Growing up with gal-dem

In the last episode of Season 3, we're joined by the incredible OluTimehin Adegbeye, a Nigerian writer, speaker, and founder of Quietly Queer. OluTimehin discusses parenting in a queer relationship in Nigeria, compassion-focussed activism, and protecting your peace. Reading a letter that she wrote at 25 to herself aged 16, OluTimehin reflects on what it means to accept yourself as existing both within and beyond your body, how to find self love in oppressive environments, and what it means to sometimes (just sometimes) divest yourself from the fight.

Growing up with gal-dem is taking a short break as we prepare for Season 4. Join us in May when we'll be back!

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This week on Growing up with gal-dem, Natty and Charlie are joined by Mireille Harper, award winning editor, writer, sensitivity reader and author of the viral infographic 10 steps to Non Optical Allyship.

In extracts from private messages and submitted essays, Mireille reflects on the ways we try to mask and shield our feelings to appear strong, and the resilience we can find by accepting our vulnerabilities, our weaknesses, and our softness. From toxic friendships to stressful environments, Mireille, Natty, and Charlie discuss how important it is to connect with how we truly feel, and the strength we can draw from the softer parts of ourselves.

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This week on Growing up with gal-dem, Charlie and Natty are joined by musician and DJ and the new host of Trippin's Roots & Ritual podcast, Yasmin Shahmir, as we discuss travel, ancestry, and ritual, as well as what it means to truly listen - not just to hear.

Reading an extract from her journal, Yasmin reflects on femininity and duality and uses this as a jumping point to discuss the importance of using ritual and conversation to truly connect and listen to our elders and communities.

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On the podcast this week we’re joined by writer, author and broadcaster Afua Hirsch. 

She shares an extract from an article she was featured in when she was 18, marking the beginnings of her long history of writing about being black in Britain. In the rest of the episode, Afua speaks about the alienation that can come with being unapologetically black, why she’s unfazed about critics calling her ‘divisive’ and how she came to the decision to no longer put energy into trying to change the minds of ignorant people.

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CW: mention of assault

In this week's episode of Growing up with gal-dem, Natty and Charlie are joined by BAFTA Breakthrough actor Susan Wokoma. Reflecting on an email sent to a boyfriend while travelling, Susan reflects on the many moments of independence she's had growing up - be it leaving home early, travelling solo around Europe, or confronting grief and death. Through the conversation Natty and Charlie celebrate Susan's ability to share and reflect joy in so many ways, and bring complexity and understanding to the roles she's portrayed.

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This week we're joined by bestselling and award-winning author Yaa Gyasi, who's debut book Homegoing made waves in 2017. Back this year with a new book Transcendent Kingdom, which has been longlisted for the 2021 Women's Prize for Fiction, Yaa speaks to Charlie and Natty about fulfilling childhood dreams, pandemic puppies, and the power of words and writing in rebellion.

We're updating our on-site transcriptions of our podcasts! Check our website to find them now.

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Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

On this week's episode of Growing up with gal-dem, Natty and Charlie are joined by food writer and editor of new food publication Vittles, Jonathan Nunn. Jonathan reads us an early review of his from online food forums, and explores how social media in all its forms has shaped the world of food journalism, and what he's learned along the way.

We are updating the transcripts on our website - thank you for bearing with us! You can find episode transcripts here.

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This week on Growing up with gal-dem we're joined by international dominatrix and empowerment coach Madam Storm who introduces us to the world of dominatrixes and dungeons, and reads us a letter she wrote to her sister years ago. Reflecting on the importance of self confidence and believing in your own self-worth, Madam storm tells us how she grew up and learned to love herself, and the role that her community of Black dominatrixes is having in her own personal growth and celebration.

We are updating the transcripts on our website - thank you for bearing with us! You can find episode transcripts here.

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CW: Childhood sexual trauma

On this week's Growing up with gal-dem we're joined by the brilliant Ericka Hart, who is a Black queer femme activist, writer, speaker and award-winning sexuality educator with masters of education in human sexuality. Ericka shares a piece of writing from 4 years prior where she reflects on memories of childhood trauma and the impact this has had on her ability to centre herself throughout her life. Ericka joins Natty and Charlie to talk about reclaiming the act of care as Black femmes, her Black People Tell Black History series, and what it means to firmly centre yourself in your own narrative.

We are updating the transcripts on our website - thank you for bearing with us! You can find episode transcripts here.

Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.