Episodes

  • S1E8: Queer Lit

    S1E8: Queer Lit
    Sep 11 2023
    For the last episode of the first series, we welcome our first guest, Matt Cornford, owner of Manchester's very own Queer Lit! Queer Lit is a LGBTQIA+ bookstore based in Manchester Northern's Quarter, and stocks over 4000 books. Matt explains why there is a need for dedicated queer bookshops, and the trio share some of their favourite books, how they have helped them on their own journeys and the different sub-genre's that are out there for people to explore. Here are some of the books mentioned in the pod: The House in the Cerulean Sea - T J CLUNE https://www.queerlit.co.uk/products/the-house-in-the-cerulean-sea Tell me I'm Worthless - Alison Rumfitt https://www.queerlit.co.uk/products/tell-me-im-worthless?_pos=1&_sid=8f72f34c7&_ss=r Manhunt - Gretchen Fletcher-Martin https://www.queerlit.co.uk/products/manhunt?_pos=1&_sid=0de6bef43&_ss=r My Shadow is Pink - Scott Stuart https://www.queerlit.co.uk/products/my-shadow-is-pink#:~:text=My%20Shadow%20is%20Pink%20is,learns%20(through%20the… The Queer Mental Health Workbook - Brendan J Dunlop https://www.queerlit.co.uk/products/the-queer-mental-health-workbook?_pos=1&_sid=1d00975c0&_ss=r Rewriting the Rules - Meg-John Barker https://www.queerlit.co.uk/products/rewriting-the-rules?_pos=1&_sid=7b77e565d&_ss=r The Velvet Rage - Alan Downs https://www.queerlit.co.uk/products/the-velvet-rage?_pos=1&_sid=c94688a30&_ss=r Straight Jacket - Matthew Todd https://www.queerlit.co.uk/products/straight-jacket?_pos=1&_sid=ef214e2d7&_ss=r Pride - Matthew Todd https://www.queerlit.co.uk/products/pride-the-story-of-the-lgbtq-equality-movement?_pos=1&_sid=d77e5d01d&_ss=r Love in the Pink Palace - Jill Nalder https://www.queerlit.co.uk/products/love-from-the-pink-palace-1?_pos=1&_sid=278bc9f2a&_ss=r All the Young Men - Ruth Coker Burks https://www.queerlit.co.uk/products/all-the-young-men-1?_pos=1&_sid=225a8938a&_ss=r The Transgender Issue - Shon Faye https://www.queerlit.co.uk/products/the-transgender-issue?_pos=1&_sid=6793e7f72&_ss=r Trans Britain - Christine Burns https://www.queerlit.co.uk/products/trans-britain-our-journey-from-the-shadows?_pos=1&_sid=d88afad5d&_ss=r Follow us on Instagram and TikTok: IG: @arethegaysok_podcast TikTok: @arethegaysok Produced by Ben Morling at High-Rise Communications Follow them on Twitter and Instagram: @highrisecomms
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    38 mins
  • S1E7: Therapy

    S1E7: Therapy
    Aug 21 2023

    In episode 7, Stephen and James discuss therapy.

    They talk about their own experiences with therapy, and a wide range of topics, including:

    • Why you don't need to be in a crisis to benefit from therapy
    • Finding the right therapist
    • The different types of therapy
    • Chemsex
    • How not all therapy is a good experience, and why you should persevere in finding the right therapist for you
    • Psychoeducation
    • The idea of compassionate enquiry


    They explore the mechanism’s that worked for them, the difficulties they faced and the realisation and empowerment that both of them felt as a result of changing their lives, including the new opportunities that have presented themselves. 


    They explain how their sober futures seemed uncertain, but how the benefits of becoming sober - and the connections they’ve built as a result - have made a lasting difference in both their lives.


    Resources: 

    LGBT Foundation: https://lgbt.foundation/

    0345 3 30 30 30


    Pink Therapy:

    https://pinktherapy.com/


    Follow us on Instagram and TikTok:

    IG: @arethegaysok_podcast

    TikTok: @arethegaysok


    Produced by Ben Morling at High-Rise Communications


    Follow them on Twitter and Instagram: @highrisecomms
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    39 mins
  • S1E6: Sobriety

    S1E6: Sobriety
    Aug 8 2023

    In episode 6, Stephen and James talk about their journey to sobriety.


    They explore the mechanism’s that worked for them, the difficulties they faced and the realisation and empowerment that both of them felt as a result of changing their lives, including the new opportunities that have presented themselves. 


    They explain how their sober futures seemed uncertain, but how the benefits of becoming sober - and the connections they’ve built as a result - have made a lasting difference in both their lives.


    Resources: 

    LGBT Foundation: https://lgbt.foundation/

    0345 3 30 30 30


    Smart Recovery: https://smartrecovery.org.uk/

    AA: https://www.alcoholics-anonymous.org.uk/

    MA: https://marijuana-anonymous.org/

    Gamblers Anonymous: https://www.gamblersanonymous.org.uk/

    Beacon Counselling Trust: https://beaconcounsellingtrust.co.uk/

    Overeaters Anonymous: https://www.oagb.org.uk/

    Sex and Love addicts: https://slaauk.org/

    Drinkaware: https://www.drinkaware.co.uk/

    Drinkaware quiz: https://www.drinkaware.co.uk/tools/self-assessment

    Change Grow Live: https://www.changegrowlive.org/


    Follow us on Instagram and TikTok:

    IG: @arethegaysok_podcast

    TikTok: @arethegaysok


    Produced by Ben Morling at High-Rise Communications


    Follow them on Twitter and Instagram: @highrisecomms
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    44 mins
  • S1E5: Addiction

    S1E5: Addiction
    Jul 25 2023

    In this hard-hitting episode, James and Stephen discuss addiction.


    They talk about the link between addiction and the LGBTQIA+ community, and also share their own experiences and how they came through them.

    Follow us on Instagram and TikTok:

    IG: @arethegaysok_podcast

    TikTok: @arethegaysok

    Further Support for Addiction (LGBT Foundation)

    Website

    Produced by Ben Morling at High-Rise Communications.

    Follow them on Twitter and Instagram: @highrisecomms
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    55 mins
  • S1E4: Mental health

    S1E4: Mental health
    Jul 10 2023

    For our fourth instalment, Stephen and James discuss mental health.


    They talk about their personal struggles, becoming more aware of their issues and how they learnt to look after their own mental health and thrive.

    More information about Mental Health and Support:

    Website

    Further Support for LGBT Mental Health (MIND)

    Follow us on Instagram and TikTok:

    IG: @arethegaysok_podcast

    TikTok: @arethegaysok


    Produced by Ben Morling at High-Rise Communications.

    Follow them on Twitter and Instagram: @highrisecomms
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    39 mins
  • S1E3: Gay shame

    S1E3: Gay shame
    Jun 26 2023

    In our third episode, Stephen and James explore the topic of gay shame.


    They discuss what gay shame means to them personally, share their own experiences and talk about how they have dealt with feeling shame as a gay person.

    Website

    Follow us on Instagram and TikTok:

    IG: @arethegaysok_podcast

    TikTok: @arethegaysok


    Produced by Ben Morling at High-Rise Communications.

    Follow them on Twitter and Instagram: @highrisecomms
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    36 mins
  • S1E2: Coming Out

    S1E2: Coming Out
    Jun 12 2023

    In our second episode, Stephen and James talk about coming out.

    They share their own personal stories, including coming to terms with their sexualities when they were younger, and discuss the difficulties that they faced.

    Website

    Follow us on Instagram and TikTok:

    IG: @arethegaysok_podcast

    TikTok: @arethegaysok


    Produced by Ben Morling at High-Rise Communications.

    Follow them on Twitter and Instagram: @highrisecomms
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    32 mins
  • S1E1: Introduction - Meet our Hosts

    S1E1: Introduction - Meet our Hosts
    May 29 2023

    In our first episode we get to meet our hosts: Stephen and James.

    They introduce each other and explain why they have created this podcast series.

    We get a sneak peak into the topics which will be discussed, including:

    - Coming Out stories

    - Gay Shame

    - Mental Health

    - Addiction

    - Therapy

    - Queer Literature

    Website

    Mentioned in this episode:

    TED Talk "Recover out loud | Tara Conner"


    Follow us on Instagram and TikTok:

    IG: @arethegaysok_podcast

    TikTok: @arethegaysok


    Produced by Ben Morling at High-Rise Communications.

    Follow them on Twitter and Instagram: @highrisecomms
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    22 mins