A Beginner's Guide To A Forty Something Gay Man.

Hello again! This is a short pod to say howdy and explain what’s what in pod land. A Spring check in and some of the usual recommendations and thoughts on the future of the podcast and what lies ahead. Really for all the loyal listeners to say thanks and look to the future. I’m going to be a little busy in the months ahead but aim to be back in a new format in the autumn. Speak to you soon!

Episode 78. This episode is a round up and thoughts on this strange year. The 'sort of Christmassy episode'. Jump in and join me as a mini rant occurs! I aim to give my perspective on how we might spend Xmas and New year holidays. Thoughts of what's ahead. The usual recommendations and chats. 2021 Is just around the corner!

Episode 77. Here we are back in lockdown! This week is an update on what's happening with the podcast, where it's going and what's been happening whilst I'm back being a student! The usual chat, news and thoughts on ways to survive the next few weeks. I'm also asking you, dear listeners, to get involved in the pod. Listen to the end for the details. Meanwhile - take care, stay safe, stay sane and stay tuned!

Episode 76! This week I had the pleasure of chatting, again, to Rainbow Dad, Nicholas McInerny. We chat about the success of his podcast, the future for 'Rainbow Dads' and some of his work as a writer, including a play for Radio 4 starring Frances Barber. Nicolas is always a joy to chat with. Have a listen and let us brighten your day! Links below - http://www.mcinerny.co.uk https://twitter.com/nmcinerny https://twitter.com/Rainbowdads

The pod returns! This week I'm chatting to author, Rainbow Dad and one of the people working to launch the 'Queer Britain Museum', Mr David Ledain. David is a lovely gent with extremely interesting stories to tell, about life, loves and career. Now, a few books into his career, we discuss his process of writing and how the books came to be! David has recently released the book 'Having Gay Sex - a guide to homosexual sex.' and it's a great read. Regardless of who you are, and what you class yourself as, it's fun, full of insights into a wide array of gay men. All tastes are looked at with David talking to men from many varied backgrounds. Alongside being an author, David is working on the social media team behind the creation of the 'Queer Britain Museum'. so we talk about the ideas behind its creation. David is also a Bowie fan which cannot be ignored! If you want to jump past my catch up and straight into our chat go to about the 13 minutes mark. Enjoy.

Hello World! After a few weeks away, I wanted to drop in and see how everyone is doing. This week's podcast is a check-in and an update on what's been ticking over in my mind and in my home. A few Pandemic recommendations and a general natter about what's happening in our world, and, hopefully, a few words of distraction and comfort!! I promise normal(ish) service is on the way again soon. Thanks for your continued support dear listeners. Stay safe and happy.

Back once again (For the renegade master - thank you 1999 House music!) Episode 73. This week I'm taking stock of where we are in the middle of this madness that is called life in 2020. Musings on how I've been coping, how I've learnt to step away from the news and social media to keep my sanity. I chat on my thoughts on how I'm learning to adapt to the new normal. Everything from Sourdough Starter to Zoom calls to Boy George. Hopefully injecting some positive vibes to your week. Including my recommendations - including this song which feels like a bit of an anthem right now. https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=GDTIJQ2h6XQ

This week is a catch up to what's been ticking over. In my head and my immediate world. This week has been a tough one. I discuss how we continue when the virus affects us at close quarters and people close to us. I let off a bit of steam but I also hope that this week's podcast to be a distraction from your own 'Lockdown story'. Stay well, stay safe and keep on trucking!

Here goes with another dose of London life currently. Truly hope you are all surviving and keeping positive in this very bizarre time. This week you get a bit of the normal bit of thoughts and chats. Keeping the podcast going and adding meditations every so often. I'll be putting these mini pods out every few days so keep tuning in. If you want to skip straight to the meditation it starts at about 12 mins and 30 secs in. Enjoy.

Hello. This week is a special podcast. Whilst the current world situation continues, I, like many others, find myself with an empty diary. I've found that listening to other people's versions of the situation to be extremely helpful and have decided that I would continue to share my podcast thoughts in real time. A lot of us find this a very testing period, as far as our mental health is concerned as much as anything, and I feel its's important to share, listen and be as helpful to one another as possible. To that end I have added my first ever Guided Mindfulness Meditation on to this episode. If you want to jump straight to the meditation it starts at about the 10 mins and 30 secs mark. It lasts roughly 12 mins and 30 secs. I will be releasing thoughts, meditations and musings every few days. Planning to get back to chatting with guests in the very near future. Thanks for listening. Let's keep each other grounded!

This week I catch up with the lovely Phil Lawrence. Phil is currently writing for the BBC soap 'Eastenders' and has written for 'Casualty'. I've known Phil for nearly 19 years. We first met, as actors, performing in the cult comedy 'I Am Star Trek' - Phil was playing Spock, I was a Klingon, amongst many other characters! Phil tells us about his formative years, living in Erith and how his love of all things Science Fiction was born. We discuss his journey from being an actor, touring 'Privates On Parade' to writing his first play. Phil explains his route from writing for the stage to currently writing on 'Eastenders'. Grab a cuppa and reminisce with us!

This Episode is with the fabulous Jack Everson. Jack and I became firm friends whilst working on Panto this Christmas just gone. Jack has a wicked sense of humour and is one of those humans in life that will never cease to make you laugh. We talk about his journey to becoming the brilliant actor he is today, via ballet, piano lessons and a season at Chichester Festival theatre. Also, we chat about his coming out to family and his first tentative steps into gay London life. We discuss Jack's hope and dreams for the future and really get to know what makes him tick as a performer. Grab an Orange squash and join us! Find Jack at @Jack_Everson on Twitter www.instagram.com/jpjack_everson on Instagram

This week I had the pleasure of a catch up with an old friend. The lovely Joann Condon! Many of you may well recognise Jo from her role of 'Pat' in Fat Fighters in 'Little Britain'. Jo has also appeared in everything from 'Shine On Harvey Moon' to 'The Office' to 'Skins'. I know Jo from a gay play we appeared in many years ago - when we could both still get away with playing teenagers! We catch up on the decades we've missed and Jo's journey to writing her one woman show 'Little Boxes' - which opens next week as part of the Vaults Festival. We talk about everything from growing up in the east end, and Jo's path through school to acting, to Boy George, and the influence he had on Jo as a teenager. We had such a lovely, fun chat and for those of you yet to meet Jo, this is your chance to jump in, grab a a cuppa, and get to know this very genuine and funny lady. Tickets for Jo's show are available at vaultfestival.com The show plays from Jan 28th to Feb 6th at 6pm. Please have a look at the company Jo ha

This week is a brief one. Just an update and to say hello to the new decade. An explanation to what I've been up to and what lies ahead in 2020. A few recommendations and news of what's been occurring. Business as usual as of next week. The podcast is back!

This week I'm chatting with the fabulous Alexandra Meyrick. Alexandra (Alex to them who know her)sat down with me a couple of weeks ago to chat all things LGBTQ theatre, her formative years and her coming out process. We met working on Harry Hancock's project 'Queery' and I immediately warmed to Alex and her sense of humour. She's a damned good actor too! Alex chats about her time at Italia Conti, taking The Laramie Project to Edinburgh Festival and all her influences - most of whom are also big heroes of mine! Alex is a lovely human and I think you'll all warm to her as quickly as I did. Grab a coffee and join us as we chew the cud in Cafe Rouge.

This week I'm joined by the witty, warm and brilliant Mr Nicholas McInerny. Nicholas, along with the author David Ledain has put together a compelling set of podcasts where they chat to Gay and Bi men who had already become Dads but then had to come out to family, friends and their own children. Five men from very different backgrounds and with very different experiences and stories. I chat to Nicholas about his own coming out story and how he manoeuvred through the ups and downs of coming out later in life. We talk about his writing for theatre and radio and the influence pop culture has played on his life - Via Bowie and trips to the Burning Man Festival. I truly have loved listening to the podcasts and urge you, once you have listened to us chat, go over and check out/download/subscribe and rate 'Rainbow Dads'. I hope you enjoy listening to our conversation as much as I enjoyed recording it! Its available on all the usual platforms - I listen via Apple Podcast. Couple of links - https://twitter.com/Rai

The pod is back! Hello and apologies for the delay. All the reasons are mentioned on the podcast so I'm not going to chat on too long here. Just to say thanks for sticking with me! This week's episode is my first long distance chat in a while with the inimitable Mr Scott Anthony Andrews. Scott is based out of Saskatchewan, Canada and is an extremely talented Pop Jazz Singer Songwriter. Scott has just released a new album entitled 'Young Man on Scarth Street Playing Saxaphone' and a single to tie in with last week's 'Coming Out day' (which was on the 11th)and that track is entitled 'I've Left a Smile For you'. Scott explains the inspiration for the song and the album as a whole. We discuss his own coming out and the whys and wherefores of how Scott found his path to, and with music. Scott is warm and charming human and I'm so happy to have had the chance to chat music and life with him recently. Find all the links to everything Scott below - ScottAnthonyAndrews.com http://scottanthonyandrews.com/ Scott Anth

This week's episode is from a lovely sit down with director, actor and writer Harry Hancock. Harry has created, with co-writer Teresa Rendell, an exciting and strong piece of theatre which truly touches on every aspect of the LGBT+ experience. I had the pleasure of meeting Harry and Teresa in the spring to talk about my own experiences over the years. They interviewed people from across the board, in terms of age, experience, gender and lifestyle, and have created a real smorgasbord of stories which will move you, make you laugh and get you really thinking. I was involved in a workshop on the piece, with Harry at the helm, a few weeks ago and came away feeling invigorated and moved by the passion in the room. I met with Harry recently to talk about this project, his own life and influences, and his work as a director since graduating. Please take a look at the links and follow Harry for more on the project. Links below to Harry and all he mentions. www.harryjhancock.com/lgbtq-stories twitter.com/harryjhan

This episode I had the pleasure of chatting to Jamie Armitage, Co-Director of Olivier Award Nominated 'Six the Musical'. Currently Jamie is at the helm of 'Southern Belles' a double bill of one act plays by Tennessee Williams playing at the King's Head Theatre in London. 'Something Unspoken' and 'And Tell Sad Stories of the Death of a Queen' are playing until August 24th. Jamie is resident director at the Almeida Theatre and junior associate director at the King's Head, alongside his duties on 'Six the Musical'. A very busy chap to say the least. We discuss Jamie's journey into directing, his love of Tennessee Williams and how that ties in with his work on 'Southern Belles'. He explains the path that led 'Six' from Edinburgh Fringe to a world renowned hit show - and the love RuPaul and Michelle Visage have lavished on it! I have to thank Jamie for being such a gracious guest despite the intense heat. Jump in and have a listen. Links below - twitter.com/JARArmitage twitter.com/kingsheadthtr https://www.k

A check in! Due to life becoming very busy there has been a lull in podcasts but there are plans afoot for some really fun guests/chats. This week's episode is an update on what's been happening and where I've been. News on upcoming performances - in 'Reformation' at The White Bear in London, from 25th of June to 13th of July, and some things further down the line. There's a bit of dissection of the 'Madame X' album and the new 'Tales Of The City' on Netflix. I also chat through an 'incident' that happened on the way to rehearsals the other day. Normal service resumed in the next episode. Meantime here's details of the play. https://www.whitebeartheatre.co.uk/whatson/Reformation. https://40somethinggay.co.uk/