Authentic Leadership: How Dr. PJ Sedillo Turns Identity Into Purpose | SoulSpeak Donna Karaba

In this episode of SoulSpeak: Where Purpose Meets Presence, Donna Karaba speaks with Dr. PJ Sedillo about authentic leadership, identity, courage, belonging, LGBTQ+ history, giftedness, ADHD, suicide prevention, and what it means to live and lead as your true self. Dr. PJ Sedillo is an associate professor at New Mexico Highlands University, educator, researcher, author, artist, LGBTQ+ advocate, suicidologist, and community historian. His work explores gifted education, LGBTQ+ identity, resilience, twice exceptionality, ADHD, belonging, and community healing. In this powerful conversation, Dr. Sedillo reflects on coming out as a gay man, reclaiming his name as PJ, navigating fear and discrimination, and transforming lived experience into leadership, scholarship, mentorship, advocacy, and service. Donna and Dr. Sedillo explore how authenticity becomes a lifelong practice shaped by visibility, vulnerability, self acceptance, courage, connection, and the willingness to tell your own story. They also discuss giftedness, ADHD, twice exceptionality, suicide prevention, affirmation, pride history, and the importance of creating communities where people feel seen, valued, and supported. Dr. Sedillo also shares his work preserving decades of GLBTQ+ Pride history in Albuquerque through archives, stories, public memory, and his book If These T-Shirts Could Talk. His dedication to documenting community history honors those who came before, including those impacted by the AIDS epidemic, while helping future generations understand the power of pride, remembrance, visibility, solidarity, and belonging. Published work discussed:Solidarity Through PrideIf These T-Shirts Could Talk: 50 Years of GLBTQ+ Pride in Albuquerque About SoulSpeak:SoulSpeak: Where Purpose Meets Presence, hosted by Donna Karaba, explores purpose, presence, authentic leadership, healing, identity, science, consciousness, and human potential through meaningful conversations with educators, researchers, physicians, artists, advocates, and thought leaders. Rooted in Donna’s background in executive coaching, transpersonal psychology, conscious communication, and leadership development, SoulSpeak invites listeners to expand self awareness, trust the moment, express who they are, and live their own version of their best life. Subscribe for conversations on authentic leadership, personal transformation, healing, purpose, identity, consciousness, and human potential. Topics:Authentic leadership • LGBTQ+ identity • LGBTQ+ leadership • Gifted education • Twice exceptionality • ADHD • Suicide prevention • Resilience • Belonging • Pride history • GLBTQ+ history • Albuquerque Pride • Identity development • Coming out • Mentorship • Community healing • Social change • Purpose driven leadership • Self acceptance • Human dignity • Intergenerational legacy • Human potential Hashtags:#SoulSpeakPodcast #DonnaKaraba #DrPJSedillo #AuthenticLeadership #LGBTQVoices #LGBTQLeadership #PrideHistory #GiftedEducation #SuicidePrevention #Belonging #PurposeDrivenLeadership #BeYourself Mental Health Disclaimer:This episode includes discussion of suicide, mental health, identity, discrimination, and lived experience. The views expressed are for educational and informational purposes only and are not intended to diagnose, treat, cure, or prevent any mental health condition. If you or someone you know is in crisis or considering suicide, call or text 988 in the United States to reach the Suicide and Crisis Lifeline. Outside the United States, contact your local emergency number or crisis support service. Always consult a qualified healthcare or mental health provider regarding personal mental health concerns or treatment decisions.