The Heart of Portland Drag | Slightly Unhinged with Bolivia Carmichaels

The Heart of Portland Drag | Slightly Unhinged with Bolivia Carmichaels

This episode goes live the weekend of Portland Pride, so it only felt right to sit down with someone who has spent decades helping people feel at home in Portland’s queer nightlife. Bolivia Carmichaels is on the pod this week, and if you’ve been around Portland’s queer community for any amount of time, chances are she has welcomed you through a door, roasted you from a stage, hosted your bingo night, or made you feel like you belonged before you even knew how badly you needed that. Justin and Bolivia talk about growing up in Oregon, discovering City Nightclub, the early days of Vaseline Alley, and what it meant to find queer spaces where people could feel safe, seen, and not alone. Bolivia shares how she became Bolivia Carmichaels, what she learned from Portland drag legends, and how she built a career around making people feel welcome. They also talk about Embers Avenue, Darcelle XV Showplace, 25 years at CC Slaughters, the pandemic driveway shows, Portland Pride, drag as a career, showing up on time, being kind, and why local queer spaces still matter. Connect with Bolivia Carmichaels Instagram https://www.instagram.com/boliviacarmichaels?igsh=MW1tMWR6YWtybDJjYQ== [https://www.instagram.com/boliviacarmichaels?igsh=MW1tMWR6YWtybDJjYQ==] For bookings, DM Bolivia on Instagram. Where to See Bolivia Carmichaels Darcelle XV Showplace https://darcellexv.com/ [https://darcellexv.com/] Darcelle XV reservations https://darcellexv.com/reservations/ [https://darcellexv.com/reservations/] CC Slaughters https://ccslaughterspdx.com/ [https://ccslaughterspdx.com/] Gay Skate at Oaks Park https://www.oakspark.com/article-wide?articleId=284 [https://www.oakspark.com/article-wide?articleId=284] The Rambler https://ramblerbar.com/ [https://ramblerbar.com/] 503 Distilling https://503distilling.com/ [https://503distilling.com/] Darcelle XV Plaza https://downtownportland.org/darcelle-plaza/ [https://downtownportland.org/darcelle-plaza/] About Bolivia Carmichaels Bolivia Carmichaels is a beloved Portland drag entertainer, emcee, and hostess known for her quick wit, warm personality, and classic glamour. With more than two decades of experience captivating audiences, she has become a familiar face at clubs, fundraisers, bingo events, and community celebrations throughout the region. Whether commanding the stage with humor, heartfelt moments, or unforgettable performances, Bolivia brings charm, professionalism, and sparkle to every event she hosts. In This Episode meeting Bolivia in Portland nightlife, possibly before Justin was supposed to be there why Bolivia has always wanted people to feel welcome, safe, and seen growing up on Dixie Mountain before moving into Portland finding music, theater, and performance at Jefferson High School discovering City Nightclub and watching drag for the first time the story behind the name Bolivia Carmichaels learning from Portland drag legends leaving banking and insurance to make drag her career working at Embers Avenue and Darcelle XV Showplace 25 years at CC Slaughters watching generations of Portland queer nightlife come through the door what it felt like when CC Slaughters almost closed the pandemic street shows and driveway performances the importance of showing up, being kind, and doing the job Bolivia’s favorite songs to perform being Grand Marshal of the Portland Pride parade and a lot of love for the people who built and still support Portland’s queer spaces Follow Slightly Unhinged Instagram https://www.instagram.com/slightlyunhingedthepodcast/ [https://www.instagram.com/slightlyunhingedthepodcast/] Like, follow, and subscribe for more conversations with Portland performers, business owners, community members, and people willing to share their most slightly unhinged stories.

Jesus Camp, Wild Pigs & Gutter Drag | Slightly Unhinged with Shandi Evans

Portland drag queen Shandi Evans is regionally famous, deeply committed to Diet Coke, and unexpectedly knowledgeable about America’s wild pig crisis. Justin sits down with Shandi to talk about starting drag in a small California town with no real gay scene, moving to Portland, and building a career around hosting, performing, and being very good with a microphone. They also get into Jesus camp injuries, roller coasters, astronomy, Real Housewives history, The Traitors, the difference between polished drag and fully committed gutter drag, and whether the Kool-Aid Man can get it. Important educational topics are covered. See Shandi Evans Drag Battle Season Finale Saturday, July 11 at 7 p.m. CC Slaughters Five months of challenges come down to one final night, with $3,000 going to the winner. Betty: A Queer Dance Party, Pride Edition Friday, July 17 White Owl Social Club Special guest: Uffie Tickets: https://www.eventbrite.com/e/betty-a-queer-dance-party-pride-edition-w-special-guest-uffie-tickets-1992300888589 [https://www.eventbrite.com/e/betty-a-queer-dance-party-pride-edition-w-special-guest-uffie-tickets-1992300888589] Shandi is also working on a special holiday show with her friend Dahlia. Follow her on Instagram for details when they’re ready. Connect with Shandi Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/rainbowwhale?igsh=cHB5bGJoMWdvZDlz [https://www.instagram.com/rainbowwhale?igsh=cHB5bGJoMWdvZDlz] Follow Shandi for upcoming performances, show announcements, and whatever else the rainbow whale is doing next. About Shandi Evans “I’m a regionally famous drag queen with a deep love for astronomy, roller coasters, and Diet Coke. I’ve been everywhere in the world but now I’m ready for the world to be in me.” In This Episode starting drag by going to Denny’s and Walmart in full drag leaving a conservative California hometown for Portland how the Portland drag scene changed after the pandemic why hosting is Shandi’s favorite part of drag Willam, Bob the Drag Queen, and the performers who shaped her style auditioning for The Traitors the Real Housewives performances that should never be forgotten working at Jesus camp while not believing in Jesus a stingray attack, multiple concussions, and the Weekend of Sin why fully committed bad drag deserves your five-dollar bills the wild pig crisis nobody asked to learn about Slam Pig or Scram Pig the local causes Shandi wants listeners to support Support the Organizations Shandi Mentioned Black & Beyond the Binary Collective Supporting Black trans, queer, nonbinary, Two-Spirit, intersex, and asexual Oregonians through leadership, healing, and community support. https://www.blackbeyondthebinarycollective.org/ [https://www.blackbeyondthebinarycollective.org/] Meals on Us PDX Shandi recommends supporting their work providing meals for people recovering from gender-affirming surgery and others experiencing food insecurity. https://www.instagram.com/mealsonus.pdx/ [https://www.instagram.com/mealsonus.pdx/] Oregon Wild Protecting Oregon’s wildlands, wildlife, and natural spaces through conservation, restoration, and education. https://oregonwild.org/ [https://oregonwild.org/] Follow Slightly Unhinged Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/slightlyunhingedthepodcast/ [https://www.instagram.com/slightlyunhingedthepodcast/] Like, follow, and subscribe for more conversations with Portland performers, business owners, community members, and people willing to share their most slightly unhinged stories.

East Coast Drag Queen Exposes Portland Drag Culture | Slightly Unhinged with Monique Michaels

Monique Michaels is on the pod this week. She moved across the country for drag, and she came to PLAY! Justin and Monique talk about leaving Virginia for Portland, starting over in a new city, and what it feels like to walk into a scene where nobody knows you but you still know exactly what you bring. They get into East Coast vs West Coast drag culture, confidence, beauty, ego, performance standards, queer spaces, and why “support local drag” actually has to mean something in practice. There’s also a lot of Lady Gaga in this one. As there should be. Connect with Monique Michaels Instagram https://www.instagram.com/themoniquemichaels?igsh=dXY4MW93OHBsNG1q [https://www.instagram.com/themoniquemichaels?igsh=dXY4MW93OHBsNG1q] Linktree https://linktr.ee/Moniquemichaels [https://linktr.ee/Moniquemichaels] Follow Monique on Instagram to stay up to date on upcoming shows, merch, and new music. What Monique is promoting Rotation with Moneybag Monroe Available through her Linktree Merch Available through her Linktree Upcoming shows Follow Monique on Instagram for the most current updates In this episode why Monique moved across the country for drag what felt different about Portland right away East Coast drag standards vs Portland drag culture starting drag in high school and doing prom, graduation, and senior photos in drag the moment she realized she was actually making an impact why people assume pretty queens are bitches why she says she’s self-taught, self-made, and independent glamour, camp, villain era, and all the stuff in between her biggest pet peeves at drag shows why supporting queer spaces actually starts with people showing up a very serious Lady Gaga section About the guest Monique Michaels is a fresh face on the West Coast, recently making her move from Virginia. With five years of professional drag experience and a decade rooted in the house scene, she brings both polish and presence to every stage she touches. While in Virginia, she earned titles including MX Manchester and was voted 2nd Best Performer in RVA in 2024. Known as a true crowd pleaser, a beauty in every sense, and undeniably that girl, this is Monique Michaels. Mentioned in this episode Portland queer spaces: Monique says it pretty plainly: if you want queer spaces, queer shows, and local drag to keep existing, you have to actually go out and support them. Lady Gaga: A real Gaga conversation. Not a casual one. A full one. Local drag shoutouts: Monique gives love to people from both Richmond and Portland, including Rio Deal, Mona Chrome, Drew Friday, Drew Sedora, A’Laya Arman, Unique New York, the House of Envy, Amber St. Lexington, Lavender Menace, and others she says deserve their flowers. Follow the show Instagram https://www.instagram.com/slightlyunhingedthepodcast/ [https://www.instagram.com/slightlyunhingedthepodcast/] Subscribe Follow, like, and subscribe to Slightly Unhinged for more conversations with people who know exactly who they are and aren’t interested in shrinking themselves for anyone.

Why Drag Has Always Been Protest | Slightly Unhinged with Quesa D’Mondays

Quesa D’Mondays is on the pod this week, and this episode covers a lot. Justin and Quesa get into how her drag name came to be, how theater shaped her, what made drag click for her in a way theater stopped doing, and how she turned that into full-time work. They also talk about queer identity, family dynamics, heartbreak, online hate, Pride, drag history, and the bigger purpose behind drag beyond just entertaining a crowd. There’s plenty of fun in this one too, especially once they get into the instrumental lip sync videos, RuPaul, Susie Toot, and the general chaos of being a person on the internet. If you know Quesa from social media, this gives a much fuller picture of who she is and what she’s actually building. In this episode -how Quesa D’Mondays got her name -why she wanted a drag name that felt funny and connected to her culture -how theater led her into drag -the Cindy Lou Who show that helped bring Quesa to life -what happened when drag brought back the joy theater had stopped giving her -how she went from side project to full-time drag performer -the instrumental lip sync videos and why they took off -what it’s like to build an audience online while dealing with hate -why drag has always been bigger than performance -how queer history and drag history are tied together -what Pride should still mean -where to find Quesa’s shows and events About the guest Quesa D’Mondays is the cheesy, briezy, bleutiful songstress of Portland. Though she made a big splash in the drag scene just a couple of years ago, she’s been a live entertainer and performer for well over a decade. A campy, comedic queen known for parody, quick wit, and viral social media content, Quesa also uses drag as a tool for community care, education, and advocacy through food drives, lectures on drag history, fundraising, and work with queer youth. Connect with Quesa D’Mondays Instagram https://www.instagram.com/quesa_d.mondays/ [https://www.instagram.com/quesa_d.mondays/] Facebook https://www.facebook.com/alec.lugo.3 [https://www.facebook.com/alec.lugo.3] TikTok https://www.tiktok.com/@quesa_d.mondays [https://www.tiktok.com/@quesa_d.mondays] Quesa shares in the episode that the best way to keep up with where they're performing is through their social media, where they regularly posts their calendar and upcoming events. Mentioned in this episode Pride in Numbers https://prideinnumbers.org/ [https://prideinnumbers.org/] In Studio 255 https://www.instudio255.com/ [https://www.instudio255.com/] History of Drag at In Studio 255 https://www.instudio255.com/classes-coaching/#history-of-drag [https://www.instudio255.com/classes-coaching/#history-of-drag] Quesa talks about her work with Pride in Numbers and the importance of helping queer Oregonians, especially outside Portland, feel safer sharing their stories and being seen. She also talks about the drag history class she teaches through In Studio 255 and why knowing drag history matters.   Susie Toot at Helium Comedy Club https://portland.heliumcomedy.com/shows/366726 [https://portland.heliumcomedy.com/shows/366726] Quesa talks about wanting to open for Susie Toot when she comes through Portland, and we fully support the campaign! Buy tickets to the show, and tag Suzie on IG to let her know you want to see Quesa open for her!   Follow the show Instagram https://www.instagram.com/slightlyunhingedthepodcast/ [https://www.instagram.com/slightlyunhingedthepodcast/] Subscribe Follow, like, and subscribe to Slightly Unhinged for more conversations with people who have something real to say.

Exploding Whales and Million Dollar Policies | Slightly Unhinged with Lindsay Givens

Lindsay Givens is on the pod this week, and this one makes insurance feel way less miserable than it usually sounds. Justin and Lindsay talk about what insurance actually covers, why life insurance matters more than people think, and the kinds of claims that make you stop and go, wait… that paid out? They also get into networking, family life, working in the same industry as your spouse, and what it’s like to build a business while also raising kids and trying to be a real person. Somewhere in the middle, they cover food trucks, boat insurance, exploding whales, million dollar life insurance policies, and a truly brutal bleach-at-home claim story. This one is practical, funny, really helpful if insurance is one of those things you know you should understand better but keep putting off until something goes sideways. In this episode -how Lindsay ended up in insurance and why Farmers was personal from the beginning -what she’s learned after more than 20 years in the business -why PNW Power Partners feels more real than traditional networking groups -what people misunderstand about insurance pricing -why life insurance is about protecting the people left behind -when to get life insurance and why younger is usually better -what’s changed in Oregon that makes insurance harder in some areas -food truck insurance, boat insurance, and why cheap internet policies can come back to bite you -the Oregon exploding whale story and whether that claim would still pay today -some of the weirdest claims Lindsay has seen -what it looks like to grow a business and still be present for your family About the guest Lindsay Givens has been with Farmers Insurance for over 20 years, helping clients protect what they’ve built and actually understand what they’re paying for. She’s a mom, wife, agency owner, and someone who really believes you can build a strong business without losing your whole life to it. In the episode, she comes across exactly how you’d want your insurance person to feel: calm, clear, experienced, and not interested in making things more confusing than they already are. Connect with Lindsay Givens Website https://agents.farmers.com/or/lake-oswego/lindsay-givens/ [https://agents.farmers.com/or/lake-oswego/lindsay-givens/] Instagram https://bouchonpdx.com/ [https://bouchonpdx.com/?utm_source=chatgpt.com] Thank you again to Bouchon for the wine for this episode. Justin opens this one with a rosé Mandy picked and gives Bouchon their usual shoutout. Mentioned in this episode PNW Power Partners Justin and Lindsay talk about how much more natural and useful this group feels compared with the stricter, numbers-heavy networking spaces they’ve both been in before. Life insurance Lindsay breaks down why life insurance is really about making sure the people in your life aren’t left holding everything together financially while they’re also grieving. She also talks about why getting coverage earlier matters, especially while you’re still healthy and insurable. Food truck insurance Yes, food trucks can be insured, and according to Lindsay, they’re not nearly as complicated from a risk standpoint as people might assume. Boat insurance From normal coverage questions to what happens when you forget the plug, they get into boating mishaps and why the right policy matters more than a random discount. The exploding whale story Justin brings up Oregon’s exploding whale story, and Lindsay confirms that yes, if whale blubber came down on your car, that would still be treated like a real claim.  Follow the show Instagram https://www.instagram.com/slightlyunhingedthepodcast/ [https://www.instagram.com/slightlyunhingedthepodcast/?utm_source=chatgpt.com] Subscribe Follow, like, and subscribe to Slightly Unhinged for more conversations that start practical, get a little weird, and still end up being useful.