ALWAYS SOMETIMES

On this episode of Always Sometimes, Los Angeles-based filmmaker and photographer Talon Reed Cooper joins me to discuss growing up in Indiana, collaboration, religious trauma, his film Headrest Talk , gender identity, being a creative leader, and "giving a f*ck". Recorded 9/29/25. Hosted and produced by Tom. Follow Talon on Instagram at @talonreedcooper . Follow Always Sometimes on Insta...

On this episode of Lately from the Always Sometimes podcast, my friend Amélia J. Dion (aka Helvetikah Blak) joins me to catch up after a busy, creative, collaborative, and evolutionary summer. We chat drag, writing, personal growth, relationships, film, books, honesty, forgiveness, and everything in between.  Recorded on 9/3/25. Hosted and produced by Tom. Follow Amélia and her collective the Haus...

On this episode of Lately from the Always Sometimes podcast, Andrew Davalos and Jack McGuinness join me to discuss the upcoming iteration of their print magazine: The Heat Issue . Recorded on 8/13/25. Hosted and produced by Tom. Follow The Issue on Instagram at @the_issue_mag . Intro and outro created using audio from freesound.org and the voices of friends.

On this episode of Always Sometimes, Chicago-based artist Ariel Zetina joins me to discuss her recent live set at Club Toilet in Detroit, “gay chatter” on the dancefloor, psychedelics, compromise, her theater background, the music she’s currently listening to, and the power of conceptualization. Recorded 7/16/25. Hosted and produced by Tom. Follow Ariel on Instagram at @arielzetina . Follow Always...

On this episode of Always Sometimes, multifaceted artist Fantasy Banks joins me to discuss going to school for fashion design, her dance background, coffee, childhood toys, the Haus of Paint, finding creative purpose, and asking oneself “why?”. Recorded 5/28/25. Hosted and produced by Tom. Follow Fantasy on Instagram at @itsfantasybanks . Follow Always Sometimes on Instagram at ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠@always__som...

On this episode of Always Sometimes, designer and friend Luke Standbrook joins me to discuss kissing, breakfast culture, Chicago, finding power in recollection, creative constraints, color in fashion, and the beauty of friendship. Recorded 5/24/25. Hosted and produced by Tom. Follow Luke on Instagram at @pizzafukr . Follow Always Sometimes on Instagram at ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠@always__sometimes⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠ .

On this episode of Always Sometimes, multidisciplinary artist and friend Germán Padilla joins me to discuss his painting practice, Shakira, attending a men’s college, having an all-or-nothing mindset, napping, his years of hospitality experience, and the gay gaze on pop artists. Recorded 5/19/25. Hosted and produced by Tom. Follow Germán on Instagram at @mexican_not_german . Follow Always Sometime...

On this episode of Always Sometimes, multidisciplinary artist, drag personality, and musician Papa Squat joins me to discuss Irish goodbyes, Nina Simone, growing up in Chicago, their favorite drag performance, birthdays, playing the euphonium, and Kiss & Tell Cabaret , the variety drag and burlesque show they produce. Recorded 5/17/25. Hosted and produced by Tom. Follow Papa Squat on Instagram at...

On this episode of Always Sometimes, Chicago socialite, creative, and friend Ben Trotter joins me to discuss giving compliments, Peachie-O’s, coming out to his parents, workplace bathroom habits, quintessential gay holidays and events, Beyoncé conspiracies, and cohosting the forthcoming podcast Halves on the Bag . Recorded 5/12/25. Hosted and produced by Tom. Follow Ben at @_trotterben and Halves...

On this episode of Always Sometimes, friend, community advocate, and UX researcher Abraham Ortiz Tapia joins me to discuss the importance of movement, expression in the digital age, hope, his family’s story, growing up in Wisconsin, being future-oriented, and smiling. Recorded 5/8/25. Hosted and produced by Tom. Follow Abraham on Instagram at @abeortiz . Intro and outro created using ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠...

On this episode of Always Sometimes, friend, pop culture enthusiast, and writer Justin Horowitz joins me to discuss reality television, Addison Rae and Lorde, formative gay crushes, his feature length screenplay Gay & Afraid , inflation, walking alone at night, and Twilight . Recorded 4/24/25. Hosted and produced by Tom. Follow Justin on Instagram at @justinhorowitz_ . Intro and outro created...

On this episode of Always Sometimes, friend and creative Jack McGuinness joins me to discuss artistic collaboration, sharing music with friends, fashion critique, The Blank Issue, foreign films, albums versus playlists, and New Year’s Eve. Recorded 4/10/25. Hosted and produced by Tom. Follow Jack and The Blank Issue on Instagram at @mcguinnessiii and @the___issue respectively. Intro and outro crea...

On this episode of Always Sometimes, Chicago-via-Pittsburgh drag queen Boo Barrymore joins me to discuss her performance style, drag names and trends, Cher (the bird!), her pre-pandemic residency at Berlin Nightclub, thrifting, sculptured up-dos, and drag in non-drag venues. Recorded 4/3/25. Hosted and produced by Tom. Follow Boo at @boobarrymore on Instagram. Intro and outro created using ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠...

On this episode of Always Sometimes, Chicago-based independent musician Raequan Scott joins me to discuss knowing when to take control, exploring alter egos, the limitations of genre, the confidence it takes to release new work, favorite numbers, open-mindedness, and his upcoming project Handle Without Care. Recorded 11/18/24. Hosted and produced by Tom. Follow Raequan at @raequan_scott on Instagr...

On this episode of Always Sometimes, my friend (and 30th guest!) Daniella DeRose joins me to discuss the mutual friendship that introduced us, being a homebody, Village Discount, being your "worst" self, grind culture, spending time with friends IRL, and media that's made her cry. Recorded 11/18/24. Hosted and produced by Tom. Intro and outro created using ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠freesound.org⁠⁠...

On this episode of Always Sometimes, creator (and my longtime friend!) Morgan Markowski joins me to discuss how we met, self-sabotage, her evolving relationship to creativity, the importance of eyebrows, mac and cheese, people-pleasing, and the ins-and-outs of being a B2B creator. Recorded 11/16/24. Hosted and produced by Tom. You can follow Morgan on Instagram at @morganmarkowski . Intro and outr...

On this episode of Always Sometimes, handpoke tattoo artist Lex Lloyd joins me to discuss caffeine highs, nurturing your imagination, Charlie's Angels, traditional versus nontraditional arts training, the responsibility of tattooing, and doing things yourself. Recorded 11/11/24. Hosted and produced by Tom. You can follow Lex on Instagram at @softlyitkillstattoos . Intro and outro created using...

On this episode of Always Sometimes, drag artist Vanity Unfair joins me to discuss 90s aesthetics, growing up in rural Michigan, hair (down there), holy grail beauty products, personal lubricant, the difference between style and costume, and her Chicago drag journey. Recorded 9/9/24. Hosted and produced by Tom. You can follow Vanity on Instagram at @vanityunfairr . Intro and outro created using ⁠⁠...

On this episode of Always Sometimes, photographer Leah Wendzinski joins me to discuss listening to your body, stuffed animals, orange, the unpredictability of film, being an Aquarius moon, late-20s transformations, and finding balance between privacy and secrecy. Recorded 8/26/24. Hosted and produced by Tom. You can follow Leah on Instagram @leahwendzinski . Intro and outro created using ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠f...

On this episode of Always Sometimes, friend, artist, and organizer Kate Brooks joins me to discuss sculpture, literal and figurative clowns, the freedom found in wallowing, Dirty Dancing, dolls, the varied meanings of "mother", and Denver's infamous Casa Bonita. Recorded 8/6/24. Hosted and produced by Tom. Intro and outro created using ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠freesound.org⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠ and the voices of fr...

On this episode of Lately from the Always Sometimes podcast, my friend Grace Kinter joins me to discuss her experience of Summer 2024 so far. Recorded on 7/28/24. Hosted and produced by Tom. Follow Grace on Instagram at @gracekinter.wav . Intro and outro created using audio from freesound.org and the voices of friends.

On this episode of Always Sometimes, friend and therapist-in-training Yonah London joins me to discuss how we met, dressing as Eminem for Halloween, ordering takeout, bailing on plans, his experience in graduate school, growing into queerness, and ghosting. Recorded 7/23/24. Hosted and produced by Tom. You can follow Yonah on Instagram at @yonahdotcom . Intro and outro created using ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠freesoun...

On this episode of Always Sometimes, multi-disciplinary artist Annaleigh Stone joins me to discuss Jon Bon Jovi, her time in comedy school, making time for solo projects, gossip, influencers in Chicago, dressing like a f*ckboy, and Subway sandwiches. Recorded 5/14/24. Hosted and produced by Tom. You can follow Annaleigh on Instagram at @smashmouthfan . Intro and outro created using ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠freesound....

On this episode of Always Sometimes, producer, DJ, and artist Miss Twink USA joins me to discuss reprioritizing, falling in love, their current relationship to nightlife, remembering to relax, orchids, growing up as a twin, and embracing creative versatility. Recorded 4/15/24. Hosted and produced by Tom. You can follow Del on Instagram at @misstwinkusa . Intro and outro created using ⁠⁠⁠⁠freesound...

On this episode of Always Sometimes, visual artist Robert Martin joins me to discuss their painting practice, living in the Midwest, balsamic vinegar, revisiting the past, trends in artmaking, the artists that inspire them, and the influence of positive energy.  Recorded 4/13/24. Hosted and produced by Tom. You can follow Robert on Instagram at @robertmartinstudio . Intro and outro created using ⁠...