Forged in Fire: LGBTQ+ Leadership

Licensed professional counselor Blakely Hunze-Austin joins to explore why purposeful discomfort can be a path to authenticity—and better leadership. Blakely traces a journey from tamped-down identity in the Tennessee church pews to building affirming community in Colorado Springs—and what those different contexts teach about safety, vulnerability, and leadership. We discuss tools for lowering defenses and integrating hard truths, plus the power of consultation among leaders to fight isolation. Blakely’s charge: find your huddle, have the uncomfortable conversations, and “get up and feel brave.” Leadership, she reminds us, is just advanced relationship work.Guest BiographyBlakely Hunze-Austin is a licensed professional counselor in the state of Colorado and Tennessee who specializes in sex therapy, eating disorders, OCD, and trauma. She enjoys working with LGBTQIA, kink, and polyamorous or ethically non-monogamous clients. She is a trained psychedelic assisted therapist. She now owns her own private practice and is a clinical director for a treatment center. Blakely volunteers for the Academy for Eating Disorders and is currently pursuing her certified sex therapist designation.

Talk about an unexpected journey! We run quite a bit longer than usual in this one because there was just so much ground to cover. Mercury Stardust's recent fame as the Trans Handy Ma'am, with a unique brand of compassionate education in the Home Repair world, is only the tip of the iceberg. From a career in burlesque through several encounters that radically changed her views of the world, listen in to find out how she developed her unique style.

Technology strategist E.C. Pizarro III explores how his intersecting identities as a Black trans man and corporate professional shaped his leadership style and commitment to community. E.C. revisits pivotal mentorship moments—like encouraging a young trans student in his earliest days of transition—and explains how visibility can spark a ripple effect for others looking to enter tech. He also delves into the power of strategic pivots, the importance of self-belief, and how harnessing transferrable “project management” skills from everyday life can transform one’s career. Through his own journey from volunteer at TransTech Social to executive director, E.C. highlights what it looks like to build new tables rather than waiting for a seat at old ones, ultimately reminding us that each of us can lead, uplift others, and redefine success on our own terms.

Brian Sims—civil rights advocate, former Pennsylvania state legislator, and current CEO of Agenda PAC—to discuss how adversity shapes extraordinary leadership. Brian traces his roots as the son of two Army Officers, recalling a childhood shaped by frequent moves and a powerful mother figure who taught him the value of service, resilience, and challenging inequity. As he shares his coming-out journey, Brian highlights how his closeted years—though not always traumatic—helped him cultivate empathy, a skill he later carried into both sports and politics.

This episode is completely profound, occasionally profane, and filled with phrases you won't soon forget! Though Nebraska State Senator Megan Hunt described herself in the episode as "the Diet Coke of LGBTQ Community," she's so much more. She is the woman in the arena that Teddy Roosevelt would have thrilled over. She overcame internalized stigma, to live her life and advocate for others in a way that envisions a world where everyone can be free to live without having to justify who they are. And she's willing to fight for it. In the interview we discuss the challenges of self-discovery, the complexities of coming out, and how these experiences have shaped Senator Hunt's confident approach to both personal and political life.​"The credit belongs to the man who is actually in the arena, whose face is marred by dust and sweat and blood; who strives valiantly; who errs, who comes short again and again, because there is no effort without error and shortcoming; but who does actually strive to do the deeds; who knows the great enthusiasms, the great devotions; who spends himself in a worthy cause; who at the best knows in the end the triumph of high achievement, and who at the worst, if he fails, at least fails while daring greatly, so that his place shall never be with those cold and timid souls who neither know victory nor defeat." - Theodore Roosevelt in 1910

Welcome to Forged In Fire: LGBTQ+ Leadership! In this third promotional clip we introduce our Producer, Frieda Garcia Castellanos. We'll hear her tell us more about her story and how it intersects with the creation of Forged in Fire.    We hope you'll join us as we explore how incredible LGBTQ+ leaders developed into the people they are today. Stay tuned for our first full episode of Forged in Fire on January 10th, 2023!

Welcome to Forged In Fire: LGBTQ+ Leadership! In this first promotional clip we introduce our hosts, Liz Cavallaro and Bree Fram, and hear what this podcast will be about. You'll also hear how and why they came together to create Forged in Fire.    We hope you'll join us as we explore how incredible LGBTQ+ leaders developed into the people they are today. Stay tuned for our first full episode of Forged in Fire on January 10th, 2023!