Proudly Said

🎙️ What’s This Episode About? Lizzy Maginness joins John from the top floor of Gaydio Towers (really the Manchester One buildings, but Gaydio Towers sounds so much better!), looking out across Manchester… and reflecting on a career that’s taken her from rural Lincolnshire to the heart of the UK’s media and LGBTQ+ landscape. Now Commercial Manager at Gaydio , Lizzy shares her journey through some o...

🎙️ What’s This Episode About? Dan Roberts is a Liverpool librarian and the founder of the Proud Readers Book Club , an LGBTQ+ reading group that meets monthly in the Hornby Reading Room at Liverpool Central Library . In less than a year it has grown from a nerve-wracking first night where Dan wasn't sure anyone would show up, to a thriving community of 25 to 30 members and a shortlisting for a nat...

🎙️ What’s This Episode About? Kyle Clarke is a talent manager, producer, and the founder of DFIU Events , a drag and entertainment events company that has been putting on shows across the UK for five years. Kyle joins John to tell the story of how DFIU came to be: born in lockdown, built on relationships forged through interviewing RuPaul's Drag Race queens online, and grown into a touring events...

🎙️ What’s This Episode About? Jeneen Lilith is a former nurse, queer activist, artist, and the mum of Luna, a transgender teenager known within Liverpool's LGBTQ+ community. John has known them both for ten years, and this conversation has been a long time coming. Jeneen joins John to talk honestly about what it has meant to raise a trans child, from the fear and paralysis of those first early day...

🎙️ What’s This Episode About? Jodi Fox is a creative director, brand consultant, trustee of The Proud Trust , and founder of Studio Zenko , but more than that, she’s someone who understands how identity, creativity and leadership can all shape one another. In this episode, Jodi joins John at The Proud Place in Manchester for a conversation about the power of queer spaces, the importance of giving...

🎙️ What’s This Episode About? To mark the start of Pride Month, John sits down with Liverpool drag artist Naya Thorn for a conversation that feels honest, grounded, and very real about where she’s at. Naya talks about how drag first came into her world, being around the Liverpool scene, the performers she looked up to, and slowly figuring out what her own version of drag looks like - which takes t...

🎙️ What’s This Episode About? Mario Kyriacou, the man behind the iconic Cheer Up pop party, joins John for a conversation that goes far beyond the dancefloor. We get into the story behind one of the UK’s most recognisable LGBTQ+ club nights, from its roots in pure pop nostalgia to becoming a full-scale celebration of queer joy, community, and connection. Mario shares how Cheer Up grew into a space...

🎙️ What’s This Episode About? Alena is the owner of The Pole Loft , a Liverpool-based studio built on inclusivity, confidence and creating space for people to move, express and reconnect with themselves. Alena joins John to talk about her journey from the Czech Republic to Liverpool, and how her path into pole fitness began. What started as a personal exploration soon grew into something much bigg...

🎙️ What’s This Episode About? For the 50th episode of Proudly Said, John sits down with reality TV personality, football referee and digital creator Mikey Connor. Best known to many from BBC Three’s I Kissed A Boy, Mikey joins John for a candid catch-up about life since the show, what it’s like navigating public attention, and why he’s still terrible at replying to messages. They talk about Mikey’...

🎙️ What’s This Episode About? Debbie Darling is a Liverpool drag queen known for her polished performances, big personality, and a strong commitment to giving back to the community. Debbie joins John to talk about her journey into drag, from early days doing photoshoots with established queens and learning the ropes behind the scenes, to performing in holiday parks and building the confidence to t...

🎙️ What’s This Episode About? Daisy Gill is a Liverpool singer-songwriter known for her retro-pop sound, powerful voice, and growing audience online, where thousands follow her mix of music, honesty and sharp observations about life. Daisy joins John to talk about her journey into performing, from early influences and finding her confidence on stage, to stepping into the spotlight on The Voice UK....

🎙️ What’s This Episode About? Tyler is the founder of The Cracked Mirror Collective , a grassroots project creating space for trans mutual aid, culture and community across the North West. In this episode, Tyler joins John for an honest conversation about his journey as a transgender man: from navigating identity and transition, to the everyday realities and challenges that come with living authen...

🎙️ What’s This Episode About? Millie Dollar is, in John’s words, local legendary burlesque royalty . A performer, producer and storyteller who has spent years helping shape Liverpool’s cabaret scene, Millie brings glamour, grit and a deep love of performance to every stage she steps onto. Millie joins John to talk about her journey into the world of burlesque, from growing up in a strict religious...

🎙️ What’s This Episode About? Rosie the Fearless is a TikTok and Instagram comedian with a sharp northern wit, a love of character work, and a knack for capturing the absurdity of everyday life. Rosie joins John to talk about building an online audience from scratch, and why social media comedy isn’t as effortless as it looks. They dive into theatre roots, growing up, the pressure of going viral,...

🎙️ What’s This Episode About? Toni, also known as Hennessy, is a queer pole dancer, dance instructor, and performer who has turned movement into both power and protest. Toni joins John for an open conversation about her journey into pole, from first stepping into a studio to becoming Xpert qualified in Pole Fitness Levels 1 & 2, and performing under the name Hennessy. She talks about the disci...

🎙️ What’s This Episode About? Shania Pain is a Manchester-based drag queen with Scouse, theatre-kid roots, big pop energy, and a healthy sense of humour about the expectations placed on her. Shania joins John to talk about her early ambitions of being a full-on musical theatre boy... followed by the realisation that drag let her do all of that… and more. They chat about finding her feet on the Liv...

🎙️ What’s This Episode About? Dr Rory McGill is the Director of Public Health for Sefton Council, as well as a lifelong horror nerd who grew up in Derry idolising Buffy the Vampire Slayer, Resident Evil's Jill Valentine, and Kitana from Mortal Kombat. Rory joins John to talk about the journey from small-city childhood (an actual Derry Girl) to senior leadership in public health, and how queerness,...

🎙️ What’s This Episode About? Divina De Campo is a singer, Drag Race UK legend, producer, activist, and all-round powerhouse. John and Divina sit down for a brilliantly chaotic chat that veers between heartfelt and hilarious, from their shared history on the queer scene to what it’s like balancing visibility, creativity, and exhaustion in a career that doesn’t slow down. Divina opens up about her...

🎙️ What’s This Episode About? Jayy Dring is a young Scouse lad with a big personality, a sharp (sometimes dark... lol) sense of humour, and a story that deserves to be heard. Jayy joins John to talk about life behind the bar at Superstar Boudoir , navigating Liverpool’s queer nightlife scene, and some of the unexpected turns along the way... including a brief foray into adult work. Most importantl...

🎙️ What’s This Episode About? Kiki Pain is a fierce AFAB drag queen, singer and content creator making waves both on stage and online - and she’s not afraid to speak up for herself, or others. Kiki joins John to talk about growing up surrounded by music, finding her way into drag, and the reality of being a woman in a world that still questions who “should” be doing drag. They chat about the joy o...

🎙️ What’s This Episode About? Thomas Hartley is known to many from Married at First Sight UK, but these days, you’re just as likely to find him onstage as his drag alter ego, Pam Sandwich. Tom joins John to talk about his early days on the gay scene, what life was really like after the cameras stopped rolling on MAFSUK, and how drag became a way to reconnect with who he really is. They chat about...

🎙️ What’s This Episode About? David Watson is a creative producer, cultural curator and one of the key figures behind some of Liverpool’s boldest, most visible moments in recent years; including making Eurovision 2023 extra special.. David joins John to talk about his creative journey, how he found himself in Liverpool, and why collaboration and community are at the heart of everything he does. Th...

🎙️ What’s This Episode About? Ste Hulme, known to some as Weavin' Steven, known to others as Tanya Cope, joins John for one of the most open and important conversations on Proudly Said to date. Ste speaks honestly about his journey through ketamine addiction, what that period of his life looked like, and how finding support through the newly formed House of The Vivienne charity helped him begin to...

🎙️ What’s This Episode About? Shuv Barbital, the self-proclaimed Goth Mom of Liverpool, is a drag artist, host, costumer and chaos curator, known for bringing dark glamour, camp filth and fierce intelligence to every stage she haunts. Shuv joins John for a gloriously unfiltered chat about alternative drag, the politics of performance, and why drag should never be confined to sequins and safe choic...

🎙️ What’s This Episode About? Violet Pain is a staple drag queen in Liverpool, and a seasoned performer with a quick wit, sharp mug, and a deep love for the stage; whether that’s at Superstar Boudoir, Masquerade, Sparkles in Gran Canaria, or anywhere a mic and a moment are available. Violet joins John to talk about the journey behind the glamour: from early days navigating queer spaces to becoming...