Bottoming Podcast is the LGBTQ+ mental health show, which has recently partnered with National Museums Liverpool, to bring a brand new auditory experience to the city.
Hosts Matthew Riley, 29, and Brendan Geoghegan, 30, created the show as a means to navigate difficult conversations and topics in their own lives. However, it does come with a humorous twist which is "the only way they know" how to deal with these experiences.
The podcast hosts told the ECHO : "We're hoping to get people thinking about the role LGBTQ+ history plays in our everyday lives, and to make sure that these stories aren't lost. From the obvious LGBTQ+ items - like Liverpool Drag Queen legend, Lady Seanne's portrait and outfit - to the less obvious, like a biscuit tin from Huntley and Palmers, we want people to leave the museum with some new knowledge to share and a stronger connection to our community - whether they're LGBTQ+ or not."
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National Museums posted on its social media: "We’re excited to announce we’ve partnered with the brilliant @bottomingpod, the LGBTQ+ mental health podcast to create an LGBTQ+ Audio Trail around the museum, including our Wondrous Place gallery! You’ll be able to hear hosts Brendan and Matthew’s voices, thoughts and experiences around LGBTQ+ items in our collections, with queer visitors to the galleries being able to hear their own experiences represented, and other visitors learning more about LGBTQ+ history and Liverpool’s place in it Coming in Spring 2022 - we can’t wait for you to hear it!"
Matthew and Brendan said: "We are so thrilled to be working with the Museum of Liverpool to create the new LGBTQ+ audio trail. It’s been an incredible experience delving into the LGBTQ+ past and present of the city through the museum collection, and a reminder of the importance of saving and sharing the stories from our community.
"These stories shouldn’t be lost - far too many have been in the years that have passed, thanks to discriminatory laws and policies - many causing significant pain to the generations that walked before us. We want everybody that visits the museum to enjoy exploring the galleries with us through an LGBTQ+ lens - whether they are in the community or not - and take the stories forward to ensure that our histories are forever shared and celebrated."
Originally from Huyton, Matthew, told the ECHO : "The trail has been put together so that people can explore the museum in their own time and through whichever route they choose, so we're not directing you from location to location. It's also important to know that the items are not just located in an 'LGBTQ+ section' separate from the rest of the collection, but they're spread throughout three of the galleries across the Museum of Liverpool, covering all sorts of things from music and fashion, to art and even food packaging! At each item or display, there is a QR code to scan and you can then hear us share some history about it, as well as sharing some of our own thoughts and experiences."
Stemming from personal conversations and experiences, Bottoming was created as a way for Brendan and Matthew to navigate difficult conversations and topics in their own life, but with a dark and humorous twist - the only way they know how. It has since developed a following of dedicated and supportive listeners, who’ve connected with the personable and tender approach and fresh takes on each episode and topic.
The aim of Bottoming is to show that mental health doesn’t discriminate, it can and does impact anyone and everyone, and often the conversation isn’t pretty. The boys want to show it can be done with a few laughs to help you get through.
