Generous love is the theme of this episode.

Josie Ross-McCloud and I get candid about the complex relationship between a queer child and their heterosexual parents and family. Josie’s incredible child Salem is a part of the LGBTQIA+ community. They identify as non-binary trans masculine. 

In this conversation, Josie holds the most loving space for me to talk about one of the most turbulent and transformative times in my life — coming out to my mom at age 22 in 2015. 

I share a few vivid experiences from my youth that pushed me deep in the closet and made it seem impossible for me to come out — and I share the shocking way my mom found out I was gay. 

Josie kindly offers me the opportunity to go back in time and re-do the coming out conversation I had with my mom. This was extremely moving and healing. 

We also discuss:

• The need all humans have for belonging.
• How dark and light can co-exist.
• The challenges of being queer and transgender and how we can become better allies.
• And how you can create more inclusive, equitable, and affirming spaces within your home and community for the LGBTQIA+ community today.

Josie has navigated a 30+ year career in textiles and apparel as a designer and leader of teams. She’s a wife and mother who loves and celebrates all humans. Her life mission is to continually choose love over fear, to be radically inclusive, and contribute to helping people feel acceptance. This is who she is to me as a friend and in this episode big time.

Resources:

• Learn more about my Marketing Masterclass on 12.1.22!
• Organizations that support the LGBTQIA+ community and its youth: The Trevor Project, PFLAG, GLAAD, Born This Way Foundation.
• Connect with me @lucca_petrucci on Instagram or TikTok.

This episode was produced by Lucca Petrucci and mixed and mastered by Joel Yoshonis.