A Jaded Gay
Living in a world of fuckboys, homophobes, and inequalities can leave a gay feeling, well, jaded, so tune in for your weekly dose of gay empowerment. We're talking pop culture, politics, and dating hardships, all through the lens of overcoming gay trauma and nurturing our emotional wellbeing.
Episodes
162 episodes
161. Queer Bodies: Navigating Illness, Identity, and Intimacy (with Mickie Kennedy)
Societal pressure on men to appear tough and self-reliant can lead to the avoidance of medical care since vulnerability is wrongly equated with weakness. For gay men, this is further complicated by the fear of discrimination or judgment in heal...
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Episode 161
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46:15
160. Why Queer Bookstores Matter: Preserving LGBTQ+ Culture and Community (with Greg Newton & Donnie Jochum)
Queer bookstores have long been more than just places to buy books, serving as cultural hubs, safe havens, and essential spaces for connection, representation, and affirmation within the LGBTQ+ community. As we navigate an increasingly hostile ...
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Episode 160
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54:24
159. Reclaim Your Queer Identity Through Self-Compassion (with Sam Fogarty)
Many gay men grow up internalizing social norms that dictate how they should act, love, or present themselves—distorting their sense of self and making it harder to connect authentically with others. But we can begin to heal when we embrace rad...
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Episode 159
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42:02
158. Leaving a Narcissist (with Mack Ciccone)
Previously, we explored the concept of love bombing, where one partner overwhelms the other with excessive affection and attention early in a relationship to mask manipulative intentions. This behavior often sets the stage for a narcissistic re...
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Episode 158
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40:27
157. Gay Icons: The Goddess of Pop
Previously, we discussed our iconic pop queens and how their songs typically fit into distinct categories that hit an emotional button that appeals to gay men. These categories often include themes of empowerment, heartbreak, resilience, and se...
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Episode 157
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42:20
156. Punchlines and Pride: Activism Through Queer Comedy (with Michael John Ciszewski)
For gay men, humor has long been a powerful tool for resilience, offering both a means of survival through marginalization and a way to reclaim joy and identity. As queer comedy evolves and gains mainstream visibility, it remains a radical act ...
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Episode 156
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1:08:04
155. Queers in History: Pride, Resistance, and Fighting Erasure (with Keith Stern)
We've previously explored how LGBTQ+ history has often been overlooked, ignored, or deliberately erased, demonstrating the importance of remembering and honoring our past. Despite ongoing attacks from the current administration aimed at censori...
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Episode 155
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33:51
154. Pride and Protest: Defending LGBTQ+ Rights in a Shifting America (with Mari Nemec)
The current state of LGBTQ+ rights and politics reflects both significant progress and mounting challenges, with ongoing debates over transgender rights, workplace protections, and marriage equality. Activism, rooted in the community’s historic...
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Episode 154
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51:33
153. Pride, Pleasure, and the Path to Healing (with Court Vox)
While Pride is often seen as a time for parades and rainbow flags, it can also be a reminder of the trauma, shame, and disconnection that many LGBTQ+ people, especially gay men, carry within themselves. Yet Pride can also be a time of reclamati...
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Episode 153
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50:46
152. Bratz to the Bone (with Chris Angelo)
In previous episodes, we discussed how pop culture has long served as a powerful space for gay men to find representation, expression, and community, offering both a reflection of their struggles and a source of empowerment. Within this space, ...
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Episode 152
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29:21
151. Twink Death: RIP Skinny Jeans
In recent years, "twink death"—the idea that a young, slim gay man loses social value as he ages out of the "twink" category—has gained traction as a viral online concept. Though often treated as a humorous social media trend, it highlights the...
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Episode 151
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20:21
150. Lights, Camera, Action: The Importance of Trans Voices in Media (with AJ Mattioli)
In previous episodes, we explored how LGBTQ+ media representation has evolved significantly since the early days of cinema, shifting from largely negative stereotypes and hidden identities to more nuanced and diverse portrayals of queer experie...
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Episode 150
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56:33
149. Boats, Bears, and Building Community (with Chumley Singer)
LGBTQ+ individuals often navigate the diverse landscape of the queer community to forge connections that resonate with their identities, seeking spaces where they feel seen, understood, and supported. The bear community, with its celebration of...
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Episode 149
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56:34
148. Ethical Non-Monogamy: Redefining Relationships (with Jeff Hudson)
In a time when relationships are no longer confined to traditional labels, ethical non-monogamy allows gay individuals to build connections that align with their unique desires and values. By fostering open communication, trust, and mutual cons...
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Episode 148
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39:35
147. The Ultimate Guide to Gaycations (with Jason Heidemann)
In previous episodes, we've explored the key themes of gay villages and how destinations like Fire Island and Provincetown serve as sanctuaries for the queer community. Gay men, in particular, are often passionate about travel because it provid...
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Episode 147
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1:09:34
146. The Velvet Rage
Throughout many episodes, we’ve discussed how gay men continue to grapple with the shame they internalized as children growing up in a predominantly straight society that often invalidated or condemned their identities. This lingering shame can...
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Episode 146
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34:25
145. Resisting Erasure: Preserving LGBTQ+ History (with Michael Venturiello)
In past episodes, we've explored pivotal moments in LGBTQ+ history that have often been overlooked or erased, highlighting why remembering our past is so vital. With the current administration actively trying to erase our history, preserving an...
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Episode 145
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56:27
144. Bullies Beware: Confronting LGBTQ+ Bullying (with Mike Keller)
The current landscape of LGBTQ+ bullying remains pervasive, especially in schools and online, where discrimination and harassment can have devastating impacts on mental health and well-being. Not only does this isolate individuals, but it also ...
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Episode 144
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37:08
143. Heal from Religious Trauma (with Ann Russo)
For gay men raised in religious environments, they often internalize harmful messages that condemn their sexual orientation, fostering a deep sense of unworthiness or fear. This religious trauma can manifest in lasting struggles with shame and ...
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Episode 143
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36:52
142. Get Over Your Het Lag
Het lag is a humorous term for the exhaustion and disorientation queer people experience after prolonged exposure to exclusively straight environments. While the term is lighthearted, it speaks to the very real psychological toll of minority st...
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Episode 142
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20:30
141. Queer All Year: 365 Days of Celebrating Pride (with Patrick Gevas)
While many people equate Pride to June, Pride events happen across the world throughout the year, amplifying the voices of the LGBTQ+ community. Given the recent political climate and ongoing challenges to LGBTQ+ rights, it's more important tha...
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Episode 141
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51:28
140. Calling All Allies: It’s Time to Step Up (with Greg Baird)
While many people support LGBTQ+ rights and equality, true allyship goes a step further by actively standing against discriminatory legislation and amplifying queer voices. In this current political climate, it’s crucial that our allies remain ...
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Episode 140
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40:17
139. You're Probably Gayish (with Mike Johnson & Kyle Getz)
Gay stereotypes often arise from oversimplified and exaggerated portrayals in the media, which overlook the complexity of individual experiences and reinforce societal biases. While some of these stereotypes may seem harmless or humorous, they ...
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Episode 139
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41:19
138. Will & Grace
We’ve previously examined the history of gay representation in TV and film, tracing its evolution from early portrayals to groundbreaking moments like Ellen, which helped pave the way for greater visibility. Among these influential shows, Will ...
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Episode 138
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25:55
137. Who’s Your Daddy? (with Sal Zambito)
The term "daddy" has been used as slang for over 300 years and was embraced by the gay community in the 1970s, particularly within the leather subculture, leading to the popular phrase "leather daddy." Today, in gay culture, "daddy" represents ...
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Episode 137
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46:08