Podcast Post: The Open Table with Karen Bryant from Midsumma Festival
The Open Table: In Conversation with Midsumma Festival CEO, Karen Bryant
We’re thrilled to welcome a true leader in the LGBTQ+ community to the Open Table this week! Join your hosts Craig M. Brown and Bepsi.bad as they sit down with the Chief Executive of Midsumma Festival, Karen Bryant.
Karen, also a self-proclaimed serial shutterbug, joins us to chat all things Midsumma. As we look ahead to January and February 2026, this episode couldn’t be more timely. In a world where representation is more crucial than ever, we dive into the incredible programming and events that are designed to celebrate and uplift our diverse queer communities.
She shares a fascinating story about how her mother, a staunch Liberal supporter, started to sense her queerness and mistakenly equated it with her daughter’s future political leanings towards the Labour Party.
And of course, we tackle the question on everyone’s lips: Why are the major Midsumma events, like Carnival and the T Dance, held on a Sunday? Karen provides some insightful answers that might just surprise you.
Don’t miss this engaging and important conversation on JOY 94.9‘s The Open Table. Tune in to hear about what’s coming up in the 2026 festival and gain a deeper understanding of the passion and purpose behind Midsumma.
Listen now wherever you get your podcasts!
Mentioned in this episode:

* Midsumma Festival
* @midsummafestival on Instagram
* JOY 94.9
* @theopentable on Instagram