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âJust because someone seems happy, doesnât mean itâs the reality of the situation. Itâs good to check in and see how people are doing.â - Vinnie Harris
Vinnie Harris is an unfalteringly positive voice in the Bond community - his voice is also very deep and many of you will recognise it from his appearances on various podcasts!
As Anya Amasova tells Bond in The Spy Who Loved Me, âitâs very important to have a positive mental attitude.â This can be easier said than done however! So positive is Vinnie online that you might be surprised to learn about the challenges he has overcome and continues to battle in his everyday life. This is the first time Vinnie has opened up publicly about these and how he is learning to cope with them.
Diagnosed with autism and ADHD early in life, Vinnie talks candidly about how, like Bond, he felt like he didnât fit in. Two decades down the line, he shares his thoughts about combatting negative self-talk, taking advice from family and friends, how itâs important to live life at your own pace and learning to own your uniqueness.
You can follow Vinnie on X @Harris94Vinnie and Instagram @mrharris00794
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âIt shook my foundations. I flipped from being someone that was 'Just get on with it' to a person who felt far more empathy, understanding not everyone has the tools to be able to 'Just get on with it'.â - Natasha StoneArm yourself because no one else here will save you? Itâs a brilliant song lyric, but how far does being self-reliant really help us? When is the time to call for reinforcements? And how do we find the words when social norms tell us to keep things inside, especially if weâre men? All of these questions and more get answers in this chat, which has its origins off the back of a heated Bond Book club debate. When they got together, now over a year ago, to discuss Natashaâs first reading of Flemingâs Casino Royale, David and Natasha had wildly diverging views of the character of Bond: Natasha felt Bond was too needy and âunmasculineâ whereas David found his vulnerability role model-worthy. With unflinching honesty, Natasha traces her ideas about masculinity back to early childhood, when she formed a fantasy of the ideal man being of the âAlphaâ variety. A defining moment of Natashaâs childhood was her mother - an incredibly strong woman - having a nervous breakdown. This formed her earliest ideas about mental health. Her self-created âinner steelâ helped steer her through very difficult times, including finding herself unexpectedly pregnant while at university. And then, two decades later, a shocking tragedy completely shook Natashaâs foundations and upended her perspective on masculinity and mental health.âBoys will smile, even when theyâre in complete turmoil.â - Natasha StoneA mother of four boys and one girl, Natasha shares her insights into the importance of communication for ensuring mental wellbeing, particularly for young men. David opens up about the ways we can make a difference, using examples from his professional life as an educator. Ultimately, they agree that the key is finding a middle ground between being self-reliant and knowing when to call for support.They link everything back to Bond books and films, and specifically the song âYou Know My Nameâ. Finally, they share some pearls of wisdom from Bond Girl/force of nature Martine Beswicke.Natasha mentions fundraising for mental health charity CALM, which you can find out more about here:https://www.thecalmzone.net/
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John is one of the fantastic lads who make up the Really, 007! podcast. While David has been honoured to be their guest multiple times and they've got to know each other well in real life, this is the first time John and David have publicly talked just the two of them.Both men help people with problems as part of their professional lives having been motivated to do so by some of their own adverse experiences. Rarely are real life problems as easy to âeliminateâ as they are in the world of Bond. But that shouldnât prevent us from trying.John was eager to come onto On Our Minds Only? and weâre so glad he did. The story of Johnâs mental heath journey is a gripping one - and it has the power to change lives.Both had no idea how this conversation would unfold. They start by introducing the topics of PTSD (Post Traumatic Stress Disorder) and OCD (Obsessive Compulsive Disorder)⊠and then (a bit like episodes of âReally, 007!â) things take off in unexpected directionsâŠWe wonât spoil it here, but instead urge you to hit PLAY and let Johnâs story unfold in its entirety. A sneak preview: It begins with an eleven year old John having his world view turned upside down by a viewing of On Her Majestyâs Secret Service. We move on to nineteen year old John experiencing a significantly traumatic incident which was to reverberate through his whole life ever afterwardsâŠWith great vulnerability, John doesnât hold back from sharing what happened when he hit rock bottom. But this is ultimately an incredibly hopeful story. John made a life-changing decision to devote a lot of his time to helping others, using what heâd learned about himself.Along the way, John and David relate everything back to Bond. This includes their own deeply personal takes on Licence to Kill and Skyfall.Although this episode is longer than the others in this series, you will definitely want to watch the whole thing. Let us know what you think.
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The author of A Different Kind of Brave describes his novel as a âgay teen love letter to James Bond moviesâ, which is a pretty accurate description!
Lee Windâs book is a ludicrously exciting and romantic action adventure story with all of the Bond ingredients - but with two gay protagonists, one of who filters his whole life through his beloved Bond movies, which is definitely something many of us can relate to.
For many readers - young adult or older - reading this novel will be an intensely validating experience. I devoured it in one sitting, propelled by the narrative and characters. What I did not expect to happen was to find myself at the end sobbing tears of queer joy.
The day after reading A Different Kind of Brave, I chatted with Lee about his own history with Bond (the book is crammed with 007 detail!) and what motivates him to writes books which have the potential to change lives.
One of my own motivations for chatting with Lee was to find out how we could get as many people as possible to get hold of a copy of A Different Kind of Brave.
You can pickup the paperback from all online retailers. But Lee has also created a really Kickstarter for the hardback. For everyone who pledges for a gorgeous hardback edition of the book the publisher will give a paperback copy to queer youth!
You can find out more here:https://www.kickstarter.com/projects/leewind/exclusive-collectors-hardcover-of-a-different-kind-of-brave
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David chats with Thomas Gilbert, the illustrator of the new edition of Ian Fleming's Chitty Chitty Bang Bang, released to celebrate the book's 60th anniversary. Although this is the first book Thomas has illustrated, you will likely be familiar with his work in other fields. He is not only a highly accomplished artist who turned to making Bond posters at the start of the Covid lockdowns (Instagram @gilbert_posters) but he also designs cars for a living!
Fleming originally commissioned his automotive engineer friend Amherst Villiers (namechecked in the early Bond books) to draw Chitty but his rendering was never used. So this edition marks the first time an actual car designer has illustrated the book!
Thomas's dynamic artwork perfectly complements Fleming's vivacious prose and brings us a Chitty quite unlike anything we've had before. Here, he takes us behind the scenes, explaining his process from start to finish, showing us how he decided what to illustrate and how he did it. We get to see the early work Thomas did for the book, months before it became the finished article. Along the way, Thomas and David discuss the various influences on the book's art, which include film noir, a classic 80s movie and a Fleming Bond novel - Thomas's favourite Bond novel in fact.
Thomas and David also talk about where their creative sparks come from and why it's a good idea to say 'Yes!' to adventures which take you out of your comfort zone!
Following Thomas on Instagram here:https://www.instagram.com/gilbert_posters/
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âAt the core of a lot of depression is feeling like you don't have any meaning.â - David Zaritsky
David Zaritsky and David Lowbridge-Ellis candidly explore the dark side and light side of relevancy within the Bond community. (Yes, there are also Star Wars references.)
When we feel relevant, we get a natural hit of dopamine. But this can become dangerously addictive; creating content with the sole goal of gaining followers and likes can wreak havoc on our mental health.
David Z gets personal about how he has lost friends because they could not stop comparing their own relevance with other peopleâs. David L-E reveals how he strives to find meaning in himself, rather than by seeking affirmation from others.
This is a very personal conversation in which both Davids discuss how to navigate this tricky territory. The hope is that by sharing it publicly they will help others.
As David Z says here, when it comes to mental health, âThereâs a real need to understand the why of what is happening.â
Itâs tribal. Although some talk about the Bond Community as if itâs a place where everyone agrees with each other, in reality it consists of many subgroups. And while most Bond fans are positive voices, bringing diverse points of view and supporting others with positive affirmation, a few sadly pursue relevancy by propagating negativity, attempting to tear down those who they are jealous of.
The Davids hone in on their shared why: if itâs not followers and likes, what does motivate them to continue doing what they do?
Finally, David Z has some very practical advice for people who might be struggling with the issues raised in this video.
About the âOn Our Minds Only?â series:
Mental health is not discussed enough, despite it being an important element of the 007 stories. In this series, David talks very openly about mental health with members of the Bond community. He has a theory: these are the sorts of things on many of our minds but we often struggle to put them into words. Maybe we can change that?
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Anyone who has seen Alexâs amazing YouTube knows that he always says yes to adventures! If something scares him, he follows Bondâs example and overcomes his fear by going and doing it. But as a child, he was not so confident. Alex has battled anxiety his whole life. He recognises that this is, in part, rooted in something James Bond is certainly no stranger to: childhood trauma.Between the ages of nine to twelve, Alex experienced a lot of violence. He was also extensively bullied at school and humiliated by teachers. Nevertheless, he refused to give in to the abuse and fought his way out - quite literally to begin with!Alex speaks very openly about his specific circumstances before sharing the coping strategies he has developed over the years. As Alex says, âLearning to cope takes time, practice and vigilance.â Alex shares what he has learned on his mental health journey so far.Both Alex and David are teachers, so expect this to be educational as well as entertaining. Alex unpicks the misconception of martial arts being as violent and gives David a live lesson in meditation.This conversation covers a lot of ground, including suicidal thoughts and suicide attempts. They also touch on other aspects of mental health, including insomnia. Let us know if you would like more about this topic in a future episode with Alex and David!Follow Alex on Instagram @sifu_lamasWatch Alexâs adventures at: / @yestoadventure007 About the âOn Our Minds Only?â series:Mental health is not discussed enough, despite it being an important element of the 007 stories. In this series, David talks very openly about mental health with members of the Bond community. He has a theory: these are the sorts of things on many of our minds but we often struggle to put them into words. Maybe we can change that?
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Mental health is not discussed enough, despite it being an important element of the 007 stories. In this series, David talks very openly about mental health with members of the Bond community. He has a theory: these are the sorts of things on many of our minds but we often struggle to put them into words. Maybe we can change that?Here, David talks with Blake Powers ( @BondLifeChicago ) about hypervigilance. As a first responder in the Police, Blake is the ideal person to guide us through what it's like to be in an elevated state of constantly assessing potential threats. Blake can certainly relate to Bond in this regard and has written a brilliant article about this in which he insightfully makes many links with Bond's behaviour in the books and films. David and Blake focus in particular on the film of Quantum of Solace and Fleming's Thunderball. Together they explore:What impact does hypervigilance have on the brain and body? What should you do when you go 'off duty' and find yourself slipping into a depression-like state?How do we avoid using coping strategies which are bad for us?How much should we follow the example set by Bond?Read Blake's article here:https://spygestmag.com/posts/the-melancholy-spy/If you are interested in appearing on a future episode of 'On Our Minds Only?' then please get in touch.
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Kim Sherwood's A Spy Like Me had its official launch on Saturday 27th April at Dukes Hotel in London.
The event was a collaboration between 007GB - The British James Bond Fan Club, Ian Fleming Publications Limited and Harper Collins. It was my pleasure to be not only an organiser but also the emcee for the evening. The centrepiece of the event was a conversation between Kim and me with a follow-up Q&A. This is a recording of that. I hope you enjoy it.
More about the book
A Spy Like Me is the second novel in the Double O trilogy, the follow-up to the critically acclaimed Double or Nothing. A Spy Like Me is even more tense than its predecessor. Itâs both an addictively readable thriller and a work of great Literature.
How Kim achieved such a magnificent feat was explored at the launch, with David Lowbridge-Ellis MBE hosting the evening, conversing with Kim and taking questions from the audience.
Check out David's review of the book here: https://www.licencetoqueer.com/blog/book-review-a-spy-like-me
Watch David and Kim discussing other aspects of the novel in this series of Classified Chats:
https://www.licencetoqueer.com/blog/classified-chats-with-kim-sherwood
More about the launch event
The launch was a collaboration between 007GB - The British James Bond Fan Club, Ian Fleming Publications Limited and Harper Collins â the first time anything like this has happened.
We chose to have it at Dukes Hotel for reasons obvious to any Fleming fan; itâs practically a site of pilgrimage for us (Bondâs creator loved to drink at the sensational bar) and it has long associations with the character of 007.
Compared with a regular book launch, there was a more intimate, familial atmosphere. This was something we had planned for as soon as we were asked by Ian Fleming Publications and Harper Collins to collaborate with them. Itâs unusual to have a book launch on a weekend, but having it on a Saturday meant it could be a more relaxed and convivial affair. It also meant more members from across the country could make it to London for the event. Some of our overseas members were also able to attend and it was lovely to have them there.
The evening began with a sumptuous wine reception and continued long after the official finish time. Representatives from the Fleming family, Ian Fleming Publications and Harper Collins mingled with club members, Kimâs family and invited guests. Fellow Bond author Charlie Higson was also in attendance; he asked a deliciously tongue in cheek question about the third book, which will be released in 2025. You can hear this - and all of the other questions - in this podcast.
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On their most recent trip to Tokyo, David and Antony really didnât expect to find themselves in a lesbian bar themed around James Bond. Nor could they quite believe it when the owner herself was up for being interviewed about her Bond fandom and how âwomen onlyâ carries a different meaning in Japanese culture.
This interview was originally included in a podcast covering our whole trip to Japan, which you can find here:https://www.licencetoqueer.com/blog/welcome-to-japan
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Well, they can't all be winners, eh?
Antony and David dive into the second Warren Ellis/Jason Masters' "caper" Eidolon, which deals with dirty money and even dirtier duties as James and Tanner, er, torture a suspect by removing his skin (?!) to prevent the rise of a neo-SPECTRE.
Listen to what the couple thought, along with thoughts from LTQ listener, on 2016's Eidolon from Dynamite Entertainment.
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This episode is also available as a video: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=6T0oz1O9yjU
Award-winning Bond author Kim Sherwood and Licence to Queer's David Lowbridge-Ellis sit down to watch together the Bond film appearances of Kim's grandfather, George Baker - the man who Fleming wanted to play Bond.
More than a decade after his passing, George remains a household name in the UK, immediately familiar to generations of film and TV viewers - especially Bond fans. Although his screen time in the Bond series is relatively svelte, he leaves a lasting impression in two very different roles: the no-nonsense Captain Benson in The Spy Who Loved Me and the comically fusty brass-rubbing genealogist Sir Hilary Bray in On Her Majesty's Secret Service.
Which of these roles was closest to the real George? Kim shares her unique insights.
In On Her Majesty's Secret Service, George Baker also revoiced George Lazenby for around a third of the film. Baker himself said he found dubbing Lazenby "extraordinary", not least of all because he would have played James Bond himself if Ian Fleming had got his own way. Kim and David explore in detail how George almost became Bond and also the lesser known parts of his legacy: how he was not just an actor but a poet and award-winning playwright; how he was a British icon who was actually born in Bulgaria (and he could still speak the language until his final days); how he might have been a spy using his acting roles as cover!; how he earned a reputation as a ladies' man while being someone who was very vocal towards any institution which discriminated against women (this film contains some strong language!). And of course, Kim shares how much of an influence George had - and continues to have - on her own life and work.
As usual with Kim and David, the chat ranges far and wide. Expect discussion of:
- The merits of DVD menus
- The complexities of keeping the British end up
- Tweed (See: #SirHilaryBrayDay)
- Accents! Accents! Accents! (And more accents!)
And: an accidental recreation of Lethal Weapon.
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Utilising the Licence to Queer queer view system (Bond, Allies, Girls, Villains, Camp), Antony and David tackle the first in Dynamite Entertainment's long line of James Bond comic books:
Vargr by Warren Ellis and Jason Masters from late 2015.
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We're launching a new mini-series on the Licence to Queer podcast feed and one which is going to be led by Antony Lowbridge-Ellis, David's (better) half.
In this introductory episode, Antony, a life-long fan of the medium of comic books (see his X-Men podcast X-Nation) gives a bit of background on this new Licence to Queer project where Antony and David will review each arc, in order, of the James Bond comic books being published by Dynamite Entertainment.
Before we get to Episode 001 (Warren Ellis' and Jason Masters' 2015/16 reboot "Vargr"), Antony explains in Episode 000 the history of James Bond on the comic book page, detailing how the "funny book" version pre-dates the cinematic Bond by almost four years.
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Antony and David debate the merits of the various Bond comic books published by Dynamite Entertainment, including the new run by Garth Ennis.
As usual for the 'Our Month' series, they look back on the many ways Bond has intersected with their daily lives and the special events they've been involved with, including Jim Fanning Friday: Live and Let's Bow Tie and a Goldfinger celebration in a bank vault. They also get everyone up to speed with the events to come: Sir Hilary Bray Day and the epic watchalong fundraiser Time to Donate.
This episode's cocktail is a new creation: the Casino Royale.
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Is this the most niche Bond podcast of all time? We hope so! And we guarantee you'll find it interesting!
Artist Rosie Sherwood and me tackle the topic of tweed in Bond and find there's much more to it than just snazzy looking garments.
Rosie is the grandaughter of Bond actor George Baker and costume designer Julia Squire, who worked with John Huston, Alfred Hitchcock, David Lean and many others. And if the name Sherwood sounds familiar, that's because Rosie is the sister of Bond author Kim Sherwood.
Rosie shares some lovely family stories before we embark on our exploration of tweed in Bond, in the books and the films (there's more tweed in Bond than you may realise!). We also talk about the fabric's comparable role in other British cultural exports such as Downton Abbey and Peaky Blinders.
We recorded this podcast ahead of Sir Hilary Bray Day: on 1st April, join us in celebrating the tweed-wearing heraldry expert played by Rosie's grandfather in On Her Majesty's Secret Service (and impersonated by George Lazenby for the middle chunk of the film). All you need to do is wear some tweed - we're pretty sure you'll own some already and, if not, we have tips on where to get hold of some.
Articles we found of particular use in our research:
Bond Suits (Matt Spaiser)
https://www.bondsuits.com/how-to-look-modern-in-tweed-007-examples-of-bonds-tweeds/
Gentleman's Gazette
https://www.gentlemansgazette.com/tweed-guide-harris-history-styles-patterns/ -
Antony and David take on the treasure-hunt experience across London with their friend Natasha Stone (aka The Red Vesper). What did they make of it? Join them before, during and after the adventure. (No spoilers)
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With a drought on the Bond film front, why is everyone not quenching their thirst with the Bond books? Perhaps it's because, with more than 50 continuation stories published in the sixty years since Fleming's death, it can be hard knowing where to start. Setting each other the mission of proving the case that there's a Bond book for every mood and every taste, Licence to Queer's David Lowbridge-Ellis and Mark Edlitz, author of James Bond After Fleming, have each curated a list of seven 007 continuation novels.
Here they share their picks and why they selected them. David and Mark each choose...
The one to read in one sitting
The one to read when you're in the mood to squirm in your seat
The one to read when you want something fantastical
The one to read on the beach
The one to read when you want something psychological
The one to read when you want to see Bond from a different angle
The one to read when you want something fresh and original
*There are slight spoilers for the opening chapters of some of the books but nothing significant about the plots.*
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Stephen Bourne saw Goldfinger in the cinema in 1964 as an âimpressionable little gay boyâ. Author of one of the first (if not the first) books to see Bond films queerly, Stephen reveals how his thinking about the âoffensiveâ characters in Bond has become more nuanced since he wrote the book - and urges everyone to keep a more open mind.
Stephen is the author of Brief Encounters: Lesbians and Gays in British Cinema, published in 1996. To my knowledge, this is one of very first (if not the first) books to treat Bond films as âqueerâ films. https://www.amazon.co.uk/Brief-Encounters-Lesbians-British-1930-71/dp/0304332860
Fighting Proud is the book which first drew Stephen to my attention. Published in 2017, the book reveals the untold stories of the gay men who served in Two World Wars. https://www.amazon.co.uk/Fighting-Proud-Untold-Story-Served/dp/1784538744
Stephen published his very first book in 1991, collaborating with his adopted aunt on relating her life as a black working-class Londoner. The book was later turned into a documentary, which you can view here: https://youtu.be/710s3ljCKag?si=XPgvRsJHs9WF8Egy
2022âs Black Poppies: The Story of Britainâs Black Community in the First World War is Stephenâs bestselling book to date, currently in its third printing. https://www.amazon.co.uk/Black-Poppies-Story-Britains-Community/dp/0750999632/ref=sr_1_1?crid=19LQ4MO9E51VN&keywords=black+poppies&qid=1705232380&s=books&sprefix=black+poppies%2Cstripbooks%2C65&sr=1-1
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In the last two years, the Licence to Queer community raised almost ÂŁ4,000 for charity. This year weâre raising money to support the vital work of a charity whose mission is close to our hearts: PAPYRUS Prevention of Young Suicide.
Very few people will not have been affected by suicide. One of my motivations for starting Licence to Queer was to do whatever I could to shatter the stigma surrounding suicide. Not only have I experienced suicidal thoughts for prolonged periods of my own life but I have known several people who have taken their own lives.
One of my earliest pieces dealt very personally with my own battle with suicidal ideation and itâs a topic Iâve returned to more recently in my coverage of the latest James Bond film, No Time To Die.
That filmâs title provided us with the inspiration for the name of this yearâs fundraiser. Its star, Daniel Craig, has personally donated to our chosen charity and sent them messages of support.
This year we are raising money for PAPYRUS Prevention of Young Suicide.
As we have done in previous years, my husband and me are going to create a focal point for our efforts by having a marathon Bond watchalong with followers. The first year, it was the Bond films of Roger Moore. Last year it was the Bond films of Pierce Brosnan. This yearâs itâs fitting that itâs Daniel Craig.
On the surface, a movie marathon might not sound all that ardous - even one lasting over 700 minutes! - but if youâve been involved in one of these before, you know itâs so much more. Expect custom drinks (which you can make yourself, as weâll share the recipes in advance), costume changes and much more. Weâll be watching along with fans on social media and streaming live between each film.
Save the date: Sunday 26th May 2024
Find out more and donate at https://tinyurl.com/LtQTfD2024
HOPELINE247 is available 24 hours a day, 265 days of the year to support young people experiencing suicidal thoughts, and those concerned about a young people that might be feeling suicidal.
Call: 0800 068 41 41
Text: 07860 039 967
- Se mer
