James Ortiz, the actor and puppeteer behind Rocky in Project Hail Mary alongside Ryan Gosling, joins Into the Mud for a conversation about identity, creativity, and what it means to feel “alien” in your own life. From queer identity and imposter syndrome to artistry, puppetry, belonging, and the pressure to fit into society’s expectations, James opens up about embracing the parts of himself that once made him feel different. The conversation explores creative insecurity, authenticity, feeling out of place in your career or community, and why “weird” people often become the most fully realized versions of themselves. Plus: behind-the-scenes stories from Project Hail Mary, working with Ryan Gosling, building Rocky through puppetry and improv, and why worrying about being “cringe” might be holding you back from your real life. Bio: Based in New York City, James Ortiz is a designer, performer, playwright, and director best known for his award-winning puppetry work. He won the 2022 Drama Desk Award for the massive dinosaur puppets in The Skin of Our Teeth at Lincoln Center, and stars as Rocky in the blockbuster film Project Hail Mary from Amazon MGM Studios. His interpretation of Milky White in the 2022 Broadway revival of Into the Woods became a viral fan favorite. James is also widely recognized for creating The Woodsman, which earned him a 2016 OBIE Award for puppet design and was later filmed for PBS and released on BroadwayHD. His work has appeared at major institutions including The Public Theater, Hartford Stage, Paper Mill Playhouse, Yale Repertory Theatre, The Kennedy Center, and Ars Nova. A recipient of the 2017 Eugene O’Neill residency and multiple Jim Henson Foundation grants, James is also the co-founder and co-artistic director of Strangemen & Co.. His work continues to blend movement, theatricality, and innovative puppetry across stage and screen. James' Social Media: @JortFace, www.JamesOrtiz.co Follow along at @IntoTheMudPodcast on all platforms! For the visual version, follow along on YouTube! Your Hosts: Alex Kumin (@Alex.Kumin) and Drew King (@DrewKingNYC). Contributing Editors: Manthan Baldha, Sarah Webb (@SWAudioPost) and Drew King. Filmed and recorded at @TheMalin in New York City. www.IntoTheMudPodcast.com #IntoTheMudPodcast #JamesOrtiz #ProjectHailMary #RyanGosling #RockyProjectHailMary #FeelingAlien #OutsiderSyndrome #ImposterSyndrome #CreativeLife #QueerCreatives #Authenticity #IdentityCrisis #Puppetry #Broadway #TheWoodsman #IntoTheWoods #CreativeJourney #ArtistLife #MentalHealthPodcast #SelfAcceptance #Belonging #QueerPodcast #CreativeStruggle #Storytelling #PuppetDesign #TheaterLife #FilmPodcast #MoviePodcast #SciFiMovie #RyanGoslingFans #CreativeIdentity #BeingDifferent #WeirdPeople #PersonalGrowth #CreativeProcess #PodcastRecommendations #LongformPodcast #EntertainmentPodcast #ProjectHailMaryMovie #IntoTheMud

Emmy-nominated artist Mykal Kilgore joins Into the Mud for a raw, unfiltered conversation about the emotional toll of always taking the high road. From growing up in a strict religious environment to navigating Broadway, the music industry, and public scrutiny, Mykal unpacks the pressure to be exceptional, likable, and silent in the face of disrespect. This episode dives into identity, power dynamics, systemic inequality, and the breaking point of “being the bigger person” in a world that doesn’t always reward integrity. If you’ve ever felt exhausted from doing the right thing while others get away with everything, this one hits deep. Bio: Mykal Kilgore is an Emmy-nominated and Grammy-nominated singer, songwriter, and Broadway performer known for his powerhouse vocals and dynamic stage presence. He made history as the first openly gay artist nominated in the Traditional R&B Performance category at the Grammys and has appeared in major productions including Motown: The Musical, Hair, and The Book of Mormon, as well as NBC’s The Wiz Live!. A sought-after live performer, he has taken the stage at events like the Met Gala and continues to build a multifaceted career across music, theater, and television. Mykal is celebrated not only for his talent, but for his fearless voice, advocacy, and commitment to truth both on and off stage. Mykal's Social Media: @MykalKilgore. Follow along at @IntoTheMudPodcast on all platforms! For the visual version, follow along on YouTube! Your Hosts: Alex Kumin (@Alex.Kumin) and Drew King (@DrewKingNYC). Contributing Editors: Manthan Baldha, Sarah Webb (@SWAudioPost) and Drew King. Filmed and recorded at @TheMalin in New York City. www.IntoTheMudPodcast.com #IntoTheMudPodcast #MykalKilgore #HighRoad #EmotionalBurnout #PeoplePleaser #Boundaries #ToxicPositivity #MentalHealth #SelfWorth #Authenticity #SpeakUp #PowerDynamics #BroadwayLife #MusicIndustry #BlackExcellence #Identity #QueerVoices #LGBTQVoices #SocialJustice #BurnoutCulture #PersonalGrowth #HealingJourney #UnfilteredConvo #PodcastClips #RealTalk #HardTruths #EmotionalLabor #StandInYourTruth #BeYourself #CallingItOut #TruthTelling #CareerBurnout #CreativeLife #ArtistLife #SystemicIssues #InnerWork #SelfRespect #KnowYourWorth #Vulnerability #DeepConversations

What does it actually mean to be addicted to escapism? Writer and Emmy-nominated storyteller Ren McAslan breaks down the nine types of escapism, from work and relationships to media, sex, and substance use, and how constant distraction is reshaping our ability to sit with ourselves. This episode explores trauma, shame, addiction, and the uncomfortable truth that the things we use to cope might be keeping us disconnected from our own lives. Bio: Renwick McAslan is an Emmy-nominated, London-born, NYC-based writer. By day, the 36 year old works as a Creative Director in Ad-Land but works on numerous creative projects on the side, including film / TV and has recently-finished his first novel, Come Undone. This August he’s also taking his debut solo-written, one-woman show, Woman Seeking Cuddles to the world-renowned Edinburgh Fringe Festival. His hobbies include getting punched in the face (he’s a keen boxer). Ren's Social Media: @RenwMcas, www.RenMcAslan.com Follow along at @IntoTheMudPodcast on all platforms! For the visual version, follow along on YouTube! Your Hosts: Alex Kumin (@Alex.Kumin) and Drew King (@DrewKingNYC). Contributing Editors: Manthan Baldha, Sarah Webb (@SWAudioPost) and Drew King. Filmed and recorded at @TheMalin in New York City. www.IntoTheMudPodcast.com #IntoTheMudPodcast #Escapism #AddictionRecovery #MentalHealthAwareness #SelfAwareness #EmotionalHealth #HealingJourney #TraumaHealing #InnerWork #Mindfulness #MentalHealthMatters #TherapyTalk #PersonalGrowth #SelfReflection #AnxietyRelief #DepressionSupport #SobrietyJourney #AddictionAwareness #EmotionalIntelligence #HumanCondition #PodcastLife #PodcastClip #NewPodcast #CreativeProcess #WritersLife #Storytelling #HealingThroughArt #MensMentalHealth #GayVoices #LGBTQPodcast #LifeTransitions #ModernLife #Doomscrolling #DigitalAddiction #SelfDiscovery #BePresent #MindsetShift #WellnessJourney #Authenticity #FeelYourFeelings

What if certainty or uncertainty isn’t a strength… but a trap? On this week's episode, comedian AJ Marroquin joins Drew and Alex to unpack growing up as a Jehovah’s Witness, walking away from blind faith, and how that early conditioning shaped his identity, relationships, and career working inside dating apps. From door-to-door evangelizing to decoding modern dating behavior, this episode explores the tension between knowing exactly what you want and realizing you might not know yourself at all. Bio: AJ Marroquin is a New York-based comedian and writer. Originally from Chicago, he performs stand-up and has worked in the dating app industry for several years, focusing on trust and safety, user behavior, and online interactions. AJ's Social Media: @AJDeluxe Follow along at @IntoTheMudPodcast on all platforms! For the visual version, follow along on YouTube! Your Hosts: Alex Kumin (@Alex.Kumin) and Drew King (@DrewKingNYC). Contributing Editors: Manthan Baldha, Sarah Webb (@SWAudioPost) and Drew King. Filmed and recorded at @TheMalin in New York City. www.IntoTheMudPodcast.com #podcast #intothemud #intothemudpodcast #comedypodcast #lgbtpodcast #gaypodcast #queerstories #datingapps #modernlove #datingculture #relationshipadvice #identitycrisis #selfdiscovery #religioustrauma #exjw #jehovahswitness #leavingreligion #faithjourney #uncertainty #personalgrowth #mentalhealth #therapytalk #datinglife #singlelife #comedianlife #standupcomedy #nycpodcast #storytellingpodcast #lifeadvice #deepconversations #messylife #authenticity #findingyourself #queeridentity #socialdynamics #humanbehavior #emotionalgrowth #truthandlies #modernrelationships #podcastclips

What if intimacy isn’t one-size-fits-all, and never was? What if it doesn’t have to come from love or even from a relationship? And what is the price, literally and figuratively? Award-winning writer, performer, and Intimacy Idiot author Isaac Oliver joins Into the Mud to get honest about “transactional intimacy”… the kind we’re taught to judge, but rarely investigate. From his work on GLOW, The Marvelous Mrs. Maisel to his own deeply personal experiences, Isaac explores how paying for connection can feel safer, more controlled, and sometimes even more honest than traditional dating. If intimacy can be paid for, performed, withheld, or earned… who actually gets to decide what counts? And when those lines start to blur, what are we really protecting ourselves from and who gets left out entirely? Bio: Isaac Oliver is an award-winning playwright, author, and performer known for his sharp wit and deeply human explorations of intimacy, identity, and connection. He is the author of the acclaimed essay collection Intimacy Idiot, which chronicles his experiences navigating love, sex, and loneliness in New York City. Isaac has written for television, including HBO’s High Maintenance, Netflix’s GLOW, and Amazon’s The Marvelous Mrs. Maisel, and his work extends to the stage, including Just in Time, currently playing on Broadway starring Jonathan Groff. His work has been celebrated across theater and literary spaces for its humor, vulnerability, and emotional precision, and as both a storyteller and performer, he continues to challenge how we think about relationships, desire, and what it means to truly connect. Isaac’s Social Media: @MrIsaacOliver Follow along at @IntoTheMudPodcast on all platforms! For the visual version, follow along on YouTube! Your Hosts: Alex Kumin (@Alex.Kumin) and Drew King (@DrewKingNYC). Contributing Editors: Manthan Baldha, Sarah Webb (@SWAudioPost) and Drew King. Filmed and recorded at @TheMalin in New York City. www.IntoTheMudPodcast.com

What if gratitude isn’t a feeling… but a discipline you have to practice every single day? Broadway performer turned licensed therapist Jenifer Foote joins Drew and Alex to unpack what gratitude actually looks like in real life. Not the Instagram version, but the messy, intentional practice of staying present when the mind is spiraling and life feels out of control. Together, they explore interrupting negative self-talk, building self-worth beyond career validation, and using gratitude as a tool for resilience through rejection, insecurity, and uncertainty. This conversation is not about pretending everything is fine. It is about meeting life as it is and finding a way to move through it with clarity, humor, and just enough grace to keep going. Bio: Jenifer Foote is a licensed marriage and family therapist and former Broadway performer with an extraordinary career spanning over a dozen Broadway productions, including Tootsie and On the Twentieth Century. A former Radio City Rockette, she has built a reputation as both a dynamic performer and a deeply grounded mental health professional. Now the founder of Spotlight on Therapy, Jenifer integrates her background in performance with evidence-based therapeutic practices to help clients build resilience, self-awareness, and emotional clarity. Her work includes a strong commitment to supporting LGBTQ+ clients, creating an affirming space for identity exploration, healing, and growth. Known for her warmth, insight, and unwavering optimism, she brings a uniquely holistic perspective to conversations around mental health and personal development. Jenifer’s Website: www.SpotlightOnTherapy.com Follow along at @IntoTheMudPodcast on all platforms! For the visual version, follow along on YouTube! Your Hosts: Alex Kumin (@Alex.Kumin) and Drew King (@DrewKingNYC). Contributing Editors: Manthan Baldha, Sarah Webb (@SWAudioPost) and Drew King. Filmed and recorded at @TheMalin in New York City. www.IntoTheMudPodcast.com #GratitudePractice #MentalHealthMatters #TherapyTalk #SelfGrowth #MindsetShift #EmotionalWellness #InnerWork #PersonalGrowth #AnxietySupport #DepressionHelp #SelfAwareness #HealingJourney #PresentMoment #MindfulnessPractice #SelfEsteem #PositivePsychology #LifeTransitions #IntoTheMudPodcast #PodcastClips #MentalHealthPodcast #TherapistLife #BroadwayPerformer #ActorLife #CreativeJourney #Resilience #GrowthMindset #SelfLoveJourney #CopingSkills #EmotionalHealth #Vulnerability #AuthenticLiving #WellnessJourney #InnerPeace #GratitudeDaily #MindsetMatters #LifeAdvice #PodcastReels #HealingWork #RealTalk #HumanExperience

Comedian and viral subway performer Marcus Monroe joins Drew and Alex to unpack the messy question facing many creators today: if you have a platform, do you have a responsibility to use it politically? From navigating backlash online to dressing as controversial characters on the NYC subway, Marcus shares how comedians balance humor, ethics, and audience expectations in a world where everything feels political. Together they explore cancel culture, protest culture, and why comedy might be one of the last spaces where difficult conversations can still happen. Bio: Marcus Monroe is a New York based stand up comedian and performer known for blending comedy, physical performance, and viral social media content. An Andy Kaufman Award winner, Marcus has appeared on The Late Show with Stephen Colbert, MTV, HBO, and Comedy Central, and has toured internationally with his high energy comedy and variety performances. He gained a massive online following through his viral subway comedy videos, where he performs absurd character driven stand up routines for unsuspecting NYC commuters. Combining sharp writing with playful physical comedy rooted in juggling and clowning traditions, Marcus has built a unique voice that bridges traditional stand up, performance art, and digital comedy. He continues to tour nationally while growing a large audience across Instagram, TikTok, and YouTube. Marcus' Social Media: @MArcusJMonroe, https://marcusmonroe.com/ Follow along at @IntoTheMudPodcast on all platforms! For the visual version, follow along on YouTube! Your Hosts: Alex Kumin (@Alex.Kumin) and Drew King (@DrewKingNYC). Contributing Editors: Manthan Baldha, Sarah Webb (@SWAudioPost) and Drew King. Filmed and recorded at @TheMalin in New York City. www.IntoTheMudPodcast.com #IntoTheMudPodcast #MarcusMonroe #StandUpComedy #ComediansOfInstagram #ComedyPodcast #ComedyInterview #NYCComedian #AndyKaufmanAward #ViralComedy #SubwayComedy #SocialMediaComedians #ComedyClips #PoliticalComedy #ComedyDiscussion #PodcastGuest #ComedyCommunity #TikTokComedians #InstagramComedians #ComedyLife #ComedyCulture #PodcastConversation #CreativeCareers #ComediansTalking #ComedyFans #HumorAndPolitics #ComedyWorld #ComedianLife #NYCComedy #ComedyCreators #DigitalComedy #ComedyTour #PodcastEpisode #ComedyTalk #ViralVideos #ComedyIndustry #ModernComedy #ComedyContent #PodcastClips #FunnyPeople #ComedyPodcastClip

What if food never had to be about shame, restriction, or diet culture at all? On this week's episode, 2x NYTimes bestselling cookbook author and celebrated food blogger Dan Pelosi (@grossypelosi) joins Drew and Alex for a joyful, unfiltered conversation about telling diet culture to f*ck off, setting boundaries with internet haters, and reclaiming cooking and hosting as powerful tools for joy, community, and chosen family. From the comfort food that helped people through the pandemic to the radical act of gathering friends around a table, Dan shares how food can bring people together in the most meaningful ways. And yes, he does walk us through his dream 24 hours with Ina Garten. Bio: Dan Pelosi, known online as @grossypelosi, is a food creator, host, and 2x New York Times bestselling cookbook author celebrated for his joyful, nostalgic approach to cooking and entertaining. His cookbooks Let’s Eat: 101 Recipes to Fill Your Heart and Home and Let’s Party: Recipes and Menus for Celebrating Every Day encourage readers to gather loved ones around the table and celebrate everyday life through food. Pelosi first gained a devoted following during the pandemic by sharing comforting Italian-American and Portuguese-American recipes on Instagram, quickly becoming one of the internet’s most beloved food personalities. A contributor to New York Times Cooking and frequent guest on Good Morning America, Pelosi is known for his philosophy that food should be shared without shame and always enjoyed in community. Dan's Social Media: @GrossyPelosi, www.DanPelosi.com, www.GrossyWorld.com Follow along at @IntoTheMudPodcast on all platforms! For the visual version, follow along on YouTube! Your Hosts: Alex Kumin (@Alex.Kumin) and Drew King (@DrewKingNYC). Contributing Editors: Manthan Baldha, Sarah Webb (@SWAudioPost) and Drew King. Filmed and recorded at @TheMalin in New York City. www.IntoTheMudPodcast.com

What if intimacy isn’t about getting off, but about getting honest? Sexologist Natassia Miller joins Drew and Alex to unpack the “desire gap,” long-term intimacy, and why erotic energy goes far beyond sex itself. Through candid conversation and practical insight, they explore how intentional connection, curiosity, and emotional presence can transform relationships from the inside out. From communication blocks and shame to playful tools for reconnecting with pleasure, Natassia shares how couples can rediscover passion, reclaim agency, and rethink what great sex actually means. Bio: Natassia Miller is a Brazilian-American certified sexologist and intimacy coach based in New York City, accredited by the American Association of Sexuality Educators, Counselors and Therapists (AASECT). A Columbia University graduate and former finance professional turned entrepreneur, she is the founder of Wonderlust, a sexual wellness brand focused on helping couples reconnect with pleasure, communication, and erotic energy. Her work centers on long-term relationships, the desire gap, and empowering women to reclaim their sexuality, and she has been featured in major publications including GQ, Cosmopolitan, and Glamour. Natassia's Social Media: @NatassiaMiller, www.WonderLust.co Follow along at @IntoTheMudPodcast on all platforms! For the visual version, follow along on YouTube! Your Hosts: Alex Kumin (@Alex.Kumin) and Drew King (@DrewKingNYC). Contributing Editors: Manthan Baldha, Sarah Webb (@SWAudioPost) and Drew King. Filmed and recorded at @TheMalin in New York City. www.IntoTheMudPodcast.com #IntoTheMudPodcast #Sexologist #NatassiaMiller #SexPositive #EroticEnergy #RelationshipAdvice #ModernIntimacy #DesireGap #SexEducation #CouplesTherapy #PleasurePositive #SexualWellness #LongTermRelationships #IntimacyCoach #PodcastClips #NYCPodcast #QueerPodcast #DatingAdvice #LoveAndRelationships #SelfPleasure #Eroticism #CommunicationInRelationships #HealthySexLife #SexualConfidence #EmotionalIntimacy #PodcastRecommendations #WellnessPodcast #BodyPositivity #SexTalk #ModernDating #RelationshipTips #SexualHealth #MindBodyConnection #PersonalGrowthPodcast #CreativeEnergy #EroticIntelligence #PodcastGuest #SexualEmpowerment #PleasureRevolution #PodcastLife

Drew and Alex sit down with viral crafting duo the Crafty Lumberjacks to unpack the “death of the hobby” and what happens when passion turns into content. From Broadway tours to national TV appearances, Dennis and Andrew share the joy, burnout, comparison culture, and identity struggles that come with turning creativity into a career. Together, they explore how to reclaim play, reconnect with artistry, and stop monetizing every moment. If you're craving a reconnection to hobbies and actual down time, this episode is for you. Bio: The Crafty Lumberjacks, also known as Dennis Setteducati and Andrew Boza, are a crafting and DIY duo who turned a backstage hobby into a nationally recognized brand. After meeting on the national tour of Fiddler on the Roof, the couple began sharing handmade projects online, eventually gaining attention from HGTV and major media outlets. Their colorful, approachable crafting style has led to appearances on shows like The Today Show, The Rachael Ray Show, Live with Kelly & Ryan, The Drew Barrymore Show, Tamron Hall, and more, along with live crafting classes and brand collaborations. Known for blending humor, theater roots, and hands-on creativity, they continue inspiring audiences to rediscover play and artistic expression beyond the pressure of social media. Social Media: @CraftyLumberjacks, https://craftylumberjacks.com/ Follow along at @IntoTheMudPodcast on all platforms! For the visual version, follow along on YouTube! Your Hosts: Alex Kumin (@Alex.Kumin) and Drew King (@DrewKingNYC). Contributing Editors: Manthan Baldha, Sarah Webb (@SWAudioPost) and Drew King. Filmed and recorded at @TheMalin in New York City. www.IntoTheMudPodcast.com #IntoTheMudPodcast #CraftyLumberjacks #PodcastClips #CreativeLife #DeathOfTheHobby #CreativeBurnout #DIYCreators #CraftingCommunity #QueerCreatives #LGBTQPodcast #CreativeEntrepreneur #SocialMediaCulture #ContentCreatorLife #ArtistMindset #CreativeProcess #DIYInspiration #GayCreators #CreativePlay #TheaterKids #BroadwayLife #CreativeJourney #CreativePodcast #SelfExpression #ArtAndCraft #CreativeCouples #PodcastGuests #NYCArtists #MakeSomething #CreativeConversation #MentalHealthForCreators #CreativeFlow #DIYProjects #CraftTok #CreativeBusiness #AuthenticCreativity #DigitalCreators #CreativeHustle #PodcastReels #CreativeBalance #creativeidentity

Accomplished Broadway actor Max Chernin gets muddy about what happens after you achieve "the dream". From starring in the critically acclaimed national tour of Broadway's Parade to landing back in New York on the unemployment line, Max unpacks the ache of outgrowing old versions of yourself, redefining what home can look like, and granting yourself the grace to change direction without naming it "giving up". This episode is for anyone standing in that uncomfortable liminal space, where the next chapter hasn’t quite revealed itself but you know the old one no longer fits. Bio: Max Chernin was most recently seen starring in the National Tour of the Tony Award-winning Broadway revival of Parade. Hailing from Shaker Heights, Ohio, Max made his Broadway debut in Steve Martin & Edie Brickell’s Bright Star and went on to join the Broadway revival of Sunday in the Park with George starring Jake Gyllenhaal and Annaleigh Ashford. In New York, Max has appeared in Brooklynite (Vineyard Theatre), Bernstein’s Mass (Lincoln Center), and The Golden Apple (New York City Center). Other recent stage credits include Andrew in the world premiere of Passing Through (Goodspeed Opera House), Motel in Fiddler on the Roof (St. Louis MUNY), Buddy in Elf (Pioneer Theatre Company/North Carolina Theater), and Jervis in Daddy Long Legs (Theatre Raleigh). On camera, Max recurred on the second and third seasons of Dickinson, and also appeared on The Blacklist, The Family, Mozart in the Jungle, and in Adam Sandler’s The Week Of. BFA: University of Cincinnati’s College-Conservatory of Music (CCM) Awards: 2024 American Traditions Competition’s Silver Medal, 2021 Lotte Lenya Foundation’s Carolyn Weber Award. Max's Social Media: @maxcherns Follow along at @IntoTheMudPodcast on all platforms! For the visual version, follow along on YouTube! Your Hosts: Alex Kumin (@Alex.Kumin) and Drew King (@DrewKingNYC). Contributing Editors: Manthan Baldha, Sarah Webb (@SWAudioPost) and Drew King. Filmed and recorded at @TheMalin in New York City. www.IntoTheMudPodcast.com #IntoTheMudPodcast #MaxChernin #BroadwayPodcast #OutgrowingNewYork #LifeTransitions #CreativeCareers #BroadwayLife #TheatreCommunity #FindingHome #RedefiningSuccess #ArtistLife #QueerVoices #ChosenFamily #PostBroadway #CareerReflection #NewYorkCityLife #CreativeBurnout #StartingOver #PersonalGrowth #LifeInYour30s #TheatreActors #TouringLife #MentalHealthTalk #QueerArtists #LifeAfterTheDream #CreativeJourney #ModernCareers #UnemployedAndOkay #RentStabilized #NYCStories #LeavingNYC #StayingInNYC #HomeIsCommunity #MakingItThere #ArtistsInTransition #BroadwayActors #CreativePodcast #LifeReevaluation #CareerMud

What if joy is the most radical form of resistance we have? In this deeply moving episode of Into the Mud, Drew and Alex welcome Mila Jam, recording artist, activist, author, and self-described “pretty pop artivist,” for a conversation about choosing joy in a world that often tries to erase it. Mila opens up about growing up Southern Baptist, finding refuge in theatre, and becoming a proud trans woman who leads with joy as both a personal practice and a political act. Together, they explore trans visibility, pronouns, burnout, rest as resistance, and the daily rituals that help Mila protect her light during an increasingly hostile cultural moment. With honesty, humor, and heart, this episode is a reminder that standing in your truth and doing so joyfully is itself an act of defiance. Bio: Mila Jam is an American trans singer, songwriter, dancer, actress, and LGBTQ+ activist. Best known for her powerful blend of pop music and advocacy, Mila first gained attention through her viral YouTube performances and later toured internationally with Broadway’s Rent. Her discography includes singles like Faces, Twilight Zone, and Eye on You, and her work centers on themes of self-acceptance, identity, and queer empowerment. A celebrated performer on stages from BBC to MTV, Mila uses her art to elevate trans visibility and celebrate radical joy in the face of societal barriers. Mila’s Social Media: @TheMilaJam Follow along at @IntoTheMudPodcast on all platforms! For the visual version, follow along on YouTube! Your Hosts: Alex Kumin (@Alex.Kumin) and Drew King (@DrewKingNYC). Audio mixed by Sarah Webb (@SWAudioPost) and Drew King. Filmed and recorded in the Barrow Lounge at @TheMalin West Village. www.IntoTheMudPodcast.com #IntoTheMudPodcast #MilaJam #JoyIsResistance #TransJoy #QueerJoy #Artivism #PopArtivist #TransVisibility #LGBTQPodcast #QueerVoices #RadicalJoy #TransRights #QueerCommunity #ChosenFamily #HealingThroughArt #JoyAsResistance #SelfLoveJourney #SpiritualPractice #MicroJoy #RestIsResistance #TransWomen #QueerArtists #RepresentationMatters #JoyfulLiving #CreativeActivism #QueerStorytelling #NoMudNoLotus #PodcastInterview #NYCPodcast #Broadway

Marc Shaiman, the legendary composer and lyricist behind Hairspray, Mary Poppins Returns, When Harry Met Sally…, Sister Act, and countless other cultural touchstones, gets deeply muddy about the whiplash of success, the grief that shaped his artistry, and why even a dream career does not protect you from disappointment. From Marie’s Crisis to the AIDS crisis, from Bette Midler to Broadway, this conversation is raw, hilarious, and profoundly moving. The episode features unforgettable snippets and wild stories pulled straight from Marc’s new memoir, Never Mind the Happy: Showbiz Stories from a Sore Winner, available everywhere January 27, but to hear the full stories, you'll just have to read the book. Bio: Marc Shaiman is a Tony, Grammy, and Emmy-winning American composer, lyricist, arranger, and music producer known for his vast body of work in film, television, and theater. He began his career as a musical director and arranger for Bette Midler before rising to prominence with scores for iconic films such as When Harry Met Sally…, The Addams Family, Sister Act, City Slickers, Sleepless in Seattle, The American President, South Park: Bigger, Longer & Uncut, and Mary Poppins Returns. On Broadway, he co-wrote the music and lyrics for Hairspray and collaborated with Scott Wittman on Catch Me If You Can, Charlie and the Chocolate Factory, Some Like It Hot, and the stage adaptation of Smash. Shaiman has been nominated for multiple Academy Awards and has won a Tony, two Emmys, and two Grammys for his prolific and emotionally resonant work. His career also spans celebrated television work and creative partnerships with some of entertainment’s biggest names. In television he has contributed to Saturday Night Live, multiple Academy Awards broadcasts, and shows like Only Murders in the Building, and he has produced and arranged for artists including Harry Connick Jr., Mariah Carey, and more. Born in New Jersey, Shaiman continues to shape the sound of American entertainment with a blend of musical theater sensibility and cinematic storytelling. Marc's Social Media: @Marc_Shaiman Follow along at @IntoTheMudPodcast on all platforms! For the visual version, follow along on YouTube! Your Hosts: Alex Kumin (@Alex.Kumin) and Drew King (@DrewKingNYC). Audio mixed by Sarah Webb (@SWAudioPost) and Drew King. Filmed and recorded in the Barrow Lounge at @TheMalin West Village. www.IntoTheMudPodcast.com #IntoTheMudPodcast #MarcShaiman #BroadwayPodcast #ShowbizStories #CreativeCareers #GriefAndArt #MaryPoppinsReturns #HairsprayMusical #ComposerLife #SongwriterLife #HollywoodStories #BroadwayComposer #CreativeProcess #JewishJoy #NeverMindTheHappy #LifeInTheArts #LegacyAndLoss #ArtistsOnArtists #QueerHistory #AIDSCrisis #ChosenFamily #CreativeLongevity #DreamCareers #EntertainmentIndustry #BehindTheMusic #BroadwayLife #FilmMusic #MusicalTheatre #PodcastInterview #ArtistJourney #StorytellingPodcast #GayIcons #ShowbizTruth #SuccessAndFailure #GratitudeAndGrief #CreativeCommunity #IntoTheMud #NoMudNoLotus #NYCArtists #CulturalIcons

Tony Award winner Julie Halston joins Into the Mud for a deeply moving and hilarious conversation about grief, caregiving, and turning loss into lasting advocacy. From surviving the AIDS crisis and losing her husband to pulmonary fibrosis to founding Broadway Belts and raising millions for research, Julie reflects on how comedy, community, and purpose carried her through life’s darkest chapters. This episode is a powerful reminder that even in grief, connection can save your life. Bio: Julie Halston is a celebrated actress and comedian whose career spans Broadway, television, and film. Her Broadway credits include Tootsie, Hairspray, Gypsy, Anything Goes, On the Town, Twentieth Century, and more, and she is widely known to TV audiences for her iconic role as Bitsy von Muffling on Sex and the City and And Just Like That… Beyond the stage and screen, Julie is a dedicated advocate and humanitarian. She is the co-founder of Broadway Belts for PFF!, an annual event that has raised millions of dollars for the Pulmonary Fibrosis Foundation following the loss of her husband, Ralph Howard, to the disease. For her extraordinary advocacy and service to the theatre community, she was honored with the Isabelle Stevenson Tony Award, joining the ranks with such acclaimed artists as Bernadette Peters, Stephen Schwartz, Brian Stokes Mitchell, Rosie O’Donnell, Eve Ensler, and David Hyde Pierce. Julie’s Social Media: @ActressJulieHalston Follow along at @IntoTheMudPodcast on all platforms! For the visual version, follow along on YouTube! Your Hosts: Alex Kumin (@Alex.Kumin) and Drew King (@DrewKingNYC). Audio mixed by Sarah Webb (@SWAudioPost) and Drew King. Filmed and recorded in the Barrow Lounge at @TheMalin West Village. www.IntoTheMudPodcast.com #IntoTheMudPodcast #JulieHalston #BroadwayCommunity #GriefAndHealing #GriefToAdvocacy #ChosenFamily #BroadwayBelts #PulmonaryFibrosis #CaregivingJourney #LGBTQHistory #AIDSCrisis #QueerHistory #TonyAwards #ComedyAndGrief #DarkHumor #TheatreLife #BroadwayStories #ArtistLife #CommunityCare #Widowhood #LossAndLove #HealingThroughLaughter #QueerIcons #NonprofitWork #TheatrePodcast #CreativeResilience #LifeAfterLoss #GriefSupport #FoundFamily #AdvocacyWork #WomenInTheatre #LGBTQPodcast #BroadwayPodcast #StorytellingPodcast #HealingConversations #GriefJourney #ArtAndActivism #LivingWithPurpose #CelebratingTheMud

Rev. Micah Bucey, senior minister of Judson Memorial Church, joins Into the Mud for a deeply expansive conversation as Drew and Alex, who do not identify as religious, bring genuine curiosity to the roots of Christianity and spirituality and how they’ve been distorted by MAGA Christianity and white Christian nationalism. Together, they explore how faith has been weaponized in America, how it can also be reclaimed as a force for justice and repair, and why humility and wonder matter more than rigid belief. This episode is ultimately about protecting the most endangered among us without letting our hearts rot. Bio: Be the glitter you wish to see in the world. Rev. Micah Bucey is a passionately progressive faith leader, writer, and minister at Judson Memorial Church in Greenwich Village. A regular contributor to Spirituality & Practice, Micah is the author of The Book of Tiny Prayer(Fordham University Press) and is widely known for exploring the intersections of expansive spirituality, radical social justice, and unfettered creativity. Ordained in the Christian tradition but grounded in an interspiritual approach, Micah’s work centers artists as modern-day prophets, embraces curiosity over certainty, and boldly reclaims the revolutionary, inherently queer roots of Christianity. Micah’s Social Media: @RevMicahB, www.MicahBucey.com, www.Judson.org Follow along at @IntoTheMudPodcast on all platforms! For the visual version, follow along on YouTube! Your Hosts: Alex Kumin (@Alex.Kumin) and Drew King (@DrewKingNYC). Audio mixed by Sarah Webb (@SWAudioPost) and Drew King. Filmed and recorded in the Barrow Lounge at @TheMalin West Village. www.IntoTheMudPodcast.com #IntoTheMudPodcast #QueerFaith #ProgressiveChristianity #LiberationTheology #SpiritualDeconstruction #FaithAndJustice #QueerJoy #RadicalLove #ChristianNationalism #ReligiousTrauma #ChurchAndState #SocialJustice #FaithWithoutFear #QueerTheology #ModernSpirituality #FaithInCrisis #LoveThyNeighbor #DeconstructingReligion #QueerVoices #ReligiousHealing #JusticeWork #SpiritualGrowth #ActivismAndFaith #HopeInHardTimes #FaithReimagined #LGBTQFaith #ChurchReimagined #MuddyConversations #QueerClergy #FaithAndPolitics #CollectiveLiberation #ProgressiveFaith #SpiritualCuriosity #HumanFirst #ReligionAndResistance #FaithAndJoy #RadicalEmpathy #QueerStories #JusticeAndJoy #HopeIsAPractice

Dating is hard enough, but for drag queens, finding love comes with an entirely different set of challenges. In this episode of Into the Mud, Pixie Aventura (aka Cesar Villavicencio) gets honest about what it’s actually like to date as a drag queen. He walks through the six biggest obstacles he’s encountered in relationships, including fetishization, intimidation, internalized homophobia, and the challenge of being seen as a persona instead of a person. This conversation is funny, vulnerable, and deeply real, touching on the struggles of queer dating, intimacy, and how to stay open to love in a dating culture that feels impossible. Bio: Pixie Aventura (aka Cesar Villavicencio) is a Miami-raised and New York City–based drag performer, host, and nightlife fixture with more than a decade of experience in the NYC drag scene. Pixie is a longtime staple at iconic venues including Barracuda, Industry, Therapy (RIP), and on Fire Island, and currently hosts weekly and recurring shows at Industry and G Lounge. During the pandemic, Pixie created and produced the digital series Drag Me Out, which reached a wide online audience and spotlighted drag artists during COVID. Known for high-energy performances that blend comedy, music, and audience interaction, Pixie continues to be a leading presence in New York nightlife. Pixie’s Social Media: @PixieAventura Follow along at @IntoTheMudPodcast on all platforms! For the visual version, follow along on YouTube! Your Hosts: Alex Kumin (@Alex.Kumin) and Drew King (@DrewKingNYC). Audio mixed by Sarah Webb (@SWAudioPost) and Drew King. Filmed and recorded in the Barrow Lounge at @TheMalin West Village. www.IntoTheMudPodcast.com #IntoTheMudPodcast #PixieAventura #DragQueen #QueerPodcast #LGBTQPodcast #QueerDating #DatingInNYC #DragCulture #GayDating #ModernDating #QueerLove #DragLife #ChosenFamily #ToxicMasculinity #InternalizedHomophobia #QueerVoices #LGBTQStories #DragArtist #DatingStruggles #QueerCommunity #GayCulture #DragIsArt #GenderExpression #QueerVisibility #PodcastRecommendations #PodcastLife #NYCPodcast #LGBTQCreators #QueerCreatives #DatingTalk #RelationshipPodcast #AuthenticConversations #QueerStories #DragQueenLife #PodcastEpisode #LoveAndDating #QueerPerspective #Vulnerability #CreativeCommunity

In this raw and unfiltered episode of Into the Mud, Alex opens up about her fresh two-day-old breakup and the emotional whiplash of grieving a future she thought she had. Drew and Alex break down heartbreak in real time — confusion, somatics, rejection spirals, coping strategies, and the messy, human work of choosing yourself when everything hurts. Bio: Alex is a New York based comedian by way of Chicago and Boston whose bold and whip smart standup delights crowds across the US. Credits: The Comedy Cellar, New York Comedy Club, NBC’s "That Clip Show: Holiday Edition”, 2021 season of Comedy Central Standup Featuring. Bio: Originally from Massachusetts, Drew is a Broadway dancer, actor and writer living in New York City. Credits: Broadway’s “Tootsie” and “On the 20th Century”, "The Marvelous Mrs. Maisel”, Ryan Murphy’s “Feud: Capote VS The Swans”, The Tony Awards, Good Morning America, The Today Show, Saturday Night Live, and the 2021 Met Gala. Follow along at @IntoTheMudPodcast on all platforms! For the visual version, follow along on YouTube! Your Hosts: Alex Kumin (@Alex.Kumin) and Drew King (@DrewKingNYC). Filmed and recorded in @TheMalin West Village. www.IntoTheMudPodcast.com #Breakup #Heartbreak #HealingJourney #BreakupRecovery #BreakupSupport #HeartbreakHealing #Somatics #SomaticHealing #GriefJourney #RelationshipGrief #RelationshipTalk #DatingInYour30s #DatingPodcast #EmotionalHealing #EmotionalHealth #MentalHealthPodcast #Vulnerability #VulnerableConversations #RawConversations #IntoTheMudPodcast #AlexKumin #DrewKing #SelfWorth #SelfCompassion #PersonalGrowth #GrowthJourney #MessyMiddle #AuthenticLiving #AuthenticConversations #PodcastCommunity #StorytellingPodcast #WomenInComedy #NYCPodcast #BreakupAdvice #RelationshipAdvice #HealingAfterHeartbreak #MindBodyConnection #CopingWithGrief #BreakupProcessing #LettingGo #RebuildingYourself

In this deeply honest conversation, singer-songwriter Ben Abraham opens up about the highs and lows of his career — from major-label deals, Grammy-stage moments, and writing with artists like Kesha, to getting dropped, starting over at 40, and redefining what artistic success means. Together, Ben, Drew, and Alex get muddy about the tender work of finding joy again when the industry breaks your heart — and how returning to the purity of making art can reshape everything. Bio: Ben Abraham is an award-winning Australian singer-songwriter celebrated for his emotive vocals, cinematic songwriting, and cross-genre collaborations. Originally from Melbourne, he first emerged on the international scene with his debut album released through Secretly Canadian—the influential indie label behind artists such as Bon Iver and Phoebe Bridgers. His songwriting quickly attracted industry attention, leading to a major-label deal with Atlantic Records and the release of Friendly Fire, a critically acclaimed and deeply personal sophomore album. Abraham’s work includes high-profile collaborations with global artists, most notably co-writing Kesha’s Grammy-nominated hit “Praying” and performing with her at the Grammy Awards. Now based in Los Angeles, he continues to compose, record, and perform worldwide. Ben’s Social Media: @BenBenAbraham, www.BenAbrahamMusic.com Follow along at @IntoTheMudPodcast on all platforms! For the visual version, follow along on YouTube! Your Hosts: Alex Kumin (@Alex.Kumin) and Drew King (@DrewKingNYC). Audio mixed by Sarah Webb (@SWAudioPost). Filmed and recorded in the Barrow Lounge at @TheMalin West Village. www.IntoTheMudPodcast.com #IntoTheMudPodcast #BenAbraham #CreativeFailure #ArtistJourney #MusicIndustry #CareerReinvention #CreativeBurnout #MakingArt #SongwriterLife #MuddyMoments #FailureAndGrowth #IndieArtist #CreativeLife #PodcastInterview #careerpivot

Hugh Nini and Neal Treadwell, authors of acclaimed photography books Loving and Loving II, get muddy about what it means to build visibility when your history was never written. They have spent more than 25 years excavating and reconstructing a queer past the world tried to erase. Through 4000+ intimate photographs of men in love from 1850–1950, they’ve pieced together a lineage that proves queer love has always existed — even when it wasn’t documented. This episode is a conversation about erasure, resilience, and the power of finding yourself in the eyes of people who lived even a century ago. Bio: Hugh Nini and Neal Treadwell are the couple behind the internationally celebrated Nini-Treadwell Collection, a 25-year archive of more than 4,000 photographs documenting romantic love between men from the 1850s to the 1950s. Texas natives who met in 1992, Hugh—formerly a longtime ballet academy owner and artistic director—and Neal—an art-trained creative with a career spanning apparel, cattle, and cosmetics—accidentally began collecting after discovering a single 1927 photo in a Dallas antique shop. Their groundbreaking books Loving and Loving 2 have reframed how queer history is seen and understood, revealing a lineage of tenderness, partnership, and resilience long erased from public record. Through exhibitions, talks, and their ongoing archival work, Hugh and Neal are committed to rescuing overlooked stories and proving what has always been true: queer love has existed everywhere, across every era, even when the world refused to acknowledge it. Hugh and Neal’s Social Media: @LovingByNealAndHugh, www.Loving1000.org Follow along at @IntoTheMudPodcast on all platforms! For the visual version, follow along on YouTube! Your Hosts: Alex Kumin (@Alex.Kumin) and Drew King (@DrewKingNYC). Filmed and recorded in @TheMalin West Village. www.IntoTheMudPodcast.com #IntoTheMud #LGBTQHistory #QueerHistory #GayHistory #HiddenHistory #LovingBook #LovingTwo #QueerLove #MenInLove #QueerStories #LGBTQLove #QueerArchive #LGBTQPodcast #LGBTQCreators #PodcastInterview #GayCouples #QueerRepresentation

Tony Award–winning writer Robert Horn (Tootsie, Shucked, Hercules) gets muddy about aging, later-in-life success, and staying funny through rejection. In this candid and hilarious conversation, Robert opens up about his wild journey from an orphanage to Broadway, turning trauma into comedy, navigating fame in the social-media era, and learning to embrace getting older with humor and grace. Equal parts heart and hysteria, this one’s a masterclass in creative resilience. Bio: Robert Horn is an American playwright, screenwriter, and producer whose career spans television, film, and Broadway. A New York native, he studied theatre at the New York University Tisch School of the Arts and at the Circle in the Square Theatre School, then relocated to Los Angeles where he launched his industry career with writing and producing roles on shows like Designing Women and Living Single. Over time he expanded into film and musicals, contributing to popular projects including Disney Channel’s Teen Beach Movie franchise. On Broadway, Horn truly made his mark as the book writer for the hit musical Tootsie, which earned him the 2019 Tony Award for Best Book of a Musical. He also wrote for musicals such as Shucked and 13, collaborating with composers and artists to bring bold stories to the stage. His trajectory—from television comedy writer to celebrated Broadway storyteller—highlights his versatility, wit, and commitment to blending humor with real emotional stakes in every medium. Robert’s Social Media: @RHorn1 Follow along at @IntoTheMudPodcast on all platforms! For the visual version, follow along on YouTube! Your Hosts: Alex Kumin (@Alex.Kumin) and Drew King (@DrewKingNYC). Filmed and recorded in @TheMalin West Village. www.IntoTheMudPodcast.com #RobertHorn #Broadway #Tootsie #Shucked #HerculesMusical #TonyAwardWinner #BroadwayWriter #ComedyWriting #AgingGracefully #LaterInLifeSuccess #CreativeResilience #Rejection #LGBTQCreatives #IntoTheMudPodcast #DrewKing #AlexKumin #BroadwayPodcast #ArtAndAging #TurningPainIntoComedy #HumorAndHealing #StayFunny #FindingYourVoice #CreativeJourney #BehindTheScenesBroadway #TheatreLife #Inspiration #NoMudNoLotus #PodcastInterview