In this bonus episode, Blake recounts a wild experience of group hypnotism and an unexpected power differential. Kashif examines James Baldwin’s first three novels, and how, he too, was hypnotized—by love.

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In this bonus episode, Kashif offers a brief history of beauty supply store extensions, otherwise known as ‘pack hair’. He traces its emergence as a social marker. Moving 18th century England, he examines the parallels betweens wigs and wealth. Blake (an actual square dancing champion), walks us through the architecture and history of square dancing. From France to Henry Ford, he explores the Americanization of the iconic dance, considering more accessible and queer (of course!) models.

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R.K. Russell, the first openly bisexual player in the NFL, visits the pod to chat about Heated Rivalry. Russell’s live Threads posts garnered attention in the fandom for his honest, tender, and sometimes controversial takes on the Canadian series, which stars Connor Storrie and Luke Hudson. Russell came out as bisexual in 2019, playing for the Dallas Cowboys and the Tampa Bay Buccaneers. The trio also discusses representation in the series, and hopes for season 2.

• R.K. Russell’s socials: Instagram | Website

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Instagram: @whosgonnabetherepod

In this bonus episode, Blake reveals a personal connection to sun-sneezing, and how it can tie people to one another. Kashif explores the symbolism and history of the flower, Lily of the Valley.

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Why do holidays matter? In the season finale, our hosts share their ideal year of holidays: some ancient, some sacrilegious, and some downright pornographic. Considering sociologist Amitai Etzioni’s scholarship around holidays, Blake and Kashif decide to keep, tweak, or trash celebrations that occupy the American calendar year. What the heck is up with Groundhog Day? A tough day to be ugly in Ancient Greece. TLC’s Trading Spaces–Ancient Roman Edition. DOGEing the hell out of American war holidays. They close with the last Game of the season.

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Ambient music—what is it, what is it not? Hosts Blake and Kashif attempt to define the music that is so much a part of our professional and personal lives, even when we don’t realize it. Beginning in the 20th century, they trace the genre’s journey from dinner music for the upper echelon to the ‘on-hold’ jingle at your local doctor’s office. Just how many subgenres of ambient/experimental music are there? Why are ambient titles so usual? Reflections on William Basinski’s The Disintegration Loops. An interview with JayVe Montgomery about sound and existence, his newest project: Lake Black Town, and the need for more Black ambient artists.

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In the depths of a lonliness epidemic, what is the importance of coffee shops and third spaces? Our resident coffee shop connoisseurs break down Ray Oldenburg’s third space theory and its obsession with homosexuality. They look at how third wave coffee shops function in their respective communities. How can you tell if a coffee shop will be good based on the name? Why Joe, Co., and Roast can be a dead giveaway of a burnt latte. Baristas and how they are principal agents in the fight against loneliness.

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Storyteller and medium Logan Taylor vists the pod to talk ghosts, spirits, and how to hone the gift of seeing. Featured on the popular Kristen Stewart series, Living for the Dead, Logan talks about coming out as both queer and a psychic in rural Tennessee. What happens after we die? What’s it like to date a psychic? Episode includes a tribute to a dearly departed rider of cowboys.

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Instagram: @whosgonnabetherepod

1982 was quite a year for books, censorship, and the freedom to read. That year, the Supreme Court heard Board of Ed v. Pico, Banned Books Week was founded, and Reading Rainbow was in development. In this episode, Blake and Kashif examine the state of books bans in the US. Kashif unpacks activist librarianship and the symbolic firing of Carla Hayden. Blake explores Reading Rainbow in light of the Butterfly in the Sky documentary. The boys talk their shared love of reading and how the show fostered imagination. They share their favorite children’s books.

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Picture yourself eavesdropping on a typical coffee shop conversation between Blake and Kashif. In this bonus episode, they discuss civil rights activists Andrew Goodman, James Chaney, Michael Schwerner and Freedom Summer. Listen as they find the bridge between the invasive Salt Cedar, the Sand Creek Massacre and Native American mascots. What happens when normal people go…good? What does it mean to uproot traditions that shouldn’t have been there in the first place?

Show Notes:

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