4d ago

Episode 10 – "John": Living Between Two Worlds

In this episode of Through Their Eyes, host Ronish sits down with John, an alias used to protect his identity, as he shares his experience of navigating life as a gay man while keeping different parts of his world separate. He reflects on growing up in a male-dominated sporting environment, gradually understanding his attraction to men in his twenties, and choosing to keep his sexuality private from much of his family, friends and professional life. What developed was a double life, where the people in one part of his world knew him differently from those in another. John speaks openly about finding his place within the gay community, from his nervous first visits to a gay venue to building friendships and relationships that became some of the best years of his life. He shares his experience of eventually telling his sister and mother, whose responses were supportive, while acknowledging that acceptance within his family has often meant something that is understood but rarely discussed. He also reflects on the pressures of working in traditional sporting environments, the impact of homophobia, and the challenges of carrying personal struggles privately, including grief, anxiety and depression. Together with Ronish, the conversation explores the meaning of privacy, the importance of creating genuinely inclusive sporting environments, and how support can look different for everyone. John offers thoughtful advice to parents and families: keep an open mind, ask questions without judgement, and listen to understand what your loved one is experiencing. Above all, he reminds us that unconditional love, compassion and acceptance are what matter most.

Oct 20

Episode 9 – Justin: Finding Faith in Who I Am

In this episode of Through Their Eyes, Justin shares his experience of growing up in a conservative Christian environment, where he struggled to reconcile his sexuality with the beliefs and expectations surrounding him. He reflects on feeling different from a young age, learning to hide parts of himself to fit in, and the emotional toll of constantly questioning how he spoke, acted and presented himself to the world. For years, he carried the weight of feeling that something about him needed to change. Justin speaks openly about coming to terms with his sexuality in his late twenties, after years of trying to suppress his feelings and praying for them to go away. He shares the challenges of building a life that appeared happy and successful while feeling disconnected from his authentic self, and the profound turning point that came when he realised his faith and sexuality did not have to be mutually exclusive. He also reflects on coming out to his friends, sister and parents, and the importance of the love and support that helped him feel seen and heard, even when acceptance was complicated. Together with Leanne, the conversation explores the impact of religious exclusion, the mental health challenges that can come from hiding who you are, and the importance of creating spaces where people feel safe to be themselves. Justin offers thoughtful advice to families supporting someone who has come out: approach conversations gently, ask questions with genuine curiosity, and listen before speaking. Above all, he reminds us that love, patience and understanding can help deepen connections and make it possible for people to live more authentically.

Oct 7

Episode 8 – Nate: Learning to Live Authentically

In this episode of Through Their Eyes, Nate shares his deeply personal experience of growing up in a conservative Christian environment, where the expectations placed on him created a growing divide between who he was and the person he felt he needed to be. He reflects on learning from an early age to play a role for his family, church and community, and how years of hiding parts of himself eventually left him feeling isolated from both others and himself. Nate speaks openly about marrying young, building what appeared to be a happy and successful life, and still feeling that something was missing. He shares the process of first identifying as bisexual, coming out to his wife, and the difficult mental health crisis that followed as he continued to grapple with the gap between who he was and who he felt able to admit he was. He also reflects on the small moments of love and acceptance that helped him realise people could see and care for him, even when he wasn't ready to share his full story. Together with Leanne, the conversation explores the complicated relationship between faith, sexuality and belonging, and the lasting impact that exclusion can have when it comes from communities that are meant to provide safety and acceptance. Nate also reflects on the burden of constantly masking and adapting to different environments, and the importance of eventually finding the courage and support to live more authentically.

Sep 23

Episode 7 – Lu: A Daughter’s Story of Acceptance and Understanding

In this episode of Through Their Eyes, Lu shares her experience of realising she was attracted to women, finding comfort in LGBTQIA+ representation, and eventually coming out to her parents at around 16. She reflects on the uncertainty and fear she felt beforehand, and how her mother’s immediate warmth and willingness to learn helped create a safe and supportive environment. Lu speaks openly about what genuine acceptance looks like, the importance of being listened to, and why respectful questions can help families better understand each other. She also explores the stereotypes and expectations placed on LGBTQIA+ people, particularly around marriage and having children, and why happiness and safety should matter more than following a traditional path. Together with Ronish, the conversation explores how parents can support their children while still learning and making mistakes along the way. Lou offers an important message to parents: it’s okay to get things wrong, but when your child corrects you, listen and make the effort to get it right. Above all, she reminds parents that coming out does not change who their child is and that they are still the same person they have always loved.

Sep 9

Episode 6 – Travis: Learning to Accept the Person I Was

In this episode of Through Their Eyes, Travis shareshis deeply personal experience of growing up gay in small rural communities, where he felt unable to openly talk about his sexuality or be fully himself. He reflects on recognising he was different from a young age, putting on a front, and identifying as bisexual as a way of finding a middle ground between who he was and who he felt he was expected to be. Travis speaks openly about the impact of internalised homophobia on his mental health, the isolation he experienced, and the years spent battling with his identity. He shares how professional support, honest conversations and learning to challenge his own thinking helped him begin tosee himself differently, while acknowledging the lasting impact those struggles had on his wellbeing. Together with Leanne, the conversation explores the importance of listening rather than reacting, giving young people the space and time they need, and supporting them even when parents are still learning themselves. Travis offers a powerful message to parents: you will get things wrong, and that's okay. What matters is being honest, learning from yourmistakes, and taking your child on that journey with you through love, patience and understanding.

Aug 26

Episode 5 – Kirill: The Fear of Getting It Wrong

In this episode of Through Their Eyes, Kirill shares his coming-out story, from first identifying as bisexual in Year 8 or 9 to eventually embracing his identity as a gay man. He reflects on why identifying as bi initially felt safer, the fear of how his family would react, and the relief and challenges that came when his sexuality was eventually brought into the open. Kirill speaks honestly about the impact of bullying, derogatory language and stereotypes at school, as well as the anxiety surrounding sex and sexuality during a time when HIV/AIDS carried significant stigma. He shares how coming out affected his relationship with his mum, ultimately leading him to move out at 16, and how their relationship slowly evolved towards genuine acceptance and the ability to openly share his life and relationships. Together with Leanne, the conversation explores the fears parents can experience when their child comes out, the importance of looking beyond stereotypes, and how advances such as PrEP have changed the experience for younger generations. Kirill offers a powerful message to parents: their child is still the same person, and genuine acceptance can strengthen rather than damage the relationship. Most importantly, he encourages parents not to let fear of getting it wrong stop them from showing up when their child needs them most.

Aug 12

Episode 4 – Kiara: A Young Woman’s Journey to Living Proudly

In this episode of Through Their Eyes, Kiara sharesher journey of realising she was attracted to women from a young age, and theprocess of understanding and embracing her identity. She reflects on growing upwith little LGBTQIA+ representation, discovering herself through media andonline communities, and how her first same-sex relationship gave her theconfidence to openly identify as a lesbian. Kiara speaks honestly about navigating school, friendshipsand the fear of being misunderstood, while also acknowledging how fortunate she has been to experience mostly supportive reactions. She shares how her family's acceptance evolved from quiet uncertainty to open pride, creating an environment where her identity became a natural and celebrated part of everyday life. Together with Leanne, the conversation explores theimportance of representation, visibility and normalising LGBTQIA+ identities within families and communities. Kiara also offers thoughtful advice to parents and those questioning their identity: take your time, keep communication open, and create spaces where people feel accepted for who they are without their identity becoming the only thing that defines them.

Jul 29

Episode 3 – Dean: A Chameleon’s Journey to Self-Acceptance

In this episode of Through Their Eyes, Dean shares his own journey of growing up feeling different, and the long process of understanding and accepting his sexuality while navigating family expectations and identity. He reflects on not fitting neatly into ideas of “boy” or “girl” from a young age, being singled out at school, and learning to mask parts of himself to avoid judgment. Raised in a family with limited financial means, Dean describes developing a pattern of adapting across different parts of his life - at home, at work and with friends - carefully hiding the parts of himself he feared might be rejected. He speaks about trying to protect his family by keeping relationships secret, introducing his first boyfriend as a friend, and eventually being pushed into coming out after that relationship ended. Dean reflects on coming out first to friends who responded with acceptance, and later to his family, where his younger sister became an important source of support. He also revisits a childhood moment overhearing his mother say she would feel like she had failed as a parent if one of her children were gay, which deeply shaped his decision to stay silent for years. Together with Leanne, the conversation explores identity, fear and the impact of living as different versions of yourself to feel safe, as well as the importance of creating spaces where people feel able to be honest about who they are earlier in life.

Jul 15

Episode 2 – Ronish: A Story of Family, Culture and Coming Out

In this episode of Through Their Eyes, Ronish shareshis own journey of realising and accepting his sexuality, and the challenges of navigating family, culture and identity along the way. He reflects on recognising he was different from a young age, keeping early relationships secret, and living a "double life" between the version of himself he shared with friends and the one he brought home. Raised in a Fijian Indian family, Ronish speaks openly aboutthe pressure of cultural expectations, the fear of disappointing those he loved, and the emotional process of coming out to his sisters, his mother and eventually his father. He shares how his mother's initial shock evolved intounconditional support and advocacy, while also acknowledging the ongoing complexity of a relationship marked by silence and unspoken feelings. Together with Leanne, the conversation explores thelife-changing impact of having even one supportive adult, the importance of open communication, and why parents do not need to have all the answers to show up well for their children. Ronish also offers practical advice for families navigating these conversations: lead with love, be willing to learn, and create space for honesty, mistakes and growth.

Jul 1

Episode 1 – Leanne: A Mother’s Journey to Unconditional Acceptance

In the first episode of Through Their Eyes, host Ronish sits down with Leanne, a mum whose daughter came out as gay at 17. Lee shares how she’d always had an inkling about her daughter’s sexuality, why the coming-out moment felt calm and affirming rather than shocking, and how her biggest fears were never about who her daughter is, but about how the world might treat her. Through honest reflections on casual homophobia, generational attitudes, and the painful decision to walk away from some friendships, Lee describes how she became a stronger, more vocal ally who will always choose her child first. She also talks about the lack of resources for parents of LGBTQIA+ kids, the role of supportive friends and teachers, and offers grounded, practical advice for any parent whose child has just come out: stay calm, listen, and lead with love.

Season 1 Trailer

Through Their Eyes - Teaser Trailer

Through Their Eyes is a heartfelt podcast sharing real stories from the LGBTQI community and their families. Created from one mother’s search to better understand and support her child, it goes beyond clinical advice to offer honest, human conversations about identity, love, belonging, and growth. It offers insight, empathy, and reassurance—helping listeners feel less alone and more connected, while turning uncertainty into understanding, one story at a time. First episode launching July 1.

Through Their Eyes

Episodes

Episode 10 – "John": Living Between Two Worlds

Episode 9 – Justin: Finding Faith in Who I Am

Episode 8 – Nate: Learning to Live Authentically

Episode 7 – Lu: A Daughter’s Story of Acceptance and Understanding

Episode 6 – Travis: Learning to Accept the Person I Was

Episode 5 – Kirill: The Fear of Getting It Wrong

Episode 4 – Kiara: A Young Woman’s Journey to Living Proudly

Episode 3 – Dean: A Chameleon’s Journey to Self-Acceptance

Episode 2 – Ronish: A Story of Family, Culture and Coming Out

Episode 1 – Leanne: A Mother’s Journey to Unconditional Acceptance

Through Their Eyes - Teaser Trailer

Trailer

Through Their Eyes - Teaser Trailer

About

Information