Photo: Flaminia Fanale
Episodes
All episodes streaming now on APPLE PODCASTS, SPOTIFY, AMAZON MUSIC, & iHEARTRADIO
Episode 3.4- ‘The Biggest Winner’ w/ Bob Harper
Bob Harper is a reality TV legend (trust us, we remember being mesmerized by his hotness on primetime TV). The globally known fashionista, photographer, author and celebrity trainer starred first as a fitness coach on NBC’s The Biggest Loser and then as a host in the revival of the series. This, in turn, has thrust him to a special kind of stardom. His whole world nearly collapsed four years ago when, while in peak shape, he fell to a gym floor after suffering a heart attack. On this week’s episode of Why Here, Bob shares his near-death experience, explains the evolution of his queer identity and spills the tea on NY vs. LA gays.
Released on November 5th, 2021
Episode 3.3 - ‘How to Be An Icon’ w/ Mx. Justin Vivian Bond
We don't use the term icon loosely. But if singer, actor, activist and author Mx. Justin Vivian Bond (Viv for short) aren’t deserving, then no one we know is. As an NYC entertainment mainstay, their stage performances, sultry vocals and searing humor have kept a generation of New Yorkers in check. On this episode of Why Here, they explain what it was like trying to make people pay attention to pronouns decades ago, share how they intend to "sleigh" Christmas this year and respond to the trans-phobia that persists in the media around us. At the end, Viv’s co-conspirator Herb joins the chat for a fact check. It's effing good ... and funny. Trust us.
Released on October 22nd, 2021
Episode 3.2- ‘Queer & Trans in Afghanistan’ w/ Qais Munhazim
As a child in Afghanistan, Qais Munhazim says their queerness was something they were allowed to embrace. For many other queer and trans Afghans, Qais suggests it's a similar story. Still, the Taliban's recent return to power has left the fates of women, trans and queer people in question. On this week's episode, Qais helps us learn what everyday life holds for LGBTQ+ Afghans, how the world's perception of the country is often tainted and what it's like to move from a queer life in Afghanistan to one in America.
Released on October 15th, 2021
EPISODE 3.1- ‘ONE BRAVE 10-YEAR-OLD’ w/ Dempsey & JaIME Jara
When Dempsey Jara told her parents she was a girl and not a boy (which she was presumed to be at birth) a light went off in their heads. They could either get behind their young daughter or fight it. They chose the former, and what unfolded is a journey that has literally changed the narrative on how trans kids are perceived in the U.S. and the world (as proved by a lot of media coverage). On the Season 3 opener of Why Here, hosts Benton and Tristan chat with 10-year-old Dempsey and her mother Jaime about national coming out day, transitioning at a young age, the anti-trans legislation sweeping the country, unicorns and — yes Benton — musicals.
Released on October 8th, 2021
EPISODE 2.24- ’Is Scissoring a Thing?’ w/ Liz Culley & Daryn Carp
There is a question that has baffled scientists and scholars since the dawn of time: Is Scissoring A Thing? Well, finally the world has bonafide experts to answer it. Enter Daryn Carp and Liz Culley, the hosts of Scissoring Isn’t A thing, one of 2020’s breakout podcasts. On the season two finale of Why Here, the two join us to talk about scissoring, help us shed light on the technical term “baby dyke” and answer another huge question: can the gays and the lesbians really be friends? If this episode is any proof, yes!
Released on July 9th, 2021
EPISODE 2.23- ‘Regarding Kindness’ w/ Colman Domingo
Actor, writer and director Colman Domingo has received a @GLAAD Award, has starred in some of the most profound films in recent years (If Beale Street Could Talk, Lincoln, Selma, Birth of a Nation) and has played a role alongside Zendaya in HBO’s critically acclaimed @euphoria. On this week’s episode of Why Here, Colman joins us to talk about his passion for telling important stories, his take on kindness, his gardening obsession and he shares what #PRIDE means to him. In short, we’re hooked. You will be too. TRUST.
Released on June 25th, 2021
EPISODE 2.22 - ‘The Queering of Deep Space’ w/ WILSON CRUZ
It easy to have an extreme crush on Wilson Cruz. Not only is he smart, thoughtful and a shining example of queer pride, he is one of the Grand Marshalls of @nycpride this year. They’re big shoes to fill, but he takes it all in stride. As he does his role as Dr. Hugh Culber on @paramountplus ’s Star Trek: Discovery. On this week’s episode of Why Here, Wilson shares his take on queer representation in outer space (and on American TV since the 90s) and he explains what it was like being a young Puerto Rican man exploring Latino culture in California. At the end, Star Trek co-star Anthony Rapp joins the chat for a “fact check.” It’s all funny and smart, but WARNING, there are tears too!
Released on June 18th, 2021
EPISODE 2.21- ‘The ultimate judy show’ w/ rufus wainwright
In celebration of Pride month, it’d be hard to find a campier, more brilliant light than THE Rufus Wainwright. The legendary queer performer and creator joins the Why Here hosts Benton and Tristan to talk, Pride, Lil Nas X’, Judy Garland (who he’s once again channeling for an upcoming show ) and he even sings a children’s song for us.
Released on June 4th, 2021
Episode 2.20 - ‘The Queen of Queer Media’ w/ Diane Anderson Minshall
When Diane Anderson-Minshall began her career as a journalist in small-town Idaho she had to plead with someone to hire her. Now she's literally at the top of the LGBTQIA publishing world. The queer, Indigenous journalist, editor, author and activist, who has received numerous awards for her work, now helms Pride Media Inc. and is the editorial director of its titles, which include The Advocate and Out magazines. On this week's episode of Why Here, she shares the stories behind the Pride edition covers of The Advocate and Out, explains the moment she realized her wife was actually her husband and unpacks the devastating trend of many U.S. states squashing the rights of transgender people.
Released on May 28th, 2021
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EP 2.19 - ‘More Than Two Silhouettes on a Bathroom Door’ w/ Kat Cunning
Life as a quadruple threat is a challenge, but Kat Cunning takes it all in stride. The actor, dancer, vocalist and musician has already graced TV screens (on HBO's The Deuce), concert halls, Broadway stages and many of our playlists (and you may not even know it!). On this week's episode of Why Here, hosts Benton and Tristan go deep with Kat and learn that a three-year-old can actually know exactly what they want to be, how a father's love can mean letting his child leave home at 14 to follow a dream and why growing up knowing you aren't like everyone else can be a superpower.
Released on May 21st, 2021
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EP 2.18 - ‘It’s Easy Being Green’ w/ EDEN ESPINOSA
Eden Espinosa may have gotten her start singing nearly every Disney princess ballad for Disneyland park-goers, but that was just the beginning. She's now one of the best-known contemporary stage actresses in the world and has had lead roles in iconic shows including RENT and Wicked. On this week's episode of Why Here, hosts Benton and Tristan chat with Eden about her humble Orange County beginnings, her political and social activism, her Mexican American heritage and the admittedly comical recurring nightmares she has from playing a green witch. At the end, Tony award-winning actress and activist Karen Olivo joins the conversation to make sure Eden shared the truth, the whole truth and nothing but the truth.
Released on May 14th, 2021
Ep 2.17 ‘The Ultimate Mother’s Day Gift’ w/Sian-Pierre Regis & Rebecca Danigelis
Imagine: You're living your life in New York City, then mom moves in — with you and your partner. Director Sian-Pierre Regis doesn't have to imagine. His film "Duty Free" is a sort of love letter to his mother Rebecca Danigelis, who, at the age of 75, was fired and evicted. With nowhere to go, she was left to rely on Sian-Pierre to help her find more work. What she instead found was a chance to write (and complete) her bucket list and live a life she had always dreamed of, with her son by her side. The journey became a touching film about companionship and aging out, in theatres mother's day weekend. In this re-run of an interview originally conducted in December 2020, the two join hosts Benton and Tristan to talk about their journey, the critically acclaimed film and so much more.
Released on May 7th, 2021
EP 2.16 ‘U Can Call Me Sis’ w/Sis
The past year has introduced the world to many folx who’ve helped us understand what our blind spots might be. One of them is Sis, an actor, activist and sister to many who’ve felt left out of crucial conversations about race, identity and gender. On this week’s episode of Why Here, she talks to hosts Benton and Tristan about growing up in Texas, how she helped call out Scott Rudin and the entertainment industry, and the ultimate way to get back at a misbehaving roommate (don't worry, they've long since made up).
Released on April 30th, 2021
EP 2.15 ‘Goodbye Stranger’ w/Tristan McAllister
Guests on Why Here often get asked what their secrets are are. WELL, the tables have turned. On this week's episode, Tristan McAllister turns the mic on himself and lets co-host Benton Whitley embarrass him on the eve of his birthday. Tristan talks about growing up in Alaska, his big gay wedding (and divorce), a chance run-in with Clay Aiken that changed the course of his life and first kisses. In truth, the only way the two stay honest is the addition of contributor Claudine Ko, who sits to run interference and make fun of them whenever they start acting like two effing annoying, queer white dudes.
Released on April 23rd, 2021
Ep 2.14 - ‘The LITERAL Reason We Laughed in 2020’ w/Casey Thomas Brown
It’s not a stretch to think you’d see TV, film and stage actor (yes, he’s a triple threat, fellas!) Casey Thomas Brown in a cheerleader’s outfit in one of his Instagram posts. Thing is, he’s moved on. He was already a cheerleader — ages ago. He now tackles way bigger comic feats as @sharyparty69. On last week's episode of Why Here, Casey joined Benton Whitley and Tristan McAllister to talk about his early mastery of pom-poms and his current mastery of cultural comedy. At the end of the episode special guest @charliecarver crashes the party to stir things up.
Released on April 16th, 2021
EP 2.13 - ‘It’s Not A Sin’ w/Luke Ray Kelly
If you think coming out to your parents is tough, try telling them you have HIV. Even harder, try telling the world. For a decade Luke Ray Kelly kept his HIV diagnosis a secret only sharing it with loved ones and sexual partners. Then he saw the hit show It’s A Sin on HBOMAX and he realized that by keeping his secret he was complicit in creating the very shame that has stifled a critical and life-saving conversation about HIV and AIDS. On this week’s episode of Why Here, Luke joins hosts Benton Whitley and Tristan McAllister from London, to talk about why he decided to go public with his status and end the stigma. The Elton John AIDS Foundation and its chairman David Furnish say Luke has become a new and essential face for those living with HIV.
Released on March 19th, 2021
EP 2.12- ‘Core Kylie (yes, Minogue) & Fax Machine Diplomacy’ w/Jeremy Heimans
What were you doing at the tender age of eight? While most of us were busying ourselves with My Little Pony and Lego sets, Australian-born Jeremy Heimans was focused on things a bit headier. His childhood obsessions were nuclear non-proliferation and global poverty. He even tried to stop Desert Storm (with a fax machine). Nowadays he's a globally known activist and movement builder, whose work has literally touched all of your lives. On this week's episode of Why Here, he sits with hosts Benton Whitley and Tristan McAllister to discuss all of this and how his Lebanese and Jewish heritage have shaped the way he's taken on the biggest racial, social, economic and environmental issues of our time.
Released on March 12th, 2021
EP 2.11 - ‘So Much More Than a House’ w/ROBERT HARTWELL
Robert Hartwell has our hearts. Truly. After conquering Broadway in his twenties, with leading roles in multiple shows, he turned his attention to arts education. Now, as the founder and CEO of The Broadway Collective, he works tirelessly to help aspiring performers find their voice (and their footing) on stage with workshops online and across the U.S. This week he sits down with Why Here hosts Tristan McAllister and Benton Whitley to talk about Black excellence, a home purchase that went viral and a "spam" email that led to him appearing in a music video with Jay-Z and Pharrell Williams.
Released on February 19th, 2021
EP 2.10 ‘BEEN THERE, DONE THAT’ w/SANDRA CALDWELL
In 2017 Sandra Caldwell had a reckoning with herself — she could keep living as she had or she could make an admission that would shake the entertainment world. She chose the later, and gave the interview of a generation to The New York Times, revealing that she had been living and successfully working as a cisgender actress for decades, all the while being transgender. The TV, film and stage star, who was featured in the landmark Netflix documentary about trans erasure and invisibility called "Disclosure" and the critically acclaimed "Paris Is Burning," sits down with hosts Benton and Tristan to talk about her transition from Hollywood lady to LGBTQIA icon.
Released on February 12th, 2021
EP 2.9 ‘slipping into mom’s dm’s’ w/SIAN PIERRE REGIS & REBECCA DANIGELIS
Can you imagine jumping out of an airplane with your nearly 80-year-old mother? Sian-Pierre Regis can. It was actually his mother Rebecca Danigelis’ idea. She had a few more too, all of which went on the bucket list that Sian-Pierre asked her to make after she was fired from her job and forced out of the apartment she had lived in for nearly four decades. She was devastated. He saw a chance to give her all the things she always dreamed of. The two set out on a journey to discover the world and rediscover one another. He made it into a critically acclaimed film called Duty Free. The two join Tristan and Benton on this week’s episode of Why Here.
Released on December 18th, 2020
Ep 2.8- ‘You’ll Never Hear The Music Man The Same Way Again’ w/Joel Kim Booster
Can you imagine getting up in front of thousands of people to talk about your conservative religious upbringing AND your sexual exploits? Joel Kim Booster can. His humor is unapologetic, honest and intriguing. On this week's episode of Why Here, the Korean-American comedian and writer shares how he tactfully navigates conversations about race and sexuality with humor ... and what his "first time" sounded like. It's a conversation that proves why James Corden, Conan O'Brien and Comedy Central have all invited him to perform, and why shows like Big Mouth put him in their writer's room. At the end, Matt Rogers, Joel's friend and host of HBO Max's smash hit Haute Dog, joins in for a ”fact check."
Released on December 4th, 2020
EP 2.7-‘Turkeys Can't Fly Off Shelves, Can They?’ w/Dan Pelosi
It's Thanksgiving, that weird holiday that definitely needs a major rewrite. This year's a bit of a wash, but maybe it's a chance to start a new tradition or a new story, especially if you're not sitting at the table where you thought you'd be. To help, Why Here's very own home chef, stuffing expert and food & lifestyle contributor Dan Pelosi joins hosts Benton Whitley and Tristan McAllister to talk turkey, tradition and gratitude.
Released on November 25th, 2020
EP 2.6 - ‘Four Months in a hotel room’ w/charlie Carver
There are a lot of adoring fans who'd love to know what London hotel Charlie Carver has been holed up in for nearly four months, in quarantine for his role in the latest Batman feature. Well, that's a secret he won't share, much like any of the details around the role that he and his twin brother Max have in Gotham. But he does share so many other things with hosts Benton Whitley and Tristan McAllister on this week's episode of Why Here. It's been a big year for Charlie, the openly gay actor and activist who is currently starring in The Boys In The Band and Ratched, on Netflix. They talk all of this, "twinship" and much more.
Released on November 20th, 2020
EP 2.5 - ‘The Tea… On So Many Things’ w/Wana Udobang)
Stories are some of the most powerful tools we have to shape our world. Native Nigerian Wana Udobang tells them on many different canvases. She's a journalist, a poet, an artist and a political activist whose work has been featured on the BBC, CNN and other renowned outlets. Her three spoken-word albums focus on the themes of body, self-love, sexual agency, sensuality, female injustice and marginalization. On this week's episode of Why Here, she joins hosts Benton Whitley and Tristan McAllister from Lagos to talk about #EndSARS, a youth uprising, LGBTQIA rights, radical self love and what #BlackLivesMatter looks like from afar.
Released on November 13th, 2020
EP 2.4 - SPECIAL: ‘The 2020 Election Soothsayer’ w/Brian Derrick
WHY ARE ELECTIONS SO STRESSFUL? Well, the media are the easiest to point a finger at, but it really has more to do with the general amount of information coming our way, especially when one of the candidates is spewing lies. Fortunately, there's a man with a plan ... or at least he knows how to make it all make sense. On this special episode of Why Here, campaign strategist and political wunderkind Brian Derrick helps us understand where the U.S. election is and where it's likely going.
Released on November 4th, 2020
Ep 2.3 - ‘A Jagged Little Pill of a Year’ w/Elizabeth Stanley
Yes, it's ironic that Broadway star Elizabeth Stanley received her first Tony nomination for a show in which the cast sings a song called "Ironic," in a year that could only be described as a Jagged Little Pill. Never mind whether or not the famed Alanis Morrissette song "Ironic" actually has any real examples of irony in it. That's a debate that's raged for more than two decades ... On this week's episode of Why Here we don't get to the bottom of that, but we do indeed get the infinitely talented Stanley to tell us how she became the star of the Broadway musical JAGGED LITTLE PILL, an adaption of the album that many Gen X'ers and most Millennials will recall as the music that changed their lives.
Released on October 30th, 2020
Ep 2.2 - ‘Our Fairy Godmother/Theatre Mom’ w/Rosie O'Donnell
While some might say Rosie O'Donnell has a jagged edge, we say her kindness, empathy and fucking incredible sense of humor mean she may very well be the exact sort of person who can help all of us to better see ourselves and our place in this world. On this week's episode of Why Here Rosie joins hosts Benton and Tristan to talk gayness, politics, mental health and (yes Benton) Broadway. Oh, and her unlikely friendships with famous convicts!
Released on October 16th, 2020
EP 2.1 - ‘THE ‘LOQUACIOUS’ KID WHO’D RUN FOR CONGRESS’ W/RITCHIE TORRES
Growing up in the shadow of a Trump golf course, when you’re in-fact living in a low-income neighborhood, stokes a special brand of motivation. This is something that NYC city council member Ritchie Torres knows all too well. On this season’s first episode of Why Here he joins hosts Benton & Tristan to talk politics, his run for U.S. congress and his early crushes on WWE wrestlers. Torres is gay, which makes him the first ever openly LGBTQIA official to represent the Bronx. His highly likely win in November makes this Afro-Latino, Bronx-born political star on the rise a sure bet for the future of American politics.
Released on October 9th, 2020
EP 11: ‘A Summer We'll Never Forget’ W/Dr. VIRAT MADIA & CLAUDINE KO
When Why Here started in May of 2020, amid a global pandemic, we had no idea what the next few months would look like. On this week's episode of Why Here, contributors Claudine Ko and Dr. Virat Madia join Benton and Tristan to look back on the podcast's first season. The four reflect on big moments that changed how they saw the conversation around them and how their thinking has evolved during a summer that none of us will ever forget.
Released on August 7th, 2020
Ep 10: ‘The Truth Is Complicated’ W/CLAUDINE KO & JANE PRATT
When Why Here contributor Claudine Ko reports a story she always finds an angle that provokes intrigue with readers. She's spent years seeking the truth in a story about Me Too and the the pottery world. In 2004 she wrote THE American Apparel story that made some feel as though founder Dov Charney should become a pariah for his overtly candid and sexual management style. On this week's episode of Why Here, Claudine sits to chat with hosts Benton Whitley and Tristan McAllister about her take on these stories and what it means to be an objective journalist in the time of #cancelculture. Special guest Jane Pratt, former editor-in-chief at Jane magazine, joins the conversation to talk about how the American Apparel story might have had a different outcome today.
Released on July 24th, 2020
EP 9: ‘The Two-year-old Who Loved Jane Fonda’ W/Jake Shears & Dan Savage
Starting a conversation with Jake Shears is easy. Ending one is hard ... because he has so many INSANE stories about his career in pop music. As the lead singer of the band Scissor Sisters he shot to stardom at a young age and became a queer icon for a generation of people looking to see themselves represented in music. On this week's episode of Why Here he joins hosts Tristan McAllister and Benton Whitley to talk about his journey to becoming a solo artist, his love of Dolly Parton, what Elton John once said to him in a dressing room and what he wishes he'd known when he first found fame. And, at the end a "Savage" friend joins us to talk about Jake's coming out story.
Released on July 17th, 2020
EP 8:
‘‘Meet Your Hero, Even If Conan O'Brien Says Not To’ W/Stacey Wilson Hunt
You’d be hard-pressed to find some of the most incredible minds in entertainment and beyond who haven’t been interviewed by Stacey Wilson Hunt. The veteran Hollywood journalist even once received a phone call from Oprah who personally thanked her for the feature story she wrote about the famed media mogul for The Hollywood Reporter. Wilson Hunt’s work goes far beyond that. On this week’s episode of Why Here she shares her take on how Hollywood is addressing Black Lives Matter and Me Too with hosts Benton Whitley and Tristan McAllister.
Released on July 10th, 2020
EP 7: ‘The Evolution of Pride’
It's been more than 50 years since the historic riots at New York City's Stonewall Inn birthed the modern queer rights movement and the first Gay Pride. On this special episode of Why Here, hosts Benton Whitley and Tristan McAllister speak with prominent queer role models Jake Shears, L Morgan Lee, Bob The Drag Queen, Andre De Shields, VINCINT and many more to ask a simple question: What does Pride mean to you?
Released on June 26th, 2020
Ep 6 : ‘The Boy Who Cried ‘Pop’’ w/ VINCINT
For a Black, queer superstar on the rise, pandemics and protests against police brutality would seem to be a huge setback. Not so, says vocalist and musician VINCINT, who thinks they’ve actually made for the perfect time for artists like him to reflect. On episode 6 of Why Here, he joins hosts Benton Whitley and Tristan McAllister and shares his thoughts on Black Lives Matter, being an emerging pop superstar and writing the theme song to Netflix’s Queer Eye series.
Released on June 19th, 2020
EP 5: ‘BOB THE DRAG QUEEN’ W/ BOB THE DRAG QUEEN
On the heels of widespread protests over injustices against BIPOC, Ru Paul’s Drag Race season 8 winner and internationally renowned queer superstar Bob The Drag Queen joins Why Here hosts Benton Whitley and Tristan McAllister for some honest conversation. She shares her thoughts on race, America and “Black joy,” something she insists we can’t forget, in spite of the complicated — and long overdue — social revolution around us.
Released on June 12th, 2020
Ep 4 : ‘Listen And Act’ w/ l morgan lee
With the U.S. in the throes of street protests sparked by the murder of African Americans at the hands of police, it's time to amplify the voices of those who can help us better understand the communities truly affected by systemic bigotry and racism. On this episode of Why Here L Morgan Lee shares her experience as the first openly transgender actress to originate a role in a Pulitzer Prize winning theatre production. As an African American her take on race, gender and dismantling racism is crucial for us to hear. Her quest to tell honest stories that are representative of many serves as inspiration for anyone looking to build stronger and more just communities.
Released on June 5th, 2020
Ep 3: ‘This Too Shall Pasta’ w/ dan pelosi
Keeping your head high during a pandemic is tough. Add to that all of the unjust, fucked up things happening in America these days and it would only seem appropriate to go bury your head in the sand. Well, don't. We need you. The world needs you. The world needs more people like our guest Dan Pelosi. On episode three of Why Here, Dan, the king of food queens, joins us to talk about standing up for yourself, love in all shapes and sizes, his sweet meatballs and defying all of the bullshit that the world lobs at you. His message is simple and ... punny: This Too Shall Pasta, if we all agree to leave fear and stereotypes in the past.
Released on May 29th, 2020
Ep 2: ‘Should You Pay Your Rent?’ w/ anna klenkar
Some NYC landlords think it’s the right time for lawmakers to allow rent hikes, in spite of the pandemic. On this week's episode of Why Here Benton and Tristan ask NYC real estate agent Anna Klenkar all the questions some politicians don't want to answer, like, “Should we be staging a “Les Miz” style rent revolt?” No, she won't tell you to stop paying rent, but she does think it’s time for many landlords to “read the room.”
Released on May 22nd, 2020
EP 1: ‘The front line prospective’
w/ dr. Virat media
In the midst of a quarantine New Yorkers face hard truths about the city they love. Many even wonder if staying here is worth it. On the first episode of Why Here we interview emergency physician Dr. Virat Madia about his time working in the Bronx, the epicenter of America's coronavirus pandemic. His perspective is sobering, but his belief that New York City will make it through is cause for hope.
Released on May 15th, 2020
Promotional Trailer for ‘Why here’
In early 2020 the world changed in unimaginable ways, leaving most of us to reevaluate our lives. Join Brooklyn based Why Here hosts Benton Whitley and Tristan McAllister for a weekly podcast as they explore how they and so many others ended up here (wherever that may be) and what a new version of the world we once lived in might look like for all of us.
Released on May 11th, 2020