Detoxicity: By Men, About Men, For Everyone

Happy New Year, friends! Our first episode of 2025 spotlights Courtney Brame, who is doing a ton of work around men's mental health and erasing STI stigma. He's the founder of SPFPP (Something Positive for Positive People) , which supports people who are living with herpes. He also founded SELFED , which promotes emotional wellness for men and recently hosted a symposium for Black men's emotional...

Tristan More and I have been friends for over a decade. We've touched on a lot of the topics we discuss over the course of this conversation many times over the years, but never this much in depth. Through the hour we spend together, we chat about everything from grief and loss to the evolution of our particular relationship. The meat of the episode, I think, relates to Tristan's evolution as a sp...

Hey Folks! Happy to bring you an episode co-starring "Fin", the co-host of the podcast Normalizing NonMonogamy . He, with his spouse "Emma", also leads a community of hundreds of other polyamorous, non-monogamous, and lifestyle-curious people. Fin and I discuss his journey through nonmonogamy, which started back in his college days. We chat about creating and cultivating community and being a cont...

Hey Folks! I'm excited to bring you this latest conversation, starring Damon L Jacobs, a licensed marriage and family therapist. In our chat, we discuss the intersection of mental health and sexual health. Damon shares shis personal journey of growing up gay, the impact of the AIDS crisis, and the evolution of sexual health awareness. He emphasizes the importance of body image, self-acceptance, an...

Nore Davis is a comedian, writer and actor. He has appeared on "Succession", "Boardwalk Empire", and "Last Week Tonight", in addition to a lengthy list of talk show appearances. His new special Element: A Solo Show Film  is available on his website and covers several of the topics we wind up talking about in this episode. Our conversation explores themes of healing, emotional vulnerability, and th...

I first interviewed comedian and writer Josh Gondelman way back in Episode 39 , a conversation that took place nearly four years ago. So we had a lot to catch up on. We talk about the world opening back up and how that’s had an effect on Josh’s career and personal life.  I give a shout out to his substack newsletter, and what it feels like to give advice (or more accurately: pep talks) to others....

In this episode, I’m chatting with Jayson Greene , a journalist and author based in Brooklyn, NY. Jayson is probably most-well known as a senior editor at the influential music site Pitchfork, and we kick off our conversation by discussing what got him into music journalism and writing in general. Jayson’s memoir, “Once More We Saw Stars” is a tragic account of loss, and we also touch on that. The...

Hi Friends! In this episode, I interview Isaac Knox , a comedian and freestyle rapper (and Guinness world record holder!) Isaac shares his journey of becoming a freestyle rapper (because, do people dream about doing this as kids?) and his decision to move to New York. Isaac shares stories about intentionally living in his car for fairly lengthy periods of time-- on two occasions, and emphasizes th...

Hi Friends! In this episode, I'm talking to my buddy Bryan Dunn . During our conversation, Bryan chats about his experiences growing up as a military brat (and the enhanced worldview that afforded him), and his fairly recent move from Brooklyn to upstate New York. He reflects on the social pressures and obligations of living in a big city, especially when you're in a creative field. Bryan also sha...

Hey everyone! I'm bringing back my friend Ryan Bentham, who some of you may know from having appeared in three previous Detox episodes, and who others may know from the Life on the Swingset podcast. Ryan (AKA Prof) and I talk (somewhat loosely) about sexy stuff, but we also talk about his long road back from a major health setback and how going through the experience changed his life. We talk abou...

Brian and I befriended one another nearly two decades ago, and while we've been peripherally in touch in the years since our work relationship ended, we had our first face-to-face LONG conversation in quite some time earlier this year. Turns out Brian's made some moves since our early days. Now based in L.A., Brian discusses his upbringing, talks about his early days in the music industry (not to...

I'm excited to welcome Benjamin Wagner back to the show! Ben is a musician and filmmaker who, in previous lives, was a high-ranking exec at MTV News as well as at what is now Meta (Facebook, Instagram, etc). Ben recently completed a film called "Friends and Neighbors", in which he charts his own journey through abuse and trauma. We talk a bit about the process of confronting such a personal topic...

Chad and I go back at least fifteen years. When we met, he was working for a gospel label, but he didn't have the "holier than thou" attitude a lot of Christians have. We became friendly, and I became more intrigued as I got to know his life a little better. He's the son of missionaries, grew up in Papua New Guinea, he's the parent of a Black child. We discuss all of this during our conversation,...

With this appearance, my friend Kevin A. Patterson ties the record for most Detoxicity appearances. This is his fourth time on the pod, and my man drops gems every time. Kevin is the author of "Love's Not Color Blind; Race and Representation in Polyamorous and Other Alternative Relationships", he co-authors the "For Hire" series of graphic novels, and he runs the site Poly Role Models . This typic...

In this episode, Cameron Mazzeo, a NJ-based licensed clinical social worker, shares his personal journey and what inspired him to create a private practice that caters to alternative lifestyles and relationships. Cameron and I discuss the importance of expanding his practice to include other communities, such as the kink community and ethically non-monogamous relationships. Cameron emphasizes the...

I don't need to throw out content warnings for this show anymore, right? It's pretty well-known that heavy stuff is discussed here. In this particular episode, Tony Pacitti shares his experience of becoming a father, and dealing with his wife's postpartum depression and psychosis all in the shadow of the COVID-19 pandemic's early days. It's a lot for a new father to deal with (understatement of th...

In this episode, I chat with Matt Kovachis, who is a life coach and the host of the podcast "The Men in The Arena". Matt shares his journey of self-discovery and self-acceptance. Matt talks about the pivotal moments that led him to make changes in his life, including ending a long-term relationship. He emphasizes the importance of seeking support and the power of therapy in his transformation. Mat...

In this episode, Tarik Carroll (AKA AMIR), a Brooklyn-based creative, photographer, musician, and fat liberation activist, shares his journey of self-discovery and healing through art. He discusses the intersection of photography and music in his life and the role of art in his healing process. Tarik also delves into the concept of fat liberation and the challenges of navigating fetishization in m...

I'm super psyched to welcome actor and creator Ned Donovan back to the show. Ned first appeared back in Episode 49, recorded at the height of the pandemic, and discussed the loss of his parents, a medical hiccup in his performing career, and growing up in Maine.   In this conversation, Ned catches us up on the last three years in his life and shares his journey in acting, production, and his perso...

Josh Antonuccio is the director of the school of media studies at Ohio University, and as such, encounters hundreds of impressionable young folks annually to help advance them in their media careers. Josh also runs the university's annual Music Industry Summit, an annual event that has brought legends like Run the Jewels and Jason Isbell to the institution to share their knowledge. Josh, himself,...

In this conversation, Mike and Kristopher discuss various aspects of sexuality, intimacy, and personal growth. They explore alternative options for intimacy and healing, such as working with certified sexual bodyworkers. They also discuss the importance of making sexual wellness more accessible to the average person. The conversation delves into reaching those who haven't started doing the work of...

In this conversation, multi-hyphenate Elliot Aronow discusses his work in helping men advance spiritually, creatively, and sartorially. He highlights the problem of stereotyping men's work and the importance of breaking free from societal expectations. Elliot shares his personal journey, from his early interest in fashion to his career in media and music. He emphasizes the significance of taking i...

In the name of starting 2024 on a path of personal betterment and delivering positive, powerful messages I am psyched to welcome Ethan Schiff to the show. Ethan is an integrative health coach (find out what that is when you listen), and discusses the importance of connecting emotional and physical health. He shares his personal journey of weight loss and self-discovery, highlighting the need for a...

Justin Levenson, a music industry professional and author, shares his journey of mentorship, service, and maintaining a positive mindset. Growing up in a multicultural household, Justin recognized the impact of music educators and mentors in his life. He emphasizes the importance of balance, service, and self-love in his personal and professional growth. Justin's experience with brain cancer furth...

Mark Marshall shares his journey from growing up in a small town in Pennsylvania to becoming a successful musician and composer in New York City. He discusses the challenges of living with disabilities and the impact of a toxic environment on his life. Mark's love for music and his desire to escape his situation led him to pursue a career in music. Moving to New York City provided him with the fre...