Detoxicity: By Men, About Men, For Everyone

DetoxPod 201: Craig Chapman (Mentor/Entrepreneur)

My life changed when I went to work for Craig Chapman in March of 1996. Over the last three decades, Craig has not only been my boss, he's been my mentor, my champion and my friend. And I'm just one of many young people he's mentored over the course of his life. I'm grateful to have him on my show to touch on everything from his beginnings in radio to branching out into entrepreneurship (he's been running his own business, Rhythmflow Vacations, for two decades!), to his diagnosis with diabetes and subsequent kidney transplant. Craig drops enough jewels in an hour of conversation to make an entire necklace with a couple of rings and a watch left over. I really hope you enjoy this conversation with someone who was the first Black man I ever encountered in a position of power, and someone I continue to seek out for advice to this day.

DetoxPod 200 : Mike Joseph Answers Your Questions!

Well, folks--we made it to 200 episodes. Holy crap!
First off, I'm incredibly grateful to you. Thanks for listening and providing constructive criticism. Feedback is part of what keeps me going, and I don't take the fact that you put DTP in your regular pod rotation lightly. If this is your first listen-welcome! I hope you enjoy and go back and listen to some older episodes!
Second, thanks to everyone who submitted questions (a mixture of former guests and regular listeners to the show)! Your queries cover everything from my guest wishlist to my feelings about hip-hop to coming out as a queer person in a heteronormative primary relationship. I appreciate the thought you put into your questions, and I hope my answers aren't too long-winded!
Of course, I'm always happy to hear what you think of the episode, so drop me a line or a DM! And see you at Episode 201!

DetoxPod 199 : Tyrie McKinnie (2nd Appearance!)

I'm very happy to welcome my friend Ty McKinnie back to the show. Listen to his first appearance here. Originally from Atlanta, Ty works in the music industry as a creative as well as an executive. He released his album Tyrie last year, and I highly recommend it! It's Black Music Month and Pride Month, and Ty stands proudly at the intersection. We talk about how his queerness informs the music he makes, and how he aims to be seen as a representative for a section of the music listening audience he doesn't see well-represented. Ty also fancies himself a "late bloomer" (it's the title of one of his songs), and we go deep into that and how he's come to terms with it. Additionally, we go deep on impostor syndrome, performance anxiety (as a creative, not what you're thinking!) and we talk about joy as a form of resistance. I really hope you enjoy our conversation! Drop a line, find me on socials (detoxpodguy) and let me know what you think!

DetoxPod 198: Ari Jacobson (Clinical Director, Backline.care)

Backline.care is an organization that aims to provide mental health resources for humans in the music industry, and they have done great things since emerging in 2019. One of the people at the helm of that change is their clinical director, Ari Jacobson. In our chat, Ari takes us through his origin story; we talk about how he joined Backline and go through the circuitous route that led to him becoming a mental health professional in the first place. We discuss his upbringing in Baltimore, his background working in some of that city's toughest environments, and what he learned from those experiences. We also discuss his approach to his own mental health, the value he places on close relationships with friends and family, and what it's like to raise two boys in 2025. I'm very grateful to Ari for his time, and listeners, please drop a comment or a DM if you enjoyed this conversation!

DetoxPod 197: Logan Petersen (Mental Health Champ/Dad Bod/Beard)

Earlier this year, I interviewed Tyson Allred, the co-founder of Dad Bods and Beards. I've been impressed with DBAB's mission since I found out about them on Instagram through their creative, heartwarming and often funny Reels. Logan is the other half of Dad Bods and Beards, and our chat covers quite a bit of ground: from his bipolar diagnosis and the cop that saved his life to his ongoing fitness journey. From his passionate (and much appreciated) support of the queer community to the power of ketamine (which is starting to become a semi-recurring theme with this podcast), to his experience as a formerly practicing Mormon, Logan keeps it real, with more than a dash of humor and a shit ton of authenticity (real authenticity, not social media/marketing authenticity). I hope some of what Logan talks about resonates. I look forward to having him back for more! Hope you enjoy the listen.
And find out more about Dad Bods and Beards here!

DetoxPod 196: Greg Burmeister (Producer/Actor/Podcast Host)

I recorded this interview with Greg Burmeister back in October. Because of everything that happened at the beginning of November (you know what I'm talking about), I put this one on the shelf for a while before coming back to it and remembering how good a conversation it was. Greg co-hosts the podcast "Talking Schmidt", which I was lucky enough to appear on last fall. He is also the second (at least) DetoxPod guest to have worked with (for?) the legend David Letterman. Greg and I chat about moving from Minnesota to New York City, a near-death experience that changed his life forever, living rent-free in NYC (a hell of a life hack), music as therapy, and more. Follow Greg on IG at "greghello". Would love to hear what you think of this episode! Sound off in the comments, and enjoy the chat!

DetoxPod 195: Tom Gentry (Coach/Counselor)

Hope you are doing as well as can be given current times. Remember, we are stronger together! Community remains of utmost importance!
I'm excited to bring you my conversation with Tom Gentry. Tom is not only a treasured friend, but he's a counselor specializing in addiction. He's also a passionate advocate for progressive masculinity, which makes him a perfect fit for Detoxpod! Tom and I chat about his own experience as an addict and what drove him to recovery. We talk about familial cycles and how the things we learn growing up can affect us without even knowing it. Tom and I chat about the term "toxic masculinity" and how using those words can sometimes negatively obscure the work that we do. And there's so much more!
Check out Tom's website and his podcast.
Hope you get something positive out of this conversation. Feel free to drop me a line and share your thoughts!

DetoxPod 194: Rodney McCoy AKA Daddy Rod (Activist/Podcaster)

Hi Friends!
Happy to bring you the latest episode, starring Rodney McCoy AKA Daddy Rod. Rod's appearance (I'm pretty sure) marks the first instance of a romantic couple appearing in back to back episodes, as he is the partner of 2x DetoxPod guest Damon Jacobs.
Like Damon, Rodney is an activist for sexual health. But he has a story all his own. Rod and I connect over our shared Brooklyn upbringing, and the unique local pride that stays with you even when you move away. Rod also shares his coming out story, tying it in with familial hypocrisy and an understanding of the times (late '80s/early '90s). We also discuss issues around consent, and how a greater discussion needs to take place in sex positive circles that include gay and bi men. Of course, it's all part of our shared quest to expand the definitions of what masculinity means so that it calls in, rather than excludes. It's the first of what I'm pretty sure will be several conversations we have for this pod.
Also, Rod has his own podcast called "Listen to Daddy" that you can check out here!