Welcome back Poz Vibers!
Out of the Shadows is a docmentary about immigrants living with HIV in Ireland and in this part 2, we spoke to two more incredible humans and friends of the show.
Luis Noguera Benitez is an Irish Venezuelan artist, journalist and activist who combines different techniques to create campaigns to battle HIV stigma. Jordi Moya is a queer Catalan immigrant living in Ireland. He is also a sexual health activist fighting HIV stigma and championing trans and migrant rights, inspired by community resilience.
Veda and Robbie.
Poz Vibe Podcast is a Veda Lady and Robbie Lawlor production. Big thanks to our sponsors Dublin Pride who make this series possible. We’d also like to thank The Boiler House, Man 2 Man, Gay Health Network and The George for all their help and support.
Episodes are produced by Veda and Robbie with production assistance and editing by Esther O'Moore Donohoe. Video editing, artwork, social media assets and merch all created by Lavender The Queen.
This week we’re talking to two incredible humans who both share their stories of living with HIV in Out of Shadows which is about immigrants living with HIV in Ireland.
Born in Himachal India, Pradesh Bhardwaj has been based in Ireland since 2021 and lived with HIV for 9 years. As an activist and proud member of the PozVibe Tribe, he is passionate about visibility, advocacy, and empowering communities. Pradeep Mahadeshwar (he/they) is a visual artist and LGBTQIA+ activist also from India but now based in Dublin. With a rich background in storytelling, writing, photography, illustrations, and filmmaking, Pradeep’s work delves deeply into the complexities of identity, migration, and the lived experiences of Queer People of Colour in Ireland and beyond. He is also the founder of Queer Asian Pride Ireland and the Queer Spectrum Film Festival, Pradeep has created platforms that celebrate diversity while addressing the unique challenges faced by the immigrant LGBTQIA+ community in Ireland.
Love,
Veda and Robbie.
Poz Vibe Podcast is a Veda Lady and Robbie Lawlor production. Big thanks to our sponsors Dublin Pride who make this series possible. We’d also like to thank The Boiler House, Man 2 Man, Gay Health Network and The George for all their help and support.
Episodes are produced by Veda and Robbie with production assistance and editing by Esther O'Moore Donohoe. Artwork, social media assets and merch all created by the fragrant Lavender The Queen.
New season, new look!
We are excited to share that this episode is available to watch as well as to listen to. We hope this will be the first of many video recordings we make for our Poz Vibe Tribe. Being able to watch along adds a new dimension to conversations, plus you get to see our wonderful guests in all their strength.
This week we are thrilled to be joined by the incredible Emma McAnally. Emma lives with HIV and is also a survivor of domestic abuse, an activist and advocate and mental health nurse. In addition, Emma is a Mum of two and partner to Paul.
During our conversation, Emma shares how she has channelled her lived experiences into purpose, fighting stigma, promoting healing, and championing human rights. Please share this episode with anyone you think would be inspired by Emma’s story.
Love,
Veda and Robbie.
Poz Vibe Podcast is a Veda Lady and Robbie Lawlor production. Big thanks to our sponsors Dublin Pride who make this series possible. We’d also like to thank The Boiler House, Man 2 Man, Gay Health Network and The George for all their help and support.
Episodes are produced by Veda and Robbie with production assistance and editing by Esther O'Moore Donohoe. Artwork, social media assets and merch all created by the fragrant Lavender The Queen.
T-shirts worn by Veda and Robbie in this episode are designed by Gabe Marques for their shop The Grá.
The Boilerhouse in Dublin is 26 years old and in this episode we're celebrating this iconic meeting point for the LGBTQI+ comminity.
We spoke with Conor James who studied in NCI and obtained a BA Honours in Computer Science. He has also worked in the Boilerhouse for 13 years as Assistant Manager. He says he is a big believer in community especially when engaging our own fabulous one. We also chatted with Gary Ghent Macken who has worked at the Boilerhouse for 24 years. He lives in Smithfield with his husband Robert and is a proud ally of the Poz Vibe Tribe.
They shared the history of Boilerhouse and their plans for the future. They hope to continue to welcome guests for years to come and help foster a sense of community for all.
Love,
Veda and Robbie.
Poz Vibe Podcast is a Veda Lady and Robbie Lawlor production. Big thanks to our sponsors Dublin Pride who make this series possible. We’d also like to thank The Boiler House, Man 2 Man, Gay Health Network and The George for all their help and support.
Episodes are produced by Veda and Robbie with production assistance and editing by Esther O'Moore Donohoe. Artwork, social media assets and merch all created by the fragrant Lavender The Queen.
Laylah Beattie is an Irish performer and podcaster in her late 20s. Her podcast Doomslayers is an exploration of hedonism in a world that consistently feels like it’s ending with Annie Queeries and Donna Fella.
We love Laylah and we love you!
Say powerful and pozitive,
Veda and Robbie.
Poz Vibe Podcast is a Veda Lady and Robbie Lawlor production. Big thanks to our sponsors Dublin Pride who make this series possible. We’d also like to thank The Boiler House, Man 2 Man, Gay Health Network and The George for all their help and support.
Episodes are produced by Veda and Robbie with production assistance and editing by Esther O'Moore Donohoe. Artwork, social media assets and merch all created by the fragrant Lavender The Queen.
Hello tribe!
We are delighted this week to welcome David Field to the Pozverse.
David is a clinical nurse and specialist sexual health advisor working in the only publicly funded sexual health clinic specifically for gay and bi men and the trans community. He also has a masters in public health from UCC where he focused the relationship between Chemsex and mental health among gay and bi men living with HIV. David is currently completing his PhD focusing on the concept of risk in sexual health but managed to find the time to talk to us.
This conversation is full of practical advice and research based information. Please share with anyone you feel might benefit from listening.
Love,
Veda and Robbie.
Poz Vibe Podcast is a Veda Lady and Robbie Lawlor production. Big thanks to our sponsors Dublin Pride who make this series possible. We’d also like to thank The Boiler House, Man 2 Man, Gay Health Network and The George for all their help and support.
Episodes are produced by Veda and Robbie with production assistance and editing by Esther O'Moore Donohoe. Artwork, social media assets and merch all created by the fragrant Lavender The Queen.
This week we’re joined by Tribe Chiefs, Karen Sugrue and Jude Copeland. Karen is a sociology lecturer, a psychotherapist and ‘the proudest, luckiest mammy in Ireland’. She is also co-chair of Mammies for Trans Rights, likes marching in Prides, annoying conservatives and cats! Special mention to her mother Sheila who came up with the genius Grans for Trans slogan We love you Sheila! Meanwhile Jude is an activist and a lawyer who works closely with Mammies for Trans Rights.
Never forget, trans rights are human rights.
Love,
Veda and Robbie.
Poz Vibe Podcast is a Veda Lady and Robbie Lawlor production. Big thanks to our sponsors Dublin Pride who make this series possible. We’d also like to thank The Boiler House, Man 2 Man, Gay Health Network and The George for all their help and support.
Episodes are produced by Veda and Robbie with production assistance and editing by Esther O'Moore Donohoe. Artwork, social media assets and merch all created by the fragrant Lavender The Queen.
Hello PVT!
Our guest this week is Prateek who was born in Himachal Pradesh, India but has been based in Ireland since 2021. Prateek has been on a powerful and personal journey of living with HIV for the past 9 years. As an activist and proud member of the Poz Vibe Tribe, he is passionate about advocacy, visibility, and building an empowered community of people living with HIV.
We loved this conversation and hope you do too.
Love,
Veda and Robbie.
Poz Vibe Podcast is a Veda Lady and Robbie Lawlor production. Big thanks to our sponsors Dublin Pride who make this series possible. We’d also like to thank The Boiler House, Man 2 Man, Gay Health Network and The George for all their help and support.
Episodes are produced by Veda and Robbie with production assistance and editing by Esther O'Moore Donohoe. Artwork, social media assets and merch all created by the fragrant Lavender The Queen.
Hi Tribe,
This week our guest is Jameson Newell.
Jameson is a writer, horticulturist, and trans man. If he's not knee-deep in a garden waxing poetic about flowers, he can be found anywhere that will put him on a stage. Jameson came to Ireland from Phoenix, Arizona and has lived here for almost three years. And in answer to any questions about why he made the move to chilly Ireland, he says of course it was for the weather.
We're so glad to have him here.
Love,
Veda and Robbie.
Poz Vibe Podcast is a Veda Lady and Robbie Lawlor production. Big thanks to our sponsors Dublin Pride who make this series possible. We’d also like to thank The Boiler House, Man 2 Man, Gay Health Network and The George for all their help and support.
Episodes are produced by Veda and Robbie with production assistance and editing by Esther O'Moore Donohoe. Artwork, social media assets and merch all created by the fragrant Lavender The Queen.
Welcome back tribe!
This week we had the pleasure of talking to the current TCD Student Union President and all round powerhouse Jenny McGuire. This episode will get you fired up. Jenny is brave, fierce and fights stigma every day. We love you Jenny!
Love,
Veda and Robbie.
Poz Vibe Podcast is a Veda Lady and Robbie Lawlor production. Big thanks to our sponsors Dublin Pride who make this series possible. We’d also like to thank The Boiler House, Man 2 Man, Gay Health Network and The George for all their help and support.
Episodes are produced by Veda and Robbie with production assistance and editing by Esther O'Moore Donohoe. Artwork, social media assets and merch all created by the fragrant Lavender The Queen.
Welcome back Poz Tribe,
We’re switching things up a little this week and talking about MPox or MPoz as we’d like to rebrand it. And our guest this week is none other than our own behind the scenes queen, Lavender. All the gorgeous Poz Vibe graphics and artwork over the years have been designed by our lovely Lav but in this episode, we're putting the spotlight on them and they’re experience of MPox.
We love you Lav!
Love,
Veda and Robbie.
Poz Vibe Podcast is a Veda Lady and Robbie Lawlor production. Big thanks to our sponsors Dublin Pride who make this series possible. We’d also like to thank The Boiler House, Man 2 Man, Gay Health Network and The George for all their help and support.
Episodes are produced by Veda and Robbie with production assistance and editing by Esther O'Moore Donohoe. Artwork, social media assets and merch all created by the fragrant Lavender The Queen.
Hello Poz People!
Our guest this week is Christopher Freibott. Christopher grew up in a small town in Bavaria, Germany called, Bad Neustast an der Saale but has been living in Ireland since 2014. Christopher says he was diagnosed with HIV a few years ago but that it’s only in the last two years, after joining the Poz Vibe Tribe during a Pride march, that he started to be more open about his status. Chatting with Veda and Robbie was Christopher’s first time making his story completely public but he said he wanted to do it so that people can learn from his experiences and also possibly ‘Kick off some change for all.’
Welcome to the tribe Christopher!
Love,
Veda and Robbie.
Poz Vibe Podcast is a Veda Lady and Robbie Lawlor production. Big thanks to our sponsors Dublin Pride who make this series possible. We’d also like to thank The Boiler House, Man 2 Man, Gay Health Network and The George for all their help and support.
Episodes are produced by Veda and Robbie with production assistance and editing by Esther O'Moore Donohoe. Artwork, social media assets and merch all created by the fragrant Lavender The Queen.
Suzanne describes herself as an extroverted introvert. From a young age she never felt like she fit in and after a series of great and not so great experiences was diagnosed HIV positive. Her life after this was like a blank page and she realized everything within her had to change. This led her to finding what she was passionate about namely nature, spirituality and human behaviors.
Suzanne realized that she could help alleviate that feeling in others especially women in similar situations and began working within homeless/addiction services. It was only after a diagnosis of autism that a lot of things clicked within herself. She has spent two years letting go of guilt and shame and is learning to be her authentic self. Finally after a long journey Suzanne is living her life her way.
We loved our conversation with Suzanne. Please share with your tribe or anyone you think could benefit from hearing about her story.
Love,
Veda and Robbie.
Poz Vibe Podcast is a Veda Lady and Robbie Lawlor production. Big thanks to our sponsorsDublin Pride who make this series possible. We’d also like to thank The Boiler House, Man 2 Man, Gay Health Network and The George for all their help and support.
Episodes are produced by Veda and Robbie with production assistance and editing byEsther O'Moore Donohoe. Artwork, social media assets and merch all created by the fragrant Lavender The Queen.
Hello Tribe and welcome back.
Liz Martin is the author of the critically acclaimed bookStill Standing and our very special guest today.
Born in the Liberties, Dublin in 1967, Liz went to the Holy Faith Convent school in The Coombe. From a very early age she knew the importance of education and was often found tucked away in Kevin Street library with her nose in a book. At age 19, a letter arrived from Mountjoy Prison from Liz’s then boyfriend letting her know he had tested HIV positive. It is a difficult relationship but it was hard to leave. However, in 1991, she found the courage to finally leave Dublin and with the help of Women’s Aid Liz settles down in a house with a barn in a rural part of County Galway. Liz and the children are happy. During winter that year, Liz becomes ill and asks her GP to do a HIV antibody test. The results come back positive. Her world falls apart once more as one by one her children are tested until it comes to her new born baby. The GP calls him a “miracle baby” as he too returns with a negative result.
Liz reaches out toAIDS WEST, a support organisation. She joins a peer support group and finds other positive friends. Liz shares here incredible story of strength, resilience, and triumph in the face of adversity during this episode.
Love,
Veda and Robbie.
Poz Vibe Podcast is a Veda Lady and Robbie Lawlor production.Big thanks to our sponsors Dublin Pride who make this series possible. We’d also like to thank The Boiler House, Man 2 Man, Gay Health Network and The George for all their help and support.
Episodes are produced by Veda and Robbie with production assistance and editing by Esther O'Moore Donohoe. Artwork, social media assets and merch all created by the fragrantLavender The Queen.
Deck the halls with holly balls, we are back for another pozitive episode for you.
This week we chatted with season 16 Ru Paul’s Drag Race star Q! Q is also a designer, seamstress and during her time on Drag Race announced that they are living with HIV.
We thank Q for their time and we thank YOU for listening.
Love,
Veda and Robbie.
Poz Vibe Podcast is a Veda Lady and Robbie Lawlor production. Big thanks to our sponsors Dublin Pride who make this series possible. We’d also like to thank The Boiler House, Man 2 Man, Gay Health Network and The George for all their help and support.
Episodes are produced by Veda and Robbie with production assistance and editing by Esther O'Moore Donohoe. Artwork, social media assets and merch all created by the fragrant Lavender The Queen.
Hello tribe!
Before we tell you about this week's guests, a date for your diaries. Friends Remembering Friends will take place at midday on 28th November in St Andrews, Rialto on South Circular Road, Dublin 8. The event is being organised by the Rialto Community Drug Team and you are all very welcome.
Now, back to the episode...
This week we had some gorgeous conversations with two incredible people. Tony MacCarthaigh is a Community Activist interested in the relationship between spirituality and community development. Terrie Colman-Black co-founded ACET in Ireland in 1992. The group works with people affected and infected by HIV/AIDS. Terrie also started a quilt group June 1993 as a community response to the many who had lost their lives to HIV and AIDS and t honour them by a permanent memorial.
Thank you so much for listening. We are always here for you.
Love,
Veda and Robbie.
Poz Vibe Podcast is a Veda Lady and Robbie Lawlor production. Our continuity announcer this season is Anne Doyle. Big thanks to our sponsors Dublin Pride who make this series possible.
Episodes are produced by Veda and Robbie with production assistance and editing by Esther O'Moore Donohoe. Artwork, social media assets and merch all created by the dazzling Lavender The Queen.
Hello Poz Vibers.
Our guest this week ‘Prince’ has chosen to stay anonymous in this episode. During our conversation Prince shared his experience of what it’s like living in Ireland as a gay person and also as an asylum seeker. You will hear that some people have not given him or his fellow seekers the ‘hundred thousand welcomes’ or céad míle fáilte’ that this country used to be famous for.
Love,
Veda and Robbie.
Poz Vibe Podcast is a Veda Lady and Robbie Lawlor production. Our continuity announcer this season is Anne Doyle. Big thanks to our sponsors Dublin Pride who make this series possible.
Episodes are produced by Veda and Robbie with production assistance and editing by Esther O'Moore Donohoe. Artwork, social media assets and merch all created by the dazzling Lavender The Queen.
Veda and Robbie are together once again for this episode - hurrah! And their guest this week is Oliver Brown.
In 2019, following a cycling accident in London, Oli found himself in A&E when he received his diagnosis. In July 2021, he delivered a talk to the British Ministry of Defence, telling his story and challenging their foundation on some of their outdated rules.
With the support of the Terrence Higgins Trust, the National AIDS Trust and a network of people, in December 2021, on World AIDS Day, Defence agreed to change its policies and lift all of the restrictions on people living with HIV. This meant those people would be able to join the Armed Forces living with HIV, serve unrestricted if diagnosed and be freely able to take PrEP.
We hope you enjoy Oli's story.
Love,
Veda and Robbie.
Poz Vibe Podcast is a Veda Lady and Robbie Lawlor production. Our continuity announcer this season is Anne Doyle. Big thanks to our sponsors Dublin Pride who make this series possible.
Episodes are produced by Veda and Robbie with production assistance and editing by Esther O'Moore Donohoe. Artwork, social media assets and merch all created by the dazzling Lavender The Queen.
FYI: The audio in this episode was recorded by Robbie in the airport after his time at the AIDS Conference in Munich recently. You will hear some airport noise in the background as a result.
Our guest this week is Abdul-Fatawu Salifu, a young leader based in Ghana. Abdul is advisory member of the Unitaid Communities Delegation and a project officer at Hope for Future Generations and the National Executive Secretary for Young Health Advocates Ghana. In addition, he is also a technical expert in community advocacy, mentoring emerging leaders as well as consulting on community-led interventions with UNAIDS TSM. Abdul also lives with HIV, TB, and Malaria and is dedicated to global health advocacy.
We have loved our Every Little Cell mini-series within a series but Veda will be back by Robbie’s side from next week.
Love,
Veda and Robbie.
Poz Vibe Podcast is a Veda Lady and Robbie Lawlor production. Our continuity announcer this season is Anne Doyle. Big thanks to our sponsors Dublin Pride who make this series possible.
Episodes are produced by Veda and Robbie with production assistance and editing by Esther O'Moore Donohoe. Artwork, social media assets and merch all created by the dazzling Lavender The Queen.
The audio in this episode was recorded by Robbie during his time at the AIDS Conference in Munich recently. Please note that there is some wind interference in this recording but hopefully it won’t affect your enjoyment too much.
This week our special guest is Mario Campos. Mario is a 28-year-old influencer, speaker, and content creator. He is an ambassador for the National Minority AIDS Council and ViiV Health Care and an active member of the International AIDS Society through the CIPHER program. He won the "National Youth Award 2023" and was recognized as a "Young Influencer," awards granted by the Presidency of El Salvador.
Veda will be back by Robbie’s side in future episodes - have no fear!
Love,
Veda and Robbie.
Poz Vibe Podcast is a Veda Lady and Robbie Lawlor production. Our continuity announcer this season is Anne Doyle. Big thanks to our sponsors Dublin Pride who make this series possible.
Episodes are produced by Veda and Robbie with production assistance and editing by Esther O'Moore Donohoe. Artwork, social media assets and merch all created by the dazzling Lavender The Queen.