Rick Clemons - LGBTQ Expert

Shows

40 Plus: Gay Men. Gay Talk.RIckIn this powerful National Coming Out Day episode, Rick Clemons sits down with Brian Bond, CEO of PFLAG National, to talk about the organization’s 52-year mission of supporting LGBTQ+ individuals and their families. From the history of PFLAG to personal coming out stories and the creation of affirming spaces across America, Brian shares how the movement has grown and why community support still matters more than ever, and how you as gay men over 40 can support and benefit from PFLAG Listeners will walk away with inspiration, resources, and encouragement to live authentically and help others do the same. ...

2025-10-1045 min

Life (UN)Closeted: LGBTQ+ Coming Out Stories & Advice for living out and proud!Living Your Life (UN)Closeted Part 14 – Embracing the Right Choice, Isn’t The Easiest One – Rick ClemonsLife is full of choices. Some easy, and some not so easy, right? Coming out, changing jobs, finding that just right soulmate. All of these decisions come with choices. Ironically, we put a lot of emphasis on making the right choice, and too often try to find the easy choice simultaneously. Yay, who doesn't want the easiest way when given the chance. But, what if the easiest choice isn't always the right choice. That's what we're uncovering today. In this episode you'll... Discover how easy peasy may not be the best way to make decisions Unlock the fears that come w...

2024-10-0913 min

Life (UN)Closeted: LGBTQ+ Coming Out Stories & Advice for living out and proud!Living Your Life (UN)Closeted Part 13 – How To Daily Embrace Uncertainty – Rick ClemonsUncertainty is a part of life, and definitely it is a part of coming out. The good news is, it doesn't have to be a part of your journey, nor a reason to keep yourself in the closet -in any aspect of life. But, how do you face these feelings of uncertainty, head on? That's the focus of today's podcast - navigating and embracing uncertainty. In this episode you'll... Learn what uncertainty triggers are and how to listen to use them to your advantage Uncover a key idea for embracing uncertainty Explore a a technique for turning uncertainty into certainty...

2024-10-0211 min

Life (UN)Closeted: LGBTQ+ Coming Out Stories & Advice for living out and proud!Living Your Life (UN)Closeted Part 12: Your Past Doesn't Get A Seat at Your LGBTQ+ Present - Rick ClemonsFor many LGBTQ+ individuals, our past is what kept us in the closet and is still what haunts to this day. Even though we are out of the closet, we suffer from the past dictating our present and future. Today we dismantle that invitation for our past to have a seat at our present and future table, so that we can live rich and happy LGBTQ+ lives In this episode you'll... Define what elements of the past keep you hostage Unlock ways to consistently remove the past from your present and future Explore the signs of when you are allowing...

2024-09-2512 min

Life (UN)Closeted: LGBTQ+ Coming Out Stories & Advice for living out and proud!Living Your Life (UN)Closeted - Having the confidence to know the world needs you - Rick ClemonsThat piece of your that is hiding, you know the truth of who you are, is what the world really needs to see and get to know. In fact the world needs that - unless they are right wing crazies. But don't let them win. Realize that what the world needs now is YOU, sweet, confident, YOU. Here's how to have the confidence to release what is inside you to the world. In this episode you'll... Learn how to showcase your beautiful self to the world Unlock confidence with easy to learn steps Explore new ways to rethink what confidence...

2024-09-1815 min

Life (UN)Closeted: LGBTQ+ Coming Out Stories & Advice for living out and proud!Living Your Life (UN)Closeted Part 10 – Make our confidence louder than you insecurities – Rick ClemonsWhether you're coming out of the closet, going for a job change, or choosing to start a relationship, insecurities have a way of screwing with your confidence. Truth is you confidence is actually louder than your insecurities. In this episode you'll... Uncover the truth about your confidence and how to leverage it in any situation Learn how to quell your insecurities and set them aside Explore what it takes to consistently confront your fears About Rick Rick is a life and business coach, speaker, author, and podcaster. With his husband by his side and two grown children...

2024-09-1113 min

Life (UN)Closeted: LGBTQ+ Coming Out Stories & Advice for living out and proud!Living Your Life (UN)Closeted Part 9 - Live the life of your choosing and Freak Others Out - Rick ClemonsIt's time. Time for you to truly live your life (un)closeted. Yet, too often we are afraid of living our life in a way that FREAKS OTHERS OUT! To bad! You have the right to live your life on your terms, and if it freaks others out, that is on them. In this episode you'll... Be invited to take the risk of living life on your terms Learn how to embrace the risk of offending others in a loving way Explore what it takes to commit to you About Rick Rick is a life and business...

2024-09-0412 min

Life (UN)Closeted: LGBTQ+ Coming Out Stories & Advice for living out and proud!Living Your Life (UN)Closeted Series Part 8 - Let your F*cking Intuition Guide You - Rick ClemonsOur intuition is our friend. But not if you don't tap it. If you ignore it, it will ignore you. Today we explore how to let your f*cking intuition guide you in those big decisions of life - coming out, careers, relationships, health, friendships, finances, etc. In this episode you'll... Tap into how to discover your intuition and leverage it Learn simple the signs that your intuition is guiding you to live your truth Explore how to muster up the courage to follow your intuition without fear About Rick Rick is a life and business coach...

2024-08-2811 min

Life (UN)Closeted: LGBTQ+ Coming Out Stories & Advice for living out and proud!Living Your Life (Un)Closeted Series: Part 7 - What Happens When You Unfollow The Rules - Rick ClemonsRules, rules, rules. They are meant to be broken, and meant to be followed. But they are also meant to be rewritten. When you come out of the closet you lovingly rewrite the rules for you. In fact most the time when we shake up our lives we are rewriting the rules so that life can be better. Having the courage to unfollow a rule, break it and rewrite is what we are exploring today. In this episode you'll... Discover the joy of breaking and rewriting personal rules Learn simple techniques for loving a rule and letting it go Explore...

2024-08-2111 min

Life (UN)Closeted: LGBTQ+ Coming Out Stories & Advice for living out and proud!Living Your Life (Un)Closeted Series: Part 6 - How to have the courage to love and befriend yourself - Rick ClemonsYou've heard it before and you will hear it again - "If you don't love yourself, how in the hell you gonna love somebody else?” - RuPaul and Amen! But it's hard, hard, hard to love yourself unless you give yourself permission to love all your self - every little bit form your head to your toe. That takes courage. That's what we'r also exploring this week is the courage to love and befriend yourself. In this episode you'll Explore what it takes to start loving yourself Unpack the simple tools for being your own best friend Take a hike on...

2024-08-1412 min

Life (UN)Closeted: LGBTQ+ Coming Out Stories & Advice for living out and proud!Living Your Life (Un)Closeted Series: Part 5 - Drop the BS of the inconceivable and thrive - Rick ClemonsIf you've ever caught yourself saying, " I can't conceive of that," then you've blown the possibility of what's possible. That mindset prevents us as LGBTQ+ individuals from becoming our own version of a Disney Imagineer for our lives. Break free of the BS of the inconceivable and get curious about what's truly possible. In this episode you'll Learn how to spot your BS inconceivable patterns Breakthrough negative thinking to step into possibility thinking Uncover the best ways to use your imagination for opening life's dreams About Rick Rick is a life and business coach, speaker, author, and...

2024-08-0713 min

Life (UN)Closeted: LGBTQ+ Coming Out Stories & Advice for living out and proud!Living Your Life (Un)Closeted Series: Part 4 - Who created those beliefs? You or the others? - Rick ClemonsTo begin to unpack our direction and our desires, we have to realize that our beliefs and values will guide us or fight us. Of course, we'd prefer they guide us. In order to make those beliefs serve us and serve us well, whether we're coming out of the closet, choosing a new career, or letting go of toxic people in our lives, we have to get ready to re-evaluate our beliefs in order for them to serve us and our long term goals of being ourselves in the world. In this episode you'll Learn how own beliefs can be...

2024-07-3111 min

Life (UN)Closeted: LGBTQ+ Coming Out Stories & Advice for living out and proud!Living Your Life (Un)Closeted Series: Part 3 - Let's Get Naked With Our Truth(s) - Rick ClemonsHere' the naked truth about being in a state of confusion. You can't get out of confusion until you get naked with your truth! Whether you are coming out of the closet, walking away from a bad relationship, going for a promotion, or letting go of people in your life that no longer serve you, you have to get fully naked with the truth behind that decision or situation to leave the confusion behind. In this episode you'll Find ways to embrace the truth without shame Learn how to use a simple process for embracing being naked in your truth ...

2024-07-2411 min

Life (UN)Closeted: LGBTQ+ Coming Out Stories & Advice for living out and proud!Living Your Life (Un)Closeted Series: Part 2 – Why Your Closets A Mess – Rick ClemonsBefore you can step out of the confusion of your life's closets, you have to do this one thing! Admit your closet is a mess. It's in the messiness of our life's closets hat we find the path forward. We reveal the hidden secrets so that they are out in the open, and we free ourselves to be ourselves. In this episode you'll Learn how own that your closet is messy so that you can thrive Organize the messiness and prepare to leave confusion behind Uncover the best way to focus on getting out of that closet once and for...

2024-07-1712 min

Life (UN)Closeted: LGBTQ+ Coming Out Stories & Advice for living out and proud!Living Your Life (Un)Closeted Series: Part 1 - Freedom and Desire – Rick ClemonsWe're kicking off a new series entitled "Living your life (UN)Closeted. Designed to make you think and to guid you out of the closets of your life, host Rick Clemons guides you by the hand to the freedom of living your life (un)closeted. We kick of the series exploring desire and freedom. In this episode you'll Learn how to get real with your desires Awaken to the vision of what true freedom means for you outside your life's closets Unlock the doorway to living by your desires, not your needs About Rick Rick is a...

2024-07-1014 min

Life (UN)Closeted: LGBTQ+ Coming Out Stories & Advice for living out and proud!Ry Levey - Silencing LGBTQ+ Christian Music - Not on God's Watch!For too long the voices of Christians have tried to silent the LGBTQ+ community. But what happens to their voices when Christian music artists sing the Lords praise, and those performers happen to be members of the LGBTQ+ community? Do they abandon them? Call them fake Christians? Film producer Ry Levey brings his newest documentary to life - Song Silenced - where he explores the intersectionality of Christian Musician and the LGBTQ+ performer. In this episode you'll Discover how quasi-Christians treat LGBTQ+ Christian Musicians Unlock power of what it takes to be Christian and LGBTQ+ Learn why these types of...

2024-07-0347 min

Life (UN)Closeted: LGBTQ+ Coming Out Stories & Advice for living out and proud!Dr. Lulu - Embracing your transgender black childEmbracing your transgender child is hard enough for many parents, but then add to the mix that your child comes from Nigerian descent and is part of the people of color community, and that brings on a whole new set of challenges. Sharing her own journey as a queer parent of a black transgender child, Dr. Lulu - fierce LGBTQ+ advocate - talks truths about how your journey to being a parent of transgender black child is one of our greatest gifts you can have as a parent. In this episode: Discuss the POC challenges of being queer and transgender ...

2024-05-2949 min

Life (UN)Closeted: LGBTQ+ Coming Out Stories & Advice for living out and proud!Amanda Udis-Kessler - Flourishing as a Progressive LGBTQ+ ChristianHow do you step into an an attitude of being less hateful and more grateful when it comes to Christianity and LGBTQ+ individuals? You step beyond your diversity bias and stop practicing moral exclusions. Out and proud bisexual Amanda Udis-Kessler provides us with insights on how loving others and ourselves is the truest expression of floursing and being more christ like as LGBTQ+ individuals. All of this is explored through the lenses of her new books and spiritual music. About Amanda Amanda Udis-Kessler is a sociologist, writer, songwriter, progressive sacred music composer, and antiracism trainer. ...

2024-03-1342 min

Life (UN)Closeted: LGBTQ+ Coming Out Stories & Advice for living out and proud!Brian P. McGunagle - Building LGBTQ+ Community, One Community At a TimeWhat do you do when you move from NYC to the Connecticut burbs to create LGBTQ+ Community? You literally create it yourself. Showing us the path on how to do that in any community, is Brian P. McGunagle founder of Westport Pride. Learn how he, his husband and kids are living out loud and proud in a small town community that has even battle the wars of book bans. About Brian Brian is the founder of Westport Pride. Having moved to Westport with his husband in 2016, he was curious about what the LGBTQ+ community looked like and m...

2024-03-0640 min

Life (UN)Closeted: LGBTQ+ Coming Out Stories & Advice for living out and proud!Grateful for being LGBTQ+ - Rick ClemonsHere it is, the day before Thanksgiving in the U.S. For most of us, this is a time of family, gratitude, and munch, munch, munch on amazing food. Yet, for many of us this can be a time of year that is challenging at best. You might be alone, not have a circle of friends, or you may just wonder if being LGBTQ+ is even worth it. Hey, snap out of it and listen to ways to be grateful this Thanksgiving season. You are loved and worth being grateful for being your authentic awesome LGBTQ self. ...

2023-11-2208 min

Life (UN)Closeted: LGBTQ+ Coming Out Stories & Advice for living out and proud!Bryan Ruby - Breaking the molds of Baseball and Country MusicBaseball and a love for country music. That's about as heteronormative as... Wait that would be generalizing and putting someone in a box, which is not we want in the LGBTQ+ community. So why would you think a major league baseball player, and country singer doesn't really fit the gay box. Because that is making an assumption of what it means to be gay. Breaking the molds is professional baseball player and rising country music artist Bryan Ruby who has a message about assumptions and boxes you get put in as a gay man, and who aspires to inspire others...

2023-07-2637 min

Life (UN)Closeted: LGBTQ+ Coming Out Stories & Advice for living out and proud!Rick DellaRatta - Jazz For Peace in The LGBTQ+ WorldRick DellaRatta is an ally of the LGBTQ+ community, who believes the only way to bring peace to the world is to unite is all in our empathy and understanding of one another. Share himself and his music today on the podcast Rick takes us on a journey of why embracing the LGBTQ+ community is a form of peace on the planet. About Rick Rick DellaRatta is his brand "Jazz for Peace," to bring peace to the LGBTQ+ world and world at large. Now considered by many to be one of the finest Singer/Pianists performing today and...

2023-07-0547 min

Life (UN)Closeted: LGBTQ+ Coming Out Stories & Advice for living out and proud!Yuval David - Fighting Forward For LGBTQ+ AcceptanceYou'd have to be blind, not listening, and burying your head in the sand to not realize LGBTQ+ rights and lives are on the line, as well as other marginalized communities - black, asian, hispanic, jews, muslims, women. It's a crazy time to be "the others." But does that mean we hide and let them win? No we "fight forward" as today's guest Yuval David says. Using his platforms as an actor, filmmaker, host, director, and advocate, Yuval is here to entertain, uplift, and inspire." Here are his thoughts and the state of our "fighting forward." About Yuval ...

2023-07-0333 min

Life (UN)Closeted: LGBTQ+ Coming Out Stories & Advice for living out and proud!Molly Sider - The Art of Telling Your LGBTQ StoryHappy Pride and it's time to celebrate you, your story, and all our queer stories. And why should we tell and share our stories? Because it helps to move you forward into loving and owning your story as a member of the LGBTQ+ community. Joining us in celebration of our stories is Molly Sider, ally, fellow coach and storyteller to help you better tell your story, your truth, and be who you are meant to be in the world. About Molly Molly Sider is the creator and host of I Am This Age, the podcast proving you’re ne...

2023-06-0742 min

Life (UN)Closeted: LGBTQ+ Coming Out Stories & Advice for living out and proud!Rick Clemons - A Call To PrideAs a precursor to PRIDE Month, this is a call to PRIDE. To ensure we move forward in the way that we need to, to not have our voices silenced, and our rights taken away. As you celebrate pride, take heed to how we can use P-R-I-D-E as our mantra to celebrate our truth and stand in the face of right-wing insanity. You can also listen to the podcast on…

2023-05-3116 min

Life (UN)Closeted: LGBTQ+ Coming Out Stories & Advice for living out and proud!LGBTQ+ Representation in Film Matters – Christin BakerHollywood, Hollywood, Hollywood. Everything in Hollywood is so open, diverse, welcoming, and gay. Maybe not so much. But it has gotten better. So good that it is becoming more common for the LGBTQ+ crowd to be honored with Emmy's, Oscars, and all types of film acknowledgements. Sharing her journey as Founder of Tello Films, a queer content driven film house, Christin Baker talks candidly about where the film industry stands and why more fluidity in the industry helps LGBTQ+ individuals have more impact in the arts. About Christin Kristin is the founder of Tello Films, which focuses on l...

2023-03-2242 min

Life (UN)Closeted: LGBTQ+ Coming Out Stories & Advice for living out and proud!The Joy of Celebrating Queer Women - Carine De MesmaekerMany may ask, "Why?" Why is it important to have festivals, parties, private vacations, for LGBTQ+ individuals. The answer is simple, "Why Not?" And especially "Why not?" for queer women. Helping us answer that question and sharing about her own exciting, Mediterranean event - Velvet Ibiza - is Carine De Mesmaeker. We're exploring the celebration of queer women and creating safe spaces for them to be themselves. About Velvet Ibiza Velvet Ibiza - Europe’s most epic queer women party - is celebrating its 7th anniversary this year and taking the festivities to the next level. Happening May 2...

2023-02-2222 min

Life (UN)Closeted: LGBTQ+ Coming Out Stories & Advice for living out and proud!Marriage, Businesses, Health and Doing Life On Your Terms – Bill RossiWhether it is starting a business or choosing to get married as a gay or lesbian individual, it is always in our best interest to do what we know is best for us, not what everyone else expects us to do. Proving this point over and over again, serial entrepreneur, resilient hypertrophic cardiomyopathy (HCM) thriver, and LGBTQ+ community advocate, Bill Rossi share candidly about his life decisions and his intentionality behind desire to get married to his husband when he did. About Bill Bill Rossi is a respected entrepreneur and veteran business leader in the Chicago area, as...

2023-02-1545 min

Life (UN)Closeted: LGBTQ+ Coming Out Stories & Advice for living out and proud!Coming Out For Love - Nicole Conn & Jessica ClarkLesbians just want to find love. Yes it is true, so why not give them their own reality TV show and let the fun, drama, and reality of dating life ensue. Filmmaker Nicole Conn along with model and actress Jessica-Rose Clark bring the desert life of Palm Springs to life fully in this rolicking adventure of Coming Out For Love. Think Bachelorette for Lesbians. Learn all about this ground-breaking approach to making sure Lesbians get some much needed air time about dating and mating. About Nicole, Jessica, and Coming Out For Love Prolific queer filmmaker Nicole Conn (A Pe...

2023-02-0843 min

Life (UN)Closeted: LGBTQ+ Coming Out Stories & Advice for living out and proud!Coming Out With Empathy In Your Favor - Rob VolpeIt's really easy to say, "My way or the highway." Especially when coming out or dealing with all the things we deal with as LGBTQ+ individuals. Yet, things can be so much easier when we add a dash of Empathy and as the question, "Tell me more about that?" Empathy Activist Rob Volpe, and author of the book Tell Me More About That: Solving the Empathy Crisis One Conversation at a Time, shares insights on how to be more empathetic and still be your unique and powerful LGBTQ+ self. About Rob Rob Volpe is an astute observer of...

2023-02-0144 min

Life (UN)Closeted: LGBTQ+ Coming Out Stories & Advice for living out and proud!Coming Out and Fitting In Reset – Rick ClemonsComing out is a complete reset in our lives. A big reset. Yet, when we do it and we really dial into a reset of thoughts, feelings and beliefs, our journey out of the closet can become so much better. Filled with simple tools in this 8 minute power packed podcast, you will find ways to reset your thoughts, feelings, and beliefs about coming out and fitting in, on your terms. You can also listen to the podcast on…

2023-01-2510 min

Life (UN)Closeted: LGBTQ+ Coming Out Stories & Advice for living out and proud!Let's Talk Candidly, One Conversation At A Time – Kellie WoolfPolarization. Gun shootings. Politics just for politics. It's all frustrating, scary, and leaves you wondering, can we ever navigate away from it as planet again? Maybe, maybe not, but you never know unless you try. And, it starts with one conversation at a time. It's time for empathy, understanding, and conversations, as hard as that might be, but what's the alternative - another mass shooting? Live from Colorado Springs, Mother of a transgender child and amazing advocate for the LGBTQ+ Community, Kellie Woolf joins me for a candid conversation about having one conversation at a time with those you just...

2023-01-1843 min

Life (UN)Closeted: LGBTQ+ Coming Out Stories & Advice for living out and proud!Coming Out With A No Excuses, No Fears Attitude – Rick ClemonsComing out is no easy journey, but when you have a no excuses, no fears attitude, it does get a little easier. Helping you step into a new year, with a new mindset about coming out, whatever your coming out journey may be, are some steps for getting clear and honoring yourself for doing this on your terms, your way in 2023. You can also listen to the podcast on…

2023-01-0418 min

Life (UN)Closeted: LGBTQ+ Coming Out Stories & Advice for living out and proud!Things you don’t have to tolerate as an LGBTQ+ Person in 2023 – Rick ClemonsLife is full of challenges, many of which we feel we have to tolerate, especially as LGBTQ+ individuals. But tolerance is mostly bullshit that we create ourselves, and then we find ourselves wondering why we are always the one tolerating things. As you head into 2023, let's explore what you don't have to tolerate as an LGBTQ+ person in the world. And, Happy New Year. Thanks for being listeners. You can also listen to the podcast on…

2022-12-2814 min

Life (UN)Closeted: LGBTQ+ Coming Out Stories & Advice for living out and proud!The Gift of Being LGBTQ+ - Rick ClemonsYou are a gift. Yes you. That fact that you are an individual in the LGBTQ+ community makes you a gift to the world and you need to own that. No better time than the holiday season to see yourself and the amazing gifts you bring into the world as an LGBTQ+ person having a human experience. Open up this gift of insight and enjoy your holidays. You can also listen to the podcast on…

2022-12-2113 min

Life (UN)Closeted: LGBTQ+ Coming Out Stories & Advice for living out and proud!Embracing Christianity As Your Authentic LGBTQ Self – Rev. Brandan RobertsonChristianity. It's a very triggering word in today's climate. You either embrace, hate it, or have completely walked away from it. But what if you could find a way to make it work for you, in a way that says, " I can be Christian and LGBTQIA? Joining the conversation today, is Rev. Brandan Robertson. A progressive Gay Christian, who call us to wake up and take action for the collective good in the ways of Jesus--challenging and inspiring all to believe that a just world is on the horizon. About Rev. Brandan Rev. Brandan Robertson is a...

2022-12-1444 min

Life (UN)Closeted: LGBTQ+ Coming Out Stories & Advice for living out and proud!Living OUT and Proud as Black, Fat, and Femme – Jon and JohoYou're too fat. You're to femme. Oh, and no blacks. Really? You can't be serious. There is no such thing as being too Black, Fat, and Femme. Driving this point home are today's guests, and hosts of the Black, Fat, Femme podcast - Jon and Joho. Listen as we uncover the "T" of being who you are in your world and making the most of it. About Jon & Joho Dr. Jonathan P. Higgins aka DoctorJonPaul (they/them pronouns) is an educator, professor, national speaker, freelance journalist, thought leader and media critic who examines the intersections of identity, gender...

2022-12-0742 min

Life (UN)Closeted: LGBTQ+ Coming Out Stories & Advice for living out and proud!Grateful For Being LGBTQ – Rick ClemonsFor those of us in the U.S. it is Thanksgiving eve and a wonderful reminder to be grateful. Yet, how often do you remind yourself to be grateful for being LGBTQ. Before we stuff ourselves with Thanksgiving goodies, it is time to take a little breath and give thanks for being our unique selves with 10 Things I'm Grateful For Being LGBTQ+. You can also listen to the podcast on…

2022-11-2316 min

Life (UN)Closeted: LGBTQ+ Coming Out Stories & Advice for living out and proud!What you don't need after coming out of the closet – Rick ClemonsMany people fear coming out of the closet because of what might happen. However, many good things happen and a lot of stuff you don't need any more will disappear after you come out. If you're feeling anxious about coming out, especially as the holidays get closer, here's 10 things you won't need anymore after you come out of the closet. You can also listen to the podcast on…

2022-11-0914 min

Life (UN)Closeted: LGBTQ+ Coming Out Stories & Advice for living out and proud!Finding your forever LGBTQ Home – Loren OstrowAging. It's happening to all of us. Can't avoid it. But how you step into your golden years and where you land for living out that final years of life, can often push many of us in the LGBTQ community back into the closet. Or does it? Loren Ostrow, the founder and developer of Out Palm Springs shares how he and his organization is changing retirement living for the LGBTQ community. This insightful conversation might surprise you of the things you aren't thinking about as you march towards those golden years. About Loren The driving force behind Living...

2022-11-0238 min

Life (UN)Closeted: LGBTQ+ Coming Out Stories & Advice for living out and proud!542: Combating a Spooky GOP Takeover– VOTE - Rick ClemonsYes, it's almost Halloween. But what is scarier is that it is almost November 8th, which here in America means we could have a dreaded republican, fascist, theocracy take over. Hopefully not, if we and every other sane person in America gets out to vote. This is a simple get out the vote message to help save our LGBTQ rights. Make your vote matter. You can also listen to the podcast on…

2022-10-2608 min

Life (UN)Closeted: LGBTQ+ Coming Out Stories & Advice for living out and proud!National Coming Out Day - Special Episode - Rick ClemonsWhat's the point of National Coming Out Day? It all depends on where you are in your journey. It can be a day of celebration or a day of starting your journey. Either way, today is a day for you to be you in your own way. Here's 5 Empowering Coming Out Thoughts to guide you on your journey. Happy National Coming Out Day. You can also listen to the podcast on…

2022-10-1109 min

Life (UN)Closeted: LGBTQ+ Coming Out Stories & Advice for living out and proud!Coming Out Of The Closet - No Apologies - Rick ClemonsIn this third part of the National Coming Out Day Series, we explore living Unapologetically. Not by being a jerk, but by allowing yourself to be fully who you are in your own way and loving every minute of it. Take note of the cool exercises that can help you unapologetically step into being yourself on your journey out of the closet. You can also listen to the podcast on…

2022-10-1015 min

2022-10-0515 min

Life (UN)Closeted: LGBTQ+ Coming Out Stories & Advice for living out and proud!Coming Out Of The Closet - No Fears - Rick ClemonsNational Coming Out Day is October 11th. And to celebrate this once a year event, Life (UN)Closeted is going solo with host Rick Clemons for a 3 part series on dumping your excuses, facing your fears, and living your unapologetic life as an LGBTQ+ person. In this episode Rick challenges you to face down your fears. Look them in the eye, and slay them with powerful tips for being you - a proud LGBTQ+ individual. You can also listen to the podcast on…

2022-09-2811 min

Life (UN)Closeted: LGBTQ+ Coming Out Stories & Advice for living out and proud!Coming Out Of The Closet - No Excuses - Rick ClemonsNational Coming Out Day is October 11th. And to celebrate this once a year event, Life (UN)Closeted is going solo with host Rick Clemons for a 3 part series on dumping your excuses, facing your fears, and living your unapologetic life as an LGBTQ+ person. In this first episode Rick explores the excuses, brought on by confusion, that keep you from taking the brave step forward to be fully who you are in the world. He gives you the tool of curiosity to help you kick those excuses to the curb so that you too can celebrate National Coming Out...

2022-09-2118 min

Life (UN)Closeted: LGBTQ+ Coming Out Stories & Advice for living out and proud!Stay Vigilant During Questionable Times For LGBTQ+ People – Scott GatzFrom Monkeypox to Roe vs. Wade. Gay marriage to sodomy laws. This is not a time to say, "Oh that doesn't affect me, so I am not concerned!" Trust us, you do not want to get caught with you pants down during what could become very challenging times ahead for our LGBTQ+ community. Sharing his perspective as a media founder of Q.Digital, Scott Gatz, uses his platforms - GayCities, Queerty, LGBTQ Nation, and IntoMore - to bring truth to the world of what is really happening and important for LGBTQ+ people. There's no FAKE News here and don't let...

2022-09-0740 min

Life (UN)Closeted: LGBTQ+ Coming Out Stories & Advice for living out and proud!Embracing The LGBTQ You, You See – Danny FreemanGrowing up LGBTQ can be very confusing. Your heart feels it before your head. You try to assimilate into hetero norms, but can't. Then once you accept who you are do you really take time to grieve the you that once was for the you that you've always been? Exploring all these types of thoughts in his brand new book - The You I See - author Danny Freemen brings us a big-hearted and humorous novel about young gay life and love. About Danny Danny Freeman is a native Texan: born in Dallas and raised in Houston. He...

2022-08-3142 min

Life (UN)Closeted: LGBTQ+ Coming Out Stories & Advice for living out and proud!Time To UNClobber The Bible Passages That Clobber Homosexuality – Colby MartinThe Bible doesn't condemn homosexuality, DOES NOT, DOES NOT, DOES NOT. The bible actually preaches, start with love, and live each day from the point of love and all will be well with the world. However, for whatever reasons, religions, not all, but many have chosen to use the bible as a weapon to clobber the LGBTQ+ community. But one former Evangelical Pastor has said, there's another way. Author, Colby Martin, in his book Unclobber, literally unclobbers the Bible passages that have created pain and disillusionment LGBTQ+, all at the cost of his own space in the evangelical world. And...

2022-08-1747 min

Life (UN)Closeted: LGBTQ+ Coming Out Stories & Advice for living out and proud!When The Greatest These is Love For This LGBTQ+ Ally - Kellie WoolfWhat happens when a Mom says, "That's ok, you are who you are and I accept that!"? You get an amazing author who is giving out HOPE. Her debut novel, Mount Hope, takes readers on journey where a murder victim and Jesus have a conversation that could change the world...something we all need right now. A little change and empathy to let LGBTQ people just be themselves. About Kellie Kellie Woolf’s debut novel, Mount Hope, is set in Topeka, Kansas,where she was born and raised. While she now lives in Colorado With her husband, Steve, an...

2022-07-0653 min

Life (UN)Closeted: LGBTQ+ Coming Out Stories & Advice for living out and proud!524: Keeping up the fight for equality – Fran HutchinsAs we wrap of PRIDE MONTH, let's never forget, our lives and our freedom as LGBTQ individuals continues to be in the crosshairs of so many people in the world. Over 300 bills to date, in 2022 have been brought to the political forefront as a strike to who we are and how we live our lives. Helping us see how to be more vigilant and active to keep our freedoms is Fran Hutchins, Executive Director of Equality Federation. This candid and fun conversation shows how to take a stand and never give up as an LGBTQ Person. About Fran ...

2022-06-2940 min

Life (UN)Closeted: LGBTQ+ Coming Out Stories & Advice for living out and proud!Step Up and Be an Amazing LGBTQ Leader – Ash BeckhamHow do you live with courage to become an everyday leader in your life? As an LGBTQ individual? As a Human? Let's ask Ash Beckham. She's got a new book at - Step Up: How To Live With Courage and Become an Everyday Leader, where she takes everything she's learned about leadership since her TEDx Talk "Coming Out of Your Closet" went viral, and distills it down in an easy to understand and apply way of being in life. About Ash Ash Beckham is an inclusion activist whose TEDx Talk “Coming Out of Your Closet” became a viral sens...

2022-06-081h 00

Life (UN)Closeted: LGBTQ+ Coming Out Stories & Advice for living out and proud!Taking Care of Your LGBTQ Life With Functional Nutrition – Andrea NakayamaOur LGBTQ bodies are beautiful machines, but not unless we take care of them. Now add the stress of being LGBTQ, plus normal life stuff, and it can easily become a recipe for disaster. But what if you had a plan that stoked your body full of good just by eating right and know what is best for your body, not the fit you in the box way most medical professionals try to make you fit into. Enter Andrea Nakayama, Founder of Functional Nutrition Alliance to guide us with tips and ideas for fueling our LGBTQ lives and bodies in...

2022-05-1149 min

Life (UN)Closeted: LGBTQ+ Coming Out Stories & Advice for living out and proud!Embracing Being Unapologetically You! - Rick ClemonsRegardless of what's going on in the world, or how you struggle to find yourself in this crazy world, the one thing I want you to know, is you can, should, and have the right to be UNAPOLOGETICALLY YOU! That's what this short little solo episode with me, Rick Clemons, your host is all about. You can also listen to the podcast on…

2022-04-2711 min

Life (UN)Closeted: LGBTQ+ Coming Out Stories & Advice for living out and proud!Telling our LGBTQ+ Stories, One Book at A Time - Greg HowardWe've all got our story and stories. Yet, in this day and age where books are being burned that inform young minds about LGBTQ+ people, it's more apparent than ever that we need a hero. An author hero. That hero is author Greg Howard who lovingly and bravely puts pen to paper, or in this modern age types like a mad man on his computer the stories that bring LGBTQ+ life to spotlight, unlike when most of us were growing up. It is not time to hide the truth, but to print the truth and continue to live the truth...

2022-03-3044 min

Life (UN)Closeted: LGBTQ+ Coming Out Stories & Advice for living out and proud!Jesus Loves You, Yes He Does You Little LGBTQ Bundle of Joy - Eric FeltesReligious trauma. Seems to be the norm for a majority of LGBTQ people that you encoutner. “You’re damned to hell!” or “You’re a sinner!” Of course most those people hurling those words for get that they’re divorced (a sin), have committed adultery (a sin), have eaten pig (a sin), worn woven fabrics (a sin), but all of that is forgivable, but you just can’t be a man and lay with another man, or a woman and lay with another woman – well women that’s ok because men find that pleasing to their naughty little minds. Well listen up you LGBTQ...

2022-01-1949 min

Life (UN)Closeted: LGBTQ+ Coming Out Stories & Advice for living out and proud!Celebrating Living A No Excuses, No Fears, No Apologies Life – Rick ClemonsIn 2014 when my friend Leah Jantzen approached me to take over her radio show - I scoffed and said, "Not my thing!" Well, it's very much my thing and here we are at the 500th Episode of Life (UN)Closeted. What started as an Internet radio show known as The Coming Out Lounge, has now become one of my greatest joys. A place where guiding and inspiring people to come out of the closets of their lives, fills my soul with joy. Today, I want to celebrate by taking you on a journey, of how you, yes you, can dump...

2022-01-1243 min

Life (UN)Closeted: LGBTQ+ Coming Out Stories & Advice for living out and proud!497: Don’t Forget Yourself This Holiday Season – Rick ClemonsIt's really easy to get uptight, and lost in the holiday shuffle. Especially when you are part of the LGBTQ+ community, and you may not have fond experiences surrounding the holiday. Yet, in the words of RuPaul - "If you can't love yourself, then how the hell you going to learn to love anyone elses!" To that I say, if you can't give yourself some gifts this season to make you appreciate you, then your Schrooged! Give yourself the gift of a listen to this pre-Christmas holiday episode, because if you do, YULE (pun intended) still find time to put...

2021-12-2212 min

Life (UN)Closeted: LGBTQ+ Coming Out Stories & Advice for living out and proud!Why there’s nothing wrong with still figuring out your pronouns - (Eli)zabeth OwensNothing anyone did caused them to know they were different. But, they felt it and began exploring it and realized they were on the right path for them. Beyond addiction and into full recovery they found that their music, digital artistry and desire to explore more of who they are, led them to create “Knock Knock,” a psychedelic folk-rock sound recently launched by Baroque-pop singer-songwriter and LGBTQ+ advocate (Eli)zabeth Owens. Join us as we explore the dark side of their ego, confronting and overcoming their alcohol/drug use to achieve sobriety and showcase their individuality in their own unique LGBT...

2021-12-0837 min

Life (UN)Closeted: LGBTQ+ Coming Out Stories & Advice for living out and proud!Never forget our Transgender Brothers and Sisters – Trevor Boylston"This transgender walked into the bar..." Cringe. Or, "You can tell he's a man by the apple logged in his throat, no matter what dress he wears!" Cruel, cruel, cruel. These are the types of off-handed, transphobic remarks that can have a painful impact on the person in your office, in the cubicle right next to you that causes us to have to honor, those who are no longer with us on Transgender Day of Remembrance. To help us better understand how to be more accepting and supportive of our transgender brothers and sisters, Trevor Boylston, an expert in LGBTQ+...

2021-11-1738 min

Life (UN)Closeted: LGBTQ+ Coming Out Stories & Advice for living out and proud!How To Not Let Addiction Rule Your LGBTQ Life This Holiday Season - Gregory SilvaThe holidays are upon us along with the fun, joy, and STRESS. So how do you not let the stress drive you into your potential addiction, or ratchet up that addiction? You take the necessary steps to say, I need help. You also realize as an LGBTQ inidivual that you are up to 10x's more likely to become an addict than our heterosexual counterparts on the planet. Helping us unravel the mysteries of addiction and offering up ways to combat it, Gregory Silva, Director of Operations at Living Longer Recovery, joins us for a candid conversation about addiction and recovery...

2021-11-0334 min

Life (UN)Closeted: LGBTQ+ Coming Out Stories & Advice for living out and proud!How To Have A Blessed Gay – Tyler MartinOne of 6 children. Surrounded by a family of pastors. Drawn to theater. Is it any wonder why one might be GAY? Well bless your heart. When grow up in White Settlement, Texas (yes that is a for real city deep in the heart of Texas), and you're called (he hates that term BTW) to the arts and theater, you just gotta let your gay shine and shine it has for Tyler Martin. Join us on a fun filled, spiritual, and religious romp through being gay, deep in the heart of Texas, even though he now resides in little 'ol New...

2021-10-131h 00

Life (UN)Closeted: LGBTQ+ Coming Out Stories & Advice for living out and proud!Why National Coming Out Day Matters - Rick ClemonsIt happens every October 11th, since 1988 - National Coming Out Day. The day was founded in 1988 by Richard Eichberg, a psychologist and Jean O'Leary, a gay rights activist, to raise awareness of the lesbian, gay, bisexual and transgender (LGBT) community and its civil rights movement. They chose October 11th to mark the anniversary of the second major National March on Washington for Lesbian and Gay Rights, which took place 1987. With estimates of half a million people participating, it was nearly five times the size of the first march in 1979. National Coming Out Day is observed throughout the U.S. and...

2021-10-1112 min

Life (UN)Closeted: LGBTQ+ Coming Out Stories & Advice for living out and proud!Lessons Learned, Coming Out Late In Life – Rick ClemonsIt's been 22 years, since I finally made the brave step to come out of the closet after living for 36 years in the closet. It was scary, exciting, worrisome, and joyful. Here are a few things I've since learned about coming out of the closet, that I hope will inspire some of you to take the brave step to just be yourself...YOU'RE WORTH IT! You can also listen to the podcast on…

2021-09-2918 min

Life (UN)Closeted: LGBTQ+ Coming Out Stories & Advice for living out and proud!Why We Need All Need a Drag SUPER-SHERO – Anthony HandWhat do you do when you need some help? Call a super hero. But what do you do when you've been medically laid up, off work, and then jsut as you come out of that challenge, COVID-19 hits? You finally let your dream to be a superhero come to life...or you create your Drag Super-SHERO. Anthony Hand let the solitude of COVID-19 bring his dream of creating a comic book character come to life by introducing the world to the first Drag Super-Shero - Maxxie LAWOW. He's sharing his journey and the impact he hopes to have on the...

2021-09-2241 min

Life (UN)Closeted: LGBTQ+ Coming Out Stories & Advice for living out and proud!Special Edition - Making It Work For 20 Years - The Anniversary Edition - Rick ClemonsToday I celebrate 20 years with my guy, my man, and I don't mean that in an ownership sort of way. I mean it in a "look what we've created" way. It takes love, work, patience, understanding, and getting each other, to make it this far. Here's my insights about what I have learned over the last 20 years with my man, George Solis to make it work, work, work. You can also listen to the podcast on…

2021-09-1612 min

Life (UN)Closeted: LGBTQ+ Coming Out Stories & Advice for living out and proud!There's No Shame In Sex - Rick ClemonsIt's time for the "sex shame" brigade to sashay away. For to many years, those ashamed of sex, except for the purpose of procreation, have tried to shame the rest of us into submission. Well, "Buh-bye, and buh-bye, to you pent up angry sex-deprived individuals!" We're queer and we're here because God made us to be humans and sexual humans and to enjoy our sexual selves not be shamed into hating sex. Rant over, not over, so listen to my take on sex shaming the LGBTQ community to hell. You can also listen to the podcast on…

2021-09-1511 min

Life (UN)Closeted: LGBTQ+ Coming Out Stories & Advice for living out and proud!Making Quantum Leaps In Your LGBTQ Relationship - Jennifer and Stephanie PagewiseRelationships are wonderful and ho hum. Loving and conflicted. Easy and challenging. Then add a dose of being gay, lesbian, bisexual, transgender, polyamorous, or any of the other sexual orientations, gender identities or ways of being in a committed relationship, and the plot thickens. Or does it have to? Bring their own unique sense for awakening relationships to make quantum leaps of success - regardless of your sexual orientation, gender identity, or form of your intimate relationship, Jennifer and Stephanie PageWise want your intimate partnerships to thrive - using three primary pillars. Listen as they guide us to be open...

2021-09-0844 min

Life (UN)Closeted: LGBTQ+ Coming Out Stories & Advice for living out and proud!Why You Should Come Out Regardless Of Your Age - Rick ClemonsWhether you're 30, 40, 50, 60, etc. , it's never too late to come out and there are actually huge benefits to coming out and being authentically you in your sexuality. Here's a few of the most common reasons to come out and be who you are, even when you think you are to old, or have wasted too much time. You can also listen to the podcast on…

2021-09-0112 min

Life (UN)Closeted: LGBTQ+ Coming Out Stories & Advice for living out and proud!They Can’t All Be Betty – Angela Brionesyou Do you ever wish your parents were as accepting of you as Betty DeGeneres was of Ellen? Or maybe you wish you could just accept that your parents our on a journey, just like you, when you make that grand announcement that you are LGBTQ? We all have our moments where we wish, wish, wish we could have more acceptance - one family at a time.Banding together, in true LGBTQ fashion, Angel Briones - creator and host of the "They Can't All Be Betty" podcast - and I take you a dual podcast recording venture...

2021-07-2140 min

Life (UN)Closeted: LGBTQ+ Coming Out Stories & Advice for living out and proud!How To Be An Out Entrepreneur - Jacob RatliffThere's a crazy correlation to coming out of the closet and coming out to be an entrepreneur. As we wrap up the month of celebrating pride, let's not forget to celebrate who you are in all aspects of life, especially in your life's work. Jacob Ratliff, is a client attraction coach who helps LGBTQ entrepreneurs build their dream businesses, to be out and proud in the world, doing the work that that they love - regardless of their sexuality.About JacobJacob Ratliff is a Client Attraction Coach and entrepreneur based in Asheville, North Carolina...

2021-06-3042 min

Life (UN)Closeted: LGBTQ+ Coming Out Stories & Advice for living out and proud!Raising LGTBQ Allies - Chris TompkinsWhat started from his own experiences on the playground and in his familial unit, has led to those moment. A moment where sexuality and gender identity need to be viewed as sacred space for each and everyone of us and human beings. A moment where we can all be eased into a healthy sense of sexual and gender identity, without the messages from the playground of life damaging us at our core.Author Chris Tompkins, shares insights from his new book, Raising LGBTQ Allies, an awesome guide for the non-LGTBQ ally to learn how to squelch the...

2021-06-2337 min

Life (UN)Closeted: LGBTQ+ Coming Out Stories & Advice for living out and proud!How to STOP letting UNCERTAINTY keep you in the closet – RIck ClemonsAsk anyone who has come out of the closet, regardless of what that closet is for them, and they will tell you, "The moment you tell UNCERTAINTY to F*CK OFF, is the moment you will have the courage to come out. The other side of that coin is, you can use uncertainty as a driver to also guide you out of the closet. That's what we're exploring today on the Life (UN)Closeted podcast.You can also listen to the podcast on…

2021-04-2808 min

Life (UN)Closeted: LGBTQ+ Coming Out Stories & Advice for living out and proud!Why Fatherhood Means As Much As Being Gay – Steve DisselhorstHe knew from a very young age that Fatherhood was for him. But then the reality of being gay put a damper on the expectation...until it didn't. Author and proud gay dad, Steven Disselhorst was determined to be a Dad and made it happen. From adoption nightmares to candid parenting realities, Steve shares his life uncloseted story of being a gay dad.About SteveSteve Disselhorst specializes in personal & professional leadership development and consulting for diversity, equity, and inclusion (DEI) and is the author of the memoir Determined To Be Dad: A Journey of...

2021-04-2139 min

Life (UN)Closeted: LGBTQ+ Coming Out Stories & Advice for living out and proud!Three Tips For Stepping Out Of The Closet– Rick ClemonsComing out of your closet is a scary proposition. It's filled with fear, anxiety, but also filled with excitement and a future sense of peace of mind. Yet, if you do not have these three things present, you could have a rocky journey to your truth, regardless of whatever that (UN)Closeted truth might be. You need to TIB!You can also listen to the podcast on…

2021-04-1412 min

Life (UN)Closeted: LGBTQ+ Coming Out Stories & Advice for living out and proud!After The Closet - Rick ClemonsWe try so hard to come out of the closet - regardless of what that closet is, but then we suddenly discover, that what lays on the other side of the closet door might not be everything we hoped it would be. Here's just a little bit of mid-week advice on how to embrace the other side of the closet door.You can also listen to the podcast on…

2021-03-1712 min

Life (UN)Closeted: LGBTQ+ Coming Out Stories & Advice for living out and proud!Equality For All And How You Do Your Part Your Way - Rick ClemonsA golf game, a dare, and a life changing event that brought Tyler Schrenck out of a closet of his life that he never saw coming. From got it all going on, living an easy life with not a lot of intention, to suddenly having to depend on a group of people for his basic life necessities, Tyler shares how his closets helped him understand what was really the important stuff in life.AboutTyler Schrenk, based outside of Seattle, Washington, is the President of the TSF Foundation and the owner of Assistive Tech Consulting. Th...

2021-03-0309 min

Life (UN)Closeted: LGBTQ+ Coming Out Stories & Advice for living out and proud!Finding Pride and Joy Beyond Suicide and Conversion Therapy - Elena Joy ThurstonTrapped in a belief system, a marriage, and a construct that said, "Just be happy being a wife, Mom, and serving God or go to hell, caused Elena Joy Thurston to finally wake up to her truth. She was a Lesbian and it wasn't just about sex. It was about being who she was authentically at her core, regardless of what anyone else was trying to say or destroy inside her. Out of that tortuous journey she rose out of the madness, and through another twist of madness - COVID19 - establish a community of Pride and Joy helping...

2021-02-1757 min

Life (UN)Closeted: LGBTQ+ Coming Out Stories & Advice for living out and proud!Asian, Queer, Experienced Homeless, Advocate – Amazin LeThiBreaking all the rules, Amazin Lehti doesn't her gender, sexuality, color of her skin, culture, the fact that she is adopted, or that she's been homeless get in the way of living her life uncloseted. It's her tenacity to do the right thing, and bring equality to the forefront that launched her to have impact in the world. This is her Life (UN)Closeted story.About AmazinAmazin LeThi is a global Vietnamese LGBTQ sports and human rights advocate and thought leader. She is also a former competitive bodybuilder, entertainment executive and the first Vietnamese...

2021-02-1044 min

Life (UN)Closeted: LGBTQ+ Coming Out Stories & Advice for living out and proud!How to Focus On One Thing As You Come Out - Rick ClemonsComing out can be very confusing and loaded with tons of stuff on the checklist. It's enough to make you say, "SCREW IT, I'm just going to stay in. the closet." But will that get you where you want to go, or the peace of mind you deserve by being your most authentic self? Regardless of the closet you're coming out of, there's one thing that can make this task much easier. That one thing is the focus of today's podcast!You can also listen to the podcast on… ...

2021-02-0307 min

Life (UN)Closeted: LGBTQ+ Coming Out Stories & Advice for living out and proud!Embrace The Uniqueness of Being LGBTQ - Rick ClemonsLet's kick off the New Year with something positive to help you be exactly who you are as an LGBTQ individual. Don't see yourself as different, see yourself as unique. It may sound simple but here are some quick tips for really embracing the uniqueness of who you are as an LGBTQ in a world that wants to box you in as the same old same old hetero-normative individual.You can also listen to the podcast on…

2021-01-0609 min

Life (UN)Closeted: LGBTQ+ Coming Out Stories & Advice for living out and proud!Coming out at work & late in life - Peter McGuireMarried, two kids, an interracial relationship, and a jetting setting high flyer for a major technology company. Oh, and BTW, he's gay. He came out late in life. And he couldn't be happier. The key is how you get here with dignity and respect and continue to get that type of respect in the workplace, regardless of your sexuality. Meet Peter McGuire.Unapologetic about who he is, Peter shares his journey in a very candid manner that helps you see, you too an come out late in life and still have a very wonderful life....

2020-12-0240 min

Life (UN)Closeted: LGBTQ+ Coming Out Stories & Advice for living out and proud!A Bisexual Perspective for National Coming Out Day – Melissa DaSilvaThe "B" in LGBTQ is often the people told to "pick a lane, just pick a lane!" Yet, more people are bisexual than would want to admit it. Thus the reason on this two eves, before National Coming Out Day we decided to explore the other side of the closet with a bisexual queer person. It's a fun exploration with my friend Melissa DaSilva - a coach and therapist who works with LGBTQ folks to help them be themselves.We explore her coming out - which really wasn't a huge coming out, and how she finds it...

2020-10-0734 min

40 Plus: Gay Men. Gay Talk.Why Pride Matters For Every Man – Rick ClemonsIt's the kick-off of LGBTQ pride month, but what does that have to do with guys over 40? Everything, even if you're not LGBTQ. Pride in who you are is affording yourself the confidence to have pride in who you are - without shame!I'm kicking off LGBTQ Pride month by challenging all men, regardless of sexual orientation, or gender identity, to take pride in themselves and do good in the world without ego, and cockiness.Hey Guys, Check This Out!Are you a guy who keeps struggling to do that thing? You know...

2020-06-0514 min

Life (UN)Closeted: LGBTQ+ Coming Out Stories & Advice for living out and proud!Coming Out with Pride, Diversity, and Inclusion – John VolturoWhether it's the rainbow ceiling, the glass ceiling, or the race ceiling...diversity and inclusion is here to shatter those ceilings. No longer is it acceptable for any place of work, or on the planet, to not be inclusive and diverse...even in our own LGBTQ Community.Bearing his pride flag as an LGBTQ equality workplace advocate, John Volturo helps us kick off Pride month with a look inside why Diversity and Inclusion are still hot topics, and not just for the LGBTQ community. Truths, insights, and ideas for how to be comfortable in the discomfort of...

2020-06-0334 min

Life (UN)Closeted: LGBTQ+ Coming Out Stories & Advice for living out and proud!Rick ClemonsLike a sneaking suspicion, or a bad Halloween nightmare, COVID19 hit the world and suddenly, we were all thrust into the closet. Isolation, fear, stress, uncertainty. If you've never hid in the closet, now you know what it is like. So what happens next?At some point we all hope to come out of this, but while you're in this closet are you exploring positivity or wallowing in negativity? Will you bring your new found discoveries out of the closet with you in a positive way, or will you rush out, back to old habits or possibly...

2020-05-0613 min

Life (UN)Closeted: LGBTQ+ Coming Out Stories & Advice for living out and proud!Diversity & Inclusion. Change behaviors not beliefs! - Bernadette SmithAt the height of the gay marriage battle, she discovered her calling - being a gay wedding planner. Then suddenly a series of incidents found her explaining to the wedding industry what they needed to know to work with gay couples as they planned their big gay weddings. From that momentum, Bernadette Smith, Founder and President of The Equality Institute knew she was coming out of the closet to have an impact in the world helping change behaviors in the workplace towards LGBTQ other other marginalized populations.Today she shares insights, tips, and honest answers about why...

2020-04-0843 min

Life (UN)Closeted: LGBTQ+ Coming Out Stories & Advice for living out and proud!Dumping Guilt and Shame - Rick ClemonsNo matter what the closet is that you are living in, in your life, there will always be some ridiculous level of guilt and shame associated with coming out of that closet. Guilt and shame of causing others pain. Guilt and shame of letting yourself or others down. Guilt and shame because you aren't playing by life's rules. BLAH, BLAH, BLAH!You will know you have come through the closet doors when you dump your guilt and shame and are living your life uncloseted. Here's 5 Steps For Dumping Guilt and Shame.

2020-03-1111 min

Life (UN)Closeted: LGBTQ+ Coming Out Stories & Advice for living out and proud!414: Screw Resolutions. Create your 2020 F*ck It List Instead – Rick ClemonsIt’s about to be 2020. Or it might already be 2020 by the time you listen to this podcast. Instead of resolutions, how about creating a F*CK IT List to live by this year. It’s simple, it’s genuine, it’s honest, and it can be real if you put your mind to it. It’s also damn freeing. Your F*CK IT LIST can be your best friend this year, and here’s how to do it and succeed.

2020-01-0114 min

Life (UN)Closeted: LGBTQ+ Coming Out Stories & Advice for living out and proud!413: Holiday Gifts You Should Give Yourself – Rick ClemonsIt’s Christmas Eve, or right in the middle of Hanukkah, but regardless of where you are or the holiday you celebrate, how about giving yourself some really good, non-materialistic holiday gifts this holiday season. The kind of gifts that truly improve your life and bring you peace. No more feeling the blues about these holiday gifts, because these gifts will make you one holly jolly happy person.

2019-12-2511 min

Life (UN)Closeted: LGBTQ+ Coming Out Stories & Advice for living out and proud!408: How To Escape The Toxicity Closet – Rick ClemonsIf you watch the news on a daily basis, you might feel like we live in a very toxic world. Or maybe, you find yourself in a relationship that is draining you. And, let’s not forget that you might be in a work environment that daily only brings out the BEAST in you instead of the BEST of you. Regardless of the situation, it’s time to release the toxicity from your life, especially as we enter the holiday season. Today we explore five ways to release toxic people, situations, thoughts and activities from your life so t...

2019-11-2013 min

Life (UN)Closeted: LGBTQ+ Coming Out Stories & Advice for living out and proud!406: They Won’t Win: Uncloseting the music within – Danny M. Cohen & Greg LanierMusic lifts us, binds us together, and when it’s really done right, it makes us think, even if that thinking is about dark subjects that no one really wants to talk about. But if we don’t talk about things, those things win. So what happens when you take a stand and say, “They Won’t Win!” You get a talented, gay music duo (no they aren’t a couple) who is tackling some dark parts of life, in the hopes of giving others hope so they can see that they are not alone. Danny M. Cohen and Gr...

2019-11-0636 min

Life (UN)Closeted: LGBTQ+ Coming Out Stories & Advice for living out and proud!Coming Out Without Coming Unglued – Part 4: Having The Big TalkYou’ve explored how you feel. You know who you are. You’ve worried, had sleepless nights, maybe even considered that it’s not worth it to come out of the closet, but in your heart and soul, you know this is who you are. Now you’re considering having that big talk – with family, a spouse, your kids, friends, co-workers. But the thought of that scares the crap out of you. Here’s some tips to help you as you prepare for the big talk, that will change everything, and make you more of who you are…the person you’ve...

2019-10-1113 min

Life (UN)Closeted: LGBTQ+ Coming Out Stories & Advice for living out and proud!Coming Out Without Coming Unglued – Part 3: Let’s Talk About SexIt can be scary saying I’m LGBTQ. Why? For many reasons, but one of the biggest is because everyone, including yourself, might just think you’re that way because it is all about SEX. Well, we’re talking about SEX and why it’s not just about SEX, and how to handle those thoughts, and accusations to be a solid, healthy individual as you begin to explore the sex of your sexuality and gender identity. The more you know the better you will be in navigating the interesting twists and turn of discovering you and your desires...

2019-10-1110 min

Life (UN)Closeted: LGBTQ+ Coming Out Stories & Advice for living out and proud!400: 4 Ways To Uncloset The Closets of Your Life – Rick ClemonsI woke up to a bunch of closets, as will be discussed in this episode, and then began to panic! How am I going to get all this crap done? What should I do first? Will I die before this stuff is completed? Ok that last question was a little over dramatic, but it got…

2019-09-2516 min

Life (UN)Closeted: LGBTQ+ Coming Out Stories & Advice for living out and proud!398: Honoring 9/11 victims and spotting your own terrorists – Rick ClemonsToday is the 18th anniversary of 9/11. As we honor those whose lives were lost and impacted by this tragic event let’s not forget that we are all impacted. Each and every time a world event happens, involving terrorists or not, even if we aren’t directly involved, we are impacted. I’m not simply talking about…

2019-09-1116 min

Life (UN)Closeted: LGBTQ+ Coming Out Stories & Advice for living out and proud!396.1: Bonus Episode: Think Before You Assume – Rick ClemonsWe all assume and too often that makes an ass of ourselves. When we assume to know why someone does what they do, it creates a false sense of security, of superiority, and sometimes it at least seems to heal the wounds. This is short episode that brings something very close to my heart to…

2019-08-2909 min

Life (UN)Closeted: LGBTQ+ Coming Out Stories & Advice for living out and proud!393: LGBTQ Leadership, The Rainbow Difference – Steve YacovelliLeadership. We hear this term thrown around alot these days. It means many things to many people, and in different contexts it takes on lots of different meanings. But what does LGBTQ Leadership look like. “What unique challenges do you face as an LGBTQ individual in the roles of leadership? How do you present yourself?…

2019-08-0749 min

Life (UN)Closeted: LGBTQ+ Coming Out Stories & Advice for living out and proud!387: How Far We’ve Come. Straight to Gay, & Coming Out – Anne-Marie ZanzalHe’s almost 20 years into his coming out journey, she’s little over 3. They’ve both found love, gone through the tough stuff, and have managed to thrive and survive. Your host Rick Clemons, coming out coach, and his friend Anne-Marie Zanzal, Compassionate Bereavement Provider, take you on a journey, during this Pride month, of where…

2019-06-2625 min

Life (UN)Closeted: LGBTQ+ Coming Out Stories & Advice for living out and proud!377: Uncloseted Riff and Rant – I’m not KKK but I have some similarities to them as an LGBTQ PersonRight wing. Left wing. Democrats. Republicans. Extremists. Conservatives. We have more in common than we think. But, I’m admitting something that is a deep dark secret of mine today. I’ve got quite a bit in common with the KKK as a gay man. There I’ve admitted it. In fact, as a member of the LGBTQ,…

2019-04-2608 min