In Part 2 of Ryann’s coming out story, we move beyond the internal journey and into the real-life moments that follow—telling family, navigating reactions, and figuring out what happens next. From coming out as gay in college to later coming out as trans, this episode dives into the fear, uncertainty, and emotional weight that comes with saying the words out loud. We talk about what it feels like to finally share your truth, the anxiety of how people will respond, and why the people closest to you can sometimes be the hardest to tell.

We get into the complicated reality of family reactions—from supportive conversations to confusion, distance, and unmet expectations. Ryann shares what it was like coming out to parents, the pressure of feeling like you’re changing everything, and the surprising ways people process identity shifts. We also talk about the second coming out—transitioning later in life, navigating marriage, and what it looks like to give each other space to grow while staying connected.

This episode also explores what it looked like inside our relationship during that time—especially while navigating pregnancy, parenting, and two completely different internal experiences at the same time. We talk honestly about what it means to support your partner when you don’t fully understand what they’re going through, the concept of “living in two different worlds,” and how communication (even messy, unclear communication) kept us moving forward.

And of course, we share what it was like telling our kids—their reactions, what surprised us most, and why kids often handle big life changes better than adults. From resistance to acceptance to moments that hit harder than expected, this part of our story is one we’ll never forget. This episode is about identity, relationships, and the reality that coming out isn’t just one moment—it’s something you navigate over and over again.

New episodes drop every Wednesday. Follow the show so you don’t miss what’s next, and find us on Instagram to be part of the conversation. We’d love to hear your questions!

We’ve linked the books we talked about below—just a heads up, they’re affiliate links, so we may earn a small commission (at no extra cost to you).

He’s My Mom

It Feels Good To Be Yourself

Jack (Not Jackie)

Julie is a podcast manager who helps people tell the stories they’ve been too scared to share. If you’ve been thinking about starting a podcast… this is your sign. https://juliebeckllc.com/