Hot Takes & Deep Dives

Jess Rothschild

Podcast serving quick hits & deep cuts on LGBT pop iconography & NYC culture. Recent guests include Rosie O'Donnell, Sandra Bernhard, Fortune Feimster, Roxane Gay, Fran Drescher, Isaac Mizrahi, Lea DeLaria, Melissa Etheridge, Rachel Dratch, Gina Gershon, Margaret Cho, L Word creator Ilene Chaiken, Jenifer Lewis, Judy Gold, Mario Cantone, Michael Musto & more!

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23 episodes
fortnightly
Avg 55 min
English

Episodes 23

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Friday · 47 min
Culture Catch-Up: Troye Sivan's Madonna 'Party,' The Miley Cyrus Problem & RHONY (w/ Jacques Peterson)
Jess is joined by Daily Mail writer Jacques Peterson for a culture catch-up! Topics include: Why are all the news and gossip sites suddenly subscription-based? Troye Sivan's "Party," which samples Madonna's "Music"; what is wrong with Miley Cyrus?; the RHONY reboot(s); and Howard Stern's HBO deal. Plus-- Jacques' move from Australia to LA, developing a reality show set in Montana that came close to getting picked up but never made it to air & more! ⭐ IG: @jessxnyc | @unpopularjp ⭐ Jess' docu-series on the history, mystique & lore of Fire Island — Finding Fire Island ⭐ Jess' docu-series on the rise & fall of SoulCycle — Cult of Body & Soul
September 1 · 1 hr
Stories of 1960s NYC, Provincetown & Fire Island (w/ Gene Fedorko, age 83)
Jess is joined by downtown New York fixture Gene Fedorko, age 83, for a trip through more than six decades of queer history. Gene recalls escaping to New York City in 1960, discovering Fire Island in 1961, attending the March on Washington in 1963 and moving to Provincetown in 1970. Plus: surviving the AIDS crisis, addiction and alcoholism -- and the fabulous Chelsea loft he still calls home. ⭐ IG: @jessxnyc ⭐ Jess' docu-series on the history, mystique & lore of Fire Island — Finding Fire Island ⭐ Jess' docu-series on the rise & fall of SoulCycle — Cult of Body & Soul
August 24 · 55 min
Rosie O'Donnell on Madonna, The View, Britney, The L Word & more!
Jess is joined by fellow Long Islander ROSIE O'DONNELL! Topics: the inception of The Rosie O'Donnell Show, the infamous episode where Whitney Houston no-showed, her experiences with Britney Spears, being in the studio as Madonna recorded "This Used to Be My Playground" for A League of Their Own, why Barbara Walters disappointed her on The View, Kathy Griffin and Roseanne not taking her advice, The L Word, Queer as Folk and more! ⭐ IG: @jessxnyc ⭐ Jess' docu-series on the history, mystique & lore of Fire Island — Finding Fire Island
July 27 · 1 hr 9 min
Scissor Sisters' Ana Matronic — Behind the Music, History of Tea Dance & more!
Jess is joined by Scissor Sisters frontwoman Ana Matronic (@msanamatronic)! Topics— first meeting JAKE SHEARS at The Slipper Room, STUART PRICE producing their "Night Work" album, the highs (and frustrations) of scoring a massive hit with "Let's Have a Kiki" while still failing to satisfy their record label, and why Ana chose not to reunite with the band on its current tour. Plus— Ana discusses losing her father to AIDS in 1990 and her work today as a Fire Island DJ and historian. ⭐ IG: @jessxnyc | @msanamatronic ⭐ Jess' docu-series FINDING FIRE ISLAND about the history, mystique and lore of Cherry Grove & The Pines.
July 13 · 57 min
Madonna Confessions II Review (w/ Ben Rimalower & Mike Fernandez)
Jess is joined by Ben Rimalower and Boy Toy Mike Fernandez to review Madonna's Confessions II! Topics: Sean Penn lore, could "Danceteria" have been the "Abracadabra" of the album, Ben & Mike's first listen midnight journey, each of our Top 3, songwriting camps & more! IG: @jessxnyc | @benrimalower | @mrmikefern Jess' docu-series FINDING FIRE ISLAND about the history, mystique and lore of Cherry Grove & The Pines.
July 6 · 1 hr 17 min
Madonna Culture Debate (w/ Tony Trius, Mark Snyder, Kenny Finkle)
We will have our comprehensive review of CONFESSIONS II next week! But first, Jess joined by Mark Snyder & Kenny Finkle (All I Want To Do Is Talk About Madonna) and Tony Trius (MLVC) for a culture debate — MADONNA EDITION! Topics: our unpopular opinions, best live performance, best Truth or Dare moment, Tears of a Clown, how to fix Madonna, was longtime collab Mirwais trying to sabotage her? … and more! IG: @jessxnyc | @tonytrius | @markbsnyder2026 | @mynameisfinkle Jess' docu-series FINDING FIRE ISLAND about the history, mystique and lore of Cherry Grove & The Pines.
June 22 · 39 min
Stories from Limelight, The Roxy, The Saint & '90s NYC Club Flyers (w/ David Kennerley)
Jess is joined by David Kennerley to pour over his coffee-table book (Getting In) showcasing more than 200 flyers he collected from NYC queer bars & clubs of the 1990s (ie: Limelight, Splash, The Saint, Pyramid, The Roxy), with commentary from Michael Musto, Linda Simpson, Lady Bunny, Chip Duckett, Ernie Glam, Mark Allen and more! Topics: the "Disco Sucks" era, backrooms during the HIV/AIDS epidemic and more. ⭐ IG: @jessxnyc | gettinginclubbook.com ⭐ Jess' docu-series on the history, mystique & lore of Fire Island — Finding Fire Island
June 8 · 4 min
BIG NEWS! Finding Fire Island Returns June 11!🌲🍒
ANNOUNCEMENT! 🌲🍒 Finding Fire Island returns for Season 2 on June 11, with two episodes premiering on launch day. This season features interviews with Billy Porter, John Waters, Julio Torres, DJ Lina Bradford, Broadway Bares creator Jerry Mitchell, Fire Island icon Bob "Rose" Levine, and dozens of longtime Pines residents whose stories bring Fire Island's hidden history to life. Through 8 brand new episodes, we uncover the historic rivalry between Cherry Grove and The Pines, trace the evolution of Tea Dance and the art of cruising before apps, explore how DJs shaped NYC and Pines nightlife, and meet the Pantry Girls and queer firefighters who keep the island running. ⭐ Subscribe to Finding Fire Island wherever you podcast! ⭐ Watch all episodes on YouTube ⭐ ⁠findingfireisland.com ⭐ @jessxnyc
May 18 · 58 min
Charles Busch on Liza & Judy, Rosie O'Donnell, Joan Rivers & more
Jess is joined by playwright and "male actress" CHARLES BUSCH! Topics include: ROSIE O'DONNELL producing the disastrous Boy George musical 'Taboo,' performing at The Duplex in the late 70s, becoming close with JOAN RIVERS, the chaos of interviewing LIZA, working with NATASHA LYONNE, and how 'Vampire Lesbians of Sodom' became one of the longest-running Off-Broadway plays of all time. ⭐ Night of 1000 Judys: June 1 @Joe's Pub * all donations benefit The Ali Forney Center * ⭐ IG: @jessxnyc ⭐ Jess' docu-series on the history, mystique & lore of Fire Island — Finding Fire Island
May 11 · 1 hr 15 min
Is West Wilson The Talented Mr. Ripley of Summer House? (w/ Jamie Stein)
Jess is joined by empath & intuitive JAMIE STEIN (@jamiestein) for a SUMMER HOUSE psychological deep dive. We unpack the subconscious dynamics behind West Wilson, Amanda Batula, Ciara Miller, Kyle Cooke, Lindsay Hubbard and Carl Radke. Topics— Kyle & Amanda's codependency, West's "Talented Mr. Ripley" / "Catch Me If You Can" shape-shifting energy, Carl & Lindsay, the spinoff "In The City," Tom Sandoval vs. West as the better villain, and more! ⭐ IG: @jessxnyc | @jamiestein ⭐ Jess' docu-series on the history, mystique & lore of Fire Island — Finding Fire Island ⭐ Jess' docu-series on the rise & fall of SoulCycle — Cult of Body & Soul
May 4 · 52 min
Rachel Dratch on SNL, 30 Rock & Countess Luann Cabaret
Jess is joined by RACHEL DRATCH — beloved for her seven-season run on Saturday Night Live. Topics: Rachel's decades-long friendship with TINA FEY, her SNL casting story, being replaced by JANE KRAKOWSKI on 30 ROCK, and the surprise of discovering she was pregnant at 43. Plus: WINE COUNTRY, inspired by her real-life 50th birthday trip, and performing in COUNTESS LUANN's cabaret debut at 54 Below. ⭐ IG: @jessxnyc | @raedratch ⭐ Jess' docu-series on the history, mystique & lore of Fire Island — Finding Fire Island
April 6 · 49 min
Ballroom Culture, POSE & How a Ryan Murphy Show Gets Made (w/ POSE's Steven Canals)
Jess is joined by the co-creator / writer / director of the FX series POSE — STEVEN CANALS! Canals discusses the series' inspiration via the landmark documentary PARIS IS BURNING and getting the script into RYAN MURPHY's hands. We discuss ballroom culture, Houses, "Vogue," and the series' music placements. We also discuss the casting of MJ Rodriguez (Blanca), Indya Moore (Angel) and Sandra Bernhard. ⭐ IG: @jessxnyc ⭐ Jess' docu-series on the history, mystique & lore of Fire Island — Finding Fire Island
March 30 · 51 min
Amber Martin on Bette Midler at The Baths, Touring w/ Scissor Sisters & more
Jess is joined by performance artist and rocker AMBER MARTIN (@msambermartin)! Topics — the origins of her Bette Midler at the Continental Baths show "Bette, Bathhouse & Beyond," winning the NYC artist housing lottery at Manhattan Plaza, touring with the Scissor Sisters, the Allways Cabaret in New Orleans, working as a flight attendant, radical faeries and more! ⭐ IG: @jessxnyc | @msambermartin ⭐ Jess' docu-series on the history, mystique & lore of Fire Island — Finding Fire Island
March 9 · 54 min
Hedda Lettuce on Madonna, Kim Cattrall & Surviving Drag
Jess welcomes beloved NYC drag legend HEDDA LETTUCE, boots on the ground in Puerto Vallarta after the recent cartel attack. Topics — Playing Kim Cattrall's ex-boyfriend on Sex and the City on stage with Madonna at the 1999 MTV VMAs, neighbors with Quentin Crisp, and cult movies at Chelsea Clearview Cinema. Plus — Shirley Q. Liquor, Heather Locklear at Cherry's on the Bay, and Hedda's journey from rock bottom in Provincetown to reigning on Fire Island—and now wintering in Puerto Vallarta. ⭐ IG: @jessxnyc | @heddalettuceofficial ⭐ Jess' docu-series on the history, mystique & lore of Fire Island — Finding Fire Island
February 23 · 50 min
Jonah Wheeler on Quitting Broadway to Become a S*x Work Sensation
Jess is joined by Broadway composer / orchestrator / adult star JONAH WEELER! (@showoffjonah). Topics — blind items about this worst Broadway experiences, music directing Sweeney Todd Off Broadway and the final straw that pushed him toward a full-on career pivot to OnlyFans. Plus: beating Instagram censorship, creating a new cabaret about that pivot with partner John Coons, the origin story of his p*rn name "Jonah Weeler" (he is the artist formerly known as Matt Aument) and more! ⭐ IG: @jessxnyc ⭐ Jonah Weeler & John Coons in NYC - Mar 22 ⭐ Jess' docu-series on the history, mystique & lore of Fire Island — Finding Fire Island
February 16 · 1 hr 3 min
Culture Catch-Up: Jill Zarin, Twinless, Pillion & Heated Rivalry vs. Queer as Folk
Jess is joined by DAMIAN BELLINO & ANNE RODEMAN (co-hosts of "You Might Know Her From") for a wintertime culture catch-up! Topics — Jill Zarin fired (again), Sandra Bernhard cast in The White Lotus S4, The L Word corner, and why is Heated Rivalry accepted by gay men while Queer as Folk was not? Plus — we review the films Twinless, Pillion & Plainclothes. ⭐ IG: @jessxnyc | @damianbellino | @rodemanne ⭐ Tix for "You Might Know Her From" live Feb 28 in NYC!
January 26 · 1 hr 1 min
Daniel Nardicio Returns! Sandra Bernhard, John Waters, Zipolite & Patti LuPone's Rider
Jess welcomes back nightlife impresario DANIEL NARDICIO to talk about his latest venture in Zipolite, Mexico and the runaway success of running The Ice Palace in Cherry Grove. Topics — legalities of throwing s*x parties, surviving Patti LuPone's rider and stories from working with Sandra Bernhard, John Waters, Jennifer Holliday and more! ⭐ IG: @jessxnyc | @the_danielnardicio ⭐ Jess' docu-series on the history, mystique & lore of Fire Island — Finding Fire Island ⭐ Jess' docu-series on the rise & fall of SoulCycle — Cult of Body & Soul
January 19 · 55 min
Lola Rocknrolla on Dean Johnson: '80s Genderf*ck Icon, Mysterious Death
Jess welcomes LOLA ROCKNROLLA, filmmaker of the brand-new documentary THE BIG JOHNSON, exploring the life and eerie death of DEAN JOHNSON: the 6'6", genderf*cky, rollicking rock-star frontman who helped define 1980s–90s East Village nightlife. Topics — the still-unsettled details around Dean's 2007 death, his bands Dean & the Weenies and The Velvet Mafia, being an HIV+ party promoter & more! "The Big Johnson" screens at NYC's Quad Cinema January 23–29, streaming avail in February ⭐ IG: @jessxnyc | @lolarocknrolla13 ⭐ Jess' docu-series on the rise & fall of SoulCycle — Cult of Body & Soul ⭐ Jess' docu-series on the history, mystique & lore of Fire Island — Finding Fire Island
Dec 29, 2025 · 1 hr 1 min
How Mariah Carey's "All I Want for Christmas Is You" Was Really Made — Co-writer Walter Afanasieff
Jess is joined by WALTER AFANASIEFF, the Grammy-winning songwriter and producer behind MARIAH CAREY's biggest '90s hits — including "Hero," "My All," "One Sweet Day," and "All I Want for Christmas Is You." Topics — how the modern Christmas classic was written, his professional fallout with Mariah Carey, and how the songwriting biz has radically changed since the '90s. Plus — producing CELINE DION's "My Heart Will Go On" from Titanic, writing with BEYONCÉ and BARBRA STREISAND, and the story of how a record label sabotaged a future American Idol winner. ⭐ IG: @jessxnyc ⭐ Jess' docu-series on the rise & fall of SoulCycle — Cult of Body & Soul ⭐ Jess' docu-series on the history, mystique & lore of Fire Island — Finding Fire Island
Dec 15, 2025 · 56 min
Inside Celebrity Home Tours: Bethenny, Andy Cohen, Madonna, Amy Sedaris & more (w/ Dale Saylor)
Jess is joined by interior designer Dale Saylor (Hollymount Design) to react to some of our favorite Architectural Digest home tours. Topics — BETHENNY FRANKEL's Florida move, ANDY COHEN's West Village duplex, AMY SEDARIS' Greenwich Village funhouse, SARAH PAULSON's Malibu studio, RUPAUL in LA, NEIL PATRICK HARRIS' Harlem brownstone & KELLY RIPA's UES townhouse. Plus — advice for max impact in small spaces AND Dale critiques a walk-through of Jess' apartment. ⭐ IG: @jessxnyc | hollymountltd.com ⭐ Jess' docu-series on the rise & fall of SoulCycle — Cult of Body & Soul ⭐ Jess' docu-series on the history, mystique & lore of Fire Island — Finding Fire Island

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