Into The Mud Podcast

Formally known as “cherophobia”, this lesser-known phobia (the fear of happiness) tends to coincide with OCD and depression; and these accompanying symptoms are no stranger to accomplished Canadian-American basketball player and comedian, Henry Sir. On this week’s episode, Henry beautifully opens up about his “fear of happiness”, his challenges with mental health, and grief from the recent passing his brother, Ben. Henry dives headfirst in the deep-end of a vulnerability pool, and Drew and Alex feel honored to sit by him and listen to his story. 

Bio: Henry Sir is an All-Canadian basketball player turned comedian and writer. Born and raised in Edmonton, Alberta, he now lives in New York where he performs at the top clubs throughout the city. He's been featured on Comedy Central, Just For Laughs New Faces, The CBC, and his upcoming album, 'Mr. Sir', will be released in 2025.

Henry’s Social Media: @HenrySirComedy, www.HenrySirComedy.com

Show References: @WorstDaysDown, www.WorstDaysDown.Bandcamp.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

Regardless of age, career or degrees of therapization, rejection is a deeply uncomfortable experience. Sure, as we grow and evolve, we build armor and coping mechanisms that help us navigate the sting more gracefully; but, sometimes, it simply burns like hell. This week, Drew and Alex get muddy about their complicated relationships with rejection, the tools that help mitigate emotional pain, and the tools that don’t.

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

Social media is a double-edged sword, offering creators a platform to celebrate creativity, build community, and connect with audiences in meaningful ways. However, it also opens the door to privacy violations and unchecked access, blurring the lines between personal and public life. French-American creator, Cécilia Jourdan, knows about this experience intimately. Rapidly rising to social media fame with her Instagram page @HelloFrenchNYC during the pandemic has proven to be a great challenge for Cécilia. The past four years have brought many remarkable gifts, but she has since been trying to find a balance between authentic engagement while also protecting her well-being in an environment where boundaries are easily crossed.

Bio: Cécilia Jourdan co-founded Hello French with her wife, which started as an Instagram account during the pandemic in 2020 (@hellofrenchnyc, with an audience of 1.4 million followers). She makes learning French engaging and fun, but what sets her apart is her commitment to authenticity and inclusivity. She addresses essential topics - often with humor, such as mental health and women’s rights, ensuring that her approach to learning French is not just about language but also about fostering a more inclusive and empathetic society.

Cécilia’s Social Media: @HelloFrenchNYC and www.HelloFrenchNYC.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

Tick-tock, tick-tock. As time slips by, have you ever wondered if you’re “too late”? Do you worry about wasted time, elusive life milestones, deadlines, struggles with time management? If so, this episode is for you. This week, comedian and actress Julia Shiplett gets muddy about the fear of wasted time. 

Bio: Julia Shiplett is a comedian, writer, and actor in New York by way of Chicago. Since finding her own distinct voice in comedy over the years, she was named a TBS “Comic To Watch” and a “Vulture Comedian You Should Know”. She has performed standup on Comedy Central and SHOWTIME and appeared on television series like Love Life (HBO Max), High Maintenance (HBO) and Crashing (HBO).

Julia’s Social Media: @JuliaShiplett and www.JuliaShiplett.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

As we grow older, friendship dynamics can shift in many different and unexpected ways. Making new friends becomes more difficult, and often, old friends are lost along the way. On today’s episode, actress and Brooklyn native, Kristin Dodson, gets muddy about the complexities of adult friendships—the ones we choose to keep, and the ones we learn to say goodbye to. 

Bio: Kristin is a Brooklyn native from East New York and a Columbia MFA Acting Alumni. She boasts a solid track record in television, voiceover and film, with credits including Chicago PD, 1266, Flatbush Misdemeanors, Big Bruh and The Loud House.

In addition to her screen work, Kristin is an accomplished theatre actor, recently seen in the off-Broadway production of Bernarda's Daughter at Signature Theater. She is represented by Framework Entertainment and Kohner Agency.

Kristin’s Social Media: @KristinDanielleDodson (Instagram) and @KDoddy7182 (TikTok)

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

What happens when a medical crisis puts your life on hold and forces you to stop? For busybodies and doers, this is a brutal challenge; the root of which is a deep identity crisis. On this week’s episode, Broadway’s Donnie Kehr gets muddy about the multiple times his health has compromised his independence and forced him to slow down and “smell the roses”.

Bio: Donnie Kehr is an American actor, musician, director and producer. He has originated roles in Broadway's Jersey Boys, Billy Elliot, The Who's Tommy, The Mystery of Edwin Drood, The Human Comedy and many others. His film credits include Jersey Boys directed by Clint Eastwood, Wall Street, Chaplin with Robert Downey JI and more. Television credits include House of Cards, Gotham, Quantico, Tales of The City, Z-The Beginning of Everything and Inventing Anna. He has performed on the Tonight Show, David Letterman, Good Morning America, Macy's Thanksgiving Day Parade and the Oscars.

Donnie’s Social Media: @DonnieKehr, www.DonnieKehr.com, www.TheGreatestPianoMen.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

Alcohol consumption is deeply embedded in the fabric of our daily lives: dates, social gatherings, birthdays, bad days, good days, pandemic hobbies. Many people have a healthy relationship with alcohol. And, many do not. According to the NIAA (National Institute on Alcohol Abuse and Alcoholism), a reported 15 million Americans struggle with alcohol consumption on a regular basis. It is a deeply muddy relationship, and on this week's episode, Drew and Alex dive deep into the muddy waters of their personal struggles, victories and humiliations with alcohol. If you are also challenged to find a healthy balance with alcohol, you are not alone. 

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

Conversations on addiction and recovery are not new to "Into the Mud", and this week's episode is not to be missed. Podcast host, comedian and corporate American "Daddy" Judson Morrow dives headfirst into the mud with Drew and Alex to discuss his dark and life-threatening history with crystal methamphetamine. Dark humored, intellectual, and admirably self-aware, Judson lays it all on the table. Tune in to hear this incredibly inspiring story. "Into the Mud" is deeply proud of Judson's sobriety and honored to share his journey. You can get even more of Judson by giving him a listen, follow, and subscribe on his hit podcast, "Dads and Daddies", available everywhere you choose to listen. 

Bio: Judson Morrow, who lived recklessly from a young age, embraced a rebellious lifestyle and came out as gay at 15 in 1998. By his early 30s, he was struggling with alcoholism and crystal meth addiction, despite achieving a Master’s Degree and maintaining a job. 

Now sober at 41, he has a successful career in Sales and Training, a loving husband, and enjoys a balanced life, embodying the role of "Daddy" with a positive outlook. Residing in Brooklyn, New York, Judson continues to mentor others and brings wisdom from his 26 years as an out gay man to the "Dads and Daddies" podcast.

Judson's Social Media: @DadsAndDaddiesPod, @GuncleJudson
www.DadsAndDaddies.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

Bessel van der Kolk's popular book, "The Body Keeps the Score", tackles the heavy repercussions that emotional trauma and stress leave on the physical body. Actress Vasthy Mompoint is no stranger to this phenomenon. Battling a crippling divorce, an ADHD diagnosis, lifesaving fibroid surgery, and even early menopause, Vasthy and her body have been to hell and back again the last eight years. If you want a story filled with strength, resilience, and comedic bits, look no further and tune into this week's remarkable episode with a truly remarkable human. 

Bio: Vasthy is the daughter of Haitian immigrants and was raised in Hoover, Alabama. Vasthy went on to do 8 original Broadway shows including The Prom, The SpongeBob SquarePants Musical, Mary Poppins.Recent credits include: High School Musical: the Musical: the Series (Krystal),  Briny the Whale in Baby Shark’s Big Show! on Nick Jr. She served as choreographer for films WEIRD: The Al Yankovic Story, Cursed Friends, The Prom, and Miracle Workers. 

In 2020, Vasthy launched a virtual children’s entertainment business, Vasthy & Friends, in the hope of bringing joy during difficult times, and now performs all over the US. V & F released an original children’s music album: “Sing, Dance, Play” available on all music streaming platforms. 

Vasthy currently resides in LA, but continues to work in New York City and at theaters and schools across the United States. 

Vasthy's Social Media: @Vasthyandfriends and @frostyvasthy

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

We all need to pay the bills, but where do we draw the line and learn when to establish boundaries? This can be an overwhelming challenge for workaholics; especially freelancers who live in the constant state of "feast or famine". On this week's episode Broadway actor, Harris Milgrim, attempts to reconcile his unhealthy relationship to work with his core values, relationships and future career goals.

Bio: Harris Milgrim is an actor and singer who grew up in Miami, FL and was raised on food stamps and Frasier. He was in the Broadway productions of Tootsie and Cats, the national tour of West Side Story, Off-Broadway's Piece of My Heart, the world premieres of Secondhand Lions and The Honeymooners (among others), and has played many roles in regional theatres across the country.

No stranger to the hustle, Harris is also the owner of Milgrim Design Studio, a boutique graphic design firm with a portfolio that includes package design for national brands like BD Dog Health to logo design and branding consultation for small businesses.

He lives in New York City with his fiancé, Blanton.

Harris' Social Media: @HarrisMilgrim
Harris' Website: www.HarrisMilgrim.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