The UnMascing Podcast

This week, Mick and Austin talk about how, over the years, they have been marketed to by every and any corporation. Shirts? Sure. Fanny Packs? Of course. Double Bottom Burgers? I'll take two.Tune in this week to learn more about our hosts' experiences, as well as what they worry the future of queer mercy looks like.This season's theme song is "Blinded" and was written by contesso. Please be sure to give them a follow on Instagram @contezo . And while you're there, follow us at @UnMascingPod ! BYEEEE!!!!

On this week on the UnMascing Podcast, Mick and Austin delve into the world of *~self-care~*, a topic that they both feel is not talked about enough.What are the different types of self-care? What does it look like for everyone? Is it normal to feel bad about self-care? Our hosts discuss all of this and more on this weeks episode!This season's theme song is "Blinded" and was written by contesso. Please be sure to give them a follow on Instagram @contezo . And while you're there, follow us at @UnMascingPod ! BYEEEE!!!!

Are we alone...? Probably. This week, Mick and Austin tackle some big questions about our universe, the 'filter of life', their favorite alien movies, and - of course - Chuck Berry's "Route 66". Mick also finds a way to fit a mention of Mass Effect into the conversation and Austin shows up with one (well, two) theories about alien life. Check out this week's episode and maybe. . . the pod will be heard. . . in SPACE-ace-ace-ace.This season's theme song is "Blinded" and was written by contesso. Please be sure to give them a follow on Instagram @contezo . And while you're there, follow us at @UnMascingPod ! BYEEEE!!!!

On this weeks episode of the UnMascing Pod, Mick and Austin discuss the controversial subject of BOOKS! Do you love them? Do you hate them?Mick and Austin discuss banned books, our favorite books, and the books that have had the most impact on us as well as some we would like to read.This season's theme song is "Blinded" and was written by contesso. Please be sure to give them a follow on Instagram @contezo . And while you're there, follow us at @UnMascingPod ! BYEEEE!!!!

This week, Mick and Austin talk more about the non-binary gender identity. Mick plays the part of Diane Sawyer and really investigates Austin's personal identity, as well as how it relates to the larger trans- and queer-communities. This is a great episode for all the questions you've wanted to ask the non-binary folks in your life but shouldn't burden them with!This season's theme song is "Blinded" and was written by contesso. Please be sure to give them a follow on Instagram @contezo . And while you're there, follow us at @UnMascingPod ! BYEEEE!!!!

On this week's episode of the pod, Mick and Austin dive into the world of Pokemon and discuss some of our favorite Pokemon, what the games mean to queer people, and what some of the best games in the series are (in our opinion!).Check out this and more every week on the UnMascing Podcast, and be sure to follow us on Instagram for more content, @unmascingpod.

We are back back back again! After a brief intermission where Mick and Austin went to Las Vegas to compete in the Sin City Classic, they are back to talk about adult friendships.How are these friendships different than those we have as kids? How much effort should a friendship take? And what kinds of friends do you have for each facet of your life? This week, Mick and Austin dissect it all!This season's theme song is "Blinded" and was written by contesso. Please be sure to give them a follow on Instagram @contezo . And while you're there, follow us at @UnMascingPod ! BYEEEE!!!!

While Austin got to gush about their obsession with '90 Day Fiancé', Mick was thinking all about his obsession. . . 'Mass Effect'. The 'Mass Effect' video game series spans four console games, many alien species, and nearly unlimited endings. Commander Mick, rest assured, has probably seen them all

Oh boy. . . this week, we take it BACK. . . like WAY back. Mick and Austin chat about their grandparents. Mick talks more about the time he was outted to a grandparent, while Austin explains the importance of dry pinto beams to their childhood. Which one of our hosts had a cheering section at their Elementary Quarterly Awards? Find out this week on The Unmascing Podcast!This season's theme song is "Blinded" and was written by contesso. Please be sure to give them a follow on Instagram @contezo . And while you're there, follow us at @UnMascingPod ! BYEEEE!!!!

In the officially official first episode in our "Back to Basics” series, after our foundational episode, Mick and Austin tackle the easiest topic for them- being hella gay.We talk about what it means to be gay, the gay community, and what that means to us. Please enjoy the first identity that we delve into in this series.This season's theme song is "Blinded" and was written by contesso. Please be sure to give them a follow on Instagram @contezo . And while you're there, follow us at @UnMascingPod ! BYEEEE!!!!

This week, Austin takes the wheel to talk about their favorite trash TV show: 90 Day Fiancé. They break down he four main types of couples featured on TLC's hit show, as well as educate Mick on all the memes he has seen. ('Why is Paul running into the Amazon?' 'What is the appeal of Big Ed?' and most important of all. . . 'Is my breath pretty?')This season's theme song is "Blinded" and was written by contesso. Please be sure to give them a follow on Instagram @contezo . And while you're there, follow us at @UnMascingPod ! BYEEEE!!!!

This week, we kick off our first episode of the 'Back to Basics' series where we really break-down, to a base level, some of the core issues of the LGBTQ+ experience. Today, we focus on the main differences, and relationship, between sexuality and gender. Does one change the other? And who decides someone's gender? We can't wait to talk more about central topics to the queer community later this season on The UnMascing Podcast!As referenced in today's episode, give Matt Bernstein a follow on Instagram @mattxiv to see more of their amazing content.This season's theme song is "Blinded" and was written by contesso. Please be sure to give them a follow on Instagram @contezo . And while you're there, follow us at @UnMascingPod ! BYEEEE!!!!

Welcome back to season 2 of The UnMascing Podcast!Mick and Austin are very excited to continue this journey into queer culture, identity, and community, and that includes you! On this episode of the pod, they dive into what they have in store for this season, and also go over a couple of surprises as well as what has happened in between the first season finale and this premiere.One of the biggest surprises was the creation of our theme song, "Blinded," by the wonderful and talented Contezo. Please be sure to give them a follow on Instagram @contezo . And while you're there, follow us at @UnMascingPod ! BYEEEE!!!!

This week on the pod, Mick and Austin do a year-end review of their first season of The UnMascing Pod.They talk about their favorite episodes, ones they are proud of, the many guests they have had, and topics for the future.From the bottom of our queer little hearts, thank you, thank you, thank you for the love and support for the podcast this past year. We can't wait to do it again next year for season 2!Be sure to follow us on Instagram @unmascingpod to continue the conversation!

On this week's episode of The UnMascing Pod, Mick and Austin tackle a subject that is all too familiar to people who frequent the internet: Trolls. What exactly is a troll, you might be wondering? You're in luck, because Mick and Austin break it down for you, talk about their behaviors, talk about how trolls can use their power for good or evil, and even talk about some of our favorite influencers and how they handle their trolls.Check out all of this and more on this week's episode of The UnMascing Pod! Be sure to follow us on Instagram to continue the conversation @unmascingpod.The influencers mentioned in our pod this week:Alok V Menon - @alokvmenonJacob Tobia - @jacobtobiaJeffrey Marsh - @thejeffreymarshSue Gives a F**k - @suegivesafukk

This week, Mick and Austin finally discuss the big, pink, contagious elephant in the room: the COVID-19 Pandemic. How have their lives changes int he past 18 months? When do they think we will get through this? And most importantly, how can we get more people vaccinated and safe from this deadly virus?Also, stay tuned to the end of the episode to hear a few quick details about Season 2 of The UnMascing Podcast!Join us @unmascingpod on Instagram to let us know how you have made it through the pandemmy!

This week, Mick and Austin talk about their own encounters with the paranormal and discuss if they think there is an afterlife. Mick also shares his experiences with having a 'lightly witchy' mother and Austin only does their gggGGhHhoOOoOssSSttT voice three times.Do you think ghosts are real? Have you been haunted before? Go to @unmascingpod on Instagram to let us know about it!

On this week's episode of The UnMascing Podcast, Mick and Austin delve into the topic of open relationships. We discuss everything from society's view on the practice, how they look in the queer space, and our own experiences.So what details do our hosts go into on this topic; and what are our final thoughts? Tune in this week and every Friday for a new episode of The UnMascing Podcast, and be sure to follow @unmascingpod on Instagram to continue the conversation.

In this week's topic, Mick and Austin discuss the recent legislative attacks on transgender and gender non-conforming athletes, especially against youth and high school athletes. As a trans athlete themselves, what is Austin's take on the effort behind the GOP's legislative push? Mick, meanwhile, is shutting down trolls in the DMs.As referenced in this episode, check out Dr. Karen Tang @KarenTangMD on Instagram for amazing content regarding gender affirmation care and shutting down transphobia through the power of SCIENCE!Additionally, be sure to visit www.VoteSaveAmerica.com to confirm your voter registration and combat voter disenfranchisement taking place around the country. If you are local to Orange County, FL, visit www.OCFElections.com ahead of the 2022 mid-terms.Visit us at @unmascingpod on Instagram to continue the discussion with us!

This week on The UnMascing Podcast, Mick and Austin jump down the rabbit hole and talk about what a "Hot Gay Summer" is to them, and what we expect from it.Is your hot gay summer filled with Drag Brunches? Shirtless selfies? And what's your summer anthem? Mick and Austin dive in and discuss these topics and more on this week's episode.Follow the @unmascingpod on Instagram to continue the conversation with us!

This week, Mick and Austin share their individual and community connection to the amazing country that they are blessed to live in. Mick shares his family's uniquely American origin story, while Austin explains their appreciation for John McCain and his legacy. Also, they both wrestle with the place that Juneteenth holds alongside Independence Day in American history. Have a safe, fun, and thought-provoking Independence Day! Remember that 'Liberty an Justice for All' is still not upheld nearly 300 years after the founding of our country, particularly for Black, Brown, and Indigenous Folx.

On this week's episode of the pod, Mick and Austin dive into the largest celebration of the LGBTQ+ community of the year; simply put: PRIDE!We discuss some of the origins of pride, what makes pride special to us, and what we hope to see in the future of pride. Would it really be an episode though if we didn't talk about the importance and deeper meaning of it, though? Find out this and more on this week's episode, and be sure to follow @unmascingpod on Instagram to continue the conversation.

TW: Mass shooting, gun violenceToday, Mick and Austin speak about their experiences dealing with the aftermath of the Pulse Nightclub Shooting on June 12, 2016. While the past five years have been incredibly difficult and heart-wrenching, there has also been so much love and support poured into our Central Florida LGBTQ+ community. Thank you for giving us the space to speak about something so important to us.As always, head over to The Unmascing Podcast's Instagram page @unmascingpod to share your thoughts with us. Sending love to everyone in Orlando and effected by the anniversary of this tragedy. #KeepDancingOrlando 

On this week's episode, Mick and Austin talk about something that has been mentioned several times on the podcast, but take the opportunity to talk about it at length: Mick's chronic illness.What exactly IS wrong with him anyway? We do a deep dive and explain what Mick's illness is, how he treats it, what he went through, and the steps of getting diagnosed and overcoming such a hardship. We talk about awkward conversations with doctors, struggles with socializing and friendship, and how long it takes for Mick to open up with a paramour about his situation.Head on over to our instagram @unmascingpod to continue the conversation with a very special Q&A post about his chronic illness. Ask him anything!

This week on the pod, Mick and Austin dive into a post-shutdown world and discuss the U.S. reopening and having relaxed restrictions on masks for vaccinated people.They dive into the very controversial topics of the effectiveness of scientific research, continual mask use, and even talk about the fabled "vaccine passport."You don't want to miss that and more on this episode of The UnMascing Pod! Be sure to like and subscribe, and please follow us on Instagram @unmascingpod to continue the conversation.

12 months, 365 days, 125,600 minutes. . . you get the idea. . . Austin has made it one year into their sobriety journey from alcohol! This week, Mick asks Austin where they have found success, and difficulty, in the past year. Mick also shares one of his drunken low-lights and his new relationship with drinking and alcohol.As always, be sure to visit us on Instagram at @unmascingpod to continue the conversation with us!

Ah, Instagram. An app where you can endlessly scroll your curated content to include everything from puppy videos and memes, to shirtless men and their thirst traps.That's right, this week we dive into the world of Instagram and discuss everything from activism, what our Instagram feeds look like, and what our takes on "content creators" are. What are Mick and Austin's guilty pleasure follows? What hashtags does Austin drag Mick for? And what content does Austin give a confession about secretly loving? Find out all of that and more on this week's episode.And in a very meta moment, be sure to follow and like our posts on the @unmascingpod Instagram!

This week, we welcome friend of the pod and kickball / dodgeball / softball / bowling (the list goes on...) teammate, John Dorris! John chats with Mick and Austin about his experiences being a gentleman ~of a certain age~ in the queer community and his thoughts on a wide range of topics. Growing up in Miami, how was the move to Indiana for young, queer, John? What happened when he tried to give out condoms to his high school biology class during the HIV/AIDS crisis in the late 80s? John also gives us his thoughts on cyclical trends in the queer community and where LGBTQ+ peeps have gotten it right and broken some nasty cycles.To keep up with John, you can find him on Instagram at @aurora_radagast. If you haven't already, give US a follow at @unmascingpod while you're at it! BYEEEEEE!!!

Do you ever just have THOSE DAYS? Maybe those weeks, months, or even those years?Mick and Austin have you covered! This week on the pod, we go over some songs and artists that just get us through those tough times, and why they are so meaningful for us!You want an extra EXTRA special surprise?! We even made a special playlist featuring these songs. Check it out and continue the conversation on Instagram @unmascingpod.

TW: religious abuse, sexual abuse, self-harmThere are three things you don't talk about on a first date: exes, politics, and religion. This week, we cross off the third on that list and talk about our personal relationships with Jesus Christ, Buddha, and religion in general. We all know Austin attended Catholic school. . . but how far down the New Testament rabbit hole did they go? Mick once attended a Catholic Confirmation and nearly converted; but what stopped him? Tip back the sacramental wine and find the Buddha that looks back - this week is an episode you can't miss! Now go do some dark-sided stuff.Follow The UnMascing Pod on Instagram @unmascingpod to continue the conversation with us.

Do you know what really grinds Mick and Austin's gears? Queer baiting!Do you know what that is? In this week's episode we dive into the world of the entertainment industry luring in queer audiences with queer-coded or queer-adjacent content only to have the characters end up being stereotypes and caricatures of queer people, or worse, dead.What are some of the queer baiting examples that upset us the most? What are some that are okay? Was queer baiting ever used as a way to secretly give audiences the content they wanted? Find out this and more on this episode of The UnMascing Podcast.Follow us on Instagram @unmascingpod to continue the conversation there. What are the examples of queer baiting you've seen? 

Hookups . . . we have all done them, but let's really dive into why we do them. In this week's episode, Mick recounts his introduction into hookup culture as a Baby Gay, and Austin talks about their most problematic trait when it first came to meeting men in college. Also, Austin's experience with DL men is certainly one to remember. Follow The UnMascing Pod on Instagram @unmascingpod to continue the conversation with us.

This week, Mick and Austin dive into the cinematic universe of movies that are adjacent to queerness. We talk about some of our favorite films that aren't explicitly queer - but basically are - and we dive into a film series that is completely queer without the official label.What problematic films are queer coded to our hosts? And which one can we not get enough of? The answer to that, and more, is available on this week's episode of the pod!Follow The UnMascing Pod on Instagram @unmascingpod to continue the conversation with us.

We are back with another guest episode of the pod with friend of the pod - Ethan Potts!This week we delve into something that a lot of people want to dance around but never address full on, anxiety! Since when have our fearless cohosts dared to not tackle a topic?Which of our hosts has full blown OCD? Which of our hosts didn't start therapy until 25? Do you make up stuff in your head like Ethan? We talk about this and much more on this week's episode on the anxiety monster.Be sure to subscribe to The UnMascing Pod wherever you listen to your podcasts, and make sure to follow @unmascingpod on Instagram to continue the conversation.

"I like textes from my exes when they wanna second chance..."This week, Mick and Austin explain their dating histories and why they just might be 'undateable'. This includes a stop at Mick's brief stint as the Second Gentleman, Austin's starring role in 'A Tale of Two Bottoms', and both of their shared connections within men being dumbasses. Which one of our co-hosts was told 'I love you' on a first date, then stayed with that person for two years? Tune in to find out!Follow The UnMascing Pod on Instagram @unmascingpod to continue the conversation with us.

At two separate points in today's episode, Mick and Austin each get individually cancelled. Sigh. . . we had a good run, everyone.That being said, Mick and Austin sound off on celebrities that have been cancelled (and uncancelled) in recent years. Stick around to the end where Mick truly blows Austin's mind with some information about a national sandwich chain and their problematic owner. . .Follow The UnMascing Pod on Instagram @unmascingpod to continue the conversation with us.

This week's episode delves into a topic that Mick and Austin have talked around but not directly about - community! What does that mean for our hosts exactly? We talk about sub-groups within community, what a chosen family means, and why exactly community is so important to us. Not only that, but does Austin cry TWICE in one episode?!?!Follow The UnMascing Pod on Instagram @unmascingpod to continue the conversation with us.

TW: hate violence, racism, transphobia, homophobia This week's episode is a much more serious one, but one that is certainly needed. Mick and Austin take this opportunity to speak to the racism, transphobia, and hatred taking place in our country, especially against the Asian-American Pacific Islander (AAPI) community and the trans community. We love you, Black Lives Matter, trans women are women, and wear a god-damned mask.Resources mentioned in today's episode include:Stop AAPI Hate (www.stopaapihate.org)National Asian Pacific American Bar Association (www.napaba.org)Transgender Law Center (www.transgenderlawcenter.org)Human Rights Campaign (www.hrc.org)"How to Be an Antiracist" and "Be Antiracist: A Journal for Awareness, Reflection and Action" by Dr. Ibram X. Kendi (www.ibramxkendi.com)"Between the World and Me" by Ta-Nehisi Coates (www.ta-nehisicoates.com)BatMe! Cosmetics (www.batmecosmetics.com)Follow The UnMascing Pod on Instagram @unmascingpod to continue the conversation with us.

On this week's episode of The UnMascing Podcast, Mick and Austin continue their "Growing Up Queer" series with a look at their college lives.If you know anything about Mick and Austin, you can imagine that it was filled with debauchery and questionable decisions, and if you don't, buckle up and enjoy this wild ride! Who decided to jump right in to sexual exploration? Who was the fraternity member? Who was the stereotypical school tour guide? But most importantly, who got topped with shea butter in their dorm by their ex's ex?Follow The UnMascing Pod on Instagram @unmascingpod to continue the conversation with us.

Love is in the air and on the pod this week. Friends of the Pod Hunter and Alex join us to discuss their journey to their successful partnership and marriage. Where do you meet the love of your life? (it's not Grindr).  How do you pop the question? (make sure you actually answer them).  And the biggest question of all... would you die for me? Also, lightning round goes off the rails when Austin and Mick spill their dream wedding deets. Follow The UnMascing Pod on Instagram @unmascingpod to continue the conversation with us.

Things are heating up in the Sarah Paulson Fandom... This week, we find out whose acting still gives Mick goosebumps to this day, as wells which actress's feigned-heterosexuality is too distracting for Austin to take them seriously. Also, one non-female gets an honorary mention in the Divas of Film Hall of Fame due to their extraordinary work castrating Patrick Wilson on his own dining room table (literally).Also, the film we could not think of was 'Gothika'. Took us three days to remember but we got it, OK!?!?Follow The UnMascing Pod on Instagram @unmascingpod to continue the conversation with us.

This week on the pod, Mick and Austin welcome their friend Mello (@nickeynickm, @fruit_bunch) to talk about body positivity and all things body-love. We talk about queer body positivity in general, but also go into topics such as how it is on the apps and what that might look like for a trans person.What sparked the body positive journeys for all of us? When does Mello feel his sexiest? Did America's Next Top Model turn the tide for body positivity? Find out all that and more this week on the pod!Follow The UnMascing Pod on Instagram @unmascingpod to continue the conversation with us.

This week on The UnMascing Pod, we chat about being out at work. Have Mick and Austin always been out, loud, and proud at their jobs? Have they ever faced discrimination at work? Find out about the time Mick talked about a crush with his first work-friend and Austin talks about what it meant to them when a colleague did research about queer language. There is also discussion about what representation means for other queer people. All that, and more, on this episode of The UnMascing Pod!Follow The UnMascing Pod on Instagram @unmascingpod to continue the conversation with us.

This week, Mick and Austin dress down what it's like to be queer in other places. Mick shares his experience with a bathhouse in Japan, Austin talks about the most unsafe thing they did in Costa Rica, and we dive into the recent drama around Puerta Vallerta Gays. This episode is about as close to an international vacation as we are getting for while...Follow The UnMascing Pod on Instagram @unmascingpod to continue the conversation with us.

Miss Chelsea... Miss Chelsea... Mizzzz... Chelseaaaaaa. That's right, just like Vanjie - Chelsea is BACK! We continue the conversation from Dec 18's episode of The UnMascing Podcast where Mick's childhood friend, Chelsea Hall (@thechelseahall) asks us YOUR burning questions about queerness, gender, and identity!Follow The UnMascing Pod on Instagram @unmascingpod to continue the conversation with us.

Bye-bye 2020, and good riddance! This week on the pod, Mick and Austin talk about what a year it has been and all of the trials, tribulations, but also the hidden blessings in the dumpster fire that was 2020. What is the conclusion to the epic Mid-Western Seafood Saga? Do we even like New Year's kisses? Most importantly, what is it that we are looking forward to in 2021?We have had an incredible year with you - our listeners and fans - and we are so thankful for each and every one of you. We would not be where we are without you, and for that, we are forever grateful.Follow The UnMascing Pod on Instagram @unmascingpod to continue the conversation with us.

Are you a Christmas Lover or a Big 'Ole Grinch? Which one of us was a sociopath that ruined Christmas? We take you on a ride on Santa's Sleigh talking about the second Gay Christmas... actual Christmas.This week on the pod, Mick and Austin try to make your Yuletide Gay(er) with another holiday episode where we talk about Christmas traditions in our families, six-foot tall rainbow Christmas trees, our favorite Christmas movies. But most importantly... real or fake Christmas trees?Follow The UnMascing Pod on Instagram @unmascingpod to continue the conversation with us.

Mick's childhood friend, Chelsea Hall (@thechelseahall), joins us this week to ask all of your ~burning~ questions. Chelsea helped pull questions from our Instagram feed and brought a few of her own. Straight and cis listeners: what have you always wanted to ask a queer person but been too shy to ask?We had so much content, this is just part 1 of 2. Subscribe to us on your podcast player to catch part 2 in a few weeks!Follow The UnMascing Pod on Instagram @unmascingpod to continue the conversation with us.

This week we are SO excited to welcome Arden Whiteside (@ardenwhiteside) to the pod! He is an Orlando-based tattoo artist and here to talk with us about how his art style has evolved, his experience coming out as trans in a cisgender- and male-dominated line of work, and his favorite K-Pop band. Which bathroom is your moral compass pointing towards this week?Be sure to check out Arden at @ardenwhiteside on Instagram and send him a DM to schedule time for a kickass piece!Follow The UnMascing Pod on Instagram @unmascingpod to continue the conversation with us.

"Talented, brilliant, incredible, amazing, show-stopping, spectacular, never the same, totally unique."This week on the UnMascing Pod, Mick and Austin talk about their favorite female musical divas. We know what you're thinking, but these divas aren't the stuck-up and entitled socialites that you would normally associate with the word. These divas are the ones who awaken their little queer hearts.Who made the cut for the top 3 for each host, and who were the close runner-ups? Tune in this week and listen to find out!Follow The UnMascing Pod on Instagram @unmascingpod to continue the conversation with us.

Mmmm. . .  turkey, breakfast casserole, and consumerism. This week, Mick and Austin talk about what it's like no longer being the only gay cousin, working retail on the worst day of the year, and Mick does his best impression of a German grandmother asking, "So why don't you have a girlfriend yet?"This year, remember: thank your retail workers, we live on stolen land and benefit from generations of oppression and genocide, and wear a damn mask. Happy Thanksgiving!Follow The UnMascing Pod on Instagram @unmascingpod to continue the conversation with us.