Shards of a Memoir

To raise awareness about online and Internet abuse, this is a short podpost featuring a 'Top 10 of Trolling Emails' I've received this week... because anyone who is part of a minority community and has an opinion clearly deserves such vitriol! For support with tackling online abuse please visit www.internetmatters.org and please email nice things to thatonetimepodcast@yahoo.com 😀

In this episode I read from a personal essay in which I revisit a Mormon Mass I attended that, in my mind, clearly portrayed the narrow-minded opinions of Chruch leaders - and the feelings of shame this may have caused for members of the LGBT+ community. Also, after a recent visit to an exhibition at the V&A in London, I explore BIPOC representation in Disney animated films.

In this short extra episode to celebrate International Non-Binary People's Day on July 14th, I discuss the term Non-Binary and how a Non-Binary person may identify and choose to present themselves to the world around them. Further reading and literature can be found at @diversifyournarrative and the book 'In Their Shoes: Navigating a Non-Binary Life' by Jamie Windust.

This week, I look at the ongoing battle to ban Conversion Therapy - the notion that homosexuality is something that can be 'cured'. In America this is still legal in 13 states. It is not yet against the law in the U.K. I also begin talking about my experiences within the Mormon Church, and the stance of some within the faith on Conversion Therapy. For more information on this issue, please visit:...

As we come towards the end of Pride month, I wanted to spend some time exploring the history of the Pride movement and its roots in the Stonewall Riots of 1969. I also discuss numerous LGBT+ terms and their definitions, such as Asexuality - and why 'closeted' is such an ignorant yet widely accepted term to describe members of the LGBT+ community and their journey. Follow ALOK, @iweigh and @diversi...

This week I explore how society and patriarchal rule has used magic and witchcraft as a way to continually marginalise women, with Witches being portrayed negatively and dangerously: whether it be back in ye olde Jacobean England or modern day media and film, such as 'The Craft'. I also play One Degree of Taylor Swift with a topical link to witchcraft.

In this week's episode I look at the feelings of loneliness and shame and how social, cultural and media stigma around mental health only adds to these emotions. The recent reactions, both supportive and critical, to Naomi Osaka only highlight the prejudice still present around mental health, but especially towards women and those from an ethnic background. For more information, and to self educat...

May is Mental Health Awareness month and this week I discuss how the LGBT+ community still needs allies to support them and fight for greater equality. I reflect on school experiences, data from a Stonewall research paper, and a surprisingly homophobic episode of medical drama 'E.R.' from 2006. If you would like to educate yourself on issues of LGBT+ allyship please follow @iweigh @whydontwediscus...

With May being Mental Health Awareness Month, I suggest a number of films and TV shows you could watch to explore and educate yourselves on this issue - such as The Breakfast Club and Black Swan. I also discuss Count Binface's bid for London Mayor in the recent elections. For more details about Mental Awareness Month please visit: https://www.mentalhealth.org.uk/campaigns/mental-health-awareness-w...

This week I reflect on an essay I wrote last year about the place of sport in our lives - physically, mentally, emotionally and socially. And this means that I get to demonstrate my vast (joke) knowledge of football and slag off Matt Hancock. I also answer an email from a listener asking for advice when struggling with OCD.

In this short extra episode, I discuss the daily difficulties of having OCD - why it can flare up, the impact it can have socially, and how it can manifest itself. It's important to acknowledge when you are not at your best, which is why I made this extra podcast this week. For information on OCD please visit: https://ocdaction.org.uk/i-need-support/support-groups/

In this week's episode I look at the history of antidepressant medications: when they were first used, different types and brands, possible side effects, and discuss my own experiences of taking medication for depression. For more information about antidepressants please visit: https://www.nhs.uk/mental-health/talking-therapies-medicine-treatments/medicines-and-psychiatry/antidepressants/overview/

In episode 12 I highlight Bipolar Awareness Month, which is currently taking place throughout April. I discuss my own history of suffering from intrusive thoughts as a teenager, occasions of erratic behaviour, and the feelings of both anger and shame that I felt as reactions to these challenging experiences. I also share the history of Lizzie Borden, accused of murdering her father and stepmother...

This week, I reflect upon numerous recent news stories which have highlighted the rise in Asian-American hate crimes - in America and beyond. I also explore the treatment of women in society within a seven day cycle, which shows just how problematic language can be when discussing both the perpetrators and victims of a crime. Please visit these Instagram pages for more information: @whydontwediscu...

March is Eating Disorder Awareness Month, so in this episode I discuss my own experiences with an eating disorder in my early twenties. I also look at some cases where high profile celebrities have opened up about their own battles with food, such as Taylor Swift and Freddie Flintoff. And... I talk about THAT Meghan Markle interview (obvs) and the marvellous news that Piers Morgan has fucked off....

In this shorter than usual episode, I encourage you to (rather than listen to me babbling on...) go and take the time to research International Women's Day, happening this month. For a start, visit these three wonderful Instagram accounts: @whydontwediscuss @diversifyournarrative @thefemaleactivists

This week, I discuss rule breaking - why people follow rules, why some people don't, and the impact it can have when rules are broken. I give examples of COVID restriction breaches that have made the news, and also regale times when friends and I have broken rules in the past when younger... with comic results. This episode also includes a 'Betty the Hamster' update.

In this episode, as part of Sexual Assault Awareness Month, I talk about sexual harassment and assault - from the #metoo movement, the powerful work of Michaela Coel and 'I May Destroy You', to my own experience at age 19. To add a little levity, I also play another game of 'One Degree of Taylor Swift' with you, my dear listeners.

I revisit a Facebook post from 2018, when I stated what it honestly felt like to be a single 32 year old gay man. And it didn't involve gin, a beard or an avocado salad. I use this discussion about online presence, and appearance VS reality, to also explore the way in which the male led media attacks high profile women such as Britney Spears and Meghan Markle... putting them on a pedestal to only...

In this episode I regale the worst Tinder dates I have ever been on... just in time for Valentine's Day! I also explore the etymology of the word 'romance' to make myself sound clever, play a game of 'One Degree of Taylor Swift' and, rather than moan about 'Love Island', discuss the problem of racialised renaming, recently highlighted by a contestant on the show. There's also a bonus segment (oooh...

In this episode I discuss and dissect the problems caused by stereotypical presentations of the LGBT+ community in television and film, particularly in the late '90s. I also talk about the Inauguration of President Joe Biden and how to pronounce Kamala Harris' name... and challenge you to a game of One Degree of Taylor Swift. A link to my published essay, related to today's podcast, is: https://gl...

In episode 3, I discuss the relationship between body image and shame, and the potentially dangerous impact of social media and Instagram 'influencers' (awful word) upon our body confidence. There are also a few slight tangents to Henry James (why not?) and cycling in bad weather.

In this episode I explore feelings of shame, its many causes and effects upon our mental health, sharing my own experiences whilst referring to some wider reading and research... interestingly, about gazelles. I also take time to discuss illiterate supporters of Donald J Trump, and the now infamous 'Bean Dad'.

In the very first episode, I explain my reasons for starting a podcast - to discuss depression, anxiety and feelings of shame that I have experienced over many years, in an attempt to reduce stigma surrounding mental health, but also create a space for conversations around mental health in men and the LGBTQIA community. I also introduce my love for (obsession with) all things Taylor Swift.