Becoming Wilkinson

Send us a textWhile living in Seattle, I became a couchsurfing super host.  Over a few years, I hosted over 650 (primarily International) travelers in my home.  Lifelong friendships were formed with many of these folks, and not a few have subsequently visited me here at my place in Palm Springs.  Ideene Dehdashti and her former boyfriend James are two such people. She and I chatted on one of her recent visits.  This is one of my most light-hearted episodes, and we had fun recording it.Photo: Copyright Wilkinson/2022Opening and closing music courtesy the very talented Zakhar Valaha via Pixabay.To contact Wilkinson- email him at BecomingWilkinson@gmail.com

Send us a textLARRY DEAN HARRISLarry Dean Harris is a storyteller, playwright, producer and founder of Strong Words. He’s performed stories in LA, Chicago, his hometown Toledo, New York City and Palm Springs. As a playwright, he’s earned New York Outer Critics Circle Award, Ovation Award, GLAAD and LA Weekly Theatre Award nominations. Larry sits on the Council of the Dramatists Guild of America and teaches storytelling and performance with fellow Strong Words producer Marlene Nichols.For more information on Strong Words events:   https://strongwordslive.comPhoto: Copyright Wilkinson/2022Opening and closing music courtesy the very talented Zakhar Valaha via Pixabay.To contact Wilkinson- email him at BecomingWilkinson@gmail.com

Send us a textHow would you feel in this scenario?  You're  a twenty year old, and you  receive a phone call at work from the local hospital, coldly telling you that you are HIV positive and that you need to "Get your papers" in order because you only have 6-12 months to live?  That was FORTY years ago. Listen to Michael Sartori's amazing story...Photo: Copyright Wilkinson/2022Opening and closing music courtesy the very talented Zakhar Valaha via Pixabay.To contact Wilkinson- email him at BecomingWilkinson@gmail.com

Send us a textJust in time to wrap up Mental Health Awareness Month!Robert Aerts is a Licensed Marriage and Family  Therapist.   He owns and operates his own practice called Aerts Family Counseling in Apple Valley, CA.   Robert is a husband, father and grandfather.  Robert graduated from Cal Baptist University with his Masters in Counseling Psychology and  has worked for public service for over 30 years.  He has worked with the Aging and Adult population as well as school aged children from elementary to high school.   Robert presented at the annual Models of Pride in Los Angeles sharing his story of his coming out.   Currently he is working with adults on a individual basis.   His desire is to bring awareness to his community about LGBTQ  and the struggles that some may face in their journey.    He can be reached at Robert AertsLMFT@gmail.com.   His Instagram is: @aerts_family_counselingPhoto: Copyright Wilkinson/2022Opening and closing music courtesy the very talented Zakhar Valaha via Pixabay.To contact Wilkinson- email him at BecomingWilkinson@gmail.com

Send us a textCarl is 74 and Michael is 40.  They've been together now for twenty years.  We discuss how that's worked out in this May-December romance, partnership and marriage.Photo: Copyright Wilkinson/2022Opening and closing music courtesy the very talented Zakhar Valaha via Pixabay.To contact Wilkinson- email him at BecomingWilkinson@gmail.com

Send us a textBryce Bailey, MA, ATR. Registered Art Therapist from Seattle, WA currently living in Palm Springs, CA. He launched his own creativity/ design consulting practice “EmpowerART Studio” and offers Per Diem Art Therapy at a local physical rehabilitation hospital. He leads art therapy groups and facilitates creativity workshops in community. Bryce is passionate about utilizing the creative process to facilitate personal growth, transformation, healing and connection through artmaking. He has worked with most populations but specializes in LGBTQ, at-risk adolescents, addiction recovery, and identity empowerment. Bryce has remained active in giving back to the recovery community for over 22 years, sober since 9/24/99. He enjoys his own artmaking through collage, mixed media, oil pastels, and visual journaling. Graduating from Antioch University Seattle's Masters in Psychology/Art Therapy program (2006), he interned at Seattle Counseling Service (LGBTQ), worked as art therapist and mental health clinician at Community Psychiatric Clinic and Michael’s House Dual-Diagnosis Treatment Center, facilitated creative recovery & visual journaling workshops in Miami, San Jose, San Diego, Palm Springs, and Seattle, and volunteered with homeless and LGBT youth in Seattle. His research project "Artmaking as a Component and Facilitator of Resiliency with Homeless Youth" was published in the Art Therapy Journal (2008). Bryce served on the Board of Evergreen Art Therapy Association chapter in Seattle from 2005-2015, presented at several national Art Therapy Association conferences, and became Local Chair for the 2013 American Art Therapy Association conference in Seattle. Bryce can be reached at: empowerartstudio@gmail.com; Instagram: @bryce_empowerartstudioPhoto: Copyright Wilkinson/2022Opening and closing music courtesy the very talented Zakhar Valaha via Pixabay.To contact Wilkinson- email him at BecomingWilkinson@gmail.com

Send us a text"I had another experience when I was meditating that affirmed my life was transforming again. I dreamed I was standing on a river bank. There were people in canoes peacefully rowing in a river. I came to understand that the river was peaceful flow. The people in the canoes waved and smiled to come in. I looked up and down the river bank. There were countless people standing on the banks. Some walked into the river and a canoe appeared for their transport. Some shook with fear on the side. Those in the river were committed. Somehow I knew it was a big commitment. I waded in and the next thing I knew I was in a canoe. I felt immense peace. I knew I would never go back to the river bank. At the same time, there was no judgment about those on the river bank. There was a simple invitation to wade into the peaceful river of life...I have witnessed the prison-house closing in on the growing child within myself and within my family. My work is dedicated to millions who have felt bound by the conditions that would imprison. My story is not unique. My message is simple, never ever give up! There is always hope. It is my intention that as you hear the story of my journey,  you will remember from deep within you-- your calling, your purpose, and your recovery of the truth of who you are. You are already free. You simply need to remember."           Larendee RoosFounder Director Miracle Activation CenterFounder CEO Roos AdvisorsPartner Ador DevelopmentFacilitator Trainer Pathways of LightGrateful Spouse, mom, and grandmother. Daughter of Abba Father.To contact Larendee, simply text her at 1-801-209-3611Photo: Copyright Wilkinson/2022Opening and closing music courtesy the very talented Zakhar Valaha via Pixabay.To contact Wilkinson- email him at BecomingWilkinson@gmail.com

Send us a textBob Blackford discusses how he felt after donating blood, only to have the clinic subsequently call him in to discuss  some "irregularities" that the testing had revealed.... then informing him that he was HIV positive.  This was when he was in the ministry, was married with kids and it was prior to meds being developed.  He basically heard a death sentence.  He had to not only tell his wife that he was HIV positive, but also that he had had some gay sexual experiences.  He describes how they negotiated that, managed to raise two daughters, wrote a book and then share the mic with his wife in telling their joint story to an International audience.  And he tells how feels to be in Palm Springs, living his authentic life today as a gay man.Photo: Copyright Wilkinson/2022Opening and closing music courtesy the very talented Zakhar Valaha via Pixabay.To contact Wilkinson- email him at BecomingWilkinson@gmail.com

Send us a textChapter One:  The Law of Attraction. I've learned that "Where focus goes- energy flows"! What we choose to throw out into the Universe is what comes back to us. I share some of the rather profound experiences I've had in this area.  So many of my friends are amazed at what I seem to create or attract into my life.  I've learned that "Where focus goes- energy flows"!  What we choose to put out into the Universe is what comes back to us.  That means if we expect good, it will come to us.  But if we dwell on the negative or constantly worry about what "might" happen in the future, those negative things come prancing back into our lives.  It took me a very long time to grasp this concept but it's very real. I give you some concrete, amazing examples from my life on how this has worked.Chapter Two: My Energy Work Journey. I've had quite a few "Whoa" moments the last few years!  It took a lot to change from a pretty close-minded guy in ministry to opening up to what also might be true in the Universe!  When I was in the church in my "former life", I never would have considered even the possibility of exploring energy work.  To me, in my narrow definition of the world and reality, it was all "devil stuff" and to be avoided at all costs.  But then one day a friend in Seattle gifted me a session with her energy gal via a phone call.  At first I resisted but then I said yes after doing some open-minded research.  The session with the gal was interesting, but we weren't quite on the same page.  But that experience opened the door to another reality.  I've been seeing my energy guy (Mark Hollenstein) on a weekly basis for about five years now.  Things have really changed and my mind, heart and understanding have expanded by leaps and bounds.  There's been a few "shocking" moments, for sure.  Here's a bit of the story...Chapter Three: Let's Talk About Love. What does real love look like? How does it play out in our lives? Does the religious right even know what love is? Here are a few thoughts on this topic.  Love is a term that's thrown around lightly.  We love chocolate sundaes.  We love our jobs, our kids, our partners and our pets.  The Christian Right has their ideas on what love is.  Things get messy.  But what does real love look like?  How does it play out in our lives?  Here are a few of my thoughts on this topic.Chapter Four:  Remembering my little sister Sunday (She used to say, "My name is Sunday- just like the day of the week")!  I didn't have a lot of regrets in my life. But a thought haunted me for many, many years. "What was so important that I had to get on the plane that day"? In the period 2000-2003, I lost my two sisters, my nephew, both of my parents and a friend.  I reflect on part of this story...Opening and closing music courtesy the very talented Zakhar Valaha via Pixabay.Image credits:  Model: Andrew Delta.      Photographer: Wilkinson (Copyright Wilkinson/2022)Found art location: The Ruins in N. desert Hot Springs, CA.  Abandoned desert buildings with various graffiti artists' work.  "Love" created by graffiti artist "Crew".To contact Wilkinson- email him at BecomingWilkinson@gmail.com

Send us a textI met John Woodruff at a pool party some time ago.  I was immediately drawn to his friendly personality and Southern accent. And his body was pretty amazing as well!  I gave him a business card and we eventually did a couple very fun photo shoots. He's definitely fitness model material! Some time after that, I read one of his social media posts where, in 2015,  he described his weighing 245 pounds and he couldn't stand for more than ten minutes at a time due to degenerative disc disease.  His doctors wanted to fuse his vertebrae together.  He took matters into his own hands and followed the knowing in his heart. His story is amazing and he also shares what happened when he left the ministry, came out as a gay man and subsequently got into a pretty interesting relationship. Here's the scoop!Find John on Instagram:  https://www.instagram.com/woodruff2940/Photo: Copyright Wilkinson/2021Opening and closing music courtesy the very talented Zakhar Valaha via Pixabay.To contact Wilkinson- email him at BecomingWilkinson@gmail.com