Dan Bolen - at age 70 he came out as gay, was kicked out of his church and ended his second marriage

Summary

Dan Bolen shares his journey of self-discovery and acceptance as a gay man after living a life of denial and fear. He discusses the challenges he faced in a restrictive religious community and the fear of losing his family and friends. Dan's story highlights the importance of being honest with oneself and embracing authenticity. He emphasizes the power of finding a supportive community and having a voice. Dan's memoir and podcast serve as a source of inspiration and empowerment for others on a similar journey.

Takeaways

• Be honest with yourself and define who you are.
• Don't look for someone outside of you to define who you are.
• Finding a supportive community is crucial for self-acceptance.
• Having a voice and embracing authenticity are empowering.

Chapters

00:00 Introduction and Background
01:02 Realizing Difference and Fear of Rejection
03:17 Burying and Denying One's True Self
04:13 Marriage and Denial of Sexuality
05:38 Disfellowshiped and Shunned by the Church
07:30 Accepting Bisexuality as a Coping Mechanism
08:55 Accepting and Embracing Authentic Self 1
0:07 Coming Out and the Lowest Point
11:02 First Experience with a Man and Validation
12:29 Divorce and Finding a New Community
15:17 Defining Self and Having a Voice
24:21 Being Honest with Yourself
27:32 Advice for Those Questioning Their Sexuality
29:06 Reflection and Impact

Dan Bolen's Memoir: The Courage to be Courageous: https://a.co/d/6x7yl0r

Dan Bolen's Website: https://danbolen.com/

Book Recommendation: Daring Greatly: How the Courage to Be Vulnerable Transforms the Way We live, Love, Parent, and Lead by Brené Brown. https://a.co/d/ah7pXuT

Podcast website and resources: https://www.OutLateWithDavid.com

YouTube Edition: https://youtu.be/Axp2j_lgVMM

Certified Professional Life Coach, David Cotton: https://www.DavidCottonCoaching.com

Contact me: mailto:david@davidcottoncoaching.com