Your authenticity is not small—it’s a radical act of defiance. In this heartfelt solo episode, host Bryan Stanton (they/them) reflects on five transformative lessons from their conversation with queer icon Jeffrey Marsh. Together, they explore what it means to teach with joy, show the seams of your process, and create classrooms that radically affirm LGBTQ+ identity. For queer educators and LGBTQ+ teachers navigating visibility, vulnerability, and resistance, this episode is a love letter and a ...
Jun 26, 2025•20 min•Ep. 159
“You’re not doing a little podcast—what you do is not little.” In this heartfelt Pride Month episode, host Bryan Stanton and viral educator Jeffrey Marsh dive into what it means to teach, live, and lead while queer—especially in a world that seems to both need us and fear us. This episode is a love letter to LGBTQ+ teachers navigating doxing, isolation, and the politicization of their existence. Learn how queer educators can show up authentically, even when it’s not safe to come out Explore how ...
Jun 24, 2025•1 hr 2 min•Ep. 158
You don’t have to wave a flag to be radical—but you do have to survive. In this special solo episode, host Bryan Stanton shares five transformative takeaways from his conversation with Jed Dearybury—LGBTQ+ educator, illustrator, and champion of joy in South Carolina schools. This is for every queer teacher navigating visibility, safety, and joy under pressure. In this episode, you will: Learn how “quiet” queer pedagogy can be just as powerful as loud pride. Understand the mental health toll of b...
Jun 19, 2025•11 min•Ep. 157
Jed Dearybury faced death threats and political attacks—just for being a gay educator who spoke the truth. In this searing episode, Jed shares how being visible as a queer teacher in South Carolina put a target on his back—from right-wing Twitter mobs to local politicians who openly threatened his job and safety. Despite the harassment, Jed continues to teach, speak, and advocate with joy, humor, and relentless love for his community. Listeners will hear: How queer visibility in schools became a...
Jun 17, 2025•44 min•Ep. 156
Pride Month ends—but your queerness doesn’t. For queer educators, June often brings rainbow logos and empty gestures—while silence reigns inside the school walls. In this episode of Teaching While Queer , host Bryan Stanton (they/them) digs deep into what it means to reclaim Pride as a daily practice of resistance, authenticity, and survival. You’ll learn: How to transform performative Pride into meaningful daily visibility Practical steps for building inclusive classrooms without burning out Wh...
Jun 12, 2025•8 min•Ep. 155
She was investigated three times—for creating a safe space where kids could be seen. In this searing conversation, queer elementary teacher and mom Adriana Tune shares what it’s really like to show up as your full self in a conservative district. We unpack what true allyship means, how institutional fear erases queer families, and why queer visibility in elementary schools is both powerful and risky. Listeners will learn: How small shifts—like changing bathroom passes—can transform a classroom W...
Jun 10, 2025•44 min•Ep. 154
Pride Month can feel hollow when your school ignores your existence. For queer educators, visibility isn’t just a celebration—it’s survival. In this episode, Bryan Stanton (they/them) unpacks how to reclaim Pride as a purposeful, daily practice when your institution stays silent. With both tenderness and tenacity, Bryan speaks directly to queer teachers navigating erasure, fear, and exhaustion. This isn’t about performative allyship or rainbow logos—it’s about how to live and teach with authenti...
Jun 05, 2025•10 min•Ep. 153
“I wasn’t even out to my union.” That single admission reveals the quiet, daily compromises many queer educators make. This episode pulls back the curtain on the hidden emotional labor and risks faced by LGBTQ+ teachers in today’s climate. In this episode, you will: Discover how coming out can transform an educator’s relationship with their students and coworkers Learn the personal costs of staying closeted in professional spaces, including unions and school leadership Explore the unique pressur...
Jun 03, 2025•20 min•Ep. 152
What if just five small shifts could radically change how your students feel seen, safe, and celebrated in your classroom? In this episode of Teaching While Queer , Bryan Stanton breaks down five transformative practices inspired by his powerful interview with theater educator Tim Cusick. These aren't abstract theories—they're real, actionable changes that can turn any classroom into a queer-affirming environment. From embracing vulnerability to challenging outdated norms, each shift is designed...
May 29, 2025•9 min•Ep. 151
What happens when queer identity, vulnerability, and education collide in a college theater classroom? This episode dives into the powerful intersection of pedagogy, queerness, and the transformative potential of performance. Join adjunct theater lecturer Tim Cusick as he shares how his experiences in queer youth theater and his own identity shape his inclusive approach to teaching. From students using monologues to come out as trans, to confronting entrenched gender norms in theater education, ...
May 27, 2025•1 hr 4 min•Ep. 150
What if the most radical thing you could bring into your classroom isn’t resistance—but joy? In this celebration-filled episode of Teaching While Queer , Bryan Stanton flips the script on traditional trauma narratives in education and makes the case for joy as a transformative force in queer pedagogy. Too often, we focus solely on surviving oppressive systems. But what happens when we center laughter, glitter, and connection instead? Bryan explores the power of queer joy as both strategy and san...
May 22, 2025•16 min•Ep. 149
What if praising queer educators for being “resilient” is actually just another way to keep them exhausted and unsupported? In this episode of Teaching While Queer , host Bryan Stanton pulls back the curtain on the myth of resilience — especially for queer educators who are trans, nonbinary, BIPOC, or multiply marginalized. Through personal stories, critical insights, and tangible strategies, Bryan invites listeners to reclaim rest as a radical, necessary act of self-preservation. In this episod...
May 20, 2025•11 min•Ep. 148
Are you a queer educator struggling to balance authenticity with classroom safety—and wondering if sharing your story can actually build trust? In this episode, host Bryan Stanton (they/them) explores how embracing your queer identity and personal narrative can create safer, more inclusive learning environments—without putting yourself at risk. Drawing inspiration from educator and paranormal medium Rob Gutro, you'll learn how story, strategy, and self-awareness can transform your teaching pract...
May 15, 2025•8 min•Ep. 147
What if building an inclusive classroom started with sharing your personal truth—and the voices from beyond? In this episode, Rob Gutro, a queer paranormal medium and adult educator, reveals how he weaves spirit communication, lived experience, and openness into his classroom to create a radically inclusive and trusting space for learners of all backgrounds—especially LGBTQ+ adults. In this episode, you will: Discover how storytelling and spirit work can foster trust and connection in diverse le...
May 13, 2025•37 min•Ep. 146
What if the people building safe spaces in schools are the ones who feel the least safe? In this deeply personal episode, host Bryan Stanton (they/them) explores the emotional and professional toll of being a queer educator in a system not designed to protect—or even acknowledge—you. If you’ve ever felt like teaching as your full self comes at a cost, this episode will resonate hard. In this episode, you will: Hear real, raw stories from LGBTQ+ educators navigating burnout, invisibility, and uns...
May 08, 2025•9 min•Ep. 145
What do you do when your job, your identity, and your safety are all under political attack—just because you’re an LGBTQ+ educator? If you're a queer teacher—or support one—you’ve likely felt the chilling effect of anti-LGBTQ+ policies creeping into schools. This episode breaks down exactly what’s happening across the U.S. and globally, and why educators are sounding the alarm. In this episode, you will: Hear real stories from queer educators navigating policy threats, visibility challenges, and...
May 06, 2025•11 min•Ep. 144
Feeling like you have to stage a protest just to make a difference as a queer educator? Visibility isn’t about shouting the loudest — it's about being present, real, and intentional in ways that matter to your students and your school community. After my conversation with Anthony Nicodemo, it’s clear: you already have everything you need to make a real impact. In this episode, you'll learn: Five practical ways to use everyday visibility to create safer schools and teams. How to quietly signal sa...
May 01, 2025•10 min•Ep. 143
Have you ever wondered if being visible as a queer educator could actually transform your students' lives? Many LGBTQ+ educators and coaches feel isolated, invisible, or unsure how to advocate for themselves in spaces that still carry outdated stigma — especially in athletics. This episode shows how living authentically can open doors, challenge stereotypes, and create safer, stronger communities for students. In this episode, you will: Discover how your daily visibility, even without grand gest...
Apr 29, 2025•33 min•Ep. 142
Feeling the pressure to be “loud and proud” in a school environment that isn’t safe? What if quiet authenticity could be just as powerful? In a time when overt displays of support for LGBTQ+ students can feel risky—or even be banned—many queer educators are wondering how to still show up, protect their peace, and make an impact. This episode explores the subtle, strategic choices that send signals of safety, belonging, and care—without ever needing to raise a flag or wear a pin. In this episode,...
Apr 24, 2025•11 min•Ep. 141
Can subtle shifts in language and presence make more impact than bold declarations when supporting LGBTQ+ students? In a time when visibility can feel risky and performative gestures fall flat, quiet consistency and intentional language may be the most powerful tools queer educators have. This episode explores how affirming youth doesn’t always require loud activism—sometimes, it’s the quiet moments that matter most. In this episode, you will: Discover practical ways to create safe spaces withou...
Apr 22, 2025•31 min•Ep. 140
Feeling like you're constantly code-switching just to survive in the classroom? If you’re a queer educator trying to create safer spaces for students while holding onto your own identity, you’re not alone. This episode dives into what it really means to show up authentically in education—without sacrificing your sanity or safety. In this episode, you will: A fresh perspective on how queerness and storytelling can build deeper classroom connections Practical ways to model pronoun fluidity and cre...
Apr 17, 2025•9 min•Ep. 139
What happens when a college theater class becomes the one place where students feel safe enough to be fully themselves? This episode dives deep into how the arts—especially theater—can offer more than creative expression. In many classrooms, it's become a sanctuary where students explore gender, identity, and self-worth. From fluid pronoun usage to discovering strength through performance, the conversation reveals the quiet power of inclusive education in environments that don’t always support i...
Apr 15, 2025•53 min•Ep. 138
Are you a queer educator feeling the pressure of anti-LGBTQ+ laws, online harassment, or rising fascist rhetoric in schools? In this episode, we dive deep into the current wave of attacks targeting queer teachers and offers grounded, practical strategies to protect yourself, build community, and stay in the fight—without burning out. Whether you're in a hostile district or just feeling alone, this conversation meets you where you are. In this episode, you will: Learn how to assess and improve yo...
Apr 10, 2025•20 min•Ep. 137
What if supporting your students’ pronouns could cost you your job—or your parental rights? This episode dives into the April 2025 Executive Order that rebrands gender-affirming care as “child abuse” and attacks the educators and families who provide it. This isn’t just another political statement—it’s a federally-endorsed narrative with real consequences for LGBTQ+ educators, parents, and students. If you're a queer teacher, parent of a trans child, or school ally, this episode breaks down what...
Apr 08, 2025•16 min•Ep. 136
Can LGBTQ+ teachers truly be themselves in the classroom? Despite progress, many still face discrimination, fear, and pushback when advocating for inclusion. In this episode of Teaching While Queer , Bryan Stanton recaps an eye-opening conversation with Greg R. Baird, a longtime educator and activist. Greg shares his personal experiences navigating the education system as a gay teacher, the resistance he faced when launching a GSA, and how he’s adapted his advocacy to keep pushing for change. If...
Apr 03, 2025•9 min•Ep. 135
What does it really take to be an LGBTQ+ educator in today's world? How can teachers go from overcoming fear and bias to becoming a global advocate for allyship and inclusion. If you’ve ever felt like you couldn’t be your authentic self in your workplace, this episode is for you. We talk about the struggles LGBTQ+ educators face, the role of allyship, and how to create a more inclusive environment for both teachers and students. In this episode, you will: Learn how to navigate the challenges of ...
Apr 01, 2025•33 min•Ep. 134
Queer educators are often told to stay silent about their identities—but what impact does that have on LGBTQ+ students? In this episode, we explore why visibility in education is more than just representation—it’s a lifeline. Many queer teachers worry about speaking up due to fear of backlash, job security, or simply not knowing how to navigate difficult conversations. But when educators remain invisible, students lose essential role models and support systems. This episode uncovers why visibili...
Mar 27, 2025•11 min•Ep. 133
How can educators create truly inclusive spaces for queer and trans students? And what’s the hidden bias that might be holding them back? In this episode, we talk with educator and author Kimm Topping (they/them) about the challenges queer youth face in schools, the impact of adultism, and why affirming spaces are essential for student success. Drawing from their own experiences and professional work, Kimm shares insights on building trust, fostering inclusivity, and combating harmful biases in ...
Mar 25, 2025•27 min•Ep. 132
Have you ever felt unsafe online just for being who you are? If you’re a queer educator, digital harassment is a real and growing threat—but you don’t have to face it alone. The rise of online attacks against LGBTQ+ educators is not just frustrating—it’s dangerous. From doxxing to mass reporting, these tactics can impact your mental health, career, and personal safety. In this episode, we break down exactly how to protect yourself and turn harassment into empowerment. In this episode, you will: ...
Mar 20, 2025•11 min•Ep. 131
What happens when your personal story goes viral for all the wrong reasons? How do you navigate grief, identity, and public scrutiny—all at once? In this episode, Aiden shares their deeply personal journey of dealing with loss, finding strength in identity, and facing online attacks after a viral moment. From overcoming depression to advocating for LGBTQ+ students, Aiden opens up about resilience, community, and the importance of standing strong in the face of adversity. In this episode, you wil...
Mar 18, 2025•27 min•Ep. 130
