Joshua Cavallo: The Pressure of Being The Only Openly Gay Footballer And Why So Many Stay Silent
Professional footballer Joshua Cavallo opens up about coming out as the world’s only openly gay active male footballer - and the reality he faced once the headlines faded. From his coach’s immediate response to the fear he’d lose the career he’d worked his whole life for, Josh reveals why so many gay players still feel unable to speak their truth.
Josh reflects on the years he spent living a double life, the isolation that defined his teens, and the moment he finally chose honesty over fear. He also shares the global ripple effect of his coming-out video, the abuse he’s endured in stadiums and online, and how falling in love with fiancé Leighton changed everything.
Josh reveals:
◽ Why he believes LGBTQ+ rights are moving backwards
◽ The family expectations he grew up with and why he felt he could never truly be himself
◽ The double life he lived as a teenager and the mental toll of hiding who he was
◽ The coming out letter he wrote to his family
◽ The conversation with his coaches that changed everything
◽ Why so many gay footballers still stay silent
◽ The homophobia he still faces every day
◽ How he secretly mentors closeted professional players
◽ How he proposed to his partner Leighton
Josh Cavallo. We Need To Talk
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(00:00) Intro
(03:35) How Josh's Maltese Heritage Shaped His Upbringing
(06:11) Paul Shows Josh a Childhood Photo
(07:57) What Josh Learned About Love From His Grandfather
(09:48) When Josh First Realised He Was Gay
(11:27) Josh on Developing and Maintaining a ‘Mask’
(14:22) Support Josh Had Starting Out in the Football Industry
(18:26) Leaving Dating Apps and Meeting His Fiancée
(23:33) How Josh Came Out To His Family
(33:03) How Josh Came Out to His Teammates
(37:20) Public Reaction to Josh Coming Out
(40:20) How Josh Realised He Wanted to Be an Advocate
(42:43) Did the League Embrace Josh’s News?
(43:44) Surprise Video Message For Josh
(46:20) Statistics Around Homophobia in Football
(48:05) Josh’s View on Homophobia in Today’s Football
(49:09) Why Josh Thinks the Problem Is Getting Worse
(51:23) Why Other Athletes Aren’t Coming Out
(52:18) Josh’s Experience of a Homophobic Attack
(54:52) Being on the Cover of Attitude Magazine
(56:26) Too Good To Go Ad
(57:42) Differences Playing Football in Australia vs the UK
(59:51) Times Josh Felt Unsafe on the Pitch
(01:05:21) Mentoring Closeted Footballers
(01:09:16) The Story of Josh's Proposal to His Fiancée
(01:13:35) Video Message From Fiancée Leighton
(01:16:26) Josh and Leighton on Having Children
(01:19:12) Adobe Express Ad
(01:20:19) Huel Ad
(01:21:45) How to Stop the Backslide in Civil Rights
(01:29:40) The Hypocrisy of the Qatar World Cup
(01:34:44) Josh’s Message to the Queer Community
(01:35:31) Most Memorable Conversation
(01:38:29) Paul’s Takeaways
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Why I Had To Leave The Jungle! We're Talking: I'm a Celeb
We sit down with I'm A Celeb stars Kerry Katona, Myleene Klass and Tulisa to discuss the highs and lows of their time in the jungle!
(00:00) Intro
(00:35) Kerry's Experience of Winning 'I'm a Celeb'
(05:46) Myleene's Experience of 'I'm a Celeb' and That White Bikini
(10:46) Tulisa's 'I'm a Celeb' Experience
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Ellie Goldstein on Strictly And The Hospital Conversation That Changed Everything
Ellie Goldstein was once told she’d never walk or talk. Now she’s danced on Strictly and graced the cover of Vogue. Today, she shares how she proved them all wrong.
Ellie is a model, dancer, and author. She’s worked with Vogue, Gucci, and Adidas, and made history on this year’s Strictly Come Dancing. She’s now helping to change how people see learning disabilities in fashion and media.
Her mum, Yvonne, shares the powerful beginning of Ellie’s story. She talks about how doctors broke the news, how they were left alone in a hospital room, and the moment a nurse said, “The last mother who had one of these left it here. Do you want to do that?”
Together, they explain:
◽How Strictly changed Ellie’s life - and why she still trains with Vito
◽How Vito became more than a dance partner - he’s now family
◽Being ignored by model agencies - to becoming cover star of Vogue
◽Why spray tans and dance became her happy place
◽What she tells young people with learning disabilities chasing their dreams
◽The biggest myths about Down syndrome - and how Ellie proves them wrong
◽ How it felt meeting Ariana Grande and Cynthia Erivo
◽The powerful moment she looked in the mirror and said “you’re perfect”
Ellie Goldstein, We Need To Talk.
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(00:00) Intro
(02:09) What Ellie Loved Most About Her Time on 'Strictly Come Dancing'
(03:38) Ellie's Relationship With Her Dance Partner Vito
(08:56) Paul, Ellie and Yvonne Watch Ellie's Cha Cha Cha
(10:48) Paul Gives Ellie a Surprise Gift
(13:21) The Reaction to Ellie Being on Strictly
(14:40) How Ellie Dealt With Comments From the Judges
(15:28) Support From the Strictly Production Team
(16:09) Paul Shows Ellie a Message From Surprise Strictly Judge
(18:42) Ellie's Favourite Dance on Strictly
(19:09) Who Ellie Wants to Win Strictly
(19:32) Ellie and Vito's Pre-Performance Rituals
(20:39) Ellie's Advice to Anyone Facing Challenges
(21:15) Aura Frames Ad
(22:16) Shopify Ad
(23:17) When Ellie First Felt Like a Model
(23:47) Ellie's Statue on the Southbank
(24:27) Ellie's Gucci Campaign
(26:46) How Ellie Started Out in Modelling
(28:46) Ellie's Vogue Cover
(32:01) Meeting Cynthia Erivo and Ariana Grande
(35:07) Ellie's Books
(37:14) Yvonne Shares the Story of Ellie's Birth
(45:33) Down Syndrome Statistics
(45:59) Yvonne on How Her Experience Could Have Been Better
(49:09) How Yvonne Told Ellie About Her Condition
(50:18) What Yvonne and Ellie Appreciate About Each Other
(52:15) Quick Fire Questions for Ellie
(53:17) Ellie's Work as a Mencap Ambassador
(55:16) Paul's Takeaways
Sponsored by:
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“Nick Told Me To Do the Show!” Bre Tiesi on Fame, Motherhood & Reality TV | We’re Talking
With the return of Selling Sunset, Paul sits down with Bre Tiesi for a candid conversation about fame, motherhood and the honest thoughts about reality TV.
Bre opens up about being thrust into the spotlight, the challenges of being known as “Nick Cannon’s baby mama,” her fight to be respected in luxury real estate, and how she built confidence in an industry dominated by men.
Bre also reflects on the intense backlash, the friendships that didn’t last, and the inner strength that’s carried her from her toughest years to taking centre stage on one of Netflix’s biggest shows.
We’re Talking: Selling Sunset
(00:00) Intro
(00:33) How Bre Joined *Selling Sunset*
(01:22) Revealing Bre and Nick's Relationship to the Public
(02:03) How Bre Got Into Real Estate
(03:37) Gender Disparity in Real Estate
(04:46) Bre's First Big Listing
(05:43) Why Bre Joined *Selling Sunset* Shortly After Giving Birth
(07:12) Bre’s Thoughts on Public Reaction to Her
(09:25) Was Bre Targeted Because of Her Relationship With Nick Cannon?
(12:48) How Bre Feels After 3 Years on the Show
(15:15) Bre's Future Plans
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Sam Vanderpump Champions Life Changing Organ Donation After Liver Disease Diagnosis
Made in Chelsea star Sam Vanderpump opens up about life behind reality TV, the advice his aunt Lisa Vanderpump gave him, and the rare liver disease that now means he faces a life-saving transplant.
For the first time, Sam reflects on growing up as part of the Vanderpump family, the pressure of living up to his father’s expectations, and the moment he nearly lost his life to sepsis. He also shares how reality TV unexpectedly helped him process trauma, why he’s determined to use his platform to raise awareness for organ donation, and how love and fatherhood have given him new purpose.
Sam shares:
◽ The truth behind the Vanderpump family legacy
◽ What his father’s death taught him about love, pride, and approval
◽ How Lisa Vanderpump became a father figure in his life
◽ The terrifying day he went into organ failure
◽ How Made in Chelsea helped him confront his emotions for the first time
◽ The moment media headlines about his illness broke him
◽ Why he’s now fighting to raise awareness for organ donation and liver disease
◽ The message from his fiancée that left him in tears
Sam Vanderpump. We Need To Talk.
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(00:00) Intro
(01:56) Sam Addresses Public Perception of the Vanderpumps
(04:45) What Sam Learned About Love From His Mum and Dad
(07:31) Sam's Complicated Relationship With His Father
(12:20) Coping With the Death of Sam's Father
(14:48) How Reality TV Helped Sam's Mental Health
(16:40) Why Sam Joined Made In Chelsea
(24:55) Paul Shows Sam a Childhood Photo
(29:45) How Authentic Is Made In Chelsea?
(34:44) Has Made In Chelsea Been Good for Sam's Relationships?
(37:54) Paul Shows a Message From Sam’s Fiancée Alice
(41:08) Aura Frames Ad
(42:18) What Type of Father Sam Wants to Be
(45:11) Sam Explains His Current Health Condition
(54:37) Key Statistics About Sepsis
(57:04) Why Sam Needs a Liver Transplant
(01:01:13) Sam Addresses the Media Storm Around His Health
(01:04:36) How the Media Storm Affected Sam’s Family and Friends
(01:06:39) How Organ Donation Works and Why Sam Advocates for It
(01:14:54) Sam Reads a Letter From His Grandmother
(01:17:42) Yes I Donate Message
(01:18:58) Liver Transplant Survival Rates Explained
(01:23:24) Sam’s Mum Shares Her Perspective
(01:29:42) A Letter From Sam’s Mother
(01:32:24) Most Memorable Conversation
(01:38:10) Paul’s Takeaways
Sponsored by:
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The most powerful conversations are the ones we usually avoid. Hosted by Paul C. Brunson, We Need To Talk is a show that empowers people to have the conversations they avoid by creating a safe, supportive, and insightful space that encourages vulnerability, self-discovery, and real-world connection.
From breakups to breakthroughs, conflict to connection, we go beyond the headlines to uncover the human experiences and relationships that define us.
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TikTok: @weneedtotalkpod
Listen to We Need To Talk with Paul C. Brunson, Road To Success with Benedict Fowler and many other podcasts from around the world with the radio.net app
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