Advertise on podcast: Feedback with Ira Madison III

This week, Ira sits down with Vanity Fair staff writer Chris Murphy and TV writer Ian Olympio to ask why Hollywood suddenly feels like an opp against Black people. They unpack the post-peak-TV contraction, the endless pipeline of “new white geniuses,” the rise of micro-dramas, the swirl industrial complex, and why Black characters on white shows so rarely get an inner life of their own. Plus: Tyler Perry, the A24 Blacks, and the one thing a Black TV character would never do — put a suitcase on the bed. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

This week, Ira is joined by Jackson Howard, Executive Editor at Farrar, Straus and Giroux, to dive into the wild world of publishing. They discuss everything from Jackson’s gay awakening—the animated Hercules—to who is writing the best sex, gay and otherwise. Tune in to learn what it takes to get published, and what editors like Jackson are looking for... and for all the gay literary gossip and Substack hot takes you’ve ever wanted. 03:01 — Queer awakenings and gay tropes 11:46 — How an editor chooses books 15:59 — Reading, writing, and the publishing industry 18:00 — The "gay lit boom" 20:09 — BookTok and the purpose of reading 22:24 — Toni Morrison and literary influence 25:06 — Queer stories and identity in publishing 27:31 — Solidarity in queer communities 29:00 — The "gay moment" we're in 35:45 — The history of the big, fat, wet kiss 37:39 — Music, criticism, and creativity 42:49 — Taste, book reviews, and literary culture 56:43 — Discovering and editing great fiction 01:00:50 — Sex writing and the next generation of writers Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Debut authors Bobuq Sayed (No God But Us) and Kyle Carrero Lopez (Party Line) sit down with Ira to talk about the myth of "queer utopia," nightlife as never just escapism, and a shared disinterest in writing books about the obvious villain. Kyle and Bobuq also discuss refusing to leave their politics, their work, and everything else consuming their minds at the entrance of the club. Because for Bobuq and Kyle, the dance floor was never a break from reality… but where they go to feel it most intensely, among strangers and familiar faces. Turns out the club was never just for dancing. 00:12 Alix Earle & the Literacy Crisis 03:36 Structuring Poetry Collections 07:19 Gatekeeping in the Publishing World 12:58 Writer Burnout and Self-Care 14:33 Writing Before the Pregame 25:20 Unpacking the Queer Utopia 32:53 Literary Inspirations 37:38 Dream Parties 41:19 Encounter with Assata Shakur 45:03 Book Launches & Nightlife Friendships 51:40 Advice for Debut Authors Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Jessel Taank is here, and she has some things to clear up! She joins Ira to discuss the fan reaction to her on the latest season of The Real Housewives of New York City. They get into her feud with Carole Radziwill, the Carolyn Bessette-Kennedy drama, her infamous Dorinda Medley fashion showdown, and her complicated relationship with Erin Lichy. Plus, Jessel reveals her plans to play matchmaker for Ira. 00:00 — Intro 01:43 — Jessel Taank Joins 06:18 — RHONY Fan Backlash 07:40 — Erin & Setting Boundaries 14:17 — Race & RHONY 15:05 — Carole Radziwill & Carolyn Bessette-Kennedy 19:47 — Dorinda & the Bubble Dress 24:03 — RHONY Friendships & the New Cast 33:36 — Fashion PR & Personal Style 41:04 — Matchmaking 44:27 — RHONY Zingers & Confessionals Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Chris Black is everywhere and doing everything — co-hosting the podcast How Long Gone, building his American essentials clothing line Hanover, writing a memoir, and hanging in the DJ booth with Charli XCX's husband. He joins Ira to talk about his taste and how he developed it, from the 90s Atlanta hardcore scene that exposed him to life beyond a white, middle-class, suburban childhood, to the current "say yes" era he's living in — all while juggling sobriety, marriage, and still wanting to be in bed by ten. 00:00 Taylor Swift Released New Music 03:40 Chris Black joins Ira 06:46 Writing Retreats & Isolation 10:45 Books, Memoirs & Reading 15:48 Manhattan vs. Brooklyn Living 20:46 90s Hardcore Punk Roots 24:48 The Value of Gatekeeping 27:58 Managing a Band, TRL & MTV Nostalgia 30:45 Video Podcasts vs. Audio 34:37 His GQ Column & Bravo's Southern Charm 36:42 Developing Taste via Magazines 38:31 Launching Hanover Apparel 40:16 Curation & Photography 43:48 Ultimate Pop Diva Mount Rushmore 53:29 Fantasy of Living Abroad Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Marlon James joins Ira Madison III for a conversation about his new novel The Disappearers (which has been shortlisted for the 2026 Booker Prize), growing up in Jamaica, and the pop culture that shaped him. They get into Marlon’s complicated relationship with his own past, how Prince, Heathers, and ’90s grunge gave him a vocabulary, and why he wants readers to enter the world of his books on his own terms. If you haven't picked up a copy of The Disappearers yet... run, don't walk. 00:00 Ira Madison III Ranks the Booker Prize 2026 Shortlist 04:33 The Disappearers & Writing His Most Personal Novel 07:56 Growing Up Queer in Jamaica 12:12 Prince, Pop Culture & Queerness 20:19 How He Writes & Gets Out of the Way 32:17 How Pop Culture Shapes His Writing 37:13 Jamaican Patois & Writing on His Own Terms 45:15 Queer Sex, Shame & Writing 50:14 Revenge, Trauma & Literary Perspective 52:25 What Marlon Wants to Disappear From Literature 56:58 Writing Multiple Perspectives 01:06:22 How He Knows When a Book Is Finished Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

We’re talking lights, camera, action with writer, director, and Ira’s book club bestie Shatara Michelle Ford. They talk about Ford’s latest feature, Dreams in Nightmares, the real cost of funding their first indie project, and how to make ambitious work without waiting for Hollywood’s green light. Plus, Shatara breaks down what they learned working with director James Gray on Lost City of Z and the moment on set that made Shatara fall in love with Robert Pattinson's acting. 00:00 Welcome to Feedback 03:12 Ira and Shatara Reunite 07:38 Queen Elizabeth and The Black List 13:42 From Test Pattern to Dreams in Nightmares 26:24 Shatara’s Directing Process 33:08 Learning From James Gray 40:31 Robert Pattinson and The Lost City of Z 43:46 Making a Black Queer Road Movie 49:30 Richard Brody and Dreams in Nightmares 51:13 What’s Next for Shatara? Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

This week on Feedback, Ira sits down with playwright Max Wolf Friedlich, whose Broadway hit "Job" went from a scrappy sleeper to a show so in-demand that Hugh Jackman could barely get a ticket. Max opens up about the realities of creating a Broadway banger, what it's been like following up with his new play "The Holes", and the unlikely origin of his theater career — a LARPing summer camp at age nine. Plus, a little on looksmaxxing, slam poetry, and creating social cachet in supporting art. 0:00 Rachel Cusk's Life of M & the Natalie Portman Rumors 2:52 Introducing Max Friedlich & His New Play The Holes 6:16 How Job Became a Viral Broadway Sensation 9:10 Max's Early Social Media Career 12:24 NYC Celebrity Theater Culture and Writer Anonymity 16:59 The Origin of The Holes: LARPing Camp & an 8th-Grade Assignment 24:14 Max Relives His Slam Poetry Days 28:49 Avoiding a "Job" Sequel: Controversy, Honesty & the Mental Toll of Broadway 33:32 Tech Bros and Social Cachet in Supporting the Arts 40:24 What Theater Teaches Men 46:29 Celebrity Scandal Nostalgia, NYC Food & Comfort Movies 52:08 Indie Film & Theater Influences: Jane Schoenbrun, Passing Strange & The Seafarer 58:46 Screens on Stage, Fan Encounters & Quitting Social Media 1:07:08 Internet Outrage, Dolly Parton & Looksmaxing Culture 1:14:18 Robert Pattinson Producing The Holes Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Phoebe Robinson is here, and she has thoughts! She joins Ira for a conversation about pop culture, comedy, and saying exactly what you think. They get into Phoebe’s viral wig rants, the strange state of celebrity podcasts, and why she wants people to stop treating pop culture commentary like the news. They also discuss Phoebe's return to stand-up, and what it really means to be in your "Rich Auntie" era. Buy tickets to Phoebe's Feral and Fired Up! Tour: https://www.phoeberobinson.com/ 00:00 Ira Talks About Dolly Parton 02:48 Phoebe Robinson’s New Book, “Rich Auntie” 05:37 Friendship, Boundaries, and Getting Older 06:53 Writing Books and Finding Her Voice 13:27 The Evolution of Podcasting Since “2 Dope Queens” 18:01 Phoebe’s “Wig Rants” and Sharing Opinions Online 24:00 Why She Doesn’t Have an Opinion on Everything 28:06 Creating Her Own Opportunities 31:44 The Responsibility of Comedy 37:49 Creating Tiny Reparations Books 41:07 Advice for Becoming a Better Writer 46:36 Giving Artists More Time to Create 48:30 Pop Culture, “The Valley,” and What She’s Watching 52:26 Problematic Celebrity Crushes 54:00 The Worst Things She’s Spent Money On 55:45 Books, London, and Lady Gaga 57:28 Why Men Should Read More Fiction 01:01:13 Do People Actually Read the Books They Post Online? 01:04:14 Book Covers and “You Can’t Touch My Hair” 01:05:19 Phoebe’s Dream Podcast Guest Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

This week, Ira is joined by bestselling author Angela Flournoy for a conversation about writing, reading, and trusting your audience. Together, they discuss Angela’s writing group back in LA, the joy (and frustration) of Goodreads, why some books teach you how to read them, and the delicate balance between guiding readers and letting them figure things out for themselves. Plus, Angela explains why she's actually pro-feedback — and why every writer should resist the urge to Google themselves. 00:00 Intro: Ira’s Reading Habits and Tips from Well-Read New Yorkers 02:35 Angela Flournoy and The Wilderness 08:15 Writing a Novel Over Ten Years 10:57 Life as a Writer 18:16 Writing for the Page, Not the Screen 23:27 Toni Morrison and Teaching Readers How to Read 31:02 Writing Routines and the Pomodoro Method 37:50 Books, Prizes, and the Writing Life 43:52 Knowing When It's Time for a New Book 49:13 The Novel, Short Stories, and The Wilderness 52:59 Ghosts, Grief, and Loss 54:40 Friendship and Making New Friends 59:42 What Fiction Reveals About the Writer 1:02:15 Classic Books and Reading in 2026 1:05:55 Teaching Writing and MFA Programs 1:10:00 Goodreads, Reviews, and Feedback Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

This week, Ira sits down with writer, cultural critic, and TikTok commentator Josh Lora (@tellthebeees) to unpack the cultural forces shaping what we watch, read, and obsess over online. They get into Christopher Nolan’s The Odyssey, the internet’s growing fixation on masculinity, and why TikTok has turned beauty, loneliness, and dating into a warped competition. Along the way, they debate the state of BookTok, the death of counterculture, and whether reality TV needs a little more mess. Plus, Josh explains the Harry Jowsey lore and why you absolutely do not need to watch Let’s Marry Harry. 00:00 Ira Madison III Introduces the Episode 04:21 Josh Lora Joins Ira: Christopher Nolan & The Odyssey 07:40 The Odyssey, Identity & Representation 12:05 Christopher Nolan’s Fascination With Masculinity 20:45 Masculinity, Guilt & the “Great Man” 24:29 Interstellar, Spider-Man & Male Loneliness 32:29 TikTok, Beauty Standards & Online Culture 41:09 Daria, Punk & the Death of Counterculture 46:55 Celebrity Fandom & the Rise of Stan Culture 52:58 BookTok, Reading Culture & DNFing Books 56:06 Why Internet Culture Is Getting Darker 01:06:41 Reality TV, Netflix & the Death of the Reality Star Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

This week, Ira sits down with entertainment journalist and Bravo expert Gibson Johns to unpack how covering The Real Housewives and the broader Bravo world evolved from a guilty pleasure to a full-blown media ecosystem. They get into the blurry line between commentator and fan, the Bravo fan impact, and whether reality stars are performing for podcasts and social media as much as they are for the cameras. Along the way, they revisit unforgettable Housewives moments, recall a silly BravoCon confrontation, and hear why Gibson is all in on Love Thy Naders. 0:00 Nene Leakes Is Back: Ultimate Girls Trip: Roaring 20th Review 8:50 Gibson Johns Joins the Show 10:45 How Gibson Went From Bravo fan to Bravo Journalist 15:29 Critic or Interviewer? Where Gibson Fits In 21:50 Andy Cohen's Soft Spots + Caller on Janet & Jason 28:09 Fan Hypocrisy & Has Feedback Gotten Too Powerful? 33:23 Constructive Criticism & Performing for the Discourse 38:50 Franchise Identity & When a Show Becomes "About the Show" 44:41 Hulu's New Reality Shows 47:53 Threads Discourse Has Gone Feral 50:12 Ira's Apartment Fire Cameo on RHONY: In the City 52:27 Gibson's Coverage of the Osefo Drama 55:43 Caller: Kelly Bensimon & the Carl Radke Question 59:47 Ex-Housewives Spinoffs & Social Capital 1:04:39 The Men of Southern Charm 1:08:34 Caller: Who Is Rhode Island's Villain? 1:12:05 Rapid Fire: Bravo Superlatives 1:14:35 Lindsay Hubbard on Threads, Jules & Closing Bits Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

New York nightlife isn't dead—you just haven't talked to Connie Fleming and Lina Bradford. The nightlife legends join Ira to swap stories about Madonna's Club Confessions, the golden age of MTV, drag's evolution into performance art, Fire Island, club etiquette, and the music that keeps the dance floor alive. Plus, they settle some nightlife debates—including the right time to leave the afters. 0:00 – Intro 6:04 – Madonna's Club Confessions NYC 10:05 – Connie Fleming: Working NYC's Legendary Club Doors 14:21 – The Art of Curating the Perfect Nightlife Crowd 17:32 – Drug Culture in the Clubs 21:05 – Boy Bar, Drag, Fashion & NYC Performance Art 26:13 – Before TikTok: The Lost History of Club Documentarians 29:20 – Fighting for LGBTQ Rights Then—and Now 32:21 – When Queer Life Moved From the Dark to the Light 39:46 – Fire Island, Inclusion & Finding Community 47:42 – Listener Call: Biggest Misconceptions about Connie and Lina 53:52 – The Music That Still Moves Them 58:11 – Connie's First Night at Basement 1:00:54 – Are Phones Ruining the Club? 1:04:20 – Connie and Lina's Friendship Story 1:06:32 – Social Anxiety & Club Etiquette 1:10:13 – Listener Call: When Should You Leave the Afters? Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

As a birthday treat to himself, Ira lands one of his dream interviews: A conversation with the iconic Deidre Hall, longtime star of Days of Our Lives. In celebration of 50 years since beginning her tenure as Days’ Dr. Marlena Evans, Deidre digs into all things daytime television, from her many on-screen deaths and revivals, her turn on Hacks, to everything you ever needed to know about finding your best lighting in every photo. Plus, Ira stuns Deidre with his seemingly unending recall for Days’ multitude of plot lines. 00:00 Welcome to Feedback with Ira Madison III 01:02 Becoming Marlena Evans and 50 Years on Days of Our Lives 05:17 Life as a Soap Actor 06:36 Working with Writers and Creating Iconic Storylines 09:11 Her Twin Sister's Unexpected Soap Opera Career 12:04 Soap Deaths, Fan Outrage and Bringing Characters Back 15:16 Favorite Storylines: Possession and The Salem Stalker 25:13 How Budget Cuts Changed Days of Our Lives 27:39 Celebrity Fans and Connecting with Viewers 31:18 Daytime TV's Legacy 34:16 Ensemble Storytelling, Favorite Castmates, and John and Marlena 40:12 Rivalries, Friendships, and Playing Marlena Today 43:09 Acting Advice and Guest Starring on Hacks 45:45 Future Crossovers, Dream Roles, and What's Next 47:11 Why Marlena Will Always Be "Doc" Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

This week on Feedback, Ira sits down with former Harper's Bazaar editor Chrissy Rutherford and fashion commentator John Villa to break down what's happening in the fashion streets. From the magazine covers that still make them stop and buy to why celebrity style feels increasingly uninspired, they unpack the trends, tastemakers, and internet personalities shaping fashion today. Plus, they get into Timothée Chalamet, newsletters, Sex and the City, and why, if you want to make it in fashion, you have to go outside. 00:00 The Odyssey and Nolan's Greatest Hits 04:47 Summer Time Do's and Don'ts with Chrissy and John 10:07 Shein, 7 Jeans, and Every Brand in Between 16:57 Magazines vs. Influencers 22:25 Magazine Editors & Iconic Covers 31:44 Queer Fashion & Heated Rivalry 37:01 Press Tours, Timothée Chalamet & Celebrity Fashion 47:01 The Reality of Celebrity Styling 50:15 Influencer Culture vs. The Fashion Industry 59:04 FWD JOY, Newsletters & Building a Brand 01:02:46 Knicks Jerseys... It's Still That Deep 01:06:48 Carrie Bradshaw & Knowing Your References Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.