Mindfully Gay Podcast

John Cottrell & Jerry Buie
  • 4.8 (22)
  • SOCIETY & CULTURE
  • UPDATED BIWEEKLY

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. 18H AGO

    Mindfully Gay Podcast (Epi #61 Teaser: “Rewriting the Gay Agenda”)

    Send us Fan Mail “Rewriting the Gay Agenda” Airs May 22, 2026 What if the “gay agenda” was never what culture, politics, and religion said it was? In this powerful episode of The Mindfully Gay Podcast, John and Jerry reclaim one of the most loaded phrases in queer culture and give it an entirely new meaning. “Rewriting the Gay Agenda” is a bold, heartfelt conversation about gay identity, queer authenticity, internalized shame, coming out, self-acceptance, healing, and living truthfully in a world that has often tried to define LGBTQ+ people from the outside in. @mindfully_gay (Instagram)

    1 min

  2. MAY 8

    Sex as Currency: The Hidden Dynamics of Gay Male Connection (Epi 60)

    Send us Fan Mail Sex as Currency: The Hidden Dynamics of Gay Male Connection Airs May 8 What if the way we connect as gay men has been shaped more by survival than by intention? In this thought-provoking episode of The Mindfully Gay Podcast, hosts John Cottrell and Jerry Buie explore a powerful and often unspoken dynamic within gay male culture: the idea of sex as currency. Why do so many interactions between gay men—whether at the gym, on dating apps, or even at casual social gatherings—carry an underlying sexual expectation? Where does this come from, and how does it influence our ability to form meaningful connections? Drawing inspiration from a viral social media conversation, John and Jerry unpack how growing up in the closet, navigating shame, and living within a heteronormative culture may have shaped the way many gay men relate to one another. They discuss how sexuality—while something to celebrate—can sometimes become a gateway to validation, belonging, or worth. This episode offers a nuanced and honest look at: Why sexuality can feel like a form of “currency” in gay male spacesHow everyday environments can carry subtle (or not-so-subtle) sexual undertonesThe balance between celebrating sexual freedom and creating space for non-sexual connectionThe impact of cultural shame, religious conditioning, and internalized beliefsHow to build authentic friendships, intimacy, and community beyond expectationJohn and Jerry don’t shy away from complexity. Instead, they invite listeners to reflect on their own experiences and consider a new possibility: connection that isn’t transactional, but intentional. Whether you’ve ever questioned dating culture, felt pressure in social spaces, or simply want deeper connection within the LGBTQ+ community, this conversation offers insight, awareness, and a refreshing perspective. 🎧 Download and listen to the full episode on Apple Podcasts or Spotify 📺 Watch the full video episode on YouTube: Mindfully Gay Podcast @mindfully_gay (Instagram)

    59 min

  3. MAY 6

    Mindfully Gay Podcast (Epi #60 Teaser: “Sex as Currency: The Hidden Dynamics of Gay Male Connection”)

    Send us Fan Mail Sex as Currency: The Hidden Dynamics of Gay Male Connection Airs May 8 What if the way we connect as gay men has been shaped more by survival than by intention? In this thought-provoking episode of The Mindfully Gay Podcast, hosts John Cottrell and Jerry Buie explore a powerful and often unspoken dynamic within gay male culture: the idea of sex as currency. @mindfully_gay (Instagram)

    1 min

  4. APR 24

    Internalized Homophobia: The Stories We Tell About Ourselves (Epi 59)

    Send us Fan Mail Internalized Homophobia: The Stories We Tell About Ourselves (and Each Other) Aired April 24 What if the hardest judgment you face isn’t coming from the outside world—but from the story you’ve learned to tell about yourself? In this episode of The Mindfully Gay Podcast, hosts John Cottrell and Jerry Buie name a pattern many gay men quietly carry: internalized homophobia—the inherited beliefs, fears, and assumptions that can shape how we see ourselves, how we relate to other gay men, and how safe we feel showing up in community. John and Jerry explore how internalized homophobia often hides in plain sight: The urge to measure yourself against heteronormative “standards” of masculinity, worth, and belongingThe way painful experiences can turn into sweeping beliefs like “gay men can’t be trusted” or “I don’t fit in”Why so many gay men feel isolated from other gay men, even when they crave connectionHow social media comparison can intensify shame, exclusion, and the feeling that you’re “not enough”The nervous system fears behind simple moments—like why saying “hello” at the gym can feel loaded with anxiety or rejectionThis conversation is also deeply practical. John and Jerry share how to start interrupting the narrative loop—through small acts of courage, real-world connection, and community spaces that aren’t centered on partying or performance. From gym interactions to social groups, they reflect on how testing your assumptions in real life can dissolve the myths that keep you stuck. If you’ve ever felt like you don’t belong, if you’ve judged yourself for being “too much” or “not enough,” or if you’ve pulled away from gay community out of fear—this episode offers language, compassion, and a path forward. 🎧 Listen and download the audio episode on Apple Podcasts or Spotify. 📺 Watch the video podcast on YouTube: Mindfully Gay Podcast. @mindfully_gay (Instagram)

    1 hr

  5. APR 22

    Mindfully Gay Podcast (Epi #59 Teaser: “Internalized Homophobia: The Stories We Tell About Ourselves”)

    Send us Fan Mail Internalized Homophobia: The Stories We Tell About Ourselves (and Each Other) Airs April 24 What if the hardest judgment you face isn’t coming from the outside world—but from the story you’ve learned to tell about yourself? In this episode of The Mindfully Gay Podcast, hosts John Cottrell and Jerry Buie name a pattern many gay men quietly carry: internalized homophobia—the inherited beliefs, fears, and assumptions that can shape how we see ourselves, how we relate to other gay men, and how safe we feel showing up in community. @mindfully_gay (Instagram)

    1 min

  6. APR 10

    More Than Pride: What Queer Community Needs Now (Epi 58)

    Send us Fan Mail What does queer community really need right now—and what happens when Pride becomes more than a parade, a slogan, or a once-a-year celebration? In this special on-location episode of The Mindfully Gay Podcast, hosts John Cottrell and Jerry Buie step outside the studio and head to the Utah Pride Center in downtown Salt Lake City for an eye-opening conversation with Executive Director Chad Call. Together, they explore what it means to build authentic LGBTQ+ community in a time marked by political pressure, cultural shifts, financial uncertainty, and a growing hunger for connection. This episode goes beyond surface-level ideas of Pride and gets to the heart of what many queer people are searching for right now: belonging, support, visibility, joy, healing, and meaningful community spaces. Chad offers a behind-the-scenes look at how the Utah Pride Center serves the LGBTQ+ community through youth programs, senior gatherings, therapy access, support groups, social events, volunteer opportunities, and grassroots outreach across the state of Utah. John, Jerry, and Chad also discuss the changing needs of queer people today. Why are more people looking for community spaces that are not only about struggle, but also about celebration, creativity, friendship, and queer joy? How do LGBTQ+ organizations stay responsive when different groups within the community have different needs? And how can listeners support queer spaces that are working to unite, empower, and celebrate people in real and lasting ways? The conversation also takes on difficult but necessary topics, including the current challenges facing Pride organizations across the country, the loss of corporate sponsorships, the importance of community-based funding, and the question of how LGBTQ+ spaces can remain inclusive while responding to urgent political realities. Throughout the episode, John and Jerry continue the Mindfully Gay mission of asking honest questions, making room for nuance, and amplifying voices across the queer community. If you’ve ever wondered what a Pride Center actually does, why queer community spaces still matter, or how we can show up for one another in a more thoughtful and sustainable way, this is an episode you won’t want to miss. @mindfully_gay (Instagram)

    1h 10m

  7. APR 8

    Mindfully Gay Podcast (Epi #58 Teaser: “More Than Pride: What Queer Community Needs Now”)

    Send us Fan Mail More Than Pride: What Queer Community Needs Now Airs April 10 What does queer community really need right now—and what happens when Pride becomes more than a parade, a slogan, or a once-a-year celebration? In this special on-location episode of The Mindfully Gay Podcast, hosts John Cottrell and Jerry Buie step outside the studio and head to the Utah Pride Center in downtown Salt Lake City for an eye-opening conversation with Executive Director Chad Call. Together, they explore what it means to build authentic LGBTQ+ community in a time marked by political pressure, cultural shifts, financial uncertainty, and a growing hunger for connection. @mindfully_gay (Instagram)

    1 min

  8. MAR 27

    Rebranding at Any Age: Breaking Gay Ageism and Claiming Your Place in the Circle (Epi 57)

    Send us Fan Mail What does it mean to feel invisible in a community that’s supposed to be yours? In this episode of The Mindfully Gay Podcast, John and Jerry respond to the strong reactions sparked by their recent “Kindness” episode—and follow the ripple to something even bigger: why so many gay and queer men feel disillusioned with gay culture, and why it can be so hard to actually show up for the kind of connection we say we want. Jerry shares what he’s seeing in his therapy office again and again: men who feel dismissed, disconnected, and tired of the pressure to perform—whether it’s image, status, or the over-sexualized expectations that can dominate queer spaces. John and Jerry name the uncomfortable paradox: so many of us say we want community beyond hookups and nightlife—yet we hesitate to attend the very spaces designed for that (bowling nights, movie nights, retreats, and real conversation). From there, the conversation turns to a topic that hits hard for many listeners: aging in gay male culture. What happens when you start telling yourself you’re “not relevant” anymore? What happens when you put yourself out to pasture before anyone else can? Jerry opens up about confronting the stories he carried about getting older—body shame, desirability, confidence, and belonging—and how he’s choosing a new path through what he calls rebranding: challenging old narratives, engaging what feels intimidating, and creating a more honest relationship with his body, his sexuality, and his purpose. John and Jerry also explore what queer spaces may be missing: eldership, mentorship, and intergenerational connection. They compare that gap to cultures where elders are honored, included, and seen as essential—and they ask what it would look like for queer community to function more like a circle than a hierarchy. Not “who’s at the top,” but who’s at the table. If you’ve ever thought… “I don’t fit in.”“Gay culture feels superficial.”“I want deeper friendships, but I don’t know where to start.”“I’m getting older and I’m not sure where I belong.”…this episode is for you. @mindfully_gay (Instagram)

    59 min
See All (132)

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
    132
  • Rating
    Explicit
  • Copyright
    © 2026 Mindfully Gay Podcast
  • Show Website
    Mindfully Gay Podcast

You Might Also Like