My Dad Stole My Limelight

In this episode I got to chat with comedian, producer, host of New Moon Comedy and just all round wonderful human, Jackie Hoffart (they/them).

Connect with MDSML:

-Join the FREE mailing list for queer joy! hilaurendeborah.substack.com

-Email the pod to say hi or share a limelight-stealing story! [email protected]

-2SLGBTQIA+ resources

In this episode:

-Check out New Moon Comedy! One of the best shows in Canada!

-Here we are with another story that involves my guest moving very, very far away from their hometown!

-This interview has big two-cats-per-house energy and we love it!

-How wonderful is it when you can see people on stage that help you discover or uncover your true self? What a gift!

-Jackie gives a wonderful perspective on how they feel about identifying as non-binary, for now, until the language catches up and I love it very much!

-In this chat, we hear how Jackie came out to themself first, and how big that experience is!

-Hot tips for how to start identifying as a lesbian in this episode!

-We are here to follow the butterflies that make us feel alive! And we are not taking anything less!

-As Jackie puts it, there are infinite ways to be non-binary. Theirs’ took the surgical route and they kindly share that experience with us!

-We are learning to make less space for folks to get our pronouns wrong! We have been choosing our battles, and maybe it is time to change that!

Connect with my guest:

-Follow New Moon Comedy on Instagram: @moonbasedcomedy

-Follow Jackie on Instagram: @ostensiblyclear

Resources:

-Check out YVR Funny!

-The article Jackie wrote in 2003!

Behind the scenes:

-Podcast production and editing made possible by: Alexi Johnson and the team at @604podnetwork

-Theme Music: Shawn Kangro

-Logo Art: @raphe.ca

In this month's (and our first ever) Limelight Mailbag episode, I am joined by my wonderful co-host; filmmaker, podcaster, writer and dear friend Jason T. Gaffney! (P.S. I get so excited my voice goes high-pitched several times and Zoom is like “Nope! No sound here!”)

We unpack this month’s limelight-stealing submission from Karen'Nicole.

Connect with MDSML:

-Join the FREE mailing list for queer joy! hilaurendeborah.substack.com

-Email the pod to say hi or share a limelight-stealing story! [email protected]

-2SLGBTQIA+ resources

Connect with Jason:

-Follow Jason on Instagram! @jasontgaffney

Connect with Karen'Nicole:

-Hire Me to Create for You

-karennicolemitchell.com

Resources:

-The London Writers’ Salon

Behind the scenes:

-Podcast production and editing made possible by: Alexi Johnson and the team at @604podnetwork

-Theme Music: Shawn Kangro

-Logo Art: @raphe.ca

Silvi Vann-Wall (they/them) is a writer, film critic, improv comedian and as I excitedly learned in our chat, also a frog enthusiast.

I was introduced to their work via an important piece they published for the ABC (see the resources below) and was so honoured to get to know more about them and their journey.

Connect with MDSML:

-Join the FREE mailing list for queer joy! hilaurendeborah.substack.com

-Email the pod to say hi or share a limelight-stealing story! [email protected]

-2SLGBTQIA+ resources

In this episode:

-Our sexual resume does not define our sexuality!

-How nice is being able to change how we identify as we change and grow in life?

-We discuss what it is like for Silvi to “be non-binary and have a feminine body”!

-We hope this conversation serves as a place to let gender-diverse people know that there are others like them and I want the cishets to listen and learn more about gender diversity too!

-Google is free! Stop asking people to do the emotional labour of educating you!

-We hear from Matt, Silvi’s husband, and hear what it is like to discover who we are and experience that in a long-term relationship!

-Lockdowns were revealing for queers, to say the least!

-Silvi and I shared the same fears as children: that our parents could read our minds! Our very gay minds! Terrifying!

-Silvi is great at checking in with themself every day, keeping their finger on the pulse of who they are!

-Did you get pulled out of class to draw dogs? No? You mustn’t be as talented as Silvi! Sorry!

Connect with my guest:

-Connect with Silvi on Twitter/X @silvireports

Resources:

-Here is the article I read that led me to Silvi!

Behind the scenes:

-Podcast production and editing made possible by: Alexi Johnson and the team at @604podnetwork

-Theme Music: Shawn Kangro

-Logo Art: @raphe.ca

-Join the FREE mailing list for queer joy! hilaurendeborah.substack.com

-Email the pod to say hi or share a limelight-stealing story! [email protected]

-2SLGBTQIA+ resources

Curtis Campbell is a playwright, novelist, theatremaker, director and producer. Dragging Mason County, Curtis’ YA book was released last fall. Around Toronto, you may see Curtis being awesome in the comedy world and the theatre world. Please enjoy this truly invigorating conversation.

In this episode:

-We revisit the times we worked together via little digital boxes on our laptops!

-Curtis tells us about Dragging Mason County, the YA novel released last year!

-We chat about how we want to exist in this world and how we want to define ourselves!

-Creativity is such a wonderful way to explore who we are!

-Growing up is a lovely way to find out we no longer have to prove our credentials as queer folk!

-EVERYTHING Curtis is working on — both solo and collaboratively — is without any exaggeration, perfection. I am delighted to chat about all of this important, joyful, intelligent work!

-People are hungry for queer comedy!

-As queer folks, making stuff for ourselves vs making ourselves more palatable for others is something we have to think about, and we discuss that in this episode!

-Everyone’s homework after listening is to go away and create bad things! We deserve it!

Connect with my guest:

-Follow Curtis on Instagram: @curtisdangcampbell

-Get your hands on Dragging Mason County: annickpress.com/Books/D/Dragging-Mason-County

-More of Curtis: linktr.ee/campwrites

Behind the scenes:

-Podcast production and editing made possible by: Alexi Johnson and the team at @604podnetwork

-Theme Music: Shawn Kangro

-Logo Art: @raphe.ca

Connect with MDSML:

-Join the FREE mailing list for queer joy! hilaurendeborah.substack.com

-Email the pod to say hi or share a limelight-stealing story! [email protected]

-2SLGBTQIA+ resources

Neut (they/them/their) is back, pals! What a treat! They are such a wonderful person to chat with and I am thrilled we get more of their wonderfulness for your listening pleasure.

In this episode:

-We discuss the “have to” when it comes to our creative pursuits!

-Neut pulls tarot while we record!

-We hear from Neut’s bestie, Silvia!

-Breakups are tough but who we become from them can be the most wonderful!

-Conversations with queers are perfect and necessary!

-Changing our wardrobe to be our true selves, as we go, is a huge yes!

-We are never done when it comes to discovering and uncovering ourselves!

-Coming out can be a boundary and a point of self-respect!

-Here is to being persistent and resilient!

-The people who get it, get it! Unsubscribes and unfollows are a gift!

Connect with my guest:

-Follow Neut on Instagram! Check out their awesome stuff/diary project! @therealneut

-Visit Neut’s website: neut.space

-Check out Neut’s Bandcamp: neutwho.bandcamp.com

-Spotify link! https://tinyurl.com/pkg93

-Neut’s webcomic: neut.space/visitbostonor

-Neut’s tarot deck project: neut.space/#/fools-journey

-Explore all of the cool things Neut creates in one space! tap.bio/@neut

Behind the scenes:

-Podcast production and editing made possible by: Alexi Johnson and the team at @604podnetwork

-Theme Music: Shawn Kangro

-Logo Art: @raphe.ca

Connect with MDSML:

-Join the FREE mailing list for queer joy! hilaurendeborah.substack.com

-Email the pod to say hi or share a limelight-stealing story! [email protected]

-2SLGBTQIA+ resources

Joanne Tsung (she/her) is back to let y’all know gays are taking over the world! I had such a great time chatting with her last time, I wanted to do it all again. PLUS! We needed the ending to the story that was her first weekend at university. So while this ep is less coming out (we covered that a lot in part 1) it is still loads of queer joy and Joanne joy!

In this episode:

-Since we last spoke, Joanne went to Peru!

-Lesbian feature walls are on my vision board for my future home!

-Joanne’s first weekend at university was indeed WILD!

-Starbucks is a little boutique cafe, have you heard of it? Joanne made it cool!

-If you follow a queer person into a gay bar… BOOP! You are gay now! You are welcome!

-Is axe throwing masculine or is that just Canadian?

-Hand blisters make me butch and I love this for me so much!

-We love soft, sensitive boys who have rejected toxic masculinity!

-IF YOU HAVE THE POWERS, GET JOANNE A PODCAST GRANT!

-We are living in a time where queers are ready to take over, and we are so ready!

Connect with my guest:

-Follow Joanne on IG! @jtsung

Resources:

-Wells for Boys <3

Behind the scenes:

-Podcast production and editing made possible by: Alexi Johnson and the team at @604podnetwork

-Theme Music: Shawn Kangro

-Logo Art: @raphe.ca

Connect with MDSML:

-Join the FREE mailing list for queer joy! hilaurendeborah.substack.com

-Email the pod to say hi or share a limelight-stealing story! [email protected]

-2SLGBTQIA+ resources

I love my two sisters Lolo (she/her) and Brooke (she/her) and as you listen you will quickly discover why. Here they are, the muses and magical beings themselves, on the podcast, finally. I slept on this for so long, but please enjoy the delight that is these two queer queens, because they are worth every second of the wait.

In this episode:

-We are giving big ‘get the girlies together for a sleepover’ vibes!

-Well, what a letdown it has turned out to be to receive the male validation we were taught to want our entire lives! NOT ALWAYS! But ya, know, enough of the time that it is a thing we devoted time to in this convo so…

-As kids, our options were narrow, we had straight or gay to choose from — if that — and as we have grown, so have our options!

-Singing and dancing and knowing every word to a song with your Mum and your bestie = witchcraft!

-If someone trusts you enough to come out to you, let them keep that main character, at least for a minute!

-Queer love is magical!

-There is so much beauty in sisterhood, including the fact that you can text each other secrets from the other room and that be a beautiful form of communication!

-Once the weight of our own judgement (put on us by society) is lifted, so much can change to be authentic: who we love, what we wear, how we speak…!

-If you don’t karaoke, then can you really call yourself our friend?

-The limelight-stealing stories in this episode will haunt my guests on their deathbeds and that is warranted!

Connect with my guests:

-Follow Lolo for her cute photo dumps: @lolosuede

-Follow Brooke for sexy burlesque, independent film and photography: @brookeewadee

Behind the scenes:

-Podcast production and editing made possible by: Alexi Johnson and the team at @604podnetwork

-Theme Music: Shawn Kangro

-Logo Art: @raphe.ca

Connect with MDSML:

-Join the FREE mailing list for queer joy! hilaurendeborah.substack.com

-Email the pod to say hi or share a limelight-stealing story! [email protected]

-2SLGBTQIA+ resources

Steve Sidi (he/him) is back! You first met Steve in Season 2 (which is baffling to me I waited so long to have him on and my only conclusion is that he means so much to me that I was too nervous to host him when I was still very green). Stove was my roommate for my last long stint in Canada, and long before that, we have been close pals and also work colleagues! How dreamy to have so much of him in my life!

In this episode:

-If you are familiar with the movie Burlesque, then you already completely understand the dynamic of our friendship!

-When you get to a place in your life where you’re happy to run into someone in your kitchen, you know you’ve made it!

-Nicknames can be a demotion as they progress and I learn something new every day!

-Stand-up comedy has helped Steve understand who is is and who he wants to be and express himself in a way he hadn’t been able to before!

-Steve learned how to make friends with queer people by creating spaces for queer folks in comedy, where he always felt comfortable!

-There is a great reminder to seize opportunities, and also create them for others where you can. Thank you, Steve!

-Once again, we are reminded to make the queer community part of our lives, often and intentionally!

-Go support comedy! It is a good investment!

-“Best friend” is a tier and I am so very lucky to put Stove in the tier!

Connect with my guest:

-Follow and fall in love with Stove on Instagram: @stovesidi

Resources:

-Lauren started watching this before the recording and that is (partly) why they were crying

Behind the scenes:

-Podcast production and editing made possible by: Alexi Johnson and the team at @604podnetwork

-Theme Music: Shawn Kangro

-Logo Art: @raphe.ca

Connect with MDSML:

-Join the FREE mailing list for queer joy! hilaurendeborah.substack.com

-Email the pod to say hi or share a limelight-stealing story! [email protected]

-2SLGBTQIA+ resources

I AM SO EXCITED TO BE BACK IN YOUR EARS WITH NEW EPISODES!

I had the pleasure of seeing AJ Norris (he/they) perform comedy when I was in Seattle recently and I knew I had to introduce myself to him after the show to talk to them more. AJ brought as much joy to me in this chat as he did from the stage, and I am so grateful I get to share all that with you in this episode!

In this episode:

-Here is to not being seen as a queer comedian, but rather as a comedian, who also happens to be queer!

-Lauren didn’t know how to pronounce Arkansas!

-AJ is “a being, and the rest is secondary, " which is beautiful!

-It’s so great witnessing kids being raised in the present day, outside of the ‘norms’ that we were raised in!

-The power of a haircut can never be underestimated!

-Is it really an episode of MDSML if it doesn’t include the guest moving to another town before coming out?

-AJ talks about dismantling the expectations that society sets on you as a kid!

-Tattoos are a way to “decorate our home”!

-Is there a gender-neutral term for aunt or uncle? Please write and tell us!

-Here is your reminder to spend time by yourself!

Connect with my guest:

-Follow AJ on Instagram! @actually_aj_art

Behind the scenes:

-Podcast production and editing made possible by: Alexi Johnson and the team at @604podnetwork

-Theme Music: Shawn Kangro

-Logo Art: @raphe.ca

Connect with MDSML:

-Join the FREE mailing list for queer joy! hilaurendeborah.substack.com

-Email the pod to say hi or share a limelight-stealing story! [email protected]

-2SLGBTQIA+ resources

Cass Furman (she/her) brings a beautiful balance of laughs and ‘things I am going to write in my diary later’ in this episode! Cass is a comedian and actor and shares so many lovely gems in this conversation.

In this episode:

-Cass played a lesbian character in a play and from there was able to own up to some feelings she hadn’t acknowledged fully at that point!

-Attraction means so much more than what we are taught!

-Cass experienced being the Janis Ian to Regina George and it hurt like it “was a little bit true”!

-When we come out there can be a lot of pressure to change, but Cass reminds us that there are parts we want to keep and that they’re amazing!

-Thank you to the expansive and large queer community who have helped us discover and love more about ourselves!

-All of the things Cass shared brought me back to the “why” of starting this podcast!

-Imagine if we loved ourselves the way we loved others! Or as Cass puts “The more we look for things to love about each other, the more we find to love”!

-WE ARE RETIRING JOURNALS! We are bringing back our diaries!

-The number of us who are scared to come out as we feel we do not have the “right” to it is a pattern in these conversations! You belong, and your dating history does not define you!

-Being honest will get you where you want to go a whole lot quicker!

Connect with my guest:

-Follow Cass on Instagram: @cassfurman

Behind the scenes:

-Podcast production and editing made possible by: Alexi Johnson and the team at @604podnetwork

-Theme Music: Shawn Kangro

-Logo Art: @raphe.ca

-This episode of My Dad Stole My Limelight was recorded with @SquadCast