Podcast Summary: Silver Linings with The Old Gays

Episode Title: Art & Media, Mirrors of Ourselves: “You get more back than what you put in.”
Release Date: June 24, 2025
Host: iHeartPodcasts
Hosts: Robert Reeves, Jessay Martin, Bill Lyons, and Michael "Mick" Peterson

Introduction

In the June 24, 2025 episode of "Silver Linings with The Old Gays", hosts Robert Reeves, Jessay Martin, Bill Lyons, and Michael "Mick" Peterson delve into the intricate relationship between art, media, and the LGBTQ+ community. Titled "Art & Media, Mirrors of Ourselves: 'You get more back than what you put in.'", this episode explores how various forms of artistic expression have shaped and reflected queer culture over the decades.

Celebrating LGBTQ+ Icons in Arts and Media

The conversation kicks off with a celebration of influential LGBTQ+ artists who have left an indelible mark on the arts and media landscape.

• Freddie Mercury:
  Jessay Martin expresses admiration for Freddie Mercury, highlighting his unparalleled stage presence and songwriting prowess. "Bohemian Rhapsody is known as one of the best songs in the world." ([01:30])

• Billy Strayhorn and Duke Ellington:
  Bill Lyons shares his appreciation for Billy Strayhorn, emphasizing Ellington's support despite social stigmas surrounding Strayhorn's sexuality. "Just an amazing young artist at the time." ([02:02])

• Donna Summer and Barry White:
  Nick Peterson reflects on Donna Summer's impact during the disco era, while Jessay Martin adds how Barry White's music resonated within the gay community.
  "Y' all listen to him while y' all had sex, yo." ([02:56])

• Robert Mapplethorpe and Keith Haring:
  Ruby and Nick discuss Robert Mapplethorpe's contribution to photography and HIV/AIDS awareness, alongside Keith Haring's vibrant and life-affirming artwork.
  "He made black and white photography sensual." ([04:21])
  "The color and the forms I think conveyed a certain kind of a celebration of life." ([04:58])

• Bette Midler:
  Ruby reminisces about Bette Midler's early performances at the Continental Baths, highlighting her raw energy and connection with the gay community before transitioning to mainstream success.
  "Bette Midler's first professional job was on Broadway in 1967." ([05:17])

Personal Forms of Self-Expression

The hosts share their personal avenues for self-expression, underscoring the therapeutic and fulfilling nature of the arts.

• Nick Peterson:
  From childhood drawing lessons to a career in sculpting, Nick emphasizes how creating art provides internal energy and resilience.
  "I feel like my doing art provides me with an internal energy that keeps me alive and keeps me fighting." ([10:13])

• Jessay Martin:
  Jessay discusses his lifelong journey in aesthetics, from restaurant plating to interior design, highlighting his passion for making environments beautiful.
  "I have tried all my life to make whatever profession I was in to make them beautiful." ([07:57])

• Bill Lyons:
  Bill recounts his lifelong love for music, detailing his early experiences with singing and how music has been his steadfast passion.
  "Music has carried me. I've never wanted to be a fireman or anything else. I just wanted to sing." ([08:46])

• Ruby:
  Ruby talks about her commitment to fitness and video creation as forms of self-expression, emphasizing the blend of aesthetics and performance.
  "I always put a little bit of myself into [the videos]." ([09:25])

The Impact of Social Media on Arts and Creativity

A significant portion of the episode examines how social media has transformed the interaction between artists and their audiences.

• Immediate Feedback and Pressure:
  Nick and Ruby discuss the heightened immediacy of media consumption, where artists must deliver content that resonates authentically with audiences who are adept at discerning genuineness.
  "It's immediate now... young people who follow social media are very much attuned to what is authentic and what is artifice." ([11:31])

• Changes in Communication:
  The hosts nostalgically reflect on pre-social media communication methods, such as face-to-face interactions and letter writing, lamenting the loss of deeper interpersonal connections.
  "The art of communication, the art of talking to one another... has gone away." ([12:59])

• Adaptation and Relevance:
  Ruby emphasizes the necessity for creators to adapt to new communication platforms to stay relevant, asserting that while methods evolve, the essence of communication remains.
  "The methods of communication have changed, but communication itself has not." ([13:28])

Reflections on Media Before the Internet

The hosts share personal anecdotes illustrating how media before the digital age influenced their lives and professional paths.

• Bill Lyons:
  Bill reminisces about television shows like Ted Mack's Amateur Hour and Soul Train, which played a pivotal role in his musical aspirations and provided representation for people of color.
  "Ted Mack's original Amateur Hour... was a major thing because we didn't see ourselves all the time on tv." ([15:03])

• Jessay Martin:
  Jessay recounts his first opera experience at the Shriners Auditorium, igniting his lifelong love for opera.
  "Having a full symphony orchestra there playing it started my love for opera." ([17:01])

• Nick Peterson:
  Nick reflects on the influence of print media during his youth, particularly architectural magazines that inspired his current life in Palm Springs.
  "I was just really so fascinated by these home designs that I was seeing." ([18:01])

• Ruby:
  Ruby shares a childhood memory of watching Tarzan and the Valley of Gold, highlighting the impact of witnessing a powerful figure on screen.
  "I looked at him and I said to myself, I want to be like him." ([19:23])

Embracing Divas in the LGBTQ+ Community

The discussion shifts to iconic divas who have been embraced by the LGBTQ+ community for their talent and relatability.

• Patti LaBelle, Aretha Franklin, and Diana Ross:
  Bill Lyons cites Patti LaBelle as his favorite diva, appreciating her freedom and vocal prowess, alongside legendary figures like Aretha Franklin and Diana Ross.
  "Patti LaBelle taught me how to sing and to be free." ([21:36])

• Whitney Houston and Tina Turner:
  Nick Peterson and Jessay Martin highlight Whitney Houston's phenomenal voice and Tina Turner's electrifying performances as sources of inspiration and joy.
  "She went way too early." ([22:00])
  "Tina Turner... all I want to do is get up and dance." ([22:12])

• Madonna, Lady Gaga, and Ariana Grande:
  Ruby champions Madonna for her enduring relevance and performance excellence, while Jessay and Nick discuss Lady Gaga and Ariana Grande's impactful contributions to pop culture.
  "Madonna is the biggest pop diva that I can think of." ([22:48])
  "Ariana Grande... has not achieved diva status yet... by the time they're 40, they're a diva." ([23:38])

Memorable Videos and Content Creation

The hosts reminisce about some of their most memorable video productions, sharing behind-the-scenes challenges and triumphs.

• "Good Day" Video:
  Jessay Martin and Nick Peterson recall the rigorous one-take shooting of "Good Day", praising its storytelling and execution.
  "I think it's because we had to work so hard, we had to do it in one take." ([25:55])

• "Wednesday" Video:
  Nick and Jesse discuss "Wednesday", noting its somber tone and impressive view count, which surpassed 100 million views.
  "That was just... that jumped over to 100 million views." ([27:09])

• "Little Nas X Shower Scene":
  The group shares laughs over the challenges of filming a naked scene without effective modesty panels, highlighting the camaraderie and resilience required.
  "We were supposed to have these little modesty panels, but they only really worked if you shave everywhere." ([28:07])

Understanding Gen Z Lingo

In a fun segment, the hosts engage in a Gen Z lingo challenge, attempting to decode contemporary slang terms.

• Riz:
  Bill and Nick hypothesize meanings before Ruby clarifies it relates to richness or charisma.
  "Riz is pompous, rich." ([30:03])

• Delulu (Delusion):
  Ruby interprets it as acceptance, while Bill relates it to thoroughness.
  "Left no crumbs means it was perfection." ([30:54])

• Touch Grass:
  The hosts agree it means to reconnect with the outdoors, a necessity to avoid excessive indoor time.
  "You need to get more grounded." ([31:06])

• Cheugy:
  Ruby explains cheugy as uncool, a term that quickly becomes evident.
  "It means uncool." ([32:17])

The segment underscores the generational shifts in language and the impact of social media in propagating new terms.

Conclusion: Silver Linings from Media

As the episode wraps up, each host shares their "silver lining" derived from their relationship with media and the arts.

• Bill Lyons:
  Appreciates the simplicity of pre-social media communication.
  "Before social media, less can be more, sometimes better." ([33:17])

• Nick Peterson:
  Values the deeper understanding of the world gained through media.
  "Understanding the world you live in." ([33:23])

• Ruby:
  Credits media with providing motivation and tools for creativity.
  "It gave me the motivation and the inspiration and the tools by which I can continue to create." ([33:28])

• Jessay Martin:
  Highlights how media fostered her lifelong love for opera.
  "It fostered my love of opera, which I've had for my entire life." ([33:41])

The hosts conclude with gratitude towards their listeners and a reminder to subscribe, encapsulating the episode's theme of finding positivity and inspiration through the arts and media.

Notable Quotes:

• "You get more back than what you put in." – Ruby ([10:54])

• "It's immediate now... young people who follow social media are very much attuned to what is authentic and what is artifice." – Ruby ([11:31])

• "Music has carried me. I've never wanted to be a fireman or anything else. I just wanted to sing." – Bill Lyons ([08:46])

• "Bohemian Rhapsody is known as one of the best songs in the world." – Jessay Martin ([01:30])

• "I want to be like him." – Ruby ([19:23])

Final Thoughts:

This episode of "Silver Linings with The Old Gays" masterfully intertwines personal anecdotes with broader cultural discussions, painting a vivid picture of how art and media not only mirror but also shape the LGBTQ+ experience. Through celebrating iconic figures, reflecting on personal growth, and adapting to evolving communication landscapes, the hosts offer listeners both nostalgia and insightful perspectives on finding silver linings in the ever-changing world of art and media.