Hot Takes & Deep Dives

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

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

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

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

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