From the people that brought you The Reality of Reality TV with Fleur East, the Empire Film podcast and Frank Skinner’s Poetry Podcast, comes an all new audio-offering, Tough Talks from Hits Radio Pride.

Featuring intimate and revealing conversations from people in the LGBTQ+ community, this new podcast series centres around the very real, difficult discussions that occur or are often forced on people who simply want to be themselves.

From gender and sexuality to identity, listen in on twenty intimate talks between two people as they relive and reflect on a tough talk from their past. Speaking to the original person that they had the conversation with, you’ll hear a new guest each week share the moments that led up to the chat, reveal what happened immediately following, as well as the weeks and years afterwards.

The first three episodes from the series have gone live today, with new episodes dropping every Monday.

Episode 1 features Rachel, a transgender woman from Manchester who chats with her 83-year-old Mum, Norah. They reflect on the moment Rachel told her mum about her true identity and how they moved forward from that conversation.

Episode 2 centres on Alfie, a transmasculine person who chats with their partner of 8 years, Rachael. They reflect on the moment Alfie told her they were questioning their identity, and how it changed their relationship.

Episode 3 focuses on OneDa, a rapper from Manchester who talks with her childhood best friend Kyle. They look back on the moment she told him she was a lesbian woman and how religion had stopped her from coming out earlier.

Hits Radio Pride is the UK’s first national LGBTQ+ radio station from a major broadcaster. Launched by Hits Radio, this uplifting pop-up station features some of the 21st century’s biggest artists who are much loved by the LGBTQ+ community, including Lady Gaga, Lizzo, Kim Petras, Sam Smith, Kylie, Harry Styles, Years and Years plus many more. Hits Radio Pride also works with LGBT+ helpline Switchboard to ensure listeners can get the right access to support and advice.

Tough Talks from Hits Radio Pride is hosted by Paulo Ross and produced by Reform Radio with support from the Audio Content Fund.

The podcast will be available every Monday from Apple podcasts, Spotify, the Hits Radio website and all mainstream podcast providers.