The Open Table

We’re thrilled to welcome Joy Media CEO, Paul Scott Williams (@scottypsw) to the podcast!

Paul joins us for a heartfelt and open conversation, giving JOY listeners a rare chance to connect with the voice behind the leadership. You might know him from those familiar Radiothon mornings — but this time, he’s sharing more of his story.

We talk about identity, navigating life as he/they, and the deeply personal experience of losing a partner — and how to be there for someone going through grief. It’s honest, moving, and full of gentle insights.

The post Episode 17- Season 2 – JOY Media CEO Paul Scott Williams appeared first on The Open Table.

Polish your pearls and cue the overture—this week The Open Table rolls out the red carpet for the ever-glamorous Linh Uendo aka Dean Adams (@littlelinhuendo). We’re serving vintage camp, heartfelt chat, and a side of sequins as we dive into life with chronic illness, the transformative power of drag, the magic of volunteering, and timeless obsessions like Titanic and Wicked.

Hosts @craigmbrown and @bepsi.bad guide us through a joy-filled conversation that’s equal parts fabulous and glitter.

The post Episode 16- Season 2 – Dean Adams aka. Linh Uendo appeared first on The Open Table.

Last week’s chat with BB (@bhanuka) sparked so much interest, we just had to keep the conversation going. He’s back on The Open Table for a rich, wide-ranging discussion that dives deeper into community, cultural identity, and the world of leather.

In this follow-up episode, BB opens up about growing up Buddhist and how cultural differences have shaped his worldview. We talk about the transformative power of volunteering, and why it’s become such a vital part of his life and leadership. As Laird Leatherman 2025, BB reflects on what the title means to him, the responsibilities it carries, and his passionate work with Switchboard Victoria (https://www.switchboard.org.au), a key support service for LGBTQIA+ communities across Australia.

It’s an honest, heartfelt conversation about service, self-expression, and showing up for community. Tune in to hear how BB is using his platform to uplift others—and why representation matters more than ever.

Listen now and tap into the spirit of Australia’s queer volunteer and leather scenes.

The post Episode 15- Season 2 – BB Returns to The Open Table appeared first on The Open Table.

Listen in as BB, the 2025 Laird Leatherman, joins us for a powerful conversation on identity, leather culture, and living authentically.

We talk about his journey from Sri Lanka to Darwin, and finally to Melbourne, where he found both a home and a community. BB shares how volunteering has shaped his sense of purpose, how he found pride in his leather title, and what it really means to live out loud as your truest self.

This is more than a leather story—it’s a migration story, a queer story, and a human one.

The post Episode 14- Season 2 – BB Mr Laird Leatherman appeared first on The Open Table.

It’s JOY Radiothon week (May 10–16), and we’re celebrating the importance of keeping LGBTQIA+ voices on air through community radio.

This week’s guests: Demetra Giannakopoulos, film writer and director, shares what she loves about volunteering and Aiv Puglielli MP reflects on what it means to be part of the JOY community and discusses the recent election and the power of queer media.

Listen now on your favourite podcast platform, and consider supporting JOY during Radiothon. Independent voices matter.

The post Episode 13- Season 2 – Radiothon Edition. appeared first on The Open Table.

Triumph, Identity & Advocacy is this episodes theme on The Open Table, we’re honored to sit down with James Parr – triathlete, model, disability advocate, cancer survivor, and proud Wiradjuri man.

In this powerful and personal conversation, James shares his story of navigating a life-changing cancer diagnosis, and adapting to life with a disability. We also explore his role in the @pushforbetter campaign, and how he continues to break boundaries in sport, fashion, and advocacy.

Whether you’re here for LGBTQIA+ stories, First Nations voices, or inspiring journeys of resilience, this one’s not to be missed.

Check out https://www.thepushupchallenge.com.au/

The post Episode 12- Season 2 with James Parr appeared first on The Open Table.

Chaos, Power & Queer Politics. In this episode, we welcome back US politics expert Dr. Lauren Rosewarne, who officially joins us as a friend of the show. We dive into the ongoing chaos surrounding Donald Trump, and explore what it all means for the queer community, democracy, and identity in America.

We also reflect on the passing of Pope Francis and the complex legacy he leaves behind.

The post Episode 11- Season 2 with Dr. Lauren Rosewarne appeared first on The Open Table.

This week, we’re joined by Triana Butler — trans radio presenter and host of The Sound of Now. In this powerful episode, Triana opens up about growing up in a Pentecostal church and ultimately being shunned, her journey with gender identity, and her “inviting in” moment — a term she prefers over “coming out.” A self-described witch who sees auras, Triana shares both her personal story and broader insights into the gender transition process, including puberty blockers, hormone therapy, and gender euphoria. She also speaks about her upcoming gender-affirming surgery and invites support via her GoFundMe.

Triana Butler has shared her story with courage, honesty, and heart — now it’s our turn to show up for her. She’s currently fundraising for gender-affirming surgery, a vital step in her transition. If her story moved you, please consider donating or sharing her GoFundMe:

Every contribution — big or small — helps make this next chapter possible.

The post Episode 10- Season 2 with Triana Butler appeared first on The Open Table.

This week, we’re joined by Aiv Puglielli — artist, composer, advocate, and Greens MP.

Aiv didn’t set out to be a politician — but when the personal became political, it led him straight into Parliament. In this episode, he shares his coming out story, what it’s like to be gay in politics, and how identity, advocacy, and community continue to shape his path.

Before politics, Aiv was immersed in the independent arts scene as a performer, composer and producer. With classical roots in trumpet and composition, he trained at NIDA and WAAPA, bridging the creative and political worlds with a rare authenticity.

We discuss how to show up in queer identity, creative expression, and activism — and how holding onto it can be both a source of strength and a form of resistance. Oh, and yes — he also explains how he came to be known as “the twink in pink.”

The post Episode 9- Season 2 with Aiv Puglielli MP appeared first on The Open Table.

Marc Mendoza is deeply embedded in community work. You’ve likely seen him volunteering with Thorne Harbour Health and Living Positive Victoria or heard his voice on Friday nights at The Laird.

In this episode, Marc opens up about his HIV journey, sharing his experiences from his diagnosis to where he is today. He talks about coming out, the challenges he faced with addiction and the support he found in family and community. It’s an honest, heartfelt conversation about resilience, identity, and the power of connection.

A must-listen for anyone who values real stories and real talk.

The post Episode 8- Season 2 with Marc Mendoza appeared first on The Open Table.