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The Vibe of a Gay City: Finding Community, Freedom, and Connection
Airs August 21

What makes a city feel undeniably, unapologetically gay? Is it the rainbow flags, the nightlife, the history, the people—or something deeper?

In this episode of The Mindfully Gay Podcast, John Cottrell and Jerry Buie return after a brief summer hiatus to reflect on Jerry’s recent visit to Wilton Manors, Florida—one of America’s most vibrant LGBTQ+ communities. Their conversation expands into a heartfelt exploration of gay neighborhoods, queer belonging, chosen family, aging, visibility, and what it means to live in places where authenticity is not merely tolerated, but celebrated.

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“Beyond the Closet, Beyond the Church: Queer Faith, Shame, & Spiritual Freedom”
Aired August 7th on The Mindfully Gay Podcast

In this powerful and deeply personal episode of The Mindfully Gay Podcast, John and Jerry explore the complicated relationship between queer identity, religion, spirituality, shame, and self-acceptance.

Prompted by messages from listeners around the world — including countries where being LGBTQ+ is still criminalized or deeply oppressed — this conversation examines what it means to grow up hearing that who you are is somehow wrong, sinful, or in need of fixing.

Jerry opens up about his experience growing up Mormon, serving a mission, marrying a woman, and desperately trying to “pray away” his sexuality through devotion, obedience, fasting, and faith. John reflects on growing up Catholic and receiving the painful mixed message so many queer people know well: “It’s okay to be who you are… just don’t tell anybody.”

Together, they unpack the emotional and spiritual consequences of hiding, suppressing identity, and internalizing religious shame. They discuss religious trauma, conversion therapy, coming out in conservative environments, and the exhausting pressure many LGBTQ+ people feel to earn love, acceptance, and belonging.

But this episode is also about healing.

John and Jerry explore the possibility of reconnecting with spirituality outside the walls of organized religion — through nature, yoga, ceremony, mindfulness, community, ancestors, authentic conversation, and the wisdom already living within ourselves. They reflect on queer people as bridge builders, healers, truth tellers, and carriers of unique spiritual gifts and “magic.”

This heartfelt conversation speaks directly to anyone navigating:

• Religious trauma
• Faith after coming out
• LGBTQ+ identity and spirituality
• Shame and self-acceptance
• Conservative religious environments
• Queer healing and authenticity
• Spirituality outside organized religion
• The search for belonging and inner peace

Whether you are questioning your faith, rebuilding your relationship with spirituality, healing from rejection, or simply trying to live more authentically, this episode offers compassion, honesty, and hope.

Watch the full video episode on YouTube at The Mindfully Gay Podcast YouTube Channel

Download and stream the audio podcast on Spotify and Apple Podcasts.

Visit Mindfully Gay Podcast for updates, social events, and more episodes.

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“Beyond the Closet, Beyond the Church: Queer Faith, Shame, and Spiritual Freedom”

Airs August 7th on The Mindfully Gay Podcast

In this powerful and deeply personal episode of The Mindfully Gay Podcast, John and Jerry explore the complicated relationship between queer identity, religion, spirituality, shame, and self-acceptance.

Prompted by messages from listeners around the world — including countries where being LGBTQ+ is still criminalized or deeply oppressed — this conversation examines what it means to grow up hearing that who you are is somehow wrong, sinful, or in need of fixing.

@mindfully_gay (Instagram)

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Pioneer Day, But Make It Gay | Mindfully Gay Podcast
Air Date: July 24, 2026

What does it mean to be a pioneer?

In this special Pioneer Day episode of The Mindfully Gay Podcast, John and Jerry take a uniquely queer look at Utah’s Pioneer Day and ask an important question: Who are the gay pioneers who made our lives possible today?

From the early LGBTQ+ activists who risked everything for visibility and equality, to the everyday people who dared to live authentically when it wasn’t safe, this conversation honors the trailblazers who paved the way for future generations of queer people.

John and Jerry explore the importance of LGBTQ+ history, why many younger queer people may feel disconnected from the struggles and victories that came before them, and how understanding our collective past can strengthen our sense of identity, belonging, and community.

The conversation touches on influential figures such as James Baldwin, Harry Hay, Marsha P. Johnson, Bayard Rustin, Harvey Milk, Larry Kramer, and countless others whose courage changed the course of LGBTQ+ history. They also reflect on the HIV/AIDS crisis, the evolution of Pride celebrations, the fight against conversion therapy, queer mental health advocacy, and the power of living openly in a world that often encourages conformity.

Jerry shares stories from his work pioneering LGBTQ+-affirming mental health services in Utah, while John reflects on the mentors, teachers, and spiritual guides who helped him embrace both his faith and his identity.

Most importantly, this episode challenges listeners to consider their own role in shaping the future. You don’t have to lead a movement, start an organization, or become famous to be a pioneer. Sometimes the most revolutionary act is simply telling the truth about who you are.

Whether you’re newly out, questioning your identity, exploring queer history, celebrating Pride, or looking for inspiration to live more authentically, this conversation offers a meaningful reminder that every generation stands on the shoulders of those who came before.

What part of LGBTQ+ history has inspired you most? And in what ways are you becoming a pioneer in your own life?

Listen now and join the conversation.

Download the audio episode on Apple Podcasts and Spotify.

Watch the full video podcast on YouTube at Mindfully Gay Podcast.

Visit MindfullyGay.com for upcoming events, community gatherings, and additional resources.

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What does it mean to be a pioneer?

In this special Pioneer Day episode of The Mindfully Gay Podcast, John and Jerry take a uniquely queer look at Utah’s Pioneer Day and ask an important question: Who are the gay pioneers who made our lives possible today?

From the early LGBTQ+ activists who risked everything for visibility and equality, to the everyday people who dared to live authentically when it wasn’t safe, this conversation honors the trailblazers who paved the way for future generations of queer people.

@mindfully_gay (Instagram)

Send us Fan Mail

The Medicine of Pleasure: Queerness, Sensuality, and Sacred Practice
Aired July 10th on The Mindfully Gay Podcast

What if pleasure wasn’t something to fear, suppress, or hide—but something sacred?

In this powerful and provocative new episode of The Mindfully Gay Podcast, John and Jerry explore one of their most transformative conversations yet: the relationship between queer identity, sensuality, spirituality, and the healing power of pleasure.

“The Medicine of Pleasure: Queerness, Sensuality, and Sacred Practice” challenges the shame-based narratives many LGBTQ+ people have inherited from religion, culture, politics, and internalized homophobia. Together, John and Jerry ask what becomes possible when queer people begin reclaiming pleasure not merely as sexual expression, but as healing, embodiment, ritual, activism, and spiritual connection.

From conversations about religious conditioning, sexual shame, and substance use in queer communities to tantra, body sensuality, sacred sexuality, and indigenous wisdom traditions, this episode offers an honest and expansive look at what it means to reconnect with your body, your joy, and your authentic self.

Listeners will explore:

• How religion and cultural shame have impacted queer relationships with pleasure
• Why so many LGBTQ+ individuals struggle to access joy, sensuality, and self-acceptance
• The difference between pleasure, intimacy, sensuality, eroticism, and spiritual practice
• How tantra, self-touch, mindfulness, and ritual can support healing
• Queer pleasure as activism and resistance
• Indigenous and shamanic perspectives on sexual energy as sacred medicine
• The importance of reclaiming joy, embodiment, and connection as part of healing

This episode is bold, funny, spiritually rich, and deeply personal—inviting listeners to rethink pleasure as nourishment for the body, mind, and soul.

Whether you are healing from shame, exploring queer spirituality, reclaiming your sensuality, or simply curious about the intersection of pleasure and sacred practice, this conversation offers insight, empowerment, and reflection.

Join John and Jerry on July 10th for a conversation that celebrates queer joy, embodied healing, and the radical act of fully receiving pleasure.

Download the audio episode on Apple Podcasts or Spotify.
Watch the full video episode on YouTube at Mindfully Gay Podcast.

Because healing isn’t only about releasing pain.
Sometimes healing is learning how to receive joy.

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The Medicine of Pleasure: Queerness, Sensuality, and Sacred Practice
Airs July 10th on The Mindfully Gay Podcast

What if pleasure wasn’t something to fear, suppress, or hide—but something sacred?

In this powerful and provocative new episode of The Mindfully Gay Podcast, John and Jerry explore one of their most transformative conversations yet: the relationship between queer identity, sensuality, spirituality, and the healing power of pleasure.

@mindfully_gay (Instagram)

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Survival to Thriving: The Evolution of Gay Pride

Airs June 26th

In this Pride Month episode of The Mindfully Gay Podcast, John Cottrell and Jerry Buie reflect on the evolution of Gay Pride—from the activist roots of the Stonewall Riots to today’s massive Pride festivals, parades, corporate sponsorships, chosen family gatherings, and sacred queer spaces.

As the 57th anniversary of Stonewall approaches, John and Jerry ask a powerful question: How do we move from simply surviving as gay men to truly thriving in our identity, community, joy, and authenticity?

Together, they explore how Pride began as protest, resistance, and survival, especially for generations shaped by secrecy, stigma, HIV/AIDS, religious shame, and the need to find safety in bars, clubs, college groups, chosen families, and underground queer spaces. They also celebrate how those spaces became more than social outlets—they became sacred places of belonging, healing, self-expression, activism, and connection.

This conversation looks at Pride beyond the parade. What makes Pride meaningful rather than performative? How do we honor the activists, elders, artists, drag queens, leather daddies, friends, lovers, and chosen families who helped create the world we now live in? And how do we carry Pride beyond June into our everyday lives?

John and Jerry invite listeners to reflect on their own coming out stories, sacred gay rituals, personal milestones, and the communities that helped them feel seen. From Stonewall to same-sex marriage, from gay bars to brunch tables, from survival to joy, this episode is a celebration of queer resilience, gay history, LGBTQ identity, and the ongoing power of living truthfully.

Download the audio episode on Apple Podcasts or Spotify, and watch the video podcast on YouTube at Mindfully Gay Podcast.

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