Podcast
Queerphoria with Jack Guinness
Hosted by JOE MEDIA GROUP · EN
Queerphoria is a moving, joyous and celebratory show where LGBTQIA+ icons share their stories of becoming. In each episode we meet queer trailblazers - including Graham Norton, Luke Evans, Sir Ian Mckellen and Munroe Bergdorf - and discover the life defining moments that gave them a sense of queer euphoria.
Lessons for everyone through a queer lens: from iconic culture shifting events, to personal eureka moments, this is where we come together as a community to share the stories that made us.
Brought to you by Gay Star News.
Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.
10episodes
Episodes
Newest firstAll episodes
Sir Ian McKellen!
Dec 5, 202400:39:15Tap to summarizeThis episode needs no introduction.. it's Sir Ian McKellen!Join author of The Queer Bible, Jack Guinness, for a life-affirming, powerful, joyous conversation with the legend that is Sir Ian. Queerphoria is produced by Gay Star News, a member of the JOE Media family. Follow www.instagram.com/jackguinness Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.
Transcribe →Luke Evans: growing up as a gay Jehovah's Witness.
Nov 28, 202401:02:03Tap to summarize"I was gay, so I would die at Armageddon."Luke Evans is known as an action movie superstar with roles in ‘The Hobbit’, ‘Fast & Furious’ and ‘Dracula Untold’. But he started life in a small Welsh town as part of the Jehovah’s Witness church. Being Gay was prohibited under the rules of his strict religious upbringing, but his sexuality became harder and harder to ignore, and he had no one to turn to for help. After speaking to the Samaritans and realising he didn’t want to be ‘fixed’, he embarked on an incredible journey full of bravery and bizarre happenstance, finding a theatre and arts community through the older partner he was living with in London.In this emotional and candid interview with Jack Guinness for the Gay Star News podcast Queerphoria, Luke discusses how he overcame severe bullying and religious trauma with Pride and community, inspired by his top three Queer cultural moments.Luke Evans’ new book, ‘Boy From The Valleys: My Unexpected Journey’, is out now from Penguin.Queerphoria is a podcast by Gay Star News, hosted by Jack Guinness. Like and Subscribe to Gay Star News. Inspire. Empower. Spread Queer Joy.Gay Star News: gaystarnews.co.ukInstagram: instagram.com/gaystarnewsFacebook: facebook.com/gaystarnewsThreads: threads.net/@gaystarnewsTwitter: twitter.com/gaystarnewsFollow Jack Guinness: instagram.com/jackguinness/Queerphoria is a Gay Star News production, part of the JOE Media family. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.
Transcribe →Drag Race's Courtney Act: Ru Paul, cancel culture, and gender fluidity.
Nov 21, 202400:22:24Tap to summarizeCourtney Act chooses the three cultural moments that gave them a sense of queer-euphoria!Star of Australian Idol, making the top three on Season 6 of the Emmy Award-winning RuPaul’s Drag Race and winning Celebrity Big Brother UK, educating viewers on queer issues such as gender fluidity and sexuality - is there nothing Courtney Act can’t do?Join Jack Guinness as Shane Jenek/ Courtney Act shares the three cultural moments that gave them a sense of queer euphoria. In a healing and revealing conversation, Shane talks gender fluidity, healing from shame and embracing queer joy. Queerphoria is a Lovie Award Winning Gay Star News production - part of the JOE Media family. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.
Transcribe →Trans trailblazer Munroe Bergdorf: how to stay sane in a scary world
Nov 14, 202400:41:05Tap to summarizeTo celebrate Trans+ Awareness week, join host Jack Guinness in conversation with the legend, the icon, Munroe Bergdorf! Munroe shares the three cultural moments that made her, speaks on resilience in the face of hatred, and how to stay sane in a scary world. Internationally renowned activist, model, writer and broadcaster, Munroe is a British Vogue Contributing Editor, UN Women Change-maker and a founding consultant of L'Oreal Paris' UK Diversity and Inclusion Board. Munroe fronts MTV hit show Queerpiphany and previously the critically acclaimed podcast The Way We Are for Spotify, is the author of award-winning debut book Transitional, her debut documentary film Love & Rage: Munroe Bergdorf is set to be released in 2025 by Universal Pictures and she’s been on the cover of Time magazine!Queerphoria is a Gay Star News production for JOE Media Group.Follow us on instagram - www.instagram.com/gaystarnewswww.gaystarnews.co.uk Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.
Transcribe →Paris Lees: how to forgive and heal in a traumatising world
Nov 7, 202400:22:07Tap to summarizeIt’s been a tough week - join Jack Guinness in conversation with Paris Lees as we discuss healing from trauma, resilience and living from a place of joy.Paris is an author, writer and broadcaster. She has been described as “the voice of a generation” by i-D magazine, “the fierce and fearless voice we need” by Dazed and one of Britain’s seven “new Suffragettes” by British Vogue. Though it sounds like hyperbole, her career has been truly ground-breaking. As well as being a contributing editor at British Vogue, she has written everywhere from the Guardian to the Telegraph, and she is both Channel 4 and Radio 1’s first Transgender presenter.Her debut book, What It Feels Like for a Girl, a memoir based on her life aged 13 to 18, was published by Penguin Books in 2021 and has been commissioned as an eight-part series for BBC Three and BBC iPlayer out in 2025, adapted by Paris. Queerphoria is a Gay Star News production for JOE Media Group. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.
Transcribe →Raven Smith: a Vogue columnist with a dream!
Oct 31, 202400:24:07Tap to summarizeWhich three queer landmarks has British Vogue columnist Raven Smith chosen as his queerphoric moments? Join host Jack Guinness as he takes a deep-dive into Raven's cultural pond (apologies if that sounds gross).His first book Raven Smith’s Trivial Pursuits, was a Sunday Times best seller. His second book, the brilliant Raven Smith's Men was described as "Wise, sharp and naughty" by The Observer and published in 2022. Raven is one of Jack's favourite human beings- you may know him for his hilarious Instagram account, but today you get to meet the man behind the memes… Raven Smith has been 32 for several years and lives in London with his husband and cat. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.
Transcribe →Jodie Harsh: the icon under the wig. Queer clubbing royalty spills the tea!
Oct 24, 202400:28:17Tap to summarizeDrag icon Jodie Harsh reveals the person under the wig in this hilarious, moving and compelling Kiki. You can pre-order Jodie Harsh's memoir, YOU HAD TO BE THERE now – coming Autumn 2025Born in Kent, Jodie Harsh is a DJ, producer and club brand creator. Playing with traditional concepts of sexual identity, particularly through elements of camp and drag, Harsh travels the world to spin at nightclubs, fashion events and festivals. Her work as a producer boasts remixes for Cher, Christina Aguilera and Justin Timberlake. She has also produced an EP with Melanie C, created the club brand and record label Room Service and has worked with photographers such as Mert and Marcus, Rankin, Mariano Vivanco and SHOWstudio's Nick Knight. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.
Transcribe →Stephen K Amos: what I said to the Pope
Oct 17, 202400:29:53Tap to summarizeJack Guinness chats with one of funniest men in Britain about intersectionality, the 80s and Stephen said to the Pope.Stephen K Amos has charmed and entertained audiences all over the world with his natural, assured delivery and his honest, original material.A gifted actor, Amos has impressed critics with his performances on stage and screen and has proved he is one of the most unique comedy voices of his generation but demonstrated a penchant for drama roles. Stephen can currently be seen in cinemas in Tim Burton’s Beetlejuice Beetlejuice. Stephen's first book - I Used To Say My Mother Was Shirley Bassey - is a memoir of a lifetime of fitting in, standing out, and (almost) always laughing. It is available to buy now from book shops or online.Queerphoria is brought to you by Gay Star News part of the JOE Media Group. Produced by Auddy. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.
Transcribe →Nadia Almada: the reality TV reckoning, Coolio, and aliens!
Oct 10, 202400:29:51Tap to summarizeBig Brother's Nadia Almada: The Reality TV Reckoning, Coolio, and Aliens!It's been 20 years since Nadia's historic Big Brother win- achieving a 75% share of the vote, it was a huge moment from Trans visibility and acceptance. Nadia Almada and Jack Guinness and discuss being the most famous woman in the country, life after Big Brother, the state of reality television and how things have changed for the better and worse for the Trans community. With important questions being raised about the duty of care production companies have to television stars, we discuss the need for a reality reckoning, and what can be done to improve our media landscape. Queerphoria is brought to you by Gay Star News part of the JOE Media Group. Produced by Auddy. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.
Transcribe →Graham Norton: Drag Race, sexy penpals, Eurovision and the queer moments that made him
Oct 3, 202400:35:49Tap to summarizeNational treasure Graham Norton needs no introduction. In this conversation with host Jack Guinness, we see a different side of Graham as he shares personal moments from his life. From his legendary talk show interviewing the world's biggest stars, to the inimitable voice of Eurovision, Graham Norton needs no introduction. On this week's episode of Queerphoria, he reflects on the impact of the HIV/AIDS epidemic, growing up in rural Ireland and how his first time in San Francisco changed his life.Graham Norton is an Irish broadcaster, author, comedian, and actor with one of the most recognisable faces voices in the world. As a public speaker, he’s known for his engaging and entertaining speeches, making him a sought-after figure on the speaking scene.Since 2019, he has been a judge on RuPaul’s Drag Race and host of The Graham Norton Show.Along with his television prowess, Graham is also an acclaimed author. He’s published two memoirs, , The Life and Loves of a He Devil (2014) and So Me (2004). and a compilation of his Daily Telegraph advice column Ask Graham (2010). He’s also a bestselling author of several fiction books such as Frankie (2024), Forever Home (2023), The Swimmer (2022), Home Stretch (2020), A Keeper (2019) and Holding (2017).An accomplished actor, Graham has appeared in several films, including, The Stand-In (2020), I Could Never Be Your Woman (2007), and Another Gay Movie (2006). He’s lent his voice to several productions, including, Soul (202), Rex the Runt (2001) and Shrek Remake (2001). He also made his stage debut in La Cage Aux Folles.Queerphoria is brought to you by Gay Star News part of the JOE Media Group. Produced by Auddy. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.
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