In this moving, hilarious, and unapologetic episode of Unboxed with Wes & Ace, the pod welcomes a Kansas City advocate and a lifelong friend of the hosts, Eric. With a friendship spanning decades, the trio leaves absolutely nothing tucked away as they dive straight into the messy, beautiful, and sometimes chaotic reality of living a life centered on community leadership, radical empathy, and mutual support.
The conversation kicks off with some nostalgic, laugh-out-loud history—including a legendary pool-party food fight involving a tub of potato salad—before anchoring in the serious, ongoing battle against HIV/AIDS. Wearing their values on their sleeves, Wes, Ace, and Eric discuss the vital history of the phrase Silence = Death, confronting the misconception that the epidemic is a thing of the past. Eric breaks down how white privilege historically shifted the narrative of the crisis and how systemic healthcare inequities continue to disproportionately impact Black, brown, and trans communities today.
As a former driving force behind the AIDS Service Foundation’s Millennial League and the Heartland Queer Project, Eric speaks candidly about the exhausting reality of grassroots fundraising, board burnout, and the desperate need to mobilize a younger generation of Gen Z and millennial volunteers. The trio tackles the complex layers of modern "cancel culture" and performance-based activism, with Eric calling for a return to radical transparency and trust-building among local nonprofit organizations. Rather than hiding behind curated social media feeds or weaponized buzzwords, they challenge the community to get their hands dirty, show up for the emotional labor, and step up to help set up tables and chairs when local movements need it most.
But it’s the quiet, deeply personal moments that define the heart of this episode. Eric shares his story of how a box of sidewalk chalk during the COVID-19 isolation turned his home into a neighborhood beacon of sunshine and mutual care. In response, Ace delivers an unforgettable tribute to his late father, sharing a profound memory from southwest Kansas that teaches us how to choose love, maintain human connection, and find the golden sun even in the face of blatant ignorance and systemic oppression.
From analyzing Miley Cyrus tracks and Ts Madison Vine culture to the emotional weight of processing the loss of a family pet, this episode unboxes the raw, unfiltered human connection society is starving for.
Eric’s Recommended KC Organizations:

• KC CARE Health Center (Healthcare, dental, and behavioral health services)
  
• SAVE Inc. (Housing as healthcare initiatives)
  
• AIDS Service Foundation / Blackout KC (HIV/AIDS education and destigmatization)
  
• Pete’s Garden & Kanbe's Markets (Combating local food insecurity and food waste)
  

Support the Relaunch:
Explore our community resource directory, read up on local advocacy updates, and listen to past episodes at unboxedkc.org.

The box stays wide open for part two of our deep dive with Kansas City music royalty, DJ Amanda. We left you on a massive cliffhanger in part one, and in this episode, Amanda delivers the full, unfiltered story behind the viral Chappell Roan gig she was forced to turn down—unpacking the industry double standards, late-night panic texts, and the realities of less-than-24-hour booking notices.
Picking up right where the trust left off, Wes, Ace, and Amanda move from industry "tea" to a masterclass in community accountability. Amanda breaks down her professional double life as a Director of Inclusion and Belonging, confronting the performative nature of corporate allyship, the tokenization of queer artists during Pride month, and the critical need to protect the dance floor as a true sanctuary.
As she prepares to pack up her vinyl and leave the Midwest "red sea" for her next big chapter in Chicago, Amanda shares the emotional reality of leaving behind a 25-year legacy in Kansas City. From hilarious trips down memory lane—including how Wes and Ace actually met on Scruff a decade ago—to navigating Amanda and Ace's parallel grief of losing a father, this final hour is a celebration of resilience, therapy, and learning to proudly take up space.
Turn the volume up for the conclusion of our most raw conversation yet.
Connect with Amanda:
Instagram: @AmandaFromKC / @QueerHouseCollective
SoundCloud: Search "DJ Amanda" for 25 years of live archival club mixes.
Support the Relaunch:
Stream Part 1 and Part 2 seamlessly, check out our community partners, and grab official merch at unboxedkc.org.

In this episode of Unboxed with Wes & Ace, we sit down with a close friend, acclaimed muralist, visual artist, and the former Creative Director for the City of Kansas City, Jared Horman. This conversation is a beautiful, nostalgic, and deeply honest look at what happens when art, queer identity, and public service intersect in the heart of the Midwest.
Wes, Ace, and Jared trace a rich, decade-long friendship that began on the fields of local queer sports leagues and evolved through the halls of local government and major public art installations. Jared pulls back the curtain on his creative process, sharing the stories behind some of his most impactful work—including the inspiration that birthed his viral Chappell Roan mural, and the deeply emotional weight of creating the KC CARE Health Center and AIDS Service Foundation's World AIDS Day legacy mural, an installation that captures the resilient history of our community's healthcare advocacy.
The trio also dives into the realities of working from the inside out. Jared speaks candidly about navigating his identity as a queer creative inside city government, balancing bureaucratic expectations with authentic self-expression.
But staying true to the core of Unboxed, the conversation moves beyond the resume to explore what it truly means to live life on your own terms. Jared shares his personal journey of navigating the beautiful complexities of polyamory, and finding his rhythm as an independent creative. And Wes shares about his oddest role of all—being a goat dad.
It’s an episode packed with local Kansas City pride, deep friendship, creative inspiration, and the reminder that living out loud is the ultimate masterpiece.

Support the Relaunch:
Explore more stories, connect with local KC creators, and listen to full episodes at unboxedkc.org.

In this episode of Unboxed with Wes & Ace, we are joined by Kansas City’s own comedian, producer, and digital creator, Brittany Tilander (widely known as @BTfromKC). True to the Unboxed mission, this conversation starts with accountability and dives straight into the heavy-hitting issues affecting our local LGBTQ+ community before shifting into comedy, culture, and bedroom boundaries.
We kick off the episode with a critical, no-holds-barred look at the political landscape in Kansas City. The trio analyzes Mayor Quinton Lucas's record on LGBTQ+ issues, specifically unpacking the implications of a city council vote to repeal a conversion therapy ban. Brittany helps us break down the frustration of political pandering and what happens when elected leaders cater to centrist voters at the direct expense of their most marginalized constituents. From there, we address left-leaning political accountability, shine a light on the grassroots KC community organizations doing the actual heavy lifting, and confront systemic local issues—including the chronic lack of queer safe spaces and the impact of food deserts on Kansas City's east side.
Then, we transition the energy into a space of joy, art, and entertainment. Brittany shares her comedy origins in Madison, Wisconsin, and the inspiration behind creating her body-positive burlesque and comedy showcase, Body Language. We also indulge in a bit of pop-culture obsession, breaking down our favorite reality TV shows, including The Traitors, Survivor, and RuPaul’s Drag Race.
To wrap up, we get into the deeply personal and unfiltered territory Unboxed is famous for. Brittany opens up about navigating pansexuality and the communication required in open relationships, leading into a raw conversation about the queer switch community, the realities of Fist Fest, and how to book Brittany for your next event.
It is a beautiful mix of Kansas City advocacy, deep laughs, and zero shame.
Connect with Brittany:
Instagram: @BTfromKC
Support the Relaunch:
Head over to unboxedkc.org to learn more about the pod, catch up on past episodes, or find out how you can get involved in our growing community.

In this episode of Unboxed with Wes & Ace, we sit down with a longtime friend and a member of the kink community, Travis (known to many as @ropes_whatknots). This conversation embodies our mission: creating a safe, unfiltered space to discuss the "taboo" topics that society often brushes under the rug.
We kick things off with a candid (and often hilarious) debate on the ambiguity of sexual boundaries—specifically navigating "Lent rules" and the gray areas of edging, pre-cum, and partner assistance. From there, the conversation shifts into the practical and often overlooked world of hookup culture safety. We discuss the logistics of using motels to avoid awkward lobbies, the speed of encounters on apps like Scruff and Grindr, and the critical importance of vetting partners in a landscape where substance use and misrepresentation are real risks.
Travis opens up about his professional and personal journey within the bondage community. From launching a dedicated bondage site to his transition to OnlyFans, Travis explains the appeal of ropes and the power of control. Central to his work is a commitment to body inclusivity, challenging the narrow aesthetic standards often seen in the kink world.
The episode takes a serious turn as we discuss the weight of consent. Travis shares personal experiences with consent violations within the bondage community, his time in the military, and during travel-based sessions. We explore how he and his husband, Blane, navigate the complexities of their relationship with honesty and clear communication.
Finally, we zoom out to the "big picture." The trio reflects on the current state of human justice and on a political climate that often feels as if society is regressing. It’s 100% raw, 100% Unboxed.
Connect with Travis:
Instagram: @ropes_whatknots
Support the Relaunch:
Visit unboxedkc.org to learn more about our mission, shop with our community partners, or find out how you can be a guest on a future episode.

In this episode, we sit down with Beau Gostomsky to celebrate a journey of personal courage. Beau takes us through his path of self-discovery, proving that taking the leap to be yourself is always worth the risk.
In this episode, we discuss:

• Midwest Pride & Coming Out: Why a supportive environment doesn't always make taking the leap any less daunting.
  
• Overcoming Fear: Navigating the very real threat of being disowned and finding the strength to push forward anyway.
  
• The Power of Persistence: How finishing a nursing degree became a symbol of survival and ultimate self-acceptance.
  

Whether you are navigating your own coming-out journey or just need a reminder of human resilience, Beau’s story is a testament to the power of living authentically.

After a two-year hiatus, Wes and Ace are back to unbox the taboo, the stigmatized, and the hilariously raw. Joining them for this reunion is comedian and podcaster Colton Dowling for an unfiltered deep dive into the stories we usually keep hidden.

From the evolution of the Unboxed mission to a candid exploration of the fisting community and sexual health, no topic is off-limits. The trio balances humor with heavy-hitting vulnerability as they discuss navigating grief, the dissolution of creative partnerships, and the complex boundaries of open relationships. Whether it’s reclaiming mental health or discussing the logistics of kink, this episode is a reminder that every story is valid when told without shame.