Detoxicity: By Men, About Men, For Everyone

DetoxPod Episode 44: Kenny Roby

Singer/songwriter Kenny Roby has spent upwards of three decades as a working musician. His most recent album, The Reservoir, was released in August of 2020. In this episode, Kenny talks to me (Mike) about the many side hustles he's had to undertake as a professional musician and why being a musician (as an actual job) is highly undervalued. He talks marriage, divorce and raising two young men; the things he's learned as a dad and the things his sons have learned through him. He also talks about various forms of personal upheaval, giving oneself grace, and dealing with addiction and suicidal ideation. 

DetoxPod43: Joe Kwaczala

Joe Kwaczala is a comedian and actor from the Pittsburgh area, currently based in Los Angeles. He also hosts the podcast Who Cares About The Rock Hall? and in 2019, was given his own half-hour Comedy Central stand-up special. Joe and I connected on a noisy New York City evening to talk about staying creative (and busy) during a pandemic. We also laugh about the difficulty of pronouncing Joe's last name, discuss stage fright, bond over our mutual love for Crowded House, and on a more serious note, talk about how Joe's current relationship has improved his communication skills. 

DetoxPod42: Jim Shearer

Jim Shearer is currently the host of the "Jim Shearer Show" and "70s 80s 90s Now" on SiriusXM, and you might know him from his previous stints as a VJ on MTV and VH-1. Jim pops up on the Detoxicity podcast to discuss what it felt like to achieve his teenage goal to be a media personality and how that's affected everything he's tried to do since. We also get a look at Jim's conservative, Christian upbringing and how that shapes his worldview to this day. A squeaky-clean entertainment biz survivor? A happy go lucky guy who shares his honest views about racism. A guy who teaches his kids about social justice via the WWE? Jim is a complicated man, and he chats about all of it in this episode.

DetoxPod41: Kurtis Powers

Kurtis Powers is, like many of our guests, a renaissance man. He is the co-founder of The Face Radio NYC, an independent radio station broadcasting all over the world (in addition to being one of the station's on-air personalities). He is also a partner and creative director at Analogy, a creative consultancy that focuses on culture and lifestyle. Kurtis sees himself as a connector, and clearly has an enthusiasm for people that's evident throughout this podcast episode. 
Kurtis and Mike Joseph chat about the value of connection; having relationships that are sincere and not just based on transactions. They also discuss how Kurtis's worldview has been shaped by growing up without a father, how he navigated through the punk/hardcore scene as a kid, and how he learned how to pivot when the best laid plans didn't go exactly the way he wanted them to. 

DetoxPod 40: Alex Marko (Satellite Mode)

Alex Marko is a producer and musician who comprises 1/2 of the duo Satellite Mode. As an independent musician, Alex has a lot to say about the appreciation of music and the balance between art and commerce. He also talks to Mike Joseph about approaching his career with a business background, managing his neuroses with therapy, and attempting to find a ray of light during the tough times we're in currently. As an addendum, check out a video featuring both members of Satellite Mode chatting with Mike about race relations in light of the national uprising earlier this year. 

DetoxPod 39: Josh Gondelman

Josh Gondelman is a comedian, author and an Emmy-winning writer for Last Week Tonight with John Oliver. He also hosts the podcast Make My Day. In this episode of Detoxicity, Josh talks about his "nice guy" reputation (which isn't for show, he really is a nice guy), his hometown of (just outside) Boston,  his desire to keep constant "check-in" on those close to him, and the cultural differences and similarities that mark his current gig on Showtime's Desus and Mero show. 

DetoxPod38: Kent Koren

Kent Koren is many things. He's a copywriter and adman who's contributed to campaigns by brands ranging from Chase to Canon. He's a comedian who came up in the L.A scene alongside Retta, Craig Robinson and the late Brody Stevens. He's an actor and voice over artist. He hosts the Zappa-themed radio show The Mothers of Connection on Radio Free Brooklyn every Saturday. He's also the latest guest on Detoxicity. Kent talks to Mike Joseph about discovering his voice, being in love with New York City, and his creative and personal journey. Kent also discusses being an expectant father, and all of the joys and anxiety that go along with that.
You can find some of Kent's acting and writing work here, and you can find his radio show here. 

DetoxPod37: Blaze Mancillas

Blaze Mancillas is a comedian and actor originally from the Bay Area, who now makes his home in New York City. In this episode of Detoxicity, Blaze talks to Mike Joseph about discovering his love for performing arts while in college and turning that into a career. Blaze also delves into his multi-ethnic heritage and struggles with authenticity. You'll also find out what separates comedy audiences on the West Coast from their East Coast counterparts, what connects Blaze to the oldest gay bar in New York City, and his hobby that surprises the hell out of the host.
Find Blaze on Instagram and Twitter.