Circles of Care: Queer Intimacy, Radical Fairies & Healing Through the AIDS Epidemic

In this episode of The Circle Podcast, we’re joined by Jonathan Scott—also known as Wild Blue Yonder and Esther the Village Mermaid—for a deeply moving conversation about queer resilience, the Radical Fairy movement, and the healing power of gathering in circle.A longtime community organizer and founder of the Victory Programs, Jonathan shares his lived experience from the height of the AIDS epidemic, when queer communities, abandoned by institutions, created sacred spaces for care, grief, breath, and belonging. From heart circles in treatment centers to radical fairy sanctuaries, he reminds us that intimacy, connection, and breath can be medicine—especially when systems fail.We explore:✨ The birth of “circles of care” during the AIDS crisis✨ What the Radical Fairy movement teaches about subject-to-subject connection✨ How breathwork and storytelling offer deep healing✨ The importance of queer spaces beyond clubs and apps✨ Intimacy without performance—and the freedom of just beingWhether you lived through the epidemic or are learning this history for the first time, this episode offers essential wisdom for queer healing, spiritual embodiment, and collective care.00:00 Introduction and Welcome00:23 Meet Jonathan Scott and Esther, the Village Mermaid01:18 Circles of Care During the AIDS Epidemic04:51 The Power of Heart Circles08:33 Living Through Two Pandemics15:51 Radical Fairies and Heart Circles21:55 The Importance of Unapologetic Expression28:11 Navigating Expectations in Queer Spaces29:13 The Power of Intentional Gatherings32:52 Creating Safe and Intimate Spaces34:16 The Importance of Compassion and Connection37:22 The Role of Rituals and Ceremonies45:21 Honoring the Past and Building the Future49:16 Concluding Reflections and Gratitude🔔 Don’t forget to like, comment, and subscribe for more conversations on men’s work, queer embodiment, and healing.#AIDSEpidemic #RadicalFairy #QueerHistory #QueerHealing #LGBTQPodcast #MensWork #Embodiment #JonathanScott #Breathwork #HeartCircle #GayMenHealing #SubjectToSubject #QueerResilience #Provincetown #TheCirclePodcast #LGBTQWellness #LGBTQHistory