This week's guest? Max Jenkins, y'all @maxjenkinsyall!

In addition to being just an overall delightful person, Max is a New York-raised and based actor and he talks to us about some of the roles he's played -- all of which, so far, have been queer characters. I share with him the lasting impact that two of his roles (Netflix's 'Special' and '30 Rock') have had on me -- albeit each for very different reasons. (He even gives us a little BTS scoop on his brief yet absolutely iconic part in '30 Rock' which made my year.)

In addition to Max's coming out journey, this episode is just oozing with 90s nostalgia, butt humor (which, in a way, is also 90s nostalgia), a debate about whether or not Taylor Swift is a '30 Rock' stan, and more!

Enjoy!

Episode Links:

• Follow Max on Instagram: @maxjenkinsyall
• Max on 30 Rock
• Gay Favs Of The Week: Good Children "I Wish Josh Peck Was Gay" episode (Spotify / Apple Podcasts) and Ride the podcast (Spotify / Apple Podcasts)

Follow along with Reaching Out:

• Podcast's Instagram: @reachingoutpod
• Podcast's TikTok: @reachingoutpod
• Michael's Instagram: @michaelwingsit

This week we have Kane C. Andrade (he/him) with us on RO!

We talk about his creative journey as a photographer (including being featured in @outmagazine Pride issue this year!), life in the military during “don’t ask don’t tell”, the ups and downs of coming out to family twice, and much more.

So grateful to have had Kane share his story.

Episode Links:

• Follow Kane on TikTok and Instagram

Follow along with Reaching Out:

• Podcast's Instagram: @reachingoutpod
• Podcast's TikTok: @reachingoutpod
• Michael's Instagram: @michaelwingsit

Last week I celebrated my five year outiversary! In this week's solo episode I take a moment to reflect on the highs and lows of each year as well as what I hope year six has in store.

Don't forget to rate Reaching Out on Spotify or Apple Podcasts and check us out on IG and TikTok!

Follow along with Reaching Out:

• Podcast's Instagram: @reachingoutpod
• Podcast's TikTok: @reachingoutpod
• Michael's Instagram: @michaelwingsit

In this week's episode we chat with both halves of music group Boy2K!  To add to the fun of having two guests, we're also trying out a new topic-based episode format instead of our usual coming out story centric episodes.

Mark Cramer and Grant Genske help me usher in this new era of Reaching Out and chat with me about today's topic... dating!  Well, it was supposed to be about dating, but it ended up being about dating, relationships, breakups, and much more.

I really love this episode because all three of us bring a different perspective based on our dating histories and are all currently at very different places in our dating journeys. 

• Mark tells us about what it's been like getting back into today's dating scene after only recently uncoupling from his former husband a little over a year ago
• Grant shares dating stories of his past that ultimately lead him to the healthiest relationship he has ever been in
• I share what dating for me has been like only having started in the past few years and what I've learned from my relatively brief dating experience

We talk about our first dating experiences, our interpretations of what "dating" even means, open relationships, breakups, the lessons learned from our dating experiences, and much more!

Episode Links:

• Check out BOY2K on Spotify
• Follow BOY2K on TikTok and Instagram
• Follow Mark on TikTok and Instagram
• Follow Grant on TikTok and Instagram

Follow along with Reaching Out:

• Podcast's Instagram: @reachingoutpod
• Podcast's TikTok: @reachingoutpod
• Michael's Instagram: @michaelwingsit

This we talk with Maxwell Poth, author of the absolutely incredible new book Young Queer America.

In this episode Maxwell tells us about how he faked it 'til he made it as a queer portrait photographer and photojournalist in LA working with some insanely talented an famous people (his work is unreal -- run don't walk to his portfolio linked here to see what I'm talking about). Speaking of his impressive work, he tells us about the inspiration for his new book, Young Queer America, a book showcasing "real stories and faces of LGBTQ+ youth."

Maxwell also shares his personal queer journey, which despite having a loving and accepting family (including a queer twin!) had its fair share of bumps in the road due to some pretty harsh bullying in his high school years and growing up around the Mormon church in Utah. Max's story is one of resilience and a refusal to be anything less than authentic.

We also chat about our shared love of the MCU, our first gay bar experiences, whether or not I should move to LA, and much more!

Episode Links:

• Follow Maxwell on social media:
• Instagram @maxwellpoth, @projectcontrast
• TikTok @maxwellpoth
• Buy Young Queer America
• Photography www.maxwellpoth.com

Follow along with Reaching Out:

• Podcast's Instagram: @reachingoutpod
• Podcast's TikTok: @reachingoutpod
• Michael's Instagram: @michaelwingsit

In this week's episode I chat with the hilarious and sweet, Victor Carlesi!

Victor and I talk about his rise into the comedy scene (including guest appearances on some of my favorite podcasts, Seek Treatment and That's A Gay Ass Podcast), our favorite Taylor Swift songs, and, of course, his coming out story.

One of my favorite conversations I've had on this podcast takes place during Victor's coming out story as he shares how he worked through feelings of imposter syndrome and unworthiness when it came to sex and intimacy -- a feeling that I personally resonated with...dare I say it... all too well (10 minute version).

Enjoy!

Share your story:

• Fill out this form

Episode Links:

• Follow Victor on social media:
• Instagram @victor_car_bakes
• TikTok @victorcarlesi

Follow along with Reaching Out:

• Podcast's Instagram: @reachingoutpod
• Podcast's TikTok: @reachingoutpod
• Michael's Instagram: @michaelwingsit

This week we sit down with UK-based Award-Winning Asexual Activist, model, and fellow X-Men lover, Yasmin Benoit!

Yasmin tells us her story about how she got into asexual and aromantic activism accidentally through posting on Twitter and what it was like transitioning into life as a public figure in this space.

She also touches on the "believability hurdle" that many asexual people face when telling others that they are asexual, especially when they do not fit the stereotypes for what people believe asexual or aromantic people to be or look like.  Yasmin also gives her thoughts on racism within the asexual community itself and the importance of diversifying the narrative of Ace and Aro stories being told.

In addition to all of that, we chat about Yasmin's IRL encounter with queer icon, Sir Ian McKellen; we talk about dealing with internet trolls; and I explain why the game Never Have I Ever still triggers my fight or flight response to this day.

Enjoy!

Share your story:

• Fill out this form

Episode Links:

• Follow Yasmin on social media:
  • Instagram: @theyasminbenoit
  • Articles and Features: Linktree

Follow along with Reaching Out:

• Podcast's Instagram: @reachingoutpod
• Podcast's TikTok: @reachingoutpod
• Michael's Instagram: @michaelwingsit

What an absolute treat you are in for today with our guest, Jaycee Queen (he/him).  He is one of the funniest, quirkiest, silliest, and lovable people I have met in recent memory and I'm so happy that I stumbled upon his podcast, The Holesome Podcast, so that our paths got to cross.

Before we get into Jaycee's powerful journey of self-acceptance and self-love, Jaycee and I discuss something that has not been discussed very much on Reaching Out -- astrology!  We talk about our placements for Venus (how you express love in relationships of all kinds) and Mars (sex and aggression).

Jaycee then tells us his powerful, inspirational, and, at times, heavy story about coming out at 14 years old in San Antonio. 

**TRIGGER WARNING**

I want to give all listeners a heads up that Jaycee's story deals with some potentially triggering topics like being forced into Christian Church counseling, being kicked out home, physical abuse, and suicidal thoughts.

Despite the heavy topics, Jaycee's story is ultimately one of finding self-love and love for the queer community.  It's a story about, in Jaycee's words, seeing both the ugly and beautiful in life.  And ultimately, it's about about trusting your intuition, living authentically, and becoming a beacon of permission to help others to live authentically as well.

Jaycee is the ultimate sweetie and I'm so, so excited for you to meet him.

Enjoy.

Share your story:

• Fill out this form

Episode Links:

• Follow Jaycee on social media:
  • Instagram: @jayceequeen
• Check out The Holesome Podcast
  • Instagram: @theholesomepodcast
  • Spotify: Link
  • Apple Podcasts: Link
• Astrology Guy
  • YouTube: Link

Follow along with Reaching Out:

• Podcast's Instagram: @reachingoutpod
• Podcast's TikTok: @reachingoutpod
• Michael's Instagram: @michaelwingsit