Welcome to Queerify (fka QUEST: A Journey To Wellness) where we help to demystify wellness for queer, trans, non-binary people of color. By sharing stories from folks who have opened their hearts to radical acceptance, and are taking their wellbeing into their own hands.
Our mission on this podcast is for you to feel less alone, more connected to yourself and to community. We hope this podcast brings you joy where you'll learn, laugh, heal, and grow.
Hosted by V Vasquez (all pronouns), a two-spirit human, joy influencer, energy worker, and dad joke connoisseur.
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🔮♋ Cancer Season: Strap In, Not Strap On w/ Gangsta Gurry | Episode 49
Season 4 · Episode 49
Friday, June 20, 2025 • Duration 45:12
It’s the end of our fourth season y’all, and we couldn’t be more proud of the Queerify community and magic that we all created together 🎉✨
In our last episode we have another tarot tea time with the amazing GG (@gangstagurry) (he/him). We discuss the energy of this Cancer season, and how it’s imploring us to strap in and address our emotions instead of suppressing them. Let go of that emotional baggage so that you can truly soar!
We also provide some much needed information and resources on combatting the ongoing battle with ICE, and the rights we all have in this country. We hope this episode and season has brought you peace and support on your journey to wellness 💕✨
Know your rights! Check out the ACLU and ACLU Instagram for Immigration rights and resources.
Gary D’Andre (he/him), or “Gangsta Gurry” (GG for short), is a queer Black mystic, healer, educator, and writer based in Brooklyn. The creator and host of Mystic Moments Podcast, through Flawless Noises Media Network, he shares what’s happening in our world energetically while teaching his listeners practical tools to help them stay grounded through the shifts and upheavals of life.
His work has previously been featured in Vogue, InStyle, Oprah Daily, BuzzFeed, The Toronto Star, and Teen Vogue. He is also the resident energy forecaster for The Purple Pants Podcast, hosted by Brice Izyah. He’s committed to helping the world find themselves and break free from the matrix, one step at a time with love, compassion, a little sass, and care. He currently lives in Brooklyn, New York, and is obsessed with all things competitive reality television.
👊🏽 Break Barriers, Break Walls, and Thrive w/ Luis Quiroz | Episode 48
Season 4 · Episode 48
Tuesday, June 3, 2025 • Duration 50:21
Happy Pride 🏳️⚧️🏳️🌈 and Immigrant Heritage Month 🎉 On this episode, we’re highlighting a queer community leader Luis Quiroz (he/him), a Mexican-American entrepreneur and DACA (Deferred Action for Childhood Arrivals) recipient.
We discuss his experience growing up undocumented in the U.S., and how he found his passion in helping others like him find citizenship and succeed with their small businesses. We hope you find this episode empowering and uplifting during this month of resistance and celebration 💕
Luis Quiroz (he/him), a queer Mexican-American entrepreneur and the CEO of Trending Socials, a digital marketing agency helping small businesses go viral and thrive online. Luis is a good leader, Libra, and I run Mission Lotería, a bilingual cultural campaign that turns local events into vibrant celebrations while supporting local businesses in the Mission District, SF.
✨ Main Character Energy: Stepping Past Your Fears | Episode 39
Season 4 · Episode 39
Tuesday, February 4, 2025 • Duration 17:57
In the spirit of positive evolution, we’re trying something new! Our host V is stepping out of her fear and stepping into her main character energy.
We love to highlight the magic of those in our community (and we still will be), but it’s time to trust in the wisdom we have here at home. We hope you find inspiration and support in V’s vulnerability, and can step into your own main character energy as well!
Get ready y’all! We’re so excited to be bringing you a new collaboration with the baddie from Brooklyn, Gangsta Gurry aka GG (Gary D’Andre)! GG will be using his gift of a Tarot reading to tap into the current Zodiac season, while also providing thought provoking questions for him and V to discuss and for you to tap into as well.
This episode will be about sharing a new wellness resource/tool with the community, a form of medicine that has been used for millennia. We hope you are inspired and find this and future episodes helpful while you continue on your wellness journey!
FEATURED GUEST:
Gary D’Andre (he/him), or “Gangsta Gurry” (GG for short), is a queer Black mystic, healer, educator, and writer based in Brooklyn. The creator and host of Mystic Moments Podcast, through Flawless Noises Media Network, he shares what’s happening in our world energetically while teaching his listeners practical tools to help them stay grounded through the shifts and upheavals of life.
His work has previously been featured in Vogue, InStyle, Oprah Daily, BuzzFeed, The Toronto Star, and Teen Vogue. He is also the resident energy forecaster for The Purple Pants Podcast, hosted by Brice Izyah. He’s committed to helping the world find themselves and break free from the matrix, one step at a time with love, compassion, a little sass, and care. He currently lives in Brooklyn, New York, and is obsessed with all things competitive reality television.
Happy New Queer! 🎉🌈 Let’s dust off 2024 and rejuvenate our souls with the incredible Parker McMullen Bushman (she/they) aka Kweenwerk (@kweenwerk). Parker is a trailblazing Social & Environmental Justice Activist/Educator. Their mission is to reshape our society's expectation on what an outdoorsy, earth-focused human “should” look like.
Listen in as we discuss the importance of representation in the fight against climate change and what Parker means when they say that racism is killing the planet. We hope you enjoy this episode dear listeners, and happy 2025! 🎉💕
FEATURED GUEST:
Parker is the CEO/Founder of Eco Inclusive Strategies and Founder of Summit for Action. They are also the Board President for the National Association for Interpretation. Listed by Outside Magazine in 2022 as one of the 20 Most Influential People in the Outdoor Industry, Parker is dedicated to reshaping the environmental fields to be more inclusive and equitable.
Parker has a background in non-profit leadership, conservation, environmental education, and outdoor recreation, spanning over 25+ years.
EPISODE HIGHLIGHTS:
02:36 Introducing Parker McMullin Bushman
05:55 Parker's Background and Inspiration
08:29 Connecting with Nature and Wellness
12:42 Challenges and Representation in the Outdoors
16:09 Environmental Justice and Social Media
33:11 Impact of Redlining and Environmental Racism
42:32 Inclusive Guide and Community Engagement
They/Them/Tired (Year-End Wrap-Up) | Episode 36
Season 4 · Episode 36
Tuesday, December 10, 2024 • Duration 39:23
It’s time to wrap it up y’all! 2024 was full of so many great guests and so many great memories, so why not reminisce? In this episode V and co-producer Raphaella (she/her) (@la.vida.bruja14) discuss their favorite moments from recent episodes.
Don’t miss out as we discuss the intersectional experiences of our guests and how their vulnerability opened our minds and their hearts. See you next year dear listeners! 💕
....and special S/O to the fab, Dr. Jon Paul Higgins (They/Them) for the idea for the show title ;)
For this time in November we like to focus our attention on the experiences of the indigenous community. So this week we have Tiana-Malia Keleli’i Kawaihoa-Marquez (all pronouns accepted), a kanaka ‘oiwi (Native Hawaiian), Māhū (two-spirit), raised in the ‘aina (land) of Maunalua, Oahu. They practice Uhi (Hawaiian traditional tattooing), are a student of Genealogy, and produce ‘awa, a traditional drink that helps to calm and relax the body and mind.
In this episode, we discuss getting back to authenticity through community and ancestral medicine, and what it's like to be unapologetically Māhū in spaces that aren’t traditionally carved out for those identities.
We hope you love this episode as much as we did 💕
EPISODE HIGHLIGHTS:
03:01 Kele's Background and Identity
03:37 The Role of Genealogy and Traditional Practices
05:02 Kele's Personal Journey and Spiritual Growth
20:24 Connecting with Ancestors and Community
30:36 Advice for Tourists Visiting Hawaii
38:24 The Significance of Mauna Lua
39:00 Community Efforts and Challenges
43:35 Personal Reflections and Family Influence
48:07 The Cultural Importance of Tattoos
49:16 Tattooing Practices and Symbolism
55:03 Spiritual and Personal Growth
01:00:58 Radical Acceptance and Authenticity
Resilience & Hope w/ Yinka Freeman | Episode 34
Season 4 · Episode 34
Tuesday, November 5, 2024 • Duration 01:01:20
Tensions, anxiety, and uncertainty is high on this historical day in American history, and we wanted to ground you in hope and unity.
We share an important conversation with Yinka Freeman (She/her), CEO of Triple Pocket Events and Know Other Festival, a queer wellness festival based in California, created to cultivate a deeper connection with yourself and the LGBTQ+ community.
Yinka discusses her passion for creating wellness spaces for the queer community, and her joy as a first time voter in this country. As an immigrant from Sierra Leone who fled during the country’s civil war, Yinka’s unique life experiences encompass true resilience and hope.
Yinka Freeman is a trailblazer in the event industry and has over fifteen years of experience designing, producing, and executing events. She’s an event production expert, and fiercely passionate about making her client’s vision come to life.
As a mission-driven individual, Yinka started Triple Pocket Events with the sole desire to create diversified, valuable experiences for all kinds of people. Yinka has spearheaded events for San Diego Pride, Sum of Us Festival, Clexacon, Kaiser Permanente, and many more. Notable press features include The San Diego Union Tribune, San Diego Voyager, and Shoutout LA, among others.
STFU Susan w/ Gangsta Gurry | Episode 33
Season 4 · Episode 33
Tuesday, October 29, 2024 • Duration 55:49
Happy Spooky Season! 👻🧙🏽♀️🎃
Step into the dark side with us as we discuss all things Scorpio energy with the amazing Gangsta Gurry aka Gary D’Andre (He/him) who's the creator and host of Mystic Moments podcast, and writer of, “Tarot For You and Me: A Queer, Gender-Queer, Non-Binary and Allies tarot deck that is inclusive, joyful and dynamic”.
We dig into the Scorpio theme of death and rebirth, and discuss how this energy can be used to evolve and elevate your personal life. overcoming your inner saboteur, and how finding fun and light hearted ways to do just that can be so helpful.
Hope you enjoy! 💕🎃
FEATURED GUEST:
Gangsta Gurry aka Gary D’Andre (@gangstagurry) (he/him), is a queer Black mystic, healer, educator, and writer based in Brooklyn. The creator and host of Mystic Moments Podcast, through Flawless Noises Media Network, he shares what’s happening in our world energetically while teaching his listeners practical tools to help them stay grounded through the shifts and upheavals of life.
His work has previously been featured in Vogue, InStyle, Oprah Daily, BuzzFeed, The Toronto Star, and Teen Vogue. He is also the resident energy forecaster for The Purple Pants Podcast, hosted by Brice Izyah. He’s committed to helping the world find themselves and break free from the matrix, one step at a time with love, compassion, a little sass, and care. He currently lives in Brooklyn, New York, and is obsessed with all things competitive reality television.
EPISODE HIGHLIGHTS:
00:00 Introduction to Grace and Acceptance
Bitch You Are Doing the Best That You Can w/ Black, Fat, Femme Podcast | Episode 32
Season 4 · Episode 32
Tuesday, October 15, 2024 • Duration 01:10:44
Hey lovelies! We’re so excited to finally be back in your ear balls with our first full episode of Season 4! We sit and chat with the amazing duo, Jordan ‘Joho’ Daniels (He/Him) and Dr. Jon Paul (They/Them) of the Black, Fat, Femme Podcast (BFF).
We dive into the intersectional experience of being queer, POC and fat plus how to use fear as a catalyst for change, how to maintain your self worth through the current political season, and building a mindset and life for yourself, where the limit does not exist (don't listen to your inner plastics). We hope you enjoy this episode!
Dr Jon Paul is a Leo and an educator, professor, national speaker, freelance journalist, thought leader, and media critic who is passionate about television and film. A Culture Strike 2021 Disruptor and Twitter Spaces Spark Creator, Dr. Higgins is a trailblazer who is creating, sharing, and crafting the stories their ancestors didn’t get to tell. Dr. Higgins has held positions at both Chernin Entertainment & Edith Productions and currently consults at United Artists, Amazon, and other media leaders. Some fun facts about them are that they were on “Nailed It” and that they are an avid user of Peloton.
📇 Check out all the wellness resources mentioned on the podcast here including:
Win With Black Women, a network is leading the way to ensure ballot access. We are partnering with Sisters Lead Sisters Vote and Vote.Org to provide online access
JoHo is a Libra and a Fat Queer Afro-Jew writer, photographer, activist, and fashionista. As co-host of the BFF: Black Fat Femme podcast, JoHo focuses on diving deep into the guests' experiences, their power as BFFs, and their joy. As a creative, Jordan has been featured locally and nationally in publications such as Tablet Magazine, Essence, and San Diego Voyager. During his free time, Jordan plays kickball in his queer kickball league, volunteers in the community, and spends his weekends at museums and art galleries."
EPISODE HIGHLIGHTS:
00:00 Welcome to Queerify!
01:48 Introducing the New Season and Guests
02:49 Meet Dr. John Paul and Joho
03:41 Diving into Personal Quirks and Interests
05:08 Discussing the Spectrum of Sexuality
05:50 Celebrity Crushes and Attraction
11:00 The Birth of the Black Fat Femme Podcast
15:40 Navigating Identity and Intersectionality
29:12 Wellness Journeys and Self-Care Practices
37:21 Nature and Personal Preferences
37:50 Relaxation and Popcorn
38:37 Social Media Habits
39:38 Good and Evil Inclinations
42:10 Advocacy and Fear
45:33 Standing Your Ground
49:07 The Power of Collective Action
54:44 Messages of Hope and Resilience
01:02:50 Radical Acceptance
01:07:57 Closing Remarks and Socials
📇 Check out all the wellness resources mentioned on the podcast here.
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