Still Here! Still Queer! Now What?

Performance artist Xander Lo Lo Noble (aka Pretzel Cage) is back on the pod to reflect on returning to London after nine years away, building a varied creative and care-focused career, and finding autonomy amid rejection and change. We talk about how social media, technology, capitalism, and online p*rn shape attention, work, intimacy, and wellbeing. Xander describes sobriety, stepping away from dating apps, and learning to protect their energy. A standing ovation please for Xander Noble!

Paul updates us on life on a Book Tour and the fabulous event at Kittchen Cumbria. He reads the piece he wrote for it, inspired by his cat Robbie. Tissues at the ready!

We are very happy to welcome Adam Brown back to the pod, at last! We recorded this episode in the summer and it's finally time for the world to enjoy it. We explore themes of resilience, social systems, empathy, identity, and navigating life's challenges in midlife. Adam always leaves so much on the table and we are better for it. Enjoy!

So Paul's Oura Ring resilience score dropped during the run-up to his book launch, then began recovering as he relaxed after publication. Does this mean we're on an upswing? Halloween threatened to dent it, but like Madonna, we get up again (over and over). He introduces “A Halloween Carol,” recasting Dickens’s three spirits as the Ghost of Queer Past, Ghost of Queer Present, and Ghost of Queer Futures. Convenient!

So for some reason unknown to me, I decided to do a live streamed episode of the podcast on book launch day, featuring previous guests from the show. Of course! Why have an easy life? It actually worked pretty well, other than some audio issues in the livestream which are now fixed in the edit. Hurrah!

Adam, Saba, Alexis and Thomas joined me to talk about ageing, joy and the advice they'd give to their older selves. Questions came via the internet from Anders, Wild Man Jon, Lior and Gwen (thank you) while people watched on InstaLive.

Sit back and enjoy the show!

Wow. LAUNCH WEEK WAS A LOT! So strap in, because Paul is giving you a level of detail only previously experienced in those phone calls with your Nan where she tells you about her friend Margaret's second cousin's daughter's operation.

TLDL: THANK YOU!

It's a rambling and almost incoherent Paul who forgets how to open his own podcast and then goes on a bit of free association on the verge of his book being released.

Come join the joyride!

Abi Fellows is a legend in the lore of Still Here! Still Queer! Now What? AKA 'my agent Abi', she has championed the book and made its existence possible.

Paul and Abi discuss the journey of publishing a book, managing expectations, and the power of community and resilience in the face of challenges.

Abi shares her insights as a literary agent and the importance of patience, authenticity, and strategic thinking in the publishing world.

She is The Storm Trooper of Kindness and deserves ALL the praise.

Anders Tallvik is the illustrator of Still Here! Still Queer! Now What? He and his work are utterly wonderful.

In this conversation we explore the creative process, identity, faith, and the playful side of art. We talk about how creativity is a personal journey, the influence of past experiences, and the importance of playing and experimenting in art.

See Anders' work at Studio Otherwise.

Imagine you get to spend time with an Editorial Director in Publishing, and you can ask whatever you like...well, welcome to the episode! Paul is joined by Jane Evans from Jessica Kingsley Publishing, home of Still Here! Still Queer! Now What?

We talk about advice for budding authors, what makes a book good (or not), the impact of AI on publishing and whether you should ever read a review or not.

It's a good one!