What happens when you've spent nearly seven decades hiding your true self? Wendy Cole's story is a testament to courage, resilience, and the transformative power of authenticity.

Born in the late 1940s, Wendy knew from age three that she was a girl, despite being assigned male at birth. At ten years old, she bravely dressed in her mother's clothes and declared her truth—only to face threats of psychiatric commitment in 1950s America. Her journey took another painful turn in the 1970s when a psychiatrist called her a "freak" during her second attempt to transition, forcing her back into the closet with what she describes as "padlocks on the inside."

For the next 45 years, Wendy lived a life of quiet desperation—marrying, raising children, and building a successful tech career while suppressing her identity through marijuana and psychiatric medications. By 2014, at age 67, she had reached breaking point and was contemplating suicide.

Then everything changed. Discovering that medical understanding had evolved and treatment was now available, Wendy finally began her transition in 2015. The transformation was profound—not just emotionally, but physically. She lost 70 pounds, reversed her type 2 diabetes, and found a joy she never thought possible. "Transition saved my life," she tells us simply.

Today, Wendy works as a transition mentor, helping others navigate major life changes with her hard-won wisdom. Through her coaching, upcoming books, and podcast "Demystifying the Transgender Journey," she's dedicated to humanizing the transgender experience for the wider world.

Her message resonates far beyond the transgender community: "You're never too old to be yourself" and "The joy you'll find on the other side is something you never dreamed possible." Wendy's extraordinary journey proves that authenticity is worth fighting for—no matter how long the wait.

Presented by Emma Goswell

Produced by Sam Walker

We'd love to hear YOUR story. Please get in touch www.comingoutstoriespodcast.com or find us on twitter @ComeOutStories and on Instagram @ComingOutStoriesPod

We have a book! Coming Out Stories is available at all major shops now!

JKP.com | Queerlit | Waterstones | Amazon

Coming Out Stories is a What Goes On Media Production

Welcome back to Coming Out Stories after our six-month hiatus! As our seventh year begins, there have been moments when giving up seemed tempting. But looking at the increasingly hostile world around us, it's clear that now is precisely the time these stories need to be heard.

Season Six arrives during a critical period for LGBTQ+ communities worldwide. Here in the UK, the Supreme Court recently ruled that gender is defined by biological sex rather than gender identity, effectively undermining transgender existence and eroding hard-won equal rights. The FA has implemented a ban preventing trans women from playing in sanctioned football matches. Across the Atlantic, similar rollbacks of protections continue. These aren't merely political developments—they represent genuine threats to individuals who already face intense shame, hatred, and bigotry.

Our upcoming episodes feature a remarkable collection of voices that capture the full spectrum of the coming out experience. You'll hear from a trans woman describing the euphoria of finally seeing herself in the mirror, a person whose coming out was delayed by years after a mother's casual homophobic comment, someone whose gay awakening came through representation in "Queer as Folk," and many more. Our first episode features Wendy, who attempted to transition in the 1970s but would then wait another 45 years to finally become the woman she is today. Her powerful conversation with her wife from 1978 reveals the personal challenges faced by trans individuals across generations.

Follow us on Spotify or your preferred podcast platform, and please consider giving us a five-star rating to help others find these vital stories. Connect with us on Facebook and Instagram at Coming Out Stories Pod for updates and additional content. Share these stories—they might just save someone's life.

Presented by Emma Goswell

Produced by Sam Walker

We'd love to hear YOUR story. Please get in touch www.comingoutstoriespodcast.com or find us on twitter @ComeOutStories and on Instagram @ComingOutStoriesPod

We have a book! Coming Out Stories is available at all major shops now!

JKP.com | Queerlit | Waterstones | Amazon

Coming Out Stories is a What Goes On Media Production

How do you stay true to yourself when both society and your own family won't accept you?

Kuchenga Shenje is a remarkable trans woman, writer, and journalist, who first understood her true gender identity at just three years old.
Kuchenga's story is one of resilience and spiritual strength. Her childhood experiences shed light on the challenges trans folk face in a gender-normative environment and she shares the solace she found in trans representation on 90s talk shows.
Kuchenga's story is a powerful testament to preserving your true self against adversity.

You can follow Kuchenga on Instagram and X and do visit her website.

Presented by Emma Goswell

Produced by Sam Walker

We'd love to hear YOUR story. Please get in touch www.comingoutstoriespodcast.com or find us on twitter @ComeOutStories and on Instagram @ComingOutStoriesPod

We have a book! Coming Out Stories is available at all major shops now!

JKP.com | Queerlit | Waterstones | Amazon

Coming Out Stories is a What Goes On Media Production