Who are you and what’s your podcast about?

My Name is Andrew Flewitt, and I am the creator and host of Queer I Am, The Podcast. The podcast is about celebrating and amplifying voices in the Queer community.

What was the first podcast you ever listened to?

The first podcast I was dedicated to listening to was Happy Place, by Fearne Cotton; the interviews are always so interesting, and I love her style when she is talking to the guests about topics which are sensitive by nature, I took a lot from this.

Why did you decide to start podcasting in the first place?

I love speaking with people, and listening to inspiring stories, and always had the dream of being a host or an interviewer of some kind. When I moved to Brighton, I was having incredible conversations with people in the queer community, and it felt like a good idea to put these two things together and start Queer I Am. Queer culture and history is so interesting and important; I wanted the podcast to provide an opportunity to amplify underrepresented voices and give the listener something new.

Which podcasts do you take inspiration from?

Happy Place for sure, but I also love other Queer podcasts like Coming Out Stories and The Log Books – they are so interesting engaging, and I wanted Queer I Am to feel like that too.

Who’s your dream guest for the podcast?

I have few, but I would love to chat with Sir Ian McKellen, someone who has been such an instrumental part in moving queer history forward.

Which episode would you say is the perfect introduction to your podcast?

There are so many to chose from, and they are all brilliant! One of my favourites was in Season 2, with Bethan Roberts, Author of My Policeman, which was released as a film last year. Bethan was lovely to talk to, and is such an ally of our community.

Where can the Pod Bible readers find out more about you?

They can check out my Insta and Twitter @fleweyactually. My website is www.fleweyactually.com and the podcast is available on all major streaming platforms.

Listen to Queer I Am, The Podcast on Apple Podcasts, Spotify and other popular podcast apps >>

—

This article was produced as part of a paid advertising package. To enquire about advertising with Pod Bible email info@podbiblemag.com.

The post Queer I Am, The Podcast: “Queer culture and history is so interesting and important” appeared first on POD BIBLE.

We spoke to the team behind the show – Tash and Adam from Aunt Nell, and Executive Producer Dale Taylor-Gentles from The Love Tank – to find out a bit more about how it came to be…

What was your introduction to podcasting as a listener?

Aunt Nell: At Aunt Nell we all started listening to podcasts years ago. Some of long-time favs are Short Cuts, Bad Gays, Dreamboy, You’re Wrong About, Making Gay History. We’ve always been drawn in by the stories that aren’t being told elsewhere and by voices you rarely hear.

Which podcasts do you take inspiration from?

Aunt Nell: This is such a difficult question, because our podcasts take inspiration from different sources, probably because each podcast series we make has its own unique combination of features. For sound design and storytelling we are constantly inspired by the work of Axel Kacoutié, Falling Tree Productions, a one-off series years ago called Dreamboy, and immersive BBC series like Ecstasy: The Battle Of Rave and Acid Dream: The Great LSD Plot.

For documentary work, it’s things like Making Gay History, some of the Tortoise Media series, some of the stuff Pushkin — and a new series on housing called Dwelling.

What would you like to see more of in the podcast space?

Aunt Nell: It would be great to see more opportunity to make original content in the podcast space, with the closing of the Audio Content Fund it is harder and harder for independent podcasters to be truly creative and focus on the stories that they want to share outside of the celebrity stratosphere.

Why did you decide that audio was right for sharing these stories?

Dale: I think the idea to do a podcast came about through spending time with the people you hear in the episodes. As the lead for the overall project that researches the health and wellbeing needs of queer migrant men and queer men of colour, I was fortunate enough to spend time both individually and in groups with them all in other outputs of the project, such as our day of workshops and events, and this allowed me to hear their stories of their joys, struggles and successes.

Each of their stories taught me something meaningful and resonated with me in ways unexpected. This planted a seed for me and my colleagues that we should create a space in which all these amazing people could talk about their experiences as queer migrants and queer people of colour navigating the city. From there we came together with those same people and built upon this idea to what eventually became our podcast.

What have you enjoyed most in making this podcast?

Dale: What I have enjoyed most is all the collaboration between myself, the Aunt Nell team and all the people who shaped the podcast and appeared on the episodes. Throughout the creative process, many interesting and important questions of identity and what connects were raised. It forced us to reflect on our place in the world and set the foundations for the rich conversations you hear within the episodes. I think we all came away from the experience prouder and taller than when we started this journey.

Where can the Pod Bible readers find out more about you?

More information on the collective and the project of Queer Roots and Routes can be found here. All our podcasts at Aunt Nell here and more on The Love Tank here.

Listen to Queer Roots and Routes on Apple Podcasts, Spotify and other popular podcast apps >>

The post Queer Roots and Routes: Gorgeous, fierce, supergay and revolutionary appeared first on POD BIBLE.

It’s been quite the year for OUTCAST UK. It started with going viral on TikTok, and has continued with awards success for the podcast itself. It won The British Podcast Award for possibly the most-contested category – Best New Podcast. As we know, there have been a LOT of new podcasts this year, so it’s an incredible achievement for an independent show to outdo them all.

Hosted by the podcaster and broadcaster Graeme Smith, the show shares in-depth interviews with a mix of well known and up and coming broadcasters, artists, podcasters, musicians, influencers and academics. The judges at the BPAs stated that “There was no doubt the guests felt safe and heard”, and we agree. This really is the power of podcasts that are created by communities, for communities. OUTCAST UK might be the hottest new LGBTQ+ podcast, but there is plenty there for allies to learn from as well.

We asked Graeme about the show.

Host Graeme Smith with his British Podcast Award

Congratulations on the BPA win! How do you feel?

I didn’t believe it when they announced the winner! The podcast came pretty close at the ARIAS earlier in the summer and it didn’t happen so I didn’t think it would this time. My mate Joe came to the awards ceremony with me and had to literally push me to stand up and walk to the stage. I felt incredibly proud that without any corporate backing or much of a marketing budget the podcast managed to get such recognition. I’m a one man production team. The podcast at this point was literally me just talking to people I like and respect about their incredible lives and experiences. It was a real moment of realising that yes, people are noticing and it was incredible. In summary I feel like my work has been validated by the best of my peers and that’s everything really.

What was the first podcast you ever listened to?

The old Ricky Gervais podcasts (before the transphobia)… the stuff they then animated for TV. My tastes have since evolved! This and the standard Radio 4 newsy stuff the BBC has always knocked out would have been the first podcasts I engaged with. But I had always been a listener to speech radio … Radio 4 / LBC and even the more crazy late night phone in stuff my entire life.

Why did you decide to start podcasting in the first place?

The freedom to be long form, nuanced and authentic. I have mainly worked in formatted commercial radio most of my adult life, this was a chance to make something totally different, using the skills I had spent years crafting. I also had a never ending supply of stories to tell about the real lives of LGBTQ+ people and to talk about experiences in my own life and and this was the medium to do it. I wanted to tell my story through the stories of the people I spoke to. They say what I can’t or won’t say quite often. I feel like my previous few attempts at podcasts, documentary producing and speech broadcasting had been teaching me everything I needed to know to make OUTCAST UK work. I want this to become a platform people can come to for LGBTQ content that isn’t just aimed at the same white cisgender gay men. I’m bored of them. This is a deliberate attempt to diversify the range of voices and perspectives available and still make great content that has a social impact.

Which podcasts do you take inspiration from?

OUTCAST UK is a bit of a mix, it’s inclusive, it’s current, its issues based, it gets political … But also outrageously funny sometimes. It can morph into whatever it needs to be, so my influences are very varied and reflect that.

The newsagents lately has been inspiringly brilliant lately. It’s hard not to soak it in. I loved the Battersea Poltergeist last year on BBC Sounds it opened my eyes to how to tell a story and at times almost defied a fixed format. The brilliant James O’Brien in his formidable delivery and his analysis. I loved what The Log Books podcasts did for accessible LGBTQ+ history and storytelling. I also think that in terms of increasing general podcast awareness the juggernaut formats of the Joe Rogan Experience and Diary of a CEO are impressive. This is how social video is done for podcasts. It sets the agenda and grows awareness… which is vital.

Who’s your dream guest for the podcast?

Right now I think DJ Fat Tony, just for the incredible stories that are sometimes outrageous, sometimes incredibly moving. I’ve been talking to him about coming on and hopefully that’s happening soon.

What’s the biggest lesson you’ve learnt so far as a podcaster?

Be honest with yourself. Make the stuff that YOU think is good. You literally can beat the big boys with the right idea.

Which episode would you say is the perfect introduction to your podcast?

It’s got to be Series 2, Ep 2. Me and Nick Charles with a chat that’s as honest and outrageous as it is funny featuring a frank exchange about when we had both done sex work in the past. The reaction on social media was intense. I was able to tell Nick for the first time that I had been forced into sex work when I was unemployed with a near fatal drugs problem about a decade ago… the twist was that it had been IN HIS APARTMENT (this was before he lived there). This episode sums up the conversations and issues the show is all about, it’s very honest and I’ve listened back and it still makes me laugh a lot. Me and Nick still say we couldn’t do this episode again if we tried! It’s in full video podcast glory on Spotify if you’re interested.

Where can the Pod Bible readers find out more about you?

It’s @playoutcastuk on Insta and TikTok.

Playoutcastuk.com has all our links.

Find me on Insta @mrgraemesmith.

Listen to OUTCAST UK on Apple Podcasts, Spotify and other popular podcast apps, or search OUTCAST UK wherever you get your podcasts.

The post Indy podcasts making waves at the BPAs: OUTCAST UK appeared first on POD BIBLE.

The nomination seemed like a good excuse to catch up with host Marc Thompson and Producer Hana Walker Brown to learn more about how the show was made…

Pod Bible: Congratulations on the recent British Podcast Awards nomination! How does it feel to see this show nominated?

Marc: It feels fantastic and such an honour to be nominated for this award and to be on such an incredible list. I’m really proud that my passion project has been recognised alongside so many great podcasts that I listen to myself.

Hana: Its always nice to be recognised for the work you’ve done, especially with such a small team. We’re up against big budget and even bigger team productions. “We Were Always Here” was made by Marc and I with the support of our production assistant Rory Boyle so it really shows what is possible – and no women were murdered for this storyline!

I believe We Were Always Here was the first series of Broccoli’s ‘Documentary’ stream. I’ve been wondering which came first: the idea for a stream of short-run series, or the idea for WWAH?

Hana: Both kind of happened simultaneously, my background is documentary so it was really important to me that we had a dedicated space for docs that could be include any number of subjects, producers, series – just a space to be adventurous or introduce new voices bound only by the broccoli ethos of telling stories that empower. I got an email from Marc through our mutual friend who had connected us for a series of Anthems. He wanted to make a show about the UK HIV Epidemic and was asking for me for advice on where to pitch it. As soon as I read it, I knew I had to make it and felt there was no other company that could his story justice in the way he wanted to tell it so I said don’t pitch it, we’ll take it and that was that!

What was the collaboration like between Marc as Host and Hana as Producer? Did you silo your roles or was there collaboration on all aspects?

Hana: It was a really collaborative project– obviously there are things that we both brought to the table – Marc’s rich history and connections to the community and my storytelling and sound design skills and sensibility – together we were responsible for creating a space not just for Marc’s story but the stories of all the people that feature as well as the community as a whole that could bring to the fore those unheard voices to the fore and ensure their history was documented. We trusted each other implicitly which I think is important and actually, we both cared about these people and these stories which definitely helps.

Hana told me on Twitter that “I interviewed @marct_01 for hours and built the narrative from his ridiculously eloquent answers.” Do you know how many hours of conversation between the two of you was recorded?

Marc: I think Hana and I probably recorded around 6-8 hours maybe between just us!

Hana: We have a responsibility as doc makers to tell the “truth” of any situation and to me that starts with the words of the narrator which have to feel authentic and I think the only way you can do that is through interviewing. Yes, it’s a bit of a heavier lift than just feeding someone words on a script but it allows a much deeper intimacy and connection to the person’s story so I wouldn’t do it any other way. Also, Marc is a phenomenal storyteller so it made my job a lot easier!

Marc: And also outside of our interviews we recorded 80 hours of interviews with individuals who made up the bulk of the narrative of the podcast it was really refreshing to get to sit in the interview seat as well and ask the questions I was really interested in and to learn so much about friends and colleagues and allies.

There are a couple more big budget podcasts about or incorporating HIV that have come out this month – A Positive Life and Love In Gravity – I wonder if you’ve had a chance to listen yet?

Marc: I haven’t had a chance to listen to any of the new podcasts yet. I wish them really well. I welcome them as it’s great that we’re finally hearing all of these narratives about the HIV epidemic. It adds to the wider canon of British history and LGBTQ+ history so I think it’s great that they’re out there.

Follow-on question – why do you think this topic is being picked up more at the moment?

Marc: I think the HIV epidemic story is being picked up right now because its 40 years since the first cases were identified and it’s really important this anniversary is marked in various ways. We don’t have a memorial to those we lost in the UK, so this is a great opportunity to remember that history and the people we lost, and to also to remind ourselves that HIV hasn’t gone away, that we still have work to do to end new HIV transmissions and support the lives of people who continue to live with HIV in the UK and globally.

Hana: I agree- and while this year has put HIV back into the mainstream consciousness due to the anniversary and the popularity of shows like “It’s a Sin” it really needs to continue. As Marc said we recorded over 80 hours of interviews for this which we are handing over to Bishops Gate queer archive this autumn – all audio and transcripts and episodes – so that they live on beyond the podcast as a resource. A lot of the retellings of this history have been through a predominantly white lens so we wanted to ensure that these voices don’t get lost.

Listen to We Were Always Here on Broccoli’s Documentaries Stream on Apple Podcasts, Spotify and other popular podcast apps.

The post We Were Always Here: Untold stories of Britain’s HIV epidemic appeared first on POD BIBLE.

Pride month is almost over, but before it is we wanted to speak to Kane Sarhan, one of the hosts of Messy Situations here to help with your wellness…

Who are you and what’s your podcast about?

My name is Kane Sarhan. I’m an entrepreneur, creative, husband, dog dad and messy human. I’m the cofounder of THE WELL, your one-stop-shop for wellness.

My podcast is Messy Situations, the Top 30 Self-Improvement show on the Apple Podcast charts. The podcast provides a radically new take on “self-help” by boldly embracing the messy sides of life: parenthood, menopause, romance, entrepreneurship and beyond. Produced by Lola Media, Messy Situations empowers people to exercise their shame by bravely revealing those unfiltered parts of their lives.

Each week, my co-host Michele Promaulayko (former Cosmopolitan Editor-in-Chief) and I reveal Messy Situations—big and small—submitted anonymously and through in-person guests, and then call in our Clean-Up Crew of wellness experts, mental-health pros, spiritual guides, energy healers, messy-life survivors and more to start mopping things up. We invite anyone who is willing to confess their own mess—even science says it’s good for the soul.

What was the first podcast you ever listened to?

My first podcast was Serial, kicking off a true obsession with murder and true crime podcasts.

Why did you decide to start podcasting in the first place?

I have been writing a book (coming soon) about my personal messy situations, and as I told my friends and family about the project, I started to realize I wasn’t the only mess in my life and, in fact, we all have messy situations. I wanted to create a platform for people to share their messes (without shame or judgment) so we could all learn and grow and find common ground.

Which podcasts do you take inspiration from?

So many. I love We Can Do Hard Things and The Happiness Lab.

Who’s your dream guest for the podcast?

I’d love to have Ellen on to discuss what really went down on her show.

What’s the biggest lesson you’ve learnt so far as a podcaster?

Get the logistics together! Making a great show happen requires planning and prep, not just sitting down and showing up. I have also learned to really just enjoy myself as it makes for the most engaging and honest conversation.

Which episode would you say is the perfect introduction to your podcast?

Episode #5 My Biz Partner and BFF stole my husband

Where can the Pod Bible readers find out more about you?

All over the place:

@messysitch, @imkane or @thewell on Instagram

@twogaysandahouse on TikTok

Listen to Messy Situations on Apple Podcasts, Spotify and other popular podcast apps.

The post Messy Situations: A clean-up crew of wellness experts appeared first on POD BIBLE.

Adam Richardson caught up with Rose and Nana to discuss their show – Two Twos Podcast! The trio discuss the show’s origins, recording removtely vs in a studio setting, live shows and much more!

Listen to Two Twos Podcast on Spotify.

Listen to the Pod Bible Podcast on Acast or Spotify.

The post Pod Bible Podcast – Two Twos Podcast appeared first on POD BIBLE.

Adam Richardson caught up with Brendan Geoghegan and Matthew Riley in January 2022 to discuss their LGBTQ+ podcast that explores mental health and dealing with your own rock bottom. The guys discuss the origins of the podcast, some of their favourite guests and the work that foes into producing an independent show.

Listen to Bottoming on Acast or Spotify.

Listen to the Pod Bible Podcast on Acast or Spotify.

The post Pod Bible Podcast – Bottoming appeared first on POD BIBLE.

Adam is here to walk you through the weeks podcast proceedings, with guests including the people behind 90 Minutes Or Less Film Fest, Some Families and Dane Baptiste Questions Everything!

THIS WEEKS GUESTS

90 Minutes Or Less Film Fest • Apple Podcasts • Spotify

Some Families • Acast • Spotify

Dane Baptiste Questions Everything • Acast • Spotify

THIS WEEKS RECOMMENDATIONS

Have You Heard George’s Podcast? • Acast • Spotify

Ain’t Got A Clue • Acast • Spotify

PODBIBLE LINKS

Pod Bible Magazine

Pod Bible Twitter

Pod Bible Instagram

Pod Bible Facebook

Pod Bible Email

The post #095 • 90 Minutes Or Less Film Fest • Some Families • Dane Baptiste Questions Everything appeared first on POD BIBLE.

Adam is here to walk you through the weeks podcast proceedings, with guests including the people behind Some Families, Touchline Fracas and Zombiemum!

THIS WEEKS GUESTS

Some Families • Acast • Spotify

Touchline Fracas • Acast • Spotify

Zombiemum • Apple Podcasts • Spotify

THIS WEEKS RECOMMENDATIONS

Disunomics • Soundcloud • Spotify

The Christmas Chronicles • Online • Spotify

Table Manners • Acast • Spotify

PODBIBLE LINKS

Pod Bible Magazine

Pod Bible Twitter

Pod Bible Instagram

Pod Bible Facebook

Pod Bible Email

The post #092 • Some Families • Touchline Fracas • Zombiemum appeared first on POD BIBLE.

With inspiration taken from the work and stories that have come from Switchboard, an LGBT+ helpline that’s been in operation since 1974, The Log Books podcast has had quite an auspicious start. Natasha Walker, co-chair at Switchboard and producer of The Log Books, chats to us once again about re-opening the Logbooks for season 2 of the show.

So, what’s it been like making the podcast?

We absolutely loved working on The Log Books podcast. It was a rollercoaster of emotions, reading and listening to all these amazing stories and memories. We have all learnt so much about LGBTQ+ history, which is of course our history with all three of us (Producers – Tash, Adam and Shivani) identifying as LGBTQ+. I think it would be fair to say that this is one of the best things we have ever worked on and Season Two has been even better! We started as colleagues but are now the best of friends!

From left to right, Shivani Dave, Tash Walker and Adam Smith from The Log Books podcast celebrating their British Podcast Awards win.

It may not have been a surprise to many of us – but it did prove to be a shock for the team – The Log Books won Best New Podcast at the British Podcast Awards.

It was so amazing! We were completely overwhelmed and not expecting it at all, when they announced we had won and then the doorbell rang we just didn’t know what to do. It felt so amazing to win the Best New Podcast 2020 award not only because we are all independent podcasters and freelancers, but also because we are sharing LGBTQ+ history, which is so often ignored and untold. To have the podcast recognised as the Best New Podcast of 2020 meant so much to us and shows a really positive shift in society – this isn’t just Britain’s LGBTQ+ history, it’s Britain’s history full stop.

Can you give us a bit of a recap of what the podcast is about and what’s in the first season?

The Log Books is a podcast all about the history of LGBTQ+ life in Britain as noted by volunteers at the helpline Switchboard. Each episode centres around log book entries made by the volunteers who staffed the phones from the charity’s very first day. As a helpline for anyone who wants to talk about gender identity and sexuality, Switchboard has been hearing about, and helping, queer life since 1974. We have spoken to over 50 contributors for the podcast, who have memories and lived experiences of the themes we cover. Season One covered 1974 to 1982, with stories ranging from police entrapping gay men meeting for sex in toilets, to women losing custody of their children for being lesbians, to people kicked out of pubs for wearing pro-gay badges and those struggling with their gender identity before anyone had the right language to help them.

The log books laugh and cry with the real lives of runaways and disco-dancers, with isolated fishermen phoning to chat and people unsure about how to have sex.

The first Switchboard log book – photo by Imogen Forte, Switchboard’s Archive at Bishopsgate Institute

Given the subject matter, there may have been an inevitability to a second season. Thankfully we do have one! What can we hear in this much awaited second season?

Season Two runs through the years 1983 to 1991 and takes up eleven episodes, including a three-part series focusing on the HIV/AIDS crisis. As the country was gripped by growing HIV infections, calls to Switchboard reached unprecedented volumes and intensity. The log books at Switchboard are a unique chronicle of this major health crisis — containing stories from those years that have never been told before.

In this season you hear interviews with patients and healthcare professionals, such as Leigh, a young gay man who began caring for people with AIDS-defining illnesses as soon as he started to work as a nurse.

Also, long-term survivors with difficult but uplifting stories, such as the life-affirming wisdom of George who has spent 35 years trying to keep his infection at bay by calling it ‘sleeping dragon’.

A Switchboard volunteer on a call – photo courtesy of Switchboard’s Archive at Bishopsgate Institute

We also have memories of Switchboard volunteers who took the hardest calls and faced down people who did not want to step into the Switchboard offices for fear of ‘catching AIDS’.

But so much more than a health crisis happened from 1983 to 1991. Britain’s LGBTQ+ communities felt more and more under attack from tabloids and social hostility, with Margaret Thatcher’s government capitalising on this by passing legislation that banned the “promotion of homosexuality”. We’ll hear from a young lesbian teacher, Catherine, whose students scratched insults into her car, and others who were watching the Six O’Clock News when lesbian activists invaded the BBC studio to call for an end to persecution. Other stories in the season include migration to the UK of people fleeing more homophobic countries, state clampdowns on obscenity including a Customs raid on a bookshop, and how Switchboard volunteers used humour to get through these dark times.

Adam Smith, Shivani Dave, Tash Walker, producers of The Log Book – photo by Imogen Forte

What’s the reaction been like to the podcast, both from audiences and also from you all who work on the show?

It’s been so positive, which means so much to us and it’s wonderful to hear people’s thoughts, see their reviews online and read their messages. We felt a real responsibility to not only share this LGBTQ+ history, but also do justice to all the wonderful contributors we interviewed who shared their memories and all those who have called and volunteered for Switchboard. We wouldn’t be here today because of them, their lives and stories live on in the log books and now in the podcast too.

Like any cause and podcast with a social conscience, finding new audiences is key, so why do we all need to listen and take part in this conversation?

As a society we all have to strive to be better allies, to not make the same mistakes that we have made in the past, to learn to evolve so that we move towards a more equal society for all. Looking back through the log books, we learn so much about how the LGBTQ+ communities have got to where we are today, the discrimination, the victimisation, the love, the support, the strength – it’s all part of who we are today, as queer people, as allies, as people. You have to learn from the past, to understand what community, allyship and support really mean. The stories will make you laugh, cry and some… from sex, to police raids, to censorship – it’s all there!

Find season one and two of The Log Books on Acast, Spotify and wherever you get your podcasts from.

The post Re-opening The Log Books with Natasha Walker appeared first on POD BIBLE.