Danielle St James on Charities In Crisis, Visibility & Rediscovering Self-Worth

Parson James is a singer-songwriter from South Carolina who has become one of music’s most distinctive and authentic voices. Born Ashton Parson in a town of 5,000 people, he created an iconic visual identity — a high fashion cowboy priest aesthetic complete with cross earrings and boots — that reflects his unique blend of Southern roots, queer spirituality and artistic rebellion. His music has passed over a billion streams (including a collaboration with the producer Kygo) and he has a new single "Love Right Here" with Emeli Sande, out now. On this episode of The Pieces, Bimini and Parson James dive into the formative moment that shaped his entire life and how it gave him a feeling of "rightness" that has guided him ever since. They discuss growing up in a hostile environment where Parson learned to mould himself to make everyone around him feel safe, and the journey of finally protecting himself by moving to New York at 17. Parson also shares the vulnerability of coming out to his mom, the magic of working underage at burlesque venues, meeting Lady Gaga and the miraculous chain of events that followed - including stories from his time on American Idol and his performance at the Nobel Peace Prize concert. Don't forget to subscribe and don't miss new episodes of The Pieces every Tuesday! Follow The Pieces with Bimini Listen Now on Global Player Instagram: @thepiecespod TikTok: @thepiecespod YouTube: @thepiecespod

Hannah Reilly is an Australian writer, director, performer and creative force who has built a career on unflinching storytelling and the transformative power of art. From her early work in comedy to writing and performing her own original theatrical work, Hannah has carved out a space where she can explore the messy, uncomfortable, deeply human truths that make us who we are. Her critically acclaimed play ROLEPLAY marks a bold shift from comedy into drama, proving that Hannah is unafraid to make an audience sit in uncomfortable silence if that's what the story demands. On this episode of The Pieces, Bimini and Hannah dive into the formative moment that sparked everything and made her want to capture the kind of storytelling that transforms you. They discuss the journey from performing comedy to writing drama, the challenge of making an audience uncomfortable, and why she had to learn that silence isn't failure, it's the correct response to tragedy. The conversation touches on keeping parts of your life private in an age of constant oversharing, how the permanence of the internet holds people accountable for opinions they had ten years ago, and the double standard of cancel culture when world leaders get away with everything. Hannah also shares the brutal honesty of making ROLEPLAY and creating a character (Danny) who desperately seeks power and attention because she's really looking for love. Don't forget to subscribe and don't miss new episodes of The Pieces every Tuesday! Follow The Pieces with Bimini Listen Now on Global Player Instagram: @thepiecespod TikTok: @thepiecespod YouTube: @thepiecespod

Peter Caulfield is an actor, singer and passionate activist who has become the leading voice fighting for legal ownership of our own voices. Best known for his work with Russell T Davies on the ground-breaking series Queer as Folk, Cucumber and Tiptoe, Peter uses his platform to speak truth to power about the issues that matter most — from Palestinian solidarity to the unchecked dangers of artificial intelligence. Beyond the screen, Peter is the face of "Save Our Voices Now", a campaign demanding statutory rights for every UK citizen to have legal ownership over their own voice before AI cloning decimates careers, steals identities, and fundamentally erases what makes us human. On this episode of The Pieces, Bimini and Peter dive into the impact of Russell T Davies' storytelling, Peter's continuous campaigning and how a single word "Now" can create real change. They also talk about Peter's urgent new mission: stopping AI voice cloning before it's too late. They unpack the terrifying reality that voices are data being harvested from social media, algorithms are being piloted in warfare, and that tech billionaires are openly admitting AI will "probably destroy the planet, but create amazing software" in the meantime. Peter tackles surveillance capitalism, the humanisation of AI as dangerously misleading, and why this isn't just an actor's issue - it affects every teenager on TikTok and Snapchat who are unknowingly giving their voice away. Don't forget to subscribe and don't miss new episodes of The Pieces every Tuesday! Follow The Pieces with Bimini Listen Now on Global Player Instagram: @thepiecespod TikTok: @thepiecespod YouTube: @thepiecespod

Nicky Spence is a Scottish tenor, opera singer and performer who has brought accessibility, authenticity and pure joy to one of the world's most elite art forms. From performing at the BBC Proms to international opera houses, Nicky has built a career on refusing to be confined by traditional operatic moulds. As a vocal athlete who can fill ginormous spaces without a microphone and a gay Scottish man who has turned his "unconventional" appearance into his greatest asset, Nicky represents a revolution in how we think about who gets to be an opera singer. On this episode of The Pieces, Bimini and Nicky dive into the formative moment that changed everything. They discuss his training for ten years - only to discover that he had to become the person he actually was, instead of who he had been told to be, to reach new career heights. The conversation touches on opera as drag - the wigs, costumes, makeup and bold presentation - and why he gets to play the really interesting, repugnant characters rather than sappy Prince's because he doesn't fit the traditional mould. Nicky passionately advocates for funding the arts, accessibility in opera, and why creating barriers to opportunity means missing undiscovered incredible gifts. They also discuss the stark difference between France's annual funding for opera versus the UK's constant defunding, and why art should be a human experience of communion, not an exclusive elite event. Don't forget to subscribe and don't miss new episodes of The Pieces every Tuesday! Follow The Pieces with Bimini Listen Now on Global Player Instagram: @thepiecespod TikTok: @thepiecespod YouTube: @thepiecespod

Ebs Burnough is best known the former White House Senior Advisor to First Lady Michelle Obama - but, having achieved so much, his career defies categorisation. He's a filmmaker, writer, producer and communications executive with nearly two decades of leadership in politics and public policy. From working at the White House with President and Mrs. Obama, to serving as Chair of Sundance Film Festival, and directing projects that celebrate queer cultural icons like Dusty Springfield, Ebs has refused the false choice between academia and creativity. A Black gay man with relentless drive and a gift for seeing the full dimensions of any challenge, Ebs approaches every mountain as an opportunity to grow, learn and create lasting impact. On this episode of The Pieces, Bimini and Ebs dive into the formative moment that shaped his entire worldview, turning trauma into his greatest teacher and his commitment to never letting fear stop him from occupying space. The conversation touches on being raised with the understanding that "much has been given to you, so how do you give back?", the confidence to never experience imposter syndrome while still being absolutely terrified, and the refusal to be confined to a single career path. They also discuss his current work directing the Dusty Springfield film, launching Tea and Vodka podcast, and his upcoming projects at Sundance. Don't forget to subscribe and don't miss new episodes of The Pieces every Tuesday! Follow The Pieces with Bimini Listen Now on Global Player Instagram: @thepiecespod TikTok: @thepiecespod YouTube: @thepiecespod