Episode 012 - Kate Charlesworth

Meet Kate Charlesworth, an award-winning illustrator, artist and graphic novelist who has recently brought out 'Sensible Footwear: A Girls Guide'. In this episode, she explores how her autobiography lent itself as a framework for the graphic novel and why re-telling lesbian and queer history is of more importance than ever. She reflects on her personal and professional life, non-monogamy, the institution of marriage, coming out, activism, and working in a male-dominated environment within the creative industry. There is also discussions about what is easier to draw: Kids, dogs or cats... 

Things that are mentioned in this episode that might be of interest: 
Kate's latest graphic novel - 'Sensible Footwear'; Jackie Forster; Sappho (magazine)

Episode 011 - Sarah

Meet Sarah - a retired recruitment professional and hypnotherapist. In this episode, she explores what it means to come out late in life, how coming out changes us but also whether it impacts the ways in which we conduct our relationships. There is also talk about health taboos, Sarah's own experiences in relation to the 'butch-femme' dynamic and the implicit pitfalls of socialisation. Jess and her also discuss what the practice of hypnotherapy entails, and reflect on the importance of friendship.

Things mentioned in this episode:
Gay's the Word Bookshop JustGiving Campaign; Hypnotherapy within the UK

Episode 010 - Samara

In this week's episode Jess talks to Samara, a creative professional from London. Discussions revolve around early experiences of difference, societal pressures in relation to gender expression and 'femininity', as well as how cultural representation within the community can be experienced. In addition to this, the discussion also involves reflections on what it means to live a double life, and why representation matters. There is also talk about the importance of having older women as role models and reflections on our relationships to hierarchies and freedom.

Things of interest that relate to this episode: Pride of Arabia; Appropriate Behaviour (film); Reconstructing Womanhood (book); the concept of 'positive' and 'negative' freedom.

Episode 009 - Angie

Meet Angie who for decades has been dedicated to the formation and nurture of lesbian community. She is an advocate for animal welfare, women, lesbians, and pacifism. In this episode, we explore stories and themes of Angie's life which include reflections on her personal relationship to her parents, her coming out, tales of squatting in Chelsea, her experiences during the AIDS epidemic, as well as what it means to find love. Watch out for anecdotes on anti-bourgeois balcony sleepovers...

Things that are mentioned in this episode that might be of interest: 
The 'Battle of Brightlingsea'; Guardian article on the closing of 'First Out'

Episode 008 - Sandi

Sandi is a student from London gearing up to become an Osteopath. In this episode, she talks to Jess about her personal experiences in relation to coming out and touches on the individual values and principles that helped her in this respect. There are also conversations about Sri Lanka, spirituality, the idea of radical acceptance, unity and difference,  the impact of colonisation, and the importance of cultural heritage. Further discussion points include reflections on how the process of coming out might improve our lives and health.

Things mentioned in this episode that might be of interest:
Dalai Lama Interview; The Effects of Stress on the Body; Stress & Fight or Flight; Sri Lanka's Penal Code in relation to Colonisation

Episode 007 - Erica & Alex

This episode features Erica and Alex, a married couple who currently live in London. Discussions revolve around how they met, their sexual identities, coming out, experiences of discrimination in the UK and abroad, as well as thoughts on whether being gay or queer in the US is any different. Erica also reflects on her journey into academia, particularly in relation to LGBTQ+ youth literature, and her work as a bookseller at Gay's The Word. Additional talking points include deliberations on why the fictional character Orlando (as penned by Virginia Woolf) would have been a good lover and why Brandi Carlile is a great queer gateway drug.

Books that are mentioned in this episode that could be of interest: The Miseducation of Cameron Post; Aristotle and Dante Discover the Secrets of the Universe; Carol (also available as a film adaptation)

Episode 006 - Diana Souhami

Jess is joined by the award-winning author Diana Souhami who has just published a new book titled 'No Modernism Without Lesbians'. Discussions in this episode centre around personal anecdotes and experiences, Diana's unique take on history and lesbian characters, as well as musings on what a post-pandemic future might look like. There are also reflections on the notion of identity and how labels such as, for example, the idea of 'Jewishness', 'Germanness' or 'Queerness' play into this. 

Links relevant to things mentioned in this episode:

Milgram's Experiments / Obedience Study:
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=fCVlI-_4GZQ

Diana's new book: 'No Modernism Without Lesbians':
https://www.amazon.co.uk/Modernism-Without-Lesbians-Diana-Souhami/dp/1786694867

Jeanne Moreau
https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Jeanne_Moreau

Episode 005 - Miriam

This episode is all about Miriam, a lesbian artist. Jess talks to her about her first experiences and crushes and what it meant to be attracted to women from an early age. She explores stories highlighting personal struggles in relation to internalised homophobia and shame, questions whether lesbians can objectify women as already often exemplified in heteropatriachial ways, and discusses issues around neurodiversity. There is also a discussion about the perception of intelligence in today's society, as well as why Queen Christina of Sweden would have been a great 'Sugar Momma'. 

Things of interest that are mentioned in this episode:

Queen Christina:
https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Christina,_Queen_of_Sweden 
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=hRGmPNSca8A

Episode 004 - Lara & JJ

Jess talks to Lara and JJ. about their relationship to LGBTQ+ labels, investigates how they met, what their personal experiences in the community are and how these shaped their identity. Additionally, this episodes features musings on the nature and/or nurture debate, the subject of discrimination, as well as deeper thoughts on the lesbian appeal of Dusty Springfield.

Links to talks and things that are mentioned in this episode:
Vera Birkenbihl - Die Vielfalt der Geschlechtsentwicklung (German Lecture):
https://youtu.be/8eEjnqsxlnI

How Many Seconds to a First Impression? (APS):
https://www.psychologicalscience.org/observer/how-many-seconds-to-a-first-impression

Episode 003 - Keira

Jess talks to Keira about life in lockdown, her relationship to the label 'lesbian', the concept of marriage, certain mental health taboos within the community and society in general, our relationship to food and alcohol, as well as the treatment of women in fiction.

We also mention our donation campaign for Gay's the Word bookshop in this episode. If you would like to support them so that they can re-open after the pandemic lockdown is over, then check out this JustGiving page.

Episode 002 -Victoria

Victoria, a trainee psychosexual therapist, talks with Jess about labels, as well as the notions of 'sex addiction' and 'lesbian bed death' and whether they actually exist in reality. There is also a discussion on poly relationships, bisexuality, as well as common desire 'accelerators' and 'breaks'. 

We also mention our donation campaign for Gay's the Word bookshop in this episode. If you would like to support them so that they can re-open after the pandemic lockdown is over, then check out this JustGiving page.

Episode 001 - Sam & Danielle

Jess, Sam and Danielle discuss women and their relationships with their bodies, as well as stereotypes of lesbian/queer sex. There are also reflections on feminism, heteronormativity in the bedroom and anecdotes on first lesbian experiences.

Overview of all Season 1 Episodes: