The Coming Out Chronicles

The Small man, builds cages, for everyone he knows!

That line in the Hafiz poem gets me every time! Both, because it causes me to pause and think about where I’m building cages for others in my life… and also because of the times we are living in, and feeling so powerfully the effects of small men building cages for others.

In this thought-provoking video, we explore the concept of "theology and spirituality in times of rupture," as discussed by historian Diana Butler Bass. We delve into the significant cultural shifts that have shaped our society over the last 120 years, from the early 1900s' WASP supremacy to the transformative events of World War I, the atomic bomb, the civil rights movement, 9/11, and the recent storming of the U.S. Capitol.

While these ruptures have often felt like the end of the world, they have also presented opportunities for growth and positive change. We've seen the emergence of labor laws, women's rights, and the inclusion of minority voices. However, we've also witnessed the shift from a culture of security to a culture of fear, and now, a culture of submission.

But there is an alternative: a culture of connection. By fostering a sense of unity and understanding, we can overcome the isolation and fear that lead to submission. Through connection, we can find the strength to create a more just, compassionate, and peaceful world.

Join us as we explore how to cultivate a culture of connection in our lives and communities. Together, we can navigate these times of rupture and build a brighter future for all.

#connection #community #spirituality #culturalshifts #hope

Merry Christmas!

Whether you're having a wonderful time with family or simply making it through – I see you, and I want to remind you of something important.

During these days that can be particularly emotionally charged, please remember to check in with your inner child – that younger version of yourself that might need some extra care right now. If you find yourself overwhelmed by emotions or frustrated with certain relationships, it's okay to take a step back. Listen to what that little inner voice needs in the moment. When we truly commit to nurturing that part of ourselves, we create the boundaries and joy we need for a more peaceful life.

You might notice I'm channeling a bit of Ted Lasso today (and yes, this is the same person who's been saying I’m making a shift to showing up more fully as Nancy Shadlock lately!). But you know what? It feels right. These different aspects of who we I am – they're all connected. I'm embracing the playfulness in me, moving away from being serious all the time.

So here I am, sometimes Ted, sometimes Nancy, always Divinely me – hoping these reflections might resonate with you too.

Remember, you've got this. Whatever this season brings, you have the wisdom within to take care of yourself in the way you need.

Wishing you peace and joy,

~Nancy (ted)

Hi! It’s good to have you here!

You might be noticing some changes to my newsletter and I wanted to send along a little update so you know more of what’s going on.

TLDR: (Too long- Didn’t watch… here’s the coles notes)

* Moved to Substack for easier community connection

* Shifting from "Centered" to my name (Nancy Shadlock) to be more authentic

* All content stays free and accessible

* $5/month subscription available if you want to support this work and join the conversation

* Coming soon: Regular spiritual connection prompts & personal growth tools (think: Sunday gathering minus religious baggage)

* Working more freely with organizations like recovery centers to bring vibrant spirituality where it's needed

Whether you subscribe, share content, or just read along - thank you for being here! (And if this new direction isn't your jam, no worries at all about unsubscribing!) ✨

Excited to create something beautiful together in 2025! 💫

Thanks for being here!

~Nancy

p.s. If you want branding help like I got from Harc Creative to get clearer on your authentic voice in business... I can't recommend Jarren and Parker highly enough! You can see their work here.

And if you’re not interested in being a paid subscriber on Substack but you want to support this work, you can do so via Paypal here:

Need help figuring out this new platform?

If you’d like to become a paid subscriber, and follow these steps:

1. Log into your Substack account at

https://substack.com

and click "Sign In".

2. Click on your profile icon and select Settings from the drop-down menu.

3. Navigate to the Subscriptions section and click on "Edit" next to the publication you'd like to make changes on.

4. On the Manage Subscription page for that Substack, click on "Upgrade to paid subscription".

5. Select which paid plan you'd like to subscribe to.

Meet Kailey Gilchrist, the inspiring Founder and Sauce Boss at NONA Vegan Foods LTD. She delves into her entrepreneurial journey, from coming out in college and meeting her fiancé in a cooking class to creating a food brand with her late mother’s delicious Italian recipes.

Discover how joining CGLCC’s Out For Business program and finding mentorship helped her business thrive.

Key Points:

• Coming out about her Sexuality in College

  
  



• Meeting her fiance in her highschool cooking class

  
  



• Creating a food brand around her late mother’s Italian Recipes

  
  



• Coming out to Dad

  
  



• Joining the CGLCC’s Out for Business Program

  
  



• Business growing through mentorship

  
  



• Becoming a Certified Diverse Supplier

  
  

Inspired to be a mentor in this program?  Sign up for CGLCC’S Out for Business Mentorship Program:  https://cglcc.ca/programs/out-for-business/

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Want to Amplify Women’s voices in Podcasting: Vote for The Coming Out Chronicles as the Best LGBT Podcast in the Women in Podcasting Awards. https://womeninpodcasting.net/the-coming-out-chronicles/

LinkedIn: ⁠⁠Nancy Shadlock⁠

Facebook: (Centered Life Coaching)

Instagram: (Nancy Shadlock)

Website: www.centered.ca

LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/kaileygilchrist

Website: https://nonavegan.com/

Join Nancy Shadlock & Dr. Jackie F. Steele スティール若希 for a captivating conversation touching on the complex journey of transgender youth, diversity of thought, family law rights, and the role of Democracy.

They delve into cognitive bias, freedom of conscience, and the importance a variety of voices and yet maintaining emotional safety in democratic dialogue. The episode also explores law reform's role in creating equality for Queer folks in Japan and policy-based solutions for societal issues. Drawing on Jackie's extensive experience in Japan, they discuss the country's evolving understanding of Queer identities. Tune in for a rich exploration of how we can create emotionally safe spaces for dialogue with those who have a diversity of perspectives.

Key Points:

• Law Reform & Equality

  
  



• The struggle for rights and acceptance of transgender youth 

  
  



• Access to affirming care and support is crucial for the well-being of trans youth.

  
  



• Informed consent requires access to diverse perspectives and support networks.

  
  



• Exploring Queerness in Japan

  
  



• Women Empowerment in Japan

  
  



• Desire for Emotional Safety amongst divergent voices

  
  

  
  

  
  

  LinkedIn: ⁠Nancy Shadlock

  
  

  Facebook: (Centered Life Coaching)

  
  

  Instagram: (Nancy Shadlock)

  
  

  Website: www.centered.ca

  
  

  
  

  
  

  LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/jackie-f-steele-phd/

  
  

  Facebook (Jackie): www.facebook.com/jackiefsteelephd

  
  

  Facebook (enjoi Japan K.K.): www.facebook.com/enjoidiversityandinnovation

  
  

  YouTube: @enjoi-

  
  

  diversityrocksinnovation www.youtube.com/channel/UCGzZsh3jlZeDvbWL9aUcjIQ

  
  

  Instagram: www.instagram.com/enjoi_diversity_innovation/

  
  

Jennifer Knapp is a Grammy-nominated singer-songwriter, author, speaker and advocate. Her impressive history includes selling over one million albums with her first three releases Kansas (debut 1998, Gold-certified), Lay It Down (2000), and The Way I Am (2001). She has earned four Dove Awards and two Grammy nominations. The Kansas-born musician has toured the globe with artists such as Jars of Clay and was featured on the Lilith Fair Tour in 1999 and 2010. Knapp received critical acclaim for her human approach to the divine, with The Los Angeles Times calling her “a rising star” and People Magazine describing her as “an uncommonly literate songwriter.”

As the first major artist in the Christian music world to speak openly about LGBTQ identity, her unique position created opportunities for national dialogue, including appearances on Larry King Live and the TEDx stage. In 2012 Knapp founded the non-profit organization Inside Out Faith, through which she continues to speak and perform nationally as an advocate for LGBTQ & faith issues.

Today on the pod she speaks about:

• Her Coming Out Story.


• Her Alter Ego Big Delores.


• What was really going on when she stepped away from music for a few years.


• How heteronormativity has shaped our spirituality for so long.


• Her next Coming Out Chapter.

Jennifer Knapp has been a very helpful resource to me in my own coming out, and I was delighted to be able to speak with her, and share our conversation with you. My hope is it will help you on your own coming out journeys. May we each find our own authentic voice... and share that with the world.

• Facebook: (Centered Life Coaching)

• Instagram: (Nancy Shadlock)

• Website: www.centered.ca

• Want to have a session to reclaim part of yourself that you've lost along the way?  Maybe it's your voice... to help you speak your truth, or maybe you've lost your ability to be playful. This is a deep and powerful session to help you live into the more that is awaiting you! 

Sign up for this powerful session here.

Dr. Lynda Spann shares her personal coming out story as well as her professional coming out story.  The two are connected.  The work she does at the Lesbian Couples Institute with her wife Lisa is very important and unique. You can find them here: https://lesbiancouplesinstitute.com

If you'd like to sign up for a Front Porch session with me Nancy Shadlock, you can do so here: https://www.centered.ca/workwithme

Nadja is a powerhouse of a coach and someone that I have personally learned so much from in the past year.  I love that in this episode she shares vulnerably about her own internalized homophobia even though she's been married to a woman for years.  She teaches us some tools to work through this and inspires us to live whole lives.

If you would like to take Nadja's Money mindset course from her institute Conscious U, the next cohort starts in February.  Sign up for CU Money here: https://www.conscious-u.com/cumoney/

The Tag line for the course is: Do what you Love... With and Without Money!   I love that and am living into it in my own life!



If you'd like to experience a block party with me, you can sign up here: www.centered.ca/workwithme

As always, I'd love to hear from you if you enjoyed this: [email protected]

I share my synopsis of Annie Duke's book Quit.

She shares so many helpful ideas of how to know when it's time to quit and how to do it well.  It really stretched my opinion of quitting from a judgement of being a bad thing, to it being a really good thing.

I hope it stretches you to think about times you maybe should have quit sooner in the past, or gives you courage and tools for quitting something that's not working for you right now.

If you'd like to share a quitting story from your past that others can learn from, you can record it here and we may even include it on the show if you'd like: https://anchor.fm/comingout/message

And if you're ready to quit something but it feels too scary, send me a message and I will be your quit coach.  [email protected]