Hello wonderful queers! Welcome to episode number one from your new hosts Ben and Maya. This is our Qistory episode, where we discuss the exciting Queer history of Halloween. There will be teachings and learnings, pop culture chat, games, student thoughts AND an exciting interview with PHD student Ethan James. Tune in my spooky, fanged, blood drenched queers (and others), we hope you enjoy!

The end is nigh! As Jasper and Yusra prepare to graduate, they say a fond farewell to the podcast by reflecting on the past year and looking towards the future - by exclusively introducing your new hosts for the next academic year!

The episode concludes with a highlights reel of every interview response to the question “What would you say to your younger student self?”, including Jasper and Yusra’s own answers to this... tissues at the ready. It may be goodbye from our old hosts, but from our new hosts - it’s a very exciting see you soon! Here’s to the future!

Spring has sprung! The days are getting longer, the flowers are in bloom and to celebrate, Jasper and Yusra are joined by Connor Butler (he/him), better known as @connor_the_ecologist on Instagram and TikTok. Connor is a freelance entomologist who has made a splash online educating their platform about all the wonderful queerness which can be found in the natural world. The former head of learning at Chelsea Physic Garden, Connor was most recently tasked with curating ‘A Dash of Lavender’, a queer ecology exhibition made to mark LGBTQ+ History Month, exploring the connection between queerness and nature. He talks about the importance of this relationship, his love for ecology and much more in his brilliantly entertaining chat with Jasper and Yusra. Expect lesbian seagulls and a remarkable tale about gender-fluid woodlice...

February is LGBTQ+ History Month in the UK and what better way to mark the occasion than an interview with Rodney Wilson (he/him), the founder of LGBTQ+ History Month in the USA. A school teacher in Missouri, Rodney made headlines in 1994 when he came out to his classroom. Noticing the absence of any LGBTQ+ history in his school’s textbooks, he drafted a letter proposing a national month to commemorate these unspoken queer narratives. Flash forward to today, and LGBTQ+ History Month is celebrated globally, with Rodney being the co-founder of the International Committee on LGBTQ+ History Months. His story is a testament to how small acts of courage can leave a legacy of light, change and inspiration, something which shines through in his chat with Jasper and Yusra.

Sarah Maslen (she/her) is nothing short of an inspiration to all of the LGBTQ+ community and beyond. She has made it her life’s work to uplift queer voices and make the world a safer, fairer and more just place for all. Today, she joins Jasper and Yusra to chat about her many roles including as an Executive Director of Trans in the City, founder of Undivided Training and Consulting and manager of Fast Track Cymru, working to get zero HIV transmissions in Wales by 2030.

Trans in the City is the world’s largest organisation for trans and non-binary people in business. Led by trans and non-binary people, they collaborate with over 300 global corporate partners to raise awareness, share contacts and best practice, provide role models and speakers and access to consultancy and training. For opportunities and more information, please visit their website https://www.transinthecity.co.uk/.

Ho! Ho! Ho! Merry Christmas from everyone at PLAN and Planorama! Yusra and Jasper are here to make all your Christmas wishes come true with a cheeky festive feast with all the trimmings! Their lighthearted discussion ranges from what this time of year means to them, their personal highlights from 2024, what they’re looking forward to in 2025 and the results of the official Planorama Christmas Survey! Happy holidays and season’s greetings to all!

How can we make the workplace a fairer and more just environment for all? Today, Jasper (he/they) and Yusra (she/her) speak with Professor Manuela Galetto (she/her) about how we may begin to answer such a question. Manuela is the Co-Director of the Industrial Relations Research Unit (IRRU) at Warwick Business School and an Associate Professor in Employment Relations within the Organisation and Work (OW) group. With research specialising in comparative employment relations, sectoral collective bargaining, gender pay gap reporting, European industrial relations and the impact of digitalisation on workforce management, Manuela provides an excellent insight into both the urgent need to address the question of how to improve the workplace and what it takes to develop a successful career in academics.

What does it take to forge a successful career in the arts? What must be done to ensure the industry is protected? What’s the importance of the arts in relation to our society today? All these questions and more are answered as Jasper and Yusra sit down with Martin Prendergast (he/him) to chat about the industry he has been a part of for 30 years. Since graduating from Warwick, Martin has had an illustrious career working in the cultural sector, including for companies such as the National Theatre, RADA and The Guardian to name a few. He would form his own business in 2018, Martin Prendergast Communications (MPC), helping arts organisations to connect with corporate sponsors and manage public affairs. His expertise in the field makes for an informative, entertaining and inspiring listen - certainly not one to miss!