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

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.

Burnout, Boundaries, and Birding | Slightly Unhinged with Jordyn Jones

Jordyn Jones is on the pod this week! Justin and Jordyn start with real estate, get into birding, Le Creuset, ocean panic, the feeling of sand in the flaps, and the very real need for boundaries when your job starts taking over your whole life. Jordyn talks about getting into real estate without ever really planning to, what people get completely wrong about the job, and how much work it actually takes to build a business that looks effortless from the outside. She and Justin also get into how COVID impacted housing, the pressure to always be available, and why protecting your time doesn’t make you bad at your job. It usually makes you better at it. Also, yes, there is a full side quest about birds. And the ocean. And why Justin absolutely does not trust what’s in the water. So if you like your business conversations with a healthy amount of randomness, this one’s for you. In this episode how Jordyn ended up in real estate what people misunderstand about being a realtor why the first few years are such a grind how COVID changed the housing world what finally pushed Jordyn to get serious about boundaries why separate work and personal phones might actually save your brain birding as a lifestyle Justin’s ongoing fight with the ocean sand in the flaps discourse what it looks like to build a career without letting it eat you alive About the guest Jordyn Jones is a realtor with The Agency who’s been working in and around real estate since 2015 and licensed on her own since 2017. She built her business the hard way: through consistency, relationships, and a lot of years of showing up. She’s also a dog mom, a cook, a committed bird watcher, and one of the few people willing to explain basic ocean behavior to Justin. Stay tuned for their future trip. Connect with Jordyn Jones Website www.jjoneshomes.com [http://www.jjoneshomes.com] Instagram https://www.instagram.com/jordyn.jones.realtor [https://www.instagram.com/jordyn.jones.realtor] LinkedIn https://www.linkedin.com/in/jordynj/ [https://www.linkedin.com/in/jordynj/] YouTube https://www.youtube.com/@jordynjonesrealtorportland/videos?app=desktop&view=0&sort=dd&shelf_id=2 [https://www.youtube.com/@jordynjonesrealtorportland/videos?app=desktop&view=0&sort=dd&shelf_id=2] Wine for this episode Bouchon: A Wine Shop https://bouchonpdx.com/ [https://bouchonpdx.com/?utm_source=chatgpt.com] Thank you again to Bouchon for the wine for this episode. Mentioned in this episode The Agency Jordyn talks about her move to The Agency and how different it feels to be in an environment that actually supports the way she wants to work. Le Creuset outlet in Woodburn There is a very real conversation about Le Creuset, outlet pricing, and emotional overwhelm. Birding Not a bit. Not a joke. A real and growing part of Jordyn’s personality. Binoculars included. 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 in one place and end somewhere much weirder.

Should We Open a Bar? | Slightly Unhinged with Sean O’Hare

In this episode of Slightly Unhinged, Justin sits down with Sean O’Hare, founder of Evolution RoofWorks, owner of PDX DJs, flight attendant for Alaska Airlines, entrepreneur, casino enthusiast, and one of Justin’s favorite humans. What starts with talk of opening a bar and spirals through business ideas, entrepreneurship, friendship, and chosen family turns into a much more real conversation about support systems, identity, ambition, and the people who actually show up for you when it matters. Sean has a way of turning the mic right back on Justin, which makes this episode feel a little different from the usual format in the best way. They get into entrepreneurship, family complexity, allyship, social media, housing, roofing, and the emotional side of building something from the ground up. It’s chaotic, funny, honest, and unexpectedly personal. In this episode how Sean ended up owning multiple businesses at once why entrepreneurs always seem to have one more idea the fantasy of opening a nasty grungy Portland bar what chosen family really looks like Justin on siblings, family complexity, and letting go the emotional reality of building Blake & Alder why support systems matter more than blood sometimes how Sean got into Alaska Airlines what Evolution RoofWorks is really built around why human-first business actually matters the kind of friendship that lets a conversation go from chaos to something real About the guest Sean O’Hare is the founder of Evolution RoofWorks, a roofing company dedicated to delivering high-quality craftsmanship and a better overall experience for homeowners. Since launching the company in 2024, he has focused on raising the standard in the roofing industry through transparency, attention to detail, and a strong emphasis on quality work. With a passion for both construction and customer education, Sean works closely with clients to ensure they fully understand their roofing investment. He’s committed to building a company known not just for great roofs, but for trust and long-term value. Sean also owns PDX DJs and works as a flight attendant for Alaska Airlines, which makes this episode especially fitting for someone who somehow manages to live several careers at once. Connect with Sean O’Hare LinkedIn https://www.linkedin.com/in/sean-ohare-pdx/ [https://www.linkedin.com/in/sean-ohare-pdx/] Evolution RoofWorks Website https://www.EvolutionRoofWorks.com [https://www.EvolutionRoofWorks.com] Instagram https://www.instagram.com/evolutionroofworks?igsh=MTBkcjhza3FxZWxkcw== [https://www.instagram.com/evolutionroofworks?igsh=MTBkcjhza3FxZWxkcw==] Preferred call to action Visit website or call/text to schedule a roofing consultation. PDX DJs Website https://www.thepdxdjs.com/ [https://www.thepdxdjs.com/] Instagram https://www.instagram.com/pdxdjs?igsh=MXJvZGcwN3V6aXl3MA== [https://www.instagram.com/pdxdjs?igsh=MXJvZGcwN3V6aXl3MA==] Mentioned in this episode Jordyn Jones Website https://www.jjoneshomes.com [https://www.jjoneshomes.com] Instagram https://www.instagram.com/jordyn.jones.realtor [https://www.instagram.com/jordyn.jones.realtor] LinkedIn https://www.linkedin.com/in/jordynj/ [https://www.linkedin.com/in/jordynj/] YouTube https://www.youtube.com/@jordynjonesrealtorportland/videos?app=desktop&view=0&sort=dd&shelf_id=2 [https://www.youtube.com/@jordynjonesrealtorportland/videos?app=desktop&view=0&sort=dd&shelf_id=2] Ghost Hill Cellars https://www.ghosthillcellars.com/ [https://www.ghosthillcellars.com/] Poop Solutions PDX https://www.poopsolutionspdx.com/ [https://www.poopsolutionspdx.com/] Mental health and suicide prevention This episode includes a real conversation about mental health and suicide. If you’re struggling right now, please know you are not alone and there is support available. If you are in immediate danger or may harm yourself, call 911 right away. If you are in the U.S. or Canada, call or text 988 for the Suicide & Crisis Lifeline. https://988lifeline.org/ [https://988lifeline.org/] Please reach out to someone. Support is here, and your life matters. 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 episodes that start in one place, spiral somewhere unexpected, and still manage to land somewhere real.

The Devil of Idaho Falls | Slightly Unhinged with Riley Burrows

In this episode of Slightly Unhinged, Justin sits down with Riley Burrows, a high-glamour, high-energy drag performer whose story is as compelling as the performances themselves. From starting drag at just 13 years old in deeply conservative Idaho to building a full-time career as a traveling entertainer, Riley opens up about identity, ambition, survival, performance, and what it really takes to make drag your whole life. Justin and Riley get into growing up queer in places that were anything but safe, the tension between performance persona and real self, and the very real physical, emotional, and financial labor behind drag as a full-time job. They also talk about Portland, chosen family, favorite local venues, drag community, and the strange, beautiful reality of building a life completely on your own terms. This one is hilarious, brutally honest and full of the kind of perspective that makes Slightly Unhinged feel like more than a podcast. It feels like community. In this episode: * how Riley started drag at 13 * growing up queer in Idaho * being openly visible in conservative spaces * why drag is much harder than people think * the difference between Riley the performer and the person underneath * the challenge of work-life balance in full-time drag * what inspires Riley creatively right now * Portland drag culture and chosen family * favorite venues to perform in Portland * the June tour and producing Sun Valley Pride About the guest Riley Burrows is a full-time traveling drag entertainer originally from Boise, Idaho, now based in Portland. Known for high-energy performances, sharp humor, and serious stage presence, Riley has been performing for over a decade and has built a career touring, producing, and performing across cities while staying rooted in queer community and live performance. Connect with Riley Burrows Instagram: @rileyburrowsofficial [https://www.instagram.com/rileyburrowsofficial/] Riley says Instagram is the best place to keep up with performances and what's happening next. Mentioned in this episode CC Slaughters Website: ccslaughterspdx.com [https://ccslaughterspdx.com/] Instagram: @slaughterspdx [https://www.instagram.com/slaughterspdx] Alberta Street Pub Website: albertastreetpub.com [https://www.albertastreetpub.com/] Instagram: @albertastreetpub [https://www.instagram.com/albertastreetpub] Clinton Street Theater Website: cstpdx.com [https://cstpdx.com/] Instagram: @clinton_street_theater [https://www.instagram.com/clinton_street_theater] Sun Valley Pride Website: Sun Valley Pride [https://visitsunvalley.com/events/sun-valley-pride/] Instagram: @sunvalleypride [https://www.instagram.com/sunvalleypride] Humpin’ Hannah’s Website: humpinhannahs.com [https://www.humpinhannahs.com/] The Balcony Club Website: thebalconyclub.com [https://www.thebalconyclub.com/] Shoutouts Nicole Onoscopi Instagram: @nicoleonoscopi [https://www.instagram.com/nicoleonoscopi/?hl=en] Kharisma with the K Instagram: @kharismakwiththek [https://www.instagram.com/kharismakwiththek/] Sheniqua Volt Instagram: @sheniqua_volt [https://www.instagram.com/sheniqua_volt/] Riley specifically shouts out Nicole, Kharisma, and Sheniqua as queens she loves and respects in the Portland scene. Follow the show Instagram: @slightlyunhingedthepodcast [https://www.instagram.com/slightlyunhingedthepodcast/?utm_source=chatgpt.com] Subscribe Follow, like, and subscribe to Slightly Unhinged so you don’t miss upcoming episodes, queer community conversations, and more chaos from Justin’s corner of the world.