Hot Takes & Deep Dives

Latest Episodes:

Cult of Body & Soul - My new docuseries drops May 27! May 23, 2025

Show notes

A quickie 1:1 to talk about CULT OF BODY & SOUL - my brand new docu-series which premieres Tuesday May 27 on all podcast platforms & YouTube. The 7-episode series explores how SOULCYCLE transcended fitness as it captured the New York City zeitgeist with ritual, candlelight and cult of personality. Cast info & production notes: cultbodysoul.com

🙏🏼 Woud love you forever if you rate, review, subscribe on Apple Podcasts & Spotify

🎥 Watch trailer on YouTube

Instagram @jessxnyc

Judy Garland, Radical Faeries & more (w/ Justin Elizabeth Sayre) May 19, 2025

Show notes

Jess is joined by writer/performer Justin Elizabeth Sayre on the eve of the 13th Annual Night of a Thousand Judys, celebrating JUDY GARLAND at Joe's Pub! Topics — what is the best Judy entry point, working for MICHAEL PATRICK KING, Radical Faeries gatherings, learning the NYC subway via hookups, John Waters and the live immersive experience of JOHN CAMERON MITCHELL's film Shortbus.

IG: @jessxnyc

Night of A Thousand Judys — June 2nd @ Joe's Pub

"Rent" & "Hamilton" Power Producer is a Theater Kid (w/ Jeffrey Seller) May 05, 2025

Show notes

Jess is joined by 4x TONY Award winning Broadway producer JEFFREY SELLER, best known for "Hamilton," "Rent," "In the Heights" & "Avenue Q." Topics — his review of "Sunset Blvd," being the creative nurturer and critic to Jonathan Larson & Lin Manuel Miranda, inventing the Broadway lotto system, crippling anxiety of opening night reviews, renovating his dream Upper West Side townhouse & more!

Jeffrey Seller's memoir THEATER KID is available now!

Jess' docu-series on the history, mystique & lore of Fire Island: Finding Fire Island

IG: @jessxnyc

Culture Catch-up: How to Fix Bravo & Summer House (w/ Dan Allegretto) Apr 28, 2025

Show notes

Jess is joined by friend of the pod Dan Allegretto! Topics: why do bald men wear hats, becoming friends w/ Lena Dunham, boots on the ground w/ Bethenny, how to fix Bravo & Summer House, Carl Radke, Lindsay Hubbard, how The Real L Word & Vanderpump Rules lift the veneer off Los Angeles, the off-Broadway play "Becoming Eve," Quentin Crisp, the camera work on Queer as Folk, Janeane Garofalo, Daria, the Hudson Valley & more!

IG: @jessxnyc | @dan_allegretto | #DialDan

Finding Fire Island — Jess' docu-series on the history, mystique & lore of Fire Island

Madonna & Michael Jackson Choreographer / Director — Vincent Paterson Apr 21, 2025

Show notes

Jess is joined by legendary director & choreographer VINCENT PATERSON — the man behind MICHAEL JACKSON & MADONNA's most iconic movements. Topics — videos for "Beat It," "Thriller," "Smooth Criminal" and defining the Superbowl Halftime Show w/ MJ's 1993 performance. Plus — choreographing The Blond Ambition Tour, "Express Yourself" video, Madonna's 1990 MTV VMA Marie Antoinette "Vogue" performance, EVITA, BJORK's DANCER IN THE DARK & more!

IG: @jessxnyc

Vincent Paterson's memoir: Icons and Instincts

DJ Lina Bradford on Candis Cayne, Club Kids, Fire Island Reign & more Apr 14, 2025

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Jeff Hiller on HBO's Somebody Somewhere, Fire Island & Actress of a Certain Age Mar 31, 2025

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Bruce Vilanch on Bette Midler, Writing The Oscars & more! Mar 24, 2025

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Madonna Blond Ambition Reunion w/ Luis Xtravaganza, Carlton Wilborn & Kevin Stea Mar 17, 2025

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Jess is joined by THREE of the iconic dancers from Madonna's Blond Ambition Tour: Luis Xtravaganza, Carlton Wilborn + Kevin Stea! Topics: TRUTH OR DARE follow-up doc STRIKE A POSE, Luis attending high school with Jose Xtravaganza, Christopher Ciccone's impact on "The Girlie Show," Kevin's work with LADY GAGA, the 1990 MTV "Rock the Vote" campaign, NIKI HARIS & DONNA DE LORY, Carlton as the "pillar of strength," Luis & Kevin appearing in "The Birdcage," Kevin's "Showgirls" experience and a lot more!

IG: @jessxnyc

Jess' docu-series on the history, mystique & lore of Fire Island: Finding Fire Island

Liz Feldman — Dead to Me & No Good Deed Writer/Creator, Kate Moennig, The L Word Mar 03, 2025

Show notes

Jess is joined by LIZ FELDMAN — writer/creator of Netflix's DEAD TO ME & NO GOOD DEED! Topics: Liz's seminal lezzie YouTube show "This Just Out," becoming friends with THE L WORD cast, harassment from TV mega producer Dan Schneider while writing Nickelodeon's ALL THAT, manifesting writing for ELLEN, working for MICHAEL PATRICK KING, auditioning for SNL, the DEAD TO ME & NO GOOD DEAD origin stories, briefly "not-dating" KATE MOENNIG & more!

IG: @jessxnyc | @thelizfeldman

Jess' docu-series on the history, mystique & lore of Fire Island: Finding Fire Island