# Finding Hope, Queer Joy & the Courage to Be Seen Page: https://stenobird.com/podcast/book-lounge-by-libby-544985/finding-hope-queer-joy-the-courage-to-be-seen Text version: https://stenobird.com/podcast/book-lounge-by-libby-544985/finding-hope-queer-joy-the-courage-to-be-seen.md Podcast: [Book Lounge by Libby](https://stenobird.com/podcast/book-lounge-by-libby-544985) Published: 2026-06-01T07:00:00+00:00 Episode link: https://www.libbylife.com/blog/finding-hope-queer-joy-the-courage-to-be-seen-book-lounge-by-libby-season-3 Audio file: https://www.podtrac.com/pts/redirect.mp3/pscrb.fm/rss/p/swap.fm/track/2IMk17EdnEqyRhJTIpIU/traffic.megaphone.fm/FPMN6540871335.mp3 Processing state: not_requested JSON: https://stenobird.com/v1/public/podcasts/book-lounge-by-libby-544985/episodes/finding-hope-queer-joy-the-courage-to-be-seen Duration seconds: 5488 ## Resource Pride Month is a celebration, but it's also a reminder of the journeys so many LGBTQ+ people take to find acceptance, belonging, and hope. In this special Pride Month episode of Book Lounge by Libby, Joe is joined by authors Kody Keplinger, Ryan Collett, and TJ Alexander for honest, heartfelt conversations about identity, community and the power of seeing yourself reflected in stories. In the first half of the episode, Kody Keplinger and Ryan Collett discuss the isolation and shame that many queer people experience, the importance of finding your people and how books can help readers feel less alone. Together, they explore the transformative power of connection, representation, and hope. In the second half, TJ Alexander joins Joe for a conversation about queer joy, love stories, and the importance of imagining futures where LGBTQIA+ people aren't simply surviving, they're thriving. From romance and community to the possibilities of a more inclusive world, this discussion celebrates the beauty and power of queer storytelling. This episode is a reminder that none of us are meant to navigate life alone. Book Lounge by Libby is a podcast for readers, book lovers, and anyone searching for their next great read. Looking for the video version of our show? Check out the Libby App YouTube channel! Link to our full book list: Find all the books mentioned in Season 3 on Libby Life! Here’s a recap of our Monthly Book Picks (Jan-May 2026) and June – October 2026! Who’s in this episode: Segment 1: Kody Keplinger – Website, WHERE LOST GIRLS GO Ryan Collett – Website, GEORGE FALLS THROUGH TIME Segment 2: TJ Alexander – Website, A LADY FOR ALL SEASONS Time stamps: 00:00:00 Title 00:00:23 Intro 00:00:41 Segment 1 with Kody Keplinger and Ryan Collett 00:45:06 Segment 2 with TJ Alexander… ## Actions - request_transcript: `POST https://stenobird.com/v1/public/podcasts/book-lounge-by-libby-544985/episodes/finding-hope-queer-joy-the-courage-to-be-seen/transcription-requests` — Idempotently request low-priority transcript generation for this episode. - read_markdown: `GET https://stenobird.com/podcast/book-lounge-by-libby-544985/finding-hope-queer-joy-the-courage-to-be-seen.md` — Read the agent-friendly Markdown representation of this episode resource. A page view does not enqueue transcription. Agents should invoke `request_transcript` explicitly when they need this episode processed. ## Transcript Full transcripts are not published on public pages unless there is a clear rights basis.