Queers and Co.

In this episode, ROB.GREEN joins Gem for a conversation filled with wisdom, love and an incredibly moving cow story. Rob shares his journey as an independent artist, moving from chasing the traditional music industry "artist's fairy tale" to building a thriving career on his own terms. Together, they explore the power of stepping off prescribed paths, the intersection and queerness and spiritualit...

Join Gem and Adam as they chat about the challenging times Trans and Autistic communities are currently facing. They discuss how fashion can be a powerful tool for activism, the benefits of working for ourselves as Autistics, and the importance of finding community. Plus lots more! Adam Holcroft-Tebbutt (he/him) is a Trans and Autistic activist, designer, and founder of Rainbow & Co – an indep...

Gem and Arlo talk about navigating the current climate as trans and neurodivergent folk, the importance of community and solidarity, and how inclusivity should be the default in all spaces because it benefits everyone. They chat about how the business world often gatekeeps knowledge, Arlo's openness to sharing their experience to support other self-employed creatives, and how much better the world...

In this episode, Gem and H talk about what it really means to live your truth and stay authentic (a word they both feel is over-used) even when it’s tough. They dive into the importance of learning to trust yourself, stay grounded during conflict, and the power of making bold choices every day. There's an important reminder from H that marginalised folks can and do marginalise folks. Plus a whole...

In this episode, Charlotte joins Gem to discuss her new book, Fat Body Work, an autoethnography that explores her relationship with, and development of, a movement practice. Together, they discuss the profound effects of fatphobia on their ability to access movement and emphasise the importance of DIY culture as a form of self-expression and a way to preserve personal histories. Charlotte shares t...

Join Gem for the final episode of the series, "What Happens When... You Learn to Trust Yourself?". After visiting a Scottish castle, Gem reflects on the looming presence of oppressive systems and the work to deconstruct the ways we've internalised them. They share their experience of re-learning to trust themselves and how deepening their understanding of things like patriarchy, colonialism, child...

Join Gem for this episode, "What Happens When... Anxiety?". Whilst going through a particularly bad breakup, Gem realised they experienced incredibly high levels of anxiety most of the time. Gem reflects on what has helped them (mostly) cope better with anxiety, including the impact of sensory regulation and exercise and understanding monotropism. They also talk about the grief that can come along...

Join Gem for this episode, "What Happens When... You're Genderslime". After a spiritual counselling session including a poem by Hafiz, Gem reflects on their exploration of gender so far and why the term genderslime feels like the most accurate way to describe how they feel. Gem talks about the intersection of gender and Autism, being perceived and the importance of being seen and affirmed in our i...

Join Gem for this episode, "What Happens When... You Find Out You're Autistic?" In this episode, Gem talks about learning about Autism whilst a family member was in severe Autistic burnout and having brainwaves about how neurodivergence shows up their family. Whilst walking along a disused railway in Scotland, Gem also shares their own process of considering formal- versus self-identification, the...

Join Gem for this episode, "What Happens When... You're in the Shit Dad Club?" Gem talks about something that heavily contributed to their cPTSD flare-up earlier this year. Whilst walking along the banks of the River Tweed, Gem describes what it's like being the child of a terrible dad and therefore a member of the Shit Dad Club, the culture of silence and shame that can exist in families and grow...

Join Gem for this episode, "What Happens When... Trauma is Kicking Your Arse". When they experienced an intense cPTSD flare-up earlier this year, Gem realised their usual supports were no longer enough. In this episode, they reflect on what helped them navigate being stuck in a trauma response, their experience of moral scrupulosity, the importance of co-regulation and loving community, and the ma...

Welcome to Series 3 of Queers and Co. It's been a while! Listen as Gem sets the scene and heads off on their trip to Scotland. Thank you so much for listening! I'd love it if you'd consider sharing and reviewing this podcast! Find out more about me and my work at www.gemkennedy.com and @thegemkennedy in all the usual places.

My final guest this series is the wonderful Aisha Shaibu (she/her). The founder of 'Moonlight Experiences', Aisha is a proud queer activist who champions integration, diversity & equality. Aisha believes in using the economical power of LGBTQ+ tourism and nightlife to help amplify marginalized voices and transform communities. She is also a prominent event producer who works for organisations...

This week I’m joined by experienced BDSM educator and kinky stand-up comedian John Pendal (he/ him). In 2003, John became the 25th (and only British) winner of the International Mr. Leather contest in Chicago. Since then he has travelled extensively leading workshops, giving speeches, as a master of ceremonies or doing stand-up comedy. He now works online with English-speaking clien...

This week I’m joined by the glorious Artemis D. Bear!! Artemis (they/them) is a non-binary queer iconoclast, who always has too many projects on the go. They are the founder and director of The Garden, a self directed learning community for young people in Bristol, and work for the Phoenix Education Trust on the Freedom to Learn programme. They are also a drag king, stage manager and queer cabaret...

This week I’m joined by the unstoppable Heidi Mavir (she/they), a public speaker, qualified mental health first aider, autistic adult, performer and podcaster. Her advocacy work includes educating people on neurodiversity and speaking on mental health, to reduce stigma and enable people to "embrace their inner weirdo." Heidi’s motto is “no guilt, no shame, no self-inflicted emotional pain”. Join u...

This week I’m joined by Lydia Bernsmeier-Rullow (she/her). Lydia is a journalist at the BBC, a writer, a poet and a drag king. Join us as we chat about her journey to understanding her neurodivergence, being a mixed race Black woman with ADHD, her drag king persona Dick Slick, how wearing a beard makes her want to rip her own face off, working towards body neutrality, normalising talking about men...

My guest this week is Bear Hebert (they/them), an anti-capitalist business consultant, radical life coach, and social justice educator. In work and in life, Bear actively looks at the intersections of power and privilege and will ask you to do the same, lovingly pushing you and your business in the direction of more liberated moments. Their current offerings include anti-capita...

This week, I’m joined by Chuck SJ (pronouns: Chuck or they/them), who is a multidisciplinary artist, often exploring trans and autistic matters through various forms. Chuck has completed five European tours, twelve UK tours, 15 albums and 2 EPs. Chuck is well known for their gripping stage performance, unique guitar skills and brutal honesty. Join us as we chat about Chuck spending the p...

This week, I’m joined by integrative psychotherapist, writer, speaker and activist, Erene Hadjiioannou. As well as running an LGBTQ+ affirmative private practice, Erene's work focuses on the topic of trauma as a result of sexual violence, as outlined in an upcoming textbook, Psychotherapy with Survivors of Sexual Violence: Inside and Outside the Room. Join us as we chat about creating safe spaces...

This week, I’m joined by queer witch, illustrator and author, Cedar McCloud (they/them). Cedar started reading tarot in 2003, going on to found Numinous Spirit Press and create beautiful, radical decks with a social justice lens, such as The Numinous Tarot and The Threadbound Oracle. They believe storytelling is a beautiful tool for healing from trauma and enjoy archaic crafts, nature walks and fa...

This week, I’m joined by Lindsay McGlone aka The Fierce Fat Feminist; an activist, public speaker, producer, stage manager, Instagram coach and teacher. Lindsay is a force to be reckoned with, running numerous successful campaigns highlighting fatphobia, most recently targeting Airbnb. She was also named Young Changemaker of the Year in the IWC Igniting Inspiration Awards 2020. Joining me whilst r...

This week, I’m joined by artist, photographer and documenter Holly Revell, who has a keen eye for preserving and collaborating with other queer artists, making images and portraits which explore performance and transforming identities. Holly’s work is archived at Bishopsgate Institute. Join us as we chat about being a groupie in the 90’s, becoming a professional photographer working in the queer u...

This week, I’m joined by Adele Jarrett-Kerr; a mother, writer, home educator and breastfeeding counsellor, originally from Trinidad and Tobago, now living in Cornwall. Adele also works with her family’s small, regenerative farm near Falmouth and hosts a podcast about human connection called Revillaging. Join us as we talk about the importance of developing critical thinking, what our children teac...

This week, I’m joined by Katy Lees (they/them), a queer writer and psychotherapist from the North East of England. They can be found writing therapy tips, poetry, anti-oppression rants, short stories, and more. They are currently writing a good mental health guide for trans and non-binary people, to be published soon by Jessica Kingsley Publishers. Join us as we talk about the oppression different...