Kenny Ethan Jones is a writer and activist that is widely recognised for making history by being the first trans man to front a period campaign. Since then he's gone on to campaign about menstruation, body politics, mental health and intimacy. He engages in open, honest and respectful conversations about all things trans in hopes of tackling misinformation and creating allies. His debut novel Dear Cisgender People: A Guide to Trans Allyship and Empathy is due for release in June 2024.

Episode Description

In this profoundly important and moving episode, Kenny and Ally discuss the struggles and discrimination faced by the transgender community, including hate crimes and the trans community being used as “scapegoats” within media. Kenny shares his personal journey of realising he was transgender and the difficulties he faced in an all-girls school. Undoubtedly, the transgender community remains at the forefront of conversations, and yet, their experiences are often grossly misunderstood and discriminative. With his upcoming autobiography release, 'Dear Cisgender People’, hitting the bookshelves in June 2024, Kenny offers a brief and exclusive reading from the introduction of his literary masterpiece, leaving host Ally in “happy and proud” floods of tears.

In this episode, Kenny and Ally discuss:

• The role of a transgender activist
• What does transgender really mean?
• How the transgender community faces discrimination and hate daily
• Why transgender individuals should be believed and supported in their identity.
• How gender dysphoria is a deep-felt knowing
• Why we need to address transgender people in sport, sooner rather than later
• The misconceptions about puberty-blockers
• How mainstream media portrays the transgender community

Follow:

You can find Kenny Ethan Jones via IG: @kennyethanjones

Order your copy of Kenny's Autobiography, 'Dear Cisgender People', here.

If you love this episode, please share and leave a review — let’s smoke out stigma and make truth-telling the next biggest trend.

Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Lauren Josephine is long-time dater, turned dating and relationships author. After going on over 200 dates throughout her 20s and 30s, she felt called to write about and normalise all of the struggles modern daters deal with today, especially when using dating apps. She recently published her first book called ‘Looking for Something Serious', in which she uses her 10-year dating journey to discuss the many pitfalls of dating today, like ghosting, situationships, repeated rejection, and losing hope in dating altogether. Lauren is passionate about sharing practical, optimistic dating advice to help single people build the confidence, patience, and hope they need to not give up on finding love. She is 34 and lives in San Francisco with her fiancé (who she met on Reddit in 2022!) and her dog Winnie.

Episode Description:

In this “rom-com meets reality-check convo", Lauren and Ally discuss various aspects of dating, including online dating, the romantic personas people take on, and the challenges of modern dating. Let’s be honest, navigating dating apps is no easy feat! In this candid and light-hearted chat, Lauren shares the importance of taking responsibility for dating patterns, and the liminal timeline of grief, post breakup. Importantly, Lauren emphasises the need to give yourself permission to feel and normalise the emotions that come with dating dilemmas and relationships, and how there is no ‘one-size-fits-all' method when it comes to matters of the heart In our modern day world, we have access to “instant everything”, however a scarcity mindset and impulsive swiping is not a “fix” for the faint-hearted. So, most importantly, Lauren and Ally question, “can love be found beyond the digital landscape?”

We’ll let you decide!

In this episode, Lauren and Ally discuss:

• Why situationships rarely end well and… how to avoid them!
• Singledom: Dating app fails or liberation at last?
• The “guy” who forgot he dated you… #truestory
• Dating app sagas; the good, the bad, and the down-right cringe!
• Swipe right, swipe left; the “easy come-easy go” mindset, that is taking the dating world by storm!
• How to tackle past insecurities in present day dating, and the communication techniques to make the shift
• Why normalising emotional experiences in dating is a game-changer in love
• Red flags, boundaries and “BS” bravado: How to detoxify the dating game

Follow Lauren:

You can find Lauren Josephine via IG: @lookingforsomethingserious

Purchase Lauren Josephine’s book, ‘Looking for Something Serious: Stories, Laughs, and Lessons from a Decade of Online Dating’ here!

If you love this episode, please share and leave a review — let’s smoke out stigma and make truth-telling the next biggest trend.

Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Samuel Hunter, from Sydney Australia, has been working as a sex worker for the last four years. While admitting he's held dozens of different jobs, including working as a chef, working for a sex shop and writing blogs for a brothel, his interest in sex work began when he heard about a charity called Touching Base, that put people with disability in touch with sex workers. Now one of Australia’s most high-profile male sex workers, Samuel sees women from all walks of life, generally aged 50+, with some in their thirties and twenties on occasion. As a mature gent, both charming and cheeky in equal measure, Sam is generally booked out for three months, but with some dates booked out twice as long as that. He is passionate in all facets of his life, including creative outlets such as writing, volunteer work and of course, in the arms of his clients. Surviving a near fatal motorcycle accident to lead him into this work, Samuel has been interviewed for SBS, Body & Soul magazine, the Kyle and Jackie O Show, among others, to talk about the ins and outs of his profession.

Description:

In this honest and provocative episode, Stigma Shakers speaks to Samuel Hunter, a male sex worker, who shares his experiences and insights into the sex industry. In this candid chat, Ally and Samuel discuss the stigma surrounding male sex work and how it differs from the stigma faced by female sex workers. Samuel also opens up about his personal journey into sex work, including the impact of a life-changing bike accident that triggered the desire for change! Throughout this conversation, Samuel highlights the importance of creating a safe and trusting environment for his clients, where not only are the needs and boundaries of his clients respected, but his in the process, too ! In addition to being one of Australia’s most high profile male escorts, Samuel is a passionate Author on a mission to debunk the taboos around sexual pleasure and disability. This episode digs deep, and flips sex work on it’s head… in all the best ways possible!

Topics:

In this episode, Ally and Samuel discuss:

• The three C's of sex work: conversation, cuddles and cunnilingus… or is it?
• How to access equal rights for pleasure and disability
• Do male sex workers face different stigmas compared to female sex workers?
• The reasons behind a career change, to offer sexual pleasure, intimacy and connection for a fee
• The importance of boundaries both in and outside of the bedroom
• The myths behind the life of a male escort
• The stigma (and dilemma!) about paying for sex

Follow:

You can find Samuel via IG: @samuel_hunter_sydney , Samuel's Only Fans account here, Samuel’s website here!

Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.