222 – Grin and Bear It – Side B – Sashes, Scruff & the Class of ’26

222 – Grin and Bear It – Side B – Sashes, Scruff & the Class of ’26

Author: JOY 94.9 - LGBTI, LGBTIQA+, LGBT, LGBTQ, LGB, Gay, Lesbian, Trans, Intersex, Queer Podcasts for all our Rainbow Communities January 20, 2026 Duration: 21:32
Hide & Seek
HealthHealth & FitnessComedyCultureFitnessSexualitySocietySociety & Culture

Side B is where the spotlight turns to the Mr VicBears 2026 competition — and the humans brave enough to step into it.

In this half of Episode 222, Hide and Seek meets the Class of ’26: Teddy, Justin, Ray, Jake and Craig. It’s a line-up full of history, heart, camp, nerves, confidence, and wildly different journeys into the bear community.

Each competitor shares how they found the bears, what keeps them coming back, and why they’ve decided to run for the sash. We talk community advocacy, representation, confidence-building, favourite ’90s films (yes, Clueless and Serial Mom both feature), and the very real mix of excitement and terror that comes with putting yourself out there.

This isn’t just about abs, beards, or who owns the most outfits with paw prints. It’s about visibility, approachability, and what it means to represent a community built on belonging rather than perfection. From long-time committee members to returning competitors and first-time entrants, the Class of ’26 reflects the diversity and generosity of the bear scene itself.

Side B is funny, warm, occasionally awkward, and deeply sincere — a reminder that while only one person gets the sash, the real win is showing up, being seen, and strengthening the community along the way.

The competitors each highlighted a charity for their runs:

Follow Tim instagram.com/beatzradio/

Follow Jon instagram.com/barbarylion/

Follow Craig instagram.com/white.dragon.339/

This episode was recorded on the lands of the Yalukut Weelam clan of the Boon Wurrung peoples. We pay our respects to their elders, past, present and emerging, and acknowledge that sovereignty was never ceded.

Find other JOY podcasts at joy.org.au


Tune in to Hide & Seek for candid, thoughtful, and often hilarious conversations that explore the full spectrum of human experience within our rainbow communities. Produced by JOY 94.9, this podcast creates a welcoming space where nothing is off the table, blending expert insight with relatable personal stories. Each episode feels like a chat with well-informed friends who aren’t afraid to laugh while discussing the serious, the silly, and everything in between. You’ll hear discussions that thoughtfully navigate the intersections of sexuality, identity, health, and culture, all grounded in a commitment to inclusivity. The show’s unique mix of comedy and genuine curiosity makes complex topics accessible and engaging. Whether it’s fitness for diverse bodies, the nuances of relationships, or societal shifts affecting LGBTIQA+ lives, this podcast approaches it with both heart and humor. It’s more than just talk; it’s a resource and a community, reflecting the vibrant diversity of the people it serves. For anyone looking to understand more about themselves or the world around them, Hide & Seek offers a refreshingly honest and joyful listen.
Author: Language: en-us Episodes: 100

Official website RSS
instagramyoutubelinkedin
Hide & Seek
Podcast Episodes
220 – Handyman [not-audio_url] [/not-audio_url]

Duration: 56:09
Call the handyman! Fisting is one of those practices that carries a lot of myth, bravado, and whispered horror stories — and not nearly enough calm, practical conversation. In this episode of Hide and Seek, Jon, Craig an…
219 – I Saw Daddy Kissing Santa [not-audio_url] [/not-audio_url]

Duration: 46:10
I saw Daddy kissing Santa! Wait — Santa? Yes, Santa. In this festive and surprisingly thoughtful episode, Hide and Seek unwraps the idea of “Santa fetish” and uses it as a gateway into understanding how kinks form, why s…
218 – Just Beat It [not-audio_url] [/not-audio_url]

Duration: 46:59
Can we just beat it, but without a problematic popstar? Beats have long been part of queer sexual culture — often misunderstood, rarely discussed openly, and still deeply relevant. In this episode, Hide and Seek takes a…
217 – Exploring in Colour [not-audio_url] [/not-audio_url]

Duration: 50:52
What happens when you move from a sexually conservative culture into one of the world’s most visible kink scenes — and realise you’re suddenly “allowed” to explore? In this deeply thoughtful episode, Hide and Seek welcom…
216 – World AIDS Day 2025 [not-audio_url] [/not-audio_url]

Duration: 59:39
With modern treatment, PrEP, and U=U, it’s easy to assume HIV is “sorted.” This episode of Hide and Seek explains why that story is incomplete — and why World AIDS Day still matters in 2025. Jon and Craig step through th…
215 – A Bi and Beyond [not-audio_url] [/not-audio_url]

Duration: 54:46
Bisexual, pansexual, fluid, questioning — or just tired of being told you’re “actually gay” or “basically straight”? In this week’s Hide and Seek, Jon and Craig are joined by CJ and Little Jase for a big, honest, frequen…
214 – Pervert’s School For Wayward Socialites [not-audio_url] [/not-audio_url]

Duration: 47:27
Play parties can be exhilarating, intimidating, sexy, awkward, joyful — and sometimes all of those at once. In this episode of Hide and Seek, the team break down what play parties rules actually are, why they exist, and…
213B – Before and After – Part B: Aftercare [not-audio_url] [/not-audio_url]

Duration: 26:24
Sex doesn’t end when the harness comes off or the toys go back in the drawer — and in Part B of Before and After, Tim and Jon make the case that aftercare is just as important as prep, whether you’re into kink, heavy pla…
213A – Before and After – Part A: Douching [not-audio_url] [/not-audio_url]

Duration: 26:55
Let’s talk about prep — specifically, the kind that’s surrounded by whispers, myths, porn pressure, and more than a little anxiety. In Part A of Before and After, Tim and Jon get right up in it (figuratively… mostly) to…
212 – How Bizarre, How Bizarre! – Northside Bizarre 2025 [not-audio_url] [/not-audio_url]

Duration: 47:32
The Hide & Seek crew head down to Melbourne’s fetish community event The Northside Bizarre at The Laird Hotel, capturing all the fun and frivolity with community interviews from groups and punters alike. Tim and Craig ta…

«123456...10»