Ep. 01: Ish Ruiz & the Deconstruction & Reconstruction of Belief Systems

Welcome to Second Adolescence! 

This first episode begins with host Adam James Cohen, LMFT sharing the backstory behind Second Adolescence. Then, we hear the first guest's story! Ish Ruiz (he/him) talks with Adam and shares about his experience growing up in Puerto Rico and within the Catholic Church, and what it was like for him within both cultural contexts after discovering his gay identity in adolescence. We’ll hear Ish share about his experience discovering his identity, his first relationship, a forced coming out, and how his Second Adolescence involved a process of deconstructing and reconstructing his beliefs systems around his sexuality, his faith, and his Puerto Rican culture. 

About the guest:

Ish Ruiz (he/him) is a gay, cisgender, Puerto Rican, Catholic man in his 30's. He is an educator of youth as well as a consultant for individuals, groups, and organizations seeking support in developing an LGBTQ+ inclusive experience of Catholicism. He is the author of LGBTQ+ Eductators in Catholic Schools which you can purchase here.

Visit www.secondadolescencepod.com for more.

Download episode transcript here.