Enlighten My Loafers

This week’s guest is Aleks Cvetkovic, host of the excellent menswear podcast HandCut Radio. Aleks is also an accomplished journalist, having written for The Rake and Robb Report, among other publications. Aleks’ work on HandCut Radio was an influence of this podcast (along with Jeremy Kirkland’s Blamo! if you want to pair this chat with our Season 3 opener). I loved getting to talk to Aleks about his menswear journey, stumbling into a journalism career, working as a freelance writer, and all of his bold style choices (some he may now regret, but they still get my meaningless seal of approval). You can follow Aleks on Instagram at @aleks_cvetkovic. Follow @enlightenmyloafers on Instagram for show notes, style inspo, and more.

This week’s guests are Sergio Guadarrama and Kade Johnson of Celestino Couture. And you might recognize Sergio from the recently-wrapped Season 18 of Project Runway—and you’ll recognize Kade from that romantic finale proposal! I talk to Sergio and Kade about building Celestino, their personal style journeys, what it was like filming and watching Project Runway, and how they’re changing the world one dress at a time. I also put in a lot of hints that I want Sergio to make me a cape. Will he take the hint?! You can follow Sergio and Kade on Instagram at @celestinocouture. Follow @enlightenmyloafers on Instagram for show notes, style inspo, and more.

This week’s guest is Amanda Valentine, a Nashville-based designer and stylist who brought her super hip, Southern chic vibe to Seasons 11 and 13 of Project Runway. You bet I had to ask Amanda all about her two turns on Project Runway and making it all the way to the top two of Season 13. We also talk about her work as a stylist, how hard it is to make menswear, and just have a chill, low-grade panic about the world! I sincerely loved this convo!! You can follow Amanda on Instagram at @valentimes. Follow @enlightenmyloafers on Instagram for show notes, style inspo, and more.

The world has ground to a halt and we are all in need of human interaction now more than ever… sounds like a perfect time to reassemble the EML panel! Ramsey Ess and Brady O’Callahan drop in from their respective seclusion zones to talk answer a bunch of listener questions and go off on a number of topics. You can follow me on Instagram at @brettwhite, Brady at @bradyocallahan, and Ramsey at @ramseyess. Follow @enlightenmyloafers on Instagram for show notes, style inspo, and more.

This week’s guest is Andrew Levitt, the drag icon also known as Nina West. In addition to being Miss Congeniality of “RuPaul’s Drag Race” Season 11, Nina West won Entertainer of the Year in 2008; co-hosts the “DragCast” podcast; released music for kids (“Drag Is Magic”), adults (“John Goodman”), and the holidays (“The West Christmas Ever”); and started the Nina West Fund charity for the Columbus Foundation. Andrew talks about all of that, including getting started in drag and preparing looks for “Drag Race.” If you’re looking for a calming convo in these trying times, this is it! You can follow Nina on Instagram at @ninawest. Follow @enlightenmyloafers on Instagram for show notes, style inspo, and more. And be sure to listen to the other half of the Season 3 premiere, my chat with “Blamo!’s” Jeremy Kirkland!

This week’s guest is Jeremy Kirkland, a podcaster / blogger / community-builder known for his style podcast “Blamo!” and for being the nicest guy in menswear. It is incredibly true that this here podcast would not exist if it wasn’t for “Blamo!,” so you know this is a big episode! Jeremy talks about breaking into the stylist game and building a totally unique podcast community, and he also talks me off a ledge or three! You can follow Jeremy on Instagram at @thekirkland. Follow @enlightenmyloafers on Instagram for show notes, style inspo, and more. And be sure to listen to the other half of the Season 3 premiere, my chat with “RuPaul’s Drag Race’s” Nina West!

Social distancing can’t stop a podcast, mama! This week I’m joined by producer Ben Ragheb to close out Season 2 with a good ol’ finale mailbag. This one gets really real about working from home, politics, and ascots! You can follow me on Instagram at @brettwhite and Ben on Instagram at @benzado. Follow @enlightenmyloafers on Instagram for show notes, style inspo, and more.

This week’s guest is Liam Jeffries, a writer and Ivy style enthusiast/expert whose work can be read in The Chap and seen on Instagram at @sartorialchap. Liam talks about Ivy style, Instagram, eBay, cycling, Martin Freeman, Xzibit—seriously, this convo goes to some delightfully surprising places! You can follow Liam on Instagram at @sartorialchap. Follow @enlightenmyloafers on Instagram for show notes, style inspo, and more.

This week we take a look back at all of the challenges from Season 1 and see how they shook out. Which ones did I nail? Which ones did I fail? And which ones have you forgotten about? Get into it, and share your takes on these challenges on Instagram with the hashtag #ChallengeMyLoafers. And come back next week for the Season 2 finale!

This week’s guest is Sean Taylor, a plus size fashion advocate who works in social media and was on a little Netflix reality competition show called “The Circle”! Sean talks “The Circle,” the message she wanted to send with her catfish storyline, packing for her big TV debut, how she landed in “The Circle,” and the hurdles being a plus size person in the fashion industry and also, y’know, the world. (Also, at one point I say “cystic fibrosis” when I mean “cerebral palsy,” which was a brain fart moment for me—my first on this show, I’m sure!) You can follow Sean on Instagram at @heyseantaylor. Follow @enlightenmyloafers on Instagram for show notes, style inspo, and more.

This week’s guest is Mitchell Moss, a menswear blogger and street style photographer whose work can be seen on Style Forum and his site Menswear Musings. Mitchell talks about the up-and-coming Nashville menswear scene and his Italian adventure at the legendary trade show Pitti Uomo. This episode travels the globe! You can follow Mitchell on Instagram at @menswearmusings. Follow @enlightenmyloafers on Instagram for show notes, style inspo, and more.

This week’s guest is Kelly Dempsey, the fashion designer behind the brand Rack Addik and runner-up from “Project Runway” Season 14. Kelly talks about making a name for herself in the fashion industry, her winning looks on “Project Runway,” building her own brand from scratch, sustainability in fashion, and the dos and don’ts of squirrel rescue. You can follow Kelly on Instagram at @_kellydempsey_. Follow @enlightenmyloafers on Instagram for show notes, style inspo, and more.

This week’s guest is Nat Towsen, a stand-up comedian and writer for Botnik Studios. Nat talks about curating a wardrobe, traveling with that wardrobe, the freedom of dressing with limitations, and shopping internationally (oh, the sales!). You can follow Nat on Instagram at @nattowsen. Follow @enlightenmyloafers on Instagram for show notes, style inspo, and more.

This week’s guest is Erica Henderson, a cartoonist most known for her epic run on Marvel Comics’ “Unbeatable Squirrel Girl” as well as her work on “Jughead” for Archie Comics. Erica talks about cultivating her own sense of style, bringing it into her work illustrating the adventures of superheroes and cool teens, and the particulars of Emma Frost and Wolverine’s wardrobes. You can follow Erica on Instagram at @ericafails. Follow @enlightenmyloafers on Instagram for show notes, style inspo, and more.

This week’s guests are Enrique Crame III and Matt Fox, the creators and curators and owners of Fine & Dandy in New York City. This shop not only carries lovingly curated vintage items from menswear history, Matt and Enrique bring menswear into the here and now with their line of accessories. Enrique and Matt talk about launching their own line, opening a shop in Hell’s Kitchen, how they guide customers to what they’re looking for, the return of the ascot, and the past/present/future of menswear. You can follow Fine & Dandy on Instagram at @fineanddandyshop. Follow @enlightenmyloafers on Instagram for show notes, style inspo, and more.

This week’s guest is Adam Conover, comedian, host of truTV’s “Adam Ruins Everything” and Nickelodeon’s upcoming “The Crystal Maze,” and a menswear enthusiast. Adam talks about his journey from t-shirts and hoodies to vintage and bespoke items, gets into how working with a stylist has expanded his wardrobe, and shares shopping tips for everything from glasses to shoes You can follow Adam on Instagram at @adamconover. Follow @enlightenmyloafers on Instagram for show notes, style inspo, and more.

To get you ready for a season of holiday parties, we have an episode dedicated to donning gay apparel. Ramsey Ess and Brady O’Callahan drop in to talk about what to wear to different holiday parties, answer listener questions, and give their hot takes on winter fashion! You can follow me on Instagram at @brettwhite, Brady at @bradyocallahan, and Ramsey at @ramseyess. Follow @enlightenmyloafers on Instagram for show notes, style inspo, and more.

We’re closing out Season 1 with an all Q&A episode. What did we learn this season? What’s coming next season? Which superhero inspired a cuff links purchase? How many more times can I mention my green suit?! Producer Ben Ragheb hops in front of the mic to read listener questions about clothing routines, style choices, and more. You can follow me on Instagram at @brettwhite and Ben at @benzado. Follow @enlightenmyloafers on Instagram for show notes, style inspo, and more.

This week’s guest is Joseph Aaron Segal, a “Project Runway” alum and the brains behind the kooky and sometimes spooky brand Pretty Snake. Joe talks about “Project Runway,” the “Sherlock” meme that put Pretty Snake on the map, and how he comes up with all those prints! We cover knitwear and swimwear and everything in between. You can follow Joe on Instagram at @prettysnake. Follow @enlightenmyloafers on Instagram for show notes, style inspo, and more.

This week’s guest is Kelly Sue DeConnick, an Eisner-nominated writer behind the comics “Bitch Planet,” “Pretty Deadly,” and the now iconic “Captain Marvel” relaunch that inspired the Marvel Studios movie. Kelly Sue talks about working with a stylist, developing a killer red carpet look for the “Captain Marvel” premiere, and how taking a duckface selfie is 100% a political act (preach!). You can follow Kelly Sue on Instagram at @kellysued. Follow @enlightenmyloafers on Instagram for show notes, style inspo, and more.

This week’s guest is Johnathan Fernandez, who you’ve seen as the stylish medical examiner Scorsese on Fox’s “Lethal Weapon” and as a stylish comedian at the UCB Theatre on both coasts. Johnathan talks about developing his own personal style, influencing Scorsese’s look, finding the watch that made him a watch guy, landing on a GQ worst-dressed list (!), and finding great looks at stores near you. You can follow Johnathan on Instagram at @jthanprime. Follow @enlightenmyloafers on Instagram for show notes, style inspo, and more.

This week’s guest is Brady O’Callahan, a New York City comedian who also works in the fashion industry. Brady, who works at a custom tailor shop when he’s not performing at the Upright Citizens Brigade Theatre, drops a whole bunch of knowledge about developing your personal style and finding the right suit. Suits don’t have to be intimidating! If you’re in New York City, be sure to check out Brady’s improv team GOAT at the UCB in Hell’s Kitchen on Saturday nights. You can also check out his baseball podcast, The Beanball with Joey and Brady, and follow him on Instagram at @bradyocallahan. Follow @enlightenmyloafers on Instagram for show notes, style inspo, and more.

This week’s guest is Bruce Sturgell, founder of the website Chubstr. This is the tip-filled talk you’ve been waiting for, as Bruce and I get into the nitty-gritty of what it’s like to shop when most stores act like people your size don’t exist. Bruce is a great proponent for body diversity in clothing, and his 9 years running Chubstr has low-key revolutionized the menswear game. Like, Bruce is a Bonobos model now! Be sure to check out Chubstr on the web, Instagram, and Twitter. Follow @enlightenmyloafers on Instagram for show notes, style inspo, and more.

This week’s guest is Jared Harris, a two-time Emmy nominee and an actor that exudes sartorial excellence onscreen and off. You’ve seen him on Mad Men, Chernobyl, The Terror, The Crown, and honestly too many other movies and TV shows to list. He, along with his character Lane Pryce, are two of my major inspirations! In this episode, I talk to Jared about what he learned about style from Mad Men, the surprising origin behind those suits on Chernobyl, and I even get to hear a story about his legendary father, Richard Harris. This is a special one, folks. Be sure to check out the Emmy-nominated Chernobyl on HBO and Jared’s upcoming Amazon series Carnival Row, debuting on August 30. Follow @enlightenmyloafers on Instagram for show notes, style inspo, and my response to Jared’s challenge.

This week’s guest is Ad Butler, the founder and designer of the Australian swimwear brand Sluggers. It’s only Episode 2 and we’re already getting personal, as I dive into my own complicated history with swimwear. We love hanging out at the beach or the pool, but a lot of us struggle to find the confidence to wear what we want to wear and just relax! I talk to Ad about Australia’s take on swimwear, why he decided to launch his own line, and the basics of buying a swim brief. Be sure to check out Sluggers (I personally rock the Little Pricks print). Follow @enlightenmyloafers on Instagram for show notes and the responses to my swimwear challenge to all of you.

This week’s guest is Put This On founder Jesse Thorn. You also might recognize Jesse’s voice from his podcasts “Bullseye” and “Jordan, Jesse, Go!” as well as “Judge John Hodgman.” My talk with Jesse covers everything from his days as a boombox-carrying college kid to his lifelong passion for vintage clothing. We even tackle the big topics, like why men are culturally conditioned to not care about clothes. Be sure to check out Put This On and the Put This On shop. Follow @enlightenmyloafers on Instagram for show notes and the responses to Jesse’s challenge.

Welcome to Enlighten My Loafers, a style podcast that’s looking for answers! In this brief introductory episode, your host Brett White (Decider, Must Have Seen TV) teases what’s in store for the first season of the show. Come along and take a walk on the style side. Get it? Because style half-rhymes with wild?