Provocateurs
Provocateurs
Podcast Description
Step into a world of bold ideas and daring conversations with Provocateurs.
Hosted by the dynamic Sarah Moxom, this podcast invites you into a space where change-makers, go-getters, and trailblazers share their stories, insights, and hard-earned wisdom.
From dissecting today’s most pressing issues to diving deep into personal growth, relationships, and entrepreneurship, Provocateurs isn’t afraid to push boundaries and ask the questions that matter. Every episode is designed to challenge your thinking, ignite your curiosity, and leave you inspired to see the world in a whole new light.
Ready to step outside your comfort zone? Tune in and join a conversation that’s equal parts daring and enlightening. This is more than a podcast—it’s a catalyst for your next big breakthrough.
Podcast Insights
Content Themes
The podcast focuses on themes of personal growth, mental health, entrepreneurship, and societal issues. Episodes cover diverse topics such as the challenges faced by individuals in the adult industry, the journey of female DJs navigating a male-dominated music scene, personal stories of resilience among the trans community, and narratives from nightlife figures addressing addiction and redemption. Each episode emphasizes the importance of community, authenticity, and the complexity of modern identities.
The podcast asking the questions the industry avoids.
Provocateurs is a conversation platform built for the nightlife, hospitality, events industry and those shaping culture.
Each episode, Sarah Moxom (Phoenix Group Global Founder) sits down with the operators, promoters, DJs, and disruptors who build the scene and pushes past the polished soundbites to get to what people really think.
We dive into a wide range of topics, from current events to personal growth, relationships to entrepreneurship, with a shared goal to connect across our network and share the stories that got us here.
No scripts. No safe questions.
In this episode of Provocateurs, Sarah sits down with artist, performer, educator, and entrepreneur Mac (formerly known as adult film star Mickey Taylor). Mac shares how they transitioned out of a seven-year career in the global adult entertainment industry to build thriving creative communities, arts initiatives, and cabaret brands in Manchester.
Mac details the creation of Quac Collective, a affordable co-working art space in Manchester Central built to combat extortionate studio rents, providing 30+ artists daily access to workspace, equipment, and workshops for just £30–£40 a month. Mac also breaks down running unconventional entertainment brands, including naked life drawing classes and fire-breathing, high-energy cabarets. The conversation touches on Mac’s experiences working in special educational needs teaching, overcoming workplace revenge porn, managing high-pressure work ethics, and an unfiltered critique of the commercialization of Pride events and modern LGBTQ+ spaces.
Key Takeaways
Building Quac Collective: How Mac built an affordable, multi-use art workspace in Manchester to support bedroom artists priced out of commercial real estate.
Unconventional Cabaret & Life Drawing: Running non-sexual naked life drawing sessions and multi-performer immersive cabaret shows.
Life in Adult Entertainment: Reflecting on a seven-year international career, navigating camera work, and closing that chapter during the pandemic.
Teaching & Workplace Adversity: Transitioning into special needs education, handling workplace revenge porn, and driving student achievement.
Work Ethic & Perfectionism: Why Mac thrives under extreme pressure, demands high professionalism, and channels dopamine into community building.
The Commercialization of Pride: A blunt critique of rising ticket prices, corporate sponsorship overreach, and the economic strain on local queer venues.
Timestamps
00:00 – Introduction
01:34 – Introducing Quac Collective: Solving Manchester’s Art Space Crisis
03:00 – Building Collaborative Co-Working Spaces from Scratch
05:00 – Workshops, Screen Printing & Public Classes
05:46 – Running Naked Life Drawing Classes & Immersive Cabarets
07:03 – Relocating to Manchester & Community Inclusivity
08:23 – Seven Years in Adult Entertainment: Starting at 21
09:27 – Traveling the World & Camera Confidence
11:36 – Closing the Adult Industry Chapter During COVID
16:31 – Working in Special Educational Needs Teaching
18:50 – Overcoming Workplace Revenge Porn & Student Success
21:08 – Moving Beyond Past Labels & Proving Business Authority
22:44 – “F*** Around & Find Out”: Drive, Vision & Work Ethic
25:31 – Demanding Professionalism & Supporting Creatives
32:19 – The Corporate Takeover of Pride & Venue Strains
36:16 – The History & Importance of the Pride Vigil
46:29 – Advocating for Trans Rights, Immigration & Education
53:03 – The Necessity of Safe Queer Spaces & Creative Outlets
Mac/Quac Collective links
https://www.instagram.com/quac_collective/
https://www.instagram.com/itsmickeytaylor/
Social Links
https://www.tiktok.com/@provocateurspodcast
https://www.instagram.com/sarah.moxom/
https://www.youtube.com/channel/UCPmCQvMWLaLTayKshPyGOEg
This Podcast has been brought to you by Disruptive Media. https://disruptivemedia.co.uk/
Disclaimer
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