Showing Off with Brian Newman & Angie Pontani

Tony & the Kiki are back in the studio! This high-energy episode of Showing Off with Brian Newman & Angie Pontani features the electrifying duo Tony Alfaro and Rodney Bush of Tony & the Kiki. With an in-depth discussion and a stellar musical performance, you don't want to miss this fabulous interview. Tony and Rodney take us back to their formative years, from small-town beginnings and early musical inspirations to their fateful meeting and creative chemistry that would evolve into Tony & the Kiki. With influences ranging from piano legends to genre-defying icons, the conversation explores how their shared (and sometimes wildly different) tastes merged into a bold, uncategorizable sound. It’s a love letter to artists who transcend genre, break rules, and follow instinct over industry labels. With Brian and Angie steering the ship the episode also celebrates the hustle behind the glamour, with years of grinding, gigging, and refining their craft before stepping into the spotlight. Now, with sold-out shows, growing buzz, and a rapidly expanding fanbase, Tony & the Kiki are proving that authenticity, talent, and a little theatrical flair can take you all the way. This episode includes: Tony and Rodney’s “showoff” origin stories and early musical breakthroughs How Tony & the Kiki formed, and what makes their partnership work Influences from iconic artists and how they shaped their sound A candid look at artist development, hustle, and life pre-success Touring, selling out new markets, and building a loyal fanbase How great music artists transcend genre Showing Off is a backstage pass into the lives of musicians, performers, and creative professionals. Each episode explores the highs, the lows, and all of the beautiful chaos in between. Want to submit a question? Email us at ⁠[email protected]⁠! Brian Newman is on Cameo! Angie Pontani is on Cameo! FOLLOW THE PODCASTShowingOffPod.comYouTubeInstagramFacebookTikTok FOLLOW ANGIEAngiePontani.comInstagramFacebookTikTok⁠YouTube⁠ FOLLOW BRIANBrianNewman.comInstagramFacebookTikTokYouTube Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

The World Famous Pontani Sisters take center stage in this episode of Showing Off with Brian Newman & Angie Pontani! Diving headfirst into the rise of Neo-Burlesque and their role in shaping the movement, Angie joins her sisters, Helen Burkett and Tara Pontani Schad, in the hot seat as Brian asks the questions. From their early days performing on the Coney Island Boardwalk to becoming global dance icons, The Pontani Sisters share the real story behind the glamour, grit, and hustle that built The World Famous Pontani Sisters legacy. This episode is a deep dive into Neo-Burlesque history through the lens of The Pontani Sisters, covering their explosive rise during the late ‘90s and early 2000s revival. Hear how The World Famous Pontani Sisters booked tours before social media, performed across the country with The Straightjackets, and created unforgettable moments on Late Night with Conan O’Brien. If you want the inside story of Neo-Burlesque from the artists who lived it, The Pontani Sisters deliver. Whether you're discovering The World Famous Pontani Sisters for the first time or you're a longtime fan of the dance troupe, this episode is packed with wild stories, behind-the-scenes insights, and the DIY spirit that defines The Pontani Sisters. In this episode:- How The Pontani Sisters were formed- How Neo-Burlesque went from the 90s club scene to a global movement- Touring stories and DIY showbiz hustle- Behind-the-scenes moments from Conan O’Brien- Building a lasting brand in Neo-Burlesque- The legacy of The Pontani Sisters in modern burlesque Showing Off is a backstage pass into the lives of musicians, performers, and creative professionals. Each episode explores the highs, the lows, and all of the beautiful chaos in between. Want to submit a question? Email us at ⁠[email protected]⁠! Brian Newman is on Cameo! Angie Pontani is on Cameo! FOLLOW THE PODCASTShowingOffPod.comYouTubeInstagramFacebookTikTok FOLLOW ANGIEAngiePontani.comInstagramFacebookTikTok⁠YouTube⁠ FOLLOW BRIANBrianNewman.comInstagramFacebookTikTokYouTube Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Step into the glittering world of fashion, nightlife, and fearless creativity on Showing Off with Brian Newman & Angie Pontani as they welcome legendary designer and corsetry master Garo Sparo. Known for crafting jaw-dropping looks on Project Runway and for icons like Lady Gaga, Cardi B, Amanda Lepore, and Sabrina Carpenter, Garo shares the wild, inspiring journey that took him from a kid sewing outfits for stuffed animals to becoming one of New York’s most distinctive costume and fashion designers. With roots in a garment-making family and a lifelong obsession with dramatic silhouettes, Sparo reveals how early influences like Barbie dolls and classic Hollywood glam shaped his signature aesthetic. Brian and Angie dive into Garo’s formative years in New York’s legendary nightlife scene, where club culture, drag, and avant-garde performer Amanda Lepore became both his muse and collaborator. From designing iconic looks for nightlife personalities to launching boutiques in the East Village and later pivoting into bridal design after the cultural shift of the early 2000s, Sparo discusses the hustle, reinvention, and relentless creativity required to survive (and thrive) in fashion. Packed with showbiz stories, fashion history, and hard-earned wisdom, this episode celebrates the artistry behind costume and couture. Garo also opens up about building his brand, mentoring the next generation of designers, and collaborating with his studio partner Troy to expand the label’s creative vision. It’s a fabulous, funny, and inspiring conversation about originality, resilience, and staying true to your style in the ever-changing world of entertainment and fashion. In this episode: Garo Sparo’s early obsession with costumes, dolls, and character creation Growing up in a garment-making family and discovering fashion as a calling Breaking into New York’s club kid and nightlife fashion scene Designing for celebrities including Lady Gaga, Cardi B, Amanda Lepore, and Sabrina Carpenter The influence of corsetry, vintage silhouettes, and theatrical fashion Opening East Village boutiques and navigating the fashion industry’s ups and downs Pivoting to bridal design and reinventing his career Collaborating with his studio partner and co-designer Troy Advice for creatives building a career in fashion and costume design Showing Off with Brian Newman & Angie Pontani is a backstage pass into the lives of musicians, performers, and creative professionals. Each episode explores the highs, the failures, and the real stories behind building a career in entertainment. Want to submit a question? Email us at [email protected]! FOLLOW THE PODCASTShowingOffPod.comYouTubeInstagramTikTokFacebook FOLLOW ANGIEAngiePontani.comInstagramTikTokFacebook FOLLOW BRIANBrianNewman.comYouTubeInstagramTikTokFacebook Credits Hosted by Brian Newman and Angie Pontani Produced by BASE Creatives, Scott Frederick, and Ellis Frederick Recorded at Brooklyn Podcasting Studios Sound Engineering by Josh Wilcox Production Coordination by Samantha Cunha Set Design by Steven Hammel Editing by Ricky Fernandez 00:00:00 Mailbag + Bad Bunny at the Super Bowl 00:07:20 Garo Sparo: Growing Up on Long Island, Finding Himself in North Carolina 00:22:39 Joining the Club Kids, Amanda Lepore in NYC 00:33:24 Burnout & Reinvention: From East Village Nightlife to Bridal Dresses 00:39:05 How Angie & Garo Started Working Together 00:51:31 Joining Project Runway as an Established Designer 01:01:57 Troy Allen, Garo's Creative Partner 01:09:51 Game Time: The Lookbook! Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

In this episode of Showing Off with Brian Newman & Angie Pontani, the hosts welcome creative power couple Craig Robinson and Jenna Robinson for a fun and insightful conversation about life behind the scenes in show business. From custom suits and styling to working on major late-night television productions, Craig and Jenna share what it takes to build lasting careers in creative industries. The episode dives into their early inspirations (punk fashion and DIY style, namely) and how those instincts evolved into successful careers. They also open up about the realities of freelancing, navigating uncertainty, and balancing creative work with family life, including raising twins while working unpredictable showbiz schedules. Filled with humor and honesty, the conversation explores relationships, parenting, and the importance of partnership in both life and business. From playful couples-game moments to real talk about resilience, Craig and Jenna emphasize a core message: work hard, stay humble, treat people well, and never give up—a mindset that’s helped them thrive in competitive creative fields. Topics in this episode include: Building a career in fashion, tailoring, and styling Working behind the scenes in TV, Broadway, and entertainment Freelancing and running a creative business Balancing show business careers with family life Creative self-expression and personal style Relationships, communication, and partnership The importance of persistence and work ethic Showing Off with Brian Newman & Angie Pontani is a backstage pass into the lives of musicians, performers, and creative professionals. Each episode explores the highs, the failures, and the real stories behind building a career in entertainment. Want to submit a question? Email us at [email protected]! FOLLOW THE PODCASTShowingOffPod.comYouTubeInstagramTikTokFacebook FOLLOW ANGIEAngiePontani.comInstagramTikTokFacebook FOLLOW BRIANBrianNewman.comYouTubeInstagramTikTokFacebook Credits Hosted by Brian Newman and Angie Pontani Produced by BASE Creatives, Scott Frederick, and Ellis Frederick Recorded at Brooklyn Podcasting Studios Sound Engineering by Josh Wilcox Production Coordination by Samantha Cunha Set Design by Steven Hammel Editing by Ricky Fernandez Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

In this episode of Showing Off with Brian Newman & Angie Pontani, the hosts welcome posing expert and content creator Christine Buzan, founder of Look Good in Photos! With millions of followers across social media, Christine has become known for teaching people how to feel confident and camera-ready with simple posing techniques that anyone can learn.  Christine shares her journey from growing up with a love for performance and self-expression to building a massive online following by helping people look and feel their best in photos. The conversation dives into how posing is actually a learnable skill like dance or spots... and why understanding body lines, posture, and confidence can transform the way you show up on camera and on social media. The episode also explores the rise of her Look Good in Photos courses, how the pandemic helped her reach a global audience, and the behind-the-scenes work that goes into growing a successful social media brand. From viral posing tips to confidence-boosting advice, Christine shares practical insights that creators, influencers, and everyday photo-takers can use immediately. Topics in this episode include: How to pose confidently in photos Building a social media brand from scratch The psychology of confidence on camera Viral posing tips for Instagram and TikTok Creating the Look Good in Photos brand Social media growth during the pandemic Influencer marketing and content creation Showing Off with Brian Newman & Angie Pontani is a backstage pass into the lives of musicians, performers, and creative professionals. Each episode explores the highs, the failures, and the real stories behind building a career in entertainment. Want to submit a question? Email us at [email protected]! FOLLOW THE PODCASTShowingOffPod.comYouTubeInstagramTikTokFacebook FOLLOW ANGIEAngiePontani.comInstagramTikTokFacebook FOLLOW BRIANBrianNewman.comYouTubeInstagramTikTokFacebook Credits Hosted by Brian Newman and Angie Pontani Produced by BASE Creatives, Scott Frederick, and Ellis Frederick Recorded at Brooklyn Podcasting Studios Sound Engineering by Josh Wilcox Production Coordination by Samantha Cunha Set Design by Steven Hammel Editing by Ricky Fernandez Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices