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

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/

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/This week on the podcast, Anne-Marie Zanzal and Barbara Rowlandson talk about one of the biggest concerns women have when coming out later in life: telling their kids that they aren't straight. We know this topic carries a lot of emotional weight and worry, and we encourage listeners to ground themselves and listen through to the end, as Anne-Marie and Barb cover a wide range of nuanced topics related to coming out to kids. You'll hear their personal experiences of coming out to their own children and conversation about the complexities of navigating queerness and family dynamics.❓ What to Expect in This Episode:👶🏼Advice on coming out to kids of all ages, from youngsters to grown adults.⚠️Reflections on pressures women face to disclose their sexuality to kids before they're ready.🗮How to cope with angry or estrangement after coming out.💞Vital considerations for helping your child process the news.✨ Why This Matters:For moms, this piece of the coming out process can be the most fraught, especially if their children are teens or adults. Anne-Marie and Barb in their years of working with women who come out later in life have observed this process in their clients' experiences and have informed reflections on what helps this process go smoothly, pitfalls to avoid, and what women need to meet this challenge in their coming out journey.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:If you haven't come out to your kids yet, we invite you to share your thoughts and concerns here. If you've already come out to your kids and have advice for others, share 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.com Lotus 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/This week on the podcast host Anne-Marie Zanzal chats with Sue Willoughby, a "No BS" life coach and Equus coach, who shares her journey of self-discovery, coming out, and the transformative power of equine-assisted coaching. Sue discusses her unique approach to helping women reconnect with themselves through the wisdom of horses, while also reflecting on her own experiences with family dynamics, relationships, and identity. Anne-Marie and Sue delve into the therapeutic benefits of horses and how they can facilitate personal growth and healing. Sue shares how horses can serve as mirrors to our emotions and personal challenges❓ What to Expect in This Episode:🐎Sue shares her coming out story and formative experiences as a young, queer person.🐎Exploration of how working with horses in a coaching setting can reveal our 'blind spots.'🐎Emphasis on the importance of mindfulness and being in the here and now.🐎Explanation of how the horse can become a metaphor for our personal issues.✨ Why This Matters:For anyone who is feeling stuck, mindfulness work and somatic experiences can lead to emotional release. This episode builds awareness on how Equus coaching can help us become more attuned with ourselves, and how the horse serves as both a mirror and a model for behavior.You can find out more about Willoughby Coaching online at https://www.willoughbycoaching.com/Sue is also the host of the A Life Worth Being podcast. You can tune in right here, on YouTube! ⁨@SueWilloughby⁩ One of Sue's coming out songs is I'm Coming Out by Diana Ross: https://youtu.be/3pmt-wWzC1E?si=CHq_f9TBqgDSl9aHA book that influenced Sue is Rubyfruit Jungle by Rita Mae Brown: https://www.goodreads.com/book/show/165395.Rubyfruit_JungleThe lesbian movie that Anne-Marie and Sue talked about is Desert Hearts: https://www.imdb.com/title/tt0089015/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:Have you participated in coaching or therapeutic work with horses? What was it like? How did it help you? Share in the comments your experiences!🔗 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.comDownload '3 Questions to Ask Yourself When Coming Out Later in Life' Guide: https://annemariezanzal.com/3-questions-ask-coming-out/Download "Embracing the In-Between: Messy Middle Guide and Checklist" https://annemariezanzal.com/free-guide-messy-middle-embracing-the-in-between/Download "5 Places to Start When Coming Out Later in Life" Guide" https://annemariezanzal.com/free-guide-where-to-start-your-coming-out-journey/Lotus 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/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! ;)

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/This week on the podcast, host Anne-Marie Zanzal speaks with feminist, transformational coach, and publisher of positivenewsus.org, Ilu Wloch. Ilu shares her story of growing up in communist Poland in a deeply Catholic culture, and discusses the impacts it had on her path of self-discovery. Tune in for an in-depth conversation about cultural gender expectations, Ilu's path to embracing her authentic sexuality, understanding the powerful pull towards the divine feminine, and her work as a healer.❓ What to Expect in This Episode:🗣️Conversation about cultural contexts of communism and Catholicism and their impacts on queer individuals.🕯️An in-depth exploration of the divine feminine in religion.♀️Understanding feminism and its misconceptions👥The gifts of cultivating positivity and community.✨ Why This Matters:Understanding the role of the patriarchy and the counterbalance of feminist resistance helps us all to understand the true significance - and fear of - female power. Challenging conventional gender roles, leaning into community of women, understanding the past and acknowledging our power to shape the future is both empowering and healing.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-UsYou can learn more about Ilu's coaching practice at https://www.readmylips.fm/Ilu is also a founder of https://www.positivenewsus.org/ a site dedicated to lifting the best of humanity to the surface for all to see.💬 Join the Conversation:What does feminism mean to 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!

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/Questioning is a fundamental aspect of Jewish tradition and learning. In this spirituality-focused episode, host Anne-Marie Zanzal and LGBTQIA+ activist, Rebecca Stapel-Wax, explore the intersections of queer, family, and faith identities in the context of Jewish community. Rebecca is the director of the Southern Jewish Resource Network for Gender and Sexual Diversity (SOJOURN) in Atlanta. Rebecca shares her personal experiences of coming out and her journey to find a welcoming Jewish community. Historical awareness is a running theme in this episode as Anne-Marie and Rebecca delve into Jewish history, particularly focusing on Ashkenazi traditions, and the importance of questioning within the faith. They discuss the evolution of LGBTQIA+ representation in Jewish communities and the significance of understanding diverse identities in contemporary society. There is an emphasis on the need for open conversations about faith, history, and identity, highlighting the role of community in supporting individuals navigating their spiritual and personal journeys.❓ What to Expect in This Episode:🎓An emphasis on the importance of inclusive education for youth and families.✡️Reconstructing Judaism, offering a more inclusive approach to faith.🏳️‍🌈Examining historical narratives that overlook significant figures and events, especially in LGBTQIA+ history.👥An emphasis on community support, vital for navigating life's challenges.Real Stories, Real Advice: Anne-Marie and Barbara share personal stories about times when negativity impacted their lives, the stories they told themselves that perpetuated their negative thought cycles, and how they put an end to negative thinking.✨ Why This Matters:It is important to recognize diverse identities within religious communities. And, community support is crucial for individuals exploring their identities within Judaism. Understanding the evolution of LGBTQIA+ rights is essential for intergenerational dialogue. Inclusivity in religious spaces can enhance community bonds and support.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-UsLearn more about Rebecca's work and SOJOURN at  https://sojourngsd.org/💬 Join the Conversation:Have you had to reconcile your faith with your sexuality? Let's talk about it! Comment and let us know your thoughts.🔗 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/Ever get stuck in a cycle of negative thinking? It happens to all of us! During periods of challenge, grief, or adversity, our normal coping skills may be stretched and we can easily find ourselves spiraling into a cyclone of negative thoughts. So, what can we do about it?In this candid episode, Anne-Marie Zanzal and Barbara Rowlandson share personal insights on overcoming negativity's grip – from its impact on how we see ourselves to navigating difficult relationship dynamics. Explore the power of community, the peace found in mindfulness, and the clarity gained through rituals and journaling. If you're seeking strategies to reframe negative thinking and embrace self-love, this conversation offers valuable perspectives and highlights affirmations as key tools for personal growth and acceptance.❓ What to Expect in This Episode:⛓️Anne-Marie and Barbara talk about how negativity impacts our personal growth and relationships.🦉Discussion on how reframing thoughts can improve your mental health.🧘Making distinctions between what is true and negative self talk that stems from core beliefs about self.👥Exploration of rituals that dispel negativityReal Stories, Real Advice: Anne-Marie and Barbara share personal stories about times when negativity impacted their lives, the stories they told themselves that perpetuated their negative thought cycles, and how they put an end to negative thinking.✨ Why This Matters:Negative thinking arises from feelings of shame and guilt, emotions experienced by many women who come out later in life. The shame and guilt is often rooted in deeply ingrained, gendered expectations for women. As we step away from heteronormativity and into our authentic selves and sexual identity, it is the perfect time to end negative internal narratives about what it means to be a good woman and change our inner-script to be more affirming.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:Do you struggle with negative thinking and rumination? How did it impact you during your coming out process? Is it something you still deal with? 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: A space for women who are coming out later in life. Join us for support groups, education, and community for just $34.99/month - your first week is free! https://bit.ly/Authentically-UsNeed a deeper level of support for coming out and getting through "The Messy Middle?" Lotus Community Coaching is a 6-month program for women coming out later in life. Learn more at https://comingoutsupport.net/coaching-programThis week, please enjoy this revisited episode from season five, featuring Dr. Tina Schermer-Sellers. Dr. Tina Schermer-Sellers is a therapist, sex educator with a Ph.D. in clinical sexology, author, and Medical Director for the Northwest Institute on Intimacy. Tune in as host Anne-Marie Zanzal has a wide-ranging conversation with Dr. Schermer-Sellers about sexuality, gender identity, the harmful repercussions of purity culture on sexuality and relationships, and society's shift towards acceptance of diverse identities.This episode is of particular interest to anyone who has endured purity culture. Purity culture in America (and other countries) has truly made sex and sexuality points of angst and shame for so many people, straight and gay. If you've been impacted by the vice of purity culture, we encourage you to listen to this episode as a step towards healing.Connect with Dr. Tina Schermer-Sellers at www.tinaschermersellers.com🔗 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/

Want to check out the April 2025 events highlighted at the start of this episode? Visit Authentically Us at https://bit.ly/Authentically-Us🌈 In this episode, host Anne-Marie Zanzal and coming out coach Barbara Rowlandson explore the complexities of estrangement, grief, and the societal narratives surrounding suffering. They discuss personal experiences with estrangement from children, the impact of diet culture on self-worth, and the cultural messages that equate suffering with love and worthiness, particularly for women. Their dialogue emphasizes the importance of choosing joy over suffering, recognizing the dual realities of grief and happiness, and challenging the comfort found in familiar suffering. Anne-Marie and Barb encourage listeners to rethink their relationship with suffering and embrace a more compassionate view of themselves and their experiences. Themes explored in this episode include struggle, ease, and the inherent worthiness of joy, the importance of self-acceptance, the practice of allowing joy to be a default state, and the necessity of releasing unnecessary suffering. Listeners are encouraged to embrace their worthiness and the joy that comes with it, challenging the narrative that happiness must be earned through hardship.❓ What to Expect in This Episode:⛓️Anne-Marie and Barbara talk about harmful messages about self-worth and joy that are directed at women.🦉Discussion on how opposing feelings like grief and joy can coexist and are not mutually exclusive.🧘The roles of mindfulness and self-compassion in overcoming suffering.👥How community support can help individuals thrive, cultivate self-kindness, and embrace their true selves.Real Stories, Real Advice: Anne-Marie and Barb discuss their personal relationships to suffering and how and when they learned in early life that suffering is a virtue. They share anecdotes about family estrangement, diet culture, religion, and divorce to highlight their relationship to suffering, and then discuss how they deconstructed the belief that suffering is virtuous, learning to live without shame and suffering as a prerequisite to joy.✨ Why This Matters:Women are raised with strong messages about what it means to be a good girl or woman, and those lessons become deeply ingrained, lasting well into adulthood. Suffering and self-sacrifice are seen as womanly burdens, and women are groomed to expect that suffering is normal and noble. When women come out later in life and leave their heteronormative lives, there is an opportunity to step away from societal expectations and embrace self-love and joy without conditions that include suffering.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:Has this episode made you think about your own relationship to suffering? Drop a comment and let's talk about it!🔗 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/

📌🎙️Support The Tennessee Equality ProjectWant to help us make positive change for LGBTQ individuals in Tennessee? Visit https://podcasthon.org/podcaster/coming-out-beyond to find the link to make a donation today! You can learn more about The Tennessee Equality Project at https://www.tnep.org/🌈 It's Podcasthon 2025! What does that mean? This week's show is part of a larger initiative by podcasters everywhere to raise awareness and funds for worthy causes. This week's show is in support of The Tennessee Equality Project, an organization dedicated to legislative advocacy for LGBTQ rights in the Tennessee General Assembly and local governments around the state. The Tennessee Equality Project ensures that LGBTQ voices are heard by federal officials, taking a stand on important issues that impact the lives of LGBTQ Tennessee residents. Our guest this week is Chris Sanders, the Executive Director of the Tennessee Equality Project. Chris and Anne-Marie discuss the importance of LGBTQ advocacy, personal coming out stories, and the intersection of faith and sexuality.❓ What to Expect in This Episode:⚖️Chris shares insights on the challenges faced by the LGBTQ community in Tennessee, the role of advocacy in creating change, and the significance of community support🧠Anne-Marie and Chris touch on the importance of critical thinking and the need for trust in collaborative efforts for advocacy.👥There is an emphasis on building trust, showing up consistently and leaning into community for effective advocacy.✨ Why This Matters:We are more effective in our advocacy when we understand the legislative landscape, build trust in our community of support and show up consistently in advocacy efforts💬 Join the Conversation:Are you a member of the LGBTQ community living in Tennessee? Or maybe you're an advocate for LGBTQ rights in another state and have some wisdom to share? 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/💠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!

🌈 What exactly is resilience? Why is it so important to the coming out later in life process? How can we push past fear and uncertainty? How can we become more resilient so we don't lose ourselves in grief, rejection, or pain? These are some of the things host Anne-Marie Zanzal and her fellow coach, Barbara Rowlandson, discuss in this podcast episode about resilience.❓ What to Expect in This Episode:🌈 Anne-Marie and Barb reflect on the power of self-compassion when coming out later in life.🧑🏼‍🤝‍🧑🏿Emphasis on the importance of finding a supportive community and dealing with loss of support from family and friends.❤️‍🩹Holding space for both grief and joy in the coming out process.🏳️‍🌈Leaning into queer joy and the gifts associated with coming out.Real Stories, Real Advice: Anne-Marie and Barb explore the concept of resiliency as an ongoing process rather than a one-time achievement. They emphasizes the importance of self-compassion and understanding one's authentic self versus conditioned self. In this episode, you'll hear advice on how to foster resilience, particularly for those navigating life changes within the LGBTQIA+ spectrum. Anne-Marie Zanzal and Barbara Rowlandson explore the themes of fear, resilience, and personal growth, particularly in the context of coming out and embracing one's identity. They discuss the importance of reframing fear, the necessity of grieving past experiences while embracing new possibilities, and the value of self-affirmation. The conversation emphasizes that resilience is a practice that requires mindfulness and community support, and that it is possible to hold space for both loss and joy simultaneously.✨ Why This Matters:Coming out later in life is usually associated with a lot of big life changes, losses, accompanied by joys and self-discovery. The process often feels like a rollercoaster ride that includes grief, excitement, anger, sadness, exhilaration, and fulfilment. Building resilience for the wild ride of coming out helps you to keep it together when feelings are all over the place.📌🎙️About Authentically UsLater in lifers have unique needs. Authentically Us is a space where women can participate in discussions, attend support groups & find education on exploring sexuality, coming out, queer relationships and more. You can find Authentically Us here: https://community.annemariezanzal.com/landing?space_id=17760704🏳️‍🌈Maybe I'm Not Straight?We have a mini course available for those questioning their sexual orientation and feeling unsure about next steps. It is a comprehensive mini course designed to provide you with the tools and support you need to explore your identity and embrace your authentic self. https://annemariezanzal.com/courses-from-anne-marie-zanzal/#notstraight🏳️‍🌈Embracing the In-Between is our Messy Middle guide that can help you shift from overwhelm to clarity. It's a guide designed to help you reflect, identify growth areas, track progress and cultivate self kindness. https://annemariezanzal.com/free-guide-messy-middle-embracing-the-in-between/💬 Join the Conversation:Has coming out later in life made you stronger? How has it changed your life? If you've been through this journey and have thoughts on resilience, tell us 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/

🌈 Meet Kiki Joy Latham: soulful singer, survivor, and later in life lesbian. In this episode, Kiki shares their journey in a conversation with host Anne-Marie Zanzal, and it is a true story of self-discovery, navigating queer identity, and championing challenges faced in relationships and spirituality. From their early life in a diverse community to experiences with love, faith, and the search for belonging, Kiki's story is one of resilience and empowerment. Kiki discusses the impact of toxic relationships and spiritual abuse, and how they ultimately found their voice and community in the LGBTQIA+ space. ❓ What to Expect in This Episode:🌈 Kiki's experiences of rejection and trauma in early relationships and their path to self-acceptance provides inspiration to those who may be struggling.📣 Emphasis on the importance of finding a supportive community.❤️‍🩹Discussion about spiritual abuse and deconstructing religion.🧑🏼‍🤝‍🧑🏿Inspiration so that you, too, might find hope for greater fulfilment after a period of intense struggle and loneliness. Real Stories, Real Advice: Kiki's story reminds us of the powerful forces that can keep women from recognizing their authentic sexuality. Kiki's strict upbringing, experiences with racism and manipulative conversative faith communities diverted her from their inner voice. Ultimately Kiki began to listen to that inner voice telling them something was wrong, leading to a path of self-discovery and greater happiness as they embraced their queer identity.✨ Why This Matters:So often, people who come out later in life do not see themselves or their experiences reflected, and therefore experience difficulty locating their identity of the LGBTQIA+ spectrum. Kiki provides us with a model of a strong, talented, Black and queer individual who overcame the odds to become the happy, thriving queer person they are today.📌🎙️About Authentically UsLater in lifers have unique needs. Authentically Us is a space where women can participate in discussions, attend support groups & find education on exploring sexuality, coming out, queer relationships and more. You can find Authentically Us here: https://community.annemariezanzal.com/landing?space_id=17760704💬 Join the Conversation:Are you struggling with deconstructing religion or have experienced spiritual abuse or racism? How is your story similar to Kiki's? Tell us about it in the comments.You can find Kiki on Instagram as @lovekikijoy.🔗 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/

The Three Big Questions You've GOT to Ask Before Coming Out | Coming Out & Beyond: LGBTQIA+ Stories |Season 6 Episode 9 🌈 If you're a woman reevaluating your sexuality later in life, this episode is going to change things for you. Why? Because host Anne-Marie Zanzal and fellow coming out coach Barbara Rowlandson talk about the three most important questions you need to ask yourself at the start of your sexual awakening/coming out journey. Anne-Marie and Barb, both later-in-life lesbians who work in this very niche community supporting women who come out in their 30s, 40s, 50s, 60s, and beyond, share some common threads of the coming out experience and wisdom that can help you find the courage to make hard decisions.Download the free 3 Questions Guide: api.leadconnectorhq.com/widget/form/4qBZycuEelYRSvpLNy1MIn this episode, Anne-Marie and Barb also make reference to the Dealing with Guilt and Shame Guide. If you'd like to check it out, it's free too: api.leadconnectorhq.com/widget/form/QFAgIx30gAptZxdsUNjP❓ What to Expect in This Episode:🌈 Anne-Marie and Barb explain why the question of our sexuality often surfaces when things seem to be going great.📣 Discussion on why the "good girl's prescription for a happy life" doesn't make us fully happy.❤️‍🩹An explanation of disenfranchised grief: what it is, and why it can make this process so much harder.🧑🏼‍🤝‍🧑🏿Sharing Authentically Us, a community, support and learning space for women who are going through the sexual reevaluation and coming out process.Real Stories, Real Advice: Women who are just starting this journey often don't know where to go next and feel stuck between feelings of not wanting to "ruin" their lives and intense desire for intimate connection with women. This episode addresses that place of being stuck, offering questions that can help lead you to some clarity about what you want and next steps.✨ Why This Matters:There is so little awareness and support out there for women who are questioning their sexuality later in life. This episode directly addresses where you can find the support you need, directing you to a place where you can talk about what you're experiencing without fear of judgement, with people who understand this journey.📌🎙️About Authentically Us Later in lifers have unique needs. Authentically Us is a space where women can participate in discussions, attend support groups & find education on exploring sexuality, coming out, queer relationships and more. You can find Authentically Us here: https://community.annemariezanzal.com/landing?space_id=17760704💬 Join the Conversation:Are you struggling with feeling like you want to be with a woman? Worried about what this means for you and the people you care about? Share your thoughts, experiences, and questions in the comments below. Let’s foster a supportive community where we can learn from each other.🔗 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!

👣A Path to Spiritual Healing🏳️‍🌈 The Role of Affirming Spiritual Direction for the LGBTQIA+ Community | Season 6 Episode 8 🌈 This week on "Coming Out & Beyond: LGBTQIA+ Stories" host Anne-Marie Zanzal spends some time in conversation with Canadian spiritual director, Joan Alexander. Joan serves on the faculty of several formation programs teaching and supervising students in ministry. She facilitates workshops and webinars on topics such as spiritual accompaniment to the LGBTQIA+ community, spiritual trauma, hurting and healing. Joan currently serves on the board of directors of Spiritual Directors International.❓ What to Expect in This Episode:🌈 Understanding the nature of professional spiritual direction.🪞 Reflecting on the impact of coming out on spirituality.❤️‍🩹Working with trauma in spiritual direction.📋Using the Enneagram assessment tool and much more!Real Stories, Real Advice: This episode is a must listen for anyone is LGBTQIA+ and has spiritual wounds from faith communities. Joan reviews her spiritual direction tools – conversation, prayer, community, Enneagram assessments, dream work and symbolism – and gives us a mini-demonstration of how they are used in spiritual direction.✨ Why This Matters:This episode shows us how spiritual direction can help LGBTQIA+ individuals reclaim their spirituality.📌🎙️About Joan Alexander: You can find Joan online at https://www.joanalexanderspiritualdirector.com/Joan offers spiritual directions sessions on a sliding scale. If you use Joan's Calendly to book a session, please put a note in at the time of booking that you found her through the Coming Out & Beyond: LGBTQIA+ Stories podcast!💬 Join the Conversation:Are you a member of the LGBTQIA+ community who has a complicated relationship with spirituality and faith? Share your thoughts, experiences, and questions in the comments below. Let’s foster a supportive community where we can learn from each other.🔗 Visit our website:Anne-Marie's : [ annemariezanzal.com]🌟 Why Watch This Episode? Many in the LGBTQIA+ community experience religious trauma and become disconnected from their spiritual lives. Anne-Marie and Joan, both lesbians in LGBTQIA+ ministries, illuminate a path for wounded individuals to find a way back to their spiritual side, in a way that respects individual dignity and acknowledges trauma.🔗 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!

➡️Reframing Guilt & Shame Part 2: A New Perspective | Season 6 Episode 7🌈 Welcome to another episode of "Coming Out & Beyond: LGBTQIA+ Stories"!Host Anne-Marie Zanzal and fellow later-in-lifer Barbara Rowlandson are back this week to talk about recognizing and reframing guilt and shame. Guilt and shame are two of the most common feelings that later-in-lifers struggle with. Anne-Marie and Barb keep the conversation going about these very challenging feelings in the context of coming out, deconstruct them, and offer new perspectives.❓ What to Expect in This Episode:🌧️ Values, where we learn them, and dealing with guilt and shame as our values change.⚖️ Being fair to ourselves, allowing grace for life changes.🧗‍♀️Cultivating psychological flexibility, strategies for addressing shame, temporary fixes and bargaining during the coming out process, and much more!Real Stories, Real Advice: Anne-Marie and Barbara talk about guilt and shame in the context of their own lives and experiences.✨ Why This Matters:It's important to differentiate between feelings and identity. Reflection and perspective can help in understanding guilt and shame. Women are disproportionately impacted by societally driven guilt and shame based on gender role expectations. Self-compassion is a practice that can significantly reduce these difficult feelings.📌🎙️About Barbara Rowlandson:With years of experience as a relationship coach, Barbara specializes in helping LGBTQIA+ individuals and couples create fulfilling and authentic relationships. Her compassionate approach empowers individuals to embrace their identity and build strong connections.💬 Join the Conversation:What does dating readiness mean to you? Share your thoughts, experiences, and questions in the comments below. Let’s foster a supportive community where we can learn from each other.🔗 Visit our website:Barbara Rowlandson’s : [ lavenderdating.com]Anne-Marie's : [ annemariezanzal.com]🌟 Why Watch This Episode?If you're a later in lifer in what we call "The Messy Middle," you might be experiencing a great deal of guilt and shame over your sexual identity, wanting divorce, impacting your children, or going against your faith tradition. In this episode, you'll learn you aren't alone in those feelings, feel understood, and begin to learn ways to navigate the murky waters of guilt and shame.🔗 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/

➡️Reframing Guilt & Shame Associated with Coming Out Later in Life : Season 6 Episode 6🌈 Welcome to another episode of "Coming Out & Beyond: LGBTQIA+ Stories"!Host Anne-Marie Zanzal invites fellow later-in-lifer Barbara Rowlandson back to the podcast to talk about everyone's favorite topic 🙄, guilt and shame! Guilt and shame are two of the most common feelings that later-in-lifers struggle with. Anne-Marie and Barb have a conversation about these very challenging feelings in the context of coming out, deconstruct them, and offer new perspectives.❓ What to Expect in This Episode:🌧️ Definitions guilt and shame and understanding the nuanced differences between them.⚖️ Review justified vs. unjustified guilt and shame and how societal pressures contribute to unjustified guilt.🧗‍♀️Recognizing how guilt and shame manifest in our bodies, separating our identity from our feelings and more!Real Stories, Real Advice: Anne-Marie and Barbara talk about guilt and shame in the context of their own lives and experiences.✨ Why This Matters:It's important to differentiate between feelings and identity. Reflection and perspective can help in understanding guilt and shame. Women are disproportionately impacted by societally driven guilt and shame based on gender role expectations. Self-compassion is a practice that can significantly reduce these difficult feelings.📌🎙️About Barbara Rowlandson:With years of experience as a relationship coach, Barbara specializes in helping LGBTQIA+ individuals and couples create fulfilling and authentic relationships. Her compassionate approach empowers individuals to embrace their identity and build strong connections.💬 Join the Conversation:What does dating readiness mean to you? Share your thoughts, experiences, and questions in the comments below. Let’s foster a supportive community where we can learn from each other.🔗 Visit our website:Anne-Marie's : [ www.annemariezanzal.com]Barbara Rowlandson’s : [ www.lavenderdating.com]🌟 Why Watch This Episode?If you're a later in lifer in what we call "The Messy Middle," you might be experiencing a great deal of guilt and shame over your sexual identity, wanting divorce, impacting your children, or going against your faith tradition. In this episode, you'll learn you aren't alone in those feelings, feel understood, and begin to learn ways to navigate the murky waters of guilt and shame.🔗 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!#comingoutandbeyond #lgbtqiastories #guilt #shame #BarbaraRowlandson #AnneMarieZanzal #lgbt #lgbtq #lgbtqia #2slgbtqia #lgbtqpodcast #lgbtqplus #comingout #comingoutlaterinlife #lateinlifelesbian #latetolesbian #themessymiddle #divorce #podcast #love #separation #lgbtpodcast #lgbtrepresentation #lifetransitions

🌈 Welcome to another episode of "Coming Out & Beyond: LGBTQIA+ Stories"!In this episode, host Anne-Marie Zanzal and fellow coming-out coach, Barbara Rowlandson, talk about leaning into queer community during challenging times. Informed by their work with later-in-lifers, Anne-Marie and Barb discuss why this demographic of women needs community so much.❓ What to Expect in This Episode:✔️ Explanation of the recent changes to Facebook Community Standards that are harmful to the LGBTQIA+ community.✔️Protecting your mental health during a period of uncertainty that comes with political and social change.✔️ How, as a newly out person, you can find queer community in real life.✔️Moving later-in-life lesbian Facebook communities to a safer space (Authentically Us on Mighty Networks).✨ Why This Matters:Women who come out later in life often feel like outsiders in both the hetero and LGBTQIA+ worlds. It is common for later-in-lifers to feel alone, and in these uncertain times, many are scared. Now more than ever, later-in-life queer women need to lean into each other for support, camaraderie, joy, and to be seen.📌🎙️About Barbara Rowlandson With years of experience as a relationship coach, Barbara specializes in helping LGBTQIA+ individuals and couples create fulfilling and authentic relationships. Her compassionate approach empowers individuals to embrace their identity and build strong connections. Barbara's work is centered on values identification, examining and reevaluating core beliefs, overcoming limiting beliefs, fostering self-worth, and cultivating psychological flexibility.💬 Join the Conversation:What does community mean to you? Share your thoughts, experiences, and questions in the comments below. Let’s foster a supportive community where we can learn from each other.🔗 Visit our website:Anne-Marie's : [ annemariezanzal.com]🌟 Why Listen to This Episode?If you're a queer person who needs to feel connected to others in your community, this episode holds many fantastic suggestions for finding like-minded individuals who will respect your identity.🔗 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/

🌈 Welcome to another episode of "Coming Out & Beyond: LGBTQIA+ Stories"!In this episode, host Anne-Marie Zanzal interviews Pastor Greg Bullard, the longest-serving affirming pastor in Tennessee. They discuss Greg's coming out journey, the importance of community in faith, and the role of acceptance within the church. Greg shares his experiences growing up in a strict religious environment and how he found his place in the Metropolitan Community Church (MCC). the conversation delves into the challenges of language in faith, the duality of love, and the need for community support. Greg emphasizes the importance of transforming hate into love and creating a beautiful world through action and connection.❓ What to Expect in This Episode:✔️ Emphasis on the importance of community to faith and salvation.✔️ The importance of language in faith matters and how it can be a barrier or a bridge.✔️The power of transforming hate into love and more!✨ Why This Matters:Many within the LGBTQIA+ community experience rejection from their faith communities and suffer religious trauma. Pastor Greg Bullard offers a perspective that makes space for queer individuals and emphasizes that church trauma stems from individuals, not God. Finding friendship and support within a faith community can be deeply meaningful and healing for those who have suffered religious trauma.📌🎙️About Pastor Greg Bullard:Pastor Greg Bullard started his ministry in northern Alabama when he first felt the call at his home church. His pastor, then, said, “Greg, I’m sorry you’ll never be able to be in ministry because of who you are, and that’s not fair.” Over three decades later, Pastor Greg has built one of the most long-standing affirming ministries in the Southeast. A graduate of The University of Alabama in Huntsville, he made Nashville his permanent home in the late 1990s. With an accounting and business systems background, he marries his analytical side with his humor and storytelling each week as he ministers in the community and his home church. Greg has been recognized by the Human Rights Campaign, Tennessee Equality Project, Middle Tennessee State University, and Hands On Nashville for his work in LGBTQ+ ministry and food security. He and his husband, Brian, live with their son, Micah, born in 2011 and daughter, Esther, born in 2014. You’ll find his other son, Zach, on the piano bench every Sunday, sharing the ministry. Learn more about Greg here: https://www.covenantofthecross.com/staff-nav💬 Join the Conversation:What does faith mean to you? Share your thoughts, experiences, and questions in the comments below. Let’s foster a supportive community where we can learn from each other.🔗 Visit our website:Anne-Marie's : [ www.annemariezanzal.com]🌟 Why Watch This Episode?If you're a queer person who has been impacted by a conservative faith tradition and feeling the loss of acceptance by your faith community, let this episode inspire you and help you to know that you are inherently lovable and that there is space for you in an affirming church.🔗 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: (https://podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/coming-out-beyond-lgbtqia-stories/id1569859569)Spotify: (https://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!

Buckle up, daters! In this episode of Coming Out & Beyond, we’re diving even deeper into the complexities of dating in the LGBTQIA+ community with Barbara Rowlandson, a seasoned relationship coach and LGBTQIA+ advocate. 🌈❤️Dating can be both exciting and daunting, especially when you’re navigating life after coming out or rediscovering your authentic self. In this candid conversation, Barbara offers insights, tools, and strategies to help you assess your dating readiness and build meaningful connections that honor your true self.💡 Topics Covered:☑️ What you need to consider before starting to date☑️ The importance of self-acceptance to the dating experience☑️ Ridding yourself of limiting thoughts about yourself and dating☑️ Why vulnerability is essential for connection☑️ Preparing for rejection – an inevitability in dating🎙️About Barbara Rowlandson:With years of experience as a relationship coach, Barbara specializes in helping LGBTQIA+ individuals and couples create fulfilling and authentic relationships. Her compassionate approach empowers individuals to embrace their identity and build strong connections.💬 Join the Conversation:What does dating readiness mean to you? Share your thoughts, experiences, and questions in the comments below. Let’s foster a supportive community where we can learn from each other.🔗 Visit our website:Barbara Rowlandson’s : [ lavenderdating.com]Anne-Marie's : [ annemariezanzal.com]🌟 Why Watch This Episode?Whether you’re new to the dating scene or seeking to improve your approach, this episode provides valuable insights to help you date with confidence, authenticity, and purpose.🔗 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!

Please download, like & subscribe! You can also tune into this episode of Coming Out & Beyond: LGBTQIA+ Stories on Apple Podcasts and Spotify.Dating later in life can feel like tricky business! That's why we've asked our in-house dating expert, Barbara Rowlandson, to chat about best practices when stepping out into the dating world after a long hiatus. This episode covers dating while you're still in your heteronormative marriage, assessing your dating readiness, priorities in dating, and much more!Interested in taking part in Lavender Dating's 2-part dating workshop, Jan 25th & Feb 1st? Visit www.lavenderdating.com or www.annemariezanzal.com for more information and to register.

Another year of podcasts is in the history books! In this first episode of Season 6, host Anne-Marie Zanzal and her fellow coach/producer Barbara Rowlandson review some of their favorite episodes of 2024, and give us a peek into topics that will be covered in 2025. Happy New Year, everyone!

80% of gender is between your ears (not your legs) says, transition coach Wendy Cole. Wendy's remarkable story begins in the 1950s, when as a very young child she knew she was a girl. In her conversation with host Anne-Marie Zanzal, Wendy shares her struggles in early childhood with her parents and psychiatric professionals who gave her harmful labels, how she coped in a heteronormative world, her eventual breaking point when she finally stepped into her identity as a woman, her friendship with her ex-wife, figuring out her sexuality post-transition, and much more. 

Oh yes! Oh no! It's the holiday season once again! Individuals in the LGBTQIA+ community experience unique stressors during the holiday season. Queer/coming out coaches Anne-Marie Zanzal and Barbara Rowlandson have a lively discussion about strategies for coping with family, friends, and life changes during the holiday season. This is an especially good episode for anyone who is coming out or newly out!

What does it mean to hide? How does hiding effect us and the people around us? This week's podcast could be considered an expert on hiding. Author Karen Solt, a lesbian, made her career in the United States navy which spanned over the "Don't Ask, Don't Tell" years (1993-2011). A middle child with alcoholic parents, Karen's youth was a wild one, where she hid, started drinking at age 9-10, and generally underachieved to stay below the radar. After high school, Karen was tricked into joining the navy by an unscrupulous recruitment officer. Karen found structure in the navy, became sober, made chief after 11 years, and spent the entirety of her career hiding her sexuality. When she retired, Karen found that she couldn't hide behind the uniform any longer, and thus began her journey of learning, healing, and being seen. 

Poet, lyricist, celebrated vintage/antiques seller, and author of "Selling Dead People's Things" Duane Scott Cerny has led a varied and fascinating life. In this episode, Duane shares his remarkable life story with host Anne-Marie Zanzal, covering his sister's miraculous recovery from an grievous illness that caused his parents to convert to Catholicism, growing up gay in the Chicago suburbs, using his charm to diffuse school bullies and developing entrepreneurial skills in high school as self-protection, losing a partner and friends during the AIDS crisis, his early work launching his own record label, founding Chicago's popular Broadway Antique Market, and much, much more. Tune in to hear all of the colorful details of Duane's incredible life story!Learn more about Duane at https://sellingdeadpeoplesthings.com/meet-the-author/Discover more about the Broadway Antique Market at https://bamchicago.com/Duane's favorite musical is 'Sunset Boulevard.' You can catch a compelling performance by Glenn Close in the lead role here: https://youtu.be/i8Xz1aHPhE4?si=r8LtdVWGT2ISMRNB

This week, host Anne-Marie Zanzal chats with the very wise and funny Phillip Headrick. Phillip, is the host of the recently retired "Two Bottles Deep" podcast, a physical therapist, and Nashville-based comedian. Before he was the charming and confident person he is today, Phillip was a boy raised on a farm in rural Tennessee who was raised in a Christian cult known as "The Truth." As a young man in college, Phillip's realization that he was gay sparked an existential crisis that will have a familiar ring to anyone who has grown up in a conservative faith community. Tune in to hear Phillip's coming out story, the unlikely response from his parents when he came out, and Phillip's messages of grace and tolerance. You can tune in to previous episodes of the "Two Bottles Deep" podcast here: https://twobottlesdeep.libsyn.com/When in Nashville, you can catch Phillip's standup comedy at The Third Coast Comedy Club https://www.thirdcoastcomedy.club/ or Zanies Nashville https://nashville.zanies.com/#Phillip's coming out song is Believe by Cher: https://youtu.be/nZXRV4MezEw?si=7DmK3t9-ph5YCvuMA book that has had a profound impact on Phillip's life is Talking to Strangers: What We Should Know About the People We Don't Know by Malcolm Gladwell: https://www.goodreads.com/book/show/43848929-talking-to-strangers

NSFW: This episode contains strong language that may be offensive to some.The current political climate is undoubtedly tough for the LGBTQIA+ community. How do we persevere in a society where so many would like to see queer people go back in the closet? This week on Coming Out & Beyond: LGBTQIA+ Stories, host Anne-Marie Zanzal taps into the wisdom of individuals who have been out for several decades, discussing how to push through adversity and thrive. Anne-Marie is joined by her wife, Tonda McKay, who came out in the early '80s, Pam Nuchols, LCSW and therapist, and Robert McNamara, retired GM and founder of Franklin TN Pride. You'll here the group talk about their coming out stories, loss in the time of the AIDS crisis, emerging from conservative faith traditions, and how they've come through times that are even tougher than what we face in the present day.Robert's coming out song is Don't You Want Me by The Human League: https://youtu.be/uPudE8nDog0?si=uC0pHYXId_qrFsm0Pam's coming out song is Can't Fight This Feeling by REO Speedwagon: https://youtu.be/zpOULjyy-n8?si=Mx9nk8yCXF8cwk9sand Pam also recommends reading Rubyfruit Jungle by Rita Mae Brown: https://www.goodreads.com/book/show/165395.Rubyfruit_JungleAnne-Marie and Tonda mentioned a song by Chappell Roan, "Good Luck, Babe": https://youtu.be/6ENzV125lWc?si=admdyeKj1VdmNsZyTonda recommends reading "Another Mother Tongue: Gay Words, Gay worlds" by Judy Grahn: https://www.goodreads.com/book/show/64767.Another_Mother_Tongue

Activist, scholar, mental health advocate, and The Trevor Project and WClub volunteer JJ King (they/them) is Anne-Marie's special guest on this episode of Coming Out & Beyond: LGBTQIA+ Stories. Anne-Marie and JJ met as JJ was beginning their coming out journey. Both were raised in conservative faith traditions that impacted their sense of self and autonomy. In this compelling conversation about women's power, Anne-Marie and JJ unpack the layered impacts of conservative faith, including homophobia, purity culture, and complementarianism. JJ shares their inspiring story of how they emerged from a family system and marriage where they were deeply oppressed to live their best life. Recorded just two days after the 2024 U.S. election, Anne-Marie and JJ also unpack why so many white American women voted against themselves.

Charlie Sprinkman is a young person with a vision! After working in a job that required him to travel across 50+ states, Charlie recognized there was a lack of visibility to queer-owned businesses when he tried to find them in his travels and his searches came up empty. This is how Everywhere is Queer was born. Everywhere is Queer is a free app where people can list and search for queer-owned businesses. With an enormous amount of hard work and a boost from major media outlets, Everywhere is Queer's visibility has dramatically taken off, with thousands participating on the app worldwide. Tune in to hear host Anne-Marie Zanzal chat with Charlie about their journey, from their early days growing up in conservative Wisconsin, coming out, his fearless 'just do it' attitude, the country that surprised him the most, his business coaching service, and much more.You can learn more about the Everywhere is Queer app at https://www.everywhereisqueer.com/A song that is meaningful to Charlie is 'Same Love' by Macklemore feat. Mary Lambert: https://youtu.be/hlVBg7_08n0?si=TOvY3aMo1wogizyjA television show that Charlie recommends is 'Pose': https://www.imdb.com/title/tt7562112/Find out more about Everything is Queer, sign up for his newsletter, and find links to connect on Instagram and TikTok at www.everythingisqueer.com.

Join host Anne-Marie Zanzal as she welcomes author and coach Annie M. Henderson to explore the diverse experiences of women coming out later in life. Annie shares her personal journey, highlighting the challenges of growing up Catholic in Northeast Texas and the profound impact of a lack of representation in her life. The conversation delves into the complexities of people pleasing and co-dependency, revealing how these patterns can shape relationships and self-identity. Annie's catalyst experience serves as a pivotal point in her story, leading to deep reflections on authenticity and self-acceptance. Tune in for an insightful discussion that emphasizes the uniqueness of each individual's journey while navigating the common themes of discovery and empowerment within the LGBTQIA community.

Women: dating in the LGBTQIA+ community, especially if you haven't dated in a very long time, or if you're new to dating other queer people, can feel very daunting! Figuring out how to navigate dating apps, learning how to talk to strangers, and identifying your priorities and goals are among some of the very real challenges that singles face. This week on the podcast, host Anne-Marie Zanzal chats with later-in-lifer Barb Rowlandson, whose coaching work has expanded to working with those who want to get the most out of their dating experiences.You can learn more about her coaching and support programs for LGBTQIA+ women at www.lavenderdating.com.In this episode, Anne-Marie and Barb talk about the 'toaster oven,' a reference to a joke from Ellen DeGeneres' 90s sitcom. You can learn more about that reference here: https://annemariezanzal.com/whats-up-with-the-toaster-oven-by-tonda-mckay/

KaRon Spriggs-Bethea, DSW, LCSW, educator and expert on the subject of bullying. KaRon experienced bullying as a young person, and today uses his expertise to support others who feel diminished as a result of bullying. In this episode, host Anne-Marie Zanzal talks with KaRon about his lived experiences being bullied as a black, gay man, defines bullying, and discusses how to minimize shame, build self-esteem, and how to support the people we care about who are experiencing bullying.

Happy National Coming Out Day, 2024! In this episode, host Anne-Marie Zanzal chats with two of her favorite lesbians: her wife, Tonda, and fellow coach, Barb. Anne-Marie, Tonda, and Barb share their thoughts on signs that you might not be as straight as you originally thought. A little cheeky and with a lot of laughs, these three touch on stereotypes in the lesbian community and throw a little sage advice into the mix. It's a fun episode you won't want to miss!

This week on CO&B and in honor of LGBTQ+ History Month, we are revisiting an episode from season 1 featuring Judy Wilson. Judy grew up in Nashville, Tennessee in a Roman Catholic family. She came out in the early 1970’s and live in San Francisco during the AIDS crisis. Her story is a testament to the courageousness underground culture of those who came out out in the South and an important reminder of the challenges faced by our queer elders. Judy is a website designer and writer/mentor. You can find her at site-shack.com or www.judyannewilson.com.

This episode of Coming Out and Beyond: LGBTQIA+ Stories featuring a conversation with lesbian couple's expert, Dr. Robin Sesan originally aired in December 2023. Today, we reshare this episode with you and invite you to join us at Dr. Sesan's upcoming workshop, Strengthening Love: Building Secure Bonds for Lesbian Couples, on Oct 17th in Provincetown MA during Women's Week. Tickets are available on Eventbrite, spaces are limited.Link to the event information and to purchase tickets: Strengthening Love: Building Secure Bonds for Lesbian Couples Tickets, Thu, Oct 17, 2024 at 1:30 PM | EventbriteDr. Robin Sesan is a Licensed Psychologist and Certified Emotionally Focused Couples Therapist specializing in working with lesbian/queer couples. She has recently developed an online coaching program for lesbian couples. Listen as host Anne-Marie Zanzal chats with Robin about her coming out later-in-life experience, challenges that are unique to the later-in-life experience, lesbian couple dynamics, and how to make your relationship go the distance.Visit Robin's websites for her therapy practice: www.securelesbiancouples.com and www.thebrandywinecenter.comFollow Robin on Instagram @securelesbiancouples Robin's coming out songs are Defying Gravity from the musical "Wicked" https://youtu.be/MslDnwerQRA?si=AL_c2AD4287DAdsf and The Power of Two by Indigo Girls https://youtu.be/hj0yVN8pFNw?si=I4uiTd7GH2YrJhZJA book that validated Robin's perspective on life was The Secret Life of Bees by Sue Monk Kidd.

Coming out is often an ongoing process, and sometimes people come out selectively to the people around them. It is not unusual for our family members to be the last to know this important piece about our identity. Podcaster Sarah St. John understands this truth. While Sarah has a happy life with her partner, she has yet to come out to her family of origin and has lost members of her support system in the coming out process. In this episode of Coming Out & Beyond: LGBTQIA+ Stories, host Anne-Marie Zanzal talks to Sarah about her coming out experience, the impacts of a conservative faith tradition, why the "right time" to come out does not exist, loss of friends and support systems, and much more.

In her book, "Perfectly Queer," author Jillian Abby recounts her journey of coming out later in life and overcoming chronic perfectionism. Jillian began her metamorphosis as a wife in a heterosexual marriage, home-schooling mom, and CPA. Sensing a change was needed, Jillian transitioned her job to Licensed Massage Therapist, and as she engaged in physical healing modalities she became more in touch with her authentic self, realizing she was queer. A recovering perfectionist, Jillian has learned to release unrealistic expectations, turn to self for validation, and be a peace with imperfection. In this lively discussion, host Anne-Marie Zanzal and Jillian talk about a wide range of topics, including overcoming pernicious perfectionism, the 'superpower' associated with coming out later in life, good and not so good therapists, internalized homophobia, and so much more.

After 10 years of unravelling her sexual identity, later-in-life lesbian Emily Bettdur came out and transformed her life. Now a later-in-life dating coach for women, Emily helps others feel connected to their authentic sexuality, navigate complex emotions, build self-esteem, and foster healthy relationships. In this episode, host Anne-Marie Zanzal and Emily talk about the coming out later in life experience, opening marriages as a bargaining strategy, family responses to coming out and how to handle them, therapy pitfalls, and much more!Connect with Emily at https://thelatelifelesbian.com/Emily's coming out song is This is Me from The Greatest Showman https://youtu.be/CjxugyZCfuw?si=Hm1boIfE6VzbCupi

Have you ever felt so disconnected from your body that you don't know what you feel or want? This week's guest on Coming Out & Beyond: LGBTQIA+ Stories is Juliana Allen, a certified somatic breathwork facilitator who helps people become reconnected with their bodies and heal. Juliana, a later in life lesbian, found breathwork in her coming out process. In this episode, host Anne-Marie Zanzal and Juliana talk about why those coming out later in life can benefit from alternative healing, releasing trauma from the body (TW: anorexia), her experience opening her marriage after coming out, and the joyful, authentic life her has cultivated. Follow Juliana on Instagram: @reclaimingjulianaJuliana's website: www.reclaimingjuliana.comA song that is meaningful to Juliana is The Chicks' My Best Friend's Wedding. https://youtu.be/dMU0Pfn65lU?si=rYnnkRc6ecZvUziEA book that is meaningful to Juliana is Glennon Doyle's Untamed: https://www.goodreads.com/book/show/52129515-untamed

This week's guest, Wes Schmitz, was raised in a small farming community in central Illinois. While growing up, he retreated deeper and deeper into the closet, forced there by the rhetoric around him. In college, homophobic jokes on campus and in the frat house kept him in the closet. Wes came out at age 29, emerging from the darkness and into a brighter future. Wes says "I never chose to be gay, but I finally chose to be happy." Since then, Wes has flourished in his career, co-hosted the "Two Bottles Deep" podcast, and has built a joyful life for himself in Nashville, TN. In this episode, host Anne-Marie Zanzal and Wes are reunited in the podcast sphere once again to talk about triumphing over negative messaging , the importance of having queer community, ditching shame for good, ditching alcohol for good and the positive consequences that followed, and what it's like to go from having FOMO (fear of missing out) to JOMO (joy of missing out). Wes' coming out song is Simply the Best by Tina Turner: https://youtu.be/GC5E8ie2pdM?si=7_zuOuz6Qr1wrj59Wes also resonates with Miranda Lambert's song, Automatic: https://youtu.be/2ksWKOy665o?si=Q64rgduYd34ZRHcQA book that has special meaning to Wes is The Help by Kathryn Stockett: https://www.goodreads.com/book/show/4667024-the-help

TW: Bullying.Raymond J Brune is Anne-Marie's special guest on this week's episode of Coming Out & Beyond: LGBTQIA+ Stories. So many people are a slave to their trauma; trauma that results from sexual abuse, accidents, the loss of a loved one, terrorism – even bullying. The impacts of trauma can last a lifetime. Raymond found a path to healing and forgiveness four decades after being viciously bullied in school, and he discovered it completely by accident. Raymond reveals how his healing was precipitated in his upcoming book, The Art of Being Bullied: Reframing Trauma One Masterpiece at a Time, which drops August 20th. Ray is a TV executive, former executive producer of Good Morning America, World News Now, VP at E! networks and Fox Sports, among many others. Tune in to hear Ray's story of triumph over a past filled with abuse, and learn how he used his creativity to forge ahead to a place of healing. You can purchase Ray's book, "The Art of Being Bullied: Reframing Trauma One Masterpiece at a Time" on Amazon: https://www.amazon.com/Art-Being-Bullied-Reframing-Masterpiece-ebook/dp/B0D78NTSJ8?ref_=ast_author_m...

This week on Coming Out & Beyond: LGBTQIA+ stories, host Anne-Marie Zanzal chats with psychotherapist and art therapist, Jamie Winters. Jamie's professional experiences encompass a variety of roles, including social worker, educator, fine artist, farmer and yoga teacher. Jamie combines her love of neuroscience, psychology, art, nature, movement, and healing to facilitate growth, connection and empowerment for her clients. In this episode, Jamie shares with Anne-Marie her journey from self-realization that she is queer to coming out later in life, her experiences being entrenched in a faith tradition as a preacher's wife, what it was like to encounter homophobia in the church, and the subsequent steps she took to blossom and live an authentic, joyful life. You can learn more about Jamie's practice at www.rainbowlotustherapy.comA film that is meaningful to Jamie is the Danish film, Antonia's Line (1995): Antonia's Line (1995) - IMDbA song that is meaningful to Jamie is 'Wild Sweet' by Starling Arrow: https://youtu.be/-al77IYpmsg?si=sB_c_QcVymlJRPLk

In this very special Part 1 episode of Coming Out & Beyond: LGBTQIA+ Stories, host Anne-Marie Zanzal speaks with identical twins Ronda Landers and Jonda Valentine, both later-in-life lesbians and founders of Nashville's iconic bar, The Lipstick Lounge. Ronda and Jonda's stories reflect their remarkable journeys, beginning with growing up with their dad, a closeted preacher, moving to Nashville, realizing they were lesbians later in life, having children taken away by an ex-husband and mother for being a lesbian, and more. This is an episode that truly gives you a snapshot of what it was like to be out and lesbian 35 years ago and the social, familial, and legal struggles that queer people faced. Ronda and Jonda will be back in a future episode to continue telling their story about how they built a queer community hub in Nashville, TN, when they started The Lipstick Lounge, voted one of the best bars in America by USA Today.New to queer community and want to expand your circle of queer women friends? Join Anne-Marie, Barb and many other amazing guest speakers at Wing Women Weekend, Oct 16-20, 2024, in Provincetown, MA during their annual Women's Week. Learn more about this great getaway at www.wingwomenweekend.com.

Therapist Dr. Andreya Jones and sex and relationship coach Angie Zimmerman are kink-aware practitioners whose work is centered on helping individuals have more rewarding relationships and fulfilling sex lives. Deconstructing from conservative religion, overcoming history of sexual abuse, finding acceptance in community, exploring polyamory, and finding purpose are themes throughout Andreya and Angie's stories. In this episode, host Anne-Marie Zanzal chats with Andreya and Angie about their coming out stories, their experiences in polyamory, the impact of purity culture on sexual function and much, much more! You can learn more about Andreya and Angie's work at  www.andreyajonescounseling.comNew to queer community and want to expand your circle of queer women friends? Join Anne-Marie, Barb and many other amazing guest speakers at Wing Women Weekend, Oct 16-20, 2024, in Provincetown, MA during their annual Women's Week. Learn more about this great getaway at www.wingwomenweekend.com.

This week on CO&B, host Anne-Marie Zanzal welcomes somatic embodiment and sex coach, Ayce Kypton. Ayce's story relates a journey of coming into his authentic gender, embracing transmasculine identity, emerging from conservative faith tradition, and stepping into his sexuality after decades of celibacy. His story is also one of perseverance, as Ayce experienced profound losses of family, faith, community and employment during his transition. Today, Ayce thrives as a coach for other transgender individuals who seek to become more connected to their bodies and to sexual pleasure.You can find out more about Ayce and his services at aycekyptyn.comAyce's coming out song was You're Gonna Love It by Sun Heat https://youtu.be/RSx23VgRXVI?si=Q5qQYaNMIrGjNKwyA program that had a profound impact on Ayce was Sex, Love & goop, on Netflix.New to queer community and want to expand your circle of queer women friends? Join Anne-Marie, Barb and many other amazing guest speakers at Wing Women Weekend, Oct 16-20, 2024, in Provincetown, MA during their annual Women's Week. Learn more about this great getaway at www.wingwomenweekend.com.

Ann Russo is a licensed clinical social worker, sex-positive therapist and founder of AMR Therapy. A therapist with over 20 years of experienced, she specializes in servicing marginalized communities, particularly in areas of sex positivity, queer issues, and religious trauma. Ann is a dedicated advocate for modern women's sexuality and is the author of the upcoming book, 'Her Own Terms: Navigating the Landscape of Modern Female Sexuality.' In this episode, host Anne-Marie Zanzal speaks with Ann about her unconventional upbringing and coming out, and the two take a deep dive into a wide range of topics, including queer theology, helpful and unhelpful messages about womanhood, the intersection of queerness, religion, and sex positivity, and much more.You can find Ann Russo online at www.annrusso.orgAnn's coming out song is Sunday Morning by No Doubt: https://youtu.be/PiBX-ESFDF0?si=LArxJXJObkvnen5LA book that has inspired Ann is 'Conversations With God' by Neale Donald Walsch: Conversations with God: An Uncommon Dialogue, Book 1 by Neale Donald Walsch | GoodreadsNew to queer community and want to expand your circle of queer women friends? Join Anne-Marie, Barb and many other amazing guest speakers at Wing Women Weekend, Oct 16-20, 2024, in Provincetown, MA during their annual Women's Week. Learn more about this great getaway at www.wingwomenweekend.com.

Struggling with the decision of whether to leave your marriage? This week on the Coming Out & Beyond podcast, host Anne-Marie Zanzal welcomes back producer Barb Rowlandson to talk about divorce as you're coming out. Many of the clients Anne-Marie and Barb work with have the challenge of untangling long-term marriages, and the process can be fraught with difficulties. Anne-Marie and Barb address some of the most common questions and concerns women have as they consider and proceed with divorce, including how do you know if it's time to end your marriage, should you open your marriage, silent signs that you should leave, and much more!If you are going through a later in life coming out journey and are in the process of divorce, and you feel that you need support, come to the Life Reimagined workshop, offered free and on Zoom, July 8-10th, 7 p.m. CST. Sign up at www.comingoutsupport.net. New to queer community and want to expand your circle of queer women friends? Join Anne-Marie, Barb and many other amazing guest speakers at Wing Women Weekend, Oct 16-20, 2024, in Provincetown, MA during their annual Women's Week. Learn more about this great getaway at www.wingwomenweekend.com. 

This week on the CO&B podcast, host Anne-Marie Zanzal welcomes later-in-life lesbian and adventurer, Jill Holiday. Jill's story is one of remarkable perseverance and personal discovery. After becoming a teen mom, years of home schooling and a heteronormative life, Jill took a bold step out of her comfort zone and spent months hiking the Appalachian Trail. Despite adversities she met along the way, her hike result in a personal revelation that led to her coming out later in life. Now a dedicated adventurer, Jill has embraced the world of van life, seeking new horizons and experiences. In this episode, you'll hear Jill's story of emergence from a conservative faith tradition, what happened on her hike on the Appalachian Trail, her coming out, and, most importantly, her 'beyond.' You can hear Jill speak at the upcoming Wing Women Weekend event, Oct. 16-20, in Provincetown, MA (during Provincetown's annual Women's Week). To learn more about Wing Women Weekend, visit: www.wingwomenweekend.com. 

"The Messy Middle" is the term coming out coaches use to describe the process of transformation from a straight life to life as an LGBTQIA+ person. In this episode Anne-Marie Zanzal invites her producer and fellow coming out coach, Barbara Rowlandson, do discuss the ins and outs and best practices for navigating this challenging time. Tune in for some great advice and a few laughs!