The Open Table

27 Jul 2025

Episode 3- Season 3- Maddie Q

Christianity, Personal Journals, Religion & Spirituality, Society & Culture, Spirituality

What does it mean to grow up queer in the Middle East while holding onto your sense of self? Maddie Q shares their beautifully chaotic journey from Saudi Arabia and Jordan to discovering personal freedom and self-expression in Australia.

Non-binary and vibrant with both masculine and feminine energy, Maddie reflects on navigating queer identity in the Middle East, growing up Muslim and becoming spiritual, and the ongoing path toward family connection and radical self-acceptance. They speak candidly about their pilgrimage to Mecca—praying for good hair along the way—and how hair became a symbol of rebellion, release, and living truthfully.

Maddie reminds us that being authentic is holy.

Podcast: Play in new window | Download (Duration: 58:15 — 80.0MB)

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30 Nov 2025

Episode 18- Season 3- Azzad Asman

Coming Out, Personal Journals, Religion & Spirituality, Sexuality

The Movie Forecast: Hits, Misses, and Queer Favourites with Filmmaker Azzad Azman This week, the table is set for a major ...

20 Nov 2025

Episode 17- Season 3- Lucas Wilson

Coming Out, Personal Journals, Religion & Spirituality, Sexuality

This week on @theopentable, we're bringing you an episode that is both profoundly serious and surprisingly invigorating. Host @craigmbrown sits ...

7 Nov 2025

Episode 16- Season 3- Daniel Nour

Coming Out, inviting in, Personal Journals, Religion & Spirituality, Sexuality

We're thrilled to welcome the award-winning Egyptian-Australian writer and journalist, Daniel Nour. Daniel is the recipient of the NSW Premier's ...