Empowered & Out

💬 “Authenticity Is a Journey — Not a Destination” with Don Pietranczyk Episode Summary: What does it really mean to be authentic at work — and does showing up differently in different rooms make you fake… or just smart? In this powerful episode of Empowered & Out , host Jonathan Barbe sits down with 2023 TSNN DEI Award-winner Don Pietranczyk , a 30+ year veteran in the global conference, even...

From Surviving to Seen: Being Black, Queer & Bold in Today’s Workplace with Maya Garner What was it like being out at work in the 1990s—and how much has really changed? In this powerful and personal episode, Maya Garner—a seasoned sales trainer, fierce advocate, and financial literacy educator—joins host Jonathan Barbe to share her experience navigating corporate America as a Black lesbian pro...

Aging Out Loud: Media, Identity & Queer Masculinity with Manuel Ambra In this episode of Empowered & Out , host Jonathan Barbe welcomes Manuel Ambra , a queer academic and marketing professional whose research focuses on the intersection of media, age identity, and mental health among queer men. Together, they explore how cultural expectations, media representations, and internalized norms...

This week on Empowered & Out Designing Your Best Professional Life with Marcia 🌈 What does it really mean to live your best professional life—especially when the world throws you curveballs? This week on Empowered & Out , I sit down with the phenomenal Marcia Wall , a certified career coach, educator, and DEI-rooted professional who helps people build careers that feel like home . Her jou...

NEW EPISODE: Making Art, Finding Healing — A Trans Creative’s Journey with Dee Edney This one hit deep Dee Edney (aka Angeldee) is a singer-songwriter, producer, and trans creative based in the South of England—who didn’t just rebuild her life post-transition, she orchestrated it into a full-blown masterpiece . From: ✨ Being hospitalized and told her life was “over” ➡️ To creating an album with 5...

🎙  NEW EPISODE OUT NOW 🎙 Hey there, Empowered & Out Listeners!  Extra Episode Drop: Chasing Worth, Choosing Wellness 🌿🌈 with Fran Lawn What happens when you stop chasing external validation and start listening to your body, your truth, and your community? Fran Lawn (he/him) is a Certified Nutrition Health Coach, educator, and LGBTQ+ wellness trailblazer who took a nonlinear path from landsca...

In this episode of Empowered & Out , I sit down with Koray Lynx — a first-generation, queer creative whose story spans Germany, Turkey, and the U.S. As a queer Muslim immigrant , Koray’s journey is one of resilience, identity, and unapologetic self-expression. We dive deep into what it means to live authentically at the intersections of culture, faith, queerness, and creativity — and why repre...

What does it really take to lead authentically — especially when you’re the only out LGBTQ+ voice in the room? This week, I sit down with Craig Hanlon-Smith — lifelong activist, educator, theatre artist, and soon-to-be Principal of the London South Bank Technical College — to unpack his incredible journey from the stage to the classroom to shaping cultures of belonging for the next generation. We...

Hey there, Empowered & Out Listeners!  What if your most hidden self… was actually sacred? In this powerful episode of Empowered & Out, I’m joined by the radiant Maria Elena Pamies Lafuente—a transformational life coach and energy healer helping crossdressers, especially cis-het men, heal shame and step into self-love through feminine expression 💖 We’re talking about: 🔮 What it really me...

This week on Empowered & Out, executive transformation coach and psychedelic guide Garet Free shares how one life-changing psilocybin journey helped him break free from self-doubt and finally feel worthy without performing. We dive into redefining imposter syndrome, getting unstuck from survival mode, and finding real confidence that lasts. Listeners: Book today with Garet and mention this epi...

Left a toxic job but still feel stuck? Questioning your worth after workplace discrimination? You’re not alone—and you’re definitely not broken. In this week’s episode of Empowered & Out , we’re getting real about the silent damage toxic workplaces leave behind and what it actually takes to rebuild your confidence as an LGBTQ+ professional. Here’s what we’re diving into: The lasting impact tox...

This week on Empowered & Out, we’re talking about masking — the daily ways LGBTQ+ professionals shape-shift in order to stay safe, be accepted, or just get through the day. Maybe you’ve done it for years without even realizing. Or maybe you feel the tension every time you log into Zoom, walk into a team meeting, or chat by the coffee machine. If you’ve ever walked into work and thought — “How...

This week on Empowered & Out, Coming out holds the potential for deeper connection . When we choose to share our truth, we often invite others to do the same. We show them it’s okay to be real. We can build trust, empathy, and community in ways we can’t if we’re constantly editing ourselves. It’s messy and layered. It’s okay to want safety and authenticity at the same time. It’s okay to feel f...

This week on Empowered & Out, we’re joined by the incredible Jane Klein, an internship coach and dear friend. As a former corporate leader with over 30 years of experience in IT management, digital transformation, and business strategy. Jane has taken all of her insider knowledge and turned it into actionable coaching for college students — teaching them how to land competitive internships and...

Hey there, Empowered & Out listeners!  This week on Empowered & Out, What happens when you finally land the job you worked so hard for — the one that was supposed to be the “dream” — and it doesn’t feel right? Maybe it feels disappointing. Or confusing. Or even soul-crushing. That’s what we’re diving into today. Because when the dream job doesn’t feel so dreamy, there’s more going on benea...

This week on Empowered & Out, Feeling stuck in your career — but afraid to make a change? This episode unpacks why so many LGBTQ+ professionals choose survival over alignment — and how to break that cycle. If you’re ready to find work that reflects your truth, this conversation is your starting point. Jonathan Barbe is a Certified LGBTQ+ Life Coach, Empowering LGBTQ+ Professionals and Allies t...

Hey there, Empowered & Out listeners!  This week on Empowered & Out, we’re joined by the incredible Britt Barton (she/they)—a queer wellness coach, TedX speaker, and lifelong advocate for the LGBTQ+ community. From the deep roots of Catholic Louisiana to a journey through depression, healing, and radical self-acceptance, Britt shares how she broke free from shame and now helps others do th...

Hey there, Empowered & Out listeners! This week on Empowered & Out, I’m joined by Aime Hutton. From fighting for survival as a premature baby to empowering LGBTQ2S+ youth and transforming workplaces, Aime’s journey is a testament to resilience and self-acceptance. As a five-time international best-selling author, keynote speaker, and inclusion advocate, Aime is on a mission to ensure every...

🎙️ NEW EPISODE OUT NOW 🎙️ Hey there, Empowered & Out listeners! This week on Empowered & Out, we’re unpacking: Why Pride Still Matters in 2025, The impact of identity on your career and mental health, What it really means to build a career that reflects your truth. You don’t have to settle for being tolerated. It’s time to be celebrated. Jonathan Barbe is a Certified Life Coach, Empowering...

This week on Empowered & Out, I’m joined by Nicole Merges, is the founder of Brightsol Wellness and a transformational coach who helps people break free from depression and uncertainty to step into a life of clarity, purpose, and intention. With a unique blend of spiritual life coaching, intuitive energy healing, hypnotherapy, and tarot, Nicole guides others on their journey to personal reinve...

Hey there, Empowered & Out listeners! This week on Empowered & Out, I’m joined by Dr. Paul Taylor-Pitt —award-winning Organization Development consultant, somatic coach, and author of the upcoming book “Still Here! Still Queer! Now What?” From the boardroom to the coaching room, Paul’s work bridges psychology, embodiment, and LGBTQ+ empowerment. We dive into how Body-Oriented Coaching is r...

In this episode of Empowered & Out, we’re breaking down exactly how to shift your mindset, trust your abilities, and take control of your career path. Plus, stick around to hear about an opportunity to work with me and really level up your confidence. Let’s do this! Jonathan Barbe is a Certified Life Coach, Empowering LGBTQ+ Professionals and Allies to Find their Purpose, Rediscover True Happi...

In this week's episode of Empowered & Out , we’re diving into the career strategies that help LGBTQ+ professionals not just get noticed—but truly shine. From switching industries with confidence to negotiating like a pro, I’ll share real stories and practical steps to take your career to the next level. Tune in to learn how to stop blending in and start standing out! Jonathan Barbe is a Certif...

In this episode of Empowered & Out , my guest, Michele Schenk, shares how she stopped white-knuckling her way through life and finally said ‘enough’—to stress, to survival mode, and to the Midwest ‘I’m fine’ mask. Now she’s helping women and men do the same—with bold, no-BS coaching, tactical tools, and zero toxic positivity. If you're done managing anxiety and ready to start assassinating it,...

In this episode of Empowered & Out, we’re diving into the mindset shifts that will help you claim your space as an LGBTQ+ professional. We’ll unpack how to embrace confidence, challenge imposter syndrome, and take up the room you deserve. Because trust me—playing small doesn’t serve anyone. Ever feel like you’re shrinking yourself at work? Like you have to minimize your presence just to fit in...