298: National Coming Out Day and Get Out To Vote – Rick Clemons

If you are tired of not living your dreams as a gay man, maybe you aren't activating them on a regular basis. Producer, songwriter, Founder of The Gray Rainbow Foundation, and soon to be bar owner, Michael Crawford shares his journey to living his best life as a gay man following his passion, purpose, and dreams. About Michael Producer and Songwriter Michael Coleman has been in the creative arts practically his entire life. As the Artistic Director of See Your Shadow Songwriting, Michael has been the driving force behind all the company’s artistic works utilizing the extremely talented vocalists and musicians that make up the See Your Shadow Network of Stars.  As a lyricist, Michael’s writing style is filled with imagery and emotion and his lyrics stand alone as pieces of literature earning Michael two nominations as Poet Laureate for the State of Ohio under then governor John Kasich. As a song producer, Michael applies an innovative production style and is not afraid to take risks, go outside industry norms or be edgy.  Michael was the first to combine hip hop and country and western for his recording “Like a Kid Again” featured in the motion picture H2indO and Michael produced the first ever Techno dance version of the baseball classic, “Take Me Out to the Ballgame”, featured at the NAGAA Softball World Series, as well as the edgy and controversial, over the top, LGBTQA themed dance track about oral sex, “Rug Burn”, which inspired a live action game show and board game. See Your Shadow Songwriting under the helm of The Metropolitan Cowboy has had five Number 1s on the iTunes Country Chart in South Africa, reached Number 2 on the iTunes Pop chart in South Africa with the female empowerment anthem, “I Know My Worth”, had a top 20 Christmas single on the iTunes Chart in Great Britain with the Fair Play Country Music Award Winner, “Christmas on Cellblock 9”, as well as a top 20 single on the Christian Radio Charts with See Your Shadow’s breakout hit, the award winning, “I Will Tell Jesus You Said Hello”. His latest record is, "Whatever on the Rocks."  Michael is also founder of the The Gray Rainbow Foundation which helps aging gay men and the owner of Arizona's oldest gay bar and the only African-American LGBTQ+ gay bar owner in the entire state of Arizona. Connect With Michael Website Facebook 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 P.S. get your free My Bold Life Manifesto, right here - rickclemons.com/manifesto/ You can also listen to the podcast on… <a...

21 Jul 202334min

Nothing says guilt, shame, and anxiety than being a gay man who had to hide who you are for years - regardless of how many years you've hid your truth. And, it doesn't matter what that truth is - lack of confidence, fear of coming out, trusting you can get that promotion, or even wanting to be in a monogamous relationship. Our socialized DNA can play havoc in our gay/bi/trans lives as men. Today Dr. Nick Santo - Psychotherapist - and I share our journeys to overcoming guilt, shame, anxiety, and depression and provide you with tips for doing the same. About Nick Dr. Nick Santo earned his MSW at Fordham and his DSW at NYU. He holds a certificate in Advanced Clinical Practice and completed the Psychodynamic Psychotherapy one-year program at the Training Institute for Mental Health. He is currently a psychoanalytic candidate at the Institute for the Psychoanalytic Study of Subjectivity. He has been practicing psychotherapy for 14+ years, and currently maintains a private practice. Dr. Santo’s interests include treatment with sexual and gender minority adults with histories of relational and/or religious trauma. Connect With Nick 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 P.S. get your free My Bold Life Manifesto, right here - rickclemons.com/manifesto/

14 Jul 202343min

If you find yourself often hiding yourself, then now's the time to stop doing that. Writer, screenwriter, film producer Bill Robertson shares his journey as a gay man, and how he learned the value of never stopping being yourself. He also shares about his new book, Uncle Bill's Animal Tales: Life Lessons For Adults. About Bill Have you ever wondered why your dog or cat seems to know when you’re having a bad day? Is it something that is innately part of their DNA? Are we not seeing the signs? We need to remember that we share the planet with animals. Bill heard from a psychic in Ghana, years back, who believed that the pecking order of consciousness on the planet is 1. Trees 2. Animals and 3. Human Beings. Number 3 is constantly trying to overtake 1 & 2. Why is that? In 1997 Bill got clean & sober, and tells of how his cat at the time helped him to wake-up and put down the drug & drink, and that his two dogs since then have helped to keep him sober. His book, "Uncle Bill's Animal Tales - Life Lessons for Adults" is about his experiences with animals and how he feels they are our greatest healers & teachers. It's a series of short stories that are humorous, heartfelt, and inspiring. Bill is from Boston originally where he worked in corporate America for many years, and ran a sketch comedy show out of Boston & NY called “Heavily Medicated Fairy Tales.” He has written for a kids show on PBS, sold two scripts to Lifetime, one aired in 2019. He most recently wrote and produced a feature film, “Paradise, a Town of Sinners & Saints” based on a musical comedy that he produced in LA and Austin, TX to rave reviews and sold out houses. He and his team have distribution and hopefully the film will find a home in 2023. He is a proud sober gay man. Connect With Bill Facebook 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! Break free of fears. Make bold moves. Live life without apologies P.S. get your free My Bold Life Manifesto, right here - rickclemons.com/manifesto/ You can also listen to the podcast on… <img...

7 Jul 202340min

From an early age he knew he was different, and that never stopped him from being who he is as a gay man. He continues to let his gay light come out of the closet while also staying very true to how he lives his life on his terms as a gay man in everything from his work to his relationship with his man. He never gave up hope. Dr. Roger Leslie shares a candid side of doing life on your terms as a gay guy over 40. About Dr. Roger Leslie Dr. Roger Leslie is an author, editor, publisher, and inspirational teacher. He discovered his life’s mission from the light he discovered after emerging from the youthful struggle to reconcile his sexual orientation with his spirituality. Once he discovered his soul, he has lived from it to inspire people to live the life they dream and empower them to find their unique spiritual destiny. Dr. Roger's new book is  Light Come Out Of The Closet: Memoir of a Gay Soul. Connect With Dr. Roger Leslie Website Facebook Instagram Twitter 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! Break free of fears. Make bold moves. Live life without apologies P.S. get your free My Bold Life Manifesto, right here - rickclemons.com/manifesto/ You can also listen to the podcast on…

30 Jun 202340min

Many gay men, navigate the inevitable question of "How do I show up at work, and as a leader, while still being true to myself as a gay man?" The answer, "Your way, on your terms!" Jim Fielding, author of ALL PRIDE, NO EGO: A Queer Executive’s Journey to Living and Leading Authentically, shares his dynamic career journey that has spanned senior leadership roles at top global brands including Disney, DreamWorks, and Twentieth Century Fox.  He recounts his journey from conservative Midwestern roots and a lovingly imperfect family to higher education, travel, advocacy, and ultimately owning his truth -- seeing the world through a distinctly different lens. About Jim Jim Fielding is an acclaimed retail and media industry veteran whose expertise combines storytelling, product innovation, merchandising, and consumer experiences. He is a partner at independent media company Archer Gray, and president of its Co-Lab Division. Having led consumer products groups at the world’s largest media companies, Jim served as president of Disney Stores Worldwide, and transformed global consumer experiences at DreamWorks, Twentieth Century Fox, and more.  His early career experience has included top global brands, from The Gap to Lands’ End, where he mastered vertical specialty retail, product design, store operations, visual merchandising, and supply chain management. Jim later served as CEO of Claire’s Stores, Inc., a leading jewelry and accessories retailer. An active community leader and philanthropist, Jim is a founder of the Queer Philanthropy Circle, the nation’s premier fundraising and advocacy group for the queer community. He also participates in the Women’s Philanthropic Leadership Circle and the Black Philanthropy Circle.  Jim serves on the board of directors for the Indiana University Foundation, and has served as an executive-in-residence for IU’s Office of Diversity, Equity, and Inclusion, and as a board member for GLSEN, Make-A-Wish International, and American Red Cross.  He lives in Atlanta with his partner, Joseph. Connect with Jim Website Instagram Twitter LinkedIn 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! You can also listen to the podcast on… <a...

23 Jun 202350min

Moving right along in PRIDE Month, we take the letter "D" in PRIDE and explore the Dignity, Dedication, and Daring it takes today and every day to stay the course as gay men in a straight man's world. Hold the course gents. We've got this as long as we are willing to stay the course and show up in the world daring all the naysayers to say we don't belong. 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 You can also listen to the podcast on…

16 Jun 20238min

We continue the PRIDE Celebration focusing on the Letter "I" in pride by exploring how to illuminate, inspire, and ignite ourselves into the world to live fully as gay men - no fears, no excuses, and no apologies. Happy pride! Make sure you show your pride by illuminating your brilliance, inspiring others to do the same, and igniting powerful change in the world. 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! You can also listen to the podcast on…

9 Jun 20239min

Continuing our PRIDE Month Celebration, we take the Letter "R" in pride and unravel the significance of being resilient, remarkable, and reconnecting the the heart and soul of who we are as gay men. Happy Pride gents! 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! You can also listen to the podcast on…

2 Jun 202313min