Show Notes
Shaun Williams - founder of Gay Fathers Worldwide and Bent Couch Counselling
Summary In this episode, David Cotton interviews licensed counselor Shaun Williams; he previously had successful career in construction when he came out as gay after 25 years of marriage. After coming out he changed his career to help others finding their true selves. Shaun shares his experiences growing up in the 80s, discovering his sexuality at a young age, and the weight of keeping his secret. He discusses the impact on his family and the challenges he faced in coming out. Shaun also talks about the creation of Gay Fathers Worldwide, a support group he formed for men who have come out later in life. He emphasizes the importance of finding a safe space and community for support and understanding.
Takeaways Coming out later in life can be a lonely and isolating experience, but finding a safe space and community of others who have had similar experiences can provide support and reassurance. The weight of keeping a secret about one's sexuality can have a significant impact on mental health and well-being. The process of coming out can be challenging and may involve difficult conversations with family members and loved ones. Creating a support group or community for individuals who have come out later in life can provide a valuable resource for connection, understanding, and shared experiences. Chapters 00:00 Introduction 00:48 Growing Up in the 80s 02:16 Discovering His Sexuality 03:16 Getting Married 04:15 The Weight of the Secret 05:12 Dealing with Guilt and Shame 06:11 Living a Lie 07:11 Finding Purpose in Helping Others 09:06 Impact on Family 11:30 Inspiration from Daughters 12:56 Coming Out and Seeking Help 13:53 The Process of Coming Out 15:19 Creating Gay Fathers Worldwide 19:11 Regrets and Lessons Learned 23:20 Acceptance in the Gay Community 26:27 Late-Life Coming Out Experience 28:25 Creation of Gay Fathers Worldwide 29:21 Common Experiences of Children 31:48 New Life and Career 36:41 Importance of Community 37:37 Conclusion
Bent Couch Counselling: https://www.bentcouch.com.au/
Gay Fathers Worldwide: https://gayfathersworldwide.wordpress.com/
Podcast website: https://www.OutLateWithDavid.com
YouTube Edition: https://youtu.be/C7PJTAcmGT8
Certified Professional Life Coach, David Cotton: https://www.DavidCottonCoaching.com
Contact me: [email protected]
© 2024 David Cotton Coaching, LLC. All rights reserved.The "Out Late With David" podcast and its content are the property of David Cotton Coaching, LLC. Unauthorized use and/or duplication of this material without express and written permission from David Cotton Coaching, LLC is strictly prohibited. Excerpts and links may be used, provided that full and clear credit is given to "Out Late With David" and David Cotton Coaching, LLC with appropriate and specific direction to the original content.
More from Out Late With David
In this episode of Out Late With David, David sits down with author Peter Leahy to discuss his remarkable journey of coming out at age 44 after 20 years of marriage, raising two children, and living a life that looked successful on the outside but felt deeply unfulfilled within.
What happens when the life you built no longer reflects who you truly are? In this episode of Out Late With David, host David Cotton speaks with David Willett, who spent more than three decades living what appeared to be a traditional life — married, raising three children, and building a successful corporate career.
In this special crossover episode of Out Late With David, David shares his personal coming out story as a guest on The Better Man Podcast with Dean Pohlman, founder of ManFlow Yoga. Together, they explore what it means to choose authenticity later in life, the courage required to rewrite your story, and why it is never too late to live more honestly. If you’ve ever questioned parts of your identity, faced a major life transition, or wondered whether change is still possible, this conversation offers reflection, insight, and hope.