Silver Linings with the Old Gays was created to uplift the voices and lived lessons of queer elders at a moment when their hard‑won wisdom is urgently needed. At a time when LGBTQ+ history is often overlooked or under‑documented, the podcast set out to preserve stories that have shaped generations—stories of resilience, joy, protest, survival, and chosen family. By centering the Old Gays as hosts, the show aimed to honor the trailblazers who paved the way while reminding today’s LGBTQ+ community that its future is strongest when it stays connected to its past.
Though the Old Gays boast a massive, devoted social following across TikTok and Instagram, this series marked their very first foray into podcasting—and one of the rare instances in media where queer hosts in their 70s and beyond are given the mic to lead long‑form, intergenerational storytelling. A core objective was to translate their viral presence into a meaningful audio format that deepens connection, expands their audience, and allows their personalities and perspectives to shine beyond short‑form content.
Ultimately, the goal was to create a show that is both culturally significant and emotionally resonant: a platform that celebrates aging, amplifies queer elders, and ensures their stories are not only cherished but carried forward. Silver Linings set out to make listeners laugh, learn, and feel profoundly connected—and in doing so, to help safeguard LGBTQ+ history for the next generation.
Silver Linings with the Old Gays came to life with a clear vision: to capture, preserve, and amplify the stories of queer elders in a way that felt intimate, joyful, and genuinely intergenerational. Our plan of action began with a simple but powerful insight: while the Old Gays had built a massive following across TikTok and Instagram, their viral short‑form presence only scratched the surface of their lived experiences. A podcast offered the space and depth needed to let those stories unfold. We designed an audio format that balanced structure with spontaneity—one that honored the Old Gays’ natural humor and warmth while leaving room for emotional nuance. Each episode was shaped around a thematic anchor such as love, protest, identity, chosen family, or aging, creating space for rich reflections and stories rarely heard in mainstream media. Given that this was the Old Gays’ first podcast, much of our early work involved developing a comfortable creative environment through story workshops and conversational coaching, all designed to support them without compromising authenticity.
Execution centered on thoughtful editorial strategy paired with meticulous production. Long‑form storytelling became the heart of the show, allowing their lived wisdom to shine. We paired this with warm, atmospheric sound design to make listeners feel as if they were in the room, and we extended the podcast experience across TikTok and Instagram with custom social clips. Along the way, we navigated several challenges—from helping the Old Gays transition from fast‑paced, punchy short‑form content into sustained narrative conversation, to building their interviewing skill confidence. Through pilot sessions, coaching, and a supportive environment, the hosts grew increasingly comfortable and empowered in long‑form storytelling.
What ultimately makes Silver Linings unique is its commitment to preserving LGBTQ+ history through the voices of those who lived it. This project is more than a podcast—it is a cultural preservation effort. By giving the Old Gays their first long‑form audio platform, we created a deeply meaningful series that transforms their viral presence into something lasting, connective, and profoundly human. The show also builds vital intergenerational bridges, offering younger listeners the chance to learn directly from a generation that endured immense hardship and lost so many of its members. In sharing these hard‑won lessons and memories, Silver Linings helps ensure that history, resilience, and community care are passed forward and not forgotten.
And importantly, this project would not have been possible without the support and sponsorship of GSK ViiV, whose commitment to the LGBTQ+ community made the podcast a reality.
Silver Linings with the Old Gays delivered on our team’s goals by creating a podcast that not only preserved the voices of queer elders but made their stories resonate with a broad, multigenerational audience. From the start, we set out to give the Old Gays a space where their humor, history, and lived experience could shine in a deeper way than short‑form content allows. The final series accomplished that: the hosts’ stories came through with nuance, vulnerability, and warmth, creating an archive of experiences that rarely receive long‑form attention.
The results demonstrated genuine impact. Listeners consistently shared that the show helped them understand LGBTQ+ history through first‑person accounts rather than textbooks or secondhand summaries. Younger fans expressed that hearing directly from elders created a sense of connection they hadn’t experienced before, while older listeners reported feeling seen and celebrated. Social engagement reflected this, with conversations extending well beyond the episodes themselves. Additionally, the podcast had chart-topping success and during its release was in the Top 1% of all podcasts in the US.
We also succeeded in expanding the Old Gays’ reach. Their fanbase followed them into audio, but the series also attracted new listeners who discovered them through the podcast’s emotional depth and storytelling. The project ultimately strengthened intergenerational dialogue—one of our primary intentions.
The overwhelmingly positive response from listeners has been so strong that we are now on a clear path toward renewing the series for a second season.
