Welcome to Who’s Wally? The Podcast, hosted by Andy Wallis and Em Bacon.

Episode Three - Talking with M J Buckman. Author of the book ‘Bent is not Broken’.

In this episode, Andy waffles about his recent gong bath experience while walking in the woods, Andy and Em chat about time machine toilets, teenage mental health, as well as John Robins, and his show ‘Howl’ they recently saw in Nottingham.

John, if you're listening, we want you on the show!

They spoke to M J Buckman about life, mental health, and her new book ‘Bent is not Broken’

Listen out for ‘Hows Brian?, The little book of calm, and another “What’s your favourite cheese?”

About the Book

Through a combination of memoir, interviews, and research, M.J. Buckman explores LGBT+ life through the ages and looks at what it can teach us today about tolerance, inclusivity, and sheer joy.

In the 1980s, M.J. thrived in London’s gay subculture. Being a fag hag was fun, exciting, and all-consuming. But, amongst all her ‘bent’ friends trying to find themselves, was she losing herself instead

Now turning sixty, M.J. looks back on that time and the journey she has taken to have a stronger and healthier relationship with herself. Through interviews with LGBT+ people of all ages, she explores the pain of being on the outside and the wonder of finding your tribe.

Blending these personal histories with a deep exploration of how society has represented LGBT+ people throughout history. In today’s world, where many LGBT+ people still struggle to be themselves and hate speech is on the rise, the need to stand up and be counted as an ally is as strong as ever.

This book is about the human spirit: flawed but able to cope, different from others but accepting ourselves, fearful of adversity, but somehow finding the inner resources to be true to who we are. Bent, but not broken.

It was an absolute pleasure to have M J Buckman on Who’s Wally? The Podcast, and we wish her all the best with this amazing book.

Links from the show:

Bent is not broken book by M J Buckman
Stonewall - Standing for lesbian, gay, bi, trans, queer, questioning and ace (LGBTQ+) people.
Information about Sure Start on Wikipedia
Andy’s Belmont Tower photos on flicker
Mind Uk - Information about young people
John Robins website
Ellis James and John Robins Podcast
The Fox Cafe Nottingham facebook page

About the Podcast.
Is feeling human eluding you sometimes? Us too. In this podcast, we chat together and invite others to share their experiences about life and the mental health issues that can consume us. Trying to be functioning human beings when being human feels difficult.

Serious conversations about adoption and mental health issues, while sniggering behind its back and finding the light in the darkness.

Offering solidarity to others in similar situations.

Follow, Review, Like, and Subscribe!

Contact us at:
whoswally73@gmail.com
@whoswallypod - Insta
@whosthatwallis - twitter
www.whoswally.co.uk

Welcome to Who’s Wally? The Podcast, hosted by Andy Wallis and Em Bacon.

Episode Two - Talking with Fiona Menzies Henderson, Scottish Adult Adoptee Movement.

In this episode Andy and Em chat their usual nonsense outside, while aeroplanes and helicopters are taking off into the Suffolk sky. Then Zoom to Fiona Menzies Henderson from the Scottish Adult Adoptee Movement about human rights, mental health and why adoptees' voices need to be at the heart of the law when it comes to social and political decision making. Fiona is an adoptee and volunteers her time to campaign for SAAM, she is extremely passionate about the work she does, and it was an absolute pleasure to have her on as the first guest on Who’s Wally? The Podcast.

SAAM is a group of adult adoptees, based in Scotland and their aims are to change the narrative on adoption in Scotland.

They have set out a specific set of Core Circumstances and a series of Recommendations for representation to the Scottish Government. They have taken this step to ensure that nothing is done “about us without us” and to guarantee that the voices of adult adoptees, too long silenced, will be fully heard.

Links from the show:

SAAM

The Apology From Nicola Sturgeon on Historical Forced Adoptions March 2023

The Promise

The Independent Care Review

Who Cares Scotland Review

Joint Committee on Human Rights Report

Scottish Child Abuse Enquiry

The Wave Trust

Scotland Adoption Week 2023

Listen It’s Lifelong Conference 21 - 22 Nov 2023

About the Podcast.
Is feeling human eluding you sometimes? Us too. In this podcast, we chat together and invite others to share their experiences about life and the mental health issues that can consume us. Trying to be functioning human beings when being human feels difficult.

Serious conversations about adoption and mental health issues, while sniggering behind its back and finding the light in the darkness.

Offering solidarity to others in similar situations.

Follow, Review, Like, and Subscribe!

Contact us at:
whoswally73@gmail.com
@whoswallypod - Insta
@whosthatwallis - twitter
www.whoswally.co.uk

Who's Wally? The Podcast - Episode One.
Who are we, why are we doing this, what is the point of us, and why is Em still with me!?

Andy Wallis and Em Bacon host the first episode of Who's Wally? The Podcast.
We talk candidly but with humour, about how Andy's struggles with depression and anxiety, alongside coming out of the adoption fog took our relationship to a dark place.

About the Podcast.
Is feeling human eluding you sometimes? Us too. In this podcast, we chat together and invite others to share their experiences about life and the mental health issues that can consume us. Trying to be functioning human beings when being human feels difficult.

Serious conversations about adoption and mental health issues, while sniggering behind its back and finding the light in the darkness.

Offering solidarity to others in similar situations.

Follow, Review, Like, and Subscribe!

Contact us at:
whoswally73@gmail.com
@whoswallypod - Insta
@whosthatwallis - twitter
www.whoswally.co.uk