Patreon Preview: Confessions II

Summary

StraightioLab – Patreon Preview: Confessions II

Podcast: StraightioLab (Big Money Players Network & iHeartPodcasts)
Episode Date: July 24, 2026
Episode Theme: A playful and meta discussion around dance music, Madonna fandom, queer cultural rituals, and the peculiar artistry required to throw a “Confessions”-era Madonna themed dance party—plus behind-the-scenes confessions from the hosts.

---

Episode Overview

In this Patreon-exclusive preview, hosts George Civeris and Sam Taggart leverage humor and insight to decode the cultural and emotional resonance of Madonna’s "Confessions" era, discuss the ritual qualities of dance music and club spaces, and reveal the logistical (and spiritual) challenges of organizing an ambitious yet low-budget Madonna-themed dance party. Amidst comedic banter, the hosts reflect on generational divides within queer culture and riff on the symbolism of dance as catharsis and performance.

---

Key Discussion Points & Insights

1. Dance Music as a Ritual Space

Timestamps: 02:54–03:19

• The conversation opens with a heartfelt—and slightly tongue-in-cheek—meditation on dance music’s deeper power:

  “People think dance music is superficial, but they've got it all wrong. The dance floor is not just a place, it's a threshold, a ritualistic space where movement replaces language.” (Confessions to Summer Speaker, 02:54)

• Dance music, especially Madonna-era pop, is reframed not merely as background noise but as a vehicle for communal experience and transformation—a way to transcend words and find connection on the dance floor.

2. Living in a Post-Confessions World

Timestamps: 03:19–03:24

• The hosts playfully acknowledge the all-encompassing, almost world-altering impact of Madonna’s "Confessions" era:

  “So basically, we are living in a post-Confessions 2 world. And I feel completely insane.” (Old Gays Podcast Host, 03:19–03:24)

• The phrase “post-Confessions world” echoes both cultural hyperbole and genuine reverence for Madonna’s influence, setting a self-aware, irreverent tone.

3. Madonna-Themed Birthday Party – Behind the Curtain

Timestamps: 03:29–04:21

• In classic “gay event planner on a shoestring” fashion, the speaker confesses their struggle to plan a Madonna-themed dance party:

  “I am, it’s true, attempting to plan a birthday party for myself that is a Madonna themed dance party…for example, for ‘Hung Up’ to go into the ABBA original…that sort of complex musical experience that only a few very, very sought after gay guy DJs could potentially accomplish. And I am of course wanting to spend approximately $50 total to make this happen.” (Confessions to Summer Speaker, 03:29)

• The candid admission of wanting maximal spectacle for minimal budget is both comic and relatable, highlighting the creative hustle behind queer nightlife events.

Call for the Next Generation of DJs

• The hosts openly put out a call to any “up and coming gay guys” willing to take up the DJ challenge—and be “grilled”:

  “Any up and coming gay guys will, you know, hone their craft, live and show their stuff, please reach out and be ready to be grilled.” (Old Gays Podcast Host, 04:21)

4. The Queer DJ and Generational Gaps

Timestamps: 04:31–04:58

• One host recounts meeting a young DJ at a writing retreat whose signature move is mixing Madonna’s “Bedtime Story” (written by Björk), highlighting niche Madonna knowledge:

  “His signature is playing ‘Bedtime Story’ in his mixes…Famously, the song that Björk wrote for Madonna.” (Confessions to Summer Speaker, 04:31)

• The hosts marvel at the DJ’s youth and Madonna fluency:

  “Of course, I believe him. But it’s a surprising choice…he graduated college in 2021…so first of all, of course I’m happy he even knows ‘Bedtime Story.’” (Confessions to Summer Speaker & Old Gays Podcast Host, 04:47–04:58)

• This moment gently pokes fun at generational differences and the transfer of queer pop culture lore.

5. Exclusive Teasing and Patreon Promotion

Timestamps: 05:25–05:34

• The episode wraps up with a classic podcast tease for Patreon content:

  "To hear the full up, subscribe to our Patreon, where we release two extra episodes a month and you get access to our very active Discord where we dish about everything." (Old Gays Podcast Host, 05:25)

• The casual tone and promises of behind-the-scenes content reinforce the para-social bond between hosts and listeners.

---

Notable Quotes & Memorable Moments

• “People think dance music is superficial, but they've got it all wrong. The dance floor is not just a place, it's a threshold, a ritualistic space where movement replaces language.”
  — Confessions to Summer Speaker (02:54)
• “So basically, we are living in a post-Confessions 2 world. And I feel completely insane.”
  — Old Gays Podcast Host (03:19)
• “I am…attempting to plan a birthday party for myself that is a Madonna themed dance party…for ‘Hung Up’ to go into the ABBA original…only a few very, very sought after gay guy DJs could potentially accomplish. And I am of course wanting to spend approximately $50 total to make this happen.”
  — Confessions to Summer Speaker (03:29)
• “‘Bedtime Story’…Famously, the song that Björk wrote for Madonna.”
  — Confessions to Summer Speaker (04:31)
• “Oh, you’re an old gay guy. Tell us about Stonewall. And that’s all you’re gonna get to…”
  — Confessions to Summer Speaker (05:16)

---

Key Segments with Timestamps

• 02:54–03:19: The Dance Floor as Ritual & Reclamation of Dance Music
• 03:19–03:24: “Post-Confessions” World Acknowledgement
• 03:29–04:21: Organizing the Madonna Dance Party—A Comedy of Aspirations and Budgets
• 04:31–04:58: DJ Lore, Generational Gaps, and Madonna Deep-Cuts
• 05:25–05:34: Patreon Teaser and Community Building

---

Tone, Style, and Takeaway

The episode fuses high-camp intellectualism, queer nostalgia, and the self-referential smart comedy StraightioLab is known for. The hosts riff on gay culture’s love of spectacle and Madonna, poke fun at their own ambitions and limitations, and invite their listeners to join the party—both literally (as aspiring DJs) and figuratively (on Patreon and Discord). The blend of confessional humor and pop culture analysis makes for a rich, culty, and entertaining audio snippet.

Summary: If you’re a Madonna fan, a dance music devotee, or just want to laugh at the behind-the-scenes struggle of staging queer joy on a budget, this episode’s playful confessions and generational musings will have you both cackling and nodding in recognition.

Transcript

[Podcast Host]

This is an iHeart podcast guaranteed human

[Old Gays Podcast Host]

the Old Gays are Back with Silver Linings, their lovable podcast from iHeart's Ruby Studio in partnership with Veeve Healthcare. Robert, Mick, Bill and Jesse strut back down memory lane for season two, sharing lessons on life, love and loss. These are the kinds of insights that only come from experience, so tune in to Silver Linings with the Old gays on the iHeartRadio app, Apple Podcasts or wherever you get your podcasts.

[Podcast Host]

Most dog food brands don't really want you seeing how their food is made. Just food for dogs is the opposite. They actually invite you in. You can walk into any of their kitchens and see real human grade ingredients like chicken, beef, carrots and peas being prepared right in front of you. It's real food made in real kitchens. Nothing is hidden behind labels and that kind of transparency says a lot. Nothing to hide, everything to love. Go to justfoodfordogs.com and get 50% off your first order.

[CarMax Advertiser]

Try do you want to find a stress free way to buy your next car? Start at CarMax and shop your way. If you want to browse with confidence, get pre qualified online with no impact on your credit score and shop cars within your budget. From luxury cars to family rides, CarMax has options for almost every price range, including more than 25,000 cars priced under $25,000. So hey, want to get started? Just head to CarMax.com for details and get pre qualified today. Wanna drive CarMax?

[Skyrizi Advertiser]

I love days like these at the pool, but my moderate to severe plaque psoriasis can sometimes take me out of the moment. I'm ready to make a splash with clearer skin thanks to Skyrizi. Rizankizumab RZA Skyrizi is a prescription only injection for adults who are candidates for systemic or phototherapy. At four months, most people saw 90% clearer skin when measured from head to toe and many were even 100% plaque free. People also saw significant improvement in psoriasis, symptoms of pain, redness, itching and burning.

[Furious Hulu Series Promoter]

Don't use if allergic to Skyrizi. Serious allergic reactions, increased infections or lower ability to fight them may occur before treatment. Get checked for infections and tuberculosis. Tell your doctor about any flu like symptoms or vaccines.

[Skyrizi Advertiser]

Now there's nothing on my skin thanks to Skyrizi and that means everything. Ask your doctor about Skyrizi, the number one dermatologist prescribed biologic and psoriasis. Visit skyrizi.com or call 1-866-Skyrizi to learn more.

[Old Gays Podcast Host]

You. Patreon Exclusive episode Starts now. Hello all, and welcome to Confessions to Summer.

[Confessions to Summer Speaker]

Welcome. And I just want to say really quickly just one thing that I just realized. It is something that I have always wanted to speak out on, which is people think dance music is superficial, but they've got it all wrong. The dance floor is not just a place, it's a threshold, a ritualistic space where movement replaces language.

[Old Gays Podcast Host]

So basically, we are living in A post confessions 2world.

[CarMax Advertiser]

Yes.

[Old Gays Podcast Host]

And I feel completely insane.

[Confessions to Summer Speaker]

I want to just give everyone a peek behind the curtain and say that something that I have been doing today is emailing and DMing with various people, institutions, professionals, vendors, one might say, because I am, it's true, attempting to plan a birthday party for myself that is a Madonna themed dance party. I am looking for a DJ that is willing to play Madonna interspersed with Madonna inspired music. So I would like, for example, for Hung up to go into the ABBA original, that sort of complex musical, complex musical experience that only a few very, very sought after gay guy DJs could potentially accomplish. And I am of course wanting to spend approximately $50 total to make this happen. And so if anyone has any options for me or any amazing sort of coupons I could use, I would be very interested.

[Old Gays Podcast Host]

Yeah, any up and coming gay guys will, you know, hone their craft, live and show their stuff, please reach out and be ready to be grilled.

[Confessions to Summer Speaker]

You know, I was just at this writing retreat upstate and one of the other people on the retreat also works as a dj. And he was telling me that his signature is playing Bedtime Story in his mixes.

[Old Gays Podcast Host]

Interesting.

[Confessions to Summer Speaker]

Famously the song that Bjork wrote for Madonna.

[Old Gays Podcast Host]

Right. Let's get Unconscious. I would love to hear how that pops. I believe him.

[Confessions to Summer Speaker]

Of course I believe him.

[Old Gays Podcast Host]

But it's a surprising choice.

[Confessions to Summer Speaker]

Yeah. And then he was like, it was funny cause he's young. He was saying he graduated college in 2021. So that's the huge group we're talking. So first of all, of course I'm happy he even knows Bedtime Story. And I was saying Confessions 2 was in the air. There were a lot of queer folks at this retreat. So we were sort of chatting about it. I was wearing my Madonna hat. So they were like, oh, you're an old gay guy. Tell us about Stonewall. And that's all you're gonna get to

[Old Gays Podcast Host]

hear the full up. Subscribe to our Patreon, where we release two extra episodes a month. And you get access to our very active discord where we dish about everything.

[Confessions to Summer Speaker]

We feel like you have no idea what's going on over there? So subscribe to patreon.com stradiolab for extra episodes, discord and whatever other little treats we feel like giving our patreonistas every month.

[Old Gays Podcast Host]

Okay, bye.

[Sam's Club Advertiser / U.S. Transportation Secretary Sean Duffy]

I'm U.S. transportation Secretary Sean Duffy. The sound of a Seatbelt it's one of the most important sounds in our car. It means everyone is ready and everyone is safe. The more our kids see us put on our seatbelts, the more natural it is for them to put theirs on, too. Make it a priority. Buckle up every time Hear the sound. Make it a habit. Paid for by NHTSA the Hulu Original

[Furious Hulu Series Promoter]

Series Furious is now streaming on Hulu and Hulu on Disney. Starring Emmy Rossom as Alice Black, Furious follows a rookie FBI agent on the hunt for Catherine, played by Lola Petticrew, a mysterious and calculating female serial killer. While Alice upholds justice, Catherine kills for it, terrorizing the rich and powerful men of New York in her pursuit of vengeance. With secrets that change everything, Alice discovers there's a thin line between hunter and prey. Watch the Hulu original series Furious on July 27, streaming on Hulu and Hulu on Disney for bundle subscribers. Terms apply. Looking for your next conversation starter? So get this. Gen Z is ditching dating apps to wrestle strangers, spending hundreds on Etsy witch spells to find jobs. Listen to so get this An I Heart Bubbler Media podcast presented by Sam's Club. Listen now on iHeart or wherever you get your podcasts.

[Sam's Club Advertiser / U.S. Transportation Secretary Sean Duffy]

Got a Sam's Cafe pizza?

[Confessions to Summer Speaker]

Order up.

[Old Gays Podcast Host]

Mm, mm mm. You know the best part about this spicy Italian sausage? I voted for this topping. Yeah, just another perk of being a member.

[Sam's Club Advertiser / U.S. Transportation Secretary Sean Duffy]

Come join us, Sam's Club.

[Chelsea Handler]

This is Chelsea Handler from Dear Chelsea. Traveling with Doug is one of my favorite things. But when you're on tour like I am, bouncing between 35 cities, feeding your dog can get complicated. And that's why I started bringing Just fresh from Just Food for Dogs. It's real fresh dog food made with human grade ingredients that he's been obsessed with. But it's shelf stable, so I don't need a freezer or a cooler or a whole travel operation just to feed my dog. Doug loves it and I feel good giving it to him. So go to justfoodfordogs.com and get 50% off your first order.

[Podcast Host]

This is an Iheart podcast. Guaranteed human.