On today's episode we have writer, filmmaker, storyteller, Uyaiedu Ikpe-Etim (she/her).

I discovered Uyai after being sent what she's sharing and writing about on Instagram which is all about Second Adolescence, and being a lesbian who came out in her 30s.

In this conversation, Uyai so openly takes us back before all of this writing to who she was growing up and how growing up in a strict religious context shaped her relationship to sexuality and identity, how it led her to reject being gay, and how she married a man under the earnest belief in her heterosexuality. And then, what her process was of discovering and making sense of her true identity and deconstructing the walls that were around it.

She shares so much that speaks to what it means to be in and navigate a Second Adolescence, everything from the thrill and overwhelm of being inexperienced and having new romantic and sexual experiences, to grieving for the lesbian teen she never got to be and so much more. I so so so loved getting to talk with Uyai and be witness to her story, and I'm so moved she's offering it all for you as well.

About the guest:

Uyaiedu Ikpe-Etim is a queer filmmaker and writer. She wrote and directed Ifé (watch here on YouTube), wrote and co-directed 14 Years and a Day, and wrote Unburied. She lives in Toronto with her partner and spends much of her time writing on Instagram about discovering one’s sexuality later in life, queer identity, love, and the sometimes messy experience of coming into yourself as an adult.

She currently writes on Instagram but promises to make her way to Substack soon (she really does promise!).

Instagram: @uyaiedu⁠

Substack: https://open.substack.com/pub/uyaiedu

For more, visit www.secondadolescencepod.com or @secondadolescencepod

On today's episode we have filmmaker Ashley Gianni (she/her). I was eager to get Ashley on the show after getting to see an early screening of her comedic short film, "The Late in Life Guide to Modern Day Lesbianism." It's a spoof on the 90's corporate training tapes, this time as a how-to guide for women who come out as lesbian's at a point they deem 'later.' The film is funny but also touches on such real aspects to what it means to come out later and is SO Second Adolescence-y.

In this conversation, Ashley shares with us her own personal story that inspired the film. We chat about the interconnectedness between her receiving a neurodivergent diagnosis in adulthood and her making sense of her queerness, the feeling of being not queer enough, the power of community, and the wild, beautiful, thrilling, and empowering ride that is early queer dating. Ashley's work is so important and this conversation was just so special and fun to get to be in - thank you for joining us, Ashley!

About the guest:

Ashley Gianni is an award-winning actor, director, writer, producer, and founder of Pizza Bagel Pictures LLC, a queer, female-led production company dedicated to telling bold, socially impactful stories. Her work centers on uplifting queer and female voices, using storytelling as a tool for connection, healing, and change.

Ashley holds a BFA in Theatre Performance from Chapman University and is a proud SAG-AFTRA, WIF, WIM, and FilmmakeHERs member, and female, queer storyteller. Learn more about Ashley and Pizza Bagel Pictures at www.ashleygianni.com and www.pizzabagelpictures.com. Keep up with Ashley and her films on social by following @ashleygianni and @pizzabagelpictures .

For more, visit www.secondadolescencepod.com and @secondadolescencepod.

On today's episode, we have Tim Smith (he/him). Tim so powerfully models what it is to be someone who is in the active work of continuing to offer healing to the younger versions of ourselves who endured trauma and pain, and gifting them today what they needed then.

In this conversation, Tim takes us back into his story - beginning with growing up gay in an overly anti-queer and neglectful environment, and then figuring out how to survive on his own at a young age. His story is one of survival and resilience, and we hear how he managed to navigate that beginning to reach a very sweet and beautiful present day. His memoir details all of this and more.

About the guest:

Tim Smith (he/him) is the author of Fault Line: Still Standing, a raw and unflinching memoir about survival, resilience, and the long shadow childhood trauma can cast over a life. Born in Pensacola, Florida, Smith grew up in the rural South in an environment shaped by addiction, instability, and neglect—experiences that would later form the emotional backbone of his writing. Before becoming an author, Smith worked a wide range of jobs that reflected both necessity and curiosity about the world: from short-order cook to labor in a Navy shipyard, eventually building a career in the financial sector as an executive assistant. Along the way he also developed a passion for photography, earning recognition and awards for his work behind the camera.

Today, Smith lives in Los Angeles with his husband and their four rescue dogs. His life now stands in stark contrast to the chaos of his childhood—a testament to the central idea at the heart of Fault Line: that the past may shape us, but it does not have to define us. Through his writing, photography, and creative work, Smith continues to explore themes of identity, resilience, and what it means to build a life after survival. Learn more about Tim and his book at https://www.faultlinememoir.com/

For more, visit www.secondadolescencepod.com or @secondadolescencepod.