In Polite Company

In this episode, we are discussing mental health in the Black community. Why do Black men in the UK have higher rates of mental health issues than their white counterparts? To what extent does racism shape not only the development of mental health crises within our communities, but our ability to access help and support?

Join us for a wide-ranging conversation in which we discuss everything from schooling, to the origins of Black mistrust in medical institutions, to the impact of internet voyeurism (in which the ability to see violence enacted on Black bodies has become more and more commonplace).

Just a heads up that this episode contains discussion of some difficult topics. So take care while you're listening.

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We're super excited to be back for season 2! In our first episode of the season, we discuss the importance of diverse representation. What is the power of visibility? Does having leaders from diverse cultural backgrounds and walks of life always lead to positive outcomes? And in what circumstances does the phenomenon of 'representation' equate to hollow tokenism?

From the governmental halls of power, to pop culture and TV, we delve into the nuances and contradictions - and explore what it means to feel truly represented.

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Further Watching:

We're back for another season of insightful and occasionally challenging conversations, all through the lens of our unapologetic Blackness and Queerness.

As always, you're invited to a conversation with (opinionated) friends who are here to share as well as to learn, and who are always up for a laugh - or a cry! This season, we're also excited to have some special guests behind the mic for the first time.

We're excited to have you join us for what promises to be another interesting and enjoyable season of In Polite Company.

Join us for a special bonus two-part episode, in which we go behind the mic to learn a little more about our co-hosts; who they are, what they do, and the experiences that shaped them.

Next up, Kieron chats to Ella about his career in design & how his childhood tendency to take apart his toys led him down this path; his life growing up in London in a diverse environment (but one often still steeped in bias); how being surrounded by female role models impacted him - and much more!

Expect laughter alongside deeper discussions about trauma, family & what it means to be a sensitive boy growing up in a patriarchal society. Enjoy!

Just a heads up that sometimes we might use some colourful language or talk about things that could make you feel some type of way. So, be cool and take care while you're listening.

Join us for a special bonus two-part episode, in which we go behind the mic to learn a little more about our co-hosts; who they are, what they do, and the experiences that shaped them.

First up, Ella chats to Kieron about her career journey; her life growing up in Leeds in a mixed-heritage household; some failures and hard lessons - and much more! Expect laughter and RuPaul's Drag Race tangents alongside deeper discussions about therapy & personal growth. Enjoy!

Just a heads up that sometimes we might use some colourful language or talk about things that could make you feel some type of way. So, be cool and take care while you're listening.

Happy Pride Month!

In part 3 we dissect a couple of examples of car crash corporate allyship, and discuss what went wrong and why; we give our take on what good looks like; and we explore why allyship is often rendered ineffective when it comes from a place of shame and guilt.

Just a heads up that sometimes we might use some colourful language or talk about things that could make you feel some type of way. So, be cool and take care while you're listening.

Happy Pride Month!

The clip we play in this episode is from Glennon Doyle's 'We Can Do Hard Things' podcast, with guest Dr Yaba Blay - and you can listen to their conversation in full here.

Just a heads up that sometimes we might use some colourful language or talk about things that could make you feel some type of way. So, be cool and take care while you're listening.

Happy Pride Month!

The NPR 'Life Kit' podcast episode we reference in this discussion can be listened to in full here.

Just a heads up that sometimes we might use some colourful language or talk about things that could make you feel some type of way. So, be cool and take care while you're listening.

In this episode we talk all about the current anti-trans climate, and the urgent necessity of allyship and solidarity with our trans siblings. As cis queer people, we discuss how the gender binary impacts us, as well as the responsibility we have to use our privilege in spaces where we have it, to fight for trans rights and liberation.

Part 2 covers issues of prejudice & exclusivity within our own ranks (i.e. within queer spaces); zero-sum thinking as a potential explanation for transphobia within so-called feminist circles; Trump & online polarisation... and much more.

The audio clip we play in this episode is a short excerpt of Sylvia Rivera's speech at the 1973 Gay Pride Rally, and you can watch it in full here.

Just a heads up that sometimes we might use some colourful language or talk about things that could make you feel some type of way. So, be cool and take care while you're listening.