The Layers of Us

TW: SEXUAL ASSAULT In this episode, we sit down with Shannon Burns to talk about queerness, healing, and what it really means to own your voice while growing into the person you’re meant to be. Shannon opens up about her journey of self-discovery, navigating identity, and learning how to show up authentically in both life and creativity. We dive into healing, confidence, unlearning old narratives,...

In this episode, we sit down with Megan Stoneson, singer-songwriter, to talk about identity, empowerment, and what it really means to embrace your bisexuality while finding your voice in music. Megan opens up about her journey of self-discovery, navigating queer identity, and creating music that feels honest, vulnerable, and true to who she is. We dive into the complexities of confidence, unlearni...

In this episode, we sit down with Eva Bloom (they/them), a queer & trans late bloomer coach and international speaker, to talk about identity, empowerment, and what it really means to come into yourself on your own timeline. Eva opens up about their journey as a late bloomer, embracing their identity, and supporting others in feeling at home in their bodies, relationships, and lives. We dive i...

In this episode, we sit down with Sabine Strauch, a queer painter and jewelry maker, to talk about her coming out journey and how it’s shaped her creative path. Sabine opens up about embracing her identity, finding confidence through art, and building a brand that celebrates queerness and inclusivity. We dive into her creative process, the intersection of art and self-expression, and how she creat...

In this episode, we sit down with Asia to talk about her journey as a Black lesbian woman and the stories she’s bringing to life as the showrunner of the hit drama series “ONE WOMAN.” Asia opens up about creating from a place of truth, building complex characters, and what it means to center Black queer experiences on screen. We dive into her creative process, the realities of leading a series, an...

In this episode, we sit down with Drew to talk about her first WLW heartbreak, navigating divorce, and what it really looks like to rebuild your life when everything you thought was certain falls apart. Drew opens up about being married, coming to terms with her sexuality, and the emotional complexity of loving women for the first time. We unpack the grief of ending a marriage, the intensity of a...

In this episode, we sit down with Emily Larson to talk about rewriting your story, navigating identity shifts, and what it means to live your truth publicly. As a lifestyle, LGBTQ+ and travel creator, Emily shares what it was like to once be married to a man and now be engaged to a woman, and how that journey reshaped not only her relationships, but her sense of self. We dive into her transition f...

In this episode, we sit down with Georgia Bridgers to talk about paving the way for queer creators, branching into acting, and navigating identity both online and offline. As a creator who’s helped shape queer visibility on the internet, Georgia shares what it’s really like to grow up publicly, build community, and evolve in front of an audience. We dive into her journey as a queer creator, the tr...

In this episode, we sit down with Keara to talk about her coming out journey, receiving an autism diagnosis, and what it really means to share your life on the internet. As someone who shows up honestly and openly online, Keara offers a powerful perspective on identity, self-discovery, and visibility. We dive into her experience coming out, navigating life with an autism diagnosis, and how underst...

In this episode, we sit down wit h Beth, a disability advocate, accessibility connoisseur, and powerful voice challenging ignorance around blindness and disability. With the belief that blindness is a spectrum, and ignorance isn’t, Beth uses her platform to educate, disrupt misconceptions, and advocate for a more accessible and inclusive world. We dive into what accessibility really means in every...

In this episode, we sit down with Allison Lang, a content creator, speaker, model, Paralympian-level athlete with Team Canada’s Sitting Volleyball Team, and a powerful voice in disability advocacy. Born without her left leg and growing up navigating bullying, body-image struggles, and self-confidence, Allison now uses her platform to champion self-love, body acceptance, and true inclusivity. We di...

In this episode, we sit down with Rae (they/them) , founder of Origami Customs - a trans and gender-diverse clothing brand and community program built by queer and trans people, for queer and trans people. Rae shares what it’s like creating gender-affirming fashion that actually fits, building a team rooted in community care, and running a global program that provides life-changing products to tho...

In this episode, we sit down with Marita Prodger, reality TV personality from The Queer Ultimatum , creator, and proud girly lesbian. 🌈 Marita opens up about her experience on the show, what it taught her about love and visibility, and why she believes being vocal as a queer woman matters more than ever. We dive into identity, femininity, and the power of showing up authentically - even when it’s...

In this episode, we sit down with Jason Suerte, a Queer Filipino creator and storyteller who’s passionate about amplifying LGBTQ+ and Asian voices. Jason opens up about what it was like growing up gay in the Asian community, navigating family expectations, and learning to love authentically in a public relationship. 🌈 We dive deep into identity, culture, and the courage it takes to be seen - even...

In this episode, we sit down with Jemarc Axinto, a Trauma-Conscious Coach dedicated to helping Queer, BIPOC, and Neurodivergent beings recover from trauma, unlock their creativity, and live authentically. Jemarc’s work bridges healing and empowerment, guiding others to reconnect with their truth and reclaim their power. As a special gift for our community, Jemarc is offering access to their master...

In this episode of The Layers of Us , Amanda sits down with Zoe Marín, an Argentine-American theatre artist, comedian, and artistic producer whose work explores identity, creativity, and the power of laughter. Zoe is part of the sketch troupe Small Friend Tall Friend and serves as the Artistic Producer of First Born Theatre, a company amplifying underrepresented voices through bold storytelling. T...

In this episode of The Layers of Us , Amanda sits down with Erika Casupanan, a Filipino immigrant, queer late bloomer, and the first woman of color to win Survivor . Erika is a keynote speaker, storyteller, and award-winning podcaster who empowers underestimated audiences through vulnerability, humor, and truth. Together, they unpack what it means to rewrite your story after success, navigate quee...

In this episode of The Layers of Us, Amanda sits down with Alyy Patel, a queer South Asian activist who explores issues of identity, community, and systemic oppression. Alyy shares their experiences with anti-Brown racism in lesbian communities, the challenges of coming out as a second-generation queer South Asian to immigrant parents, and the realities of violence faced by queer South Asian women...

In this episode of The Layers of Us , Amanda sits down with Renée Yoxon , a nonbinary singer, songwriter, physicist, and voice teacher who helps trans and nonbinary people create speaking voices they love. Renée shares their journey of gender exploration, what gender-affirming voice coaching is, and how voice can be a powerful tool for building confidence, identity, and authentic self-expression....

TW:SUICIDAL IDEATION / DEPRESSION TALK . In this episode of The Layers of Us , Amanda sits down with Cal Campos, a trans and non-binary Filipino creator and advocate. Cal shares their experience navigating identity at the intersections of queerness and culture, what inclusion really means, and why they challenge the idea of “safe spaces.” This honest conversation explores belonging, language, and...

In this episode of The Layers of Us , Amanda sits down with Courtney Davila, a stylist and advocate for queer expression in fashion. Courtney shares her journey of embracing their identity as a lesbian, exploring the queerness of fashion, and using style as a tool for creativity and self-expression. This candid conversation dives into authenticity, creativity, and the ways fashion can celebrate an...

In this episode of The Layers of Us , Amanda sits down with Jasper, a trans masc singer and the owner of Peace & Power , a shop dedicated to community and self-expression. Jasper shares his story of embracing trans masc identity, finding resilience through creativity, and building spaces that uplift and empower others. This honest conversation explores authenticity, entrepreneurship, and the i...

In this episode of The Layers of Us , Amanda sits down with Kelsey Miller - a proud queer woman in STEM who grew up in a conservative Midwest town. Kelsey shares her story of navigating small-town expectations, coming into her identity, and stepping into the professional world as an out and unapologetic lesbian woman. This honest conversation explores resilience, representation, and the power of l...

What does it mean to parent, create, and build community outside of traditional boxes? In this episode of The Layers of Us , Amanda sits down with Alex Ott — a queer San Diego native, solo mom, and founder of Chrome City Creative Studio and The Blank Table , an underground supper club rooted in creativity and connection. Alex opens up about her journey of embracing queer identity, navigating the r...

We’re back — and we’re peeling back more layers than ever. In this special relaunch episode of The Layers of Us , I’m sharing the heart behind our rebrand, the vision for where we’re headed, and why this space matters now more than ever. From the stories we’ll tell to the voices we’ll uplift, consider this your invitation to join a community built on honesty, curiosity, and connection. It’s not ju...