What Pride Month Is Really About (And Why It Matters In 2026) | Not Us Podcast

What If All We Really Need Is Safety & Belonging?

Everyone wants somewhere they can stop performing and simply be themselves. Nicole Alexander joins Angela and Sam to talk about Pride Shelter Trust, but what unfolds is a much deeper conversation about rejection, identity, boundaries and the quiet human need to belong. From losing your voice to finding purpose, from surviving to feeling safe again, this episode is less about having the answers and more about what it takes to become yourself after life has convinced you not to.

Lesbian Visibility Is Not The Same As Understanding

The L is visible. But is it understood? For Pride Month, Sam and Angela talk about lesbian visibility, the weight of the word “lesbian,” and the assumptions people still make about women who love women. From childhood memories and old stereotypes to queer identity, fluidity, relationship roles and the phrase “Love is Love,” this is a funny, personal and sometimes uncomfortable conversation about being seen, labelled, misunderstood and still choosing to show up honestly.

The reality of acceptance & queer healing with Robert Finlayson & Earl Gregory | Not Us Podcast

How do you find your true self when the world tells you to change or stay hidden? In this raw, celebratory Pride Month episode of the Not Us podcast, sisters Angela and Samantha sit down with award-winning West End and South African musical theatre legends (and husbands!) Robert Finlayson and Earl Gregory.Together, they pull back the curtain on the glamorous stage lights to discuss the messy, beautiful realities of navigating gay relationships, confronting generational shame, and processing the trauma of being 'other'. Earl shares his profound experience with "queer healing" through performing in drag for Kinky Boots, while Robert offers his dual perspective as both an industry veteran and a practicing therapist dealing daily with the systemic loneliness experienced by older gay men.From growing up in militarised spaces and the hoods of South Africa to surviving the high-stakes hustle of the London theatre scene, this episode tackles why Pride remains a vital act of defiance. If you've ever wrestled with imposter syndrome, external validation, or finding your chosen tribe, this deeply human conversation is your reminder to show up exactly as you are.Connect with our guests:Robert’s Therapy Practice: Finlayson Hypnosis / Living Well OrganizationFollow our journey: Instagram, TikTok, and Facebook @NotUs_PodcastGot questions or want to connect? Email us: notuspod@gmail.comIf this conversation resonated with you, please like, leave a comment below with your thoughts, and subscribe for weekly episodes navigating change, choice, and all the messy bits in between!Hashtags#pridemonth2026 #queerhealing #musicaltheatre #LGBTQPodcasts #AgeGapLove #notuspodcast #WestEndActors

What Pride Month Is Really About (And Why It Matters In 2026) | Not Us Podcast

Pride didn't start as a party. It started as a protest. This week on Not Us Podcast, sisters Angela and Samantha share their personal experiences as members of the LGBTQIA+ community while exploring the history of Pride, the Stonewall uprising, coming out, discrimination, allyship, and why LGBTQ+ rights remain fragile even in countries that appear progressive. From growing up in South Africa to living in Europe, we talk openly about sexuality, identity, religion, workplace discrimination, family acceptance, finding community, and why visibility still matters. We also discuss: 🏳️‍🌈 The origins of Pride and the Stonewall riots 🏳️‍🌈 Why Pride Month is still political 🏳️‍🌈 Coming out stories and family reactions 🏳️‍🌈 Growing up gay in South Africa 🏳️‍🌈 Religion, identity and belonging 🏳️‍🌈 LGBTQ+ rights around the world 🏳️‍🌈 Corporate Pride and performative allyship 🏳️‍🌈 Why representation matters 🏳️‍🌈 How allies can show up meaningfully This isn't a conversation about labels. It's a conversation about human rights, visibility, and creating a world where people can safely be themselves. #PrideMonth #LGBTQ #ComingOut #HumanRights #Pride2026 #NotUsPodcast #QueerVoices #LGBTQRights #Allyship #Stonewall

Football Rivalries, Family Drama & FIFA World Cup Chaos | Germany vs England vs Brazil

The FIFA World Cup is almost here… and apparently our family relationships are once again hanging by a thread. This week on Not Us Podcast, we’re talking football rivalries, national loyalty, World Cup obsession, sports culture, and the deeply irrational emotional damage caused by supporting the wrong team. Angela backs Brazil and England. Samantha supports Germany with the emotional commitment of a medieval knight defending a kingdom. Naturally, this becomes a problem. We get into: * why football feels almost religious * growing up in a hyper-competitive family * England’s eternal “It’s Coming Home” optimism * German football discipline vs Brazilian flair * football hooligans, drama and fake injuries * women’s football finally getting the attention it deserves * why South Africans are obsessed with European football * the weird emotional loyalty sports creates * the new FIFA World Cup rules * halftime shows, Shakira, BTS and football becoming entertainment culture We also somehow discuss:David Beckham, Sergio Ramos, Maradona’s Hand of God, Pickles the dog who found the stolen World Cup trophy, and why our mother still hasn’t emotionally recovered from having a Manchester United supporter in the family. So basically:football, identity, chaos, tequila. ⚽️ Hosted by sisters Angela & Samantha🎙️ Not Us PodcastNew episodes weekly on change, choice, identity, culture and all the messy bits in between. #FIFAWorldCup #FootballPodcast #WorldCup2026 #BrazilFootball #EnglandFootball #GermanyFootball #WomenInSport #FootballCulture #SportsPodcast #NotUsPodcast