In this Halloween-themed episode, Daniel and Garet dive into the season of spookiness and villains, exploring the idea of embracing your inner “villain” as a way of living authentically. With the season of costumes and haunted houses setting the tone, they ask: Why do we sometimes feel like villains for simply being ourselves? As they discuss everything from favorite Halloween characters to how villains in pop culture own their power, the conversation shifts to something deeper—how embracing confidence and setting boundaries can be perceived as “villainous” by others. They explore the balance between empathy and self-assurance, discussing their own experiences of when they’ve been perceived as villains for putting themselves first. Ultimately, this episode is about owning your choices and celebrating your authentic self, villain era and all!

Key Episode Highlights:

• Halloween Vibes: Daniel and Garet reminisce about Halloween traditions and their favorite villains.
• Villain Energy: A discussion on why being confident, assertive, and authentic can sometimes make you feel like a “villain” in others’ eyes.
• Setting Boundaries: Insights into how people-pleasing and being overly empathetic can hold you back from living your truth.
• Balancing Empathy and Self-Confidence: Garet shares his journey of learning to stop disarming others and instead embracing his own power.
• Pop Culture Villains: From Maleficent to House of Villains, Daniel and Garet discuss why we love watching villains thrive and how that energy can inspire our real lives.

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SUPPORT THE SHOW ON PATREON

Join our Patreon! Get access to deeper dives and juicier content around every episode! Move into the Modern Gayborhood for only $5 USD/month and help us produce Modern Gays. Your support pays for our hosting, audio production and episode research. Please check it out and sign up here!

What’s included:

• Exclusive content, stories and behind-the-scenes
• Community chats with Daniel and Garet
• Exclusive voting power on episode topics/guests
• Daniel and Garet's personal journal updates

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SUBSCRIBE & REVIEW:

Modern Gays is published every week. If you love the show and can support us, please subscribe and write a review wherever you get your podcasts! Thanks for listening!

Daniel and Garet
Co-Hosts of Modern Gays
https://www.moderngays.co

In this episode of Modern Gays, Daniel and Garet open up about insecurities, plastic surgery, and how unsolicited advice can derail our self-confidence. From Garet’s experience with a recent surgical procedure to Daniel’s vulnerability about thinning hair, they explore the weight of personal insecurities and the judgment we often feel from others. Why do we care so much about what people think? They dive deep into the ways technology and social media amplify this pressure, while also challenging the instinct to offer advice when it’s not asked for. Can we truly walk in someone else’s shoes, or is it time we all learned to trust ourselves more? Listen in for laughs, raw truths, and some hard-earned wisdom.

Key Highlights

• Plastic Surgery Stories: Garet shares his recent experience getting surgery and how it affected his self-image.
• The Unsolicited Advice Club: The hosts discuss the pitfalls of giving advice when it’s not wanted, particularly in LGBTQ+ spaces.
• Social Media Pressure: They examine how public routines and online life invite judgment and curiosity, even when nothing’s changed.
• Empathy vs. Relatability: A conversation about when sharing your own story doesn’t help someone going through their own experience.

___

SUPPORT THE SHOW ON PATREON

Join our Patreon! Get access to deeper dives and juicier content around every episode! Move into the Modern Gayborhood for only $5 USD/month and help us produce Modern Gays. Your support pays for our hosting, audio production and episode research. Please check it out and sign up here!

What’s included:

• Exclusive content, stories and behind-the-scenes
• Community chats with Daniel and Garet
• Exclusive voting power on episode topics/guests
• Daniel and Garet's personal journal updates

___

SUBSCRIBE & REVIEW:

Modern Gays is published every week. If you love the show and can support us, please subscribe and write a review wherever you get your podcasts! Thanks for listening!

Daniel and Garet
Co-Hosts of Modern Gays
https://www.moderngays.co

In this heartfelt episode of Modern Gays, hosts Daniel and Garet chat with Joey Guzman Kuffel, a licensed marriage and family therapist specializing in LGBTQ+ fertility and mental health. Joey dives into his personal and professional journey, exploring the unique challenges and emotions queer people face when building families, particularly through surrogacy and IVF. The conversation covers vital topics such as the initial steps in family planning, the decision-making processes involved in egg donation and surrogacy, managing anxiety during IVF, and dealing with societal and familial judgment. They also discuss the significance of mental health support and therapy in navigating the rollercoaster of emotions that come with building a family in the LGBTQ+ community. This episode is packed with invaluable advice for those considering parenthood, seeking connection, and fostering love within their relationships.

Key Highlights:

• LGBTQ+ Family Planning: Joey discusses the key factors to consider when starting a family, including choosing egg donors, surrogates, and the emotional preparation needed for this life-changing journey.
• Mental Health Support: The importance of consulting a mental health professional early in the family-building process, providing a safe space to explore options and prepare for challenges.
• Managing Expectations: Joey emphasizes that every path to parenthood is unique; comparing your journey to others’ experiences can lead to unnecessary stress and anxiety.
• Coping with Judgment: Strategies for setting boundaries and coping with judgment from society, family, and even self-imposed doubts during the process of surrogacy or IVF.
• Navigating Relationship Dynamics: The episode explores the impact of family building on relationships, stressing the importance of communication, shared responsibilities, and maintaining connection as a couple.

Connect with Joey:

Joey Guzman-Kuffel, LMFT is a licensed marriage and family therapist and the founder of Counseling With Joey & Associates. Inspired by his own journey to fatherhood through surrogacy and egg donation, Joey specializes in fertility, IVF, and surrogacy counseling for LGBTQ+ individuals and couples. His practice provides culturally competent, empathetic care for those navigating the emotional complexities of third-party reproduction. The team offers consultations, psychological evaluations, and traditional therapy services.

• Website: Counseling With Joey & Associates
• Book an Appointment: Schedule Here
• Social Media: Facebook | Instagram
• Phone (USA): +1 (619) 363-5677

___

SUPPORT THE SHOW ON PATREON

Join our Patreon! Get access to deeper dives and juicier content around every episode! Move into the Modern Gayborhood for only $5 USD/month and help us produce Modern Gays. Your support pays for our hosting, audio production and episode research. Please check it out and sign up here!

What’s included:

• Exclusive content, stories and behind-the-scenes
• Community chats with Daniel and Garet
• Exclusive voting power on episode topics/guests
• Daniel and Garet's personal journal updates

___

SUBSCRIBE & REVIEW:

Modern Gays is published every week. If you love the show and can support us, please subscribe and write a review wherever you get your podcasts! Thanks for listening!

Daniel and Garet
Co-Hosts of Modern Gays
https://www.moderngays.co