What does it mean to tell your story when it might not be safe to do so? And what happens when you stop waiting for permission and start creating what doesn't yet exist? Chicago-born social entrepreneur, Chicago LGBTQ Hall of Fame inductee, and Ambie-nominated podcast host Anna DeShawn joins Kim Romain and Louise Neil in Episode 194 of The Empowered & Embodied Show to explore the power and responsibility of queer storytelling, what it really means to build a business that's deeply personal, and why experimentation might be the most liberating framework for entrepreneurs.
From founding E3 Radio in 2009 while still in corporate America, to building The Qube, hosting podcast salons, and pressing Black and Brown voices onto vinyl, Anna is riding media into its next era, one experiment at a time.
In this episode, we dig into:
Key Moments
00:00 - Welcome and introductions
03:15 - Why storytelling is a necessity, not a luxury
05:00 - Safety, readiness, and the choice to share your story
10:03 - Finding your people and building community
12:18 - Stepping into rooms where you feel like you don't belong
19:23 - On not being able to see yourself as others see you
22:13 - Why business is deeply personal
27:16 - Experimentation as a framework
32:21 - Podcast salons and the power of listening in community
36:35 - Why seeing yourself reflected is never overrated
40:00 - Failure is human and necessary
About Anna DeShawn
Anna is the founder and host of E3 Radio, an online radio station playing queer music and reporting on queer news with an intersectional lens, and the creator of The Qube, a platform for discovering independent podcasts. An Ambie-nominated podcast host, producer and multi-award winning media creator, Anna was inducted into the Chicago LGBTQ Hall of Fame for her commitment to the LGBTQ community. She has been riding media into its next era since 2009, telling the stories and playing the music that deserves to be heard.
https://pod.link/queernews | https://theqube.app | https://linktr.ee/annadeshawn | https://www.youtube.com/@E3Radio
Join a circle of changemakers committed to leading with purpose, presence and ease inside Kim's Rising Visionaries mentorship program.
Reclaim your career and confidence during midlife through Louise's Rise & Redefine program.
If you’re loving this show, come check out the Feminist Podcasters Collective, where creators like us are uplifting diverse voices and driving meaningful change. If you’re looking for new shows to fill your feed, head to https://feministpodcasterscollective.com
