Somewhere: for us

Jules Stapleton Barnes
  • 5.0 (1)
  • SOCIETY & CULTURE

An LGBTQ+ arts, culture, heritage and enterprise podcast for Scotland and beyond, produced and hosted by Jules Stapleton Barnes. A podcast to shine a light on the beautiful breadth of queer life in Scotland today; more diverse and deeper than stereotypes could ever capture. To celebrate the power of human connection, finding your community and a safer space where the dark and lightness of conversation leaves you feeling seen, connected, supported and hopeful.

  1. Alan Cumming

    12/22/2025

    Alan Cumming

    Scottish superstar Alan Cumming completes this year of special conversations and gives us so much to look forward to, in a joyful chat recorded remotely in Scotland as he settles into his new role as Artistic Director at the Pitlochry Festival Theatre. A virtuoso of performance arts yet a leading light behind the scenes too, Alan's international and extraordinary career spans 5 decades as an actor, director, producer, writer and presenter. Recently named as host of the 2026 EE Bafta Film Awards, alongside championing a platform for queer art in rural Scotland, it seems that Bafta, Tony and Oliver award-winner Alan Cumming, is as comfortable out in the hills as he is on the red carpet. We also get to hear about his new project, starring in Russell T Davies upcoming series Tip Toe! We’re so happy to have you nearby Alan, we need you! We can’t wait for the queer extravaganza Out in the Hills weekend in late January. Book now if you want tickets - Graham Norton, Juano Diaz, Jackie Kay, Ian McKellen, Mhairi Black, The Hebridean Baker, Jo Clifford, Armistead Maupin, Kim Blythe, Zander Murray, Val McDermid, Ashley Douglas, Louise Welsh, Finlay Wilson, and more awesome folk, are all headed to Pitlochry for events you don’t want to miss - check out the programme and how to book tickets here. Episode references: Out in the Hills - a queer festival for everyone https://www.pitlochryfestivaltheatre.com/out-in-the-hills/ Pitlochry Festival Theatre @pitlochryft https://www.pitlochryfestivaltheatre.com/ Club Cumming https://clubcummingnyc.com/

    37 min
  2. Lucia August

    07/25/2025

    Lucia August

    Lucia August is a 72-year-old lesbian, plus-sized dancer and choreographer originating from the US and now making Scotland her home.  She joins Jules during Pride season to share intimate stories and reflections celebrating inclusivity, coming out for the first time 50 years ago and pursuing our dreams. How can we move forward when everything can feel so backwards?  Lucia provides insight and experience to spread light, joy and informed positivity to help us bond, build and heal as a community going forward. We also talk about what it means to be a 'Queer Elder', the value of queer friendship, soul families, honouring your experience and quantum queerness! Don't miss this special episode championing intergenerational connection and the value of centring queer elder perspectives. You can see Lucia perform Tales from Your Queer Elder at the Edinburgh Fringe between August 1 - 16th August, 2025. Dates and tickets available via: https://www.edfringe.com/tickets/whats-on/tales-from-your-queer-elder Connect with Lucia: https://www.instagram.com/luciaaugust

    47 min
  3. Mhairi Black

    03/01/2025

    Mhairi Black

    Mhairi Black gave an epic maiden speech in the House of Commons as a Member of Parliament for Paisley and Renfrewshire South in 2015, at just 20 years old. There she endured as an MP and became Deputy Leader of the Scottish National Party (SNP) in the House of Commons from 2022 to 2024.  She made the decision to retire from political life in 2024, taking to the stage with her debut solo show, 'Politics Isn't for Me', to lift the lid on some of the more absurd and often toxic experiences that shaped her time in public service. At 30 year old, she reflects warmly and openly with Jules on her life so far, including her experiences of coming out, an ADHD diagnosis and finding queer community, revealing how "surviving" an often treacherous workplace led to a journey towards a happier, healthier life.

    58 min
  4. Kim Carnie

    12/22/2024

    Kim Carnie

    Fàilte gu prògram 14! Settle down for a cuppa with Scottish folk singer and winner of Our 2024 Unicorns Arts Award, Kim Carnie.  Jules meets Kim as her new solo single, Middle of Hope is released and just days after the Scottish premiere of a special documentary made about her life and the impact of being in a secret same-sex relationship for 6 years, from the ages of 16-22.  Directed by Maureen MacLeod, Kim Carnie Out Loud (2024) explores coming out stories from around the world as Kim reflects at aged 30, on the impact those 6 years of secrecy had on her. Also in the episode... Born and raised in Oban, Kim shares her intimate connection to the Gaelic language, her experiences of rural culture and her love for the Scottish folk scene whilst exploring with Jules how it feels to be a queer person in traditional communities. You'll hear clips of Kim's music, from her 2022 album, And So We Gather, performed by Kim Carnie and produced by Donald Shawand and from her 2024 single, Middle of Hope, produced by Innes White. Featured musical clips in order: Nighean Sin Thall, performed by Kim Carnie and produced by Donald Shawand Middle of Hope, performed by Kim Carnie and produced by Innes White And So We Gather, performed by Kim Carnie and produced by Donald Shawand Thanks for such a warm welcome and engaging chat Kim! Listen to Kim Carnie's music: Kim Carnie For more information visit Kim's website: Home | Kim Carnie

    57 min
  5. Porty Pride: Smalltown Joy

    09/01/2024

    Porty Pride: Smalltown Joy

    Porty Pride have hosted their 3rd pride festival in the town of Portobello, Edinburgh’s seaside suburb. Jules sets off on an unplanned, day-long adventure to find out how this small regional event with LGBTQ+ organisers at its heart, is building a better community for everyone. Content heads-ups: - seagulls - dogs barking - a bit of wind - a couple of moments of loud cheering - brief mention of homophobia and transphobia Jules would like to thank: Loud and Proud Choir Kate Gillwood and Rea Cris - (Founders and organising committee members of Porty Pride) and the entire Porty Pride Committee Graham, Alice and Abi - Porty Pride Volunteers Briana Pegardo and Catherine Stocks-Rankin Chris - Culture Club Collective Gary - Passay’s Café Joss Cameron - Traditional balled singer from Joppa Louise, Mousehole Deli Angela Davidson - Macmillan Cancer Support Joanna Simpson - LGBT Health and Wellbeing Rowan Alison - Disability and Neurodiversity Inclusion Officer, Equality Network Kaylan, Popeye’s Café Portobello Book Shop Portobello Community Choir Mystika Glamoor

    50 min
  6. Dean Atta

    07/15/2024

    Dean Atta

    Dean Atta is an award-winning author and performance poet and in this touching and revealing episode we hear about the inspiration for his memoir and how the deeply personal book - yo-yoing back and forth from his childhood - stays grounded by its focus on the body "starting at the crown moving through to the roots". The courage present throughout all Dean's work is reflected in the conversation and both Jules and Dean touch on serious topics alongside the defiant, whimsical joy he brings to the episode. CW: brief references to sexual assault, homophobia, racism and depression More about Dean's work: Dean Atta (google.com) Thank you to the players of the People’s Postcode Lottery for help making this podcast possible.

    56 min
  7. Jackie Kay

    06/20/2024

    Jackie Kay

    What kind of biscuits do you lay out for a national icon? I settled on gingers and spent too long arranging them on one of my wife’s favourite plates. We record at my home (ten points if you can hear the bin lorry during the chat!) and Jackie was kind enough to come over and share the stories behind this new collection of poems, and its title, ‘May Day’, a chronicle of activism in the UK over six decades. It’s a feisty conversation, with peaks of revelry as Jackie recalls her encounter with Maya Angelou (doing an impeccable impression of her) and deeper, quieter and more sombre moments for both Jackie and I, as we reflect on loss, feelings about family and the notion of home. It was quite the moment for me, to hear Jackie recite lines of two different poems in this episode, gifting Somewhere for Us listeners with a personal glimpse into the collection through her own voice. Jackie Kay has survived years of appalling experiences she reveals, which I hear in her bite and her fight for a better, kinder world. May Day is out now, published by Picador and available in all good independent book shops.  About Jackie Kay Jackie Kay was born in Edinburgh. A poet, novelist and writer of short stories, she has enjoyed great acclaim for her work for both adults and children. Her novel, Trumpet, won the Guardian Fiction Prize. She has published three collections of stories with Picador, Why Don’t You Stop Talking, Wish I Was Here, and Reality, Reality; two poetry collections, Fiere and Bantam; and a memoir, Red Dust Road. From 2016 to 2021 she was the third modern Makar, the National Poet for Scotland. She lives in Manchester and is Professor of Creative Writing at the University of Salford.

    45 min
  8. Horse McDonald

    05/24/2024

    Horse McDonald

    Having pressed send on her 8th studio album (and 11th album in total) just hours before we begin, Horse McDonald is back at the starting gate raring to go, but as she soon reminds me in this candid chat, she’s in the same race as everyone else. It's all in the music for Horse, and she's still powerfully singing it out loud and proud some 34 years since her first album, 'The Same Sky' in 1990. In this episode, Horse shares the stories behind her long awaited and self-produced new album, 'The Road Less Travelled', her experience of grief and loss, frustration with the music industry and how singing saved her life.  A must listen for Horse fans but a warm invitation too, if you're a newcomer, to learn about this Fife-born stalwart of Scottish music. The Road Less Travelled (Randan Music) CD and VINYL are out May 25th, 2024. See www.horsemcdonald.com if you would like further information or to purchase CDs or Digital Downloads.

    53 min
See All (18)

Trailer

Ratings & Reviews

About

An LGBTQ+ arts, culture, heritage and enterprise podcast for Scotland and beyond, produced and hosted by Jules Stapleton Barnes. A podcast to shine a light on the beautiful breadth of queer life in Scotland today; more diverse and deeper than stereotypes could ever capture. To celebrate the power of human connection, finding your community and a safer space where the dark and lightness of conversation leaves you feeling seen, connected, supported and hopeful.

Information

  • Creator
    Jules Stapleton Barnes
  • Years Active
    2022 - 2025
  • Episodes
    18
  • Rating
    Explicit
  • Copyright
    © Somewhere EDI Community Interest Company
  • Show Website
    Somewhere: for us

You Might Also Like