My Dad Stole My Limelight

Connect with MDSML:

-Join the mailing list for weekly queer joy! mdsml.substack.com

-Connect with Lauren! laurendeborah.substack.com 

-Email the pod! [email protected]

-LGBTQIA+ resources

Listeners! I have my first couple double-interview! I am so very grateful to my guests, Taj Ruler (she/they) and Kelsey Cramer (she/her), for sharing their stories of discovering their love — which resulted in finding their true selves too. This episode is literally the love story of my dreams, holy moly, a rom-com could never compete.

Side note! I have a fun game for you to play as you listen: Every time I say “Cute” or “Beautiful” you get to eat a Twizzler (my fav candy). I say those two words A LOT so ENJOY THE SUGAR RUSH!

In this episode:

-Queer is a wonderful word for just ~being~!

-Compt het (compulsory heterosexuality) is a part of this story and so many of ours!

-Barbie is our queer icon!

-Someone’s hand pushing hair out of your face is a life-changing act!

-Taj and Kelsey name their plants, and that is very relatable!

-This love story involves the use of the Marco Polo app!

-Note to self: Feeling compelled to take care of someone when they’re sick, wanting and needing to show up, could be inklings!

-Ohhhhh weddings (especially queer weddings) are always a place to reflect and realise where your heart lies and I love it!

-This episode is the perfect example of (as Kelsey put it): There’s no correct time or age to come out and that never too late to live as your authentic, full self!

-Your body knows best, it can tell you what your mind hasn’t caught onto yet!

-How to define an official first date when you realise you have been unknowingly dating for months? Taj and Kelsey answer this question!

-This is a “Ships passing in the night” story until the universe said “Now!”

-Let it be on the record, Taj knows how to light a fire!

Connect with my guests:

-Follow Kelsey on Instagram: @kelseylaurelcramer

-Follow Taj on Instagram: @rulert

Resources:

-Follow The Shrieking Harpies on Instagram: @shriekingharpies 

-Check out Minnesota Fringe! minnesotafringe.org 

Behind the scenes:

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

-Logo Art: @raphe.ca

-Music: Shawn Kangro

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

Connect with MDSML:

-Join the mailing list for weekly queer joy! mdsml.substack.com

-Connect with Lauren! laurendeborah.substack.com 

-Email the pod! [email protected]

-LGBTQIA+ resources

I am (once again) very excited about my guest this week! We were having such a rad chat and I was like “I need to hit record!”.

I am pleased to welcome improviser, Shea Roberts Gyllen (they/them)! Shea is also maybe the most patient person ever as I rescheduled this episode with them mayyyyyybe 12 times, and we ended up back at the original time! This is very much like me trying to choose an outfit, I try on 12, end up back at the first!

In this episode:

-Enjoy the bird and seaplane sounds as I recorded this from Oak Bay, Vancouver Island, a humble brag!

-It feels so good to share ourselves loudly!

-Shea talks about coming out as ongoing as someone who presents femme!

-Kids can teach us so very much! Talking to kids about gender is very fun!

-Improv is FASCINATING to me! So much respect!

-Shea used to be a professional stiltwalker! My new dream job is unlocked!

-Fun fact, clothes don’t make your gender!

-Shea named their child and their child named them!

-The guest recording in the episode is an educational experience! Blessed!

-Hearing a different answer to the same question from multiple guests, means there are more options and possibilities every time and I freaking love that!

-Being a parent really helped Shea discover their being non-binary!

-Step one when someone you know comes out with a new name and new pronouns? Update their contact in your phone!

-Birth spaces are very gendered, which Shea is trying to change in their work!

-Shea very kindly passes the mic and asks me about my new pronouns and it felt very nice to talk about being your she/they host in this ep! Thank you, Shea <3

Connect with my guest:

-Follow Shea on Instagram: @knittingayarn

Resources:

-Check out Totes Recall @totesrecall!

-Shea shouts out Huge Theater! hugetheater.com

-Explore Birth Bruja’s website birthbruja.com!

-Yay to Chaos and Quirk art! chaosandquirk.art

-Book: They She He Me: Free to Be! reflectionpress.com/our-books/they-she-he-me 

Behind the scenes:

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

-Logo Art: @raphe.ca

-Music: Shawn Kangro

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

Connect with MDSML:

-Join the mailing list for weekly queer joy! mdsml.substack.com

-Connect with Lauren! laurendeborah.substack.com 

-Email the pod! [email protected]

-LGBTQIA+ resources

Since recording this episode, SAG-AFTRA has gone on strike. If you want to find out more information about the strikes and ways you can help support them, here are some links to the pages Jason recommends:

-sagaftrastrike.org

-wgacontract2023.org

Jason T. Gaffney (he/him) is one of my nearest and dearest humans/friends/inspirations and it is an absolute pleasure to have him in my life. So you can only imagine how delighted I was to have someone so special to me as a guest on this podcast.

Jason is an actor, writer, producer, and podcaster and his films Analysis Paralysis, The Perfect Wedding, and Out of Body feature gay leads in a post-coming-out world. Additionally, Marriage of Inconvenience, his new LGBTQIA+ series is out now and streaming on Dekkoo!

 In this episode:

-Jason is very passionate about showcasing all aspects of our queer lives, and not just coming out. The other elements are lacking in the film and television industry, and Jason is filling those gaps with his work!

-Jason’s mom features in this episode and she is nothing short of a legend!

-There is nothing like The Full Monty to help you realise you are gay!

-My mission in life is to be friends with my friends’ moms!

-We all need to channel our inner Han Solo at times!

-Listeners you are BLESSED with tips from Jason on the film and TV industry in this episode!

-Jason’s story is beautiful, and while we know this is not the case for everyone, a reminder that these stories can so often be so full of love is such a beautiful thing!

-This story has a coming out with a capital “O”, meaning a public outting, with consent, with a gorgeous story and dedication!

-We want you to be in touch with every aspect of yourself: masculine, feminine, non-binary! There is so much to explore and love about each!

-Allowing folks to be their full selves, comfortably, on set makes them feel loved and welcome and makes for far more authentic performances!

-Jason is pen pals with Bette Midler!

-We hear a lot of very special on-set stories from Jason’s various projects!

-Update on the travel plan dilemma discussed: I fixed it! 

Connect with my guest:

-Follow Jason on Twitter @JasonTGaffney

-Follow Jason on Instagram @JasonTGaffney

-Connect with Jason on Facebook facebook.com/ActorAuthorJasonTGaffney 

-Check out Jason’s Production Company: MyPetHippoProductions.com  

Resources:

-Hot Target by Suzanne Brockmann

-BEAUTIFUL dedication to Jason from Hot Target

Behind the scenes:

-Podcast production and editing made possible by: Alexi Johnson and Alistair Ogden

-Logo Art: @raphe.ca

-Music: Shawn Kangro

-Follow the podcast network: @604podnetwork

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

Connect with MDSML:

-Join the mailing list for weekly queer joy! mdsml.substack.com

-Connect with Lauren! laurendeborah.substack.com 

-Email the pod! [email protected]

-LGBTQIA+ resources

This week’s guest writes one of my favourite substacks – Unravelling Daydreams – it is poetic and the imagery is beautiful and I have FOR SURE CRIED with hope and then giggled with her wit while reading it. I am delighted to welcome Phoebe Hancock (she/her) to the podcast! As well as her substack, Phoebe is a host for The London Writers’ Salon, holding space for writers worldwide. Phoebe was introduced to me by a mutual friend who said “Hey, this person is writing about lesbian vampires. I think you’ll get along!” They were 100% right. Enjoy this conversation filled with tenderness, openness, hope, and laughter.

In this episode:

-Phoebe identifies as a lesbian. Very much. She loves it.

-Looking at lesbians in history is a huge part of Phoebe’s life. Iconic!

-We talk about love spells written by queer women! Heartbreakingly beautiful!

-Padro Pascals’ knees. Yep.

-Halloween is the perfect day to come out!

-We relate when it comes to CHOOSING to have a crush on a boy!

-Travel makes us very queer!

-We love a Cottage Core Lesbian aka Phoebe!

-Queer films are meant to be watched while in the bath!

-This coming out involves a response of “Oh, thank god!”

-It’s so cool to be able to put our queerness (and our real selves) into our art!

-Coming out as a slow explosion, and holding people cookie-hostage is how we think it should be done!

-Haggis that the Queen eats or no haggis!

Connect with my guest:

-Read Phoebe’s substack! Unravellingdaydreams.substack.com

-Follow Pheobe on Instagram @unravellingdykes

-Follow Pheobe on Twitter! @unravellingdyke (singular b/c of character limits, to her annoyance)

-Follow Pheobe on TikTok @unravellingme (they DID NOT LIKE her using dyke in her handle)

-Check out The London Writers’ Salon: londonwriterssalon.com 

Behind the scenes:

-Podcast production and editing made possible by: Alexi Johnson and Alistair Ogden

-Logo Art: @raphe.ca

-Music: Shawn Kangro

-Follow the podcast network: @604podnetwork

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

Connect with MDSML:

-Join the mailing list for weekly queer joy! mdsml.substack.com

-Connect with Lauren! laurendeborah.substack.com 

-Email the pod! [email protected]

-LGBTQIA+ resources

Oh my goodness, I am so excited! In this episode, I got to sit with Lee Hulme (it/its) and it was an honour and a delight. You know when you meet someone on the internet and then you feel like you have been friends forever and then you actually get to speak to them and you’re like “This is the best!”? Yeah, this is that. Lee is a writer of one of my favourite substacks and it is a podcaster whose new show, Strange Stories from Odd Folx is calling for pitches from queer writers! Get on that!

 In this episode:

-Learn how you can submit to be a writer on Lee’s podcast!

-We chat queer collaboration making beautiful, entertaining, wonderful things!

-Queer pride tattoos make my heart sing!

-We discuss making friends, winding up attracted to them down the line, and then thinking, “Well, fuck!” — this is demisexuality baby!

-It just has to be this simple: feeling comfortable!

-The first thing you do when you have a crush on someone is set them up with your friend, right? Just us?

-We get to meet pets! We love pets with descriptive names!

-The medical system is rough, and being a trans person can often mean educating your doctor before getting the services you need!

-The trans community is beautiful and generous and helpful and ready to share the knowledge they have or find someone who does! You are not doing this alone, your journey is your own but there are folks ready to help you on it!

-Exploring your gender is your right! Changing your mind is your right! You do you, day to day, my lovelies!

-Community, as I like to say often, is so important! Listen to Lee tell you why it is so important to find yours!

-They say not to meet your heroes. Lee has a story about meeting its hero, and it went great! Love it!

-Lee makes its own limelight now and we LOVE TO SEE IT!

Connect with my guest:

-Listen to Lee’s podcast: Strange Stories from Odd Folx

-Read Lee’s Substack: leekhulme.substack.com

-Follow Lee on Twitter: @LeeKHulme

-Connect with Lee on Mastodon: toot.community/@leekhulme

Resources:

-Here is the Miley substack volume that Lee wrote!

Behind the scenes:

-Podcast production and editing made possible by: Alexi Johnson and Alistair Ogden

-Logo Art: @raphe.ca

-Music: Shawn Kangro

-Follow the podcast network: @604podnetwork

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

Connect with MDSML:

-Join the mailing list for weekly queer joy! mdsml.substack.com

-Connect with Lauren! laurendeborah.substack.com 

-Email the pod! [email protected]

-LGBTQIA+ resources

OH, BABY! Another dream guest this week! Is this my life for realsies that these humans sit and chat with me? What a delight! So excited to welcome Andrew Johnston (he/him/they/them) onto the pod! Andrew is a comedian and writer who you may have seen at his numerous appearances at Just For Laughs Comedy Festivals, on Season 2 of Roast Battle Canada, and Hey Qween TV!

In this episode:

-We tawtally love Olivia Newton-John!

-A new ~perfect~ demisexual fantasy has been revealed to me!

-Don’t bother baristas with complicated orders!

-Andrew has a Human Centipede analogy for life and it's perfect!

-If you want to be someone’s friend just KEEP ON PERSUING THEM and do NOT TAKE NO FOR AN ANSWER!

-Andrew and I sing Savage Garden, and it’s beautiful! IMO!

-Matt Berry can do me no wrong!

-To Frankenfurter or to not Frankenfurter? This was the pivotal moment for Andrew!

-We chat about homophobia in comedy. It’s real and it sucks!

-Andrew was voted “Most Likely To Follow A Dream” in high school!

-I am becoming a Canadian Citizen! The day this is released! OH, CANADA!

Connect with my guest:

-Follow Andrew on Instagram: @mandrewbrawnston

-Follow Andrew on Tiktok: @andrewjohnston1999

Resources:

-Watch this clip from Andrew! TOP 5 REASONS I HATE BABY SHOWERS!

Behind the scenes:

-Podcast production and editing made possible by: Alexi Johnson and Alistair Ogden

-Logo Art: @raphe.ca

-Music: Shawn Kangro

-Follow the podcast network: @604podnetwork

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

Connect with MDSML:

-Join the mailing list for weekly queer joy! mdsml.substack.com

-Connect with Lauren! laurendeborah.substack.com 

-Email the pod! [email protected]

-LGBTQIA+ resources

I LOVE THIS EPISODE! This week I got to sit with Sara Mitchell (she/her) who is the one and only person from my old big girl job that I felt I could truly be myself with. She is effortlessly cool and badass and has been on my wishlist as a guest on the podcast for a long time — so dreams DO COME TRUE Y’ALL!

In this episode:

-We speak about the Queer ways to sit! It’s a thing! Trade in your office chair for an armchair!

-Imposter syndrome strikes again! We are here, we are Queer, and we are trying our best to believe it!

-I maybe laughed the most in this episode more than any other. Cry tears are real and magical and healing and I am so grateful to share that with Sara!

-There is a heterosexual surprise in this episode! A new (to me) term and I love!

-Sara understands things through Venn Diagrams and I can hard relate!

-This is a story about a family time capsule coming out and it is really special!

-Sara reflects on the layers from her childhood and how suppressing her sexuality festered. I am so grateful for her sharing with us!

-A haircut and a tattoo from a Queer person are more beautiful than we could have ever imagined!

-Sara unpacks how she overcame gay panic!

-Bird attacks on Queer people = a thing!

-We need to start treating ourselves the way we would treat others on their Queer journey! With love!

-Sara has the best advice on having a boyfriend EVER! Please take note!

-Australia made me gay!

-Hubba hubba! Awooga! Boing!

Connect with my guest:

-Follow Sara on IG: @xoxo_gossip_ghoul

Resources:

-Watch this video of MUNA - Silk Chiffon

Behind the scenes:

-Podcast production and editing made possible by: Alexi Johnson and Alistair Ogden

-Logo Art: @raphe.ca

-Music: Shawn Kangro

-Follow the podcast network: @604podnetwork

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

Connect with MDSML:

-Join the mailing list for weekly queer joy! mdsml.substack.com

-Connect with Lauren! laurendeborah.substack.com 

-Email the pod! [email protected]

-LGBTQIA+ resources

This week’s guest is hilarious comedian, Adrienne Fish (she/her). I had the pleasure of meeting her back in my first year of Canadian life. She has been making me laugh with every chat since — it was such a pleasure to have a different kind of chat with Adrienne in this episode. If she looks familiar, you may know her from touring the country telling jokes, her appearance on Season 2 of Roast Battle Canada airing on Crave TV, and her numerous appearances at Just For Laughs comedy festivals.

In this episode:

-Adrienne has the best hair in the biz, period.

-Where does the need come from to label ourselves “accordingly”? Adrienne has some thoughts on why we might or might not, based on our experiences!

-When we come out, we are essentially giving people the space to think about us having sex, sorry. Those people might be your parents. This is cringe but real and it’ll make sense when you listen! Straight folks, here is your privilege! Haha.

-Were you a Rachel, Monica, or Phoebe gal?

-Adrienne has an AMAZING web of lies she had before she came out. The impressiveness of it is the stuff of sitcoms. It’s genius.

-Adrienne looks back on coming out to her friends as a unique and beautiful process, and I love this!

-gaycanada.com used to be a thing, a place to meet folks in a chat room and I am sad I missed it!

-Curiosity is so enough, you don’t need to be certain about anything to be valid! Go for it!

-Once again a guest reminds me that the relationship with ourselves is the most transformative and important!

Connect with my guest:

-Follow Adrienne on Instagram: @adriennefishyfishfish 

-Visit Adrienne’s website for show dates:adriennefish.com 

Behind the scenes:

-Podcast production and editing made possible by: Alexi Johnson and Alistair Ogden

-Logo Art: @raphe.ca

-Music: Shawn Kangro

-Follow the podcast network: @604podnetwork

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

Connect with MDSML:

-Join the mailing list for weekly queer joy! mdsml.substack.com

-Connect with Lauren! laurendeborah.substack.com 

-Email the pod! [email protected]

-LGBTQIA+ resources

This week’s guest is the host of Atlantic Canada’s longest-running talk show, InTalksicated! Sarah MacLellan (she/her) is kind, hilarious, thoughtful, and talented and it was so exciting for me to have this conversation with her. Sarah is a true gem. Having been a guest on her epic podcast myself, this was not at all intimidating for me (ahem) to switch chairs. Welcome to the deep dive on demisexuality, with my demi queen and forever mind-blowing inspo, Sarah!

In this episode:

-You are valid. You are loved.

-This episode is just two demi-sisters in crime chatting about the beautiful complexity of being demisexual!

-Demisexuality is so often misunderstood, we hope this episode clears up some of your (wrong) opinions!

-I need to learn to mute myself when the guest is saying so many amazing things because I lost count of how many “yeahs” I used. Yikes!

-Ace folks are absolutely a part of the queer community, however, Sarah and many other straight demisexuals put themselves in a “cage” and that can be really confusing! Sarah opens up to me about this and I am so grateful!

-Demisexuals love very hard! They also hurt very hard too!

-We want to be sluts so bad! Sluts are so cool! Demisexuality makes it impossible!

-Love Is Blind is MADE FOR DEMISEXUALS!

-You can be lonely and confident! If you think lonely girls cannot love themselves, you’re wrong!

-Imposter syndrome is real!

-Friendship breakups can be very very very heartbreaking for demisexuals!

-Is oversharing a demisexual thing or a podcaster thing? What do you think?

-Let’s debunk the myth that demisexuals aren't sexual. (We sure can be! It just takes time!)

-Interestingly, Sarah and I have very opposite (but also, same) thoughts on dates! I learned fun things!

Connect with my guest:

Follow Sarah on Instagram: @sarahmaclellan

Follow Sarah on TikTok: @sarahmaclellan 

Listen to the podcast! InTalksicated: @intalksicatedpodcast 

Resources:

-Lesbian MasterDoc

Behind the scenes:

-Podcast production and editing made possible by: Alexi Johnson and Alistair Ogden

-Logo Art: @raphe.ca

-Music: Shawn Kangro

-Follow the podcast network: @604podnetwork

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

Connect with MDSML:

-Join the mailing list for weekly queer joy! mdsml.substack.com

-Connect with Lauren! laurendeborah.substack.com 

-Email the pod! [email protected]

-LGBTQIA+ resources

This is the most nervous I have ever been to record an episode, y’all. It’s because my guest is a true idol of mine. Since I met Julia (she/her) in our early twenties and she and her other roommate Anna (who also makes an appearance in this episode) welcomed me into their home, I have adored them both so much. Julia is wise, kind, hilarious, and strong and these are some of the many reasons I look up to her. She also introduced me to the sriracha and avocado combo which ultimately changed my life for the better.

In this episode:

-We reminisce about living under a falafel shop!

-Our friendship has blossomed just like we have and that is so nice!

-These show notes will never do justice to Julia’s elegant and sage words and I am willing to say that now so that you can stop reading and start listening!

-Linguistic shifts are a gift, and we are so grateful!

-Julia wants you to know it's never too late to reconsider whatever preconceived notions you have about your identity; age and past experience don't necessarily box you into one finite understanding of who you are as an individual!

-Montreal is a character in this story! It’s here, it’s queer! And speaking French is hard!

-The guest clip in this episode is likely one of the best I have ever gotten for this podcast. I may be biased as I love them both dearly, but it is okay?

-How nice it is for people to see us for who we are, maybe even before we can?

-Julia is making “workshopping a breakup” a thing and I am here for it!

-Coming out via @wussymag memes is a vibe!

-Everyone deserves a friendship like Anna and Julia’s! These loves are the most important!

-Perfectionism is a huge blockade for coming out “later” in life and Julia is so generous in sharing her experiences in putting that aside to find her joy!

-After you listen to this episode, you will go and read Little Women immediately!

Behind the scenes:

-Podcast production and editing made possible by: Alexi Johnson and Alistair Ogden

-Logo Art: @raphe.ca

-Music: Shawn Kangro

-Follow the podcast network: @604podnetwork

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