Welcome Back: Denver Birthday Trip, Family Grief, & Our Jem Junkies Grand Opening (Chicago)

Welcome back to Together Real Bad—your Chicago-based WLW relationship podcast where we keep it real about love, life, and building together. This episode is a full life update: our Denver birthday trip (food, scooters, and a first-ever NFL game) Trying snowboarding at Winter Park (humbling, hilarious, and painful in the right ways) navigating grief and family reality after a sudden loss and why we’re locking in on boundaries so we don’t lose us in the middle of business. And yes—BIG NEWS: we’re officially opening our studio and throwing our Jem Junkies Grand Opening on February 7 at Lacuna by Catalyst (2150 S Canalport Ave) with an open studio, vendors, raffles, and a super-limited beginner grill-making class. Content note: This episode includes discussion of grief and death.   Grand Opening Quick Info (add to notes) Date: February 7 Location: Lacuna by Catalyst, 2150 S Canalport Ave, Chicago Open Studio: 1–4 PM (walk-ins + appointments) Jan 2026 Trans First 5 guests: free single tooth gem Jan 2026 Trans Evening event: ~5:30–8:30 PM + vendors + raffles  Beginner grill-making class: limited small groups; free for grand opening only    If you rocked with this episode: follow, rate, and write a review (it helps WLW/LGBTQ podcasts get surfaced). And send this to a friend who’s balancing love + life + big dreams.