Rated LGBT Radio

Odcinki

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  Queer Country Artist EmmaJean Jenkins GAY ALL THIS TIME and Her Alter Ego, Annika Sokolofsky! 18.09.2026 56min

  My guest is the uber talent, EmmyJean Jenkins (she/her) the queer country artist based in Boulder, Colorado. We talk about her comedic country cabaret DETECTIVE CONVENTION, a true story of murder, intrigue, romance & comedy, as well as her first album, Gay All This Time, an EP of original songs with San Francisco’s Friction Quartet. She is better known as her alter ego, Annika Socolofsky, the massively awarded composer and avant folk vocalist. We discuss how she writes extensively for her own voice, including composing a growing repertoire of “feminist rager-lullabies” under the titles Don’t Say a Word and I Tell You Me, which serve to confront centuries of damaging lessons taught to young children by retelling old lullaby texts for a new, queer era.
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  The Award-Winning Independent Chart-Topping Garrett Miller (AKA Blond Jesus) is Back! 10.09.2026 59min

  Special show with my good friend Garrett Miller (AKA Blond Jesus). His brand-new album, I Hear You, launches tomorrow.  With a diverse catalog that ranges from rock to pop, from honkytonk to inspirational, Garrett's unique music has won numerous awards and topped multiple independent music charts.  He is a singer, songwriter, and author who shares his messages of hope and inspiration with the world. In 2013, Garrett recorded his first EP, "Eyes Wide," featuring the holiday classic, "Guess What It's Christmastime." He released the follow-up full-length album, "Blond Jesus," in 2015, with radio-friendly hits including "Gay Wedding," "Sweat & Testify," "Witch Sisters Halloween," and the title track, which have been #1 hits on the indie music charts worldwide.  Today we talk about the new album's themes, including personal growth, relationships, and empowerment, with Garrett sharing the stories behind several tracks such as "Hope Is All I Have," inspired by a friend's real-life struggle, and "Closer to You," a romantic ballad.   
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  Filmmaker Frankie Campisano's New Films BREAKFAST AT BERGAIN and MY NAME IS JOHN 03.09.2026 58min

  My guest today is the uber talented Frankie Campisano, non-binary writer, director, and producer. Frankie has a reputation for crafting dark comedy and horror stories about deeply flawed folks struggling to reinvent themselves. A non-binary punk-rocker with a style a studio exec once favorably compared to "Aaron Sorkin on acid," they are the co-founder and lead producer behind the award-winning creative collective Nice Hog! Productions. We discuss Frankie's new films that are currently wowing film festival audiences, Breakfast at Berghain , a camp Alice in Wonderland-like adventure comedy, and My Name is John, an impeccably crafted suspense horror film.
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  Filmmakers the Butler Brothers and the New Hilariously Dark Satire/Horror STARSUCKERS 27.08.2026 49min

  I talk to filmmakers Brett and Jason Butler  about their new film STARSUCKERS that is premiering at London's FrightFest. A darkly satirical thriller filled with shocking twists and biting social commentary, STARSUCKERS examines the dangerous intersection of celebrity culture, ambition, and identity, asking just how far ordinary people are willing to go in pursuit of fame and fortune. At the center of the film are celebrity power couple Bjorg Everglow and Sasha Nightshade, enigmatic icons whose glamorous public personas conceal far darker intentions. When ordinary couple Chuck and Eileen win a contest promising an exclusive weekend retreat with their idols, they quickly discover that behind the luxury lies murder, manipulation, and a series of increasingly bizarre and dangerous revelations. Over the past decade, Brett and Jason Butler have directed, written, and produced ten feature films while producing or executive producing an additional five projects. Their work has screened internationally and reached audiences worldwide through platforms including Amazon Prime, Tubi, Apple TV, Roku Channel, Plex, Hollywood Suite, Fawesome, Revry, and Xumo.  
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  Mystic Horror Author SM Hallow and the New THE HALLS OF THE DEAD 21.08.2026 57min

  My guest is the acclaimed author SM Hallow! We discuss the brand-new thriller THE HALLS OF THE DEAD and her previous work, HOW TO SURVIVE THIS FAIRYTALE. SM shares the very personal inspirations behind each of the edge-of-your-seat reads. The Halls of the Dead is a queer Gothic horror novel set in 1849 London, that follows Irene Shallcross Haley as she attempts the first true resurrection in two thousand years after her lover Agnes is executed for witchcraft. The revived Agnes returns changed—haunted, hungry, and bound to a malignant ghost—forcing Irene and her undead husband St. John to navigate love, death, magic, and vengeance while evading the man who condemned Agnes. How to Survive This Fairytale is a dark, queer, second‑person fairy‑tale remix following Hansel, trapped inside a story controlled by a cruel narrator. After years of being forced into horrific acts by the Evil Queen and repeatedly denied a happy ending, Hansel decides to rewrite his fate—challenging narrative determinism, trauma, and the morality of fairy‑tale archetypes  
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  Author Jamison Firestone and His Thrilling Memoir RULE OF LIES 13.08.2026 53min

  My guest today is Jamison Firestone, author of RULE OF LIES: My Wild Ride Through Chaos, Corruption, and Murder in Putin’s Russia (Harper; June 23, 2026). The book is a true story that reads like a spy thriller—darkly comic, violent, and unnervingly real. Rather than explaining Russia’s destruction of rule of law and democracy through politicians or oligarchs, the book tells it from the inside out: how an American lawyer walked straight into chaos and managed to live long enough to expose it. We discuss Jamison's unusual childhood growing up in Beverly Hills with a father involved in fraudulent activities and later running a brothel, which provided unexpected protection from bullying for being gay during his teenage years. He later ended up in Russia, a country that drew his fascination, and we discuss living in the maelstrom of post-Soviet Russia, defending himself and his clients against mafia attacks, corrupt police, and armed commandos who raided his office. He shares how he was threatened, surveilled, extorted—and at one point forced to raid his own offices with a SWAT team and bug the offices of the Russian police just to stay alive. In a system where the law was a weapon, survival meant learning how to fight back. Jamison established the first independent foreign law firm in Russia where he lived for eighteen years. He was also a member of the board of Directors of the American Chamber of Commerce in Russia. He is a co-founder along with Sir William Browder of the Global Magnitsky Justice Campaign which created the Magnitsky human rights and anti-corruption sanctions regimes. He also ran the Navalny 35 campaign promoting the sanctioning of corrupt oligarchs and officials identified by Alexei Navalny. He currently works on seizing 300 billion dollars of Russian state assets for the benefit of Ukraine. He has been featured on the BBC, Bloomberg, CBC, and in several documentaries.   
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  Retired Col. Bree Fram : The Trans Ban and How the US Military Has Suffered 06.08.2026 54min

  Retired Col. Bree Fram is an astronautical engineer, public policy expert, author, speaker, former Congressional candidate, and retired U.S. Space Force colonel. She was forced to retire from the military in 2025 due to Trump administration policy regarding transgender people. She turned that moment into a 2026 run for Congress in Virginia, putting service and character at the center of her campaign.  We discuss the impact of the Trump administration's ban on transgender military service, describing the cruelty and indignities faced during Bree's discharge process. She shares insights into the current state of the military under the Trump administration, including issues of morale, readiness, and the war in Iran. Bree also reflects on her recent congressional campaign in Virginia, the challenges of fundraising, and the importance of visibility and representation for transgender individuals. 
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  The Fabulous Dance Anthem Diva KIESZA and the new Dancing and Crying Vol. 3 02.08.2026 55min

  Known for her monster dance hit HIDEAWAY, KIESZA is live with me today to talk about her new album Dancing and Crying vol. 3.  Assertive and meaningful, the new album is a dance floor joy. Our conversation covers her unexpected rise to fame with "Hideaway," the challenges of branding in the music industry, and the impact of a serious car accident and brain injury on her life and career. She reflects on her recovery, the importance of living in the present, and how these experiences shaped her music and outlook. We also cover themes of authenticity, the pressures faced by women and trans individuals in the industry, and the inspiration behind specific songs like the powerful "Good Morning America."
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  Renown Queer Poet Laurier Tiernan and FIFTY-FIVE WAYS to SURVIVE 23.07.2026 52min

  My guest is interdisciplinary poet and multidisciplinary artist Laurier Tiernan!  We talk about their work and life experiences. Laurier shares their journey as a genderqueer and non-binary person growing up in conservative Edmonton, Alberta, where they were bullied in school and faced discrimination, including being chased and called slurs as recently as 2024. We cover Laurier's recent poetry book "Fifty-Five Ways to Survive," which follows a theme of darkness-to-light, and their 15th-anniversary album "Peace on Earth," which contains songs like "End of the World" that prophesied Donald Trump's rise to power. We discuss how the poetry of FIFTY-FIVE WAYS resonates with the experiences of young LGBTQ+ people and how the music supports profound lyrical content.
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  The Power of Queer Culture to Create Transformational Leaders - Dr. Joel Brown 09.07.2026 55min

  Great conversation with Dr. Joel A. Davis Brown, author of "Souls of Queer Folk: How Understanding LGBTQ+ Cultural Values Can Transform Your Leadership Practice." Dr. Brown, an attorney with a doctorate in educational leadership and founder of the management consulting firm Pneumos, discussed his journey of understanding his LGBTQ+ identity and how queer culture embodies leadership values that can benefit society as a whole. We explore topics including the debate over the term "queer" following Michael Vines' New York Times article, the nine meta-themes from Dr. Brown's book (somatic awareness, interconnectedness, authenticity, perceptiveness, non-binary thinking, creativity, justice, agency, and verve), and how LGBTQ+ people demonstrate leadership through resilience and cultural contributions despite facing prejudice. 
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  The Iconic Margaret Cho !! And the New Dance Anthem "YER DIHH" 06.07.2026 49min

  My guest is the LGBTQ treasure, Margaret Cho. We discussed her ever-present presence throughout fabulous LGBTQ culture as well as her new song "YER DIHH" (a gay version of "WAP") featuring Jane Wiedlin and a music video with many LGBTQ comedians., We discussed her upcoming comedy special "Choligarchy" to be filmed in Palm Springs.  We spoke at length about current controversies over labeling, Margaret's unique experience and perspective, and why trans people are heroes.
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  Acclaimed Author Greg Sarris and His New Book THE LAST HUMAN BEAR 25.06.2026 57min

  My guest today is acclaimed author and tribal leader Greg Sarris . We discuss his latest book "The Last Human Bear." Greg shares his personal background as a mixed-race individual who was adopted and later discovered his birth mother's identity, as well as his journey of coming to terms with his gay identity while growing up as an outsider. He discusses how his relationship with Mabel McKay, a medicine woman, inspired the book's central character Mary Hatcher, who possesses bear power and navigates complex relationships across racial and cultural lines, and how the book challenges stereotypes about Indigenous people in California.
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  Film Director Rowan Haber of WE ARE PAT Celebrating the Iconic SNL Character 18.06.2026 59min

  We Are Pat is a new feature-length documentary exploring the evolution of gender identity and comedy from the 90s to now through the lens of the iconic SNL sketch, It’s Pat. Featuring the now classic character by Julia Sweeney, the film examines Pat’s origins as a joke rooted in cultural anxiety of the 90s around gender while drawing striking parallels to today’s culture wars around transness and queerness. My guest, director Rowan Haber is an aesthetically-minded Writer/Director. An MFA graduate of NYU’s Tisch School of the Arts, they have directed numerous documentaries and narrative films, winning numerous awards. They were a shadowing director on FX’s Pose and featured on The Alice Initiative’s 2018 list of directors ready to helm studio films and Indiewire’s 8 Best Trans Directors Working Today,
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  Rex Glensy and Asad Moghal of KEVIN'S SERIES OF UNFORNUNATE EVENTS 11.06.2026 56min

   Today on Rated LGBT Radio, we’re stepping into a bold, funny, and beautifully crafted piece of LGBTQ storytelling on television. My guests are Rex Glensy and Asad Moghal, the creative forces behind the acclaimed UK series PATTERNS, now premiering its second season. Across eight episodes per season of PATTERNS, each episode offers a self-contained story within a shared universe where characters reappear. Today we focus on a particular episode in the new and unreleased second season, Kevin’s Series of Unfortunate Events, which is making its World Premiere this week at Tribeca’s Indie TV Narrative Showcase. The response has already been electric, with multiple sold-out screenings and another sold-out showing set for the 14th. Kevin’s Series of Unfortunate Events is a sharp, witty, and wildly charming piece of comedy. Actor Jake Watkins, known for his work in the horror genre, brings Kevin to life with a disarming mix of uninhibited sexuality, innocence, vulnerability, and romantic longing. Working from Asad Moghal’s brilliantly funny script, Watkins turns Kevin’s chaotic search for connection into something both hilarious and unexpectedly sweet. Under the direction and production of Rex Glensy, Asad’s real-life romantic partner, the episode walks a perfect comedic tightrope—taking situations that could easily become dark drama and transforming them into a dating-world adventure that feels outrageous, heartfelt, and all too relatable.
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  David Archuleta! The book, the songs, and brand new music coming next week! 04.06.2026 42min

  I welcome back to the show David Archuleta!  When David was last here, he was merely a multi-award-winning and bravely out singer…. Making his mark on his journey with hits like UP and HELL TOGETHER—and we were celebrating his version of George Michaels FREEDOM. That was then—this is now.  He is now David Archuleta, NYT bestselling author—of the hugely important and significant memoir, DEVOUT. With that work, which has been embraced by not only LGBTQ folks and Mormons seeking truth, but the broader public as well – for its life-changing perspectives.  We will talk about that—plus, David, the consummate singer-songwriter, released DEVOUT inspired music with the book—and will be releasing even more music in just a few weeks—new music with a new sound and the heartbeat of romance….
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  BJ Minor, Star of the New Horror/Comedy SCARED TO DEATH 28.05.2026 56min

  My guest today is the uber talented BJ Minor who stars in Scared to Death (in theaters now). B.J. is a multi-talented artist who acts, writes, directs and sings…and is best known for portraying teen Mike Tyson in Hulu’s Mike (2022), a breakout role that showcased their physical transformation, dramatic range, and commitment to representation. They have since had impactful roles in several dozen major TV dramas and genre films, including Bel‑Air on Peacock, Grey’s Anatomy, and the current movie, our focus today, the horror‑comedy Scared to Death.
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  Aidan Langford, Star of Netflix's ROOMATES on Being Seen 21.05.2026 58min

  My guest today is Aidan Langford, who plays a pivotal LGBTQ character in the Happy Madison film Roommates for Netflix. We discuss working with Adam Sandler as well as Dolly Parton, when he was featured in Netflix's "Dolly Parton's Heartstrings." You may have also seen  in Amazon's "Bosch", and the SXSW independent feature 1985, as well as Breaking Them Up and "NCIS: New Orleans".  Along with acting, he’s passionate about LGBTQ rights and is a musician/singer songwriter with 3 singles out currently and an EP that is being made and leans into the indie rock genre of the early 2000s.A visual artist and painter and he is currently receiving his BFA in painting. 
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  Today's LGBTQ Workplace Experience: the Shine the Light Study is Here 14.05.2026 56min

  How is your work-life in the Trump2 era?  Today, we get an insightful look thanks to the new Shine the Light Study report. My guests are Evan Linett, the lead researcher, and Veronica Comings, a Be the Transformational Change Fund board member.  The study found that 74% of LGBTQ employees experienced workplace support, though 49% witnessed discrimination, with notable differences across generations and identity groups. We discuss issues from dress expectations to restroom comfort, and everything in between.  
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  The Sensational DJ and EDM Songster BRIGHT LIGHT BRIGHT LIGHT 07.05.2026 56min

  My guest today is DJ Bright Light Bright Light, who is fresh from his Cosmic Light North American Tour,with Queen of the Universe winner, Grag Queen. The tour brought queer joy to 17 cities across the U.S., celebrating the community that he is so proud to be part of and continues to uplift. His music is infectious, exciting, and in many cases, deeply romantic. He is a talent that the uber-talented appreciate and seek out. As an award-winning independent artist from Wales, UK living in New York City he has collaborated with Sir Elton John, Erasure, Scissor Sisters, Justin Vivian Bond, Alan Cumming and Madonna's iconic backing vocalists Niki & Donna . He has also toured with, and opened for Cher, performed at Prides and festivals across Europe & the U.S. He is known for his energetic live shows full of joy, humor and hope. His most recent album Enjoy Youth  was a Top 10 selling album in the United Kingdom. He’s remixed tracks by Sylvester, Bananarama, Erasure, Dannii Minogue, and Caveboy and Lent, with music Bible NME calling him “The boy Robyn in all but name”. When not on tour, he can be found spinning the decks at Alan Cumming’s East Village nightlife haven, Club Cumming, with his weekly Time Out New York-endorsed Romy & Michele’s Saturday Afternoon Tea Dance To quote his song BOYS ETC. I’m not like the other boys—I'm giving you music, they're giving you noise…
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  AMERICAN TRICKSTER, a Brilliant Expose of Faux Anthropologist Carlos Castaneda by Ru Marshall 30.04.2026 54min

  My guest today is the multi-talented Ru Marshall. They discuss their new book "American Trickster: The Hidden Lives of Carlos Castaneda." Ru, an award-winning non-binary writer and visual artist, explores how Carlos Castaneda, a faux anthropologist who created the fictional character Don Juan, pulled off one of the greatest literary hoaxes in modern history. Our conversation delves into Castaneda's background, including his family's controversial past in Peru, his academic connections at UCLA, and how he built a cult following around his teachings. Ru also discusses the parallels between Castaneda's methods and modern cult leadership, particularly comparing them to current political figures. The book, published by OR Books, is available for order and Ru will be conducting readings in New York and California in the coming weeks.