Welcome to the next in the Podcast Showcase series, where we share podcasts with you in the words of the podcasters themselves. This time, we talk to Gay Narratives.
Sum up your podcast in three sentences:
Gay Narratives is a podcast and space where vulnerability is celebrated and stories are shared to inspire, guide, and strengthen gay people. We break through the surface and share stories about the real moments that shape us.
Told through the lens of a gay, Asian, immigrant and interviews with others, there are amazing celebrations of joy and deep reflections of sorrow, but the unwavering anchor is honesty.
Who is your ideal listener? Who loves your show?
Primarily LGBTQ+ people of all ages, and also straight allies or those who are questioning or interested in learning more about the LGBTQ+ community and experience.
What made you start this podcast?
It took me years to realize that what I really needed and what I was looking for was a space where I could share and also where others could share or connect so that I didn’t feel so disconnected. And as I searched online for this, I discovered that many of the gay spaces have content that can be very distracting, flashy, and just hyper-sexualized.
I haven’t successfully found a space for deeper connections — to talk about the things that are uncomfortable or things that we sweep under the rug. A space where I could be engulfed in a story, whether it’s my own or someone else’s’, and truly dig and learn from it. A space where I don’t just skim over the importance of self-reflection and self-love.
That’s why I started Gay Narratives Podcast, where I could use my own voice to amplify the voices of other LGBTQ+ people (particularly minorities). We all have such unique experiences and stories that have shaped our lives, and it would be a shame not to share them.
I firmly believe that there is strength in being vulnerable, and my hope is that by sharing my own story, it will inspire others can do the same.
What has your experience of podcasting been? What do you love / hate about the process?
It has truly been a humbling and huge learning experience. I come from a corporate background and had no idea how much effort and thought it would take to launch a podcast, let alone maintain an Instagram presence with frequent content and updates.
I love the engagement and feedback from listeners. The part that I hate about the process is when I make mistakes in editing and end up losing bits of my recording. It can feel defeating at times, but I remind myself that this is all a learning process and that I’m trying my best in a space that I’m not familiar with.
Overall, it still challenges me and I am so grateful to have the opportunity to continue to share.
If someone wants to start listening to your podcast, which episode would you recommend they start with? Why?
I always recommend starting with Episode 1 – My Why. It will give you a sense of why I started Gay Narratives and also what type of episodes to expect. It will also give you a glimpse of my vulnerability, which is something I continue to challenge myself in sharing in each episode.
Which other podcasts do you love listening to?
I love Gay Shorts Pod, Homo/Phobia Podcast, and Off The Wok podcast. I aim to listen to smaller, grassroots/organically created podcasts rather than podcasts created by existing “social media celebrities”. I find that the every-day person like myself offers a more authentic listening experience.
If people want to find you online, where can they do so? Drop your links here (social media, podcast subscription, etc.)
The easiest way is to visit www.gaynarratives.com and also find us on Instagram @gaynarratives
Read the rest of our Podcast Showcases here and find your new listening addiction from among our features!
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Image credit: Daniela Mota