Proudly Said

John Hyland
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Proudly Said is about being LGBTQ+ in the UK without compromise. Hosted by John Hyland (he/they), a Liverpool-born activist and advocate, the show brings real conversations to the forefront. No studios, no scripts - just people, where they’re most at home, speaking in their own words. Each episode centres voices you don’t hear enough, talking about what it means to live out loud, hold space, and just live. There’s no performance. Just queer stories, proudly said.

  1. 4D AGO

    Ep 38: Thomas Hartley (Pam Sandwich) said

    🎙️ What’s This Episode About? Thomas Hartley is known to many from Married at First Sight UK, but these days, you’re just as likely to find him onstage as his drag alter ego, Pam Sandwich. Tom joins John to talk about his early days on the gay scene, what life was really like after the cameras stopped rolling on MAFSUK, and how drag became a way to reconnect with who he really is. They chat about confidence, identity, starting over, and the birth of Pam; a performer who’s as bold, brash and brilliant as the person behind her. From reality TV to real-life reinvention, it’s a conversation about making space for yourself, one platform (and one performance) at a time. Funny, open and full of heart. 🗣️ Why Listen? If you’re seeking genuine conversations that reflect the diverse experiences within the LGBTQ+ community, Proudly Said offers a platform for those narratives. 📣 Connect with Us – ProudlySaid.co.uk Subscribe: Stay updated with new episodes. Share: If this resonates with you, share it with others who might find it meaningful. Feedback: We value your thoughts. Reach out with comments or suggestions. Support: Join The Front Row for less than £3 a month, supporting a local queer creator, or buy us a bespoke coffee or three! :)

    42 min

  2. FEB 11

    Ep 37: David Watson said

    🎙️ What’s This Episode About? David Watson is a creative producer, cultural curator and one of the key figures behind some of Liverpool’s boldest, most visible moments in recent years; including making Eurovision 2023 extra special.. David joins John to talk about his creative journey, how he found himself in Liverpool, and why collaboration and community are at the heart of everything he does. They chat about his background in the arts, the scale (and stress) of supporting the city's delivery of Eurovision, and his recent work with photographer Magnus Hastings - spotlighting Liverpool’s drag scene in a stunning public exhibition that brought queer art right into the centre of the city. It’s thoughtful, inspiring and full of insight into what happens when creativity, queerness and pride collide. 🗣️ Why Listen? If you’re seeking genuine conversations that reflect the diverse experiences within the LGBTQ+ community, Proudly Said offers a platform for those narratives. 📣 Connect with Us – ProudlySaid.co.uk Subscribe: Stay updated with new episodes. Share: If this resonates with you, share it with others who might find it meaningful. Feedback: We value your thoughts. Reach out with comments or suggestions. Support: Join The Front Row for less than £3 a month, supporting a local queer creator, or buy us a bespoke coffee or three! :)

    35 min

  3. FEB 5

    Ep 36: Weavin' Steven said

    🎙️ What’s This Episode About? Ste Hulme, known to some as Weavin' Steven, known to others as Tanya Cope, joins John for one of the most open and important conversations on Proudly Said to date. Ste speaks honestly about his journey through ketamine addiction, what that period of his life looked like, and how finding support through the newly formed House of The Vivienne charity helped him begin to rebuild. He reflects on how addiction crept in, the impact it had, and the realities of recovery. Alongside this, Ste shares stories from his early days on Liverpool’s gay scene, meeting James Lee Williams (The Vivienne), and how their friendship grew into a bond that shaped his life in ways he’s still unpacking. We also talked about Ste’s professional work, creativity, and what moving forward looks like now. It’s raw and reflective,, a conversation about friendship, grief, accountability, and choosing to keep going. 🗣️ Why Listen? If you’re seeking genuine conversations that reflect the diverse experiences within the LGBTQ+ community, Proudly Said offers a platform for those narratives. 📣 Connect with Us – ProudlySaid.co.uk Subscribe: Stay updated with new episodes. Share: If this resonates with you, share it with others who might find it meaningful. Feedback: We value your thoughts. Reach out with comments or suggestions. Support: Join The Front Row for less than £3 a month, supporting a local queer creator, or buy us a bespoke coffee or three! :)

    34 min

  4. JAN 27

    Ep 35: Shuv Barbital said

    🎙️ What’s This Episode About? Shuv Barbital, the self-proclaimed Goth Mom of Liverpool, is a drag artist, host, costumer and chaos curator, known for bringing dark glamour, camp filth and fierce intelligence to every stage she haunts. Shuv joins John for a gloriously unfiltered chat about alternative drag, the politics of performance, and why drag should never be confined to sequins and safe choices. They dive into feminism, visibility, creative autonomy, and take a few ADHD-fuelled tangents along the way. Whether she’s lip-syncing in latex or building a space for queer outsiders, Shuv is as sharp as she is spooky... and not afraid to say exactly what she means. It’s layered, loud, and perfectly off-track in all the right ways. 🗣️ Why Listen? If you’re seeking genuine conversations that reflect the diverse experiences within the LGBTQ+ community, Proudly Said offers a platform for those narratives. 📣 Connect with Us – ProudlySaid.co.uk Subscribe: Stay updated with new episodes. Share: If this resonates with you, share it with others who might find it meaningful. Feedback: We value your thoughts. Reach out with comments or suggestions. Support: Join The Front Row for less than £3 a month, supporting a local queer creator, or buy us a bespoke coffee or three! :)

    36 min

  5. JAN 20

    Ep 34: Violet Pain said

    🎙️ What’s This Episode About? Violet Pain is a staple drag queen in Liverpool, and a seasoned performer with a quick wit, sharp mug, and a deep love for the stage; whether that’s at Superstar Boudoir, Masquerade, Sparkles in Gran Canaria, or anywhere a mic and a moment are available. Violet joins John to talk about the journey behind the glamour: from early days navigating queer spaces to becoming a familiar face (and voice) across Liverpool’s drag scene. They chat about what it means to build a drag persona, the wider drag community, and how Violet uses drag to hold space for joy, silliness and honesty. There’s also talk of friendship, community, and why sometimes the most profound thing you can do… is make someone laugh. It’s smart, sassy, and full of heart - just like Violet. 🗣️ Why Listen? If you’re seeking genuine conversations that reflect the diverse experiences within the LGBTQ+ community, Proudly Said offers a platform for those narratives. 📣 Connect with Us – ProudlySaid.co.uk Subscribe: Stay updated with new episodes. Share: If this resonates with you, share it with others who might find it meaningful. Feedback: We value your thoughts. Reach out with comments or suggestions. Support: Join The Front Row for less than £3 a month, supporting a local queer creator, or buy us a bespoke coffee or three! :)

    35 min

  6. JAN 13

    Ep 33: Nana Funk said

    🎙️ What’s This Episode About? Nana Funk is a cabaret queen, burlesque bombshell, and musical mischief-maker; and she’s made it her mission to challenge ageism, celebrate bodies of all kinds, and bring joy wherever she goes. Nana joins John for a funny, warm and wildly honest conversation about creativity, clowning, and carving out space on her own terms. They chat about how the character of Nana came to life, what it’s like to be a woman in entertainment past the age the industry often tries to ignore, and why ageing doesn’t mean fading into the background. From improvisation to song to glitter-covered stage antics, Nana Funk proves that fabulous has no expiry date — and neither does fighting for visibility. It’s full of sparkle, sass, and a proper good cackle. Just how Nana likes it. 🗣️ Why Listen? If you’re seeking genuine conversations that reflect the diverse experiences within the LGBTQ+ community, Proudly Said offers a platform for those narratives. 📣 Connect with Us – ProudlySaid.co.uk Subscribe: Stay updated with new episodes. Share: If this resonates with you, share it with others who might find it meaningful. Feedback: We value your thoughts. Reach out with comments or suggestions. Support: Join The Front Row for less than £3 a month, supporting a local queer creator, or buy us a bespoke coffee or three! :)

    32 min

  7. JAN 6

    Ep 32: Hannah Riley said

    🎙️ What’s This Episode About? Hannah Riley is a full-on powerhouse - working behind the scenes in TV by day, and lighting up stages and arenas as a presenter and host by night. Hannah joins John to chat about her journey through the world of media, learning the ropes in costume departments and production teams, and how she’s carving out a path in front of the camera, and on stage too. They talk about confidence, hustle, and that surreal moment when she found out she’d been chosen as the roaming reporter for BBC Radio 1’s Big Weekend in Liverpool. From local theatre stages to national coverage, Hannah brings energy, humour, and a real love for people into everything she does - and she’s just getting started. It’s fast-paced, full of laughs, and a reminder that when preparation meets opportunity, anything can happen. 🗣️ Why Listen? If you’re seeking genuine conversations that reflect the diverse experiences within the LGBTQ+ community, Proudly Said offers a platform for those narratives. 📣 Connect with Us – ProudlySaid.co.uk Subscribe: Stay updated with new episodes. Share: If this resonates with you, share it with others who might find it meaningful. Feedback: We value your thoughts. Reach out with comments or suggestions. Support: Join The Front Row for less than £3 a month, supporting a local queer creator, or buy us a bespoke coffee or three! :)

    34 min

  8. JAN 1

    Ep 31: New Year Reflections with John

    🎙️ What’s This Episode About?To welcome in the new year, John reflects on the last 6 months since starting Proudly Said, with 30 episodes posted, and plenty more scheduled. We want to say a huge thank you to everyone who has supported the podcast since we started, and we really appreciate all the likes, shares, reviews, and wider support. 🗣️ Why Listen? If you’re seeking genuine conversations that reflect the diverse experiences within the LGBTQ+ community, Proudly Said offers a platform for those narratives. 📣 Connect with Us – ProudlySaid.co.uk Subscribe: Stay updated with new episodes. Share: If this resonates with you, share it with others who might find it meaningful. Feedback: We value your thoughts. Reach out with comments or suggestions. Support: Join The Front Row for less than £3 a month, supporting a local queer creator, or buy us a bespoke coffee or three! :)

    12 min
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About

Proudly Said is about being LGBTQ+ in the UK without compromise. Hosted by John Hyland (he/they), a Liverpool-born activist and advocate, the show brings real conversations to the forefront. No studios, no scripts - just people, where they’re most at home, speaking in their own words. Each episode centres voices you don’t hear enough, talking about what it means to live out loud, hold space, and just live. There’s no performance. Just queer stories, proudly said.

Information

  • Creator
    John Hyland
  • Years Active
    2025 - 2026
  • Episodes
    39
  • Rating
    Explicit
  • Copyright
    © Copyright 2025 Proudly Said
  • Show Website
    Proudly Said