EP. 68 - Susan Montag: Unlearning Hate, Embracing Love: One Woman’s Path to Advocacy

Barbara shares the story of embracing her gay brother after he came out later in life, highlighting her family's unconditional love. In this heartfelt interview, she reflects on why being gay should never be a reason to disown a loved one.

In this powerful episode of The Courage to Be Courageous, host Dan Bolen welcomes writer and ally Susan Montag for an open conversation about fear, growth, and standing up for marginalized communities. Susan shares her journey from a conservative upbringing in Iowa to becoming a strong LGBTQ+ ally and advocate. She reflects on the deep cultural biases she had to unlearn, how raising a gay son and having a trans son-in-law shaped her activism, and the importance of community, truth, and courage in today’s divisive climate. Together, Dan and Susan explore how writing, connection, and speaking out can be tools for resistance and healing in a world that often feels chaotic and unsafe.

In this powerful episode of The Courage to Be Courageous, host Dan Bolen speaks with Isaiah Bell, a biracial gay man who endured years of conversion therapy as a teenager. Isaiah shares the painful reality of trying to change who he was to please his family and church, and the long journey toward self-acceptance. Together, Dan and Isaiah explore the lingering impact of conversion therapy, the political and social challenges still facing the LGBTQ+ community, and the importance of using our voices to create lasting change. This is a moving conversation about truth, healing, and the courage to be yourself.

In this episode, we welcome Zach Cohen, who shines a light on the incredible work of the Ali Forney Center, a lifeline for homeless LGBTQ+ youth. Born from the legacy of Ali Forney, a young advocate who sought safety and justice for his peers and was tragically murdered in the streets of New York, the center provides housing, meals, medical care, and life skills to thousands of vulnerable youth every year. With a mission to protect and empower, the Ali Forney Center continues to grow, offering hope and a fresh start to those rejected by their families. Discover the impact of their work and how you can support this vital cause.

 In this episode, John Kazanjian, recounts the profound impact of his mother’s death during his college years and how he honored her dreams by excelling academically and professionally, even achieving acceptance into Harvard. He reflects on navigating life as a closeted gay man during a conservative era, his 35-year relationship with his partner Jack, and the devastation of Jack’s passing. Through personal reinvention, entrepreneurial ventures, and the development of the Soul Intelligence System with a close friend, John found solace and purpose. His story is a powerful testament to the courage required to embrace life's challenges and live authentically.

In this podcast episode, Dan Bolen welcomes Raymond Macon, both former Jehovah's Witnesses, to discuss their personal experiences of being disfellowshipped from the church for being gay and acting on it. They reflect on the impact of organized religion, the challenges they faced with guilt and shame, and how they ultimately found freedom in embracing their true selves. Their conversation sheds light on the restrictive nature of certain religious doctrines while emphasizing the importance of personal authenticity, acceptance, and love.

Mike Krupit has a Bachelor’s in Computer Science and Applied Mathematics from Queens College in New York graduating in 1985. He started as a software engineer and worked his way up to Chief Technical Officer, and then the Chief Operations Officer and finally CEO of a company called CD Now which sold music on the internet. Mike is now the owner of his own company called Trejectify which is in leadership development, organizational development and business growth coaching. Mike was married for 36 years and has a son who is a teacher in Florida and a daughter that is 29 years old. Mike knew he had same sex attraction during his younger years. However, he was raised during the AIDS crisis and was fearful of coming out for many years. He realized the greatest fear of denying or fooling himself. It’s quite a story of how he came out to his wife and son and daughter late in life and also his professional clients and peers at the age of 60 years old. This is fascinating story of the courage that Mike used to be his authentic self with his beautiful wife and his two children. The outcome is courageous and inspiring!  Mike can be reached at [email protected]  

Matt Christofaro has a Bachelor of Arts degree in Business Administration from University of Rhode Island in 2010 and a MBA in Global Business Leadership & Marketing from Johnson & Wales University in 2012. Also he is a Licensed Thrive Programme Coach . Matt suffered for over 22 years with panic attacks . He had tried all types of therapy and help which was not working. However, he stumbled on a company called Thrive company and thought he would “give it a chance”.Matt was totally surprised that it worked for him even though he was skeptical. This has had such an impact on his life that he wanted to share it with others and became a Thrive Programme Coach. This company is very popular in the UK. The founder of the company who treated patients came up with three reasons that would make people feel better ,do better and thrive in their life. 1.Feel  more control of your life 2. Build high self esteem. 3. Develop high social confidence . Surprisingly this program would be completed in six to eight weeks. The Thrive Programme has helped over 60,000 people mostly in the UK and Europe and is being  introduced more fully in the United States. It has helped many people, whether their heterosexual or part of the LGBTQ  community . Several of the licensed coaches at Thrive are part of the LGBTQ community. I want to encourage my listeners to listen to this podcast.and see if it is an option for positive mental health for you. Matt can be reached at [email protected] and Instagram: thrive.with.matt 

This is for audiences 18 years and older. Viewer discretion advised. Part two will show how Travit continued to be violently and sexually abused by his aunt Annie and finally how Travit was able to use courage to overcome his fear and leave. This is the end to a tragic story and yet a story of courage and faith that Travit had . May all my listeners get the lesson in this always protect our children.

This is for audiences 18 years and older. Viewer discretion advised.   Tavit Kazanjian was  born in the United States. His mother was Arabic and Greek and his father was Armenian. They were both born in Syria but married in New Jersey. Tavit has two older sisters. His entire family moved to Arizona because  his father‘s cousin wanted to get a large lot of land where everyone could live. Travit  Ladidn’t realize he was different until about 10 years old .Tavit was overcome  with severe shame and trying to do everything  he could to be more masculine and not so effeminate.Tavit was from a large extended family, His mother being the oldest of seven children and an aunt , Annie the youngest of the seven. Since Tavit was in Arizona he  flew back to visit his  extended family in New Jersey. Even though he did not know his aunt Annie well only had seen her one time before ;he ended up staying at her house. Annie was a violent person physically ,mentally and emotionally .When Travit Was 11 years old Annie started sexually abusing him until he was 18 years old. None of his his  family, except one of his sister and cousin gave him any help. This is an emotionally told  tragic story. It’s a pwereful  amount of courage that Tavit had to break this cycle of abuse. This is the first time he has told his story publicly. Our listeners will see the tragedy of not helping our young children out when they are physically and sexually abused . You will have feelings of outrage, anger, and frustration when our children are not protected.