Empowered & Out

Empowered & Out is the podcast for anyone who wants a career that feels aligned, meaningful, and authentic.Hosted by career purpose and confidence coach Jonathan Barbe, each episode explores confidence, identity, and self-worth at work through coaching insights and candid conversations with leaders and change-makers redefining success.Rooted in LGBTQ+ lived experience and open to everyone, this podcast supports listeners navigating burnout, career transitions, toxic workplaces, and the pressure to mask who they are.Whether you’re rebuilding confidence, seeking clarity, or ready to show up more fully at work, Empowered & Out is here to help — without apology.

Empowered & Out is a business podcast hosted by Jonathan Barbe, with 84 episodes on record and a Required Pod Score of 80. PitchCentric scores this show on Booking Probability, Listen Score, and live audience signals refreshed every 24 hours.

Jonathan Barbe hosts Empowered & Out, a business show with 84 episodes published.

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  Empowered & Out

  Can Faith Be LGBTQ+ Affirming? Finding Churches Where You Truly Belong

  Aug 18, 20261h 8m

  What does it actually mean for a church to be LGBTQ+ affirming — not simply welcoming, but genuinely safe, inclusive, and committed to belonging? In this powerful episode of Empowered & Out: The Career Coaching Podcast , Coach Jon is joined by Reverend Liz Patz, pastor of St. Paul’s United Church of Christ in Elgin, Illinois, and returning guest Maya Garner for an open and deeply personal conversation about faith, LGBTQ+ identity, religious hurt, healing, scripture, and finding community. Maya shares her experience searching for affirming churches and the additional questions she has carried as a Black LGBTQ+ woman. Reverend Liz explains why genuine affirmation requires much more than displaying a rainbow flag — and what churches in the United Church of Christ actually go through when pursuing the official Open and Affirming designation. The conversation also tackles one of the most difficult subjects surrounding LGBTQ+ people and Christianity: scripture. Reverend Liz discusses the importance of historical and cultural context when interpreting biblical texts, and the group explores the controversy surrounding the introduction of the word “homosexual” into modern Bible translations and the documentary 1946: The Mistranslation That Shifted Culture . As Reverend Liz and Maya remind us throughout this conversation: keep looking. Your people may be out there. Resources mentioned in this episode: St. Paul’s United Church of Christ — Elgin, Illinois www.stpauluccelgin.org St. Paul’s identifies itself as an Open and Affirming congregation and offers both in-person and online worship. ( St. Paul's United Church of Christ ) Open and Affirming Coalition of the United Church of Christ https://openandaffirming.org/ Find an affirming church: https://www.gaychurch.org/ 1946: The Mistranslation That Shifted Culture https://www.1946themovie.com/ ️ PODCAST CHAPTERS 00:00 — Why Are We Talking About Faith on a Career Podcast? 01:44 — Energy Check-In With Liz & Maya 03:20 — Reverend Liz’s Journey Into Ministry 05:50 — Maya’s Personal Faith Journey 11:59 — “Is This Church Really Safe for Me?” 14:31 — What “Open and Affirming” Actually Means 19:19 — Returning to Church After Religious Hurt 24:08 — Why “Open and Affirming” Carries Responsibility 26:05 — How a Church Becomes Open and Affirming 29:28 — Why Flying a Rainbow Flag Isn’t Enough 33:27 — How to Tell Whether a Church Is Genuinely Affirming 38:07 — LGBTQ+ People, Scripture & Religious Harm 41:03 — Why Historical Context Matters When Reading the Bible 42:50 — The 1946 Translation Conversation 49:48 — What Authentic Welcome and Belonging Look Like 52:24 — How Do You Know You’ve Found the Right Church? 53:43 — LGBTQ+ Inclusion Beyond Sunday Morning 58:55 — Finding Community When You Live in a Small Town 1:01:13 — How Online Worship Has Changed Access 1:04:19 — Hope for LGBTQ+ Inclusion in Faith Communities 1:07:07 — Where There Is Still Work to Do 1:09:46 — Rapid Fire With Liz & Maya 1:18:58 — A Final Message for Anyone Carrying Religious Hurt 1:22:17 — Closing Thoughts & Where to Find Resources

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  Episode #3

  You Are More Than Your Job Title: Redefining Success, Purpose and Career Identity with Malcolm Chen

  Jul 28, 202651 minS4

  What happens when the career title you worked so hard to earn no longer reflects who you are—or the life you want to build? In this episode, Coach Jon sits down with Malcolm Chen, an investor relations manager, entrepreneur, career advisor, community builder and proud cat daddy based in Singapore. Malcolm shares how his unconventional career journey took him through hospitality, human resources, marketing, communications, adult education, entrepreneurship and investor relations—and why those pivots ultimately helped him separate his identity from his job title. Together, Jon and Malcolm explore how our definitions of success change over time, why career growth does not always mean climbing the corporate ladder and how professionals can begin building financial and career resilience before they desperately need it. Malcolm also shares honest lessons from starting multiple businesses, balancing ambition with burnout, building a community around his pet products company and choosing progress over perfection when launching something new. In this episode, you’ll discover: • Why your job title should not become your entire identity • How burnout can force you to reconsider what success means • Why career pivots do not have to follow a traditional path • How to build a career safety net through skills, interests and relationships • The difference between planning carefully and getting trapped in analysis paralysis • Why community is becoming more valuable than simply producing more content • How purpose can extend beyond work and income • What LGBTQ+ visibility and inclusion can look like in Singapore • Why you do not have to follow someone else’s definition of success Whether you are considering a career pivot, building a side business, questioning your professional identity or simply wondering what comes next, this conversation will encourage you to remain open to the next adventure. EPISODE CHAPTERS 00:00 – Welcome and introduction to Malcolm Chen 02:30 – An unconventional career across multiple industries 03:00 – Realizing you are more than your job title 05:23 – Burnout, mental health and rebuilding career identity 08:09 – What happens when your identity is tied to work? 09:56 – Redefining success beyond climbing the ladder 13:01 – Titles, comparison and choosing work-life balance 14:55 – Career decisions that felt risky but paid off 17:36 – Returning to corporate life in a completely new role 19:47 – How to recognize when it is time to pivot 22:37 – Building a career and financial safety net 25:38 – Common mistakes people make with side businesses 27:48 – Progress over perfection in entrepreneurship 29:45 – Balancing business ambition without burning out 32:40 – Building a pet business around community and purpose 35:27 – How Malcolm’s definition of purpose has evolved 37:55 – LGBTQ+ professional life in Singapore 39:19 – Pink Dot, LGBTQ+ rights and social progress 43:04 – Pride celebrations in Singapore and the United States 45:26 – Misconceptions about LGBTQ+ life across Asia 48:49 – What global LGBTQ+ communities can learn from one another 52:15 – Rapid-fire questions with Malcolm 54:42 – Malcolm’s message for anyone feeling stuck 55:39 – Final reflections and how to take your next step Feeling stuck, disconnected or unsure about your next professional move? Through the Empowered Career Transformation Program, Coach Jon helps professionals move from career confusion and self-doubt into clarity, confidence, strategy and aligned action. Send Coach Jon a message with the word CLARITY to learn more or schedule a career clarity conversation.

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  Episode #2

  Leadership, Inclusion & Mental Wellbeing with Amanda Millar

  Jul 21, 202648 minS4

  What does it really mean to be authentic at work? In this episode of Empowered & Out: The Career Coaching Podcast , Coach Jon sits down with Amanda Millar—lawyer, ADHD coach, leadership consultant, suicide prevention trustee, and the first openly LGBTQ+ President of the Law Society of Scotland—for an honest conversation about authenticity, leadership, inclusion, and mental wellbeing. Together they explore why so many professionals still feel they need to hide parts of themselves at work, how inclusive leadership directly impacts organizational success, and why mental health deserves the same attention as physical health. Amanda also shares her personal leadership journey, the lessons she wishes she knew earlier in her career, and why curiosity—not certainty—is one of the most important leadership qualities. Whether you're a leader, manager, HR professional, LGBTQ+ employee, or simply someone trying to build a career where you can truly be yourself, this episode is packed with practical insights and meaningful reflection. You'll learn: • Why authenticity looks different for everyone • The hidden cost of masking at work • How great leaders create psychological safety • Why inclusion is more than policies and ERGs • The connection between mental wellbeing and workplace culture • How curiosity creates stronger organizations • Advice for LGBTQ+ professionals navigating authenticity If you've ever wondered whether you truly belong at work, this conversation is for you. Podcast Chapters 00:00 Welcome & Meet Amanda Millar 01:20 Amanda's Career Journey 07:10 Finding Her Leadership Voice 13:00 Advice to Her Younger Self 15:15 What Authenticity Really Means 20:05 Common Misunderstandings About Authenticity 26:30 LGBTQ+ Mental Health Matters 34:15 Creating Safe Workplace Cultures 37:00 One Leadership Habit That Changes Everything 39:00 What Inclusive Organizations Do Differently 44:15 Advice for LGBTQ+ Professionals 52:40 Hope for the Next Generation 1:00:20 Rapid Fire Questions 1:02:15 Amanda's Final Message

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  Episode #1

  From Hiding to Thriving: Steven Whyte on Identity, Confidence & Reinvention

  Jul 14, 202656 minS4

  What happens when you stop living for everyone else's expectations and finally start living for yourself? In this deeply honest conversation, Coach Jon sits down with Steven Whyte —lawyer, coach, former Mr. Gay Scotland, marathon runner, and confidence coach—to explore what it truly means to reinvent yourself. Steven shares his journey from growing up gay in Scotland during the 1980s, hiding parts of himself for years, navigating multiple career changes, transforming his health, and discovering that lasting change has very little to do with weight—and everything to do with identity. Together they discuss: Growing up feeling different Coming out and finding acceptance Why career success doesn't always equal fulfillment Midlife as a time of awakening—not crisis The mindset shifts that create lasting transformation Why asking for help is one of the bravest things you can do Living authentically at work and in life The power of courage, curiosity, and coaching Whether you're questioning your career, rebuilding your confidence, or simply wondering what comes next, this episode will remind you that your next chapter can be your most authentic one yet. Connect with Steven linkedin.com/in/steven-whyte-6b91811a7 Chapters 00:00 Introduction 01:30 Energy Check-In 04:10 Growing Up Different in Scotland 12:55 The Diary That Changed Everything 20:40 Finding Community Through Music 22:30 Success vs. Fulfillment 31:45 Why Transformation Isn't About Weight 38:45 Coaches Need Coaches Too 45:30 Identity vs. Career Changes 49:15 Why Midlife Is Actually a New Beginning 55:00 Courage Then vs. Courage Now 58:40 Rapid Fire Questions 1:03:05 Final Advice for Anyone Feeling Stuck 1:04:10 Coach Jon's Closing Thoughts

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  Empowered & Out

  Equity, Leadership, and the Courage to Build Better Workplaces

  Jul 1, 202658 min

  In this powerful episode of Empowered & Out: The Career Coaching Podcast, Coach Jon sits down with Celeste Warren, a visionary leader, consultant, author, and former Vice President and Chief Diversity & Inclusion Officer at a global Fortune 100 company. Celeste brings decades of experience helping organizations create more equitable, inclusive, and human-centered workplaces. She is also the founder of Celeste Warren Consulting LLC, co-founder of Destination STEM Inc., and author of “The Truth About Equity.” Together, Coach Jon and Celeste explore what equity really means, why performative inclusion is not enough, and how workplaces can create cultures where people feel safe, seen, respected, and able to thrive. Celeste shares her experience being the first and only woman of color in leadership spaces, the impact of masking and covering at work, and the importance of leaders knowing their people beyond job titles. PODCAST CHAPTERS 00:00 — Welcome to Empowered & Out 02:22 — Meet Celeste Warren 03:34 — Walking in Purpose and Leaving the Sunday Scaries Behind 05:11 — Being the First and Only in Leadership Spaces 08:54 — Why Representation Alone Is Not Enough 10:31 — Masking, Covering, and the Energy It Takes to Fit In 15:53 — Diversity, Inclusion, Belonging, and Equity Explained 18:03 — Where Organizations Get Inclusion Wrong 20:12 — What Meaningful ERG Support Can Look Like 24:24 — Creating Safety for LGBTQ+ and Intersectional Professionals 30:45 — Generational Shifts, Values, and the Future of Work 36:21 — Building Experience Beyond Traditional Internships 39:17 — What Leaders Can Do Right Now to Build Trust 42:23 — Celeste’s Book: The Truth About Equity 46:28 — The Rocks and the Fence Analogy 49:47 — Lessons from Celeste’s Father’s Leadership Journey 53:33 — Family Stories, Advocacy, and the Long Arc of Equity 01:00:12 — Rapid Fire Questions 01:03:00 — Celeste’s Final Advice: Stay Relevant, Stay Supportive, Stay in the Fight 01:04:29 — Closing Thoughts and Call to Action If today’s conversation resonated with you, share this episode with someone who cares about building more inclusive, authentic, and equitable workplaces. And if you are realizing that you are feeling stuck, burned out, disconnected, under-confident, or unsure about your next career move, I invite you to connect with me here: https://linktr.ee/empoweredandout You can follow Celeste, learn more about her consulting work, and check out her book, The Truth About Equity, below. Website: www.CRWDiversity.com Insta: https://www.instagram.com/crwdiversity YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/@celestewarren-equity LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/celestewarrenllc/ FB: https://www.facebook.com/share/1CXPNHNqZE/?mibextid=wwXIfr Link to book on Amazon: https://mybook.to/TruthAboutEquity

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