Hughie: Be Careful What You Ask For

Hughie: Be Careful What You Ask For

In this episode, Hughie and I unpack what “more” really means. A few years ago, we prayed for more. More opportunities, more growth, more purpose. What we didn’t realize was that “more” would first arrive disguised as struggle, heartbreak, uncertainty, and some of the hardest seasons of our lives. Together, we explore Hughie’s journey growing up as a gay man in The Bahamas, navigating family relationships, finding his voice, leaving home, starting over in Canada, and building a life rooted in authenticity. We also talk about marriage, identity, healing, resilience, and the unexpected lessons that came from the very challenges we once wished away. This is a conversation about trusting the process, embracing your truth, and understanding that sometimes the “more” you’re asking for doesn’t show up as a blessing first; it shows up as a test. If you’ve ever felt stuck between where you are and where you’re trying to go, this episode is for you. Because sometimes “more” struggle is what leads to more strength. More courage. More healing. More success. And eventually, more of the life you were praying for all along.

Michael Matthew: I Lost Myself, But Now I’m Back

In this deeply vulnerable episode of The Get Naked Podcast, I sit down with my best friend of over ten years, Michael Matthew, for one of the most honest conversations we have ever had.Michael opens up about growing up gay and flamboyant in the Bahamas, a country where queerness is not accepted and often met with violence. He talks candidly about navigating an extremely homophobic family, including his mother and grandmother, and the complicated and painful relationship he has had with his heterosexual brother. As a child, Michael learned early that survival sometimes meant physically fighting other boys at school just to protect himself, all while holding onto his love for makeup, long hair, and self expression in a world that tried to shame it out of him.We dive into the internal battles that followed him into adulthood. Michael shares how issues with colorism and Black identity led him to bleach his skin, believing that being dark skinned meant being dirty or less worthy. He speaks openly about struggling with suicidal thoughts as a young teenager, and how depression later showed up for the first time in his life during his marriage. That period led to heavy drinking and a version of himself he barely recognized.For the first time publicly, Michael talks about his marriage coming to an end and the reality of divorce. He reflects on opening his home and heart to so many people, only to realize that many of them did not have his best interests at heart. In a short span of time, he lost his marriage, his home, and the people he thought were family.And yet, this is also a story of rebirth.Today, Michael is rebuilding his life. He is back in college. He is moving into a new home. He is divorcing his husband. He is smiling and laughing again. He is choosing himself.Michael shared that his name means God’s gift, and in this episode, you will understand why. Not because his life has been easy, but because his honesty, resilience, and growth are exactly that.This episode is about survival, identity, grief, and what it looks like to bloom after losing everything.Get naked with us.

Quentin: If You Don’t Want an Honest Answer, Don’t Ask Me!

In this episode of the Get Naked Podcast, I sit down with Quentin - my cousin, my family, and one of the most unapologetically authentic people I know.Quentin grew up in the Bahamas and had a radically different experience than many queer people. He was never forced to hide who he was. Instead, he was encouraged to be himself; even when that honesty created tension within family dynamics and relationships. From a young age, Quentin made a decision: he would never pretend to be someone else to make others comfortable.Now in his late 40s, Quentin is still that same person. He tells it like it is. If you ask him a question, expect an honest answer; and if you don’t want honesty, as he says, you might want to ask someone else. He values loyalty, friendship, and relationships deeply. Everything he does is intentional, right down to what he wears. He doesn’t seek outside validation. He moves to the beat of his own drum and lives by one rule: I’m going to be me, regardless of who is around. In this emotionally naked conversation, Quentin also opens up about the quieter struggles: the moments where he didn’t want to harm himself, but questioned whether life would be easier if he didn’t exist at all. He shares how he navigated those thoughts, the emotional roller coaster of life, and how he ultimately found his way to peace, stability, and joy.Today, Quentin is thriving in his marriage, his finances, his career, and most importantly, within himself. This episode is about belonging, truth-telling, chosen authenticity, and what it looks like to live fully as yourself, no matter the cost.If you’re craving a conversation about self-acceptance, emotional honesty, queer identity, and living life on your own terms, then this one is for you.

Keele: I Put a Price Tag On Me

“I Put a Price Tag on Me” is a deeply personal, honest conversation between cousins…rooted in love, reflection, and growth.In this episode, I sit down with my cousin Shaquille for a raw and intimate dialogue that spans our childhoods, the loss of his mother, and the ways grief has shaped how he loves, heals, and shows up in the world. Shaquille opens up about his marriage, the challenges they faced, and the intentional work it took to overcome them. We talk openly about his struggles with suicidal thoughts, the journey toward choosing life, and the process of discovering who he truly is beneath expectations and performance.Together, we unpack what it means to live in authenticity, and how valuing quality over quantity in relationships changed his life, how recognizing performative behavior (in himself and others) became a turning point, and how loss taught him not only how to grieve, but how to love more deeply. This conversation holds space for pain and healing at the same time, exploring how gratitude can exist alongside grief.This episode is full of love, reflection, and lessons learned the hard way. An offering for anyone navigating loss, identity, relationships, or the courage it takes to choose yourself.We also shine a light on Black Pride YYC, a Black queer-led community organization here in Calgary that continues to create space, connection, and support for Black queer folks. @BlackPrideYYC  [https://studio.youtube.com/channel/UCcl4U12-S3pCAwfdKWo7B3Q] 🤍

Lynden Pope: Right Person, Wrong Time - Part 2

In this very special episode of my podcast, the roles are reversed and I step into the guest seat to share my own story.I titled this episode “Right Person, Wrong Time” because that phrase has quietly shaped the last few years of my life, especially when it comes to love, timing, and the way things don’t always work out the way we imagine they will.In this episode, I speak openly about deeply personal experiences, including suicide, mental health struggles, leaving home at a very young age, and moving to a completely different country in search of safety. I also talk about growing up with privilege, having everything I could have wanted, and then losing it all when I left.What many people never knew is that I experienced homelessness and intense struggle in a new place. My parents didn’t even know what I was going through at the time. This episode dives into the reality of that period of my life, the pain, the resilience, and the quiet strength it took just to survive.I also share how things eventually shifted. How healing began. How stability returned. And how I am now in a place where I am not just surviving, but truly thriving and living my best life.This is a story about identity, loss, growth, courage, and self-discovery. And this is just Part One.Content warning: This episode contains discussion of suicide, mental health challenges, and other sensitive topics that may be difficult or triggering for some viewers. Please take care while watching and prioritize your well-being.If this episode resonates with you, feel free to leave a comment, like, or share it with someone who might need to hear it. Thank you for being here.🤍Right Person, Wrong Time — Part Two!