queer becomings: beyond survival
about the show
Your hosts, Allison (they/them), Elliot (he/him), and Alex (he/they) sit down with brilliant, bold, beautifully queer humans who once found themselves stuck in a situation, a relationship, or a whole life chapter where they felt defeated… and then, through introspection, humility, courage, and action, they flipped the script.
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This podcast isn’t about giving you advice or telling you what to do. You’ll get a front row seat to conversations between the hosts and their guests where they spotlight some of the most vulnerable and profound moments in their lives- the breakthroughs that took everything they had and reshaped their futures for the better.
Your hosts share the moments that transformed how they relate to themselves, their families, and the world. Elliot wrestled with ADHD, anger, and the belief that he had no real future; Alex was white-knuckling through anxiety and disconnection; and Allison reached a breaking point at work, ready to quit their career and start over. By confronting the stories underneath it all, Elliot completes welding school and takes on driving; Alex builds a global community, starts a non-profit, and moves abroad; and Allison renews their relationship with their boss. Allison and Alex also share the unexpectedly beautiful relationships they now have with their fathers.
A reimagined queer family emerges from unconditional love between Jennifer and her ex-partner Kara. After 10 years together and having a child, Jen discovers that Kara is falling in love with another woman. They get divorced, but rather than give in to devastation, they create a new kind of relationship for themselves and their son. Today, she and her ex live on a foundation of love, both in wildly fulfilling marriages, co-parenting their kids, living minutes apart, and even vacationing together.
A story of courage, faith, and love unfolds in this episode as Collins, a Black gay man, shares about leaving the Army after x years during Don’t Ask Don’t Tell. Collins grew up in a Christian household and is deeply religious himself. He takes us through pivotal moments in his life: coming out to a crowd of strangers, introducing his first love to his parents, going to seminary school, and ultimately, finding the love of his life - Ken. The couple live in Chicago and will be celebrating their 10 year anniversary in June.
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upcoming episodes
meet your hosts
alex brookins
(he/they)
Alex Brookins is a speaker, writer, and communication coach with nearly two decades of experience in personal development and speaking across the US on mental health, queer identity, and transformation. Professionally, he brings a multidisciplinary background to working with small businesses improve their operations and take effective action toward what matters.
Allison is a queer, gender nonconforming, multiracial, child of Trinidadian immigrants. They have spent nearly a decade as a DEI professional, travelled to 24 countries, and are known for bridging perspectives and evolving communities. When they’re not doing the work they love, they’re spending time with their family, participating in queer sports, or nerding out on some form of self development, prayer, or meditation.
elliot baum
(he/him)
Elliot Baum is a multi-disciplinary artist, a trained arc welder, and a Twitch streamer. His experience as a reconnecting indigenous person informs his spirituality, which includes a variety of established modalities as well as his own intuitive approach. In his spare time, he can be found marching at protests, facilitating a support group for neurodivergent folks, or spending time with his local queer community.
allison kam
(they/them)
meet your producer
desiree lim
Filmmaker | Tao Master Teacher & Healer | Queer Mystic
desireelimfilms.com | https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Desiree_Lim
(she/they)
DESIREE LIM is an award-winning Canadian filmmaker - a multilingual, cultural hybrid growing up in Malaysia and Japan. She has written, directed, and produced documentaries, lifestyle shows and news segments for both Canadian and Japanese television since 1996, before moving into writing and directing drama in 2000. Her independent films have screened worldwide at international film festivals to sold-out audiences. Desiree is also a Certified Master Teacher and Tao Healer. Additionally, she leads the Rainbow Light Meditation group hosted by Vancouver’s LGBTQ Community Centre and is the host of the Queer.Love.Light podcast.
If surviving is exhausting you
If surviving is getting old
If you’re curious about what might exist on the other side of “just getting through”…
You’re in the right place.