Podcast
Hot Takes & Deep Dives
Hosted by Jess Rothschild · EN
Podcast serving quick hits & deep cuts on LGBT pop iconography & NYC culture. Recent guests include Rosie O'Donnell, Sandra Bernhard, Fortune Feimster, Roxane Gay, Fran Drescher, Isaac Mizrahi, Lea DeLaria, Melissa Etheridge, Rachel Dratch, Gina Gershon, Margaret Cho, L Word creator Ilene Chaiken, Jenifer Lewis, Judy Gold, Mario Cantone, Michael Musto & more!
16episodes
Episodes
Newest firstAll episodes
Scissor Sisters' Ana Matronic — Behind the Music, History of Tea Dance & more!
3w ago01:09:15Tap to summarizeJess is joined by Scissor Sisters frontwoman Ana Matronic (@msanamatronic)! Topics— first meeting JAKE SHEARS at The Slipper Room, STUART PRICE producing their "Night Work" album, the highs (and frustrations) of scoring a massive hit with "Let's Have a Kiki" while still failing to satisfy their record label, and why Ana chose not to reunite with the band on its current tour. Plus— Ana discusses losing her father to AIDS in 1990 and her work today as a Fire Island DJ and historian. ⭐ IG: @jessxnyc | @msanamatronic ⭐ Jess' docu-series FINDING FIRE ISLAND about the history, mystique and lore of Cherry Grove & The Pines.
Transcribe →Madonna Confessions II Review (w/ Ben Rimalower & Mike Fernandez)
Jul 1300:57:51Tap to summarizeJess is joined by Ben Rimalower and Boy Toy Mike Fernandez to review Madonna's Confessions II! Topics: Sean Penn lore, could "Danceteria" have been the "Abracadabra" of the album, Ben & Mike's first listen midnight journey, each of our Top 3, songwriting camps & more! IG: @jessxnyc | @benrimalower | @mrmikefern Jess' docu-series FINDING FIRE ISLAND about the history, mystique and lore of Cherry Grove & The Pines.
Transcribe →Madonna Culture Debate (w/ Tony Trius, Mark Snyder, Kenny Finkle)
Jul 601:17:21Tap to summarizeWe will have our comprehensive review of CONFESSIONS II next week! But first, Jess joined by Mark Snyder & Kenny Finkle (All I Want To Do Is Talk About Madonna) and Tony Trius (MLVC) for a culture debate — MADONNA EDITION! Topics: our unpopular opinions, best live performance, best Truth or Dare moment, Tears of a Clown, how to fix Madonna, was longtime collab Mirwais trying to sabotage her? … and more! IG: @jessxnyc | @tonytrius | @markbsnyder2026 | @mynameisfinkle Jess' docu-series FINDING FIRE ISLAND about the history, mystique and lore of Cherry Grove & The Pines.
Transcribe →Stories from Limelight, The Roxy, The Saint & '90s NYC Club Flyers (w/ David Kennerley)
Jun 2200:39:51Tap to summarizeJess is joined by David Kennerley to pour over his coffee-table book (Getting In) showcasing more than 200 flyers he collected from NYC queer bars & clubs of the 1990s (ie: Limelight, Splash, The Saint, Pyramid, The Roxy), with commentary from Michael Musto, Linda Simpson, Lady Bunny, Chip Duckett, Ernie Glam, Mark Allen and more! Topics: the "Disco Sucks" era, backrooms during the HIV/AIDS epidemic and more. ⭐ IG: @jessxnyc | gettinginclubbook.com ⭐ Jess' docu-series on the history, mystique & lore of Fire Island — Finding Fire Island
Transcribe →BIG NEWS! Finding Fire Island Returns June 11!🌲🍒
Jun 800:04:13Tap to summarizeANNOUNCEMENT! 🌲🍒Finding Fire Island returns for Season 2 on June 11, with two episodes premiering on launch day.This season features interviews with Billy Porter, John Waters, Julio Torres, DJ Lina Bradford, Broadway Bares creator Jerry Mitchell, Fire Island icon Bob "Rose" Levine, and dozens of longtime Pines residents whose stories bring Fire Island's hidden history to life. Through 8 brand new episodes, we uncover the historic rivalry between Cherry Grove and The Pines, trace the evolution of Tea Dance and the art of cruising before apps, explore how DJs shaped NYC and Pines nightlife, and meet the Pantry Girls and queer firefighters who keep the island running. ⭐ Subscribe to Finding Fire Island wherever you podcast! ⭐ Watch all episodes on YouTube ⭐ findingfireisland.com ⭐ @jessxnyc
Transcribe →Charles Busch on Liza & Judy, Rosie O'Donnell, Joan Rivers & more
May 1800:58:03Tap to summarizeJess is joined by playwright and "male actress" CHARLES BUSCH! Topics include: ROSIE O'DONNELL producing the disastrous Boy George musical 'Taboo,' performing at The Duplex in the late 70s, becoming close with JOAN RIVERS, the chaos of interviewing LIZA, working with NATASHA LYONNE, and how 'Vampire Lesbians of Sodom' became one of the longest-running Off-Broadway plays of all time. ⭐ Night of 1000 Judys: June 1 @Joe's Pub * all donations benefit The Ali Forney Center * ⭐ IG: @jessxnyc ⭐ Jess' docu-series on the history, mystique & lore of Fire Island — Finding Fire Island
Transcribe →Is West Wilson The Talented Mr. Ripley of Summer House? (w/ Jamie Stein)
May 1101:15:58Tap to summarizeJess is joined by empath & intuitive JAMIE STEIN (@jamiestein) for a SUMMER HOUSE psychological deep dive. We unpack the subconscious dynamics behind West Wilson, Amanda Batula, Ciara Miller, Kyle Cooke, Lindsay Hubbard and Carl Radke. Topics— Kyle & Amanda's codependency, West's "Talented Mr. Ripley" / "Catch Me If You Can" shape-shifting energy, Carl & Lindsay, the spinoff "In The City," Tom Sandoval vs. West as the better villain, and more! ⭐ IG: @jessxnyc | @jamiestein ⭐ Jess' docu-series on the history, mystique & lore of Fire Island — Finding Fire Island ⭐ Jess' docu-series on the rise & fall of SoulCycle — Cult of Body & Soul
Transcribe →Rachel Dratch on SNL, 30 Rock & Countess Luann Cabaret
May 400:52:30Tap to summarizeJess is joined by RACHEL DRATCH — beloved for her seven-season run on Saturday Night Live. Topics: Rachel's decades-long friendship with TINA FEY, her SNL casting story, being replaced by JANE KRAKOWSKI on 30 ROCK, and the surprise of discovering she was pregnant at 43. Plus: WINE COUNTRY, inspired by her real-life 50th birthday trip, and performing in COUNTESS LUANN's cabaret debut at 54 Below. ⭐ IG: @jessxnyc | @raedratch ⭐ Jess' docu-series on the history, mystique & lore of Fire Island — Finding Fire Island
Transcribe →Ballroom Culture, POSE & How a Ryan Murphy Show Gets Made (w/ POSE's Steven Canals)
Apr 600:49:54Tap to summarizeJess is joined by the co-creator / writer / director of the FX series POSE — STEVEN CANALS! Canals discusses the series' inspiration via the landmark documentary PARIS IS BURNING and getting the script into RYAN MURPHY's hands. We discuss ballroom culture, Houses, "Vogue," and the series' music placements. We also discuss the casting of MJ Rodriguez (Blanca), Indya Moore (Angel) and Sandra Bernhard. ⭐ IG: @jessxnyc ⭐ Jess' docu-series on the history, mystique & lore of Fire Island — Finding Fire Island
Transcribe →Amber Martin on Bette Midler at The Baths, Touring w/ Scissor Sisters & more
Mar 3000:51:26Tap to summarizeJess is joined by performance artist and rocker AMBER MARTIN (@msambermartin)! Topics — the origins of her Bette Midler at the Continental Baths show "Bette, Bathhouse & Beyond," winning the NYC artist housing lottery at Manhattan Plaza, touring with the Scissor Sisters, the Allways Cabaret in New Orleans, working as a flight attendant, radical faeries and more! ⭐ IG: @jessxnyc | @msambermartin ⭐ Jess' docu-series on the history, mystique & lore of Fire Island — Finding Fire Island
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