066: 6 Steps for committing to show up fully in crisis – Rick Clemons

In this episode of 40 Plus: Gay Men, Gay Talk, Rick sits down with author Cas Holman - author, creative designer, and playful instigator, to explore the power of playfulness in adult life—and why it matters more than ever for gay men over 40. From family life to queerness to creativity, Cas shares insights from their new book and personal journey, reminding us that joy isn’t childish—it’s essential. 3 Key Takeaways From This Episode: Why playfulness boosts creativity, happiness, and adaptability in adulthood. How to reclaim your “play voice” and let go of judgment. Practical ways LGBTQ+ men can embrace possibility and stay open to joy. About Cas Cas Holman is the founder and chief designer of the toy company Heroes Will Rise and a former professor of Industrial Design at RISD. Cas travels the globe speaking about playful learning, the design process, and the value of play in all aspects of life. She has shared her perspective in workshops and seminars with teams at Google, Nike, LEGO Foundation, Disney Imagineering, and art museums around the world. Some of her designs include toys like Rigamajig and Geemo, as well as play experiences at the High Line and the Liberty Science Center. Cas lives in Brooklyn and designs from her studio in the Catskills, New York. Connect With Cas 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

17 Okt 37min

In this powerful National Coming Out Day episode, Rick Clemons sits down with Brian Bond, CEO of PFLAG National, to talk about the organization’s 52-year mission of supporting LGBTQ+ individuals and their families. From the history of PFLAG to personal coming out stories and the creation of affirming spaces across America, Brian shares how the movement has grown and why community support still matters more than ever, and how you as gay men over 40 can support and benefit from PFLAG Listeners will walk away with inspiration, resources, and encouragement to live authentically and help others do the same. Three Takeaways: The Power of Family Support – Why parents, siblings, and chosen families are critical in the coming-out journey. PFLAG’s Expanding Impact – How 40+ new chapters are creating affirming spaces in small towns nationwide. Hope, Healing, and Humanity – Brian’s personal stories of finding support, faith, and resilience in unexpected places. About Brian Brian K. Bond, a native of rural Missouri, joined PFLAG National in 2019. Under his leadership, the organization has experienced unprecedented growth at a time when LGBTQ+ people and those who love them are under assault in every corner of the country. This includes suing multiple states, including Texas Governor Greg Abbott for his abuse investigations into parents of transgender children, the first time in PFLAG’s 50-year history the organization has served as a plaintiff in such a case. With an extensive background in constituency outreach and coalition bridge-building, Brian has also strengthened PFLAG National’s deep commitment to ensuring PFLAG is a place where every family belongs. This includes the creation of PFLAG Connects: Communities, a safe, virtual monthly meeting space for families from typically underrepresented and marginalized communities. He also gained the commitment of the PFLAG National Board of Directors to invest in minority-owned depository institutions, a commitment to DEI that internationally recognized nonprofit leadership expert Joan Garry called, “…one of the most creative diversity and inclusion initiatives ever.” Prior to joining PFLAG National, Brian served in the Obama Administration as Deputy Director for the White House Office of Public Engagement and primary liaison for the LGBTQ community, the first to serve in that role. He also served in the Environmental Protection Agency as Associate Administrator for Public Engagement and Environmental Education. Prior to these roles, he served as the Executive Director of the Gay and Lesbian Victory Fund; the Coalitions Director for the Climate Action Campaign in Washington D.C., and as Deputy CEO for the 2016 Democratic National Convention in Philadelphia, Pennsylvania. In 2024, President Biden appointed Brian to the non-partisan President’s Commission on White House Fellows. Connect With Brian Website Instagram Donate to PFLAG 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...

10 Okt 45min

Talking about condoms shouldn’t feel awkward—it should feel empowering. In this episode, I sit down with Milla Impola, a sexual health educator and advocate with ONE® Condoms, to explore how pleasure, safety, and confidence all go hand-in-hand. From the FDA approval of condoms for anal sex to the innovation of over 50 custom-fit sizes, Milla is breaking down barriers and building better conversations about sex. 3 Things That Kick Ass In This Episode... Learn why fit, comfort, and lube matter for condom confidence and pleasure. How ONE® Condoms is making safer sex tools approachable and inclusive. DiscoverThe power of open, shame-free conversations about sexual health and boundaries. About Milla Milla Impola has a passion for increasing awareness and access to safer sex tools. One of Milla’s proudest achievements is highlighting the FDA approval of ONE® and MyONE® Custom Fit condoms for anal sex—the first condoms in the U.S. to receive this designation. She has also played a key role in developing workshops and educational content that make condom use more approachable, including promoting MyONE® Custom Fit, a revolutionary brand that offers over 50 sizes for a better fit and increased comfort. Committed to fostering engaging and accessible sexual health conversations, Milla has helped shape innovative outreach programs, including the ONE® Condoms Ambassador Program and ONE® On Stage, which merge creativity, community, and education. Whether working with students, healthcare providers, or the public, her goal is to ensure that everyone has the knowledge and resources they need to protect and enjoy their sexual well-being. Connect With Milla 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! Also, join our Facebook Community - 40 Plus: Gay Men, Gay Talk Community Break free of fears. Make bold moves. Live life without apologies

3 Okt 37min

In this episode, choreographer and dancer David Rousseve joins Rick to share his inspiring journey—from Princeton to law school to the dance stage. David opens up about the recent loss of his husband, his bold leap into the arts, and his upcoming performances in Pittsburgh and Los Angeles. Together, they explore themes of love, aging, resilience, and why following your passions is the boldest choice of all. In this episode you'll learn... How grief, resilience, and creativity can coexist and fuel self-expression. Why pursuing bold choices—at any stage of life—leads to true fulfillment. The power of art to create dialogue, connection, and meaning in community. About David David is a choreographer/writer/director/performer, Magna Cum Laude graduate of Princeton University and a Guggenheim Fellow. He is known for his dynamic, socially conscious dance/theater that uniquely blends contemporary dance, theater, and multimedia elements to create immersive and thought-provoking performances. His work draws inspiration from the stories of marginalized communities, as it explores complex themes related to identity, social justice, and human connection. Roussève founded the dance/theater company David Roussève/REALITY in 1988 in New York, and REALITY has since toured throughout the US, Europe, Great Britain and South America, including three commissions and four performance residencies at the Brooklyn Academy of Music’s Next Wave Festival and two commissions and three performance residencies at Jacob’s Pillow. Roussève’s most recent short film screened at 56 festivals in eleven countries and received ten awards, including four for “Best Film”. Other awards include a “Bessie”, Creative Capital Fellowship, three Horton Awards, Herb Alpert Award in the Arts and seven consecutive NEA Fellowships. Roussève is Distinguished Professor of Choreography in the department of World Arts and Cultures/Dance at UCLA where he has also served as Associate Dean, Acting Dean, and Interim Dean of the School of the Arts and Architecture Connect With David Website Instagram 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! Also, join our Facebook Community - 40 Plus: Gay Men, Gay Talk Community Break free of fears. Make bold moves. Live life without apologies

26 Sep 38min

About John John Casey is senior editor of The Advocate, writing columns about political, societal, and topical issues with leading newsmakers of the day. The columns include interviews with Sam Altman, Mark Cuban, Colman Domingo, Jennifer Coolidge, Kelly Ripa and Mark Counselos, Jamie Lee Curtis, Shirley MacLaine, Neil Patrick Harris, Ellen DeGeneres, Bridget Everett, U.S. Reps. Nancy Pelosi, Jamie Raskin, Ro Khanna, Maxwell Frost, Sens. Chris Murphy and John Fetterman, and presidential cabinet members Leon Panetta, John Brennan, and many others. John spent 30 years working as a PR professional on Capitol Hill, Hollywood, the Nobel Prize-winning UN Intergovernmental Panel on Climate Change, UN Envoy Mike Bloomberg, Nielsen, and as media relations director with four of the largest retailers in the U.S. Connect With John 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! Also, join our Facebook Community - 40 Plus: Gay Men, Gay Talk Community Break free of fears. Make bold moves. Live life without apologies

19 Sep 34min

Gay men often live for the fun of today but forget to plan for tomorrow. Enter Brian Thompson, queer financial advisor and founder of Brian Thompson Financial LLC. With a background as a tax attorney and host of the Mission Driven Business podcast, Brian helps LGBTQ+ and mission-driven entrepreneurs build profitable businesses rooted in purpose. I In this episode you'll discover Learn how to align money with meaning How to grow with confidence in your financial life When and how to flex your financial future even in uncertain times.  About Brian Brian Thompson is the Founder and Financial Planner of Brian Thompson Financial LLC, where he helps LGBTQ+ and mission-driven entrepreneurs build profitable businesses that reflect who they are and support the impact they want to make. As a financial advisor and business strategist, Brian works with service-based founders who are building more than just a business. They're building movements, communities, and legacies. Brian helps them bring clarity and structure to their business finances, so they can grow with confidence while staying rooted in purpose. Before launching his firm, Brian spent nearly a decade as a tax attorney. That experience, combined with his own entrepreneurial journey, informs his holistic approach to planning. He understands the challenges faced by underrepresented founders, especially those navigating traditional financial systems that don’t reflect their identities or values. His work dismantles the myth that profit and purpose are mutually exclusive. He is the host of the Mission Driven Business podcast, where he features the stories and strategies of diverse entrepreneurs. He was also recently featured on the Making Good podcast, sharing insights on how to build a business that serves your values and your life. Through personalized financial planning, strategic advisory, and real-talk podcast conversations, Brian helps entrepreneurs lead businesses that work for their founders—energetically, ideologically, and economically. As a Black, queer financial advisor, Brian is especially passionate about creating space for diverse voices in financial and entrepreneurial conversations. Connect With Ricky 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! Also, join our Facebook Community - 40 Plus: Gay Men, Gay Talk Community Break free of fears. Make bold moves. Live life without apologies

12 Sep 46min

In today's episode, Rick Clemons interviews author Bill Hulseman about his new book Six to Carry the Casket and One to Say the Mass. Bill opens up about growing up Catholic, embracing his queer identity, and discovering the transformative role of ritual in weddings, community, and personal healing. From his own wedding ceremony to his upcoming projects on ritual design, Bill shares powerful insights on how identity and spirituality shape our lives. What you'll learn: The Power of Ritual – How personalizing weddings and life events creates deeper meaning and connections Queerness + Spirituality – Why embracing both identity and faith can lead to authenticity and healing. From Loss to Renewal – How grief, global events, and love fueled Bill’s writing journey and future projects. About Bill Bill Hulseman is a writer, ritual designer, and former Catholic school educator whose work explores the intersections of identity, queerness, and spirituality. A campus minister by training and a reflective educator by nature, he now leads weekly Zoom meditations for anyone looking for a little peace and quiet. Bill lives in Seattle, WA, where he continues to write and design meaningful experiences that challenge the status quo with gentleness and depth. Six to carry the casket and one to say the mass is his debut book. Connect With Bill Website Instagram 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! Also, join our Facebook Community - 40 Plus: Gay Men, Gay Talk Community Break free of fears. Make bold moves. Live life without apologies

5 Sep 46min

In this episode I’m joined by keynote speaker and workshop leader Rob Giardinelli to unpack the real reason so many of us as gay men fumble in rooms (not back rooms) full of people, and how to flip that script without turning into someone you’re not. Whether it’s a networking mixer, a conference, or that awkward social gay happy hour—you’ll walk away with real tools to show up with more confidence and connection (without needing to become a social butterfly or the loudest queen in the room). We dive into: Why finding the “activation points” (think photo booths and icebreakers) is a connection superpower How to exit awkward convos like a pro (ahem… “just gonna refresh my drink”) The magic of being interested, not just interesting Tips for introverts and extroverts to feel seen and included How presence, intention, and a little bit of courage go a long way If you're ready to stop performing and start actually connecting—this one's for you. About Rob Rob Giardinelli is an introvert who helps client-facing professionals go from nervous to confident at in-person events to grow their sales and develop deeper relationships. Over the past 15 years, Rob has attended more than 2,000 events—many hosted by the world’s top entertainers—while serving as COO of several luxury lifestyle publications. Before that, he spent 16 years in the tech world leading national and global sales and brand strategy efforts. Rob now delivers keynotes and workshops to equip introverts and extroverts the tools to walk into any business, social, or networking event with confidence and a sense of purpose. Connect With Rob 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

29 Aug 37min