Episodes

  • Stories from Limelight, The Roxy, The Saint & '90s NYC Club Flyers (w/ David Kennerley)
    Jun 22 2026

    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

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    40 mins
  • BIG NEWS! Finding Fire Island Returns June 11!🌲🍒
    Jun 8 2026

    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

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    4 mins
  • Charles Busch on Liza & Judy, Rosie O'Donnell, Joan Rivers & more
    May 18 2026

    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

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    58 mins
  • Is West Wilson The Talented Mr. Ripley of Summer House? (w/ Jamie Stein)
    May 11 2026

    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

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    1 hr and 16 mins
  • Rachel Dratch on SNL, 30 Rock & Countess Luann Cabaret
    May 4 2026

    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

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    53 mins
  • Ballroom Culture, POSE & How a Ryan Murphy Show Gets Made (w/ POSE's Steven Canals)
    Apr 6 2026

    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

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    50 mins
  • Amber Martin on Bette Midler at The Baths, Touring w/ Scissor Sisters & more
    Mar 30 2026

    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


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    51 mins
  • Hedda Lettuce on Madonna, Kim Cattrall & Surviving Drag
    Mar 9 2026

    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

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    55 mins