Forged in Fire: LGBTQ+ Leadership

Forged In Fire
  • 4.5 (8)
  • SOCIAL SCIENCES
  • UPDATED BIWEEKLY

Meet LGBTQ+ superheroes! Explore the nexus of LGBTQ+ identity and leadership development through interviews with leaders in business, government, academia, advocacy, entertainment and more! We'll dive into crucible moments in LGBTQ+ lives, such as stigmatization, coming out, or transition. Understand how leaders transformed what we often view as negative experiences into moments that accelerated their growth into leadership superheroes.

  1. Milwaukee Leadership, Public Service & LGBTQ Representation | Alderman Peter Burgelis

    MAR 2

    Milwaukee Leadership, Public Service & LGBTQ Representation | Alderman Peter Burgelis

    “We don’t have Democratic potholes or Republican snowplows.” Milwaukee Alderman Peter Burgelis joins Forged in Fire to talk about leadership where it matters most: the neighborhoods we live in. In this episode, Dr. Liz Cavallaro and guest co-host Eduardo Placer explore leadership in local government, public service, and LGBTQ representation in politics through Peter’s experience serving the people of Milwaukee. From knocking on thousands of doors to pointing out potholes on a neighbor’s street, Peter reflects on leading in one of the most immediate and accountable forms of government. Local office, he reminds us, is not about party labels. It is about solving problems and earning trust. Peter also shares how his immigrant roots, his grandmother’s quiet wisdom, and his early career in community lending shaped his belief that leadership is fundamentally about service. He discusses becoming the first openly LGBTQ elected official on the Milwaukee County Board, launching a recognition effort for LGBTQ leaders, and passing legislation ensuring the Intersex Progress Pride flag flies at city and county buildings during Pride Month. Leadership in local governmentLGBTQ representation in politicsCommunity engagement and public serviceMilwaukee civic leadership• Why representation and visibility matterLeadership is not forged in grand speeches. It is forged in everyday decisions, shared streets, and the commitment to serve every neighbor. 🎧 Follow Forged in Fire for conversations with leaders shaping their communities through courage, service, and authenticity.

    49 min
  2. The Yes Moment: Building Leadership Without the Mic

    FEB 2

    The Yes Moment: Building Leadership Without the Mic

    Season Four of Forged in Fire begins by turning the spotlight inward. In this welcome episode, host Liz Cavallaro is joined by rotating co-host Itay Bailey and members of the Forged in Fire volunteer team for a candid, reflective conversation about the leadership culture behind the season. Rather than focusing on titles or credentials, this episode explores the yes moments—the personal, often quiet decisions that lead people to step up, serve, and build something meaningful together. Executive Producer Kirsten Pecua, guest researcher Trinity Downing, and guest relations lead Robert Garrett share why they said yes to this work, how lived experience shapes their leadership, and what it looks like to lead without recognition, authority, or a microphone. Together, they reflect on empathy, trust, patience, burnout, boundaries, and the kind of leadership that happens behind the scenes—especially in uncertain times. This episode sets the tone for Season Four: leadership shaped through challenge, reflection, and lived experience, built by people who believe leadership begins long before a title and often without applause.

    1h 3m
  3. Leadership Without the Armor with Jon Lovitz

    12/16/2025

    Leadership Without the Armor with Jon Lovitz

    Jonathan Lovitz, Senior Vice President of Campaigns and Communications at the Human Rights Campaign, joins Forged in Fire to talk about leadership rooted in service, impact, and inclusion. From shaping national communications and policy efforts to advancing equality for LGBTQ+ and minority-owned businesses, Jon’s career reflects a commitment to leading with purpose rather than position. He shares lessons on self-awareness, adaptability, and creating space for others, and reminds us that strong leadership is built on trust, curiosity, and the courage to protect what matters most.

    58 min
  4. Protect Your Peace with Erica Vogel

    11/18/2025

    Protect Your Peace with Erica Vogel

    Tech leader, author, and trans advocate Erica Vogel joins Forged in Fire to talk about authenticity, vulnerability, and how a lifetime of solving problems shaped her leadership. From growing up without the language to describe her identity to leading global change initiatives at a Fortune 25 company, Erica’s journey shows that self-acceptance is both personal work and professional superpower. She shares lessons on storytelling, self-awareness, and the balance between openness and self-protection and reminds us that the key to leading well is to protect your peace.

    47 min
  5. This Is My Watch with Lisa Middleton

    11/04/2025

    This Is My Watch with Lisa Middleton

    Former Palm Springs mayor Lisa Middleton has spent her life breaking barriers—from working-class roots to the halls of California politics. In this episode, she joins Bree, Liz, and Eduardo to talk about courage, self-acceptance, and the art of listening as a tool for leadership. Lisa shares what it means to stand firm against hate, to build coalitions across difference, and to leave the next generation with a brighter, braver torch to carry forward. “Our uniqueness isn’t a problem to solve—it’s what makes the world interesting.” -Lisa Middleton

    41 min
  6. From Hidden to Heard with Bria Brown-King

    10/21/2025

    From Hidden to Heard with Bria Brown-King

    Bria Brown-King’s story is one of courage, authenticity, and calling. As a Black, queer, intersex, and nonbinary leader, Bria turned private pain into public purpose—first by finding language for their identity, and then by finding power in it. From a BuzzFeed video that changed everything to speaking on the steps of the Supreme Court, Bria shares how embracing visibility became both healing and revolutionary. With honesty and humor, they discuss humility vs. over-humility, the importance of building your own table, and what authentic leadership looks like for the next generation. This episode includes co-host Bethany Grace Howe.

    45 min
  7. Bonus Round of Life with JD Schramm

    10/07/2025

    Bonus Round of Life with JD Schramm

    JD Schramm’s journey, from a Kansas childhood steeped in faith, through addiction and despair, to becoming one of the country’s foremost voices on authentic communication, is proof that the darkest nights can forge the brightest leaders. JD reveals the personal crucible that shaped his philosophy: surviving a suicide attempt, reclaiming authenticity, and helping others find their voice. JD breaks down his audience-intent-message model, his “four C’s” of competence, confidence, clarity, and connection, and how queer leaders can balance empathy with impact. His call to action is simple but profound—be the torchbearer when the world feels dark.

    38 min
  8. Hunted by Story with Eduardo Placer

    09/23/2025

    Hunted by Story with Eduardo Placer

    In this episode, Bree, Liz, and guest host Blake Dremann are joined by Eduardo Placer, who brings a lifetime of performance—from musicals to keynote stages—into a fearless conversation about leadership, discomfort, and storytelling. Eduardo reflects on his family’s refugee history, the lessons of bilingual identity, and the role of discomfort as a crucible for resilience. With humor and candor, Eduardo outlines five pillars of powerful speaking, shares why naps and kindness are part of his resilience practice, and invites us to lean into the messy, beautiful work of leading as an embodied practice: not bad acting or “toxic alpha drag,” but presence, curiosity, and connection. For anyone struggling with nerves, perfectionism, or shame, this conversation is a reminder that discomfort is not the enemy—it’s the fire that forges us. If you're a speaker, visit Eduardo's website for this five-minute, pre-stage power-up. From Eduardo: As someone who’s walked through uncertainty and emerged stronger, I’m excited to share a FREE, quick, five-minute pre-stage power-up that helps transform nerves into embodied presence—because queer leadership is about stepping onto any stage with clarity, connection, and confidence.

    1 hr
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4.5
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About

Meet LGBTQ+ superheroes! Explore the nexus of LGBTQ+ identity and leadership development through interviews with leaders in business, government, academia, advocacy, entertainment and more! We'll dive into crucible moments in LGBTQ+ lives, such as stigmatization, coming out, or transition. Understand how leaders transformed what we often view as negative experiences into moments that accelerated their growth into leadership superheroes.

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