Hey there Queer Kittens! 
This episode we’re so excited to bring you one half of the Bad Queers (@badqueerspod) podcast duo Shana Sumers! Hang with us and Shana as we discuss life, community and what it means to be a gold member of the Beyhive.
Shana shares her journey from being a music therapist,  to working for the HER app and how that led to the creation of the Bad Queers Podcast. 
She also discusses her current role as the senior manager of diversity, equity and inclusion at Hubspot, and how she focuses on the importance of building safe, identity-based professional spaces. 
We hope you enjoy! 
FEATURED GUEST:
Shana Sumers (she/her)
Shana is the Co-Host and Creator of Bad Queers Podcast. By day, Shana is a corporate baddie building online communities for professionals who deserve it most (aka those of us from underestimated backgrounds and identities) in order to help them achieve their professional goals. Shana is an Aquarius and has no idea what that means and my queer fun fact is that I used to work for a queer dating app.
EPISODE HIGHLIGHTS:
00:00 Introduction to Radical Acceptance and Self Care
00:37 Meet the Host: Vee's Journey and Mission
01:15 Confessions and Introducing Shana Summers
03:51 Shana Summers: A Force in the Queer Community
07:52 Beyoncé Trivia: Testing Shana's 'Gold Member' Status
16:51 Being Black and Queer: Shana's Perspective
20:16 Community Building: Shaina's Impact and Experience
20:44 Finding Purpose in Mission-Driven Work
21:13 Unexpected Career Shifts: From Music Therapy to Community Building
21:39 The Journey to Australia and Joining the 'HER' App
23:01 Returning Home and Navigating Career Challenges
24:13 The Unexpected Job Offer and Moving to Arizona
25:06 Starting Community at 'HER' and the Evolution of the Brand
26:52 The Birth of 'Bad Queers' Podcast
27:33 Transitioning to New Work and Building Communities for Professionals
28:19 The Importance of Community and Networking
30:56 Self-Care and Personal Well-being
33:08 The Power of Community and Building Foundations
36:07 Resources for Community Building and Professional Growth
40:31 The Impact of Community Events and the Power of 'Yes'
42:49 Final Thoughts and Acknowledgements
WELLNESS RESOURCES:
Check out all the wellness resources mentioned on the podcast here.
THE TEAM:
Host: V (All Pronouns Accepted) ⁠@lovenessmonsta⁠
Executive Producer: Stevie Cua (All Pronouns Accepted) ⁠@steviesees⁠
Producer: Leah Jackson (She/Her) ⁠@djmsjackson⁠
Associate Producer: Raphaella Landestoy (She/Her) ⁠@la.vida.bruja14⁠
Music: Produced and Composed by ⁠BASK⁠ aka Eric Guizar Vasquez (He/Him)
CONNECT:
Follow us on Instagram ⁠@questwellnesspod⁠
Be a guest on the pod ⁠questwellnesspod@gmail.com
Podcast is produced in collaboration with ⁠Kinoko Chocolates⁠ & ⁠Puka Puka Creative⁠. Episode transcripts available by request ⁠questwellnesspod@gmail.com⁠.