We all go through seasons where something just doesn’t feel right—where the path we’re on isn’t bringing the joy or peace we hoped for.
For Catholic author and speaker Kim Zember, that season lasted over a decade.
But what followed was a transformation she never expected—one that’s now inspiring others through her new podcast, Here I AM Stories, on EWTN.
Living a Double Life and Feeling Alone
Back in high school, Kim began to realize that she was attracted to women.
But growing up in a traditional Catholic household, she kept those feelings hidden.
On the surface, she dated men.
Behind closed doors, she was in relationships with women. Over time, she stopped hiding and embraced her same-sex relationships publicly.
But even then, she couldn’t shake the feeling that something was still missing.
A Breakdown That Became a Breakthrough
Fast-forward ten years, and Kim found herself emotionally drained and spiritually lost.
One night, she reached her breaking point.
With nowhere else to turn, she cried out to God—giving Him what she called “one shot” to prove He was real.
And to her surprise, that night changed everything.
She says that in that moment, she didn’t just hear about God’s love—she felt it.
It was October 17, 2014, a date she now sees as more meaningful than her actual birthday.
From Struggle to Ministry
Since that powerful night, Kim has committed her life to helping others find healing through Christ.
Her personal journey inspired her to launch Here I AM Stories, a podcast featuring real, raw conversations with people who’ve wrestled with sexual identity and gender confusion—and found peace in their faith.
“These aren’t polished, perfect stories,” Kim explains.
“These are people who are walking it out every day.”
Spotlighting Voices of Transformation
So far, four episodes have aired, and each one brings a unique testimony.
One guest, Jessica Rose, spent seven years identifying as male, battling depression and suicidal thoughts, before choosing to follow Jesus and reclaim her identity.
Another guest, Angel Colon, shares how surviving the tragic 2016 Pulse Nightclub shooting led him to a radical spiritual change.
The goal of the podcast, Kim says, is to let others know they’re not alone—and that healing is possible.
Growing Up Catholic but Not Knowing God
Kim’s story begins in what she calls a “normal” Catholic household in California, with loving parents and two older brothers.
She went through all the motions—baptism, First Communion, Confirmation—but admits she never really knew Jesus personally.
She describes seeing God more as a judgmental scorekeeper than a loving father, which made it hard to trust Him.
That lack of connection with God, combined with a strained relationship with her own father, played a role in her gravitating toward relationships with women.
Searching for Love in the Wrong Places
During her senior year, Kim acted on her same-sex attraction with one of her best friends.
It was a turning point, and from there, she dated women secretly before eventually coming out.
She sought counseling from a Catholic therapist at 18 but felt affirmed in her choices rather than challenged.
Still, something in her heart remained unsettled—until that one night in October changed everything.
Finding Freedom and True Identity
Since that life-changing encounter with God, Kim says she’s been walking in freedom—not just from same-sex attraction, but from the lies she used to believe about herself.
She describes Jesus as the love her heart had always longed for.
“He’s shown me that He is the one who can actually fill that space,” she shares.
What the Church Can Do Better
When asked how the Church can support people wrestling with identity questions, Kim says it starts with humility.
Instead of rushing to “fix” others, she believes believers should walk alongside them—acknowledging that we all need Jesus in different ways.
“If we remember our own brokenness,” she says, “we’ll be better at welcoming others into the journey toward healing.”
A Podcast for Every Heart Searching for Hope
Kim hopes Here I AM Stories isn’t just for people dealing with same-sex attraction or gender identity issues.
She wants it to speak to anyone who’s ever looked for love, worth, or validation in the wrong places.
“If people hear these stories and think, ‘Maybe Jesus wants to do that in my life too’—then that’s everything,” she says.