“When people think about diversity & inclusion, they don’t often think about sex workers but they’re some of the most marginalised people globally in different communities so it feels natural to consider them.”

Alex Feis-Bryce (he/him) is an award-winning third sector leader, campaigner and policy adviser with a track record of driving social change and services to support some of the most marginalised and oppressed people in society.

He’s the CEO of Diversity Role Models, a charity that delivers anti-bullying & diversity training in schools to students, staff & governors as well as parents & careers. His incredible career spans working as a political advisor, co-founding sex- worker safety charity National Ugly Mugs and working internationally advising organisations supporting sex workers and LGBTQ+ people.

Alex describes himself as a “weird little kid”who was rather eccentric & chose to wear big glasses! He even created his own history museum in the garden shed. This was stifled during his teenage years which he found frightening but it’s something he lent into more during the freedom of sixth form colleague and today. Throwing himself into football as a way of fitting-in has resulted in a love of the sport which brings him peace & joy.

Alex’s work has also been hugely shaped by his personal experiences. On his first night out in Manchester after starting university, Alex was raped & during this conversation, he shares how he dealt with this in his own way, the positive responses he’s received from talking about his experience and how this led to his roles with Survivors UK and We Are Survivors.

Contrary to how many other CEOs are perceived, Alex shared how he veers towards being conflict avoidant in work & relationships where he tends to focus on meeting the needs of others. A trait says a lot about the way Alex shows up in the world, his values & compassion.

We talk about his early political career & the MP who had a huge influence on him, a mutual love of the book ‘The Dice Man’ by Luke Reinhart & the importance of Diversity Role Models for young people today. Their work is under threat due to pulled government funding. Their crowdfunding campaign, with a target of £100k, is crucial in ensuring they can continue their anti-bullying workshops in schools & collegues. So if you can donate, it would be hugely appreciated and you can do so here: https://www.iglyo.org/opportunities/drm-fundraiser-2025.

His contribution was recognised earlier this year when he was named in the Pride Power List which celebrates the 100 most “powerful, dedicated and wonderful people within the LGBTQIA community who do everything in their power to make LGBTQIA life that little bit brighter.” You’ll hear why during this episode.

PLEASE NOTE: This episode contains conversations about sexual abuse & rape so please take care of yourself whilst listening.

“I feel like I can make wins. I can win in the classroom & I can win in my school but it feels like I can win more for LGBT+ people & Trans people & Trans students as well as educators.”

Kacey DeGroot (she/her), my first guest for season 4 of ‘Pause… And Rewind…’, is a drama teacher and trade unionist on a mission. She’s currently campaigning to be elected as the Deputy General Secretary of the National Education Union (NEU), the largest education union in Europe, representing teachers, lecturers, support staff, and school leaders in the UK's maintained and independent schools and colleges. Having been involved for many years within the NEU’s LGBTQ+ committee, she’s ready to step up. Which has come at a crucial time with schools feeling the impact of the Supreme Court Ruling & EHRC guidance on gender & bathrooms.

Kacey began teaching in 2005 and when she transitioned in 2018, it was the support of union members that got her through. She made a video for her whole school & she was able to thrive in her role as a teacher. Fast forward to today’s landscape for Trans+ folk and things are much more challenging - something Kacey has felt the brunt of. But she is feeling the spirit of fight & resistance within herself & the community.

We talk about Little Kacey being a ‘daydreamer’ & an ‘oddbod’ with a desperate desire to fit in. We also chat about the influence of her dad as a market trader on her theatrical flair along with the realisation of her ADHD & transness, her career journey from door to door sales to performing and becoming a teacher which she loves.

Kacey is at an exciting crossroads in her life. Listen in to this conversation and please do show your support for Kacey however you can. If you’re a teacher & part of the NEU, please consider voting for Kacey. If you know a teacher, share Kacey’s story with them. Kacey is a voice for change - she’s got the experience, she’s done the work and we need more Trans+ people in positions like the one she’s campaigning for. Read more about Kacey’s campaign here | https://www.kaceydegroot.org/deputy-general-secretary

PLEASE NOTE | We do cover some challenging topics during this conversation around mental health, suicide & the current landscape for the Trans+ community. Please take care of yourself whilst listening.

“I’ve experienced things I never thought I’d experience. I’ve experienced freedom I never thought I would have. I didn’t even know it existed.”

This a powerful reflection around sobriety from this week’s guest on ‘Pause. And Rewind…’ that I really relate to. Harry Gay (he/him) - YES, that’s his real name and there’s a brilliant story about it in this episode - is a DJ, event producer & activist. He’s the Founder & Co-Director of London-based DJ collection Queer House Party which started as online venture during lockdown fronted by a crew of frontline workers who threw their DJ equipment together & went with it. It’s since become a mainstay of nightlife in the capital - bold, political, unapologetic.

Harry brings a shit ton of creativity, skill & energy to his DJing & reflects on the journey as DJ & Queer House Party, what it stands for and how it’s evolved organically.

Little Harry grew up in Hertfordshire in a working class, single parent household and we chat about his constantly being in trouble at school, family dynamics & feeling out of place. His experience of ADHD, and a later diagnosis, have helped him make sense of much of this and he goes on to describe how going sober has also become a part of that. Which is particularly timely given he’s just celebrated his third soberversary.

Despite struggling with education, Harry went on to become top of his class at university and his studies, as well as settling into London life, informed much of his work around activism, advocacy & campaigning on a variety of issues including supporting asylum seekers, homelessness & youth advocacy.

When asked what he’s proud of, Harry reflects on his 15 year old self sneaking out to G-A-Y bar in Soho where he started to find community, belonging & an interest in politics. He also fondly reflects on the angry energy he had in his 20s. These days, despite being in nightlife and living the freelance life, he enjoys calmness. And the three words Harry uses to describe his origin story - Kicking-Off. Chaos. Serenity - really capture him & his origin story.

“Trust yourself. No-one knows what they’re doing. It’s a realisation I had far too late”. He’s not just one of my favourite DJs out there. Harry is someone I’ve personally learned a lot from & I’m so grateful for this conversation as I close out season 3. Enjoy!