Feast of Fun: Gay Talk Show

By now you’ve probably sick of hearing about the weird video made by McDonald’s CEO Chris Kempciznski, KEMP SIN SKEE where he nervously takes a tiny bite of their new burger, referring to it as a “product.” Since then, a myriad of executives have tried to one-up each other with their own burger “eating” videos, creating a full-fledged social media spectacle with the hopes of raising sales and building brand loyalty. But one question still stands: why won't these burger CEOs show themselves swallowing their own “meat?” Today Chicago comedian and burger aficionado Dan Cass joins us to look at the incredibly weird new burger wars, which instead of making people want to buy one, is making everyone question their life choices. Plus-- • Did Timothée Chalamet’s off putting comments on opera and ballet cost him the Oscar? • BuzzFeed reports they may be going out of business. Here’s 10 reasons and why #4 will shock you. Follow us on Instagram: ★ instagram.com/dankass ★ instagram.com/faustofernos ★ instagram.com/marcfelion

People love sports for the thrill of the challenge, to push their bodies to boldly go where they’ve never gone before. But in Star Trek, how would people compete in a universe where physical augmentation makes almost anything possible? What happens to bodybuilding a thousand years from now? Today’s episode is a dual drop from Feast of Fun and Let’s Grow Big Together, think of it as a transporter mishap where two podcasts are fused as one, but not as awkward as Tuvix. In this series, we take a look at the passion for muscle, adventures in bodybuilding, muscle gods, muscle worship and practical advice to put on the gains. The new series Starfleet Academy centers the Star Trek universe around the school for new recruits with a fresh focus on youth culture and hot bodies. Today Starfleet Academy’s production designer Matthew Davies joins us to look at his work imagining schools, starships, gyms and nightclubs of the future. Davies is also an accomplished bodybuilder, so we’re having a little fun imagining what bodybuilding might look like in that world. How will technology shape bodybuilding? What will giant, glorious bodies mean centuries from now? Plus-- • Lesbians in Space! Creating same sex, interspecies relationships. • Why Matthew has no regrets turning down Heated Rivalry. FOLLOW US ON INSTAGRAM: ★ instagram.com/faustofernos ★ instagram.com/marcfelion ★ instagram.com/westqueerwest

The sexual revolution didn’t happen all at once, it came in throbbing waves: the Pill. Stonewall. The AIDS crisis. The Internet. Grindr. PrEP. Doxy PEP. Sniffies! We have more options than ever before and yet some still feel lonely. Swipe culture gives us abundance, but it also trains us to treat each other like custom coffee drinks. How do we build intimacy without running a background check on somebody? And why does jealousy still show up like it is paying the rent? Today, queer activist and marriage and family therapist Damon L. Jacobs joins us to unpack the great queer divide: monogamy vs. open relationships. His web series Choosing Queer Joy argues that joy isn’t frivolous, it’s revolutionary. But when we start talking about sex, love, and commitment the revolution can get real messy, real fast. FOLLOW US ON INSTAGRAM: ★ instagram.com/faustofernos ★ instagram.com/marcfelion ★ instagram.com/damonljacobs

Considering the rebellious spirit of reggaeton music, folks were all up in a knot as Bad Bunny took to the Super Bowl stage, expecting a vulgar, over-the-top spectacle. Instead, we got a triumphant celebration of Puerto Rican culture, and at the end, a giant billboard reminding us: “The Only Thing More Powerful Than Hate Is Love.” Not just a jolgorio for Puerto Rico, but a nod to queer icons like Ricky Martin and Lady Gaga, Bad Bunny’s record-breaking show drew 10 million more viewers than the game itself, making it officially the most-watched halftime show in history, causing some to declare the Republican culture wars over. Today, Chicago comedy icon Dan Cass joins us to unpack the cultural legacy of Bad Bunny’s Halftime show, why he pronounces words a little differently in Spanish, and the LGBTQ+ Puerto Rican excellence that shined throughout the show. Plus-- • Now that Lady Gaga is officially Puerto Rican, will she team up with Bad Bunny for a salsa album? • More horrifying revelations from the Epstein/Trump files. • The Olympic Penisgate! Ski-jumping athletes allegedly inject hyaluronic acid in their dongs to fly higher. • Peaches Christ and Sir Ian McKellen bring their shows to Chicago. GET TICKETS TO PEACHES CHRIST & MINK STOLE IN CHICAGO! FOLLOW US ON INSTAGRAM: ★ instagram.com/faustofernos ★ instagram.com/marcfelion ★ instagram.com/dankkass

Move over RuPaul’s Drag Race! Straight women are now obsessing over a whole new TV show packed with competitive queens, only this time it’s hunky hockey players playing a little tonsil hockey off the ice. Heated Rivalry, the sizzling new TV show based on Rachel Reid’s bestselling series about the secret gay romances of rival star hockey players, is scoring big with audiences. Like Brokeback Mountain, it’s got everyone thinking about how the puck slides into the net without lube. The series has also sent the four lead actors’ careers skating into the spotlight, leaving fans drooling over every off-ice action in their real-life love lives. Looks like the ice isn’t the only thing getting slippery. Today we take a look at the cultural impact of all the new queer TV shows streaming right now, including: Pluribus, Heated Rivalry, Stranger Things, Starfleet Academy, and, of course, RuPaul’s Drag Race. Plus-- • Hands Across America is about to celebrate its 40 year anniversary in May. Can we unite the country again to fight hunger and poverty? • How the Love Boat sank after they let go of the original Julie. • How to make a tuna melt sandwich. • Remembering Chicago LGBTQ legend Rick Garcia, who died this month, he was 69.

Happy Holidays, everybody! One of the best parts of the season is when friends and family come back to town to bring the light, the noise, and the funk. Today we welcome back one of the first openly gay comedians in Chicago’s stand-up comedy scene: Bill Cruz. After his time in LA, Bill has returned to Chicago and is here to help us wrap up this difficult year without crying into our coquito. Back in the day, Bill helped shape our live Chicago comedy show, “Feast of Fools,” a little experiment that somehow evolved into one of the world’s first and longest-running podcasts, “Feast of Fun.” And yes, even we’re still surprised it’s still going on. Join us for this and all the hot news: • Bowen Yang, the second openly gay comedian on Saturday Night Live retires from the show. • Are Republicans using AI to create fake pictures of Trump and Bill Clinton as gay lovers to discredit the Epstein Files? • Britney Spears’ “Toxic” video director Joseph Kahn says the reason Avatar never became a big part of the public’s consciousness is because gays don’t want to have sex with blue cat aliens. • Farewell to filmmaker Rob Reiner and actor Gil Gerard, star of “Buck Rogers in the 25th Century.” He was 82. Follow us on Instagram: ★ instagram.com/bill_cruz_gurl ★ instagram.com/faustofernos ★ instagram.com/marcfelion Help Fausto & Marc Fight Blindness and Heart Disease: ★ https://gofund.me/00771d8fe

One of the hardest things about building muscle is being able to consume vast amounts of food. And that’s why we say competitive eating is bodybuilding's distant cousin. But for a plus sized drag queen, who is already big, it’s a challenge pivoting into bodybuilding and losing fat while building muscle at the same time. Let’s Grow Big Together! It’s the podcast that reminds you it takes a lot of courage to sashay in heels, and even more to deadlift in them. In this series, we take a look at the passion for muscle, adventures in bodybuilding, muscle gods, muscle worship and practical advice to putting on the gains. Today drag queen and bodybuilder Spencer Duncan joins us to look at going from being Vivica Galactica, a plus sized drag queen on the reality TV series Camp Wannakiki to nabbing the bronze medal at the NPC Midwest Gladiator 2025, Masters 35 and over division. SLAY QUEEN! Plus: Follow us on Instagram: ★ instagram.com/spencerblooms ★ instagram.com/faustofernos ★ instagram.com/marcfelion Help Fausto & Marc Fight Blindness and Heart Disease: ★ https://gofund.me/00771d8fe

As Republicans trip over themselves trying to explain why Jeffrey Epstein’s emails are “no big deal,” we’re all being reminded how easily the powerful can redefine sexual violence when it suits their needs. Meanwhile our friend Dan Cass has been living the opposite nightmare. Dan was falsely accused by his ex-girlfriend of sexual assault, and unlike Republicans who can just get Megyn Kelly to shrug it off, Dan lost work, relationships, and nearly his mind trying to clear his name. But here’s the twist: Dan did what almost nobody does, he successfully fought the defamatory allegations with a lawyer and prevailed. What happens when the reality of violence is manipulated by unscrupulous people? Today comedian Dan Cass joins us to talk about what it’s like to survive false accusations in a world where people tend to believe gossip over facts, and how he managed to rebuild his life and career. Also joining us is Dan’s brand-new wife, visual artist and hip-hop dancer Jessica, who married him just three weeks ago. Jessica has been with Dan since the allegations started and has supported through the whole ordeal. Join us for this and all the hot news: • Did Trump Suck Bubba off? Who is Bubba? • Devil Wears Prada 2 is set to film with all the original cast returning except the boyfriend and Anne Hatheway’s original face. • Hitler’s DNA is recovered and examined but no clone yet. Follow us on Instagram: ★ instagram.com/dankass ★ instagram.com/faustofernos ★ instagram.com/marcfelion Help Fausto & Marc Fight Blindness and Heart Disease: ★ https://gofund.me/00771d8fe

Transformations are often quite painful. Whether we’re growing emotionally or undergoing a physical metamorphosis, real change usually demands discomfort, and sometimes even danger. In Jon M. Chu’s Wicked films, the characters literally burst through their own limits: they sprout wings, become tin or straw, or learn to fly by defying gravity. Like all the past Wizard of Oz books and films, Wicked is a mirror of its time. Since the Covid pandemic, conservative movements around the globe have seized on a new scapegoat: openly trans and gender-diverse people. Despite being a tiny fraction of the population, trans folks have been painted as a massive cultural threat, a convenient distraction and a powerful tool for those hungry to seize political power. So what can Wicked teach us about facism? What can Elphaba’s journey reveal about the machinery of oppression and about the yellow brick roads queer and trans people are still carving toward liberation? Today we’re joined by trans-tech visionary Violet Kitajewski to explore Wicked as an allegory for LGBTQ resilience, transformation, and resistance. After all, that gravity isn’t going to defy itself. Plus-- Cynthia Erivo and Arianna Grande announce they are in a “non-demi-curious, semi-binary relationship.” FEATURED MUSIC: Here Comes the Hurricane Legendary Katrina - Kevin JZ Prodigy ★ https://youtu.be/GMKaa_q1eCg?si=d0F5b7bV9eSpG6_m FOLLOW US ON INSTAGRAM: ★ instagram.com/transosaur ★ instagram.com/faustofernos ★ instagram.com/marcfelion Help Fausto & Marc Fight Blindness and Heart Disease ★ https://gofund.me/00771d8fe

Sometimes life forces you to hit the pause button. Not because you wanted to, but because your body says, “sit down honey, we’ve got work to do.” After nearly two decades of podcasting, we thought we’d seen it all, until this summer, when I had emergency eye surgery to save my vision, and Marc had his heart shocked back into rhythm after a scary bout of atrial fibrillation. Between the two of us, we had enough hospital bracelets to start our own line of jewelry. But through all of it, we learned a few things: about getting older, facing fear, and finding humor when life gets dizzy or blurry. On today’s show, we’re sharing what really happened, what we learned about resilience and love, and how to keep your sense of humor when the road gets bumpy. It’s our comeback episode: I Almost Went Blind, a story about healing, gratitude, and seeing life in a whole new light. <3 Help Fausto & Marc Fight Blindness and Heart Disease: ★ gofundme.com/help-fausto-marc-fight-blindness-and-heart-disease Follow us on Instagram: ★ instagram.com/faustofernos ★ instagram.com/marcfelion Plus-- • ICE can’t handle the cold. • A new Miss Piggy movie written by Broadway drag comedy diva Cole Escola is in the works. • Yoko Ono‘s art comes to Chicago’s Museum of Contemporary Art. • Zohran Mamdani becomes New York City’s most progressive mayor since La Guardia. • Marriage Equality is safe, for now.

One of the most divisive books in children’s literature is Shel Silverstein’s "The Giving Tree," the story of a dysfunctional relationship between a boy and a sentient apple tree who gives him everything she has, from her apples and leaves to her branches and trunk, until all that's left is a stump. Meant as a parable of unconditional love, writer Topher Payne thought our doomed pair needed a better ending to their sad story. He wrote "The Tree Who Set Healthy Boundaries," where the tree learns to say no and lives a long, happy life because of it. Today, playwright and Hallmark screenwriter Topher Payne joins us to revisit "The Giving Tree" and other classic children's books with questionable moral compasses, and to explore what happens when we give these stories the therapy they clearly need. What's the trouble with "Green Eggs and Ham" and "Where the Wild Things Are?" READ "Topher Fixed It" ★ https://www.topherpayne.com/fixed-it FOLLOW US ON INSTAGRAM: ★ instagram.com/topherwrites ★ instagram.com/faustofernos ★ instagram.com/marcfelion Plus– Topher takes us behind the scenes of his films with the Hallmark Channel, where the snow is always falling, the cookies are always warm, and love is just one conveniently timed misunderstanding away.

After threatening Americans with raising their taxes by 68%, President Trump managed to strong-arm Republicans in Congress into passing his Big Burglary Bill: a sweeping economic and policy package that slashes healthcare funding, shuts down hospitals, inflates ICE’s budget to be larger than the Marines’, opens new concentration camps in Florida, adds $3.4 trillion to the national deficit, and gives billionaires even more tax breaks than ever before. So why didn’t more people try to stop it? Today, comedian Dan Cass joins us to break down the nightmare that is the Big Burglary Bill, and the swampy new detention centers dubbed “Alligator Auschwitz,” where Trump adviser Lara Loomer openly called for feeding all 65 million Latin Americans living in the US to alligators in Florida. FOLLOW US ON INSTAGRAM: ★ instagram.com/dankkass ★ instagram.com/faustofernos ★ instagram.com/marcfelion Plus- • How Republicans use tactics like “flooding the zone” to make people give up. • How to figure out which news media you can trust. • Dan Cass opens up about being neurodivergent in the comedy world of Chicago.

When the world is falling apart, sometimes the best thing you can do is make art. Just because Republicans are doing everything they can to crush the joy in people’s hearts, doesn't mean you can’t dumpster dive a feather boa, borrow a pair of heels and put on a show. Remember, that some of the greatest works of art have blossomed in the shadows of fascism. Today we're talking with comedian and showbiz mogul Queeny Bitch—a comic, provocateur, and now one of the masterminds behind the Windy City Comedy Festival, where hundreds of top-tier degenerates will be taking over the city to show off their funniest, filthiest, and most unhinged acts. Listen as we dive into the radical act of doing absolutely nothing, why she loudly refuses to move to Los Angeles, her six-year survival story in comedy, and how disillusionment turned out to be her secret weapon. WINDY CITY COMEDY FESTIVAL: https://www.windycitycomedyfest.com FOLLOW US ON INSTAGRAM: ★ instagram.com/queenycomedy ★ instagram.com/faustofernos ★ instagram.com/marcfelion Plus-- • Why were the Kardashians invited to Jeff Bezos’ extravagant wedding? • China cracks down on popular gay erotic fiction written by straight women. • Almost 200,000 people march against Hungary’s Pride ban in one the country’s biggest protests.

A beloved Pride tradition around the world is the roar of Dykes on Bikes: a fierce motorcade of motorcycle mamas who kick off the parade with a chrome-plated spectacle of queer power, and noise. They first rolled onto the scene at San Francisco Pride in the mid-’70s and quickly became a staple all over the world. Inspired by those heavy-metal heroines, Chicago’s own Bikes and Mics emerged—a no-rules posse of queer performers, riders, and creatives. This year, the group celebrates their 10th anniversary with a high-octane Mad Max–themed ride, complete with leather, dust, and rumors of a Tina Turner impersonator showing up as Aunty Entity. Today, comedian and motorcycle mama Tamale Sepp joins us to dive into the wild, fabulous history of Bikes and Mics and Dykes on Bikes—two-wheeled revolutions led by fierce queer women who love a little heavy metal rumbling between their thighs. BIKES AND MICS: https://www.bikesandmics.com FOLLOW US ON INSTAGRAM: ★ instagram.com/tamalerocks ★ instagram.com/faustofernos ★ instagram.com/marcfelion Plus- • JoJo Siwa cancels upcoming Chicago Pride performance amid controversy over dating a man. • Comedian Margaret Cho says Ellen DeGeneres was “not nice” and acted like a “mean girl.” • Sidetrack, one of the world’s largest gay bars, plans to open the first-ever airport gay bar at Chicago’s O’Hare Terminal 1. • Openly queer musician Daniel Hamrick hijacks a ‘Straight Pride’ event with a trans power ballad.

Spring is here, and things are getting rough. T.S. Eliot called April "the cruelest month,” and honestly, he had a point. After a long, cozy winter of emotional hibernation, spring forces us to feel things again. Today, Chicago comedian and part-time Russian dance expert Dan Cass joins us to explore the hilarious side of a world that’s struggling. Should we start an OnlyFlans? A nude comedy show? Honestly, it's getting desperate. FOLLOW US ON INSTAGRAM: ★ instagram.com/dankkass ★ instagram.com/faustofernos ★ instagram.com/marcfelion Plus-- • The legendary drag performance venue Hamburger Mary’s returns to Chicago. Pee Wee Herman comes out as gay from beyond the grave in a new documentary on Max (coming out on May 23.) • Disgraced Republican Congressman and Brazilian drag queen George Santos gets sentenced to seven years in prison for doing exactly the same crimes as Trump. • Farewell to three very different drag icons: RuPaul’s Drag Race star Jiggly Caliente, Hee Haw’s Lulu Roman and Pope Francis passed away. • Did JD Vance kill the Pope? Let’s find out.

About 20 years ago, Kate Bornstein wrote Hello, Cruel World to give people permission to stay alive in a world that makes that feel impossible. Today, that world is trying even harder to crush anyone who lives outside the binary—trans, queer, disabled, neurodivergent, or just too free for a system built on control.Attacks on trans rights aren’t just about gender—they’re a strategy to dismantle all core freedoms: privacy, bodily autonomy, parental rights, healthcare, education, and safety. Trans people are being scapegoated to erase rights for everyone, starting with the most vulnerable.So what do we do? Today, Kate Bornstein, performance artist, author, and trans tech pioneer, returns with a revised edition of Hello, Cruel World: 101+ Alternatives to Suicide for Teens, Freaks, and Other Outlaws. With 20 new alternatives full of sass, warmth, and joy, Kate reminds us: survival is a radical act—and staying alive, in all your glorious weirdness, is the first step toward building a future where we all belong. Plus: why love is the ultimate anti-aging drug—and a reflection on the people who helped us make it this far. FEATURED BOOK: Hello, Cruel World: 101+ Alternatives to Suicide for Teens, Freaks, and Other Outlaws Buy it on Amazon: amzn.to/4jB1tsS SAVE THE FEAST OF FUN PODCAST, donate $1: gofundme.com/feastoffun20 FOLLOW US ON INSTAGRAM: ★ instagram.com/dankkass ★ instagram.com/faustofernos ★ instagram.com/marcfelion Quick heads-up: this episode contains discussions around suicide, self-harm, and mental health. While we approach these topics with care, honesty, and even humor, we understand they may be difficult or triggering for some listeners. Please take care of yourself in whatever way you need—and know that you're not alone. If you need support, you can always call or text the Suicide & Crisis Lifeline by dialing the number 988, they're there 24/7 ready to help.

Conservatives are always forcing their outdated vision onto culture, education, and policy because deep down, they know they’re losing the long game. A leaked Kennedy Center board meeting reveals Trump is pushing to make the nation’s cultural hub more conservative by stacking its lineup with right-wing musicals. So, what’s next? MAGA: The Musical? Today, comedian Dan Cass joins us to break down how fascists try to seize power—and, more importantly, how to fight back. FOLLOW US ON INSTAGRAM: ★ instagram.com/dankkass ★ instagram.com/faustofernos ★ instagram.com/marcfelion Plus, we’re diving into all the hot news:

As the United States slides deeper into fascism, Republicans are ramping up attacks on trans people, immigrants, and pretty much anyone who stands in their way. One thing is clear—most Americans don’t personally know any trans people so it is easy for Republicans to scapegoat them. But here’s the thing: LGBTQ+ people are everywhere. And with polls showing that more people than ever identify as LGBTQ+, we hold real power, if people actually see and know us. One trans pioneer making that visibility impossible to ignore is comedian Jeffrey Jay. Today, Jeffrey Jay joins us to talk about his bold new comedy project—performing in right-wing comedy clubs in red states as an openly trans man. A trailblazer in stand-up, Jeffrey was the first trans comedian to appear on our show back in 2012, and he’s back with stories, insights, and a whole lot of laughs. FOLLOW JEFFREY JAY: ★ https://jeffreyjaycomedy.com Plus— • Navigating the choppy waters when your friends and family come out as MAGA Republicans. FOLLOW US ON INSTAGRAM: ★ instagram.com/heyjeffreyjay ★ instagram.com/faustofernos ★ instagram.com/marcfelion

Chicago’s very own Kyle Smolinski is a rising star in the Open Bodybuilding scene, dominating some of the top NPC heavyweight contests—including a gold-medal win in the heavyweight division at the NPC Jay Cutler Classic in Virginia. But beyond his impressive size and stage presence, Kyle is also openly gay and known for his signature rainbow-colored hair. Let’s Grow Big Together! The podcast that builds muscle with all the colors of the rainbow, including biceps, bronzer, and big queer energy.” In this series, we take a look at the passion for muscle, adventures in bodybuilding, muscle gods, muscle worship and practical advice to put on the gains. Today, the rainbow-colored beast Kyle Smolinski, joins us to talk about his rise to fame as an openly gay Open Bodybuilding champion. From his technicolor mane to his heavyweight victories, Kyle shares his journey in the sport and what it takes to stand out—both on stage and beyond. FOLLOW US ON INSTAGRAM: ★ instagram.com/ksmo92 ★ instagram.com/faustofernos ★ instagram.com/marcfelion Plus all your questions! • Getting the body of your dreams means making sure your sleep is deep. • What’s the skinny on low glycemic natural sugars, artificial sweeteners & sugar alcohols? • Are cold plunges a scam? • How much does sexuality play a role in bodybuilding?

One of our all-time favorite wacky and wild films is RuPaul’s Starrbooty. Created during a lull in her career, the film revives one of Ru’s early cable-access TV characters- Starbooty—a private detective turned sex worker who lands herself in increasingly ridiculous situations. The film celebrates RuPaul’s love for sexploitation, melodrama, gratuitous nudity, and her circle of kooky friends. Many consider Starrbooty the launchpad for RuPaul’s resurgence as host of RuPaul’s Drag Race, a show that mainstreamed drag so successfully it has overshadowed many other styles and interpretations of the art form. Today, Starrbooty producer and acclaimed filmmaker André Robert Lee joins us to revisit this wonderfully twisted film and discuss the challenges and triumphs of being a queer Black creative. We also dive into his other fantastic projects, including Dirty Laundry (starring Jenifer Lewis and Loretta Devine) and The Prep School Negro, a documentary which follows young Black students adventures on their way to college. FOLLOW ANDRÉ ROBERT LEE: https://andrerobertlee.com FOLLOW US ON INSTAGRAM: ★ instagram.com/faustofernos ★ instagram.com/marcfelion ★ instagram.com/andrerobertlee89 Plus— • George Washington Carver and our favorite queer Black luminaries. • Is Lady Bunny on Putin’s payroll? • Right wing media is spreading rumors about alleged CEO shooter Luigi Maginone having 20 sex tapes. (Put up or shut up, Rupert Murdoch.)