Queer Conversations: A Friend of Dorothy Podcast

A Friend of Dorothy
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  • Sexuality
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Welcome to Queer Conversations: A Friend of Dorothy Podcast — the weekly show where hosts Oliver and Azamat, founders of the Friend of Dorothy brand, sit down with voices from across the LGBTQ+ community for open, honest, and inspiring conversations. Each week, we bring you a new queer story — from faith to fitness, love to loss, activism to art. You’ll hear from gay men, queer creatives, health experts, and community leaders sharing real experiences, advice, and insights about what it means to live openly, authentically, and confidently.

  1. Mason Andrews: Gay Loneliness, Friendship, Dating Apps, Ozempic & Queer Community

    3 days ago

    Mason Andrews: Gay Loneliness, Friendship, Dating Apps, Ozempic & Queer Community

    Mason Andrews joins Friend of Dorothy founders Azamat and Oliver for a candid conversation about loneliness, friendship, queer community and the realities of building a life as a gay man. Mason shares his journey from foster care and homelessness in Australia to becoming a content creator in London, and explains how queer spaces, social media and community helped shape his life. The conversation explores dating apps, making friends as an adult, social anxiety, moving countries, queer identity and the growing loneliness many gay men experience today. They also tackle some of the biggest conversations happening in gay wellness right now, including Ozempic, GLP-1 medications, Botox, filler, hair loss treatments, peptides and digital healthcare. A funny, honest and surprisingly emotional conversation about finding connection in a disconnected world. 01:51 Meet Mason Creator 03:28 Why London Move 05:06 Making Friends Again 06:41 Events Beyond Hookups 10:44 Queer Spaces Then Now 13:36 Lonely City Lessons 16:56 Grindr for Friendship 20:27 Botox and Viral Hate 21:17 Wellness Tools Not Cheating 22:35 Personal Ozempic Journey 28:01 Pride In Queer Products 31:32 Content Saved My Life 33:54 Making Friends Online 35:22 DM Etiquette And Boundaries

    40 min
  2. Chemsex & Recovery: DALLAS BRAGG & DAVID FAWCETT

    4 June

    Chemsex & Recovery: DALLAS BRAGG & DAVID FAWCETT

    Chemsex, Meth & Recovery: The Truth Gay Men Aren't Being Told One in three gay men will encounter chemsex. Most won't know where to turn. In this raw, no-filter conversation, Friend of Dorothy founders Azamat and Oliver sit down with chemsex recovery coach Dallas Bragg and leading therapist David Fawcett — fresh from the European Chemsex Conference in Antwerp — to talk about everything the mainstream wellness world ignores. Why does chemsex hook gay men so deeply? What's driving younger guys into injecting before they've even had sober sex? And what does recovery actually look like when 12-step programmes aren't enough? They don't hold back. Neither should you. What we cover: → The three core psychological drivers behind chemsex addiction → How Grindr became both a lifeline and a trap → Why younger gay men are now at greater risk than ever → The hard truth about harm reduction vs. full abstinence → Practical steps to stop — including what to do right now if you're struggling → How to support a friend or partner going through it → What returning to sober sex actually feels like This episode is for you if: You're curious. You're concerned. You're in it. Or you love someone who is. ⚠️ This episode contains frank discussion of drug use, sexual behaviour, and mental health. 🎙️ Guests: Dallas Bragg — Chemsex Recovery Coach David Fawcett — Therapist & Author 📖 Mentioned in this episode: David Fawcett's book on sexualised drug use European Chemsex Conference, Antwerp 1:23 Meet Dallas Bragg and David Fawcett 1:43 The European Chemsex Conference 3:08 How chemsex has changed in 2024 4:17 Where it started: the 90s origins 4:57 Dallas's own recovery story 6:58 Finding support when you don't know where to look 7:50 The three core drivers of chemsex addiction 10:02 Why connection is the real antidote 11:02 Young men at risk — a generation being failed 12:55 What is sober sex, really? 14:38 Apps, accountability and breaking the cycle 18:24 The Zoom room danger nobody talks about 19:25 How to actually get help — every pathway explained22:25 Where NA and CMA fall short 24:14 What a recovery coaching programme looks like 26:47 Practical steps to stop — starting today 29:14 Planning your life after treatment 30:06 Spotting your patterns and triggers before they hit 31:32Replacing apps with real community 34:57 How to help a friend or partner — without losing yourself 38:58 The one action you can take right now: tell someone 42:17 Alcohol and harm reduction — where's the line? 43:56 Chemsex as a global crisis 46:31 Can it ever be recreational? 49:31 Returning to sober sex — the process nobody prepares you for52:57 Grindr, FOMO and the stigma that keeps people silent 54:06 Resources, support and where to go from here

    56 min
  3. Kink, Intimacy & Online Content Myths | Sergio Rebelo, Psychotherapist

    25 May

    Kink, Intimacy & Online Content Myths | Sergio Rebelo, Psychotherapist

    Azamat, founder of Friend of Dorothy, sits down with psychotherapist Sergio Rebelo — BDSM/kink therapist and host of The Erotic Life podcast — for a deep conversation about intimacy, desire, identity and modern queer sexuality. Together they explore where kinks come from, the psychology behind attraction and fantasy, chemsex culture, porn myths, performance anxiety, power dynamics and how gay men can build healthier relationships with sex and desire. A thoughtful, funny and surprisingly emotional conversation about the complexities of queer intimacy and what really shapes what turns us on. 01:37 Meet Sergio Rebelo 04:36 Where Kinks Come From 05:05 Feet Fetish Explained 08:40 Power Dynamics and Balance 09:59 Fetishizing Straight Men 13:45 Why More Subs Than Doms 14:56 Bullying and Reclaiming Power 22:08 Do We Really Have Types 23:36 Rough vs Vanilla Play 26:39 Fantasy vs Reality 34:07 Porn Addiction Debate 36:41 Porn and Erectile Dysfunction 38:59 Finding Your Own Sex

    43 min
  4. Joe Adorno on Becoming Florida’s First Single Gay Dad to Adopt, YOLO Mentoring & One Magical Weekend

    26 Apr

    Joe Adorno on Becoming Florida’s First Single Gay Dad to Adopt, YOLO Mentoring & One Magical Weekend

    Joe Adorno is a social worker, founder of YOLO Mentoring, and the first single gay man to adopt in Florida following the overturn of the state’s adoption ban. In this episode, he shares the story behind that moment, from working with foster youth to being asked to adopt, and the challenges he faced along the way. We discuss raising three adopted sons, dating as a single parent, and the importance of community, as well as his work supporting vulnerable young people and his involvement in One Magical Weekend in Orlando. A powerful conversation about family, resilience, and connection.

    45 min
  5. How to Make Real Friends as a Gay Man | Loneliness, Communal Living & the Gather App | Beau Gordon

    12 Apr

    How to Make Real Friends as a Gay Man | Loneliness, Communal Living & the Gather App | Beau Gordon

    Why does loneliness still exist in a hyper-connected world, especially for gay men? In this episode of Friend of Dorothy, founders Azamat and Oliver sit down with Beau Gordon, founder of the Gather app, to explore how we actually build real connection in the queer community. From growing up feeling isolated to creating a platform designed to help people meet in real life, Beau shares the truth about loneliness, chosen family, and why most “social” apps don’t actually create meaningful relationships. We cover: Why loneliness is so common in the LGBTQ+ community How communal living creates deeper connection Why hookup culture isn’t the problem but also isn’t the solution The psychology behind flakiness and why people don’t show up How Gather is redesigning connection through accountability Real-life events: board games, sober spaces, and “cuddle puddles” The balance between sexual and non-sexual community spaces How to actually turn meetups into real friendships Plus, Friend of Dorothy announces its mission to fund subsidised, inclusive IRL events to help tackle loneliness at scale. If you’ve ever felt disconnected this episode is for you.

    50 min
  6. Why Gay Relationships Lose Passion (And How To Get It Back) | Sex Coach Craig Cassey

    25 Mar

    Why Gay Relationships Lose Passion (And How To Get It Back) | Sex Coach Craig Cassey

    Why does desire disappear… even in relationships you don’t want to end? In this episode, Friend of Dorothy founders Azamat and Oliver sit down with sex & relationship coach Craig Cassey to break down the real reasons passion fades in long-term gay relationships and exactly how to rebuild it. This isn’t surface-level advice. This is the stuff no one teaches you. We cover: – Why libido drops (and it’s not just “losing attraction”) – The truth about responsive desire (affects ~60% of people) – ED vs low desire — and why they’re often confused – How stress, sleep, routine & even vitamins impact your sex life – Why sex can start to feel like a chore (and how to fix it) – Creating real sexual chemistry again (not forced intimacy) – Roleplay, kink & why they reduce anxiety — not increase it – The “takeaway menu” method to bring back excitement – Why opening your relationship won’t fix your sex life – How to talk about needs without killing the mood – Scheduling desire (not sex) — and why it works Craig also shares his personal story of repeatedly losing desire in relationships — and how that led him to become a coach helping queer couples rebuild connection, confidence, and passion. If you’ve ever thought: “Why don’t I feel in the mood anymore?” “Is this just what long-term relationships are like?” “Can we actually get the spark back?” This episode is for you. — 📱 Want more honest, no-BS advice on sex, confidence & performance? Download the Friend of Dorothy app for deeper guides, treatments, and support built for gay men. — Timestamps: 00:00 Why Desire Disappears 01:55 Meet Craig 02:14 Losing Desire In Relationships 03:27 Passion After The Honeymoon Phase 04:42 What Sex Coaching Actually Is 06:20 When Couples Seek Help 07:43 Are There “Rules” In Gay Relationships? 09:13 Why Libido Drops 10:03 Responsive Desire Explained 13:54 Rebuilding Safety & Touch 15:21 Low Desire vs ED 18:36 Fixing Routine Sex 21:46 Changing Context To Boost Desire 22:48 Roleplay & Creating Space 23:39 Should You Open Your Relationship? 28:04 The High vs Low Desire Cycle 31:10 How To Talk About Needs 33:17 When Sex Feels Like A Chore 34:49 Aftercare & Feedback 38:19 Kink & Anxiety 41:17 Why You Should Schedule Desire 42:54 The 3 Keys To Desire 44:05 Where To Find Craig

    47 min
  7. Gay Men’s Health: Hair Loss, DoxyPEP, GLP-1 Weight Loss & ED Treatments | Dr Tony Fordham

    15 Mar

    Gay Men’s Health: Hair Loss, DoxyPEP, GLP-1 Weight Loss & ED Treatments | Dr Tony Fordham

    In this episode of Friend of Dorothy, founders Azamat and Oliver are joined by Dr Tony Fordham to explain why they launched an online pharmacy designed specifically for gay men. The conversation explores some of the most common health concerns in the LGBTQ+ community, including hair loss, STI prevention, weight-loss medication and erectile dysfunction treatments. Dr Tony breaks down how these treatments work, the myths surrounding them, and how men can access healthcare discreetly. Topics covered include: • Hair loss myths and the treatment ladder • Minoxidil vs finasteride for male pattern baldness • Side effects and timelines for finasteride • What doxyPEP is and how it reduces STI risk • How to take doxycycline safely after exposure • GLP-1 weight loss medications like Ozempic, Wegovy and Mounjaro • Common side effects and concerns like “Ozempic face” • Erectile dysfunction treatments explained • Viagra vs Cialis (sildenafil vs tadalafil) • Why many gay men use ED medication • Accessing treatment discreetly through online pharmacies Friend of Dorothy’s pharmacy aims to make gay men’s healthcare easier, more discreet and more culturally aware, particularly for those living outside major cities. Questions answered in this episode What is doxyPEP and how does it prevent STIs? How does finasteride work for hair loss? Is minoxidil or finasteride better for male pattern baldness? What are the side effects of GLP-1 weight loss drugs like Ozempic? What is the difference between Viagra and Cialis? Why do people take erectile dysfunction medication? How can gay men access healthcare discreetly online? Is Ozempic safe for weight loss? This episode discusses gay men’s health, hair loss treatments, finasteride, minoxidil, doxyPEP STI prevention, GLP-1 weight loss drugs like Ozempic and Wegovy, and erectile dysfunction treatments such as Viagra and Cialis.

    37 min
  8. Eric Feltes | Overcoming Gay Shame, Dating, Libido & Intimacy Advice | Dating

    10 Mar

    Eric Feltes | Overcoming Gay Shame, Dating, Libido & Intimacy Advice | Dating

    How does internalised shame affect gay men’s intimacy, libido and relationships? In this episode, Eric Feltes, gay men’s life coach joins Friend of Dorothy founders Azamat and Oliver to explore the lasting impact of religious shame, performance anxiety and dating app burnout. Eric shares his three-step method for dismantling shame: Acknowledge it Question the belief behind it Practice compassionate curiosity Topics include: • Initiating intimacy without fear • Managing mismatched libido • Losing erections and performance pressure • Body dysmorphia • Bottom shame • Dating for data • Rebuilding confidence after app burnout This conversation offers tools for gay men who want deeper connection, resilience and self-acceptance.

    47 min
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About

Welcome to Queer Conversations: A Friend of Dorothy Podcast — the weekly show where hosts Oliver and Azamat, founders of the Friend of Dorothy brand, sit down with voices from across the LGBTQ+ community for open, honest, and inspiring conversations. Each week, we bring you a new queer story — from faith to fitness, love to loss, activism to art. You’ll hear from gay men, queer creatives, health experts, and community leaders sharing real experiences, advice, and insights about what it means to live openly, authentically, and confidently.

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