Living OUT Loud Podcast

If you haven't heard this episode yet, I thought it was an important one coming so close to the election. The conversation features Chris Hartman, the executive director of Kentucky's Fairness Campaign, discussing his journey of coming out, the importance of LGBTQ+ advocacy, and the impact of community support in small towns. Hartman shares personal anecdotes and highlights the significance of sto...

What does it take to be fully yourself in your relationships, your family, and the rooms where your voice matters? In this episode of Living OUT Loud, I’m joined by Dr. Lorri Sulpizio, leadership educator, coach, former college basketball coach, and queer mom, for a heartfelt conversation about identity, belonging, and the courage to show up honestly. Together, we explore finding our voices withou...

Your Dating Life Is Not Someone Else's Entertainment | Living OUT Loud When did trying to find love become something people should be embarrassed about? We've gotten pretty comfortable sharing screenshots of dating profiles, awkward introductions, and private messages in Facebook groups and online communities. Sometimes it's about protecting one another. But other times? It's simply entertainment...

What do meeting a serial killer and befriending Rosa Parks have in common? For Scott Wells, they’re both chapters in one extraordinary life. On this episode of  Living OUT Loud , I sit down with author Scott Wells for a conversation that went places I never expected. Scott takes us back to a chilling encounter with a man he would later believe was serial killer Robert Durst, an experience that ult...

In this important Solocast, Michele Flamer emphasizes the critical importance of voting and political engagement, particularly for the LGBTQ community. She discusses the upcoming elections, the impact of local and state decisions, and encourages listeners to be informed and active participants in democracy. Here’s your homework. And I promise it’s not complicated. 1. Check your voter registration....

Hey single people!! Michele was excited to share this Solocast. It discusses healthy relationships and self-love, emphasizing the importance of self-knowledge and boundary-setting. She also introduces the 'relationship reset' workshop and shares insights on building a life that feels aligned with the love one desires. Takeaways Self-love and healthy relationships require knowing oneself and settin...

This episode, Liz is back and the conversation explores the experience of introducing a partner to one's family and friends, the dynamics of chosen family, and the impact of meeting each other's people. It delves into the significance of blending lives, the nervousness and excitement of meeting loved ones, and the evolution of relationships within different social circles. The conversation explore...

What if healing could happen somewhere beyond the hospital room? In this episode of  Living OUT Loud , I sit down with Darrell Wood, founder and executive director of Cues For Cancer, a nonprofit using the power of musical theater to bring hope, connection, and moments of joy to individuals and families facing cancer. Darrell believes that while medicine treats the body, people also need something...

What happens when the values we claim no longer match the way we live? In this powerful episode of Living OUT Loud, Michele sits down with Shane Lukas, an activist, two-time TEDx speaker, award-winning designer, author, podcast host, and founder of the creative agency A Great Idea. Shane’s story began with profound loss. After losing his mother at just 11 years old and growing up in an unstable ho...

Michele Flamer shares her journey of self-discovery, coming out, and facing family challenges. She reflects on the impact of silence and the importance of choosing not to abandon oneself. The story culminates in a powerful moment of redemption and vindication, bringing closure to a difficult chapter in her life. Takeaways Self-discovery is not always a lightning bolt moment, but can be a peaceful...

What does it really take to find love that lasts? In this powerful episode of Living OUT Loud, Michele sits down with Romantic Mastery Coach™, matchmaker, and bestselling author Amari Ice for an honest conversation about gay dating, emotional intelligence, vulnerability, and the relationship skills many of us were never taught. Amari has helped more than 500 gay men gain clarity about their needs,...

What if the confusion you’re feeling isn’t proof that you’re lost, but a sign that you’re becoming? In this solocast episode of  Living OUT Loud , Michele is talking about the invisible timelines that convince us we’re behind in life, love, careers, and personal growth. We’ll explore what it means to sit with uncertainty, stop abandoning yourself in relationships, and choose who you are becoming w...

Some conversations are special because of the wisdom that's shared. Others are special because of the person sharing it. This episode is both. I'm thrilled to welcome my life partner,  Dr. Liz Burke , to  Living OUT Loud  for a conversation that's equal parts inspiring, thoughtful, and deeply personal. Liz is a poet, educator, writing coach, Buddhist and scholar who has spent more than two decades...

What happens when the life you've built looks successful on the outside but feels empty on the inside? In this powerful episode of  Living OUT Loud , Michele sits down with transformational teacher, TEDx speaker, award-winning author, and breathwork pioneer Christian de la Huerta for a deeply honest conversation about identity, spirituality, healing, and the courage to live authentically. Born in...

What if the biggest movements in the world don't start with a grand plan, but with a single act of refusing to leave someone behind? In this powerful episode of  Living OUT Loud , Michele sits down with Mark Barlet, USAF Service-Disabled Veteran, LGBTQ+ leader, and founder of The AbleGamers Charity, who is one of the pioneers of the global accessibility movement. What began as a mission to help a...

In this solo episode of  Living OUT Loud , Michele Flamer explores the shifts happening across queer culture today, from dating app fatigue and evolving identities to chosen family, community care, and the search for deeper connection. Looking beyond Pride Month, she reflects on what it means to build authentic community in a world that often values visibility over belonging. Thanks for listening!...

What if the stories you've been living aren't actually your own? In this powerful conversation, Michele sits down with Dr. Rick Diamond, Story Healer, speaker, author of Wrestling with God , devoted father, and ally, to explore how the narratives we inherit shape our identities, relationships, faith, and sense of belonging. Together, they discuss the courage it takes to question long-held beliefs,...

What happens when a lifelong librarian decides it's finally time to tell her own story? In this episode of  Living OUT Loud , host Michele Flamer sits down with award-winning author Kathy Anderson to explore a journey filled with reinvention, creativity, authenticity, and the courage to embrace new chapters at any stage of life. After spending more than twenty-five years connecting people with sto...

Karen Kay Holmes shares her journey to authenticity, self-acceptance, and joy, chronicling her path of self-discovery, resilience, and transformation. The conversation explores the power of self-discovery, the significance of the name 'Karen,' emotional and life-threatening moments, and the misunderstood emotional challenges of transition. Karen shares her journey of transitioning and the challeng...

When Connection Becomes the Lifeline: A Conversation with Lisa Sugarman What do we do when life throws us into the deep end of grief, loss, uncertainty, or emotional overwhelm? In this heartfelt episode of  Living OUT Loud , Michele Flamer-Powell sits down with Lisa Sugarman, author, mental health advocate, columnist, and founder of Helphub.co , to explore the power of connection during life's mos...

Living OUT Loud with Michele Flamer-Powell | Eboné Bell on Courage, Belonging & Building What Doesn't Exist What do you do when the world doesn't reflect your story? You create something that does. In this inspiring episode of  Living OUT Loud , Michele Flamer-Powell sits down with entrepreneur, speaker, and  Tagg Magazine  founder  Eboné Bell  to discuss the power of visibility, authentic lea...

In this episode of  Living OUT Loud , Michele Flamer-Powell sits down with Kado Stewart, Vice President of Programs & Strategy at one•n•ten, Arizona's leading organization serving LGBTQ+ youth. Together, they explore the meaning of belonging, the responsibility of leadership, and what young people are teaching us about authenticity, resilience, and community. Kado shares insights from his work...

What happens when a young person who has experienced rejection, homelessness, or mental health challenges is finally met with safety, affirmation, and community? In this powerful episode of  Living OUT Loud , Michele Flamer-Powell sits down with  Elton McDuffus  and  Yuri  from  Friends of Ruby , a Toronto-based organization dedicated to supporting 2SLGBTQIA+ youth through mental health services,...

What does it mean to lead with courage, compassion, and conviction in today’s world? In this powerful episode of  Living OUT Loud , Michele sits down with  Brad Pritchett , CEO of  Equality Texas , for a deeply human conversation about advocacy, resilience, and the importance of protecting dignity for all people. Together, they explore the emotional realities behind leadership in advocacy spaces,...

In this powerful episode of  Living OUT Loud , Michele Flamer-Powell sits down with entrepreneur, advocate, and Ron Platt, founder of  NASDF.org , to discuss the hidden realities facing single-parent and divorced families across America. With more than 35 years of experience spanning insurance, real estate, and social advocacy, Ron shares how his personal experiences as a foster parent and advocat...