In this heartfelt episode of Queer Talker, host Ben Cicchetti sits down with writer, podcaster, and creative force Andrew Flewitt to explore his powerful journey, from growing up queer in a conservative town to building an unapologetically authentic life grounded in creativity, connection, and self-discovery.

Andrew opens up about what inspired his moving book Do You Believe In Life After Loss, why Brighton became a turning point in embracing his queerness, and how losing and rebuilding family, love, and identity helped him discover a deeper version of himself. He shares how queerness has become his superpower, why community is vital, and how amplifying diverse queer voices became his creative mission.

They also talk about the losses we don’t always name, of safety, identity, opportunity, and why queer storytelling is essential in an era of rising hate. This is a raw, hopeful conversation about finding joy through pain, creating space for grief, and learning to love the version of yourself that emerges on the other side.

This episode is a must-listen for anyone navigating loss, craving connection, or ready to embrace the radical, resilient joy of being queer.

Chapters

00:00 Understanding Andrew's Early Years

02:57 The Impact of LGBTQ Representation

05:57 Finding Authenticity and Community

08:52 Embracing Queerness and Creativity

11:53 The Importance of Diverse Voices

14:49 Navigating Loss and Resilience

17:43 The Journey of Writing a Book

20:43 The Power of Podcasting

24:05 Exploring Different Types of Loss

26:58 Cultural Reflections and Queer Experiences

29:58 The Role of Music in Identity

32:47 Hope and Grief Coexisting

35:53 Life After Loss

39:02 The Importance of Community

41:52 Supporting Independent Creatives

44:46 Rapid Fire Questions and Personal Insights

Learn More About Andrew Flewitt:

LinkTree - ⁠https://linktr.ee/fleweyactually⁠

Follow Ben Cicchetti:

Instagram - https://www.instagram.com/bencicchetti/

YouTube - https://www.youtube.com/@BenCicchetti

TikTok - https://www.tiktok.com/@bencicchetti