Hanging Out In My Closet: Recent Episodes
Tony Waller
Historically THE CLOSET has been a place of storing what is precious, a place of hiding, a place for keeping secrets. But in my closet, I want us to spend time hanging out, learning, growing, and unloading what holds us back. Let’s work together to heal and to be the best we can be for ourselves and for others. Come and hang out in my closet.
To pick up where we left off, Tony is once again joined by Denise Thomas, Brent Smith, and our Producer, Anjelica Cazares, to dive deeper into their last conversation about faith. Today's episode explores what our role in God's plan might be, and how we are all united through working for the bigger picture. Our guests go even further into depth about how they exercise their faith muscles, and give advice to each other about how to keep the faith in times of struggle. Tune in to learn more about where you might fit into God's bigger picture, and what you can do to practice faith for yourself.
Tony sits down with three special guests to have an open conversation about everyone's personal relationship with faith, and what they choose to do with it. Today's episode goes further into depth about struggling with faith, learning to love yourself, and how you can use your faith to benefit the lives of those around you. You won't want to miss this vulnerable and insightful conversation with special guests Denise Thomas, Brent Smith, and our Producer, Anjelica Cazares! Faith is far more than religion, so tune in to learn more about what faith is, and how we can use it to not just better the lives of those around us, but also better ourselves.
Human rights lawyer Monica Kumar joins Tony in the closet today to have a conversation about community, race, inclusivity, and how we can come together to form a better society for tomorrow. It's no secret that the world could use a little saving right now. So, what can we do to improve our society? Who can we be for others? Tony and Monica dive further into these questions today, reminding everyone, "We are not an 'I' we are an 'us". Together, we can move mountains!
Dethra Giles joins Tony in the closet today to have a conversation about self worth. Have you ever projected your worth onto the things you have? The things you've accomplished? The amount of money that you make? We're here to burst your bubble in the best way possible - these things have nothing to do with your worth because you've been worth it all along! Dethra and Tony spill all the tea in today's episode, and the tea is that green tea is green tea no matter which way you pour it. Just because it's not your cup of tea doesn't mean it won't be someone elses, so don't ever change your flavor to fit someone else's cup! Your worth is not defined by outside confirmations, you are worth it every time, and all the time. So, tune in to listen to more. We promise it's well WORTH the listen! Just like you!
Tony and Monica are back in the closet today to continue their conversation about finding inner peace. What is the cost of being disingenuous? What is the price you're willing to pay to stay true to your authentic self? Monica speaks on understanding your values and triggers in order to stay aligned with your true self. Once you know what peace means to you, peace will follow. Tune in to hear them speak more about accountability, labels, and a conversation so good, it makes Tony want to clean out his closet!
In today's closet, Tony is joined by his good friend Monica Cost to discuss their quest for inner peace. Inner peace is one of the mind's hottest commodities. How do we achieve inner peace? Unfortunately there is no handbook on how inner peace is achieved, but we're certain you'll be taking some of Tony and Monica's wise words with you. The duo sits down to discuss sitting with difficult emotions, finding peace in solitude, and making peace with what is. Tune in to hear more about what Tony and Monica think of inner peace, and what practices work for them on their journey to find it.
Does letting go ever get easier? Spoiler alert! It doesn't. Just because letting things go is hard, doesn't mean we should make ourselves get comfortable in something that doesn't fit. Thai and Tony go further into depth on the topic of letting go, and giving yourself the freedom to start over, and over, and over. The best thing you can do for yourself is to listen to Tony's mother, "If you want fresh water, you got to empty the cup." They don't say mother knows best for nothing!
Welcome back to our new season! In the closet today, Tony sits down with Thai Trower who is an Anti-Money Laundering & Sanctions Compliance, Digital Payments Expert, and a great personal friend. Thai and Tony discuss one of the questions everyone asks themselves at some point in life, (everyone except for Elsa that is), "Why is it so hard to let things go?" Tune in to listen to Thai and Tony talk relationships, friendships, and sorting through the rubble to better our lives and our role in our relationships with others.
What a season! Thank you all for hanging out with me all season long as I touched on a plethora of topics! And now we wrap up Season 2 with the fabulous Fiona Dawson in this second half of our conversation. There was just so much to cover, and I wish we had more time! We not only covered topics from this season, but we also talked about faith, spirituality and being LGBTQ+. I hope this episode enlightens your perspective and encourages you to be courageous in your life. Comment below with your favorite episode this season! Thank you for hanging out in my closet with me, and I hope to see y'all real soon!
We are nearing the end of Season 2 of Hanging Out In My Closet, and I am so excited about this next guest. This week I sit down with the amazing Fiona Dawson, Founder and Executive Producer of Free Lion Productions, Emmy-nominated and award-winning filmmaker, writer, and LGBTQ+ advocate. In this two-part conversation, Fiona shares about her journey in filmmaking and personal passion advocating for human rights and her new brand, "NOW with Fiona." I just love her and I know you will too!
Join me this week as I continue this, literally, life-changing conversation with my amazing friend, Robert Ferguson - nutritionist and founder of Diet Free Life. Our discussion on health and wellness was truly an eye opener for me, particularly when it comes to the role of the microbiome. Eat yogurt much? There is just so much life left to live, and I'm determined to do it right! Please, do yourselves a favor and listen to this second part of our conversation about "Health Is Wealth." Comment below with some of your favorite "gut-friendly" foods, and please share this episode with someone you love. It just might change their life.
This week on the podcast, I sit down with my friend Robert Ferguson - founder of Diet Free Life, nutritionist, author, former pro-athlete and U.S. Marine. Robert and I talk about health, weight loss, and why so many people struggle with losing those extra pounds. Are you someone who needs to lose weight, but just can't imagine giving up those tasty chicken wings? Robert says you can still lose weight and keep eating chicken wings! You better listen close to this episode, and share it with someone who might need it! Comment below and let me know your thoughts.
In this week's episode, I continue my conversation with my longtime friend, Kevin Hooks, on intimacy and growth. We delve into how to get onto the path to where we start seeing real change in our lives and movement towards our goals. There was so much to cover and just not enough time! What has helped you grow in your life? Let me know in the comments below!
This week, my longtime friend, Kevin Hooks, hangs out with me in my closet to break down the meaning of intimacy. Why does intimacy make men nervous? It doesn't have to mean romance. In fact, two friends can enjoy a meaningful and intimate relationship without ever involving romance. It's more about connecting with that person and allowing ourselves to be vulnerable. Intimacy. Let's talk about it! Let me know what you think about our conversation.
This week on Hanging Out In My Closet I sit down with my good friend, Todd Jorgensen, and we talk about the power of you. Now, when we talk about power it doesn't always mean positivity, does it? People are certainly capable of using their power for bad, just as they are for good. Human nature is interesting, isn't it? Listen to our chat and let me know what you think!
Are you enough? That's the topic of conversation this week. Join myself and my dear friend, Bradford Payne, as we explore this topic. We talk about self-worth and self-confidence, and how that has changed for us in our lifetime. This discussion brought up a lot of childhood memories of feeling out of place and all the things that come with being different. What are your thoughts? Drop a comment below!
Part 2 of my conversation with my dear friend, Brent Smith, is out this week! Did you enjoy Part 1 of our conversation? We continue breaking down self-forgiveness and how we might get to the point where we are able to actually forgive ourselves. There's also the spiritual aspect when we talk about forgiveness. The idea of pride being related to unforgiveness is something we don't normally think about. What do you think? Let me know in the comments below!
I am thrilled for this week’s episode! My dear friend, and former trainer, Brent Smith, joins me to discuss self-forgiveness. Why is it so difficult for us to forgive ourselves sometimes? Why can’t we let go of the shame and guilt? In this two-part conversation, we dissect the ins and outs of self-forgiveness. Comment below and let me know your thoughts!
This week I’m talking about my journey, turning 60, and planning for the next 60! I’m taking a step back and doing some self-reflection and rebirth in this next chapter of my life. I’m changing some things! Join me on my journey, and let me know what you think. If you consider yourself 60 and fabulous, what is your secret? Let me know! Comment below, let’s chat!
In this week's episode, we discuss betrayal. Oohwee! It can be a sensitive topic, especially if you have never dealt with the pain from a past betrayal. I think we can all agree that betrayal can look different for everyone, but the pain is all the same. Let's talk about how we deal and heal with betrayal and all that comes with it. Are you ready for this? Am I ready for this? Ha! Let's dig in!
The word of the day is disappointment. Disappointment in yourself, in your circumstances, etc. Disappointment. How do you handle it? Do you internalize it? There are various kinds of disappointment and many different ways of handling it. In this episode of 'Hanging Out In My Closet' we break down the internal processes that we go through when we feel disappoinment. Listen today, and I hope it helps you process your own circumstances. Here we go!
Happy New Year, and happy new season of 'Hanging Out In My Closet!' I am so excited to be back "in the closet" and on the mic for another exciting and motivating season of interesting topics and great conversations. Friends, we are going to do the work and be about it this season - believe me! To set the stage, let's first check in with each other on almost three years of living in this brave new reality of ours. Go ahead, make yourselves comfortable. Welcome back!
Can you believe it? We are here, at the final episode of our first season - and also more than two years into a global pandemic. My friends, I am quite excited about all the feedback you have shared with me so far. As well as for what is ahead. Thank you for being a part of this journey!
Who inspires you, and who are you inspiring? I am a true believer that we are all purposely connected, and therefore we can learn and be inspired by anyone. Let me share with you about a few of the people that inspire me.
We often speak about power. Where it lies and how we do or do not have access to it as individuals or as communities. Yet, we also have a lot of individual power - to decide how we react and respond to situations or circumstances beyond our control. So let's talk about it. Who has the power?
Does success for you mean success for me, or vice versa? We often hear this word thrown around, but what does it actually mean. Let's delve into how we define the idea of sucess for ourselves and for each other.
There is a lot of power in words. They can affect our outlook and overall experience. Let's talk about the power of words and how we utilize words. How we accept and receive words. How we determine what we do with words we accept. Come hang out in my closet.
When we look back at our lives and think about our younger self's expectations of what our own lives would be in the future, how do we measure up? There's a reason why people often say hindsight is 20/20. Let's explore hindsight together, friends.
Can we live a harmless life? The Dalai Lama says, “Our prime purpose in this life is to help others and if you can’t help them at least don’t harm them.” But is it possible? Can we live in a way that does not cause harm? Check out the episode and let me know what you think. Can’t wait to hear from you!
When we hang on to bitterness and anger, and all those things that people have done to us or not done to us, all it does is impact our lives. Do you really think those that have done wrong by you are standing around being remorseful about what they did to you? Let's talk about forgiveness today.
I cannot tell you how many times I have been so wrong in assuming I understood people's motivation for doing what they did, when the reality is I had no idea. Let's talk about making mistakes and being wrong. How do we deal with it?
Have you experienced the sense of freedom that comes with people knowing who you truly are? On this episode I want us to talk about vulnerability. Why do we avoid it and how could it help us truly acheieve our purpose - for ourserlves and others.
Since we are getting to know each other, let us talk about our purpose. Mine is healing. I want to spend some time telling you about how I came to that realization, and to share with you how you too can better understand what you are here to do and meant to do.
Growing up as a gay, black, Puerto Rican with black parents, in Puerto Rico, was a pretty amazing experience. It helped to set the foundation on my outlook on life, and has left me with some of the most wonderful memories of that time. Allow me to share some of my experience.
My mother was such an inspiration in my life. Every week when we spoke on the phone she would close our conveersations by asking me the same question: are you flowing with the river? These are a few of the most important lessons from my mother.