Innovation doesn’t belong exclusively to billionaires, tech executives, or Silicon Valley—it starts with everyday people, their experiences, and the problems they want to solve. In this episode, Jake Tenenbaum shares with Co-Hosts Daniel W.K. Lee and Shawn Aaron how his work with Out in Tech and his podcast, Syncing Up, creates opportunities for LGBTQ+ people to connect, tell their stories, and explore the relationship between identity and innovation. He explains why technology extends far beyond coding, how AI can both expand opportunities and reinforce bias, and why diverse perspectives are essential to building products that serve more people. In a lively speed round, Jake also opens up about knitting while scrolling TikTok, finding inspiration in everyday life, and his love of acts of service. The conversation celebrates the power of community, authentic storytelling, and using our voices and privileges to support others.

Building Community, Challenging Bias, and Driving Innovation with Jake Tenenbaum  #80

What does it mean to live authentically when society tells you that parts of who you are should be hidden? On this episode of Power Beyond Pride, Shane Lukas and Hunter sit down with longtime activist, educator, and author Race Bannon to explore his journey through queer identity, leather and kink communities, and decades of HIV and STI prevention advocacy. Race reflects on how finding community helped him challenge shame, embrace his sexuality, and turn personal experiences into meaningful activism, including the loss of his first partner to AIDS. From challenging cultural judgments about consensual kink to navigating corporate life while living openly, he shares lessons about self-acceptance, compassion, and the importance of finding your people. It’s a candid, funny, and empowering conversation about making room for pleasure, authenticity, and a life lived on your own terms.

Leather, Liberation, and Living Out Loud with Race Bannon #79

Author and activist Mattilda Bernstein Sycamore sits down with Shane Lukas and Mattie Bynum for a wide-ranging conversation about the personal and political forces behind their work. Mattilda shares how growing up during the AIDS crisis shaped their understanding of queer life, urgency, loss, creativity, and resistance, while also explaining how those experiences continue to inform their writing today. They explore the shortcomings of mainstream LGBTQ+ politics, the importance of preserving movement history, and the emerging resurgence of ACT UP organizing. The episode closes with a playful speed round and a powerful reflection on what Power Beyond Pride means: refusing oppressive terms and creating ways of living, loving, and caring for one another on our own terms.

Vulnerability, Activism, and Queer Resistance with Mattilda Bernstein Sycamore #78

In this wide-ranging conversation, Joanna Whaley explores the intersection of faith, identity, politics, and public service. She discusses her belief in radical inclusive love, the evolution of her faith, and the importance of bringing humanity back into political conversations. Joanna also speaks with Co-Hosts Shane Lukas and Mattie Bynum about issues affecting LGBTQ+ communities, including access to healthcare and the remaining loopholes surrounding conversion therapy in Michigan. Throughout the episode, she emphasizes listening to people, staying focused on the issues that affect their everyday lives, and refusing to let attacks or distractions take the conversation away from what communities actually need.

Purpose, Politics, and Pride with Joanna Whaley #77 

Brie Byers reflects with co-host Daniel W.K Lee and Melodie KG  on finding meaningful work through the Queer Coalition at Illinois State University and how that experience sparked an even bigger commitment to community building. From organizing a trans resource fair and resilience programming to creating queer-focused film events, Brie describes ways that advocacy, education, creativity, and mutual support can work together. Brie also shares the motivation behind building Twin City Trans Femmes, a community space intended to help trans women and trans femmes connect with one another. In a candid speed round, Brie talks about film, self-care, unlearning shame around taking up space, finding community, and the simple motivation of stepping up when nobody else is doing the thing.

Queer Film, Community, and Resistance with Brie Byers #76

In this episode of Power Beyond Pride, Mattie Bynum and Shane Lukas welcome Jordan Lee, a two-time Grammy-nominated educator, award-winning producer, and LGBTQ+ equality advocate. Jordan shares how growing up with two blind parents shaped his understanding of perception, intention, and “heart posture,” while his experiences as a music educator taught him the power of cultural respect and inclusive spaces. He reflects on building community through music, creating ACE: A Collective of Excellence, and developing his artistic world, Leeville. Jordan also opens up about losing his voice, the profound lessons he discovered in silence, and why caring for yourself is essential to continuing to give to others.

---  Learn more about Jordan Lee:
LI: https://www.linkedin.com/in/mrleeville/
Spotify: https://open.spotify.com/artist/0XLFwOvMWkvhr9gPiwErGw?si=kcnu6VTCS9Cf3siuJSDeRQ&nd=1&dlsi=cf9fd79974b84b89  

Learn more about Ave University:
https://www.aceuniversity.org/   

Learn more about your co-hosts:
Shane Lukas
IG: https://www.instagram.com/shanelukascom/
LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/shane-lukas/
Website: https://www.shanelukas.com/  

Mattie Bynum:
IG: https: //www.instagram.com/mattiesymon737/
Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/mattie.bynum.33/
TikTok: https://www.tiktok.com/@mattie.bynum?_r=1&_t=ZT-99BS2mBOFME  

--- 

Remember to review, subscribe and comment.
Check out more about Power Beyond Pride at https://powerbeyondpride.com  
Power Beyond Pride is a community initiative of A Great Idea.
Learn more about A Great Idea at https://agreatidea.com and follow at  @weareagi  on social media

Community, Creativity, and Joy with Jordan Lee #75

What happens when authenticity becomes its own form of activism? Honey Davenport explores that question through a wide-ranging conversation about drag, leather culture, queer pleasure, visibility, and the power of showing up as your fullest self. They discusses the work they are doing with Co-host Kenyon Farrow and Shane Lukas, challenging discrimination in Palm Springs, the importance of education in combating ignorance, and why queer people must pay closer attention to politics beyond the headlines. Honey also shares how drag gave her a mirror to see herself while leather gave her a roadmap to find her community. At its heart, this episode is about claiming autonomy, building community, and carrying the spirit of Pride into everyday life.

Drag, Activism, and Power Beyond Pride with Honey Davenport #74

What can queer history teach us about the work of building a better future? Tony Valenzuela shares lessons from decades of work in queer arts, culture, education, and advocacy, including how organizations can keep stories alive even when political and cultural pressures shift. He talks with our Co-host Shane Lukas and Melodie KG about creating programs that make room for the full diversity of queer experiences, supporting educators, and giving young people the tools to understand their place in history. Tony also reflects on the courage it took to reclaim his own story and turn that experience into a lifelong commitment to storytelling and community. At its heart, this episode is a reminder that knowing where we come from can help us understand where we’re going.

Queer History, Courage, and Legacy with Tony Valenzuela #73

Ethan Ide, founder of the Boston Queer Club, shares how feeling isolated despite growing up in an affirming environment inspired him to build a new kind of queer community. He talks with hosts Shane Lukas and Mattie Bynum about discovering friendship through dating apps, conducting research with LGBTQ+ college students, and turning his personal experiences into an entrepreneurial project. The conversation explores privilege, representation, identity, and why queer spaces don’t always have to revolve around stereotypically queer activities. Ethan also discusses his own mental health journey and the importance of creating communities where young people can connect without feeling pressured to fit a particular label.

Belonging, Mental Health, and Building Community with Ethan Ide #71

Spencer Macnaughton joins Daniel W.K. Lee and Kate d'Adamo to talk about his journey from mainstream media to founding Uncloseted Media. He shares how years of reporting on extremism and anti-LGBTQ groups exposed the urgent need for deeper, more rigorous queer storytelling. 

The conversation explores media fragmentation, journalistic standards, representation, and the responsibility to tell complicated stories with nuance and evidence. Spencer also opens up about his queer journey, the people who inspire him, and why believing in yourself can be the first step toward building something new.



Truth, Stories, and Change with Spencer Macnaughton #70

Ignite your activism! Power Beyond Pride dives deep into the electrifying work of LGBTQ+ leaders and organizers shattering barriers. Hear their inspiring stories, feel the raw power of their purpose, 

Power Beyond Pride · Zencastr

Power Beyond Pride

Ignite your activism! Power Beyond Pride dives deep into the electrifying work of LGBTQ+ leaders and organizers shattering barriers. Hear their inspiring stories, feel the raw power of their purpose, and discover concrete ways YOU can join the movement in your own community. Two dynamic hosts every week, plus a monthly all-host power surge discussing the latest movement news! Get ready to be inspired and take action!