My Dad Stole My Limelight
⭐ "Powerful & funny & important, MDSML is a special & wonderful podcast! I’m so grateful for the stories that have been shared and to Lauren Deborah for creating such a meaningful and needed space for them." ⭐ "This podcast has charm and laughs!" ⭐ "This podcast is amazing, I’ve learned so much confidence and strength from the guests." 🌈 As seen live at Vancouver Pride, iHeart Podcast spotlight features and Elizabeth Bank’s WHOHAHA’s featured podcasts. 🧡 Past guests include a star-studded line-up of comedians, drag performers, writers, musicians, photographers, journalists, directors, artists and activists. 🧡 Lauren Deborah (they/she) never had the 'coming out' they had their heart set on (the dramatic kind), as when she claimed she was ready, Lauren's Dad came out first…stealing Lauren's limelight. 🧡 In each episode, Lauren sits down with someone to delve into their coming out journey. They discover more about their most authentic selves and find themselves being more visibly, comfortably, and wonderfully queer.
Episodes
In this episode, I sit with artist (in many, many ways) The Mollusc Dimension AKA Squid (he/him).
We discuss Squid’s comic memoir The Weird & Wonderful Surviveries of Squid Horse (shortlisted for The Selfies Book Awards) and the upcoming audio-described comic book version, Squid’s creative process, #cosytrauma, collaborating with other creatives, learning not to put pressure on ourselves to be “perfect” ...
In this episode, I sit with Activist and South Australian Pride Awards Winner, Charlotte Coulthard-Dare (she/her).
We discuss Charlotte’s nomination (which after recording became a win!) for First Nations Person of the Year in the South Australian Pride Awards 2025, sharing her culture and heritage through work that Charlotte does, being the role model younger generations need, the process of Charlotte c...
In this episode, I sit with Comedian Marc Isaac (they/them).
Content Warning: Marc also works in the medical field and speaks on the important and hard work of doing research into mental health care and suicide rates among transgender people.
We discuss The Loch Ness Monster’s shy side, Marc’s solo festival show The Kilted Queer, making comedy for the people we want it to be for, Marc’s id...
In this episode, I sit with drag performer, comedian and self-described silly, sober, sexy YYC nerd clown, Anne Xiety (she/they). We are also joined by Lulu — the dog in my care — who makes some adorable appearances throughout.
We discuss our journeys with sobriety, the importance of taking care of our mental health, being proud of what we put out into the world, Calgary’s queer and sober communities, di...
In this episode, I sit with Comedian, Quiz Host and Corporate Trainer, Courtney Maldo (she/her), otherwise self-described as Perth’s Punk Princess of Comedy.
We recorded this episode during Melbourne International Comedy Festival, IRL, from Naarm, which was a real treat!
We discuss Courtney’s next solo show Gender, Drugs and Rock and Roll, Courtney’s exploration of herself before coming ou...
In this episode, I sit with YA and Children’s Author and Speaker Will Kostakis (he/him).
We discuss Will’s latest award-winning novel We Could Be Something, the importance of libraries for readers and writers, how to support Queer authors when you don't have the money to buy their books, Queer visibility in schools, Will coming out via his writing and empowering each other to grow and evolve!
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In this episode, I sit with Performer, Producer and Comedian Lukas Meintjes (he/him).
We discuss Lukas growing up gay in Zimbabwe, his extended run of If You’re From Africa? at the Adelaide Fringe and upcoming run at Melbourne International Comedy Festival, the factors outside of our control when coming out, criminalized homosexuality and how those beliefs are carried down generations, the ongoing process ...
In this episode, I sit with Comedian and Podcaster, Chris Demos (he/him).
We discuss the upcoming run for Chris at the Melbourne International Comedy Festival — Actually Kinda Hot, Cyclone Alfred’s Old Queen status, using the term Queer as a way to say you’re part of something bigger, having the courage to come out when you never thought you would, the power you have to set boundaries when you come out,...
In this episode, I sit with Writer and Comedian (and hopefully my future BFF) Alayne Dick (she/her).
Via a disconnected mic on my end and a dodgy internet connection on Alayne’s (but the show must go on, and go on it did, the content is worth it because Alayne is wonderful) we discussed Alayne’s upcoming shows in Australia — bringing her show Purple is the Gayest Colour to Adelaide and Melbourne, people as...
In this episode, I sit with writer, poet, picture book author, educator and zine maker Rae White (they/them).
We discuss Rae’s poetry collections, their first picture book All The Colours Of The Rainbow, our love for trans and gender-diverse people, counteracting hate with intentional creativity, finding ways to be in our body again, the privilege of being out and proud and the significance of The Mummy fi...
In this installment of the Limelight Mailbag episodes, I am joined by comedian, writer, and MDSML favourite, Joanne Tsung (she/her)!
We unpack this month’s limelight-stealing submission — from listener Stef.
🌈 Connect with Lauren Deborah and MDSML:
-FOLLOW Lauren on Instagram: @hilaurendeborah
-Join the FREE mailing list: hilaurendeborah.substack.com
In this episode, I sit with bilingual singer, songwriter and performer Maryze (she/they).
We discuss the fluidity of gender identity, figuring it out as we go and not having to limit ourselves, deconditioning from the cis heteronormative lifestyle, where we choose to invest our time and energy, rebellion becoming habitual, hanging onto childlike joy and wonder and embodying a side of ourself that has no sh...
In this episode, I sit with comedian (and world’s most iconic forklift driver) Frankie Fearce (she/they).
CW: I am so very grateful for the honesty that Frankie shared her story with. Some listeners may want a heads-up that they talk about religious trauma and suicide in this episode. As always, LGBTQIA+ resources are linked below.
We discuss Frankie’s satirical character comedy show DAZZA...
In this episode, I sit with comedian and musician Noah Holland (he/they).
We discuss relating to TV show and movie characters, the importance of having a “cool cousin”, performing as our full selves, the fear of how we will be perceived after coming out, code-switching via our drink orders, how Sprite is queerer than Coca-Cola and queer comedian elders who paved the way for us!
🌈 Connect with...
In these uncertain times, Jerrilynn Spears tells us what the woman of the future should be like. Ready to fuck shit up y’all? I know I am!
In this instalment of the Limelight Mailbag episodes, I am joined by the world’s brightest and best drag performer, the only person who can outsing Hannah Montana, the tattoo on my buttcheek, co-host of Cut The Crease podcast and all-around legend and beauty, Jerrilynn ...
In this episode, I sit with Comedian, Writer, Cartoonist and Podcaster, Jacob Jackman (he/him).
We discuss The Artist’s Way and creating for play, the experiences of bisexual men and how they differ from women, partners who play an integral part in discovering our sexuality, becoming the cool older millennial, performing very queer comedy for a very hetero audience, being young queer kids in school and how...
In this instalment of the Limelight Mailbag episodes, I am joined by a wonderful, hilarious and super kind human/talented writer & host of award-winning You Made Me Queer, Trevor Campbell (he/him)!
We unpack this month’s limelight-stealing submission — from DD (Doerthe Dolata).
🌈 Connect with Lauren Deborah and MDSML:
-Follow Lauren on Instagram: @hilaurendeborah
In this episode, I sit with Comedian, Screenwriter and Producer Bea Barbeau-Scurla (she/they).
We discuss Grub Comedy (every week in Melbourne), being open about sexuality from a young age, how women are beautiful, being interrogated about our sexuality, why parents should expose their kids to queer art and not limiting ourselves to the ideas we have always carried!
🌈 Connect with Lauren Debo...
In this installment of the Limelight Mailbag episodes, I am joined by hilarious, sassy, badass comedian and friend Steev Letts (he/him) as we celebrate the release of Endless Bummer, Steev’s brand-new comedy special!
We also, of course, unpack this month’s limelight-stealing submission — from the one and only Bradley Fung!
🌈 Connect with Lauren Deborah and MDSML:
In this episode, I sit with Writer, Development Analyst and Fur Baby Mama, Karen'Nicole Mitchell (she/her).
We discuss her flawless submission to a previous mailbag episode, the evolution of our cookie palates, coming out in different spaces and communities, entering chapters of our lives where we begin to explore who we are outwardly, the challenges of discovering identity while growing up in a large fa...
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