And Here You Are Podcast

In this episode you’ll hear host Effie Dusoleil talk with Christa Orth about their research in queer and trans history of the Pacific Northwest, how it felt to see herself inside of a rich history of queer and trans ancestors, how their performances in drag helped them to express themselves on a literal stage, and how people’s stories that center justice and joy bring them so much inspiration. We discuss the ways historical fights for liberation aid our own liberation today, how we ourselves are the product of our ancestors surviving, and how our lives offer us the opportunity to be generous and supportive during the fight. You can find more information about Christa’s creative writing here: https://www.christaorth.com/ and their fundraising consulting practice, Seaworthy Fundraising, here: https://www.seaworthy.consulting/.Follow, subscribe, & share to spread the news: Being queer is righteous!  We will survive! We are part of a rich history & lineage of queer and trans people. Sign up for our newsletter here: https://preview.mailerlite.io/forms/1759373/163816691543836396/shareNominate someone to be on a future episode here: https://forms.gle/UiieUoEVkYDyYSGf7Get in touch with our team here: [email protected]

In this episode you'll hear host Effie Dusoleil and Jesse Patterson discuss the power in living your truth, the way politics and socially constructed ideas aim to divide us and how the people in your corner can become your grounding rod through tough times. Jesse shares about the unending love of her partner throughout her transition journey, her dedication to stay in Texas despite the rhetoric, and how she navigates societies narratives about right and wrong while raising her child. Follow, subscribe, & share to spread the news:  We are all each other has! You know everything you need to know about yourself. No effort to divide us will succeed!Sign up for our newsletter here: https://preview.mailerlite.io/forms/1759373/163816691543836396/shareNominate someone to be on a future episode here: https://forms.gle/UiieUoEVkYDyYSGf7Get in touch with our team here: [email protected]

In this episode you'll hear host Effie Dusoleil talk with Santy Sanchez. As Program Director for an organization called The Insight Alliance,  Santy leads Insight to Wellbeing groups in prisons across the US state of Oregon, guiding participants to discover that they are not broken and don’t need fixing. In this episode Santy and Effie discuss how beautiful insights can come from tragedy, the way isolation can be an opportunity for self-reflection, how our thoughts create made-up stories about what we think things will be look like that don’t always prove to be true and the very timely reminder that it is each one of us that holds the ability to decide how we react and respond to our thoughts and feelings. Follow, subscribe, & share to spread the news: There is no light at the end of the tunnel, the tunnel is made up and you are the light! Sign up for our newsletter here: https://preview.mailerlite.io/forms/1759373/163816691543836396/shareNominate someone to be on a future episode here: https://forms.gle/UiieUoEVkYDyYSGf7Get in touch with our team here: [email protected]

In this episode you'll hear host Effie Dusoleil chat with Chih and Mike of “The Dumpling Dudez”. During this conversation our two guests open up about their experiences living in a deeply conservative area of the world as a gay interracial couple, their journey towards loving themselves full heartedly and the incredible community they’ve built online. Chih and Mike remind us that love can exist anywhere and community can be found everywhere. More information on The Dumpling Dudes here, https://www.dumplingdudez.com/Follow, subscribe, & share to spread the news: As RuPaul says, “If you can’t love yourself how in the hell are you going to love somebody else?”.Sign up for our newsletter here: https://preview.mailerlite.io/forms/1759373/163816691543836396/shareNominate someone to be on a future episode here: https://forms.gle/UiieUoEVkYDyYSGf7Get in touch with our team here: [email protected]

In this episode, your host Effie Dusoleil gives a quick update, thank you and reminder. Next full length episode coming the 1st of February, 2026! Follow, subscribe, & share to spread the news: It's where you shine your light that you see. Pay attention and you will notice! Meet us in the field beyond ideas of wrongdoing and rightdoing.Sign up for our newsletter here: https://preview.mailerlite.io/forms/1759373/163816691543836396/shareNominate someone to be on a future episode here: https://forms.gle/UiieUoEVkYDyYSGf7Get in touch with our team here: [email protected]

In this episode you'll hear host Effie Dusoleil chat with marita deLeon. During this conversation marita talks about the power of laughter, their journey of following the threads of joy and euphoria, their experience of being raised by loving parents, and their life’s mission of creating places for people to land. We discuss what restorative justice means and looks like, the deep need for us to liberate ourselves and each other from dominate narratives that cause harm, and the ways that we can intentionally honor each other’s dignity in everyday life.  You can find more information about marita’s business, ur higher selfie, here: https://www.urhigherselfie.comFollow, subscribe, & share to spread the news: You, in every beautiful iteration, deserve to be loved. You get to choose how you react and respond to moments of uncertainty.    Sign up for our newsletter here: https://preview.mailerlite.io/forms/1759373/163816691543836396/shareNominate someone to be on a future episode here: https://forms.gle/UiieUoEVkYDyYSGf7Get in touch with our team here: [email protected]

In this episode you'll hear host Effie Dusoleil chat with Erika Castellanos. During this conversation Erika discusses how it felt to choose herself and leave home at a young age, how our origin stories can fuel our activism and how immensely powerful it is to follow your appetite for love and acceptance. Erika offers a potent reminder that diversity within our beautiful community is the answer to so many efforts to polarize us.    Follow, subscribe, & share to spread the news: Your life as an LGBTQI+ person can look exactly the way you want it to. Sign up for our newsletter here: https://preview.mailerlite.io/forms/1759373/163816691543836396/shareNominate someone to be on a future episode here: https://forms.gle/UiieUoEVkYDyYSGf7Get in touch with our team here: [email protected]

In the very first episode of this show, you'll hear host Effie Dusoleil introduce the concept, share more about what brought them to this podcasting adventure, and give the layout for how things will look moving forward. Follow, subscribe, & share to spread the news: Life as an LGBTQI+ person will and does look a multitude of ways! This show is a love letter to our community. Scream it from the mountaintops! LGBTQI+ people have always been here, and will always be here surviving and thriving! Sign up for our newsletter here: https://preview.mailerlite.io/forms/1759373/163816691543836396/shareNominate someone to be on a future epsisode here: https://forms.gle/UiieUoEVkYDyYSGf7Get in touch with our team here: [email protected]

In this episode you'll hear host Effie Dusoleil chat with Kiana London. During this conversation Kiana shares how it felt to be raised in a household full of love and acceptance, the ways fear and shame showed up during the process of embracing her queerness, and the ways that people can surprise you in their capacity to accept and support you along the journey of being your full self. Follow, subscribe, & share to spread the news: Your light as an LGBTQI+ person can be seen, held, and reflected back to you. You are normal. You are beautiful. Sign up for our newsletter here: https://preview.mailerlite.io/forms/1759373/163816691543836396/shareNominate someone to be on a future epsisode here: https://forms.gle/UiieUoEVkYDyYSGf7Get in touch with our team here: [email protected]

In this episode you'll hear host Effie Dusoleil chat with Lourdes Jordan. This is our first publication in the regular format for this show- an interview with a special guest. Lourdes generously shares about how life has unfolded for her so far, the powerful examples of community and family she's both cultivated and continues to nourish and the ways she's chosen herself- even during moments of fear.  Follow, subscribe, & share to spread the news: Life as an LGBTQI+ person can be full of community, full of love and pride! Sign up for our newsletter here: https://preview.mailerlite.io/forms/1759373/163816691543836396/shareNominate someone to be on a future epsisode here: https://forms.gle/UiieUoEVkYDyYSGf7Get in touch with our team here: [email protected]