My Dad Stole My Limelight

Madden is a writer, general radical lover and Lauren's conscience -- educating and inspiring her since the day they met. Lauren and Madden have been in each others' lives for 10+ years now and have seen each other through many phases of life including career changes, overseas moves, being roommates and more.

It was such an (emotional) pleasure to share this chat with y'all and welcome someone I consider a brother onto the pod.

This episode takes a slightly different approach and is very much a conversation centered around community, and "how trans masc and AFAB folks reimagine and recreate more nuanced portrayals of masculinity" (to quote Madden).

Madden is joined by Travis and together they share wisdom, hope and all-around gentle compassion for each other and the community they love so much. Travis and Madden both wanted to make themselves clickable on the show notes so that others in the community may reach out to them if they wish to connect. Enjoy this incredible, loving, wise and warm episode.

Email us: [email protected]

Follow the pod: Twitter / Instagram

Creator/Producer/Host: Lauren Deborah Twitter / Instagram

Writer/Audio Producer: Thomas Quirk Twitter / Instagram

Art: Raphë

Music: Shawn Kangro

Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Lauren lives out her Sliding Doors moment with this week's guest, her childhood boyfriend and loved family friend, Sam Merryfull. Sam and Lauren reflect on growing up in their small town, and the significance of leaving to find their true selves. Sam and Lauren dated when they were in Primary School and have remained friends ever since. Listen for the juicy details of why they broke up...

Sam is a walking ray of sunshine, giving you daily doses of happiness and fierceness on his Instagram where he has posted fabulous queer joy every day of Sydney lockdown. Like Lauren, Sam spent some time living in Canada (Lauren may have been inspired to make the move in part by his) and they share the mutual feeling of the importance of that move and its relation to Sam's sexuality journey.

Sam is joined by his best friend and roommate Laura and they touch on following your heart, making selfless decisions for your friends (wow Lauren had some reflecting to do on this, so beautiful) and more.

Make sure to follow Sam and Laura for posts of isolation -- but make it hot.

Email us: [email protected]

Follow the pod: Twitter / Instagram

Creator/Producer/Host: Lauren Deborah Twitter / Instagram

Writer/Audio Producer: Thomas Quirk Twitter / Instagram

Art: Raphë

Music: Shawn Kangro

Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

All hail the Burger Queen!

In this instalment of MDSML, Lauren is reunited with her dear friend Steev Letts, who you might recognise from Lauren's several other interview segments. Steev has supported every single creative endeavour Lauren has done, having been a guest on every one of them. The most noteworthy might be when they ate burgers to the point of physical illness on Comedy Here Often's YouTube channel. Honestly, Steev, you are the best fucking sport. I love you.

Despite having chatted together in a digital (and IRL) setting many times, this is by far the most special. Steev shares his coming out journey alongside his sister Ashley. We talk about Steev's high school days before he came out, supportive friends and maybe a little tip of what not to do when supporting your pal in their coming out journey. Steev also touches on the importance of leaving your hometown to find your queer community if necessary, and other places to find that community, like queer sports leagues.

Steev and Ashley are so very sweet. Despite what their teenage selves say, they grew up to be very, very cool indeed, and Lauren is very grateful to have them in our lives and on the pod.

Email us: [email protected]

Follow the pod: Twitter / Instagram

Creator/Producer/Host: Lauren Deborah Twitter / Instagram

Writer/Audio Producer: Thomas Quirk Twitter / Instagram

Art: Raphë

Music: Shawn Kangro

Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Lauren is reunited with two of her fav fellow 'Aussies Abroad' for this conversation zoomed in from beautiful BC. Tahlia and Xanthea are creators and podcasters who chatted with Lauren about their coming out and gender journeys with each other in their relationship.

They are both very honest and frank about the thoughts that went through their minds both in their own journeys and being on the receiving end of coming out news from a partner. This conversation is insightful and educational on all things gender, and dare we say (or rather "I say" -- this is Lauren writing this) we hear in real-time Lauren's wiser mind reacting to all of the information (truly doing this podcast is transformative in becoming a better ally and generally in my knowledge of others' experiences, knowledge is power and you can never stop learning from others, my friends).

We are so very grateful for people like Tahlia and Xanthea who share their journeys with us to help people learn from them and take whatever they need: strength, courage, wisdom, tools...or maybe just a "wow I am not alone".

Tahlia and Xanthea make for a very sweet and wise conversation with a few giggles too. To check out all of the cool things they get up to visit the Cave Goblin Network.

Email us: [email protected]

Follow the pod: Twitter / Instagram

Creator/Producer/Host: Lauren Deborah Twitter / Instagram

Writer/Audio Producer: Thomas Quirk Twitter / Instagram

Art: Raphë

Music: Shawn Kangro

Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

This week's guest is none other than Lauren's favourite (favourite human, favourite handbag designer, favourite badass comedian...) Eman El-Husseini.

Eman speaks openly and hilariously and is real with us about the not-so-easy parts of coming out. Eman is a proud Palestinian, Muslim woman and speaks on her experiences coming out to her family, friends and fellow comedians.

Eman is a comedian, podcast host and half of The El-Salomons - a love story of her and her wife Jess Salomon.

Eman is joined by her mentor and friend Maysoon Zayid. Maysoon is an actress, comedian and disability advocate. Maysoon is the co-founder of the New York Arab American Comedy Festival where Eman and Maysoon met and have worked together many times. Their friendship is funny, honest and empowering.

We are incredibly grateful for Eman sitting down to talk on the podcast. Eman is a role model and friend to Lauren, and having her on the podcast is a dream come true.

*please note that Maysoon had to leave early as she is so popular so the ending might sound like we ignored her but we didn't we swear!!!! :)

mail us: [email protected]

Follow the pod: Twitter / Instagram

Creator/Producer/Host: Lauren Deborah Twitter / Instagram

Writer/Audio Producer: Thomas Quirk Twitter / Instagram

Art: Raphë

Music: Shawn Kangro

Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Move over Stanley Tucci and Cher in the movie Burlesque, Stove and Lauren are coming in HOT to claim their place on that throne! Steve Sidi (or as he is affectionally known as -- Stove) is one of Lauren's best friends and dearest souls. They have worked together over many years at various places creating comedy magic but the thing they are most proud of is their relationship to the movie Burlesque as it is an incredibly accurate depiction of their actual future.

Steve's voice is a warm hug and he is here to tell you you are so welcome and you are so loved (but listen along because he says it so much better and you will be thankful you did). Steve is joined by long time friend Liz and they share memories of coming out together, how that played out with Steve's family and friends, and what that meant over the years as their friendship grew and evolved. This is a very sweet conversation and we want to create a petition for Steve to be the voice of all mediation apps moving forward, please and thanks.

Email us: [email protected]

Follow the pod: Twitter / Instagram

Creator/Producer/Host: Lauren Deborah Twitter / Instagram

Writer/Audio Producer: Thomas Quirk Twitter / Instagram

Art: Raphë

Music: Shawn Kangro

Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

As you might know (and maybe that's how you made your way here - hi! welcome! nice to meet you!) Gaby Dunn has been entertaining and educating us for years through their podcasts Just Between Us and Bad with Money (season 8 out now!), as well as through their social media and writing. side note: read Bad With Money, Gaby's book - it talks about money in the most helpful and easy to understand way, that isn't scary - hooray!

Gaby sat down to talk about their coming out journey and was joined by their sister - Writer, Cheyanne Dunn.

This super fun, super enlightening episode was an absolute pleasure to record. Both Gaby and Cheyanne offer insight that is relatable, funny, informative and thought-provoking. (seriously be ready to be like "oh my goodness I cannot believe I had never thought about this what should have been a very obvious thing before" or maybe that was just Lauren?!)

We are super grateful for these two amazing guests offering their experiences, knowledge and laughter. Also, maybe there is a plot twist? You should listen to find out! Make sure you give them a follow on social media (if you are not already) and get more of them both in your life!

Please note that this conversation was recorded in April 2021. Gaby's pronouns are they/them.

Photo credit: Gaby's IG / by @kelseygreggephoto

Email us: [email protected]

Follow the pod: Twitter / Instagram

Creator/Producer/Host: Lauren Deborah Twitter / Instagram

Writer/Audio Producer: Thomas Quirk Twitter / Instagram

Art: Raphë

Music: Shawn Kangro

Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

This week's guest is the reason Lauren's highlighter is on point (or rather that highlighter exists in Lauren's make-up routine at all) and for that reason we know she is a freaking angel - it's Karla Marx. Karla talks about coming out as a pansexual, trans, lesbian. Her wife Bitch Sassidy who is Karla's guest joins as they both talk about coming out to someone you're in love with, and how that support and open communication, in turn, helps with your discovery and learning as well as helping to come out to others in your life.

Karla touches on the importance of the drag community in her journey, why Transgender Day of Visibility should really be on another day of the year (and may we add every day of the year for that matter) and wedding proposals at Burning Man.

Karla and Bitch are two amazing performers, two incredible humans, and both pure and utter delights. Get ready to crawl back into the closet (not metaphorically, literally), one like Narnia where you're surrounded by amazing coats and feel them give you a warm hug because that's just how this conversation feels - and what one of these guests did for quality audio.

*Lauren's publicist will neither confirm nor deny the truth behind Lauren's "I just want to be friends" statement made in this episode.

Email us: [email protected]

Follow the pod: Twitter / Instagram

Creator/Producer/Host: Lauren Deborah Twitter / Instagram

Writer/Audio Producer: Thomas Quirk Twitter / Instagram

Art: Raphë

Music: Shawn Kangro

Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

You first met Sera Kaşıkçı in Season One as the guest of Jerrilynn, and she is back with her own episode because everyone instantly fell in love with her - if you don't know already you will soon realise why!

This is such a fun and powerful conversation between strong bisexual women and Sera has so much to say on coming out and sexuality that makes Lauren wish Sera came into her life a lot sooner. SO MUCH YES! BINGO! YAHTZEE! AHAH!

Sera also touches on her coming out experience with her family and how that was navigated in a Muslim home which is a perspective we have not heard yet in the podcast and we are very grateful for that being shared with our listeners.

Sera is a singer, comedian, actress, model and advocate. She hosts her own podcast called 'Turkish Delight' all about mental health, body image and more! Sera is joined by her best friend Sydney who is an amazing photographer and human. Final thoughts on this convo? These three need their own podcast with Sera front and centre ASAP.

Email us: [email protected]

Follow the pod: Twitter / Instagram

Creator/Producer/Host: Lauren Deborah Twitter / Instagram

Writer/Audio Producer: Thomas Quirk Twitter / Instagram

Art: Raphë

Music: Shawn Kangro

Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Host and Producer Lauren Deborah sits down with Writer and Audio Producer Thomas Quirk to recap their thoughts on Season One, their vision for Season Two and all the gratitude, growth and giggles in between.

This episode acts as the perfect segway from season to season and the perfect way to update you on where they are at (ya know like, in their heads and hearts).

This podcast happens thanks to the hard work from both of these babes and it wouldn't be what it is without them, their friendship and their creative bond. Grab a beveragino (Lauren's favourite and Thomas' most hated word) and give your ears a treat as you sit with your friends. We love you!

Email us: [email protected]

Follow the pod: Twitter / Instagram

Creator/Producer/Host: Lauren Deborah Twitter / Instagram

Writer/Audio Producer: Thomas Quirk Twitter / Instagram

Art: Raphë

Music: Shawn Kangro

Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.