We Are Queer 5/8/25: Olivia: Perspective on Queerness

Host/Producer: Pepin Mittelhauser
Music by Juniper Ginger

In this, the last episode of WERQ, regular host Olivia Paruk swaps seats with the guest of the first episode, Pepin Mittelhauser, sharing her own experiences, and perspectives she gained while creating We Are Queer.

We Are Queer, highlights the touching experiences from Maine’s diverse LGBTQ+ community that builds empathy and understanding in our greater community. If you have feedback for the show or want to get in touch email [email protected] with WERQ in the subject line.

About the host:
Pepin Mittelhauser (he/they) is the Digital Content Manager at WERU Community Radio, an avid musician and singer, and lover of nature and the outdoors. He graduated from College of the Atlantic in ’19 with focuses in sustainable agriculture, food systems, and live and recorded audio engineering and production. He has lived in Downeast Maine his entire life.

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We Are Queer 4/10/25: Zoe: The Intersection of Science and Queerness

Host/Producer: Olivia Paruk
Music by Juniper Ginger

In this episode, host Olivia Paruk interviews Zoe Albion, a scientist working in the forestry sector. They talk about the intersection between science and queerness, ambiguity in life, and dreams for a more inclusive queer friendly future.

We Are Queer, highlights the touching experiences from Maine’s diverse LGBTQ+ community that builds empathy and understanding in our greater community. If you have feedback for the show or want to get in touch email [email protected] with WERQ in the subject line.

About the host:
Olivia Paruk (she/her) is a local college student and gardener who is passionate about people and this journey called life we are all on together. She is not a “true” Mainer but moved to Southern Maine with her family when she was ten, but she has been living on Mount Desert Island for three years while attending College of the Atlantic. In addition to radio, Olivia loves analyzing movies with her sister, dancing in her kitchen, attempting to sew, and getting lost in her imagination.

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We Are Queer 3/13/25: Benjamin: Live and Let Live

Host/Producer: Olivia Paruk
Music by Juniper Ginger

In this episode we discuss, coming out to loved ones, facing your prejudices, and how drag makes everything feel right in the world.

We Are Queer, highlights the touching experiences from Maine’s diverse LGBTQ+ community that builds empathy and understanding in our greater community. If you have feedback for the show or want to get in touch email [email protected] with WERQ in the subject line.

About the host:
Olivia Paruk (she/her) is a local college student and gardener who is passionate about people and this journey called life we are all on together. She is not a “true” Mainer but moved to Southern Maine with her family when she was ten, but she has been living on Mount Desert Island for three years while attending College of the Atlantic. In addition to radio, Olivia loves analyzing movies with her sister, dancing in her kitchen, attempting to sew, and getting lost in her imagination.

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We Are Queer 2/13/25: Lori: Art Can Change Hearts and Minds

Host/Producer: Olivia Paruk
Music by Juniper Ginger

In this episode of We Are Queer, host Olivia Paruk interviews Lori Sitzabee, who is Artistic Director at New Surry Theater in Blue Hill. Their conversation focuses on discovering oneself later in life, finding acceptance in modern society, and how art can challenge our assumptions and spark conversations.

We Are Queer, highlights the touching experiences from Maine’s diverse LGBTQ+ community that builds empathy and understanding in our greater community. If you have feedback for the show or want to get in touch email [email protected] with WERQ in the subject line.

About the host:
Olivia Paruk (she/her) is a local college student and gardener who is passionate about people and this journey called life we are all on together. She is not a “true” Mainer but moved to Southern Maine with her family when she was ten, but she has been living on Mount Desert Island for three years while attending College of the Atlantic. In addition to radio, Olivia loves analyzing movies with her sister, dancing in her kitchen, attempting to sew, and getting lost in her imagination.

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We Are Queer 1/9/25: OutMaine – Looking Out for Our Queer Children

Host/Producer: Olivia Paruk
Music by Juniper Ginger

This month’s guest is Maggie Hirshland, who is the Youth Engagement Coordinator at OutMaine. In this episode we specifically touch on the landscape of queer youth in Maine, resources for queer youth, and the special Rainbow Ball put on by OutMaine.
 
We Are Queer, highlights the touching experiences from Maine’s diverse LGBTQ+ community that builds empathy and understanding in our greater community. If you have feedback for the show or want to get in touch email [email protected] with WERQ in the subject line.
 

About the host:
Olivia Paruk (she/her) is a local college student and gardener who is passionate about people and this journey called life we are all on together. She is not a “true” Mainer but moved to Southern Maine with her family when she was ten, but she has been living on Mount Desert Island for three years while attending College of the Atlantic. In addition to radio, Olivia loves analyzing movies with her sister, dancing in her kitchen, attempting to sew, and getting lost in her imagination.

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We Are Queer 12/12/24: Finding Queer Joy Through Farming

Host/Producer: Olivia Paruk
Music by Juniper Ginger

This week guest is Bo Dennis, who is a farmer at Dandy Ram Farm in Monroe. In this episode we discuss queer awakenings, being queer in rural communities, and creating spaces for queer joy and community.
We Are Queer, highlights the touching experiences from Maine’s diverse LGBTQ+ community that builds empathy and understanding in our greater community. If you have feedback for the show or want to get in touch email [email protected] with WERQ in the subject line.
FMI:
Website: dandyramfarm.com
Instagram: @Dandyramfarm

About the host:
Olivia Paruk (she/her) is a local college student and gardener who is passionate about people and this journey called life we are all on together. She is not a “true” Mainer but moved to Southern Maine with her family when she was ten, but she has been living on Mount Desert Island for three years while attending College of the Atlantic. In addition to radio, Olivia loves analyzing movies with her sister, dancing in her kitchen, attempting to sew, and getting lost in her imagination.

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We Are Queer 11/14/24: Father Douglas: God Does Not Create Junk

Host/Producer: Olivia Paruk
Music by Juniper Ginger

In this episode of We Are Queer, host Olivia Paruk interviews Father Douglas Beck who is the Rector at Saint Francis by the Sea Episcopal Church in Blue Hill. Their conversation focuses on Father Douglas’s story of faith, queerness, and inspiring hope. Please note this episode does have a few background noises however that does not take away from insightful conversation.
We Are Queer, highlights the touching experiences from Maine’s diverse LGBTQ+ community that builds empathy and understanding in our greater community. If you have feedback for the show or want to get in touch email [email protected] with WERQ in the subject line.

Guest: Father Douglas Beck, Rector at Saint Francis by the Sea Episcopal Church in Blue Hill

About the host:
Olivia Paruk (she/her) is a local college student and gardener who is passionate about people and this journey called life we are all on together. She is not a “true” Mainer but moved to Southern Maine with her family when she was ten, but she has been living on Mount Desert Island for three years while attending College of the Atlantic. In addition to radio, Olivia loves analyzing movies with her sister, dancing in her kitchen, attempting to sew, and getting lost in her imagination.

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We Are Queer 10/10/24 – Pepin: Discovery of Self

Host/Producer: Olivia Paruk
Music Credit: Glow by Scott Buckley | www.scottbuckley.com.au
Music promoted by www.chosic.com/free-music/all/
Creative Commons CC BY 4.0 creativecommons.org/licenses/by/4.0/

In the first episode of We Are Queer, Olivia Paruk interviews Pepin Mittelhauser about their experience of self discovery and reflections on their queer identity. Their conversations cover Pepin’s queer beginnings, straight passing, and continual reflections on self.

Guest: Pepin Mittelhauser, Staff Member at WERU. [email protected]

About the host:
Olivia Paruk (she/her) is a local college student and gardener who is passionate about people and this journey called life we are all on together. She is not a “true” Mainer but moved to Southern Maine with her family when she was ten, but she has been living on Mount Desert Island for three years while attending College of the Atlantic. In addition to radio, Olivia loves analyzing movies with her sister, dancing in her kitchen, attempting to sew, and getting lost in her imagination.

Podcast: Play in new window | Download