Coming Out & Beyond Support for Women Questioning Their Sexuality Later in Life
A podcast for women questioning their sexuality and coming out later in life. Real stories and grounded conversations about late bloomer experiences, marriage, faith, identity shifts, and finding support and community.
Anne-Marie Zanzal 1ac1f670-c17c-11f0-806a-ef1502adef07
Show overview
Coming Out & Beyond Support for Women Questioning Their Sexuality Later in Life has been publishing since 2021, and across the 5 years since has built a catalogue of 179 episodes. That works out to roughly 140 hours of audio in total. Releases follow a fortnightly cadence, with the show now in its 7th season.
Episodes typically run thirty-five to sixty minutes — most land between 42 min and 54 min — and the run-time is fairly consistent across the catalogue. None of the episodes are flagged explicit by the publisher. It is catalogued as a EN-language Health & Fitness show.
The show is actively publishing — the most recent episode landed 4 days ago, with 20 episodes already out so far this year. The busiest year was 2024, with 52 episodes published. Published by Anne-Marie Zanzal 1ac1f670-c17c-11f0-806a-ef1502adef07.
From the publisher
Coming Out & Beyond is a podcast for women questioning their sexuality later in life — no matter where you are or what your life looks like right now. Maybe you're sitting with a question you've never said out loud. Maybe you fell for a woman or something woke up recently, everything shifted and you can't put it back. Maybe you're untangling years of religious conditioning or compulsory heterosexuality and trying to figure out who you actually are underneath all of that. Whatever brought you here — this space is for you. Hosted by Anne-Marie Zanzal — Yale Divinity School graduate, ordained progressive minister, grief counselor, and LGBTQ+ coach who came out in midlife — Coming Out & Beyond offers real conversations, emotional clarity, and grounded support for women coming out after 30, 40, 50, and beyond. We talk openly about late bloomer experiences, being married with kids and questioning, single and not finding someone who is right for us, catalyst relationships, faith deconstruction, divorce, grief, identity shifts in midlife, and learning to trust the voice inside you that’s getting louder. This isn’t about rushing labels or blowing up your life. It’s about integration. Self-trust. And the kind of community that changes everything. Because women navigating later-in-life coming out do better — emotionally and practically — when they’re not doing it alone. New episodes weekly. Join the conversation on YouTube, and when you’re ready, step inside Authentically Us (https://community.annemariezanzal.com/)— Anne-Marie’s private community for women on this journey. This journey is yours and you are coming home to yourself. https://annemariezanzal.com/maybe-im-not-straight-guide/
Latest Episodes
View all 179 episodesHurricane Lessons: Betrayal, Becoming, & Coming Out Later in Life
The Surprise Truth About Sapphic Sex: What Nobody Tells You Before You Get Here!
Clarity Is a Thousand Small Permissions
You Can't Know What You Don't Know: DBT, Queer Joy, and Coming Out at Any Age with Dr. Kiki Fehling
I Had Been Waiting For Something My Whole Life
Red Flags, Love Bombing & Listening to Your Inner Voice
S7 Ep 14Too Gay to Fit In, Too New to Feel at Home
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
S7 Ep 13In the Nick of Time: Light Bird on Coming Out, Starting Over, and Making Music That Matters
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
S7 Ep 12What Lies Are You Telling Yourself? Kathy Houston on Waking Up to Who You Really Are
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
S7 Ep 11🤔So... Are You Actually Ready to Date?
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
S7 Ep 10The Losses No One Talks About When You Come Out
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
S7 Ep 9The Preacher Who Couldn't Pray Away the Gay (And What He Found Instead)
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
S7 Ep 8What Heated Rivalry Gets Right About Coming Out
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
S7 Ep 7U-Haul University: Stood Up, Stressed Out & Still Looking for Love!
🔥 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.
S7 Ep 6When the Shelf Breaks: Reflections on Breaking With Faith Tradition and What Lies Beyond
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
S7 Ep 5📷”I Want To See These Women’s Faces”
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!
S7 Ep 4Vulnerable Bodies, Heavy Hearts: Sexual Minority Stress & Homophobic Hate in the Wake of ICE Violence
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/
S7 Ep 3The Road That Led to Me: Becka Eppley's Story
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
S7 Ep 2U-Haul University: Sapphic Dating Advice!
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/
S7 Ep 1Deconstructing in a Post-Coming Out Landscape
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!