Detoxicity: By Men, About Men, For Everyone

The first time I interviewed Chris was four years ago! He and his bandmate in Wax Owls, Gerry Hirschfeld, stopped by in Episode 51 [https://podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/detoxpod-51-gerry-hirschfeld-chris-tsaganeas-of-wax-owls/id1501550713?i=1000512447322]. Well, some time has passed, hasn't it? Chris and I reconnected earlier this summer for a wide-ranging, lengthy conversation (I feel like it's been a while since the last episode, so this one is a little long to make up for it!) in which we discuss everything from what it takes to be a good attorney to navigating East Coast life vs. West Coast life. In between, we chat about being children of immigrants, the loss of community that's come with the digital age, and more.

I'm excited to bring you the latest episode of Detoxpod-featuring my chat with musician and journalist Shawn Setaro [https://instagram.com/shawnsetaro]. Shawn is a journalist who currently works for Complex as a court reporter. He authored a book on the Tekashi Six Nine case, and most recently covered the Sean "Diddy" Combs trial. Shawn helps me unpack some of my disillusionment with hip-hop in recent years, but in addition to playing the role of my therapist, we chat about his musician background and quiet retirement from that field, we talk about what drove him into journalism. We also talk about embracing his Jewish background to advocate for peace and equality, run through a list of favorite hip hop artists of all time, and more. Hope you enjoy our chat!

In this episode, Singer-songwriter YawnyBlew joins me for a powerful conversation about music, identity, and resilience. From his roots to his evolution as a queer R&B artist, Yawny opens up about authenticity, mental health, and navigating an industry that hasn’t always embraced him. A heartfelt discussion about love, healing, and making space for the next generation.

I'm super happy to sit down with Sam Gellerstein--sousaphonist, songwriter, and founding member of the Philadelphia-based band Snacktime. What began as a humble food-and-music event has exploded into one of Philly’s most exciting musical collectives, fusing energy, activism, and community. Sam opens up about the band’s origin story, from pandemic-era street performances to sold-out tours with acts like Portugal. The Man. He dives deep into his musical upbringing, the importance of mental health, and why embracing body positivity and authenticity is so essential. We also talk about his love of cooking (yes, there’s a signature crispy roast chicken involved), the intersections of food, music, and activism, and how he navigates complex topics like privilege, politics, and intergenerational conflict. If you’ve ever wondered how joy, resistance, and radical community can come together in one person’s story, this is the episode for you!

I’m so happy to welcome Rodney McCoy AKA Daddy Rod back to the podcast for a second chat.  Our conversation is wide-ranging, intimate, and expands upon several topics that we touching on in our initial conversation, including themes of Black masculinity, sexuality, gentrification and nostalgia, HIV and STI stigma, and aging in the queer community. What does it mean to accept vulnerability and “softness” in a social environment that expects “hardness” out of men (especially Black men)? How did growing up in New York City toughen us up? What does it mean for Rodney to deem himself a “Daddy”? How do desires change over time, or do we come into a better realization of what we want from our relationships over time? Heavy questions, but me and Rod converse with a lot of curiosity, warmth and levity. I hope you enjoy this episode!