40 Plus: Gay Men. Gay Talk.

In this powerful episode, LGBTQ+ historian and collector Adrian Cardwell shares how his project, Badge of Pride, is preserving 30 years of queer history to ensure our stories are never forgotten. From the AIDS crisis to modern-day equality movements, Adrian’s journey reminds us that visibility, unity, and storytelling are the backbone of our community’s strength. We explore what it means to protect queer archives, how personal stories shape collective progress, and why showing up—especially in politically divisive times—matters more than ever. Our stories aren’t just history—they’re our legacy, our power, and our connection to each other. 3 Key Takeaways From This Episode: How storytelling and archiving protect LGBTQ+ legacy and visibility. The role of Badge of Pride in connecting and empowering queer communities. Why unity and solidarity are vital to progress in challenging political times. About Adrian Adrian Cardwell is the founder and executive director of Badge Of Pride, an organization dedicated to activating LGBTQ+ history through artifacts and storytelling. For more than 30 years, Adrian has been building a nationally significant collection of Queer history—over 10,000 artifacts—through relationships with LGBTQ+ activists and communities around the world. After a more than 25-year career in corporate leadership, directing national sales and marketing for a global telecommunications firm and serving on international committees to expand broadband access in underserved and conflict-affected regions, Adrian pivoted in 2022 to launch Badge Of Pride. His goal: to bring this collection out of the shadows and into public spaces as a tool for truth-telling, resistance, and connection. He is the curator of Badge Of Pride: From Silence…To Celebration!, the largest artifact-centered exhibition of LGBTQ+ history ever presented in Texas, and a bold counterpoint to today’s climate of censorship and cultural erasure. Connect With Adrian Website Instagram Facebook LinkedIn Hey Guys, Check This Out! Are you a guy who keeps struggling to do that thing? You know the thing you keep telling yourself and others you’re going to do, but never do? Then it’s time to get real and figure out why. Join the 40 Plus: Gay Men Gay Talk, monthly chats. They happen the third Monday of each month at 5:00 pm Pacific - Learn More! Also, join our Facebook Community - 40 Plus: Gay Men, Gay Talk Community Break free of fears. Make bold moves. Live life without apologies

In this soulful and unfiltered conversation, singer-songwriter Mike Maimone—a former accountant turned queer creative force—shares how love, loss, and midlife reinvention shaped his music and life. From finding love across an age gap with late partner Howard Bragman, to channeling grief into his upcoming album and book, Guess What, I Love You (out February), Mike opens up about rediscovering purpose after heartbreak. Together, Rick and Mike dive into healing, queer resilience, and what it means to live unapologetically authentic—no fears, no excuses, no apologies. Three Key Takeaways Reinvention knows no age limit: Mike’s switch from accounting to full-time musician proves it’s never too late to follow your authentic rhythm. Love isn’t defined by age—it’s anchored in shared values and authenticity; Mike and Howard’s story shows how connection outlasts external assumptions. Grief can become creative fuel: Mike transformed loss into art, launching an album and book that honor memory by turning pain into performance.  About Mike Originally a business school graduate and accountant, Mike Maimone made his way into full-time music through Chicago’s blues scene, drawing comparisons to legends like Randy Newman and Leon Russell. He has since performed more than 100 shows annually, appearing at festivals such as Lollapalooza, Riot Fest, and Summer Camp, while sharing stages with Blues Traveler, Plain White T’s, and Company of Thieves. His music has been placed on TV soundtracks and even featured at Wrigley Field. In 2023, Maimone released Borrowed Tunes, Vol. 2, followed by sold-out shows in Los Angeles, New York, and Chicago, with proceeds benefiting The Trevor Project. A live album, Songs for You, Alive in Chicago, followed in early 2024. His forthcoming album Guess What? I Love You, available for pre-order in limited-edition vinyl and CD formats, will include handwritten lyrics, liner notes, and photos, further underscoring the deeply personal nature of the project. Connect With Mike Website Instagram Hey Guys, Check This Out! Are you a guy who keeps struggling to do that thing? You know the thing you keep telling yourself and others you’re going to do, but never do? Then it’s time to get real and figure out why. Join the 40 Plus: Gay Men Gay Talk, monthly chats. They happen the third Monday of each month at 5:00 pm Pacific - Learn More! Also, join our Facebook Community - 40 Plus: Gay Men, Gay Talk Community Break free of fears. Make bold moves. Live life without apologies

What happens when fatherhood meets unapologetic pride? David Morgenstern, founder of GADDIES, is redefining what it means to be a gay dad through bold branding, community, and connection. From the evolution of GADDIES as a lifestyle brand for gay fathers to navigating visibility, partnerships, and authenticity, this episode explores how storytelling and representation can reshape culture. Discover how GADDIES built an inclusive space for dads who started their families in different ways—and why visibility still matters for LGBTQ+ parents everywhere. 3 Takeaways: How GADDIES empowers gay dads to show up boldly in family and culture.The business strategy behind creating authentic LGBTQ+ brands.Why representation and intergenerational connection fuel real progress. About David Nobody gets the importance of community quite like the gays. From feeling like outsiders to finding people who love us without reservation, we know both the pain of being tribeless and the joy of true belonging. When David and his my husband became dads, he craved more ways to connect with others on this wild, beautiful ride called fatherhood. He was looking for celebration. A space where families like his could feel seen, supported, and full of pride. That’s why he started Gaddies: to build something bold and joyful for us. The first brand created specifically for gay dads, Gaddies exists to elevate our stories, spark connection, and create community. Whether you’ve been a dad for decades or you’re taking baby steps towards first time fatherhood, Gaddies wants you to to feel seen and inspired to parent with pride. Connect With David Website Instagram Facebook Hey Guys, Check This Out! Are you a guy who keeps struggling to do that thing? You know the thing you keep telling yourself and others you’re going to do, but never do? Then it’s time to get real and figure out why. Join the 40 Plus: Gay Men Gay Talk, monthly chats. They happen the third Monday of each month at 5:00 pm Pacific - Learn More! Also, join our Facebook Community - 40 Plus: Gay Men, Gay Talk Community Break free of fears. Make bold moves. Live life without apologies

What does it take to come out, really come out, when you’ve spent a lifetime hiding behind shame, success, and survival? In this episode of 40 Plus: Gay Men, Gay Talk, Rick Clemons sits down with author Dan Bolin, whose memoir The Courage to Be Courageous tells the story of coming out at 70, healing religious trauma, and learning to love himself as a beautiful gay man. It’s raw. It’s real. And it’s a reminder that no matter your age, it’s never too late to live free and authentic. 3 Key Takeaways From This Episode: It’s never too late to live your truth. Whether you’re 25 or 75, self-acceptance starts the moment you stop apologizing for who you are. Shame doesn’t define you—unless you let it. Healing begins when you stop living by other people’s rules and start writing your own. Your story can save lives. Sharing your truth helps others break their silence and step into courage. About Dan Dan Bolen spent 50 years building a national reputation in executive recruiting—founding the #1 executive search firm in the country—while secretly battling the weight of addiction, faith, and identity. Raised in a strict Jehovah’s Witness household and twice married, Dan didn’t come out as gay until his seventies, after retirement stripped away his old hiding places. Today, he shares his hard-won story of loss, liberation, and finally finding peace by living authentically and in his book entitled The Courage To Be Courageous: A memoir of struggle, success, and truth. Connect With Dan Website Instagram Facebook Hey Guys, Check This Out! Are you a guy who keeps struggling to do that thing? You know the thing you keep telling yourself and others you’re going to do, but never do? Then it’s time to get real and figure out why. Join the 40 Plus: Gay Men Gay Talk, monthly chats. They happen the third Monday of each month at 5:00 pm Pacific - Learn More! Also, join our Facebook Community - 40 Plus: Gay Men, Gay Talk Community Break free of fears. Make bold moves. Live life without apologies

In this raw and heartfelt episode, New York designer, storyteller and former drag performer, John Patrick (JP) for a powerful conversation about growing older, wiser, and freer as gay men. Together, JP and Rick unpack decades of experience — from coming out in different eras to surviving the AIDS crisis, finding confidence through drag and other careers, to redefining what self-acceptance really looks like after 40. It’s not nostalgia. It’s truth-telling — about how far we’ve come, what still needs to change, and the beauty of learning to love yourself without apology. 3 Key Takeaways From This Episode: Self-acceptance is a practice, not a destination. You grow into it, daily. Kindness over judgment. Age brings perspective — and the grace to stop proving yourself. Perfection is overrated. Excellence, authenticity, and joy are the new goals About JP John Patrick - JP - is passionate about transforming spaces and lives through interior design. His philosophy is simple yet powerful: “Changing Overwhelmed into Overjoyed.” As the creative force behind John Patrick Designs, he combines color, texture, lighting, and thoughtful furniture placement to craft environments that elevate how people live and work. From luxury residences to commercial spaces, John’s approach blends sophistication with comfort, ensuring every design feels both beautiful and deeply personal. A South Carolina native now based in New York City, John has been reimagining spaces since childhood—mentally rearranging every room he entered long before doing so professionally. Today, his portfolio spans projects from $500,000 to $10 million, each handled with the same dedication, creativity, and attention to detail. John’s work extends throughout the New York Metro and Tri-State area, including Fairfield, Westchester, Rockland, Bergen, and Hudson counties, as well as national and international relocations. Whether designing a Manhattan penthouse, a suburban family home, or a commercial property, he brings vision, expertise, and heart to every project. John Patrick Designs isn’t just about creating stunning interiors—it’s about designing joy, comfort, and possibility. Connect With JP Website Instagram Facebook LinkedIn Hey Guys, Check This Out! Are you a guy who keeps struggling to do that thing? You know the thing you keep telling yourself and others you’re going to do, but never do? Then it’s time to get real and figure out why. Join the 40 Plus: Gay Men Gay Talk, monthly chats. They happen the third Monday of each month at 5:00 pm Pacific - Learn More! Also, join our Facebook Community - 40 Plus: Gay Men, Gay Talk Community Break free of fears. Make