Becoming Wilkinson

In 2015, Alan Fraser was in the best physical condition of his life.  But then one day after training he went home and realized that something just wasn't right.  Thankfully his (now) husband Tim jumped into action and drove a couple hours to see why Alan had stopped responding when Tim kept checking on him.  Tim found Alan unconscious in his bed, helped revive him and then rushed him to the nearest ER.  They were told later that if he hadn't come in at that time, he wouldn't be with us today.  His condition was so bad that the medical team had to put him in an induced medical coma in order to save his life.  He was "out" for two weeks.  He describes how the induced coma saved his life, but it had other severe consequences that would impact him the rest of his life.His story is real, it's heartfelt and it has meaning and a message for all of us... Listen as he describes the ordeal that he had to endure and he shares what he's learned from this experience.NOTE: This is a re-issue of an earlier episode when my podcast was new.  I'm re-sharing some of the best ones as a Friday feature, since more people will now be able to hear and learn from 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

David Eugene Perry is the founder and CEO of the public relations firm David Perry & Associates, Inc. For 10 years, he was the host and creator of 10 Percent TV, the longest running LGBTQ TV show in California history. He has written for such publications as The Advocate, the San Francisco Examiner, Omni, The Desert Sun and The Utne Reader and hosts an online interview show Ahoy! He and his husband, Alfredo Casuso, live in Palm Springs with frequent trips to San Francisco, and when possible, Orvieto and Spain. His first novel, Upon This Rock, has been critically acclaimed, including praise from Tales of The City author Armistead Maupin who called the book “an elegant, twisty thriller” and from Fenton Johnson who said Upon This Rock is “the gay ‘DaVinci Code’ but a lot better.” Upon This Rock is the winner of the 2021 Ben Franklin Silver Medal from the Independent Book Publishers Association and “Best Gay Book of 2021” from the San Francisco Book Festival. The book is currently being shopped for TV and film options and actively seeking European distribution, especially an Italian translation.  Perry is currently at work on the sequel to Upon This Rock. Entitled Thorns of the 15 Roses it is a murder mystery and historical thriller inspired by the Andalusian town of Grazalema and the Spanish Civil. It is slated for completion in 2023.Contact David:https://www.instagram.com/davidperrysf/https://twitter.com/DavidPerrySFhttp://www.facebook.com/davidperrysfhttps://www.davidperry.com/clients/upon-this-rockBuy the book:https://www.amazon.com/Upon-This-David-Eugene-Perry/dp/0941936066Photo: Copyright Wilkinson/2023Opening and closing music courtesy the very talented Zakhar Valaha via Pixabay.To contact Wilkinson- email him at BecomingWilkinson@gmail.com

STEVEN SKEELSSINGER • SONGWRITER • ACTOR • PRODUCER"TO THINE OWN SELF BE TRUE" - WILLIAM SHAKESPEAREOver his 40 year career, Steven Skeels has established himself as one of music’s most versatile artists, equally as passionate as a performer on the concert stage singing his own material to writing and producing for other artists as well. As a singer, songwriter, and producer, he has explored nearly every genre of music and continues to explore new sounds and experiences. He has performed in over forty countries and has been seen on the Oprah Winfrey Show, as well as numerous television programs throughout Europe.As an actor and performer, Steven was handpicked by Andrew Lloyd Webber to originate the starring role of “Rusty” in the hit musical Starlight Express, both in Germany and Las Vegas. This role garnered him a European radio Top 10 single with the title song “Starlight Express” for CBS Records. Other roles include Lt. Cable in South Pacific (American Hawaii Cruise Lines), the Scarecrow in The Wizard Of Oz (Macy’s Theatricals of NYC), and Tom Thumb in Barnum (The S.S. Norway). In film, Steven has been featured in the award-winning short film, Leaving Malcolm, and as well as composing music for the film. Steven is currently in post-production for his documentary, Becoming Whole, which chronicles his journey from humble beginnings to the top of the entertainment business.To see his entire bio and to contact Steven, go to https://www.stevenskeels.comPhoto: Copyright Wilkinson/2023Opening and closing music courtesy the very talented Zakhar Valaha via Pixabay.To contact Wilkinson- email him at BecomingWilkinson@gmail.com

Vinnie Rotalo is an amazing man.  He hasn't had an easy life.  When he was only 14, he tried to save his mother's life via instructions in CPR given by a 911 dispatcher.  After her death, he had to go live with his father whom he didn't really know.He became a trainer and was settling into a successful career with modeling potential when he became paralyzed.  It took him a year of fierce struggle to come back to his normal self.He got involved in drugs, spent some years in the gay porn industry and lost his partner to suicide.  He also lost his beloved feline buddy Baxter, who had stuck with Vinnie through all of the ups and downs.Vinnie is a courageous, beautiful man who's a bit shy - but he's very funny when you get to know him.  His beautiful energy will be obvious to even the most casual observer as you listen to his story and be encouraged...Vinnie's contact info:Instagram:  https://www.instagram.com/vjr39/Email: Vjrotalo@gmail.comPhoto: Copyright Wilkinson/2022Opening and closing music courtesy the very talented Zakhar Valaha via Pixabay.To contact Wilkinson- email him at BecomingWilkinson@gmail.comNOTE: This is a re-issue of an episode I did earlier in 2022 when my podcast was "newish".  I've been re-posting some of the really good ones on Fridays this year, so that a wider audience can now enjoy listening to them.

It's highly unusual for teens to know the direction they want to take in life.  But these two did... here's their story.Preston Shatwell and Brenton Thomas have been together for over 13 years. Brenton added Preston on Myspace when they were 14 and 16 years old and that started their love story.Preston is a born and raised Oklahoman with a passion for local progressive politics and advocacy. He is a creative professional using his skills to support causes he cares about and currently works in the adolescent sexual health nonprofit field.https://www.instagram.com/prestonshatwell/Email: prestonshatwell@gmail.comBrenton works as a consultant at a software company. Brenton is fun-loving, excitable, and always ready to dance and laugh. He loves to travel, experience new cultures, and meet people.https://www.instagram.com/brenton.thomas/Email: brentonthomas1@gmail.comPhoto: Copyright Wilkinson/2023Opening and closing music courtesy the very talented Zakhar Valaha via Pixabay.To contact Wilkinson- email him at BecomingWilkinson@gmail.com

Mina HartongEmcee, Educator, Funny LadyAward winning comedian Mina Hartong (Caroline’s New York, Curve Magazine, Cipriani’s) has been performing and touring for over twenty years. Favorite shows and venues include Don’t Tell Mama’s, Montreal Fringe Festival, and headlining at Iceland Pride where she marched with the lesbian mayor. Mina taught in the public schools for twenty years. These days, when she is not on stage, Mina enjoys teaching Acting and Stand up Comedy and developing new comics. Recent appearances include Palm Springs Pride, Diversionary Theater in San Diego, and The Triad Theater in New York City. Mina’s comedy show Lez Out Loud,  just had their seventh sold out show. She teaches online, in New York City, and with the McCallum Theater. In 2020, Mina and her wife relocated to Palm Springs to escape the pandemic in New York City. In less than a year, Mina produced her own comedy show Lez Out Loud at Runway Bar and Restaurant in Cathedral City to sold out audiences which continues today. Look for new Lez Out Loud shows coming in April. Mina also collaborates with The L-Fund, a non profit that assists cis and trans lesbians in the Coachella Valley. She recently Emceed the L-Fund’s sold out Gala in February, 2023. To book Mina for Hosting, teaching, or comedy shows, please contact her at:https://linktr.ee/lezoutloud  https://www.facebook.com/mina.hartong/https://www.instagram.com/hartongmina/https://vimeo.com/mshartongPhoto: Copyright Wilkinson/2023Opening and closing music courtesy the very talented Zakhar Valaha via Pixabay.To contact Wilkinson- email him at BecomingWilkinson@gmail.com

Growing up, Edras Cordova's father constantly reminded him of a saying.  Edras chose to remember his father's teaching by having it tattooed across the top of his chest.  Roughly translated, the words say:  "Only the one who carries a knapsack knows what's in it". We never know what another person is going through.  Edras took the message to heart and it softened him.  Unfortunately, it appears that his siblings and other family members did not learn such a message.People are so often trapped in their religious beliefs and systems that they are blinded to truth and reality.Many of my prior podcast guests have told stories of being trapped in such systems, and they described how they were able to escape and ultimately live fulfilled lives as their authentic selves.Edras Cordova and his brother were both gay.  Edras was able to navigate his escape route from the Jehovah's Witness cult (his word) and to go on to live a life he never thought possible when he was trapped in that religious system.His brother was not so fortunate.  He chose a path of staying in the system, marrying, have two children and believing that somehow he would be "cured" or "fixed" and being gay would go away.The torment and pain of being caught in such an untenable position ultimately drove him to multiple suicide attempts.  Two weeks before taking his own life, he told his family that he was either going to live his gay life, or commit suicide.Edras discusses the pain and fallout of his brother's choice in hopes that people who are caught in such systems will open their eyes and hearts to the truth:  If we don't allow ourselves and others to be who they are, the cost will be unbearable. The National Suicide Prevention Lifeline is now: 988 Suicide and Crisis Lifeline.    Text or call 988 on your cell phone for help.LGBT youth crisis helpline. If you are thinking about harming yourself — get immediate support. Connect to a crisis counselor 24/7, 365 days a year, from anywhere in the U.S. It is 100% confidential, and 100% free.https://www.thetrevorproject.org/get-help/Photo: Copyright Wilkinson/2022Opening and closing music courtesy the very talented Zakhar Valaha via Pixabay.To contact Wilkinson- email him at BecomingWilkinson@gmail.com

In David's words: "Welcome! I'm glad you're here. My name is David Wichman, and I am an author, speaker, and certified Conscious Recovery™ coach with a focus on sexual wellness. I have been creating workshops and writing about sex and sobriety for many years. It is my deepest passion to witness men at the intersection of sexual freedom in recovery and I am dedicated to helping Queer, Gay, Bi, and Trans-identified men navigate the sacred and beautiful nature of sex love and intimacy. If you are in recovery or seeking guidance around sex in recovery, I hope you will explore working with me free of dogma,shame and judgement.  (NOTE: You do not have to be in recovery to work with me)."David Wichman is an author, speaker, sexual healer, and entrepreneur who is respected and well-known all over the world to those who seek to live free of stigma, shame, and fear around sex, love, and intimacy.Raised in Fremont, California, David survived a childhood marked by severe neglect and abuse, which led him into years of homelessness, alcoholism, and drug addiction. After decades of struggle and rehabilitation failures, he finally obtained freedom from his addiction in 2005. He remains an active member of New Thought and recovery movements to this day.In 2006, David found a calling in sex work. While working with seniors, the disabled, and those with severe intimacy issues, he discovered the profound transformational power that sex work creates for both client and provider. In 2009, he founded his travel-companion company, the Male Adventure, through which he has accompanied clients on life-changing adventures to all seven continents. He is an activist, vocal ally, and grateful member of the LGBTQI2 community. In 2016, David co-founded Heal-VR, a software development company that merges ancient spiritual principles and meditation techniques with modern virtual reality technology.David lives with his partner Todd & their 3 rescue dogs: Panda Petey & Siain in their home in the Coachella Valley area of California.Find David at: http://www.dpwichman.comPhoto: Copyright Wilkinson/2023Opening and closing music courtesy the very talented Zakhar Valaha via Pixabay.To contact Wilkinson- email him at BecomingWilkinson@gmail.com

Daniel BatemanOriginally from Kansas City MO, Daniel has been performing since he was a toddler. He performed in several NYC Broadway musicals, national touring productions and studied with The Juilliard School in NYC as well as The American Musical and Dramatic Academy in Los Angeles;  a city where he lived and worked professionally over 10 years. Most recently, he starred in the West Coast Premiere of “Why Can't the Trains Run On Time?” Now a Palm Springs resident, Daniel is thrilled to be on stage again here and has big goals he’s excited to work on building within the SoCal Arts community. Getting to tell LGBT stories is a dream come true and a huge passion of his. He is beyond grateful to his loving parents who have always been his biggest cheerleaders!Contact Daniel:Email:  ItsDanielBateman@gmail.com Business #: 760.422.3041https://www.instagram.com/dbatemanofficial/Photo: Copyright Wilkinson/2023Opening and closing music courtesy the very talented Zakhar Valaha via Pixabay.To contact Wilkinson- email him at BecomingWilkinson@gmail.com

Sean Hoey is a Democratic political operative who has worked for Democratic political candidates across the country, including Hillary Clinton and Joe Biden.Sean was born and raised in Madison, Wisconsin.  He's the son of small business owners, lived his childhood in the closet, and witnessed the power of politics growing up in a capital city.  His upbringing  informs the values and the candidates he believes in and advocates for.Today, he lives in Las Vegas, Nevada.  Look him up for recommendations on what to do off the Strip!Contact Sean:608-287-8523seanlhoey@gmail.comPhoto: Copyright Wilkinson/2023Opening and closing music courtesy the very talented Zakhar Valaha via Pixabay.To contact Wilkinson- email him at BecomingWilkinson@gmail.com