Episode 220 Mike Auchter
Mike Auchter
Volunteer Board Chairman of Men Alive: OC Gay Men’s Chorus
Episode 220 features a highly personal and candid follow-up interview with Mike Auchter, the Volunteer Board Chairman of MenAlive, Orange County’s Gay Men’s Chorus. While his leadership and creative passion were highlighted in Episode 215, this special conversation dives deep into the personal challenges Mike faced during his successful 32-year career in the corporate world. As a retired manufacturing engineer who rose to the rank of Chief Engineer for a global automotive component supplier, Mike operated within an industry where revealing one's true identity was not always welcomed or safe.
Mike shares the raw, emotional process and strategy involved in “coming out” as a gay man while navigating the demanding, often traditional environment of the automotive sector. This is a highly relatable interview for anyone facing a challenging "reveal" about lifestyle, identity, or personal truth in their professional lives. Mike discusses the calculation, courage, and resilience required to live authentically while maintaining a high-level corporate career.
Today, Mike channels that hard-won authenticity and unique blend of leadership into his role at MenAlive. The challenge of building a safe space in his professional life now informs his dedication to fostering a chosen family and safe space for all members of the chorus. Under his chairmanship, MenAlive continues to build bridges and bring joy, a mission profoundly amplified by Mike’s personal commitment to inclusivity and visibility.
This episode is an inspiring testament to the power of living openly and how personal struggles can become the foundation for extraordinary community service. After hearing this powerful conversation, you can find more details about Mike’s background and the mission of the OC Gay Men’s Chorus in his previous interview, Episode 215 with Valerie Ousley here.
Jeanne Pepper and Michael Auchter at the PeppTalks studio.
Episode 220
Hosted by: Jeanne Pepper
Guest: Michael Auchter
Executive Producer: Jeanne Pepper
Producer:Eli Moskowitz
Original Theme: Jay Bernstein
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