Becoming Wilkinson

WILKINSON

When I started this podcast, I thought it would be the story of my journey from married man with three sons, involved in ministry in the NW, to my current life as a gay man in Palm Springs, CA. I'd weave in interesting interviews with amazing people whom I've met along the way. But as the podcast has evolved, I realized that interacting and hearing other people's stories has changed me. The Universe always sends me just the right person at just the right time to guide me along my own journey of "Becoming". Join me as I have conversations with these fascinating people and share this journey with you.

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Society & CultureSociety & Culture

Episodes

"In the Beginning"... Musings on "Why Another Podcast", "My Move to Palm Springs" and "Potlucks and Parties and People. Oh My"
Apr 22 2022
"In the Beginning"... Musings on "Why Another Podcast", "My Move to Palm Springs" and "Potlucks and Parties and People. Oh My"
Chapter One:  Why Another Podcast? I escaped hopelessness. And because I DID escape, I feel compelled to share my story (and the story of many others) with those who today may be trapped in such an environment and system.  There is hope!Chapter Two:  Beginning the Next Chapter: My Move to Palm Springs and What Happened When I Arrived: 127 degrees outside and then discovering I had no A/C on arrival was one thing. But then my Seattle doc called the next day and I went into a total tailspin.Chapter Three:  Potlucks and Parties and People! Oh. My!  The journey of my love of people.As I remember my "former" life as a married man with kids, struggling to be someone I was not- I remember that even thinking that I could have the life I have now was a pure impossibility.  There was no way out for me.  I was a gay man, trapped in a religious system that forbade divorce. And the thought of actually beginning a journey of discovery to find my authentic self? Never!  But I escaped. And because I DID escape, I feel compelled to share my story with others who today may be trapped in such an environment and system.  There is hope.  My desire is to share my story in the belief that it will encourage you to take the next steps to begin (or continue) your journey to your authentic self, whomever that may be!Photo: Copyright Wilkinson/2020Opening and closing music courtesy the very talented Zakhar Valaha via Pixabay.To contact Wilkinson- email him at BecomingWilkinson@gmail.com
What in the World is an Ex "Ex-Gay"?  I'm gay. Now I'm "saved".  They can "fix" me.  I can help fix others.  Oops, nope- I'm gay after all.  The very hilly ride of the ups and downs that religious folks offer as an unworkable solution.
Apr 24 2022
What in the World is an Ex "Ex-Gay"? I'm gay. Now I'm "saved". They can "fix" me. I can help fix others. Oops, nope- I'm gay after all. The very hilly ride of the ups and downs that religious folks offer as an unworkable solution.
Jeff Coe spent his early years in Texas and Oklahoma.  At one point he finally came out as gay and lived as a young gay man for many years.  Then he moved to the NW, had a religious experience, rejected his authentic self as a gay man, and went back into the closet where he slammed the door shut. Over the next couple of decades, he continued life in the church as an "Ex-gay, straight man" and even moved to Southern California where he worked at a national ex-gay ministry where they attempted to "fix" people so they no longer identified as gay (conversion therapy with a religious/church twist).A couple years after he moved, I came out in late 1999 after getting divorced six months earlier.  While we had considered ourselves good friends prior to that, nevertheless, he cut off all communication with me when I came out. That lasted approximately eight years.  Then one day out of the blue, he emailed me and told me that he wanted to "chat" when he came up to Seattle.  Turns out he came out again!  Things progressed, we went back and forth from the NW and SoCal and consequently, we  got together and we were partners for about six years. We split in early 2013.  Separately, we each moved to the Palm Springs area (Jeff moved in 2013 and I moved here in 2017). We're once again friends.  We discuss his journey in this podcast.Photo: Copyright Wilkinson/2010Opening and closing music courtesy the very talented Zakhar Valaha via Pixabay.To contact Wilkinson- email him at BecomingWilkinson@gmail.com
Mark Hollenstein: Spiritual Life Coach, Energy Healer, Intuitive Guide & Lover of Life! Listen to His Poignant Story of Leaving His Ministry & Marriage to Live His Truth as a Gay Man. He Also Shares How to Prepare for What Will be Playing Out in 2022-2023
May 8 2022
Mark Hollenstein: Spiritual Life Coach, Energy Healer, Intuitive Guide & Lover of Life! Listen to His Poignant Story of Leaving His Ministry & Marriage to Live His Truth as a Gay Man. He Also Shares How to Prepare for What Will be Playing Out in 2022-2023
In his "former life", Mark was married to woman, had three kids and was a minister in a church.  The conflict he found himself in, leading this life when he was a gay man, eventually led to a nervous breakdown.  His healing led him away from the church and he became a trainer.  He shares what happened when he attended a trainers conversion in San Jose, where he met a very special man. His life became to rapidly change from the fallout of that meeting.As a facilitator and coach for over two decades, Mark Hollenstein has been honored to blend his skills and gifts as a business coach, spiritual life coach, energy healer and intuitive reader to what he describes as a call  to “Love on” people in the name of the Divine.He see himself as a conduit for Spirit, The Divine, Source, The Universe, God, Goddess, Creator, or All That Is. However one divines that/it for his or her self. Simply, the Source, or energy greater than ourselves the guides, instructs, leads, loves and supports all of us, absolutely unconditionally through this human experience we call life.As his personal evolution has continued and he experienced higher energetic vibratory upgrades daily, his work is now calling out to men and women of all gender identification and sexual orientation who are resonating, recognizing, and remembering – in order to together find our way to each other.Find out more about Mark here:  http://www.MarkHollenstein.comPhoto: Copyright Wilkinson/2022Opening and closing music courtesy the very talented Zakhar Valaha via Pixabay.To contact Wilkinson- email him at BecomingWilkinson@gmail.com
David Wichman: Author, Speaker, Sex Love & Intimacy Guide, Soundbath Massage & Sexworker, Scuba Diver & Lover of All Things Wildlife.  Get ready to set aside some preconceived ideas as you listen to this gentle soul share the story of his journey.
May 12 2022
David Wichman: Author, Speaker, Sex Love & Intimacy Guide, Soundbath Massage & Sexworker, Scuba Diver & Lover of All Things Wildlife. Get ready to set aside some preconceived ideas as you listen to this gentle soul share the story of his journey.
David Wichman is an author, speaker, sexual healer, and entrepreneur who is respected and well-known all over the world to those who seek to live free of stigma, shame, and fear around sex, love, and intimacy.Raised in Fremont, California, David survived a childhood marked by severe neglect and abuse, which led him into years of homelessness, alcoholism, and drug addiction. After decades of struggle and rehabilitation failures, he finally obtained freedom from his addiction in 2005. He remains an active member of New Thought and recovery movements to this day.In 2006, David found a calling in sex work. While working with seniors, the disabled, and those with severe intimacy issues, he discovered the profound transformational power that sex work creates for both client and provider. In 2009, he founded his travel-companion company, the Male Adventure, through which he has accompanied clients on life-changing adventures to all seven continents. He is an activist, vocal ally, and grateful member of the LGBTQI2 community.David lives with his partner Todd & their 3 rescue dogs: Panda Petey & Siain in their home in the Coachella Valley area of California. In 2016, David co-founded Heal-VR, a software development company that merges ancient spiritual principles and meditation techniques with modern virtual reality technology.His story is both profound and touching.  Prepare to think and feel deeply as this gentle soul shares his heart with us.Find David at: http://DavidsWorld.mePhoto: Copyright Wilkinson/2022Opening and closing music courtesy the very talented Zakhar Valaha via Pixabay.To contact Wilkinson- email him at BecomingWilkinson@gmail.com
Musings on what is important in life and some of the milestones in my journey. A compilation of four short, earlier episodes.
May 17 2022
Musings on what is important in life and some of the milestones in my journey. A compilation of four short, earlier episodes.
Chapter One:  The Law of Attraction. I've learned that "Where focus goes- energy flows"! What we choose to throw out into the Universe is what comes back to us. I share some of the rather profound experiences I've had in this area.  So many of my friends are amazed at what I seem to create or attract into my life.  I've learned that "Where focus goes- energy flows"!  What we choose to put out into the Universe is what comes back to us.  That means if we expect good, it will come to us.  But if we dwell on the negative or constantly worry about what "might" happen in the future, those negative things come prancing back into our lives.  It took me a very long time to grasp this concept but it's very real. I give you some concrete, amazing examples from my life on how this has worked.Chapter Two: My Energy Work Journey. I've had quite a few "Whoa" moments the last few years!  It took a lot to change from a pretty close-minded guy in ministry to opening up to what also might be true in the Universe!  When I was in the church in my "former life", I never would have considered even the possibility of exploring energy work.  To me, in my narrow definition of the world and reality, it was all "devil stuff" and to be avoided at all costs.  But then one day a friend in Seattle gifted me a session with her energy gal via a phone call.  At first I resisted but then I said yes after doing some open-minded research.  The session with the gal was interesting, but we weren't quite on the same page.  But that experience opened the door to another reality.  I've been seeing my energy guy (Mark Hollenstein) on a weekly basis for about five years now.  Things have really changed and my mind, heart and understanding have expanded by leaps and bounds.  There's been a few "shocking" moments, for sure.  Here's a bit of the story...Chapter Three: Let's Talk About Love. What does real love look like? How does it play out in our lives? Does the religious right even know what love is? Here are a few thoughts on this topic.  Love is a term that's thrown around lightly.  We love chocolate sundaes.  We love our jobs, our kids, our partners and our pets.  The Christian Right has their ideas on what love is.  Things get messy.  But what does real love look like?  How does it play out in our lives?  Here are a few of my thoughts on this topic.Chapter Four:  Remembering my little sister Sunday (She used to say, "My name is Sunday- just like the day of the week")!  I didn't have a lot of regrets in my life. But a thought haunted me for many, many years. "What was so important that I had to get on the plane that day"? In the period 2000-2003, I lost my two sisters, my nephew, both of my parents and a friend.  I reflect on part of this story...Opening and closing music courtesy the very talented Zakhar Valaha via Pixabay.Image credits:  Model: Andrew Delta.      Photographer: Wilkinson (Copyright Wilkinson/2022)Found art location: The Ruins in N. desert Hot Springs, CA.  Abandoned desert buildings with various graffiti artists' work.  "Love" created by graffiti artist "Crew".To contact Wilkinson- email him at BecomingWilkinson@gmail.com
An Interview with Larendee Roos: Spouse, Mother of ten, Grandmother,  Entrepreneur, Life Coach, Consultant,  Business Owner, and Minister of A Course in Miracles.
May 22 2022
An Interview with Larendee Roos: Spouse, Mother of ten, Grandmother, Entrepreneur, Life Coach, Consultant, Business Owner, and Minister of A Course in Miracles.
"I had another experience when I was meditating that affirmed my life was transforming again. I dreamed I was standing on a river bank. There were people in canoes peacefully rowing in a river. I came to understand that the river was peaceful flow. The people in the canoes waved and smiled to come in. I looked up and down the river bank. There were countless people standing on the banks. Some walked into the river and a canoe appeared for their transport. Some shook with fear on the side. Those in the river were committed. Somehow I knew it was a big commitment. I waded in and the next thing I knew I was in a canoe. I felt immense peace. I knew I would never go back to the river bank. At the same time, there was no judgment about those on the river bank. There was a simple invitation to wade into the peaceful river of life...I have witnessed the prison-house closing in on the growing child within myself and within my family. My work is dedicated to millions who have felt bound by the conditions that would imprison. My story is not unique. My message is simple, never ever give up! There is always hope. It is my intention that as you hear the story of my journey,  you will remember from deep within you-- your calling, your purpose, and your recovery of the truth of who you are. You are already free. You simply need to remember."           Larendee RoosFounder Director Miracle Activation CenterFounder CEO Roos AdvisorsPartner Ador DevelopmentFacilitator Trainer Pathways of LightGrateful Spouse, mom, and grandmother. Daughter of Abba Father.To contact Larendee, simply text her at 1-801-209-3611Photo: Copyright Wilkinson/2022Opening and closing music courtesy the very talented Zakhar Valaha via Pixabay.To contact Wilkinson- email him at BecomingWilkinson@gmail.com
Bryce Bailey is an Art Therapist. What's an art therapist, you ask? He shares his own story of how art helped save his life.  And now he shares that healing with others.   And since May is Mental Health Awareness Month- this is perfect timing!
May 25 2022
Bryce Bailey is an Art Therapist. What's an art therapist, you ask? He shares his own story of how art helped save his life. And now he shares that healing with others. And since May is Mental Health Awareness Month- this is perfect timing!
Bryce Bailey, MA, ATR. Registered Art Therapist from Seattle, WA currently living in Palm Springs, CA. He launched his own creativity/ design consulting practice “EmpowerART Studio” and offers Per Diem Art Therapy at a local physical rehabilitation hospital. He leads art therapy groups and facilitates creativity workshops in community. Bryce is passionate about utilizing the creative process to facilitate personal growth, transformation, healing and connection through artmaking. He has worked with most populations but specializes in LGBTQ, at-risk adolescents, addiction recovery, and identity empowerment. Bryce has remained active in giving back to the recovery community for over 22 years, sober since 9/24/99. He enjoys his own artmaking through collage, mixed media, oil pastels, and visual journaling. Graduating from Antioch University Seattle's Masters in Psychology/Art Therapy program (2006), he interned at Seattle Counseling Service (LGBTQ), worked as art therapist and mental health clinician at Community Psychiatric Clinic and Michael’s House Dual-Diagnosis Treatment Center, facilitated creative recovery & visual journaling workshops in Miami, San Jose, San Diego, Palm Springs, and Seattle, and volunteered with homeless and LGBT youth in Seattle. His research project "Artmaking as a Component and Facilitator of Resiliency with Homeless Youth" was published in the Art Therapy Journal (2008). Bryce served on the Board of Evergreen Art Therapy Association chapter in Seattle from 2005-2015, presented at several national Art Therapy Association conferences, and became Local Chair for the 2013 American Art Therapy Association conference in Seattle. Bryce can be reached at: empowerartstudio@gmail.com; Instagram: @bryce_empowerartstudioPhoto: Copyright Wilkinson/2022Opening and closing music courtesy the very talented Zakhar Valaha via Pixabay.To contact Wilkinson- email him at BecomingWilkinson@gmail.com
An interview with Barry Schoenfeld... Creator of California Community of Men. Community Organizer & Connector of Men.
Jun 15 2022
An interview with Barry Schoenfeld... Creator of California Community of Men. Community Organizer & Connector of Men.
Barry Schoenfeld is the creator of the California Community of Men.Barry Schoenfeld founded and runs Clear Vision Partners, an independent marketing consultancy, based in Palm Springs.  Before moving to Palm Springs in 2014, he held several executive roles in advertising agencies in New York and Los Angeles.In 2012, he founded The California Community of Men ("CalComMen"), a global mens' community of over 10,000 men-who-love-men, who goal is to provide drug, alcohol, smoke and electronics free spaces for men to engage & connect more genuinely and more authentically. In addition, he teaches online at seven universities across the country, on subjects ranging from opera to archeology to travel.He lives with his husband Ron, of 15 years."The California Community of Men is a unique community of heart-centered, passionate and caring men, 18-90+ of all colors of the rainbow, faith traditions, sizes, shapes & abilities, who create spiritual & social events, personal growth workshops, and our unique, joy-filled weekends we call "Community Camp," without formal committees, officers or bylaws. Our goal is to build a radically diverse & inclusive community of men-who-love-men, the likes of which is rarely seen in Southern California.  We align ourselves with some of the values, beliefs and consciousness of the Northern California Billys, and the Radical Faeries. CalComMen is the only mens community in SoCal that reachs out to, and warmly welcomes ALL men-who-love-men (gay, bi, trans, queer, cis & straight).  We are also the only men's community that is drug, alcohol, smoke and electronics-free, so that we can connect and engage in new and more meaningful ways, with far fewer distractions".CalComMen web site:  https://www.calcommen.comFacebook Group:  https://www.facebook.com/groups/CalComMenPhoto: Copyright Wilkinson/2022Opening and closing music courtesy the very talented Zakhar Valaha via Pixabay.To contact Wilkinson- email him at BecomingWilkinson@gmail.com