In this episode of Slightly Unhinged, Justin brings the conversation home and sits down with the person who has been there through all of it: his husband, Daniel Pavis. This is not just a guest episode. It’s the real origin story behind Justin’s growth and the relationship that helped shape the life he lives now. Plus the love, friction, ambition, and belief it took to build something real together.

Justin and Danny get into how they met, what it looked like to choose each other before titles or success were part of the picture, and the very unglamorous chapters that came before the life they’ve built now. They talk about letting go of what people think, growing into yourself, navigating self-doubt, surviving broke years, and learning how to challenge each other without losing the relationship in the process. From Tinder and Scandals to San Diego, dungeon apartments, free Albertsons bagels, and the long road to stability, this one is funny, personal, and very real.

More than anything, this episode gives listeners a deeper look at Justin through the eyes of the person who knew him before the glow-up, before the business, and before the public-facing version of the story. It’s about partnership, queer love, self-trust, and what it means to become more fully yourself while building a life with someone who sees you clearly.

Daniel Pavis is Justin’s husband, creative sounding board, co-conspirator, and one of the biggest forces behind the scenes of Slightly Unhinged. In this episode, he steps into the chair to talk about growth, identity, partnership, and the road he and Justin took to build the life they have now.

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Stranger Care by Sarah Sentilles

Shout out to Shannon for the karaoke memories, fashion inspiration, and generally being everything.

Shout out to Albertsons for the Monopoly-ticket bagel era that kept the romance alive and the groceries interesting.

Instagram: @slightlyunhingedthepodcast

If you liked this episode, make sure you subscribe, leave a comment, and come back next Friday. Danny says he’ll see the haters in the comments.

If you've been listening to Slightly Unhinged for any amount of time, you already know Mandy. She's been in the background of this show since the very beginning — her wine bar, Bouchon, is where the wine comes from in almost every episode, and her name has come up more times than either of them can count. This week, she finally gets her moment.

Mandy is the owner of Bouchon: A Wine Bar in Cedar Mill, one of Portland's most beloved neighborhood wine bars and the unofficial home base of this podcast. In this episode, Justin and Mandy get into how they met, how Bouchon came to be, the rebrand from Portland Wine Cellar to the cozy, sexy space it is now, and why she left her old location the second her lease ran out. They also dig into wine club, the crash course Mandy got in wine knowledge after opening a business she wasn't totally prepared for, and why her no-bullshit approach to wine is exactly what makes her so good at what she does.

And then it gets a little unhinged. They break down this season of RuPaul's Drag Race (the queens were not the problem), compare favorite comfort movies, debate whether Titanic is an acceptable answer in a rapid fire round, and somehow end up talking about Justin's bottle purge party that did not result in fewer bottles.

This one is for the longtime listeners who've been waiting for this episode, and for anyone new who wants to understand exactly what kind of show this is.

In this episode:

About Mandy

Mandy is the owner of Bouchon: A Wine Bar in Cedar Mill, Portland. What started as a crash course has turned into a genuine expertise and a community-centered space that people actually want to hang out in. She knows her wine, she'll tell you when she doesn't, and she built something her regulars are fiercely loyal to. She's also been mentioned in nearly every episode of this podcast, so it's about time.

Connect with Mandy & Bouchon

Website: bouchonpdx.com Instagram: @bouchonpdx

How to support Mandy: Visit Bouchon, join the wine club, and send people her way.

Mentioned in this episode:

Wine for this episode

Thank you to Bouchon: A Wine Bar for providing the wine for this episode — a 2017 Chateau Falfas Bordeaux, right bank, heavier on the cab than you'd expect, and one of Mandy's personal favorites from the shop. Visit Bouchon: bouchonpdx.com

Follow the show

Instagram: @slightlyunhingedthepodcast

Subscribe!

If this episode made you want to finally check out Bouchon, good. If it made you want to watch Dante's Peak, we understand. Either way, subscribe and share it with someone who needs more of this energy in their life.

In this episode of Slightly Unhinged, Justin sits down with Lily for a conversation about what it really means to build community in Portland and why the best business relationships are never just about business. As the show continues leaning into connection, chosen community, and uplifting the people who make this city feel alive, this episode lands right at the heart of that mission.

Justin and Lily talk about Portland Small Business Network, the difference between authentic networking and rooms full of people just trying to sell, and why referrals should come from real trust, not pressure. They also get into local restaurants, nightlife, hospitality, food culture, and the people and places that help shape Portland’s creative and community-driven spirit. It’s a conversation about showing up for your city, your people, and the small businesses that keep local culture alive.

Lily also shares more about her work with Accident Care Chiropractic, her family’s roots in Portland’s food and small business scene, and the relationship-first approach that defines everything she builds. And of course, Tofu makes an appearance, because some stars simply demand screen time.

This episode is fun, community-focused, and a strong reflection of what Slightly Unhinged is: a space where Justin brings listeners into conversations with people who are actively shaping Portland through connection, culture, and care.

Growing up in NE Portland’s small business scene, Lily is passionate about helping local businesses thrive. She connects people, builds lasting relationships, and delivers strategic marketing that drives results. With a knack for spotting inefficiencies and a creative edge, she helps businesses grow smarter, faster, and stronger.

Portland Small Business Network: portlandsmallbusinessnetwork.com

Thank you to Bouchon: A Wine Shop for providing the wine for this episode.

If you loved this episode, make sure you subscribe and share it with someone in your circle.

In this episode of Slightly Unhinged, Justin sits down with Nicole Onoscopi, a Portland-based, Oregon-raised, New York City-cultivated drag queen known for her live vocals, high-energy brunches, bingos, and big-stage charisma. They get into Nicole’s journey from musical theater and off-Broadway life in New York to becoming one of Portland’s most beloved drag performers, and how drag became the place where all of her creativity, humor, and storytelling finally clicked.

They also talk about Nicole’s pandemic-era love story, supportive queer family, the evolution of her drag persona, and what it really takes to build a life and career in performance. Along the way, the conversation wanders into brunches, wigs, weddings, local drag, and the kind of family stories that could only happen in a beautifully queer cousin web.

This episode is funny, personal, heartfelt, and wildly entertaining, with plenty of laughs and a real love for performance, community, and being exactly who you are.

Nicole Onoscopi is a Portland-based, Oregon-raised, New York City-cultivated drag queen known for her live vocals, high-energy brunches, and bingos. She has been featured as one of Cosmopolitan’s Cosmo Queens, performed in the Guinness World Record-holding longest drag show, appeared on the Trail Blazers halftime stage, and is part of the CC Slaughters nightclub family. She also hosts and produces Drag Brunch PDX at multiple venues in Portland.

Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/nicoleonoscopi

KimChi Chic Beauty: https://kimchichicbeauty.com

Use code NICOLEONOSCOPI15 at checkout for 15% off.

Want to support local drag in a real way? Nicole’s advice is simple: support the venues even when a show isn’t happening, spend intentionally, and buy tickets in advance. It helps venues plan, helps performers keep producing, and helps the local drag community keep thriving.

Instagram: @slightlyunhingedthepodcast

Follow and subscribe to Slightly Unhinged so you don’t miss future episodes, guests, and wildly unhinged conversations.

In this episode of Slightly Unhinged, Justin sits down with Albert Tavarez for a conversation about community, financial literacy, identity, and what it means to build a career around helping people feel supported instead of overlooked. Originally from Miami and now eight years into life in Oregon, Albert shares how his work in banking connects with his passion for serving others, especially the Latino and LGBTQIA+ communities, and why creating safe, welcoming spaces matters just as much as the numbers.

They get into what people often misunderstand about banking, why small business owners need real human support behind their accounts, and how financial education can genuinely change lives. The conversation also moves into Albert’s journey from Miami to Oregon, the differences between the two cities, queer community, nightlife, chosen family, and the value of building spaces where people can feel seen, supported, and connected.

This episode is warm, funny, and genuinely useful, especially for anyone thinking more seriously about money, business relationships, community, and the kind of support system they want around them.

Albert Tavarez is originally from Miami, Florida, and moved to Oregon eight years ago. He loves Oregon, misses the sun, and is living his dream job by helping others, especially the Latino and LGBTQIA+ communities, through financial literacy and money management. He also has a passion for nonprofit work and serves on the Hillsboro Library Foundation board and as Treasurer for Pacific Northwest Power Partners.

Visit Columbia Bank: Columbia Bank

Pacific Northwest Power Partners: @pnwpowerpartners

Instagram: @slightlyunhingedthepodcast

Thank you to Bouchon: A Wine Shop for providing the wine for this episode.

A special extra shoutout to Christine for making the connection to today’s guest.

Follow and subscribe to Slightly Unhinged so you don’t miss future episodes and guest conversations.

In this episode of Slightly Unhinged, Justin sits down with Kaylyn of Action Jackson Promotions for a candid conversation about content creation, confidence on camera, building a business by accident, and what it really looks like to work with your spouse while trying to build something meaningful.

This one is occasionally explicit, and full of the kind of real conversation that makes Slightly Unhinged what it is.

Kaylyn is the co-founder of Action Jackson Promotions, a production company known for helping brands show up with more intention, personality, and confidence on camera. In this episode, she joins Justin not just as the force behind the production of Slightly Unhinged, but as a guest with her own story and perspective.

Instagram - @kaydawl

Special thanks to Mandy and Bouchon: A Wine Shop for supplying the wine for this episode.

If you enjoyed this episode, be sure to follow and subscribe to Slightly Unhinged so you don’t miss future episodes!

In the first episode of Slightly Unhinged, Justin sits down with his friend Jessica for a candid conversation about housing, money, big life decisions, and all the chaos that comes with being an adult in strange times. From real estate war stories to wine-fueled tangents, this one is honest, funny, and just unhinged enough.

In this episode:

Follow / Subscribe:

About Jessica:

Jessica's 10 years' experience in the mortgage industry started when she realized that mortgage lending & customer service were mutually exclusive. Her differentiator is to provide exceptional service to her clients through education and constant communication. If you're looking for a lender partner that listens to your needs and delivers on follow-up, call Jessica!

Connect with Jessica:

Instagram - @jessicahomelender

Book a consult via Instagram link in bio

Website - https://www.cmghomeloans.com/mysite/jessica-scolastico

LinkedIn - https://www.linkedin.com/in/jessicahomelender/ 

Wine provided by Bouchon: A Wine Shop

https://bouchonpdx.com/

Slightly Unhinged is a podcast hosted by Justin Pavis featuring real conversations, honest opinions, unexpected tangents, and moments that are a little too real for most polished spaces. Funny sometimes, messy sometimes, thoughtful sometimes, and every now and then a little unhinged. If you like smart conversation, good chemistry, and a little chaos, you’re in the right place!