Getting Close

If you’ve ever avoided sex because you were scared of what might happen, this episode is for you.In this episode, nurse aesthetician and founder of Lushful Aesthetics, Chris Bustamante, and I explore all things dick-related. We get into why performance anxiety happens, what your testosterone is doing in your body, how your porn habits might be affecting sex, and why your sexting habits might need to change. CHRIS BUSTAMANTE is an aesthetic nurse practitioner and received his doctorate of Nursing Practice from Columbia University. Chris specializes in aesthetic treatments and utilizes both his knowledge of medicine and passion for aesthetics to deliver effective treatments from top to bottom that help his patients feel more confident about their appearance. Chris cares deeply about education and has built a following by sharing informative and engaging content about Lushful Aesthetics procedures, his clinic, which helps educate people on the world of aesthetic procedures and promotes a deeper understanding of the process behind these treatments.We unpack:* ✊Why you’re probably gripping your 🍆 too hard when you’re watching porn.* 🌶️Why you might be s*xting ‘too hard’* 😫Why bottoming without preparation is making sex painful.* 💪🏼Why you can stop worrying about your testosterone levels.* 😌What your body is trying to tell you when you get soft.Links* Chris on IG: https://www.instagram.com/injectorchris* Lushful Aesthetics: https://lushfulaesthetics.com/* Splash Blanket: https://splashblanket.us/* Aidan on IG: https://instagram.com/aidanwharton* Getting Close on IG: https://www.instagram.com/gettingclosepod/Chapters(00:00) Introduction to Vulnerability and Connection(03:18) Exploring Sexual Shame and Anxiety(05:14) Understanding Masculinity and Performance(08:25) The Role of Testosterone in Sexual Health(11:40) Differentiating Between Performance Anxiety and ED(13:33) Rewiring Experiences and Overcoming Anxiety(20:02) The Impact of Porn on Sexual Expectations(25:58) Navigating Vulnerability in Sexual Encounters(28:21) Navigating Online Communication and Expectations(31:09) Understanding Gooning Culture and Its Effects(34:55) Exploring Performance Anxiety and Alternatives(38:39) The Role of Holetox in Enhancing Comfort(41:59) Body Image and Sexual Health Insights(46:51) The Importance of Connection and Community This is a public episode. If you'd like to discuss this with other subscribers or get access to bonus episodes, visit gettingclosepod.substack.com/subscribe

If you’re tired of all the noise and want three simple tips to find a little more happiness, this is the episode for you. Today, you and I are sitting down with JP Brammer as he reveals three lessons that are making him genuinely happier right now. We learn how to ask for what you need, why you need to wash your thoughts like dishes, why you might feel lonely in a group of gays, the corrosive effects of comfort, and how to really trust what’s best for you.John Paul Brammer is an award-winning writer and artist from Lawton, Oklahoma, currently based in Brooklyn. His memoir-in-essays, ¡Hola Papi!, was published in 2021, and is based on his popular advice column of the same name. His bylines include The New Yorker, The New York times, The Washington Post, and The Los Angeles Times. He is working on his second and third books.We explore:* Why hell is the Fire Island house next door* How a 1700s Swedish mystic can grant you a day pass to heaven* How Buzzfeed personality quizzes created a generation of anxiety* Why the Spotify CEO considers silence his biggest competitor and what that means for your brain* The one piece of advice every gay person needsLinks* John Paul Brammer on Instagram* John Paul Brammer on Substack* Splash Blanket Waterproof Blanket* Aidan Wharton on Instagram* Getting Close on InstagramChapters(00:00) Introduction to Connection and Happiness(03:07) Navigating Advice and Autonomy(06:02) The Journey of an Advice Giver(08:50) Lessons from Vulnerable Communities(11:59) Embracing Your Authentic Self(14:55) The Importance of Asking(18:06) The Role of Spirituality in Connection(20:57) Communities and Personal Growth(27:45) The Complexity of Community and Loneliness(28:42) The Quality of Thoughts and Mental Hygiene(30:39) Influence of Social Media on Thought Patterns(33:31) The Value of Silence and Stillness(36:25) Cruelty and Its Cost on Mental Health(38:46) Trusting Your Intuition and Recognizing Discomfort(41:32) The Illusion of Comfort and Its Consequences(43:31) Navigating Discomfort in Relationships(45:52) Advice for Future Self and Creative Projects(52:36) Community Connections and Personal Growth This is a public episode. If you'd like to discuss this with other subscribers or get access to bonus episodes, visit gettingclosepod.substack.com/subscribe

If you’re tired of missing out on opportunities for fear of rejection, this episode is for you.Today, you and I are sitting down with Zachary Zane to discuss how rejection rules our lives and ends up turning into shame. We get into so much juicy stuff like how rejection lives in the body, the nuances of bisexuality, how to overcome shame and embrace your kinky side, the lessons Zach has learned from the vast amounts of sex he’s had. Zachary Zane is a Brooklyn-based sex columnist and author whose work centers on sexuality, culture, and the LGBTQ community. He is the author of Boyslut: A Memoir and Manifesto and co-author of Men’s Health: Best. Sex. Ever. He is also editor-in-chief of the BOYSLUT zine, and his writing has been featured in Men’s Health, Cosmopolitan, New York Times, Rolling Stone, Washington Post, GQ, Playboy, and more.We unpack:* How to take rejection like a pro and keep moving* How to navigate sexual shame to become a bit more liberated* Why being specific about your kinks on the apps actually gets you rejected less* How to navigate bottom stigma in the gay community* Why you should practice your rejections in the mirrorLinks* Boy Slut by Zachary Zane* Zachary Zane on Instagram * Boy Slut on Substack * Splash Blanket Waterproof Blanket * Aidan on Instagram* Getting Close on InstagramChapters(00:00) Understanding Rejection and Shame(04:09) Navigating Personal Experiences of Rejection(10:03) The Impact of Rejection on Relationships(13:45) The Role of Kindness in Rejection(20:11) Exploring Bisexuality and Rejection(26:02) Attraction vs. Behavior in Sexual Identity(27:25) The Journey of Oversharing(31:01) Navigating Shame and Vulnerability(35:30) Building Community and Connection(39:12) Challenging Stigmas in the Gay Community(44:25) Exploring Bisexual Representation(47:26) Curiosity and Connection in Literature This is a public episode. If you'd like to discuss this with other subscribers or get access to bonus episodes, visit gettingclosepod.substack.com/subscribe

If you’ve turned off the news and feel guilty about it, this episode’s for you. In today’s episode, you and I are getting close with Brian Derrick. We discuss the complexities of political engagement, why we’re all politically burnt out, why liberals keep losing, and how to turn politics from a hobby to an actionable lifestyle. Brian Derrick is a political strategist, activist, and Founder and CEO of Oath – a civic tech platform transforming political giving. He has consulted on campaigns from city council to president – most notably for Senator Kirsten Gillibrand (D-NY) and Marti Gould Cummings (NYC City Council). Derrick is also a leader in the nonprofit sector. In this episode, we explore:* Why you need to fight with your friends* When it’s okay to stop injesting the news. * Why your state senate donation matters more than your presidential one* How to tell if you’ve turned politics into a hobby* The real reason liberals keep losing.Before You Go* Please subscribe, rate, and review the show!* And share it with someone who you think might enjoy it. That’s the best way you can help us grow!Links!Follow Brian: https://www.instagram.com/brianderrick_Check Out Oath: https://app.oath.vote/Follow Aidan: https://www.instagram.com/aidanwhartonFollow Getting Close: https://www.instagram.com/gettingclosepodFollow on Youtube: https://www.youtube.com/@gettingclosepodChapters(00:00) Introduction to Political Engagement(02:17) Understanding Political Burnout(06:03) The Role of Data in Politics(10:16) Taking Action Beyond Knowledge(14:10) Navigating News Consumption(19:54) Long-Term Political Planning(24:32) Building Coalitions Through Disagreement(27:23) Navigating Difficult Conversations(30:21) The Importance of Engaging in Disagreements(33:42) Deciding to Win: Taking Action in Politics(37:04) Leveraging Resources for Political Change(41:21) Finding Hope in Local Elections(45:36) Cultivating Positivity in Political Discourse(47:05) The Role of Voting in Civic Duty(49:24) Curiosity and Connection in Community(52:40) Empowerment and Enacting Change This is a public episode. If you'd like to discuss this with other subscribers or get access to bonus episodes, visit gettingclosepod.substack.com/subscribe

If you’re feeling overstimulated and disconnected, this episode’s for you. In it, we connect with Keanu Jackson, a sex therapist, to explore the complexities of desire, consent, and online sexuality in our modern world. Keanu Jackson is a Brooklyn, NY-based Sex Therapist, Content Creator, & Founder of Homebody Psychotherapy, a therapy practice that centers on supporting queer folks in building more nurturing relationships with their bodies. Keanu uses his experiences as a queer, Black man, sex worker, and survivor as a bridge to support others on their healing journeys.In this episode, we explore:* How to reconnect with your body through curiosity* Why sexual liberation might mean having less sex.* What you consent to by entering gay spaces.* How race impacts sexual dynamics and what we can do about it.* Keanu’s surprising recommendation for safer sex. Chapters(00:00) Introduction to Connection and Self-Discovery(01:52) The Impact of Personal Loss on Relationships(06:06) Exploring Sexuality and Identity in 2026(08:50) Understanding Consent in Modern Culture(12:08) Navigating Boundaries and Personal Safety(14:59) The Intersection of Digital Presence and Sexuality(20:59) Racism and Its Impact on Sexual Identity(26:24) Navigating Sexual Spaces: Race and Entitlement(30:12) The Importance of Acknowledging Racial Dynamics(33:54) Unspoken Assumptions in Queer Spaces(36:46) Building Self-Security and Curiosity(41:10) Exploring Sexual Compatibility and Connection(47:29) Curiosity in Black Diasporic Sexual Practices(50:40) Creating Community and ConnectionBefore You Go! * Please subscribe, rate, and review the show!* And share it with someone who you think might enjoy it. That’s the best way you can help us grow! Follow Along!Follow Keanu: https://www.instagram.com/homebodypsychotherapyFollow Aidan: https://www.instagram.com/aidanwhartonFollow Getting Close: https://www.instagram.com/gettingclosepodFollow on Youtube: https://www.youtube.com/@gettingclosepod This is a public episode. If you'd like to discuss this with other subscribers or get access to bonus episodes, visit gettingclosepod.substack.com/subscribe

Today’s episode will change how you communicate. How do I know? Because it changed how I did. In this episode, I sit down with Ruffus, affectionately known on socials as the Poly-Kink Therapist, to discuss communication, sexual agency, and the vital lessons we can learn from the kink community. If you’ve ever had scripts in your head that tell you what you can and can’t ask for, what is and is not allowed, get ready to finally claim your power and transform the way you communicate with me and Ruffus.We explore:* How to reclaim your agency through better communication* How to create a container conversation and why it will change your relationships forever. * The three things you must ask about when opening your relationship. * How the pup community can teach us to be more accepting. * How to navigate differences in sex or libido. Chapters(00:00) Introduction to Vulnerability and Connection (02:24) Navigating Difficult Conversations (06:50) Understanding Kink and Agency (10:38) Finding Community and Safety (14:55) Unlearning Expectations in Relationships (19:12) Creating a Safe Container for Conversations (27:19) Navigating Communication in Relationships (29:44) Exploring Kink and Freedom (31:39) The Journey of Self-Discovery in Kink (36:23) Understanding Consent and Expectations (40:48) Navigating Sexual Incompatibilities (44:32) The Importance of Communication in Non-Monogamy (49:59) Common Kink Misunderstandings and Mistakes (52:48) Community and Acceptance in Kink SpacesFollow Along Follow Ruffus: https://www.instagram.com/thepolykink.therapistFollow Aidan: https://www.instagram.com/aidanwhartonFollow Getting Close: https://www.instagram.com/gettingclosepodFollow on Youtube: https://www.youtube.com/@gettingclosepod This is a public episode. If you'd like to discuss this with other subscribers or get access to bonus episodes, visit gettingclosepod.substack.com/subscribe

If you have a little voice in the back of your mind saying, you should really break that habit, this episode is for you. We all have coping mechanisms that help us get through the day, but when do we know if those coping mechanisms have turned into unhealthy patterns, and if so, how can we break them? In this episode, my husband Casey (and y’all’s most requested return guest) sits back down with me for a deeply intimate and vulnerable conversation about his last year breaking patterns of addiction. We unpack: * How to let go of the patterns that no longer serve you* The differences between habits, coping mechanisms, and unhealthy patterns* Why your journey with substances doesn’t have to look like anyone else’s.* How to support a partner who is dismantling their relationship with substances* How to find joy in sobriety through new rituals and experiences.* The most surprising things we’ve both learned as we stopped drinking. Chapters(00:00) Introduction to Connection and Coping Mechanisms(02:54) Celebrating Six Months Alcohol-Free(05:40) Understanding Patterns vs. Habits(10:04) Exploring Early Coping Mechanisms(16:44) The Impact of Substances on Life(21:54) Navigating Social Drinking and Isolation(26:38) Navigating Loneliness and Community Needs(28:05) The Journey to Sobriety: A Personal Reflection(31:51) Breaking Patterns: The Role of Substances in Coping(36:01) Emotional Breakthroughs: The Impact of Isolation(39:46) Supporting Partners Through Change(43:02) Surprising Positives: Finding Joy in Sobriety(45:58) Messages of Hope: Embracing Change and Growth(50:17) Curiosity and Connection: Engaging with CommunityFollow Along!Follow Casey: https://bit.ly/3NY8jyaFollow Aidan: https://bit.ly/4sRSpoXFollow Getting Close: https://bit.ly/4jW9Ro8Send us a comment or question at: [email protected]! This is a public episode. If you'd like to discuss this with other subscribers or get access to bonus episodes, visit gettingclosepod.substack.com/subscribe

If you’ve ever sat in an awkward silence, wondering what to ask next, or left a conversation wishing you’d known how to go deeper, this episode will change how you talk to people. In this episode, Eric Williams joins us to explore what separates a good question from a bad one, why our digital world is making us worse at curiosity, and how the way you ask questions shapes everything from your first date to your longest relationship.Eric Williams is the host of That’s A Gay Ass Podcast and has interviewed icons like Dan Savage, Lisa Rinna, and Kathy Griffin. He’s also a solo performer in the middle of touring his solo show, Why All The Drama? He also just happens to be one of the most gifted conversationalists I know. We unpack: 🟡 What actually makes a good question and why it matters🟡 Why you think you’re asking enough questions, but you aren’t. 🟡 The surprising link between asking good questions and being good in bed.🟡 What questions actually sustain a long term relationship. 🟡 The one question everyone in an open relationship needs to ask. If you’ve ever sat in that awkward silence wondering what to say next, this one’s for you.Follow Along Follow Eric on Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/ericwillzFollow Eric on Substack: Follow Aidan: https://www.instagram.com/aidanwhartonFollow Getting Close: https://www.instagram.com/gettingclosepod This is a public episode. If you'd like to discuss this with other subscribers or get access to bonus episodes, visit gettingclosepod.substack.com/subscribe

What can gay men learn from trans men?In this episode of Getting Close, I sit down with my friend Sandy for a very vulnerable conversation about how trans men and cis men exist within the gay community. We dive into masculinity, privilege, and what compassionate inclusion can look like in our spaces. Sandy Gooen is a published and produced writer. He’s currently developing a musical called Twink Piece. He also runs TEMPO (@theetempo), which is an organization for Trans music professionals. His professional and academic background is mostly music and theater, but in his free time, he focuses a lot on gender and LGBT topics. At the root of Sandy’s work is the desire to cultivate belonging and understanding!We get into * Which conversations about transness are oversaturated* Which conversations about transness still need to happen* What gay men don’t know about the trans experience* The different ways that masculinity affects us all* And why gay men only talk to people they’re attracted to, and how to start to change that. Follow Along!Follow Sandy on Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/silentwhatFollow Sandy on Substack: Follow Aidan: https://www.instagram.com/aidanwhartonFollow Getting Close: https://www.instagram.com/gettingclosepodChapters(00:00) Introduction(05:20) Growing Up Masculine(10:40) The Early Signs of Difference(16:00) Exploring Gender(21:50) The Carving Out A Space in NYC(27:10) Navigating Gay Spaces as a Trans Man(32:40) The Unspoken Social Rules Inside Queer Spaces(38:00) Why We’re Afraid to Talk About Trans Experiences(43:30) Who Gets to Define Masculinity(49:30) What Connection Between Men Can Look Like This is a public episode. If you'd like to discuss this with other subscribers or get access to bonus episodes, visit gettingclosepod.substack.com/subscribe

How has the internet changed gay s*x, consent, and intimacy?In this episode, Andrew Restieri joins me to discuss the complexities of digital intimacy within gay culture. We discuss how everyone has differing rules about consent, the economy of nude photos, who owns a nude once it’s sent, the rise of hookup apps, and how they affect our in-person experiences. Andrew Restieri is a PhD candidate at Cornell whose research broadly centers on the use of digital technology to facilitate online communities, especially for queer people. His dissertation examines the online sexual practices of gay men and how those practices challenge conventional understandings of intimacy and consent. He also holds a master’s from Johns Hopkins University and a BA from Northwestern. We unpack:🟡 The “economy of nudes” that exists in gay culture.🟡 Why consent online is almost impossible to define.🟡 The uncomfortable question: who owns a nude once it’s sent?🟡 Why digital intimacy and real-life intimacy may now be the same thing.🟡 The surprising reason some men send unsolicited nudes.🟡 The real question behind every app interaction: what do we owe each other?If you’ve ever taken a nude, this episode’s for you.Chapters(00:00) Introduction(02:40) Connection Questions and Personal Insights(04:40) Research Focus: Gay Men’s Digital Practices(07:52) Understanding Consent and Privacy in Digital Spaces(10:08) The Economy of Nudes: Value and Exchange(12:56) Digital vs. In-Person Intimacy: A Blurred Line(15:45) Impact of Hookup Apps on Gay Male Intimacy(18:36) Consent and Boundaries in Digital Interactions(21:12) The Politics of Ownership and Consent(24:32) Navigating Consent in a Diverse Landscape(26:57) Class Politics and Digital Intimacy(33:15) Navigating Boundaries in Gay Digital Spaces(39:24) The Role of Digital Tools in Gay Connections(44:40) Flirting and Intimacy in the Modern Age(47:10) Curiosities and Community ConnectionsFollow Along!Follow Andrew: https://www.instagram.com/andrewrestieriFollow Aidan: https://www.instagram.com/aidanwhartonFollow Getting Close: https://www.instagram.com/gettingclosepod This is a public episode. If you'd like to discuss this with other subscribers or get access to bonus episodes, visit gettingclosepod.substack.com/subscribe

What if I told you discomfort was the secret to better relationships?In this episode, Rachel Wright joins me to talk about the fascinating way that discomfort can help you have better relationships of any structure. We explore the nuances of modern friendship, letting people down, secret patterns running our relationships, monogamy unlearnings, and the unique way gay couples are more likely to be open vs. poly.Rachel Wright is a distinguished psychotherapist and renowned speaker with expertise in modern relationships, mental health, and sex. With a Master’s Degree in clinical psychology, Rachel has worked with thousands of clients worldwide and has been featured in The New York Times, Women’s Health, Cosmo and more. Rachel currently lives in New York City with her wife and two kids.We unpack:* How to let people down healthily* What gay couples need to do to practice openness better* How ingrained patterns shape shapes the way we love* How non-monogamy can show up in our youth before we have language for it* Whether or not nonmonogamy is a orientation or a preference* And how expanding our distress tolerance can change the way we approach opennessChapters(00:00) Introduction (02:28) Exploring Healthy Communication in Relationships (14:37) The Journey to Becoming a Therapist (17:53) Reflections on Non-Monogamy and Youth Experiences (22:42) Core Beliefs About Relationships and Non-Monogamy (25:00) Unlearning Monogamy and Embracing Discomfort (27:19) Navigating Discomfort in Relationships (29:42) Understanding Non-Monogamy as an Orientation (32:27) Timing and Trust in Non-Monogamous Conversations (34:22) Unpacking Emotional Scripts in Non-Monogamy (37:45) Language and Representation in Non-Monogamous Relationships (42:45) Emotional Depth in Gay Relationships (45:11) Building Distress Tolerance in Non-Monogamy (48:52) Exploring Non-Monogamous Literature (51:39) Celebrating Diverse Relationships and CommunityFollow Along!Follow Rachel: https://www.instagram.com/thewright_rachelFollow Aidan: https://www.instagram.com/aidanwhartonFollow Getting Close: https://www.instagram.com/gettingclosepod This is a public episode. If you'd like to discuss this with other subscribers or get access to bonus episodes, visit gettingclosepod.substack.com/subscribe

If you could go back in time to Queer, 1996, New York, would you? In this episode, Andrew Keenan-Bolger joins me to do just that through his debut novel Limelight. We unpack why telling queer stories is urgent in this political climate, the importance of chosen family, banned books, magical realism, and what we owe our Queer ancestors. Andrew Keenan-Bolger is an actor, director, author, and filmmaker who starred as Jesse Tuck in Tuck Everlasting and Crutchie in the Newsies on Broadway, among many others. Along with his collaborator, Kate Weatherhead, though, he is the co-creator of the critically acclaimed web series Submissions Only and co-author of the children’s series Jack and Louisa. He is also the author of the upcoming novel, Limelight. We explore: 🟡 What it was like coming of age in post-AIDS New York.🟡 The difference between discomfort and being unsafe.🟡 Why writing flawed queer characters is essential.🟡 What book bans actually cost young people these days.🟡 And how to find and build chosen family later in life.Chapters(00:00 Introduction to Connection and Literature(02:21) Andrew’s Journey and Background(07:04) The Inspiration Behind Limelight(11:21) Exploring Queer History and Identity(18:34) The Role of Magical Realism in Storytelling(23:20) The Importance of Community and Connection(28:06) Navigating Challenges in Queer Literature(32:12) Writing Flawed Characters and Growth(37:14) Surprises in the Writing Process(42:08) Fun and Personal Insights(45:21) Final Thoughts and Community EngagementFollow Along!Follow Andrew: https://instagram.com/keenanbloggerFollow Aidan: https://www.instagram.com/aidanwhartonFollow Getting Close: https://www.instagram.com/gettingclosepod This is a public episode. If you'd like to discuss this with other subscribers or get access to bonus episodes, visit gettingclosepod.substack.com/subscribe

Are you fed up with modern dating? In this episode, that’s not just for singles, Trevor Kuhn discusses the challenges of modern courtship, why conflict is essential for relationships, the pitfalls of AI in dating, and why expectations are keeping you single. Trevor Kuhn is a love and relationship coach and matchmaker for gay and queer men. He helps them shift old patterns and build deeper, more intentional connections through 1-on-1 coaching, group workshops, engaging social content, and live events.He explains:🟡 Simple steps to talk to people in person again.🟡 Why conflict is essential in any relationship.🟡 How expectations are the #1 thing keeping folks single. 🟡 Why you should delete Grindr.🟡 The essential work you must do before and during a relationship.P.S. The easiest way for you to get involved: If you haven’t already, please take 20 seconds to rate and review us on Apple Podcasts, Spotify, and/or YouTube! It really is the most helpful thing you can do besides listening and telling your friends!Chapters(00:00) Introduction(04:25) How Trev Became A Relationship Coach(10:05) First Date Tips(11:46) Unique Challenges of Modern Gay Dating(14:38) Why Vulnerability is Essential in Dating(16:52) Practical Pick-Up Tips(21:34) How Trev Found Love Through Instagram(25:03) Why You Should Delete Grindr(28:16) AI in Dating Apps(32:07) Our Speed Dating Experience(37:29) How To Prepare for Relationships(38:27) Why You Should Ask Your Friends About Relationships(39:01) Cultivating Belonging and Personal Growth(40:49) Values and Communication in Relationships(43:11) Navigating Conflict and Communication Styles(44:28) Curiosity and Connection in Loneliness(47:10) Community and Collective ActionFollow Along!Follow Trevor: https://instagram.com/lovedaddytrevFollow Aidan: https://www.instagram.com/aidanwhartonFollow Getting Close: https://www.instagram.com/gettingclosepod This is a public episode. If you'd like to discuss this with other subscribers or get access to bonus episodes, visit gettingclosepod.substack.com/subscribe

My husband CASEY GARVIN and I dive deep into our own relationship, answering questions from listeners about our journey, our love, and our openness over the past eight years. On this episode, we get deep about:* The unique ways that we navigate and heal from conflict.* Who proposed to whom.* How we planned our atypical wedding.* How we learned to embrace jealousy in our open relationship.* What our personal rules around openness are.* How we navigate sexual health.* And some fun things, like our favorite things about each other.P.S. The easiest way for you to get involved: If you haven’t already, please take 20 seconds to rate and review us on Apple Podcasts, Spotify, and/or YouTube! It really is the most helpful thing you can do besides listening and telling your friends!Chapters(00:00) Intro(01:37) Our Six Questions to Fall In Love(08:31) How We Met & Our First Date(13:23) Why We Broke Up(18:09) Why We Broke Up (19:05) Our Proposal Story(21:42) How We Planned Our Atypical Wedding(29:39) How We Navigate Conflict(32:37) How Our Relationship Exists Online(37:17) How We Practice Openness(39:28) Navigating Sexual Health and STIs(41:54) How We Deal With Jealousy(48:05) Flirting With Other People(52:53) Casey’s Question Bonanza!Follow Along!Follow Casey: https://bit.ly/3NY8jyaFollow Aidan: https://bit.ly/4sRSpoXFollow Getting Close: https://bit.ly/4jW9Ro8 This is a public episode. If you'd like to discuss this with other subscribers or get access to bonus episodes, visit gettingclosepod.substack.com/subscribe

Top Epstein Investigator ELLIE LEONARD explains how she dissects every page of the Epstein files, how she balances being a parent amidst the chaos, and how she builds a community of like-minded truth seekers that YOU can be a part of.Ellie Leonard is an author, editor, small-business owner, and contributor for Blue Amp Media. Recently, she’s made a name for herself as she pores over every document in the Epstein Files with the incredible community she’s built on Substack.On this episode, we get into:* The importance of community in uncovering the truth.* How AI and social media have disrupted traditional media.* How to re-engage with the news by finding voices you trust.* How to find common ground in political discussions.* Essential Tips for Online Security.* And how hope and optimism can coexist within today’s harsh reality.P.S. The easiest way for you to get involved: If you haven’t already, please take 20 seconds to rate and review us on Apple Podcasts, Spotify, and/or YouTube! It really is the most helpful thing you can do besides listening and telling your friends!Chapters(00:00) Introduction(04:52) Ellie’s Unexpected Path to Epstein(08:07) Raising Politically Aware Children(10:00) Balancing Work and Family Life(14:50) Democratizing Investigative Journalism(18:23) How You Can Get Involved(20:08) What’s In The New Files(21:47) Finding The Receipts & Catching Their Lies(23:51) How Epstein Connects to Minneapolis(26:19) How to Start Tuning In Again(28:27) Conversations Across Political Lines(30:25) Why Aidan Gets Scared of Asking Questions(33:40) How America Comes Together Again(35:54) Check Out These Independent Journalists(39:46) Must-Know Tips to Stay Safe Online (TikTok & Ring Cameras)(44:47) Ending with Hope & Optimism(47:26) Ellie’s 3C’s(48:32) The Trans Festival in Ellie’s Hometown(50:55) OutroFollow Along!Follow Ellie: https://bit.ly/4jQFKONFollow Aidan: https://bit.ly/4sRSpoXFollow Getting Close: https://bit.ly/4jW9Ro8 This is a public episode. If you'd like to discuss this with other subscribers or get access to bonus episodes, visit gettingclosepod.substack.com/subscribe

Nonbinary icon J HARRISON GHEE reveals how they balance queerness, religion, and spirituality, the power of finding grace and joy in challenging times, and how you can show up authentically even when everyone is telling you to be someone else. J Harrison Ghee is a Tony and Grammy Award winner who made history as the first nonbinary performer to win in a leading individual performance category. They’ve also appeared in numerous film/TV productions and is an outspoken advocate for the Queer community.On this episode, they explain:-How Drag helped them embrace their gender.-How Kinky Boots helped heal their family.-The four Inspiring Phrases to Realign Your Life.-What it felt like to win a Tony Award.-How to let go of what doesn’t serve you in order to move forward.P.S. The easiest way for you to get involved: If you haven’t already, please take 20 seconds to rate and review us on Apple Podcasts, Spotify, and/or YouTube! It really is the most helpful thing you can do besides listening and telling your friends!Chapters(00:00) Intro(02:52) Growing Up Queer in North Carolina(07:59) Balancing Queerness & Religion(11:46) Navigating Parents As Adult Children(16:39) J’s Start in New York (20:25) Doing Drag in Japan (22:57) Evolving Gender Through Drag(24:47) Cruise Ships & Kinky Boots(26:37) How Kinky Boots Healed J’s Family(31:10) Mrs. Doubtfire: The Musical(33:42) Some Like It Hot(39:14) What it Feels Like to Make History & Win The Tony(42:24) Navigating Grief & Joy(44:22) How to Find Grace(46:41) The Challenges of Letting Go(48:55) Imagination is A Queer Superpower(51:47) What Are J’s 3C’s?Follow Along!Follow J: https://bit.ly/4jQFKONFollow Aidan: https://bit.ly/4sRSpoXFollow Getting Close: https://bit.ly/4jW9Ro8 This is a public episode. If you'd like to discuss this with other subscribers or get access to bonus episodes, visit gettingclosepod.substack.com/subscribe

Hi friends, and welcome back to Getting Close! The response from y’all this whole past week has been so beautifully moving. Thank you to everyone who reached out, shared, Restacked, reviewed, etc. As I wrote here, putting something like this out into the world is so vulnerable, and you all have lifted me up in the most encouraging way. I really think this project is going to do incredible things, and I can’t wait to continue building it with you. The easiest way for you to get involved: If you haven’t already, please take 20 seconds to rate and review us on Apple Podcasts, Spotify, and/or YouTube! It really is the most helpful thing you can do besides listening and telling your friends! Episode 2 - Shadeen FrancisI met Shadeen at a Hinge event a few months ago, and after listening to her talk, I knew instantly that I wanted her on the pod. Everything she said during the panel oozed wisdom in a way that was profound, yet accessible. So, when she agreed to come on the show, I was delighted. I had so many questions prepared, and our conversation took so many beautiful turns with so many incredible insights. We get into:* Whether or not we’re in a sex recession* How folks use TherapyTalk to create distance rather than bridge it* This deeply unsettling way AI is infiltrating our relationships* Why you can get off alone, but not with other people* A surprising way porn is affecting your sex life.* Tips to revive sex in a long-term relationship* This one trait that the most successful open relationships haveBonus Content!Then, if you want even more of our talk that I had to cut for time, paid subscribers get access to bonus content questions, and the Subscriber Chat, where you can submit your own questions for future guests!Bonus content with Shadeen includes:* Which book(s) to read to better your relationships.* The surprising benefit of being a benchwarmer on a winning team. * How Aidans’ concept of friendship has changed due to social media.* Shadeen’s favorite small act of rebellion that she performs daily.Chapters* 00:00 Introduction and Background* 02:15 Who is Shadeen Francis?* 08:27 Why Each Generation Needs New Language* 10:13 Is Vulnerability Weak?* 11:07 Are We Using TherapySpeak Too Much?* 14:19 How to Navigate Loneliness* 17:06 Physical Pain Vs. Emotional Pain * 18:17 What Is Social Media Really Doing to Us?* 20:24 We’re Doing A Lot of Drugs* 22:51 Where Did Our Culture Go?* 26:08 How AI Affects Our Relationships* 30:41 Why I Get Angry on the Subway* 35:11 Are We In a Sex Recession?* 37:54 Navigating Sexual Anxiety* 46:17 Reigniting Passion in Long-Term Open Relationships* 52:43 Shadeen’s Curiosity, Connection, & Community♥️ If you could, will you hit that heart right below? That boosts us in Substack’s algorithm! Thanks babe! ♥️ This is a public episode. If you'd like to discuss this with other subscribers or get access to bonus episodes, visit gettingclosepod.substack.com/subscribe

Hello friends, and welcome to the very first episode of Getting Close!In this episode, fitness expert and tech entrepreneur Sam Leicht reveals how to make sustainable habits that stick, feel more comfortable in the gym, find community through fitness, connect with your body, and remember the importance of challenge in our modern world of ease.Sam Leicht is the founder of PrideFit, a LGBTQ+ fitness app for Queer folks and allies. His extensive fitness experience helps people all around the world build sustainable, lifetime fitness and build community along the way.We explore:* The necessity of community in fitness* Why starting small is crucial for building sustainable fitness habits.* How aesthetic goals can be paired with performance and health goals* A simple nutrition tip to improve your dietary habits.* How curiosity and growth can extend beyond fitness into all areas of life.Bonus Content!I feel very strongly that you’ll always get access to entire episodes of Getting Close for free! However, if you’re looking for more, paid subscribers get access to bonus content that I had to cut for time, but is wildly entertaining and informative. Paid subscribers also get access to the Subscriber Chat, where you can submit questions for future guests! Bonus content for this episode includes:* Sam’s #1 tool to cook meat* Aidan’s #1 anti-tech tool* The biggest misconceptions people have about us* What book Sam is challenging himself with right now This is a public episode. If you'd like to discuss this with other subscribers or get access to bonus episodes, visit gettingclosepod.substack.com/subscribe

Aidan Wharton introduces his new podcast, 'Getting Close,' all about connection. With an incredible mix of guests, the show focuses on how to revive connection in our digitally disconnected world. Launching on January 13th. When connection feels far, we start by getting close. This is a public episode. If you'd like to discuss this with other subscribers or get access to bonus episodes, visit gettingclosepod.substack.com/subscribe