Inciting A Riot

From best-selling novels like "Mexican Gothic" to blockbuster media hits like "The Last of Us," it seems like everyone is buzzing about fungi these days. Think of it as your houseplant's weirder, spongier, and creepier cousin. Fungi have a significant role in decomposition, which adds to their eerie reputation. However, they can also serve as food, a recreational drug, a source of medicine, and even a multi-story residence if you happen to be a Smurf. As we delve deeper into the world of fungi, things get even stranger. Did you know that the largest organism on Earth is a fungus? Fungi can have thousands of different genders, and they reproduce and communicate in ways that we are just starting to comprehend. Yet, there are dedicated individuals attempting to unravel these mysteries. Meet Dr. Leslie Holland, a mycologist specializing in the study of fungi. She joined the University of Wisconsin's Department of Plant Pathology in 2020, where she focuses on researching how fungal diseases impact fruit crops. W

When you think about what the ocean sounds like, what does your brain conjure up? Maybe the gentle ebbing and flowing of tides? Maybe you think of marine life? Perhaps the songs of whales or that clicking sound dolphins make. But what about the snapping of air bubbles created by thousands of shrimp in tide pools? What about the ambient noise of both the shallow and deep parts of the ocean? Have you ever considered those, and, more importantly, have you ever considered that what the ocean sounds like can have an impact on everything from conservation to energy to video games? Dr. Heather Spence is the living embodiment of every 90s kids’ dream of growing up to become a marine biologist. But unlike most 90s kids, she didn’t get there by dreaming of swimming with dolphins. She got there through sound. Dr. Spence is a cellist who became fascinated with the concept of sound in college, and that fascination led her all the way to the depths of the ocean. Now her research is in a curious field called Marine Bioaco

Matthew Blake, better known as Flamy Grant, is a shame slaying, hip swaying drag queen from the Bible Belt who also happens to be a gospel singer. Her debut album Bible Belt Baby came out in 2022 and largely flew under the radar until she came under fire from a conservative preacher that decided to make her the target of an online hate campaign. The campaign backfired. Big time. Instead of sending the drag queen’s gospel album off into obscurity, he put a massive spotlight on it which sent it rocketing up the gospel charts where it peaked at number 1. It should be noted that as of this recording, the album is still sitting comfortably in the top 100 at number 62.  I sat down with Flamy herself to talk gospel music, drag, and figuring out a space where both fit just fine. Social links: Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/headonfirepod/ Twitter: https://twitter.com/headonfirepod TikTok: https://www.tiktok.com/@headonfirepod Support my work on Patreon: https://www.patreon.com/headonfirepod Buy me a Ko-Fi: ht

Bonnie McKee is a singer, songwriter, director, actor, and world class DIYer. She's written numerous number 1 hits for artists like Britney Spears, Christina Aguilera, Kelly Clarkson, Cher, and Katy Perry. She's also a pop star in her own right, having released the album Trouble, the EP Bombastic, and the single American Girl among many, many other indie hits. After a decade of writing smashes for everyone else in the music business, she's making a return behind the microphone with her much anticipated new album Hot City. We sat down for a conversation about the craft of songwriting, what the critics get wrong about pop music, and what it takes to make it in an industry built around putting people in boxes and keeping them there.  Social links: Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/headonfirepod/ Twitter: https://twitter.com/headonfirepod TikTok: https://www.tiktok.com/@headonfirepod Support my work on Patreon: https://www.patreon.com/headonfirepod Buy me a Ko-Fi: https://ko-fi.com/headonfirepod Subscribe t

As a lifelong geek I will preach the good word of all things niche and nerdy to anyone who will listen and even some who won’t. I’m the kind of person who strongly believes that a good story can change your entire outlook, that a well-crafted game can be a balm for the soul, and that superheroes can save you even if they aren’t real.  But there are a lot of aspects of geek culture that are still seen as far-fetched, laughable, even dangerous by authority figures, especially when it comes to the field of mental health. Geeks, gamers, and other folks with insular or niche interests oftentimes have to spend time explaining fandom dynamics or the concept of internet friendships or why they spend so much time reading and writing fan fiction to people who aren’t always welcoming.  Enter Dr. Megan Connell, Licensed Psychologist & Therapeutic Dungeon Master with over a decade of experience in the field. She’s an incredibly accomplished therapist, educator, author, and content creator in her own right who has t

This show is all about overlooked or misunderstood fields, and in 2023 I can think of no more misunderstood field than that of gender affirming care. It is the boogeyman of every conservative talking head and your transphobic aunt’s Facebook feed. There is so much misinformation floating around social media and YouTube, oftentimes masquerading as fact-based or presented by experts.  So I wanted to talk to an expert.  Dr. Ashley Brandt is a board certified OBGYN with a fellowship in gender affirming surgery. She’s a queer surgeon who uses her platform to help educate the public about gender affirming care and remove the stigma around those who provide treatment, those who seek it, and those who love them.  We have a broad, frank conversation about the myths and misconceptions of her work, the changes in technology, what it’s like working with kids, and where the field is going. Please note that this episode does contain information, but it should not be taken as medical advice or opinion. Here’s Dr. Brandt

David Archuleta began winning singing contests while many of us were learning how to ride a bike. He won Star Search at the age of 12. When he was 16 he auditioned for American Idol, and by the time it was all over he’d come in second, got a recording contract, and was whirled into a studio to create his debut album and smash single ‘Crush’ at the age of 17.  In the blink of an eye he was suddenly in a cohort that featured the Jonas Brothers, Taylor Swift, Demi Lovato, and was duking it out in the charts with Rihanna for the number one spot. However, among all of that, he was still trying to be a good Mormon boy, which meant desperately trying to suppress his burgeoning queer identity.  Fresh off a number of tv spots, I sat down with David for a discussion about the perils of the spotlight when you’re a child star, finding perspective when the eyes of the world are on you, falling in love with a career you might never have wanted, and the joy of finally living your truth.  Social links: Instagram: https://

We are in an era of remakes and reboots and revivals and retellings of stories that were just remade and rebooted and revived and retold less than a decade ago. An era of cinematic universes whose stories sometimes don’t feel like they go together, characters that seem to suddenly change in power and personality. Sometimes it can be enough to make even the most chill movie goer wonder where all the new ideas are.     But, this isn’t anything new in storytelling. The greek myths are pretty much the blueprint for the modern cinematic universe. The way we tell stories, hero stories, adventure stories, sword and sorcery stories, all stem from the gods of Mt Olympus and the lives they meddled in. The wars they waged and the petty grievances they exacted upon one another.     But these are more than just stories. They’re the narrative of a very real people, the history - if often allegorical - of a very real place where these very real people still live. These gods still have worshippers from within that culture a

Ryan La Sala is a bestselling, award winning author of multiple queer books. His horror novel, The Honeys, is a love letter to queer folks who thought Clueless and The Craft should have had a crossover film. It was named the best book of 2022 by NPR, New York, public library, school library, journal Barnes & Noble, and publishers weekly. He’s currently serving as executive producer on the film adaptation, but he took time out of his busy schedule to have a chat with me about writing in the current book ban climate, the creative process, the draw of horror, and how queerness is a superpower.  Social links: Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/headonfirepod/ Twitter: https://twitter.com/headonfirepod TikTok: https://www.tiktok.com/@headonfirepod Support my work on Patreon: https://www.patreon.com/headonfirepod Subscribe to the Head On Fire podcast Apple Podcasts: https://podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/head-on-fire/id337689333 Spotify: https://open.spotify.com/show/4qTYYhCLMdFc4PhQmSL1Yh?si=5387b774ed6e452

The Writer's Guild of America is currently on strike in a union negotiation that has implications far beyond the city limits of Hollywood. Screenwriter Joshua Conkel (A Series of Unfortunate Events, Chilling Adventures of Sabrina, Dead Boy Detectives) returns to discuss how streaming services are attempting to turn screenwriting into a gig economy job, why in the new "golden age of television" isn't so golden, and how AI became a central talking point. Social links: Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/headonfirepod/ Twitter: https://twitter.com/headonfirepod TikTok: https://www.tiktok.com/@headonfirepod Support my work on Patreon: https://www.patreon.com/headonfirepod Subscribe to the Head On Fire podcast Apple Podcasts: https://podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/head-on-fire/id337689333 Spotify: https://open.spotify.com/show/4qTYYhCLMdFc4PhQmSL1Yh?si=5387b774ed6e4524 YouTube: https://youtube.com/c/HeadOnFirePod

Charles Lu is a Canadian fashion designer whose work has been seen in London, Dubai, and on the hit Netflix show Next In Fashion with Tan France. The child of Vietnamese refugees, he knew his entire life he was going to be a fashion designer. He will make you rethink your relationship to hoodies, and he is my guest today.  Social links: Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/headonfirepod/ Twitter: https://twitter.com/headonfirepod TikTok: https://www.tiktok.com/@headonfirepod Support my work on Patreon: https://www.patreon.com/headonfirepod Subscribe to the Head On Fire podcast Apple Podcasts: https://podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/head-on-fire/id337689333 Spotify: https://open.spotify.com/show/4qTYYhCLMdFc4PhQmSL1Yh?si=5387b774ed6e4524 YouTube: https://youtube.com/c/HeadOnFirePod

96% of Americans claim to love cheese, according to one survey. The same survey said our love of cheese outranks our love of coffee, social media, national pride, and even our beloved cell phones. Americans’ favorite dish? Mac & cheese. Almost every type of cuisine on the planet features at least one type of cheese. But what do we really know about this most beloved of foods? Emilia D’Albero calls herself the CEO of Cheesetok, and for good reason. Her educational videos showcasing the history, preparation, storage, and myth busting of cheese have been seen by millions of people. I sat down with the cheesemonger herself for a deep dive discussion to ask all the questions even I never knew I wanted answers to about this most supreme of foods.  For a brief time only, get signed copies of my book ‘while I wait to be a god again’ here: https://www.etsy.com/listing/784773093/while-i-wait-to-be-a-god-again-signed Social links: Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/headonfirepod/ Twitter: https://twitter.com/he

Clarkesworld magazine is a publisher of short form science fiction with the distinction of providing its prospective authors a quick turnaround on submissions. This uniqueness is compounded by the fact that, unlike most other similar publications, the magazine is always open to submissions. All of that changed earlier this year when the Neil Clarke, the founder of Clarkesworld, made international headlines for closing submissions down for the first time in the magazine's decades-long history. Why? Because of ChatGPT.  I sat down with Neil to have a deep dive discussion about how legacy media is evolving with technology and accessibility, how the sudden onslaught of chatbot generated content has transformed the submission process, and where science fiction goes from here.  Social links: Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/headonfirepod/ Twitter: https://twitter.com/headonfirepod TikTok: https://www.tiktok.com/@headonfirepod Support my work on Patreon: https://www.patreon.com/headonfirepod Subscribe to th

Chances are if you have a racist aunt with access to social media, you've come across the term DEI a lot lately. It's the new conservative boogeyman. It's the reason why SVB closed. The reason why drag queens read books to kids. And it's what happens when big companies get dragged on social media for being run almost exclusively by cisgender, heterosexual white men making 7-figures a year. But what is DEI - Diversity, Equity, and Inclusion - education? Why has it become so synonymous with corporate training? What are its uses, if any, in the world at large? Tanorria Askew has spent decades as a passionate advocate for DEI, creating or consulting on a number of programs for an even larger number of companies. She's seen what happens when DEI training is done well, done poorly, and what promise it holds for future workers. She's also an accomplished chef - you may have seen her face alongside Gordon Ramsay on MasterChef. She's combined her background in DEI and her time in the kitchen to create Unity Tables

The internet allows all sorts of people to come together to share their love of musicians, actors, tv shows and movies, and...anything. Everything. There are communities who share a love even specific characters from a book series, and I've even recently come across a diehard community of people who share a specific love of Uncrustables - a frozen peanut butter and jelly sandwich snack.  But what happens when fandoms go too far? What happens when a group of people with a lot of big feelings, access to all sorts of personal information, and the anonymity of a screen name decide to turn on you? That's when fandom gets extreme.  I spoke to illustrator and researcher Sam Aburime about the rise of Extreme Fandoms. Sam kindly provided resources for you to use as a springboard if this topic interests you: Further Published Reading on Anti-Fans: "Jonathan Gray describes anti-fans as those who 'strongly dislike a given text or genre, considering it inane, stupid, morally bankrupt and/or aesthetic drivel' (Gray 200

Voice acting brings life to everything from corporate training videos to tearjerker holiday commercials to your favorite characters in animated movies or video games. But the daily grind isn't as easy as sitting down and reading a few lines. Tawny Platis is a lifelong actress who has found recent success behind the microphone, and she guides us through what it takes to make it in the cutthroat world of microphone jockeys.  Social links: Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/headonfirepod/ Twitter: https://twitter.com/headonfirepod TikTok: https://www.tiktok.com/@headonfirepod Support my work on Patreon: https://www.patreon.com/headonfirepod Subscribe to the Head On Fire podcast Apple Podcasts: https://podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/head-on-fire/id337689333 Spotify: https://open.spotify.com/show/4qTYYhCLMdFc4PhQmSL1Yh?si=5387b774ed6e4524

I think you should confront the things you fear. Not me, of course, but you definitely should. I hear it's great therapy. Me? I talk to experts about the things that I fear, and I cannot think of a creature that inspires for fear, misunderstanding, and general "icky" feelings than bats. But, maybe that's because I don't know enough about them. Alyson Brokaw is a behavioral ecologist and bat scientist who earned her PhD from Texas A&M University. She's a passionate advocate for not only education, but navigating the world around us. (Literally, her dissertation was on how bats use their sense of smell to navigate.) She uses her social media platform to teach the public about the fascinating truth behind one of the world's most maligned creatures.  Social links: Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/headonfirepod/ Twitter: https://twitter.com/headonfirepod TikTok: https://www.tiktok.com/@headonfirepod Support my work on Patreon: https://www.patreon.com/headonfirepod Subscribe to the Head On Fire podcast

What's the difference between myths, legends, and folklore? Or...is there a difference?  The winter holiday season is chock full of magic and monsters and bits of folklore abounding in everything from the colors of the season to the foods that we eat. Folklore itself - as a topic of study and discussion - has had a bit of a moment this year. Plenty of voices have made a bit of a name for themselves bringing folklore to the masses via social media, but there's a lot of nuance when you scratch the surface of the topic.  So, I talked to my very favorite folklorist, Dr. Cory Hutcheson, about the study of folklore, its misconceptions, and what it teaches us about cultures past and present. We also talked about comic book mythology and what has to happen for the stories of today to become the folklore of tomorrow. Find out more about Cory on his podcast, New World Witchery, or by picking up his book of the same name. Brief housekeeping note: I'll be taking January off from producing new shows. Look for new epis

We know Christmas today as a time of Santa in a red suit flying around delivering presents. We know it as a festive holiday filled with plenty of food and gift-giving and light. However, throughout history, this time of year was a pretty dark time filled with mischievous spirits and ghost stories. On this throwback episode that originally aired in 2019 I speak with art historian Susan Owens, author of The Ghost: a cultural history, about how ghosts were seen throughout the centuries and how they became the specters we know today.  Social links: Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/headonfirepod/ Twitter: https://twitter.com/headonfirepod TikTok: https://www.tiktok.com/@headonfirepod Support my work on Patreon: https://www.patreon.com/headonfirepod Subscribe to the Head On Fire podcast Apple Podcasts: https://podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/head-on-fire/id337689333 Spotify: https://open.spotify.com/show/4qTYYhCLMdFc4PhQmSL1Yh?si=5387b774ed6e4524 YouTube: https://youtube.com/c/HeadOnFirePod

"Didn't he just put out an episode about quantum physics?" you might be asking yourself. First of all, shut up. Second of all, yes. Yes I did, BUT when you come across an expert who can correct Hank Green on quantum entanglement and help me understand basic tenets of quantum physics using a pair of socks, YOU DO ANOTHER SHOW ABOUT QUANTUM PHYSICS.  Caroline R.Z. is a multitalented educator who uses her platform to discuss issues of culture, finance, physics, and gaming. (Just don't give her chicken in pasta.) If you like this show and want to support it, there are a number of ways to help. Share it with your friends on social media. You can also like, rate the show 5-stars on Apple Podcasts or Spotify, and leave a review. Reviews help recommend the show to other listeners like you. Social links: Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/headonfirepod/ Twitter: https://twitter.com/headonfirepod TikTok: https://www.tiktok.com/@headonfirepod Support my work on Patreon: https://www.patreon.com/headonfirepod Subsc