The Tangle with Kyle Ridley

Brian Sims shares his journey from a military family and college football star to a dedicated LGBTQIA+ advocate and politician. He discusses early awareness of his sexuality, the importance of community, and the ongoing fight for civil rights and representation. Brian also gets candid about body image, the bear community, and his hopes and fears for the upcoming election. 

Chapters 

• Early life and military family background
• Journey of self-discovery and coming out at 22
• The role of community and representation 
• His work in politics and civil rights advocacy
• The importance of education and local activism
• His experience with HIV/AIDS history and activism
• The impact of media and role models like Wilson Cruz
• Fitness journey and identity as a bear
• The significance of the Nasty Pig photo shoot
• Current political challenges and hope for the future
• Tangles 

Evan Mulrooney joins Kyle to discuss his upbringing in Delaware, exploring his identity, navigating body image issues, and embracing his authentic self through comedy, acting, and self-deprecation. Evan also offers insights into navigating masculinity, sexuality, and self-acceptance with humor and honesty.

Chapters 

• Evan's upbringing in Wilmington, Delaware
• His journey with body image and big morphia
• Exploration of sexuality and pansexual identity
• Impact of football culture and toxic masculinity
• Transition from sports to comedy and acting
• The role of humor in caregiving and community
• Experiences with mental health and self-acceptance
• Insights into LGBTQIA+ identity and societal perceptions
• Creative pursuits: acting, comedy, writing
• Hope and resilience in challenging times
• Tangles 

Comedian Maggie Winters shares her journey to stand-up success, her creative process for her special “Marguerite,” and her thoughts on comedy, body neutrality, and navigating the industry. Follow Maggie on Instagram and watch her special on YouTube. 

Chapters

• Workshopping a stand-up special
• Growing up Irish and the desire for attention
• Deciding to pursue full-time comedy 
• Life on the road and maintaining routines
• Embracing divisiveness and authenticity in comedy
• Community of comedians and influences
• Inspiring stand-up specials 
• Sandwich artist 
• Being a Disney adult
• Body neutrality versus body positivity
• Navigating politics and comedy communities
• Podcast origins and memorable episodes
• Deciding to speak about being single and bisexual
• Using social media for comedy and content creation
• Developing a new hour and working on material
• Tangles 

Comedian and author Eliot Glazer joins Kyle to discuss his new book of essays, “The Terrible, Horrible, No Good, Very Bad Gay.” The two explore themes of identity, community, and representation within the LGBTQIA+ experience, as well as the impact of the internet on queer identity and the challenges of navigating labels and body image. The conversation also touches on the dynamics of the “Queer Eye” phenomenon and personal growth in the face of societal expectations. Eliot also discusses the nuances of queer representation, the dynamics between gay men and lesbians, and the cultural significance of shows like “The Golden Girls.” He also shares his thoughts on the phenomenon of bachelorette parties in gay spaces and his love for “The View” and Howard Stern.

Chapters 

• Minority identity within the LGBTQIA+ community
• The internet’s role in queer connection and isolation
• The lifelong search for community
• Media representation and the formation of self-identity
• Labels within the LGBTQIA+ experience
• Body image and societal standards in gay culture
• The impact and legacy of “Queer Eye” 
• Personal growth and internalized self-loathing
• Self-acceptance and the importance of community 
• Dorothy, “The Golden Girls,” and queer identification
• Queer history and generational understanding
• Kindness, rejection, and emotional responsibility
• Bachelorette parties and the politics of gay spaces
• The cultural influence of “The View”
• Anti-Semitism, identity, and belonging
• Tangles 

This week, Bryan Safi shares his journey from a conservative upbringing in El Paso, Texas, to becoming a multifaceted performer. He discusses the evolution of his one-man show, “Are you Mad at Me?,” the importance of humor in overcoming childhood struggles, and the significance of LGBTQ+ representation in comedy. Bryan reflects on his early celebrity crushes, the challenges of family dynamics, and the cathartic experience of performing his new show. The discussion also touches on relationships, the comedy community, and current obsessions.

Chapters

• Introduction and early connections
• The journey of a one-man show
• Childhood influences and family dynamics 
• Celebrity crushes and animated characters
• Career beginnings 
• LGBTQIA+ representation and community
• Finding humor in hard times 
• People-pleasing
• The catharsis of performance
• Jennifer Love Hewitt friendship
• Reflections on divorce
• Comedy community: Michelle Collins, Danielle Schneider and Casey Wilson
• Tangles

The incomparable and ever-inspirational Rosie O'Donnell joins Kyle to discuss her new one-woman show, “Common Knowledge,” which she’s currently preforming a sold-out run Off-Broadway. In a wide-ranging conversation, Rosie gets candid about losing her mother at 10 years old, her advocacy for health and LGBTQIA+ rights, and her hopes for America’s healing amid years of tumult. Rosie also reflects on a few of her iconic roles, her potential return to daytime, her move to Ireland, and much more! 

Chapters 

• A maternal figure to millions
• Health advocacy and holding others’ fears and grief 
• The move to Ireland
• “Common Knowledge” inspirations
• Political turmoil and hopes for healing
• The continual fight for equality
• A return to daytime? 
• “The View” reflections
• The OWN year
• Tangles
• Rapid fire reflections

Comedian and former teacher Joe Dombrowski joins Kyle for a deep dive into his booming comedy career, marriage and having his first child. Joe also discusses his upbringing in Michigan, lessons learned from surrogacy, and how he navigates career as a new father. You can watch Joe’s new comedy special, “Dad on Arrival,” on YouTube. 

Chapters

• Early life in Michigan
• Supportive Midwest family
• Joe’s school life, popularity, and social skills
• Stand-up comedy and teaching career
• Joe’s gay awakening and celebrity crushes
• Representation and North Stars in media
• Relationship with husband and early dating
• Immersing in gay community and coming out
• Marriage, family, and parenting plans
• Lessons from IVF and surrogacy journey
• Naming the baby and family decisions
• Balancing touring and family life
• Considerations with a young son
• The state of comedy and audience engagement
• Hope, resilience, and personal growth
• Tangles

Singer-songwriter JORDY shares insights into his new album “In Retrospect,” his journey with sexuality, and navigating the music industry as a queer artist. We explore themes of self-awareness, emotional growth, and the influence of nostalgia on his creative process.

Chapters

• JORDY’s musical evolution from third to fourth albums
• Growing up in Illinois and coming out
• Navigating repression and acceptance
• Learning about sexuality online
• Influences and role models
• Representation in music
• Maintaining hope
• Reflecting on youth and nostalgia 
• Emotional themes “In Retrospect”
• Confusing anxiety with love
• Single life
• Fun nights and personal identity
• Feeling cool and navigating insecurity 
• Writing process
• Love languages
• Tangles 

Kyle recaps his trip to Europe, breaks down the Emmy nominees, and offers some personal updates. He’s also joined by comedian Victor Carlesi, who shares his journey from small-town Pennsylvania to Chicago's vibrant comedy scene (and soon Los Angeles). Victor also discusses coming out, building community, comedic influences, goals for the future, and his best friendship with actress and comedian Meg Stalter. 

Chapters

• Kyle’s London trip
• Personal updates
• Emmy nominations 
• Victor Carlesi’s Pennsylvania childhood
• Comedic influences and SNL heroes
• Coming out story
• LGBTQIA+ representation 
• Best friendship with Meg Stalter
• The appeal of leaning into the uncomfortable 
• First stand-up experience and performing with Meg
• Moving to Los Angeles and career aspirations
• Writing process and social media strategy
• Tangles 

Gus Heagerty shares his journey from a supportive (yet depressed) childhood, to becoming an acclaimed director and comedian. Gus and Kyle explore themes of identity, mental health, community, attraction, and more. Gus also shares his creative process, influences, and the lessons he's learned about love, control, and self-acceptance. Catch Gus on his “Is This the New Me?” tour now. More details on his Instagram. 

Chapters

• Childhood and family dynamics
• Early humor, impressions, and school experiences
• Coming out, therapy, and mental health journey
• Community, dating, and social media exploration
• Lessons from long-term relationship and trust
• Comedy influences and creative evolution
• Characters, impressions, and inspiration behind sketches
• New tour, special, and future projects
• Reflections on identity, control, and self-acceptance
• Tangles