HIGHKEY! With Yvie Oddly and Ryan Mitchell

Emmy-winning writer, producer, and actor Lena Waithe (The Chi, Queen & Slim) joins Yvie and Ryan for a bold, hilarious, and heartfelt conversation about the myths of success, the pursuit of happiness, and creating without fear. From judging RuPaul’s Drag Race to building Legacy Talk, Lena shares how she balances ambition with meditation, why she makes art for herself—not the crowd—and what it means to tell Black queer stories on her own terms. The conversation dives into Hollywood realities, the power of critique, and why horror might be the most exciting genre right now.

If you’re HIGHKEY! vibing with us, come hang on Patreon! We’re dropping bonus content, behind-the-scenes tea, exclusive group hangs — basically, the HighKiKi.

www.patreon.com/HIGHKEY

Watch HIGHKEY! on YouTube at youtube.com/@highkeyhere

Follow along on socials @highkeyhere 

HIGHKEY! is a production of iHeartPodcasts, as part of the Outspoken network. The show is created and executive produced by Ryan Mitchell, Yvie Oddly, and Spoke Media.

See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Bob the Drag Queen crashes the HIGHKEY! party for a hilarious and candid convo with Yvie and Ryan. The trio dives into everything from Drag Race crowns and All Stars shade to The Traitors drama and podcast partner tension. Bob gets real about nearly quitting Sibling Rivalry, being misunderstood by fans, and why she’ll never care about being “nice.” Plus: inside stories from Harriet Tubman: Live in Concert, her plans for Purse First Studios, and Bob’s favorite little violent game that everyone should know about.

If you’re HIGHKEY! vibing with us, come hang on Patreon! We’re dropping bonus content, behind-the-scenes tea, exclusive group hangs — basically, the HighKiKi.

www.patreon.com/HIGHKEY

Watch HIGHKEY! on YouTube at youtube.com/@highkeyhere

Follow along on socials @highkeyhere 

HIGHKEY! is a production of iHeartPodcasts, as part of the Outspoken network. The show is created and executive produced by Ryan Mitchell, Yvie Oddly, and Spoke Media.

See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Jake Wesley Rogers joins Ben, Ryan, and Yvie for a heartfelt conversation about music, identity, and faith. He opens up about his Crohn’s diagnosis, nearly quitting music, and the emotional journey behind his new album In the Key of Love. Ryan and Jake dive deep into reclaiming religion, queer visibility in pop, and why straight men in dresses still get all the credit. Plus, Yvie recounts a nearly explosive PR gift from MrBeast, and the hosts reflect on how queerness, art, and community collide. 

If you’re HIGHKEY! vibing with us, come hang with us on Patreon! We’re dropping bonus content, behind-the-scenes tea, exclusive group hangs — basically, the HighKiKi.

www.patreon.com/HIGHKEY

Watch HIGHKEY! on YouTube at youtube.com/@highkeyhere

Follow along on socials @highkeyhere 

HIGHKEY! is a production of iHeartPodcasts, as part of the Outspoken network. The show is created and executive produced by Ben O’Keefe, Ryan Mitchell, Yvie Oddly, and Spoke Media.

See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

What happens when weddings don’t feel like they’re for you? This week on HIGHKEY! Ben, Ryan, and Yvie get real about the complicated relationship queer folks can have with weddings—from family estrangement and cultural expectations to chosen family and fantasy ceremony dreams. They share personal stories of being the only Black or queer person in the room, the cost of proving legitimacy through marriage, and whether they even want to be married at all. Plus: Lizzo’s rap era, Drag Kings finally getting their shine, and a very nerdy love letter to James Baldwin. 

If you’re HIGHKEY! vibing with us, come hang with us on Patreon! We’re dropping bonus content, behind-the-scenes tea, exclusive group hangs — basically, the HighKiKi: patreon.com/HIGHKEY

Watch HIGHKEY! on YouTube at youtube.com/@highkeyhere

Follow along on socials @highkeyhere 

HIGHKEY! is a production of iHeartPodcasts, as part of the Outspoken network. The show is created and executive produced by Ben O’Keefe, Ryan Mitchell, Yvie Oddly, and Spoke Media.

See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Can a bad b*tch be soft too? This week on HIGHKEY!, Yvie Oddly sits down with genre-bending rapper and alt-icon Rico Nasty for a raw and riotous conversation about self-love, survival, and the power of staying niche. They talk about rage, queerness, and letting yourself rot when you need to recharge. Rico opens up about her new album, Lethal, her soft girl era, and why being “too weird” can be your superpower.

 

Plus: the power of crafting, why she might get a BBL, and what it means to be culturally queer in a world that still doesn’t know where to place you. Come for the baddie wisdom, stay for the hiking, glitter gloss, and fast food confessions.

 

If you’re HIGHKEY! vibing with us, come hang with us on Patreon! We’re dropping bonus content, behind-the-scenes tea, exclusive group hangs — basically, the HighKiKi: patreon.com/HIGHKEY

 

Watch HIGHKEY! on YouTube at youtube.com/@highkeyhere

Follow along on socials @highkeyhere 

 

HIGHKEY! is a production of iHeartPodcasts, as part of the Outspoken network. The show is created and executive produced by Ben O’Keefe, Ryan Mitchell, Yvie Oddly, and Spoke Media.

See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

What does it mean to celebrate freedom in a country where so many are still fighting for it? This July 4th, HIGHKEY! welcomes legendary activist, filmmaker, and author Tourmaline for a conversation that reclaims joy, protest, and the radical legacy of Marsha P. Johnson. The hosts unpack Black queer history, trans resistance, and the messy truth about who gets remembered—and who gets erased. Tourmaline shares what she’s learned from elders like Miss Major and Marsha, and why dreaming big is not a luxury, but a survival strategy. Come for the queer history lesson, stay for the nail art, revenge fantasies, and glitter-fueled joy that fuels our fight.

 

If you’re HIGHKEY! vibing with us, come hang with us on Patreon! We’re dropping bonus content, behind-the-scenes tea, exclusive group hangs — basically, the HighKiKi.

www.patreon.com/HIGHKEY

 

Watch HIGHKEY! on YouTube at youtube.com/@highkeyhere

Follow along on socials @highkeyhere 

 

HIGHKEY! is a production of iHeartPodcasts, as part of the Outspoken network. The show is created and executive produced by Ben O’Keefe, Ryan Mitchell, Yvie Oddly, and Spoke Media.

See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

“My body is an act of defiance.”

Model, author, and activist Tess Holliday joins HIGHKEY! for a raw conversation about taking up space—on her own terms. A pioneer in the body positivity movement, Tess has become one of its boldest and most influential voices, at a time when that visibility matters more than ever. Now, with her new book Take Up Space, Y’all, she’s helping the next generation step into their power and embrace exactly who they are.

If you’re HIGHKEY! vibing with us, come hang with us on Patreon! We’re dropping bonus content, behind-the-scenes tea, exclusive group hangs — basically, the HighKiKi.

www.patreon.com/HIGHKEY

 

Watch HIGHKEY! on YouTube at youtube.com/@highkeyhere

Follow along on socials @highkeyhere 

 

HIGHKEY! is a production of iHeartPodcasts, as part of the Outspoken network. The show is created and executive produced by Ben O’Keefe, Ryan Mitchell, Yvie Oddly, and Spoke Media.

See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

What does it mean to grow up without a dad — and still want to become one? Ben, Ryan, and Yvie get raw about their relationships with masculinity, parenthood, and the fathers who raised — or failed — them. From Doja Cat’s viral fan moment to growing up queer in homes that didn’t always feel safe, the hosts reflect on forgiveness, trauma, and found family. Plus: the power of queer uncles, the idea of chosen family, and why some of us are still thinking about Bill Cosby (yikes). 

 

If you’re HIGHKEY! vibing with us, come hang out with us on Patreon! We’re dropping bonus content, behind-the-scenes tea, exclusive group hangs — basically, the HighKiKi.

www.patreon.com/HIGHKEY

 

Watch HIGHKEY! on YouTube at youtube.com/@highkeyhere

Follow along on socials @highkeyhere. 

 

HIGHKEY! is a production of iHeartPodcasts, as part of the Outspoken network. The show is created and executive produced by Ben O’Keefe, Ryan Mitchell, Yvie Oddly, and Spoke Media.

See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Conflict, activism, and accountability collide when Yvie opens up about a near fallout with Nicole Byer — and how they both chose grace over beef. Then, our hosts break down protest culture, performative activism, cancel culture, and the complicated balance between standing up for what’s right while maintaining friendships. From LA protests to miscommunication, public call-outs, and how to actually apologize, the crew dives deep into navigating conflict without losing connection. Plus, high-key obsessions this week include Love Island USA, gender-affirming haircuts, and Miley Cyrus’ new album.

 

If you’re HIGHKEY! vibing with us, come kick it on Patreon! We’re dropping bonus content, behind-the-scenes tea, exclusive group hangs — basically, the HighKiki.

www.patreon.com/HIGHKEY

 

Watch HIGHKEY! on YouTube at youtube.com/@highkeyhere

Follow along on socials @highkeyhere

 

HIGHKEY! is a production of iHeartPodcasts, as part of the Outspoken network. The show is created and executive produced by Ben O’Keefe, Ryan Mitchell, Yvie Oddly, and Spoke Media.

See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Laverne Cox joins HIGHKEY! to talk trans erasure, identity, and surviving Hollywood in 2025. She shares how the cancellation of Clean Slate affected her personally and financially, and explains why being palatable to white audiences didn’t protect her. Laverne breaks down her evolving stance on respectability politics and the growing divestment from trans stories. She also revisits a recent speech where she called out Gavin Newsom by name—and why she’s done playing nice. A raw and thoughtful conversation about power, creativity, and what it takes to keep going.

If you’re HIGHKEY! vibing with us, come kick it on Patreon! We’re dropping bonus content, behind-the-scenes tea, exclusive group hangs — basically, the HighKiki.

www.patreon.com/HIGHKEY

 

Watch HIGHKEY! on YouTube at youtube.com/@highkeyhere

Follow along on socials @highkeyhere

 

HIGHKEY! is a production of iHeartPodcasts, as part of the Outspoken network. The show is created and executive produced by Ben O’Keefe, Ryan Mitchell, Yvie Oddly, and Spoke Media.

See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.