ALWAYS SOMETIMES

On this episode of Always Sometimes, Los Angeles-based filmmaker and photographer Talon Reed Cooper joins me to discuss growing up in Indiana, collaboration, religious trauma, his film Headrest Talk, gender identity, being a creative leader, and "giving a f*ck". Recorded 9/29/25. Hosted and produced by Tom. Follow Talon on Instagram at @talonreedcooper. Follow Always Sometimes on Instagram at ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠@always__sometimes⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠.

On this episode of Lately from the Always Sometimes podcast, my friend Amélia J. Dion (aka Helvetikah Blak) joins me to catch up after a busy, creative, collaborative, and evolutionary summer. We chat drag, writing, personal growth, relationships, film, books, honesty, forgiveness, and everything in between. Recorded on 9/3/25. Hosted and produced by Tom. Follow Amélia and her collective the Haus of Paint on Instagram at @helvetikahblak and @haus.of.paint, respectively. Intro and outro created using audio from freesound.org and the voices of friends.

On this episode of Lately from the Always Sometimes podcast, Andrew Davalos and Jack McGuinness join me to discuss the upcoming iteration of their print magazine: The Heat Issue. Recorded on 8/13/25. Hosted and produced by Tom. Follow The Issue on Instagram at @the_issue_mag. Intro and outro created using audio from freesound.org and the voices of friends.

On this episode of Always Sometimes, Chicago-based artist Ariel Zetina joins me to discuss her recent live set at Club Toilet in Detroit, “gay chatter” on the dancefloor, psychedelics, compromise, her theater background, the music she’s currently listening to, and the power of conceptualization. Recorded 7/16/25. Hosted and produced by Tom. Follow Ariel on Instagram at @arielzetina.Follow Always Sometimes on Instagram at ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠@always__sometimes⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠.

On this episode of Always Sometimes, multifaceted artist Fantasy Banks joins me to discuss going to school for fashion design, her dance background, coffee, childhood toys, the Haus of Paint, finding creative purpose, and asking oneself “why?”.Recorded 5/28/25. Hosted and produced by Tom. Follow Fantasy on Instagram at @itsfantasybanks. Follow Always Sometimes on Instagram at ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠@always__sometimes⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠.

On this episode of Always Sometimes, designer and friend Luke Standbrook joins me to discuss kissing, breakfast culture, Chicago, finding power in recollection, creative constraints, color in fashion, and the beauty of friendship. Recorded 5/24/25. Hosted and produced by Tom. Follow Luke on Instagram at @pizzafukr. Follow Always Sometimes on Instagram at ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠@always__sometimes⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠.

On this episode of Always Sometimes, multidisciplinary artist and friend Germán Padilla joins me to discuss his painting practice, Shakira, attending a men’s college, having an all-or-nothing mindset, napping, his years of hospitality experience, and the gay gaze on pop artists. Recorded 5/19/25. Hosted and produced by Tom. Follow Germán on Instagram at @mexican_not_german. Follow Always Sometimes on Instagram at ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠@always__sometimes⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠.

On this episode of Always Sometimes, multidisciplinary artist, drag personality, and musician Papa Squat joins me to discuss Irish goodbyes, Nina Simone, growing up in Chicago, their favorite drag performance, birthdays, playing the euphonium, and Kiss & Tell Cabaret, the variety drag and burlesque show they produce. Recorded 5/17/25. Hosted and produced by Tom. Follow Papa Squat on Instagram at @papasquatonline. Follow Always Sometimes on Instagram at ⁠⁠⁠⁠@always__sometimes⁠⁠⁠⁠.

On this episode of Always Sometimes, Chicago socialite, creative, and friend Ben Trotter joins me to discuss giving compliments, Peachie-O’s, coming out to his parents, workplace bathroom habits, quintessential gay holidays and events, Beyoncé conspiracies, and cohosting the forthcoming podcast Halves on the Bag. Recorded 5/12/25. Hosted and produced by Tom. Follow Ben at @_trotterben and Halves on the Bag at @hotb_pod. Follow Always Sometimes on Instagram at ⁠⁠⁠@always__sometimes⁠⁠⁠.

On this episode of Always Sometimes, friend, community advocate, and UX researcher Abraham Ortiz Tapia joins me to discuss the importance of movement, expression in the digital age, hope, his family’s story, growing up in Wisconsin, being future-oriented, and smiling. Recorded 5/8/25. Hosted and produced by Tom. Follow Abraham on Instagram at @abeortiz. Intro and outro created using ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠freesound.org⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠ and the voices of friends. Follow Always Sometimes on Instagram at ⁠⁠@always__sometimes⁠⁠.

On this episode of Always Sometimes, friend, pop culture enthusiast, and writer Justin Horowitz joins me to discuss reality television, Addison Rae and Lorde, formative gay crushes, his feature length screenplay Gay & Afraid, inflation, walking alone at night, and Twilight. Recorded 4/24/25. Hosted and produced by Tom. Follow Justin on Instagram at @justinhorowitz_. Intro and outro created using ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠freesound.org⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠ and the voices of friends. Follow Always Sometimes on Instagram at ⁠@always__sometimes⁠.

On this episode of Always Sometimes, friend and creative Jack McGuinness joins me to discuss artistic collaboration, sharing music with friends, fashion critique, The Blank Issue, foreign films, albums versus playlists, and New Year’s Eve. Recorded 4/10/25. Hosted and produced by Tom. Follow Jack and The Blank Issue on Instagram at @mcguinnessiii and @the___issue respectively. Intro and outro created using ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠freesound.org⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠ and the voices of friends. Follow Always Sometimes on Instagram at @always__sometimes.

On this episode of Always Sometimes, Chicago-via-Pittsburgh drag queen Boo Barrymore joins me to discuss her performance style, drag names and trends, Cher (the bird!), her pre-pandemic residency at Berlin Nightclub, thrifting, sculptured up-dos, and drag in non-drag venues. Recorded 4/3/25. Hosted and produced by Tom. Follow Boo at @boobarrymore on Instagram. Intro and outro created using ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠freesound.org⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠ and the voices of friends.

On this episode of Always Sometimes, Chicago-based independent musician Raequan Scott joins me to discuss knowing when to take control, exploring alter egos, the limitations of genre, the confidence it takes to release new work, favorite numbers, open-mindedness, and his upcoming project Handle Without Care. Recorded 11/18/24. Hosted and produced by Tom. Follow Raequan at @raequan_scott on Instagram. Intro and outro created using ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠freesound.org⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠ and the voices of friends.

On this episode of Always Sometimes, my friend (and 30th guest!) Daniella DeRose joins me to discuss the mutual friendship that introduced us, being a homebody, Village Discount, being your "worst" self, grind culture, spending time with friends IRL, and media that's made her cry. Recorded 11/18/24. Hosted and produced by Tom. Intro and outro created using ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠freesound.org⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠ and the voices of friends.

On this episode of Always Sometimes, creator (and my longtime friend!) Morgan Markowski joins me to discuss how we met, self-sabotage, her evolving relationship to creativity, the importance of eyebrows, mac and cheese, people-pleasing, and the ins-and-outs of being a B2B creator. Recorded 11/16/24. Hosted and produced by Tom. You can follow Morgan on Instagram at @morganmarkowski. Intro and outro created using ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠freesound.org⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠ and the voices of friends.

On this episode of Always Sometimes, handpoke tattoo artist Lex Lloyd joins me to discuss caffeine highs, nurturing your imagination, Charlie's Angels, traditional versus nontraditional arts training, the responsibility of tattooing, and doing things yourself. Recorded 11/11/24. Hosted and produced by Tom. You can follow Lex on Instagram at @softlyitkillstattoos.Intro and outro created using ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠freesound.org⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠ and the voices of friends.

On this episode of Always Sometimes, drag artist Vanity Unfair joins me to discuss 90s aesthetics, growing up in rural Michigan, hair (down there), holy grail beauty products, personal lubricant, the difference between style and costume, and her Chicago drag journey. Recorded 9/9/24. Hosted and produced by Tom. You can follow Vanity on Instagram at @vanityunfairr.Intro and outro created using ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠freesound.org⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠ and the voices of friends.

On this episode of Always Sometimes, photographer Leah Wendzinski joins me to discuss listening to your body, stuffed animals, orange, the unpredictability of film, being an Aquarius moon, late-20s transformations, and finding balance between privacy and secrecy. Recorded 8/26/24. Hosted and produced by Tom. You can follow Leah on Instagram @leahwendzinski. Intro and outro created using ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠freesound.org⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠ and the voices of friends.

On this episode of Always Sometimes, friend, artist, and organizer Kate Brooks joins me to discuss sculpture, literal and figurative clowns, the freedom found in wallowing, Dirty Dancing, dolls, the varied meanings of "mother", and Denver's infamous Casa Bonita. Recorded 8/6/24. Hosted and produced by Tom. Intro and outro created using ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠freesound.org⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠ and the voices of friends.

On this episode of Lately from the Always Sometimes podcast, my friend Grace Kinter joins me to discuss her experience of Summer 2024 so far. Recorded on 7/28/24. Hosted and produced by Tom. Follow Grace on Instagram at @gracekinter.wav. Intro and outro created using audio from freesound.org and the voices of friends.

On this episode of Always Sometimes, friend and therapist-in-training Yonah London joins me to discuss how we met, dressing as Eminem for Halloween, ordering takeout, bailing on plans, his experience in graduate school, growing into queerness, and ghosting. Recorded 7/23/24. Hosted and produced by Tom. You can follow Yonah on Instagram at @yonahdotcom.Intro and outro created using ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠freesound.org⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠ and the voices of friends.

On this episode of Always Sometimes, multi-disciplinary artist Annaleigh Stone joins me to discuss Jon Bon Jovi, her time in comedy school, making time for solo projects, gossip, influencers in Chicago, dressing like a f*ckboy, and Subway sandwiches. Recorded 5/14/24. Hosted and produced by Tom. You can follow Annaleigh on Instagram at @smashmouthfan. Intro and outro created using ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠freesound.org⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠ and the voices of friends.

On this episode of Always Sometimes, producer, DJ, and artist Miss Twink USA joins me to discuss reprioritizing, falling in love, their current relationship to nightlife, remembering to relax, orchids, growing up as a twin, and embracing creative versatility. Recorded 4/15/24. Hosted and produced by Tom. You can follow Del on Instagram at @misstwinkusa. Intro and outro created using ⁠⁠⁠⁠freesound.org⁠⁠⁠⁠ and the voices of friends.

On this episode of Always Sometimes, visual artist Robert Martin joins me to discuss their painting practice, living in the Midwest, balsamic vinegar, revisiting the past, trends in artmaking, the artists that inspire them, and the influence of positive energy. Recorded 4/13/24. Hosted and produced by Tom. You can follow Robert on Instagram at @robertmartinstudio. Intro and outro created using ⁠⁠⁠freesound.org⁠⁠⁠ and the voices of friends.

On this episode of Lately from the Always Sometimes podcast, my friend and collaborator Cache Taylor joins me to discuss Celine Song's 2023 film Past Lives. Recorded on 4/1/24. Hosted and produced by Tom. Follow Cache on Instagram at @sssquiishhh. Intro and outro created using audio from freesound.org and the voices of friends.

On this episode of Always Sometimes, multidisciplinary artist Clee McCracken joins me to discuss cell phones, sundials, being an artist online, Halloween costumes, friendship, wardrobe parameters, and political stan culture. Recorded 3/25/24. Hosted and produced by Tom. You can follow Clee on Instagram at @clockluvr.Intro and outro created using ⁠⁠freesound.org⁠⁠ and the voices of friends.

On this episode of Always Sometimes, artist and photographer Jamar Mitchell joins me to discuss second chances, emojis, concert photography, SZA, setting intentions, making music, and striving for perfection. Recorded 2/26/24. Hosted and produced by Tom. You can follow Jamar on Instagram at @jamarbmitchell.Intro and outro created using ⁠freesound.org⁠ and the voices of friends.

On this episode of Lately from the Always Sometimes podcast, my friend and collaborator Patrick Burns joins me to speculate about Lady Gaga’s rumored seventh solo album. Recorded on 2/22/24. Hosted and produced by Tom. Follow Patrick on Instagram at @burns_so_good.Intro and outro created using audio from freesound.org and the voices of friends.

On this episode of Always Sometimes, Collin Kirk (aka Pharmacist) of Chicago-based label Yearning joins me to chat about being a Pisces, raisins, cicadas, what he was like in middle school, online stan culture, black olives, and music. Recorded 1/31/24. Hosted and produced by Tom. You can follow Collin and Yearning on Instagram @co111n and @iheartyearning, respectively. Intro and outro created using freesound.org and the voices of friends.

On the first installment of Lately from the Always Sometimes podcast, my boyfriend and PhD candidate in sociology Tim Elder joins me to discuss Andrew Haigh's 2023 film All of Us Strangers. Recorded on 1/29/24. Hosted and produced by Tom. Intro and outro created using audio from freesound.org and the voices of friends.

On this episode of Always Sometimes, pop culture enthusiast and social-“light” Ryan Scott joins me to chat about growing up in Chicago, wired headphones, letting yourself be wrong, Tumblr-era fashion choices, forward momentum, and knowing when “it’s not that deep”.Recorded 1/10/24. Hosted and produced by Tom. You can follow Ryan on Instagram at @sideshow.blob. Intro and outro created using audio from freesound.org and the voices of friends.

On this episode of Always Sometimes, my friend Col Tighe joins me to chat about moving to Chicago, telling stories, the color green, their creative practice, what it means to "pull a look", growing up gay in Kansas, and their experience with psychics. Recorded 12/4/23. Hosted and produced by Tom. You can follow Col on Instagram at @rocketpop666.Intro and outro created using audio from freesound.org and the voices of friends.

On this episode of Always Sometimes, my friend Amélia-Dion joins me to chat about her journey in Chicago’s drag scene as Helvetikah Blak, bad choices, style versus fashion, self-deprecating humor, Raja Gemini, letting yourself be "the bad guy", and her chosen family.Recorded 11/26/23. Hosted and produced by Tom. You can follow Amélia-Dion at @helvetikahblak on Instagram and Twitter. Intro and outro created using audio from freesound.org and the voices of friends.

On this episode of Always Sometimes, artist/model/DJ/diva and friend Glamour Cadaver joins me to chat about growing up, the power of nightlife, her favorite fragrance, "nose drugs", building her curated universe, fashion, and the importance of listening.Recorded 8/9/23. Hosted and produced by Tom. Follow Glamour online at @glamourcadaver on Instagram and Twitter.Intro and outro created using audio from freesound.org and the voices of friends.

On this episode of Always Sometimes, Jonathan Freund (aka Club Drippy) joins me to discuss his creative practice, potato chips, resistance to change, romanticizing nighttime, "Disney gays", artistic revelations, and the aspirational quality of "always" and "never".Recorded 8/2/23. Hosted and produced by Tom.Intro and outro created using audio from freesound.org and the voices of friends.

On this episode of Always Sometimes, my friend Laura Kinter joins me to chat about making hard decisions, mayonnaise, accepting generosity, giving yourself treats, mid-season finales, her ten years in Chicago, and Twilight.Recorded 7/16/23. Hosted and produced by Tom.Intro and outro created using audio from freesound.org and the voices of friends.

On this episode of Always Sometimes, Charlie Nelson joins me to discuss being a writer, revisiting the past, memorable Christmas gifts, creative fluidity, dog breeds, learning, and the music we listened to as kids. Recorded 6/21/23. Hosted and produced by Tom.Intro and outro created using audio from freesound.org and the voices of friends.

On this episode of Always Sometimes, my boyfriend and PhD candidate in sociology Tim Elder joins me to discuss our first date, coffee shop etiquette, public transit, the music he's listening to, growing up in rural Ohio, his study of palliative medicine, and what it means to know someone. Recorded 5/17/23. Hosted and produced by Tom.Intro and outro created using audio from freesound.org and the voices of friends.

On this episode of Always Sometimes, my dear friend Ella Frauenhofer joins me to chat about the power of music, her high school wardrobe, driving, birthdays, professional athletes, her ideal three course meal, and the art of letting go.  You can find Ella and her fashion entity Sensual at Best on Instagram at @disco.lord and @sab.h2t, respectively.  Recorded 4/24/23. Hosted and produced by Tom.Intro and outro created using audio from freesound.org and the voices of friends.

On this episode of Always Sometimes, my talented friend Grace Kinter joins me to chat about Chinese food, crying, personal style, her move to Los Angeles, the summer of 2015, vaseline, and mispronunciations. You can find Grace on Instagram at @gracekinter.wav.Recorded 4/21/23. Hosted and produced by Tom.Intro and outro created using audio from freesound.org and the voices of friends.

On this episode of Always Sometimes, my younger sister Erin Monforti joins me to chat about playing together as kids, losing things, her time abroad in Ireland, being pissed off, athleisure, the value of listening, and her life as a 25-year-old attorney.You can find Erin on Instagram at @erinmonforti.Recorded 4/11/23. Hosted and produced by Tom.Intro and outro created using audio from freesound.org and the voices of friends.

On the fifth episode of Always Sometimes, my friend and collaborator Patrick Burns joins me to chat about dinosaurs, mother-son dynamics, pink, famous straight actors, his dog, and the highs and lows of obsessive thinking.You can find Patrick on Instagram at @burns_so_good. Recorded 3/27/23. Hosted and produced by Tom.Intro and outro created using audio from freesound.org and the voices of friends.

On this episode of Always Sometimes, guest Mason Pippenger joins me to chat about house parties, making yourself laugh, gay animals, cringey dating app profiles, ice cream, collecting stories, and giving compliments to strangers.You can find Mason on Instagram at @mason.pip.Recorded 3/20/23. Hosted and produced by Tom.Intro and outro created using audio from freesound.org and the voices of friends.

On this episode of Always Sometimes, the lovely Hannah H. and I discuss the origins of our friendship, laundry, thinking everyone’s in love with you, straight people, medication habits, and the ways that queerness can affect your worldview.You can find Hannah on Instagram at @scandalousgrandma.Recorded 3/14/23. Hosted and produced by Tom.Intro and outro created using audio from freesound.org and the voices of friends.

On this episode of Always Sometimes, my friend Andrew Davalos joins me to chat about our now-iconic fight in Brooklyn, knowing when to ask for help, social media, peonies, the dangers of comparing yourself to others, queer friendship, and all three of his first kisses.You can find Andrew on Instagram at @andrewdavalos.Recorded 3/8/23. Hosted and produced by Tom.Intro and outro created using audio from freesound.org and the voices of friends.

On the first full-length episode of Always Sometimes, I sit down with my friend and collaborator Cache Taylor to discuss how we met, the phenomenon of laughter, knowing when to shut the f*ck up, wanting to be famous as a kid, garlic, semantics, and the meaning of their first name. You can find Cache on Instagram at @sssquiishhh. Recorded 3/1/23. Hosted and produced by Tom.Intro and outro created using audio from freesound.org and the voices of friends.

An introduction to the Always Sometimes podcast, an extension of my homonymous Substack. Here I'll be having conversations with friends and family, and maybe even some strangers and acquaintances. Stay tuned.  Recorded 2/27/23. Hosted and produced by Tom.Intro and outro created using audio from freesound.org and the voices of friends.