In the debut episode of Chris Duke Talks, I sit down with John Barrowman for an open, reflective conversation about identity, resilience, musical theatre, and what it means to stop editing yourself. John speaks candidly about career highs and lows, public scrutiny, creative freedom, and why he now does things entirely on his own terms.

We also talk openly about honesty, humour as defence, and the cost of staying silent, themes that connect closely to the Fringe musical I mention during the show.

Supporting the Fringe Musical: One Missed Call Alongside the podcast, I am raising funds to take a new one-man musical to the Edinburgh Fringe. One Missed Call follows a father over one night as he makes the phone calls he has been avoiding for years. Some are answered. Some are not. One matters more than all the rest. The show explores how men often deal with emotion by not dealing with it at all, using humour, deflection, and silence until the weight becomes impossible to ignore.

If you would like to support the show: 👉 https://gofund.me/f36049c02

Joe Holroyde—known to millions as “Joe H”—joins The Peer Project just before the grand finale of Gladiators 2025. But his story goes far beyond red Lycra and obstacle courses.

Once unable to run down the street, Joe turned his life around to become one of the most beloved contenders on TV. In this powerful and heartwarming episode, Joe opens up about his journey, the message behind that travelator moment, imposter syndrome, his surprise BBC casting, and inspiring other bearded dads to take that first step.

Whether you’re looking for motivation, a reason to smile, or proof that it’s never too late—this one’s for you.

Listen, be inspired, and maybe even start moving again.

Supporters Club: https://thepeerproject.co.uk/supporters

#JoeH #Gladiators2025 #ThePeerProject #JoeHolroyd #BeardedDad #FitnessJourney #FromUnfitToFinalist #MentalHealth #BBCGladiators #Inspiration #OvercomingDoubt #TransformationStory #RealConversations

Nicole Dyer is 18, creative, kind, and living with Tourette’s Syndrome — but that’s only part of her story. In this raw and refreshingly honest episode, I sit down with Nicole and her brilliantly blunt mum Jodie to talk about life beyond the tics.

We cover everything: what a tic attack really feels like, the misconceptions they face daily, how social media has been both a lifeline and a battleground, and why Nicole refuses to let Tourette’s define her.

From airport security scares to unwanted prayers, whistling birds to online hate, this episode is packed with laughs, jaw-drops, brutal truths, and a powerful bond between mum and daughter. Jodie’s sarcasm is razor-sharp, Nicole’s openness is inspiring, and their relationship is something really special.

If you’ve ever misunderstood Tourette’s — or want to know what true resilience looks like — this one’s for you.

Trigger warning: Includes honest discussions around mental health, self-harm, and bullying.

If you enjoy the episode, please give it a thumbs up, share it with someone who needs to hear it, and hit subscribe so you don’t miss what’s coming next.

And if you want to support what I’m doing, join The Peer Project Supporters Club for just £5 a month — you’ll get ad-free episodes, behind-the-scenes extras, and be part of the reason this podcast keeps growing:

thepeerproject.co.uk/supporters