Detoxicity: By Men, About Men, For Everyone

A quick explanation for why there's been no new episodes for several months. After taking some time to reflect, I am looking forward to bringing the Detoxicity podcast back.

The first time I interviewed Chris was four years ago! He and his bandmate in Wax Owls, Gerry Hirschfeld, stopped by in Episode 51. Well, some time has passed, hasn't it? Chris and I reconnected earlier this summer for a wide-ranging, lengthy conversation (I feel like it's been a while since the last episode, so this one is a little long to make up for it!) in which we discuss everything from what it takes to be a good attorney to navigating East Coast life vs. West Coast life. In between, we chat about being children of immigrants, the loss of community that's come with the digital age, and more.

I'm excited to bring you the latest episode of Detoxpod-featuring my chat with musician and journalist Shawn Setaro. Shawn is a journalist who currently works for Complex as a court reporter. He authored a book on the Tekashi Six Nine case, and most recently covered the Sean "Diddy" Combs trial. Shawn helps me unpack some of my disillusionment with hip-hop in recent years, but in addition to playing the role of my therapist, we chat about his musician background and quiet retirement from that field, we talk about what drove him into journalism. We also talk about embracing his Jewish background to advocate for peace and equality, run through a list of favorite hip hop artists of all time, and more. Hope you enjoy our chat!

In this episode, Singer-songwriter YawnyBlew joins me for a powerful conversation about music, identity, and resilience. From his roots to his evolution as a queer R&B artist, Yawny opens up about authenticity, mental health, and navigating an industry that hasn’t always embraced him. A heartfelt discussion about love, healing, and making space for the next generation.

I'm super happy to sit down with Sam Gellerstein--sousaphonist, songwriter, and founding member of the Philadelphia-based band Snacktime. What began as a humble food-and-music event has exploded into one of Philly’s most exciting musical collectives, fusing energy, activism, and community. Sam opens up about the band’s origin story, from pandemic-era street performances to sold-out tours with acts like Portugal. The Man. He dives deep into his musical upbringing, the importance of mental health, and why embracing body positivity and authenticity is so essential. We also talk about his love of cooking (yes, there’s a signature crispy roast chicken involved), the intersections of food, music, and activism, and how he navigates complex topics like privilege, politics, and intergenerational conflict. If you’ve ever wondered how joy, resistance, and radical community can come together in one person’s story, this is the episode for you!

I’m so happy to welcome Rodney McCoy AKA Daddy Rod back to the podcast for a second chat. Our conversation is wide-ranging, intimate, and expands upon several topics that we touching on in our initial conversation, including themes of Black masculinity, sexuality, gentrification and nostalgia, HIV and STI stigma, and aging in the queer community. What does it mean to accept vulnerability and “softness” in a social environment that expects “hardness” out of men (especially Black men)? How did growing up in New York City toughen us up? What does it mean for Rodney to deem himself a “Daddy”? How do desires change over time, or do we come into a better realization of what we want from our relationships over time? Heavy questions, but me and Rod converse with a lot of curiosity, warmth and levity. I hope you enjoy this episode!

My life changed when I went to work for Craig Chapman in March of 1996. Over the last three decades, Craig has not only been my boss, he's been my mentor, my champion and my friend. And I'm just one of many young people he's mentored over the course of his life. I'm grateful to have him on my show to touch on everything from his beginnings in radio to branching out into entrepreneurship (he's been running his own business, Rhythmflow Vacations, for two decades!), to his diagnosis with diabetes and subsequent kidney transplant. Craig drops enough jewels in an hour of conversation to make an entire necklace with a couple of rings and a watch left over. I really hope you enjoy this conversation with someone who was the first Black man I ever encountered in a position of power, and someone I continue to seek out for advice to this day.

Well, folks--we made it to 200 episodes. Holy crap! First off, I'm incredibly grateful to you. Thanks for listening and providing constructive criticism. Feedback is part of what keeps me going, and I don't take the fact that you put DTP in your regular pod rotation lightly. If this is your first listen-welcome! I hope you enjoy and go back and listen to some older episodes! Second, thanks to everyone who submitted questions (a mixture of former guests and regular listeners to the show)! Your queries cover everything from my guest wishlist to my feelings about hip-hop to coming out as a queer person in a heteronormative primary relationship. I appreciate the thought you put into your questions, and I hope my answers aren't too long-winded! Of course, I'm always happy to hear what you think of the episode, so drop me a line or a DM! And see you at Episode 201!

I'm very happy to welcome my friend Ty McKinnie back to the show. Listen to his first appearance here. Originally from Atlanta, Ty works in the music industry as a creative as well as an executive. He released his album Tyrie last year, and I highly recommend it! It's Black Music Month and Pride Month, and Ty stands proudly at the intersection. We talk about how his queerness informs the music he makes, and how he aims to be seen as a representative for a section of the music listening audience he doesn't see well-represented. Ty also fancies himself a "late bloomer" (it's the title of one of his songs), and we go deep into that and how he's come to terms with it. Additionally, we go deep on impostor syndrome, performance anxiety (as a creative, not what you're thinking!) and we talk about joy as a form of resistance. I really hope you enjoy our conversation! Drop a line, find me on socials (detoxpodguy) and let me know what you think!

Backline.care is an organization that aims to provide mental health resources for humans in the music industry, and they have done great things since emerging in 2019. One of the people at the helm of that change is their clinical director, Ari Jacobson. In our chat, Ari takes us through his origin story; we talk about how he joined Backline and go through the circuitous route that led to him becoming a mental health professional in the first place. We discuss his upbringing in Baltimore, his background working in some of that city's toughest environments, and what he learned from those experiences. We also discuss his approach to his own mental health, the value he places on close relationships with friends and family, and what it's like to raise two boys in 2025. I'm very grateful to Ari for his time, and listeners, please drop a comment or a DM if you enjoyed this conversation!

Earlier this year, I interviewed Tyson Allred, the co-founder of Dad Bods and Beards. I've been impressed with DBAB's mission since I found out about them on Instagram through their creative, heartwarming and often funny Reels. Logan is the other half of Dad Bods and Beards, and our chat covers quite a bit of ground: from his bipolar diagnosis and the cop that saved his life to his ongoing fitness journey. From his passionate (and much appreciated) support of the queer community to the power of ketamine (which is starting to become a semi-recurring theme with this podcast), to his experience as a formerly practicing Mormon, Logan keeps it real, with more than a dash of humor and a shit ton of authenticity (real authenticity, not social media/marketing authenticity). I hope some of what Logan talks about resonates. I look forward to having him back for more! Hope you enjoy the listen. And find out more about Dad Bods and Beards here!

I recorded this interview with Greg Burmeister back in October. Because of everything that happened at the beginning of November (you know what I'm talking about), I put this one on the shelf for a while before coming back to it and remembering how good a conversation it was. Greg co-hosts the podcast "Talking Schmidt", which I was lucky enough to appear on last fall. He is also the second (at least) DetoxPod guest to have worked with (for?) the legend David Letterman. Greg and I chat about moving from Minnesota to New York City, a near-death experience that changed his life forever, living rent-free in NYC (a hell of a life hack), music as therapy, and more. Follow Greg on IG at "greghello". Would love to hear what you think of this episode! Sound off in the comments, and enjoy the chat!

Hope you are doing as well as can be given current times. Remember, we are stronger together! Community remains of utmost importance! I'm excited to bring you my conversation with Tom Gentry. Tom is not only a treasured friend, but he's a counselor specializing in addiction. He's also a passionate advocate for progressive masculinity, which makes him a perfect fit for Detoxpod! Tom and I chat about his own experience as an addict and what drove him to recovery. We talk about familial cycles and how the things we learn growing up can affect us without even knowing it. Tom and I chat about the term "toxic masculinity" and how using those words can sometimes negatively obscure the work that we do. And there's so much more! Check out Tom's website and his podcast. Hope you get something positive out of this conversation. Feel free to drop me a line and share your thoughts!

Hi Friends! Happy to bring you the latest episode, starring Rodney McCoy AKA Daddy Rod. Rod's appearance (I'm pretty sure) marks the first instance of a romantic couple appearing in back to back episodes, as he is the partner of 2x DetoxPod guest Damon Jacobs. Like Damon, Rodney is an activist for sexual health. But he has a story all his own. Rod and I connect over our shared Brooklyn upbringing, and the unique local pride that stays with you even when you move away. Rod also shares his coming out story, tying it in with familial hypocrisy and an understanding of the times (late '80s/early '90s). We also discuss issues around consent, and how a greater discussion needs to take place in sex positive circles that include gay and bi men. Of course, it's all part of our shared quest to expand the definitions of what masculinity means so that it calls in, rather than excludes. It's the first of what I'm pretty sure will be several conversations we have for this pod. Also, Rod has his own podcast called "Listen to Daddy" that you can check out here!

I'm happy to welcome my friend Damon Jacobs BACK to the show, on a less-than-ten-episode turnaround. Damon is an NYC-based therapist who also hosts a great podcast called Tub Talks, and has been on the frontline of queer advocacy and STI (specifically HIV) awareness for years. Damon and I reconnect to talk about life in the new American presidential administration, and how to keep your wits about you when it seems like the world is falling apart. We discuss spirituality in depth, and it was really interesting to hear how someone else approaches their relationship with the universe. Of course, the topic of maintaining and cultivating community comes up, as I feel like it's an essential part of enjoying life even in the best of times and becomes even more important as we navigate turmoil. I'll admit to not being in a great place when this episode was recorded (I haven't been in a great place for most of 2025 if we're being honest), and Damon's words were enough to give me a re-think about how I'm getting through these days. I hope you get something uplifting and hopeful out of this episode. Feel free to leave me a comment and let me know what you think!

I'm super excited to bring you this conversation with Tyson Allred. Tyson is the founder of Copper John's, a natural men's grooming and beard care brand. He is also half of the team that makes up Dad Bods and Beards (hey, I have both of those!), which is a community and podcast centered around positive portrayals of masculinity and the acknowledgment of the work it takes to overcome some of the more toxic elements of being socialized male (hmm...sounds familiar?) Tyson and his partner Logan do it from a whiter, straighter lens, which I think might move the needle in Red America a little more than I might be able to. Tyson and I discuss everything from body positivity to cold plunges to work/life balance to the mission of Dad Bods and Beards--stuff we usually cover on this pod, but the experiences of our guests make these topics unique to every episode, and my chat with Tyson is no exception. We also chat a little bit about my queer journey, and give the DBAB team props for being allies (which I imagine is not easy to do when you're Mormon and in Utah). I hope you enjoy our conversation. Let us know your thoughts in the comments!

I'm happy to welcome my friend John Hill back to the podcast. He originally appeared on Episode 128, which was released in December 2022. That feels like a fucking lifetime ago. At any rate, it was good to catch up for the pod. John and I chat about a lot of things; including his bodybuilding journey, the current political climate (and dealing with a conservative parent), navigating popular culture as a middle aged person, and I ask John to sell me on Denver (which is on my list of cities to visit in 2025). Feel free to comment with your thoughts. I hope you enjoy the episode!

In this episode of Detoxicity, I welcome Rob Cohen back to the pod for a crossover episode. Rob first appeared in Episode 153, at which time Rob was promoting his podcast Two Bi Guys and his book Bisexual Married Men. The main impetus behind us recording together again was to discuss our recent experiences with alternative therapies, including ketamine and ayahuasca, and how these experiences relate to our journeys with masculinity and mental health. While these therapies aren't necessarily everyone's cup of tea, I'd say we both gained some interesting insights on account of these experiences. Alternative medicines aside, we also discuss the importance of surrendering to emotions, the fluidity of change, and the need for safe spaces for men to explore vulnerability and masculinity more than ever in society. Our dialogue also touches on redefining personal goals and ambitions in light of newfound insights and connections with the universe. A slightly different edit of this same episode appears on Rob's podcast as well, making this a rare multi-podcast crossover. Hope you enjoy!

Hi Folks, Marco is a group organizer for the polyamorous/non monogamous community here in Brooklyn. This is how he and I met. Digging a little deeper, Marco is now underway in a new and interesting career, as a surrogate partner. What is a surrogate partner, you ask? Well...listen to the episode to find out. You can also get a little more info about what Marco does here. I've been fortunate enough to get to know a lot of people from wildly disparate backgrounds over the course of my life, but Marco is the first person I've met that hails from North Dakota, and we get a little insight on his experience in that environment as well as being a first-generation American. We also talk about bi/pansexuality, what it means to him, and how he (and I) often feels a bit out of place within queer male culture. Hope you enjoy the conversation! As always, feel free to like, share and comment!

Happy New Year, friends! Our first episode of 2025 spotlights Courtney Brame, who is doing a ton of work around men's mental health and erasing STI stigma. He's the founder of SPFPP (Something Positive for Positive People), which supports people who are living with herpes. He also founded SELFED, which promotes emotional wellness for men and recently hosted a symposium for Black men's emotional wellness, which is how he and I came into contact. Our conversation sits at the intersection of race, sexuality and wellness. We discuss Courtney's journey to becoming an educator, we ponder whether safety might be an issue with regards to the lack of straight Black men in wellness spaces, we talk about yoga therapy and changing the face of what yoga is to make it accessible to others, and we talk about cancel culture and how that can kill curiosity. Hope you enjoy this conversation!