Embracing All of Me
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© Ross Victory
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For people who live between labels and refuse to disappear there.
Embracing All of Me is a podcast rooted in bi+ and bisexual experience and shaped by storytelling from global communities of color, a container for intimate stories of identity, desire, and becoming. Each conversation traces the quiet metamorphoses that unfold when people exist “in between,” forming a landmark for our communities and a broad invitation to those navigating complexity and nuance. Through embodied voices, artistic expression, and honest dialogue, EAoM explores what it takes to resist erasure, bash binaries, and expand our sense of belonging.
Hosted by Ross Victory, an award-winning multidisciplinary artist, author, poet, musician, and creative entrepreneur based in Los Angeles, CA.
Embracing All of Me is a podcast rooted in bi+ and bisexual experience and shaped by storytelling from global communities of color, a container for intimate stories of identity, desire, and becoming. Each conversation traces the quiet metamorphoses that unfold when people exist “in between,” forming a landmark for our communities and a broad invitation to those navigating complexity and nuance. Through embodied voices, artistic expression, and honest dialogue, EAoM explores what it takes to resist erasure, bash binaries, and expand our sense of belonging.
Hosted by Ross Victory, an award-winning multidisciplinary artist, author, poet, musician, and creative entrepreneur based in Los Angeles, CA.
33 Episodes
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On this episode of Embracing All of Me, Ross sits down with psychotherapist and death worker Stevie Luna Ibarra (they/she) to explore how grief takes shape inside queer people of color, especially during the holidays. Together, they unpack what happens when colonization, silence, identity, and family dynamics collide at the exact moment we need grounding the most.Stevie brings over 13 years of experience in mental health, end-of-life support, and community grief work. They break down the window of tolerance, explain what death doulas really do, and offer practical rituals for staying regulated when our families don’t have language for who we are—or for what we’ve lost.This episode is for anyone navigating complicated family systems, ancestral grief, the heaviness of the season, or the quiet ache of becoming. It’s also a reminder that grief isn’t just sorrow; it’s love, memory, transformation, and the human capacity to come home to ourselves again and again.If you’ve ever felt alone in your grief, this conversation is a soft landing place.Learn more about Pause at timetopause.org
In this episode of Embracing All of Me, Ross sits down with MARQUE, a Bronx-born, Puerto Rican singer-songwriter and dancer, to explore how dance, music, and creativity shape identity, healing, and self-expression.Together, they talk about growing up surrounded by rhythm, dance as a first language, and how performance and people-pleasing can become survival skills. One key takeaway from this conversation: sometimes the body learns how to survive before the mind ever catches up—and movement can be the bridge back to self.This episode is for creatives, dancers, music artists, queer men, and anyone learning how to soften without losing their edge.Check out Marque in the band ONQUE hereCheck out Heal It First hereRead about MARQUE's Savage collaboration with Ross on The Source MagazineFeedback for the podcast or the host? Access our feedback form hereDon't forget to rate and review the podcast!
On this episode of Embracing All of Me, Ross sits down with former U.S. Marine, certified life coach, and ally Langston Montgomery to explore masculinity, addiction recovery, and the emotional battles men often face in silence. Langston shares his journey through addiction, divorce, and the moment he finally stopped running from himself.Together, Ross and Langston discuss:How cultural and generational scripts teach men — especially Black and Brown men — to disconnect from their feelingsHow to know if you have an addictionWhy shame thrives in isolation and how community, therapy, and 12-step spaces support healingThe role of the “inner adult” in breaking reactive cyclesInstead of perfection, this episode centers the real, nonlinear work of becoming whole. If you’ve ever felt alone in your pain or unsure how to begin again, this conversation offers a grounded blueprint for healing — starting with the courage to tell the truth.Check out Blueprint Life Coaching here https://www.theblueprintlifecoaching.com/
Language is more than communication — it’s a technology. In this episode of Embracing All of Me, writer, speaker, and neurolinguistics practitioner Britnei Nicole breaks down how our words shape our nervous systems, our choices, and our sense of what’s possible.We explore inherited scripts, shadow work, identity, safety, racialized experiences, micro-skills for nervous system rewiring, and what it really means to become unfuckwithable in a world that is constantly trying to shape who we’re allowed to be.This conversation is practical, tender, and paradigm-shifting, especially for listeners navigating queerness, racialized identity, religious trauma, or the quiet ache of wanting to take up more space than the world has told them they deserve.Please rate and review the podcast on your favorite podcast platform. It helps us reach more listeners!Check out Britnei Nicole's work: https://www.britneinicole.com/Britnei's Linktree (all links)
Steven Underwood, award-winning writer, cultural critic, and digital worldbuilder, joins Embracing All of Me for a conversation that unfolds like a map of survival, imagination, and becoming. From a misunderstood tweet that led to a traumatizing arrest, to the grandmother who infused his life with art, to Frank Ocean’s influence on his queer awakenings, Steven breaks open what it means to create in an era where vulnerability is often punished and Black creativity is endlessly consumed and forgotten.Together, we trace the rise of the “New Black Digital Renaissance,” unpack the myth of Black excellence, talk about the politics of first kisses, and explore why introverts, dreamers, and digital kids have every right to be taken seriously as artists.Steven’s book, Forever for the Culture, drops January 27, 2026 in print and audio. Preorders now open.Steven Website:https://www.blaqueword.comPlease rate and review to grow the Embracing All of Me community!
In this bonus solo episode, Ross Victory examines why people choose interpretations of God that harm instead of heal. Using the viral Yolanda Adams clip as a springboard, Ross breaks down the forces behind fear-based theology—scarcity, control, inherited doctrine, community pressure, and the need for moral cover. Through history, psychology, and spiritual honesty, he exposes how interpretation becomes a mirror: fear, power, or liberation. This episode invites listeners to confront not what the Bible says, but why they choose the version of God they follow.
Latino hip-hop artist Ryan Xavier isn’t here to make himself palatable, he’s here to make you feel something! In this episode, we talk Texas pride, Ryan's influences from Hairspray to Florence & the Machine, his creative process, bisexual Latino representation in hip hop, balancing art and algorithm, building Xavier Nation and what happens when you show up online as yourself without waiting for permission. Ryan opens up about building a authentic persona "Bi Latino Top" in a genre that rarely leaves room for bi guys. And we end with his advice to artists that want to bring their full selves to their music and art.Check out Ryan Xavier's latest single, "Texas On" streaming everywhere.Follow Ryan Xavier on InstagramRyan's Linktree
In this episode of Embracing All of Me, Ross talks with sex educator Zoomy Taylor and animator/artist Chizu about what it means to be both Black and bisexual in a world that insists on binaries. Together, they dive into:Why bisexual people, especially bi+ Black women and fems, experience the highest rates of interpersonal violenceHow myths about “DL men” harm everyone and distort sexual health conversationsHow biphobia shows up in family, religion, and queer spacesDiaspora tensions (African vs. African American vs. Caribbean) and how they shape identityThe power of media and animation to rewrite representationThey discuss sex education, consent, bodily autonomy, domestic and sexual violence rates in the bi community, and the harmful assumption that bisexuality is a “stepping stone” or a privileged experience.This conversation is emotional, intellectual, and freeing.If you enjoy the podcast, please rate or review to help the algorithm reach more people.Reach Chizu:Chizu on Instagramaltaregoghholdings@gmail.comReach Zoomy:Zoomy on InstagramEmail Zoomy: reachzoomy@gmail.com Rate and review Embracing All of Me on your favorite podcast platform!
What does home really mean when you’ve crossed borders, rebuilt your life after loss, and found family in strangers? In this conversation, global nomad and entrepreneur Ken Krell takes us on a journey through airports, Pride flags, and unexpected moments of belonging spanning a life of 68 years.“Home is wherever you let people in,” Ken shares, reflecting on decades of travel, queer love across continents, and the lessons learned when safety, freedom, and loneliness collide on the road.From divorce, heart attack, and losing millions in the 2008 financial crash to reinventing life in Bangkok and Sydney, Ken opens up about resilience, queer identity, and the courage it takes to “read the room” in countries where being out can be dangerous—or transformative. Along the way, he shares why he created projects like PrideNomad, The Daily Hug, and SeenWithLove to help LGBTQ+ travelers, veterans, and elders find connection and community anywhere in the world.https://pridenomad.beehiiv.com/https://AlexListens.comhttps://DoThisWinToday.comhttps://MyDailyHug.com
This episode examines presence as a political, emotional, and spiritual discipline in an age of distraction. Ross shares how confronting what is, rather than what should be, has shaped his journey toward forty and reshaped his definition of abundance. Listeners are invited to consider presence as a form of protest and a pathway to becoming.
In this episode of Embracing All of Me, Ross sits down with Rick Goodwin, MSW, RSW, social worker, author, and the founder and Clinical Services Director of Men & Healing, to unpack the silent epidemic of shame carried by male survivors of sexual abuse. Together, they explore how masculinity, societal pressure, and outdated narratives which keep men, including bisexual, queer, and fluid men, from naming their trauma and seeking help.Rick shares insights from decades of clinical work and trauma recovery, including the role of the “male code,” how shame fuels rage, and why true healing starts in groups. Rick also shares advice for those who may not be ready to be visible as a survivor. Whether you’re a survivor, an ally, or someone rethinking what it means to be a man or work through internalized shape, this conversation opens the door to compassion and change.🔹 Topics include:– The real meaning of “one in six”– Why many men don’t recognize abuse when it happens– The shame–rage spiral– Reframing masculinity beyond blame– How to start healing when therapy feels out of reachThis episode is not only transformational, but a reference guide and illumination to the uniqueness of male trauma and survivors.Men & Healing - Psychotherapy for Men1 in 6: Support for Men Healing from Sexual Abuserick@menandhealing.ca
What do grief, bisexual representation in film and TV, and a foot fetish have in common? In this episode, writer, actor, filmmaker, and corporate trainer Chris McNeany shows us the power of embracing every side of ourselves — the pain, the joy, the awkward laughter, and the desires often kept in the shadows.From caregiving through cancer to creating bi+ films like More Than He Knows (with nearly 5 million views!), Chris takes us behind the scenes of storytelling that breaks stereotypes and gives bi+ narratives the visibility they deserve. Along the way, we talk about how humor, curiosity, and even kink can become part of healing — and how embracing all of ourselves doesn’t stop at the heavy pieces. It includes the pleasure and the play.If you’ve ever wondered how art, identity, and self-acceptance collide this conversation will make you laugh, think, and maybe even breathe a little easier.Blazing Ginger Corporate Training Programs (ACU MAX)More Than He Knows on Youtubethefootlonging.com Pancreatic Cancer Network Glioblastoma Foundation
What does it mean to carve out joy, liberation, and healing in a world that tries to write your story for you? In this week's conversation, Dr. Danielle Samuel, proud Black Caribbean bisexual woman, licensed therapist, entrepreneur and President of the Los Angeles Bi+ Task Force — takes us from her teenage years in Grenada, and St. Lucia to her work as a professor, therapist, and advocate creating ripples of change across communities.We talk about everything from navigating parental relationships while bi, biphobia in Black spaces to the pressure of leadership, from teenage rebellion to the deep work of self-preservation and joy. Danielle reminds us that representation matters, boundaries are sacred, and liberation begins with taking up space as our full selves.Danielle has an important message for parents of queer kids that everyone needs to hear!Learn more about Danielle and Joy and Liberation Therapy (California & Georgia) here:https://www.joyandliberationtherapy.com/Daniellesamuellmft@gmail.com
We're Back for Season 2!In this episode of Embracing All of Me, we go beyond the content to meet the real Michael Lemus — a proud Bi+ Latino creator, first-gen college graduate, first-gen professional, and founder of Reclaiming Your Happiness with Lemus, LLC.Michael opens up about navigating parentification, setting boundaries that others may not understand, choosing joy when it comes at a cost, and his ideal bisexual representation in media. From the pressure of being the first in his family to graduate college to the courageous act of creating distance for his own mental health, Michael’s story reveals what it means to honor yourself when the world — and sometimes those closest to us— simply doesn’t get it.https://www.reclaimingyourhappinesswithlemus.com/Scholars of ColorMichael on InstagramPillemer: Family estrangement a problem ‘hiding in plain sight’ on Cornell Chronicle (Article)
As a thank you for supporting Embracing All of Me, I’m giving away a FREE digital copy of my upcoming eBook, Embracing All of Me: Identity-Focused Writing for Bisexual, Pansexual, and Fluid Men!To claim yours:✅ Rate, review, or leave a comment on the podcast on Spotify or Apple Podcasts!✅ Screenshot your rating or review✅ Send the screenshot over to me via Instagram or email at embracingallofmee@gmail.comThis book is packed with insight, history, fun, stories, writing prompts, healing tools, and reflections to help you embrace your identity through the power of writing. Your review not only helps this podcast grow but also helps amplify the work we've been doing here.Listen now and grab your free copy!
In this bonus episode of Embracing All of Me, we go behind the scenes of a groundbreaking effort to bring digital visibility to millions of bisexual and bi+ individuals worldwide. Ross shares the journey of crafting a 29-page proposal to Unicode Technical Committee for a bisexual umbrella emoji, a culturally recognized and academically supported icon designed to close the digital representation gap. From uncovering why past proposals were rejected to navigating Unicode’s rigorous approval process, this episode dives deep into digital equity advocacy and the power of emoji as more than just cute icons.We’ll also explore:The surprising statistics behind bisexual visibility (54% of LGBTQ+ adults in the U.S.)How and why emojis matter in shaping online identity and inclusion on 27 billion devices worldwideThe historical erasure of Black and bisexual contributions in cultureWhat this emoji could mean for future generations seeking language and recognitionTune in to hear the vision, challenges, and hope behind this bold move to ensure every identity has its rightful place in our digital lives!Read the full proposal and access the media kit in the episode description.
In this episode, you’ll be gently invited into a space of stillness, self-compassion, and radical acceptance. This is not love you must chase or earn. It's not conditional or performative. This is boundless love—love that holds you exactly as you are.Let this meditation remind you:You are not late. You are not broken.You are not too much.You are here. And that is enough. This is a space to return to when you forget your own worth. Come as you are. Leave held.
Discover the remarkable journey of Steven Spencer, a bisexual bodybuilder, HIV advocate, and trailblazer for queer visibility. In this series finale, Steve opens up about growing up on an Australian cattle farm, coming out in a conservative environment, and championing self-acceptance in the face of biphobia and HIV stigma. From co-founding health initiatives to transforming his mental and physical wellness through lifting, Steve’s candid insights reveal how embracing your full identity can shatter prejudice and build authentic community. If you’ve ever felt alone on your path to self-discovery, tune in for an empowering deep dive into harnessing resilience, reclaiming your narrative, and building muscle of mind, spirit, and body! https://giveittomebi.com/https://qtopiasydney.com.au/our-team/steve-spencer/If you enjoy Embracing All of Me, please like, comment, and follow the podcast! We’d love to hear from you!
Ever wish you had a personal coach cheering you on when dating gets complicated? Meet Coach Danny Morales—a dynamic relationship mentor for gay and bisexual men. In this candid interview, Coach Danny unpacks everything from setting boundaries and navigating fear to surviving breakups and coming out on your own terms. Learn why “dating yourself first” isn’t just a cute slogan, but the key to building genuinely healthy relationships—both with partners and with yourself. If you’ve ever felt stuck or misunderstood in your love life, Coach Danny’s fresh insights on communication, self-validation, and community can help you embrace your identity and own your worth. Tune in for a conversation that just might shift your entire approach to dating and relationships. Learn more about Coach Danny at https://www.thecoachdanny.com/Are you interested in using the art of writing for personal development? Fill out the Interest Form for the upcoming book "Embracing All of Me: Identity-focused Writing & Self Discovery for Bi+ Men, so you don't miss it. Follow us on Instagram
In a media landscape obsessed with spectacle, DL (down-low) men are often punchlines, predators, or shadows. But what if we stopped moralizing and started listening?In this episode, Ross peels back the layers of DL discourse to explore the survival strategies behind the silence. Through the story of Adam, a bisexual man from Ghana denied asylum in the UK, and his own reflections growing up bisexual in Los Angeles, Ross examines how fear, safety, and structural oppression shape disclosure. With sharp clarity and deep compassion, It exposes how bi+ men of color often become collateral damage in conversations not actually about them.We map out common concerns, especially from women, around intimacy and betrayal, and invite everyone into a more honest, informed dialogue.Whether you're DL, closeted, bi, pan, queer, questioning, or a witness to the growth and transformation of others navigating society, this episode honors your survival and your right to choose.Adam's Story referenced in the episodehttps://www.rainbowmigration.org.uk/stories/adams-story/
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