Setting the Stage - In our very first episode we speak with Raffi Freedman-Gurspan, Deputy Director of Public Engagement at the United States Department of Transportation, about her leadership and allyship in service of others. With Raffi, we begin to explore many of the themes we're going to dive into with Forged in Fire. Raffi's story includes coming out and fighting for civil rights at a young age, understanding a complex set of intersectional identities, self-care in advocacy, shattering stereotypes, her life of service, and so much more!
The Kaleidoscope of Identity - Explore the power of story as a leadership tool with Ross Murray, Vice President at the GLAAD (Gay & Lesbian Alliance Against Defamation) Media Institute. Ross walks us through building powerful narratives for connection. In essence, Ross helps us understand how to use story as a change management tool. We also dive into moments where he faced discrimination, embraced his identity, and turned it all into a panoply of opportunities to help LGBTQ+ people locally, nationally, and internationally.
Found in Translation - Learn how Matthew Rose moved from investigating conspiracy theories about health disparities to leading HIV and vaccine policy education and advocacy efforts around the world. Matt developed powerful communication skills that allow him to translate between different communities of stakeholders, including those representing the most vulnerable and in-need communities. We explore code-switching, inclusive language, cultural competency and much more in this episode.
Jill of All Trades - Naval Officer, Nurse, Lawyer, Educator, Leader. Paula Neira's career spans an incredible set of experiences and professions. She wanted nothing more than to command a ship at sea, but her Naval career was cut short by the need to live authentically well before transgender people could do both. Find out how she developed that still-burning desire to serve into a career in medicine, law, and education that knocked down barriers for others to reach their full potential.
From Languishing to Flourishing - In our first opportunity to speak with a fellow scholar and practitioner of LGBTQ+ development, we welcome Dominic Longo. Dominic is the founder of Flourishing Gays where he helps people move beyond just getting by in the world top open up a world of flourishing. We get to know some of Dominic's personal story and explore some of the tropes of LGBTQ+ leadership from being the 'best little boy in the world' to building bridges across cultures. Listen in as we examine how LGBTQ+ folks develop their leadership superpowers!
No Person is an Island - LGBTQ+ Leaders are everywhere! We speak with Tamara Adrián, a Venezuelan lawyer, professor, author and polyglot advocate for LGBTQ+ rights. Tamara was the second transgender person elected to a national legislature in the Western Hemisphere and has been involved in basically all strategic litigation concerning LGBTQ+ rights in Venezuela and Latin America. She knows that no one does this work alone and stresses collaboration among people, respect, and fighting for our common humanity. Find out how Tamara came to "cherish this idea that everyone is able to contribute to the common good."
