🔥 New Episode Alert! 🔥

In this powerful episode of Kiss My Mike, I sit down with trans filmmaker and artist, Jade Phoenix to discuss:

✨ The current political climate and how recent executive actions are attacking the trans community.
✨ The history of discrimination and how these tactics have been in place for a long time.
✨ How Jade and the community continue to thrive despite these challenges.
✨ Using art as activism—expressing identity, resistance, and resilience through creativity.
✨ Teaching queer youth about art and expression as tools for survival, empowerment, and healing.

💡 Jade’s message is clear: We are not voiceless. She encourages all of us to step into our power and thrive.

🎧 Listen now! 

#KissMyMike #TransRightsAreHumanRights #QueerVoices #TransVisibility #LGBTQPodcast #StepIntoYourPower #ArtAsActivism #QueerCreatives #JadePhoenix #TransFilmmaker #WeWontBeSilenced #PodcastEpisode #LGBTQCommunity

Best Movies of 2024 

Anora, Wicked, The Substance, Conclave, A Complete Unknown—these are just some of the critically acclaimed films from 2024!

Check out the latest episode of Kiss My Mike, featuring special guest Charles Gray, a FilAm filmmaker based in California. We dive into our favorite movies and performances from last year, breaking down the most memorable cinematic moments—including the stunning cinematography in Conclave, Anora, and Dune: Part Two.

We also share our thoughts on the actors and actresses nominated this year. Who are your top picks? Drop your favorites in the comments!

 Listen now! Link in bio.

#KissMyMike #BestMoviesOf2024 #Oscars2024 #FilAmFilmmakers #MovieLovers #FilmPodcast #Cinephile #MoviesOfTheYear #DunePartTwo #WickedMovie #AnoraFilm #ConclaveFilm #TheSubstanceMovie #PodcastEpisode

A Call for Advocacy

I’ve always tried to steer clear of politics on my podcast and social media. But you know what? Staying silent isn’t an option anymore—not when policies are being set into motion that directly affect me as an LGBTQ+ Filipino American immigrant (and now, a proud U.S. citizen).

CHECK OUT MY FIRST PODCAST FOR 2025: LGBTQ+ and AAPI ADVOCACIES.

In this episode, I dive into some of the alarming Executive Actions from the Trump Administration:

• The revocation of protections for LGBTQ+ individuals against discrimination.
• The removal of support for AAPIs and other minority communities working toward equity.
• The dangerous Executive Action that recognizes only two sexes—male and female—and how it sets a precedent for erasing LGBTQ+ identities and attacking our rights.

Learn about these policies, understand what’s at stake, and discover what we can do to take action and protect our communities.

 Together, we can make a difference. Advocacy starts with awareness. Check it out now, and let’s fight for equality and justice.

#LGBTQRights #AAPIAdvocacy #EqualityMatters #ProtectTransLives #StopAAPIHate #HumanRights #DiversityAndInclusion #CallToAction #LGBTQPodcast #WeWontGoBack

 2024 Year-End RECAP — Kiss My Mike Podcast!

This year was a whirlwind of pop culture, movies, and major events — and I’m breaking it ALL down in my latest podcast episode!

 Watch the full video on YouTube and the audio on Spotify, Apple, or your favorite app!

Here’s what I’m covering:
The impact of AI on entertainment (and beyond!)
The best movies of 2024 — and my personal faves!
The breathtaking Solar Eclipse in April A look at the US Elections in November Exciting updates on my upcoming film & creative projects
… and more surprises you don’t want to miss!

Don’t just watch the year go by — relive it with me! Drop your favorite 2024 moments in the comments. Let’s wrap it up together.

#KissMyMike #YearEndRecap #2024Review #PopCulture #Movies2024 #SolarEclipse #AIinEntertainment #USElections2024 #PodcastLife #SpotifyPodcast #ApplePodcasts #YouTubeShow #FilmMaker #CreativeProjects #PodcasterLife

🎙 New Podcast Episode! 🎬
I’m diving into my journey as a director for my latest short film, THE MANALOS. From preparation to embracing the creative process, here are my key takeaways. Whether you're a filmmaker or just curious, tune in to hear more!

#FilmmakingJourney #PodcastEpisode #TheManalos #DirectorLife #CreativeProcess #IndieFilm #BehindTheScenes

Check out this new podcast episode featuring Writer/Filmmaker: 
KRISTINE GEROLAGA!

Kristine Gerolaga is a Filipina American filmmaker and actor. Her work has been featured on ATTN:, Amazon Fire TV, ALTER, Shudder, Fangoria, Rappler, and Vulture. Her short films were finalists for the TIFFxInstagram Shorts Fest and Justin Lin's Interpretations 2.0 Asian American Filmmaker Initiative. She is a 2023 grant recipient of The Future of Film is Female's Short Film Fund. 

She is also a Sundance Institute supported artist: She was a 2022 Uprise Grantee, a 2023 TAAF Collab Scholar, and most recently, a 2024 January Screenwriters Lab Fellow and recipient of the Horror Fellowship in support of her feature film LAMOK. Her latest short film MOSQUITO LADY, the proof of concept for LAMOK, premiered at the 2023 Beyond Fest and is on the festival circuit now.

#filipina #writer #filmmaker #sundance

Check out this new episode with LA-based actor and writer, ROMMEL ROJAS!

Rommel was born and raised in Davao, Philippines. He has a Bachelor’s Degree in Mass Communication and pursued a career in advertising. When the opportunity arose, he moved to the US in 2004. When his corporate stint ended in 2014, he rediscovered his passion in storytelling and attended both UCB and Elizabeth Mestnik Acting Studio for his training. He is a Meisner trained actor and a member of the Company of Angels theater group. 

His experience in film includes a short film, entitled Centerpiece, wherein, he co-wrote, produced and acted in, garnering selections in various film festivals. He loves hiking. He has hiked the Half Dome twice and did notable trails in Japan, South Korea, and Spain. He aims to hike Patagonia soon. His favorite color is green. 

#kissmymike #podcast #filipino #filipinoamerican #rommelrojas #naughtymaids #lgbtq

Check out this new 'Kiss My Mike' podcast episode featuring ACHIM MENDOZA.

Achim is queer ex-Filipino-soap-opera-translator-turned-filmmaker, Achim’s passion for film started in his teens, when Marilou Diaz-Abaya, a renown Filipino director and National Artist, offered to mentor him. As a teenager, Achim would fly back and forth between his hometown of Davao and Manila to attend her classes. Back in the Philippines, he helped create “Stages Sessions,” a YouTube channel that focuses on indie Filipino musicians and poets. His 2021 musical short “Connection” was screened at the 38th Los Angeles Asian Pacific Film Festival and was nominated for Best Short at the 2023 FilAm Creative Film Festival. 

His next short “A Karaoke Space Odyssey” is a sci-fi rom-com karaoke musical that recently had its world premiere at the LA Shorts International Film Fest. He is also the editor of “ALOK,” a short documentary on queer and gender- nonconforming artist Alok Vaid-Menon, which premiered at Sundance Film Festival 2024. 

Achim’s works focus on the radical power of joy to change the world, especially the joy experienced by his fellow Filipinos and queer persons of color. In his spare time, Achim likes to perfect his family’s longsilog recipe.

Only on Kiss My Mike!

Happy New Year Everyone!

Check out this latest podcast episode to kickoff Season 5. In this episode, I share my thoughts on what's in and what's out in 2024!

Hope you all enjoy it!

Check out this brand new podcast episode featuring CARLIN JAMES.

Carlin is an LA-based, Filipino-American actor who has appeared in shows like Better Call Saul, American Crime Story, and It's always sunny in Philadelphia.

Carlin's new short film "A Sweet Tooth" will have its premiere at FilmQuest on November 3rd and FilAm Creative Film Festival on November 4th.

About A Sweet Tooth
Logline: An overachieving Analyst will do whatever it takes to win a coveted promotion until he's confronted by a hammer-wielding assailant.

CAST: Carlin James, Lee Donoghue, Ashley Undercuffler, Frankie D'Alessandro, RD Mower, Laura Dromerick, Kevin Caliber, Mike Talplacido, and James Lontayao.

Executive Producer: Mike Talplacido & Joe Daly
Director/DP: Presley Paras
Editor: Jason Daly
Writers: Presley Paras & Jason Daly
Producer: Russell Whaley and AJ Calomay

For more info, check out IG @asweettoothfilm or www.filmquestfest.com