Join host Jason Heath each week as he delves into the triumphs, struggles, and achievements of our guests, and discover the beauty of their authentic selves. Get ready to laugh, cry, and be inspired – because on Word for Word, every voice matters, and every story deserves to be heard. 

This week’s guest – Noah Secomb

On today’s show, we are joined by Noah Secomb, a rising star in Australian political journalism and the current Federal Politics Reporter for the Community Radio Network.
Based in Canberra’s Parliament House, Noah has quickly established himself as a trusted voice in community broadcasting, breaking down complex political issues and making them accessible to everyday Australians.
Noah brings a fresh perspective to political reporting, championing the importance of community-focused newsrooms.

Tune into Word for Word every Sunday night at 6pm on JOY 94.9, or across Australia on the Community Radio Network every Monday at 7:04pm

This episode may contains discussions of sensitive personal experiences that may be triggering for some listeners. There is support available. Click here for a list of support services.

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Join host Jason Heath each week as he delves into the triumphs, struggles, and achievements of our guests, and discover the beauty of their authentic selves. Get ready to laugh, cry, and be inspired – because on Word for Word, every voice matters, and every story deserves to be heard. 

This week’s guest – Dean Beck

Today, we are thrilled to welcome back to the JOY airwaves Dean Beck, a multi-award-winning journalist, broadcaster, and tireless advocate for LGBTQIA+ rights and HIV awareness.
From his early days in Bendigo to becoming a prominent voice in Melbourne’s gay community, Dean’s journey is a testament to resilience and dedication.
With a career spanning decade, Dean has been at the forefront of LGBTQIA+ activism, using his platform to challenge stigma, promote sexual health, and foster open dialogue about HIV.
Get ready to be inspired by Dean Beck’s unwavering commitment to equality, education, and empowerment!

This episode originally aired 6th April, 2025.

Tune into Word for Word every Sunday night at 6pm on JOY 94.9, or across Australia on the Community Radio Network every Monday at 7:04pm

This episode may contains discussions of sensitive personal experiences that may be triggering for some listeners. There is support available. Click here for a list of support services.

The post Dean Beck appeared first on Word for Word.

Join host Jason Heath each week as he delves into the triumphs, struggles, and achievements of our guests, and discover the beauty of their authentic selves. Get ready to laugh, cry, and be inspired – because on Word for Word, every voice matters, and every story deserves to be heard. 

This week’s guest – Anny Salerni

On today’s show we have Anny Salerni, a vibrant force in Melbourne’s LGBTQIA+ community and the world of dance.

With a career spanning decades, Anny has not only captivated audiences with her passion for dance but has also played a pivotal role in shaping the landscape of same-sex ballroom dancing in Australia.
From her early days as a young dancer, to her current role as a respected leader in the dance community, Anny’s journey is a testament to her dedication, creativity, and perseverance. Her story is woven with threads of personal growth, love, and a deep commitment to creating inclusive spaces where everyone can express themselves through dance.

Join us as we explore Anny’s captivating journey, from her childhood experiences to her groundbreaking work in same-sex ballroom dancing.

Originally aired 30th March, 2025.

Tune into Word for Word every Sunday night at 6pm on JOY 94.9, or across Australia on the Community Radio Network every Monday at 7:04pm

This episode may contains discussions of sensitive personal experiences that may be triggering for some listeners. There is support available. Click here for a list of support services.

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Rebekah Robertson is the founder of Transcend – the first parent led peer support group for transgender and gender diverse children and their families,  Australian television and stage actor and author of ‘About a Girl’, detailing her experiences raising a transgender child.

Georgie Stone is a transgender rights activist, Neighbours actress and Beck’s daughter featured in the book ‘About a Girl’.

Host Lisa “Dano” Daniel is joined in studio to discuss the successes, trials and tribulations in the life and careers of these two inspiring women.

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Recently winning the GLOBE volunteer of year award.

Join host Lisa “Dano” Daniel as she is joined by Toni Paynter.

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Touted as the busiest homosexual in Melbourne, there is barely a queer event Dean doesn’t attend, either a performer, MC, photographer or spectator.

He has worked as the editor of SameSame, the Executive Producer of JOY’s Informer program and has recently taken on the mantle of Melbourne editor of The Star Observer.

Never one to shy away from the truth, Dean opens up about, family,  body image and how he copes with toxic online culture and trolls.

Join host Lisa “Dano” Daniel as she flips the mic on Dean Arcuri.

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When he saw that there needed to be more diversity in this sector, he started his own publications, including BrotherSister, Satellite and BNews, in Melbourne and across the country.

Join Host Lisa “Dano” Daniel, as she speaks to Bill Calder.

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She has worked for the Star observer and credits it as one of the careers she is most proud of. She now utilises these skills in the Not for Profit sector.

As a child she lived all over the world and her wanderlust for travel and multiculturalism has evolved to her current job as she advocates for womens rights and activism, across the world.

Join host Lisa “Dano” Daniel, as she speaks to Ani Lamont.

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Not shy to talk about his life and in all its imperfections Luke talks honestly about, drug addiction, mental health and overcoming suicidal ideation. As well as his travel adventures that had lead to being incarcerated in a Filipino jail and buying smoking in the slums of Thailand.

Join host Lisa “Dano” Daniel as she travels around the life of Luke Williams.

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In this open and revealing interview, Richard talks about loosing his Mother at a young age, over coming this tragedy and navigating life as a confused and broken hearted teen.

He speaks of the inspiration behind his drag persona and the rise and rise of, Karen From Finance.

Join host Lisa “Dano” Daniel, as she has her BAS checked by, Richard Chadwick.

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She has most recently taken on the mantle of CEO of Australia’s only LGBGTI radio station – Melbourne based JOY 94.9.

Join host Lisa “Dano” Daniel, as she grills her new boss, Ange Barry.

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Since then he has had a successful career in the media, from hosting a number one ratings breakfast show for Southern Cross Austereo, to hosting this very program Word for Word.

Some may see him as a reality television star and nothing more – however scratch the surface and you realise we all have a story to tell. Ben opens up about his challenging teen years, battling depression and coming terms with the loss of his father.

Join host Lisa “Dano” Daniel, as her reality is altered by, Ben Norris.

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Nick battled rejection after rejection, by his father  to build himself into a person who inspires and mentors others, despite his own set backs.

Join host Lisa “Dano” Daniel as she is joined by Nick McEwan-Hall.

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In the last 30 years Tex has watched technology change not just the way we interact and educate, but also the very way we have sex.

A proud father, collector and educator Tex recounts a life spent in service of LGBTI health and wellbeing.

Join Host Lisa “Dano” Daniel as she is educated by the glue of Thorne Harbour Health, Tex McKenzie.

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Since then she has been on a journey that has seen her come out again and again, as Lesbian, Gay, Trans, Queer. Tony is a parent, a partner and a former Mayor. Yes – a Mayor.

Regardless of how she identifies, she has been a tireless advocate for social justice and acceptance of intersex and queer people her entire life.

Join host Lisa “Dano” Daniel as she is joined by the mayoral Tony Briffa.

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Join host Lisa “Dano” Daniel, as she chews the fat with James Lolicato.

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Join host Lisa “Dano” Daniel, as she turns the pages on the life of Jessica Walton.

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In later years she has become a co founder of the political party, the Australian Equality Party, and more recently penned a mystery/adventure novel for primary-aged kids that features a rainbow family.

Join host Lisa “Dano” Daniel, as she is educated on the life and times of Jac Tomlins.

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To the outside world Macca had it all, a great career, a loving long term relationship and  is a respected member of the wider LGBTIQ community as a political and social activist. Yet underneath all this, the pain of his experiences as a teenager was never far from the surface.

Now as an adult, Macca has spoken out with an aim to break the silence and tear down the stigma attached with being a survivor and says out of all the work he has done in his life – it is what he is most proud of.

Join host Lisa Dano Daniel as she speaks unravels the life of David “Macca” McCarthy.

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Edited by renowned feminist Karen Pickering, Doing It represents the best arguments of the sex-positivity movement, emphasising enthusiastic consent and rejecting slut-shaming and the other pillars of rape culture.

On Word For Word we speak to two of the amazing contributors: Amy Middleton, Founder and Editor of Archer magazine and Fiona Patten MLC.

Doing It is published by Penguin and is out now in paperback.

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Tim McKew is  internationally acclaimed and has been performing here in Australia and abroad for many years in cities including, Melbourne, Sydney, London, Berlin, Shanghai and more recently in sold-out shows with his Noël Coward production in New York.

He is arguably one of the most influential performers in Melbourne’s history of cabaret and performance art, having forged his career in the 1970s with appearances far and wide. He is now considered one of the world’s best interpreters of Noël Coward, and has been taken to the USA for various tours of his one-man show.

Following a sold-out season at William Mora Gallery in 2015, Tim McKew reprises his 1979 cult classic, Come Down With Us, in a two-night season at the Hare Hole  for Word is Out, part of the 2016 Midsumma Festival.

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Cameron Carpenter is a musical genius.

His instrument of choice is the world’s largest.  It has the greatest depth and breadth of any instrument.  In fact it’s more like an orchestra than an instrument.

With more computations and permutations than any instrument my guest refers to it as a machine, not an instrument.

This machine is so big that it is installed, immovable, and not portable. Each is different – purpose built and fixed to its location.

It makes life tough for a travelling virtuoso.

The instrument is of course – the pipe organ – and not content with mastering the most complex of all musical instruments, today’s guest has embarked on the impossible – he has reinvented it.

Cameron’s latest album “If you could read my mind” is out now on Sony Music and iTunes. 

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Mary Jane is 19 and has just bought her first Mardi Gras ticket. Harry just got called “Daddy” on Grindr and he’s not happy about it. Tina’s nephew Charlie has asked if she can score for him.

Prof Rob Moodie guides a panel of media personalities, community leaders, health specialists and community members in this hypothetical narrative around how the LGBTI communities party, play and pick up.

Recorded live before a sell-out audience at the Melbourne Town Hall during the 2015 Midsumma Festival, the panel consists of

• Australian Human Rights Commissioner, Tim Wilson
• Comedian Judith Lucy
• Comedian Adam Richard
• Assoc Prof Edwina Wright
• ACON CEO Nicolas Parkhill
• Assoc Prof Nadine Ezard
• Living Positive Victoria Executive Officer Brent Allan
• Jez Pez
• JOY 94.9 Presenter Dean Beck
• Steven Spencer

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2013 Mother’s Day Special

Universally Mothers want their kids to grow up happy and healthy.  However for kids who feel they were born the wrong gender, growing up can be a living hell.  Their mind and their body simply do not match and when complicated with puberty, the emerging adult body parts highlight the mental disconnect.

Connor was born with a body he could not love.  As a transman, Connor has had to endure the inner turmoil that all-too-often, drives people with gender dysphoria, to suicide .  For his Mother Lesley, witnessing Connor’s struggle and accepting his transformation has presented its own challenges.  Her faith and her love for Connor is what endured and the result is inspiring.  This is their story.

Lesley is also responsible for organising Bishop Gene Robinson’s Australian Tour and you can find out more here.

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Pádraig has trained both as a conflict mediator and a theologian. As a gay man he is keen to bring tools of dialogue into public discussions on LGBTI people and Religion and has been working with clergy from conservative viewpoints over the past number of years.

As well as poetry, he writes theology, essays and advocacy material and, very occasionally, he releases music. “Hymns to swear By” a collection of spoken word and music is available through here.

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It is hard to think of a crime more abhorrent than child abuse. Second only to the act of abuse is those whom access imagery of child abuse for their personal gratification.  In doing so they perpetuate the demand for such imagery and the supply continues.

So what happens to the wives and lovers of the men – and it’s nearly always men – who view these images?  How do they rebuild their shattered lives when the ones they love are found to be amongst society’s most shunned?

Founded by Natalie Walker, PartnerSpeak.org has been established to help support these people whos lives have been changed forever.

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