The Daily Beans – "It Gets Better" (feat. Brian Wenke)

Date: December 16, 2025
Hosts: Allison Gill & Dana Goldberg
Main Guest: Brian Wenke (Executive Director, It Gets Better)

Overview

This emotionally charged episode of The Daily Beans covers an extraordinarily difficult news cycle, with the tragic murder of Rob and Michelle Reiner at the center. In the face of grief, the episode pivots to highlight positive action: a $20,000 donation from The Daily Beans to the It Gets Better Project, supporting LGBTQ+ youth. Host Allison Gill interviews It Gets Better’s Executive Director, Brian Wenke, about the organization’s origins, impact, and what this investment can achieve—encouraging listeners to match her donation. The episode blends urgent national news, community support, and personal storytelling, embodying the show’s signature mix of progressive advocacy and heartfelt resilience.

Key Discussion Points & Insights

1. Mourning Rob & Michelle Reiner

• Both hosts reflect on the shocking deaths of Rob and Michelle Reiner, underscoring their cultural and political contributions.
  • Dana Goldberg: “The wind was taken out of my chest and I don't know how else to say that.” (01:03)
  • Allison Gill: “Everybody is sad about this. Except apparently one guy…”(01:57)
• Personal connections: Both hosts knew the Reiners personally and honor their legacy of art and activism.
• The episode touches on the devastating personal struggle of their son, Nick Reiner, who was arrested on suspicion of murder, noting his public history of addiction and homelessness.
  • Allison Gill: “Nick Reiner had spoken over the years about his struggles with drug abuse and his bouts with homelessness. Beginning with his teenage years, he worked with his father on Being Charlie, a movie that was loosely inspired by his early life.” (07:37)
• Media, law enforcement, and political reactions:
  • Multiple politicians, from various parties, condemned attempts to politicize the tragedy.
  • Dana Goldberg on Trump’s comments: "He's a sociopathic piece of shit, that's all I can say." (02:59)

2. National News Roundup

The episode provides context for other major news stories:

• Brown University Shooting:
  • The suspect was released after being wrongly detained. Hosts criticize law enforcement’s premature release of private information.
  • Dana Goldberg: “They have ruined that kid's life. This Department of Justice and the FBI is releasing information that has not been cooperated too soon in these cases. And they're putting innocent people's lives in danger.” (16:19)
• JetBlue Near-Collision:
  • A JetBlue flight narrowly avoided a collision with a US military refueling plane near Venezuela.
  • JetBlue Pilot (reported): “We almost had a midair collision up here... They don't have their transponder turned on. It's outrageous.” (17:22)
• Trump’s White House Ballroom:
  • A preservation group sues over President Trump’s unauthorized White House renovations.
  • Preservationist Group (quoted): “No president is legally allowed to tear down portions of the White House without any review whatsoever.” (20:17)

3. “It Gets Better” Focus

Charity Highlight & The Power of Storytelling

• Allison’s $20,000 donation to It Gets Better is announced, with a call for listeners to match it.
  • Allison Gill: “The Daily Beans is donating $20,000 to this organization. And we're also gonna talk about how you can match that donation and where the money goes, what this organization does for people.” (03:25)
• Dana highlights the origins: the suicide of Tyler Clementi and the community response of positive affirmation for LGBTQ+ youth.
  • Dana Goldberg: “The online bullying around Tyler Clemente's death was so horrific that the LGBTQ community wanted to start some messages to the youth saying, hey, hang in there. It gets better.” (04:28)
• Personal storytelling, resilience, and mentoring are recurring themes.

Interview with Brian Wenke, It Gets Better

Begins ~ [24:29]

The Birth and Evolution of It Gets Better

• Origins (2010 suicide contagion):
  • Brian Wenke: “Back in 2010, there was a highly public suicide contagion that claimed the lives of kids like Tyler Clementi… all of them were attached to some form of bullying.” (25:14)
  • Grassroots video storytelling campaign empowers LGBTQ+ youth with stories of perseverance.
  • Over 70,000 stories collected; Emmy-winning use of social media for social good.
• Current work:
  • Gen Z now sees them as leadership and empowerment org, not just a storytelling project.
  • Focus on grants, mentorship, and leadership development.
  • Brian Wenke: “Today, Gen Z... know us as a leadership development and youth empowerment organization.” (26:44)
• The Power of Storytelling:
  • Allison Gill: “The phrase ‘you're not alone’ has immense power.” (29:02)
  • Brian Wenke: “To be human is to be alone. Like, it is a very isolating experience to exist… But the stories… give us the ability to tell stories that can shape the world.” (31:09)
• Change Maker Grants and IMI:
  • Brian Wenke: “These are grants of up to $10,000… [for] anything from community art projects to teacher education to content creation to queer proms.” (33:42)
  • IMI Platform: Free, web-based mental health/self-development resource designed for youth by youth. “Literally $1 equals one new user.” (39:56)
• Youth Engagement:
  • Young people are empowered as creators and leaders, better at technology, and eager for mentorship and affirmation.

Queer-A-Thon and Fundraising Event

• Brian Wenke: “What we are doing on Wednesday the 17th is hosting a Queer A Thon… with gamers, youth voices, and an amazing cast of characters to create uplifting and empowering programming for LGBTQ youth.” (37:16)
• Emphasizes importance of chosen family and holiday support.
• Interactive Twitch event where the audience can directly engage.

Matching the Donation—Impact Breakdown

• Brian Wenke:
  • $40,000 = 4 grants or 40,000 IMI platform users or 10 content series.
  • “We have a great audience that is hungry for advice and information about how to navigate their future.” (42:09)

Notable Quote—Brian Wenke’s Closing Words

• "Whether or not it feels like it's getting better today or not, you just got to hold on to that thought… if you want a little dose of hope, engage with the young people who is committed to making a better world, not only for themselves, but for everybody around them." (45:28)

Listener Good News & Community Shoutouts ([46:33]–[62:07])

• Community Activism:
  • Advocacy tips and scripts for pressuring Congress on gun violence prevention.
  • Personal stories: running for Congress, securing advanced degrees, and community resilience.
• Pod Pet Tariffs & Joyful Submissions:
  • Listeners submit limericks, pet photos, and bird-flipping pics as a form of resistance and solidarity.
• Inclusivity in Public Spaces:
  • Listener shares how their progressive Florida town is using Euro-style, inclusive locker rooms.
• Fashion and Real Life:
  • Jane Austen fan discusses presenting on Regency-era fashion as a way celebrate women’s history.

Notable Listener Quote

• Dr. Cindy: “To anyone out there doubting they can do something, you can do it. I did.” (51:42)

Memorable Quotes & Timestamps

• Dana Goldberg (re: national grief):
  "A lot of the country is mourning for so many reasons and the world has had a heavy 48 hours." [01:02]

• Brian Wenke (It Gets Better org):
  "Today, in addition to our storytelling priorities, we are also providing grants to young future leaders who want to make a difference in their local communities." [26:44]

• Allison Gill (storytelling):
  “I think that's where the power in storytelling lies for me… people who feel like they're not alone have so much more power and control over how they feel.” [29:02]

• Brian Wenke (community support):
  “You just got to believe that it gets better. We can get through whatever challenge the world throws in front of us.” [45:28]

Important Timestamps

• [01:03] — Mourning Rob & Michelle Reiner, cultural and personal reflections
• [07:37] — Details on the Reiners’ careers, Nick Reiner’s history
• [16:19] — Critique of DOJ & media in Brown University shooting
• [17:22] — JetBlue near-miss, pilot’s exasperated quote
• [20:17] — Lawsuit over White House East Wing destruction
• [24:29] — Introduction of Brian Wenke, It Gets Better executive director
• [31:09] — Brian Wenke on belonging, the need for LGBTQ+ youth storytelling
• [33:42] — Grants for queer youth, impact and mentorship
• [37:16] — Promotion of Queer A Thon event, Twitch engagement
• [39:56] — How $40,000 can be spent, scale of impact
• [45:28] — Brian Wenke’s closing “It gets better” message
• [46:33] — Listener good news, community callouts, and creative resistance

Tone and Style

• Tone: Emotional, candid, occasionally irreverent and snarky (especially about political adversaries), yet uplifting and community-oriented.
• Style: Conversational, with moments of vulnerability and levity; hosts balance national news gravity with hope and tangible calls to action.

Takeaways

• In the shadow of national tragedy, community action and mutual support offer hope.
• The It Gets Better Project remains a vital hub for LGBTQ+ youth support and leadership, evolving from storytelling to hands-on grants, mentorship, and mental health tools.
• Listener engagement—whether through activism, sharing their own stories, or pod pet submissions—fosters connection, hope, and resistance.
• The podcast models resilience through grief, demonstrating “it gets better” in action and inviting listeners to be part of positive change.

How to Support It Gets Better

• Match The Daily Beans’ donation: itgetsbetter.org/dailybeansdonate
• Queer A Thon Twitch Event: twitch.tv/itgetsbetter
• More info: itgetsbetter.org

For listeners new and old, this episode is a powerful blend of sorrow and hope, honoring the past and fighting for a better future.