In this powerful episode, I’m joined by Peter J. Cervantes, a first-generation Mexican-American writer from San Diego, whose work rises from the intersection of queer identity, cultural trauma, and the difficult — but transformative — journey of healing within communities where silence is often known as survival.
Peter shares his remarkable story behind his debut book, The Road Back to Me: Six Sacred Tools for Queer Healing Through Shadow, Breath, and Truth (arriving early 2026). During this raw and emotional conversation, Peter takes us through his journey and his near-death experience at thirty-seven and the difficult five-year road to finding his authenticity at forty-two. It is a deeply personal testament that recovery is possible, even without family support and amidst complex trauma.
Our conversation is for anyone who has struggled to honor their heritage while seeking mental health, for LGBTQ+ people of color searching for real healing tools, and for anyone ready and willing to reclaim authenticity in their life. Peter is a remarkable human being and our conversation deeply impacted my own life, and I am so honored to share it with you.
Follow Peter’s journey and reflections on turning pain into healing on Instagram at https://www.instagram.com/peterj.cervantes/
Substack at https://peterjcervantes.substack.com
LinkedIn at https://linkedin.com/in/peter-j-cervantes-1a9a39387
Facebook at https://www.facebook.com/peter.j.cervantes
You can also learn more about Peter on his website at https://www.peterjcervantes.com
Thank you for joining us and we can't wait to welcome you back again next week! New episodes drop every Thursday and can be found wherever you find your favorite podcasts!
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To follow us on Instagram, visit: https://www.instagram.com/justdoyoupod/
Want to learn more about our host, Eric Nicoll? Visit: https://ericnicoll.com
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