HOMOPHONIC

Two major releases and one huge announcement define this episode of HOMOPHONIC. First up, we finally dive into Chappell Roan’s highly anticipated single and music video, “The Subway.” Next, we break down Demi Lovato’s high-energy comeback single, “Fast.” And last but definitely not least, we explore everything we know (so far) about Taylor Swift’s upcoming project, “The Life of a Showgirl,” produced by Max Martin and Shellback.

What do Kylie Minogue, Mariah Carey, Madonna, Carly Rae Jepsen, Katy Perry, Jewel, Hanson, Meredith Brooks, Tyrese, George Michael, Alphabeat, Deborah Cox, Gina G, Cher, Backstreet Boys and Stacie Orrico have in common!?  They are all a part of our POOLSIDE POP PLAYLIST!  As we start nearing the end of summer, John Michael and I discuss some of our favorite songs to play in the summertime.  From tea dance classics to 90's pop nostalgia to Y2K R&B deep cuts, we cover it all.

Summer’s buzzing, and so are we! DJ John Michael and I are back with a brand new episode of HOMOPHONIC, catching up on all things summer and music. He fills me in on his epic Rufus Du Sol concert experience, and I share the story of how I managed to fracture my finger (oops!). We then dive into the power of Britney’s “Lucky” and how it entrances the gays before sharing our thoughts on new releases from Madonna, Mariah Carey, Celine Dion, Kesha, Kiesza, J.Lo, Jade, FKA Twigs, Jessica Simpson, Sophie Ellis-Bextor, and Sam Smith. And of course, we gush over our excitement for Chappell Roan’s upcoming single, “The Subway.” 

We're back from a quick hiatus (I turned 40—milestone unlocked!) and covering a lot of pop culture ground with DJ John Michael. This episode, we spotlight an underrated Michael Jackson deep cut, give Traci Lords' "Control" its overdue flowers, and shout out Bradley Stern. We unpack the drama around William Orbit and Madonna's "Veronica Electronica," talk DJ John Michael’s Pride Ride with Cody Rigsby, and dig into some standout tracks in his mix, including Chris Lake’s remix of Kylie Minogue’s “In Your Arms” and Barry Harris & Pepper Mashay’s “Dive in the Pool.” Plus, I open up about his DJ days, we get nostalgic over Wild Orchid’s unreleased Fire album, and show some love to the HQ2 Club Mix of Toni Braxton’s “Spanish Guitar.”

In this special Pride episode, we're turning the volume all the way up to celebrate the incredible talent, legacy, and joy of LGBTQ+ artists we love and admire. From trailblazing icons like Sylvester, George Michael, Kevin Aviance, and Boy George, to modern-day powerhouses like Darren Hayes, Olly Alexander, Troye Sivan, MNEK, and Vincint—we're giving them all their flowers.We also show big love to HOMOPHONIC favorites and friends of the pod ZEE MACHINE and Bentley Robles, and bow down to fierce forces like Rina Sawayama, Shygirl, Betty Who, Chappell Roan, and Michaela Jaé—plus so many more.Whether you're dancing, crying, or just vibing, this playlist is a Pride-filled love letter to queer music and the artists who keep our spirits high.

We open this episode on a more serious note, taking a moment to acknowledge the intensity and heartbreak of what’s happening in the world right now. While HOMOPHONIC has always been a place of joy, celebration, and escape, we felt it was important to pause and share how we’re processing the injustice around us.Once we’ve cleared the air, we pivot into full-on Pride mode. John Michael recaps an unforgettable weekend DJing with Jess King at World Pride, experiencing their block parties, and catching performances by Betty Who, Rita Ora, Kevin Aviance, and Kristine W. Meanwhile, I share my own weekend in Detroit with family—ending in a moment three years in the making: finally meeting our incredibly talented friends of the pod, ZEE MACHINE and Bentley Robles! I talk about the electric energy of seeing ZEE perform live, dancing next to Bentley, and falling in love with the music of Madison Rose.We also get into some big pop moments, including Madonna’s surprise announcement of the long-awaited Veronica Electronica remix album and Mariah Carey’s brand-new single, “Type Dangerous.”

After a brief lull, the music world came roaring to life.  John Michael dishes on seeing Beyoncé’s Cowboy Carter tour in the flesh, we break down the chaos of this year’s American Music Awards, and dive into the bombshell news of Taylor Swift finally owning her original masters. We celebrate 20 years of Mariah’s The Emancipation of Mimi, give our takes on Miley’s latest album, react to the newest drop from Tears & Gearz, and even have time to discuss - you guessed it - Paris Hilton's remix album.

Friend of the pod and Jesse’s Girls host, Jesse Chambliss, is back—this time for a different kind of episode.We dive into the unspoken (and often messy) lore of gay dating in small-town America. Drawing from our own experiences, we unpack how rumors take root, how reputations start to snowball, and what it means when your dating history gets there before you do.Of course, we still make room for our beloved segment, “Songs We Don’t Talk About Enough.”  Brace yourselves to get weird, crazy and HORNY with us!

This episode of HOMOPHONIC is all about celebrating the legend herself—Ms. Janet Jackson. We're joined once again by DJ John Michael to revisit some of our favorite Janet moments, from her unforgettable MTV Icon tribute to the long-rumored unreleased duet with Mariah Carey.Before diving into all things Janet, we share our reactions to Rihanna’s brand-new single “Friend of Mine” from the upcoming Smurfs movie and chat about the highly anticipated 25th anniversary edition of The Emancipation of Mimi.And of course, it wouldn’t be HOMOPHONIC without digging into some of Janet's most underrated deep cuts.

HOMOPHONIC is back — and we’re coming in hot! After a mini break, DJ John Michael returns for a wild ride of an episode you won’t want to miss. We’re talking everything from Pride DJ sets and Rihanna’s third pregnancy to white gays comparing Addison Rae’s music to Ray of Light. We dish on the never-ending Katy Perry hate-train, celebrate Madonna and Pamela Anderson aging like icons, and react to Beyoncé’s epic Cowboy Carter tour kickoff. Zach even discusses his sexual awakening with Enrique Iglesias. And yes…we declare justice for Iggy Azalea. Buckle up — it’s a pop music whirlwind.

ZEE MACHINE is back — and this time, he's bringing the sensational Bentley Robles for the debut of their percussively luscious pop duo, Tears & Gearz!We dive into how these two icons met, what sparked their creative partnership, and the creation of their brand-new single, "Delusional" — out now!We also chat about what’s next for Tears & Gearz, dish our thoughts on the Katy Perry of it all, and hear Bentley’s love for his favorite pop queen, Camila Cabello.

Pop icon and unofficial Lady Gaga correspondent ZEE MACHINE returns to HOMOPHONIC! Joined together with DJ John Michael, we dive deep into all things Gagachella. ZEE spills the tea on what it was like to experience weekend one firsthand, and we speculate about what Gaga might bring to the upcoming Mayhem Ball. Plus, we take a moment to chat about the rise of Addison Rae’s pop career.  

Katy Perry and Gayle King might have gone to space for 11 minutes but DJ John Michael and I are taking you to Mars for a whole hour as we revisit Britney's "Oops!...I Did It Again" album for it's 25th anniversary!  Join us as we talk about classics like the title track and "Stronjger," deep cuts like "Heart" and "Walk On By" and the remixes joining the reissue in May.  Naturally we go down some tangents including mentions of Madonna, Mariah Carey, Hex Hector, Mac Quayle, Toni Braxton and more.

Get ready for an ALL-KYLIE extravaganza on this episode of HOMOPHONIC!DJ John Michael and I are back together, still buzzing from Kylie Minogue’s Tension tour—I caught her in Chicago, HE saw her in New York—and we’re spilling all the glittery details. From jaw-dropping video projections to fresh new arrangements and unforgettable fan-request moments, we relive our favorite highlights from the show.We also give a well-deserved spotlight to the electrifying opening act, Romy, who absolutely owned the stage. Plus, we take a nostalgic detour through our personal Kylie journeys—how we first discovered her, our go-to deep cuts, and the most iconic Kylie concert videos over the years.Whether you're a longtime Kylie stan or just curious about what makes her a pop legend, this episode is for you!

Get ready for a wild ride on this week’s episode of HOMOPHONIC! DJ John Michael is back — fresh from Miami Music Week — and we’re diving into everything from Britney’s iconic “Me Against The Music” remixes to Ricky Martin’s electrifying “I Don’t Care” and Ariana Grande’s “Brighter Days” deluxe edition of Eternal Sunshine.The heart of the episode is a heartfelt celebration of Celine Dion, honoring her recent birthday with all the love she deserves. Plus, we’re getting real about the mental health, body image, and dating as I open up about a recent personal experience.And of course, we can’t resist sharing our obsession with Pepsi anthems from Britney and Janet, as well as our excitement for Miley’s upcoming visual album Something Beautiful.

This week, we’re diving deep into two pop royalty icons: Mariah Carey and Madonna! DJ John Michael returns as we unpack the scorching-hot takes you, our listeners, submitted on social media about Madonna’s “worst” song—and trust us, some of these opinions are wild!We also take a moment (or several) to shower Mariah Carey with love as she approaches a major anniversary. And, in classic HOMOPHONIC fashion, we detour into some delightful pop culture rabbit holes, including a little-known story about Deborah Cox’s “Stupid Like U” and celebrating 25 years of NSYNC’s No Strings Attached.

Zee Machine and DJ John Michael are back to further process our feelings about Lady Gaga's latest masterpiece, "Mayhem."  We reflect on our first reactions now that we have had a week to digest the project and see where our favorite moments from the album are currently sitting.  We also take a moment to talk about Chappell Roan's highly anticipated "The Giver" as well as JADE's latest offering "FUFN."  

LG7 has arrived, and we're diving in headfirst! Pop sensation and certified Gaga stan ZEE MACHINE joins me, along with best-friend-of-the-pod DJ John Michael, for an electrifying track-by-track reaction—recorded just 12 hours after Mother Monster unleashed her latest era of MAYHEM.From "Disease" to "Killah" to "Blade of Grass", and the bonus cuts "Can't Stop The High" and "Kill For Love," no beat, lyric, or synth goes unnoticed. And, of course, it wouldn’t be HOMOPHONIC without a Gaga Edition of Songs We Don’t Talk About Enough. PAWS UP, LITTLE MONSTERS!

DJ John Michael is back, and we’re serving up a sizzling pop culture catch-up! 🌟 We’re breaking down the Oscars’ biggest moments, bowing down to Charli XCX and JADE at the Brit Awards, and showering Max Martin in well-deserved birthday love. Plus, who are the big male pop stars these days? We’ve got thoughts. 💭✨ We’re also diving into fresh bops from Rebecca Black and Melanie C, and, of course, celebrating the iconic anniversary of Madonna’s Ray of Light. Buckle up, pop fans—this one’s a ride!

DJ John Michael is back, and this is an episode you do NOT want to miss! We tumbled headfirst down a recession pop rabbit hole, hyping up Dev & The Cataracs’ upcoming banger “Make Ya Body Whistle,” while giving long-overdue flowers to Kelis’ “In Public” and “Acapella,” Brandy’s Human album, and Alanis Morissette’s criminally underrated Flavors of Entanglement.We also dissect whether or not Madonna has a “bad song” (Zach’s bias comes out), relive Jennifer Lopez’s “Louboutins” era, and get nostalgic over Girlicious and Paradiso Girls. And did someone say Akon & David Guetta’s “Nosy Neighbor”? Oh, you know we did.Strap in, press play, and let’s get Homophonic! 🏳️‍🌈🔥🎧

This week on HOMOPHONIC, I’m joined by a very special guest—my brother and lead singer of Future Killer, Alex W.G. Rickel! 🎤🎸We kick things off by venting about the evolution (or devolution?) of social media and how it’s changed the way we experience music. Then, we dive into the age-old debate: What is pop music, really? Is it a genre? A catch-all term? A sound?And of course, no sibling episode would be complete without a trip down memory lane—reminiscing about our very first concert (Weird Al Yankovic, naturally), the golden era of TRL, and the legendary mixtapes our dad made for us as kids. His passion for music shaped who we are today, and we’re unpacking it all.Tune in for nostalgia, music talk, and some good ol’ sibling banter! 🎶🔥

🔥 This week on HOMOPHONIC, DJ John Michael is back to break down Kendrick Lamar’s history-making Super Bowl Halftime Show! We’re diving into his next-level visuals, that legendary Samuel L. Jackson cameo, and the double standards male and female performers still face today.But that’s not all—🚗 We rev up for Tate McRae’s scorching new single “Sports Car”🎶 Get into the latest banger from Bentley Robles & Zee Machine✨ Unpack the mystery of Lady Gaga’s “Abracadabra”🎧 Give LeAnn Rimes’ underrated remixes the love they deserve🎉 And, of course, we celebrate Janet Jackson Appreciation Day!

DJ John Michael returns to dive into everything Grammy Awards! Could this be the best music award show since the iconic 2009 VMAs? We cover it all—from Beyoncé and Lady Gaga to Shakira and Dave Chappelle, plus Raye and Diana Ross. Join us as we break down the winners in the Big Four categories, discuss the Best Pop Vocal Album, and get the scoop on Charli XCX’s stunning new décor. Plus, don’t miss our take on Gaga’s brand new single, “Abracadabra,” which made its magical debut alongside the official music video during the show!

New year, new vibes, and a brand-new type of episode! 🎉 This week, I’m joined by a very special guest—my fabulous friend and registered dietitian, Camille Adams—to chat all things diet and nutrition. 🍎✨ I get tons of questions over on @afunctioninggay about my health and wellness journey, but let’s be real: I’m not a certified expert. That’s where Camille comes in! Together, we dive into how nutrition ties into mental health, food accessibility, and so much more. Grab a snack (healthy or not, we don’t judge) and tune in!

DJ John Michael returns to "Homophonic" for a much needed pop music catch-up! We kick things off with a chat about JADE’s “IT Girl,” detour to Swedish one-hit wonder Amanda, and groove through Katy Perry’s “143” and its deluxe edition’s bonus tracks. Together we also dissect Lady Gaga’s latest hits, speculate on Beyoncé’s postponed announcement, and drop takes on Madonna and Stuart Price working on new music, and Ellie Goulding’s collab with Anyma.

This week’s podcast is a nostalgia-packed pop extravaganza! I’m joined by Jesse Chambliss, host of Jesse’s Girls Podcast and certified pop music aficionado, as we relive the joy of discovering our favorite international popstars growing up. From the edgy charm of Fefe Dobson and The Veronicas to the glittering hits of Kylie and Dannii Minogue, we’re diving deep into the icons who shaped our playlists. Expect shoutouts to Sugababes, Girls Aloud, Mis-Teeq, Utada Hikaru, BoA, and so many more. Plus, bonus love for Christina Milian, Willa Ford, Britney Spears, and beyond. If you’re ready for a trip down memory lane with a pop-loving twist, you won’t want to miss this one! 🎤✨

This week I am joined by upcoming electronic-dance-pop artist KYZR BLUE.  Based out of Chicago, he is a master of his craft who writes and produces all of his music from scratch.  Together we talking about everything from how he got started to his musical inspirations to what his creative process is like.  We also get  to take several moments to talk about all the pop girlies including Adele and Robyn.

Happy Holidays, everybody!  With the Christmas season upon us, I thought it would be fun to compile a list of top 10 under-appreciated Christmas songs that everyone needs to know and love.  We all know the classics like "All I Want For Christmas Is You," "Rockin' Around The Christmas Tree," and "It's The Most Wonderful Time Of The Year" ... but there are so many others that deserve to shine!  Join me in my first ever solo episode where I cover songs from our favorite pop girlies including Christina Aguilera, Willa Ford, Céline Dion, Sarah McLachlan, Britney Spears and the queen of Christmas herself, Mariah Carey.

ZEE MACHINE, DJ John Michael and myself continue our conversation about Billboard's 25 Greatest Popstars of the 21st Century with the final six acts:  Britney Spears, Lady Gaga, Drake, Rihanna, Taylor Swift and Beyoncé.

On this episode I am joined by independent pop superstar ZEE MACHINE and the iconic friend of the pod DJ John Michael where we cover numbers 25 through 7 of Billboard Magazine's Greatest Popstars of the 21st Century.  We discuss everyone from Katy Perry, Ariana Grande and Adele to Kanye West, Bad Bunny and Lil' Wayne.  Lots of thoughts and lots of hot takes so always remember that much like my voice ... it's not that deep!

It's Britney, bitch!  In honor of the Princess of Pop's birthday, DJ John Michael and I go down a rabbit hole of how we first learned of Britney, what our reactions were and how our love only grew from those moments on.  We also discuss deep cuts like "Autumn Goodbye" and the unreleased "Britney" cuts "She'll Never Be Me" and "When I Say So."

SURPRISE!  Jeff Beach, my bestie and co-host of Pop Theory, returns to discuss the most important political issue of our lifetime:  the 2025 Grammy Nominations.  We take a deep dive into the big 4 awards -- Album Of The Year, Song of the Year, Record of the Year and Best New Artist -- and give our exceptionally professional observations of who we think could win and who could be snubbed.

Welcome to HOMOPHONIC hosted by Zach Rickel, your favorite pop music meme creator behind the ICONIC Instagram account, @afunctioninggay.  On this inaugural episode I'm joined by the legend himself, DJ John Michael where we take the opportunity to kind of re-introduce myself into the world.  People know my memes but it's hit-or-miss when it comes to me as a person.  I live my fantasy of being on Las Culturistas and discuss where my love of pop music stemmed from and how it has evolved over the years.  We also discuss the change from the previous podcast, POP THEORY to the new show.I'm excited to welcome you all on this journey.  Welcome to HOMOPHONIC ... now DANCE YOU MOTHER F*CKERS!