Gent’s Talk: Ep 21 - A sit-down w/ Thomas Smythe

During Episode 21 of our podcast, we sat down with one of the premier faces in interior design, Thomas Smythe. Also known for having an impressive array of bowties, the energetic TV personality discussed his life, HIV awareness, business, friendships, and interior design.

Being one of the first people in lifestyle television who was openly gay and talked about it on camera, Thomas has inspired many in the LGBTQ+ community. He spoke on some of the troubles that are still being faced daily, specifically, the mistreatment and misinformation surrounding HIV/AIDS. He also provided valuable advice for young gay men struggling to “come out of the closet” and express themselves openly. “Number one, make sure you protect yourself,” Tommy warned, “and make sure you have a safe space [to come out].”

About Thomas Smythe

Tommy Smythe started as a server, and the core skills obtained in the service industry have been crucial in his development. He believes it should be mandatory to be a server because you’re trained on how to manage a list, how to turn a bad experience into a good one, and you gain the ability to work through “the weeds” (when it’s jam-packed, and you’re just on the brink of being overwhelmed). Many know Tommy from his work alongside HGTV’s Sarah Richardson, but it has been quite some time since their breakup. Unfortunately, the ending of that business relationship ended their strong friendship. When he touched on that, he made sure to emphasize how important it is to not lose your ability to trust in people.

“If we are able to remind each other of our humanity, we do a better job [as people]”
Thomas Smythe

Thomas, who is working with Urban Barn, has been very busy. We’re excited to see how his new business ventures pan out. He is not only a role model for many gay men but also dedicates a lot of his time to supporting causes near his heart. We were drawn to his charity work with the Conn Smythe Foundation, Friends of Ruby, and Casey House. Please tune into Episode 22 for the entire conversation with Tommy Smythe!

About Gent’s Talk

Gent’s Talk is available for streaming on Youtube, Spotify, Apple and Google Podcasts! Episode 21 of Gent’s Talk is presented by Bulova Canada and was filmed at StartWell Studios in Toronto. We value your continued support throughout this journey. Thank you!