Why Here

When Why Here contributor Claudine Ko reports a story she always finds an angle that provokes intrigue with readers. She's spent years seeking the truth in a story about Me Too and the the pottery world. In 2004 she wrote THE American Apparel story that made some feel as though founder Dov Charney should become a pariah for his overtly candid and sexual management style. On this week's episode of Why Here, Claudine sits to chat with hosts Benton Whitley and Tristan McAllister about her take on these stories and what it means to be an objective journalist in the time of cancel culture. Special guest Jane Pratt, former editor-in-chief at Jane magazine, joins the conversation to talk about how the American Apparel story might have had a different outcome today.  

Starting a conversation with Jake Shears is easy. Ending one is hard ... because he has so many INSANE stories about his career in pop music. As the lead singer of the band Scissor Sisters he shot to stardom at a young age and became a queer icon for a generation of people looking to see themselves represented in music. On this week's episode of Why Here, he joins hosts Tristan McAllister and Benton Whitley to talk about his journey to becoming a solo artist, his love of Dolly Parton, what Elton John once said to him in a dressing room and what he wishes he'd known when he first found fame. And, at the end a "Savage" friend joins us to talk about Jake's coming out story. 

You’d be hard-pressed to find some of the most incredible minds in entertainment and beyond who haven’t been interviewed by Stacey Wilson Hunt. The veteran Hollywood journalist even once received a phone call from Oprah who personally thanked her for the feature story she wrote about the famed media mogul for The Hollywood Reporter. Wilson Hunt’s work goes far beyond that, as the host of the new National Geographic podcast series Consider This. On this week’s episode of Why Here, she shares her take on how Hollywood is addressing Black Lives Matter and #MeToo with hosts Benton Whitley and Tristan McAllister. 

It's been more than 50 years since the historic riots at New York City's Stonewall Inn birthed the modern queer rights movement and the first Gay Pride. On this special Pride episode of Why Here, hosts Benton Whitley and Tristan McAllister speak with prominent queer role models Jake Shears, L Morgan Lee, Bob The Drag Queen, Andre De Shields, VINCINT and many more to ask a simple question: What does Pride mean to you? 

For a Black, queer superstar on the rise, pandemics and protests against police brutality would seem to be a huge setback. Not so, says vocalist and musician VINCINT, who thinks they’ve actually made for the perfect time for artists like him to reflect. On episode 6 of Why Here, he joins hosts Benton Whitley and Tristan McAllister and shares his thoughts on Black Lives Matter, Gay Pride, being an emerging pop superstar and writing the theme song to Netflix’s Queer Eye series.

On the heels of widespread protests over injustices against BIPOC, Ru Paul’s Drag Race season 8 winner and internationally renowned queer superstar Bob The Drag Queen joins Why Here hosts Benton Whitley and Tristan McAllister for some honest conversation. She shares her thoughts on race, America and “Black joy,” something she insists we can’t forget, in spite of the complicated — and long overdue — social revolution around us.

With the U.S. in the throes of street protests sparked by the murder of African Americans at the hands of police, it's time to amplify the voices of those who can help us better understand the communities truly affected by systemic bigotry and racism. On episode four of Why Here hosts Benton Whitley and Tristan McAllister interview L Morgan Lee, who shares her experience as the first openly transgender actress to originate a role in a Pulitzer Prize winning theater production. As an African American her take on race, gender and dismantling racism is crucial for all of us to hear. Her quest to tell honest stories that are representative of many voices should serve as inspiration for anyone looking to build stronger and more just communities. 

Keeping your head high during a pandemic is tough. Add to that all of the unjust, fucked up things happening in America these days and it would only seem appropriate to go bury your head in the sand. Well, don't. We need you. The world needs you. The world needs more people like our guest Dan Pelosi. On episode three of Why Here, Dan, the king of food queens, joins us to talk about standing up for yourself, love in all shapes and sizes, his sweet meatballs and defying all of the bullshit that the world lobs at you. His message is simple and ... punny: This Too Shall Pasta, if we all agree to leave fear and stereotypes in the past. 

Some NYC landlords think it’s the right time for lawmakers to allow rent hikes for millions of New Yorkers, in spite of the pandemic. On this week's episode of Why Here Benton and Tristan ask NYC real estate agent Anna Klenkar all the questions some politicians don't want to answer, like, “Should we be staging a “Les Miz” style rent revolt?” No, she won't tell you to stop paying rent, but she does think it’s time for many landlords to “read the room.” 

In the midst of a quarantine New Yorkers face hard truths about the city they love. Many even wonder if staying is worth it. On the first episode of Why Here we interview emergency physician Dr. Virat Madia about his time working in the Bronx, the epicenter of America's coronavirus pandemic. His perspective is sobering, but his belief New York City will make it through is cause for hope.