Becoming Wilkinson

Daniel Patrick O'Reilly  is a jack-of-all-trades and a master of none.  You can find him selling wine by day, slinging drinks by night, or on your television sets as a young dad in a First Five California commercial.  If interested to know more about his life and adventures, you can reach out to him on his IG at  http://www. Instagram.com/danpatrickoreillyPhoto: Copyright Wilkinson/2023Opening and closing music courtesy the very talented Zakhar Valaha via Pixabay.To contact Wilkinson- email him at BecomingWilkinson@gmail.com

“…I say, follow your bliss and don’t be afraid, and doors will open where you didn’t know they were going to be.” Joseph CampbellMichael is a native Nevadan who spent his childhood between a high desert dirt pile surrounded by every animal his parents would let him have and a tire & auto repair store alongside his parents while on roller skates. He has lived in 3 of the 4 US time zones and the country of Sweden while in college. He is an alumna of Johnson & Wales University in Providence, RI and Simpson College in Indianola, IA.   Ask him about his careers in sales, marketing, accounting, property management and hospitality or the 3 businesses and 501(c)3 non-profit that he started and operated or currently operates. He is an outdoor and sports enthusiast and has/does actively engage in: soccer, track, downhill skiing, sailing – racing/cruising, hiking, camping, mountain biking, volleyball, rollerblading and swimming, but still doesn’t do near enough kite flying or throwing a Frisbee. Other interests that are close to his heart are regenerative agriculture and silvopasture, food as medicine, home renovation and design, wine (particularly anything sparkling), real estate, travel, other cultures and traditions and the stories and lessons learned from the paths of others. He was given the gift of singing and has performed in a number of concerts and productions from the time he was 4 (which may have included dancing with a broom). He is currently contributing his time and talents to the Miracle Activation Center as the Director of Operations – a non-profit healing center – where he hopes to support others on their journey as he actively follows his. He is currently working toward becoming an Ordained Ministerial Counselor and a Certified Food Matters Nutrition Coach.Michael's email:   Michael@MiracleActivationCenter.comPhoto: Copyright Wilkinson/2023Opening and closing music courtesy the very talented Zakhar Valaha via Pixabay.To contact Wilkinson- email him at BecomingWilkinson@gmail.com

Brent Heinze has a master’s degree in clinical counseling and has been working in the mental health field for over 18 years.  He is a Licensed Professional Clinical Counselor (LPCC) in California specializing in working with gay men, sexuality, couples, and non-traditional relationships.  He is a published author of two self-improvement books, “Redefining Normal 1 & 2: A Modern Gay Man’s Guide to Happy and Healthy Living” and was a senior columnist for Out Front Magazine.  Brent is also the Executive Director of Perspective Shift, a national non-profit company focusing on producing educational and social community events benefitting LGBTQ+ and sex-positive charitable organizations.  He won the title of Mr. Leather Colorado 2010 and finished in 4th place at IML.  He was the recipient of the Pantheon of Leather Award in 2015 and the NLA Community Service and Leadership Award in 2011.  He has been a judge for International Deaf Leather in 2011, as well as judging and emceeing many other events.  Brent performs with his electronic music projects Probe 7, The AXIOM Divide, and Darling Kandie in addition to producing a new musical and writing songs for film and television.  He currently lives in Palm Springs with his husband.Contact Brent:Web: http://www.BeginTheShift.orgEmail: Brent@BeginTheShift.orgPhoto: Copyright Wilkinson/2023Opening and closing music courtesy the very talented Zakhar Valaha via Pixabay.To contact Wilkinson- email him at BecomingWilkinson@gmail.com

Rick R. Reed is an award-winning and bestselling author of more than fifty works of published fiction. He has won the LGBTQ literary prize, the Rainbow Award three times (for Raining Men in 2013 best gay contemporary fiction and in 2021, his psychological thriller revolving around Jeffrey Dahmer, The Man from Milwaukee won for best gay mystery and best gay novel overall; the book has also been optioned for film and an Italian translation is slated for a May release at the Turin Book Fair, Italy's largest book fair).  He is also a three-time EPIC Ebook Award winner and a Lambda Literary Award finalist for Blue Umbrella Sky. Entertainment Weekly has described his work as “heartrending and sensitive.” Lambda Literary has called him: “A writer that doesn’t disappoint…” Rick lives in Palm Springs, CA, with his husband, Bruce, and their two rescue dogs, Kodi and Joaquin.Find him at www.rickrreedreality.blogspot.com. Photo: Copyright Wilkinson/2023Opening and closing music courtesy the very talented Zakhar Valaha via Pixabay.To contact Wilkinson- email him at BecomingWilkinson@gmail.com

Matthew Mitchell is a Los Angeles based photographer/director.  His work is stylish, yet effortless. Images of beauties such as Eva Longoria, Leighton Meister and Anna Lynne McCord have graced the covers and pages of magazines internationally.  His background as a former dancer, and make-up artist, serve him well when capturing more than the exterior of his subjects.He remarks: “FUN, that’s what my shoots are about - FUN.”  It’s this kind of lightheartedness that lands Mitchell in front of the lens as an on-camera photographer for TV shows like Oprah, The Bachelor and How To Look Good Naked.When asked what he is working on next... Mitchell answers “Working on my pecs, biceps and abs of steel".Matthew's contact info:Email:  matthewmitchellphoto@gmail.comcell: 310.488.9134http://www.desertluxuryimages.comhttp://www.matthewmitchellfoto.comhttps://www.mrpinque.comFind tickets to Mr. Pinque's Brolesque: https://ticketbud.com/events/888e5fd0-9b5b-11ed-8637-42010a71701efbclid=IwAR37e5HnbgrC8PSAC2N0F3uUV_2Wg74BPWLUmnc6GdoF5dljj4SEJNp5Uf4Photo: Copyright Wilkinson/2023Opening and closing music courtesy the very talented Zakhar Valaha via Pixabay.To contact Wilkinson- email him at BecomingWilkinson@gmail.com

In Peter Leahy's own words:"What happens when you finally come out of the closet and stop living a lie?For many years, I saw myself as a coward – too scared to admit that I was gay and embrace who I was. Throughout my 20’s and 30’s, my active life was masked with what I believed was “normalcy,” but underneath I was tormented by sadness, emptiness and most importantly, self-loathing. Finally, I summoned the courage to walk away and eventually become a proud (and fabulous) gay man.Reaching out and being vulnerable to people is scary and you may fail the first time. You have the power to try again, to find your courage and become the best version of yourself, even if that means leaving everything and starting over. You can move from the world of shadows and hurtful ideas to a healthy sense of self. Whatever struggles you face, there’s no reason to handle them alone. I hope my story can inspire you to be your unique self and overcome life’s challenges. Authentic happiness is out there"!Contact Peter: glowingupgay@gmail.comBuy the book on Amazon: https://a.co/d/bNrpOTCPhoto: Copyright Wilkinson/2023Opening and closing music courtesy the very talented Zakhar Valaha via Pixabay.To contact Wilkinson- email him at BecomingWilkinson@gmail.com

JASON STUARTWhen you think one of the most prolific character actors, who’s also an outrageous openly gay stand-up comedian, one name comes to mind.... Jason Stuart. After years of steady work in film and televi- sion, and over 150 credits on his IMDB page, actor and comedianJason Stuart has achieved a pinnacle of success many actors only dream of. "For the last few years, people have started to approach me and say, 'You're that guy,'" he explains with his characteristic gravelly laugh. Stuart has now established himself as one of those all-too-familiar faces who might just pop up anywhere, in any kind of role. And most recently he won the Worldwide Comedy Award for Best LGBTQ Comedian from some heaven weight stand ups like Margaret Cho to Billy Eichner to Tig Notaro to Wanda Sykes.Recently he had a major role in The Birth Of A Nation, and stars in the indie drama Hank, the action film Abducted on Showtime, the thriller Immortal and his new comedy series on Amazon, Smoth- ered which he won the Indie Series Award for Best Actor in a Comedy. Jason also has appeared in the award winning films Tan- gerine, Love Is Strange, Gia with Kindergarten Cop and Vegas Vacation among his fan favorites. He has wowed TV audiences with guest roles on such shows as Goliath, Swedish Dicks, Love (Judd Apatow), Sleepy Hollow, Real Rob, Entourage, The Closer, It's Always Sunny in Philadelphia, House, Everybody Hates Chris, George Lopez, Will & Grace, Charmed and as “Dr. Thomas" on My Wife and Kids. As a stand up comic you have laughed with him on Gotham Comedy Live, Red Eye, One Night Stand Up, Wisecrack, Comics Unleashed and his own comedy special Making It To The Middle, his new comedy album I’m The Daddy and I Have Candy and autobiography Shut Up, Im Talking! From CCB Publishing.https://www.jasonstuart.comhttp://www.imdb.me/jasonstuartPhoto: Copyright Wilkinson/2023Opening and closing music courtesy the very talented Zakhar Valaha via Pixabay.To contact Wilkinson- email him at BecomingWilkinson@gmail.com

Darya Teesewell (she/her) is a writer, storyteller and member of the Hollywood filmmaking diaspora. Darya is a woman of trans/queer history born in mid-century in Los Angeles at Cedars of Lebanon in Hollywood. She now lives in Cathedral City, California where being mid-century is the apex of fashion. Darya worked a below-the-line job in the film industry for forty years under another name making other people’s dreams come true; now she’s retired, on a pension and finishing a memoir about facing being trans at age 45 during the heady L.A. club days of the 1990’s. She’s tall, blonde and dresses like the world’s oldest rocker chick. She’s married to and in love with one woman for a long time and has two amazing kids.  She’s written for Huffington Post, Fourculture online magazine and has told stories at Strong Words in Los Angeles and in Palm Springs and read a piece as a part of Queerwise Los Angeles commemorating world AIDS day in December 2021.  Darya’s Facebook page is: https://www.facebook.com/daryateesewell/Photo: Copyright Wilkinson/2023Opening and closing music courtesy the very talented Zakhar Valaha via Pixabay.To contact Wilkinson- email him at BecomingWilkinson@gmail.com

Shawn Smith gives a historical perspective on the formation of the gay bear community and he also shares some insights about bears.  It's almost like sitting in a college class as he gives us some insider information and insights regarding the bear community.In addition to his knowledge and engagement in the bear community, his involvement in an emerging Gay college campus organization began a path of LGBT activism, advocacy, and community-building as the Gay Rights Movement began to coalesce in the mid-70's across America. Lured by the freedom and anonymity of big city life, Shawn shares his adventures along the road to freedom of sexual expression.A writer and storyteller by trade, he's now quasi-retired and slacking poolside: A dirty old man enjoying the free and Fabulously Gay life that Palm Springs has to offer.Contact Shawn at: macgizmoguy@hotmail.com  Photo: Copyright Wilkinson/2023Opening and closing music courtesy the very talented Zakhar Valaha via Pixabay.To contact Wilkinson- email him at BecomingWilkinson@gmail.com

Steven Henke joined DAP Health in 2017 and was promoted to Director of Brand Marketing in 2019, He currently leads all strategic branding, marketing, and communications for the organization and Revivals Stores."I bring good people and great ideas together."Henke spent his first five years in the Coachella Valley as Client Strategies Manager for Gannett owned Desert Sun Media Group, an integrated media and marketing company that included The Desert Sun, DesertSun.com, DESERT magazine, and  Desert Outlook magazine. During his tenure, he developed innovative digital and social first marketing strategies that won first place International News Media Association (INMA) awards in 2014 and 2015.Deeply engaged in the local community, Henke has served on numerous boards and committees benefiting local non-profit organizations – including Seathletes, United Way of the Desert, Equality California, Harvey Milk Diversity Breakfast, and Special Olympics. He served as President of the Palm Springs Chamber of Commerce where he acted as creative director for the Palm Springs Chamber City Guide Magazine shining a bright spotlight on members of the chamber. He can be seen as a correspondent for NBC Palm Springs and heard on the Joey English show twice monthly discussing upcoming events and organizations that benefit residents of Greater Palm Springs.Before moving to the Coachella Valley, Henke lived in Minneapolis where he worked for Target Corporation, Sphere Trending, and Hanover Accessories focusing on strategic pathways driven by consumer and design trends.  Contact Steven: https://www.instagram.com/trendguy/Photo: Copyright Wilkinson/2023Opening and closing music courtesy the very talented Zakhar Valaha via Pixabay.To contact Wilkinson- email him at BecomingWilkinson@gmail.com