Detoxicity: By Men, About Men, For Everyone

DetoxPod10: David Lawson

David Lawson is a comedian, producer and storyteller based in New York City. In this episode of Detoxicity, David talks about being a class clown and how he's always had the urge to perform. He also talks about keeping a positive attitude and not being weighed down by negativity or cynicism. These are all parts of a pretty wide ranging discussion that detours into the WNBA, anger management, the hetero male gaze and much more.

DetoxPod09: Dylan Thomas

Dylan Thomas is a co-creator and co-host of Life on the Swingset, a podcast that tackles sexual education and communication, with the focus on polyamory, open relationships and swinging. He is also an unrepentant geek, a husband and dad, and someone who’s greatly invested in his personal growth and the growth of others. As a former Swingset co-host, I was intrigued to chat with Dylan about how he balances his various roles, some of which people might view as mutually exclusive.We also talk about taking pride in the growth of your children, and about what it's like being a member of the LatinX community in a typically white space.

DetoxPod08: Peter Andre

Peter Andre is a writer, a producer/musician (as Zipped Lips), and an author who wrote THE book on masculinity...well, he wrote *a* book on masculinity, which is part of what gets discussed in this episode. In just a few short years since that book was published, Peter's opinions of what constitutes "manliness" have changed, as has society's. That change, with young people leading the way, is another focal point of this interview. Peter also talks about getting out of his comfort zone, dealing with social anxiety and introversion, and he shares the biggest thing he's had to un-learn about masculinity as he's gotten older.

DetoxPod07: Taylor Houchens

This episode's guest is licensed counselor Taylor Houchens. Taylor is based in North Carolina, and works primarily with teenage and adult men, helping chart a course towards healthy masculinity. He specializes in topics like self-esteem, work/life balance, working through childhood trauma, and improving relationships. These issues form the basis of our conversation. We also talk about learning from your relationships, men helping and being supportive of one another, and how he fell in love with music, which is something that's therapeutic for him. 

DetoxPod06: Naji Grampus

Naji Grampus is a music industry executive and media personality. Currently, he hosts the interview series "Cigar Talk" on rapradar.com. Hip-hop music and culture has a major role in Naji's sense of identity and that is one of the focal points of discussion in this interview. Naji also discusses the importance of networking, gives props to the mentors he has had in his rise up the ladder, and shares the most important life lesson he's ever learned.

DetoxPod05: Mike Rosen

Mike Rosen is a storyteller, a poet, and a musician. He joins Mike Joseph on this episode of Detoxicity to discuss a variety of topics, but most of the focus of the conversation centers around what Mike sees as an addiction to sex and porn. He talks about how childhood bullying led to insecurity, and how that insecurity and a lack of education about sexuality led him to internet porn as a teenager and young adult. He also discusses joining a recovery program for addicts, and how it's all helped him approach healthy relationships these days.

DetoxPod04: Louie Pearlman

Louie Pearlman is a renaissance man. He has taught comedy and public speaking, and has worked as a comedian, improvisational performer and writer. His creation "Joey And Ron: The Sugar-Sweet Bubblegum Musical!" finished its first run last November. He also co-hosts and produces the pop culture podcast XOXO Riverdale, and the live streaming radio show Kick The Jukebox. His pieces have appeared on Gizmodo, Rebeat Magazine and Tough Pigs.
In this episode of Detoxicity. Louie discusses his "creative ADD"; i.e. how he is able to juggle his many pursuits. He also talks about growing up in Canada, the bullying he endured as a child, the non-traditional gender roles he was exposed to while growing up, and discovering his queerness.

DetoxPod03: Will McKinney-Raphelt

Will McKinney-Raphelt is the associate director of R&B and hip-hop catalog for Sony Music. In that realm, he has worked with legends like Nas, Wu-Tang Clan and Wyclef Jean. Will is also an out and proud gay man who is also a newlywed. In this episode, Mike Joseph and Will talk about being an unapologetic queer POC in corporate America. Also discussed: when Will first discovered he might be gay (in addition to his coming out story), what drew him to hip-hop, how he benefits from privilege as a "straight-passing" gay man, how other gay men can be exclusionist (and often racist) due to his demeanor and the color of his skin, his Texas upbringing, how he met the love of his life on a dating app, and how he and his husband maintain a (for now) trans-continental relationship.