The Layers of Us

TW: SEXUAL ASSAULTIn this episode, we sit down with Shannon Burns to talk about queerness, healing, and what it really means to own your voice while growing into the person you’re meant to be.Shannon opens up about her journey of self-discovery, navigating identity, and learning how to show up authentically in both life and creativity. We dive into healing, confidence, unlearning old narratives, and the process of finding strength in vulnerability.This conversation is about growth, self-acceptance, and the power of embracing every part of yourself, fully, honestly, and unapologetically.Follow Shannon: https://www.instagram.com/itsshannonburns/ My Instagram: ⁠⁠https://www.instagram.com/itsamandawan/⁠⁠My Podcast Instagram: ⁠⁠https://www.instagram.com/thelayersofuspodcast/⁠⁠That's So Us Podcast: ⁠⁠https://www.instagram.com/thatssous.podcast/⁠⁠YouTube: ⁠⁠https://www.youtube.com/itsamandawan⁠⁠TikTok: ⁠⁠https://www.tiktok.com/@itsamandawan⁠⁠

In this episode, we sit down with Megan Stoneson, singer-songwriter, to talk about identity, empowerment, and what it really means to embrace your bisexuality while finding your voice in music.Megan opens up about her journey of self-discovery, navigating queer identity, and creating music that feels honest, vulnerable, and true to who she is. We dive into the complexities of confidence, unlearning expectations, and learning to take up space, both in life and in your art.This conversation is about growth, vulnerability, and the power of owning every part of yourself, loudly and unapologetically.Follow Megan: https://www.instagram.com/meganstoneson My Instagram: ⁠⁠https://www.instagram.com/itsamandawan/⁠⁠My Podcast Instagram: ⁠⁠https://www.instagram.com/thelayersofuspodcast/⁠⁠That's So Us Podcast: ⁠⁠https://www.instagram.com/thatssous.podcast/⁠⁠YouTube: ⁠⁠https://www.youtube.com/itsamandawan⁠⁠TikTok: ⁠⁠https://www.tiktok.com/@itsamandawan⁠⁠

In this episode, we sit down with Eva Bloom (they/them), a queer & trans late bloomer coach and international speaker, to talk about identity, empowerment, and what it really means to come into yourself on your own timeline.Eva opens up about their journey as a late bloomer, embracing their identity, and supporting others in feeling at home in their bodies, relationships, and lives. We dive into the complexities of self-discovery, unlearning societal expectations, and building confidence in who you are, even if it happens later than expected.This conversation is about softness, growth, and the power of choosing yourself, again and again.Follow Eva: https://www.instagram.com/whatsmybodydoing/My Instagram: ⁠https://www.instagram.com/itsamandawan/⁠My Podcast Instagram: ⁠https://www.instagram.com/thelayersofuspodcast/⁠That's So Us Podcast: ⁠https://www.instagram.com/thatssous.podcast/⁠YouTube: ⁠https://www.youtube.com/itsamandawan⁠TikTok: ⁠https://www.tiktok.com/@itsamandawan⁠

In this episode, we sit down with Sabine Strauch, a queer painter and jewelry maker, to talk about her coming out journey and how it’s shaped her creative path.Sabine opens up about embracing her identity, finding confidence through art, and building a brand that celebrates queerness and inclusivity. We dive into her creative process, the intersection of art and self-expression, and how she creates work that feels both personal and empowering.Follow Sabine: https://www.instagram.com/sabinemadeMy Instagram: ⁠https://www.instagram.com/itsamandawan/⁠My Podcast Instagram: ⁠https://www.instagram.com/thelayersofuspodcast/⁠That's So Us Podcast: ⁠https://www.instagram.com/thatssous.podcast/⁠YouTube: ⁠https://www.youtube.com/itsamandawan⁠TikTok: ⁠https://www.tiktok.com/@itsamandawan

In this episode, we sit down with Asia to talk about her journey as a Black lesbian woman and the stories she’s bringing to life as the showrunner of the hit drama series “ONE WOMAN.”Asia opens up about creating from a place of truth, building complex characters, and what it means to center Black queer experiences on screen. We dive into her creative process, the realities of leading a series, and how her identity shapes the narratives she chooses to tell.Follow Asia: https://www.instagram.com/asiakeishai/My Instagram: ⁠https://www.instagram.com/itsamandawan/⁠My Podcast Instagram: ⁠https://www.instagram.com/thelayersofuspodcast/⁠That's So Us Podcast: ⁠https://www.instagram.com/thatssous.podcast/⁠YouTube: ⁠https://www.youtube.com/itsamandawan⁠TikTok: ⁠https://www.tiktok.com/@itsamandawan

In this episode, we sit down with Drew to talk about her first WLW heartbreak, navigating divorce, and what it really looks like to rebuild your life when everything you thought was certain falls apart.Drew opens up about being married, coming to terms with her sexuality, and the emotional complexity of loving women for the first time. We unpack the grief of ending a marriage, the intensity of a first queer heartbreak, and how both experiences forced her to confront who she truly is, outside of expectations, labels, and the life she once planned.Follow Drew: https://www.instagram.com/drewrjarvis/My Instagram: ⁠https://www.instagram.com/itsamandawan/⁠My Podcast Instagram: ⁠https://www.instagram.com/thelayersofuspodcast/⁠That's So Us Podcast: ⁠https://www.instagram.com/thatssous.podcast/⁠YouTube: ⁠https://www.youtube.com/itsamandawan⁠TikTok: ⁠https://www.tiktok.com/@itsamandawan

In this episode, we sit down with Emily Larson to talk about rewriting your story, navigating identity shifts, and what it means to live your truth publicly. As a lifestyle, LGBTQ+ and travel creator, Emily shares what it was like to once be married to a man and now be engaged to a woman, and how that journey reshaped not only her relationships, but her sense of self.We dive into her transition from identifying as bisexual to lesbian, unpacking the nuance, internal reflection, and courage it took to embrace that shift. Emily opens up about how this self-discovery impacted her marriage, her engagement, her confidence, and the way she shows up online.This conversation is vulnerable, empowering, and a reminder that identity can evolve, love can surprise you, and choosing yourself is always worth it.Follow Emily: https://www.instagram.com/itsemilynicholeMy Instagram: ⁠https://www.instagram.com/itsamandawan/⁠My Podcast Instagram: ⁠https://www.instagram.com/thelayersofuspodcast/⁠That's So Us Podcast: ⁠https://www.instagram.com/thatssous.podcast/⁠YouTube: ⁠https://www.youtube.com/itsamandawan⁠TikTok: ⁠https://www.tiktok.com/@itsamandawan

In this episode, we sit down with Georgia Bridgers to talk about paving the way for queer creators, branching into acting, and navigating identity both online and offline. As a creator who’s helped shape queer visibility on the internet, Georgia shares what it’s really like to grow up publicly, build community, and evolve in front of an audience.We dive into her journey as a queer creator, the transition from identifying as bisexual to lesbian, and how that self-discovery has influenced her relationships, confidence, and creative direction. Georgia opens up about navigating online relationships, the intimacy and complexity of being seen on the internet, and how she’s learned to set boundaries while staying authentic. Georgia also reflects on representation, visibility, and the responsibility that can come with having a platform, especially as queer creators continue to push for space in both digital media and the acting world. This conversation is honest, affirming, and a reminder that identity isn’t static, growth can be public, and showing up as yourself can be both powerful and freeing.Follow Georgia: https://www.instagram.com/georgiabridgers/My Instagram: ⁠https://www.instagram.com/itsamandawan/⁠My Podcast Instagram: ⁠https://www.instagram.com/thelayersofuspodcast/⁠That's So Us Podcast: ⁠https://www.instagram.com/thatssous.podcast/⁠YouTube: ⁠https://www.youtube.com/itsamandawan⁠TikTok: ⁠https://www.tiktok.com/@itsamandawan

In this episode, we sit down with Keara to talk about her coming out journey, receiving an autism diagnosis, and what it really means to share your life on the internet. As someone who shows up honestly and openly online, Keara offers a powerful perspective on identity, self-discovery, and visibility.We dive into her experience coming out, navigating life with an autism diagnosis, and how understanding herself more deeply has shaped the way she moves through the world. Keara also opens up about the realities of sharing personal moments online, the connection it creates, the boundaries it requires, and the pressure that can come with being seen.Keara shares her thoughts on authenticity, representation, and learning to advocate for yourself in spaces that don’t always make room for neurodivergent voices. This conversation is vulnerable, grounding, and a reminder that self-acceptance is an ongoing journey, and that sharing our stories can help others feel less alone.Follow Keara: https://www.instagram.com/kearagravesMy Instagram: ⁠https://www.instagram.com/itsamandawan/⁠My Podcast Instagram: ⁠https://www.instagram.com/thelayersofuspodcast/⁠That's So Us Podcast: ⁠https://www.instagram.com/thatssous.podcast/⁠YouTube: ⁠https://www.youtube.com/itsamandawan⁠TikTok: ⁠https://www.tiktok.com/@itsamandawan

In this episode, we sit down with Beth, a disability advocate, accessibility connoisseur, and powerful voice challenging ignorance around blindness and disability. With the belief that blindness is a spectrum, and ignorance isn’t, Beth uses her platform to educate, disrupt misconceptions, and advocate for a more accessible and inclusive world.We dive into what accessibility really means in everyday life, how ableism shows up (often unintentionally), and the emotional labor of constantly having to educate others. Beth shares her perspective on reclaiming narratives around disability, navigating the world as a blind person, and showing up boldly and unapologetically in spaces that weren’t built with accessibility in mind. This conversation is eye-opening, grounding, and an important reminder that inclusion starts with listening, and doing better.Follow Beth: https://www.instagram.com/the_blind_girlieMy Instagram: ⁠https://www.instagram.com/itsamandawan/⁠My Podcast Instagram: ⁠https://www.instagram.com/thelayersofuspodcast/⁠That's So Us Podcast: ⁠https://www.instagram.com/thatssous.podcast/⁠YouTube: ⁠https://www.youtube.com/itsamandawan⁠TikTok: ⁠https://www.tiktok.com/@itsamandawan