Advertise on podcast: Hey Gurl! with Bill Janisse

This week on Hey Gurl, I’m sitting down with Johnny Ahlstedt, who recently represented Kansas at the Mister USA competition, where he earned a spot in the Top 5! But Johnny is much more than a title and a sash—he’s also a proud straight ally and passionate advocate for the LGBTQ+ community. Johnny and I dive into his personal growth journey and what it means to continually challenge yourself, grow as a person, and use your voice to make a difference. We have an honest conversation about trans rights, women’s rights, toxic masculinity, politics, allyship, and the importance of empathy and understanding. What makes this conversation so special is Johnny’s openness and willingness to explore these topics thoughtfully and authentically. We talk about how our experiences shape the way we see the world, the responsibility that comes with having a platform, and why growth often begins with being willing to listen, learn, and have the conversation. It’s candid, thought-provoking, and still very much a Hey Gurl kiki—with plenty of personality and laughs along the way. Come join us!

This week on Hey Gurl, I’m joined by the hilarious and high-energy Brandon McLaughlin—the real estate powerhouse, television personality, and familiar face from Bravo’s Below Deck, as well as Fox 5 in Washington, D.C.! Brandon and I get into real estate, pop culture, life in front of the camera, and what it’s really like when your reality-TV moments suddenly become viral. We revisit some of his most memorable Below Deck moments, talk about navigating the worlds of television and luxury real estate, and get his take on the ever-evolving world of pop culture. Of course, no Hey Gurl conversation would be complete without plenty of kiki-ing, laughter, and unexpected stories. It’s fun, candid, high-energy, and exactly the kind of conversation you want to listen to with a cocktail in hand. 🍸 Press play and come kiki with us! Follow Brandon on Instagram: @brandonmcl90 Follow Brandon on TikTok: @brandonmclaughlin8

Attorney, television host, author, and star of Equal Justice, Judge Eboni K. Williams joins Bill Janisse for a candid, thought-provoking, and fun conversation on this episode of Hey Gurl. From her groundbreaking time on The Real Housewives of New York City to presiding over the courtroom on Equal Justice, Eboni shares her perspective on navigating the intersection of law, media, culture, and public discourse. Together, Bill and Eboni dive into topics including politics, the midterm elections, the U.S. Supreme Court, racism, homophobia, and the lasting impact of conversion therapy—all through the lens of honest conversation, empathy, and lived experience. While the subjects are meaningful, this episode is anything but heavy. Filled with humor, authenticity, and plenty of "kiki" moments, Bill and Eboni prove that important conversations can also be entertaining, accessible, and filled with laughter. Whether you're a Bravo fan, a news junkie, or simply someone who enjoys thoughtful dialogue with a few laughs along the way, this is an episode you won't want to miss. Follow Eboni on Instagram: @ebonikwilliams https://www.instagram.com/ebonikwilliams/

This week on Hey Gurl!, I sit down with one of Nashville's rising stars, Lauren Gottshall. With powerhouse vocals, heartfelt songwriting, and an undeniable stage presence, Lauren is quickly making a name for herself in Music City. Originally from just outside Chicago, Lauren's passion for music began almost as soon as she could walk—playing instruments at just three years old, performing by five, and writing songs by the age of twelve. Since relocating to Nashville, she's already shared the stage with some of country music's biggest names, opening for Jason Aldean and performing alongside artists including O.A.R., Warren Zeiders, Chris Janson, and The Samples, while taking the stage at legendary venues like The Bluebird Cafe, The Listening Room, and 3rd & Lindsley. In this episode, Lauren opens up about her journey to Nashville, the highs and challenges of pursuing a career in country music, finding her authentic voice as an artist, and the experiences that have shaped both her music and her life. We also chat about songwriting, dream collaborations, what's next in her rapidly growing career, and, of course, share plenty of laughs along the way. Whether you're a longtime country music fan or simply love hearing inspiring stories from talented creatives chasing their dreams, you won't want to miss this conversation. Website: https://www.laurengottshall.com/ Instagram: @lauren_gottshall TikTok: @laurengottshall

This week, I'm thrilled to welcome the incredibly talented Kyle Ridley to Hey Gurl! Kyle is a two-time Emmy Award-winning journalist with more than two decades of experience spanning print, television, and digital media. After internships with The Dr. Phil Show and NBC Los Angeles, Kyle returned to the Washington, D.C. area, where he built a successful career in government procurement at Deltek, serving as both a principal analyst and employee trainer. But his passion for storytelling ultimately led him back to journalism. Kyle joined WJLA ABC7 as a segment producer before working his way up to producing live morning broadcasts, including Good Morning Washington, Outside the Classroom, and The Pet Show with Dr. Katy. He also created the Emmy Award-winning series The Mother Side. He later joined the top-rated Good Day DC on WTTG FOX5, where he earned his second Emmy Award as Live Producer of the Year in 2025. Today, Kyle is the founder of Ridley Media and host of The Tangle with Kyle Ridley podcast, where he sits down with an impressive lineup of entertainers, journalists, and thought leaders for insightful and engaging conversations. In this episode, Kyle and I chat about our shared love of television, the challenges and opportunities of starting over in your 40s, navigating life as gay men in today's social and political climate, and the inspiring journey that led him to create The Tangle. It's an honest, funny, and thoughtful conversation you won't want to miss. Be sure to follow Kyle on TikTok @kyleridleytangle, Instagram @kyleridley_, and listen to The Tangle with Kyle Ridley wherever you get your podcasts.

Hey Gurls… we're back! 💖 After a brief hiatus, Hey Gurl! returns for an exciting fourth season, and I'm kicking things off with an incredibly talented guest who truly does it all. This week, I sit down with Ozzie (Mark Osmendsen)—professional dancer, actor, choreographer, fashion icon, and New York City's self-proclaimed Prince of Burlesque. We dive into his remarkable career, from captivating audiences with Company XIV and Brolesque to performing with The Metropolitan Opera. Ozzie also shares insights into his creative journey, what inspires him, and what exciting projects you can catch this summer. Whether you're passionate about dance, theater, or simply love hearing the stories behind extraordinary artists, this conversation is filled with inspiration, laughter, and plenty of sparkle. Follow Ozzie on Instagram @markozzie and TikTok @mark_ozzie to stay up to date on his latest performances and projects. You can also stream his fitness classes on the Glo app. Welcome back to Hey Gurl!—I'm so happy you're here.

Hey Gurls!!! In honor of the season 3 Finale, I'm so thrilled to be joined by Patty and Patty®, the hit comedy web series about two middle-aged Italian Broads from NYC's Hell's Kitchen. Created by and starring Anita Salvate and Marilyn Matarrese.Over 120M views on TikTok, Over 50M views on InstagramOver 3M views on Facebook"Where Ya Gonna Go? Whatya Gonna Do?"®Listen along as I get to interview Patty and Patty, then stick around for the second half of the interview where I get to know An...

Mark Schwab is a writer, director, producer, actor and film maker. He is the owner of DITR Films and creator of the award winning film "Brotherly Lies" Along with Co-Owner, Mark Balunis, they've had a thirty-five year road of Super8mm filming, 16mm filming, MiniDV tape, RED cameras, SONY cameras and BlackMagic cameras. It’s been location shooting, digital assets, Adobe Premiere, Adobe After Effects, Final Cut Pro and DaVinci Resolve. It’s been film festivals, road trips to Los Angeles, t...

Susan Starr is an AFAB Drag Performer, and musician here in Las Vegas and leading contestant in the recent Miss ABSOLUT Drag Pageant. In this episode we talk about her personal journey, drag esthetic, as well as her personal experience as an AFAB drag performer. Such a fun episode, welcome to the Hey Gurl Family Susan! Follow Susan Starr: Instagram: @itssusanstarrFacebook: https://www.facebook.com/lastardust Bill Janisse Instagram: @billjanisseBill FB: @billjanisse Hey Gurl! Instagram: @...

Lu Asfaha is an award winning filmmaker based in Toronto. Her films bend genres to explore themes of identity, belonging, and how things fall apart. In 2018 she released the short documentary Freedom Summer on CBC Gem, won the CineFAM script competition to make fantasy short Paladin and was part of the post production team on CSA-winning documentary Mr. Jane and Finch. In 2019, she was a Doc Accelerator Fellow at Hot Docs Film Festival and won the RBC Emerging Director Award at Regent Park Fi...

Today I am joined by the multitalented GURL, Fernando Miro. Fernando is a world class performer, dancer, acrobat, photographer and artist. We discuss his fun and exciting journey from touring the world and performing for Cirque du Soleil, Taylor Swift, Katy Perry, and now in Atomic Saloon here in Las Vegas. Fernando also shares with us his vision as a photographer and all the fun new things he's creating for his t-shirt company, Pop Art Mania which you can get now on Amazon. Such a fun episod...

Today I am joined by the fabulously talented Jared Becker. Jared is a GURL of many talents. He is an award winning Actor, Writer, Producer and Composer. Starring in the upcoming feature film "Reveille" as well as "Never Strangers". You've seen him in many short films as well as frequently walking the red carpet in Hollywood. Listen along as we discuss his journey, his time in the Air Force, acting and producing and some fun sneak peaks into some upcoming projects. I loved recording this episo...

For over 30 years, Kathryn Swain has been advising hedge funds, family offices, CEOs, professional sports franchise owners, as well as royal and presidential families, in her roles as professional trader, portfolio manager and Investment Advisor Representative (IAR).At age 21, Kathryn began her career at Merrill Lynch in Baltimore while working full-time and finishing her undergraduate degree by night. At 25, she moved to San Francisco, taking on the role of lead trader of a two-billion-dolla...

Kristine W is pushing dance floors forward this Fall with her new single, “Can’t Look Back”, the first release from her upcoming album. Produced by James Hurr, one of the masters of UK House, the song is a lush, soulful club groove, made even more powerful with its message of rising up and appreciating the day. It was inspired by the passing of Kristine’s mother. “Though she faced unbearable loss during her lifetime, my mother was a perpetual optimist,” Kristine explains.&n...

So excited to be with the fabulous Ashlee Keating today. As a Billboard-charting music sensation, Ashlee is a true multifaceted talent. Her music is a perfect mix of upbeat and inspirational, with lyrical themes of loving yourself and living your best life. Between her colorful style and dance-worthy music catalog, Ashlee has also become highly regarded within the LGBTQ+ community as an ally and activist. She strives to spread messages of love, positivity, and confidence through all of her wo...