Whose Shame Is It Anyway? A Q&A on Shame, Relationships, and Queer Life

It showed up in every single episode. In the conversations about toxic relationships, money, sex, community, and chosen family. Under all of it, the same thing: shame.In this Q&A episode closing out the Queer Hearts Healthy Starts series, Renae Johnson LPCC, ATR-BC (they/them) and Allison Smith LCSW (she/they) sit down to pull it all together. They get into what shame actually is clinically and how it is different from guilt, how to start noticing when shame is running the show versus when you are actually making a choice, and the unexpected places it shows up, including your bank account, your sex life, and your inability to let anyone pick up the tab.They also talk about generosity as a shame response, resentment coming from envy more than anger, and what it actually means to expand your emotional bandwidth instead of just shrinking your world down to what feels safe.Honest, warm, and genuinely useful. This one earns its place as the series closer.Queer Moment of Joy Guest 1: Aja Kai Rowley They/Them @ajakaiQueer Moment of Joy Guest 2: Emmie Yk She/Her @emmie.ykHost Bios: Allison Smith LCSW (she/they) is a Licensed Therapist at Open Space Therapy Collective. Allison specializes in integrating trauma-informed, abolitionist frameworks to support clients in exploring identity, relationships, and cultural connections. Renae Johnson, LPCC, ATR-BC (they/them) is a Licensed Professional Clinical Counselor, Board-Certified Art Therapist, and the Founder of Open Space Therapy Collective, a group practice offering affirming, social justice-driven mental health care for the LGBTQ+ & QTPOC community. With clinical expertise in complex trauma, identity development, and creative expression, Renae blends therapeutic depth with a commitment to equity and inclusion.In addition to their clinical work, Renae produces community wellness events like Queerly Connected and is a founding board member of the LA Queer Coalition, creating spaces where queer and trans people can gather, heal, organize, and celebrate. As a speaker, consultant, and activist, Renae is passionate about building systems of care that honor the full humanity of queer and trans individuals—and equipping healthcare and wellness providers with the tools to do the same.To find more from us visit:Website: https://www.openspacetherapycollective.comInstagram: @openspacetherapycollective TikTok: @openspacetherapy Spotify: @MyTherapistisOut Apple Podcasts: @mytherapistisoutYouTube: @openspacetherapycollective