I'm Glad You Exist

IGYE is back!

After it's annual HouseGuys hiatus, the show where I don't rate people on arbitrary scales returns. We're back and we're sexier than ever.

To make good on that last sentence, today's guest; Sara Silverstein

Sara is a breathwork coach living in Philadelphia, who has worked as far abroad as Bali (funnily enough, encountering and making friends with some people from Jersey!) and promotes sexual wellness for both females and males. She's also a reformed alcoholic and a big advocate of not giving a good god damn what others think and living for yourself. Such is our conversation today, where Sara takes me into the conversational world of BDSM, including topics of consensual play, the difference between being dominated and degraded and loads of other fascinating nuances to the kink scene.

If not openly apparent by now, this is not a podcast for the shy of listening. Topics include heavy sexual overtones, candid mentioning of sexual violence and drug abuse.

You can find Sara on IG @sarasilverstein and her personal website is SaraSil.com
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You can find me on IG @johnliot and my personal website is JohnLiot.com
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Music by 'Sizzlebird' 

Opening track - 'I'm Glad You Exist'
Closing track - 'Lost Lands'
Album: Horizons

Bandcamp - https://sizzlebird1.bandcamp.com/album/horizons

On today's episode of IGYE I'm joined by professional songwriter, Sara Strudwick.

I've known Sara for a few years, after having done a piece on her career for FreeVibe magazine back in 2019. She's back in 2021 having just been part of the writing team for a song on the 2021 Marvel film, Eternals. We're talking about that, what goes on in the studio, creative block and motivation, cultural appropriation and navigating the always sticky and problematic nature of social media.


Check out Issue 3 of FreeVibe - https://freevibe.co.uk/issue-3/

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Follow Sara on IG @imtherealsara

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You can follow me on instagram @johnliot

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Music by 'Sizzlebird' 

Album: Horizons

Bandcamp - https://sizzlebird1.bandcamp.com/album/horizons

Blood Sweat and Tears Jersey are Jared Crespel and Gavin McDougall.

They've joined musical and creative forces to create a musical fundraising opportunity for a local charity. As part of their media tour they asked if I'd have a chit-chat with them about what they've created, the reasons and methods behind it and a bunch of other great stuff.

Was more than happy to oblige these lads and think this is a conversation you'll enjoy whether you're a part of the Jersey music scene or from a country miles away from our shores.

There is now a music video for the track which you can find here: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ZtEdrk28FUg

The link to buy the track: 
https://distrokid.com/hyperfollow/jrriaid/in-the-bleak-midwinter

Follow BST on IG - @bloodsweatandtears.jsy
Follow Jared on IG -@jaredcrespel
Follow Gavin on IG - @bodge_And_scarper

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You can follow me on instagram - @johnliot

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Music by 'Sizzlebird' 

Album: Horizons

Bandcamp - https://sizzlebird1.bandcamp.com/album/horizons  

On today's episode of IGYE I'm joined by Brett Ralph.

Brett is someone I met through the Falmouth and Penryn Boxing Club when I was at University. When he was 19 he was involved in a catastrophic motorbike accident which left him with injuries so severe doctors considered amputating his legs.

To say Brett has come a long way since his accident would be an almost insultingly modest take. Not only did he defy medical professionals by standing unassisted; something that wasn't even considered a possibility early on his recovery. But he went far beyond that and ended up competing in and winning championship boxing matches.

Brett's story of recovery is a fascinating insight into one individual's mindset and a 'never say die' mentality that helped and hindered him in equal measure.

Follow Brett on IG @bre_double__t for more about his journey in fitness and recovery.

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You can follow me on instagram - @johnliot

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Music by 'Sizzlebird' 

Album: Horizons

Bandcamp - https://sizzlebird1.bandcamp.com/album/horizons  

On today's episode we're connecting a cold wintery night in Jersey with a 'might as well be summer' afternoon in Florida, with today's guest, Jason Strout.

Jason is a master of his craft and his craft happens to be hurting someone with your hands, elbows, knees and feet. He used to be a professional fighter and then transitioned into coaching other fighters. Since 2003 he's been building up his brand as one of the most sought after talents in combat sports and has lent his abilities to multiple world champions across different disclipines.

In our chat he talks about the transition he recently underwent from New York to Florida, his time living in Thailand, his decision to step away from competition and ultimately what makes him have such a passion for teaching and mentoring in such a cruel and unforgiving sport.

You can follow Jason and his fighters on IG @coachstrout. 

He also has a fantastic YouTube channel where he posts old school boxing matches, which you can find by searching 'Coach Strout's classic fights'.

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You can follow me on instagram - @johnliot

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Music by 'Sizzlebird' 

Album: Horizons

Bandcamp - https://sizzlebird1.bandcamp.com/album/horizons  

Welcome back to IGYE, on today's episode I'm joined by me ol' mate, Scott Garfitt.

Scott is an exceptionally talented photographer working in London. He's often found at film premiers or specialist events, capturing beautiful behind-the-scenes images or crisp and clean headshots on the red carpet.

Scott's always been dedicated to his craft, but recently he received a positive diagnosis for OCD. This revelation put a lot of his previous life experiences into context and has helped inform how best to approach his future.

In this chat we talk about what OCD means to Scott and how he balances it with a lifestyle that, if anything, stands to exacerbate his symptoms.

You can find out more about OCD by visiting the NHS website or speaking to your GP about an assessment.

You can follow Scott on instagram - @scottgarfitt and check out his website, www.ScottGarfitt.co.uk

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You can follow me on instagram - @johnliot

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Music by 'Sizzlebird' 

Album: Horizons

Bandcamp - https://sizzlebird1.bandcamp.com/album/horizons  

On today's episode of IGYE, I'm joined by clinical psychologist, Dr Terry Boucher.

We discuss, specifically, exposure therapy, and more broadly, therapy, phobia, trauma and community's role in recovery.

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You can find out more about Terry via his website: https://www.vivamuspsychs.com/the-team
and about the Jersey Tea Company @ https://thejerseyteacompany.com/

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You can follow me on instagram - @johnliot

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Music by 'Sizzlebird' 

Album: Horizons

Bandcamp - https://sizzlebird1.bandcamp.com/album/horizons  

On today's episode of IGYE I'm joined by one of my favourite photographers, Rich Hardcastle.

Portrait photographer to the stars, Rich Hardcastle is one of the most prominent figures in the UK comedian and actor scene. His prolific career has taken him all over the world and boasts a portfolio of extraordinary names; or, as Rich himself describes them, 'people with interesting jobs'.

Find out more about Rich and check out his incredible work on instagram @richhphoto

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You can follow me on instagram - @johnliot

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Music by 'Sizzlebird' 

Album: Horizons

Bandcamp - https://sizzlebird1.bandcamp.com/album/horizons  

Welcome back to I'm Glad You Exist.

Today I'm joined in studio by a good friend and former front man of the band, Flashmob, Harry Sutton.

Harry's story might not seem that different from yours or mine, and in that relevancy is the poignancy worth sharing.

In this discussion we go into topics around male mental health, body image confidence and ego.

Big thanks to Harry for opening up about some of his personal struggles, his candour is needed for other men to see that not only is it ok to speak up about these less spoken about aspects, but that it feels good on the other side of making yourself vulnerable.

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You can follow Harry's fitness journey and his typical goings on instagram @struttonspursuitoffitness

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You can follow me on instagram - @johnliot

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Music by 'Sizzlebird' 

Album: Horizons

Bandcamp - https://sizzlebird1.bandcamp.com/album/horizons  

On today's episode I'm joined via Zoom by American novelist and Buddhist, David Guy.

David and I connected back in 2019 when I found an article he wrote for the online publication, Tricycle. This article, originally uploaded back in 1994, was an exploration of whether the works of Alan Watts, British philosopher and key figure in bringing Eastern religions to a Western awareness during the 1950's, still held up, especially if one were to consider the criticisms levied against Watts.

For years, since my own discovery of the late philosopher, I was very hesitant to search anything that might muddy the near perfect perception I held of Watts. When I eventually allowed myself to accept that Watts might not be all wisdom and Zen, it was David's article I found. Amongst other things his writing led me to accept that no, Watts was not perfect, even in regards to his religious commitments, but that the messages he espoused and the stories he shared still held tremendous value.

I spoke to David via email and eventually it led us to this conversation. An insight into the life and importance of Alan Watts, how it related to David's own discovery of Buddhism and how Watts' legacy has changed from being an incredibly accessible teacher of Eastern philosophy, to 'that guy with the amazing voice who speaks over chillstep youtube videos'.

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You can follow David's work and writings at www.DavidGuy.org, which holds a link to his book store.

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You can follow me on instagram - @johnliot

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Music by 'Sizzlebird' 

Album: Horizons

Bandcamp - https://sizzlebird1.bandcamp.com/album/horizons