Coming Out with Lauren & Nicole

Vanessa Hunt is a theater-maker and listener of the pod from Utah who visits LA as much as she can, in large part for the queer community to be found here. Vanessa graciously popped by on her last LA gaycation to talk to us about growing up Mormon in a small town, trying to reconcile her own feelings with her faith's views on sexuality, and eventually getting to the point where she could finally be free to be herself. Check out Vanessa's lyrics on the track "Beginning Today" by Mikelle Dowse on iTunes.

THIS EPISODE IS SO COOL! Susan SurfTone is a retro rock musician/political writer, and a former FBI agent turned NYPD attorney. Some of the freaking incredible things she talks to us about include being at Smith College the year that "everybody came out," what it was like to be a rocker in NYC in the late '80s, her conversations with the first person to throw a punch at Stonewall, and the time Andy Warhol saw her eat pizza. Learn more about Susan and listen to her tunes at www.susansurftone.com!

It's a special UK edition of the pod when Nicole and guest co-host Mandahla Rose (Episode 11) bring you a series of mini-interviews from the floor of ClexaCon London! Listen to coming out stories from across the globe recorded live at the world's largest multi-fandom event for LGBTQ women and allies. (Lauren isn't in this episode because she wasn't at ClexaCon, but she DEFINITELY ISN'T JEALOUS AT ALL.) Re-live London (and get psyched for Vegas!) at www.clexa-con.com.

In our very first Skype episode, we call the faraway land of Canada to talk to Carmilla star NATASHA NEGOVANLIS! Natasha tells us all about Freelancers Anonymous, her latest female-centric movie that she says felt like "going to summer camp." We also discuss the benefits of having a Fairy Gaymother; plus, Natasha describes a poignant moment she had while filling out a census, and shares the story of the first time she kissed a girl. Buckle up, creampuffs! Follow Natasha on Twitter and IG at @natvanlis.

Actor/singer/dancer Cloie Wyatt Taylor (Hulu's Future Man; Crazy Ex-Girlfriend) is our first-ever guest to bring a cocktail into the closet, and the result is our most hilariously candid episode yet! We discuss orgasms, gender presentation pitfalls within the lesbian community, and more; plus, listen in real time as Cloie reveals something that makes Lauren LEGIT blush... Learn all about Cloie at www.heycloie.com, and follow her across social media at @alwayscloie.

Singer-songwriter Rachael Cantu grew up in Orange County, California ("very conservative; very white; very Christian"), and it took a fated encounter at her local record store to make her realize she might not fit the OC mold. Today, she's married to a woman and tours with Tegan and Sara TALK ABOUT A GLOW-UP!!! Rachael tracks this journey with us, and also speaks honestly about the constant push-and-pull that comes with having a religious family. Follow Rachael everywhere at @RachaelCantu.

YouTuber Stevie Boebi (creator and host of the first ever Lesbian Sex Ed video series) reveals the never-before-heard story of her coming out! She talks to us about being told "you're too pretty to be gay," accidentally adopting the male gaze, and how she ultimately decided to make the kind of videos she wishes she'd had when she was younger. (This episode is not sponsored by the American Dental Association. YET.) Watch Stevie's videos at youtube.com/Stevie, and follow her everywhere at @stevieboebi.

Theatre artist Ramy El-Etreby (solo show/short story "The Ride") grew up in a conservative Muslim household. He tells us the incredible story of how he made a spur of the moment decision to come out in a very public way, and how that affected his relationship with his family, his community, and his faith. In his own words: "I don't think I anticipated the shitshow being as shitty." Follow Ramy on Twitter and Instagram at @dramarams.

We put a spin on our usual format when Nicole's mom, Karen, tells a coming out story from a parent's POV. Back in Episode 1, Nicole spoke candidly about her mother's reaction to her coming out as bisexual 17 years ago. This week, Karen is equally open and honest in talking about what the experience felt like on her end at that time, and how she evolved to where she is today. Karen Pacent is a certified coach, meditation instructor, and business leader. See the work she's doing at www.karenpacent.com.

We're celebrating Bisexual Awareness Week with author and comedian Sara Benincasa ("Real Artists Have Day Jobs;" the queer YA novel "Great"), who has the funniest coming out story we've heard so far! She talks to us about Catholic indoctrination, Queer Twitter, and what it's like to be bisexual on dating apps. Plus, we fangirl over Nicole's SUPER-CUTE HUSBAND OMG!!! Follow @SaraJBenincasa on Twitter and IG, and check out www.sarabenincasa.com for alllll of Sara's amazing stuff.

This is a difficult but important one. A.J. Salas, a Latinx writer/performance artist, was raised as a Jehovah's Witness, and experienced some of the worst things associated with growing up gay in a religion that considers homosexuality a sin. He speaks to us candidly about what he's endured, and how he's managed to emerge from it all as a confident, happy adult. You can follow A.J. on Instagram at @dreamingalexander.

This week we are joined by Leigh Holmes Foster, co-host of fellow queer podcast Lez Hang Out! Leigh tells us about the "shitshow of emotions and hormones and confusion and stuff" that she tried to hide under a facade of normalcy throughout much of high school before coming out. Also: LiveJournal, Xena, Buffy, AIM, Brad Pitt, prom, and crushing on your straight best friend. You know; the basics. Find Leigh on both Twitter and Instagram at @lshfoster, and follow Lez Hang Out everywhere at @lezhangoutpod!

Comedian AB Cassidy (This Is Us, "Lez Bomb;" pronouns: they/them) takes us on a hilarious and heartwarming ride that includes secretly applying to boarding schools and becoming “the King of Fat Camp” – and that only takes us up through age 16! They also talk to us about just recently learning to embrace the fact that they’re genderfluid, an identity that is still evolving for them. All this; plus, DOBBY’S IN THE CLOSET! Find AB on IG at @funnylezbo; all shows at www.abcassidy.com.

It’s a Very Special Episode as we’re joined by THE FIRST PERSON LAUREN EVER CAME OUT TO! Kieran Smiley (a construction manager/Lauren’s BFF from high school; see Ep 1) grew up the youngest of five boys in a Catholic, mostly-military household. He talks to us about grappling with his sexuality amidst ever-present machismo, working in a heteronormative industry, and how his father came to accept him in an incredibly meaningful way. Also, Lauren squeals a lot because she loves him, and it’s very cute.

Australian actress Mandahla Rose (All About E; Forever Not Maybe) had no idea she was gay until her mid-twenties, but once she knew, she KNEW! It gets hotter than usual in the closet this week as we talk first kisses, first hook-ups, and where to find the most authentic lesbian porn. Oh, and did we mention Mandahla was raised by nuns? This girl is FULL of surprises. P.S. #sorrynotsorry for the sexy accent. Follow Mandahla on Twitter and Instagram at @twiistedrose, and check out mandahlarose.com!