Big Gay Overalls - Stories of Love, Identity and Pride

Welcome back to The Big Gay Overalls Podcast — it’s been a minute. Like… since June. Life’s been lifing: caregiving for my mum, navigating grief and growth, chasing a dream to become a teaching pro golfer, and trying to figure out what to say when you’ve already told your big coming out story. This episode isn’t polished. It’s not a highlight reel. It’s the real, raw middle — the “after” part of c...

Trigger warning: This episode includes mention of suicidal ideation and mental health struggles. Please listen with care. What does it take to finally choose yourself after a lifetime of silence? In this unmissable episode of the Big Gay Overalls podcast, I sit down with the fierce, wise, and wonderfully honest Wendy Cole—transgender advocate, speaker, and transition mentor—who came out at 67 year...

This episode is a bit of a deep dive, and a long overdue one. I’ve been sitting in a space of reflection lately, trying to make sense of the before and after of my life. Not the shiny, curated “before and after” you see in gym photos… but the emotional, soul-level shift of what happens when you stop living a life that looks good on the outside and start living one that feels right on the inside. I...

It’s been a minute, but I’m back—and today’s episode is the realest I’ve ever recorded. It’s our wedding anniversary, and while I’m swimming in love and gratitude, I’m also wading through grief, family dysfunction, and the kind of emotional complexity Hallmark doesn’t make cards for. I talk candidly about what it feels like to be fully loved for the first time, the ache of navigating a difficult r...

This week, I'm diving into something that’s been sitting heavy and beautiful in my heart: what it really means to learn to relationship , not just romantically, but with myself and the people around me, now that I’m living as my full, true self. After a weekend away with Sharon’s incredible aunties (yes, the ones who’ve redefined family and unconditional love for me), I found myself reflecting on...

In this episode, I dive into the messy, confusing, and sometimes hilarious reality of figuring out what it even means to be queer when you come out later in life. From questioning if there’s a “right” way to be gay to navigating queer spaces like a deer in rainbow headlights, I share my own journey of feeling like an imposter in my own community. If you’ve ever wondered, Do I fit in? Am I doing th...

Cyclone Alfred may have brought wind and rain, but it also delivered a powerful moment of reflection. In this episode, I share what it was like staying in my ex-home, where my mum still lives with my ex-husband, during the storm.  Returning to that house wasn’t just about keeping my mum safe; it was a stark reminder of how far I’ve come. From walking through the same doors as a completely differen...

Fear kept me stuck for years. Love pushed me forward.  In this episode of Big Gay Overalls Podcast , I’m talking about something that’s been rolling around in my brain lately, the way real, unconditional love makes us braver than we ever thought we could be. Not just romantic love, but the kind that comes from friends, family, and most importantly, from within ourselves. I spent a decade knowing I...

Before podcasts were even a thing, Denise Warner was out here making waves in LGBTQ+ media. From the legendary Lesbian Lounge to The Rainbow Remix , Denise has been creating space for queer stories and voices for decades.  In this episode, we go deep into her own journey, her late-life coming out, the evolution of LGBTQ+ media, the community she helped build, and the unexpected love story that too...

What happens when life, love, and music collide in the most unexpected ways?  In this episode of Big Gay Overalls , I sit down with J.D. Danner, musician, storyteller, and co-host of the Rainbow Remix Podcast , to unpack her journey from living a traditional, closeted life to stepping into her full, unapologetic self. From playing in lesbian bars while still married, to a jaw-dropping betrayal tha...

You asked for it, and I’m delivering, the long-awaited return of my amazing wife, Sharon, to The Big Gay Overalls Podcast! This time, we’re diving into a topic close to both our hearts: boundaries. How do we set them? How do we navigate tricky family relationships? And why is choosing ourselves sometimes the hardest (but most necessary) thing to do? Sharon, our resident counsellor, shares her wisd...

What happens when love has always felt like something you had to earn ? In this raw and honest episode of Big Gay Overalls , I dive into the lifelong struggle of learning to accept love when it was never freely given. Growing up in a home where affection was a transaction left me believing my worth was tied to what I did , not who I was . But now, as I embrace my true self, I’m facing the challeng...

In this milestone 25th episode of the Big Gay Overalls podcast, I’m getting personal about grief, growth, and letting go. This week, I’ve been reflecting on some big moments, like selling a truck that once symbolised a piece of my identity, and the deeper emotional journey of coming out and redefining my life. I talk about what it means to grieve not just people but versions of ourselves and the l...

In this heartfelt and raw episode of Big Gay Overalls , I dive deep into the complicated relationship I’ve had with words like “lesbian,” “dyke,” and “butch”, labels that once felt like weapons but are now part of my journey toward authenticity.  I share how unpacking childhood shame, societal judgment, and fear helped me reclaim my identity and embrace my truth.  This episode explores the power o...

Season 2 kicks off with a powerhouse guest—fitness professional and LGBTQ advocate Izzy Wagner! 🌈💪 In this episode, we dig into Izzy's journey of discovering and owning her identity, navigating the challenges of growing up queer, and transforming her struggles into strength. From battling food relationships to finding empowerment through fitness, Izzy shares how she built a thriving coaching bus...

Ever feel like you’re living someone else’s story? I know I did for most of my life. In this episode, I’m opening up about how I broke free from the expectations and narratives that kept me trapped and started rewriting my story—a story that feels like mine . I’ll share the questions I asked myself to get unstuck, the small but powerful actions that changed everything, and why it’s never too late...

In this week’s episode of The Big Gay Overalls Podcast , Lisa gets real about the unspoken cost of living inauthentically. Drawing from her own journey, she paints a vivid picture of what it feels like to wear the "wrong outfit" in life—the quiet suffocation, the bone-deep exhaustion, and the constant hum of anxiety that comes from pretending to be someone you’re not. But it’s not all heavy. Lisa...

In this episode of Big Gay Overalls , I’m diving into something close to my heart—authenticity. For years, I lived a life that looked great on the outside but felt completely out of sync with who I really was. It wasn’t until I hit my mid-40s that I started doing the hard, messy work of figuring out who I truly am and living in alignment with that truth. I’m sharing my story—the ups, the downs, an...

This week on the Big Gay Overalls Podcast, it’s a long-awaited, behind-the-scenes Q&A featuring my wife, Sharon! Join us for an honest, heartfelt, and occasionally hilarious conversation as Sharon puts me in the hot seat. From exploring the early days of my coming-out journey to reflecting on the power of connection, identity, and authenticity, we dive deep into the stories that have shaped my...

In this heartfelt episode I sit down with Denise from Rainbow Remix to unpack the complex emotions and fears surrounding recent political turmoil in the U.S.  Despite living oceans apart—Lisa in Australia and Denise in the UK—we explore how the LGBTQI+ community worldwide can come together, offering validation, support, and action to those who feel unseen and unsafe.  Together, we share valuable r...

In this episode of the Big Gay Overalls Podcast, I dive into the complex journey of navigating friendships after coming out later in life. I share my her personal experiences with shifting relationships, the anxiety of revealing her true self to longtime friends, and the challenges that come with redefining support networks. Whether you’re in the midst of your own journey or seeking to support a l...

I’m thrilled to welcome Angela Briones, the remarkable host of The Gay Podcast For Everyone. We dive into everything from the importance of embracing your unique voice to navigating the lifelong process of coming out, both to ourselves and others. Angela shares her personal journey of being in the closet for over a decade and how she finally found the courage to tell her truth. We also explore the...

In this heartfelt episode of the Big Gay Overalls Podcast, I am joined by my wife, Sharon, for a candid discussion about our personal experiences with identity, shame, and societal expectations. From awkward first periods and taboo topics like menstruation, to navigating sexual identity and embracing authenticity later in life, we unpack it all.  Whether you’ve felt the weight of hiding who you tr...

Welcome back to the Big Gay Overalls Podcast! In this episode, I’m sharing a deeply personal story about what it was like living in the closet for 10 years. If you've ever struggled with hiding who you truly are, feeling suffocated by the weight of a double life, or fearing rejection from those around you, this episode is for you. I’ll talk about the fears, the facade, the mental toll, and the eve...

In this episode of Big Gay Overalls Podcast, I am joined by the inspiring Jen Vertanen, a coach, podcaster, and powerhouse advocate for living your best damn life. Together, they dive into the complexities of coming out late in life, the challenges of living in the closet for years, and the liberation that comes with finally embracing your true self. Jen shares her personal journey of navigating l...