Discovering The Connection to My Inner Erotic Self – Rick Clemons

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

He may be an actor, broadway star, and producer, but that doesn't mean he is immune from the every day challenges of love, fame, and loss. In this candid interview, Kevin Spirtas shares insights of being a gay man in limelight and how he learned to unhide himself. About Kevin KEVIN SPIRTAS has become one of Hollywood's most watched talents. From Broadway Star, to TV Heartthrob… From his humble beginnings on Broadway at age 18 in A Chorus Line, to ‘standby’ for Hugh Jackman in The Boy From Oz— Spirtas is most recognized around the world for his eight year stint as Dr. Craig Wesley from NBC/peacock Daytime Drama: Days of Our Lives, as well as the cult classic film sequels: Friday the 13th – Part VII: The New Blood, and Wes Craven’s: The Hills Have Eyes – Part II. Before departing the soap in 2000, Spirtas had great fun playing his DAYS character opposite Matt LeBlanc’s ‘Dr. Drake Ramory’ on FRIENDS: The One That Could Have Been- Part 1. In 2008 the 30-year acting veteran produced the NY Shakespeare Festival reading-presentation of Don Cummings’: A Good Smoke, starring Academy Award winning actress, Meryl Streep, and directed by Tony Award winning director, Pam McKinnon. Shortly thereafter in 2009, Spirtas made his debut as a Broadway producer on the critically acclaimed revival of Finian’s Rainbow, and in 2012 he co-produced the hit Broadway musical: Priscilla…Queen of the Desert. As Spirtas’ success as a Broadway producer blossomed, and grew, his passion for acting, never stopped. In 2014, after running into Days Of Our Lives alum, Michael Slade in a New York gym, the two set out to create the critically acclaimed 6 x Emmy Award Winning Digital Drama Series: AFTER FOREVER… A story about love, loss, and new beginnings. In 2019, AFTER FOREVER– Season 1 made history by becoming the first LGBTQ-themed drama series to win six Emmy awards across any platform. Spirtas received an Emmy for Outstanding Lead Actor in a Digital Drama, along with 3 additional Emmys that he shares with Slade for Outstanding Digital Drama Series 2019 and Outstanding Writing Team for a Digital Drama 2019 and 2020. No matter how many Emmys Spirtas has, it’s pretty safe to bet that AFTER FOREVER just might have been the very inspiration for Days of Our Lives Writers to have his character, Dr. Craig Wesley return to Salem to ‘come out’ of the closet. A full circle moment for the soap opera character… And Spirtas for sure. AFTER FOREVER Season 3 - The Final Season, Begins streaming on Amazon prime late spring 2024. For more information about Spirtas’ career highlights, and AFTER FOREVER and season three the final season, you can go to: https://afterforevertheseries.com/ or Kevin Spritas Connect With Kevin Website - After Forever The Series Website - Kevin Spirtas 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

26 Apr 202453min

Can we just talk about gay generation gaps? Why is it that the Millenials and Gen Z's have no time for the generations that paved the way for them to be so out and proud? Well rather than pointing fingers and being bitchy, let's enjoy stories and insights from a Late Bloomer, Baby Boomer, Author Steve Milliken who shares his book by the same name today on the podcast. About Steve Author Steve Milliken reveals, “While teaching in the inner-city with an implicit ‘Don’t ask, don’t tell’ policy, I led a double life, somewhere between Dr. Jekyll & Mr. Hyde and Hannah Montana. While intelligent and insightful, I counter this by being incredibly gullible and naïve. Strong, yet timid, caring but sarcastic, I’m all about the balance, as any self-respecting oxymoron should be….” This book is for anyone who is gay, knows someone who is gay, or any “straight” guy who’s had a gay experience, like wearing a belt that matches his shoes…. Connect With Steve Website Facebook Instagram Get Steve's Book 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

19 Apr 202435min