Courage to Be Courageous

Former Republican leader Mike Triggs discussed being outed as gay, leaving the GOP, and warning about growing attacks on LGBTQ rights. He urged people to stay engaged, vote, and speak out to protect equality and democracy.

Political War on LGBTQ Rights

In this episode of The Courage to Be Courageous, host Dan Bolen welcomes his partner John Preston, who holds a master's degree in exercise science and wellness from Arizona State University, for a timely and inspiring conversation about the power of exercise in managing stress and maintaining emotional balance. Together, they discuss how physical movement not only strengthens the body but also helps reduce anxiety, improve resilience, and foster community. John also introduces the True Turn Pro, a unique tool designed to enhance mobility, flexibility, and core strength. The episode is a reminder that staying active is an act o...

In this inspiring episode, Andrew James shares his journey of growing up as a gay man in the Jehovah's Witness faith. He discusses the challenges of his childhood, his eventual departure from the religion, and how he built a successful career as an interior designer. James also opens up about his current battle with stage four cancer, offering a message of hope, resilience, and the power of positive thinking.

Barbara shares the story of embracing her gay brother after he came out later in life, highlighting her family's unconditional love. In this heartfelt interview, she reflects on why being gay should never be a reason to disown a loved one.

In this powerful episode of The Courage to Be Courageous, host Dan Bolen welcomes writer and ally Susan Montag for an open conversation about fear, growth, and standing up for marginalized communities. Susan shares her journey from a conservative upbringing in Iowa to becoming a strong LGBTQ+ ally and advocate. She reflects on the deep cultural biases she had to unlearn, how raising a gay son and having a trans son-in-law shaped her activism, and the importance of community, truth, and courage in today's divisive climate. Together, Dan and Susan explore how writing, connection, and speaking out can be t...

In this powerful episode of The Courage to Be Courageous, host Dan Bolen speaks with Isaiah Bell, a biracial gay man who endured years of conversion therapy as a teenager. Isaiah shares the painful reality of trying to change who he was to please his family and church, and the long journey toward self-acceptance. Together, Dan and Isaiah explore the lingering impact of conversion therapy, the political and social challenges still facing the LGBTQ+ community, and the importance of using our voices to create lasting change. This is a moving conversation about truth, healing, and the courage to be...

In this episode, we welcome Zach Cohen, who shines a light on the incredible work of the Ali Forney Center, a lifeline for homeless LGBTQ+ youth. Born from the legacy of Ali Forney, a young advocate who sought safety and justice for his peers and was tragically murdered in the streets of New York, the center provides housing, meals, medical care, and life skills to thousands of vulnerable youth every year. With a mission to protect and empower, the Ali Forney Center continues to grow, offering hope and a fresh start to those rejected by their families. Discover the...

 In this episode, John Kazanjian, recounts the profound impact of his mother's death during his college years and how he honored her dreams by excelling academically and professionally, even achieving acceptance into Harvard. He reflects on navigating life as a closeted gay man during a conservative era, his 35-year relationship with his partner Jack, and the devastation of Jack's passing. Through personal reinvention, entrepreneurial ventures, and the development of the Soul Intelligence System with a close friend, John found solace and purpose. His story is a powerful testament to the courage required to embrace life's challenges and live authentically.

In this podcast episode, Dan Bolen welcomes Raymond Macon, both former Jehovah's Witnesses, to discuss their personal experiences of being disfellowshipped from the church for being gay and acting on it. They reflect on the impact of organized religion, the challenges they faced with guilt and shame, and how they ultimately found freedom in embracing their true selves. Their conversation sheds light on the restrictive nature of certain religious doctrines while emphasizing the importance of personal authenticity, acceptance, and love.

Mike Krupit has a Bachelor's in Computer Science and Applied Mathematics from Queens College in New York graduating in 1985. He started as a software engineer and worked his way up to Chief Technical Officer, and then the Chief Operations Officer and finally CEO of a company called CD Now which sold music on the internet. Mike is now the owner of his own company called Trejectify which is in leadership development, organizational development and business growth coaching. Mike was married for 36 years and has a son who is a teacher in Florida and a daughter that is 29 years old...

Matt Christofaro has a Bachelor of Arts degree in Business Administration from University of Rhode Island in 2010 and a MBA in Global Business Leadership & Marketing from Johnson & Wales University in 2012. Also he is a Licensed Thrive Programme Coach . Matt suffered for over 22 years with panic attacks . He had tried all types of therapy and help which was not working. However, he stumbled on a company called Thrive company and thought he would "give it a chance".Matt was totally surprised that it worked for him even though he was skeptical. This has had such an impact on his life...

This is for audiences 18 years and older. Viewer discretion advised.

Part two will show how Travit continued to be violently and sexually abused by his aunt Annie and finally how Travit was able to use courage to overcome his fear and leave. This is the end to a tragic story and yet a story of courage and faith that Travit had . May all my listeners get the lesson in this always protect our children.

This is for audiences 18 years and older. Viewer discretion advised.   Tavit Kazanjian was  born in the United States. His mother was Arabic and Greek and his father was Armenian. They were both born in Syria but married in New Jersey. Tavit has two older sisters. His entire family moved to Arizona because  his father's cousin wanted to get a large lot of land where everyone could live. Travit  Ladidn't realize he was different until about 10 years old .Tavit was overcome  with severe shame and trying to do everything  he could to be more masculine and not so effeminate.Tavit was from a la...

Cameron Call has a Bachelor Science Degree in Exercise Science from  Brigham Young University in Provo Utah ,and a Doctor Degree in Chiropractic (DC) in 2015 from Parker University in Dallas, Texas . Cameron grew up as the "perfect Mormon boy". He served as a missionary in Nashville, Tennessee, did high-level work with the bishop in the church , was married to his wife in the Mormon Temple in Mesa Arizona. He had so much shame and so much internal homophobia of being a gay man. Cameron produced three beautiful children .He also is an excellent pianist started playing when he was seven...

Arturo Morales was raised in Mexicali, Mexico where he spent the first 25 years of his life. He got his Bachelor of Science in Mechanical Engineering from the State  University ,Baja California. He went on to get his MBA in Computer Science specializing in data management  from San Diego State. He knew from a young child that he was different and then he came  to realize that different meant he was gay. Arturo first opened up to his cousin who he was close to and told him he was gay . He showed a lot of courage when  went on and told...

Faythe Huston was a 70 year virgin , how in the hell did this happen? Faythe has a Masters Degree in Counseling and also a Masters Degree in Spiritual Direction. She grew up in a conservative, religious family, never married or had children. Faythe believed in the Hero Journey which had a "called to adventure "which brought her so much energy she could not ignore it. She will talk about the well-known Hero Journey and the different stages involved in the Hero Journey .Faythe did not want to die without having the experience of sex and intimacy and began to explore...

Stonewall Rebellion /Riot took place , June 28th 1969 early in the morning. The Stonewall Inn was a LGBTQ bar located in Greenwich Village in lower Manhattan, New York. This was a safe place where LGBTQ people could come and spend time together . During this period of time in New York it was illegal to be gay as well as the majority of other states in the United States . Early in the morning on June 28 the police came to raid the patrons at the bar. Raids were common by the police at Stonewall but this one got violently out of hand...

Dan Bolen was privileged and honored to be interviewed by the nationally syndicated daytime talk show "Daily Blast Live". "Daily Blast Live" is sent out to over 100 TV stations across the United States. I met the host Sam Schacher two years ago when I was in Telluride, Colorado. I sent her a copy of my memoir "the Courage to Be Courageous". The memoir was so powerful for her she wanted to interview me on "Daily Blast Live". It is a great opportunity for me to get my voice out nationally for our community. If you want to listen to my...

Dan Bolen was interviewed by Chelsea Ennen out of Brooklyn, New York for the Kirkus Review. Kirkus is the number one in the world who rates authors and their books. Chelsea did an excellent interview with me and Kirkus was supportive and honest about my memoir "the Courage to Be Courageous". So on this podcast, I read the interview word for word in hopes of inspiring others to read my memoir regarding overcoming fear and using courage to get through it. Kirkus reviewed it on their website digitally April 8 and I was featured in their March 1 and March 15 magazine...

Sage Jaurequi of Hispanic descent received his BA at Arizona State University in Family Studies and Human Development and Masters Degree in Marital and Family Therapy from Alliant University in San Diego. Sage knew he was different and was ashamed of being different because he was met with so much disapproval. He had no interest in sports loved to play with dolls and received emotional and physical abuse from his older brother. Sage's mother decided to put him into therapy. This was the first time he admitted to the therapist or to anyone that he was gay. It took...

Monish Modi grew up in India and was on cricket as his whole family played it. In India, the marriages are arranged by their parents, because there is so much respect and dignity for the parents who they consider their their elders. Monish knew he was different than the other boys however because they're so much pressure against being gay in India, his fear of coming out crippled him. On the request of his mother who had had a stroke and she wanted him to get married before she died he married someone he only knew for four days...

Kevin O'Connor grew up in a different lifestyle than most of us. He was a son of a Funeral Director and lived in the house where the whole funeral took place. The caskets and embalming were in the basement. The main floor was the funeral parlor. The first floor was where his uncle and their family lived . The second floor was where Kevin, his brothers and parents lived . His dad was also a funeral director . Kevin received his Bachelor Science degree in Political Science from Loyola university in Chicago and his Masters Degree in Education at the University of...

I had open heart surgery February 8, 2024 at Cleveland clinic which is number one in the world for open heart surgery. What started out as a routine procedure ended up in a wild ride for me and my partner John. This was an opportunity for me to embrace my fear and use courage to get through it. I had three surgeries; they had to repair the aorta, give me a bovine valve and repair my mitral valve. It was a seven hour surgery. I recovered in ICU for seven days then was assigned to a regular hospital room. After two...

John Preston has a BS in Kinesiology and a Masters Degree in Exercise Science and Wellness from Arizona State University. He is certified in CSCS, EP – C, CPT ( ACE) , and TPI (certified golf fitness instructor). He has over 30 years in the physical fitness industry and is presently the Director of Fitness for the Village Club in Scottsdale Arizona, where he supervises 13 trainers and eight concierges. John discusses the benefits of exercise, i.e. cardio, controlling mood, managing stress and depression. He talks about not only commitment, but more important, behavioral changes. John is very insightful of how the viewpoint to...

Dan Bolen, our podcast host, talks about the guests we've had on our podcasts from episode 27 through the podcast 47. He focuses on what The Trevor project has done in the last year 2023 and also what Outright International has done in 2023. These are two organizations that Dan supports financially through his book sales of "the Courage to Be Courageous". Dan talks about the atrocities that the Ugandan parliament and now the president has signed against LGBTQ +people and the people of Uganda taking away their rights. You will be shocked when you hear what has been done to the whole...

Claudia Wilson who is the Asscciate Director of Development for Cleveland Clinic is our guest today. U.S. News & World Report ranks Cleveland Clinic number one in the world for heart surgery. Cleveland Clinic has held this position for almost 30 years in a row. You are going to learn about some incredible first time achievements in heart surgery from the 1950s 60s 70s and into 2024.

In the 1970s they did their first valve replacement and repair which became the number one facility to do it and is the standard which has been set for other hospitals and...

David Cotton is a retired Brigadier General with the United States Air Force. He got his Masters Degree in Computer Data Management and another Masters in National Security studies. After serving over 29 years in the Air Force and doing consulting work for the Pentagon, he had to deal with who he was authentically. This sent him on a journey of reading all types of literature related to the LGBTQ community and watching podcasts to figure out who he really was. David finally realized he was a gay man. He realized the importance of providing a website/podcasts for the...

David Cotton interviewed Dan Bolen from his podcast/website www.outlatewithdavid.com.

David is doing a tremendous amount of work through his podcast for the LGBTQ + community. David is a retired Brigadier General from the Air Force who also came out as gay after retirement. You will get the opportunity to hear part of my life story which will be up on my audio portion on my website www.danbolen.com, and you will also be able to listen to the video on David Cotton podcasts www.outlatewithdavid.com. You will see how I used courage to overcome a...

Steve Petersen grew up in a farming town in Audubon, Iowa. He went on to get his BS degree in Fashion Merchandising from Iowa State University. He struggled with his sexuality and it wasn't until after college that he had to deal with who he authentically was. He went on to several different retail organizations, and ended up at Macy's in Manhattan, New York, in their merchandising group. Steve later move to Las Vegas, Nevada and eventually opened the heterosexual ally group called "Bursting Through". This podcast is for our heterosexual allies who want to have a voice for...

Nate Rhoton is the CEO of an organization in Phoenix called OneNTen. This organization has 18 satellite locations and helps the LGBTQ+ community with individuals in ages 11 to 24 years and homeless people between the ages of 18 and 24 years to be a support system for them. Nate has a BS degree in Economics from Arizona State University and after spending five years with General Mills and 12 years as Human Resource Manager for a construction company he joined OneNTen as the Development Director, and later moved on to be the CEO of the organization. Nate shows the powerfulness of courage by identifying...

Harry Fox got his B.I.D. (in industrial design) from Pratt Institute in Brooklyn, New York, and his M.B.A. in finance from the Wharton School at the University of Pennsylvania. He spent 30 years in the IT industry and ended as a Chief Information Officer for one of the large insurance firms. Harry struggled to find who he was and spent 12 years in therapy. He's always had an interest in the "mind" and so took a lot of courses and studies in psychology and philosophy. Harry married a beautiful woman and was with her for over 20 years...

David Gurzenski Luke grew up in upstate New York in the city of Albion . David was a soft-spoken introvert and had tragedy hit him at 11 years old when his father died of a heart attack. He eventually moved to Arizona, where he attended Arizona State University, and got his Bachelors Degree  in Journalism in 1969. He also became the editor of the school newspaper at ASU in his first year of school. He got married to a beautiful woman named Pam and ended up having two beautiful girls, Jennifer and Julia. David felt the pressure of being married with all t...

David Pederson grew up in a mining town in Leadville Colorado, where his father was a miner. When the family moved to Wisconsin, David worked in a retail outlet for Amity Leather and later, as a property manager for over 500 apartments. He later worked in furniture sales and decorating, and then started to work more on his writing, which was his real passion. David knew he was different and especially at puberty, realized he was gay. David kept silent because of his shame and having fear he would be rejected by his family and society. Later on, as he...

Gypsy Haake who became known as just "Gypsy" became a Hollywood star. He was featured in over 118 shows both in films TV and on stage. This is an incredible podcast about Gypsy who is now 91 years old and served as the Master of Ceremonies for the Palm Springs gay pride parade. Gypsy, who worked with numerous Hollywood stars such as Mel Brooks and his wife Ann Bancroft, Lana Turner, Lucille Ball, Jane Fonda, and also from 2017 to 2018 Miley Cyrus where he filmed a video with her and also did the VMA awards. He traveled all of the world and...

This podcast is an incredible, powerful story from Patrick Harkness, who lost his brother Scotty being senselessly murdered. Scotty was a beautiful human being who had  "special needs "  who showed courage throughout his entire life. He was active, his whole life in Special Olympics playing basketball, baseball, track, and field, and golf. Scotty, who died at almost 60 years old, was passionate about everything he did. He loved people and did things for people . He showed courage to work his way up through group homes to come to independence of living on his own. His brother Patrick said he was th...

This is an incredible podcast of two great men who have persevered through the odds and have used courage and optimism, to get through their fear and setbacks. Cam Davis has a Bachelor of Science degree in Political Science/ Psychology and English, a JD degree, and an MBA. He is presently the Managing Director of Investments for Wells Fargo Advisors. Sam Randazzo has a Bachelors of Science in Advertising and Marketing from Ferris State University in Eaton Rapids, Michigan. Sam has been in media and advertising for his entire  career and ended as the Managing Director of Media Maniacs, a...

Dennis lived in a generation where you could not come out as gay because it was considered a psychiatric disorder. He even made a couple attempts at suicide. Dennis lived in a generation where there was no moral support and no role models for LGBTQ individuals. He used education to bury his feelings, receiving a bachelors degree two masters degrees, and a PhD in Public Health . He connected to The Trevor project and applied to become a voluntary youth crisis counselor in which he has been doing for three years .The Trevor project receives calls from all over the...

Crystal Waltman was extremely good at softball, and got a scholarship for Central Arizona College for softball and won two national championships in softball . After receiving her Associate Degree she went on to Arizona State University, and  received her Bachelor Degree in Communications . After the death by suicide of her best friend, she started to bury her feelings and become numb to any emotion. She used alcohol to numb all the feelings she had. After struggling in her marriage and having a beautiful daughter named  Liv Crystal hit rock bottom . When she was driving home from a restaurant intoxicated wi...

Rich T graduated with a Bachelor's of Science Degree from San Jose State University in Hospitality Management. Rich was raised in a sports environment and played all different types of sports and was particularly good at swimming and diving which he did in college . He volunteered to go into the army and was sent to Korea . Rich knew he was attracted to older men and he struggled with that trying to convince himself that he wasn't gay. He ended up in two relationships in the military with two men who were colonels and were married and had children. Rich struggled...

Mike Klein graduated with a Bachelors of Science degree in finance from Arizona State University, and received his Master in International Management (MIM) at Thunderbird University. He grew up in Mesa Arizona where he was a member of the LDS church. He also went on a mission for the church and became a high achiever in all the leadership positions in the Mormon church thinking that if he did all these good things and high achievements in the church that God would take away his gayness. Mike struggled a good part of his life, trying to fit in and...