Rephonic
Artwork for This Was Always Me

This Was Always Me

Global
Mental Health
Coming Out
Conversion Therapy
LGBTQ+ Rights
Christianity
LGBTQIA+ Acceptance
Shame and Self-Hatred
LGBTQ+ Community
Family Dynamics
Homosexuality
Olympic Gay Ban
LGBTQI Rights
Identity Acceptance
Bullying
Bisexuality
Dame Kelly Holmes
Pride
Transgender Identity
Employment Discrimination
Family Relationships

Rich Clarke spent years feeling ashamed of his sexuality. Now he meets others who, for many different reasons, kept theirs hidden - and asks why. From Olympic icon Dame Kelly Holmes to a Zimbabwean refugee and a former Conservative MP, these are unflinching stories of secrecy, shame, and survival. Forget the rainbow-washed headlines... coming out isn't always safe, or even possible. Across 12 grip... more

PublishesWeeklyEpisodes13Founded4 months ago
Number of ListenersCategories
Personal JournalsHealth & FitnessSexualitySociety & Culture

Listen to this Podcast

Artwork for This Was Always Me

Latest Episodes

Anthony Kavanagh speaks to Rich Clarke about the hidden cost of becoming Kavana - a 90s pop star forced to hide his sexuality in an industry where being openly gay felt impossible.

From knowing he was gay at 10 to creating a public persona that mask... more

Bestselling author Julie Cohen speaks to Rich Clarke about coming out as bisexual in her forties, after more than two decades of marriage and a lifetime of quiet questioning.

She reflects on growing up in small-town Maine without the language to und... more

Zarith speaks to Rich Clarke about surviving violence, secrecy, and state-sanctioned homophobia... and the long road to finding safety in the UK.

Raised in South East Asia, Zarith always knew he was different. But silence felt like the only option i... more

Al speaks to Rich Clarke about growing up feeling different. Not just because he was gay, but because he was half Chinese in a mostly white school, where he was bullied and made to feel like an outsider.

In the shadow of the AIDS crisis, with strict... more

Key Facts

Accepts Guests
Contact Information
Podcast Host
Number of Listeners
Find out how many people listen to this podcast per episode and each month.

Similar Podcasts

People also subscribe to these shows.

Recent Guests

Anthony Kavanagh
90s pop star and author
Episode: Being Kavana: Anthony Kavanagh on the cost of hiding his sexuality in the 90s pop industry
Julie Cohen
Million selling author embracing her bisexuality
Episode: Always There, Never Named: Julie Cohen on embracing her bisexuality in mid-life
Josi Clay
Retired Metropolitan Police Officer and Proud Trans Woman
Episode: Hiding Behind the Uniform: Retired Met officer Josi Clay on coming out as a trans woman
Norman Goodman
An individual who embraces his bisexual identity after years of struggle and repression.
Episode: Decades of Silence: Norman Goodman on surviving aversion therapy & embracing his bisexual identity in his 70s
Maud Goba
A refugee activist and proud gay woman who speaks about her experiences fleeing Zimbabwe.
Episode: From Arranged Marriage & Exorcism to Activism: Moud Goba on escaping Zimbabwe and starting over

Host

Rich Clarke
Host who explores the emotional costs of hiding one's identity and shares stories of resilience and acceptance.

Reviews

5.0 out of 5 stars from 19 ratings
  • Love it! So interesting

    Rich is a great interviewer and tackles sensitive topics and subjects with empathy and care. He’s a great broadcaster who has transferred his skills to launch an amazing podcast series. Cannot wait for more. Definitely worth listening to these episodes.

    Apple Podcasts
    5
    MarcC2020
    United Kingdom3 months ago
  • Great Listen

    Well done Rich. Have listened to two so far, heartfelt interviews on a subject many can relate to.

    Apple Podcasts
    5
    Andy's I Touch
    United Kingdom3 months ago
  • Cannot wait

    Richard is amazing, so this I bound to be

    Apple Podcasts
    5
    EPD10
    United Kingdom4 months ago
  • Wow

    Looking forward to listening to these episodes. Trailer sounds very emotive and informative. No one should be ashamed of who they are

    Apple Podcasts
    5
    Kermi!
    United Kingdom4 months ago

Listeners Say

Key themes from listener reviews, highlighting what works and what could be improved about the show.

There is frequent praise for the depth and authenticity of the stories shared, highlighting their relevance and relatability.
Feedback indicates a strong connection with the guests' narratives and an eagerness for more episodes addressing these crucial topics.
Listeners appreciate the empathetic interviewing style and the sensitivity with which topics are handled.

Chart Rankings

How this podcast ranks in the Apple Podcasts, Spotify and YouTube charts.

Talking Points

Recent interactions between the hosts and their guests.

Being Kavana: Anthony Kavanagh on the cost of hiding his sexuality in the 90s pop industry
Q: How amazing that you can sit here now and talk about it?
Anthony shares that he reflects on the journey and the importance of sharing his story now that he's sober.
Being Kavana: Anthony Kavanagh on the cost of hiding his sexuality in the 90s pop industry
Q: When did you first realize that you were different, that you were gay?
Anthony reflects on moments in school where he felt attraction towards a boy and recognized that he was different from other boys.
'They Put Me In A Closet & Beat Me': Zarith on his journey to safety & freedom in the UK
Q: What would you do as a 14, 15, 16 years old, you know, gay teenager in a society that doesn't accept you?
You live in fear and cannot express your true self, fearing for your safety and future.
'They Put Me In A Closet & Beat Me': Zarith on his journey to safety & freedom in the UK
Q: What is it like growing up somewhere where it is illegal to be you?
It's incredibly painful and confusing, leading to feelings of shame, fear, and isolation.
Always There, Never Named: Julie Cohen on embracing her bisexuality in mid-life
Q: How do you feel about representation now?
There are so many mirrors for kids now, but less so for middle-aged people like me.

Audience Metrics

Listeners, social reach, demographics and more for this podcast.

Listeners per Episode
Gender Skew
Location
Interests
Professions
Age Range
Household Income
Social Media Reach

Frequently Asked Questions About This Was Always Me

What is This Was Always Me about and what kind of topics does it cover?

Conversations in this series reflect on the experiences of individuals who have struggled with their sexuality or gender identity in environments rife with secrecy and societal pressures. The narratives are deeply personal, touching on themes of acceptance, resilience, and the emotional toll of living a concealed life. Guest discussions often highlight the intersection of personal stories with broader societal issues, including the effects of bullying, the legacy of conversion therapy, and the fight for LGBTQ+ rights. Each episode is characterized by a raw and empathetic exploration of the varied journeys towards authenticity, making it a compelling listen for those interested in human stories, identity struggles, and cultural insights.

Where can I find podcast stats for This Was Always Me?

Rephonic provides a wide range of podcast stats for This Was Always Me. We scanned the web and collated all of the information that we could find in our comprehensive podcast database. See how many people listen to This Was Always Me and access YouTube viewership numbers, download stats, audience demographics, chart rankings, ratings, reviews and more.

How many listeners does This Was Always Me get?

Rephonic provides a full set of podcast information for three million podcasts, including the number of listeners. View further listenership figures for This Was Always Me, including podcast download numbers and subscriber numbers, so you can make better decisions about which podcasts to sponsor or be a guest on. You will need to upgrade your account to access this premium data.

What are the audience demographics for This Was Always Me?

Rephonic provides comprehensive predictive audience data for This Was Always Me, including gender skew, age, country, political leaning, income, professions, education level, and interests. You can access these listener demographics by upgrading your account.

How many subscribers and views does This Was Always Me have?

To see how many followers or subscribers This Was Always Me has on Spotify and other platforms such as Castbox and Podcast Addict, simply upgrade your account. You'll also find viewership figures for their YouTube channel if they have one.

Which podcasts are similar to This Was Always Me?

These podcasts share a similar audience with This Was Always Me:

1. Dig It with Jo Whiley and Zoe Ball
2. Wanging On with Graham Norton and Maria McErlane
3. The News Agents
4. The Rest Is Entertainment
5. Dish

How many episodes of This Was Always Me are there?

This Was Always Me launched 4 months ago and published 13 episodes to date. You can find more information about this podcast including rankings, audience demographics and engagement in our podcast database.

How do I contact This Was Always Me?

Our systems regularly scour the web to find email addresses and social media links for this podcast. We scanned the web and collated all of the contact information that we could find in our podcast database. But in the unlikely event that you can't find what you're looking for, our concierge service lets you request our research team to source better contacts for you.

Where can I see ratings and reviews for This Was Always Me?

Rephonic pulls ratings and reviews for This Was Always Me from multiple sources, including Spotify, Apple Podcasts, Castbox, and Podcast Addict.

View all the reviews in one place instead of visiting each platform individually and use this information to decide if a show is worth pitching or not.

How do I access podcast episode transcripts for This Was Always Me?

Rephonic provides full transcripts for episodes of This Was Always Me. Search within each transcript for your keywords, whether they be topics, brands or people, and figure out if it's worth pitching as a guest or sponsor. You can even set-up alerts to get notified when your keywords are mentioned.

What guests have appeared on This Was Always Me?

Recent guests on This Was Always Me include:

1. Anthony Kavanagh
2. Julie Cohen
3. Josi Clay
4. Norman Goodman
5. Maud Goba

To view more recent guests and their details, simply upgrade your Rephonic account. You'll also get access to a typical guest profile to help you decide if the show is worth pitching.

Find and pitch the right podcasts

We help savvy brands, marketers and PR professionals to find the right podcasts for any topic or niche. Get the data and contacts you need to pitch podcasts at scale and turn listeners into customers.
Try it free for 7 days