What happens when authenticity isn’t just a buzzword — but a way of leading, parenting, and living?

In this powerful episode of Empowered & Out, Jonathan Barbe sits down with Susan Cameron-Jung — a queer leader, foster parent, yogi, and Business Development & Inclusion Manager at Auscare Support in Sydney — for a deeply honest conversation about what it truly means to lead with heart.

Susan shares her journey of coming out at 19 in London and building a career across disability, LGBTQIA+, and culturally diverse communities. Together, they explore how intersectionality shapes leadership, why emotional intelligence is a leadership tool (not just a skill), and how inclusion must move beyond policies into everyday practice.

They also dive into the realities of queer visibility at work and at home, raising children in a same-sex family, navigating challenging environments with integrity, and using humor, compassion, and self-awareness to build trust across differences.

This episode is a reminder that authentic leadership isn’t about perfection — it’s about courage, connection, and choosing to show up fully, even when it’s uncomfortable.

🎧 If you’re an LGBTQ+ professional, leader, or ally looking to lead with empathy, build inclusive cultures, and live more authentically — this conversation is for you.