Send us a Text Message. Jason and Brett talk to debut authors Solomon J. Brager (Heavyweight), Oisín McKenna (Evenings & Weekends), and August Thompson (Anyone's Ghost). They explore themes like inherited trauma and family history, queer identity, and the complexities of growing up. And they talk about some favorite snacks and date stories. Solomon…

Send us a Text Message. Jason and Brett talk to Catherine Newman (Sandwich) about ailments, weighted blankets, reproductive mayhem, peanut butter, queerness, and of course… sandwiches. Catherine Newman has written numerous columns, articles, and canned-bean recipes for magazines and newspapers, and her essays have been widely anthologized. She is t…

Send us a Text Message. Jason and Brett talked to Chris Whitaker (All the Color of the Dark) about what keeps friends in your life, horror stories from his time working in a library, what it means to have faith and hope, and Danny Zuko. Chris Whitaker is the award-winning author of Tall Oaks, All the Wicked Girls, and the New York Times bestseller …

Send us a Text Message. Jason and Brett are joined by Claire Lombardo (Same As It Ever Was), last month's Reese's Book Club pick for her novel, The Most Fun We Ever Had. They talk to Claire about secrets in relationships, favorite children, Boo Radleyism, and debate Joni Mitchell. What Guys & Dolls reference is Jason talking about in the intro? Lis…

Send us a Text Message. In the final PRIDE installment of Upcoming/Up & Coming, Jason and Brett talk to debut* authors Kimberly King Parsons (We Were the Universe), KB Brookins (Pretty), and Santiago Jose Sanchez (Hombrecito). They talk about the theatre of parenthood, queer representation in books and media, and using writing to better understand …

Send us a Text Message. Jason and Brett talk to Rufi Thorpe (Margo’s Got Money Troubles) about her obsession with wrestling (and how learning about it was like an all-cereal buffet), having a public persona and the chaos of the modern internet, falling in love with strangers, and of course, @tooturnttony. Rufi Thorpe is the author of The Knockout Q…

Send us a Text Message. Jason and Brett continue PRIDE 2024 with celebrated authors. They’re joined in conversation with Jen Silverman (There’s Going to Be Trouble), David Levithan (Wide Awake Now), and Emma Copley Eisenberg (Housemates) talking about the cyclical nature of history, queer inheritance, intersectionality of arts and queerness, and mu…

Send us a Text Message. In this Pride edition of Upcoming/Up & Coming, Jason and Brett talk to Justinian Huang (The Emperor and the Endless Palace) about living life romantically, KT Hoffman (The Prospects) about how anyone can play baseball, and Myriam Lacroix (How it Works Out) about a twist on autofiction. Born to immigrants in Monterey Park, Ca…

Send us a Text Message. Jason and Brett kick off PRIDE 2024 with some incredible queer authors! They talk to Carvell Wallace (Another Word for Love) about the key to your ability to fight for what's right, R.O. Kwon (Exhibit) about art and how taking a choreography workshop got her in the body of her characters, and Byron Lane (Big Gay Wedding) abo…

Send us a Text Message. In the fourth installment of their debut novelists series UPCOMING / UP & COMING, Jason and Brett talk to three new writers about their recently and soon-to-be released books. Zoë Bossiere (Cactus Country, May 21) talks about navigating identity growing up in a trailer park; Alan Murrin (The Coast Road, June 4) shares how sh…

Send us a Text Message. Jason and Brett talk to Steven Rowley (The Guncle Abroad) about sea cave adventures in Capri, Varla Jean Merman's rendition of "Ring Them Bells," the best Wang Chung song, and obviously: Mamma Mia! Here We Go Again and Grease 2. Steven Rowley is the bestselling author of five novels including, Lily and the Octopus, a Washing…

Send us a Text Message. Jason and Brett talk to Kaliane Bradley (The Ministry of Time) about transforming her once-serious novel about Cambodia and being mixed-race into the latest genre-defying Good Morning America book club pick. They learn how Kaliane was able to experience the 21st century as an adventure, gush over the only photo of a footnote…

Send us a Text Message. Jason and Brett talk to Hannah Murphy Winter and Billie Winter, the couple behind Queer Power Couples, as they delve into the essence of queer power partnerships, offering intimate insights into documenting this untapped element of queer history. They then talk to Ryan Fitzgibbon (A Great Gay Book, on sale May 21) about his …

Send us a Text Message. In their 50th episode, Jason and Brett talk to Rachel Khong (Real Americans) about cooking eggs, mugwort baths, growing into the person who could write this book, and how friction allows for change. Rachel Khong is the author of Goodbye, Vitamin, winner of the California Book Award for First Fiction, and named a Best Book of…

Send us a Text Message. In the April episode of their debut novelists series UPCOMING / UP & COMING, Jason and Brett talk to three new writers about their soon-to-be released books. Jiaming Tang (Cinema Love, May 7) talks about explaining his "accent" to people in Alabama; Melissa Mogollon (Oye, May 14) expresses her love of Rainforest Cafe; and Ya…

Send us a Text Message. Jason and Brett talk to Yulin Kuang (How to End a Love Story) about Lisa Frank fan fiction, underrated 90s rom coms, the struggles of watching cooking shows on TV, how she came to adapt two Emily Henry novels, and much more. Yulin Kuang is a screenwriter and director, whose credits include The CW’s I Ship It and Hulu’s Dollf…

Send us a Text Message. Jason and Brett talk to Holly Gramazio (The Husbands) about how her life was changed by a misfiled library book, her strong convictions about jewelry, five finger shoes, and High School Musical 3. The Husbands is April's Read with Jenna book club pick. Holly Gramazio is a writer, game designer and curator from Adelaide, curr…

Send us a Text Message. Jason and Brett talk to Douglas Westerbeke (A Short Walk Through a Wide World) about the research that went into setting up his modern fairy tale, the impact of technology on storytelling, and the importance of staying curious. Douglas Westerbeke is a librarian who lives in Ohio and works at one of the largest libraries in t…

Send us a Text Message. Jason and Brett talked to Garrard Conley (All the World Beside) about how we reinvent ourselves when we challenge the status quo, the pros and cons of “adulting,” and making our own rules. Garrard Conley is the New York Timesbestselling author of the memoir Boy Erased, as well as the creator and co-producer of the podcast Un…

Send us a Text Message. Jason and Brett talk to Tommy Orange (Wandering Stars) about dreams and spirituality, learn about sound engineering and roller hockey, and how understanding your history can shape your future. Come for special insider info about a character's playlist, stay for a Moulin Rouge debate. Tommy Orange is a graduate of the MFA pro…

Send us a Text Message. Jason and Brett take a break from talking to authors to answer your questions! Everything from choosing books and finding time to read to their experience and relationship to books as queer people. Gays Reading is sponsored by Audible. Get a FREE 30-day trial by visiting audibletrial.com/gaysreading **BOOKS!** Check out the …

Send us a Text Message. Jason and Brett talk to Armistead Maupin (Mona of the Manor) about living in the world of Tales of the City for 50 years, inspiration for the character of Mona, a day in his life at nearly-80, shows he's seen in the West End recently, Bernadette Peters, and more. Armistead Maupin is the author of the Tales of the City series…

Send us a Text Message. In the second installment of their debut novelists series UPCOMING / UP & COMING, Jason and Brett talk to three new writers about their soon-to-be released books. Lottie Hazell (Piglet, Feb 27) talks about working as a board game designer; Ursula Villarreal-Moura (Like Happiness, Mar 26) shares her stories writing fan letter…

Send us a Text Message. Jason and Brett talk to Bianca Bosker (Get the Picture) about the immersive approach to her writing, why we need to unlearn how to behave around art, developing new tastes, and the importance of context in the context of art. Bianca Bosker is the New York Times bestselling author of Cork Dork and a contributing writer at The…

Send us a Text Message. Jason and Brett talk to Ijeoma Oluo (Be a Revolution) about actionable steps for making social change, the importance of diversifying where you get your information, doing your own research, outlining a blueprint for being the catalyst of change. Ijeoma Oluo is a writer, speaker, and internet yeller. She is the author of the…

Send us a Text Message. Jason and Brett talk to Mark Daley (Safe) about his new memoir chronicling a piece of his journey becoming an adoptive parent. They talk about some of the systemic issues within the adoption process, chosen family, and the impetus to telling this story. Mark Daley is a social activist, entrepreneur, and foster-turned-adoptiv…

Send us a Text Message. Jason and Brett talk to Dolly Alderton (Good Material) about hetero optimism (yes, it's a thing), Geri Halliwell as a sexual awakening, Robbie Williams as... another sexual awakening, Nora Ephron (unrelated to sexual awakenings), and so much more. Grab your Zabar's mug and enjoy. Dolly Alderton is an award-winning author, sc…

Send us a Text Message. Jason and Brett talk to Crystal Hefner (Only Say Good Things) about life following her time in the famed Playboy mansion, beauty standards and carrying the burden of how we want to be perceived in the world, and what she's discovering about herself now that she's on the other side. Crystal Hefner is a world-renowned model, a…

Send us a Text Message. Jason and Brett talk to Kaveh Akbar (Martyr!) about his transition from poet to novelist, listening to your dreams, how language is a sense memory, parallels with the musical Pippin, and much more. Kaveh Akbar’s poems appear in The New Yorker, The New York Times, The Paris Review, The Best American Poetry, and elsewhere. He …

Send us a Text Message. In the first installation of their debut novelists series UPCOMING / UP & COMING, Jason and Brett talk to three new writers about their soon-to-be released books. Christina Cooke (Broughtupsy, Jan 23) talks about how it took 13 years to write and publish her book; Daniel Lefferts (Ways & Means, Feb 6) shares how his novel em…

Send us a Text Message. In the first episode of the new year, Jason and Brett discuss books they’re excited to check out in 2024. They’re joined by editor and author Jenny Jackson (who initially put The Rachel Incident on their radar—one of Jason’s Most Memorable 2023 Books!) Jenny talks about titles, some of which she served as editor, that she’s …

Send us a Text Message. In the season finale of Gays Reading, Jason and Brett share not the "favorite" and not the "best," but their most memorable books of 2023. What makes a memorable book? Do any overlap? Check out this episode and prep for the new year by adding a whole bunch of books to your TBR. Gays Reading is sponsored by Audible. Get a FRE…

Send us a Text Message. Jason and Brett's love for books and Broadway come together in this exciting episode! They talk to musical book writer and lyricist Kait Kerrigan about adapting The Great Gatsby for the stage, Merri Sugarman about the casting process and her new book From Craft to Career, and Matthew Chisling (aka @mattyandthebooks) about bo…

Send us a Text Message. Jason and Brett talk to Stephen Markley (The Deluge) about writing his climate fiction epic over the course of 13 years, scaring Stephen King, differences between writing for television and novels, and growing up in Ohio. Stephen Markley is the acclaimed author of Ohio, which NPR called a “masterpiece.” A graduate of the Iow…

Send us a Text Message. 'Tis the season to be under a blanket, sitting by a fireplace, reading a book! Just in case your TBR doesn't have something you're in the mood for, Jason and Brett have some cozy recommendations for you. If that's not enough, they also enlist the help of bestselling author Jasmine Guillory (The Wedding Date, The Proposal) to…

Send us a Text Message. Jason and Brett talk to Mick Peterson, Bill Lyons, Robert Reeves, and Jessay Martin aka The Old Gays (The Old Gays Guide to the Good Life) about chosen family, the importance of talking about the past, social media bringing people together, and their admiration for the younger generation's acceptance. The Old Gays, best frie…

Send us a Text Message. Jason and Brett talk to sexpert Zachary Zane (Boyslut) about bisexuality, kinks, overcoming shame, and the importance of talking openly and honestly about sexual expression in its many forms. In case the title of the episode doesn't make it clear: sex comes up a lot in this episode. Zachary Zane is a Brooklyn-based columnist…

Send us a Text Message. Jason and Brett talk to Greg Marshall (Leg) about Speedos, the importance of finding your community, Speedos (there's a lot of Speedo talk), parents (of course, we're all gay), and how queer people are responsible for inventing culture. Greg Marshall was raised in Salt Lake City. A National Endowment for the Arts Fellow in P…

Send us a Text Message. Jason and Brett talk to Jedediah Jenkins (Mother, Nature) about topics ranging from starter words on Wordle to the best time to eat donuts, about complicated parent relationships, the nuances of LTRs, and everything in between. Jedidiah Jenkins is the New York Times bestselling author of To Shake the Sleeping Self and Like S…

Send us a Text Message. Jason and Brett talk to RuPaul’s Drag Race alum Ginger Minj (Southern Fried Sass) about how to keep your house and heart open, auditioning for the live action Little Mermaid, naming Bette Midler as her new drag mom, and the important differences between throwing shade and reading. Ginger Minj is the stage name of Joshua Alle…

Send us a Text Message. Jason and Brett talk to Everything Iconic podcast host Danny Pellegrino (The Jolliest Bunch) about traditions, how to avoid "stuffing disappointment," Judy Greer dream casting, a shocking piece of advice about *that* Mariah song, and much, much, more. Danny Pellegrino is the New York Times bestselling author of How Do I Un-R…

Send us a Text Message. To kick off #NonfictionNovember, Jason and Brett share some of their favorite nonfiction books before talking to prolific nonfiction author, Sy Montgomery. (How many times can one say "nonfiction" in a description?) They talk to Sy about the nonfiction genre, how she decides her topics, and about her newest book Of Time and …

Send us a Text Message. Do you know what the "I" in LGBTQIA+ stands for? In case you don't, Jason and Brett talk to Pidgeon Pagonis (Nobody Needs to Know) about what intersex means and Pidgeon's experience living "in between." They also discuss the best Chicago-style pizza, gush over diners, and debate a controversial A League of Their Own question…

Send us a Text Message. In this spoiler-free conversation, Jason and Brett talk to Dann McDorman (West Heart Kill) about his reverence for the classic mystery story, why so many people are drawn to the genre, his least favorite trope, and his experience writing his debut novel. Dann McDorman is an Emmy-nominated TV news producer, who has also worke…

Send us a Text Message. Jason and Brett talk to Jeopardy! champion Amy Schneider (In the Form of a Question) about life before and after her lauded run on the show, the impact of teachers, her experience writing nonfiction and stand-up comedy, and how hard it is to execute the infamous "Jeopardy! poker face." Amy Schneider is an American software e…

Send us a Text Message. Jason and Brett talk to Ashley Winstead (Midnight is the Darkest Hour) about twist pressure, the difference between mysteries and thrillers, Twilight, and more. This episode also features special guest Dennis Michel aka @scaredstraightreads who talks about favorite thrillers. Ashley Winstead is an academic turned novelist wi…

Send us a Text Message. Jason and Brett talk to Alex Gino (Green) about favorite sweets, book banning, their experience as a banned book author, using the singular they pronoun, and creating a safe world for young readers. Alex Gino writes queer and progressive middle grade novels, including the Stonewall and Lambda Award-winning Melissa. They love…

Send us a Text Message. Jason and Brett talk to Nathan Hill (Wellness) about monogamy, parental relationships, social media and the algorithm, and how stories can be both constructed and constricted by the worlds we live in. Wellness is the September 2023 Oprah’s Book Club Pick Nathan Hill’s best-selling debut novel, The Nix, was named the number o…

Send us a Text Message. Jason and Brett talk to Gaby Wood, the Chief Executive of the Booker Prize Foundation about the prize process. Gaby talks about choosing judges, facilitating meetings, and other aspects of her role which includes making some difficult decisions. They also talk to three-time Booker Prize listee, Tan Twan Eng about his experie…

Send us a Text Message. Jason and Brett talk to Mona Awad (Rouge) about the key ingredients of a fairy tale, the cult of the beauty industry, and how her own biracial background influenced her writing this contemporary gothic Snow White. Mona Awad is the author of the novels All’s Well, Bunny, and 13 Ways of Looking at a Fat Girl. Bunny was a final…