Homo Sapiens - podcast cover

Homo Sapiens

Spirit Studios & Christopher Sweeneywww.homosapienspodcast.com
The world from a Queer perspective: Conversations, stories and a good old laugh with LGBTQ+ icons, allies and of course, our lovely listeners. Come and join the Homo Sapiens family with new episodes every Thursday - the more the merrier!

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Episodes

144: Simon Amstell | Part 2

Simon Amstell is our guest this week, and it’s a hoot I tell you. The much loved comedian, writer & film director is pure mischief and he leads me very much astray with funny stories of magic mushrooms, panic about ageing, and reflections on his Pop World days. All laced with brilliant wisdom and insights that only Simon could make. Plus - how do you make a rainbow come out of your perineum…? Listen now to find out - Chris x For dates and tickets for Simon Amstell’s Stand Up Tour ‘Spirit Hol...

Sep 23, 202124 minSeason 5Ep. 144

144: Simon Amstell | Part 1

Simon Amstell is our guest this week, and it’s a hoot I tell you. The much loved comedian, writer & film director is pure mischief and he leads me very much astray with funny stories of magic mushrooms, panic about ageing, and reflections on his Pop World days. All laced with brilliant wisdom and insights that only Simon could make. Plus - how do you make a rainbow come out of your perineum…? Listen now to find out - Chris x For dates and tickets for Simon Amstell’s Stand Up Tour ‘Spirit Hol...

Sep 23, 202125 minSeason 5Ep. 144

143: The Gay Therapist | Part 2

This week we are lying back on the proverbial couch and letting the wonderful Nick Fager of @gaytherapy solve all our woes over an uplifting cup or three of tea in Alan’s living room. Expect incredible insights into being LGBTQ+ and of course plenty of laughs along with the way with hilarious stories of the things people say to you when you come out to them, how finding a relationship is warped by dating apps and why on earth are we chatting about Olive Oil in amongst all of this? 📍H O M O S A ...

Sep 16, 202126 minSeason 5Ep. 143

143: The Gay Therapist | Part 1

This week we are lying back on the proverbial couch and letting the wonderful Nick Fager of @gaytherapy solve all our woes over an uplifting cup or three of tea in Alan’s living room. Expect incredible insights into being LGBTQ+ and of course plenty of laughs along with the way with hilarious stories of the things people say to you when you come out to them, how finding a relationship is warped by dating apps and why on earth are we chatting about Olive Oil in amongst all of this? 📍H O M O S A ...

Sep 16, 202130 minSeason 5Ep. 143

142: LGBTIQ+ Homelessness

Did you know that a quarter of queer youth experience homelessness? The Outside Project is an LGBTIQ+ Community Shelter, Centre and Domestic Abuse Refuge that is turning the tide on homelessness in ingenious ways. Their MD, Carla Ecola, joins us this week to tell us how they persuaded London Mayor @Sadiq to lend The Outside Project an old firestation, why gender affirming clothing is so important in homelessness, and what has Status Quo’s tour bus got to do with all of this…? Listen now to find ...

Sep 09, 202142 minSeason 5Ep. 142

141: Dan Savage | Part 2

Dan Savage is *the* iconic queer agony uncle who has for many years been demystifying sex, relationships, and above all teaching LGBTQ+ people to be proud of who we are. Listen to his wild stories from a lifetime solving people’s problems, how he was pivotal in the life of a young Jake Shears, plus a life changing moment in Czechoslovakia. He is a wonderful man, click play now! 📍H O M O S A P I E N S P O D C A S T 📍NEW EPISODE Every Thursday 📍Come play with us on socials Facebook & Instag...

Sep 02, 202133 minSeason 5Ep. 141

141: Dan Savage | Part 1

Dan Savage is *the* iconic queer agony uncle who has for many years been demystifying sex, relationships, and above all teaching LGBTQ+ people to be proud of who we are. Listen to his wild stories from a lifetime solving people’s problems, how he was pivotal in the life of a young Jake Shears, plus a life changing moment in Czechoslovakia. He is a wonderful man, click play now! 📍H O M O S A P I E N S P O D C A S T 📍NEW EPISODE Every Thursday 📍Come play with us on socials Facebook & Instag...

Sep 02, 202135 minSeason 5Ep. 141

140: Frank and Raphael | Part 2

This isn’t your usual Homo Sapiens episode, it’s a documentary really, a first hand account of the AIDS crisis in New York in the 80s, of art, adventure and a couple who have been through it all. Artist Frank Holliday and his partner of 22 years, Raphael, joined us to talk about working for Andy Warhol, hanging out with Jean-Michel Basquiat, Keith Haring, Studio 54 and how AIDS impacted the queer scene of the city. All with a huge twist in the tale. Sit down, grab a cocktail and enjoy an incredi...

Aug 26, 202132 minSeason 5Ep. 140

140: Frank and Raphael | Part 1

This isn’t your usual Homo Sapiens episode, it’s a documentary really, a first hand account of the AIDS crisis in New York in the 80s, of art, adventure and a couple who have been through it all. Artist Frank Holliday and his partner of 22 years, Raphael, joined us to talk about working for Andy Warhol, hanging out with Jean-Michel Basquiat, Keith Haring, Studio 54 and how AIDS impacted the queer scene of the city. All with a huge twist in the tale. Sit down, grab a cocktail and enjoy an incredi...

Aug 26, 202131 minSeason 5Ep. 140

139: k.d. lang | Part 2

The ⚡️icon ⚡️that is k.d. lang was on the first ever list of dream guests for this podcast and remarkably this week our dream came true. k.d. zooms in from Calgary to put the world to rights in a chat that covers the wild times of finding superstardom with Constant Craving, why k.d. lang shows were the original Tinder, a fascinating discussion about Butch, and a beautiful behind the scenes story about THAT Vanity Fair cover with Cindy Crawford. In a departure from our normal schedule, over the s...

Aug 19, 202119 minSeason 5Ep. 139

139: k.d. lang | Part 1

The ⚡️icon ⚡️that is k.d. lang was on the first ever list of dream guests for this podcast and remarkably this week our dream came true. k.d. zooms in from Calgary to put the world to rights in a chat that covers the wild times of finding superstardom with Constant Craving, why k.d. lang shows were the original Tinder, a fascinating discussion about Butch, and a beautiful behind the scenes story about THAT Vanity Fair cover with Cindy Crawford. In a departure from our normal schedule, over the s...

Aug 19, 202131 minSeason 5Ep. 139

137: Dan Mathews | Part 2

What do Pamela Anderson, Paul McCartney and The Golden Girls have in common? Well - it's this week's guest. PETA icon Dan Mathews is the king of controversy and author of two wild memoirs, "Like Crazy" and "Committed." He has changed the face of fashion and activism over the past 36 years with campaigns like "I'd Rather Go Naked Than Wear Fur." He joins us with stories of storming runways, enlisting superstars and how he and his husband entice hunters to their vegan dinner parties. Hear how an e...

Aug 12, 202122 minSeason 5Ep. 138

137: Dan Mathews | Part 1

What do Pamela Anderson, Paul McCartney and The Golden Girls have in common? Well - it's this week's guest. PETA icon Dan Mathews is the king of controversy and author of two wild memoirs, "Like Crazy" and "Committed." He has changed the face of fashion and activism over the past 36 years with campaigns like "I'd Rather Go Naked Than Wear Fur." He joins us with stories of storming runways, enlisting superstars and how he and his husband entice hunters to their vegan dinner parties. Hear how an e...

Aug 12, 202146 minSeason 5Ep. 138

137: Cyndi Lauper | Part 2

This week’s guest, Cyndi Lauper really is one in a million. In 2008 she found the LGBTQ+ homeless charity, True Colours United, with a mission statement to ‘implement innovative solutions to LGBTQ youth homelessness’. She tells Chris and Alan about the charity, being an iconic queer ally and calling out Donald Trump’s homophobia on The Apprentice. Be sure to subscribe so you never miss an episode! 📍H O M O S A P I E N S P O D C A S T 📍NEW EPISODE Every Thursday 📍Come play with us on socials F...

Aug 05, 202121 minSeason 5Ep. 137

137: Cyndi Lauper | Part 1

This week’s guest, Cyndi Lauper really is one in a million. In 2008 she found the LGBTQ+ homeless charity, True Colours United, with a mission statement to ‘implement innovative solutions to LGBTQ youth homelessness’. She tells Chris and Alan about the charity, being an iconic queer ally and calling out Donald Trump’s homophobia on The Apprentice. Be sure to subscribe so you never miss an episode! 📍H O M O S A P I E N S P O D C A S T 📍NEW EPISODE Every Thursday 📍Come play with us on socials F...

Aug 05, 202128 minSeason 5Ep. 137

136: Cancel Culture

Cancel Culture! What does it mean for LGBTQ+ people? What really is it? Every day there seems to be a new conversation about someone being ‘cancelled’, so we’re deep-diving in to what it means to you listeners, and the response has been massive. Plus, I’ll be chatting to former BBC Radio 1 Xtra host & author of ‘Outraged’ - Ashley 'Dotty' Charles who’s article about the ‘cancellation’ of H&M went viral partly thanks to the headline 'As a black, gay woman I have to be selective in my outr...

Jul 29, 202156 minSeason 5Ep. 136

135: Michael Stipe | Part 2

What a joy this conversation was. It’s ACTUAL Michael Stipe on this week’s Homo Sapiens. The legendary former R.E.M. frontman tells us how he might have redefined his gender identity if he were a teenager today, talks honestly about his experiences during the AIDS Crisis, and we even learn that this very podcast gave him the confidence (his words, not ours), to create a series of voice notes to accompany his fantastic new book, ‘Michael Stipe’. Plus what exactly is The Church of Michael Stipe? I...

Jul 22, 202135 minSeason 5Ep. 135

135: Michael Stipe | Part 1

What a joy this conversation was. It’s ACTUAL Michael Stipe on this week’s Homo Sapiens. The legendary former R.E.M. frontman tells us how he might have redefined his gender identity if he were a teenager today, talks honestly about his experiences during the AIDS Crisis, and we even learn that this very podcast gave him the confidence (his words, not ours), to create a series of voice notes to accompany his fantastic new book, ‘Michael Stipe’. Plus what exactly is The Church of Michael Stipe? I...

Jul 22, 202133 minSeason 5Ep. 135

134: Is Sport Still Homophobic?

It’s all terribly sporty over here at Homo Sapiens this week. What with Carl Nassib coming out as gay and footballer Harry Kane’s rainbow armband at the Euros, this week we’re asking - Does homophobia still exist in sport? Well, according to you all it’s an almost unanimous YES! You’ve been generous and brave enough to share your experiences of facing homophobia and transphobia in sport, plus telling us what you’ve done to combat it. Plus, I’ve also got queer professional rugby superstar Devin I...

Jul 15, 20211 hr 4 minSeason 5Ep. 134

133: Carson Tueller | Part 2

“People who walk are miserable as well!” This week we are talking to the extraordinary life coach, Carson Tueller who suffered paralysis after a spinal cord injury the same year he came out as gay to his Mormon family. We dive in on navigating Grindr when you’re disabled, hear refreshingly honest words about how sex has changed since paralysis and he tells us how he found a very interesting loophole in Mormon rules that he could use to his advantage! Chris and Alan x Be sure to subscribe so you ...

Jul 08, 202132 minSeason 5Ep. 133

133: Carson Tueller | Part 1

“People who walk are miserable as well!” This week we are talking to the extraordinary life coach, Carson Tueller who suffered paralysis after a spinal cord injury the same year he came out as gay to his Mormon family. We dive in on navigating Grindr when you’re disabled, hear refreshingly honest words about how sex has changed since paralysis and he tells us how he found a very interesting loophole in Mormon rules that he could use to his advantage! Chris and Alan x Be sure to subscribe so you ...

Jul 08, 202127 minSeason 5Ep. 133

132: Did lockdown ruin your love life?

‘Why have I bought an Owl?’ you ask! Well, my house has been under siege from crows attacking my windows this week, and you lovely lot recommended all sorts of remedies including - get yourself a plastic Owl. So I did. Anyway, it’s Homo Sapiens Extra, and this week you listeners asked us to talk about lockdown love (or lack there of). Has lockdown positively or negatively affected your love life? Did you virtually date due to COVID restrictions? Are you nervous about dating again once we’re prop...

Jul 01, 202154 minSeason 5Ep. 132

131: Travis Alabanza | Part 2

What do you do when someone throws a burger at you? You get arts council funding and make an award-winning show about it, that’s what you do, and that is literally what this week’s guest, the brilliant writer of the spectacular play, ‘BURGERZ’, Travis Alabanza, did. They tell Chris and Alan about how transphobic abuse inspired them to create art, what it’s like dating in your hometown during a pandemic, and why they think TERFs are a hate group, not a feminist protest group. Chris and Alan x Be ...

Jun 24, 202127 minSeason 5Ep. 131

131: Travis Alabanza | Part 1

What do you do when someone throws a burger at you? You get arts council funding and make an award-winning show about it, that’s what you do, and that is literally what this week’s guest, the brilliant writer of the spectacular play, ‘BURGERZ’, Travis Alabanza, did. They tell Chris and Alan about how transphobic abuse inspired them to create art, what it’s like dating in your hometown during a pandemic, and why they think TERFs are a hate group, not a feminist protest group. Chris and Alan x Be ...

Jun 24, 202127 minSeason 5Ep. 131

130: Are Brands Taking Over Pride?

I’m back, vaxxed, and well… a bit jetlagged, but that won’t stop me chattering away to you lovely lot. It’s Pride month and it’s time for some real talk, people! Have we forgotten the history of Pride? Is Pride been taken over by brands? Is the whole LGBTQ+ community catered for at this time of year? You’ve been in touch with your views and as always - you are not backwards in coming forwards. And of course we’ve got a Pride themed Culture Club, your heartwarming Pride memories from over the yea...

Jun 17, 202145 minSeason 5Ep. 130

129: Beth Ditto

Beth Ditto in the house! This episode is a right laugh. Funny as hell, chatty as hell, and queer activist as hell, Beth Ditto chats to me and Alan about how Punk was the lifeline that took her from her hometown near Searcy, Arkansas where MTV was banned to becoming a rock star fronting the Gossip, a trailblazing solo artist, and muse to fashion gods she is today. We cover experiencing Straight Privilege, the body positivity movement, and find who managed to drink Judy Garland under the table? Pr...

Jun 10, 202140 minSeason 5Ep. 129

128: Ryan O’Connell | Part 2

This week we are talking to the delightful star of Netflix sen-sation ‘Special' - Ryan O’Connell! Ryan’s story is fascinating, he turned his memoir about being a young queer person with Cerebral Palsy in to a hit TV show that is so funny, clever and really touching that I devoured it in one go when i first saw it. So as Season 2 launches, he came by Homo Sapiens Towers to tell me how making this new season taught him that even he makes mistakes around portraying disabled characters on screen, gi...

Jun 03, 202124 minSeason 5Ep. 128

128: Ryan O’Connell | Part 1

This week we are talking to the delightful star of Netflix sen-sation ‘Special' - Ryan O’Connell! Ryan’s story is fascinating, he turned his memoir about being a young queer person with Cerebral Palsy in to a hit TV show that is so funny, clever and really touching that I devoured it in one go when i first saw it. So as Season 2 launches, he came by Homo Sapiens Towers to tell me how making this new season taught him that even he makes mistakes around portraying disabled characters on screen, gi...

Jun 03, 202148 minSeason 5Ep. 128

127: LGBTQ+ in the Workplace

Has Chris been the only one wearing aftershave during lockdown!? Surely not. Anyway, other than updating you on that and his special new “celebrity” hat, in his final recording from Adelaide, Chris is asking you about your experiences as an LGBTQ+ person in the workplace! We discuss pronouns in email sign offs, safe spaces to work in and how to cope with homophobia at work (PS, you really SHOULDN’T have to, but it’s where we’re *still* at). PLUS another wonderful Culture Club constructed by you ...

May 27, 202147 minSeason 5Ep. 127

126: Paris Lees | Part 2

Our latest guest is a force of nature, a total hoot, and a huge part of Edward Enninful’s new look Vogue Magazine, it’s the AMAZING writer Paris Lees! She tells Chris and Alan all about the sweet delight of getting one over on transphobic newspapers, we have a giggle about what she’s been missing during lockdown, and we find out why she might just be upping sticks to France... Paris is someone we at Homo Sapiens have an abundance of love and admiration for, so press play to hear her trailblazing...

May 20, 202139 minSeason 5Ep. 126
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