Life Uncloseted With Rick Clemons

Life is a series of change and transitions. Yet, when we get most frustrated with change - coming out, losing relationships, navigating a career change, battling life threatening diseases - do we really take the time to pass through that change and honor, release, and welcome in the new way of being in our life. Today, we venture into creating rituals for some of life's biggest moments with Author and Ritual expert Day Schildkret. About Day Day Schildkret is an award-winning author, artist, ritualist, teacher and is internationally known for Morning Altars, which Buzz Feed calls, “a celebration of nature and life.” Working for over a decade with individuals, communities and organizations, Day is helping to heal the culture through a meaningful and creative response to change. Day is the author of Hello, Goodbye: 75 Rituals for Times of Loss, Celebration and Change (Simon Element/Simon & Schuster) publishing in 2022 as well as, Morning Altars: A 7-Step Practice to Nourish Your Spirit through Nature, Art an

We've all got our story and stories. Yet, in this day and age where books are being burned that inform young minds about LGBTQ+ people, it's more apparent than ever that we need a hero. An author hero. That hero is author Greg Howard who lovingly and bravely puts pen to paper, or in this modern age types like a mad man on his computer the stories that bring LGBTQ+ life to spotlight, unlike when most of us were growing up. It is not time to hide the truth, but to print the truth and continue to live the truth and to let our stories, even fictional stories, stake our claim as human beings who do belong in society - no guilt or shame. Here's Greg's story. About Greg Greg Howard was born and raised in the South Carolina Lowcountry where his love of stories blossomed at a young age. Originally set on becoming a songwriter, Greg followed that dream to Nashville, Tennessee, and spent years producing the music of others before eventually returning to his childhood passion of writing stories. Greg’s critically acclai

Coming out late in life has its moments. In this case it started with a graveside moment that made him realize, "It's time to be me." He called himself out of hiding and shares his story in his book "Leather and Lace: a gay man, lost love, and a road trip with his dead sister," Matt Bays takes us on the road trip of love, loss, and redemption. About Matt Matt Bays is a writer, speaker, and life coach with a passion for calling people out of their hiding places. He joins the ranks of writers such as Anne Lamott, Donald Miller, and Glennon Doyle in offering readers honest, raw, funny, and insightful compassion for the journey of life. He and his husband, Chris, live in Cincinnati, Ohio. Connect With http://leatherandlacememoir.com/ (Website) https://www.facebook.com/mattbays70/ (Facebook) https://www.instagram.com/mattbayswriter/ (Instagram) https://twitter.com/mattbayswriter (Twitter) You can also listen to the podcast on… https://apple.co/2RBmUxZ ()https://bit.ly/2UxP9zN ()   https://spoti.fi/2JpvCfg

We're all creating stories and doing sales jobs in our lives - all day long. From coming out to getting a new job, to finding the right relationship, to closing your next big client. There's always a story we tell ourselves and a sales job that leads to us finding our next level of happiness and trust in ourselves. Using the art of selling and our own smarts, sales coach and lesbian (gasp) Leah Neaderthal shares her story and insights for selling yourself through life and making the most of who you are meant to be in the world on the other side of the closet doors. About Leah Leah Neaderthal is a sales coach for women who run B2B consulting and coaching businesses, the founder of Smart Gets Paid, and the host of The Smart Gets Paid podcast. A three-time business owner who started her career in corporate marketing, Leah didn’t learn to sell by being a commissioned salesperson. She taught herself everything she could about selling, overcame “selling shyness,” and created a sales approach that feels comfortable,

This is not where you anticipate being but yet here you are. Ever had one of those moments? Maybe when you finally decided to come out? Or, maybe it was when you took that next big career move, or wrote that song you thought would never hit the airwaves? Regardless of where you are, here you are. Elisa Nicolas - singer, songwriter, and proud member of the LGBTQ community - shares her story, her craft and her truth about being "here you are!" About Elisa Elisa Nicolas is a Canadian-born, Ohio-based Asian-American songwriter. Nicolas has been observing, experimenting, and translating the human experience into song for almost three decades. Respected as a multi-instrumentalist, solo artist, singer and songwriter, Nicolas has been writing and recording across numerous styles including rock, jazz, country, pop, and R&B. Nicolas has been described as having a “wryly eloquent self-awareness” - 614 Magazine. “Nicolas swings with the Jazz power of Rickie Lee Jones, sways with the Pop chops of Aimee Mann and spit

We all have secrets. We all keep Secrets. And, all those secrets cause pain and trauma. Sharing her own secret, as an LGBTQ ally, Elaine Pasqua takes us on a journey of a family secret that took her own Mother and Step Father that led her to turn to one community, that helped her find solace, while that community was having the world turn their backs on them. About Elaine A 6’5″ 250-pound man once looked at Elaine Pasqua standing at 5’3″ and said: “You are the biggest little thing I’ve ever seen!” For 25 years this funny, passionate, and energetic woman has been traversing the country, helping her clients obtain peak performance through positive relationships and choices. She has worked with countless businesses and associations, 31 professional sports teams across the NFL, NBA, and MLB, hundreds of college campuses, our military leaders, and high schools and parent groups. Her passion lies in transforming people to create stronger, innovative teams to increase business profits. When Elaine is not traveling

Imagine being gay, and being institutionalized. Imagine being gay and being jailed for being gay. Nothing to imagine, this is reality. The reality of being gay in the 1950's, just a little over 70 years ago, this was our LGBTQ reality. Robert C. Steele, captures Jim Foshee story in the book he authored, Banned From California - of what it was like to grow up as an out gay man, in the '50s being banned from family and life, just because he was gay. We're exploring this true story that truly shows why our fight to be who we are is never done. About Robert https://www.amazon.com/Banned-California-Persecution-Redemption-Liberation-ebook/dp/B0899DV3B2 ()Robert C. Steele served as a reporter and producer at various radio and television stations in Colorado and Arizona. He was a broadcaster at the Italian National Broadcasting Company (RAI Radiotelevisione Italiana) in Naples, Italy. While on active duty in the U.S. military he was a reporter for Armed Forces Radio and Television along the coast of Vietnam, the Asi

Diversity and inclusion isn't just a once a year endeavor to be brought out of the closet and then shoved back into the closet. It is a daily practice of learning to stand in other peoples stories. Taking us into the diversity zone, Don Reed - master storyteller and entertainer - guides us to step into other peoples world so we can be better humans for all. About Don Don Reed (NPR Storyteller/Tonight Show with Jay Leno/Co-Headed NBC Advertising & Promotion Voice Over/Radio Division) is a multi-hyphenate with a career that spans television, stage, and network advertising & promotion. But the fundamental building block of all his successes is that Don… tells stories. With over 20 years of experience in the world of storytelling – tales of diversity and inclusion have been the overarching thread throughout Don Reed’s multi-faceted career. From public speaking to stand-up comedy to advertising for film and television to his solo shows – Stories of cultural diversity and gender inclusivity are at the hear

From South Africa to New York City, you never know when you are going on your journey or where you will find yourself to finally be yourself. Speaking straight from a very purposeful heart, Yumna Aysen - aka Yumi - helps people find themselves so they can be the best version of themselves. Funny, insightful and full of energy, Yumi joins us today with tips on how to be you regardless of where you land on the planet. About Yumna Yumna Aysen is a success coach & a motivational speaker who has a passion for helping people find purpose, clarity, happiness and success. She ultimately aims to help people become the best version of themselves and to create a life that they can’t wait to wake up to and live every day. Yumna has been featured in Medium and interviewed on national television and on local radio in South Africa including eNCA, The Afternoon Express Show and Cape Talk Radio. She has also been featured in the Weekend Argus and on Bizcommunity. Connect With https://www.ohyesitsyumi.com/ (Website) https

You need to make more space. Get a storage unit for the crap in your life so you can make space for more PEACE in your life. Why? Without PEACE, it's a pretty miserable existence here on the good old planet earth. To help us get there, I've found an awesome guest - Diana Cutaia -  who is witty, funny, and GASP a lesbian who coaches people and team to bring more PEACE into their lives and work places. About Diana Diana Cutaia founded Coaching Peace in 2012, a company focused on using the power of play and connection to empower organizations and teams to create cultures of care, belonging, and peace. However, the work started for Diana 25 years earlier when she first began to explore the meaning of peace. In that time, she hasn’t just defined it; she has built a brand bringing the principles of Coaching Peace to her vast clientele.  Today her clients range from school districts to national organizations and global companies. Diana takes pride in discussing how employers, sports teams, and organizations alike

Imagine, growing up in a cult, being married to a female-to-male transgender individual for 10 years, and through all of that, plus life's other twists and turns, you find your calling to help others come out of their subconscious closets to live their fullest life! Today, Dr. Frances Yahia, tells her story and guides us to uncover the one impure thought we have about ourselves that '"we closet" repeatedly in our lives that gets threaded into every single problem or story we tell (or don't) about ourselves. About Dr. Frances Dr. Frances Yahia is an archetypal astrologer, shaman, akashic records' reader, and spiritual counselor based in South Florida. She earned her Ph.D. in Mental Health Counseling and Educational Leadership from Barry University and has studied and taught metaphysics for over two decades. Dr. Yahia's main interests are Jungian analysis with an emphasis on depth psychology, patterns, shadow work, and the use of symbols and archetypes to assist clients with their deepest subconscious patterns

Religious trauma. Seems to be the norm for a majority of LGBTQ people that you encoutner. “You’re damned to hell!” or “You’re a sinner!” Of course most those people hurling those words for get that they’re divorced (a sin), have committed adultery (a sin), have eaten pig (a sin), worn woven fabrics (a sin), but all of that is forgivable, but you just can’t be a man and lay with another man, or a woman and lay with another woman – well women that’s ok because men find that pleasing to their naughty little minds. Well listen up you LGBTQ sinners (which you're not), there’s a new minister in town and his name is Eric Feltes and he is sashaying his way into your world on Instagram and TikTok show you a new light for accepting yourself and moving past your religious trauma. About Eric Through creativity, authenticity, and courage, Eric Feltes cultivates connection and tells stories in order to inspire others to love themselves and the world around them. In his professional life, he does this through acting and li

In 2014 when my friend Leah Jantzen approached me to take over her radio show - I scoffed and said, "Not my thing!" Well, it's very much my thing and here we are at the 500th Episode of Life (UN)Closeted. What started as an Internet radio show known as The Coming Out Lounge, has now become one of my greatest joys. A place where guiding and inspiring people to come out of the closets of their lives, fills my soul with joy. Today, I want to celebrate by taking you on a journey, of how you, yes you, can dump your excuses, face your fears, and live your unapologetic life. Today, I celebrate you and the 500th Episode and from the bottom of my heart I think you for being a listener. Hope this episode gives you inspiration to step out, step up, and step into living your uncloseted and unapologetic life. You can also listen to the podcast on… https://apple.co/2RBmUxZ ()https://bit.ly/2UxP9zN ()   https://spoti.fi/2JpvCfg ()https://www.stitcher.com/podcast/rick-clemons/the-coming-out-lounge ()   http://tun.i

Imagine, being told by your Commander In Chief - "You don't matter, you don't count, and you're a danger to our military!" The reality is, he got fired and she's still there, serving the US Space Force and living her best transgender life. Bree Fram, a woman of courage and perseverance, continues to pass the test with honor and integrity. Today we explore her story and her book aptly entitled, With Honor and Integrity: Transgender Troops In Their Own Words. About Bree https://www.amazon.com/Honor-Integrity-Transgender-Troops-Politics/dp/1479801038 ()BREE FRAM is a lieutenant colonel in the US Space Force who has held command at the squadron level, led Air Force security cooperation with Iraq, and led space acquisition programs. She is the President of SPARTA, a transgender military advocacy organization, and is currently the second highest ranking out transgender officer in the US military. Connect with Bree https://sites.google.com/hamline.edu/withhonorbookcom/home (Website) https://www.facebook.com/bree.fr

Whether you're stripping your clothes off or coming out of the closet, it's all about the big reveal. But, what happens when you are terrified to let people see the real you, the you that you're meant to be? Do you freeze, and get scared of exposing your true self to the world? It's time to be confident and stop concerning yourself with what others think and unleash your inner vixen on the world. Actor, award-winning International Burlesque performer, and Speaker Cat LaCohie helps us strip down to our truth so the world can see us for who were truly are - our most authentic selves. About Cat Cat LaCohie is a multi-talented LA based British actress, Speaker and award-winning International Variety Burlesque Performer, ‘Vixen DeVille’.​ In addition to multiple appearances on TV’s, “Masters Of Illusion”, her solo stage show “Vixen DeVille Revealed” toured the US in 2019 picking up multiple awards and is currently being produced as a TV special. With a BA(hons) in Theatre Creation and Solo Performance, plus 15 yea

It's really easy to get uptight, and lost in the holiday shuffle. Especially when you are part of the LGBTQ+ community, and you may not have fond experiences surrounding the holiday. Yet, in the words of RuPaul - "If you can't love yourself, then how the hell you going to learn to love anyone elses!" To that I say, if you can't give yourself some gifts this season to make you appreciate you, then your Schrooged! Give yourself the gift of a listen to this pre-Christmas holiday episode, because if you do, YULE (pun intended) still find time to put a little something under the tree for YOU. Happy Holidays! You can also listen to the podcast on… https://apple.co/2RBmUxZ ()https://bit.ly/2UxP9zN ()   https://spoti.fi/2JpvCfg ()https://www.stitcher.com/podcast/rick-clemons/the-coming-out-lounge ()   http://tun.in/pjtKR ()https://bit.ly/30kT4kL ()   https://bit.ly/2FVH55j ()  

You're parents are aging, you're settled in your gay life, and all of that gives you plenty of material to come out of the closet as a comedian...until you do. Then life throws you curve balls, and then the comedy comes to you not on stage, but through the words of your book, addressing the challenges of funerals, caring for parents, and managing your gay relationship. So let's dive in and explore - Four Funerals, No Marriage with gay author Mike Keren. About Mike https://www.amazon.com/Four-Funerals-No-Marriage-Memoir/dp/1949116670/ ()Mike Keren is a clinical psychologist with advanced training in psychoanalysis and family therapy. He currently maintains a private practice with adults and couples in central New Jersey, although in the past he has worked in a variety of community and correctional facilities. Although he has a general practice he has a particular interest in working with caregivers as well as helping families talk about end of life issues. Mike enjoys a challenge in his free time and has expl

Nothing anyone did caused them to know they were different. But, they felt it and began exploring it and realized they were on the right path for them. Beyond addiction and into full recovery they found that their music, digital artistry and desire to explore more of who they are, led them to create “Knock Knock,” a psychedelic folk-rock sound recently launched by Baroque-pop singer-songwriter and LGBTQ+ advocate (Eli)zabeth Owens. Join us as we explore the dark side of their ego, confronting and overcoming their alcohol/drug use to achieve sobriety and showcase their individuality in their own unique LGBTQ+ way of being in the world. About Eli(zabeth) Baroque-pop singer-songwriter (Eli)zabeth Owens bravely displays their vulnerabilities in their full-length album Knock Knock, released August 13. Knock Knock, the second heavily visual album by (Eli)zabeth Owens, is an ambitious and exhilarating departure from the psychedelic folk-rock sounds they’ve come to be known for. Showcasing an eclectic mix of electron

We all have our story. We live our story daily. And, some of us take our stories, and the stories in our heads and turn them into our passion purpose...as a an author, with thousands of pages of articles and books. Gregory L. Norris is that person, a gay author who writes the stories that brings his life to life, even if many of those stories are fiction...because that is what brings him alive. Today we're exploring his new book, https://www.amazon.com/Ex-Marks-Spot-Gregory-Norris/dp/1949116514/ref=sr_1_1?dchild=1&keywords=Gregory+L+Norris+Ex+Marks+The+Spot&qid=1631230966&s=books&sr=1-1 (Ex Marks The Spot), and how the joy of coming out to be who he is has shaped his life. About Gregory Raised on a healthy diet of creature double features and classic SF TV, Gregory L. Norris writes regularly for numerous short story anthologies, national magazines, novels, and the occasional episode for TV or film. Gregory novelized the NBC Made-for-TV classic by Gerry Anderson, The Day After Tomorrow: Into In

You had a plan. Marriage - check. Children - check. Your own flesh and blood family - no check. But that didn’t stop you and you went full-in to become a parent - despite the odds, and challenges. Giving full gratitude this Thanksgiving Eve, my friend Liz Grubb and I uncover her route to non-traditional parenthood and why her forever children are just the right fit for her and her hubby.  About Liz Liz Grubb is a higher education professional juggling serving students full time and parenting two adoptive special needs children. She and her husband have been foster parents and made two trips overseas to Poland and then to China for intercountry adoption. Her faith, an amazing network of support, and a regular chai latte in hand have helped this mama of two navigate countless therapy sessions, specialist appointments, and a variety of medical procedures. She is currently working at a local private college, co-hosting the podcast 2 Adoptive Mama, and being a wife and a mom. Liz is committed to helping other adop