Ten Years Out: Stories from My Queer Community

In this heartfelt episode of "10 Years Out: Stories from My Queer Community," I welcome a very special guest: my mother, Diane Fagan. Join me and my mom as we delve into an inspiring conversation about acceptance, growth, and the ever-evolving journey of understanding.

As a straight woman, Diane opens up about her own experiences and the valuable lessons she has learned throughout her life. She candidly shares how, regard...

In the eleventh episode of "10 Years Out: Stories from My Queer Community," host Sam Fagan welcomes Nancy Shadlock, a queer woman. Join Sam and Nancy as they delve into the multifaceted aspects of Nancy's life, from growing up as a missionary kid to finding her true identity later in life.

Nancy opens up about her experience of coming out at the age of 33, a pivotal moment that led her to embrace her authentic self. A...

In this episode of "10 Years Out: Stories from My Queer Community," host Sam Fagan welcomes Jonathan Bay, a trans man who began his medical transition 16 years ago. Jonathan shares his journey of navigating limited access to trans healthcare and the challenges he faced during that time. Reflecting on his own experience, he encourages listeners to embrace who they want to be without fixating on the destination of their tra...

In the ninth episode of "10 Years Out: Stories from My Queer Community," host Sam Fagan welcomes the incredibly talented John-Allison Weiss, a trans-masc, queer musician, for an inspiring conversation about their ongoing process of self-discovery.

As a successful indie musician, John-Allison has found solace and empowerment through their music, but their journey of self-acceptance and coming out hasn't always been a s...

In the eighth installment of "10 Years Out: Stories from My Queer Community," your host Sam Fagan welcomes Ruoyun Killian, a cisgender, bisexual woman of Asian American heritage. Join Sam and Ruoyun as they delve into her unique perspective on queerness and the absence of religious baggage surrounding her bisexuality.

Ruoyun shares her personal journey and highlights the gradual yet undeniable changes she has witnessed wi...

In this powerful episode of “10 Years Out: Stories from My Queer Community,” host Sam Fagan invites Kevin Garcia, a non-binary queer individual, to share their extraordinary journey. Kevin’s upbringing within the evangelical community led them to navigate the challenging landscape of the ex-gay movement for several years.

As Sam and Kevin delve into their personal experiences, they reveal the profound impact of embracing their auth...

In the sixth episode of "10 Years Out: Stories from My Queer Community," your host Sam Fagan welcomes Janan, a queer cis woman, to share her inspiring journey of self-discovery and transformation. Born into a strict Muslim family in Texas, Janan defied societal expectations to forge her own path towards personal freedom and enlightenment.

Join Sam and Janan as they delve into the profound impact that finding peace in the ...

Join host Sam Fagan, as she delves into the inspiring and heartfelt story of Lisa Lang, a remarkable woman from small-town Arkansas. In this episode of "10 Years Out: Stories from My Queer Community," Sam and Lisa embark on a candid conversation about Lisa's journey of self-discovery, coming out as an adult, and the transformative power of self-acceptance.

Growing up in a conservative environment, Lisa realized her qu...

In the fourth episode of "10 Years Out: Stories from My Queer Community," join your host, Sam Fagan (she/her), as she engages in a powerful conversation with Dr. Megan Gandy, a lesbian cis woman and passionate advocate for trans and gender-diverse people's healthcare. Together, they explore Megan's personal journey, from her upbringing in a fundamentalist, evangelical family to her transformative work as a social ...

In the third episode of "10 Years Out: Stories from My Queer Community," your host Sam Fagan welcomes Stacey Chomiak, a queer woman. Together, they delve into the personal journeys that led them to trust themselves and embrace the goodness in their identities.

Sam and Stacey open up about their experiences within the evangelical church, discussing the challenges they faced while navigating the expectations and pressures p...

In the second episode of "10 Years Out: Stories from My Queer Community," host Sam engages in a compelling conversation with Myles Markham, an extraordinary guest with a unique journey in the LGBTQ+ community. Myles, a queer, trans-masculine, non-binary, Māhū individual, shares their inspiring story of personal transformation and sheds light on important topics that shape their identity and advocacy.

Before finding t...