Since her launch in 2024, Shannon Beveridge has made huge strides with her podcast Exes and O’s. Striving to give a space for queer sex and relationship talk, her podcast has attracted marquee guests such as Tegan and Sara, Margaret Cho and Hayley Kiyoko. When she heads to her hometown of Dallas this week for the Hard Launch Tour of her podcast, she’s ready to give a safe sapphic space for fans and friends,
“I want people who desire to be in a room with sapphic and queer folks to meet new people and escape from reality,” she said by phone.
Beveridge is in the early part of her tour but with some dates already under her belt, she has a better idea of what the show is. In the beginning, she and her team were figuring it out. She figures, by Dallas, it’ll all be in order.
“I think we’re working it out every night, but it’s a lot of talking and interviewing. It’s like the podcast only live,” she said .”We have games, we incorporate the crowd and just hang out and talk about queer stuff.”
Her audience learns lesbian but the conversations and topics are open to all queer folks.
You might know Beveridge even if you don’t think you do. She kinda broke lesbian internet through a very public breakup. Google it.
But in some ways, that all led to this current era of podcasting which in some ways sounds like a catharsis for her that also expands queer conversations about sex and love – especially geared toward her female/femme audience.
“So many people are gay now and they are talking about their relationships. But also, it’s been less about the struggle, although that is a big part of it, but there’s this queer joy in people talking about it,” she said.
Beveridge added that her adult audience has found Exes and O’s to be about self-discovery and acceptance.
“It’s been exciting to talk about these – especially for women – where there aren’t that many safe spaces,” she said.
Although she is talking about relationships, Beveridge is quick to say she is no expert.
“I am definitely not trying to lead by example,” she laughed. “It’s really a conversation and less advice. The show changes every week and it’s different with every guest. They tell their story and sometimes it comes with a bit of advice we all need.”
The show is at 8 p.m. on Tuesday at The Kessler in Oak Cliff. For tickets, visit ShannonBeveridge.co.
–Rich Lopez