Ep. 202: Get Thee to a Drag Show w/ Artist Flamy Grant

March 28, 2025 by Hope Teague in supportingartists, belonging, the arts

Note to listeners:

This is the second episode in a series! We were inspired by our conversation with Margot Douaihy in episode 199 to dig deeper into the ways in which the current political climate is threatening the safety and livelihoods of creatives and what we can do to not only protect artists of all kinds by supporting their work but also stand on business and take actionable steps to counter the attacks on music, books, film, television, theater, art, and live entertainment, including drag shows, which have received outsized attention in terms of censorship and, in some cases, criminalization.

EQ: How can creatives and their audiences work together to uplift and empower artistic expression in an increasingly fraught and dangerous political environment and in what ways does the art of drag support that goal?

In this episode, we sit down with Flamy Grant to explore the journey from hometown roots to the present and how place shapes artistry. Our conversation traverses everything from the story behind their drag persona, what it means to find your authentic self, and the joys & challenges of making music that disrupts and empowers. We discuss faith, evolving beliefs, and the surprising space churches have held in their career. From “slaying shame” to creating safe spaces at shows, we explore what it means to live joyfully in resistance, the role of artists in today’s political landscape, and how fans can support creatives in these wild times.

References in the episode:

Heathen Podcast (more backstory)
Spencer Lajoye
Sadie Gustafson Zook
Mariam T @themariamt
Nadya Symone @nadya_symone
Crys Matthews @crysmatthews
Girlboy @girlboyofficial (also searchable on Spotify or Apple Music)

Do Your Fudging Homework:

Annie: Flamy is going on tour! Please consider attending a show - if you’re in the Pacific Northwest, you’ll have the opportunity to see her in Bend, Eugene, or Portland, Oregon, or Seattle in April. You should also check out her album, Church, which is available everywhere you enjoy music. Please also support your local drag community!
Hope: Ditto!
Flamy: Go to a drag show!

Ep. 59: On Representation in Film & Creating New Archetypes

November 29, 2019 by Hope Teague in current events, the arts, media

EQ: Why are women, specifically women of color, underrepresented in media and media production and what can be done to elevate their voices and experiences?

Guest: June Nho Ivers. June is a documentary filmmaker and previously joined us for Episode 55: Understanding Gentrification, Displacement, and Mass Incarceration with the incredible Tonya Wilson.

Every aspect of this conversation felt like it should be longer. We’ve tried to include links to all the things mentioned in this episode in hopes that you will #belessbasic and learn more about the challenges of representation in media and the way it is changing.

Movies Mentioned:

Cannes Jury led by first Latin American Filmmaker to lead Jury Inarritu
Parasite by Bong Joon-Ho (spoilers in this review)
Atlantics by Mati Diop (first African Woman Director)

Shows with a Female Lens:

Horror as a sociological genre:

Midsommar
Us
Get out

LGBTQ lens:

Ryan Murphy
Glee
American Horror Story
Pose

Asian Diaspora Representation:

Always be my maybe
To all the boys I loved article on Jenny Han/ Whitewashing Casting
Kim's Convenience

Music Conversation

Seattle Talent

Theater

Other Related Links:

Champagne & Real Pain:

Champagne: Elle Magazine just released their 2019 Women in Hollywood Power List and 6 of the 12 finalists are women of color.
Real Pain: NBC - yes, the television network - for attempting to derail Ronan Farrow’s story exposing Harvey Weinstein.

Do Your Fudging Homework:

Hope: Maureen Goo
Annie: Go read the Elle Magazine 2019 Women in Hollywood Power List. Women and Hollywood, specifically their resources on Women of Color in media and the importance of representation.
June: Free the Work , Harlot, Kingdom