I am so proud to welcome composer, violinist, activist, and educator Daniel Bernard Roumain to the podcast this week. When I read last week that the Tulsa Opera made the decision to remove his aria “They Still Want to Kill Us” from the program for their upcoming concert to commemorate the centennial of the Tulsa …
Anna LaMadrid‘s solo performance The Oxy Complex opens online this week at IAMA Theater Company and she joined me this week to talk about her process with creating the show, how it was inspired by life in quarantine, and what it’s like to exist in the dual roles of writer and actor. Ms. LaMadrid also …
I was treated to a preview of “Unraveling,” the forthcoming new video from dark electronic synth-pop duo PIERA a couple weeks ago, and I knew I had to introduce them to you, fair MikeyPod listeners. The music is a blend of influences I have always loved yet it still maintains a unique and vibrant voice …
I’ve been a casual fan of Myq Kaplan‘s for a few years now, but it wasn’t until I started prepping for this conversation that I got a full picture of his work. He’s, of course, a brilliant comedian, but through listening to his podcasts and his music, I developed a whole new appreciation for his …
Tàhlia Audrí and I first crossed paths as cast members in Lauren Maul‘s Bucolic a couple of years ago. I’ve followed all of her work since then, but was especially moved and empowered by her quarantine inspired series, QT 2020 which she launched on Instagram TV last year. It was great reconnecting with Táhlia about …
I first encountered Lee Uehara as the founder of NYC Podcasters Network, but soon discovered she also founded Asian American Podcasters Association, and of course hosts her own podcasts House of Lee NYC and Upper West Side Corner Talk. We talk about what drew her to podcasting, the importance of building community, and some ideas …
I have followed Stewart Mitchell‘s activism and social media presence for quite a while now and been inspired by his seemingly tireless energy to show up for human and non-human rights. Then, I realized that he is an author with two books under his belt, a poet, a dad, and the founder of a new …
Israeli-American pianist Yael Weiss is the curator and performer of 32 Bright Clouds: Beethoven Conversations Around the World. Through this commissioning and performance project, Ms. Weiss has commissioned new works from 32 countries of conflict and secluded areas spanning the globe. Our conversation about the project was fascinating on its own, but Yael’s purpose and …
I am so honored to present this conversation with composer Joseph C. Phillips Jr. about The Grey Land, his monoopera which explores universal themes of humanity and identity through the intractable triumvirate of race, class, and power in American society. Our conversation began with the origins of the piece and broadened into a discussion about …
It would be difficult to summarize the impossibly prolific world of guitarist Mak Grgić in one paragraph. He is an accomplished classical guitarist who has performed all over the globe, a builder of communities, and an entrepreneur and educator. Our conversation here was just perfect for the beginning of the year, especially this year. We …
Lotus Kay is a teen writer who has been published in Thrive Global, Vegan Health & Fitness Magazine, New Leaves, Light of Consciousness, and Voya: Voice of Youth Advocates. She is a recipient of a grant from Jane Goodall’s Roots and Shoots program for her work creating an educational campaign called Bears for Cares to educate youth about endangered species and wildlife. We …
From the moment Tom DeTrinis and I began chatting on Skype, I knew this conversation was going to be a good one! Tom is a an angry actor/writer/director/producer who has been at it since 8. From TV shows like Community and 90210 to camp theater in LA and NY, he has brought his personal point …
If you like comedy, therapy, and #poignancy, then you’ll love today’s conversation with award-winning comedian, actress and writer, Melinda Hill. She uses laughter as medicine in Inappropriate, her new comedy special about moving from trauma bonding to trauma mending. Melinda and I hopped right into the deep end of the pool with our conversation and …
Sharrell D. Luckett is an award-winning artist, author, and professor who was introduced to me by my longtime friend and frequent collaborator Adam Fitzgerald. With just a glance at her work, I knew she would be a fantastic guest for the podcast. Digging more deeply, I discovered a magnificent poet, musician, and speaker whose work …
Jill Carnegie serves as Campaign Strategist for the Alliance to End Chickens as Kaporos, and as a participant in the group’s efforts for a number of years, I have worked closely with Jill in many different capacities. This last year was my first to focus on triage for rescued birds, which gave me a more …
Like many of us, Eric Obenauf found himself weighing his options after the 2016 election here in the United States. Was it time to leave the country, or was it more important to stay and create the type of community he believed in? He and his wife Eliza settled on the latter and the result …
I had such a great time chatting with theater, film, and television producer Marie Cisco on this week’s podcast. In addition to her incredible creative output, Marie is the originator of a public Google document entitled “Theaters Not Speaking Out,” a remarkably thorough list of theaters who did not speak out against injustices toward black …
In what might be the most unique path toward inviting a guest to be on the podcast, I first ran across Maneetpaul Singh‘s tech YouTube channel while I was researching a new office chair at the beginning of the pandemic. His review convinced me of my new chair (Autonomous Ergo Chair 2, if you’re curious) …
Sabrina Chap‘s brilliant new album, Postcards from the Rearview Mirror, is a coming-of-age radio musical. Weaving prophetic monologues, theatrical soundscapes, and 10 songs, it tells the story of two queer teens who escape the violence of their homes for the bright lights of Hollywood. I sat down with Sabrina to talk about her process, her passion, …
Kiirstin Marilyn has a new album coming out, There Are No Cats in America, and I couldn’t wait to have her back on the podcast to talk about it! She fills us in on the new album, and we got really deep into the idea that there is always something we can do as individuals …
Aseloka Smith and I crossed paths at a virtual meeting of the NYC Podcast Meetup, where I learned about her absolutely gorgeous podcast, The Colored Girl Beautiful, a narrative podcast exploring the beautiful juxtapositions of black womanhood. I was fascinated by Aseloka’s unique narrative style, so I was really excited to discuss her process on the …
I knew I would relate to this week’s guest Soul Eubanks when I came across his social media accounts and invited him to be on the show. After all, he’s an artist who uses many different mediums to communicate his passion for veganism. I love the way he talks about how he creates work for …
Among Halle Morse’s vast list of credits is her role as founder and CEO of Broadway for Biden, an inclusive community of industry professionals and theater enthusiasts united to elect Joe Biden as the next President of the United States. She filled me in on the great work that Broadway for Biden is accomplishing, and …
Given the current state of the world, and social media’s role in dividing people further apart than ever, I sure welcomed this invigorating conversation with animal advocate and social media influencer John Oberg. John has advocated for animals on college campuses, with international animal protection organizations, and now he has launched his own independent, patron-funded project for …
When Brooklyn Borough President Eric Adams was diagnosed with Type 2 Diabetes in 2016, he started researching how lifestyle change might help his condition. He discovered the work of Dr. Caldwell Esselstyn, among others, and was quickly convinced to begin a plant-based whole foods lifestyle. Within months, his symptoms were gone! Since then, Mr. Adams …
On the occasion of this, the 300th episode of MikeyPod, I thought I would go back to my roots of 15 years in podcasting and just turn on the mic and start talking. That’s how we did it in those days, and if you have been listening to this podcast since it started in 2005. …
I’ve been a big fan of Peter Michael Marino for quite a few years, but recently I’ve been especially fascinated with his seemingly instantaneous move from live to online performances when theaters closed back in March of 2020. We chatted about that transition, his momentum toward helping others with his work, and how the theater …
Karl Saint Lucy and I have traveled in many of the same NYC creative circles (and been friends – HELLO!) for long enough that it’s downright silly that Karl hasn’t been a guest on the podcast yet. The premiere of their brilliant song cycle, Different Stars, inspired me to correct that! We talk about the …
Izzy Jacobus is a powerhouse activist with whom I have marched, rescued, advocated, and, most recently, collaborated on music together. He is the founder of Animals First on the Second (AFOTS), a vegan advocacy campaign that promotes the abolition of animal exploitation through fasting and an enigmatic mark on the hand. Izzy and I talk …
I have been deeply moved and shifted by Britt East‘s A Gay Man’s Guide to Life, and I am so grateful to have had the chance to chat with him here. I’m especially happy that I get to share that conversation with you. This book is the instruction manual for living life as a gay …
