We Can't Do It Alone: The Life-Saving Helper You've Never Met (with Bill Cole)

You, Me, Empathy

On episode 4 of We Can't Do It Alone, Nōn sits down with Bill Cole to explore coming of age during the AIDS crisis, queer representation in film, the particularly heinous stigma around AIDS, how someone you've never met can be a helper, and the lasting legacy of AIDS activist icon, Stephen Gendin.

Helpful things mentioned during this episode:

• @billcolebillcole
• The AIDS Memorial
• Broadway Cares/Equity Fights AIDS

About Bill:

After growing up on the beaches of Southern California, this highly sensitive creative soul put his talents as an artist, designer, and decorator to use for almost four decades in theater, film, television, and event production. Bill has also been a visible figure in the L.A. nightlife scene as the omnipresent doorman at the legendary neighborhood gay bar, Akbar. Bill is a big fan of history, especially LGBTQ+ history. For the past decade, Bill has been on a personal journey of emotional healing and self discovery. The next chapter of his life puts him in the deserts of Southern California, focusing on some more personal creative projects like his photo journal Instagram page, @mailslotboys, which documents a particular aspect of gay nightlife culture from a unique perspective. He hopes to have prints ready for a gallery show soon!

How you can support Nōn and this independently-run podcast:

• Leave a 5-star rating and a wildly glowing review for We Can't Do It Alone on Apple Podcasts, Spotify, or wherever you get your pods.
• Share your helpers with Nōn here and he may (or may not but still be delighted) share your helper on the podcast in season 2.
• Order The Feely Cards on Amazon, Barnes & Noble, Bookshop.org or your local indie bookseller for yourself and everyone you know.
• Follow @wecantdoitalone on Instagram.

Thank you for listening to We Can't Do It Alone! Don't forget about the helpers. We all need help. Even you.