Into The Mud Podcast

This week, we’re getting muddy about the next four years—because, let’s be real, the political forecast is looking pretty swampy. As “hippy dippy socially conscious NYC” Democrats, we’re grappling with what a second Trump term could mean and how to stay engaged without losing our minds. Grab your boots—it’s about to get messy.

Bio: Alex is a New York based comedian by way of Chicago and Boston whose bold and whip smart standup delights crowds across the US. Credits: The Comedy Cellar, New York Comedy Club, NBC’s "That Clip Show: Holiday Edition”, 2021 season of Comedy Central Standup Featuring.

Bio: Originally from Massachusetts, Drew is a Broadway dancer, actor and writer living in New York City. Credits: Broadway’s “Tootsie” and “On the 20th Century”, "The Marvelous Mrs. Maisel”, Ryan Murphy’s “Feud: Capote VS The Swans”, The Tony Awards, Good Morning America, The Today Show, and the 2021 Met Gala.

Follow along at @IntoTheMudPodcast on all platforms!
For the visual version, follow along on YouTube!

Your Hosts: Alex Kumin (@Alex.Kumin) and Drew King (@DrewKingNYC). 

Contributing Editors: Manthan Baldha, Sarah Webb (@SWAudioPost) and Drew King.

Filmed and recorded at @TheMalin in New York City.

www.IntoTheMudPodcast.com

According to the World Health Organization (WHO), an estimated 39.9 million people worldwide are currently living with HIV and a rough estimate of 1.5 million new cases are reported each year. With such high numbers , how is there still so much stigma and misinformation surrounding the topic of HIV and AIDS? On this week’s episode, queer nightlife and portrait photographer, John Lagucki, shares their journey of breaking down fear and misinformation, leaning into empathy, and the truth about what it means to live with or support someone affected by HIV.

Bio: John Lagucki is a New York City based fundraiser and portrait photographer. Working at nonprofit organizations around NYC, John is driven by sustaining the arts and helping organizations reach their fullest potential supporting diverse communities. As a photographer, John recently received a Glam Award nomination for Best Nightlife Photographer. Inspired by photographers from the 80s and 90s, John's photography has been described as "timeless gay photography". You can find his work on Instagram: @johnlagucki.

John’s Social Media: @JohnLagucki and www.JohnLagucki.com

Resource: for free and/ or affordable STI testing and PREP (pre-exposure prophylaxis), text TESTNYC to 55676.

Resource: Broadway Cares Equity Fights AIDS (BCEFA), www.BroadwayCares.org

Follow along at @IntoTheMudPodcast on all platforms!
For the visual version, follow along on YouTube!

Your Hosts: Alex Kumin (@Alex.Kumin) and Drew King (@DrewKingNYC). 

Contributing Editors: Manthan Baldha, Sarah Webb (@SWAudioPost) and Drew King.

Filmed and recorded at @TheMalin in New York City.

www.IntoTheMudPodcast.com

Imagine waking up one morning, looking at yourself in the mirror, and suddenly noticing that one side of your face is paralyzed. Is it a stroke? Is this permanent? Why do I not look like myself? How terrifying and shocking. 

This is the exact circumstance that has fallen on Broadway actress, Mamie Parris, and unfortunately, this is not her first rodeo with the medical phenomenon known as Bell’s palsy. Most cases of this temporary facial paralysis can resolve itself within a few short weeks, but for Mamie, she is approaching a year. Tune in this week to hear her remarkable story of resilience, patience and strength while confronting this challenging chapter of her life.

Bio: Mamie Parris has developed a diverse and unique body of work throughout her extensive career. Best known on Broadway for her one-of-a-kind rendition of the iconic “Memory” she is no stranger to the work of Sir Andrew Lloyd Webber, having starred as Grizabella in the Broadway revival of Cats, as Rosalie (closing cast) and Patty (opening cast) in Broadway’s School of Rock, and- most recently- in the US Premier of the Lloyd Webber retrospective Unmasked. Other Broadway appearances include the Tony-nominated revivals of Ragtime, 110 In The Shade, and On The 20th Century, as well as the Tony winning musical The Drowsy Chaperone. Her film and television credits include The Blacklist, State of Affairs, A Standup Guy and PBS Great Performances "50 Years of Broadway's Best". 

Across the country, she appeared as Elphaba in the First National Tour of fan-favorite Wicked, as well as performing with the touring companies of Legally Blonde and Dolly Parton’s 9 To 5. A native of Fort Worth, Texas, Mamie attended the Paseo Academy of the Arts in Kansas City, Missouri, before graduating from the American Musical and Dramatic academy in New York City. She resides in New York City with her husband, Johnathan, and shih tsu mix, Cookie.

Mamie’s Social Media: @MamieParrisOfficial, www.MamieParris.com

Follow along at @IntoTheMudPodcast on all platforms!
For the visual version, follow along on YouTube!

Your Hosts: Alex Kumin (@Alex.Kumin) and Drew King (@DrewKingNYC). 

Contributing Editors: Manthan Baldha, Sarah Webb (@SWAudioPost) and Drew King.

Filmed and recorded at @TheMalin in New York City.

www.IntoTheMudPodcast.com

Have you ever woken up in the middle of the night, frozen in place, and wondering why there's a shadowy figure hiding in the corner like it pays rent? On this week’s episode, comedian Carmen Lagala dives into the bizarre, creepy, and oddly theatrical world of sleep paralysis demons. Are they real? Or are they just a bad dream pretending to be a roommate? Tune in to find out!

Bio: Carmen is a formerly shy Vermont collegiate hall of fame athlete who moved to New York City a decade ago to pursue stand-up comedy full time. Her debut full special "Sweet Batch" (2024) is on YouTube @carmenlagalacomedy, SiriusXM, and all audio platforms. You may have seen her on The Late Show with Stephen Colbert, from her viral Don't Tell Comedy set, or headlining clubs and festivals across the country. She has opened for Hari Kondabolu, Sam Morrill, and Dan Soder. Check her out on instagram @carmstagrams and her podcast "In Cahoots."

Carmen's Social Media: @Carmstagrams, www.CarmenLagala.com

Follow along at @IntoTheMudPodcast on all platforms!
For the visual version, follow along on YouTube!

Your Hosts: Alex Kumin (@Alex.Kumin) and Drew King (@DrewKingNYC). 

Contributing Editors: Manthan Baldha, Sarah Webb (@SWAudioPost) and Drew King.

Filmed and recorded at @TheMalin in New York City.

www.IntoTheMudPodcast.com

Disclaimer: This episode contains sensitive discussions about sexual assault and trauma, which may be triggering for some listeners—please take care while listening.

Acclaimed physician and writer, Gabor Maté, has a dedicated career in working with survivors of trauma. He says, “Trauma splits us from our true selves and disconnects us from our emotions…What happened to you can never have un-happened, but you can heal trauma just like you heal a physical wound; it is not the event that happened to you, but the harm you suffered due to a particular circumstance and it can be healed at any time.”

For many, simply speaking their trauma out loud can be a source of healing and catharsis. On this week’s episode, Alex bravely opens about for the first time about childhood sexual trauma she has carried for decades now, and gets painfully muddy about her journey to find healing, release and self-love. 

Bio: Alex is a New York based comedian by way of Chicago and Boston whose bold and whip smart standup delights crowds across the US. Credits: The Comedy Cellar, New York Comedy Club, NBC’s "That Clip Show: Holiday Edition”, 2021 season of Comedy Central Standup Featuring.

Bio: Originally from Massachusetts, Drew is a Broadway dancer, actor and writer living in New York City. Credits: Broadway’s “Tootsie” and “On the 20th Century”, "The Marvelous Mrs. Maisel”, Ryan Murphy’s “Feud: Capote VS The Swans”, The Tony Awards, Good Morning America, The Today Show, and the 2021 Met Gala.

Follow along at @IntoTheMudPodcast on all platforms!
For the visual version, follow along on YouTube!

Your Hosts: Alex Kumin (@Alex.Kumin) and Drew King (@DrewKingNYC). 

Contributing Editors: Manthan Baldha, Sarah Webb (@SWAudioPost) and Drew King.

Filmed and recorded at @TheMalin in New York City.

www.IntoTheMudPodcast.com

Do you ever feel like you're "falling short" in a certain area of your life, no matter how much work or effort you put in? Does your inner monologue occasionally gravitate toward the "I'm never enough" narrative? If so, you're not alone. Dating, career, family, finances, health; many factors poke at our self-esteem and self-worth on a daily basis. On this week's episode, Drew and Alex jump right in to discuss the frustrations (as well as some helpful tools) that come with never feeling "enough".

Bio: Alex is a New York based comedian by way of Chicago and Boston whose bold and whip smart standup delights crowds across the US. Credits: The Comedy Cellar, New York Comedy Club, NBC’s "That Clip Show: Holiday Edition”, 2021 season of Comedy Central Standup Featuring.

Bio: Originally from Massachusetts, Drew is a Broadway dancer, actor and writer living in New York City. Credits: Broadway’s “Tootsie” and “On the 20th Century”, "The Marvelous Mrs. Maisel”, Ryan Murphy’s “Feud: Capote VS The Swans”, The Tony Awards, Good Morning America, The Today Show, and the 2021 Met Gala.

Follow along at @IntoTheMudPodcast on all platforms!
For the visual version, follow along on YouTube!

Your Hosts: Alex Kumin (@Alex.Kumin) and Drew King (@DrewKingNYC). 

Contributing Editors: Manthan Baldha, Sarah Webb (@SWAudioPost) and Drew King.

Filmed and recorded at @TheMalin in New York City.

www.IntoTheMudPodcast.com

For many, big life changes tend to follow chapters of euphoria and hyperbolic proclamations such as "my life changed forever and I've never been happier". But, what happens when that isn't the case? On this week's episode, lifelong butcher and comedian, Mike Timlin, dives into the messy process of recalibrating expectations after transformative life changes (i.e. getting sober or leaving a toxic work environment). He shares the highs, the lows, and some surprising lessons he learned along the way. Join us as we explore what it takes to rebuild and redefine success in the muddy aftermath of big life decisions.

Bio: A graduate of the Chicago comedy scene, now based in New York, Michael is a comedian and actor who has been in a two or three things. His credits include a show on Showtime, an A24 film, and an award-winning independent film that was recently acquired by Starz. And 3 different Italian-American butcher shops. 

Mike's Social Media: @YoungTimlin

Follow along at @IntoTheMudPodcast on all platforms!
For the visual version, follow along on YouTube!

Your Hosts: Alex Kumin (@Alex.Kumin) and Drew King (@DrewKingNYC). 

Contributing Editors: Manthan Baldha, Sarah Webb (@SWAudioPost) and Drew King.

Filmed and recorded at @TheMalin in New York City.

www.IntoTheMudPodcast.com

As careers evolve, the concept of home and community can shift, shaped by new opportunities and changing priorities. Redefining these foundations can be challenging, and this territory is not unfamiliar to stand-up comedian and successful television writer, Alison Leiby. An east coast woman at heart, Alison grapples with the pros and cons of building a home in different cities and trying to understand just what the word “home” means to her.

Bio: Alison Leiby is a NY-based comedian, who, most recently, was a producer on Season 2 of Hulu's LIFE & BETH. Prior to that, Alison was a co-producer on Amazon's THE MARVELOUS MRS MAISEL and she executive produced Ilana Glazer's comedy central show COMEDY TIME CAPSULE. Previous credits include, Adult Swim's animated show TEENAGE EUTHANASIA, Comedy Central's THE PRESIDENT SHOW, THE OPPOSITION, Hulu's TRIUMPH ELECTION SPECIAL and she executive produced Ilana Glazer's Amazon stand up special, THE PLANET IS BURNING.

Alison’s Social Media: @AlisonLeiby and @RuinedPodcast

Follow along at @IntoTheMudPodcast on all platforms!
For the visual version, follow along on YouTube!

Your Hosts: Alex Kumin (@Alex.Kumin) and Drew King (@DrewKingNYC). 

Contributing Editors: Manthan Baldha, Sarah Webb (@SWAudioPost) and Drew King.

Filmed and recorded at @TheMalin in New York City.

www.IntoTheMudPodcast.com

The journey of a creative performer is a rollercoaster of triumphs matched with challenges, where moments of applause and recognition often intertwine with periods of doubt and reinvention. Success can feel fleeting, while rejection sharpens resilience and fuels growth. It's a path of constant evolution, and on this week’s episode, Broadway actor Kyle Taylor Parker beautifully discusses the ups and downs that accompany creative passions and the pursuit of authentic expression.

Bio: KTP is a Broadway actor and musician who made his Broadway debut in the Tony Award-winning smash hit musical, Kinky Boots. He later earned rave reviews across the country by originating the role of "Lola" in the musical's first national tour before returning to Broadway to replace Billy Porter in 2015.

He was in the original cast of Charlie and the Chocolate Factory on Broadway and starred in Smokey Joe's Café (Chita Rivera Award) and Finian's Rainbow Off-Broadway. KTP also appeared in Jesus Christ SuperstarLive in Concert on NBC alongside John Legend and Sara Bareilles.

Kyle’s Social Media: @KTPway, www.KyleTaylorParkerOnline.com

Follow along at @IntoTheMudPodcast on all platforms!
For the visual version, follow along on YouTube!

Your Hosts: Alex Kumin (@Alex.Kumin) and Drew King (@DrewKingNYC). 

Contributing Editors: Manthan Baldha, Sarah Webb (@SWAudioPost) and Drew King.

Filmed and recorded at @TheMalin in New York City.

www.IntoTheMudPodcast.com

Career transitions are painful, scary, confusing and disorienting, especially if it’s not your choice; dancers face many challenges as they age into their careers, and permanent injury is potentially one of them. This is exactly what Broadway performer and television choreographer, Sarah Jenkins, was forced to confront after a herniated disk led to three major surgeries in 5 months. So much of our identities are wrapped up in our careers, but what happens when that gets taken away? Tune in this week to hear Sarah’s inspiring story of transition, acceptance and perseverance. 

Bio: Sarah Jenkins is a multi-faceted actor and choreographer whose vast on-stage career, wicked sense of humor, and artistic eye behind the lens, found her at home in the world of film and tv. She’s choreographed for “Girls5Eva”, “Unbreakable Kimmy Schmidt”, “Mr. Mayor,” and “The Tonight Show” with Jimmy Fallon. Sarah’s credits as a performer include starring as Jennyanydots, the tap dancing cat in CATS revival on Broadway, and as Peter Pan in the recent remounting of Jerome Robbins Broadway, as well as in Cathy Rigby’s iconic version of the show, as her successor. 

She hails from San Diego, and began working professionally at age 15. Sarah has been fortunate to travel the world as a performer, but prefers staying on the couch with her husband and two children. (They're dogs.)

Sarah’s Social Media: @SarahMJenkins, www.SarahMJenkins.com

Follow along at @IntoTheMudPodcast on all platforms!
For the visual version, follow along on YouTube!

Your Hosts: Alex Kumin (@Alex.Kumin) and Drew King (@DrewKingNYC). 

Contributing Editors: Manthan Baldha, Sarah Webb (@SWAudioPost) and Drew King.

Filmed and recorded at @TheMalin in New York City.

www.IntoTheMudPodcast.com