Embracing All of Me

S3.E37: Stop Playing Small With What God Gave You - Josueños on Faith, Identity, and Music

What happens when the thing that makes you feel most alive is also the thing you are most afraid to release into the world? In this episode of Embracing All of Me, host Ross sits down with Georgia-born artist Josueños for a layered conversation about music, faith, identity, healing, and the long process of stepping fully into your creative purpose. Formerly known as J. Rican, Josueños reflects on the meaning behind his new artist name, the dreamy and atmospheric sound that shapes his music, and the personal evolution that led him to stop playing small. We get into: * The meaning behind Josueños — how his name evolved from J. Rican into something fuller, dreamier, and more aligned with his sound, his Spanish name, and the layered world he builds through harmonies. * Growing up in Georgia and finding music through church — from singing harmonies as a child to being encouraged by his mother's ear for music, Josueños reflects on the early moments that helped him recognize singing as something natural and deeply rooted. * Queerness, Christianity, and walking in love — Ross and Josueños talk honestly about religious judgment, LGBT identity, scripture, and what it means to trust that God knows exactly who He created. * The many sounds that shaped him — Puerto Rican music, salsa, merengue, gospel, R&B, hip-hop, house, acid jazz, and Japanese video game music converge in his atmospheric style. * Moving to California for creative possibility — Josueños shares why he left college after realizing music was not a side interest but the thing he wanted to spend his life doing. * Faith, purpose, and refusing to play small — he speaks openly about seeing creativity as a God-given assignment and why the final step of creation is sharing. * The healing process behind "Lime" and "Stratosphere" how "Lime" helped him tell a personal story without self-abandonment, and how "Stratosphere" was written on a plane while flying over a thunderstorm. This episode is about the cost of hiding and the freedom that comes when you begin to honor yourself. Josueños reminds us that creativity does not have to wait for perfection. Your purpose is already speaking through the chapters you are living now. About Josueños:Josueños is a Georgia-born, California-based singer, songwriter, and recording artist whose music blends dreamy R&B, layered harmonies, faith-rooted reflection, and atmospheric production. His recent single "Stratosphere" reflects his evolving sound and commitment to creating from a place of purpose, honesty, and wholeness. Connect with Josueños:Instagram: @joshjrican [https://www.instagram.com/joshjrican]Spotify: Josueños [https://open.spotify.com/artist/1jBRVLSDyVGj2326AM6K4S?si=FQNoVCxjSRqPLuHBnlbaqg]Apple Music: Josueños Learn More:Embracing All of Me is a storytelling and advocacy platform for the multi, complex, and in-between, uplifting the voices of Bi+ people of color, our kin and friends.Website: https://embracingallofme.org [https://embracingallofme.org]Email: stories@embracingallofme.org [stories@embracingallofme.org]Instagram: @embracingallofmee [https://www.instagram.com/embracingallofmee] Fluid Frequencies (EAOM) Bi+/Queer Indie Artist Playlist [https://open.spotify.com/playlist/2aPigEKnDWf0nKlxVvpFkl?si=AK2ckCL5QMmx2-74tpYVfQ] Topics: Josueños, Josh J Rican, J. Rican, Stratosphere by Josueños, Lime by Josueños, Embracing All of Me podcast, Ross Victory, Georgia artists, Puerto Rican musicians, R&B singer songwriter, dreamy R&B, atmospheric music, faith and creativity, Christian artists, queer faith conversations, LGBT Christians, Southern upbringing, Los Angeles musicians, healing through music, sharing your gift, creative purpose, playing small, self-worth, music and spirituality, Bi+ people of color, identity and belonging, creative healing, gospel influences, salsa, merengue, house music, video game music, Japanese music influence, Black and Puerto Rican identity, storytelling podcast

S3.E36: Shane Lamba on Being Brown, Bisexual, and a Public Health Leader

Health Equity Researcher Shane Lamba on Bisexual South Asian Identity, the DL, & Living in the In-Between What does it mean to exist in the in-between, culturally, sexually, professionally, and still choose to show up fully, refusing to collapse yourself into someone else's framework? In this episode of Embracing All of Me, Ross sits down with Shane Lamba, health equity researcher, program evaluator, and host of Chai Me a River, for a conversation that moves between humor, identity, and data-backed truth. Shane unpacks what it's been like navigating life as a South Asian, Indian, bisexual man in spaces that often expect you to choose one version of yourself — and why he refuses to. From growing up in California to working at the intersections of sexuality, gender, disability, and healthcare access, Shane explores the layered realities behind both his research and his lived experience: the emotional weight behind the data, the hidden barriers in LGBTQ+ healthcare, and the difference between being closeted, "DL," discreet, or fully seen, and how those narratives shape stigma around bisexual men. We get into: * What it means to not feel "enough" — culturally or queerly — and how that shapes identity formation for South Asian bi+ people * The hidden barriers in healthcare for LGBTQ+ and disabled communities — and why access isn't just about policies, it's about being seen * The difference between being closeted, "DL," discreet, and fully visible — and how those labels impact stigma, mental health, and relationship dynamics for bisexual men * How humor can be a tool for processing identity and challenging norms without softening the critique * Why representation — especially for bisexual and South Asian voices — still matters, even when it feels like we've "moved past" that conversation * The real-life impact of health inequities and what it takes to create spaces where people feel safe, seen, and supported And yes, we get into it: "You don't want a DL man, you want a fantasy!" But beyond the soundbite, this episode is about learning to embrace every part of who you are, the researcher, the podcaster, the bisexual South Asian man, even when the world tries to simplify you personally and professionally. About Shane Lamba: Shane Lamba is a health equity researcher whose work focuses on sexuality, gender, disability, and access to care. His research has been published in JAMA, American Journal of Public Health, and LGBT Health. He is also the host of Chai Me a River, where he explores his brown and bisexual identity with humor, honesty, and unfiltered perspective. Connect with Shane: Podcast: Chai Me a River Instagram: @chaimeriverpod [https://instagram.com/chaimeriverpod] | @shanelamba21 [https://instagram.com/shanelamba21] Learn More: Embracing All of Me is a storytelling and advocacy platform for the multi, complex, and in-between, uplifting the voices of Bi+ people of color, our kin and friends. Website: https://embracingallofme.org [https://embracingallofme.org] Email: stories@embracingallofme.org [stories@embracingallofme.org] Instagram: @embracingallofmee [https://instagram.com/embracingallofmee] Take Action: * Contribute [https://embracingallofme.org/contribute] a written piece to Embracing All of Me * Book a Creative Consult with Ross Victory [https://embracingallofme.org/creativeconsult] Topics: Shane Lamba, Chai Me a River, bisexual South Asian identity, health equity, LGBTQ+ healthcare, Indian bisexual men, disability and healthcare access, DL men, down low, closeted vs discreet, bisexual stigma, South Asian representation, queer South Asian voices, BIPOC health disparities, sexuality and gender research, bisexual mental health

S3.E35: Self-Publishing Secrets, Identity, and the Stories We Carry with Isaac Grijalva

Writer & EMT Isaac Grijalva on 6½ Days in the City, Bisexual Identity & Self-Publishing Secrets What does it mean to tell your story when you're still becoming, when the shape of who you are hasn't fully settled, but the need to write it down refuses to wait? In this episode of Embracing All of Me, Ross sits down with Isaac Grijalva, writer, EMT, and author of 6½ Days in the City, to explore identity, self-discovery, and the unglamorous realities of self-publishing as a bi+ non-binary Latinx author. Isaac shares how writing began as a form of therapy during a turbulent childhood, and how those experiences shaped his debut novel, a story that refuses to soften the edges around family, generational trauma, hookup culture, and the search for meaningful connection when you don't yet know what "meaningful" looks like for you. We get into: * What it feels like to be unseen by the people closest to you, and how that invisibility shapes the stories you need to tell * The tension between family loyalty and becoming yourself, especially when those two things don't align * How bisexual and non-binary identity shapes storytelling, not just as subject matter, but as narrative structure and voice * The truth about hookup culture and emotional intimacy, what we're actually looking for when we say we're "just having fun" * Self-publishing tips, scams to avoid, and hard-won lessons for new authors navigating an industry designed to exploit desperation and talent * Why "AI can write, but it doesn't have a voice" — and what that means for anyone trying to create something that matters Whether you're a writer working up the courage to publish, a creative navigating your own identity, or someone still figuring out how to tell your story without apologizing for it, this conversation is a reminder that your story matters — and you're not alone in figuring it out. About Isaac Grijalva:Isaac Grijalva is a writer and EMT whose debut novel, 6½ Days in the City, explores family, identity, and the search for connection through the lens of bisexual and non-binary experience. Writing as therapy turned into storytelling as resistance, and now, as craft. Connect with Isaac:Website: isaacgrijalvabooks.com [https://isaacgrijalvabooks.com/] Learn More:Embracing All of Me is a storytelling and advocacy platform for the multi, complex, and in-between, uplifting the voices of Bi+ people of color, our kin and friends.Website: https://embracingallofme.org [https://embracingallofme.org/]Email: stories@embracingallofme.org [stories@embracingallofme.org]Instagram: @embracingallofmee [https://instagram.com/embracingallofmee] Take Action: * Contribute [https://embracingallofme.org/contribute] a written piece to Embracing All of Me * Book a Creative Consult with Ross Victory [https://embracingallofme.org/creativeconsult] Topics: Isaac Grijalva, 6½ Days in the City, bisexual author, non-binary author, Latinx authors, Queer Latinx writers, self-publishing, LGBTQ+ fiction, bi+ storytelling, generational trauma, hookup culture, emotional intimacy, family dynamics, writing as healing, creative storytelling, self-publishing tips, indie publishing, bisexual identity, non-binary identity, queer literature https://www.millionpodcasts.com/bisexual-podcasts/ [https://www.millionpodcasts.com/bisexual-podcasts/]

S3.E34: From Fan Fiction to Frontlines: Bi+ Identity and Activism in Italy with Aurelio Castro

What does it mean to truly embrace a fluid identity in a world that demands certainty? And why does bisexual visibility so often arrive without the protection it promises? In this episode, Aurelio Castro, bi+ activist, researcher, and co-organizer of Italy's first bi+ Pride, joins Embracing All of Me to unpack the lived realities of bisexuality: not just as attraction, but as a cultural lens and political resistance to systems built on binaries. Together, we explore two provocations that reframe bi+ identity work: 1. Visibility without protection can become a burden — representation alone doesn't keep us safe 2. Bisexual identity challenges societal systems, not just who we're attracted to — fluidity dismantles the binary at a structural level Aurelio shares their journey from rejection in early queer spaces to building transnational bi+ organizing infrastructure, bridging academia and activism along the way. This is a conversation about embodying identity, not proving it — a reminder that self-embrace isn't about certainty, but about refusing to collapse yourself into someone else's framework. In This Episode: * Why bisexual visibility politics often fail bi+ people (and what actually creates safety) * How Aurelio went from navigating biphobia to organizing Italy's first bisexual Pride * The role of academic research in bi+ activism — and why lived experience can't be separated from theory * What it means to resist erasure by refusing the binary, not by arguing for inclusion within it * How to trust fluid identity in a culture obsessed with fixed categories This conversation is for anyone navigating fluid identity, questioning the limits of visibility politics, or seeking a deeper understanding of what it means to resist erasure, not by fitting in, but by refusing the binary altogether. Connect with Aurelio Castro: https://www.bisexualresearch.com/ [https://www.bisexualresearch.com/] Take Action: * Contribute [https://embracingallofme.org/contribute] a written piece to Embracing All of Me * Book a Creative Consult with Ross Victory [https://embracingallofme.org/creativeconsult] Learn more: https://embracingallofme.org [https://embracingallofme.org] Instagram: https://instagram.com/embracingallofmee [https://instagram.com/embracingallofmee] YouTube: https://youtube.com/@embracingallofme [https://youtube.com/@embracingallofme] Contact us: stories@embracingallofme.org Keywords: bisexual identity, bi+ activism, bisexuality, fluid identity, biphobia, homophobia, Italy bi Pride, LGBT Italty bisexual visibility, bisexual organizing, queer activism, Aurelio Castro, Italian researchers, binary resistance, bi erasure, LGBTQ+ identity politics

S3.E33: Love Without Sacrifice: Consensual Non-monogamy, Jealousy, and Building Healthy Relationships with Kelvin Pace

Polyamory. Ethical non-monogamy (ENM). Open relationships. The language is everywhere, but what do these terms actually mean, and how do you know which one fits? In this episode, Kelvin Pace [https://kpacecounseling.net/], AASECT-certified sex therapist and owner of Selva Sexual Wellness, breaks down the difference between polyamory, ENM, swinging, and open relationships. More than definitions, Kelvin reframes the conversation around relationship orientation vs. relationship practice, and why autonomy, not compromise, is the foundation of healthy connections. What You'll Learn: * What is polyamory? How it differs from ethical non-monogamy (ENM), open relationships, and swinging * Bisexuality and non-monogamy myths — Why being bi doesn't mean you're wired for polyamory * Sexual communication skills — The missing piece in most relationships (monogamous or not) * How to navigate jealousy — Why jealousy is an emotion, not a moral failing * Relationship autonomy — How to build connections without sacrificing who you are * Kink, shame, and BIPOC communities — How religion and generational trauma shape our relationship scripts * Questions to ask before exploring polyamory — Including relationship agreements, boundaries vs. rules, and time management Resources Mentioned: * Polysecure by Jessica Fern * Mating in Captivity by Esther Perel Connect with Kelvin Pace: * K Pace Counseling: kpacecounseling.net [https://kpacecounseling.net/] * Instagram: @kpace37 [https://www.instagram.com/kpace37] * Selva Sexual Wellness [https://kelvin-pace.360cloud.app/] (Colorado Springs) This episode is for anyone questioning monogamy, exploring consensual non-monogamy, or navigating identity and desire outside the default script , especially bi+ folks and BIPOC communities. Learn more: https://embracingallofme.org [https://embracingallofme.org] Instagram: https://instagram.com/embracingallofmee [https://instagram.com/embracingallofmee] YouTube: https://youtube.com/@embracingallofme [https://youtube.com/@embracingallofme] Contact us: stories@embracingallofme.org Keywords: polyamory, ethical non-monogamy, ENM, open relationships, consensual non-monogamy, what is polyamory, polyamory vs open relationship, sex therapy, AASECT, Kelvin Pace, kink, sexual communication, relationship autonomy, bi+ identity, bisexual and polyamory, BIPOC relationships, queer relationships, Jessica Fern Polysecure, Esther Perel Contribute [https://embracingallofme.org/contribute] a written piece to Embracing All of Me Book a Creative Consult [https://embracingallofme.org/creativeconsult]