Coming Out & Beyond Support for Women Questioning Their Sexuality Later in Life

A woman in our community wrote in and asked: "What if my lesbian sex experience doesn't live up to the hype? Does that make me not gay?"That question deserved more than a one-line answer. So Anne-Marie brought in two of her favorite humans to tell the truth — the kind of truth nobody hands you before you get here.Her wife Tonda McKay has been out for forty years and brings the long view: what the community looked like before midlife women started arriving in big numbers, and what she's watched shift since. Co-coach Barb Rowlandson came out later in life and survived midlife lesbian dating to tell the tale. Together with Anne-Marie, they go where most podcasts won't.In this episode, the three of them talk about:🌈Why the lesbian sex fantasy is so powerful — and why the reality is more complicated than the imagination🌈Where the U-Haul joke actually comes from (hint: it's economics, microaggressions, and brain chemistry, not just feelings)🌈Moving fast in a new relationship — when it works, when it doesn't, and how to tell which is which🌈Why moving toward something is different from moving away from something🌈Internalized homophobia, shame, and how it shows up in the bedroom — for newly out and long-out women🌈What it's like to date someone who is brand new when you've been out for decades🌈How the conversation around later-in-life lesbians has shifted in the last ten years🌈Why "we send our representative" on the first few dates — and what happens when the real person shows up🌈Butch, femme, and the freedom of having no rules🌈The talking. So much talking.This is a warm, funny, honest conversation between three women who love each other and who are not interested in pretending lesbian relationships are easier, simpler, or more magical than they actually are. They are interested in telling you the truth, so you have company on the road.If you have ever wondered whether your experience is "normal," whether you are doing this right, or whether the hype was lying to you — this one is for you.Have a question you want answered on the podcast? Send it to us. Like the listener who asked the question that opened this episode, your question might be exactly what someone else in our community needs to hear.New episode of Coming Out & Beyond is live. Listen wherever you get your podcasts — Apple Podcasts, Spotify, or watch the full episode on YouTube: If you are coming out later in life, dating for the first time as a queer woman, or somewhere in the middle of figuring it all out — you are not alone, and you are not behind. We're glad you're here.If this episode made you think I want to talk about this with women who get it — that's exactly what Authentically Us is for. It's our private community for women navigating identity, coming out, and what comes next. We talk, we laugh, we process, we hold space. Come find your people. Join us at https://community.annemariezanzal.com .

Join the 3-Day Clarity Experience, May 5–7. A live space for women in the long middle who are ready to stop doing it alone — not to get a fix, but to sit with the questions alongside a community of women in exactly the same place. Standard admission is $47, or $87 for VIP, which includes a private 45-minute call with Anne-Marie. https://annemariezanzal.com/3-day-clarity-experience/The fantasy is that one day you wake up and everything snaps into place — the marriage, the friendships, the way you dress, the way you pray. What nobody tells us is that for most of us, becoming happens at the speed of a glacier, not a lightning bolt.In this month's conversation, Anne-Marie Zanzal sits down with returning guest Anna Empey to explore the long middle — the space between knowing and acting, between the question and the certainty. They talk about why coming out is the end of the beginning, not the end of the story; why "I don't know yet" is a complete and honest answer; and why the grand reinvention is really a thousand small permissions stacked on top of each other.The conversation moves into the nervous system response that comes with this kind of change — the sleep that won't come, the body that won't settle — and the practices that help women stay with themselves while everything is moving. Anne-Marie and Anna also get into shame versus guilt, the cultural script that says coming out is only for the young, and why no one has to blow up her life to live an honest one.Whether a listener is four months into claiming a new identity or has been sitting with the question for years, this conversation is a reminder that she is not behind. She is already becoming.Coming Out & Beyond is available on Apple Podcasts and Spotify, with full video episodes on YouTube: https://youtu.be/g2AGyBj8JXUFor listeners who find today's conversation landing somewhere tender, Authentically Us offers an online community for women navigating identity questions in midlife and beyond — a place to belong while still figuring out what they're becoming. More information is available at https://community.annemariezanzal.com/users/onboarding/plans#ComingOutLaterInLife #LateBloomerLesbian #LGBTQPodcast #MidlifeAwakening #SacredBelonging

Something in you already knows.Maybe it's been whispering for years. Maybe it got louder recently. Maybe you can't quite name it yet — but you know something is asking to be looked at.If you've been sitting with questions about who you are, who you love, or what this next chapter of your life is actually supposed to look like, the 3-Day Clarity Experience was built for you.Three evenings. One guide. A real map forward.Live on Zoom, May 5–7, 2026 - 7:00–8:15 PM CSTDay 1 – Is This Real? Your Story of Knowing. We'll trace the quiet moments that have been pointing toward this truth — the early clues, the body signals, the friendships that felt like something more. You'll leave with a personal Story of Knowing timeline that makes sense of what you've been carrying.Day 2 – Where Am I in This Journey? We'll walk through the five stages of later-in-life awakening, and you'll find yourself somewhere on that map. Not lost. Not behind. Exactly where you're supposed to be.Day 3 – What Now? Your Next Right Step. We'll look honestly at what's possible and what's getting in the way. You'll leave with a For-Now Truth Statement and a Three-Step Next Moves Plan — one small, supportive step forward.This isn't a webinar. It's three evenings of real company with a guide who has walked this road herself, alongside other women who are asking the same questions you are.If you've been listening to this podcast and wondering what the next layer looks like — this is it.Register for the 3-Day Clarity Experience at: https://annemariezanzal.com/3-day-clarity-experience/Anne-Marie Zanzal is a coach, ordained minister, and former hospice chaplain who came out at 52 after a long marriage. She works with midlife women navigating identity, faith, and the questions that don't go away.Now onto the podcast!What if the reason you didn't figure it out sooner had nothing to do with self-awareness — and everything to do with a world that never gave you the language?In this rich, warm, and genuinely important conversation, Anne-Marie sits down with Dr. Kiki Fehling (she/they) — clinical psychologist, author, Linehan Board Certified DBT expert, and queer mental health advocate — for a wide-ranging exploration of identity, emotion, and the practice of joy.Kiki shares their own coming out story as a bi and non-binary person who didn't find a non-binary identity until their mid-30s — even while specializing in LGBTQ+ mental health. Together, Anne-Marie and Kiki unpack one of the most liberating ideas in the episode: you can't know what you don't know. The language, the representation, the community — these aren't luxuries. They are the very things that make self-discovery possible.The conversation goes deep on:Why coming out later doesn't mean you missed something — and what actually gets in the way of recognizing yourselfBisexuality, biphobia, and the "bi as a phase" question — asked with care, answered with nuance and honestyDBT and dialectical thinking — how holding two true things at once can change everything for people in transitionQueer joy as a practice, not a destination — and specific, doable ways to cultivate it, whether life is going smoothly or you're in the thick of a dark night of the soulPeople-pleasing, guilt, and permission — why women in transition so often feel they don't deserve joy, and how to begin releasing thatGender exploration as playfulness — for those whose queer journey is taking them somewhere unexpectedWhether you're just beginning to ask questions, mid-transition, or somewhere on the other side, this episode will meet you where you are.🎉 Kiki is the author of Self-Directed DBT Skills, DBT Cards for Coping Skills, and the forthcoming LGBTQ+ Mental Health Workbook (2026). You can find all of Kiki's work at kikifehling.com, follow them on social media at @dbtkiki, or subscribe to their Substack newsletter, How to Queer Joy, for ongoing wisdom on exactly what it sounds like.💛 Ready to stop navigating this alone? The Authentically Us community is a warm, intentional space for women who are asking the questions Kiki and Anne-Marie talked about in this episode — and who are ready to find their people. Come find us: https://community.annemariezanzal.com/users/onboarding/plans#QueerJoy #ComingOutLaterInLife #DBTSkills #LGBTQMentalHealth #AuthenticLiving

In this week's episode of Coming Out & Beyond, Anne-Marie traces the winding, decade-long road that led her from a single paragraph in an Oprah magazine to finally saying the words out loud — and finding the woman who would become her wife along the way.She begins in 2006, when an article about women who had left marriages with men to be with women cracked something open in her — a joy she couldn't explain and quietly tucked away. She walks listeners through every moment she tried to surface that truth: a therapist who made her feel like she'd failed a litmus test, a marriage counselor who chalked it up to a difficult relationship with her mother, and the years of silence in between. Then comes the patient — a small, fierce woman from Connecticut who signed her own hospice paperwork and told Anne-Marie she thought she'd been waiting for something her whole life. In that moment, something irreversible shifted.She shares the four words she typed into Google — late in life lesbian — and what happened next: an online community, a Facebook group with 180 members, and a woman named Tonda McKay from Nashville who put her in the friend zone and then slowly, over the next year, became the love of her life.Anne-Marie weaves in the music that accompanied all of it — Mary Lambert's "She Keeps Me Warm" and Macklemore's "Same Love" — songs she had cried at for years without fully understanding why. She reflects on what it means to carry a verdict you never agreed to, to mistake recognition for compassion, and to discover that orientation doesn't wait to be confirmed. It was already there, in every song that broke her open, long before she gave herself permission to know it.This episode closes with an invitation: you don't have to figure this out alone. Anne-Marie did that for ten years. There's another way.If any part of this episode landed somewhere real in you, the 3-Day Clarity Experience is happening May 5th through 7th. Three days of community, of being seen, of not carrying this alone. Anne-Marie created it for exactly the moment you might be in right now. The link is https://annemariezanzal.com/3-day-clarity-experience/ Anne-Marie tells part of this story — meeting Tonda, the fear, the phone call, all of it — in her memoir Authentic Peace. If this episode moved you and you want to go deeper into her coming-out journey, you can find the book here: https://amzn.to/3F9szYYYou can find Anne-Marie's Substack piece on the therapist who couldn't see her here: https://annemariezanzal1.substack.com/p/the-therapist-who-couldnt-see-me?r=4c7fmcLooking for community and clarity as you navigate this journey? You don't have to do it alone! Visit https://community.annemariezanzal.com/users/onboarding/plans for ways to connect and learn with women just like you.Anne-Marie mentions listening to Mary Lambert's "She Keeps Me Warm" — the song that broke her open long before she understood why. Go listen with new ears. The Vevo link is in the show notes. No ally framing. Just her voice. Notice what your body does. https://youtu.be/NhqH-r7Xj0E?si=nBuaJCIxjKUeDmHRMacklemore's "Same Love" samples Mary Lambert's voice at key moments throughout — it was the anthem of marriage equality in 2012 and part of the soundtrack of Anne-Marie's coming-out years. The YouTube link is in the show notes. https://youtu.be/hlVBg7_08n0?si=cNbfy5Sg6L-T_Uwg#LateInLifeLesbian #ComingOutLaterInLife #QueerWomen #LGBTQPodcast #AuthenticLife

You're finally dating women — and maybe dating in general for the first time in decades. The apps are confusing, the feelings are big, and it can be hard to know when to trust your gut and when you're overthinking it. In this episode, Anne-Marie sits down with resident dating authority Barbara Rowlandson — therapist, dating coach, and marriage officiant who has literally married hundreds of couples — for a candid, practical conversation about red flags in the world of lesbian and queer dating. They cover the warning signs that show up before you've even met in person: profiles that say "just ask me," someone rushing you off the app, phishing schemes targeting generous women who want to see the best in people. They also get into what love bombing actually looks like and how to know when you're in a cycle that isn't going to change. And because second adolescence is real and needs to be named — they talk honestly about what it means to come into your sexuality later in life, why desire gets amplified, and why you can extend some self-compassion if you've made choices you'd do differently now. From there, they answer two listener questions pulled from Reddit — one about a woman who won't let her girlfriend come over after four months together, and one about dating age gaps and the fear of being judged — with the warmth, honesty, and occasional sass you've come to expect from these two. If you're new to dating women, or you've been out for a while and still want some guidance on navigating the dating world, this conversation is for you. Find this episode wherever you listen to podcasts — just search Coming Out & Beyond. If you prefer to watch, this conversation is on YouTube: https://youtu.be/l7uOk-2kBBU Barb and Anne-Marie answer listener dating questions on the air every second Friday of the month. If you have a question about dating, relationships, or navigating the queer dating world, reach out at [email protected] — your question could be featured on an upcoming episode. Barbara works with women navigating later-in-life coming out, relationships, and everything in between. You can find her through Anne-Marie's website at annemariezanzal.com. Join This Authentic Life — May cohort: If this episode is resonating with you, you might be ready for more than just dating advice. This Authentic Life is a community coaching experience for women navigating identity, authenticity, and what it means to live as your full self — often for the first time. The May cohort begins May 18, and early bird pricing is open now through April 15. Learn more and save your spot at https://annemariezanzal.com/this-authentic-life-community-course/

Coming out names something true. But it doesn't hand you a place to land.In this episode of Coming Out & Beyond, Anne-Marie sits down with returning guest Anna Empey — LGBT coach, business development consultant, and community builder — for an honest, tender conversation about what it really takes to find your people after you've found yourself.Anna knows firsthand what it costs to lose the communities you thought you'd hold forever — her faith community, her family connections, her sense of where she fit. And she knows what it took to build something new, not because it was easy, but because she understood, bone deep, that healing doesn't happen in isolation.Together, Anne-Marie and Anna explore why queer community isn't a nice bonus on the side of your coming-out journey — it's where the healing actually lives. They talk about the low-grade wariness so many women carry walking into queer spaces, the voice that asks am I gay enough? and the gatekeepers who don't have the authority they think they do. They talk about what safe enough really means (hint: it's not a place where nothing hard ever happens), about the muscle memory of performing belonging we carry in from our straight lives, and about why the rawest, most honest thing you say in community is almost always the one that gets the most me too.Anna also shares something she learned after years of searching for the roadmap someone would just hand her: nobody can tell you exactly what it looks like for you. But there are people who will show up and walk with you while you figure it out.And that is still community. That still counts.Reflection question from this episode: Where do you feel most yourself in the presence of others? Sit with it. Write it down. Let it open something.Resources + Ways to ConnectListen to the full episode on YouTube → https://youtu.be/Yr8wa-YcyBkReady to stop doing this alone? Here's where to find your people:Join Authentically Us — Anne-Marie's online community for queer women navigating identity, built for exactly the season you're in. Anne-Marie and Anna are both in there. You can lurk, you can post, you can show up exactly as you are. → https://community.annemariezanzal.comDownload the Maybe I'm Not Straight Guide — If you're still holding the question quietly, this is a gentle place to start. → https://annemariezanzal.com/maybe-im-not-straight-guide/Email the show — Something from this episode landed with you? Write to the team at [email protected]#QueerCommunity #ComingOutLater #LaterInLifeLesbian #QueerBelonging #AuthenticallyUs

Five weeks before her wedding, Danni Hoshino was lying in bed next to her fiancée when something shifted. She asked herself a question she had never quite let herself ask — and then she knew.In this episode of Coming Out and Beyond, host Anne-Marie Zanzal sits down with Danni, a singer, songwriter, and guitarist who creates music under the name Light Bird. Her debut album, See Her, is a ten-song collection that moves through the uncertainty before transition, the fallout of coming out, and the unexpected beauty of finally living as yourself. They talk about what it felt like to come out fast — unapologetically, and all at once — and why Danni had no other way to do it. They talk about grief, about the relationships and houses and nine-to-five lives we leave behind, and about how sometimes an ending is also the only door forward.They also talk about music. How Danni set aside her artistic life for the security of a corporate career, and how coming out gave her back not just herself — but her voice. Her perspective. Her reason to create.The album's second single, Alright, releases on March 31st, 2026, in honor of Trans Day of Visibility. It's a bittersweet folk-country duet about the love that brought Danni to the moment she needed — and the grace it took to let it go.This one is for anyone who has ever asked a question they weren't sure they were allowed to ask, and found the answer change everything.Listen to Light Bird's single Alright, out today in honor of Trans Day of Visibility, on all major streaming platforms. Search Light Bird (two words) and follow @LightBirdMusic on social media for album updates — See Her releases in early June.If this conversation resonated, there's a place to keep going. Authentically Us is an ongoing community for women moving through identity transitions just like this one — for $39/month, you get connection, support, and a place where your story is welcome. www.community.annemariezanzal.com.Subscribe, leave a review, and share this episode with someone who needs to hear it. It matters more than you know.#TransDayOfVisibility #ComingOutAndBeyond #LightBirdMusic #QueerVoices #AuthenticLifeLight

What do you do when a single moment — a woman's hand on your thigh at a work dinner — unravels 45 years of the story you thought was yours?That's exactly what happened to Kathy Houston. A West Point graduate, U.S. Army officer, 30-year retail leader, wife, and mother of two — Kathy spent decades doing everything exactly right. She married the day after she was commissioned. She left the military to raise her kids rather than deploy to Desert Storm. She built a career, a family, a life. And she had absolutely no idea she was gay.Until she did.In this rich, funny, deeply honest conversation, Anne-Marie and Kathy talk about what it really looks like to come out at 50 — the five years of doing nothing after the first spark of awareness, the open marriage, the first relationship that cracked her heart open, the lesbian gatekeepers who told her she "wasn't really gay," and the neuroscience-backed mindset work that helped her finally build the life she couldn't have imagined but absolutely deserved.Kathy is now a later-in-life coming out coach, a TEDx speaker (What Lies Are You Telling Yourself?), and a certified Positive Intelligence coach. She brings the same discipline that got her through West Point and Desert Storm to helping women face the biggest truth of their lives — with clarity, courage, and a whole lot of hard-won wisdom.This episode also marks the re-launch of Coming Out & Beyond with a sharpened focus on women coming out later in life — late-blooming lesbians, married women questioning their sexuality, and women navigating midlife identity shifts after 30, 40, 50, and beyond. If that's you, you are home.In this episode:The Kmart training trip that changed Kathy's life forever — and the woman she never saw againWhy she did nothing for five years after realizing she might be gayOpening her marriage, her first lesbian relationship, and what "limerence" actually isLesbian gatekeepers — and why they're becoming less commonWhat the brain does to keep us stuck, and how neuroscience can help us get unstuckHer TEDx talk and the three questions she wants every woman to ask herselfBuilding a modern family (and best-friend status with her partner's ex-husband)Why the end — the happiness on the other side — is absolutely worth itIf you're spinning, you don't have to do it alone. Authentically Us is a private community for women questioning their sexuality and coming out later in life. Come find your people: www.annemariezanzal.comFind Kathy Houston at runyourlife.biz — and watch her TEDx talk, What Lies Are You Telling Yourself? https://youtu.be/2h4YKR8Gmsg?si=Rxi1haeq-_KAFP6B#LateBloomingLesbian #ComingOutLaterInLife #AuthenticallyUs #QueerWomen #MidlifeAwakening

Are you ready to date — or do you just want to be? There's a difference, and this episode of Coming Out and Beyond is here to help you figure that out.Anne-Marie is joined by the wonderful Barbara Rowlandson — dating coach, psychotherapist, and co-host of our monthly dating segment — for an honest, warm, and often hilarious conversation about what it really takes to step into the dating world as a woman who has come out later in life.From the chaos of the "messy middle" to love bombing red flags, from building queer community to figuring out who you even are after decades of partnered life — this episode covers it all.In this episode, we talk about:Why building community should come before dating (and where to find yours)The time and energy dating actually requires — and how to know if you have itWhat it means to know yourself well enough to say no to the wrong personRed flags and why being ghosted is actually a giftThe importance of vulnerability — and the brick walls we don't know we've builtWhy the queer dating pool is smaller, and why that changes the rulesCatalyst relationships: what they are, what they open up, and how to survive themIntimacy, readiness, and what "getting it on" really means for women like usThe surprising role of menopause in why so many women come out in their late 40s and 50sNext month's dating episode: We're talking about dating while you're still married — and what love bombing looks like and how to protect yourself. Don't miss it.🔗 Resources Mentioned📥 Dating Readiness Guide (free download from Lavender Dating) — Self-assess where you are on the readiness scale before you dive in. 👉 www.lavenderdating.com📥 Maybe I'm Not Straight Guide — The best of our work on coming out later in life, all in one place. If you're in the messy middle, this one's for you. 👉 https://annemariezanzal.com/maybe-im-not-straight-guide/🌸 Join Authentically Us — Our Mighty Networks community for women navigating identity transitions later in life. Community, connection, and people who get it — ready and waiting for you. 👉 annemariezanzal.com🗓️ This Authentic Life Cohort — Our 16-week group coaching program starts in May. Come through the messy middle with a whole cohort beside you. 👉 annemariezanzal.com💌 Work with Barbara Rowlandson — Dating coaching for women in exactly this season of life. 👉 Book a free connection call here: https://calendly.com/lavender-dating-team

Coming Out & Beyond has evolved.This season is now exclusively for women questioning their sexuality, coming out later in life, and creating a life beyond—at a human pace, with honesty and community.And if you found yourself here… you’re exactly where you’re meant to be.If something in you has been quietly asking a question you haven't said out loud yet —there's a free guide for exactly this moment.No answers required. Just an honest place to begin.Download our Maybe I Am Not Straight GuideIn this episode, I’m joined by Anna Empey—business development consultant, LGBTQ+ coach, and someone who understands (personally and professionally) what it means to rebuild identity after a life-changing awakening.Together, we talk about grief—not just as something that happens when someone dies, but as our emotional, physical, intellectual, and spiritual response to any loss:the identity you thought you werethe life you imagined you’d haverelationships shifting (or ending) after coming outthe “good” changes that still carry real lossthe way unprocessed grief quietly stacks over timeWe also get practical. We talk about why community matters so much in this chapter—because when we’re isolated, our brains fill in the gaps… and they rarely fill them with kindness.This conversation is steady, honest, and deeply human.If you’ve been carrying a quiet ache you can’t quite name… this one will land.Watch Episode 10 on Apple Podcasts, Spotify or YouTube now: https://youtu.be/DnrRcKN8oT4Go listen on the Coming Out & Beyond YouTube channel and join us in the comments—tell us what part hit home for you.🔗 CONNECT WITH USWebsite: annemariezanzal.comFacebook: facebook.com/amzanzalInstagram: @annemariezanzalcoachingTwitter: twitter.com/annemariezanzalLinkedIn: linkedin.com/in/annemariezanzalpurposefulempowermentReady to start your own journey? Book a free discovery call: https://calendly.com/annemariezanzalcoachingllc/30-minute-clarity-and-fit💬 JOIN THE AUTHENTICALLY US COMMUNITYAuthentically Us is a support community for later-in-life LGBTQ women at all stages of the coming out and beyond process. Whether you're deconstructing messages from a conservative faith tradition, experiencing divorce-related guilt, or struggling with feelings of shame around your coming out or sexual identity, Authentically Us has the right kind of support for you.Monthly subscription: $39/month👉 Join Authentically Us#ComingOutAndBeyond #LaterInLifeLesbian #LateBloomerLesbian #QuestioningSexuality #CompHet #ReligiousTrauma #PurityCulture #QueerWomen #ComingOutLaterInLife #MidlifeAwakening #LGBTQPodcast #QueerHealing #GriefWork #GriefAndLoss #IdentityShift #NervousSystemRegulation #Authenticity #SelfTrust #QueerCommunity #MightyNetworks

What happens when the life you’re told to live is slowly killing you—and the life you’re afraid to live is the one that sets you free?David Hulse has been a spiritual teacher for over 60 years. But his journey to get here took him through Pentecostal fundamentalism in Tulsa, Oklahoma, conversion therapy at 17, a church in the Jim Crow South at 19, and a marriage to a woman he thought would save him from himself.In this episode, David shares how he moved from fear-based religion to expansive, love-centered spirituality—and what that path looked like across six decades of searching, breaking down, and building something real. We talk about the bridges that can help you move from rigid doctrine to genuine spiritual connection, why religious wounds don’t heal just because you leave the church, how this current moment in history might actually be “labor pains before a rebirth,” and why 80-year-old queer elders like David are exactly the pioneers our community needs right now.Whether you’re deconstructing your faith, navigating a later-in-life coming out, or just need to hear that it gets better from someone who’s been there—this one’s for you.Connect with David: davidhulse.com | Heartlight Spiritual Center, Charlotte, NC🔗 CONNECT WITH USWebsite: annemariezanzal.comFacebook: facebook.com/amzanzalInstagram: @annemariezanzalcoachingTwitter: twitter.com/annemariezanzalLinkedIn: linkedin.com/in/annemariezanzalpurposefulempowermentReady to start your own journey? Book a free discovery call: https://calendly.com/annemariezanzalcoachingllc/30-minute-clarity-and-fit 💬 JOIN THE AUTHENTICALLY US COMMUNITYAuthentically Us is a support community for later-in-life LGBTQ women at all stages of the coming out and beyond process. Whether you're deconstructing messages from a conservative faith tradition, experiencing divorce-related guilt, or struggling with feelings of shame around your coming out or sexual identity, Authentically Us has the right kind of support for you.Monthly subscription: $39/month👉 Join Authentically Us

What Heated Rivalry Gets Right About Coming OutYou wouldn't expect a steamy male hockey romance to hit so close to home for later-in-life lesbians — but Heated Rivalry on HBO Max did exactly that.In this episode, Anne-Marie and returning co-conspirator Barb Rowlandson break down why this show has gone viral across the LGBTQ+ community and beyond. From the real cost of staying closeted as strategy (not confusion), to the exhaustion of loving privately versus living openly, to why straight women are weeping at a gay hockey player kissing his boyfriend on the ice — the themes run deep.They explore how the show mirrors what so many women in midlife experience: the layered process of coming out, the fear of losing everything you've built, and the moment when hiding yourself becomes more painful than the risk of being seen. Plus, a honest conversation about gender roles, emotional labor, and why queer relationships often feel like a breath of fresh air after years of carrying the mental load.⚠️ SPOILER ALERT: This episode discusses major plot points from all episodes of Heated Rivalry. Watch the show first, then come back — we'll be here!🎧 Listen & watch now: 📺 YouTube: https://youtu.be/7ws7-FvaW38 🎧 Spotify & Apple Podcasts: Search "Coming Out and Beyond LGBTQ Stories"💬 Want to keep the conversation going? Join our Authentically Us community on Mighty Networks for a live group discussion of Heated Rivalry on Monday, February 23rd! Join Authentically Us – a Community for LGBTQIA+ Adults to participate at https://annemariezanzal.com/ .💬 JOIN THE AUTHENTICALLY US COMMUNITYAuthentically Us is a support community for later-in-life LGBTQ women at all stages of the coming out and beyond process. Whether you're deconstructing messages from a conservative faith tradition, experiencing divorce-related guilt, or struggling with feelings of shame around your coming out or sexual identity, Authentically Us has the right kind of support for you.Monthly subscription: $39/month👉 Join Authentically Us🔗 CONNECT WITH USWebsite: annemariezanzal.comFacebook: facebook.com/amzanzalInstagram: @annemariezanzalcoachingTwitter: twitter.com/annemariezanzalLinkedIn: linkedin.com/in/annemariezanzalpurposefulempowerment

🔥 Ever get all dressed up for a date... and they never show? Ever wonder if you're too old for love at 43? Ever think maybe lesbian dating culture is just... toxic?Girl, pull up a chair. We're talking about ALL of it in this episode — and trust us, you're not alone.📞 FEELING STUCK IN YOUR DATING LIFE?Dating is hard enough without doing it alone. If you're a sapphic woman feeling stuck, frustrated, or just plain lost when it comes to dating — whether you're freshly out, freshly heartbroken, or somewhere in between — let's chat.Book a FREE connection call with Barbara — no pressure, no judgment, just a lesbian therapist/coach/guide who has been there and can help you have a successful dating life.👉 Book Your Free Call HereWhat We're Covering This Week:This week, Anne-Marie and Barbara Rowlandson are back with another round of Reddit questions from sapphic women navigating the beautiful, messy, maddening world of queer dating. These posts hit close to home:🌈 Is lesbian dating culture actually toxic? Spoiler: No. We're talking about why what feels uniquely lesbian is really just uniquely human — and why pathologizing our community doesn't help anyone.❤️ What to do when your girlfriend brushes off arguments that leave you spinning. Hint: It's about attachment styles and communication, not your queerness. (And "we never fight" isn't the flex you think it is.)💔 The woman who got stood up on date three. Dressed up, dinner reservation made, Sephora closed for emotional shopping — the whole bit. We're sending her all the love.🌸 A tough-love conversation with a 43-year-old who thinks she's too old for love. We're unpacking the stories we inherit and how beliefs like "there aren't enough good people out there" can quietly run your whole dating life.💕 The sweetest question about first-time intimacy. Why excitement, not nervousness, is way more common than you'd think — and how to make your partner feel safe and comfortable.If you've ever wondered whether the intensity of your feelings means something's wrong, or if your dating struggles are a "lesbian thing" or a "human thing," this one's for you.💬 JOIN THE AUTHENTICALLY US COMMUNITYAuthentically Us is a support community for later-in-life LGBTQ women at all stages of the coming out and beyond process. Whether you're deconstructing messages from a conservative faith tradition, experiencing divorce-related guilt, or struggling with feelings of shame around your coming out or sexual identity, Authentically Us has the right kind of support for you.Monthly subscription: $39/month👉 Join Authentically Us💬 GOT YOUR OWN SAPPHIC DATING DILEMMA?We want to hear from you! Share your dating question or story, and we might feature it on our next episode of U-Haul University.🔗 CONNECT WITH USWebsite: annemariezanzal.comFacebook: facebook.com/amzanzalInstagram: @annemariezanzalcoachingTwitter: twitter.com/annemariezanzalLinkedIn: linkedin.com/in/annemariezanzalpurposefulempowerment🎧 LISTEN TO THE PODCASTApple Podcasts: Coming Out & Beyond: LGBTQIA+ StoriesSpotify: Coming Out & Beyond: LGBTQIA+ StoriesGrab your headphones, maybe a glass of wine, and come sit with us. You're not doing this dating thing alone anymore.

It's the first Friday of the month, and that means we welcome back Anna Empey to the show! In this episode, Anne-Marie and Anna delve deep into their personal journeys of deconstructing their Catholic and Mormon faith, particularly in the context of their LGBTQIA+ identities. Each paints a vivid picture of what it was like to grow up in a home with conservative faith traditions, noting the moments when their "shelf broke" (a metaphor for losing faith), the emotional toll of leaving behind their faith communities and ingrained beliefs, and the impacts it had on their interpersonal relationships. Anne-Marie and Anna also share which pieces of their beliefs they retained, noting how they found freedom and peace as they moved forward in life guided by their values.❓ What to Expect in This Episode:✨Exploration of how church policies can be devastating for LGBTQIA+ individuals.✨Thoughts on how personal relationships with a higher power can evolve over time.✨Why anger is a valid part of the deconstruction process.✨Encouragement to ask questions and seek your own beliefs.Authentically Us is a support community for later-in-life LGBTQ women at all stages of the coming out and beyond process. Coming out later in life is often accompanied by suffering. Whether you're looking to deconstruct messages from a conservative faith tradition, experience divorce-related guilt, or struggle with feelings of shame around your coming out or sexual identity, Authentically Us has the right kind of support for you. Monthly subscription to Authentically Us on Mighty Networks is $35/month, but you can try your first week for free. Find Authentically Us at https://bit.ly/Authentically-Us💬 Join the Conversation:Are you someone who is deconstructing the lessons of your life prior to coming out? What are your takeaways from this episode? Let's talk about it in the comments!🔗 Visit our website:Anne-Marie's : [ annemariezanzal.com]🔗 Follow us on social media:💠 Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/amzanzal💠 Instagram:https://www.instagram.com/annemariezanzalcoaching/💠 Twitter: twitter.com/annemariezanzal💠LinkedIn:https://www.linkedin.com/in/annemariezanzalpurposefulempowerment/You can also tune into this episode of Coming Out & Beyond: LGBTQIA+ Stories on Apple Podcasts and Spotify.Apple Podcasts: podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/coming-out-beyond-lgbtqia-stories/id1569859569Spotify: open.spotify.com/show/27kocr4llm6syHKaeX1x9e👉 Don’t forget to like, share, and subscribe for more inspiring stories and advice on navigating life, love, and everything in between!#LGBTQIA #LGBTQ #Queer #lesbian #sexuality #identity #selfdiscovery #lesbiancommunity #sexualexploration #queerculture #growth #comingout #podcast #lgbtqpodcast ##religiousdeconstruction #faith #lifeaftercomingout #resilience #exmormon #excatholic

This week, we're revisiting an episode from Season 6 featuring GLAAD Media Award nominee, documentary photographer Morgan Lieberman. Morgan's project, "Hidden Once, Hidden Twice," published with NPR last June was recently nominated in the category of Outstanding Online Journalism – Video or MultimediaMorgan's work has been featured in publications such as The New York Times, Bloomberg, National Geographic, The Wall Street Journal, The Los Angles Times, among others. Morgan's current documentary project titled 'Hidden Once, Hidden Twice' focuses on documenting the lives of older lesbian partnerships. This project was borne out of a desire for lesbian community and out of recognition that the voices of the older lesbian generation have been suppressed and lost over time. In this episode, Anne-Marie and Morgan's conversation delves into the lessons learned from older generations, the significance of community, and the complexities of lesbian relationships. Morgan emphasizes the need for visibility and understanding of the unique experiences of older lesbians, while also discussing her aspirations for her documentary work.🔥 What You’ll Learn in This Episode:🏳️‍🌈The significance of representation in media for the LGBTQ+ community.🏳️‍🌈How lesbian relationships are often misunderstood and oversimplified by society.🏳️‍🌈Reflections on the emotional depth and intensity of lesbian friendships and relationships.🏳️‍🌈What younger generations of lesbians can learn from the older generation about resilience and love.🏳️‍🌈 and much more!You can follow Morgan Lieberman on Instagram, who goes by @thechromaticsheep.You can also donate to the "Hidden Once, Hidden Twice" GoFundMe here: https://www.gofundme.com/f/photo-book-on-senior-lesbian-partnerships💬 Join the Conversation!💬Are you a member of the older lesbian generation? What comes up for you when you listen to this episode? If you're of a younger generation, what surprised you about the episode? Leave your thoughts in the comments and let's talk about it!❤️Join Authentically Us! A supportive community for those coming out later in life to the LGBTQIA+ community. Connect, share, and find guidance on your journey through mutual support groups, workshops, and live Zoom meetups. 💜Sign up today at www.annemariezanzal.com💠 Visit our website: : [ www.annemariezanzal.com]💠 Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/amzanzal💠 Instagram:https://www.instagram.com/annemariezanzalcoaching/💠LinkedIn:https://www.linkedin.com/in/annemariezanzalpurposefulempowerment/👍 Like, subscribe, and hit the bell to stay updated on powerful stories from Coming Out & Beyond!

Authentically Us is a support community for later-in-life LGBTQ women at all stages of the coming out and beyond process. Coming out later in life is often accompanied by suffering. Whether you're looking to deconstruct messages from a conservative faith tradition, experience divorce-related guilt, or struggle with feelings of shame around your coming out or sexual identity, Authentically Us has the right kind of support for you. Monthly subscription to Authentically Us on Mighty Networks is $35/month, but you can try your first week for free. Find Authentically Us at https://bit.ly/Authentically-UsTrigger Warning: This episode discusses violence against women and Queer people, ICE violence, the Pulse nightclub tragedy, gun violence, and the murder of Renee Nicole Good. In this episode of "Coming Out and Beyond," host Anne-Marie Zanzal welcomes back psychotherapist Miriam Grace to discuss the profound impact of recent tragic events on the LGBTQIA+ community, particularly focusing on the murder of Renee Nicole Good. The conversation delves into the emotional responses elicited by such violence, the intersection of privilege and identity, and the unique challenges faced by later-in-life lesbians. Miriam shares her insights on the psychological implications of these events, emphasizing the importance of community support and the need for deeper understanding of women's experiences in the queer community. Together, they reflect on their personal journeys of coming out and the ongoing struggles for safety and acceptance in society.Read Anne-Marie's article 'Renee Good Will Not Be Erased' on Substack: https://annemariezanzal1.substack.com/p/renee-good-will-not-be-erased-onRead Miriam's article about Renee Good, 'The Thing Later-in-Life Lesbians Don't Get' here: The thing Later-in-Life Lesbians don’t get - blue skies❓ What to Expect in This Episode:✨Discussion about sexual minority stress that arises from violence against Queer bodies.✨Real talk about white privilege and how that factors into vulnerability of LGBTQ individuals.✨A declaration from Miriam to no longer smile and placate men, and why.✨A spectrum of emotions in the wake of the killing of Renee Nicole Good, from anger to sadness and all of the grief in between.You can find Miriam Grace online at https://blue-skies.org.uk/ 💬 Join the Conversation:What is sitting with you since the murder of Renee Nicole Good? How are you coping in the wake of recent ICE related tragedies? Let's talk about it in the comments.🔗 Visit our website:Anne-Marie's : [ annemariezanzal.com]🔗 Follow us on social media:💠 Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/amzanzal💠 Instagram:https://www.instagram.com/annemariezanzalcoaching/💠 Twitter: twitter.com/annemariezanzal💠LinkedIn:https://www.linkedin.com/in/annemariezanzalpurposefulempowerment/

Authentically Us is a support community for later-in-life LGBTQ women at all stages of the coming out and beyond process. Coming out later in life is often accompanied by suffering. Whether you're looking to deconstruct messages from a conservative faith tradition, experience divorce-related guilt, or struggle with feelings of shame around your coming out or sexual identity, Authentically Us has the right kind of support for you. Monthly subscription to Authentically Us on Mighty Networks is $35/month, but you can try your first week for free. Find Authentically Us at https://bit.ly/Authentically-Us Becka Eppley is an author, storyteller, communications director and later-in-life lesbian who works with authors, coaches and community builders to help share their truth. In this episode, Becka shares her (fairly recent) experience of stepping into her authentic sexuality – a journey that entailed deconstruction from a conservative faith tradition, divorce, challenging notions of personal value, womanhood, and landing on the letter of the LGBTQIA acronym that felt right for her. This is a wonderful episode for anyone who is early in their coming out journey, as it addresses many of the challenges and concerns that women who come out later in life routinely face.❓ What to Expect in This Episode:✨Lots of discussion around faith deconstruction and sexual identity.✨Practical talk about boundary setting with family.✨An exploration of societal norms and how they impact the coming out process.✨The joys that new lesbians experience when they step outside of heteronormativity and the male gaze.You can read Becka's recently published essay, "Permission to Be," in the anthology "Avoided No More: On Writing Through Struggle, Shame, and Self-Doubt," which has a majority 5 star rating on Goodreads: https://www.goodreads.com/book/show/243627560-avoided-no-moreBecka Eppley's LinkTree: Becka Eppley (she/her) | Instagram, Facebook, TikTok | LinktreeBecka's coming out/divorce music was Kelly Clarkson's album, Chemistry: https://youtu.be/NNcT6ycswHQ?si=WYmQ1LW0P1HVbsio 💬 Join the Conversation:Are you a later in life lesbian who has deconstructed from conservative faith, gone through a messy divorce, or who has found empowerment through storytelling? Which part of this episode resonates most with you? Let's talk about it in the comments!🔗 Visit our website:Anne-Marie's : [ annemariezanzal.com]🔗 Follow us on social media:💠 Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/amzanzal💠 Instagram:https://www.instagram.com/annemariezanzalcoaching/💠 Twitter: twitter.com/annemariezanzal💠LinkedIn:https://www.linkedin.com/in/annemariezanzalpurposefulempowerment

This Authentic Life is a transformative course designed specifically for late-blooming LGBTQIA+ women (and non-binary people comfortable in women's spaces) who are navigating the complexities of identity, relationships, and future steps. If you're in the process of changing your life to align with your LGBTQIA+ identity and are having challenges reconciling pieces of your old 'straight' life with your new life, this course can help you find clarity and confidence. Visit https://bit.ly/thisauthenticlife for more information and to sign up. NEW COHORT STARTS JAN 15th 2026, next cohort begins late spring, 2026. This is our final week of accepting new participants; sign up today to start in January! It's a new year and we have a new monthly segment for you all: U-Haul University! On the second Friday of the month, school is in session, and your dating professor Barbara Rowlandson will be here with host Anne-Marie Zanzal to talk about sapphic dating conundrums. In this episode, Anne-Marie and Barbara have plucked posts from Reddit boards by lesbians who are looking for a little clarity in their search for love. In this episode, they explore the challenges faced by plus-sized women in the lesbian dating scene, the dynamics of intense attraction, and the complexities of exploring one's sexuality later in life. It's a lively episode that offers thoughtful advice sprinkled with personal insights, encouraging listeners to embrace their true selves and navigate the world of dating with confidence.❓ What to Expect in This Episode:✨Real-life dating questions from the internet, answered with warmth and honesty.✨Explanations of why lesbian relationships can be so INTENSE.✨Encouragement to explore biases about dating and curiosity about where they come from.✨Tips for building strong, meaningful connections in the LGBTQIA+ community.Need dating/new relationship support? Barbara Rowlandson offers coaching for women and non-binary people who are looking to level up their love life! Book a free 30 minute consultation with Barbara here: https://calendly.com/barbararowlandson/30-minute-workshop-call-barbAuthentically Us is a support community for later-in-life LGBTQ women at all stages of the coming out and beyond process. Coming out later in life is often accompanied by suffering. Whether you're looking to deconstruct messages from a conservative faith tradition, experience divorce-related guilt, or struggle with feelings of shame around your coming out or sexual identity, Authentically Us has the right kind of support for you. Monthly subscription to Authentically Us on Mighty Networks is $35/month, but you can try your first week for free. Find Authentically Us at https://bit.ly/Authentically-Us💬 Join the Conversation:Are you a sapphic who is struggling to find success in dating? Tell us about it! Drop your conundrum in the comments and we may feature your question on an upcoming episode!🔗 Visit our website:Anne-Marie's : [ annemariezanzal.com]🔗 Follow us on social media:💠 Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/amzanzal💠 Instagram:https://www.instagram.com/annemariezanzalcoaching/💠 Twitter: twitter.com/annemariezanzal💠LinkedIn:https://www.linkedin.com/in/annemariezanzalpurposefulempowerment/

Join the Maybe I'm Not Straight 3-Day Clarity Experience, January 6-8, 2026. For women who need a safe, affirming opportunity to explore their sexuality.: https://annemariezanzal.com/this-authentic-life-3-day-clarity-experience/Happy New Year! In our first episode of 2026 host Anne-Marie Zanzal welcomes special guest, queer entrepreneur Anna Empey. Anne-Marie and Anna have a long history of working together, but in this episode Anne-Marie draws on Anna's personal story of deconstructing internalized homophobia and conditioning from a conservative faith tradition. In this compelling conversation, they explore the complexities of coming out and the ongoing journey of self-discovery. They discuss the pressures of societal expectations, the emotional landscape of coming out, and the importance of finding queer community and support. This episode is a poignant reminder that coming out is not a one-time event, but a continuous process of growth and change, highlighting the need to cultivate resilience, self-reflection, and finding joy in the journey.❓ What to Expect in This Episode:✨Understanding that change happens over time in layers and conversations.✨Deconstruction is about asking what can be discarded from our 'before' life and what is worth carrying forward.✨Why coming out is never 'once-and-done' but rather a continuous journey.✨How opposite things can be true, like grief and relief that coexist in the coming out process.Authentically Us is a support community for later-in-life LGBTQ women at all stages of the coming out and beyond process. Coming out later in life is often accompanied by suffering. Whether you're looking to deconstruct messages from a conservative faith tradition, experience divorce-related guilt, or struggle with feelings of shame around your coming out or sexual identity, Authentically Us has the right kind of support for you. Monthly subscription to Authentically Us on Mighty Networks is $35/month, but you can try your first week for free. Find Authentically Us at https://bit.ly/Authentically-Us💬 Join the Conversation:Are you someone who is deconstructing the lessons of your life prior to coming out? What are your takeaways from this episode? Let's talk about it in the comments!🔗 Visit our website:Anne-Marie's : [ annemariezanzal.com]🔗 Follow us on social media:💠 Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/amzanzal💠 Instagram:https://www.instagram.com/annemariezanzalcoaching/💠 Twitter: twitter.com/annemariezanzal💠LinkedIn:https://www.linkedin.com/in/annemariezanzalpurposefulempowerment/👉 Don’t forget to like, share, and subscribe for more inspiring stories and advice on navigating life, love, and everything in between!

Join the Maybe I'm Not Straight 3-Day Clarity Experience, January 6-8, 2026. For women who need a safe, affirming opportunity to explore their sexuality.: https://annemariezanzal.com/this-authentic-life-3-day-clarity-experience/It's that time of year again, when we wrap up the reflections on a year's worth of episodes! Join host Anne-Marie Zanzal and podcast producer Barbara Rowlandson as they reflect on what they loved the most about this year's show and special guests. This year in review episode is an annual tradition now at Coming Out & Beyond: LGBTQIA+ Stories, and it's a light-hearted look back at all we've accomplished, plus some tantalizing tidbits of what's in store for 2026!❓ What to Expect in This Episode:✨Anne-Marie and Barb share the episodes that stuck with them the most.✨Sneak peeks at future plans for the podcast and programs for women who are exploring their sexuality.✨Exploration of a wide range of topics, including dating, internalized homophobia, and the importance of community support.✨Understanding why the conversation around queerness should focus on identity beyond sexuality.Authentically Us is a support community for later-in-life LGBTQ women at all stages of the coming out and beyond process. Coming out later in life is often accompanied by suffering. Whether you're looking to deconstruct messages from a conservative faith tradition, experience divorce-related guilt, or struggle with feelings of shame around your coming out or sexual identity, Authentically Us has the right kind of support for you. Monthly subscription to Authentically Us on Mighty Networks is $35/month, but you can try your first week for free. Find Authentically Us at https://bit.ly/Authentically-Us💬 Join the Conversation:What were you favorite episodes of Season 6? Did you have a fave guest? Share your thoughts in the comments!🔗 Visit our website:Anne-Marie's : [ annemariezanzal.com]🔗 Follow us on social media:💠 Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/amzanzal💠 Instagram:https://www.instagram.com/annemariezanzalcoaching/💠 Twitter: twitter.com/annemariezanzal💠LinkedIn:https://www.linkedin.com/in/annemariezanzalpurposefulempowerment/👉 Don’t forget to like, share, and subscribe for more inspiring stories and advice on navigating life, love, and everything in between!

Join the Maybe I'm Not Straight 3-Day Clarity Experience, January 6-8, 2026. For women who need a safe, affirming opportunity to explore their sexuality.: https://annemariezanzal.com/this-authentic-life-3-day-clarity-experience/This week on the podcast, host Anne-Marie Zanzal welcomes author and entrepreneur Lydia Coulter. Lydia writes queer fiction and has developed a luxury BDSM brand, Kilter, offering accessories that consider women's needs. Lydia shares her coming out story, her experiences in complicated relationships with women who were not out and experiencing internalized homophobia, and how BDSM has served as a tool to explore her identity. Lydia emphasizes the need for self-discovery and the positive impact of being true to oneself on overall happiness.❓ What to Expect in This Episode:✨Exploration of the challenges of dating someone who is not out.✨Why BDSM is often misunderstood and can be a way to explore identity.✨Why queer womanhood encompasses more than just sexual identity.✨Understanding how life changes when you make choices that align with your authentic self.Lydia's Instagram: @lydiacoulterLydia's website: www.lydiacouter.comCheck out Lydia's BDSM products: www.bykilter.comAuthentically Us is a support community for later-in-life LGBTQ women at all stages of the coming out and beyond process. Coming out later in life is often accompanied by suffering. Whether you're looking to deconstruct messages from a conservative faith tradition, experience divorce-related guilt, or struggle with feelings of shame around your coming out or sexual identity, Authentically Us has the right kind of support for you. Monthly subscription to Authentically Us on Mighty Networks is $35/month, but you can try your first week for free. Find Authentically Us at https://bit.ly/Authentically-Us💬 Join the Conversation:Have you dated someone in the closet? Has BDSM improved your life and helped you to discover more about yourself? Let's talk about it in the comments!🔗 Visit our website:Anne-Marie's : [ annemariezanzal.com]🔗 Follow us on social media:💠 Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/amzanzal💠 Instagram:https://www.instagram.com/annemariezanzalcoaching/💠 Twitter: twitter.com/annemariezanzal💠LinkedIn:https://www.linkedin.com/in/annemariezanzalpurposefulempowerment/

Join the Maybe I'm Not Straight 3-Day Clarity Experience, January 6-8, 2026: https://annemariezanzal.com/this-authentic-life-3-day-clarity-experience/Exploring sexuality – what does that even mean? And how do you do it, especially after having been in a long term relationship? In this episode, Anne-Marie Zanzal and Barbara Rowlandson discuss the complexities of exploring one's sexuality, particularly for those who may be coming out later in life or questioning their identity. Anne-Marie and Barbara emphasize the importance of curiosity, courage, and self-reflection in this journey, while also addressing societal expectations and the concept of compulsory heterosexuality.❓ What to Expect in This Episode:🔍How compulsory heteronormativity affects many people's perceptions of their identity.🪞Why self-reflection is crucial in understanding one's sexual orientation.🗺️How personal experiences can serve as catalysts for exploration.👥Understanding one's feelings and sensations is key to exploration.✨ Why This Matters:It's important when exploring your sexuality to investigate the impact of patriarchal norms on women's identities and relationships, the importance of exploring one's sexuality, and the role of media in shaping perceptions of queerness. This episode underscores the need for self-discovery, curiosity, and community support in navigating the complexities of sexual identity, particularly for those coming out later in life.Authentically Us is a support community for later-in-life LGBTQ women at all stages of the coming out and beyond process. Coming out later in life is often accompanied by suffering. Whether you're looking to deconstruct messages from a conservative faith tradition, experience divorce-related guilt, or struggle with feelings of shame around your coming out or sexual identity, Authentically Us has the right kind of support for you. Monthly subscription to Authentically Us on Mighty Networks is $35/month, but you can try your first week for free. Find Authentically Us at https://bit.ly/Authentically-Us💬 Join the Conversation:Can we have a conversation about exploring sexuality? If you've done this already, how did you go about it? What came up for you? What did you have to unlearn?🔗 Visit our website:Anne-Marie's : [ annemariezanzal.com]🔗 Follow us on social media:💠 Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/amzanzal💠 Instagram:https://www.instagram.com/annemariezanzalcoaching/💠 Twitter: twitter.com/annemariezanzal💠LinkedIn:https://www.linkedin.com/in/annemariezanzalpurposefulempowerment/👉 Don’t forget to like, share, and subscribe for more inspiring stories and advice on navigating life, love, and everything in between!Oh, and if you want to check out that lovely woman who chops wood, her handle is @NicoleCoenen - you're welcome! ;)

This week on the podcast, host Anne-Marie Zanzal welcomes fellow author and later-in-lifer, Sarah Locke. Sarah shares her journey of coming out later in life and living with multiple sclerosis. Sarah's personal value of authenticity shines through as she relates the challenges of coming out later in life, holding boundaries with her parents, and self-advocacy while navigating the early days of her MS diagnosis. Sarah discusses her advocacy work which includes founding Locke's Promise, a nonprofit supporting individuals living with MS. Tune in and you'll be inspired by Sarah's journey of acceptance, personal growth, self-advocacy, journey to sobriety and learn why telling your story is powerfully healing.You can learn more about Locke's Promise and purchase Sarah's book, "Living Out Loud: A Memoir of Speaking Up, Breaking Free, and Finally Being Seen" here: https://www.lockespromise.com/Follow Locke's Promise on Facebook here: https://www.facebook.com/people/Lockes-Promise-Inc/61574949238113/?_rdr and on LinkedIn here: https://www.linkedin.com/company/lockes-promise-inc/🔥 What You’ll Learn in This Episode:❤️ Why your story is your strength.❤️ How coming out draws the right people to you.❤️ How advocacy arising from personal challenges can give life purpose and meaning.❤️ Why support systems are crucial for well-being🏳️‍🌈 and much more!💬 Join the Conversation!💬Have you turned a personal challenge into inspiration for advocacy? Who supports you in those challenges? Comment below and let's talk about it!❤️Join Authentically Us! A supportive community for those coming out later in life to the LGBTQIA+ community. Connect, share, and find guidance on your journey through mutual support groups, workshops, and live Zoom meetups. 💜Sign up today at www.annemariezanzal.com💠 Visit our website: : [ www.annemariezanzal.com]💠 Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/amzanzal💠 Instagram:https://www.instagram.com/annemariezanzalcoaching/💠LinkedIn:https://www.linkedin.com/in/annemariezanzalpurposefulempowerment/👍 Like, subscribe, and hit the bell to stay updated on powerful stories from Coming Out & Beyond!

"The Catalyst Chapter: #For WLW Navigating Love's First Chapter and Beyond" Learn more about the course and register at https://annemariezanzal.com/courses-from-anne-marie-zanzal/#catalystrelationship"Strengthening Love: Building Secure Bonds for Lesbian Couples": A course for building better communication and strong relationships. https://healthylesbianrelationships.com/❤️The Best Tool For Change? Love! - Part 2This week, we're back with part 2 of Anne-Marie's engaging conversation with author and transformation coach, David Cunningham. If you haven't watched part 1, do yourself a favor, go back and give it a listen, as it's where David drops several gold nuggets of wisdom about love, self-love, and shares his coming out story.In part 2, Anne-Marie and David dig even deeper into themes of love, forgiveness, and leading a values-oriented life. David shares about how to lead with love while we're experiencing difficult emotions, shares perspective on separating our core sense of self from our emotions, how mindfulness about our values informs our behaviors, and explains why the quality of our life is never dependent on another. David also shares why he recently sent a copy of his book to every single member of Congress! This episode is a fantastic conclusion to a very compelling conversation that you won't want to miss.Connect with David on Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/DavidCunninghamAuthorLearn more about David's work and his book, 'Your Love Does Matter,' at https://www.yourlovedoesmatter.com/🔥 What You’ll Learn in This Episode:❤️ The distinction between how we feel vs. who we are.❤️ Concepts of forgiveness - what does it mean? How do we achieve it?❤️ How to lead with love when we are angry or sad.❤️ How a values-led life leads to purpose and love.🏳️‍🌈 and much more!💬 Join the Conversation!💬Do you lead with love? Is self-acceptance and forgiveness a challenge for you? What did you take away from this episode? Let's talk about it in the comments!❤️Join Authentically Us! A supportive community for those coming out later in life to the LGBTQIA+ community. Connect, share, and find guidance on your journey through mutual support groups, workshops, and live Zoom meetups. 💜Sign up today at www.annemariezanzal.com💠 Visit our website: : [ www.annemariezanzal.com]💠 Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/amzanzal💠 Instagram:https://www.instagram.com/annemariezanzalcoaching/💠LinkedIn:https://www.linkedin.com/in/annemariezanzalpurposefulempowerment/👍 Like, subscribe, and hit the bell to stay updated on powerful stories from Coming Out & Beyond!#comingout #comingoutandbeyond #comingoutlgbtqiastories #comingoutlaterinlife #lgbt #lgbtq #lgbtqia #2slgbtqia #lgbtqpodcast #queer #queerpodcast #podcast #love #selfacceptance #personalgrowth #transformation #leadwithlove #leadership #boundaries #embracingemotions #lovefootprint #davidcunningham

"The Catalyst Chapter: #For WLW Navigating Love's First Chapter and Beyond" Learn more about the course and register at https://annemariezanzal.com/courses-from-anne-marie-zanzal/#catalystrelationship"Strengthening Love: Building Secure Bonds for Lesbian Couples": A course for building better communication and strong relationships. https://healthylesbianrelationships.com/❤️The Best Tool For Change? Love!David Cunningham believes that love is a powerful tool for transformation. As an author and transformation coach, David is committed to teaching others how to use love to create a path to acceptance, better communication, forgiveness, conscious leadership, and connectedness with others. In this part 1 of 2 podcast episode, host Anne-Marie Zanzal, explores with David topics related to his personal experiences in learning about the transformational power of love, including his coming out story and reflecting on how stepping into his identity as a gay man transformed his relationships with people he cares about. David highlights the significance of self-love and forgiveness, sharing insights from his mentors and the courage it takes to love freely, advocating for a world where love prevails as the primary way of being. This is a profound, compelling conversation centered on the power of love and our relationship to our most vulnerable emotions. Tune in next week for part 2!Learn more about David's work and his book, 'Your Love Does Matter,' at https://www.yourlovedoesmatter.com/🔥 What You’ll Learn in This Episode:❤️ How love is instrumental to personal transformation.❤️ How coming out impacted David's relationship with his son for the better.❤️ The role of love in effective leadership.❤️ Why quality of our life comes from who we choose to be, not what we receive from others.🏳️‍🌈 and much more!💬 Join the Conversation!💬Do you lead with love? Is self-acceptance and forgiveness a challenge for you? What did you take away from this episode? Let's talk about it in the comments!❤️Join Authentically Us! A supportive community for those coming out later in life to the LGBTQIA+ community. Connect, share, and find guidance on your journey through mutual support groups, workshops, and live Zoom meetups. 💜Sign up today at www.annemariezanzal.com💠 Visit our website: : [ www.annemariezanzal.com]💠 Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/amzanzal💠 Instagram:https://www.instagram.com/annemariezanzalcoaching/💠LinkedIn:https://www.linkedin.com/in/annemariezanzalpurposefulempowerment/👍 Like, subscribe, and hit the bell to stay updated on powerful stories from Coming Out & Beyond!#comingout #comingoutandbeyond #comingoutlgbtqiastories #comingoutlaterinlife #lgbt #lgbtq #lgbtqia #2slgbtqia #lgbtqpodcast #queer #queerpodcast #podcast #love #selfacceptance #personalgrowth #transformation #leadwithlove #leadership #boundaries #embracingemotions #lovefootprint #davidcunningham

"The Catalyst Chapter: #For WLW Navigating Love's First Chapter and Beyond" Learn more about the course and register at https://annemariezanzal.com/courses-from-anne-marie-zanzal/#catalystrelationship"Strengthening Love: Building Secure Bonds for Lesbian Couples": A course for building better communication and strong relationships. https://healthylesbianrelationships.com/This week on Coming Out & Beyond: LGBTQIA+ Stories, we're revisiting an episode from season 4 on the ups and downs of catalyst relationships. Host Anne-Marie Zanzal sits down will fellow coming out and catalyst relationship coach, Barbara Rowlandson. In this episode. Barbara shares the story of her catalyst experience and reflects on how the relationship precipitated some very big and quick changes in her life. Anne-Marie and Barbara examine the gifts of the catalyst experience, the hard lessons, share some of their best advice about navigating that first lesbian relationship, and talk about steps for recovery if the relationship ends.🔥 What You’ll Learn in This Episode:🏳️‍🌈 How catalysts cause us to stop and reconsider our wants and needs.🏳️‍🌈 Why grieving the end of your marriage while in a new relationship is so hard.🏳️‍🌈 Making meaning of your catalyst experience when it is over.🏳️‍🌈 Why finding community is vital for healing after a catalyst experience🏳️‍🌈 and much more!💬 Join the Conversation!💬Have you had a catalyst relationship experience? How are you today? What learn? What do you feel like you need most right now? Let's talk about it in the comments!❤️Join Authentically Us! A supportive community for those coming out later in life to the LGBTQIA+ community. Connect, share, and find guidance on your journey through mutual support groups, workshops, and live Zoom meetups. 💜Sign up today at www.annemariezanzal.com💠 Visit our website: : [ www.annemariezanzal.com]💠 Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/amzanzal💠 Instagram:https://www.instagram.com/annemariezanzalcoaching/💠LinkedIn:https://www.linkedin.com/in/annemariezanzalpurposefulempowerment/👍 Like, subscribe, and hit the bell to stay updated on powerful stories from Coming Out & Beyond!

"Strengthening Love: Building Secure Bonds for Lesbian Couples" https://healthylesbianrelationships.com/TW: Hate groups, racism and homophobia are discussed. Some strong language is used. Listener discretion is advised.This week on Coming Out & Beyond: LGBTQIA+ Stories, host Anne-Marie Zanzal chats with Spencer Macnaughton, Editor-in-Chief and founder of Uncloseted Media, a nonprofit LGBTQIA+ -focused newsroom. In a time when America is reconfiguring its systems to marginalize LGBTQIA+ citizens, Uncloseted Media is working to explore the anti-LGBTQIA+ landscape. Guided by principles of non-partisanship and rigorous journalistic standards, Uncloseted Media shines a light on people and stories that might otherwise go unheard in a world that is increasingly working to suppress queer voices. In this episode, Spencer shares the story of his journey in creating a nonprofit LGBTQIA+ newsroom and his own coming out experiences. Anne-Marie and Spencer also touch on the impact of societal conditioning on queer identities, the role media plays in shaping perceptions, and the urgency of telling stories that highlight the ongoing fight against hate and discrimination.🔥 What You’ll Learn in This Episode:🏳️‍🌈 Why trust is essential in journalism, especially for LGBTQIA+ communities.🏳️‍🌈 Stories of resilience and allyship that inspire hope and change.🏳️‍🌈 How media representation significantly impacts LGBTQIA+ identity formation.🏳️‍🌈 Why finding community is vital for personal and collective well-being.🏳️‍🌈 and much more!You can follow Uncloseted Media on Substack here: https://www.unclosetedmedia.com/💬 Join the Conversation!💬What does LGBTQIA+ representation media mean to you? Let's talk about it in the comments!❤️Join Authentically Us! A supportive community for those coming out later in life to the LGBTQIA+ community. Connect, share, and find guidance on your journey through mutual support groups, workshops, and live Zoom meetups. 💜Sign up today at www.annemariezanzal.com💠 Visit our website: : [ www.annemariezanzal.com]💠 Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/amzanzal💠 Instagram:https://www.instagram.com/annemariezanzalcoaching/💠LinkedIn:https://www.linkedin.com/in/annemariezanzalpurposefulempowerment/👍 Like, subscribe, and hit the bell to stay updated on powerful stories from Coming Out & Beyond!

"Strengthening Love: Building Secure Bonds for Lesbian Couples" https://healthylesbianrelationships.com/TW: This episode explores grief as related to the coming out experience and may be difficult for some to hear. If you are grieving and are experiencing a mental health emergency, call 9-8-8 for crisis support.Download our grief guide and worksheets here: https://bit.ly/amz-grief-handoutIn this part 2 episode on healing grief host Anne-Marie Zanzal and her fellow coach, Barbara Rowlandson continue to explore the complex emotions surrounding grief when coming out later in life. If you're someone who is in the 'messy middle' of coming out and/or divorce we highly encourage you to listen, as parts 1 and 2 of these episodes on grief address the most common experiences we see in individuals who come out later in life. Anne-Marie and Barb pick up where they left of in part 1, discussing the last two stages of grief – depression and acceptance. They discuss recognizing and addressing depression, offer practical coping strategies for the depression stage, and emphasize the significance of community.🔥 What You’ll Learn in This Episode:❤️‍🩹Why incremental change is a big deal.❤️‍🩹How aligning values with actions brings peace.❤️‍🩹How engaging with queer media can foster a sense of belonging.❤️‍🩹The importance of community and daily rituals for self-care🏳️‍🌈 and much more!Read Anne-Marie's article, "The Unexpected Grief of the LGBTQIA+ Coming Out Experience." https://annemariezanzal.com/the-unexpected-grief-of-the-lgbtqia-coming-out-experience/💬 Join the Conversation!💬Are you on the other side of the 'messy middle?' What practices did you adopt to lift the grief? ❤️Join Authentically Us! A supportive community for those coming out later in life to the LGBTQIA+ community. Connect, share, and find guidance on your journey through mutual support groups, workshops, and live Zoom meetups. 💜Sign up today at www.annemariezanzal.com💠 Visit our website: : [ www.annemariezanzal.com]💠 Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/amzanzal💠 Instagram:https://www.instagram.com/annemariezanzalcoaching/💠LinkedIn:https://www.linkedin.com/in/annemariezanzalpurposefulempowerment/👍 Like, subscribe, and hit the bell to stay updated on powerful stories from Coming Out & Beyond!

In the episode of Coming Out & Beyond: LGBTQIA+ Stories, host Anne-Marie Zanzal and her fellow coach, Barbara Rowlandson explore the complex emotions surround grief when coming out later in life. This is a MUST listen episode for anyone coming out and radically changing their lives in other ways, such as divorce or moving! Anne-Marie and Barb discuss the five stages of grief, emphasizing that the grief journey is not a linear path. Three grief stages - denial, anger, and bargaining - are discussed, and the conversation highlights the importance of recognizing and naming grief feelings/stages. Understanding societal expectations, navigating relationships during this emotional journey and practical advice and resources for listeners are shared in this episode. Next week - Part 2 will tackle the remaining stages of grief: depression and acceptance.🔥 What You’ll Learn in This Episode:❤️‍🩹Why the 5 stages of grief are not linear and can 'loop back.'❤️‍🩹How grief can manifest as avoidance or intellectualization.❤️‍🩹How letting go of societal expectations can be accompanied by anger.❤️‍🩹Why finding community is critical in the grief journey.🏳️‍🌈 and much more!Read Anne-Marie's article, "The Unexpected Grief of the LGBTQIA+ Coming Out Experience." https://annemariezanzal.com/the-unexpected-grief-of-the-lgbtqia-coming-out-experience/💬 Join the Conversation!💬How is grief appearing for you? What repeated thoughts are you having about grief and your journey? Let's talk about it in the comments.❤️Join Authentically Us! A supportive community for those coming out later in life to the LGBTQIA+ community. Connect, share, and find guidance on your journey through mutual support groups, workshops, and live Zoom meetups. 💜Sign up today at www.annemariezanzal.com💠 Visit our website: : [ www.annemariezanzal.com]💠 Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/amzanzal💠 Instagram:https://www.instagram.com/annemariezanzalcoaching/💠LinkedIn:https://www.linkedin.com/in/annemariezanzalpurposefulempowerment/👍 Like, subscribe, and hit the bell to stay updated on powerful stories from Coming Out & Beyond!

"Strengthening Love: Building Secure Bonds for Lesbian Couples" https://healthylesbianrelationships.com/In the episode of Coming Out & Beyond: LGBTQIA+ Stories, host Anne-Marie Zanzal speaks with documentary photographer, Morgan Lieberman. Morgan's work has been featured in publications such as The New York Times, Bloomberg, National Geographic, The Wall Street Journal, The Los Angles Times, among others. Morgan's current documentary project, tentatively titled 'Hidden Once, Hidden Twice' focuses on documenting the lives of older lesbian partnerships. This project was borne out of a desire for lesbian community and out of recognition that the voices of the older lesbian generation have been suppressed and lost over time. In this episode, Anne-Marie and Morgan's conversation delves into the lessons learned from older generations, the significance of community, and the complexities of lesbian relationships. Morgan emphasizes the need for visibility and understanding of the unique experiences of older lesbians, while also discussing her aspirations for her documentary work.🔥 What You’ll Learn in This Episode:🏳️‍🌈The significance of representation in media for the LGBTQ+ community.🏳️‍🌈How lesbian relationships are often misunderstood and oversimplified by society.🏳️‍🌈Reflections on the emotional depth and intensity of lesbian friendships and relationships.🏳️‍🌈What younger generations of lesbians can learn from the older generation about resilience and love.🏳️‍🌈 and much more!You can follow Morgan Lieberman on Instagram, who goes by thechromaticsheep.You can also donate to the "Hidden Once, Hidden Twice" GoFundMe here: https://www.gofundme.com/f/photo-book-on-senior-lesbian-partnerships💬 Join the Conversation!💬Are you a member of the older lesbian generation? What comes up for you when you listen to this episode? If you're of a younger generation, what surprised you about the episode? Leave your thoughts in the comments and let's talk about it!❤️Join Authentically Us! A supportive community for those coming out later in life to the LGBTQIA+ community. Connect, share, and find guidance on your journey through mutual support groups, workshops, and live Zoom meetups. 💜Sign up today at www.annemariezanzal.com💠 Visit our website: : [ www.annemariezanzal.com]💠 Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/amzanzal💠 Instagram:https://www.instagram.com/annemariezanzalcoaching/💠LinkedIn:https://www.linkedin.com/in/annemariezanzalpurposefulempowerment/👍 Like, subscribe, and hit the bell to stay updated on powerful stories from Coming Out & Beyond!

"Strengthening Love: Building Secure Bonds for Lesbian Couples" https://healthylesbianrelationships.com/This week on the pod: pull up a chair and lean in as host Anne-Marie Zanzal and her fellow coming-out coach, Barbara Rowlandson, unpack all things 'comp het.' Compulsory Heteronormativity (sometimes used interchangeably with 'compulsory heterosexuality) represents the systems in place that keep women from understanding or realizing their needs and desires. If you're just starting out on your coming out journey and have ever asked yourself, "Why the heck did it take me so long to realize I am gay/lesbian/bi/queer?" then this episode is for YOU!🔥 What You’ll Learn in This Episode:🏳️‍🌈Anne-Marie and Barb each reflect on what comp het meant to them and how they felt when the learned about the concept.🏳️‍🌈Why heterosexuality wasn't a private choice for many of us, but the result of a system designed to erase queerness.🏳️‍🌈Unpacking the unprocessed misogyny behind distaste for the word lesbian.🏳️‍🌈The myth of the 'good mother' and why a mother's happiness matters to children.🏳️‍🌈 and much more!💬 Join the Conversation!💬Have you given any thought to comp het? What did you learn from this episode? What resonates? Let's talk about it in the comments!❤️Join Authentically Us! A supportive community for those coming out later in life to the LGBTQIA+ community. Connect, share, and find guidance on your journey through mutual support groups, workshops, and live Zoom meetups. 💜Sign up today at www.annemariezanzal.com💠 Visit our website: : [ www.annemariezanzal.com]💠 Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/amzanzal💠 Instagram:https://www.instagram.com/annemariezanzalcoaching/💠LinkedIn:https://www.linkedin.com/in/annemariezanzalpurposefulempowerment/👍 Like, subscribe, and hit the bell to stay updated on powerful stories from Coming Out & Beyond!

‼️SPECIAL FOR COMING OUT & BEYOND LISTENERS! This episode's guest, Maxine Kroll, founder/owner of Provincetown's renowned sex shop & museum, Toys of Eros, is offering 10% off purchases for our listeners! Just use the coupon code COB when completing your order to receive your discount. Shop everything Toys of Eros has to offer at https://toysoferos.com/Wing Women Weekend | Annual Conference in Provincetown, MA, during Women's Week | https://wingwomenweekend.com/"Strengthening Love: Building Secure Bonds for Lesbian Couples" https://healthylesbianrelationships.com/This week on the podcast, host Anne-Marie Zanzal has a conversation with Maxine Kroll, a lesbian and activist who has spent her life creating sanctuary for queer women and fostering acceptance for the LGBTQ+ community. Maxine shares her journey of coming out, stories of activism, and reflects on the critical importance of LGBTQ spaces. From her early experiences in high school to founding Provincetown's sex-positive boutique, Toys of Eros, Maxine discusses the evolution of queer identity and the significance of education to create safety and acceptance for the LGBTQ community. She reflects on the changes in sexual exploration across generations and offers advice for those navigating their first experiences. Anne-Marie and Maxine's conversation highlights the need for continued activism and support for LGBTQ rights in today's political climate.🔥 What You’ll Learn in This Episode:🕰️Reflections on the evolution of Provincetown as an LGBTQ+ sanctuary.💋Discussion on the relationship between communication and pleasure.🐘A walk down memory lane to early days of Provincetown's annual Women's Week.👩🏽‍❤️‍💋‍👩🏽Sex-positive conversation about toys, sexual health, and empowering women through education.🏳️‍🌈 Thoughts about the future of LGBTQ+ rights💬 Join the Conversation!💬Have you experienced Provincetown during Women's Week and/or been to Toys of Eros? Do you have thoughts about activism, sex-positive education, or the current state of LGBTQ+ rights? Talk about in the comments!❤️Join Authentically Us! A supportive community for those coming out later in life to the LGBTQIA+ community. Connect, share, and find guidance on your journey through mutual support groups, workshops, and live Zoom meetups. 💜Sign up today at www.annemariezanzal.com💠 Visit our website: : [ www.annemariezanzal.com]💠 Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/amzanzal💠 Instagram:https://www.instagram.com/annemariezanzalcoaching/💠LinkedIn:https://www.linkedin.com/in/annemariezanzalpurposefulempowerment/👍 Like, subscribe, and hit the bell to stay updated on powerful stories from Coming Out & Beyond!

Navigating the holiday season can prove to be an arduous endeavor, particularly for those who are in the process of coming out. In this discussion, we, Anne-Marie Zanzal and Barbara Rowlandson, share our personal experiences and the myriad challenges we faced during our own holiday seasons. We provide practical strategies to help you establish boundaries, cultivate joy within small rituals, and maintain your peace while remaining true to yourself. Our aim is not to advocate for perfection but to foster a sense of steadiness amidst the emotional complexities that the holidays can evoke. Join us as we explore these themes and equip you with tools to navigate the upcoming festivities with greater ease."The Catalyst Chapter: #For WLW Navigating Love's First Chapter and Beyond" Learn more about the course and register at https://annemariezanzal.com/courses-from-anne-marie-zanzal/#catalystrelationship"Strengthening Love: Building Secure Bonds for Lesbian Couples": A course for building better communication and strong relationships. https://healthylesbianrelationships.com/🎄Holiday Survival When Coming Out 101!Ho-Ho-Hoping to survive the holidays as you navigate coming out later in life? Say no more! Your host Anne-Marie Zanzal and fellow late-in-life coach Barbara Rowlandson cover their best tips for keeping it together over the holidays. Getting through the November/December holidays as you transition from one life to another can feel rocky, but there are things you can do to support yourself and protect your peace. If you're finding your dreading the upcoming holiday season, this episode is for you!🔥 What You’ll Learn in This Episode:🎄 Why coming out at Thanksgiving or Christmas dinner isn't a great idea.🎁Practical advice for establishing boundaries with friends and family who have questions about your separation/divorce/sexuality.🕯️ How having an ally at holiday events is an excellent buffer for unwelcome interactions.🥧Advice for creating new traditions.🏳️‍🌈 and much more!💬 Join the Conversation!💬Are you dreading the winter holidays? What has you most concerned? Have you already been through this experience? How did you make the holidays and family time work for you? Let's talk about it in the comments!❤️Join Authentically Us! A supportive community for those coming out later in life to the LGBTQIA+ community. Connect, share, and find guidance on your journey through mutual support groups, workshops, and live Zoom meetups. 💜Sign up today at www.annemariezanzal.com💠 Visit our website: : [ www.annemariezanzal.com]💠 Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/amzanzal💠 Instagram:https://www.instagram.com/annemariezanzalcoaching/💠LinkedIn:https://www.linkedin.com/in/annemariezanzalpurposefulempowerment/You can also tune into this episode of Coming Out & Beyond: LGBTQIA+ Stories on Apple Podcasts and Spotify.Apple Podcasts: (podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/coming-out-beyond-lgbtqia-stories/id1569859569)Spotify: (open.spotify.com/show/27kocr4llm6syHKaeX1x9e👍 Like, subscribe, and hit the bell to stay updated on powerful stories from Coming Out & Beyond!#comingout #comingoutandbeyond #comingoutlgbtqiastories #comingoutlaterinlife #lgbt #lgbtq #lgbtqia #2slgbtqia #lgbtqpodcast #queer #queerpodcast #podcast #holidays #holidayseason #survivingtheholidays #newtraditions #boundaries #familychallengesThe holiday season can evoke a myriad of emotions, particularly for individuals who are newly out. In this episode, Anne-Marie Zanzal and Barbara Rowlandson open a candid dialogue about the challenges and triumphs associated with navigating the holidays while embracing one's identity. They share their personal anecdotes, revealing how their experiences have shaped their understanding of family dynamics and self-acceptance during this festive time. The conversation emphasizes the importance of setting boundaries, as well as the need for self-care, in order to foster a joyful holiday atmosphere. The hosts provide actionable advice for listeners, encouraging them to establish clear expectations regarding their participation in family gatherings and to prioritize their emotional well-being.Zanzal and Rowlandson further explore the significance of creating new traditions and rituals that resonate with one's authentic self. They advocate for the idea of crafting a holiday experience that is uniquely personal, rather than adhering to societal norms or familial pressures. This perspective allows individuals to reclaim their joy and create a sense of belonging that may have previously felt elusive. The hosts also address the potential pitfalls of coming out during holiday gatherings, advising caution and suggesting alternative approaches to sharing one’s truth in a more intimate and controlled setting. This thoughtful exploration of personal experiences and practical strategies serves to empower listeners, equipping them with the tools necessary to navigate the complexities of the holiday season with grace and resilience.As the discussion unfolds, Zanzal and Rowlandson delve into the emotional landscape that accompanies the holiday season, particularly for those who may be grappling with feelings of isolation or uncertainty. They emphasize the importance of connecting with supportive allies and creating spaces where individuals can feel safe and accepted. The episode encourages listeners to engage in self-reflection and to identify their non-negotiables, thereby fostering a sense of agency in their holiday experiences. By sharing their own struggles and victories, the hosts aim to instill hope and inspire courage in their audience, reminding them that they are not alone in their journey. Ultimately, this episode offers a compassionate and comprehensive guide for navigating the holidays with authenticity and joy, reinforcing the notion that one’s truth should always take precedence, especially during this season of celebration.Takeaways: Navigating the holiday season while coming out can evoke deep emotional challenges, but you are not alone in this journey. Establishing clear boundaries during family gatherings is essential for maintaining your peace and protecting your truth. Having a simple plan for holiday interactions, including exit strategies, can significantly reduce stress and enhance your overall experience. It's important to prioritize joy and connection over traditional expectations, allowing yourself to create new, meaningful holiday rituals. Avoid coming out during holiday meals, as this can create unnecessary pressure and discomfort for both you and your loved ones. Engaging in supportive communities and seeking guidance can provide you with the tools necessary to navigate the complexities of coming out during the holidays. Links referenced in this episode:annmariezanzel.comhealthylesbianrelationships.comCompanies mentioned in this episode: Annemarie Zanzel Barbara Rowlandson Healthy Lesbian Relationships

Wing Women Weekend | Annual Conference in Provincetown, MA, during Women's Week | https://wingwomenweekend.com/"Strengthening Love: Building Secure Bonds for Lesbian Couples"  https://healthylesbianrelationships.com/📣Dakarai Larriett's Fight for Fairness in Alabama!This week on the podcast, host Anne-Marie Zanzal sits down with Alabama Senate candidate Dakarai Larriett. Dakarai Larriett is the son of a U.S. Army veteran, a successful entrepreneur, longtime community volunteer, and — above all — a proud Alabama native, deeply committed to serving the citizens of his home state. Dakarai’s passion for public service was ignited during his junior year as an exchange student at Howard University in Washington, DC. His career took him from New York to Texas and Michigan before his heart drew him back to Alabama. Dakarai has dedicated his time and resources to serving the community. In addition to his volunteer work with United Way, Meals On Wheels and the Humane Society, Dakarai leads the board representing the 60 families and businesses located in the Mercantile on Morris, a mixed-use development in downtown Birmingham. Dakarai's story is inspiring and his experiences inform his sense of fairness and justice. After having been falsely arrested, Dakarai has made it his mission to fight against corruption and has set his sights on the U.S. Senate, running as the Democratic candidate in 2026. Dakarai and Anne-Marie talk about his coming out story, his philosophy on servant leadership, his first-hand experience with institutional corruption, and the significance of his faith and personal experiences in shaping his world view.You can find Dakarai Larriett's website here: https://dakarailarriett.com/🔥 What You’ll Learn in This Episode:🚨How Dakarai's false arrest in 2024 ignited a passion for justice and change.🏳️‍🌈 Understand how Dakarai's coming out was influenced his upbringing in a strict religious environment.🌎How travelling to over 55 countries has broadened his perspective on global issues.🌟How Dakarai aims to bridge divides in a polarized political landscape.✝️The evolution of Dakarai's faith journey, ultimately leading to the United Methodist Church.💬 Join the Conversation!💬What are your biggest perceived challenges in coming out? Let's talk about it in the comments!❤️Join Authentically Us! A supportive community for those coming out later in life to the LGBTQIA+ community. Connect, share, and find guidance on your journey through mutual support groups, workshops, and live Zoom meetups. 💜Sign up today at www.annemariezanzal.com💠 Visit our website: : [ www.annemariezanzal.com]💠 Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/amzanzal💠 Instagram:https://www.instagram.com/annemariezanzalcoaching/💠LinkedIn:https://www.linkedin.com/in/annemariezanzalpurposefulempowerment/👍 Like, subscribe, and hit the bell to stay updated on powerful stories from Coming Out & Beyond!

Reclaiming Your Sexual Self Workshop | with Mallory Hanfling, LCSW | Friday, Oct. 17th, 2025 | The Provincetown Inn, Provincetown, Massachusetts during Women's Week | 9:30 a.m.- 12:30 p.m. | Reclaiming Your Sexual Self Tickets, Fri, Oct 17, 2025 at 9:30 AM | Eventbrite Mallory Hanfling, a late-in-life lesbian/firefly, queer therapist, and sexuality educator provides attendees with the SexEd that you wish you got in high school. Covering everything from anatomy and the mechanics of all different types of queer sex, to toy maintenance, and to sexual communication and consent, Mal will help you reconnect with your sexual self, learn how to listen to and trust your body, and answer the questions you were too shy to ask out loud."Strengthening Love: Building Secure Bonds for Lesbian Couples" is a comprehensive course for lesbian couples who are seeking to build a better relationship. Designed by lesbian psychologist and couples therapist, Dr. Robin Sesan, this course is ideal for any lesbian couple who finds themselves stuck in a rut, desires connection, and wants to build emotional safety in the relationship. This do at your own pace course includes video instruction, worksheets, and offers an online community in Authentically Us, where couples can discuss the outcomes of their assignments for each course unit. Yes, you can learn how to create positive interaction and build intimacy that lasts! Learn more and register at https://healthylesbianrelationships.com/🫣OK, I'm Gay, Now What? Download the free Self-Care and Boundary-Setting Scripts guide that accompanies this episode! http://bit.ly/3V0qlQsCalling all later-in-life newbies! If you're a woman who is just starting the process of coming out, this episode is for you. Host Anne-Marie Zanzal and her fellow coach, Barbara Rowlandson, unpack the complexities of coming out later in life, discussing themes such as compulsory heterosexuality, internalized homophobia, cognitive dissonance, and the importance of community support. Anne-Marie and Barb provide insights on navigating early feelings, setting boundaries, and the significance of self-acceptance in the journey of identity exploration. Don't forget to download the free 1 pg pdf with the 3-circle map for clarity and scripts for boundary setting, starting challenging conversations, and journal prompts.🔥 What You’ll Learn in This Episode:💡 Ideas for boundary setting when having challenging conversations.🏳️‍🌈 The external forces that keep us from identifying our authentic sexuality until later in life.🧠 Understanding how our brains keep us safe and the concept of cognitive dissonance.🌟Why "LGBTQ affirming" support may not be enough and what to look for in a therapist or coach.📢 Practical advice and achievable steps for change.💬 Join the Conversation!💬What are your biggest perceived challenges in coming out? Let's talk about it in the comments!❤️Join Authentically Us! A supportive community for those coming out later in life to the LGBTQIA+ community. Connect, share, and find guidance on your journey through mutual support groups, workshops, and live Zoom meetups. 💜Sign up today at www.annemariezanzal.com💠 Visit our website: : [ www.annemariezanzal.com]💠 Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/amzanzal💠 Instagram:https://www.instagram.com/annemariezanzalcoaching/💠LinkedIn:https://www.linkedin.com/in/annemariezanzalpurposefulempowerment/

Reclaiming Your Sexual Self Workshop | with Mallory Hanfling, LCSW | Friday, Oct. 17th, 2025 | The Provincetown Inn, Provincetown, Massachusetts during Women's Week | 9:30 a.m.- 12:30 p.m. | Reclaiming Your Sexual Self Tickets, Fri, Oct 17, 2025 at 9:30 AM | Eventbrite Mallory Hanfling, a late-in-life lesbian/firefly, queer therapist, and sexuality educator provides attendees with the SexEd that you wish you got in high school. Covering everything from anatomy and the mechanics of all different types of queer sex, to toy maintenance, and to sexual communication and consent, Mal will help you reconnect with your sexual self, learn how to listen to and trust your body, and answer the questions you were too shy to ask out loud."Strengthening Love: Building Secure Bonds for Lesbian Couples" is a comprehensive course for lesbian couples who are seeking to build a better relationship. Designed by lesbian psychologist and couples therapist, Dr. Robin Sesan, this course is ideal for any lesbian couple who finds themselves stuck in a rut, desires connection, and wants to build emotional safety in the relationship. This do at your own pace course includes video instruction, worksheets, and offers an online community in Authentically Us, where couples can discuss the outcomes of their assignments for each course unit. Yes, you can learn how to create positive interaction and build intimacy that lasts! Learn more and register at https://healthylesbianrelationships.com/In this episode of Coming Out & Beyond: LGBTQIA+ Stories, host Anne-Marie Zanzal welcomes Mallory Hanfling, a Philadelphia-based therapist specializing in identity development, coming out, and connecting with one’s most authentic self. As the founder of Courage to Grow Counseling, Mallory provides a safe and supportive space for LGBTQIA+ individuals and couples, helping them navigate the challenges of later-in-life coming out.But Mallory’s work doesn’t stop there—she’s currently pursuing a PhD in Human Sexuality at the California Institute for Integral Studies (CIIS). Her research focuses on how community mitigates the impact of compulsory heterosexuality on later-in-life LGBTQIA+ individuals.As a passionate advocate for community, Mallory coined the term "Fireflies" to represent women, non-binary, and trans people who are exploring their sexual identity later in life. Through her weekly Firefly peer support group, she helps Fireflies at all stages of their journey connect, share, and empower one another.Whether you're coming out later in life, questioning your identity, or looking for a supportive community, Mallory’s insights and experiences will resonate deeply.🔥 What You’ll Learn in This Episode:💡 How Mallory helps later-in-life LGBTQIA+ individuals navigate identity development🏳️‍🌈 Why community is essential for those coming out later in life🧠 The role of therapy in healing from compulsory heterosexuality🌟 What it means to be a "Firefly" and how to join the Firefly peer support group🎓 How Mallory’s PhD research is changing the conversation around later-in-life queerness📢 Practical advice for embracing authenticity and self-discovery🌐 Learn More About Mallory HanflingYou can learn more about Mallory and her work on her website, https://www.couragetogrowcounseling.org/aboutBooks that resonated with Mallory are Untamed by Glennon Doyle https://www.goodreads.com/en/book/show/52129515 and Bossy Pants by Tina Fey https://www.goodreads.com/book/show/167987272-bossy-pants?from_search=true&from_srp=true&qid=zHsUsI2...Mallory's coming out song is Drive by Incubus. https://youtu.be/fgT9zGkiLig?si=g98J8LJ24IjUvXBm💬 Have you experienced a later-in-life coming out journey? Share your thoughts and experiences in the comments!❤️Join Authentically Us! A supportive community for those coming out later in life to the LGBTQIA+ community. Connect, share, and find guidance on your journey through mutual support groups, workshops, and live Zoom meetups. 💜Sign up today at www.annemariezanzal.com💠 Visit our website: : [ www.annemariezanzal.com]💠 Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/amzanzal💠 Instagram:https://www.instagram.com/annemariezanzalcoaching/💠LinkedIn:https://www.linkedin.com/in/annemariezanzalpurposefulempowerment/👍 Like, subscribe, and hit the bell to stay updated on powerful stories from Coming Out & Beyond!

"Strengthening Love: Building Secure Bonds for Lesbian Couples" is a comprehensive course for lesbian couples who are seeking to build a better relationship. Designed by lesbian psychologist and couples therapist, Dr. Robin Sesan, this course is ideal for any lesbian couple who finds themselves stuck in a rut, desires connection, and wants to build emotional safety in the relationship. This do at your own pace course includes video instruction, worksheets, and offers an online community in Authentically Us, where couples can discuss the outcomes of their assignments for each course unit. Yes, you can learn how to create positive interaction and build intimacy that lasts! Learn more and register at https://healthylesbianrelationships.com/Wing Women Weekend, October 15-18, 2025, Provincetown, MA - a conference for women/non-binary persons who are new to the LGBTQIA+ community! This conference is all about connection, finding queer community, and having a whole lot of FUN! For the full conference schedule and to sign up, visit https://wingwomenweekend.com/ and use the coupon code PRIDE in June to receive 10% off.This week on Coming Out & Beyond: LGBTQIA+ Stories, host Anne-Marie Zanzal and fellow later-in-lifer Barbara Rowlandson talk about #wlw dating later in life. Barbara Rowlandson is a coach for women who come out later in life with a focus on catalyst relationship recovery and dating resilience, and a Registered Psychotherapist (Qualifying) in Ontario, Canada. Dating later in life - whether you're new to dating women or a long-out person who just hasn't dated in a very long time - dating can feel daunting, complex, and disappointing. Anne-Marie and Barbara explore the unique challenges of dating women later in life, the importance of understanding personal values and doing self-work, how to uncover limiting beliefs about dating, cultivating psychological flexibility, dealing with dating disasters and more. This is a fantastic episode for any woman who is about to step into the dating pool, or for those who have been dating and struggling to meet the right person.For those interested in Barbara's coaching services, you can book a free consultation call here: https://calendly.com/lavender-dating-team/connection-call-with-barbLearn more about Barbara's services and find 'The List' pdf downloadable template mentioned in the podcast at https://lavenderdating.com/ Direct link to 'The List' pdf download: https://lavenderdating.com/the-list❓ What to Expect in This Episode:🌈Discussion about finding yourself and getting clear about values after a long term relationship, and why this is an important step before dating.🌈Clues on how to recognize limiting beliefs - and how to counter them.🌈Reflection on setting boundaries and how to hold them.🌈Tips for mindfulness practices to beat dating anxiety.🌈Thoughts on what to do when you encounter a 'dating disaster.'✨ Why This Matters:Taking the next step into dating represents a major shift for many women that can feel very uncomfortable. Dating requires a willingness to try and to fail, and failure can sometimes feel very personal or painful. By adjusting our mindset around dating, we can create a much better experience for ourselves, one where we can meet people without pressure of expectation and shrug off negative experiences without taking rejection personally.💬 Join the Conversation:What is your biggest dating concern? What challenges have you run into, either within yourself or interpersonally? Let's talk about it in the comments!🔗 Visit our website:Anne-Marie's : [ annemariezanzal.com]🔗 Follow us on social media:💠 Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/amzanzal💠 Instagram:https://www.instagram.com/annemariezanzalcoaching/💠 Twitter: twitter.com/annemariezanzal💠LinkedIn:https://www.linkedin.com/in/annemariezanzalpurposefulempowerment/👉 Don’t forget to like, share, and subscribe for more inspiring stories and advice on navigating life, love, and everything in between!

"Strengthening Love: Building Secure Bonds for Lesbian Couples" is a comprehensive course for lesbian couples who are seeking to build a better relationship. Designed by lesbian psychologist and couples therapist, Dr. Robin Sesan, this course is ideal for any lesbian couple who finds themselves stuck in a rut, desires connection, and wants to build emotional safety in the relationship. This do at your own pace course includes video instruction, worksheets, and offers an online community in Authentically Us, where couples can discuss the outcomes of their assignments for each course unit. Yes, you can learn how to create positive interaction and build intimacy that lasts! Learn more and register at https://healthylesbianrelationships.com/Wing Women Weekend, October 15-18, 2025, Provincetown, MA - a conference for women/non-binary persons who are new to the LGBTQIA+ community! This conference is all about connection, finding queer community, and having a whole lot of FUN! For the full conference schedule and to sign up, visit https://wingwomenweekend.com/ and use the coupon code PRIDE in June to receive 10% off.This week on Coming Out & Beyond: LGBTQIA+ Stories, host Anne-Marie Zanzal interviews Dr. Samantha Winterberg, who shares her personal journey of coming out and her extensive experience in health psychology. Anne-Marie and Dr. Winterberg discuss the catalysts for coming out, the challenges of navigating open relationships, and the importance of communication. Dr. Winterberg's new workbook, "Coming Out in Adulthood" addresses the fears associated with coming out and the impact of childhood trauma on LGBTQ+ identities. Their conversation touches on spirituality, the role of religion, and the significance of understanding one's identity beyond societal labels. You can order your copy of "Coming Out Later in Life" here: https://a.co/d/dvRYXUeFind Dr. Samantha Winterberg online at https://www.bayintegrativewellness.com/Follow Dr. Winterberg on Instagram: samanthawinterberg A book that Dr. Winterberg found to be personally transformative is "Living in the Light: A Guide to Personal and Planetary Transformation" by Shakti Gawain: https://www.goodreads.com/book/show/336734.Living_in_the_LightDr. Winterberg's coming out song is I Shall Be Released by Grace Potter and the Nocturals: https://youtu.be/CyLcyqrmF3o?si=nKfbC0bXXm2f-tl6❓ What to Expect in This Episode:🌈Discussion about how childhood trauma can impact the coming out process, but it does not define it.🌈Reflections on the importance of spirituality in self-acceptance and joy.🌈Thoughts on why open relationships require strong communication and self-awareness.🌈Understanding why coming out is often catalyzed by significant life events or relationships.✨ Why This Matters:Understanding and contextualizing our formative experiences is crucial for insight during the coming out in adulthood process. This episode underscores how addressing fears, gaining self-acceptance, and coming out on your own terms can lead individuals to better mental health.💬 Join the Conversation:What did you think of Dr. Winterberg's observations? If you're a later-in-lifer and something in this episode really hit home for you, please share in the comments! We'd love to know what resonated.🔗 Visit our website:Anne-Marie's : [ annemariezanzal.com]🔗 Follow us on social media:💠 Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/amzanzal💠 Instagram:https://www.instagram.com/annemariezanzalcoaching/💠 Twitter: twitter.com/annemariezanzal💠LinkedIn:https://www.linkedin.com/in/annemariezanzalpurposefulempowerment/👉 Don’t forget to like, share, and subscribe for more inspiring stories and advice on navigating life, love, and everything in between!

"Strengthening Love: Building Secure Bonds for Lesbian Couples"  Learn more and register at https://healthylesbianrelationships.com/Authentically Us is an online peer support community for late-blooming women who love women. Learn more about Authentically Us at https://annemariezanzal.com/This week on Coming Out & Beyond: LGBTQIA+ Stories, host Anne-Marie Zanzal chats with Tennessee drag queen Kennedy Ann Scott. Kennedy is one of six drag queens featured in the soon to be released Harper Collins publication, "No Tea, No Shade: Life as a Drag Queen" (scheduled release date is September 23rd, 2025, now available for pre-order purchase). Kennedy's story is characterized as a journey of acceptance. Bullied as middle and high school student, Kennedy had the support of a teacher who made life bearable and ultimately inspired him to become an educator himself. Now a middle school teacher, Kennedy, who was recently award teacher of the year by his school board, fosters acceptance and safety for his students. As Kennedy Ann the drag artist, she also works to champion LGBTQ and trans rights, emphasizing the need for acceptance and understanding in society, particularly for marginalized communities.You can order your copy of "No Tea, No Shade: Life as a Drag Queen" in advance now on Amazon: https://www.amazon.com/dp/006343055X/?bestFormat=true&k=no%20tea%20no%20shade&ref_=nb_sb_ss_w_scx-en...Book description:"No Tea, No Shade is an essential read for anyone who has searched for a way to feel like themselves." -- BooklistIntimate, hilarious, and inspiring essays by celebrated drag queens Kennedy Ann Scott, Lagoona Bloo, Alexis Michelle, Olivia Lux, Julie J., and Nina West.No Tea, No Shade is a collective anthem written by six drag queens who believe in equality, peace, and in a world that loves and respects all people. The defiant legacy of drag will endure fearmongering and hate because their hearts have endured the unthinkable, their courage has been relentlessly tested, and to be blunt, they have the balls to prevail.Kennedy Ann Scott was awarded Teacher of the Year in Nashville, Tennessee. Lagoona Bloo starred on the Off-Broadway hit Drag: the Musical, and Alex Michaels received a stellar review from the New York Times for their role in La Cage Aux Falles at Barrington Stage Company. Olivia Lux starred in Rent and Kinky Boots. Julie J raised more than $100,000 for trans and LGBTQIA+ organizations. Nina West received an honorary doctorate in May 2024 and is a well-known entertainer, having worked with everyone from Glenn Close to Kermit the Frog.When these gorgeous queens wear a stunning gown with picture perfect makeup, haters label them as inappropriate and unlawful. They are entertainers not predators. Drag is an art of self-expression that, at its core, affirms and uplifts LGBTQIA+ people.No Tea, No Shade features thirty essays discussing:Social activism, Drag Story Hour, and education.Coming out, gender, and equality.Relationships, setting goals, and rejection.Celebrating womanhood, family, and image.Despite the pervasive danger of being authentic and real, these drag artists have chosen to fight for LGBTQIA+ rights. They remind us that a person’s identity shouldn’t be marginalized to genitals. Identity categories are not as important as we have been led to believe, and the shade casted on drag is just a scapegoat. It is a distraction political figures and trolls use to lure people away from caring about serious issues like equality, gun violence, poverty, and racism.No Tea, No Shade shines a light on a community of people who are paving the way for a better world and holding the light for others to step up.A movie that resonates with Kennedy Ann is (their grandma's favorite!) is 'Steel Magnolias': https://www.imdb.com/title/tt0098384/❓ What to Expect in This Episode:🌈Kennedy Ann's coming out story and emphasis on how the acceptance of their grandmother made all the difference for a young, gay kid who experienced bullying.🌈Discussion on how current and pending changes to Tennessee legislation have a profound impact on drag culture and LGBTQIA+ representation.🌈Thoughts on how affirming teachers can make a profound difference for queer kids during the turbulent period of adolescence.🌈Conversation about how Kennedy Ann came to be involved in the book project, "No Tea, No Shade: Life as a Drag Queen."✨ Why This Matters:Kennedy Ann's story illustrates the hardships and the joys associated with growing up gay. Kennedy Ann's positivity is inspirational! The emphasis on doing 'the work' in therapy, embracing humor and joy, and being the positive change you want to see in the world is evident in Kennedy Ann/Benjamin's story. This is a fantastic episode for anyone who needs inspiration in the face of adversity.💬 Join the Conversation:If you're a person in the LGBTQIA+ community, did you have an adult in your life who made growing up more bearable? What brings you joy as a queer person? Let's talk about it in the comments!🔗 Visit our website:Anne-Marie's : [ annemariezanzal.com]🔗 Follow us on social media:💠 Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/amzanzal💠 Instagram:https://www.instagram.com/annemariezanzalcoaching/💠 Twitter: twitter.com/annemariezanzal💠LinkedIn:https://www.linkedin.com/in/annemariezanzalpurposefulempowerment/👉 Don’t forget to like, share, and subscribe for more inspiring stories and advice on navigating life, love, and everything in between!

"Strengthening Love: Building Secure Bonds for Lesbian Couples" is a comprehensive course for lesbian couples who are seeking to build a better relationship. Designed by lesbian psychologist and couples therapist, Dr. Robin Sesan, this course is ideal for any lesbian couple who finds themselves stuck in a rut, desires connection, and wants to build emotional safety in the relationship. This do at your own pace course includes video instruction, worksheets, and offers an online community in Authentically Us, where couples can discuss the outcomes of their assignments for each course unit. Yes, you can learn how to create positive interaction and build intimacy that lasts! Learn more and register at https://healthylesbianrelationships.com/Wing Women Weekend, October 15-18, 2025, Provincetown, MA - a conference for women/non-binary persons who are new to the LGBTQIA+ community! This conference is all about connection, finding queer community, and having a whole lot of FUN! For the full conference schedule and to sign up, visit https://wingwomenweekend.com/ and use the coupon code PRIDE in June to receive 10% off.It's an exciting week on Coming Out & Beyond: LGBTQIA+ Stories, as host Anne-Marie Zanzal is joined by psychologist Dr. Robin Sesan and lesbian business owner and marketing expert Anna Empey to discuss themes surrounding lesbian relationships. This episode comes at the precipice of the launch of their collaborative project, "Strengthening Love: Building Secure Bonds for Lesbian Couples," an evidence-based course, culturally sensitive course on the psychology of lesbian relationships and practical advice on how to build stronger bonds in couples. In this wide-ranging conversation, Anne-Marie, Anna, and Robin cover topics such as sexual minority stress, attachment styles, misconceptions about lesbian identities, the importance of lesbian community and much, much more. The episode is a must-listen for any queer woman, in a relationship or not, who desires a deeper understanding of the challenges and strengths of lesbian intimate partner relationships.Learn more about the Strengthening Love: Building Secure Bonds for Lesbian Couples course at https://healthylesbianrelationships.com/❓ What to Expect in This Episode:🌈Conversation about challenges of lesbian couples in finding effective, culturally informed couples therapy.🌈An overview on attachment theory and sexual minority stress.🌈Personal stories of identity shifts and relationship dynamics in later-in-life lesbian relationships.🌈Insights on the impacts of societal expectations and internalized homophobia on queer relationships.✨ Why This Matters:Lesbian intimate partner relationships are unlike any others. Challenges of lesbian relationships are not well researched or talked about in common discourse around couples therapy, and therefore it can be very difficult to find information relevant exclusively to lesbian couples. Lesbian couples deserve to have competent care and to be understood in their identities and for their unique joys and challenges. 💬 Join the Conversation:Are you in a committed lesbian relationship? What have you noticed that is different about lesbian relationships that sets them apart for heterosexual, gay, or non-binary partnerships? Let's talk about it in the comments!🔗 Visit our website:Anne-Marie's : [ annemariezanzal.com]🔗 Follow us on social media:💠 Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/amzanzal💠 Instagram:https://www.instagram.com/annemariezanzalcoaching/💠 Twitter: twitter.com/annemariezanzal💠LinkedIn:https://www.linkedin.com/in/annemariezanzalpurposefulempowerment/

Wing Women Weekend, October 15-18, 2025, Provincetown, MA - a conference for women/non-binary persons who are new to the LGBTQIA+ community! This conference is all about connection, finding queer community, and having a whole lot of FUN! For the full conference schedule and to sign up, visit https://wingwomenweekend.com/ and use the coupon code PRIDE in June to receive 10% off."Maybe I'm Not Straight" and "When the Catalyst Relationship Ends" are do-at-your-own-pace courses for women who are reconsidering their sexual orientation and overcoming the end of their first lesbian relationship. Accessible, information-packed, and easy to do, these courses represent many years worth of experience working with women who come out later in life. Purchase your course and receive your first month subscription to Authentically Us, a safe online space for women who are coming out and beyond, for free! Learn more at https://annemariezanzal.com/courses-from-anne-marie-zanzal/This week on Coming Out & Beyond: LGBTQIA+ Stories, host Anne-Marie Zanzal welcomes back her fellow coach Barbara Rowlandson to the podcast for a conversation about things they wish they understood before embarking on a divorce journey. Anne-Marie and Barb cover some of their biggest missteps and common negative and usually-untrue beliefs that many women hold about the divorce experience. Anne-Marie and Barb reflect and share advice with compassion, encouraging curiosity, and share a few laughs throughout this very informative and engaging episode. While Anne-Marie and Barb both identify as lesbians and are speaking from their experiences in divorcing their ex-husbands, this episode is relevant for any woman, queer or straight, divorcing a person of any gender.❓ What to Expect in This Episode:🌈Conversation about getting the facts from professionals before making decisions.🌈Encouragement to slow down and go through the process thoughtfully.🌈Advice about taking time through the process for self-discovery and healing.🌈Emphasis on why community and professional support is key to navigating separation and divorce in the best way possible.✨ Why This Matters:The decision to leave your marriage is one that may be fraught with anxiety, guilt, and shame. It takes time and deliberation to reframe our thinking and unlearn messages about what it means to be a good woman, wife and mom. Learning to prioritize ourselves may feel hard, but that's because it is unfamiliar, not because it is not worth doing.💬 Join the Conversation:Are you thinking about separating from your spouse? What are your biggest concerns? Let's talk about them in the comments.🔗 Visit our website:Anne-Marie's : [ annemariezanzal.com]🔗 Follow us on social media:💠 Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/amzanzal💠 Instagram:https://www.instagram.com/annemariezanzalcoaching/💠 Twitter: twitter.com/annemariezanzal💠LinkedIn:https://www.linkedin.com/in/annemariezanzalpurposefulempowerment/👉 Don’t forget to like, share, and subscribe for more inspiring stories and advice on navigating life, love, and everything in between!

Wing Women Weekend, October 15-18, 2025, Provincetown, MA - a conference for women/non-binary persons who are new to the LGBTQIA+ community! This conference is all about connection, finding queer community, and having a whole lot of FUN! For the full conference schedule and to sign up, visit https://wingwomenweekend.com/ and use the coupon code PRIDE in June to receive 10% off."Maybe I'm Not Straight" and "When the Catalyst Relationship Ends" are do-at-your-own-pace courses for women who are reconsidering their sexual orientation and overcoming the end of their first lesbian relationship. Accessible, information-packed, and easy to do, these courses represent many years worth of experience working with women who come out later in life. Purchase your course and receive your first month subscription to Authentically Us, a safe online space for women who are coming out and beyond, for free! Learn more at https://annemariezanzal.com/courses-from-anne-marie-zanzal/This week on Coming Out & Beyond: LGBTQIA+ Stories, we bring you a guest who has had not one, but two coming out stories! Nate is a trans man who began his gender journey in his 50s. Nate's gender transition was preceded by coming out as a lesbian in his mid-30s. In his conversation with host Anne-Marie Zanzal, Nate shares his journey of self-discovery, discussing the challenges of coming out to family, the importance of support groups, and the complexities of navigating male privilege. Nate reflects on his transition, the medical changes he underwent, and the emotional impacts of his sexuality and gender transitions. Nate's story reminds us of the significance of self-acceptance and offers advice for others in the LGBTQIA+ community.For information, advocacy and support for gender transitions, visit https://www.diversitycenter.org/ ❓ What to Expect in This Episode:🏳️‍⚧️Messages about the importance of self-acceptance during the transition journey.🏳️‍⚧️Thoughtful reflections on male privilege, and its unexpected, negative associations.🏳️‍⚧️One man's thoughts on clues that he might not be the gender he was assigned at birth.🏳️‍⚧️Conversations about the differences between coming out as gay vs. coming out as trans.✨ Why This Matters:Self-kindness, self-acceptance, and a strong sense of self-worth are crucial for LGBTQIA individuals, especially through a gender transition journey. This episode aligns with the our principles for wellness during the coming out process: self-compassion, community, and mindfulness.💬 Join the Conversation:Are you questioning your gender? Or maybe you've recently realized that you aren't the gender you were assigned at birth. How are you coping? What are you noticing? Let's talk about it in the comments.🔗 Visit our website:Anne-Marie's : [ annemariezanzal.com]🔗 Follow us on social media:💠 Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/amzanzal💠 Instagram:https://www.instagram.com/annemariezanzalcoaching/💠 Twitter: twitter.com/annemariezanzal💠LinkedIn:https://www.linkedin.com/in/annemariezanzalpurposefulempowerment/

Wing Women Weekend, October 15-18, 2025, Provincetown, MA - a conference for women/non-binary persons who are new to the LGBTQIA+ community! This conference is all about connection, finding queer community, and having a whole lot of FUN! For the full conference schedule and to sign up, visit https://wingwomenweekend.com/ and use the coupon code PRIDE in June to receive 10% off."Maybe I'm Not Straight" and "When the Catalyst Relationship Ends" are do-at-your-own-pace courses for women who are reconsidering their sexual orientation and overcoming the end of their first lesbian relationship. Accessible, information-packed, and easy to do, these courses represent many years worth of experience working with women who come out later in life. Purchase your course and receive your first month subscription to Authentically Us, a safe online space for women who are coming out and beyond, for free! Learn more at https://annemariezanzal.com/courses-from-anne-marie-zanzal/This week on Coming Out & Beyond: LGBTQIA+ Stories, host Anne-Marie Zanzal interviews Lonay Halloum, a queer relationship coaching and Rapid Transformational Therapy practitioner. Lonay shares his coming out story, the challenges he faced with family acceptance, and the importance of self-acceptance and support systems. he discusses his journey through relationships, hitting rock bottom, and discovering transformative therapy methods that helped him rebuild his self-worth. The conversation emphasizes the significance of understanding both conscious and subconscious mind work in personal growth and healing.You can find Lonay's website here: https://rainbowjourney.co/Follow Lonay on Instagram, radiantheartsjourney❓ What to Expect in This Episode:🏳️‍🌈An emphasis on the need for a strong support system during the coming out process.🏳️‍🌈Conversation about changing limiting beliefs and understanding the unconscious mind.🏳️‍🌈Education on how Rapid Transformational Therapy can address deep-rooted beliefs about self-worth.🏳️‍🌈Reflections on the ongoing struggle with internalized homophobia in the LGBTQIA community.✨ Why This Matters:Self-kindness, self-acceptance, and a strong sense of self-worth are crucial for LGBTQIA individuals, especially through the coming out process. Spending some time to uncover subconscious limiting beliefs and how they impact our emotions and behaviors is part of the process when working on personal growth and healing.💬 Join the Conversation:Are you caught up in negative patterns and are on a path to discovering why? Has self-acceptance been a struggle for you? Let's talk about it in the comments.🔗 Visit our website:Anne-Marie's : [ annemariezanzal.com]🔗 Follow us on social media:💠 Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/amzanzal💠 Instagram:https://www.instagram.com/annemariezanzalcoaching/💠 Twitter: twitter.com/annemariezanzal💠LinkedIn:https://www.linkedin.com/in/annemariezanzalpurposefulempowerment/👉 Don’t forget to like, share, and subscribe for more inspiring stories and advice on navigating life, love, and everything in between!

Wing Women Weekend, October 15-18, 2025, Provincetown, MA - a conference for women/non-binary persons who are new to the LGBTQIA+ community! This conference is all about connection, finding queer community, and having a whole lot of FUN! For the full conference schedule and to sign up, visit https://wingwomenweekend.com/ and use the coupon code PRIDE in June to receive 10% off."Maybe I'm Not Straight" and "When the Catalyst Relationship Ends" are do-at-your-own-pace courses for women who are reconsidering their sexual orientation and overcoming the end of their first lesbian relationship. Accessible, information-packed, and easy to do, these courses represent many years worth of experience working with women who come out later in life. Purchase your course and receive your first month subscription to Authentically Us, a safe online space for women who are coming out and beyond, for free! Learn more at https://annemariezanzal.com/courses-from-anne-marie-zanzal/This week on Coming Out & Beyond: LGBTQIA+ Stories, host Anne-Marie Zanzal chats with author Scott Stirrett. Author of 'The Uncertainty Advantage' and founder of Venture for Canada, Scott shares his personal journey of coming out, the impact it had on his career choices, and how he founded a nonprofit to help young people navigate uncertainty in their careers. Scott shares a personal account of how he manages his OCD, his processes for managing feelings around uncertainty, talks about challenges faced by marginalized groups, and reflects on the importance of values in personal growth. This is a fantastic episode for anyone at any age who is seeking to build their resilience and flexibility in the face of adversity.You can purchase Scott Stirrett's book, The Uncertainty Advantage, here: https://www.amazon.ca/Uncertainty-Advantage-Launching-Career-Change/dp/1459753224Learn more about Venture for Canada here: https://ventureforcanada.ca/Books that influenced Scott are Virtually Normal by Andrew Sullivan: https://www.goodreads.com/book/show/1717573 and Man's Search for Meaning by Viktor E. Frankl https://www.goodreads.com/book/show/4069.Man_s_Search_for_Meaning❓ What to Expect in This Episode:🏳️‍🌈Scott shares his coming out story and underscores that the coming out process is never quite done.🏳️‍🌈Scott talks candidly about his experiences wrestling with OCD and the processes for becoming okay with uncertainty.🏳️‍🌈Anne-Marie and Scott talk about his six pillars for embracing uncertainty.🏳️‍🌈Thoughts on the learning that comes with reflection.✨ Why This Matters:We're living through turbulent times. The world has become more unpredictable than ever, and learning how to become more comfortable with uncertainty gives us the mental flexibility to endure and succeed.💬 Join the Conversation:Is psychological or emotional flexibility something you've had to cultivate? Tell us about it in the comments!🔗 Visit our website:Anne-Marie's : [ annemariezanzal.com]🔗 Follow us on social media:💠 Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/amzanzal💠 Instagram:https://www.instagram.com/annemariezanzalcoaching/💠 Twitter: twitter.com/annemariezanzal💠LinkedIn:https://www.linkedin.com/in/annemariezanzalpurposefulempowerment/Watch the video of the episode on YouTube: https://youtu.be/AyzDFRwurJc👉 Don’t forget to like, share, and subscribe for more inspiring stories and advice on navigating life, love, and everything in between!

Wing Women Weekend, October 15-18, 2025, Provincetown, MA - a conference for women/non-binary persons who are new to the LGBTQIA+ community! This conference is all about connection, finding queer community, and having a whole lot of FUN! For the full conference schedule and to sign up, visit https://wingwomenweekend.com/ and use the coupon code PRIDE in June to receive 10% off."Maybe I'm Not Straight" and "When the Catalyst Relationship Ends" are do-at-your-own-pace courses for women who are reconsidering their sexual orientation and overcoming the end of their first lesbian relationship. Accessible, information-packed, and easy to do, these courses represent many years worth of experience working with women who come out later in life. Purchase your course and receive your first month subscription to Authentically Us, a safe online space for women who are coming out and beyond, for free! Learn more at https://annemariezanzal.com/courses-from-anne-marie-zanzal/This week on Coming Out & Beyond: LGBTQIA+ Stories, we revisit an episode from season 3 where Anne-Marie Zanzal and Tonda McKay revisit the story of their journey in love and marriage. With the conversation facilitated by Anne-Marie's collaborator, Anna Empey, Anne-Marie and Tonda retell the story of how they first met, explain the nuances of a newbie and long-out lesbian courtship and relationship, and reflect on what they've learned along the way. As you listen, you'll discover how theirs is a partnership based on equity within the relationship, how they navigated complicated feelings as Anne-Marie went through the coming out and divorce process, how they resolve conflict, and what it means to them both to find love later in life.The songs Anne-Marie and Tonda mention in this episode are "She Keeps Me Warm" by Mary Lambert https://youtu.be/NhqH-r7Xj0E?si=3dz8Uc6b7tNhXmOS and "This is Me" from the film "The Greatest Showman" https://youtu.be/CjxugyZCfuw?si=YiMI9dHJUUgADcIO.❓ What to Expect in This Episode:🏳️‍🌈A vulnerable and engaging story of how two people overcame past hurts to find connection.🏳️‍🌈Thoughtful reflections on the later-in-life experience.🏳️‍🌈A real life-account of why some women put their sexuality on the back burner until later in life.🏳️‍🌈Inspiration that you, too, can find love at any age! And laughs, lots of laughs!✨ Why This Matters:In a world where there is so much negative media about the LGBTQ experience, it is heartwarming to hear positive stories that reflect real life queer happiness and love.💬 Join the Conversation:Did you find love later in life? How did it happen for you? Tell us in the comments!🔗 Visit our website:Anne-Marie's : [ annemariezanzal.com]🔗 Follow us on social media:💠 Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/amzanzal💠 Instagram:https://www.instagram.com/annemariezanzalcoaching/💠 Twitter: twitter.com/annemariezanzal💠LinkedIn:https://www.linkedin.com/in/annemariezanzalpurposefulempowerment/You can also tune into this episode of Coming Out & Beyond: LGBTQIA+ Stories on Apple Podcasts and Spotify.Apple Podcasts: podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/coming-out-beyond-lgbtqia-stories/id1569859569Spotify: open.spotify.com/show/27kocr4llm6syHKaeX1x9e👉 Don’t forget to like, share, and subscribe for more inspiring stories and advice on navigating life, love, and everything in between!

Wing Women Weekend, October 15-18, 2025, Provincetown, MA - a conference for women/non-binary persons who are new to the LGBTQIA+ community! This conference is all about connection, finding queer community, and having a whole lot of FUN! For the full conference schedule and to sign up, visit https://wingwomenweekend.com/ and use the coupon code PRIDE in June to receive 10% off."Maybe I'm Not Straight" and "When the Catalyst Relationship Ends" are do-at-your-own-pace courses for women who are reconsidering their sexual orientation and overcoming the end of their first lesbian relationship. Accessible, information-packed, and easy to do, these courses represent many years worth of experience working with women who come out later in life. Purchase your course and receive your first month subscription to Authentically Us, a safe online space for women who are coming out and beyond, for free! Learn more at https://annemariezanzal.com/courses-from-anne-marie-zanzal/Welcome back to part 2 of Anne-Marie Zanzal's conversation with celebrated author and illustrator, Brian Selznick. Brian is the author of the popular young adult novels, The Invention of Hugo Cabret, Wonderstruck, The Marvels, Run Away With Me, and Kaleidoscope, among others. Brian inspires young readers with his creative approach to storytelling that combines writing and illustration, telling stories that resonate with young queer audiences. In 2011, The Invention of Hugo Cabret was adapted as a film my legendary director Martin Scorsese. In part 2 of this engaging conversation, Anne-Marie and Brian dive into themes of queer love, queer history, discuss why representation matters for young LGBTQ people, explore the concepts of inner and outer safe spaces, and discuss how Brian's storytelling has evolved over time.Discover Brian Selznick's body of work at https://brianselznick.com/The song Brian mentions in this episode as being so impactful to him at a young age is 'Total Eclipse of the Heart' by Bonnie Tyler: https://youtu.be/lcOxhH8N3Bo?si=Tldbu0sIp-a66NoUA book that influenced Brian is "Weetzie Bat" by Francesca Lia Block: https://www.goodreads.com/book/show/44353.Weetzie_BatA film that impacted Brian is Poison, directed by Todd Haynes: https://www.imdb.com/title/tt0102687/❓ What to Expect in This Episode:🏳️‍🌈Knowing our history matters. Brian and Anne-Marie discuss how history is lost or filtered over time, removing access to queer stories and impacting queer culture.🏳️‍🌈Brian discusses how themes and characters have matured in his work over time, and how this presents a creative challenge.🏳️‍🌈Anne-Marie and Brian talk about the importance of safe spaces and how they are cultivated by queer individuals.🏳️‍🌈Brian gives us a peek into his inner world, discussing how his characters represent conversations between different versions of himself. ✨ Why This Matters:Preserving queer stories and queer history matters. When we can see ourselves, our experiences, and our stories reflected in the stories of others, we feel validated, less alone, and connected to our community. Storytelling is a powerful healing modality we can all participate in, as creators or as listeners and readers.💬 Join the Conversation:Are you a fan of Brian Selznick's work? Tell us which of his stories resonates with you the most and why in the comments!🔗 Visit our website:Anne-Marie's : [ annemariezanzal.com]🔗 Follow us on social media:💠 Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/amzanzal💠 Instagram:https://www.instagram.com/annemariezanzalcoaching/💠 Twitter: twitter.com/annemariezanzal💠LinkedIn:https://www.linkedin.com/in/annemariezanzalpurposefulempowerment/👉 Don’t forget to like, share, and subscribe for more inspiring stories and advice on navigating life, love, and everything in between!

Wing Women Weekend, October 15-18, 2025, Provincetown, MA - a conference for women/non-binary persons who are new to the LGBTQIA+ community! This conference is all about connection, finding queer community, and having a whole lot of FUN! For the full conference schedule and to sign up, visit https://wingwomenweekend.com/ and use the coupon code PRIDE in June to receive 10% off."Maybe I'm Not Straight" and "When the Catalyst Relationship Ends" are do-at-your-own-pace courses for women who are reconsidering their sexual orientation and overcoming the end of their first lesbian relationship. Accessible, information-packed, and easy to do, these courses represent many years worth of experience working with women who come out later in life. Purchase your course and receive your first month subscription to Authentically Us, a safe online space for women who are coming out and beyond, for free! Learn more at https://annemariezanzal.com/courses-from-anne-marie-zanzal/Celebrated author and illustrator Brian Selznick is known for his impactful storytelling. Author of The Invention of Hugo Cabret, Wonderstruck, The Marvels, Run Away With Me, and Kaleidoscope, among others has inspired young readers for decades with his creative approach to storytelling that combines writing and illustration. In 2011, The Invention of Hugo Cabret was adapted as a film my legendary director Martin Scorsese. In this engaging conversation, Brian shares with listeners how his personal experiences have influenced his writing, particularly in his latest young adult novel, Run Away With Me. Anne-Marie and Brian explore themes of grief, loss, and the role of family in storytelling. Brian shares his coming out story, representing a journey of acceptance for himself and his family. Stay tuned for part 2 of this engaging conversation, when Anne-Marie and Brian dive into themes of queer love, queer history, and how personal experiences shape storytelling.Discover Brian Selznick's body of work at https://brianselznick.com/❓ What to Expect in This Episode:🏳️‍🌈Representation matters! Brian's work reflects stories of young love that are relevant to the LGBTQIA+ community.🏳️‍🌈In exploring historical themes, Brian addresses the persistent challenge of erasure of queer historical figures.🏳️‍🌈Brian's work demonstrates how art can confront and counteract societal ugliness. 🏳️‍🌈Brian's work connects us with reoccurring themes in queer stories.✨ Why This Matters:Preserving queer stories and queer history matters. When we can see ourselves, our experiences, and our stories reflected in the stories of others, we feel validated, less alone, and connected to our community. Storytelling is a powerful healing modality we can all participate in, as creators or as listeners and readers.💬 Join the Conversation:Are you a fan of Brian Selznick's work? Tell us which of his stories resonates with you the most and why in the comments!🔗 Visit our website:Anne-Marie's : [ annemariezanzal.com]🔗 Follow us on social media:💠 Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/amzanzal💠 Instagram:https://www.instagram.com/annemariezanzalcoaching/💠 Twitter: twitter.com/annemariezanzal💠LinkedIn:https://www.linkedin.com/in/annemariezanzalpurposefulempowerment/

"Maybe I'm Not Straight" and "When the Catalyst Relationship Ends" are do-at-your-own-pace courses for women who are reconsidering their sexual orientation and overcoming the end of their first lesbian relationship. Accessible, information-packed, and easy to do, these courses represent many years worth of experience working with women who come out later in life. Purchase your course and receive your first month subscription to Authentically Us, a safe online space for women who are coming out and beyond, for free! Learn more at https://annemariezanzal.com/courses-from-anne-marie-zanzal/Dating got you down? Does the idea of dating scare you? Or maybe you've been dating all the wrong people? Lavender Dating offers coaching for women dating women, helping you overcome mental blocks surrounding the dating experience. Book a free connection call with dating coach Barbara Rowlandson and let's talk about how to get you to a place of authentic connection in love and relationship! https://calendly.com/lavender-dating-team/connection-call-with-barbTW: Religious traumaQueer author, poet, and storyteller Rebecca Wilson is this week's guest, and hers is a story of rejection, rising up, and finding belonging. Rebecca, an ex-minister in the Methodist church, found herself in the center of a storm when the New York Times posted her photo, her expression belying the heartbreak she felt when the United Methodist Church (UMC) voted at a special session of the general council to strengthen a ban of LGBTQ clergy and same-sex weddings. Consequently, the UMC have lost 5,800 churches through disaffiliation. After the photo was published Rebecca found herself in a position as a lightning rod for hate and ultimately left the UMC ministry. In this impactful conversation with host Anne-Marie Zanzal, Rebecca shares her story of courage, transformation, and the quest for self-acceptance in the face of adversity. Her journey of healing through her writing project, 10 Camels, is a reminder of the power of storytelling.❓ What to Expect in This Episode:🏳️‍🌈Rebecca shares the story of her journey in seminary and her struggles with mental health.🏳️‍🌈After leaving the UMC, Rebecca finds the gift of queer community.🏳️‍🌈Rebecca shares the how her project, 10 Camels, helped her navigate the wilderness of healing.🏳️‍🌈Rebecca's story exemplifies the importance of prioritizing authenticity over institutional acceptance.✨ Why This Matters:In a society where active suppression of LGBTQ rights emboldens homophobic actions (e.g. the Pulse nightclub shooting), finding healing and a sense of home in queer community is fundamental to the health and well-being of queer individuals. The power of storytelling, of being seen and heard, is a powerful catalyst for healing trauma associated with oppression. You can connect with Rebecca Wilson and learn more about her project, 10 Camels, here: https://10camels.com/Rebecca's first book of poetry, "Unraveling", is available now on Amazon: https://www.amazon.com/Unraveling-Rebecca-Wilson/dp/1960326708Rebecca's coming out song is "It's a Miracle" by Culture Club: https://youtu.be/YewVugPHon4?si=qsji3zYCRoNuoz-iA film that resonates with Rebecca is 1985's "The Goonies": https://www.imdb.com/title/tt0089218/Authentically Us is a support community for later-in-life LGBTQ women at all stages of the coming out and beyond process. Coming out later in life is often accompanied by suffering. Whether you're looking to deconstruct messages from a conservative faith tradition, experience divorce-related guilt, or struggle with feelings of shame around your coming out or sexual identity, Authentically Us has the right kind of support for you. Monthly subscription to Authentically Us on Mighty Networks is $35/month, but you can try your first week for free. Find Authentically Us at https://bit.ly/Authentically-Us💬 Join the Conversation:Are you now or have you been a member of the UMC? How did their decision to ban LGBTQ clergy and same-sex marriage impact you? Are you someone who uses their creativity for healing? Let's talk about it in the comments!🔗 Visit our website:Anne-Marie's : [ annemariezanzal.com]🔗 Follow us on social media:💠 Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/amzanzal💠 Instagram:https://www.instagram.com/annemariezanzalcoaching/💠 Twitter: twitter.com/annemariezanzal💠LinkedIn:https://www.linkedin.com/in/annemariezanzalpurposefulempowerment/👉 Don’t forget to like, share, and subscribe for more inspiring stories and advice on navigating life, love, and everything in between!

Join Authentically Us, a community and support space for late blooming lesbians! Find us at https://www.annemariezanzal.comLotus Community Coaching is a 6-month program for women who are reevaluating their sexual identity, coming out as LGBTQIA+, and transitioning from a straight, married life to an independent life. If you're struggling and need help during this challenging time, learn what Lotus Community Coaching can offer you: https://annemariezanzal.com/lotus-community-coaching/TW: Religious traumaMike Maeshiro (he/him) is the founder of Numa, and organization that supports people recovering from religious toxicity. Mike is gay, and advocate for the LGBTQ+ community, and a queer theology enthusiast. He is an ex-pastor who now works with gay men recovering from evangelicalism. Mike's story reflects his journey from being a deeply involved evangelical pastor to embracing his identity as a gay man. In this conversation, Mike reflects on his spiritual experiences that affirmed his identity, the cultural conditioning that led to his initial homophobia, and the eventual decision to live authentically. He emphasizes the importance of finding community and support, exploring inclusive theology, and the challenges of coming out publicly. Mike shares his journey of coming out as a gay man and the subsequent challenges he faced, including public backlash, mental health struggles, and family dynamics. He discusses the importance of self-acceptance and the process of deconstructing his evangelical faith, highlighting key issues that many face in similar situations. Mike also reflects on his professional shift towards supporting the queer community and the impact of media on societal perceptions. Ultimately, he emphasizes the significance of finding safety and authenticity in one's life.❓ What to Expect in This Episode:🏳️‍🌈A story of facing fear of losing community and identity when coming out.🤗Emphasis for the need for compassion in discussions about sexuality.💞Acknowledgment that self-acceptance is a journey that takes time.💬Discussion about key issues in evangelicalism that include views on hell and the Bible.✨ Why This Matters:Cultural conditioning is a strong contributor toward internalized homophobia. This is a must-listen episode for any person who is recovering from evangelical faith traditions. Reaching a place of self-acceptance and authenticity is a vital aspect of personal identity.Authentically Us is a support community for later-in-life LGBTQ women at all stages of the coming out and beyond process. Coming out later in life is often accompanied by suffering. Whether you're looking to deconstruct messages from a conservative faith tradition, experience divorce-related guilt, or struggle with feelings of shame around your coming out or sexual identity, Authentically Us has the right kind of support for you. Monthly subscription to Authentically Us on Mighty Networks is $35/month, but you can try your first week for free. Find Authentically Us at https://bit.ly/Authentically-Us💬 Join the Conversation:Are you someone who has been negatively impacted by conservative faith traditions? Let's talk about it in the comments!Connect with Mike....https://www.mikemaeshiro.com/Mike's Substack: https://mikemaeshiro.substack.com/Mike's YouTube channel: https://www.youtube.com/channel/UCH5vGo6yRl6Gay-wbJ7F6og/featuredMike on Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/mikemaeshiro/Mike on Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/mikemaeshiroBooks Mike recommends is Adult Children of Emotionally Immature Parents: https://www.goodreads.com/book/show/23129659-adult-children-of-emotionally-immature-parentsand The Bible Tells Me So: Why Defending Scripture Has Made Us unable to Read It by Peter Enns: https://www.goodreads.com/book/show/20262405-the-bible-tells-me-so?from_search=true&from_srp=true&qi...Mike regards Taylor Swift's story as instrumental to his coming out process. Find the Taylor Swift documentary, Miss Americana, on Netflix.🔗 Visit our website:Anne-Marie's : [ annemariezanzal.com]🔗 Follow us on social media:💠 Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/amzanzal💠 Instagram:https://www.instagram.com/annemariezanzalcoaching/💠 Twitter: twitter.com/annemariezanzal💠LinkedIn:https://www.linkedin.com/in/annemariezanzalpurposefulempowerment/

Join Authentically Us, a community and support space for late blooming lesbians! Find us at https://www.annemariezanzal.comLotus Community Coaching is a 6-month program for women who are reevaluating their sexual identity, coming out as LGBTQIA+, and transitioning from a straight, married life to an independent life. If you're struggling and need help during this challenging time, learn what Lotus Community Coaching can offer you: https://annemariezanzal.com/lotus-community-coaching/People new to the LGBTQIA+ community: ever feel like you don't belong? Worried that, after a 'straight' life, others (straight or gay) won't accept you as being queer? Imposter syndrome (yes, we know it's not a real syndrome, but you know what we mean!) can do a number on our heads, and Anne-Marie and Barb are here to talk about it! This week on the podcast, your two trusty later-in-life coaches talk about the importance of self-identification, the societal pressures surrounding visibility and authenticity, and the impact of internalized homophobia. Anne-Marie and Barb also touch on the significance of media representation and the importance of leaning into community when you're trying to figure out how 'queer' for you manifests as you walk through the world.❓ What to Expect in This Episode:🏳️‍🌈Explanations of why being LGBTQIA+ is about so much more than just sex.💬Discussion on why there is a greater need for open conversation and greater understanding about the later in life experience.🔍Examination of societal pressures to appear 'gay.'💞An emphasis on doing what is right for you when you are ready.✨ Why This Matters:Self-identification is a journey that needs affirmation and acceptance. We want you to know that if you're struggling with what queer looks like for you, that you're not alone, and that you are not 'less-than' just because you've come out later than some.Authentically Us is a support community for later-in-life LGBTQ women at all stages of the coming out and beyond process. Coming out later in life is often accompanied by suffering. Whether you're looking to deconstruct messages from a conservative faith tradition, experience divorce-related guilt, or struggle with feelings of shame around your coming out or sexual identity, Authentically Us has the right kind of support for you. Monthly subscription to Authentically Us on Mighty Networks is $35/month, but you can try your first week for free. Find Authentically Us at https://bit.ly/Authentically-Us💬 Join the Conversation:What does being gay/queer/lesbian/bisexual look like for you? How have you evolved your outer self to align with your inner self? And how to you handle correcting assumptions about your sexuality? Let's talk about it in the comments!🔗 Visit our website:Anne-Marie's : [ annemariezanzal.com]🔗 Follow us on social media:💠 Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/amzanzal💠 Instagram:https://www.instagram.com/annemariezanzalcoaching/💠 Twitter: twitter.com/annemariezanzal💠LinkedIn:https://www.linkedin.com/in/annemariezanzalpurposefulempowerment/