Big Gay Overalls - Stories of Love, Identity and Pride

Lisa Kirkman
  • 4.4 (7)
  • SEXUALITY
  • UPDATED WEEKLY

My story as a someone who has come out later in life, and navigating my way to finding love, not only with another but also finding it for myself and accepting my whole self. A place to share stories to show those on the path that it can be a happy journey and worth the first steps.

  1. BGO E37 - After Coming Out: The Messy, Honest Middle


    10/06/2025

    BGO E37 - After Coming Out: The Messy, Honest Middle


    Welcome back to The Big Gay Overalls Podcast — it’s been a minute. Like… since June. Life’s been lifing: caregiving for my mum, navigating grief and growth, chasing a dream to become a teaching pro golfer, and trying to figure out what to say when you’ve already told your big coming out story. This episode isn’t polished. It’s not a highlight reel. It’s the real, raw middle — the “after” part of coming out that no one really talks about. Because here’s what I think: Coming out isn’t one big event — it’s a million tiny moments where you keep meeting yourself again and again. In this episode, I talk about: Why I hit pause on the podcast (and what pulled me back)The quiet, everyday work of becoming after you’ve already been braveThe waves of identity, belonging, and self-reintroduction that keep comingLife updates: caregiving, golf dreams, book talks, and chasing overdue payHow to build a life that fits after decades of ticking boxes that didn’tIf you’re somewhere in that in-between — living out, but still figuring out what’s next — this one’s for you. You’re not alone in the messy middle. Let’s stay connected: Website: www.biggayoverallspodcast.comEmail: lisa@biggayoverallspodcast.comInstagram/TikTok: @biggayoverallspodcastJoin the community: Embracing My Big Gay Overalls (Facebook Group)For Aussie listeners: Rainbow Women - Coming Out Later in Life/Late Bloomers (Lesbian)If this episode resonates, drop a comment, send me a message, or share it with someone who needs to hear that their “after” matters too. Burn The Script Book https://www.amazon.com.au/stores/author/B0DPQXV9VV?ingress=0&visitId=ec11fad7-07fb-4c9f-9086-4e5b4baf9ad2&ref_=ap_rd Subscribe, like, and share if you found this episode meaningful!  And please leave me a 5 Star Rating and Review if you love the Podcast!

    26 min
  2. BGO E36 - No More Hiding: Wendy Cole on Coming Out at 67 and Finally Living Free

    06/05/2025

    BGO E36 - No More Hiding: Wendy Cole on Coming Out at 67 and Finally Living Free

    Trigger warning: This episode includes mention of suicidal ideation and mental health struggles. Please listen with care. What does it take to finally choose yourself after a lifetime of silence? In this unmissable episode of the Big Gay Overalls podcast, I sit down with the fierce, wise, and wonderfully honest Wendy Cole—transgender advocate, speaker, and transition mentor—who came out at 67 years old and completely rebuilt her life from scratch. From facing down psychiatric cruelty in the 1970s, to surviving suicidal ideation, to walking proudly into the world as her full self, Wendy’s story is not just one of gender identity—it’s a masterclass in courage, self-reinvention, and saying, “No more. I get to be me now.” We dive deep into the emotional, psychological, and social layers of transitioning later in life, why self-awareness and self-acceptance matter more than hormones or presentation, and how she finally found joy, connection, and love on the other side of pain. This isn’t just a conversation about being trans. It’s a conversation about being human. And if you’ve ever felt like you’ve lived your life at arm’s length—like you’ve been performing someone else's version of you—this one will hit you right in the gut (and then light a fire under it). Follow Wendy at: MeetWendyCole.comWendy’s Podcast: Demystifying the Transgender Journey (co-hosted with Lynn Murphy) 🎧 Grab your headphones. Your inner rebel’s gonna love this one. 📲 Follow on socials @biggayoverallspodcast for more stories, insights, and conversations. Burn The Script Book https://www.amazon.com.au/stores/author/B0DPQXV9VV?ingress=0&visitId=ec11fad7-07fb-4c9f-9086-4e5b4baf9ad2&ref_=ap_rd If you’d like to connect with me, collaborate, or explore ways we can work together—whether it’s for coaching, storytelling projects, or speaking engagements—I’d love to hear from you!  Visit www.biggayoverallspodcast.com or email me directly  Let’s create something meaningful together! Join our supportive community: Embracing My Big Gay Overalls on Facebook https://www.facebook.com/share/g/1BTmLa96fc/?mibextid=wwXIfr Subscribe, like, and share if you found this episode meaningful!  And please leave me a 5 Star Rating and Review if you love the Podcast! Connect with me Email Lisa@biggayoverallspodcast.com Instagram/Tik Tok/Threads @biggayoverallspodcast

    1h 35m
  3. BGO E35 - Before & After: When You’ve Built a Life Around Being Who You’re Not

    05/22/2025

    BGO E35 - Before & After: When You’ve Built a Life Around Being Who You’re Not

    This episode is a bit of a deep dive, and a long overdue one. I’ve been sitting in a space of reflection lately, trying to make sense of the before and after of my life. Not the shiny, curated “before and after” you see in gym photos… but the emotional, soul-level shift of what happens when you stop living a life that looks good on the outside and start living one that feels right on the inside. In this episode, I’m sharing what it was really like to come out late in life, not just as a lesbian, but as me. What it felt like to live a life that ticked all the boxes but left me feeling empty, bone-tired, and disconnected from my own skin. I talk about the anger I carried, the shame I buried, and the constant push to be someone I wasn’t… all in the hope of being accepted. But I also talk about the shift. The grief and fear that came with unraveling that life. The slow, quiet moments of stepping into my truth. And the lightness—oh my god, the relief—that followed. This is for you if you’ve ever found yourself wondering, “What if I built my whole life being someone I’m not?” If you’re in that before stage, where something doesn’t quite fit and you can’t unsee it anymore. Or if you’ve already started that journey and you’re navigating the messy middle. You’re not too late. You’re not broken. And you’re not selfish for wanting more. I hope this episode reminds you that you’re allowed to change. You’re allowed to grow. And you are 100% allowed to be you—even if you’re still figuring out who that is. 🎧 Listen now, subscribe, and don’t forget to share with someone who needs to hear this! 📲 Follow on socials @biggayoverallspodcast for more stories, insights, and conversations. Burn The Script Book https://www.amazon.com.au/stores/author/B0DPQXV9VV?ingress=0&visitId=ec11fad7-07fb-4c9f-9086-4e5b4baf9ad2&ref_=ap_rd If you’d like to connect with me, collaborate, or explore ways we can work together—whether it’s for coaching, storytelling projects, or speaking engagements—I’d love to hear from you!  Visit www.biggayoverallspodcast.com or email me directly  Let’s create something meaningful together! Join our supportive community: Embracing My Big Gay Overalls on Facebook https://www.facebook.com/share/g/1BTmLa96fc/?mibextid=wwXIfr Subscribe, like, and share if you found this episode meaningful!  And please leave me a 5 Star Rating and Review if you love the Podcast! Connect with me Email Lisa@biggayoverallspodcast.com Instagram/Tik Tok/Threads @biggayoverallspodcast

    36 min
  4. BGO E34 - Joy, Grief, and the Space In Between

    04/22/2025

    BGO E34 - Joy, Grief, and the Space In Between

    It’s been a minute, but I’m back—and today’s episode is the realest I’ve ever recorded. It’s our wedding anniversary, and while I’m swimming in love and gratitude, I’m also wading through grief, family dysfunction, and the kind of emotional complexity Hallmark doesn’t make cards for. I talk candidly about what it feels like to be fully loved for the first time, the ache of navigating a difficult relationship with my mother (especially through her Alzheimer’s), and how this life I’m living now—authentic, chosen, intentional—wasn’t even on my radar 15 years ago. If you’ve ever felt stuck between joy and loss, if you’re still trying to come home to yourself, or if you're wondering if true acceptance is even real—this one’s for you. No script. No filter. Just real talk from your Big Gay Overalls podcast host. 🎧 Listen now, subscribe, and don’t forget to share with someone who needs to hear this! 📲 Follow on socials @biggayoverallspodcast for more stories, insights, and conversations. Burn The Script Book https://www.amazon.com.au/stores/author/B0DPQXV9VV?ingress=0&visitId=ec11fad7-07fb-4c9f-9086-4e5b4baf9ad2&ref_=ap_rd If you’d like to connect with me, collaborate, or explore ways we can work together—whether it’s for coaching, storytelling projects, or speaking engagements—I’d love to hear from you!  Visit www.biggayoverallspodcast.com or email me directly  Let’s create something meaningful together! Join our supportive community: Embracing My Big Gay Overalls on Facebook https://www.facebook.com/share/g/1BTmLa96fc/?mibextid=wwXIfr Subscribe, like, and share if you found this episode meaningful!  And please leave me a 5 Star Rating and Review if you love the Podcast! Connect with me Email Lisa@biggayoverallspodcast.com Instagram/Tik Tok/Threads @biggayoverallspodcast

    32 min
  5. BGO E33 - Learning to Relationship

    03/27/2025

    BGO E33 - Learning to Relationship

    This week, I'm diving into something that’s been sitting heavy and beautiful in my heart: what it really means to learn to relationship, not just romantically, but with myself and the people around me, now that I’m living as my full, true self. After a weekend away with Sharon’s incredible aunties (yes, the ones who’ve redefined family and unconditional love for me), I found myself reflecting on the difference between performing love and actually receiving it. And let me tell you, it’s a whole journey. I talk about how we often grieve the life we never wanted but still tried so hard to make work. I share what it’s like to experience love that isn’t transactional, to learn how to speak up for what I need, and to let people in, without flinching. Because for so many of us who came out later in life, we’re not just learning how to be loved... we’re learning how to love ourselves first. This episode is for you if: You’ve ever felt awkward or overwhelmed when someone genuinely loves youYou’re still figuring out how to show up in relationships without editing yourselfYou’re wondering if it’s normal to grieve the old you (spoiler: it is)Or you just want a reminder that you’re not too late, not too broken, and not alone I also chat about the release of my book, Burn the Script, which is now out in the wild and available on Amazon! Links in the show notes, or hit me up if you're in Australia and want a signed copy. I’d love to hear from you, what’s been the hardest or most healing part of learning to relationship for you? DM me, email me, or even better, come be a guest on the pod. We’re just having real chats here. Thanks for being here. Thanks for being brave. And remember, you are worthy of the good stuff. 🎧 Listen now, subscribe, and don’t forget to share with someone who needs to hear this! 📲 Follow on socials @biggayoverallspodcast for more stories, insights, and conversations. Burn The Script Book https://www.amazon.com.au/stores/author/B0DPQXV9VV?ingress=0&visitId=ec11fad7-07fb-4c9f-9086-4e5b4baf9ad2&ref_=ap_rd If you’d like to connect with me, collaborate, or explore ways we can work together—whether it’s for coaching, storytelling projects, or speaking engagements—I’d love to hear from you!  Visit www.biggayoverallspodcast.com or email me directly  Let’s create something meaningful together! Join our supportive community: Embracing My Big Gay Overalls on Facebook https://www.facebook.com/share/g/1BTmLa96fc/?mibextid=wwXIfr Subscribe, like, and share if you found this episode meaningful!  And please leave me a 5 Star Rating and Review if you love the Podcast! Connect with me Email Lisa@biggayoverallspodcast.com Instagram/Tik Tok/Threads @biggayoverallspodcast

    30 min
  6. BGO E32 -Am I Doing Gay Wrong?

    03/17/2025

    BGO E32 -Am I Doing Gay Wrong?

    In this episode, I dive into the messy, confusing, and sometimes hilarious reality of figuring out what it even means to be queer when you come out later in life. From questioning if there’s a “right” way to be gay to navigating queer spaces like a deer in rainbow headlights, I share my own journey of feeling like an imposter in my own community. If you’ve ever wondered, Do I fit in? Am I doing this right?, you’re not alone. Spoiler: There’s no queer checklist, no standardized test, and no one’s handing out “official gay” badges. You belong simply because you are. Join me for this deep-dive into identity, self-acceptance, and burning the script on what queer is “supposed” to look like. Whether you came out last week or last decade, this episode is for you. 🎧 Listen now, subscribe, and don’t forget to share with someone who needs to hear this! 📲 Follow on socials @biggayoverallspodcast for more stories, insights, and conversations. If you’d like to connect with me, collaborate, or explore ways we can work together—whether it’s for coaching, storytelling projects, or speaking engagements—I’d love to hear from you!  Visit www.biggayoverallspodcast.com or email me directly  Let’s create something meaningful together! Join our supportive community: Embracing My Big Gay Overalls on Facebook https://www.facebook.com/share/g/1BTmLa96fc/?mibextid=wwXIfr Subscribe, like, and share if you found this episode meaningful!  And please leave me a 5 Star Rating and Review if you love the Podcast! Connect with me Email Lisa@biggayoverallspodcast.com Instagram/Tik Tok/Threads @biggayoverallspodcast

    28 min
  7. BGO E31 - Returning to the Past

    03/10/2025

    BGO E31 - Returning to the Past

    Cyclone Alfred may have brought wind and rain, but it also delivered a powerful moment of reflection. In this episode, I share what it was like staying in my ex-home, where my mum still lives with my ex-husband, during the storm.  Returning to that house wasn’t just about keeping my mum safe; it was a stark reminder of how far I’ve come. From walking through the same doors as a completely different person to realizing the weight of the past I once carried, this experience was an unexpected checkpoint in my journey of growth. I dive into navigating complex family dynamics, maintaining an amicable relationship with an ex, and why people can be so damn judgy about how we handle our own lives. This isn’t just a story about weathering a literal storm, but about revisiting old spaces without getting stuck in them. Because sometimes, you don’t realize how much you've changed until you're back where you started, but this time, as your authentic self. Listen in for reflections, real talk, and maybe a few laughs about surviving both cyclones and complicated family dynamics Dying Inside Ebook Amazon Stores US https://a.co/d/54QZFo6 AU  https://amzn.asia/d/2Hc9Cww UK https://amzn.eu/d/jefXR2x CA https://amzn.eu/d/jefXR2x 📲 Follow on socials @biggayoverallspodcast for more stories, insights, and conversations. If you’d like to connect with me, collaborate, or explore ways we can work together—whether it’s for coaching, storytelling projects, or speaking engagements—I’d love to hear from you!  Visit www.biggayoverallspodcast.com or email me directly  Let’s create something meaningful together! Join our supportive community: Embracing My Big Gay Overalls Skool  https://www.skool.com/embracing-my-big-gay-overalls-7167/about Subscribe, like, and share if you found this episode meaningful!  And please leave me a 5 Star Rating and Review if you love the Podcast! Connect with me Email Lisa@biggayoverallspodcast.com

    23 min
  8. BGO E30 - Love Makes Us Brave

    03/02/2025

    BGO E30 - Love Makes Us Brave

    Fear kept me stuck for years. Love pushed me forward.  In this episode of Big Gay Overalls Podcast, I’m talking about something that’s been rolling around in my brain lately, the way real, unconditional love makes us braver than we ever thought we could be. Not just romantic love, but the kind that comes from friends, family, and most importantly, from within ourselves. I spent a decade knowing I was gay but feeling completely lost on how to actually live as my true self. The fear of what I’d lose kept me paralysed, until love gave me the courage to take the first step. I’ve felt that same fear in other parts of my life too, starting this podcast, writing my book (Burn the Script, coming soon…), if I can stop overthinking it), and building a business around authenticity.  But every time I’ve taken a leap, love, whether from my wife, my friends, or this amazing Big Gay Overalls community, has caught me. If you're standing on the edge of something scary, whether it's coming out, starting over, or just admitting to yourself that you want more, this episode is for you.  You don’t have to be fearless. You just need enough love to take the next step. And if you don’t feel like you have it? Borrow some of mine. Dying Inside Ebook Amazon Stores US https://a.co/d/54QZFo6 AU  https://amzn.asia/d/2Hc9Cww UK https://amzn.eu/d/jefXR2x CA https://amzn.eu/d/jefXR2x 📲 Follow on socials @biggayoverallspodcast for more stories, insights, and conversations. If you’d like to connect with me, collaborate, or explore ways we can work together—whether it’s for coaching, storytelling projects, or speaking engagements—I’d love to hear from you!  Visit www.biggayoverallspodcast.com or email me directly  Let’s create something meaningful together! Join our supportive community: Embracing My Big Gay Overalls Skool  https://www.skool.com/embracing-my-big-gay-overalls-7167/about Subscribe, like, and share if you found this episode meaningful!  And please leave me a 5 Star Rating and Review if you love the Podcast! Connect with me Email Lisa@biggayoverallspodcast.com

    27 min
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4.4
out of 5
7 Ratings

About

My story as a someone who has come out later in life, and navigating my way to finding love, not only with another but also finding it for myself and accepting my whole self. A place to share stories to show those on the path that it can be a happy journey and worth the first steps.

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