A Year of ‘Over-Sharing’
My most coming-of-age experience has been producing a sex podcast; my first time being able to blend work and passion and the first time I have felt confident being utterly vulnerable.
It all started with the wonderful Sarah Saunders (@visceralangel on Insta). I was feeling especially brave when she posted a story saying she wanted to start a podcast, so I replied. I felt especially honoured when she wanted to employ me to produce and edit it for her.
Sarah, who is just over a year older than me but beautifully wise beyond her years, wanted to start The Oversharers podcast as a platform to explore all things intimacy and sexuality. The podcast was a way for Sarah, Meg (the co-host), and I to feel comfortable sharing, but also encourage others to share as well. Being between the ages of eighteen and twenty, it was a crucial time for us to understand ourselves and our feelings toward sexuality, and how that affects our identity and mental wellbeing.
We received an amazing amount of support and praise for being so visceral and deep-diving into the taboo. It was refreshing to feel that we were making even a smidgen of a difference within our little Oversharer community. We continued the podcast over Skype in the first lockdown, and each recording session felt therapeutic. The podcast made us feel a little less alone while learning how to live in isolation.
We also had some wonderful guests: from brave and beautiful friends, flatmates, and sex experts, to Georgina Beyer, Chloe Swarbrick, and Reece Mastin. We learnt so much and grew so much confidence.
It is okay to talk about sex. It should be encouraged! Understanding what sexuality means to you is a crucial part of life, and the safest way to experience sex is to communicate about it.
I’m a little biassed, but I will always promote podcasting as a way to allow yourself to be authentically vulnerable. Opening up to the world and allowing people to see who you truly are is extremely liberating, and I encourage everyone to find an outlet to express themselves.
The Oversharers is no longer on Spotify, but check the Instagram @theoversharerspodcast if you’re interested in seeing the wonder it was. I hope to re-upload it in the future.
Fran xx