading Carl’s new book gave me a deeper perspective about the importance of this work. 

We start by talking about Ali Forney, a homeless queer youth who is the namesake and inspiration behind the Ali Forney Center, and we talk about what was so profoundly impactful about that relationship for Carl.  

Carl speaks of his admiration of Ali’s and their ability to own a relationship with God, describing this as the conscious divinity of Ali. 

We look at what it was like to bring awareness of the plight of homeless LGBTQ youth by initiating rallies and other forms of activism, and this was a transformational moment of the consciousness of the LGBTQ community (and beyond) in New York. 

 Next, we dicuss the spiritual significance of supporting our most disenfranchised community members. And then we look at how Carl has contended with the hypocrisy of some religious leaders essentially doing the opposite of God’s work by creating more division rather than unity. 

In addition to looking at the shadow side of religions, Carl also makes a passionate case for what queer Catholicism can look like and how it can be experienced (leaving me wanting to attend mass..!). 

All these and many more topics in this very personal and inspiring interview. 

Learn more about the Ali Forney Center-

https://www.aliforneycenter.org/

Check out Carl’s new book-

https://www.amazon.com/Making-Room-Decades-Fighting-Belonging/dp/0593444248

Connect with Wil-

https://www.wil-fullyliving.com/work-with-wil

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Robert Christophor Coppes is a scientist and retired financier, and currently is board member of International Association for Near-Death Studies (IANDS). He has studied Near-Death Experiences (NDE’s) for decades and has lectured on this topic in the US and Europe. He considers his new book “Impressions of Near-Death Experiences” his best book on NDEs because of the wealth of quotes from experiencers. Coppes lives in Amsterdam, the Netherlands.
 
 We start the conversation by assessing research, experiments and instances proving the truth of Near Death Experiences and we look at what differentiates NDE’s from hallucinations. We then explore some of the common things people experience including the common experience of “life reviews”. We also discuss the possible reasons why some folk’s experiences are very different from others. 

 I share what scares me about death, even with the info we get to learn from folks NDE’s. Coppes then shares his perspective on reincarnation and past lives based on what he’s learned from NDE’s. We then get to hear stories from LGBTQ folks who had NDE’s, and the spiritual perspectives on queerness they got to receive. Robert also shares about the impact studying NDE’s has had on his life.

We end with Bob sharing the story of an 8-year-old girl who got the message from God that these are the 4 ingredients for life: To Love; To Be Loved; To Just Be, and: To Experience Life.

 Check out Robert's work and his new book, "Impressions of Near-Death Experiences" at : [email protected]
 
 Connect with Wil at : https://www.wil-fullyliving.com/

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In this solo podcast I share some reflections from my recent retreat, Awakened Hearts, and talk about some of my key takeaways and learning from the experience. 
 
 Some themes I cover include:
 
 - Hiding- why so many GBTQ men (and people in general) feel the need to hide; what does that mean and what does it look like; what the negative impact of that is; and what happens when you make a different choice. 
 
 - The power of connecting to others with an open heart and some of the strategies used to make that possible in a retreat setting (including taking sex off the table). 
 
 - Religious wounds and how sharing stories of religious wounds provides healing. 
 
 - Tapping into the wisdom of nature. 
 
 - The dynamics of working with intuition; how it can flow easier the more you choose to say yes to it; the importance of creating space for it; and, the magic possible when you work with it. 
 
 All these topics, and more, in this reflective solo podcast. <3 

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Joe Weston is an international thought leader, facilitator, trainer, author, lecturer, consultant, coach, professor and—above all else—an advocate for lasting peace. With a career spanning 30+ years in the fields of conflict prevention, leadership, stress management and communication, he is a highly sought-after facilitator and has worked with groups ranging from NASA scientists to prison inmates. He’s the author of "Respectful Confrontation" and his newest book, "Fierce Civility", which we focus on in this interview.  His Tedx Talk (linked below) is titled “A Cure for Chronic Niceness."

We start this interview by talking about my story of the work I’ve done with Joe and how it helped me connect with my embodied authentic power. We then hear about his journey in developing two main bodies of work and the books that express them. And what the evolution of his work has been like. We talk about purpose and approaching it from a place of being in greatest service to the higher will. 
 
 Next, we explore the global spiritual malnourishment he observes, where our global heart is being technologically overfed and spiritually under fed.  Then we get into the ways people can soften their hearts, what that look like, at what the value of it is.
 
 Joe talks about his belief that it’s in your vulnerability where your true power is revealed. He shares a story that illustrates what’s needed for people to feel safe enough to step into their vulnerability. We end with the question, "How do you become a catalyst for fierce hope?" All these topics and more in this profound and powerful interview with my teacher and friend, Joe Weston. 
 
 Learn more about Joe here- https://joeweston.com/
 
 Check out his free monthly meditation here- https://joeweston.com/event/global-heart-gathering-2/2024-05-14/
 
 Watch his Tedx Talk here- https://joeweston.com/tedx-speaker/
 
 Learn more about Wil and connect with him here- https://www.wil-fullyliving.com/

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Cator Sparks is a life coach for men. All men. With a focus on queer men. Certified through CTI and the International Coaching Federation, Cator also works for EVRYMAN leading retreats and facilitating their weekly GBTQ + men's group. Before stepping into the coaching world, Cator spent 20 years in NYC where he was a writer and editor at various publications.

In this interview we start by taking a trip down memory lane, recalling our days connecting in NYC as part of the fashion world and nightlife glitterati. And we both share our stories of how we transitioned from that kind of work and lifestyle into the work and lifestyle we’re  each experiencing now.  

Next we describe the ways working with coaches helped and influenced us on our individual paths.  We then get into the power of psychedelics and the importance of psychedelics integration.  And we chat about the possibility of seeing the world through a spiritual lens. 

Then, we discuss men’s work and the value of straight men working with gay men as coaches.  We talk about gay men being a stand for being heart-centered, for and for being vulnerability, and for being in touch with our emotions. We end sharing about the value of retreats for for GBTQ men.

Learn more about Cator here- https://www.catorsparkscoaching.com/
And his upcoming retreat here- https://www.wetravel.com/trips/gbtq-retreat-at-easton-mountain-mike-sagun-greenwich-52919054

Learn more about Wil's retreats here-
https://www.wil-fullyliving.com/events

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In this new solo-podcast I share my thoughts on self-love and the insights I've gathered to help folks 'crack the self-love code!'
 
 I start by expressing some self-love I was experiencing when I went to record this episode (and I later share what inspired that gushing!). 
 
 Next, I talk about the meaning of self-love. And then I look at the difference between self-love and self-care- including ways some people confuse them and the disservice that may cause. 
 
 I share about unconditional self-love versus conditional self-love, and how I was able to see myself engaging in conditional self-love until I was made aware of that and able to shift it. Then I talk about ways we can actively works towards cultivating more of self-love by using the love languages but applying them to ourselves. To help with that I share what each of those languages could look like in the context of self-love.
 
 Finally, I share what becomes possible when we have more self-love!
 
 Learn more about my work as a coach and facilitator here- https://www.wil-fullyliving.com/
 
 Get in touch with me here- https://www.wil-fullyliving.com/contact
 
 Check out my Instagram here- https://www.instagram.com/wilfish99/

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In this episode I interview someone who inspired me to launch Queerly Beloved and has made a big impact on my spiritual path, Alyson Charles Storey.
 
 Alyson is an internationally renowned shaman, best-selling author of Animal Power and host of the Ceremony Circle podcast. Alyson went from being a national champion athlete, top rated radio host and a national daytime television talk show host to aligning with her calling as a shaman after a traumatic moment provided her awakening. Since then, her ability to share ancient sacred wisdom and divine energy and be a powerful catalyst for change has ignited a global phenomenon. Alyson devotes her life to living by the calls and directives of Source. Her best-selling book and card deck Animal Power, we're both the number one new releases in their categories. Her full bio is filled with epic accolades and stories, including the fact that Marie Claire magazine selected her as the cover story, and how she made history becoming the first person to perform on stage at the HBO film festival, where she guided a shamanic journey for over 10,000 people, (which we get into in this interview!). There's also a long list of amazing respected spiritual teachers from around the globe that she's worked with, so check out the full bio via the link below to see more of this amazing woman's journey and accomplishments. 
 
In thge interview, after discovering and revealing our current drag avatars, Alyson shares an epic story about seeing a gigantic bat in Bali, and the transmission that happened in that moment that marked a long period of deep shadow work.  We then talk about this phrase "in relation," Alyson describing it as the favorite phrase she’s come across in this lifetime. We discuss how so much can be revealed when we ask, “how am I in relation to  ____?"

Next, Alyson talks about how in shamanism you don’t turn away from anything, you lean in, and learn and experience that aspect of life. This leads to a conversation about the possibility of expanding our hearts by seeing God in everything- especially our adversaries or the things that cause us to contract. Then Alyson shares some profound wisdom about ego positioning in relationship to the path of enlightenment.

We then look at the strategy of giving a name to shadow archetypes in our lives in order to have more levity (and compassion for ourselves) when these shadow shows up. Staying in the themes of names, next we hear the story of Alyson receiving the name Rockstar Shaman, and I share about naming from a queer perspective. Alyson also talks about the epic experience of guiding 10,000 people on a shamanic journey at the HBO film festival. 

Coming back to power animals, I share about how Alyson's book Animal Power, had a profound impact on the life of one of my family members who was really struggling. We then get to learn more about power animals and how to work with them, and both Alyson and I share about the power animals that have shown up in our lives and how they have supported our journeys. 

We end with an invitation from Alyson to be open and trust as we traverse these soul contracts. 
 
 Learn more about Alyson here- https://www.alysoncharles.com/about
 Check out Ceremony Circles Podcast here- https://www.alysoncharles.com/podcast
 
 Learn more about Wil here- https://www.wil-fullyliving.com/
 Connect with Wil here- https://www.wil-fullyliving.com/contact

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I loved being in conversation with these two amazing people!

 Moe Ari (they/he) is a Licensed Marriage and Family Therapist, The Love and Connection Expert at Hinge, a TEDx Speaker, a Board Member for It Gets Better Project, a published academic writer, and a Leading Expert in Transgender Mental Health. He also identifies as Transgender. He's been featured in magazines and news outlets throughout the US, UK, and Australia for his expertise in Transgender identity, love, and relationships

 Tiffany (she/her) is a ç, public speaker, and femme-powerment coach! She is the founder of Birthing The Empress Within, a platform she is developing to help women nurture themselves as they go through the journey of motherhood. Tiffany is also a brand partner for the Irth app, a tech company dedicated to equity in Black Maternal Health.

 Our drag avatars kickstart us into a conversation about dancing with shadow and light, inspiring me to share a dream I had the night before the interview about a jaguar picking me up gently in it’s teeth. 

 We move onto to discuss how Tiffany, as a post-partum birth duala - sees birth from a spiritual perspective. She acknowledges the incredible Right of passage that occurs not just for the baby and it’s mom, but for everyone connected to a new child coming into the world. 

 Moe then shares about how shadow work is not just working with what traumas from the past- but it’s looking at the shadows as they are showing up in the present moment. 

He also talks about the shadow work that surfaced during his gender transition. And specifically, we talk about grieving our lost identities as we evolve into new versions of ourselves. 

 This brings in the idea of being in good relationship with grief and other challenging emotions- and recognizing that grief can actually call-in gratitude. 

 Moe then shares how he see shis being transgender as an invitation for people to see others beyond their physical form and we talk about slaying limitations. 

 We then get into what spiritual lessons they are learning from raising their 3-year old daughter.

 We chat about the journey of reclaiming spirituality after growing up in traditional religious background and coming out of the closet as spiritual

 And we end with an invitation into one ness and love. <3

Check out their Be Your Own Love Goals Podcast here:
 https://pod.link/1621380464

My upcoming retreat Awakened Hearts-
https://www.wil-fullyliving.com/events#hearts-alive

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