Pole the Other One!

How do you build a kinder relationship with your body to deal with the knocks life throws at you? UK pole icon Annie Norris isn’t afraid to talk about the good, the bad and the ugly when it comes to what a human body can go through. From a powerful sexual awakening that helped her connect pole dancers from all walks of life to their sensuality, to experiencing multiple miscarriages and surgery that kept her away from the pole for months, Annie’s 25 year pole journey has seen all the ups, downs and upside downs. Annie gives us the tea on starting a pole studio at the very dawn of the industry, the unexpected gig that put her signature heels style on the map, and pro tips for what keeps dancers coming back to the magic of pole dancing at all stages of life. Listen in for our series finale and follow Annie on Instagram @annienorrisdancer and @houseofslink for events, retreats and workshops! Thanks for listening! If you're enjoying the show, you can help us keep making it by becoming a Patreon or leave a tip by buying us a Ko-Fi ! Pole the Other One! was created by Siân Docksey, edited by Beth Crane with original music by Amelia Bayler. Find us on Instagram: @poletheotherone

What does “ugly” tell us about what we think is “beautiful?” Pole movement artist Callum Stevens is known worldwide for his incredible flexibility and expressive, fluid routines. In this episode, Siân travels to Edinburgh to take Callum’s signature “Ugly Pole” workshop and explore his specialist subject: the huge range of things you can unlock in movement, dance and creative work by focussing on “ugly” instead of trying to force it into “beauty.” Callum uses “ugly” in his own practice and with other artists to open more creative possibilities, question what is “beautiful” and play with all the interesting material around the edges. We talk about the joy of collaborating with artists across different mediums, what you can learn from the most undignified onstage performance mishaps, and balancing pole around another full-time career. Siân is delighted to find out she’s not the only poler who’s been massively overshadowed by seagulls and whose playlist includes unhealthy quantities of Lana Del Rey. Taking this workshop was part of Siân’s QUEER NATURES Artist Residency with University of Exeter, funded by Arts & Humanities Research Council, with in a performance at Venus Pole London on 24 May 2025. Find Callum on Instagram @callumspoledance Thanks for listening! If you're enjoying the show, you can help us keep making it by becoming a a Patreon or leave a tip by buying us a Ko-Fi ! Pole the Other One! was created by Siân Docksey, edited by Beth Crane with original music by Amelia Bayler. Find us on Instagram: @poletheotherone

How do you slink into the most confident and badass version of yourself? A professional pole dancer since 2006, Old School Pole icon Jamie Taylor helps students from all walks of life celebrate their strength by mastering tricks on the pole and tap more deeply into their sexy, most vibrant selves. Renowned in the pole world for her trademark SERPENT POWER sessions and sensual movement classes, Jamie combines expert pole teaching with guided meditative movement that encourages everyone to stay wild and sizzle. From the strip clubs where she discovered her craft to opening Defy Gravity Studio in the heart of Pembrokeshire, we dive into Jamie’s epic journey as a pole dance artist, performer and teacher, using pole as a magical instrument to make life more soulful, joyful and colourful. Follow Jamie on Instagram @dgafandpole and join classes in-studio or online at www.defygravity.info Thanks for listening! If you're enjoying the show, you can help us keep making it by becoming a a Patreon or leave a tip by buying us a Ko-Fi ! Pole the Other One! was created by Siân Docksey, edited by Beth Crane with original music by Amelia Bayler. Find us on Instagram: @poletheotherone

Can pole dancing help the fight for sex workers’ rights? Siân and Lulu meet the UK’s slinky queen of campaigning for sex workers’ rights while literally grinding on a stick! Pole dance performer, instructor, competition director, proud sex worker and activist Gemma Rose joins the pod to talk de-stigmatising the industry, using pole to educate about workers’ rights and creating a new wave of allies. Gemma has been sprinkling her distinctive sexy style into pole dancing studios and strip clubs across the UK and internationally with a hot dollop of activism. Her signature workshop and seminar “Why You Should Give A F*ck About Strippers” uses the craft of pole dancing itself to debunk harmful narratives about sex work, inform pole dancers about the reality of the job and celebrate the strippers who pioneered the art of pole. We talk about the complexities of giving general audiences a truthful, nuanced look at sex workers’ lives, why Gemma founded her own pole dancing competition, and how everyone (inside or outside the pole studio!) can take up the fight for sex workers’ rights. Find Gemma on Instagram @gemmarosepole and her website: www.gemmarose.co.uk Gemma’s podcast The 6am Club is available on all major streaming platforms. Gemma’s stripper-driven pole dance competition PDSM is on Instagram @pdsmuk and website: www.poledancestrippermovement.co.uk Thanks for listening! If you're enjoying the show, you can help us keep making it by becoming a a Patreon or leave a tip by buying us a Ko-Fi ! Pole the Other One! was created by Siân Docksey. This episode was edited by Alice Rosenthal with original music by Amelia Bayler. Find us on Instagram: @poletheotherone

What's it like living with ADHD? Political journalist, author and radio presenter Marie Le Conte talks all things neurodivergence and pole dancing! Siân catches Marie during a gap from reporting on politics all around the world to gush about the absolute joy of pole dancing and why we are so evangelical about this weird, difficult, and wonderful thing in our lives. We chat in more depth about Marie's experience of living with ADHD: is it a superpower, or a disability, or both? How does an ADHD diagnosis tie in to your sense of personal identity? Follow Marie on Instagram / Bluesky / Substack, and check out her three published books and articles here! Thanks for listening! You can support the show by becoming a Patreon , Liking and Subscribing or buying us a Ko-Fi . Pole the Other One! was created by Siân Docksey. This episode was edited by Alice Rosenthal with original music by Amelia Bayler. Find us on Instagram: @poletheotherone

What do stand-up comedy and pole dancing have in common? After a hit Edinburgh Fringe Festival run of her show Bahookie, Scottish stand-up, writer and producer Jay Lafferty joins us to chat all things comedy and pole! From managing broken ribs to writing callbacks into a pole routine, we get the tea on how Jay brought these two mediums together to make a completely unique solo show. Follow Jay on Instagram @jayjaylaffs Thanks for listening! Give us a Like, Share and Subscribe, and you can support the show by becoming a Patreon (i.e., a LEGEND): or buying us a Ko-Fi Pole the Other One! was created by Siân Docksey. This episode was edited by Alice Rosenthal with original music by Amelia Bayler. Find us on Instagram: @poletheotherone

What's the point of doing competitions? Pole artist, instructor, competition judge and award-winning choreographer Ayesha Agogo joins us to talk COMPETITIONS: Why bother doing them? How do they help you develop as a performer? And will Steve Bennett ever take down Siân and Lulu's mega cringe Chortle Student Comedian videos? Follow Ayesha for classes, workshops and collaborations on Instagram: @ayeshaagogopole Thanks for listening! Give us a Like, Share and Subscribe, and you can support the show by becoming a Patreon (i.e., a LEGEND): or buying us a Ko-Fi Pole the Other One! was created by Siân Docksey and co-hosted with Lulu Popplewell. This episode was edited by Alice Rosenthal with original music by Amelia Bayler. Find us on Instagram: @poletheotherone

What is sex-positivity? How do you put enthusiastic consent at the centre of everything you do? Queer academic, recently qualified pole instructor and linguist Dr Alon Lischinsky is a specialist in the language around sexuality. Siân and Lulu chat to the most intellectually qualified deviant they know about power dynamics in porn, how to flip the script on sexy stuff, and how to help complete beginners literally flip around a sexy stick. Follow Alon for slinky pole on Instagram @alon_lk and drag for introverts @lamia.lone Thanks for listening! Give us a Like, Share and Subscribe, and you can support the show by becoming a Patreon (i.e., a LEGEND): or buying us a Ko-Fi Pole the Other One! was created by Siân Docksey and co-hosted with Lulu Popplewell. This episode was edited by Alice Rosenthal with original music by Amelia Bayler. Find us on Instagram: @poletheotherone

What actually happens in a strip club? Pole dancer, stripper and organiser with Bristol Sex Workers Collective Luna Minxx gives us the debrief! We talk about the difference between pole dancing in studios and in the club, how Luna is bringing stripper skills to her workshops, and why sex workers need the same rights as all other workers. Lulu tries to organise an ethical stag do and Siân finally gets to talk to someone about raccoons. Follow Luna for pole dancing workshops and activism on Instagram @luna.minxx Thanks for listening! Give us a Like, Share and Subscribe, and you can support the show by becoming a Patreon (i.e., a LEGEND): or buying us a Ko-Fi Pole the Other One! was created by Siân Docksey and co-hosted with Lulu Popplewell. This episode was edited by Alice Rosenthal with original music by Amelia Bayler. Instagram: @poletheotherone

What does pole dancing tell us about the human species? We ask a real anthropologist! Lucy Davies is a pole dancing anthropologist who did their Masters thesis on the wonderful world of pole. We talk about how pole dancing can help you redefine the relationship with your body, gender and identity on your own terms. Also how pole can be a form of self-care, and the peculiar relationship that pole dancers have with physical pain. Please note that this episode contains multiple references to explosives, which is one of 400 reasons it's not suitable for kids, probably. Thanks for listening! Give us a Like, Share and Subscribe, and you can support the show by becoming a Patreon (i.e., a LEGEND): https://www.patreon.com/poletheotherone?fan_landing=true&view_as=public or buying us a coffee: https://ko-fi.com/poletheotheronepodcast Pole the Other One! was created by Siân Docksey and co-hosted with Lulu Popplewell. This episode was edited by Alice Rosenthal with original music by Amelia Bayler. Instagram: @poletheotherone

What happens when your art becomes your job? Pole dancer, tattooist and artist Lana talks to us about moving pole dancing from strip club into studios and self-expression vs. capitalism. We also test the limits of how much visual stuff we can do through the podcasting medium, and Lulu's patience with astrology. Follow Lana on Instagram & TikTok for art, illustrations & tattoos: @moysilks Thanks for listening! Give us a Like, Share and Subscribe, and you can support the show by becoming a Patreon (i.e., a LEGEND): https://www.patreon.com/poletheotherone?fan_landing=true&view_as=public Or buying us a coffee: https://ko-fi.com/poletheotheronepodcast Pole the Other One! was created by Siân Docksey and co-hosted with Lulu Popplewell. This episode was edited by Alice Rosenthal with original music by Amelia Bayler. Instagram: @poletheotherone

Is pole dancing like therapy? Who better to ask than an actual therapist! Siân and Lulu have a counselling sessio- sorry, INTERVIEW with Nika Jelendorf, pole dancer and practicing Gestalt Psychotherapeutic Counsellor. We ask: how do mental health professionals look after their own mental health? How much of your true self should you bring to work? And, crucially: who would be the most psychologically upsetting person to see on a pole? Have a little sit down, tell us about your mother and listen to the first episode of Series 2! Find out more about Nika's work here: https://nikajelendorf.uk Thanks for listening - please Like, Share and Subscribe! You can support the show by becoming a Patreon (i.e., a LEGEND): https://www.patreon.com/poletheotherone?fan_landing=true&view_as=public Or buying us a coffee: https://ko-fi.com/poletheotheronepodcast Pole the Other One! was created by Siân Docksey and co-hosted with Lulu Popplewell. This episode was edited by Alice Rosenthal with original music by Amelia Bayler. Instagram: @poletheotherone

Is pole dancing a feminine art form? Queer pole dance performer, instructor and goth queen of kittens CAT LEE joins us for a chat about honouring the stripper origins of pole, finding a style that works for you, and opening up pole spaces to everyone while keeping it cosy for the girls, the gays and the theys. Follow Cat for news about their performances and classes on Instagram @the_pole_cat ! Pole the Other One! is produced and hosted by Siân Docksey, with original music by Amelia Bayler. This episode was edited by Magenta Bridges with support from Sam Nicoresti. You can find us on Instagram @poletheotherone , support the podcast on Patreon at Patreon.com/poletheotherone , or drop us a lovely tip in the form of a Ko-Fi at ko-fi.com/poletheotheronepodcast . Thank you for listening! Please Like, Subscribe & Share, tell your friends about the show, and have fun on all your own sexy stick adventures.

How can everyone make spaces more fun and inclusive for trans and non-binary people? Pole dancer and newly-qualified instructor Ali Peach explains how introducing pronouns is a simple way to make pole studios (and everywhere else) more trans-inclusive, finding a more authentic gender by pole dancing, and the practicalities of performing with snakey friends. Find Ali on Instagram @polepiglet and Mermaids Gender on: https://mermaidsuk.org.uk Pole the Other One! is produced and hosted by Siân Docksey, with original music by Amelia Bayler. This episode was edited by Magenta Bridges with support from Sam Nicoresti. You can support the podcast on Patreon at Patreon.com/siandocksey , or drop us a lovely tip in the form of a Ko-Fi at ko-fi.com/poletheotheronepodcast . Thank you for listening! Please Like, Subscribe & Share, tell your friends about the show, and have fun on all your own sexy stick adventures.

How do you learn without stealing other people's material? Is copying ever OK? Is there a pole dancing version of that time in comedy when everyone was doing a terrible impression of Stewart Lee? Siân talks to multi-competition winning pole dance performer and instructor Leanne Cummins about drawing on your influences to find your own style. From working with your specific body type to putting obscure references from pop culture and literature into routines, Leanne gives us a fascinating insight to making performances totally your own. Find Leanne on Instagram: www.instagram.com/leannedancedance/ Pole the Other One! is produced and hosted by Siân Docksey, with original music by Amelia Bayler. You can support the podcast on Patreon at Patreon.com/siandocksey , or drop us a lovely tip in the form of a Ko-Fi at ko-fi.com/poletheotheronepodcast . Thank you for listening! Please Like, Subscribe & Share, tell your friends about the show, and have fun on all your own sexy stick adventures.

How do you build self-love into your business as well as your life? Pole dancer, instructor and owner of Edinburgh’s hidden gem Pivot Pole Studio explains how pole can change a whole circus of harmful ideas about yourself and your body, and help everyone feel more at home in themselves. We talk getting past imposter syndrome, constantly learning how to make spaces more inclusive and fun for all students, and knowing when to hit the pause button. Content warning for non-graphic descriptions of self-harm. You can find Jessica on Instagram @ jessicarosepole and Pivot Pole Studio at @ pivotpolestudio and www.pivotpolestudio.co.uk Pole the Other One! is produced and hosted by Siân Docksey, with original music by Amelia Bayler. You can support the podcast on Patreon at Patreon.com/siandocksey , or drop us a lovely tip in the form of a Ko-Fi at ko-fi.com/poletheotheronepodcast . Thank you for listening! Please Like, Subscribe & Share, tell your friends about the show, and have fun on all your own sexy stick adventures.

Workers of the world!… Pole dance? How do you unionise people who don’t think of themselves as workers? From feminist organising for abortion rights in Poland to becoming the first UK stripper to win an employment rights case where she was legally recognised as a worker, Sonia Nowak AKA Electric Girl has amazing activist credits served with a high-voltage mix of humour, pole dancing and techno. She explains the different skills needed to pole dance in a strip club to your own creative stage routines, how political organising with sex workers can be fun, and how everyone can support the fight for sex worker rights. Find Sonia / Electric Girl on Instagram @ imyourelectricgirl . For more information about the East London Strippers Collective visit www.eastlondonstripperscollective.com , and the multi-industry union for workers in precarious industries United Voices of the World on www.uvwunion.org.uk . Pole the Other One! is produced and hosted by Siân Docksey, with original music by Amelia Bayler. You can support the podcast on Patreon at Patreon.com/siandocksey , or drop us a lovely tip in the form of a Ko-Fi at ko-fi.com/poletheotheronepodcast . Thank you for listening! Please Like, Subscribe & Share, tell your friends about the show, and have fun on all your own sexy stick adventures.

How does the way you move evolve with you? From training with English National Ballet to becoming the pole dancing face of Nike, Burberry and British Vogue, Leila Davis a.k.a. Cutie Whippingham is one of the biggest movers and shakers in the UK pole scene. We talk about moving between dance disciplines, the magic of collaborating with other QTBPOC artists, and changing the game by founding Blackstage Pole: a Black, Queer, Sex Worker-led showcase creating opportunities for BPOC dancers in response to the lack of diversity in the pole industry. You can find Leila Davis a.k.a. Cutie Whippingham on Instagram @ cutiewhippingham and on her website www.leiladavispole.com , and Blackstage Pole on Instagram @ blxckstage and on their website www.blackstagepole.com . Pole the Other One! is produced and hosted by Siân Docksey, with original music by Amelia Bayler. You can support the podcast on Patreon at Patreon.com/siandocksey , or drop us a lovely tip in the form of a Ko-Fi at ko-fi.com/poletheotheronepodcast . Thank you for listening! Please Like, Subscribe & Share, tell your friends about the show, and have fun on all your own sexy stick adventures.

How do you build a more compassionate relationship with your body, whatever it needs? George Lou Bon is a queer pole dancer and multidisciplinary artist who creates work about invisible disabilities including Ehlers-Danlos syndrome and multiple sclerosis. They give us the DL on how pole has helped to build movement and exercise back into their life while living with chronic pain, and brought better health and well-being habits into other areas of their practice. Plus, a great deep dive into making art from negative experiences, unapologetic gushing about our spiritual sexy stick home Queer Pole London, and the joy of collaborating with your loves and friends. Content warning for references to sexual assault at approximately 00:25 - if that's not what you want to hear about, you can pause the episode there. You can find George on Instagram @ thisismybody , on their website www.itismybody.com and on Medium @ georgeloubon (Coming soon!) Pole the Other One! is produced and hosted by Siân Docksey, with original music by Amelia Bayler. You can support the podcast on Patreon at Patreon.com/siandocksey , or drop us a lovely tip in the form of a Ko-Fi at ko-fi.com/poletheotheronepodcast . Thank you for listening! Please Like, Subscribe & Share, tell your friends about the show, and have fun on all your own sexy stick adventures.

What is art? The Irish Queen of Sexistential Dread, very first Miss Pole Dance Ireland and all-round walking album cover Arlene Caffrey talks ART! With over 15 years’ skin in the pole dancing game, multiple national competition titles under her belt and an international community around her studio Irish Pole Dance Academy, Arlene has plenty wisdom on overcoming creative blocks, managing the business side of being an artist, and bringing more magic into your life. You can find Arlene on Instagram @ arlenecaffrey , and Irish Pole Dance Academy on Instagram @ irishpoledanceacademy or www.irishpoledanceacademy.com . Pole the Other One! is produced and hosted by Siân Docksey, with original music by Amelia Bayler. You can support the podcast on Patreon at Patreon.com/siandocksey , or drop us a lovely tip in the form of a Ko-Fi at ko-fi.com/poletheotheronepodcast . Thank you for listening! Please Like, Subscribe & Share, tell your friends about the show, and have fun on all your own sexy stick adventures.