FOREST GAYTE PRIDE CIC IS A GRASSROOTS COMMUNITY PROJECT BASED IN THE EAST LONDON NEIGHBOURHOOD OF NEWHAM. SINCE OUR INCEPTION IN 2017, FOREST GAYTE PRIDE HAS GROWN FROM A SINGLE MARKET STALL AND A QUEER NIGHT IN A LOCAL PUB TO AN ORGANISED COMMUNITY INTEREST COMPANY. AS A COMMITTEE, WE WORK ALONGSIDE ALLIES AND VOLUNTEERS WITHIN OUR COMMUNITY ON EVENTS AND FUNCTIONS TO PROMOTE AND ENGAGE IN EDUCATIONAL, CULTURAL AND CIVIC ACTIVITIES IN ORDER TO ENRICH THE LIVES OF LGBTQIA+ PEOPLE IN NEWHAM AND BEYOND.

In this weeks episode Rob Des Roches tells us all about Forest Gayte Pride 2024

To celebrate Pride month we kick off on June 1st 2024 by talking to Alice (She/Her) and John (He/Him) all about Hexham Pride, which will be taking place in Hexham (Northumberland UK) on Sunday June 16th.

Hexham Pride is a grass roots Pride festival celebrating the LGBTQIA+ community in and around Hexham. There will be live music, a parade, dancing and so much more.

Find out all about by listening here and

also if you have any questions go over to

https://www.facebook.com/profile.php?id=61559946984930

In this weeks episode we meet Colm for the first time and hopefully not the last because he was an utter delight to have on the show.

Colm is a believer that everyone can do the Camino and he due to time restrictions at home, he decides to do one section for 5 - 10 days depending on how much time he can be away and then picks it up at a later date.

It's a beautiful and different way of walking the way.

A family man with a very understanding family, Colm talks abut his take on what the Camino means to him.

He also has his very own Youtube channel where he sometimes talks about his adventures on the Camino

https://www.youtube.com/@ColmMcCann

In this weeks episode I meet someone completely new. Wendy and I have never met in real life but we have a Camino angel in common. The wonderful Dan Jarvis (see previous episodes and check out his youtube channel https://www.youtube.com/@Caminohacks he's great. Dan put me in touch with Wendy and she told me all about her experience on The Camino Portugese, it sounds a bit different to life on the Camino Frances. We compare blister stories, food, famiy (camino family) and friendships. The Camino brings strangers together and we all become friends, it's a beautiful thing.

I met Tessa Gooch at the (Free) wine fountain which featured in the film The Way, I didn't say anything at first because I just loved the energy coming from her, but I didn't know that she would be one of the pilgrims who would keep popping up into my journey time and time again. The Camino provides what you need, I think I must have needed Tessa, she was there at some very pivotal moments on my journey and we shared some amazing times. Listen to our wonderful reminiscing of events that took part on what might be the most important journey of my life so far. Tessa was brought up in the UK but has been living Australia for a few years now. Such a beautiful human and so many great stories.

aka Blooming on the Camino.

Patrick Blooming is a singer-songwriter based in Melbourne Australia.

We met on the Camino and we shared some fun times together. He was great musical talent and a jolly nice chap at the same time. We caught up after a couple of months away from the way and we talk about his next musical project which is based on his very own personal journey on the Camino de Santiago.

Here is some of his previous music on Soundcloud and Facebook

https://soundcloud.com/bloomingmusic

https://www.facebook.com/BloomingMusic/

link tree

https://linktr.ee/bloomingmusic?mibextid=Zxz2cZ&fbclid=IwAR137sUiI9hHx4gYPaQZnJKMyC0wjhhDswWgb0yHnUAxiinFTM7YvGarpcY

We turn the tables on Stew and we ask Dan (Stew's first Camino Angel) all about his journey on the Camino De Santiago while taking the route of Camino De Frances.

Over the next season we will be interviewing members of my Camino family, but today I talk about a few of them here.

The ups, the downs, the highs and lows. Dan interviews very well, I might be out of a job, or perhaps found a future collaborator.

This is the first episode of season 3 of the Stew Simpson Show. Season 3 will be entirely dedicated to my trip on the Camino De Santiago.

Dan Jarvis is an actor,a friend and inspiration - we met on the set of a film early 2022 and he reignited a spark in me to walk the Camino De Santiago, a 500 mile pilgrimage across Spain, I will be taking the route known as the Camino De Frances.

He has recently come back from his walk and as I'm going in less than 4 weeks I'm getting nervous. Perhaps he is able to calm my nerves? To find out if he does calm me down you'll have to listen.

To find out more about this lovely chap follow him on instagram

https://www.instagram.com/d747/

I met Wenke at Turtle sweat lodge https://turtlelodgehealing.co.uk/ and I was instantly intrigued by her and what she does.

Wenke is a Health and Life coach who practices, Budwig Diet, Reiki, EFT Matrix Reimprinting and Shamanism.

Her life started in rural East Germany and her spiritual journey led her to here and now. This is my chat with Wenke, she is a beautiful spirit, with amazing strength and tenacity.

To find out more about her go to her website

https://www.wenke-langhof.com/

This is my first ever field recording of a podcast. In this episode I travelled to Leiscester to Turtle Lodge Healing with my friend Franz Hutcheson. We went with open hearts and minds not knowing what to expect for our first ever sweat lodge experience. A sweat lodge is a low profile hut, typically dome-shaped or oblong, and made with natural materials. The structure is the lodge, and the ceremony performed within the structure may be called by some cultures a purification ceremony or simply a sweat. Traditionally the structure is simple, constructed of saplings covered with blankets and sometimes animal skins.The ceremony was run by Jason Sewell of Turtle Lodge Healing.

I met an incredible group of beautiful people and we all gained something very significant by doing the ceremony. Please listen and enjoy the accounts of the events as the unfolded through the day.

To find out more go to https://turtlelodgehealing.co.uk/

or contact Jason directly via his email

turtlelodgehealing@gmail.com

The call of the Camino grows strong.

In a previous episode of the Stew Simpson Show we talked to my first member of my Camino family (Dan) and he has reignited the passion in me to follow the way.

Now that I have decided that I will be doing the Camino I need some advice, when should I go? What should I bring? What should I leave? Will I get lost?

Bradley has written about his trip to the end of the world

The book is called the only way is west

https://www.amazon.co.uk/Only-Way-West-Lifetime-Adventure-ebook/dp/B07Q1JKVJ8

he also has his own podcast about the Camino

https://podcasts.apple.com/kg/podcast/british-musician-bradley-chermside-walked-camino-wrote/id1201172784?i=1000439918709

Have you ever wondered what Reiki is??? In this episode of the stew Simpson Show we talk to Reiki practitioner Val Widdowson after my session on the the Reiki table. I have a problem with my foot and need it to be looked at before I consider walking the Camino De Santiago - Did the Reiki session work????? Listen to find out if it helped me and also to find out what excatly is Reiki anyway?????

For more information about Reiki and it's healing properties and also if you would like to book a Reiki session with Val get in touch with her via email

hello@vmwtherapies.co.uk

Adult Content - Puppy Play

In this week's episode we explore and aim to demystify the world of adult Puppy Play.

A relatively modern off shoot of the BDSM (bondage, discipline (or domination), sadism, and masochism) scene.

Since the mid 1990's people have been dressing up as Puppy Dogs and exploring a world of consensual, adult role-play made popular in the gay leather community, where people dress up and embody the characteristics of a dog (and or their handlers).

I met three Pups (Lucky, Happy and Anansi) and they told me what being a Pup was to them and what it is all about. They meet in Newcastle Upon Tyne in there homes and at a couple of various social events, Howl 2.0 and Pawz Owt

If you want to find out more go to

Howl Twitter: https://twitter.com/howl_newcastle?lang=en

Howl Website: https://howlnewcastle.com/

Pawz Out Twitter: https://twitter.com/pawz_out

We revisit with one of this seasons firsts guests Leena Anne Soulsar,

and due to a previous episode with Dan Jarvis where we chatted about the Camino De Santiago I've been led to contemplating a potential life changing journey, but I'm apprehensive about this.

Then as serendipity where to have it, I was wondering who could I chat to this week and Leena popped up on my time line asking for people to doing a reading for and I thought ahhhhhaaa guidance and perhaps an interesting episode.

So here it is, a Physchic reading with Leena Anne Soulsar

Sam and I have known each other for a few years now as we were label buddies on Fellside Records. As well as being an incredibly talented accordion player Sam Pirt is also a Psychic Medium. In todays episode we look into what it is to be a Medium, where it all comes from and is it possible for you to do it to? We chat about sceptics, questions such as do mediums hear voices? Do you see people from the other side, and so much more.

Fascinating chat with a very talented and extremely personable beautiful human.

To find out more about Sam go to

https://www.facebook.com/sampirtpsychicmedium

https://www.sampirt.co.uk

In this episode we chat to Shokti aka Mark Whiting.

Shokti is an Awakener and Explorer of Spirit and Consciousness since 1995.

We talked about transformation and awakening through adversity, in Shokti's journey this was through their HIV diagnosis and AIDS related illnesses. Confronted with the possibility of death at the age of 30 they experienced a complete dissolution of everything they believed about life, of who they thought they were and why we exist.

Shokti is also a historian who has written a number of books - most recently from Aids to Eternity avaialable from.

https://www.lulu.com/en/us/shop/mark-whiting/from-aids-to-eternity/paperback/product-rwyjm4.html?page=1&pageSize=4

We explore some of the history of the role of the Queer in the spirirtual practices of our collective cultures.

This was a fascinating and insightful chat, we only skimmed the surface so if you want to find out more about Shokti and Queer Spirtual history and the wonderful Queer Spirit Festival follow Shokti via his blog

Rainbow Messenger

https://rainbowmessenger.blog/?fbclid=IwAR30DqzHlW--0Y0SLClkv5NxGKiSGbFFi6eMhud1FJbPnF378gE62z5BCvw

In this weeks episode we talk to Ian Docker,the man who introduced me to Transcendental Meditation (or TM) A practice which has been super helpful with depression, ADHD, mild tourettes and generally just feeling a bit better about life in general. it really is great stuff.

He tells us about some of the science behind it, where it comes from, where you can learn the technique and the possibilities that lie beyond just the self by practising the technique.

https://globalwellbeing.uk/

Life often places us on interesting paths and helps us find interesting people.

I have thought about doing Camino De Santiago as part of discovering something more. While training on a bootcamp for my current work I met a wonderful chap called Dan Jarvis and has been on a journey that I myself am considering.

In this episode we discover a pilgrimage to the self through putting one foot in front of the other, quite literally. This is Discovering ' Camino De Santiago with Dan Jarvis'

In this weeks episode we talk to Patsy Wilson

and she tell us what it means for her to be a Quaker in the 21st Century

and we find out if and why they do actually Quake.... or not?

This is fascinating - to find out more about being Quaker go to

https://www.quaker.org.uk/

Season 2 episode 4

In todays episode we meet Leena Anne Soulsar from Austin Texas.

Leena is a Pagan, a Reiki Holy Fire and EFT practictioner who (in this life time alone) was a member of the Church of Jesus Christ of the Latter Day Saints, a member of Islam, in a coven and now practices magik and is discovering her psychic abilities.

She has also been blind since birth.

You can find out more about Leena from her facebook page

https://www.facebook.com/leena.bandy

If you want to contact Leena directly her email address is

leena.salim@gmail.com

Season 2 -Episode 3

In todays episode I reaquaint myself with Sister Alis Dodd McClure who is a representative for the Church of Jesus Christ of The Latter Day Saints and we discuss her faith in Christianity and I learn a little about the Book of Mormon and how that differs to other forms of Christianity. Alis and I are also related so it's very interesting to find out about extended members of my family and what they believe in.

This is truly fascinating, we discuss everything from abstinence to multiple kingdoms in an after life.

Episode 2- Season 2

Meet Mark Claireaux - Light Worker, Empath, Conduit of Healing.

Usues Meditations, healing circles and coaching.

We explore light language, Ayhuasca, Plant medicine, communicating with spirit and a brand new venture for his business 'Into the light' in Costa Rica.

Episode 1: series 2

Welcome back to the Stew Simpson Show Podcast where we chat all things creative.

On this weeks episode we meet The Reverend Edward Johnsen who is the Vicar for my local church when I'm in Cumbria. We discussed deep questions such as what is God, outreach work and the role of the Church in the 21st Century.

This was a very refreshing way to start the new series and Reverend Edward is a very interesting chap indeed, he even plays the fiddle.

Theo Dussek - (Pirate Troubadour) tells us all about his forthcoming album 'Written in the River'

to be released in April 2024. Theo is a folk singer and songwriter from the rural heart of Hertfordshire, we met at a gig in London at the Aces and Eights in Tuffnel Park and I was really impressed with his band 'Jack of hearts'

In this episode we delve into the process of writing this album, his obsession with all things pirate and being an out transman in the world of folk music.

Find out more about Theo on his website and socials.

https://theodussek.com/

facebook - https://www.facebook.com/TheoDussekBand

https://theodussek.com/music/

Instagram - https://www.instagram.com/theodussekpiratetroubadour/

Fangle Dooble dozer

S.J.Simpson

It’s a fangle dooble dozer

Said Lilly to Rosa

The Stephens they did not agree

I think it’s a thaw ump

Or a digeree dee thump

But it comes right up to my knee

The one in the middle

Said the boy with the fiddle

Away in a world of his own

He played with such glee

Until quarter past three

It’s a shame you can’t bow a trombone!

My cousin Paul’s not my cousin at all

He’s a friend I met at a wake

We giggle at death and poor Uncle Geoff

Who like a stripper, popped out of the cake!

And old Bobby’s like Dobby

He surfs for a hobby

Spends hours just looking for porn

He’s got the best package

Which included a snackage

He’s a veggie so it’s probably just quorn

If he eats the whole thing he might end up in Tring

But he ended his days down in France.

Oh no he’s not dead

He’s with Sister Fred

A nun who wears men’s underpants.

She got up to pray at seven today

She worships a God made of cheese,

She used to be catholic

I think she’s allergic,

The smell of incense makes her sneeze.

In the name of the Gowder

The stinking bishop has power

The big cheddar, the edam, the brie.

She went to confession to atone of her sinning

Because she loved a pirate called Smee.

But Father Mcsharry

Was dreaming of Barry

When poor Sister Fred

Spilled the beans.

Just pick up the can

It’s a Heinz 56 !

You’re missing a flavour it seems!

I’m in love with a man

With a bright orange tan

And a moustache he paints on with ink

He’s not got much of a brain

He might be insane

He calls himself Ethel I think?

He smells like a bakery

He loves buns and pastries

His favourites are pasties from Greggs

But I’d prefer a nice truffle

Or a cocktail with Russel

But I might lose control of my legs.

There’s my new friend called James

Who’s taken the blame

For my lack of decorum on trains

I swear it’s tourettes

But I break into sweats

I think that I’ve broken my brain

But the moral of the tale

Is that nothings for sale

When your friends are as nuts as a scrotum

And I think you’re the best

But I’ll be better with rest

I’m like a bear who’s missing his Totum

POLE.

In todays episode of The Stew Simpson Show we introduce Big Boys Camp

an alternative LGBTQI+ alternative industrial experimental cyberpunk band from London. I also happen to be in the band too.

Members are

Stew Simpson - Vocals. Guitar, beat programming

Rob Des Roches - Keys and Vocals

Ren Johnson - Bass

Kell Farshea - Performance and Poetry

This week I talked to Author of such dark fantasy novels as Mycophoria, Those whom the grave will not hold, Black Hallows:Cradle of darkness and many more. We also talk about politics and a love for his other passion.....music.

Please feel free to delve deeper into Tom Adams world :

His website is at - http://tomghadams.com and my Facebook page (Writing in Starlight) is at https://www.facebook.com/tomghadams/

Sign up for free books at: https://dl.bookfunnel.com/lxf5uaw8dq

Youtube channel: https://www.youtube.com/user/ridgemoterider/

You can follow me on Twitter at @Moteridgerider

Goodreads: https://www.goodreads.com/author/show/14441271.Tom_G_H_Adams

Amazon author page: https://www.amazon.co.uk/Tom-Adams/e/B01776G3ZU/

This week I take a huge step out of my comfort zone and learn all about what it is to be a Disk Jockey from a great DJ based in Bournemouth (England) called Carla Gee.

You can listen to her mixes at

https://www.mixcloud.com/carlagregory182/

In this weeks episode we meet Rob Haliburton a talented photographer based in the North East of England, we chat about documentary photography, process and encouraging young and older people in the community to get creative via the project The Camera Donation Project - for more information about donating a camera and other equiptment go to

https://cameradonationproject.org/

In this weeks podcast we meet Folk polymath Saul Rose,

We find out what life as a full time self employed Melodeon player is really like for Saul Rose. Saul plays with such bands as Eliza Carthy and the restitution, Faustus, Mac n Saul, Good England, Whapweasel and Hadrian's Union just to mention a few, he is also a record producer, drummer and occasionally a builder, oh and he was also the songman in the Michael Morpurgos Warhorse with Ash from Casualty.

A varied life makes an interesting chap indeed.

On this weeks podcast we meet West End superstar Ben Forster. Ben shot to fame on our TV screens in 2012's search for star on Sir Andrew Lloyd Webbers BBC 1 reality talent competition 'Superstar'. Since landing into the hearts of the nation as the big JC Ben has gone on to perform around the world in various shows such as Elf, The Rocky Show and the pinnacle of all west end shows The Phantom Of The Opera. This is no overnight success story though - listen here to find out how much work it took to get there and what is the future of music theatre? #theshowmustgoon

Today we have a special interview with one of the founding member of Forest Gayte Pride - Rob Des Roches. A talented singer songwriter - canadian living in east london who organises a local pride event for the LGBTQI+ community in Forest Gate east London. Hear all about this coming weekends events - including live music, cabaret, drag, talks about the history of pride events, an art exhibition and so much more.

For more information and tickets go to the Forest Gayte pride website

https://forestgaytepride.com/events/forest-gayte-pride

In this weeks episode we meet a folk musician with a difference.

What happens when an English folk singer takes a very British craft to Vietnam ?

Find out here. Simon Stephenson is classically trained finger styled guitarist who explores folk music, blues and many other forms of music.

We catch up after many years of not seeing each other and we find out we have been upto. This is a very nice catch up and an insite into the details of creativity behind playing intricate guitar, inspired by artists such as Nick Jones, Richard Thompson and Tommy Emanuelle.

For more access to Simon's music go to

https://time-stitch.bandcamp.com

https://www.getthefolkin.com

In this episode of the Stew Simpson Show we meet David Birger

The author of mythic fantasy novels Task Force GAEA.

All the way from Land-O Lakes U.S.A.

https://www.davidbergerbooks.com/

Find David on Twitter - https://twitter.com/MrDBerger

I catch up with my friend of long standing Marc Block and we talk about their involvement in what I feel is one of the most beautiful and possibly life changing festivals in all of the UK. A grass roots festival full of beautiful people from all walks of life. We also talked about Marc's own journey on his own journey of discovery towards finding out how he/she/they identity.

For more information about Queer Spirit go to https://queerspirit.net/festival

To find out more about Marc https://marcblock.co.uk/

This week we chat with Marc Block a fabulous Folk Singer and Songwriter who also works one on one with patients in hospitals as a professional musician, we also chat about everything from the radical faeries to the Queer Spirit festival..

https://marcblock.co.uk/

This weeks podcast we talk to Kelly Edgar, Dale Price, AJ, Michael Perren,

all about stand up comedy, they are at the start of their journey.

Will Dale ever find his missing sock and do Pug Dogs actual conspire to murder their owners? - you won't find out the answers to these questions in this podcast.

On this weeks Stew Simpson Show we meet Wigan Singer, songwriter and entertainer extrodinaire Jon Brindley.

We talk about the power of song and debut Jon's brand new song 'To feel the brightness of the dawn'

You Tube - https://www.youtube.com/user/jonbrindley

In this weeks episode Stew chats to Artist (and ex Partner and good friend) Richard Kavanagh and chats about life as an abstract painter and sculptor and they explore the differences of creating works in different environments, socially and geographically speaking.

In this weeks episode Stew meets Tricia Meynell a photographer who uses

a camera almost like a paintbrush. Her work is beguiling and she lives in a very pretty Cumbrian village called Castle Carrock.

You can find out more about Tricia via

https://www.triciameynell.com/

https://www.instagram.com/triciameynell/

In this weeks episode Stew catches up with fellow Actor, writer, singer-songwriter and Bowie enthusiast with an exclusive expose of his brand new song 'I never built a city'

You can hear more of Shanes work on his Bandcamp page

https://shanejamesbordas.bandcamp.com/

In this weeks episode we talk to Folk singer and songwriter Ian K Brown

who lives in Northumberland, writes songs about Cumbria and is actually from Kent, he teaches ukulele and learned so much about life through his passion for running.

On this weeks episode we talk to Martin John King

an Artist, actor, knitter and reiki healer just finishing a fine art degree and

taking his first steps into the world of fine art.

We talk about everything from performance art to knitting tank tops and healing head aches through the power of the mind.

In this bite sized episode we meet a candle maker

called Liam Cheal who also happens to be a biologist.

He runs the toasty

Meet Franz Hutcheson

who is an RTT Therapist who can help you unblock your mind and help remove obstacles from you progressing on your creative journey through life.

Franz tells us all about Rapid Transformational Therapy and even talks us through a brief hypnotherapy session at the end of the episode.

Welcome to season 4 of the Stew Simpson Show,

this season it's all about the LGBTQIA+ community and we start the season by chatting with fellow artist, gay man (He/him) and also ADHDer, the similarities don't just end there, you have to listen to find out all about Toc (aka Tony O'Connell) and his amazing journey through art, being gay and emerging from the Catholic church and how that influences his work.

more information about Toc is available on his web presence

https://www.artinliverpool.com/features/artist-blog/featured-artist-tony-oconnell-part-of-five-at-kirkby-gallery-2024/

https://www.instagram.com/jon_barleycorn/

https://www.facebook.com/tony.oconnell.5249

In episode 9 of the Stew Simpson Show - Stew meets the creator of Comic Book - The Department Of Ability - by Dan White.

Dan said that he was frustrated by the lack of disabled icons for his daughter Emily so he created them.

Listen here to find out more about Dan and his amazing story and approach to creating something which is quite awesome.

Find out more about

The Department Of Ability on dan's website

https://departmentofability.com/about/

In this weeks episode Stew chats to Mat mellor about Comedy, rap, music, Hadrians Union and his rap comedy partnership They might Be Sexy lizards

In this podcast two of the UKs most loved reality TV stars (Pete Bennet from Big Brother series 7 and Professor Tim Wilson from the Circle series 2) meet for the first time and discuss the aftermath of appearing on the nations favourite reality TV shows. What happens when the lights go out and should we question the state of reality TV - is it time for the industry to change ?

We discuss issues of mental health and eating disorders

If you would like to help Nikki Graeme in her recovery please go to

https://www.gofundme.com/f/2azz481mlc

If you need advice on eating disorders more information is available from

https://www.beateatingdisorders.org.uk/

Also mentioned in this episode are The campaign against living miserably CALM

https://www.thecalmzone.net/

The last week of Drawers off from Channel 4

This week we meet Hushna, Glen, Dave, Amanda and me,

yes interviewing myself was problematic, have a listen to see how we got on.

It was so much fun

Cover art for this episode was desaigned by

https://www.instagram.com/shevonburrows.art/

More information about the artists on

Husnah

https://www.instagram.com/husnahenna/

Glen

https://www.instagram.com/glenn.davison.5/

dave

https://www.instagram.com/ds_pastelworks/

amanda

https://www.instagram.com/volanteamanda/

Stew

http://www.stewsimpson.co.uk/