This week's guest? Max Jenkins, y'all @maxjenkinsyall!

In addition to being just an overall delightful person, Max is a New York-raised and based actor and he talks to us about some of the roles he's played -- all of which, so far, have been queer characters. I share with him the lasting impact that two of his roles (Netflix's 'Special' and '30 Rock') have had on me -- albeit each for very different reasons. (He even gives us a little BTS scoop on his brief yet absolutely iconic part in '30 Rock' which made my year.)

In addition to Max's coming out journey, this episode is just oozing with 90s nostalgia, butt humor (which, in a way, is also 90s nostalgia), a debate about whether or not Taylor Swift is a '30 Rock' stan, and more!

Enjoy!

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This week we have Kane C. Andrade (he/him) with us on RO!

We talk about his creative journey as a photographer (including being featured in @outmagazine Pride issue this year!), life in the military during “don’t ask don’t tell”, the ups and downs of coming out to family twice, and much more.

So grateful to have had Kane share his story.

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Last week I celebrated my five year outiversary! In this week's solo episode I take a moment to reflect on the highs and lows of each year as well as what I hope year six has in store.

Don't forget to rate Reaching Out on Spotify or Apple Podcasts and check us out on IG and TikTok!

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In this week's episode we chat with both halves of music group Boy2K!  To add to the fun of having two guests, we're also trying out a new topic-based episode format instead of our usual coming out story centric episodes.

Mark Cramer and Grant Genske help me usher in this new era of Reaching Out and chat with me about today's topic... dating!  Well, it was supposed to be about dating, but it ended up being about dating, relationships, breakups, and much more.

I really love this episode because all three of us bring a different perspective based on our dating histories and are all currently at very different places in our dating journeys. 

We talk about our first dating experiences, our interpretations of what "dating" even means, open relationships, breakups, the lessons learned from our dating experiences, and much more!

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This we talk with Maxwell Poth, author of the absolutely incredible new book Young Queer America.

In this episode Maxwell tells us about how he faked it 'til he made it as a queer portrait photographer and photojournalist in LA working with some insanely talented an famous people (his work is unreal -- run don't walk to his portfolio linked here to see what I'm talking about). Speaking of his impressive work, he tells us about the inspiration for his new book, Young Queer America, a book showcasing "real stories and faces of LGBTQ+ youth."

Maxwell also shares his personal queer journey, which despite having a loving and accepting family (including a queer twin!) had its fair share of bumps in the road due to some pretty harsh bullying in his high school years and growing up around the Mormon church in Utah. Max's story is one of resilience and a refusal to be anything less than authentic.

We also chat about our shared love of the MCU, our first gay bar experiences, whether or not I should move to LA, and much more!

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In this week's episode I chat with the hilarious and sweet, Victor Carlesi!

Victor and I talk about his rise into the comedy scene (including guest appearances on some of my favorite podcasts, Seek Treatment and That's A Gay Ass Podcast), our favorite Taylor Swift songs, and, of course, his coming out story.

One of my favorite conversations I've had on this podcast takes place during Victor's coming out story as he shares how he worked through feelings of imposter syndrome and unworthiness when it came to sex and intimacy -- a feeling that I personally resonated with...dare I say it... all too well (10 minute version).

Enjoy!

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This week we sit down with UK-based Award-Winning Asexual Activist, model, and fellow X-Men lover, Yasmin Benoit!

Yasmin tells us her story about how she got into asexual and aromantic activism accidentally through posting on Twitter and what it was like transitioning into life as a public figure in this space.

She also touches on the "believability hurdle" that many asexual people face when telling others that they are asexual, especially when they do not fit the stereotypes for what people believe asexual or aromantic people to be or look like.  Yasmin also gives her thoughts on racism within the asexual community itself and the importance of diversifying the narrative of Ace and Aro stories being told.

In addition to all of that, we chat about Yasmin's IRL encounter with queer icon, Sir Ian McKellen; we talk about dealing with internet trolls; and I explain why the game Never Have I Ever still triggers my fight or flight response to this day.

Enjoy!

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Episode Links:

• Follow Yasmin on social media:
  • Instagram: @theyasminbenoit
  • Articles and Features: Linktree

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• Podcast's Instagram: @reachingoutpod
• Podcast's TikTok: @reachingoutpod
• Michael's Instagram: @michaelwingsit

What an absolute treat you are in for today with our guest, Jaycee Queen (he/him).  He is one of the funniest, quirkiest, silliest, and lovable people I have met in recent memory and I'm so happy that I stumbled upon his podcast, The Holesome Podcast, so that our paths got to cross.

Before we get into Jaycee's powerful journey of self-acceptance and self-love, Jaycee and I discuss something that has not been discussed very much on Reaching Out -- astrology!  We talk about our placements for Venus (how you express love in relationships of all kinds) and Mars (sex and aggression).

Jaycee then tells us his powerful, inspirational, and, at times, heavy story about coming out at 14 years old in San Antonio. 

**TRIGGER WARNING**

I want to give all listeners a heads up that Jaycee's story deals with some potentially triggering topics like being forced into Christian Church counseling, being kicked out home, physical abuse, and suicidal thoughts.

Despite the heavy topics, Jaycee's story is ultimately one of finding self-love and love for the queer community.  It's a story about, in Jaycee's words, seeing both the ugly and beautiful in life.  And ultimately, it's about about trusting your intuition, living authentically, and becoming a beacon of permission to help others to live authentically as well.

Jaycee is the ultimate sweetie and I'm so, so excited for you to meet him.

Enjoy.

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Episode Links:

• Follow Jaycee on social media:
  • Instagram: @jayceequeen
• Check out The Holesome Podcast
  • Instagram: @theholesomepodcast
  • Spotify: Link
  • Apple Podcasts: Link
• Astrology Guy
  • YouTube: Link

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• Podcast's Instagram: @reachingoutpod
• Podcast's TikTok: @reachingoutpod
• Michael's Instagram: @michaelwingsit

Have you ever met someone while traveling that makes you think "damn, this is why I travel!"?  That's exactly who today's guest is for me.

I'm so happy to bring you my chat with the incredibly talented and wonderful, Ilkin Zeybek (he/him)!  He and I met this summer in Istanbul while I was on a one-month Remote Year program and Ilkin was a guide for several events for the group throughout the month.  Not only is Ilkin extremely knowledgable about all things Istanbul, he's also a ridiculously talented photographer (links below).

Ilkin's story is such a welcomed one to Reaching Out as it truly gives a different, more global perspective to coming out that we haven't had much of on here yet.  Ilkin tells us about the challenges and even depression that he faced as he navigated coming out during high school in conservative-leaning Turkey and amongst conservative peers.  We also discuss some of the familial struggles Ilkin went through in the early years of his journey.  Ilkin also shares with us what it's like being queer in Turkey today with the current conservative government in office -- including a story of him being detained, along with other queer people, at last year's Pride in Istanbul for simply showing up.

Despite the challenges he has faced, he also shares how the very art he is creating now was born out of a need to resist the queer suppression he and his queer community have experienced by the Turkish government, and damn, his art f*cking great.

In addition to his incredible story, we chat our favorite Lady Gaga songs, how music hits soooo different during a breakup or when you have a crush, not clearing your search history as a kid (we've all been there), and the new loves of my life thanks to my time in Istanbul... CATS!

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Episode Links:

• Follow Ilkin on social media:
  • Ilkin: @ilkinzeybek_ 
  • Zed's Fanzine: @zedsfanzine
• Book an Airbnb Experience in Istanbul with Ilkin!
  • History and Culture of Coffee: Link
  • Play Games Like a Local: Link
  • Photoshoot Around Istanbul: Link

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• Podcast's Instagram: @reachingoutpod
• Podcast's TikTok: @reachingoutpod
• Michael's Instagram: @michaelwingsit

Today we have Grace Perry, the author of the incredibly entertaining book "The 2000s Made Me Gay: Essays on Pop Culture", on the show with us.  This book is a special one to me as it was given to me as a congratulations gift by my friend, Jack, for starting this very podcast.

Chatting with Grace was so much fun and between giggling about her dripping in clothes from the Old Navy Boys section, we talk about coming out themes like:

• internalized homophobia
• compartmentalization and rationalization
• how formative millennial pop culture shaped both our queer-but-closeted teen years

..and more!

To no one's surprise we also reminisce about some niche millennial hot topics like Juicy Campus, The Real World seasons from the aughts, and how shows like The OC and Dawson's Creek made initial queer sexual experiences very confusing!

Enjoy.

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Episode Links:

• Follow Grace on social media:
  • Instagram: @muppet__baby
  • The 2000s Made Me Gay: Essays on Pop Culture

Follow along with Reaching Out:

• Podcast's Instagram: @reachingoutpod
• Podcast's TikTok: @reachingoutpod
• Michael's Instagram: @michaelwingsit