The Open Table

The Movie Forecast: Hits, Misses, and Queer Favourites with Filmmaker Azzad Azman

But that’s not all! Azzad gives us an exclusive look into his current project, the short film he’s writing and directing, @beforeitgoesdown. Get the inside scoop on the inspiration, process, and vision behind his work.

Host @craigmbrown and Azzad Azman go head-to-head on the year’s best and worst in film, capping it off with a passionate discussion about their all-time queer film favourites.

It’s loud, it’s live, and it’s essential viewing (or listening)! Don’t miss this one.

And dont forget to subscribe to The Open Table IG page

The post Episode 18- Season 3- Azzad Azman appeared first on The Open Table.

This week on @theopentable, we’re bringing you an episode that is both profoundly serious and surprisingly invigorating. Host @craigmbrown sits down for an in-depth, candid, and often fun chat with Dr. @lukeslamdunkwilson.

Dr. Wilson joins us to share his personal journey through faith, his experiences with Christianity, and the deeply challenging world of conversion therapy. This conversation goes beyond the headlines, offering a raw and intelligent look at how these complex dynamics have shaped his life and his incredible work.

Dr. Lucas Wilson is a Postdoctoral Fellow at the University of Toronto, and a leading voice in the critical examination of practices intended to change a person’s sexual orientation or gender identity. He is the editor of the important and timely book, ‘Shame-Sex Attraction.’

In this episode, Lucas doesn’t just discuss his research; he opens up about his own story.

The post Episode 17- Season 3- Lucas Wilson appeared first on The Open Table.

We’re thrilled to welcome the award-winning Egyptian-Australian writer and journalist, Daniel Nour. Daniel is the recipient of the NSW Premier’s Young Journalist of the Year Award and was the 2022 Young Australian of the Year.

He joins us fresh off the release of his powerful debut memoir, How to Dodge Flying Sandals, which hit shelves in May this year. This is a must-listen episode, as Daniel dives deep into the intersection of queer and migrant experiences—a perfect fit for the conversations we champion here on The Open Table.

In this deeply personal conversation, we go beyond the standard narrative of “coming out.” Daniel shares his nuanced and moving “letting in / coming out experience in a migrant family.”

We discuss the challenges, humor, and heart involved in reconciling culture and sexuality, and how he navigated this intimate journey with his family. Daniel offers valuable insights into the concept of “letting in”—fostering acceptance and understanding by opening a door to your world, rather than simply bursting through one.

The post Episode 16- Season 3- Daniel Nour appeared first on The Open Table.

The Boy in Blue is Back!

In this must-listen episode, Tom joins host Craig Brown to share the intimate story behind the music, diving into his creative process and the personal and professional journey that shaped the EP. He’ll also discuss how the music bravely explores life’s contradictions, including themes of love & disappointment, hope & grief, queer romance & religion, and the push-and-pull of family.

Get ready for an insightful, vulnerable, and moving conversation that offers the perfect complement to the EP.

The post Episode 15- Season 3- Tom Nethersole appeared first on The Open Table.

From Circus Lights to Studio Mics: Daniel McBurnie on The Open Table

Before he was making magic behind the scenes, Daniel lived a life under the spotlight as a former circus performer and professional actor. Tune in as he shares thrilling stories from the Big Top, discusses his journey into theatrical life, his personal religious experiences, and how those unique experiences shape his work today.

The post Episode 14- Season 3- Daniel McBurnie appeared first on The Open Table.

Unpacking Gender Expansive Faith with Author and Pastor Steff Fenton

Steff’s work is dedicated to flipping the man-made script on gender and sexuality to reveal God’s truth about LGBTIQA+ people—a message of celebration, not condemnation. If you or a loved one have ever questioned the compatibility of faith and gender identity, this episode is essential listening.

In this conversation, we explore how Steff’s personal journey as a transgender pastor has informed a groundbreaking theological perspective. We discuss the mission of Gender Expansive Faith: to equip Christians with the understanding and tools they need to truly welcome and celebrate their transgender loved ones, and to help queer and trans siblings discover the beauty they bring to the world and to their spiritual lives.

Listen in to discover a wider, more loving experience of faith that sees gender diversity as a gift, affirming that God celebrates and 100% affirms us, as we are.

️Don’t miss this crucial episode!

Host: @craigmbrown

You can also find The Open Table Podcast on Apple Podcasts, Spotify, and all major platforms shortly after the broadcast.

Find Out More

Guest’s Official Site: https://www.steffenton.co/

The Book: Learn more about and purchase Gender Expansive Faith.

The Radio Station: https://joy.org.au/

The post Episode 13- Season 3- A Return to Roots and Expansive Faith with Author Steff Fenton appeared first on The Open Table.

The amazing and articulate Associate Professor, Lauren Rosewarne, joins us on @theopentable on @joy949!

This week, we dive deep into a year of evolving US and global politics, exploring what it all means for the LGBTQIA+ community and beyond. Lauren discusses the complex landscape of “Trump 2.0” with amateur political enthusiast, @craigmbrown, offering her expert analysis and unpacking the chaos, power dynamics, and queer political implications.

We want to hear from you! send us a message DM your questions to us or directly .

Listen Now: Find the full episode with Associate Professor Lauren Rosewarne wherever you get your The Open Table podcasts, or tune in on JOY 94.9!

#LGBTQIA #QueerPolitics #LaurenRosewarne #JOY949 #TheOpenTable #Podcast #Trump2020 #FreeSpeech #EpsteinFiles #Politics #MediaAnalysis

The post Episode 12- Season 3- Professor, Lauren Rosewarne appeared first on The Open Table.

This week, host @craigmbrown sat down for an incredible, insightful conversation with the multifaceted Brian G. Murphy (@thisisbgm)! Brian is a relationship coach, advocate, speaker, and author whose powerful new book, Love Beyond Monogamy: How Polyamory Can Enrich Your Spirituality, Faith, and Relationships, has just landed.

In this must-listen episode, we dive deep into faith, expansive love, and the countless ways we all live and love. Brian shares his unique perspective on non-monogamy and spirituality, moving beyond stigma to explore how different forms of relationship can be a source of profound spiritual and relational growth for everyone, whether you’re monogamous or non-monogamous.

Don’t forget to subscribe, rate, and review the podcast! Share this episode with anyone interested in faith, relationships, and building a life of authentic, expansive love.

The post Episode 11- Season 3- Brian G Murphy appeared first on The Open Table.

Podcast Post: The Open Table with Karen Bryant from Midsumma Festival

We’re thrilled to welcome a true leader in the LGBTQ+ community to the Open Table this week! Join your hosts Craig M. Brown and Bepsi.bad as they sit down with the Chief Executive of Midsumma Festival, Karen Bryant.

Karen, also a self-proclaimed serial shutterbug, joins us to chat all things Midsumma. As we look ahead to January and February 2026, this episode couldn’t be more timely. In a world where representation is more crucial than ever, we dive into the incredible programming and events that are designed to celebrate and uplift our diverse queer communities.

She shares a fascinating story about how her mother, a staunch Liberal supporter, started to sense her queerness and mistakenly equated it with her daughter’s future political leanings towards the Labour Party.

And of course, we tackle the question on everyone’s lips: Why are the major Midsumma events, like Carnival and the T Dance, held on a Sunday? Karen provides some insightful answers that might just surprise you.

Don’t miss this engaging and important conversation on JOY 94.9‘s The Open Table. Tune in to hear about what’s coming up in the 2026 festival and gain a deeper understanding of the passion and purpose behind Midsumma.

Listen now wherever you get your podcasts!

Mentioned in this episode:

The post Episode 10- Season 3- Karen Bryant- Midsumma CEO appeared first on The Open Table.

We are pleased as punch to welcome Robyn Whitaker, author and Executive Director of The Wesley Centre, to @theopentable this Wednesday. She will share what it means to read the Bible in an affirming way, how to recognise and respond to fundamentalism, and what genuine allyship looks like.

With @wesleycentre, we are going back to our roots to explore how faith and queerness can connect thoughtfully and with care.

Robyn is a theologian and author whose work bridges Scripture and public life. As a self confessed straight woman and ally, she embraces an affirming posture toward the LGBTQIA+ community, grounded in scholarship, compassion, and lived experience.

The post Episode 9- Season 3- Robin Whitaker appeared first on The Open Table.