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 live episode, recorded at Newcastle Comedy Club, Frankie Fearce (she/they) returns!
We discuss excessive co-worker allyship, overly inquisitive cab drivers, Oxford Street dance floors, Glee queer awakenings, audience pride anthems, The Goofy Movie soundtrack, corporate greed of pride season, being gay and sober and trying to make friends, Frankie's upcoming projects, and another limelight-stealin...
In this installment of the Limelight Mailbag episodes, I am joined by standup comedian, writer and producer Cassidy Anhorn (she/her).
We unpack this month's limelight-stealing submission — LIVE IN THE STUDIO! — from hilarious comedian and wonderful friend, Steev Letts (he/him).
🌈 Connect with Lauren Deborah and MDSML:
-FOLLOW Lauren on Instagram: @hilaurendeborah
In this episode, I sit with Comedian, Actor and Producer Erin Purghart (they/she/he).
We discuss labelling ourselves for ourselves vs for others, the need for more lesbian Christmas movies, why coming out doesn't have to be a big deal, audiences and performers being themselves unapologetically, the space Erin has created for Queer comedians, hearing from close friend of Erin's – David, and the moon takes...
In this episode, I sit with Comedian Christopher James (he/him).
We discuss the walking ray of sunshine that was Christopher at the RAW Comedy State Final, Chris' current tour of his new nursing comedy show "Fun Scrubs", late career changes when we feel like we are selling our soul, reminders from Chris that Pride is a celebration and a protest, how we never stop coming out and the sometimes long yet alw...
In this episode, I sit with Comedian Eden Kaminski (she/her), reconnecting after many years in this very special way.
We discuss Eden's experience coming out as queer trans woman, getting into comedy and philosophy at the same time (very cool!), DIY hormones, treating coming out as the celebration that it is and why that is sometimes secondary to making it convenient to others, mental health and how that...
In this installment of the Limelight Mailbag episodes, I am joined by my bestie, a champion of stand-up comedians in Canada, talented sketch writer, beautiful human and all 'round angel baby Stove Sidi (he/him).
We unpack this month's limelight-stealing submission — LIVE IN THE STUDIO! — from hilarious comedian and wonderful friend, Amber Harper-Young (she/her).
AND! We have a bonus submis...
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...
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