Christopher J. Swan
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christopherjswan.bsky.social
Christopher J. Swan
@christopherjswan.bsky.social
790 followers 260 following 690 posts
Host: My Big Story with Christopher Swan
🎙️ Season 3 ​coming early 2026
📝 Field Notes & Audio Storytelling
🌈 Championing underrepresented voices
💼 Founder @differentnessco
🔗 http://chrstphrswn.co/AllTheThings
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christopherjswan.bsky.social
After a not so restful weekend, I don’t feel rested for this workout. But here we go anyway. Hoping I surprise myself and this music hits. #garagegym #gymtime #getfit
February 3, 2026 at 1:59 AM
christopherjswan.bsky.social
My home is in stealth mode (partner works nights). It triggers a muscle memory of when we — the gays — had to hide to survive.

The US Government wants us back in the dark. But we know this playbook.

Silence isn't a retreat. It's the deep breath before the scream.

#Resistance #UseYourVoice
A man with a light-brown beard and glasses looking slightly past the camera with a series face. He is wearing a dark, quilted Patagonia puffer jacket and a navy blue baseball cap featuring a leather patch with three pine trees. He has a white earbud in his right ear. The photo is taken outdoors on a sunny day with a shallow depth of field, blurring the residential street and bare trees in the background.
January 26, 2026 at 1:14 AM
christopherjswan.bsky.social
Another session in the books. It’s good to be back in my gym and focusing on my health.

#GetFit #GarageGym #GayFit #QueerJoy #GenX #MensHealth #Resilience
A mirror selfie captures a man with a light-brown beard and mustache, smiling softly while standing in a home gym or garage. He is wearing a navy blue sleeveless pocket tee and light gray sweatpants, holding a smartphone with a vibrant, horizontally striped case in warm tones of red, orange, and yellow. The room is filled with fitness equipment, including a weight bench, racks of dumbbells, resistance bands, and a bicycle. The space has a utilitarian feel with exposed concrete walls and an electrical panel in the background.
January 22, 2026 at 4:23 AM
christopherjswan.bsky.social
Reading Aristotle and Dante at 53 hits differently than it would have at 15. Back then, I would have read it as a fantasy. Now, I read it as a reminder of what’s possible when we actually learn to speak to each other.

#QueerLit #GenX #Storytelling #Growth
January 19, 2026 at 11:14 PM
christopherjswan.bsky.social
That crunch of dry leaves instantly resets my brain to "Childhood Mode." It takes me right back to walking to school, kicking through piles on the sidewalk.

Do you have a sensory trigger that makes you feel like a kid again?

#Nostalgia #SundayReset #SlowLiving #FieldNotes #Nature
January 18, 2026 at 10:51 PM
christopherjswan.bsky.social
Found this from last summer. Grief adds a "winter weight" with and without food, but the urge to get back in the garage gym is finally here.

Reclaiming the body is usually a step in the creative comeback. 🏋️‍♂️

#QueerJoy #GymSelfie #QueerSky #Resilience #GenX #SelfCare #FitnessJourney #MentalHealth
A color selfie of a man with light eyes, a trimmed beard, and a mustache, smiling gently at the camera. He is wearing a dark blue baseball cap and a light blue sleeveless tank top featuring a whimsical illustration of a bearded "merman" with a colorful rainbow tail. He is reclining on a light blue outdoor cushion with one arm raised behind his head, posing against a neutral-colored paneled wall.
January 16, 2026 at 5:30 PM
christopherjswan.bsky.social
Spotted this on the wall at my salon. "Graffiti keeps rent low. Keep that sh*t up." A valid economic theory? Discuss.

#Art #StreetArt #Housing #SundayThoughts
A diamond-shaped yellow pedestrian crossing sign mounted on a gray concrete wall. The black silhouette of the walking person has been modified to appear as if it is holding a large, red spray paint can. The can has white text that reads, "GRAFFITI KEEPS RENT LOW KEEP THAT SHIT UP!". Below the sign, there are business cards and several white pump bottles on a counter.
January 11, 2026 at 10:30 PM
christopherjswan.bsky.social
Field Note: Spotted in Petaluma: A "Rock Snake" asking strangers to help it grow.

I’ve been thinking about community this week. Whether it's at a funeral or on a sidewalk, connection is just about showing up and adding your stone to the line.

#FieldNotes #Petaluma #Storytelling
January 5, 2026 at 1:30 AM
christopherjswan.bsky.social
I’m skipping the 2025 highlight reel.

After losing six people in two years, grief didn't reset with the calendar. But my lens has shifted and I see the world differently.

So I'm reporting on it and I'm calling it "Field Notes."

#grief #storytelling #fieldnotes
A black and white portrait of a middle-aged man with a beard and glasses, looking off to the side with a thoughtful expression. He is wearing a dark, textured zip-up jacket over a button-down shirt. The background is a soft-focus outdoor garden setting with trees and plants.
January 4, 2026 at 12:31 AM
christopherjswan.bsky.social
That’s how I felt on Wednesday.
November 28, 2025 at 9:50 PM
christopherjswan.bsky.social
Pausing the holiday prep to share some joy.

Pouring my energy into building @differentnessco.bsky.social & recording the new season of My Big Story with Christopher Swan.

Chasing that public radio aesthetic — high-end polish, kitchen table vibe. Grateful to be back.

#DifferentnessCo #Storytelling
Christopher Swan (left) and a guest sitting at a wooden dining table, smiling at the camera from behind professional broadcast microphones. The table is covered with headphones and cables, capturing a professional yet intimate kitchen-table recording session.
November 25, 2025 at 7:59 PM
christopherjswan.bsky.social
Caught some views today, before the storm rolls in.
A dramatic landscape photo captures a wide, shallow body of water reflecting the bright sun and a heavily clouded sky. The foreground consists of dry, cracked mud flats and low-lying, reddish-brown marsh grasses. In the midground, the still water reflects the bright sunlight, with rolling hills and distant terrain visible along the horizon under the cloudy sky. The overall scene suggests a coastal or estuarine wetland under dynamic weather conditions.
November 12, 2025 at 4:02 AM
christopherjswan.bsky.social
I added more variety this year for the trick-or-treaters. I’ve include full size candies, snack items and toys. Each kid gets to choose two items. This way kids get things they really want and works around food allergies. #halloween
October 31, 2025 at 9:44 PM
christopherjswan.bsky.social
Acquired my flu and Covid vaccines and now just waiting for my superpowers to install.
A man with a graying beard, dark-rimmed glasses, and a dark t-shirt is taking a selfie indoors. He is smiling and has two bandages, visible on his left upper arm, suggesting he has recently received injections. He is wearing a black smartwatch with a white patterned band on his left wrist. In the background, two framed abstract artworks with black shapes on a white background are visible on a light yellow wall.
September 29, 2025 at 7:40 PM
christopherjswan.bsky.social
Making an upgrade to the bathroom. But now a question: who wrote the copy on the bidet box and what surprises will I uncover?!
A hand holds the side of a white box for a SAMODRA Ultra-Slim Bidet. A portion of a white toilet seat is visible on the far left. The box features the slogan, "Uncover surprises, embrace the joy, and realize that the pursuit of a better life never stops!" The background is a blurry indoor setting with wood flooring.
September 23, 2025 at 3:57 AM
christopherjswan.bsky.social
At the salon and unfortunately for my stylist, he asked how I was and I accidentally vented about my life. It’s not been super easy lately. I guess I needed to get that out. But so much for being an easy client today. At least I’ll look and feel good afterwards. #lookwhospretty
A man with a beard and mustache is taking a selfie in a salon. He is sitting in a classic salon chair, wearing a black cape, and has his hair wrapped in foil for a coloring treatment. He is looking at the camera with a neutral expression. In the background, there is a painting of a flame on the wall, another barber chair, and a doorway leading to the outside.
September 12, 2025 at 12:20 AM
christopherjswan.bsky.social
Many of you are excited for October because of spooky season. Sure that’s fun but I’m excited for this.
A promotional poster for "The Diplomat" features a man and a woman in the foreground. The woman, with her hair down, wears a black coat and holds a large rectangular arrangement of white roses and green foliage. She looks off to the side with a serious expression. A man in a blue suit and tie stands slightly behind and to the left of her, looking forward with a concerned expression. The background shows a formal building with a large window and a dark car. At the top of the poster, the text reads, "EVERY HANDSHAKE HIDES A THREAT." At the bottom, "THE DIPLOMAT" is written in large letters, with "3" superimposed in the center. Below the title, it says "OCTOBER 16." A red "ND" logo is in the bottom left corner.
September 4, 2025 at 2:29 AM
christopherjswan.bsky.social
Happiness is a new box
A black cat with bright yellow eyes and a silver bell on a collar is sitting upright in a cardboard box on a wooden chair with a woven seat. The box is lined with crumpled packing paper. The background shows a kitchen area with wood cabinets, a stainless steel appliance, and a table with a green tablecloth.
September 3, 2025 at 3:37 AM
christopherjswan.bsky.social
Here’s a reenactment of me looking for a job every day.
August 28, 2025 at 10:31 PM
christopherjswan.bsky.social
Shirt is way too big, so I cut it. Feels much better. Now there’s extra Pride in my garage gym.
A man with a beard and mustache, wearing a light blue cut-off tank top with a fun Pride graphic and gray shorts, stands in a home gym and takes a mirror selfie. The graphic on his shirt depicts a bearded merman and text that reads "Pride of the seas". He has a white smartwatch on his left wrist and is looking down at his phone. In the background, there's a weight bench, a rack of dumbbells, a power rack, and a black box.
August 16, 2025 at 7:18 PM
christopherjswan.bsky.social
I lifted things in my garage gym today and it was hot as balls. But I did it. Chest and tris done.
A man with a graying beard and a mustache, wearing a white tank top with dark trim and gray shorts, takes a mirror selfie. He has a white smartwatch on his right wrist and a slight smile. He is standing in a home gym, with a rack of dumbbells, a weight bench, a power rack, and other equipment visible in the background.
August 7, 2025 at 4:08 AM
christopherjswan.bsky.social
The many shades of Christopher. (This is way beyond a farmer’s tan.)
A man with a graying beard and a mustache, wearing a dark blue muscle tank and green shorts with white trim, stands sideways in a home gym and takes a mirror selfie. He is holding up his shirt with his hand to expose his stomach and part of his chest, and his other hand is is holding his phone. He is looking at the camera with a surprised or playful expression. In the background, various gym equipment is visible, including a weight bench, dumbbells, a power rack, and a black box.
August 2, 2025 at 2:06 AM
christopherjswan.bsky.social
I'm a great uncle for the umpteenth time as of yesterday. Here's my new great nephew. I'd say this makes me sound old, but I am old. So there's that.
A newborn baby with reddish skin and a striped white and blue cap lies on the chest of an adult wearing a blue surgical cap and gown. The baby is wrapped in a striped blanket and appears to be sleeping with eyes closed. A medical tube is visible near the adult's face. The adult's arm, visible at the top, has tattoos. A newborn baby, wrapped in a white blanket with pink and blue stripes, is held by an adult wearing a green patterned hospital gown, smiles while looking at the baby. Another adult with tattooed hands is placing a striped cap on the baby's head. The baby has dark hair and his mouth is open in a wide yawn. The background is a hospital room setting.
August 1, 2025 at 6:48 PM
christopherjswan.bsky.social
Adorable. Here’s my dog baby.
July 30, 2025 at 4:15 AM
christopherjswan.bsky.social
Garden things are happening. My first watermelon, non-cherry tomato, and dahlia of the season.
A young, light green, spherical watermelon is nestled on dark brown mulch, surrounded by the sprawling vines and deeply lobed leaves of the watermelon plant. Tiny yellow blossoms are visible on some of the vines. A ripe, round red Fireworks tomato with a green stem and leaves is held in the palm of a hand. The tomato is the central focus, showcasing its smooth skin. In the softly blurred background, outdoor patio furniture with blue cushions and a patterned pillow is visible under bright sunlight. A vibrant yellow dahlia with tightly packed petals is in full bloom, positioned centrally in the frame. It grows from a plant with lush green leaves, situated in a pot that also contains smaller pink and purple flowers and other foliage at its base. The background is softly blurred, showing an outdoor setting with darker ground cover and the hints of other plants under bright sunlight.
July 29, 2025 at 7:47 PM