A Queer Understanding

When Amita Sharma found herself struggling with unexplained symptoms in her early 40s—brain fog, anxiety, hot flashes that disrupted her workday—she faced a healthcare system that offered little beyond anxiety medications and quick dismissals. Her search for answers led to the creation of NourishDoc, a holistic wellness platform designed specifically for women navigating perimenopause and menopause.

This episode addresses ...

Michael Bach’s journey from childhood activist to global DEI leader shows how personal struggle fuels powerful advocacy. His story is especially compelling because his public work mirrors a private journey toward authenticity—proving that effective advocacy often begins with learning to advocate for ourselves.

Contact the hosts of A Queer Understanding

• info@aqueerunderstanding.com
• https://www.aqueerunderstanding.com/

What happens when the people who should love you unconditionally make that love contingent on denying your authentic self? Actor Paul Cram takes us behind the curtain of his life journey - from growing up in a large Pentecostal family in the Midwest to finding his voice as an artist and openly queer man.

The conversation explores Paul's acting career, including work with Woody Harrelson and Cillian Murphy, while drawi...

What happens when a pastor discovers the Bible doesn't actually condemn homosexuality? For Romel Parks-Weekly, this theological revelation changed everything. After founding a traditional church in 2002 while deeply suppressing his own sexuality, Romel's decision to write a book on homosexuality led him down a path of biblical study he hadn't expected. 

This episode follows Romel's remarkable journey fr...

When Dr. Lane Igoudin and his husband Jonathan decided to become parents in early 2000s California, they stepped into a world of uncertainty and prejudice that would challenge them to their core. Dr. Igoudin's memoir, A Family, Maybe: Two Dads, Two Babies, and the Court Cases That Brought Us Together, chronicles how this interracial gay couple navigated the labyrinthine foster care system during pre-equality times, fighting to...

Andrea Leigh's remarkable journey from pharmacology to fashion defies easy categorization, making her story one that resonates far beyond the transgender community. In this candid conversation, Andrea reveals how after checking all society's boxes for success—a 24-year career at Pfizer, marriage, amateur athletic achievements, even ranch ownership—she still felt fundamentally unfulfilled, leading to a gender transition th...

What does true inclusivity look like in today's music classrooms? Bryson Tarbet takes us behind the scenes of his remarkable journey from rural Ohio music teacher to worldwide instructional coach, revealing the profound challenges and unexpected joys of creating spaces where every student belongs.

Drawing from his personal experiences as a neurodivergent educator and his professional expertise in music education, Brys...

Estate planning isn't just for the wealthy—it's essential for anyone who wants to protect their home, assets, and family from probate costs and legal complications after death. And the LGBTQ+ community faces unique challenges that proper estate planning addresses. Oscar Vasquez shares practical insights on how living trusts and other legal documents can save your loved ones time, money, and stress.

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Discovering your authentic self can be a lifelong journey – one that becomes even more challenging when you lack the language to describe who you are. For author Arden Coutts, growing up in rural Nebraska meant navigating feelings of difference without understanding their source, eventually finding expression through poetry and later through crafting queer romantic suspense novels.

Arden takes us through their evolution fr...

Have you ever wondered how high-achieving professionals and members of the LGBTQ+ community navigate the complexities of therapy? Join us for a compelling conversation with Laurel Roberts-Meese, LMFT, a dedicated therapist and founder of the Laurel Therapy Collective, as she shares insights from her journey. From her early days in San Francisco to establishing a thriving practice in West Los Angeles, Laurel dives into her evolution...

What if history was more colorful than you've ever imagined? Join us on A Queer Understanding as we sit down with Neil Laird, an accomplished documentary filmmaker and TV producer. Neil's journey is as fascinating as the stories he tells. Discover how his passion for cinema and history have converged into a mission to correct the misrepresentations of same-sex love in media through his creative ventures, including his com...

Dr. Amy Herrick's story is a remarkable testament to the power of vulnerability and self-discovery. Professionally spanning genetics, chemistry, software engineering, and management, Amy's journey is a rich tapestry of personal growth and transformation. Throughout this discussion, we unravel the complexities of identity and gender, examining how they begin at birth and evolve under the influence of both inherent traits a...

What if the darkest times of your life could become your greatest strengths? Dr. Joshua Caraballo, an I-O psychologist, joins us to share his extraordinary journey of resilience and transformation. Through his memoir, "I'm Not Dead . . . Yet: How I Turned My Misfortunes Into Strengths," Joshua offers an unfiltered look at overcoming mental health battles, addiction, and cancer while embracing his queer identity. His ...

What happens when your personal identity clashes with the beliefs you were raised with? Join us as Kyliegh Weathers, a former Mormon and now a Certified Attachment Coach, shares her extraordinary journey of self-acceptance and growth. Growing up as a lesbian in a conservative religious environment, Kyleigh opens up about the challenges she faced and how these experiences shaped her mission to foster healthier relationships through ...

Heather Gibbons shares her transformative journey from the corporate world to founding INMO Creative, a marketing agency driven by a passion for social impact. Influenced by Simon Sinek's "Find Your Why," she unpacks how experiences across various industries have fueled her commitment to making a positive impact. Her story underscores the power of meaningful work inspired by personal loss and health challenges, setti...

Addison Moore, a dynamic Black and non-binary activist, shares their transformative journey from Georgia to Washington, D.C., reshaping the landscape of inclusive entrepreneurship and advocacy. You'll hear how Addison overcame a challenging childhood to own Dolly Queens Moving, a venture dedicated to serving the LGBTQ community, and their ambitions to expand into specialized remodeling and handy skills. Learn how Addison chann...

What happens when a talented writer and illustrator channels personal struggles into powerful stories? Mark Julien, the acclaimed Canadian author behind the LGBTQ graphic novels "Just in Case and the Closet Monster: Hope" and "Becoming Able," joins us to share his inspiring journey. Mark opens up about the deeply personal motivations that led to his debut book, which serves as a heartfelt conversation with his l...

Can a life-changing health scare lead to a flourishing jewelry business? Discover the remarkable journey of Jamal Wesley, who turned a crisis into a beacon of inclusivity and self-expression. With a 15-year background in the insurance industry, Jamal's pivot to creating a jewelry line that celebrates love and the LGBTQIA+ community is nothing short of inspiring. We'll explore his new book, "Authentically Authentic,&q...

Matthew Reeves, a licensed professional counselor and nationally certified rehabilitation counselor, shares his powerful journey from a conservative upbringing to becoming the owner of Integral Mental Health Services. As a gay cis man who is legally blind, Matthew offers a unique lens on the mental health challenges within the LGBTQAI+ and disability communities. We talk about how his experiences shape his mission to help others tr...