Mindfully Gay Podcast

John Cottrell & Jerry Buie

Welcome to the Mindfully Gay Podcast hosted by Jerry Buie and John Cottrell. Listen to these heart-to-heart conversations that transcend the ordinary. Guided by a simple yet impactful questions, John and Jerry unravel a tapestry of emotional dialogues. They delve courageously into the essence of what it means to take risks as a gay man, navigating through the intricate pathways of bravery, vulnerability, and the ultimate quest for self-acceptance. Their personal narratives of courageously facing fears and embracing their true selves are not just stories, but powerful testaments to the resilience and vibrancy of the gay experience.

  1. Jul 24

    Pioneer Day, But Make It Gay (Epi 66)

    Send us Fan Mail Pioneer Day, But Make It Gay | Mindfully Gay Podcast  Air Date: July 24, 2026 What does it mean to be a pioneer? In this special Pioneer Day episode of The Mindfully Gay Podcast, John and Jerry take a uniquely queer look at Utah’s Pioneer Day and ask an important question: Who are the gay pioneers who made our lives possible today? From the early LGBTQ+ activists who risked everything for visibility and equality, to the everyday people who dared to live authentically when it wasn’t safe, this conversation honors the trailblazers who paved the way for future generations of queer people. John and Jerry explore the importance of LGBTQ+ history, why many younger queer people may feel disconnected from the struggles and victories that came before them, and how understanding our collective past can strengthen our sense of identity, belonging, and community. The conversation touches on influential figures such as James Baldwin, Harry Hay, Marsha P. Johnson, Bayard Rustin, Harvey Milk, Larry Kramer, and countless others whose courage changed the course of LGBTQ+ history. They also reflect on the HIV/AIDS crisis, the evolution of Pride celebrations, the fight against conversion therapy, queer mental health advocacy, and the power of living openly in a world that often encourages conformity. Jerry shares stories from his work pioneering LGBTQ+-affirming mental health services in Utah, while John reflects on the mentors, teachers, and spiritual guides who helped him embrace both his faith and his identity. Most importantly, this episode challenges listeners to consider their own role in shaping the future. You don’t have to lead a movement, start an organization, or become famous to be a pioneer. Sometimes the most revolutionary act is simply telling the truth about who you are. Whether you’re newly out, questioning your identity, exploring queer history, celebrating Pride, or looking for inspiration to live more authentically, this conversation offers a meaningful reminder that every generation stands on the shoulders of those who came before. What part of LGBTQ+ history has inspired you most? And in what ways are you becoming a pioneer in your own life? Listen now and join the conversation. Download the audio episode on Apple Podcasts and Spotify. Watch the full video podcast on YouTube at Mindfully Gay Podcast. Visit MindfullyGay.com for upcoming events, community gatherings, and additional resources. @mindfully_gay (Instagram)

  2. Jul 22

    Mindfully Gay Podcast (Epi #66 Teaser: “Pioneer Day, But Make It Gay”)

    Send us Fan Mail What does it mean to be a pioneer? In this special Pioneer Day episode of The Mindfully Gay Podcast, John and Jerry take a uniquely queer look at Utah’s Pioneer Day and ask an important question: Who are the gay pioneers who made our lives possible today? From the early LGBTQ+ activists who risked everything for visibility and equality, to the everyday people who dared to live authentically when it wasn’t safe, this conversation honors the trailblazers who paved the way for future generations of queer people. @mindfully_gay (Instagram)

  3. Jul 10

    The Medicine of Pleasure: Queerness, Sensuality, and Sacred Practice (Epi 65)

    Send us Fan Mail The Medicine of Pleasure: Queerness, Sensuality, and Sacred Practice  Aired July 10th on The Mindfully Gay Podcast What if pleasure wasn’t something to fear, suppress, or hide—but something sacred? In this powerful and provocative new episode of The Mindfully Gay Podcast, John and Jerry explore one of their most transformative conversations yet: the relationship between queer identity, sensuality, spirituality, and the healing power of pleasure. “The Medicine of Pleasure: Queerness, Sensuality, and Sacred Practice” challenges the shame-based narratives many LGBTQ+ people have inherited from religion, culture, politics, and internalized homophobia. Together, John and Jerry ask what becomes possible when queer people begin reclaiming pleasure not merely as sexual expression, but as healing, embodiment, ritual, activism, and spiritual connection. From conversations about religious conditioning, sexual shame, and substance use in queer communities to tantra, body sensuality, sacred sexuality, and indigenous wisdom traditions, this episode offers an honest and expansive look at what it means to reconnect with your body, your joy, and your authentic self. Listeners will explore: How religion and cultural shame have impacted queer relationships with pleasureWhy so many LGBTQ+ individuals struggle to access joy, sensuality, and self-acceptanceThe difference between pleasure, intimacy, sensuality, eroticism, and spiritual practiceHow tantra, self-touch, mindfulness, and ritual can support healingQueer pleasure as activism and resistanceIndigenous and shamanic perspectives on sexual energy as sacred medicineThe importance of reclaiming joy, embodiment, and connection as part of healingThis episode is bold, funny, spiritually rich, and deeply personal—inviting listeners to rethink pleasure as nourishment for the body, mind, and soul. Whether you are healing from shame, exploring queer spirituality, reclaiming your sensuality, or simply curious about the intersection of pleasure and sacred practice, this conversation offers insight, empowerment, and reflection. Join John and Jerry on July 10th for a conversation that celebrates queer joy, embodied healing, and the radical act of fully receiving pleasure. Download the audio episode on Apple Podcasts or Spotify.  Watch the full video episode on YouTube at Mindfully Gay Podcast. Because healing isn’t only about releasing pain.  Sometimes healing is learning how to receive joy. @mindfully_gay (Instagram)

  4. Jul 8

    Mindfully Gay Podcast (Epi #65 Teaser: “Pleasure As Medicine”)

    Send us Fan Mail The Medicine of Pleasure: Queerness, Sensuality, and Sacred Practice  Airs July 10th on The Mindfully Gay Podcast What if pleasure wasn’t something to fear, suppress, or hide—but something sacred? In this powerful and provocative new episode of The Mindfully Gay Podcast, John and Jerry explore one of their most transformative conversations yet: the relationship between queer identity, sensuality, spirituality, and the healing power of pleasure. @mindfully_gay (Instagram)

  5. Jun 26

    Survival to Thriving: The Evolution of Gay Pride (Epi 64)

    Send us Fan Mail Survival to Thriving: The Evolution of Gay Pride Airs June 26th In this Pride Month episode of The Mindfully Gay Podcast, John Cottrell and Jerry Buie reflect on the evolution of Gay Pride—from the activist roots of the Stonewall Riots to today’s massive Pride festivals, parades, corporate sponsorships, chosen family gatherings, and sacred queer spaces. As the 57th anniversary of Stonewall approaches, John and Jerry ask a powerful question: How do we move from simply surviving as gay men to truly thriving in our identity, community, joy, and authenticity? Together, they explore how Pride began as protest, resistance, and survival, especially for generations shaped by secrecy, stigma, HIV/AIDS, religious shame, and the need to find safety in bars, clubs, college groups, chosen families, and underground queer spaces. They also celebrate how those spaces became more than social outlets—they became sacred places of belonging, healing, self-expression, activism, and connection. This conversation looks at Pride beyond the parade. What makes Pride meaningful rather than performative? How do we honor the activists, elders, artists, drag queens, leather daddies, friends, lovers, and chosen families who helped create the world we now live in? And how do we carry Pride beyond June into our everyday lives? John and Jerry invite listeners to reflect on their own coming out stories, sacred gay rituals, personal milestones, and the communities that helped them feel seen. From Stonewall to same-sex marriage, from gay bars to brunch tables, from survival to joy, this episode is a celebration of queer resilience, gay history, LGBTQ identity, and the ongoing power of living truthfully. Download the audio episode on Apple Podcasts or Spotify, and watch the video podcast on YouTube at Mindfully Gay Podcast. @mindfully_gay (Instagram)

  6. Jun 24

    Mindfully Gay Podcast (Epi #64 Teaser: “Survival to Thriving: The Evolution of Gay Pride”)

    Send us Fan Mail Survival to Thriving: The Evolution of Gay Pride Airs June 26th In this Pride Month episode of The Mindfully Gay Podcast, John Cottrell and Jerry Buie reflect on the evolution of Gay Pride—from the activist roots of the Stonewall Riots to today’s massive Pride festivals, parades, corporate sponsorships, chosen family gatherings, and sacred queer spaces. As the 57th anniversary of Stonewall approaches, John and Jerry ask a powerful question: How do we move from simply surviving as gay men to truly thriving in our identity, community, joy, and authenticity? @mindfully_gay (Instagram)

  7. Jun 19

    Coming Out as Ceremony: Reimagining Pride as a Rite of Passage (Epi 63)

    Send us Fan Mail Coming Out as Ceremony: Reimagining Pride as a Rite of Passage Aired June 19 What if coming out was honored not just as a personal revelation, but as a sacred rite of passage? In this powerful Pride Month episode of The Mindfully Gay Podcast, hosts John Cottrell and Jerry Buie explore a bold and meaningful question: How can we reimagine Pride and the coming out process as something ceremonial, communal, healing, and deeply affirming? Too often, coming out is treated as a private struggle followed by a public declaration. But for many LGBTQ+ people, the journey is much more layered than that. It can be lonely, emotional, liberating, and life-changing. In this episode, John and Jerry imagine a different possibility — one where coming out is witnessed, celebrated, and held with intention, much like rites of passage found in cultures around the world. Drawing from personal stories, spiritual traditions, queer experience, and community wisdom, this conversation explores the need for ritual, symbolism, belonging, and intergenerational connection within LGBTQ+ life. From the idea of a “coming out birthday” to ceremonial thresholds, rainbow sashes, community blessing, elder guidance, and a living “quilt of life,” this episode offers a moving vision for what queer celebration could become. John and Jerry also talk about the deeper hunger many gay men and queer people feel after coming out: the search for real community, authentic connection, and spaces where they can be fully seen beyond labels, apps, and surface-level identity. They reflect on the importance of honoring queer elders, learning from different generations, and creating meaningful traditions that affirm who we are all year long — not just during Pride Month. If you’ve ever wondered how to make Pride feel more personal, more spiritual, more healing, or more rooted in community, this episode is for you. In this episode, you’ll hear: Why coming out can be viewed as a rite of passageHow ritual and ceremony can bring more meaning to PrideThe importance of queer community, visibility, and belongingWhy intergenerational connection matters in LGBTQ+ spacesHow symbols, storytelling, and celebration can help affirm identityWhat it means to honor queer life while we are living itThis is a thoughtful and heartfelt conversation about gay identity, queer healing, LGBTQ+ spirituality, Pride Month, coming out stories, and building stronger queer community. Watch the video podcast on YouTube: Mindfully Gay Podcast Download the audio episode on Apple Podcasts or Spotify Join us for this special episode airing June 19 and be part of the conversation about what Pride could look like when it becomes not just a celebration, but a meaningful ceremony of authenticity, courage, and belonging. @mindfully_gay (Instagram)

  8. Jun 17

    Mindfully Gay Podcast (Epi #63 Teaser: “Coming Out as Ceremony: Reimagining Pride as a Rite of Passage”)

    Send us Fan Mail Coming Out as Ceremony: Reimagining Pride as a Rite of Passage Airs June 19 What if coming out was honored not just as a personal revelation, but as a sacred rite of passage? In this powerful Pride Month episode of The Mindfully Gay Podcast, hosts John Cottrell and Jerry Buie explore a bold and meaningful question: How can we reimagine Pride and the coming out process as something ceremonial, communal, healing, and deeply affirming? @mindfully_gay (Instagram)

See All (143)

4.8
out of 5
22 Ratings

About

Welcome to the Mindfully Gay Podcast hosted by Jerry Buie and John Cottrell. Listen to these heart-to-heart conversations that transcend the ordinary. Guided by a simple yet impactful questions, John and Jerry unravel a tapestry of emotional dialogues. They delve courageously into the essence of what it means to take risks as a gay man, navigating through the intricate pathways of bravery, vulnerability, and the ultimate quest for self-acceptance. Their personal narratives of courageously facing fears and embracing their true selves are not just stories, but powerful testaments to the resilience and vibrancy of the gay experience.

Information

  • Creator
    John Cottrell & Jerry Buie
  • Years Active
    2020 - 2026
  • Episodes
    143
  • Rating
    Explicit
  • Copyright
    © 2026 Mindfully Gay Podcast
  • Show Website
    Mindfully Gay Podcast

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