Forged in Fire: LGBTQ+ Leadership

About Forged in Fire: LGBTQ+ Leadership

Meet LGBTQ+ superheroes! Explore the nexus of LGBTQ+ identity and leadership development through interviews with leaders in business, government, academia, advocacy, entertainment and more! We'll dive into crucible moments in LGBTQ+ lives, such as stigmatization, coming out, or transition. Understand how leaders transformed what we often view as negative experiences into moments that accelerated their growth into leadership superheroes.

Publisher

Forged In Fire

Category

science

Language

en

Explicit

No

First episode

11 Dec 2022

Latest episode

8 Sept 2026

Latest episodes

79 episodes in the feed.

1. 

   8 Sept 2026

   Be Kind, Be Useful with Jeff Marootian

   What does it mean to lead authentically while creating space for others to thrive? In this episode of Forged in Fire, Liz Cavallaro sits down with Jeff Marootian, President and CEO of UL Standards & Engagement, to explore a leadership journey shaped by public service, identity, mentorship, and a commitment to making people feel welcome. Jeff reflects on coming of age as a gay man during a challenging period for the LGBTQ+ community and how those experiences strengthened his ability to listen, read a room, build trust, and lead with empathy. He shares lessons from his career across local and federal government and discusses why inclusion is not simply a workplace value, but an essential part of building effective organizations and attracting and retaining talented people. The conversation also explores the importance of visible LGBTQ+ leadership, the mentors who helped Jeff recognize that he belonged, and his responsibility to create that same sense of possibility for others. Through moments of adversity, public scrutiny, and organizational leadership, Jeff returns to a simple principle that continues to guide him: “Be kind and be useful.” Jeff’s story offers a reminder that leadership is not only about the position you hold. It is about listening, showing up authentically, breaking down barriers, and helping others see that they belong in the room.

2. 

   2 Jul 2026

   The Stories We Tell: Queer Media, Visibility, and Leadership

   Robert Garrett and Itai Bailey interview Graham Gremore, Editor-in-Chief of Queerty, about how queer media and authentic storytelling shape LGBTQ+ leadership and visibility.

3. 

   1 Jun 2026

   More Than a Parade: Leadership, Community, and Pride

   Kenya Hutton of the Center for Black Equity and Jessica Laney of Pikes Peak Pride discuss leading LGBTQ+ community organizations and creating impactful spaces in this interview.

Who has been a guest on Forged in Fire: LGBTQ+ Leadership

Names identified in recent episode analyses. Showing up to five guests.

• Graham Gremore
• Kenya Hutton
• Jessica Laney
• Tammy Smith
• Bree Fram

Reach and audience

Public platform figures. Ratings count people who left a rating, not total listeners.

Apple Podcasts (US)

4.5 / 5

8 ratings

Spotify

5.0 / 5

13 ratings

Podcast Authority Score: 53 / 100

A composite of feed quality, social presence, YouTube performance and engagement. Read the methodology.

Quality

75

Social presence

0

YouTube

0

Engagement

77

Contact Forged in Fire: LGBTQ+ Leadership

Guest appearances

Books guests

Based on episode analysis; this does not confirm that the show is currently accepting guests.

Questions about Forged in Fire: LGBTQ+ Leadership