301: The Art of LGBTQ Affirming Therapy and Sex Positivity – Ann Russo

Trauma has impacted us deeply—especially here in the U.S., where the 2024 election brought new waves of confusion and fear for us as gay men. How do we heal from these experiences? Where do we find the strength to move forward? In this episode, I’m joined by fellow life coach and podcaster Wil Fisher to explore how healing ourselves creates ripples of healing for others and helps us rebuild our communities, even in the midst of chaos. Here’s what you’ll take away: Practical paths to self-healing and creating spaces of comfort and resilience One powerful phrase that could shift everything for you Tools for acceptance and conscious living, helping you move forward with strength and clarity. Let’s navigate this journey together and find light on the path ahead. About Wil Wil Fisher is the host of the podcast Queerly Beloved, founder of Willfully Living, his life coach practice, and facilitator of Awakened Hearts, a retreat for GBTQ men. Wil is on a mission to empower GBTQ men to lead lives of unwavering authenticity, unbridled freedom, and boundless joy! Before moving to San Diego, Wil served as the executive director of Easton Mountain, an LGBTQ retreat center in upstate New York. Wil also spent many years in NYC where he earned his MA in Applied Theater, raised money for GBTQ nonprofits, and co-founded a company called Man Question. His podcast, Queerly Beloved, explores topics around queerness and spirituality and features interviews with some of the most renown visionaries in of the world of LGBTQ spirituality. His group retreat, Awakened Hearts, invites GBTQ men to cultivate more self-love and experience open hearted connections with like-minded men. Heart Live Retreat - Joshua Tree, CA January 23 - 25, 2025 Learn More and Register Here For The Retreat Hearts Alive is a retreat for like-minded GBTQ men to come together, away from their default worlds, to reflect on their lives, connect with their hearts, do some powerful transformational work and boldly step into a more expressed and authentic version of themselves. We’ll look at the areas of our lives where we aren’t showing up in the most aligned ways and we’ll discover strategies to shift that. Our time together will be nourishing and joyful as we playfully grow connections with each other and form loving, heart-centered community. Connect With Wil Website Instagram Facebook 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… <a...

22 Nov 202442min

In life, we're all playing the role's of Master and Slave. Don't cringe. It's true! You're the master of your destiny or a slave to everyone else's expectations. You're the slave to your job, or the master of finding balance between work and life. You're the slave to your fetishes, or the master of them. Today we take a provocative dive into the culture of Master and Slave Fetishes and expose how in our own live's we play these role in every day existence. During this provocative episode with Confidence and Kink Coach Philip Poole, you'll learn: How to leverage the power exchange in aspect of your life to be more fulfilled Discover ways to embrace the truth of being in the kink space without shame Three powerful questions validating any direction you choose to take in life About Philip Phil is a Gay Confidence Coach and Kink Coach. He has worked as an international executive at leading broadcasters in the UK and startups in Berlin, Germany. Now, as a coach, podcaster, writer, and entrepreneur, empowering gay men to discover their confidence and sense of belonging. He is also an author, including a guide on building shame resilience. Connect With Philip Website Master Slave Lifestyle Website Master Slave Lifestyle Podcast Instragram 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

15 Nov 202439min

It's November 1st. 5 Days before the most consequential election in U.S. history in my lifetime. To be honest, I'm nervous and concerned, but I am also a believer in that whatever happens our LGBTQ+ community will rise to the occasion. It's time to walk in the footprints of all those beautiful ancestral colors of the rainbow who have marched before us and ensure, that whatever comes in the days ahead that we meet the moment as out, proud, gay men and never let them see us back down. 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!

1 Nov 20249min

Ah. The pursuit of love. We all want it, whether it is for a lifetime or point in time. Yet, as gay men we often lose our minds and ourselves in the pursuit of love with another man and then we wonder WTF! We're did I go wrong, why is this happening to me, blah, blah, blah. Here's your wake up call guys. Todd Baratz, author of, "How To Love Someone Without Losing Your Mind," get raw, real, and lays it on the line how to get the love you want and keep your sanity. In this episode you'll: Learn the one area of relationships were are never taught how to do Uncover why finding love isn't a "rescue mission" Discover how to take the "D-word (desperate)" out of your bag of tricks for finding love About Todd Todd Baratz is a renowned psychotherapist and sex therapist whose innovative approach to mental health and relationships has established him as a leading figure in his field. In addition to his clinical practice, Baratz is a prolific writer and speaker. His insights are regularly featured in various media outlets, where he discusses topics ranging from romantic relationships to individual mental wellness. His new book is new book, "How To Love Someone Without Losing Your Mind," is available on all outlets where books are sold. He lives in New York City and Los Angeles. Connect With Todd Website Instragram 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

25 Okt 202434min

It's a charged world these days. From politics to religion. Even in our own gay world. It seems that from the apps to even in person meetings, we throw shade at each other without exercising empathy and understanding. Yet what happens when you to take a second look? When we slow down and exercise empathy and understanding, rather than staying in your apathetic ways of being in your beliefs and only your beliefs? That's what we're exploring today with the host of Second Sunday podcast, Darren Calhoun. He's an open-minded explorer teaching how we can all be more open and understanding to one another from the pulpit to the ballot box. In this provocative episode: We explore apathy and empathy and how to become more of the latter Learn how to utilize the pause in all situations Uncover the means for seeing each other as gay men for who we truly are About Darren Darren Calhoun (he/him) is a justice advocate, worship leader, and artist based out of Chicago. He works to bridge connections between people of differing perspectives through story and relationship. Darren brings with him an intentional focus on communities being inclusive as an authentic reflection of God’s love and justice. Lastly, Darren is a neurodivergent extrovert who loves hugs. Connect With Darren Website Instragram Facebook Second Sunday Podcast 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! Also, join our Facebook Community - 40 Plus: Gay Men, Gay Talk Community Break free of fears. Make bold moves. Live life without apologies

18 Okt 202442min

It's National Coming Out Day. A day we celebrate coming out and being our authentic self. Today is also a day that I am calling all gay men, LGBTQ+ individuals, and allies to come out and vote as if your rights depend on it - because they do. I'm passionate about supporting people coming out and passionate about getting out to vote and here's my take on making both happen. 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!

11 Okt 202411min

Fact: We're all sexual beings. Fact: That doesn't mean we all approach sex and our sexual fantasies the same way. Fact: Just because you are a gay or bisexual man, doesn't mean how you do sex and own your sexuality has to fit into a societal expectation box. Instead, heed the calling from KK Homme - produced by founder Emma Sayle - and release yourself into an inclusive space and that challenges outdated stereotypes. Get comfortable in an environment where issues related to sex, relationships, equitable pleasure are expected and respected to uplift gay and bisexual men. Welcome to the party of all that can be, whatever you desire it to be for you. You could even win tickets to the flagship event - October 19 - London, UK. This provocative episode: Addresses sexual desires without shame Teaches you how to mix friendship with sexual pleasure with confidence Invites you to explore your truth as a sexual being - however that looks for you About Emma Emma is one of the UK’s leading female entrepreneurs’. She made her name launching the global female empowerment brand Killing Kittens in 2005, now incorporated into the KK Group www.wearekk.com with over 200,000 members having launched events across the US, Australia and Europe and has grown online into an online community network with sexual empowerment at its core. April 2023 saw the group launch the world's first sex positive social dating app WeareX now WAX app with KK Homme, events and community for gay, bisexual , NB and trans masc men launched in June 2024 The press have pronounced her a leader at the cutting edge of the new dawn of sexual liberation. Recently in Business Leaders top 30 inspirational UK entrepreneurs and recognised by other awards and media setups including Top 10 women entrepreneurs Game Changer Magazine 2019 and 2020 Inside Out leaders board role model, KK won the growth business of the year 2021 in the Business champion awards and Emma was a finalist in both the Lloyds Business awards 2022 and GBEA London 2022 both as Entrepreneur of the year and now up for Business Woman of the year 2024 at the prestigious national Natwest EVA awards Connect With Emma & KK Home Events 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! Also, join our Facebook Community - 40 Plus: Gay Men, Gay Talk Community Break free of fears. Make bold moves. Live life without apologies

4 Okt 202433min