Debut authors Bobuq Sayed (No God But Us) and Kyle Carrero Lopez (Party Line) sit down with Ira to talk about the myth of "queer utopia," nightlife as never just escapism, and a shared disinterest in writing books about the obvious villain. Kyle and Bobuq also discuss refusing to leave their politics, their work, and everything else consuming their minds at the entrance of the club. Because for Bobuq and Kyle, the dance floor was never a break from reality… but where they go to feel it most intensely, among strangers and familiar faces. Turns out the club was never just for dancing.

00:12 Alix Earle & the Literacy Crisis

03:36 Structuring Poetry Collections

07:19 Gatekeeping in the Publishing World

12:58 Writer Burnout and Self-Care

14:33 Writing Before the Pregame

25:20 Unpacking the Queer Utopia

32:53 Literary Inspirations

37:38 Dream Parties

41:19 Encounter with Assata Shakur

45:03 Book Launches & Nightlife Friendships

51:40 Advice for Debut Authors

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Jessel Taank is here, and she has some things to clear up! She joins Ira to discuss the fan reaction to her on the latest season of The Real Housewives of New York City. They get into her feud with Carole Radziwill, the Carolyn Bessette-Kennedy drama, her infamous Dorinda Medley fashion showdown, and her complicated relationship with Erin Lichy. Plus, Jessel reveals her plans to play matchmaker for Ira.

00:00 — Intro

01:43 — Jessel Taank Joins

06:18 — RHONY Fan Backlash

07:40 — Erin & Setting Boundaries

14:17 — Race & RHONY

15:05 — Carole Radziwill & Carolyn Bessette-Kennedy

19:47 — Dorinda & the Bubble Dress

24:03 — RHONY Friendships & the New Cast

33:36 — Fashion PR & Personal Style

41:04 — Matchmaking

44:27 — RHONY Zingers & Confessionals

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Chris Black is everywhere and doing everything — co-hosting the podcast How Long Gone, building his American essentials clothing line Hanover, writing a memoir, and hanging in the DJ booth with Charli XCX's husband. He joins Ira to talk about his taste and how he developed it, from the 90s Atlanta hardcore scene that exposed him to life beyond a white, middle-class, suburban childhood, to the current "say yes" era he's living in — all while juggling sobriety, marriage, and still wanting to be in bed by ten.

00:00 Taylor Swift Released New Music

03:40 Chris Black joins Ira

06:46 Writing Retreats & Isolation

10:45 Books, Memoirs & Reading

15:48 Manhattan vs. Brooklyn Living

20:46 90s Hardcore Punk Roots

24:48 The Value of Gatekeeping

27:58 Managing a Band, TRL & MTV Nostalgia

30:45 Video Podcasts vs. Audio

34:37 His GQ Column & Bravo's Southern Charm

36:42 Developing Taste via Magazines

38:31 Launching Hanover Apparel

40:16 Curation & Photography

43:48 Ultimate Pop Diva Mount Rushmore

53:29 Fantasy of Living Abroad

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