Hot Takes & Deep Dives

Latest Episodes:

Melissa Etheridge on Sex, Love & Behind the Music Oct 02, 2023

Show notes

Jess is joined by bonafide rock icon MELISSA ETHERIDGE! Melissa discusses all the dyke drama in her early Hollywood friendships with ROSIE O'DONNELL, ELLEN, KD LANG and BRAD PITT and nearly being outed when her first record was released. We also go behind the music for "Bring Me Some Water," "Brave and Crazy," "Similar Features" and more!

34:00 -- Jess is joined by Tony Trius, co-host of MLVC (the Madonna podcast) to go deeper on the female singer-songwriters who defined the '90s Lilith Fair era. We discuss Sarah McLachlan, Ani Difranco, Fiona Apple, Tegan & Sara, Tracy Chapman, Aimee Mann, The Murmurs (and many more!)

IG: @jessxnyc

Check out Jess' docu-pod series FINDING FIRE ISLAND about the history, mystique and lore of Cherry Grove & The Pines.

Ira Madison III on Ranking Madonna Albums, Fire Island & Keep It Sep 18, 2023

Show notes

Jess is joined by IRA MADISON III to discuss staying "too long" on Fire Island, his definitive ranking of MADONNA albums, interviewing PATTI LUPONE and BETHENNY on his podcast "Keep It," NENE LEAKES inspiring the title of his upcoming memoir, appearing on YOU and WENDY WILLIAMS, his recent 3x BEYONCÉ Renaissance Tour stint and helping SARAH MICHELLE GELLAR with the wifi when he was a barista.

IG: @jessxnyc | @irathethird

Check out Jess' docu-pod series FINDING FIRE ISLAND about the history, mystique and lore of Cherry Grove & The Pines.

And Just Like That Postmortem w/ Every Outfit on SATC (Chelsea Fairless & Lauren Garroni) Sep 11, 2023

Show notes

Jess is joined by the queens of "Every Outfit on Sex and the City" (@everyoutfitonSATC)— Chelsea Fairless and Lauren Garroni. We discuss which show has more severely tarnished its legacy: SATC with AJLT vs. The L Word with Gen Q, The Writer's Room podcast scabbing during the WGA strike, Sara Ramirez's response to the hilarious/scathing The Cut profile, the SJP-ification of Carrie, Candace Bushnell's original column & more!

IG: @jessxnyc | @everyoutfitonsatc

Check out Jess' docu-pod series FINDING FIRE ISLAND about the history, mystique and lore of Cherry Grove & The Pines.

Empath Jamie Stein Channels Jenna Lyons, Bethenny's Summer of Chaos, Kim Cattrall Sep 05, 2023

Show notes

Empath and intuitive Jamie Stein (@jamiestein) returns to burn through a plethora of hot topics. We discuss: Kim Cattrall's relationship to Sex and the City, Jenna Lyons' r-ship to her inner diva and Jamie's intuitive take on RHONY reboot's Jessel Tank and Erin Lichy. Plus, the underbelly of Bethenny's summer of chaos w/ Jill Zarin, Raquel Leviss and the betrayal of Andy Cohen. Finally, we look ahead toward Vanderpump Rules and Summer House.

[ 2:30 - Kim Cattrall ~ SATC ]

[ 12:30 - Jenna Lyons ~ RHONY ]

[ 34:30 - Bethenny ~ Raquel ]

[ 57:00 - Vanderpump Rules ]

[ 60:00 - Summer House ~ Lindsay, Carl, Danielle ]

IG: @jessxnyc | @jamiestein

Check out Jess' docu-pod series FINDING FIRE ISLAND about the history, mystique and lore of Cherry Grove & The Pines.

Provincetown Deep Dive (w/ Brandon Ward) Aug 28, 2023

Show notes

Jess is joined by Boston native Brandon Ward (@the.bottoms) for the Provincetown deep dive of our dreams. We break down the theme weeks (Bear Week, July 4th, Girlsplash, Carnival, Spooky Bear, Holly Folly). Plus, Tea at the Boatslip vs. Tea on Fire Island, A-House vs. Paramount (where to go out) and the Dick Dock. Finally, goss about Adam Lambert, Billy Eichner and Brandon pitches a Summer House: Provincetown.

IG: @jessxnyc | @the.bottoms | @brandon_onbrand

Check out Jess' docu-pod series FINDING FIRE ISLAND about the history, mystique and lore of Cherry Grove & The Pines.

Bethenny & Jill Zarin's Reunion Producer, Chris DeRosa (RHONY & RHONJ) Aug 08, 2023

Show notes

Jess is joined by Chris DeRosa, veteran reality TV producer with credits including five (5) seasons of RHONY, last season's (and newly in production) RHONJ, The Big Shot with Bethenny, various food competition series (ie: Chopped), Summer House, plus Tony Bennett & Lady Gaga: Cheek to Cheek. He is also the producer behind Bethenny and Jill Zarin's reunion and Bethenny's YouTube series. We mention it all, including production companies vs. The Network (Bravo), Tom Sandoval filming w/ Vanderpump Rules and a lot more!

IG: @jessxnyc | @thechrisderosa

Check out Jess' docu-pod series FINDING FIRE ISLAND about the history, mystique and lore of Cherry Grove & The Pines.

DJ Lina Bradford on Barbie, Candis Cayne, Fire Island & more Jul 24, 2023

Show notes

Jess is joined by New York icon LINA BRADFORD to discuss her Barbie ~ pop culture doll collection, being raised as a girl since age four, growing up in New York nightlife, best friend CANDIS CAYNE — the Linda Evangelista to her Naomi Campbell. Plus, career evolution from dancer > nightclub host > DJ as performance art, why she feels the "trans" label limits her, 10-year reign on Fire Island + a lot more!

Listen to Finding Fire Island everywhere!

IG: @jessxnyc | @thelinabradford

Madonna Tell-All by Brother Christopher Ciccone (w/ Tony Trius) Jun 12, 2023

Show notes

Jess is joined by MLVC Madonna podcast co-host Tony Trius to deconstruct the 2008 tell-all "Life With My Sister Madonna," written by her brother Christopher Ciccone. We go deep on Christopher's ever-evolving role in M's life and career, including backup dancer, live show dresser, Blond Ambition/Girlie Show stage designer, artistic director & home interior designer. Through his lens, we also explore her relationships with Sean Penn, Sandra Bernhard, Warren Beatty, Ingrid Casares, Guy Ritchie and more!

IG: @jessxnyc | @mlvcpodcast

Check out Jess' docu-pod series FINDING FIRE ISLAND about the history, mystique and lore of Cherry Grove & The Pines.

Survivor's Jerri Manthey: OG Villainess of Reality TV Jun 05, 2023

Show notes

Jess is joined by iconic Survivor castaway Jerri Manthey, known for her three season arc (spanning 15 years) appearing on The Australian Outback (season 2), All Stars and Heroes vs. Villains. Dubbed "The Black Widow" due to her love-hate relationship with Colby Donaldson, Jerri goes deep about the publicity surrounding The Australian Outback which turned the cast into overnight celebrities (Letterman / Rosie appearances). Jerri discusses fellow season 2 castaway Elisabeth Hasselbeck, Survivor's evolution + her picks for best (and most overrated) players. Finally, Jerri makes her pitch for Real Housewives of Napa Valley.

IG: @jessxnyc | @jerrimanthey

MTV's Dave Holmes on Britney, The Real World, TRL, Jesse Camp May 22, 2023

Show notes

Jess is joined by iconic MTV VJ DAVE HOLMES! Dave was the "runner-up" in the infamous Wanna Be a VJ contest who turned his "loss" to Jesse Camp into a 5-year career at MTV. Dave chats about being gay in the TRL days, BRITNEY, N'SYNC, EMINEM, MANDY MOORE, CARSON DALY's rise, JOHN NORRIS, the MTV Beach House, his favorite seasons of The Real World, transforming his body and more!

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