Chaps Out

In this episode of Chaps Out, host Grant Philpott speaks with Mike Nash Whitmore about coming out later in life, navigating faith, family expectations, and the long journey toward living authentically. Mike grew up in Manchester, spent most of his career as a computer programmer, and for many years struggled to reconcile his sexuality with his involvement in the evangelical church. In this honest...

In this episode of Chaps Out Culture, host Grant Philpott is joined again by #ChapsOut guest Tyrone Richardson Best to discuss the impact that the 2009 film Prayers for Bobby had on his own journey of coming out. After coming out at the age of 35, Tyrone experienced rejection from both his family and the church community he had been part of for nearly two decades. Watching this film, which tells a...

Content warning: this episode includes discussion of religious rejection, conversion therapy, family estrangement, and mental health struggles including suicidal thoughts. If these topics are difficult for you, please listen with care. In this powerful episode of Chaps Out, Grant speaks with Tyrone Richardson Best, who shares his story publicly for the very first time. Growing up in Northern Irela...

This podcast for men explores coming out later in life, midlife sexuality, and men’s mental health. If you're questioning your sexuality or navigating a major life transition, this conversation is for you. In this episode of Chaps Out, host Grant Philpott is joined by Rob, a 66-year-old Bristol resident who came out later in life and speaks with warmth, honesty and humour about what it really mean...

In this episode of Chaps Out Culture, host Grant Philpott is joined again by #ChapsOut guest Martin Walker. Martin shares the queer films that hit him hardest- especially watching Angels in America while still deep in the closet. He talks about how it felt to see AIDS, fear, love and identity play out on screen before he was ready to face his own truth. From the dark intensity of Cruising to the j...

In this episode of the Chaps Out podcast, host Grant Philpott is joined by guest Martin Walker who shares his Coming Out story- from his career at the Department for Work and Pensions to reinventing himself in his thirties as a film and TV location manager, briefly touching on his recent work including the BBC hit Amandaland. At the heart of the conversation, though, is Martin’s deeply personal st...

In this episode of Chaps Out Culture, the companion podcast to Chaps Out, host Grant Philpott is joined again by guest Adrian Smoothy to explore queer stories and sounds that resonate. Adrian recommends the Irish coming-of-age film Dating Amber, a funny and heartfelt story about a gay teen and a lesbian teen who fake a relationship to survive the pressures of small-town expectations, capturing the...

In this episode of Chaps Out, Grant Philpott speaks with Adrian Smoothy, a 57-year-old software consultant from Kent, about coming out later in life and the long road to living authentically. Growing up with no language or visible role models for being gay- and shaped by the fear-driven messaging of the 80s and 90s- Adrian stayed closeted into his late twenties, only coming out after moving to the...

In this episode of Chaps Out Culture, host Grant Philpott is joined by #ChapsOut guest Peter Roberts to discuss LGBTQIA+ TV, film and literature. Peter shares his thoughts on Heartstopper, Maurice, Beautiful Thing and Were the World Mine. The conversation also covers the French film Juste une question d'amour (Just a Question of Love). He emphasises the draw of romance, emotional connection, and r...

In this episode of Chaps Out, host Grant Philpott is joined by Peter Roberts, former primary school teacher, father of two, and husband, to talk about education, faith, family and coming out later in life. Peter reflects on 25 years in the classroom, the impact teachers can have, growing up under Section 28, coping with negative reactions within the Church, navigating sexuality within marriage, an...

In this episode of Chaps Out Culture, host Grant Philpott is joined again by #chapsout guest Norman Goodman who recommends Bi Community News, a quarterly magazine dedicated to bisexual people across the UK and beyond. Norman describes the publication as essential reading for anyone who is bisexual, especially those who are just coming out. With community listings, advice, personal stories, legal g...

In this episode, host Grant Philpott speaks with guest Norman Goodman who shares his inspiring story of coming out as bisexual at the age of 69. From decades of marriage to widowhood, Norman talks candidly about his struggles, self-discovery, and the courage it takes to live authentically. Hear how Norman found love with his partner Tony, navigated societal expectations, and became a voice for old...

In this episode of Chaps Out Culture , host Grant Philpott is joined by #ChapsOut guest Dave Kenealy who reflects on three powerful films based on true stories: Milk , The Matthew Shepard Story , and Boy Erased . Each film tells the story of a gay man whose life ended tragically- through violence, prejudice, or systemic harm- yet whose stories continue to matter. Dave explores why these lives shou...

In this episode of Chaps Out , host Grant Philpott is joined by Dave Kenealy, who shares his story of coming out as a gay man at 55 after marriage, fatherhood, and a career in. Dave  Police work. He reflects on growing up in a time when being gay was not socially acceptable, the pressure to live the life he thought was expected of him, and the emotional weight of carrying that secret for so long....

In this episode of Chaps Out Culture, host Grant Philpott is joined once again by previous Chaps Out guest, Rob E, to talk about two pieces of queer culture that deeply resonated with him at a very specific moment in his life. Rob reflects on discovering LGBTQ+ film and television later in life, and how certain stories finally felt relatable in a way others never had. Rob discusses Love Is Strange...

In this episode of Chaps Out Culture, we’re joined once again by Joel Briant, who shares a deeply personal and heartfelt reflection on the 1985 classic My Beautiful Laundrette. Joel talks about rediscovering the film years after its release, the impact of seeing a tender love story between two men at a time when representation was rare, and why Daniel Day-Lewis’s performance left such a lasting im...

In this episode of the Chaps Out Podcast, host Grant Philpott talks with Joel Briant, who shares his powerful and deeply honest story of coming out as gay at 50 and why that moment was only the beginning of discovering who he really is. Joel talks about growing up feeling different, living a heterosexual life through marriage and fatherhood, and finally admitting the truth to himself later in life...

In this episode of Chaps Out Culture, host Grant Philpott welcomes back Tony Kaye to discuss 'Call Me By Your Name'. Set in rural Italy and starring Timothée Chalamet and Armie Hammer, the film is celebrated for its sensitive portrayal of love, desire, and emotional intimacy. Tony reflects on why this beautifully shot, quietly powerful story stands out among queer cinema classics and mainstream LG...

In this episode of Chaps Out, host Grant Philpott speaks with Tony, a retired GP, father, and grandfather who came out as gay at the age of 63 after years of happy marriage. Tony shares his journey of growing up in a traditional Jewish family, suppressing his sexuality in a very different era, and eventually reaching a breaking point where continuing to hide was affecting his mental health. With h...

In this episode of Chaps Out Culture, guest Jonathan Tibbs shares a heartfelt queer book pick: 'Adam and Steve' by Craig Chester. Set between the 1980s and the present day, the novel follows two men who meet in a New York nightclub, lose each other, and unexpectedly reconnect 15 years later. Jonathan reflects on why this story feels so special- from its honest portrayal of gay love and community,...

In this episode of Chaps Out, host Grant Philpott is joined by Jonathan Tibbs, who shares his powerful and uplifting story of coming out as gay at the age of 46. From growing up in the 80s feeling unsure of where he fit in, to finding confidence, community, and joy later in life, Jonathan reflects on identity, self-acceptance, and the freedom that comes with finally being yourself. Jonathan discus...

Dive into the flamboyant, rebellious world of Pedro Almodóvar as guest Stuart Davis explores the director’s fearless portrayal of queer life and cinematic audacity. From the turbulent passions of The Law of Desire to the daring storytelling of Strange Way of Life, this episode unpacks why Almodóvar remains essential viewing for fans of bold, provocative cinema. Expect sex, style, and the anarchic...

In this episode of CHAPS OUT, host Grant Philpott chats with Stuart Davis, an academic and father of two. Stuart shares his journey of coming out at 46 after years of marriage, navigating conversations with his children, parents, colleagues, and wider family, and discovering that many of the reactions he feared never came. Instead, he found understanding, acceptance, and a new sense of calm. Chaps...

In this episode of Chaps Out Culture , Stephen McKenna breaks down the significance of Victim (1961), The Naked Civil Servant (1975), and Beautiful Thing (1996)-  three powerful works that transformed queer visibility on screen. From Dirk Bogarde’s ground-breaking bravery, to Quentin Crisp’s flamboyant honesty, to Jonathan Harvey’s joyful celebration of young gay love, this episode celebrates the...

In this episode of CHAPS OUT, host Grant Philpott chats with Stephen McKenna, who shares his powerful story of self-acceptance and coming out later in life after decades of silence living in the UK during the 70s, 80s, and 90s. This is not a story of regret, but one of rebirth, courage, and hope; an inspiring reminder that it’s never too late to become your true self. In this heartfelt conversatio...