Send us a text

What happens when we stop assuming that every instance of male touch must be sexual? In this powerful conversation, John and Jerry sit down with Travis Matthews (WLF Massage, Salt Lake City) to explore how Thai massage, fascia release, and somatic bodywork help queer men relax, refresh, and reset. We unpack why touch between men is often stigmatized, how arousal can simply be energy moving (not a sexual invitation), and practical ways to cultivate safe, affirming touch that supports healing, intimacy, and community.

You'll learn:

- Why many queer men equate touch with sex--and how to shift that paradigm

- The difference between erotic and sensual/energetic experiences

- How Thai massage & somatic work release stored tension/trauma and invite vulnerability

- Concrete practices to build touch literacy (hugs, handshakes, supportive touch) without sexual pressure

- How "Relax, Refresh, Reset" can become a daily embodiment practice

Guest:

Travis Matthews -- WLF Massage (Thai massage, fascia work, lymphatic & Swedish modalities) • Salt Lake City, UT

Website: WLFmassage.com

Key Takeaways:

- Touch can be healing, relational, and spiritual--not only sexual.

- Somatic work helps create space for new energy, clarity, and connection.

- Build community by practicing non-sexual touch in safe contexts.

- Reframe labels as conversation starters, not destinations.

Listen on audio: Apple Podcasts & Spotify

Watch more: Mindfully Gay Podcast on YouTube

Connect: MindfullyGay.com • IG: @mindfully_gay • TikTok: @MindfullyGay

Have a question or topic idea? Drop a comment or DM--we read everything.

If this helped you, like, subscribe, and share with a friend who needs it.

@mindfully_gay (Instagram)

Send us a text

What happens when we stop assuming that every instance of male touch must be sexual? In this powerful conversation, John and Jerry sit down with Travis Matthews (WLF Massage, Salt Lake City) to explore how Thai massage, fascia release, and somatic bodywork help queer men relax, refresh, and reset. We unpack why touch between men is often stigmatized, how arousal can simply be energy moving (not a sexual invitation), and practical ways to cultivate safe, affirming touch that supports healing, intimacy, and community.

@mindfully_gay (Instagram)

Send us a text

What happens when queer generations sit down together to truly listen? In this thought-provoking episode of The Mindfully Gay Podcast, hosts John Cottrell and Jerry Buie welcome two younger queer voices, Quinn and Andi, for a rich intergenerational conversation about identity, activism, and community

Together, they explore how queer language and labels have evolved—from the days when “gay” and “lesbian” were the only visible terms, to today’s broader spectrum of identities like non-binary, transgender, gender-fluid, and queer. The discussion highlights both the empowerment and challenges of this expanded vocabulary, and why labels matter for history, identity, and solidarity.

Jerry and John share stories from their activism in the 80s and 90s—organizing through phone trees, rallies, and protests—while Quinn and Andi reflect on Gen Z queer realities shaped by technology, online community, and political backlash. The group also wrestles with powerful questions:

• What can older LGBTQ+ folks learn from the passion and perspective of younger generations?
• How can younger queer people gain wisdom from the struggles, strategies, and victories of their elders?
• What does activism look like today, and how do we build queer communities that thrive across generations?

This heartfelt and candid conversation reminds us that queer survival is about more than fighting—it’s about connection, joy, and vision for a liberated future.

🎧 Listen to the full audio episode on Apple Podcasts and Spotify.

📺 Watch the video podcast on YouTube: Mindfully Gay Podcast.

✨ Don’t forget to subscribe, leave a review, and share this episode with your community so others can join the conversation.

Donate to Help Quinn Access Top Surgery: http://gofund.me/0fac6bdb

@mindfully_gay (Instagram)

Send us a text

What happens when queer generations sit down together to truly listen? In this thought-provoking episode of The Mindfully Gay Podcast, hosts John Cottrell and Jerry Buie welcome two younger queer voices, Quinn and Andi, for a rich intergenerational conversation about identity, activism, and community

Together, they explore how queer language and labels have evolved—from the days when “gay” and “lesbian” were the only visible terms, to today’s broader spectrum of identities like non-binary, transgender, gender-fluid, and queer. The discussion highlights both the empowerment and challenges of this expanded vocabulary, and why labels matter for history, identity, and solidarity.

@mindfully_gay (Instagram)

Send us a text

In this powerful and heartfelt episode of The Mindfully Gay Podcast, hosts John Cottrell and Jerry Buie explore the urgent question: How can straight and cisgender allies show up for LGBTQ+ communities in today’s political climate? Drawing from personal stories, therapy room insights, and lived experiences, they offer a clear roadmap for authentic allyship that goes beyond words.

From the importance of listening without judgment to understanding the weight of privilege, John and Jerry share how allies can create safe spaces, stand in solidarity, and amplify queer voices. They tackle tough topics—including political contradictions, the harm caused by misgendering and deadnaming, and the emotional toll of feeling unseen—and offer actionable ways allies can make a meaningful difference.

Whether you’re an ally wanting to do better, a queer person seeking support, or someone navigating the complexities of privilege and inclusion, this conversation will challenge, inspire, and encourage you to take intentional action.

✨ What You’ll Learn in This Episode:

• Why active listening and “witnessing” are essential tools for allyship
• How to check your privilege and engage with someone else’s lived reality
• Ways to support trans and non-binary friends respectfully and meaningfully
• How political and religious affiliations impact trust in ally relationships
• The importance of safe spaces—and how allies can help create them
• Why reciprocal allyship matters in both queer and straight communities

📺 Watch the video podcast on YouTube: Mindfully Gay Podcast

🎧 Download the audio on Apple Podcasts & Spotify – and don’t forget to subscribe, rate, and share so more people can join the conversation.

@mindfully_gay (Instagram)

Send us a text

In this powerful and heartfelt episode of The Mindfully Gay Podcast, hosts John Cottrell and Jerry Buie explore the urgent question: How can straight and cisgender allies show up for LGBTQ+ communities in today’s political climate? Drawing from personal stories, therapy room insights, and lived experiences, they offer a clear roadmap for authentic allyship that goes beyond words.

@mindfully_gay (Instagram)

Send us a text

In this powerful episode of the Mindfully Gay Podcast, John and Jerry sit outdoors in the warmth of late summer to explore one of the most universal and vulnerable topics in queer life: body image, comparison, and belonging.

A lunch with Kevin and Landon, founders of Salt Lake City's social group Morning Wood, sparks a candid discussion about how community spaces can unintentionally heighten body anxiety--especially in the season of speedos, gym selfies, and constant social media comparison.

Jerry shares his transformative health journey at age 60 and the hidden shame he had to confront even while making progress. John reflects on modeling gigs, racial identity, and the pressure of standing next to "influencer bodies." Together, they reveal how cultural messages, porn, and advertising shape what is considered desirable--and how those narrow standards exclude many queer men.

But the conversation doesn't end with critique. John and Jerry introduce practical tools for radical self-acceptance: mindfulness, tantric yoga practices, self-touch, and the power of gratitude for your own body. They challenge the idea that sex and intimacy should be a "performance" and instead promote authentic subject-to-subject connection--valuing energy, soul, and presence over abs, inches, or flawless skin.

Throughout the episode, they celebrate Morning Wood's intentional representation of diverse ages and body types as a model for inclusive queer community. With honesty, humor, and hope, John and Jerry invite you to see yourself as worthy, desirable, and already whole.

🎧 Listen to the full episode on Apple Podcasts and Spotify
📺 Watch the video podcast on YouTube: Mindfully Gay Podcast

@mindfully_gay (Instagram)

Send us a text

In this powerful episode of the Mindfully Gay Podcast, John and Jerry sit outdoors in the warmth of late summer to explore one of the most universal and vulnerable topics in queer life: body image, comparison, and belonging.

@mindfully_gay (Instagram)