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

This week I am DELIGHTED to be joined by Amy Grindhouse (she/her)! Amy is self-described as stupid and empowered (iconic). She’s one of my favourite people to experience the joy of watching on stage performing drag and stand-up comedy, and she’s part of the weekly all-trans cast drag show in Vancouver, ENBY6, at the Junction Pub! Tune in to (in Amy’s words) “get to know the sweaty woman behind the wig”.

In this episode:

-This is a podcast about sparkling beverages!

-Amy is an angel who shouts out so many of her talented and wonderful friends!

-People can be mirrors for us and that can be eye-opening!

-There are some excellent tips on navigating gender-affirming care, that Amy lovingly shares!

-Amy chats about working through her mental health, unlearning, and self-discovery in the public eye!

-Negative self-talk can be a slippery slope and Amy tells me about her loving journey out of that!

-The “awww”ing is real for both of us in our early comedy days!

-Knowing yourself and knowing your boundaries is so important!

-Amy can do a fabulous Australian accent, by the way!

-This episode shows how little I know about Drag Race, but to be fair I know nothing about any TV, okay? Sorry! I will work on it.

-Being a performer is a constant fight to preserve authenticity!

-Scary, queer existential crises are common, but coming out could be the best time of your life!

-We are both babies of Daddy Chad. IYKYK!

Connect with my guest:

-Follow Amy on Instagram: @amy.grindhouse 

-Explore Amy’s events and fun stuff! linktr.ee/Amygrindhouse 

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 it is my pleasure to be joined by actor, comedian and writer Amanda Michelle (she/they)! In this episode, (having been brought together by the powers of creative community and supporters of the pod, WhoHaha) we want to spread the word about Amanda’s TV series based on her life, called ‘Diva Dads’! This conversation very much encourages folks to be true to themselves and live their best, best, best life!

In this episode:

-A lot of us struggle with and then find our identity along the way and that is totally awesome!

-Having a gay Dad, for me, has been amazing. Amanda has two! Doubly amazing!

-Some of us prayed that we were not gay when we were younger, and look at us now! 

-The ongoing stories I hear in these conversations of awesome queer folks moving somewhere new and finding their chosen family is magic. I just love it so much.

-This story involves a bar called The Coming Out Bar and that is just the most iconic thing ever!

-Strong, funny, powerful women can change the world and can convince you that you can do anything! Because you can!

-We love “one big happy gay family”! I see it and I love it for them all!

-Fuck gender reveals, let’s have coming-out reveals!

-We wish everyone could fall in love with themself! It’s awesome! We want that for you!

-There are embarrassing home videos of us both being “entertainers” as children in a drawer somewhere in relatives’ homes, and we are terrified!

-Lady Gaga! Period.

Connect with my guest:

-Learn more about Amanda!

-Follow Amanda on Instagram: @blondebitchla

-Follow Amanda on TikTok: @blondebitchla 

-Follow Amanda on Twitter: @blondebitchla 

Resources:

-Attend the Diva Dads screening on June 18th at Flappers Comedy Club Burbank, CA

-Get tickets for the LGBTQIA Showcase on June 9th at Agua Caliente Casino, Palm Springs

-Learn more about Aidan Park and the Yay! Foundation

-Explore WhoHaha

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 I am joined by comedian (Just For Laughs Vancouver, Queer FM), and IMO karaoke legend Jenny Russell (she/her/they/them)! Jenny has been on my wish list for a while and I am so glad I finally got the courage to be like “Hey I would love to chat to you!” and what a treat, for all of us, that Jenny said yes!

In this episode:

-We get an important and much-needed reminder to remember those who fought for us and experienced tragedy in order for Queers to be where we are today! As well as the amazing Queer history filled with joy!

-It’s okay to not know, it’s okay to figure it out as you go! We love the journey!

-Biphobia is very real and very hard and very much a product of our surroundings and trying to protect ourselves and is a constant unlearning!

-Jenny is very generous with her history of bullying and being bullied and the violence they faced and I am really grateful for everything she shared!

-Safety is discussed and unpacked a lot in this conversation and it’s very important to hear Jenny’s stories!

-Progress is amazing, but a lot of the tradition feels lost in the process!

-Jenny had a Gay Fairy Godmother, and this is my official call for one of my own. As a demisexual, I always feel like I am still 12 in my dating and sex ed (12 as a girl at Catholic school by the way! Even worse! I need to learn!)

-Being gay is so expensive!

Connect with my guest:

-Follow Jenny on Instagram: @jenny.b.f

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 I am joined by singer, songwriter, dancer, and all-around spectacular performer and entertainer Jasey Fox (he/they). Jasey self-describes as a brave but stupid ginger, has worked at Disneyland as Peter Pan, at Universal Studios as a singer and, of course, they’re a Top 12 Finalist of Australian Idol 2023. We delve into ignoring societal standards that are given to us, moving through the world how we wish to, and listening to whatever our internal compass tells us.

In this episode:

-Jasey is a powerhouse for inspiring following your heart and staying true to yourself!

-Disney movies are the basis of attraction for us as children!

-Intuition is amazing and powerful!

-Sometimes where you grew up doesn’t feel like home, and home is found where your people are!

-Jasey wants you to cling to the people that get it and stop trying to cling to the people that don’t, as the time will come when those who don’t won’t matter! Trust him!

-Lioness Mums are the best!

-Stage names are everything!

-Astrology and tarot and angel cards and cues from the universe and symbolism are a VIBE! We believe that listening to universal signals is the only way to go!

-Lauren’s Nan is a fan! Of course!

-Jasey is headlining Mardi Gras 2024 - Lauren is manifesting it into the universe!

Connect with my guest:

-Follow Jasey on Instagram @jasey.fox

-Follow Jasey on TikTok @jaseyfox 

-Subscribe to Jasey’s YouTube @jaseyfox

-Listen to Fuggle Pod! @fugglepod

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

I have some exciting news! I am taking this journey from seasons into ongoing episodes! Isn't that awesome? Each week you'll hear from a brand new guest about their coming out journey and each week as a result, we discover more about our authentic selves. With no breaks! The dream! 

Listen wherever you get yout podcasts or on 604podnetwork.com and be sure to sign up for FREE to our mailing list for cute resources behind-the-scenes and episode release day notifications! MDSML.substack.com 

I am delighted to welcome Tony on to the podcast, who you first met in Alexi’s episode. But today we deep dive into Tony's own journey and story, with Alexi along for the ride! Yay!

TL;DR? Cool hair, cool swords, cool person.

Identity for Tony means they don’t care too much about labels, they say “I am me”, and that works best for them. Sword fighting, which paralleled their gender and sexuality journey, was a declaration of “This is me!” and they both were happening as Tony started to care less about what other people think and felt more and more like themself. 

Being Latino, Tony says that in their culture, it can feel a lot more judgemental, even when joking, so realizing most of the time people don’t actually care, they were able to live life more authentically. This is something Tony hopes for everybody.

Producer Alexi’s appearance is iconic, of course, and we hear how they gave Tony gentle encouragement to explore themselves more which led to where they are today.

Tony doesn’t see their coming out as revealing things that they once hid, as it wasn't actually the case. Tony sees their journey rather as ever-growing, ever-evolving, and ever-expanding into themselves and feels very lucky they have had the space and support to do so.

P.S. After the ep, I journalled A LOT on “having room for more love”.

In this episode:

-Tony learned so much about themself by hitting other people with swords for fun!

-People think they mean well by implying bisexuality is a stepping stone to gay when they say “It's okay to come out as gay to me!”. Please stop!

-This is a coming-out story that involves a Bitmoji hug!

-What’s harder for parents to get on board with? Queerness or vegetarianism?

-Fan Fiction thrives on this podcast!

-We love when Hollywood doesn’t create gay characters but rather features characters that just happen to be gay!

-You can find pride events in your everyday community!

-Trolls on the gram say “That looks a bit gay there!” Tony says “Thanks for noticing!”

Resources:

-Follow Tony on IG! @_tonypacheco 

Connect with MDSML:

-Subscribe to our fun mailing list for FREE updates: mdsml.substack.com

-Connect with Lauren! laurendeborah.substack.com 

-Email the pod: [email protected]

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

-Logo Art: @raphe.ca

-Music: Shawn Kangro

-Follow the podcast network: @604podnetwork

Kacy is a writer, director, producer, and host of The Stories We Tell Podcast. In part two of this two-part episode, we talk about Kacy’s realisations during lockdowns that very quickly made huge and amazing changes in his life. The moment he was locked into his house it was very apparent very quickly that his world had changed forever. This was the first time in his life he had ever lived alone and suddenly he realised he had spent so much of his life trying to “be the person people would love”.

He started using the term “Cat Dad” to refer to himself, began to see that the solitude meant he could exist in a “natural state” in terms of clothing, and then started fantasising about a different body. This all happened within a week of isolation.

His writing was also an outlet, and a way to express himself as he truly saw himself. Through a meditative writing workshop, he was able to connect with one of his characters in the screenplay he was writing and immediately saw himself as the leading man.

We hear how Kacy is continuing to fall in love with himself, and that the primary relationship he has in his life is with himself and his friends. Speaking of these special friendships, we hear from Eric, Kacy’s “North Star”, who shares more gorgeous memories and shows us a beautiful love that is the epitome of pure.

In this episode:

-Kacy shares his transcendence, not transition!

-Physical touch is Kacy’s love language but sometimes he wishes it wasn’t!

-The answer to the question “Do I want to be them or be with them?” is “Yes”.

-All the things we want in life we get from our friendships! How special!

-Okay, let’s start talking about sexuality without a lack mindset!

-We’re here, we’re queer, get used to it!

-Spread the word! We all want a love that is like being picked up like Jonesy Cat!

Resources:

-Follow Kacy on IG! @sir_kacy 

-Listen to The Stories We Tell Podcast! thestorieswetellpodcast.com 

-Check out Kacy’s award-winning production company, My Best Guy! @sir_bestguy 

-Jessica Hinds’ Meditative writing: meditativewriting.org 

-The James Baldwin playlist I mentioned

-The clip of Modern Family that calmed me during my attempts to learn French

Connect with MDSML:

-Subscribe to our fun mailing list for FREE updates: mdsml.substack.com

-Connect with Lauren! laurendeborah.substack.com 

-Email the pod: [email protected]

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

-Logo Art: @raphe.ca

-Music: Shawn Kangro

-Follow the podcast network: @604podnetwork

Kacy is a writer, director, producer, and host of The Stories We Tell Podcast. When he is not busy doing all that, he lights up zoom rooms all across the LWS world which is where I had the pleasure of meeting him. In part one of this two-part episode, we hear much about Kacy’s childhood and adolescence. I am really grateful for his openness in sharing the involuntary conformity he encountered, because I know it will help to educate listeners (like it did me!) and help particular listeners feel seen and heard.

The turning point in Kacy’s childhood was when he was asked the very simple question “Who do you have a crush on?”. In this episode, we hear the realities of people who failed Kacy — those who were not on his side and the actions they took against him. I am eternally grateful to Kacy to have shared the hard parts of his journey with us because they are a reality for so many.

We also discuss the beauty that is being trans: how every day he is experiencing himself looking more and more like his Dad, we reflect on him riding around the neighbourhood on his bike feeling like a king, and Kacy seeing pictures of himself as a child and being inspired by that little guy’s joy and confidence. Kacy’s presence is a celebration. He is all love and that is felt entirely in this conversation.

In this episode:

-We determine that Kate Winslet being blown into our arms by the Santa Ana winds is the dating app that we want and deserve!

-Kacy shares the *perfect* answer to the question “Is this a phase?”!

-Trans representation matters! The fact that there was none for Kacy growing up meant he had a flawed vision of possibility. I am filled with gratitude to Kacy who will be that representation for others who hear this podcast!

-Sports were an outlet for Kacy until there was no time for them between writing poetry! Delightful.

-We get to hear about how Kacy was recognising himself in Richard Gere and Tom Cruise growing up!

-We have something to say: cis men need to speak up about public bathrooms!

Resources:

-Follow Kacy on IG! @sir_kacy 

-Listen to The Stories We Tell Podcast! thestorieswetellpodcast.com 

-Check out Kacy’s award-winning production company, My Best Guy! @sir_bestguy 

-Dirge (definition, informal): a song or piece of music that is considered too slow, miserable, or boring (we blame the Zoom lag)

Connect with MDSML:

-Subscribe to our fun mailing list for FREE updates: mdsml.substack.com

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

-Email us: [email protected]

-Follow the podcast network: @604podnetwork

-Logo Art: @raphe.ca

-Music: Shawn Kangro

Listening back to this episode was like a dream, both because my post-covid brain was real (sorry for the rambling) and also because this week’s guest is A DREAM! I am delighted to welcome to the pod writer, artist, amazingly talented comedian, and self-proclaimed nature nerd, LiLi K. Bright! LiLi and I met through London Writers’ Salon. The first time I got to meet them (as opposed to being in a giant zoom room wondering who this cool person was but being unable to ask on account of security settings telling us to be on mute and write), we got put into a breakout room together. LiLi broke the (albeit very loose rules) and presented us with a drawing instead of written work in response to the prompt. HELLO! Yes, you are as cool as I imagined, and maybe even cooler!

In this episode, we get a little science-y (the parts that LiLi is into like botany), we get excited about our mutual obsession with butterflies and I learn how LiLi came out leading a lunch and learn they were asked to present at work on non-binary people, without their cis boss realising they were non-binary themselves. A little bit awkward? For the boss maybe. An opportunity to be a legend? I will answer for LiLi and say heck yeah.

LiLi shares coming out in several aspects of their life. They continue to come out as non-binary and bisexual, but find that it also comes up in their intersectionalities in regards to being Black, in neurodivergence, and in mental health.

Are you CIS and straight? Why should you care about this podcast? We will tell you why! Because people are interesting and important! Because why wouldn’t you? Enjoy!

In this episode:

LiLi wants you to know that Queer always fits. It is so broad, that is why they like it!

We tell ourselves that we are valid and great and cool! AND YES YOU ARE!

It is discussed that finding community is beautiful and important and LiLi wants you to know! They also want to remind you that there are often barriers, so think about what people need to feel welcome in your communities!

We ponder “What is the frame of reference?” when it comes to talking about gender and sexuality with cis, straight people!

I learn that it is NEVER TOO LATE to get into fan fiction!

It’s revealed (SPOILER!) that on TV, there is often the token Queer person in the friend group. But did you know (speaking to the cishets) that most Queer people surround themselves with other Queer people

LiLi talks about Afrofuturism, and it is fascinating and beautiful and very cool!

RESOURCES

Follow LiLi on Instagram! @cherrytree_walk

Follow LiLi on Twitter! @cherrytree_walk

Visit LiLi’s website to book your free intro session for compassionate coaching with LiLi, for nature writing workshops, climate science workshops, and other upcoming events both outdoors and online cherrytreewalk.com 

CONNECT WITH MDSML:

Subscribe to our fun mailing list for FREE updates: mdsml.substack.com

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

Email us: [email protected]

Follow the podcast network: @604podnetwork

Logo Art: @raphe.ca

Music: Shawn Kangro