The Queer Stuff Pod

In this Q&A-style episode, I answer your questions about the wild start to my 2025—from losing my home in a fire to unexpectedly moving to Switzerland and starting a new chapter as head of media at an aid organization.

I’m covering everything: how I ended up here, what life near Lake Lucerne is really like, and the ups and downs of adjusting to a new country and culture, and what’s next for me and the podcast.

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• Manscaped | Visit http://Manscaped.com and use code MAXEMERSON to get 20% off plus free shipping. Or if you need it today, you can find MANSCAPED® at a store near you. Stay fresh this season—for everyone's sake. Level up your grooming game today!

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Nate Heffel, Tobin Schiller ,James M, Christopher Neefus, Heskel, Michael Carpentiere, Timothy Cardoso, Shane Ouyang, Brian Joaquin, Carabalda, Brendan Saunders, Jeff Jay, James LEE, Andy, 正 , George Acosta, Michael Rice, Nathan Filip, Linda Johnson, Stephen Weathers, Kean Phan, James Powell, Landy Manderson

On this episode of Queer Stuff Pod, I’m joined by the brilliant Brandon Kyle Goodman—actor, writer, and all-around icon—who never shies away from life’s messiest moments. Brandon talks about identity, career ups and downs, and what it means to embrace every part of yourself, even the chaotic ones.

From making it in Hollywood to cutting off toxic people, Brandon gets into the highs and lows of life with humor and honesty. Nothing is off-limits in this conversation about identity, boundaries, and finding joy in the mess.

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Sponsored By:

• Manscaped | Visit Manscaped.com and use code MAXEMERSON to get 20% off plus free shipping. Or if you need it today, you can find MANSCAPED® at a store near you. Stay fresh this season—for everyone's sake. Level up your grooming game today!

Check Out Brandon: 

Check Out Max: 

Thank you to all my patreon subscribers! 

Nate Heffel, Tobin Schiller ,James M, Christopher Neefus, Heskel, Michael Carpentiere, Timothy Cardoso, Shane Ouyang, Brian Joaquin, Carabalda, Brendan Saunders, Jeff Jay, James LEE, Andy, 正 , George Acosta, Michael Rice, Nathan Filip, Linda Johnson, Stephen Weathers, Kean Phan, James Powell, Landy Manderson

26: Comedian and fitness pro Raneir Pollard joins the show to share his journey from college friend to Guinness World Record holder. He talks about breaking a burpee record while wearing stilettos, his work as a celebrity trainer, and his unique approach to fitness with humor.

We explore his worst performances, balancing comedy and fitness, and his thoughts on body positivity and the fitness influencer culture. Raneir also discusses how virtual reality is revolutionizing workouts and the importance of staying motivated in both comedy and fitness.

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Thank you to all my patreon subscribers! 

Nate Heffel, Tobin Schiller ,James M, Christopher Neefus, Heskel, Michael Carpentiere, Timothy Cardoso, Shane Ouyang, Brian Joaquin, Carabalda, Brendan Saunders, Jeff Jay, James LEE, Andy, 正 , George Acosta, Michael Rice, Nathan Filip, Linda Johnson, Stephen Weathers, Kean Phan, James Powell, Landy Manderson

TV presenter, style expert, and entrepreneur Darren Kennedy joins me to share his journey from radio to television, his most disastrous interviews, and how he found his place in the fashion industry. We also explore the inspiration behind his podcast The Number, his approach to personal style, and his documentary Gay Daddy. 

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Thank you to all my patreon subscribers! 

Nate Heffel, Tobin Schiller ,James M, Christopher Neefus, Heskel, Michael Carpentiere, Timothy Cardoso, Shane Ouyang, Brian Joaquin, Carabalda, Brendan Saunders, Jeff Jay, James LEE, Andy, 正 , George Acosta, Michael Rice, Nathan Filip, Linda Johnson, Stephen Weathers, Kean Phan, James Powell, Landy Manderson

24: I sit down with Alex Hall, co-founder and host of The Bottom’s Digest, to talk all things bottoming. As a sexual health educator and body autonomy activist, Alex is on a mission to make sex education accessible, no matter where you’re from or what you’re into.  

We get into the biggest bottoming barriers, from physical challenges to common myths. Alex shares expert tips on safe douching, trigger foods, and his signature "butt clock technique."  

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Further Listening: 

• Alex Hall Fisting Interview 

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Thank you to all my patreon subscribers! 

Nate Heffel, Tobin Schiller ,James M, Christopher Neefus, Heskel, Michael Carpentiere, Timothy Cardoso, Shane Ouyang, Brian Joaquin, Carabalda, Brendan Saunders, Jeff Jay, James LEE, Andy, 正 , George Acosta, Michael Rice, Nathan Filip, Linda Johnson, Stephen Weathers, Kean Phan, James Powell, Landy Manderson

23: What does it take to build some of the most talked-about hotels in the world — and do it while proudly representing the LGBTQ+ community at the top levels of corporate leadership? Blake Danner, COO of aka Hotels and Hotel Residences, joins us to share his journey from nightclub-loving hotel rookie to the executive suite, shaping brands like NoMad, The Line, and Freehand along the way.

Blake opens up about the risks that shaped his career, the power of mentorship, and what it means to lead authentically — even in industries not always known for diversity. Whether you’re chasing a career in hospitality or just love bold leadership stories, this episode is packed with real talk and hard-earned advice.

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Thank you to all my patreon subscribers! 

Nate Heffel, Tobin Schiller ,James M, Christopher Neefus, Heskel, Michael Carpentiere, Timothy Cardoso, Shane Ouyang, Brian Joaquin, Carabalda, Brendan Saunders, Jeff Jay, James LEE, Andy, 正 , George Acosta, Michael Rice, Nathan Filip, Linda Johnson, Stephen Weathers, Kean Phan, James Powell, Landy Manderson

22: Chris Colfer is a Golden Globe-winning actor, bestselling author, screenwriter, and producer, known for his role as Kurt Hummel on Glee, for which he earned numerous accolades, including a Golden Globe and two Emmy nominations. He is the author of the Land of Stories series, which has sold millions of copies worldwide and spent over 100 weeks on the New York Times bestseller list. In 2024, he launched a new middle grade series, Roswell Johnson Saves the World!, which became an instant bestseller. Colfer is also an award-winning audio narrator and has narrated all of his books, including the bestselling Stranger than Fanfiction. His other projects include Netflix's Ridley Jones and the upcoming animated musical feature The Potters. Based in Los Angeles, Colfer's work spans television, film, and literature, with a unique blend of humor, heart, and imagination.

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21: Today, I’m joined by none other than Joey Graceffa. With over 2.9 billion views and a career spanning back to 2007, Joey has built an empire of engaging content, from gaming and vlogs to his hit web series Escape the Night. Joey shares his experience coming out online, his creative inspirations, and his journey as a writer.  

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Special thank you to the following: 

Nate Heffel, Tobin Schiller ,James M, Christopher Neefus, Heskel, Michael Carpentiere, Timothy Cardoso, Shane Ouyang, Brian Joaquin, Carabalda, Brendan Saunders, Jeff Jay, James LEE, Andy, 正 , George Acosta, Michael Rice, Nathan Filip, Linda Johnson, Stephen Weathers, Kean Phan, James Powell, Landy Manderson

20: In today’s episode, I'm joined by Roberto, a Tampa native and fellow Florida man. Roberto’s journey is nothing short of incredible—he's a West Point grad, a former Army Officer, and a leader in counterintelligence. After his time in the military, he dove into the fitness world, even launching his own app to help others get in shape. These days, he works as an IT Services Client Executive for a global tech company (and yes, he’s still in incredible shape, ready to flex at any moment). When he’s not working or hitting the gym, Roberto also dabbles in acting for commercials, TV, and film.

Today, we're talking about everything from military life to body-building, and everything in between. Tune in for some great insights and a whole lot of fun!

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Special thank you to the following: 

Nate Heffel, Tobin Schiller ,James M, Christopher Neefus, Heskel, Michael Carpentiere, Timothy Cardoso, Shane Ouyang, Brian Joaquin, Carabalda, Brendan Saunders, Jeff Jay, James LEE, Andy, 正 , George Acosta, Michael Rice, Nathan Filip, Linda Johnson, Stephen Weathers, Kean Phan, James Powell, Landy Manderson 

In today’s episode, I’m talking all about travel! You’ve asked about everything from the logistics of frequent flying to how I maintain some sense of stability while constantly on the go. This episode is all about practical tips and how I manage to make travel work—both for my career and my personal life.

We’ll discuss:

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Special thank you to the following: 

Nate Heffel, Tobin Schiller ,James M, Christopher Neefus, Heskel, Michael Carpentiere, Timothy Cardoso, Shane Ouyang, Brian Joaquin, Carabalda, Brendan Saunders, Jeff Jay, James LEE, Andy, 正 , George Acosta, Michael Rice, Nathan Filip, Linda Johnson, Stephen Weathers, Kean Phan, James Powell, Landy Manderson