Hey Gurl! with Bill Janisse

This week on Hey Gurl, I’m sitting down with Johnny Ahlstedt, who recently represented Kansas at the Mister USA competition, where he earned a spot in the Top 5! But Johnny is much more than a title and a sash—he’s also a proud straight ally and passionate advocate for the LGBTQ+ community.

Johnny and I dive into his personal growth journey and what it means to continually challenge yourself, grow as a person, and use your voice to make a difference. We have an honest conversation about trans rights, women’s rights, toxic masculinity, politics, allyship, and the importance of empathy and understanding.

What makes this conversation so special is Johnny’s openness and willingness to explore these topics thoughtfully and authentically. We talk about how our experiences shape the way we see the world, the responsibility that comes with having a platform, and why growth often begins with being willing to listen, learn, and have the conversation.

It’s candid, thought-provoking, and still very much a Hey Gurl kiki—with plenty of personality and laughs along the way.

Come join us! 

This week on Hey Gurl, I’m sitting down with Johnny Ahlstedt, who recently represented Kansas at the Mister USA competition, where he earned a spot in the Top 5! But Johnny is much more than a title and a sash—he’s also a proud straight ally and passionate advocate for the LGBTQ+ community.

Johnny and I dive into his personal growth journey and what it means to continually challenge yourself, grow as a person, and use your voice to make a difference. We have an honest conversation about trans rights, women’s rights, toxic masculinity, politics, allyship, and the importance of empathy and understanding.

What makes this conversation so special is Johnny’s openness and willingness to explore these topics thoughtfully and authentically. We talk about how our experiences shape the way we see the world, the responsibility that comes with having a platform, and why growth often begins with being willing to listen, learn, and have the conversation.

It’s candid, thought-provoking, and still very much a Hey Gurl kiki—with plenty of personality and laughs along the way.

Come join us! 

This week on Hey Gurl, I’m joined by the hilarious and high-energy Brandon McLaughlin—the real estate powerhouse, television personality, and familiar face from Bravo’s Below Deck, as well as Fox 5 in Washington, D.C.!

Brandon and I get into real estate, pop culture, life in front of the camera, and what it’s really like when your reality-TV moments suddenly become viral. We revisit some of his most memorable Below Deck moments, talk about navigating the worlds of television and luxury real estate, and get his take on the ever-evolving world of pop culture.

Of course, no Hey Gurl conversation would be complete without plenty of kiki-ing, laughter, and unexpected stories.

It’s fun, candid, high-energy, and exactly the kind of conversation you want to listen to with a cocktail in hand. 🍸

Press play and come kiki with us!

Follow Brandon on Instagram: @brandonmcl90

Follow Brandon on TikTok: @brandonmclaughlin8

Attorney, television host, author, and star of Equal Justice, Judge Eboni K. Williams joins Bill Janisse for a candid, thought-provoking, and fun conversation on this episode of Hey Gurl.

From her groundbreaking time on The Real Housewives of New York City to presiding over the courtroom on Equal Justice, Eboni shares her perspective on navigating the intersection of law, media, culture, and public discourse. Together, Bill and Eboni dive into topics including politics, the midterm elections, the U.S. Supreme Court, racism, homophobia, and the lasting impact of conversion therapy—all through the lens of honest conversation, empathy, and lived experience.

While the subjects are meaningful, this episode is anything but heavy. Filled with humor, authenticity, and plenty of "kiki" moments, Bill and Eboni prove that important conversations can also be entertaining, accessible, and filled with laughter.

Whether you're a Bravo fan, a news junkie, or simply someone who enjoys thoughtful dialogue with a few laughs along the way, this is an episode you won't want to miss.

Follow Eboni on Instagram: @ebonikwilliams

https://www.instagram.com/ebonikwilliams/

This week on Hey Gurl!, I sit down with one of Nashville's rising stars, Lauren Gottshall. With powerhouse vocals, heartfelt songwriting, and an undeniable stage presence, Lauren is quickly making a name for herself in Music City.

Originally from just outside Chicago, Lauren's passion for music began almost as soon as she could walk—playing instruments at just three years old, performing by five, and writing songs by the age of twelve. Since relocating to Nashville, she's already shared the stage with some of country music's biggest names, opening for Jason Aldean and performing alongside artists including O.A.R., Warren Zeiders, Chris Janson, and The Samples, while taking the stage at legendary venues like The Bluebird Cafe, The Listening Room, and 3rd & Lindsley.

In this episode, Lauren opens up about her journey to Nashville, the highs and challenges of pursuing a career in country music, finding her authentic voice as an artist, and the experiences that have shaped both her music and her life. We also chat about songwriting, dream collaborations, what's next in her rapidly growing career, and, of course, share plenty of laughs along the way.

Whether you're a longtime country music fan or simply love hearing inspiring stories from talented creatives chasing their dreams, you won't want to miss this conversation.

Website: https://www.laurengottshall.com/

Instagram: @lauren_gottshall

TikTok: @laurengottshall

This week, I'm thrilled to welcome the incredibly talented Kyle Ridley to Hey Gurl! Kyle is a two-time Emmy Award-winning journalist with more than two decades of experience spanning print, television, and digital media.

After internships with The Dr. Phil Show and NBC Los Angeles, Kyle returned to the Washington, D.C. area, where he built a successful career in government procurement at Deltek, serving as both a principal analyst and employee trainer. But his passion for storytelling ultimately led him back to journalism.

Kyle joined WJLA ABC7 as a segment producer before working his way up to producing live morning broadcasts, including Good Morning Washington, Outside the Classroom, and The Pet Show with Dr. Katy. He also created the Emmy Award-winning series The Mother Side. He later joined the top-rated Good Day DC on WTTG FOX5, where he earned his second Emmy Award as Live Producer of the Year in 2025.

Today, Kyle is the founder of Ridley Media and host of The Tangle with Kyle Ridley podcast, where he sits down with an impressive lineup of entertainers, journalists, and thought leaders for insightful and engaging conversations.

In this episode, Kyle and I chat about our shared love of television, the challenges and opportunities of starting over in your 40s, navigating life as gay men in today's social and political climate, and the inspiring journey that led him to create The Tangle. It's an honest, funny, and thoughtful conversation you won't want to miss.

Be sure to follow Kyle on TikTok @kyleridleytangle, Instagram @kyleridley_, and listen to The Tangle with Kyle Ridley wherever you get your podcasts.

Hey Gurls… we're back! 💖

After a brief hiatus, Hey Gurl! returns for an exciting fourth season, and I'm kicking things off with an incredibly talented guest who truly does it all.

This week, I sit down with Ozzie (Mark Osmendsen)—professional dancer, actor, choreographer, fashion icon, and New York City's self-proclaimed Prince of Burlesque. We dive into his remarkable career, from captivating audiences with Company XIV and Brolesque to performing with The Metropolitan Opera. Ozzie also shares insights into his creative journey, what inspires him, and what exciting projects you can catch this summer.

Whether you're passionate about dance, theater, or simply love hearing the stories behind extraordinary artists, this conversation is filled with inspiration, laughter, and plenty of sparkle.

Follow Ozzie on Instagram @markozzie and TikTok @mark_ozzie to stay up to date on his latest performances and projects. You can also stream his fitness classes on the Glo app.

Welcome back to Hey Gurl!—I'm so happy you're here.