In this unique edition of Come Together, your usual host Cherise Weaver is in the hot seat, as previous guest Siobhán Roxburgh turns interviewer in a conversation about Cherise’s role as Head of Equality, Diversity and Inclusion at LIPA, her career to date, and the magic of working in the arts sector in this special episode.

Guest interviewer Mads Cole chats to music grad and now LIPA staff member Jennifer Baranick. Jen takes us on a whistle-stop tour of independent music publishing, art in music and creating your own worlds.

Cherise meets acting student Gabe Agha and talks navigating gender identity, the power of acceptance and the work the Student Voice team do for our students.

Cherise meets actress, director, producer, writer and the Race Equality Hub's Brodie Arthur. Brodie gives insight into their career and experience from empowering women to how the hub commissions and works with partners to produce tangible outcomes for the communities they support.

Actress, director, writer and co-founder of the Black Actors’ Collective Paislie Reid joins Cherise and award-winning documentary and TV producer Jernice Easthope for an important conversation about the power of community connection and everyday heroes. Touching upon systemic racism, humanisation of Black stories and how to go about reclaiming the narrative of what a scouser looks like, this episode explores why everybody deserves to be creative.

Carl Parris dances us through his extraordinary forty year career; working with celebrities, songwriting and remembering that every opportunity is a gift. After learning the secret to a perfect roti, Fosse inspiration and performing in Wicked (Parts 1&2), Carl also gives us a glimpse into life as a Black, gay, male performer and how to make sure that people want to work with you "Be a nice person!".

Sensitive content: this conversation contains reference to suicide.

Dan Scott, HE Admin at LIPA, guest presents a powerful, essential episode on male mental health, and the importance of finding a reason to get out of bed. Dan is joined by Debbie of Sean’s Place and Anthony from Andy’s Man Club. If this conversation resonates with you, please, please talk to somebody or visit www.andysmanclub.co.uk or www.seansplace.org.uk  

Cherise and Darren Suarez talk all things House of Suarez, dance training as a male, mature student and transitioning from vogueing in Liverpool’s gay scene to hip hop and then bringing that early experience full circle with the launch of the joyous Vogue Ball community in the North West.  

Cherise meets Dave McTague, promoter, music and event marketing master and record label owner. They cover synergy between art forms, how Dave has grown up with the Africa Oyé festival community and the importance of taking a chance.

From astrophysics to the West End with a quick stop at a coffin manufacturers. Siobhán Roxburgh talks us through her life before and during LIPA, the beauty of difference, importance of cultural currency and championing access for people with disabilities.