David's family told him these words: we cannot fully love you if we  don't know all of you.

Talk about unconditional love.

Today's guest, David Keck (host of Surviving podcast), quite literally came out with the help of his family. Just as he was grappling with his religion and his sexuality, yet going through the motions of life (girlfriends, breakups, etc), his family sat him down and talked to him about the importance of accepting himself rather than trying to be someone he wasn't.

David also experienced a life-altering moment when he was the victim of a hate crime.

Significant moments, to say the least.

In this episode, we talk about how his relationship with God has been challenged over the years and how, from day one, his family helped him love and accept himself.

David reminds us of the importance of a strong foundation of family and friends or friends who are family.
 
Please subscribe to the podcast so you don't miss an episode! Share this podcast with someone you think might find value from it, and please leave a rating and review on Apple podcasts! New episodes every month (with some bonuses in between).
 
Find the podcast on Instagram: @thegaypodcast_foreveryone

mentioned in this episode:

• Episode 4, Just a Different Journey (with guest, Louise Lynch)
• Watch Us Thrive podcast (Host, Lianne Torres). Episode 103. Surviving a Hate Crime, featuring David Keck.

Did you like the episode? I'd love to hear what you think! Click HERE to reach out and lemme know!

Welcome back to a new season of the podcast!

Awkward Conversations. Stronger Connections. That's the vibe for this episode and this podcast season because, sometimes, good things come from uncomfortable conversations!

When I came out to my family, it wasn't an easy conversation. But it definitely built a stronger connection. And, over time, it allowed us to recognize the similarities in relationships, in general. 

As I get older, though, I've discovered that there are more uncomfortable topics to come out about (like MARRIAGE). Why am I uncomfortable with this topic? Why does the thought of proposing feel so awkward? Will my parents be as happy for me as they were for my (straight) sibling? Am I just freaking out for nothing?

This episode is a solo episode where I dive into the awkward topics, hoping to build a stronger connection!

Please subscribe to the podcast so you don't miss an episode!

Share this podcast with someone you think might find value from it, and please leave a rating and review on Apple podcasts! New episodes every month (with some bonuses in between).
 
Find me on Instagram: @thegaypodcast_foreveryone

Did you like the episode? I'd love to hear what you think! Click HERE to reach out and lemme know!

In her book, Our Deepest Roots: Navigating Past Trauma to Build Healthier Queer Relationships, Dr. Jen Towns (aka Your Queer Therapist) discusses the intersection of trauma and relationships in the queer community. 

In this episode (season 2 finale), we chat about:

• how our experiences shape our sense of safety and affect how we handle situations (like holding our partners' hands in public).  
• how our past experiences directly affect our interpersonal relationships
• how to acknowledge our trauma(s) and better communicate it to our partners

Jen is an awesome example for our community and provides an amazing resource with her book.  Get a copy of Our Deepest Rootson Amazon.

Follow Dr. Jen Towns on Instagram at @your.queer.therapist


 

Did you like the episode? I'd love to hear what you think! Click HERE to reach out and lemme know!

This is a quick episode about celebrating Pride and the progress we've made in our journey.

Sometimes it's easy to forget how much progress we've made and how much positive change we've designed for ourselves, but hopefully this episode serves as a reminder of all the steps it took to get to where you are today in your Pride journey.

Happy Pride - 365.

Mentioned in this episode:
Arlan Hamilton, Holly Krivo (episode 23), Anna K. Morris (episode 22), Love Temple TX

Did you like the episode? I'd love to hear what you think! Click HERE to reach out and lemme know!

In this episode, I chat with Holly Krivo, host of the Sober-ish Uprising podcast, about our shared experiences moving out of Austin and into new cities/neighborhoods.   

We're both openly gay women who have been out for many years, but we have different experiences coming out to our neighbors and new people.

In our community, we often say that we come out over and over again. Once we've been out for years, though, is it still coming out? Or is it simply stating a fact? 

Join us for a casual conversation about coming out (again) and navigating conversations with people we don't know very well.


mentioned in this episode: Love Temple TX (@lovetempletx).  

Did you like the episode? I'd love to hear what you think! Click HERE to reach out and lemme know!

In today's episode, one of my favorite people joins me for a chat about unconditional love, advocating for the LGBTQ+ community, and how to find your superpower (aka just be yourself).

Anna K. Morris is a life and transformation coach and LGBTQ+ ally who is using her voice to advocate for her local LGBTQ+ community. In August of 2022, her non-profit group Love Temple TX put up a billboard in Temple, Texas with a simple, but impactful message for the community --  an outline of the state of Texas with all of the LGBTQ+ flags and three words: YOU ARE LOVED.

There's no doubt Anna will inspire you to live out loud and to just be yourself.

If you're interested in Anna's upcoming coaching program THE RECONNECT,  visit annakmorris.com. The next coaching program begins June 6th.

You can find Love Temple TX on Instagram. Please consider a full or monthly donation to the Love Temple TX billboard.

If you want a glimpse into Anna's previous Artist Way workshop, please check out my blog post. 

Did you like the episode? I'd love to hear what you think! Click HERE to reach out and lemme know!

Part 2 of my chat with Lisa Brennan, author of The Auditorium in My Mind: Treasuring My Transgender Child.

In this mini-episode, Lisa joins me to talk about the process of writing your first book and navigating the world of self-publishing.

If you're interested in writing a book, Lisa gives some great tips on self-publishing and how to stay dedicated to the page! 

Find Lisa's book here:
The Auditorium in My Mind: Treasuring My Transgender Child at Barnes and Noble.
The Auditorium in My Mind: Treasuring My Transgender Child on Amazon.

Follow Lisa on Instagram at @authorandadvocate

Did you like the episode? I'd love to hear what you think! Click HERE to reach out and lemme know!

In her book, The Auditorium in My Mind: Treasuring My Transgender Child, Lisa Brennan opens up about her experience of having her child come out to her as a transgender woman. She openly talks about her journey from sadness and grief to unwavering pride, and shares how it's possible to give your child unconditional support while navigating your own journey, questions, and fears.
 
In this episode, we chat about her book,  her unanticipated role as an LGBTQ+ advocate, and what it means to come out as a family.

Find Lisa's book here:
The Auditorium in My Mind: Treasuring My Transgender Child at Barnes and Noble.

The Auditorium in My Mind: Treasuring My Transgender Child on Amazon.

Follow Lisa on Instagram at @authorandadvocate

Mentioned in this podcast: Episode 16 - How to be a supportive LGBTQ+ parent while you're still on your own journey with Nichole Abshire, co-host, Go Behind the Ballot podcast

Did you like the episode? I'd love to hear what you think! Click HERE to reach out and lemme know!

In the trailer for this podcast, I mentioned the acronym LGBTQ without the "+" at the end. I panicked about it. Was I unintentionally excluding a section of my community from the conversation? Because that wasn't my intention.

Certain topics cause us to pause and ask ourselves if we said something right, or if there might be a better way to say something, overall.

In this episode, my sister, Lori Briones, and I dive into how we can give ourselves the grace to fumble through conversations. Join us as we break down why that moment stressed me out so much and how we can move forward in conversations when we realize we could have said something better.

mentioned in this episode: Episode 9 with author, Chris Tompkins (Messages From the Playground: Raising LGBTQ Allies)

Did you like the episode? I'd love to hear what you think! Click HERE to reach out and lemme know!

Bhavna Raithatha is a therapist, a public speaker, and a personal coach.

This episode discusses how the messages we get as children affect us in our adult lives. Many times, we live out the expectations of others rather than ourselves, and Bhavna reminds us of the importance of designing a life of your own.

Bhavna came out later in life, after a long marriage to her husband. After coming out to him, as well as coming out to her mother, she began to cultivate the life that she wanted.  Bhavna's story highlights the fact that it's never too late to live your truth.

Content warning: sensitive topics in this podcast include suicide (12:30-12:40) and 9/11 (13:40-14:00). They are mentioned briefly at the corresponding times noted.

http://www.justbeyourself.co.uk

Mentioned in this episode:
Episode 9: Chris Tompkins, author of Raising LGBTQ Allies: A Parent's Guide to Changing the Messages from the Playground

Episode 12: Rick Clemons, Podcast Host of Life (UN)Closeted and 40 Plus: Gay Men, Gay Talk

Did you like the episode? I'd love to hear what you think! Click HERE to reach out and lemme know!