At just 25 years old, Tate Smith (he/him) has recently launched his new business as a professional public speaker, Tate Smith Consulting Limited, and become a Company Director. This achievement has been in parallel with Tate's transition, which he began 5 years ago... and it all started with a simple lunch & learn talk at this workplace!

Tate is an incredibly insightful, talented and wise speaker and he covers a broad variety of topics from LGBTQ+ equality, transitioning in the workplace, his experience of the menopause, gender inclusive language and male privilege. He also consults with businesses & organisations on trans & gender inclusion policies. Keeping it simple and using his lived experience are two of his key principles. Combined with his drive & enthusiasm, Tate's future is looking bright and it's refreshing to hear someone own their success the way he does.

But it hasn't been easy. Little Tate was a lively, Disney-loving kid with a love of dressing up & imagination. Tate shares how growing up in a working class household in Essex with little money or encouragement, he felt he didn't fit in and wanted a different life. And despite setbacks with grades, he worked hard, took risks and pursued opportunities to get to where, and who, he is now.

All of this truly embodies the three words Tate uses to describe his origin story: Determination. Troubled. Excitement. The latter is very much how he's feeling at this moment in time thanks to his impressive determined attitude and harnessing the more challenging moments. This is such an inspiring listen... enjoy and hit Tate up if you're looking for a wonderful speaker!

"I choose me." These three simple words really hit me during this whirlwind episode of 'Pause. And Rewind..." with this bloody wonderful guest!

Thea Bardot (they/she) is the Founder of Lightning Travel Recruitment, a travel & lifestyle recruitment consultancy that proudly does things differently to your standard & - let's say it - boring ones. With powerful messaging including 'We treat people like humans' and 'We actually give a sh*t', it's bold, unique & authentic. And that's Thea to a tee.

Harnessing these traits along with sass & humour, Thea uses their lived experience & professional insights to educate people on many issues from queerness, trans+ & non-binary life through to neurodivergence, accessibility, gender equality, menopause, recruitment processes, best practice & more. They're a LinkedInfluencer don't ya know! Officially a Top Voice receiving well-deserved appreciation & recognition for what they're putting out there.

But it hasn't all been smooth sailing to get to where Thea is today and we'd both like to add a trigger warning to this episode as it contains discussions around suicide, mental health, family issues & life struggles generally.

Thea's origin story is something they sum up in these three words: Traumatic. Chaotic. Survivor. From bullying at school, a problematic home life & relationship with their parents though to a heavy focus on the need to success & striving to be themselves, when Thea says 'I choose me", I felt that deeply. We also dive into the importance of chosen family & storytelling, the surprise of getting their LinkedIn blue tick, internet friendships & their gender journey. Plus much more....

Again, take care of yourself whilst listening to this episode & enjoy all the fun, mutual love & sharing contained.

"My name is Calvin & I'm a nurse". It this guest's standard introduction that says so much about him.

Professor Calvin Moorley (he/him) is a Professor of Diversity & Social Justice at London South Bank University which is where we met. As a former colleague & very much a friend, Calvin has been fundamental in my journey of allyship, education & awareness - as he has been with so many other people.

We know each other well so I was excited to delve into his origin story to get to know him even better and it was such a joy, especially to hear about 'little Calvin' and migrant story. But growing up as a gay kid in Trinidad - a place where being LGBTQ+ isn't easy - has meant that Calvin has had to navigate cultural acceptance & sensitivities, religion & family expectations. Something we explore that Calvin has reconciled to find peace as well as belonging in London, which is very much home with his amazing husband Nick.

Calvin describes his origin story with the words 'Fighter, Caring & Smiley'. And he has all of these in bucket loads, particularly when it comes to advocating for nursing & midwifery professionals from marginalised backgrounds. We also explore the importance & influence of the women in our lives & gender equality - a mutual passion. Take care whilst listening and enjoy this brilliant conversation with this absolute legend!

Ever wondered who the awesome human is behind The Queer Chameleon, the world’s most adored cartoon reptile⁉️🌎🦎

Well I did & I was absolutely thrilled when it’s creator Amee Wilson (she/her) agreed to be a guest for ‘Pause. And Rewind... ‘

From its beginnings as a webcomic back in 2021 during lockdown to help Amee manage her anxiety, @queeeerchameleon has now taken on a life of its own with a global fanbase, providing a source of entertainment & joy through education, humour, simple messaging and beautifully colourful visuals - all lovingly created to encourage LGBTQ+ acceptance. Something that is very much part of Amee’s learning journey when it comes to showing for the community 🏳️‍🌈🏳️‍⚧️

Like many people out there, The Queer Chameleon has become a staple in my social media consumption and I wanted to know more about its creator. Amee’s origin story is something she describes as a Full-Circle Moment. Amy’s early love of animals meant that she originally wanted to be a vet yet she found herself in a career in advertising & marketing. She’s a big believer in reinvention and has harnessed this to bring her to where she is now.

Combined with her other childhood loves of Disney & drawing, what she’s doing now makes sense... even if Amee does describe it as “a strange life”when talking about communicating as The Queer Chameleon. Amee is both humble and surprised by its reach and the love her work has received.

We also explore Amee’s coming out journey, from chat rooms to a love of P!nk and dealing with internalised biphobia, as well as university life, her travels and the future for our colourful friend as Amee explores collaborations and partnerships.

Enjoy… and go buy The Queer Chameleon book from an independent queer retailer ASAP for a fix of pure joy!💥

Book recommendation: Bi: The Hidden Culture, History and Science of Bisexuality by Dr Julia Shaw.

Sabah Choudrey (they/he) is an award winning activist & campaigner. An author, writer and international public speaker. A community organiser. A psychotherapist, youth worker and... a go go dancer! Impressive, right?

We often see each other at events and I know all about Sabah's incredible achievements but it's not often we get to have a decent chat so recording an episode with them was the perfect chance to find out more...

Little Sabah was a bookworm (this podcast features one of the best family anecdotes ever in relation to this) and lover of Bollywood musicals & dancing - we join the dots on how these both shine through in Sabah today! A mutual love of Mean Girls & Lindsay Lohan also comes into convo.

Sabah co-founded Trans Pride Brighton back in 2013 - one of the most well attended events Trans Pride events around. They're now the Director of Middlesex Pride and they've just finished a 10 year stint at Gendered Intelligence as a youth worker to write more. We explore what the future looks like, balancing the intersections of race, religion, sexuality & gender and writing ambitions plus Sabah's own description of 'reluctant activist.

Sabah uses these three words to describe their origin story 'Trans, Brown & Hairy' - which show up in Sabah's work throughout... with pride as Sabah talks about celebrating ALL bodies and identities. This was a wonderful conversation - enjoy!

You can find Sabah at UK Black Pride on Sunday 11 August as they're heading up the brand new youth and family offering - hope to see you there!

Sabah's book 'Supporting Trans People of Colour: How To Make Your Practice Inclusive' is out now.
Facebook Sabah Choudrey | Twitter @SabahChoudrey | Instagram @sabah.c | LinkedIn Sabah Choudrey | sabahchoudrey.com/link

Paul Carruthers (he/him) is a nurse consultant at Gender Plus, the UK's first gender hormone service to receive CQC registration for treating trans and non-binary individuals aged 16 and over. He's also Mr Gay Britain 2023!

Whilst campaigning for this accolade and since, Paul has been leveraging his title to champion trans rights, challenge false narrative around trans healthcare (deeply needed right now) and advocate for same-sex parenting through adoption. He's a role model, advocate and a bit of a hero so having kept up with him for a while, I was stoked to find out more about him.

Being similar ages, so much of Paul's story resonated with me and will do with many other gay people our age (early 40s / baby midlife queers). Growing up as a shy, effeminate kid, Paul experienced a great deal of bullying, shame and internalised homophobia - all topics that can be triggering so pleased take care of yourself whilst listening.

Yet Paul found his voice and purpose - through his life changing work, passionate campaigning and his ultimate dream to become a parent. To two boys who he is raising to be respectable, accepting and amazing humans. Paul describes himself and his origin story with the 'Shy, Dedicated and Made-It'. I hope you love listening to this conversation as much as I loved having it.

PS. Please support Paul in his journey to becoming My Gay World. Give him a follow, support & love over on Insta: @paul_cc123

Dr Paul Taylor-Pitt is an organisational development consultant, writer, activist and all round amazing human. He's passionate about helping people to show up as their wholes selves... something he leads by example on and from listening to his story, it's always been that way.

From being quite a serious kid who perhaps took things too seriously, Paul knew he was queer and despite having an understanding that society wasn't quite ok with this, he was & simply knew that was the society's problem, not his.

He's currently writing a book focusing on the stories & experience of mid-life queers (40+) which we delve into and I am loving working on an accompanying event series with him throughout this year, especially as I've now hit my 40s. When Paul turned 50, he says he felt like he finally turned the age he always was!

Paul shares his frustration at the state of the world today, what brings him joy and tons more about his origin story which he describes as 'Ordinary, Remarkable & Ridiculous'. It's a brilliant conversation... enjoy!