Profiles in LGBTQ+ Courage

About Profiles in LGBTQ+ Courage

Profiles in LGBTQ+ Courage shines a light on the powerful, real-life stories of LGBTQ+ individuals, their families, and allies as they navigate identity, acceptance, and love. Produced by Huntington Northstar Productions in partnership with PFLAG Cape Cod, this podcast features moving conversations about coming out, gender transition, and the search for belonging. Each episode shares intimate portraits of courage—whether it's an LGBTQ+ person finding self-acceptance, or a parent learning to support their child with compassion. Hosted by Rick Koonce, a seasoned journalist and PFLAG Cape Cod board member, the show blends decades of interviewing experience with heartfelt storytelling. Together, these conversations educate, inspire, and provide hope to anyone on their own journey toward authenticity and acceptance. If you're looking for connection, encouragement, and stories that spark change, this podcast is for you.

Publisher

Rick Koonce

Category

kids & family · society & culture

Language

en

Explicit

No

First episode

21 Oct 2020

Latest episode

2 Oct 2026

Latest episodes

61 episodes in the feed.

1. 

   2 Oct 2026

   From Pulse to Purpose: Brandon Wolf on Finding a Way Forward

   Brandon Wolf is a nationally recognized LGBTQ+ civil rights and gun-safety advocate, author, and survivor of the 2016 Pulse nightclub massacre in Orlando, Florida. On the night of June 12, 2016, a gunman murdered 49 people at Pulse, including two of Brandon's closest friends. The experience changed the trajectory of Brandon's life, transforming profound personal grief into a commitment to advocacy and public service. In the years since Pulse, Brandon has emerged as a powerful national voice for LGBTQ+ equality and gun-violence prevention. In honor of one of his friends killed at Pulse, he co-founded the Dru project supporting LGBTQ+ young people through scholarships and grants. In 2019, he became the first Pulse survivor to testify before Congress, speaking about the critical intersection of gun violence and LGBTQ+ civil rights. Brandon's memoir, A Place for Us, traces his journey from a young man searching for belonging and life meaning to an activist determined to help create a safer and more welcoming world for LGBTQ+ people. In this deeply personal conversation with PFLAG Cape Cod's, Rick Koonce, Brandon talks about surviving Pulse, losing his friends, turning grief into purpose, and why he remains committed to fighting for a world in which LGBTQ+ people can live openly, safely, and authentically. For more information, visit the PFLAG Cape Cod website: https://www.pflagcapecod.org/podcasts.html © 2020 - 2026 PFLAG Cape Cod

2. 

   28 Aug 2026

   Dr. Rachel Levine: Choosing Hope in Challenging Times

   What do you do when you are the highest-ranking transgender person ever to serve in the U.S. federal government and you come under attack for being who you are? In this revealing interview, Rick Koonce sits down with Dr. Rachel Levine, former Assistant Secretary for Health in the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services during the Biden Administration, for a candid conversation about personal resilience, public health, transgender health care, and compassionate leadership. Dr. Levine talks about facing intense personal attacks while serving in two major public offices, explaining how she learned to stay personally grounded and focused on the work rather than allowing personal attacks to define her. Levine also discusses the growing challenges facing transgender and non-binary youth and their families today, why she believes medical care should remain evidence-based, and the importance of choosing optimism even when circumstances feel overwhelming. Her message is ultimately one of hope: progress takes patience and persistence, but community and continued action can create meaningful change. Listen to this powerful conversation about courage, leadership, and staying hopeful - and reach out to continue the conversation about turning adversity into positive change. For more information, visit the PFLAG Cape Cod website: https://www.pflagcapecod.org/podcasts.html © 2020 - 2026 PFLAG Cape Cod

3. 

   7 Aug 2026

   Eric Rosen on Reviving the Historic Cape Playhouse

   Rick Koonce welcomes acclaimed theater leader Eric Rosen for an inspiring conversation about artistic leadership, resilience, and the enduring power of live theater. As Artistic Director of the historic Cape Playhouse, Eric shares how he is leading one of America's oldest summer theaters into a new era while preparing for its centennial celebration. He discusses the enormous challenge of producing Broadway-scale productions on an incredibly compressed schedule, rebuilding audiences after difficult years, and creating a theater experience that welcomes everyone. Beyond the stage, Eric reflects on his remarkable career, his experiences as a gay man, husband, and father, and how childhood adversity shaped his compassionate approach to leadership. He also explores why theater remains one of the few places where people can genuinely connect, laugh, reflect, and experience community together. Whether you're passionate about theater, leadership, or personal growth, this conversation offers valuable insights into building organizations that inspire people and stand the test of time. In this episode: How Eric Rosen revived the historic Cape Playhouse The challenge of producing Broadway-caliber shows in days Why live theater creates irreplaceable human connection Leadership lessons rooted in empathy and inclusion How personal adversity helped shape Eric's artistic vision More on Eric Rosen: Eric Rosen is an acclaimed theater director, playwright, and artistic leader who has spent more than three decades shaping American regional theater. He currently serves as Artistic Director of the historic Cape Playhouse on Cape Cod, where he is leading the revival of America's oldest continuously operating professional summer theater through ambitious productions, artistic excellence, and a vision for its second century. Previously, Rosen co-founded Chicago's groundbreaking About Face Theatre, one of the nation's first theaters dedicated to LGBTQ+ voices, and later led Kansas City Repertory Theatre, helping establish it as a nationally recognized center for new work. Throughout his career, Rosen has championed authentic storytelling, inclusive leadership, and the power of live theater to build community and inspire change. He lives with his husband, Broadway actor Claybourne Elder, and their son, Beau. For more information, visit the PFLAG Cape Cod website: https://www.pflagcapecod.org/podcasts.html © 2020 - 2026 PFLAG Cape Cod

Reach and audience

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

YouTube views

1,927

Score snapshot 15 Sept 2025

Apple Podcasts (US)

4.8 / 5

8 ratings

Spotify

5.0 / 5

2 ratings

Podcast Authority Score: 37 / 100

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

Quality

20

Social presence

0

YouTube

68

Engagement

68

Contact Profiles in LGBTQ+ Courage

Guest appearances

Does not typically book guests

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

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