The category is... QUEER JOY!

When I saw Cats: The Jellicle Ball on Broadway, it was transformative for me. In this episode, I'm sharing my experience and why I feel this show embodies queer joy during a time we need it most.

Although the production officially closed on Broadway this past weekend (August 8, 2026), this episode is my love letter to everyone who was a part of bringing Cats: The Jellicle Ball from the PAC (Perelman Performing Arts Center) to Broadway, and my manifestation for a comeback. After all, cats have nine lives! 🐈‍⬛

Whether you love musicals or you’re not a fan, this episode is for everyone.

Cats: The Jellicle Ball is the queer reimagining of the original Broadway classic, and the winner of three 2026 Tony Awards (Best Direction, Best Choreography, and Best Costume Design), as well as nine 9 nominations.

What’s in this episode:

• Why the word QUEER perfectly embodies this show.
• A quick review of ballroom culture (I'm still learning), and the legends who brought this show to life.
• How New York City embraces Pride in ways that other cities don’t.
• Why protecting our own (queer) joy is important.
• Why Cats: The Jellicle Ball deserves another life on stage.

What’s not in this episode (just fun facts):

• The fact that when “Tempress” Chastity Moore sang “Memory,” I bawled. Through her poetic performance, I experienced the song in a new light.
• My sister and I sang a part of a Beyoncé song with Sydney James Harcourt (Rum Tum Tugger) at the stage door!
• I got to meet most of the cast (true icons and legends!) outside of the stage door. That memory will "live again" (iykyk)

A note from the host: Seeing Rumpleteazer's family with their shirts was a highlight for me, but my memory of which family shirts I saw could be off a bit. Either way, it was JOY!

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This episode was inspired by my Substack blog post "May We Be Little Deposits of Rainbows Wherever We Go," written during Lesbian Visibility Week (April 20 - 26, 2026). In it, I reflect on how we often don't realize the quiet but meaningful impact we have on the people around us.

During a time when living authentically can feel more difficult, this episode is a little reminder that even the smallest acts of visibility can leave a lasting impact.

mentioned in this episode:

Episode 23: Is It Coming Out or Is It Just Stating a Fact? A conversation with LGBTQ+ podcaster, Holly Krivo

Let's stay connected on Substack!

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This episode contains a quick mention of suicidal thoughts. If you or someone you know is struggling, help is available: THE TREVOR PROJECT (1-866-488-7386).

In this episode, Britt Barton (LGBTQ+ Mindset Coach) shares a story about how an unexpected gift from her grandmother made her feel seen, and how that gift impacted her coming out journey.

Britt also shares her personal story of family expectations, embracing her identity, and becoming a role model for her LGBTQ+ family members.

In this episode, we discuss:

• The power of small gestures.
• As language evolves, so does our understanding of identity and of ourselves.
• The responsibility we have to the younger LGBTQ+ generations.

This episode is a great reminder that when words fail us, or when we don't have the language to express ourselves, small gestures of acceptance can speak volumes.

If you are struggling with how to have a conversation with your loved one, I hope Britt's story offers a message that acceptance doesn't have to come in grand gestures. It can be in the quietest forms, and in doing so, it can heal wounds and create bonds.

Note: This episode was recorded in August, 2024.

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The GenderCool Project was inspired by two parents, Jen and John Grosshandler, whose daughter is transgender. During a time when they needed to find information about raising transgender kiddos, they found a lot of misinformation.

They, along with a friend (Gearah Goldstein), an expert in diversity, as well as a proud transgender person, created The GenderCool Project as a way to share positive stories of all the amazing transgender and non-binary youth.

In this episode, Jen Grosshandler, co-founder of The GenderCool Project, and a proud mom of an LGBTQ+ kiddo joins me to talk about what it was like when her child came out and how it sparked The GenderCool Project.

Key takeaways:

• When your child tells you who they are, believe them.
• Choose a positivity-forward mindset.
• Learn to embrace change.
• Surround yourself with positive role models.

To get involved with or donate to The GenderCool project, click HERE.

mentioned in this episode: EPISODE 20. Lisa Brennan, author of The Auditorium in My Mind: Treasuring My Transgender Child.

note: this episode is a part of Podcasthon, a global initiative where, for one week, thousands of podcasters from all over the world raise awareness for charitable organizations doing vital work.

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When you are immersed in the Disney bubble, nothing else matters. Inside the bubble is joy, love, and self-expression.

In this episode, I'm sharing a personal story about how being in Disney World affected me in a way I did not anticipate. I went into it saying I would not wear those "silly ears." Then a few hours later, I was wearing Disney Pride ears.

But this story is about more than Pride ears. It's about creating a space - for yourself and for your LGBTQ+ loved ones - where everything happening outside the bubble can't affect what's inside the bubble.

follow the podcast: theygaypodastforeveryone.com
Instagram: @thegaypodcast_foreveryone

If you'd like to learn more about the process of podcasting, check out my podcast Thank You For Joining Me: Inside Indie Podcasting

Did you like the episode? I'd love to hear what you think! Click HERE to reach out and lemme know!

Three words: Give.Them.Glitter.

There is so much meaning in just three words!

In this episode, Joshua and LesLeigh, the creators and hosts of the Give Them Glitter podcast, join me to talk about their podcast, join me to talk about their podcast, where they share their life stories about marriage, family, and raising two young boys, one who is non-binary and expresses himself with dresses and things outside of traditional gender norms and one who is more gender traditional.

LesLeigh and Joshua use their voices and platform to share their personal stories about life, love, and raising good humans.

On this episode, we talk about:

• the impact of the words "give them glitter"
• how past experiences with family shaped the way they connect with their kids
• the idea of parenting "with the end in mind"
• the importance of being an example in your community and modeling lgbtq+ allyship for your kids

Joshua and LesLeigh of Give Them Glitter podcast or pure GOLD!

Find Give Them Glitter podcast on Apple, Spotify, and YouTube.

Instagram: @givethemglitterpodcast

Follow LesLeigh on Substack at Her Written Style on Instagram at @herwrittenstyle.

Follow Joshua on Instagram at @joshuaahouston or on his new podcast, The Joshua Houston Podcast.

Did you like the episode? I'd love to hear what you think! Click HERE to reach out and lemme know!

Post-election, we're in a year that is very concerning regarding the rights of my LGBTQ+ community. I'm trying hard to hold space for things like joy and optimism and feel stronger than ever that visibility and allyship are vital.

So, who better to have a conversation about optimism and allyship than Molly Lee, the owner of Optimistic Soap, an Asian-woman-owned business that makes and sells artisanal handcrafted soap with natural ingredients and also highlights various LGBTQ+ fundraisers through its business and products?

Optimistic Soap has witty names like Concepts of a Plan (named after a batch of soap that didn't go as planned) and includes an entire line of soaps focused on the LGBTQ+ community, like the popular Love Wins soap.

In this episode, we talk about everything from how Optimistic Soap started to why demonstrating visible allyship is so important, especially right now, and it can start with a little thing, like soap.

Find Optimistic Soap:
www.optimisticsoap.com
On Facebook or Instagram

Instagram reels mentioned in this episode:
"Organic lesbians" reel
Birthday reel benefitting the Trevor Project

Current fundraiser:
This month (January 2025), Optimistic Soap is fundraising for Point of Pride, which offers healthcare for the trans community, including surgery and gender-affirming gear, and Sylvia Rivera Law Project, which provides free legal services to low-income trans, intersex, and gender non-conforming folx.

follow the podcast: theygaypodastforeveryone.com
Instagram: @thegaypodcast_foreveryone

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I'm ending the year with a casual and enjoyable conversation with Soledad Fernández-Paulino (they/them), the founder and CEO of Wealth Para Todos, a money and self-care coaching company dedicated to empowering BIPOC, women, and LGBTQ+ communities.

The overall topic of our conversation was gender roles in the household and how we shift traditional household tasks from gender to skill set or personal preference. However, this conversation ended up flowing in so many wonderful directions, and we touched on so many different topics, including:

• unconditional love versus unconditional acceptance
• the importance of living in safe and affirming spaces (and the importance of understanding the financial aspects of it)
• learning about gender expression and identity through our children

You can find Soledad at:
Instagram: @wealthparatodos
LinkedIN: www.linkedin.com/in/wealthparatodos
Website: https://www.wealthparatodos.com
Weekly Email Series: Todo Con Tiempo Tuesday
Free Mini-Course: How to Engage in D.I.V.E.R.S.E. Self-care

follow the podcast: theygaypodastforeveryone.com
Instagram: @thegaypodcast_foreveryone

Did you like the episode? I'd love to hear what you think! Click HERE to reach out and lemme know!