Queerfully Made

Queerfully Made

Queerfully Made tackles faith, gender, sexuality, and the intersection of them all. Ex-evangelical leaders Aaron Kelly and Ben Nicholson, once church insiders, host raw stories from LGBTQ+ Christians, ex-Christians, pastors, ex-pastors and sharp experts. Closeted and scared? Healing from church wounds? An ally ready to stand up but needing insight? We’re here to unpack identity, reforge spirituality, and build a fierce, inclusive community. Subscribe today! Follow us at www.instagram.com/queerfully.made

  1. Season 2 Is Here. So What Now?

    1 DAY AGO

    Season 2 Is Here. So What Now?

    So what now?Season 1 of Queerfully Made platformed the stories. Ex-pastors, drag performers, advocates, affirming pastors, mental health professionals. People who had arrived at the intersection of faith, sexuality and gender, and lived to tell us what they found there.But the question we kept circling back to was the one we couldn't answer in twelve episodes. What happens AFTER the intersection?In this Season 2 premiere, Aaron Kelly and Ben Nicholson sit down, just the two of them, to reckon with that question. They unpack the heart of Season 2. They debrief Pride season. And they preview what's coming this season. A few things to know going in.→ This season we're not just telling stories of how people got to the intersection. We're asking how people make it through with as little damage as possible, and what happens on the streets that lead away from it.→ The end goal here isn't to convert anyone. We're not interested in ultimatums. If you're queer and you've kept your faith, this is for you. If you're queer and you've let it go, this is for you. If you're somewhere in the messy middle, this is for you.→ If you're an ally, a parent, a pastor, a friend trying to figure out how to actually show up, pull up a chair. The conversation needs you in it.You can't be what you can't see. So we're going to keep showing it.Subscribe, hit the bell, and come back every week. We've got people booked who are going to wreck you in the best way.

    31 min
  2. 18/11/2025

    Why Things Feel F*cked with Andrew Sloan

    In this episode of Queerfully Made Podcast, hosts Aaron Kelly and Ben Nicholson welcome Andrew Sloan, a Sydney-based psychotherapist, leadership coach, and author whose work blends over a decade of clinical practice with insights on the human mind, behaviour, and nervous system. Known for guiding individuals and teams through disconnection and overwhelm, Andrew draws from his own experiences in Hillsong Church's worship team, where he was sidelined from a major album recording after confiding his same-sex attraction to a pastor. He shares his path through conversion therapy and the relentless efforts to change himself, leading to a full coming out and a fresh start. Now a sought-after coach for world-leading brands, Andrew applies his expertise to empower others in reclaiming self-leadership. His new book, "Why Things Feel F*cked: Your Practical Guide to Getting Unstuck", offers a roadmap through modern life's chaos, using tools like somatic awareness and narrative therapy to navigate the "zones" of safety, challenge, and growth. In this episode, Andrew gives a sneak peek into its philosophy, showing how, in a world that feels broken, we can find peace, rest, and joy by reconnecting with our inner compass. #queerfullymade #lgbtq #lgbtqchristian #conversiontherapy #faithandsexuality #lesbian #gay #bi #trans #queer #christian #lgbtqinclusion #church #whythingsfeelfucked #therapy #gettingbetter #religioustrauma #podcast #queerfaith #healingjourney

    1hr 16min
  3. 04/11/2025

    Gender Expansive Faith with Steff Fenton

    Trans Christian's aren't detracting from the divine or the church. In fact, they're revealing the true, boundless heart of the divine to the church. In this episode of Queerfully Made, Aaron & Ben sit down with Steff Fenton, a pastor, writer, and speaker who just happens to also be trans. As author of the 2025 book Gender Expansive Faith: How Trans Lives Are Illuminating the Divine, Transforming Feminism and Ending Christian Patriarchy, Steff draws from their journey leaving the Anglican Church after coming out to explore how gender diversity challenges binary norms, integrates trans perspectives into feminist theology, and dismantles patriarchal control in faith spaces. Steff is also the co-founder of New City Church in Glebe, Sydney, an affirming community reimagining faith with queer joy at its core. Steff shares insights on creating equitable worship, the prophetic power of genderqueer, trans and non-binary people, practical steps for churches to embrace justice over judgment, and hope for individuals who are scared to embrace their true self. This conversation is a bold invitation to a faith that's fluid, loving, and free from hierarchies. How has gender expansiveness reshaped your view of the divine? Share below! #queerfullymade #lgbtq #lgbtqchristian #lesbian #gay #bisexual #trans #queer #christian #lgbtqinclusion #church #faithandsexuality #genderexpansivefaith #queertheology #podcast #transfaith #feminismandfaith

    1hr 1min
  4. 21/10/2025

    From Religious Trauma to Redeeming Triumph with Sam Sellers

    In this episode of Queerfully Made, hosts Aaron Kelly and Ben Nicholson sit down with Sam Sellers, a queer woman from NSW and ex-Brethren Church member. Sam is the co-founder of the Religious Trauma Collective, owner of Anchored Counselling Services, and host of the Beyond the Surface podcast. This powerful conversation dives into the raw reality of religious trauma, unpacking what it is, how it lingers beyond just “s****y experiences,” and practical ways to navigate the healing journey. Sam shares her story of coming out as queer after falling in love with a woman, a moment that changed everything. After a life embedded in the Brethren community, she saw them as family, until they disowned her, judged her as a threat to the church, and cast her out. She opens up about the pain of that rejection and how it has fueled her work in the religious trauma space, helping others find freedom through counselling and advocacy. Aaron and Ben explore with Sam why religious trauma hits so hard, how it shapes identity, and what steps can lead to recovery. Queerfully Made continues to amplify voices at the faith-LGBTQIA+ intersection, showing that progress is possible. Trigger Warning: This episode discusses religious trauma and rejection, which may be heavy for some listeners. If you’re struggling, contact Lifeline Australia, 24/7, at 13 11 14 or text 0477 13 11 14. What’s your experience with religious trauma? Share in the comments! #queerfullymade #lgbtq #lgbtqchristian #lesbian #gay #bi #trans #queer #christian #lgbtqinclusion #church #faithandsexuality #samsellers #episodenine #religioustrauma #queerfaith #healingjourney #podcastlaunch #beyondthesurface #anchoredcounselling #lgbtqsupport

    1hr 26min
  5. 07/10/2025

    I'm Lesbian, But I Know Jesus with Melody Rachel

    In this episode of Queerfully Made Podcast, hosts Aaron Kelly and Ben Nicholson chat with performer and aspiring comedian Melody Rachel just days before her Melbourne Fringe Festival show, "I'm Gay But I Know Jesus". A trailblazing voice in queer theatre, Melody creates semi-autobiographical works exploring identity, anxiety, and human connection, drawing from her Christian upbringing, coming out as a lesbian at 15, losing faith and finding it again after hitting rock bottom. Melody shares her journey of unlearning shame the morning after sleeping with a woman and still feeling like she knew God. Her journey has led her to redefine what "sin" truly means to her, and to pursue a life of inside-out transformation. Raised in Christian traditions, she attended Hillsong regularly but now feels closer to Jesus than ever, without church walls or rigid rules. Faith, for her, is about love and grace, not judgment, and she navigates tensions in both queer and Christian spaces with fierce honesty. Trigger warning: This episode includes discussions of suicide, reflecting Melody’s personal struggles, specifically, the dark moments she faced contemplating it during her internal battles with emptiness and depression. If you're currently grappling with suicidal thoughts or know someone who is, please take care when listening, and know you're not alone. We encourage you to pause, reach out for support, or skip to lighter sections as needed. If you or someone you know is contemplating suicide, help is available. Contact Lifeline Australia, 24 hours a day. Call 13 11 14 or text 0477 13 11 14. What's your take on Melody's definition of "sin"? Share below! 🫶 #queerfullymade #lgbtq #lgbtqchristian #lesbian #gay #bi #trans #queer #christian #lgbtqinclusion #church #faithandsexuality #melodyrachel #episodeeight #imgaybutiknowjesus #melbournefringe #lgbtqfaith #authenticity #podcastlaunch #queerjoy #unlearningshame

    1hr 11min
  6. 09/09/2025

    Faith in a Frock away from the Flock with Max Drag Queen

    In this Episode of Queerfully Made Podcast, hosts Aaron Kelly and Ben Nicholson welcome Max Drag Queen, widely remarked as one of the most electrifying performers in the Australian Drag circuit and competed in Drag Race Down Under Season 4. On their season, Max briefly shared their faith, sparking backlash from parts of the queer community who questioned why an LGBTQ+ person would embrace Christianity. This episode dives deeper, offering a heartfelt exploration of Max’s faith journey and their vision for love over division. Max opens up about finding faith at a young age through Christian Beach Missions, attending church solo despite a non-religious family. That faith became a guiding light and source of comfort into adulthood, shaping their life beyond the drag stage. Though not a regular churchgoer, Max sees faith as more than four walls. It’s about love, hope, and connection, not rigid rules or judgment. They reflect on the hurt religious spaces and people have caused LGBTQ+ people, while not experiencing that hurt themselves. Max gives a small challenge to the queer community to embrace those who hold faith with love, not scepticism. If faith communities could view LGBTQ+ folks through a lens of love, Max believes bridges could replace barriers. Aaron and Ben unpack Max’s story, exploring the intersection of faith, sexuality and gender and where drag intertwines and why both sides of the faith-LBGTQ+ divide need empathy. Stream now on Spotify, Apple Podcasts, or wherever you listen. Subscribe for more stories that spark hope and understanding! What does faith mean to you in your LGBTQ+ journey? Share in the comments! 🫶 #queerfullymade #lgbtq #lgbtqchristian #lesbian #gay #bi #trans #queer #christian #lgbtqinclusion #church #faithandsexuality #maxdragqueen #episodesix #dragracedownunder #lgbtqfaith #authenticity #podcastlaunch #faithandlove #queerchristian

    59 min

Ratings & Reviews

5
out of 5
4 Ratings

About

Queerfully Made tackles faith, gender, sexuality, and the intersection of them all. Ex-evangelical leaders Aaron Kelly and Ben Nicholson, once church insiders, host raw stories from LGBTQ+ Christians, ex-Christians, pastors, ex-pastors and sharp experts. Closeted and scared? Healing from church wounds? An ally ready to stand up but needing insight? We’re here to unpack identity, reforge spirituality, and build a fierce, inclusive community. Subscribe today! Follow us at www.instagram.com/queerfully.made