Talk To Touch: Recent Episodes
Denver Shai
A podcast about making connections, touching each other's lives, listening to people who we might not usually include in our social circle, to build a more inclusive queer community.
Our GDPR privacy policy was updated on August 8, 2022. Visit acast.com/privacy for more information.
An open and frank conversation with book-seller and artist, Avalon Plant.
In this episode we look at the challenges of being bisexual, and why some people seem to have such an issue with it.
We also discuss being femme-presenting, access to queer spaces, self-identity and the challenges, judgements and expectations from both straight and queer communities.
Thank you for listening and allowing this podcast to be a part of your day.🌻
Follow and find the podcast on Instagram.
Book link: Bi - The hidden culture, history, and science of bisexuality
https://amzn.eu/d/5vi4aFp
Website
Podcast episodes can also be found on my website
denverkarsenshai.com
https://www.denverkarsenshai.com/talk-to-touch-podcast
YouTube
You can see the video on Talk to Touch YouTube channel.
https://www.youtube.com/@talktotouchpodcast
https://instagram.com/talktotouchpodcast?igshid=MmIzYWVlNDQ5Yg==
Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.
A three-part interview with Dr Harry Heuser, a senior lecturer at the Aberystwyth School of Art.
Dr Heuser opens up about life as a young queer man in New York during the Aids crisis and takes us through a very personal trauma. This open conversation is both inspiring and moving.
Thank you for listening.
Denver
Trigger Warning:
Some listeners may find parts of this conversation distressing. Listener discretion is advised.
You will find the video recording of this episode on YouTube
https://youtu.be/BhEnpgbbsaU
A big thank you to every one who helped to make this episode an amazing experience.
Aim King - Videographer
James Priestly
Phil Garratt
Neil Holland
And to everyone in the audience, your presence made this episode truly memorable.
Other information:
My website is finally live and this is where you will find information about all of my projects, including my art and photography, with more things to come.
https://www.denverkarsenshai.com/
Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.
The second episode in a three-part interview with Dr Harry Heuser, a senior lecturer at the Aberystwyth School of Art.
Dr Heuser opens up about life as a young queer man in New York during the Aids crisis and takes us through a very personal trauma. This open conversation is both inspiring and moving.
Thank you for listening.
Denver
Trigger Warning:
Some listeners may find parts of this conversation distressing. Listener discretion is advised.
You will find the video recording of this episode on YouTube
https://youtu.be/3FXQLWdYTIs
A big thank you to every one who helped to make this episode an amazing experience.
Aim King - Videographer
James Priestly
Phil Garratt
Neil Holland
And to everyone in the audience, your presence made this episode truly memorable.
Other information:
My website is finally live and this is where you will find information about all of my projects, including my art and photography, with more things to come.
https://www.denverkarsenshai.com/
Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.
A three-part interview with Dr Harry Heuser, a senior lecturer at the Aberystwyth School of Art.
Dr Heuser opens up about life as a young queer man in New York during the Aids crisis and takes us through a very personal trauma. This open conversation is both inspiring and moving.
Thank you for listening.
Denver
Trigger Warning:
Some listeners may find parts of this conversation distressing. Listener discretion is advised.
You will find the video recording of this episode on YouTube
https://youtu.be/qRlVkVpCzFA
A big thank you to every one who helped to make this episode an amazing experience.
Aim King - Videographer
James Priestly
Phil Garratt
Neil Holland
And to everyone in the audience, your presence made this episode truly memorable.
Other information:
My website is finally live and this is where you will find information about all of my projects, including my art and photography, with more things to come.
https://www.denverkarsenshai.com/
Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.
Welcome to season 4 - it's been a year since since the podcast started 😳 and what a busy year it's been.
I've finally got the website up and running, do check it out using the link below - it's still a work in progress with more to come.
https://www.denverkarsenshai.com/talk-to-touch-podcast
Thank you for joining me. 🙏🏾
Despite waking up at about 3am, in the final episode of Season 3, I share plans for the upcoming episodes and some changes to come.
🙏🏾 Thank you for listening, tuning in and joining me on this journey of Talk to Touch. It is my honour and pleasure to contribute to our community.
I look forward to being a part of your day.
📌 Season 4 starts 5th June
@dk_shai
Tom's instagram:@tkgeared
DK Shai 🌻
xxx
Often we go on the hunt for our "purpose" or the "right Career" believing its this elusive thing for which we have to hunt.
What if you've been looking in the wrong place? What if it's been with you all along?
What if like me, you need to come full circle?
Thank you for listening/Thank you for allowing me to
be a part of your day.
DK Shai 🌻
xxx
Have you ever heard a popular phrase that did not ring true for you?
Thank you for listening and allowing me to
be a part of your day.
DK Shai 🌻
xxx
Waiting for validation from others can be what stops us moving forward and living the we create for ourselves.
How long should we wait for validation from others?
Thank you for listening and allowing me to be a part of your day.
DK Shai 🌻
xxx
📚 Three books: one which I've read three times, with a fourth on the horizon and one I'm yet to read.
If you're looking for some queer fiction allow me to share three with you, one of which is my favourite.🥳
If you enjoy Talk to Touch, please rate and review on Apple Podcasts
Thank you for listening and allowing me to be a part of your day.
DK Shai 🌻
xxx
youtube.com/@talktotouchpodcast
I believe the creative arts is essential and literature is an integral part of that community because novels are like a record of historical attitudes and societal changes.
In this episode I share five works of queer literature I've added to my reading list.
If you enjoy Talk to Touch, please rate and review on Apple Podcasts
Thank you for allowing me to be a part of your day.
DK Shai 🌻
xxx
Also on YouTube
youtube.com/@talktotouchpodcast
Hitchiking on someone elses’ journey is to have a second-hand experience. Instead, carve your path, your journey, your life.
This is a lesson I learned over the past few months.
This episode is dedicated to Moritz and Farina, the instigators of positive change in my life. 💝
Thank you for listening and allowing me to be a part of your day
DK Shai 🌻
xxx
youtube.com/@talktotouchpodcast
The LGBTQ+ community have been fighting against sexual orientation discrimination for decades.
In this episode we look at two members of the LGBTQ+ community who fought for the right to live without prejudice and discrimination, paving the way for the freedoms we have now. 🙏🏾
Sylvia Rivera
https://www.womenshistory.org/education-resources/biographies/sylvia-rivera
https://srlp.org
Ifti Nasim
https://www.makingqueerhistory.com/articles/2021/8/28/ifti-nasim
📌 If you enjoy Talk to Touch, please rate and review on Apple Podcasts.
youtube.com/@talktotouchpodcast
Thank you for allowing me to be a part of your day.
DK Shai 🌻
xxx
There is power in being seen. Visible diversity increases acceptance and normalcy while reducing unfounded fears.
In this episode I discuss the importance of queer visibilityl, not just for the community, but for society as a whole.
Thank you for listening
DK Shai 🌻
xxx
Glaad + P&G
https://www.glaad.org/sites/default/files/P%26G_AdvertisingResearch.pdf
The Hollywood Reporter
https://www.hollywoodreporter.com/lists/pride-2020-50-powerful-lgbtq-players-hollywood-1295933/greg-berlanti-13/
A time for a fresh start and resolutions - the Personal Promises we make.
So why do we struggle to stick to them, even when we are most determined?
DK Shai 🌻
xxx
Science Direct
Empowering interventions to promote sustainable lifestyles: Testing the habit discontinuity hypothesis in a field experiment - ScienceDirect
Rhinoglobalsolutions.com
People-consume-with-their-eyes
It's the end of the first semester of University and Christmas is almost here.
James joins me to reflect on season two and the challenges of running a podcast in tandem with uni; all self-inflicted of course.
We discuss the episodes to come and moving the podcast forward.
Wishing you the best close to 2022 and a promising 2023.
If you usually make New Year Resolutions then listen to Season 2 - episode 12, A Different Kind Of New Year Resolution, for ideas on how take a new approach to your Resolution.
Thank you for listening
DK Shai 🎄
xxx
How many times have you bailed on your New Years Resolution before January is over? 🤨 I know, me too.
For the last few years I've taken a different approach to personal promises, one that I can keep.
Listen to find out how you can take a different approach to this yearly personal promise - one that you too can keep.
If you enjoy Talk to Touch, please rate and review on Apple Podcasts
Because connection starts with open conversation.
Thank you for listening
DK Shai 🌻
xxx
Site recommendations listed below.
https://www.lovehoney.com/
https://start.omgyes.com/
https://www.self.com/story/audio-porn-erotica
If you enjoy Talk to Touch, please rate and review on Apple Podcasts
Thank you for listening
DK Shai 🌻
xxx
In this interview bookseller Avalon, talk openly about how to discover your sexual pleasure and the joy that can be found in doing so.
An honest and frank conversation about sexual discovery.
Thank you for listening
DK Shai 🌻
xxx
Your queerness makes you stronger than you think; in fact it's your superpower.
In this episode I share the ways in which being queer increases freedom, resilience and self-awareness.
Listen and discover your superpower.
Episodes now available on Youtube
youtube.com/@talktotouchpodcast
Thank you for listening
DK Shai 🌻
xxx
Everyone reaches their tipping point, that point in life when we believe we'll never get out of an impossible situation.
This is the moment when we pivot - but only after reaching rock bottom and beyond.
Listen out for new episodes every Monday
Click the “Follow” button so you will always stay up to date with new episodes 🔔
Share with someone you think might like and benefit from the podcast.
Please rate and review on Apple podcasts.
Thank you for listening
DK Shai 🌻
xxx
The final instalment of this four-part interview, which is jam packed with information.
I give a huge heartfelt thanks to Tom for sharing his life and world with us.
You can find Tom on social media:
🌟 TKgeared: https://www.instagram.com/tkgeared/?hl=en
Facebook: Tom Leather:
🌟 https://www.facebook.com/profile.php?id=100087135331328
YouTube sites recommended
📌 Watts the safe word: https://www.youtube.com/c/WattsTheSafeword/featured
📌 DaveyWavey: https://www.youtube.com/daveywavey
📌 Recon gear stays ons/masterclass videos: https://www.youtube.com/c/recon/featured
📌 Cal Rider: https://www.youtube.com/c/CalRider
Listen out for new episodes every Monday
🛎 Click the bell so you will notified and always stay up to date with new episodes
Share with someone you think might like the podcast/episode
Show host: Acast.com
Thank you for listening
DK Shai 🌻
Welcome to the third instalment into the world of Leather Men.
In this episode, Tom shares his coming out story, his journey, family, and his introduction to kink and leather.
The interviews were recorded on Zoom. To watch the interview, go to the Talk to Touch Podcast on YouTube.
You can find Tom on social media:
🌟 TKgeared: https://www.instagram.com/tkgeared/?hl=en
🌟 His Facebook account is called Tom Leather: https://www.facebook.com/profile.php?id=100087135331328
Listen out for new episodes every Monday
Click the bell so you will notified and always stay up to date with new episodes
Share with someone you think might like the podcast/episode
Show host: Acast.com
Thank you for listening
DK Shai 🌻
Welcome to the second instalment of an insight into the world of Leather Men.
This interview is in four parts; the second half will be available next Monday from 8am.
You can find Tom on social media:
🌟 TKgeared: https://www.instagram.com/tkgeared/?hl=en
🌟 His Facebook account is called Tom Leather: https://www.facebook.com/profile.php?id=100087135331328
Click the bell so you will notified and listen to the second half of this four-part interview.
Share with someone you think might like the podcast/episode
Show host: Acast.com
Thank you for listening
DK Shai 🌻
xxx
You might be familiar with Tom Keller and his partner Chris, from the 2nd episode in this season. If not, go and listen to Fetish, Leather and Community, then return for a deep dive as Tom takes the time to give us an insight into the world of kink and Leather Men.
You can find Tom on social media:
🌟 TKgeared: https://www.instagram.com/tkgeared/?hl=en
🌟 His Facebook account is called Tom Leather: https://www.facebook.com/profile.php?id=100087135331328
Listen out for new episodes every Monday
Follow/click the bell for notifications so you will always stay up to date with new episodes
Share with someone you think might like and benefit the podcast/episode
Show host: Acast.com
Thank you for listening
DK Shai 🌻
xxx
This is my final interview from Birmingham Gay Pride. It was an opportunity to hear about queer life from the perspective of a man who came out when being gay was illegal.
Listen out for new episodes every Monday
Click the “Follow” button so you will always stay up to date with new episodes 🔔
Share with someone you think might like and benefit from the podcast
Thank you for listening
DK Shai 🌻
xxx
One thing about life is you never know who you'll meet along the way.
This interview was not only fun and entertaining, but educational too - it will remain in my memory of my first Pride.
These guys were the best.
A huge thanks and hugs to Tom and Chris 🧡 xx
Listen out for new episodes every Monday
Click the “Follow” button so you will always stay up to date with new episodes
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Socials:……
Thank you for listening
DK Shai 🌻
xxx
Welcome to season 2.
I kick off by sharing with you my first Gay Pride experience.
There are impromptu interviews with participants and attendees.
My knees are still recovering from the hours of dancing, but I have no regrets.
Enjoy. xxx
Listen out for new episodes every Monday
Click the “Follow” button so you will always stay up to date with new episodes
Share with someone you think might like the podcast/episode
Show host: Acast.com
Thank you for listening
DK Shai 🌻
xxx
With Birmingham Pride next week and university starting too, I share with you what I’ve learned since starting this podcast, the changes come and plans for Talk to Touch’s future.
Infused with the odd mini-rant, I share my new podcast format and what's to come. I'm excited. 🥳
Click the “Follow” button so you will always stay up to date with new episodes where ever you listen to your favourite podcasts.
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Thank you for listening
Denver 🌻
xxx
The joy of discovering independent cinema, BFI and recommending Firebird.
https://firebirdmovie.com/sergeys-story/
If interested in exploring more queer cinema that celebrates our community, check out:
BFI FLARE: The London LGBTQIA+ Film Festival
12 days of the best new LGBTQ+ cinema
https://player.bfi.org.uk/help
https://whatson.bfi.org.uk/flare/Online/
Youtube:
https://youtu.be/D7XT9OWifHs
Listen out for new episodes every Monday
Click the “Follow” button so you will always stay up to date with new episodes
Share with someone you think might like the podcast/episode
Show host: Acast.com
Thank you for listening
DK Shai 🌻
xxx
It can be difficult to love our queerness and who we are when society tells us we don’t belong. How can we love and respect ourselves despite the constant rhetoric of being othered?
There are steps each of us can take to overcome shame and fear - starting with loving our bodies.
Listen out for new episodes every Monday
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Thank you for listening
DK Shai 🌻
xxx
Imagine forgiving yourself for past mistakes; how different would your life be?
In this 2-part episode, What is The Worst That Could Happen If (WITWTCHI): You Were Willing to Forgive Yourself? I discuss what impact not practicing self-forgiveness has on our lives, and the ways in which it keeps us trapped.
I also share practical steps I used to overcome guilt and regret to move my life forward.
In part 2, I share one aspect of our lives for which we should never ask forgiveness - from anyone!
—
YouGov: an international research data and analytics group.
https://yougov.co.uk/topics/lifestyle/articles-reports/2022/07/05/lgbt-britons-more-likely-report-suffering-mental-h
—
MindOut
An award winning LGBTQ community mental health service - a national charity run by LGBTQ people, for LGBTQ people.
https://mindout.org.uk
01273 234839
—
The Body Keeps the Score
by Bessel van der Kolk
https://www.goodreads.com/book/show/18693771-the-body-keeps-the-score?from_search=true&from_srp=true&qid=UIRFUnbaSU&rank=1
—
Anger & hostility associated with increased risk of future Coronary Heart Disease
https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/19281923/
—
Listen out for new episodes every Monday
Click the ‘Like’ button and Follow and you will always stay up to date with new episodes.
Show host: Acast.com
Thank you for listening
DK Shai 🌻
xxx
Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.
Imagine forgiving yourself for past mistakes; how different would your life be?
In this 2-part episode, What is The Worst That Could Happen If (WITWTCHI): You Were Willing to Forgive Yourself?
I discuss what impact not practicing self-forgiveness has on our lives, and the ways in which it keeps us trapped.
I also share practical steps I used to overcome guilt and regret to move my life forward.
In part 2, I share one aspect of our lives for which we should never ask forgiveness - from anyone!
—
YouGov: an international research data and analytics group.
https://yougov.co.uk/topics/lifestyle/articles-reports/2022/07/05/lgbt-britons-more-likely-report-suffering-mental-h
—
MindOut
An award winning LGBTQ community mental health service - a national charity run by LGBTQ people, for LGBTQ people.
https://mindout.org.uk
01273 234839
—
The Body Keeps the Score
by Bessel van der Kolk
https://www.goodreads.com/book/show/18693771-the-body-keeps-the-score?from_search=true&from_srp=true&qid=UIRFUnbaSU&rank=1
—
Anger & hostility associated with increased risk of future Coronary Heart Disease
https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/19281923/
—
Listen out for new episodes every Monday
Click the ‘Like’ button and Follow and you will always stay up to date with new episodes.
Show host: Acast.com
Thank you for listening
DK Shai 🌻
xxx
Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.
Part 2: What Is The Worst That Could Happen If We Learned Not to Hate?
if you don't understand something, you should ask questions about it and engage with it rather than shut it out and criminalize, make it a pariah.If you've got questions about something, ask those questions rather than hating the thing that you don't understand.
Wilow
Listen out for new episodes every Monday
Click the “Follow” button so you will always stay up to date with new episodes
Show host: Acast.com
Thank you for listening
DK Shai 🌻
xxx
This is a two part episode filled with interviews of unsuspecting people, about the downside of learning not to hate. Is there a downside to not hating? I wonder...
Few of us, if any, have considered the consequences of not hating or if it's even a possibility. Is it a learned behaviour? Or is it integral to the human psyche?
Listen to find out if anyone thought hate had its benefits.
If someone's doing something different, that you don't like, leave them be because none of your business.
Merlin
Listen out for new episodes every Monday.
Click the “Follow” button so you will always stay up to date with new episodes.
Show host: Acast.com
Thank you for listening
DK Shai 🌻
xxx
What is the worst that would happen if: you learn to understand someone else's life from their point of view?
Learning to understand the lives of others can be challenging, especially when we have not learned how to listen without our judgement and biases blocking our ears. We can enhance our LGBTQ+ community skills by choosing to open up to the idea of learning about our fellow community members and developing empathy skills. Because, what is the worst that would happen if we learned to understand someone else’s experience and perspective on life?
https://open.spotify.com/episode/4FjXFMvycVnWnCsqZ96GAP?si=-LMpwmGQTkiRYOAkrY1wkw
Homosapiens Podcast with Chris Sweeny & Alex Cummins:
Episode 133: Two part Intimate Interview with life coach Carson Tueller describes in detail how he continues to experience sexual pleasure a spinal injury which left him paralysed from the chest down.
The documentary mentioned in this episode.
Gay & Under Attack (Reggie Yates Extreme Documentary) Real Stories
https://youtu.be/NKMuLZVu77w
Listen out for new episodes every Monday
Click the “Follow” button so you will always stay up to date with new episodes
Podcast host: Acast.com
Thank you for listening
Denver 🌻
xxx
Our GDPR privacy policy was updated on August 8, 2022. Visit acast.com/privacy for more information.
If I was permitted to keep only one book, I would keep this one. It has so many voices and so many stories to share. It is absolutely worth keeping on your bookshelf because it is so diverse in the people that have contributed to it and the stories really do teach you about the lives of others. So it's very difficult to read this book and become insular and just have one point of view.
How do we feel when we are sharing a truth of our experience and someone tries to pull it apart and says, it's not valid? Every single one of these 35 voices are sharing valid, important stories that can teach us as a queer community, how to respect each other, how to develop an allyship.
Title: We Can Do Better Than This
Edited by: Amelia Abraham
35 LGBTQ+ Voices on the Future of LGBTQ+ Rights
Published by Vintage (Penguin Random House)
Start seeing the world differently. Meet people who can teach you new things about life that you never knew. It challenges your biases and it can increase your curiosity. It teaches you also how to build rapport, to develop that win-win so that you can learn to disagree with people respectfully.
It can build a more inclusive community.
https://youtu.be/1YO1FmVAPrA
In the second part of this two part episode, James discusses an important decision that changed our relationship finding a way forward towards a win-win.
Our GDPR privacy policy was updated on August 8, 2022. Visit acast.com/privacy for more information.
A personal interview with James Priestley revealing how he handled his wife coming out as queer and how he chose to handle it.
At about 13:37 mins in, I was trying to recall the name of a podcast. It is a brilliant and funny podcast called The Guilty Feminist, where they start a sentence with the phrase - “I am a feminist but…”
A podcast about making connections, touching each other's lives, listening to people who we might not usually include in our social circle, to build a more inclusive queer community.
Our GDPR privacy policy was updated on August 8, 2022. Visit acast.com/privacy for more information.
In this first episode, I explain why I started this podcast and how I feel about the need for open conversation with those outside of our usual social circle.
Building unity and cohesion between us means we can teach the straight world what unity, compassion and respect for your fellow human being looks like; regardless of their sexuality.
In this first episode, I explain where I'm coming from, why and where I will take Talk To Touch, and the importance of supporting every member of our community.
Connection starts with open conversation
Note: I recorded this episode in a coffee shop and as a result there may be a slight variation in sound volume.