Dads And Daddies

Brian and Judson are joined by the sexiest cat on Broadway, Cats: The Jellicle Ball’s Rum Tum Tugger himself, Sydney James Harcourt! Sydney talks about his journey from a childhood in Michigan spent hiding in the closet, feeling unattractive, uncool, unmanly and seeking comfort in food, to moving to New York and feeling othered as a minority man in the mainstream gay scene, to the person he is today exuding sex and confidence on a Broadway stage eight times a week. He tells them about the role that connections and community played in his transformation, how he found the sexiness of Rum Tum Tugger, and about how “Realness,” Tugger’s ballroom category that showcases a person’s ability to pass as straight, is, at its core, a trauma response to homophobia. Sydney gets even more personal and talks about some of the various reasons he likes to have sex, the demise of finding hookups on Craig’s List, his “mad, passionate lust affair” with Andy Cohen, why we should have sex with the straight men on the apps, and his preference for faceless Grindr profiles. Sydney then joins Brian and Judson in responding to a Go Ask Your Dad question from a listener in his 30s who is newly out of the closet and wants to know what the three consider must-have experiences for a gay man.

Brian and Judson are joined by Broadway’s favorite DILF, Claybourne Elder. The Gilded Age star and Grammy, Screen Actors Guild Award, Drama Desk and Lucille Lortel Award nominee tells Brian and Judson about the origin of his City of Strangers initiative that provides free tickets to Broadway shows for people who might not have the means, and takes them through the process of recording his debut album out now, If the Stars Were Mine. He also talks about growing up gay and Mormon, his time as a performing missionary in the Nauvoo, Illinois Historic District, getting kicked out of Brigham Young University for being gay, how he met his Jewish husband, their path to parenthood, and how they address religion with their son. Claybourne shares his Daddy Issue, which is around aging, and particularly how he wrestles with whether or not, as an actor, he should be considering any procedures to maintain his youth. He then joins Brian and Judson in responding to a Go Ask Your Dad question from a listener wanting advice on planning a wedding that is true to him and his partner.

Brian and Judson launch the Dads and Daddies Book Club with the arrival of guest John Paul Brammer, famed LGBTQ+ advice columnist and author of ¡Hola Papi! How to Come Out in a Walmart Parking Lot and Other Life Lessons. John Paul tells Brian and Judson all about the origin of his ¡Hola Papi! advice column, how he overcame the feeling that he didn’t have the authority to give advice, and shares how he feels now that he’s retired his column after eight years. He also provides a sneak peek at his next two books, and responds to Brian’s ask for advice by giving his thoughts about steeling oneself against internet commenters. John Paul then goes all the way to the top to discuss his Daddy Issue, which is his recent fascination with Jesus, particularly the comforting discovery that he may not have been attractive, and talks about the time he almost converted to Judaism for a boyfriend. The episode ends with the renowned advice giver joining Brian and Judson in responding to a Go Ask Your Dad question from a listener who is curious about the etiquette of hooking up when one is hanging out with friends.

Brian and Judson are joined by Rod Thomas, aka electro-pop music artist and DJ Bright Light Bright Light! Rod sits down with Brian and Judson just two days before kicking off his co-headling Cosmic Light tour with “Queen of the Universe” winner and “Drag Race Brasil” host, Grag Queen, and talks about his mission with this and every one of his tours to bring joy and build community during these dark and divisive times. He teaches Brian and Judson all about his home country of Wales and its connection to music, he goes deep into his friendships and collaborations with Elton John and Scissor Sisters, and talks about how he has made a name and career for himself without ever signing with a label. They discuss the prevalence of misogyny in the gay community, they share thoughts on maintaining youth and taking risks throughout one’s life, and they debate the importance of sex as a subject of artistic expression. Rod then helps Brian and Judson respond to a Go Ask Your Dad question from a 50 year-old listener in a 25-year open relationship who has never used the gay hookup apps and wants advice about how to start.

Brian and Judson are joined by Broadway musical theatre star Grey Henson! Grey takes Brian and Judson through his nonstop career that took off immediately upon leaving college with his casting as Elder McKinley in the first national tour and Broadway productions of The Book of Mormon, through his Tony-nominated performance as the iconic role of Damian in Mean Girls, to 2023's surprise hit musical, Shucked, to starring as Buddy the Elf in the recent revival of Elf, to now playing the title role in the current off-Broadway show, Bigfoot The Musical. Grey also gets personal and talks about his search for a partner since moving to New York twelve years ago, the struggle of people making assumptions about who he is as a person based on how they perceive him on the stage, and the absence in his life of his father, both now that he has passed, but also even while he was alive. He also talks about existing at the paradox of having Daddy physique, but without feeling he possesses Daddy energy. Grey then helps Brian and Judson address a Go Ask Your Dad question from a listener who has become paralyzed with fear about making new connections.