167: Kicking Ass By Being Your Own Gay Leadership Dude – Dr. Steve Yacovelli

Happy Pride. That's what today's guest said over the pounding beat of his DJing life for many years. The thrill, the fun, the drugs, the sex. It all made him feel desired and alive...so to speak, until it didn't. Then he woke to the truth that to be desired and loved, he had to do that to and for himself. Dr. Wade Maggert, brings his Buddhist sensibilities and practical awakened self to this candid conversation about his life, then and now, and shares how during this Pride Season, you can find yourself when you simply look within. About Wade Dr. Wade Maggert, esteemed mental health expert and advocate, harbors a past as vibrant as his current professional pursuits. Before his doctoral days, the world knew him as DJ Ra, spinning tracks in the most electrifying gay nightclubs across global capitals. His journey through the highs of fame was a prelude to personal transformation. Encountering the consequences of an intense lifestyle led him to therapy, revealing the scars of an anti-gay upbringing. Embracing self-love marked the beginning of his dedication to mental health, inspiring a profound shift from electrifying dance floors to empowering lives in the LGBTQ+ community and beyond. With a Master of Social Work from UNLV and a groundbreaking PhD in Depth Psychology from Pacifica Graduate Institute, Dr. Maggert has pioneered research into the depths of the masculine psyche. As an educator and a seasoned practitioner, his mastery extends from academia to the frontlines of mental health advocacy. His specializations in advanced therapeutic techniques have revolutionized treatment paradigms. At the helm of three VA mental health programs and at the heart of his private practice, Dragonfly Psychotherapy, Dr. Maggert is a trailblazer for trauma and addiction recovery within the LGBTQ+ community. Beyond his professional prowess, he is a Zen Buddhist adept, weaving the tranquility of meditation into his therapeutic approach and sharing his wisdom at the Houston Zen Center. Dr. Maggert's life's work is not just his occupation, but his offering to the world. Connect With Matt Website Instagram Hey Guys, Check This Out! Are you a guy who keeps struggling to do that thing? You know the thing you keep telling yourself and others you’re going to do, but never do? Then it’s time to get real and figure out why. Join the 40 Plus: Gay Men Gay Talk, monthly chats. They happen the third Monday of each month at 5:00 pm Pacific - Learn More! Break free of fears. Make bold moves. Live life without apologies

21 Jun 202445min

From the moment he was a young man, he knew, and was taught - no one is going to hand you anything and you have to go out and get it yourself. And as a Jamaican-American man that is exactly what he did. He's gone out and fiercely pursued his dreams and lived his life authentically. Author and Fashion Designer, Kadeem Alphanso Fyffe shares is thoughts on how you stay and the game of your life to create your own way into your destiny as a gay man. In this episode you'll discover... How his toughest challenges brought him to is greatest strengths The one phrase that always moves him from failure to success What one thing you must do every day to feel fulfilled About Kadeem Kadeem Alphanso Fyffe, is a Jamaican-American fashion designer. His label, KADEEM ALPHANSO FYFFE | NEW YORK, specializes in made-to-order event wear and RTW for the contemporary woman. He studied womenswear design in Milan, Italy at Istituto di Moda Burgo, and is a gradaute of Parsons School of Design. Fyffe has worked for esteemed brands such as Michael Kors, Burberry, and Marc Jacobs - his work has been featured in numerous major publications, including in USA Today, People, and Cosmopolitan; his LGBTQ+ advocacy work landed him on Out Magazine’s 2020 Out 100 List. Additionally, Kadeem is the author of Threading the Needle: A Fashion Designer's Guide to Successfully Launching Your First Collection. Connect With Kadeem Website Instagram LinkedIn Hey Guys, Check This Out! Are you a guy who keeps struggling to do that thing? You know the thing you keep telling yourself and others you’re going to do, but never do? Then it’s time to get real and figure out why. Join the 40 Plus: Gay Men Gay Talk, monthly chats. They happen the third Monday of each month at 5:00 pm Pacific - Learn More! Also, join our Facebook Community - 40 Plus: Gay Men, Gay Talk Community Break free of fears. Make bold moves. Live life without apologies

14 Jun 202447min

There's a stereotype about gay men that all we want is sex, partying, and drugs. For some that might be true. For others we just enjoy the occasional dip into that space. But what happens when navigating the drinking, drug, partying way of being becomes blurred and we don't realize that we're on the verge of addiction? Joining me today to unpack this question is Michael Pezzullo, licensed Marriage and Family therapist, known as The Weho Therapist. We have a candid and supportive conversation about navigating sex, drugs, and alcohol during this pride season. About Michael Michael is a Licensed Marriage and Family Therapist. He earned his Master’s Degree in Clinical Psychology from Antioch University and a Bachelor’s Degree in media and communication from New York University. He works in private practice in West Hollywood, CA. In his practice, Michael works heavily with the LGBTQIA+ community--with a specific focus on gay men. He also has extensive experience treating substance use disorders. Michael has specialized experience treating those who struggle with “chem-sex”—the addictive process of using substances to heighten sexual arousal. He also created and facilitated an LGBTQ+ identity group for Impulse United, a global HIV advocacy nonprofit. Michael works from an attachment perspective while treating couples. He is certified in several trauma therapy modalities including: trauma-focused cognitive behavioral therapy, attachment-focused EMDR and ketamine assisted psychotherapy. Michael was born and raised in the heart of New York City: Hell’s Kitchen. He now lives in West Hollywood with his husband and their two dogs. Outside of work, Michael is heavily involved in the local LGBTQ+ recovery community and is an avid plant collector. Connect With Michael Website Instagram Hey Guys, Check This Out! Are you a guy who keeps struggling to do that thing? You know the thing you keep telling yourself and others you’re going to do, but never do? Then it’s time to get real and figure out why. Join the 40 Plus: Gay Men Gay Talk, monthly chats. They happen the third Monday of each month at 5:00 pm Pacific - Learn More! Break free of fears. Make bold moves. Live life without apologies

7 Jun 202451min

Men, muscle and masculinity. It seems to be that constant tug-of-war in our male psyche. Then add to the mix being gay, and suddenly we're a mess. Whether you're a muscle chaser, worshipper, or it's not your thing, there is that swole that happens in your loins when you feast upon a man, regardless of how you land on the muscle spectrum. Taking a deep dive into muscle, men, and masculinity, virgin, first-time author Michal Andor Brodeur helps us kick off Pride Season with the question - is that a muscle or are you just happy to see me - LOL. Enjoy! In this episode we Explore why muscle has become such a gay pursuit Uncover the balance between masculinity and muscle Debate whether muscle makes you more of a man About Michael Michael Andor Brodeur has been the classical music critic at the Washington Post since 2020. Previously, he held editorial and staff-writer positions at the Boston Globe and Boston’s Weekly Dig. His essays, humor, and criticism have also appeared in Nylon, Thrillist, Entrepreneur, Medium, McSweeney’s Internet Tendency and other publications. He has also released 5 music albums under different monikers, most recently writing and performing electronic music under the name New Dad. His newest book is "SWOLE: The Making of Men and the Meaning of Muscle," released May 28. Connect With Michael Website Facebook Instagram X - Twitter Hey Guys, Check This Out! Are you a guy who keeps struggling to do that thing? You know the thing you keep telling yourself and others you’re going to do, but never do? Then it’s time to get real and figure out why. Join the 40 Plus: Gay Men Gay Talk, monthly chats. They happen the third Monday of each month...

31 Mai 202446min

We go to the gym, watch what we eat, many of us use condoms for safer sex experiences, yet one area we don't concern ourselves with  - so to speak is our butt health. Sure we know about prostate cancer and the such, but when was the last time you ask your Doctor about the health of your butt. Starting today, we make butt health a priority - and it has nothing to do with having sex with men. It actually has everything to do with a better understanding of how and what butt (anal) cancer is and how it starts, and what you can do to prevent it. Dr. Gary Bucher a leader in clinical care for all things anal and perianal precancerm talks candidly about what you should be doing to prevent cancer in your bum. In this episode we discuss: The high risk groups for anal cancer Practices you should implement to ensure you butt stays healthy The three leading screenings every man and woman should have to catch anal cancer early Bottoms up boys and let's talk about our butts! About Dr. Gary Bucher For over 35 years, Dr. Bucher has been a leader in clinical care and research with HIV/ AIDS patients. He has felt the need to be on the forefront of advances and care for PLWH. Dr. Bucher saw the rates of anal cancer increasing in PLWH, MSM and other high-risk groups. Dr. Bucher started referring patients for work up for abnormal anal pap smears (anal cytology) to colorectal surgeons. He soon found out that his patients were not getting the appropriate evaluation with high resolution anoscopy (HRA). His patients were examined with a rectal exam and a standard plain anoscopy. Subsequently, they were told that everything was normal when they could have had anal precancer that was not seen because an HRA was not performed. His patients felt a false sense of security that they were being evaluated properly and that all was normal. Dr. Bucher quickly found that evaluation and treatment of anal and perianal precancer were nonexistent in Chicago and decided he needed to learn how to perform HRA’s and treat anal precancer. In 2008, Dr. Bucher was so concerned about the trajectory of anal disease in his community, that he started focusing exclusively on providing HRA and HPV related anal disease treatments and opened his Anal Dysplaisa Clinic MidWest (ADC MidWest) in Chicago. Dr. Bucher’s experience continued to evolve with his clinical practice and research to the point where he was able to participate as the principal investigator in the largest anal cancer prevention study (ANCHOR Study) ever conducted in the USA. Dr. Bucher’s private clinical practice enrolled 580 participants from the Chicagoland region out of the 4,446 total U.S. participants. The ANCHOR Study is an anal cancer prevention clinical trial funded by the National Institutes of Health (NIH) through the National Cancer Institute (NCI) and it’s Office of HIV and AIDS Malignancy (OHAM) and AIDS Malignancy Consortium (AMC). Dr. Bucher has remained passionate about the the clinical advancements in the treatment of HPV related diseases. In 2020, Dr. Bucher began to develop a mentorship training program to prepare the next generation of providers in anal precancer screening and treatment. The multi-tiered preceptorship program officially launched in 2023 and is primed to fill a much needed gap in the growing need for providers who are proficient in HRA and HSIL treatments. Connect With Dr. Bucher Website Instagram Hey Guys, Check This Out! Are you a guy who keeps struggling to do that thing? You know the thing you keep telling yourself and others you’re going to do, but never do? Then it’s time to get real and figure out why. Join the 40 Plus: Gay Men Gay Talk, monthly chats. They happen the third Monday of each month at 5:00 pm...

24 Mai 202435min

Passion, passion, passion. I just want to find my passion. Yup! Don't we all. But for gay men, this desire is a consistent rumbling that often leaves us high and dry with no passion to make us fill fulfilled. Well, today we're going to debunk the pursuit of passion and ask you to instead get curious. Inspired by Elizabeth Gilbert of Eat, Pray, Love fame and her talk on Curiosity, I decided to bring my gay guys version to this podcast for you chew on as you pursue your endless passions and see where it takes you. Join Our Live 40 Plus Gay Men, Gay Talk Chats The third Monday of each month at 5:00 p.m. Pacific, we gather together on a zoom chat to talk about the stuff us gay gays aren't talking about but should - careers, finances, sex, love, health, coming out - all that stuff that we think we're talking about but aren't. It's fun, it builds community, and you never know when you just might make a great connection or a friend. Click Here To Join The Calls!

17 Mai 202416min

We want that gym body, but as gay men, it can be intimidating to get to the gym or just a frickin drag. Yet, if we gave ourselves some love and confidence and got to the heart and soul of that dread, we can move mountains and have a loving relationship with fitness, health, and our bodies. Author and personal trainer Matt Boyles shares how you can build your own Fitter Confident YOUNIVERSE! About Matt Matt Boyles is the Founder and CEO of Fitter Confident You - online personal training tailored for the LGBTQ+ community. Matt got into fitness fairly late, but when he did... it totally changed his life! On his own Fitter Confident Journey, fitness helped him find his voice, confidence and boundaries, and realising other LGBTQ+ were out there wanting to do the same, Fitter Confident You was born. He's worked with more than 1,500 clients around the world, ran his first retreat in Italy last year and in 2022 released his best-selling book 'The Fitter Confident Youniverse, an LGBTQ+ Guide to Wellbeing on Our Terms' Connect With Matt Website Instagram YouTube Hey Guys, Check This Out! Are you a guy who keeps struggling to do that thing? You know the thing you keep telling yourself and others you’re going to do, but never do? Then it’s time to get real and figure out why. Join the 40 Plus: Gay Men Gay Talk, monthly chats. They happen the third Monday of each month at 5:00 pm Pacific - Learn More! Break free of fears. Make bold moves. Live life without apologies

10 Mai 202441min

Today we are going to church to talk about being Christian, Gay, and a Drag Queen. And who better to discuss this topic then Jeza Belle, author of Jeza's Jesus Juice: A Drag Queens Christian Devotional. She proves you can be Christian, gay, and a Drag Queen. Hallelujah! About Jeza Jeza Belle is a Drag Queen, Comedian, Screenwriter, Director, Producer, and Award-Winning Author. With her guest articles appearing everywhere from the Huffington Post to the Advocate, her former celebrity interview column, the hilarious comedic variety live shows, and her multiple award-winning trashy cookbook "The Harlot's Guide to Classy Cocktails," Jeza's wry humor and highly-charged opinions have delighted people around the globe. Connect With Jeza Website Book Website Hey Guys, Check This Out! Are you a guy who keeps struggling to do that thing? You know the thing you keep telling yourself and others you’re going to do, but never do? Then it’s time to get real and figure out why. Join the 40 Plus: Gay Men Gay Talk, monthly chats. They happen the third Monday of each month at 5:00 pm Pacific - Learn More! Break free of fears. Make bold moves. Live life without apologies

3 Mai 202447min