ThePhillyBlunt

BUTCH CORDORA – Philly LGBTQ Media Star & Poker Shark

June 26, 2020 Authors, Entertainment, TV/Radio, Writers 54:44

Philadelphia LGBTQ media star and poker shark Butch Cordora joins The Philly Blunt for a Live Bluntcast via Facebook Live. Butch created and starred in the cable interview show In Bed with Butch. He produced a line of annual calendars posing naked alongside straight naked guys called Straight & Butch, and he recently released a poker book called “The Gay Guyde To Poker: Use Your Minority as a Weapon.”

Butch came to Philly in 1987 from the Wilkes-Barre area to live as an openly gay man. He broke television ground by being an openly gay television host on his local cable show called In Bed with Butch, where he interviewed members of the gay community in their pajamas in a bed. He even had members of the Village People in his bed. Butch also broke down barriers with his calendar called Straight & Butch where he posed naked with straight naked men.

Butch followed his love of poker becoming a regular poker shark, who runs local poker games at clubs in Philly and New York City and recently published a poker book called A Gay Guyde to Poker.

He’s good dude and lots of fun. We hope you enjoy this interview about Butch’s endeavors and where Philly has come regarding the gay community from when he first arrived on the scene in 1987.

FABIOLA CINEAS – Vox Journalist

June 20, 2020 Politics, Writers 01:02:51

Former Sr. Editor at Philly Mag and currently a race reporter for Vox (dot) com, Fabiola Cineas, joined us for Bluntcast #19.

Fabiola wrote a great piece about the history of Juneteenth of Vox, which they published on Juneteenth (June 19th).

She discussed the history of the day and its celebrations, what the learned doing the research for the piece, and if she could have written that same article for Philly Mag.

We also touched on the lack of diversity at Philly Mag, both on the Board and in its content. She was recently vocal about the diversity issues in a recent twitter thread.

Fabiola also let us know what it was like to spend time one-on-one with Candace Owens and following her to speaking engagements on college campuses for an article and interview she did.

Fabiola is a fresh voice in journalism, insightful, and currently living in West Philly.

LINKS:
Fabiola Cineas: vox/twitter

 

FEMINISTA JONES RETURNS

June 17, 2020 Activist, Artist, Authors, Politics, Writers 1:13:35

Feminista Jones is one of the most unapologetically brilliant people in Philadelphia and we guarantee that you will leave this interview with a different perspective on the world than you went into it with. Hear her message to people who have just joined the movement, her thoughts on black gun ownership, and what her thoughts are on Dave Chappelle, Shaun King, and Candace Owens. And be sure to pick up her new book, Reclaiming Our Space…as soon as it’s back in stock. It’s currently sold out on Amazon. This is so good, y’all. For real. If you enjoy it, please share. A lot of things in here that people need to hear.

LINKS:
Feminista Jones: www/Instagram/Facebook/Twitter

NIKKI ALLEN POE – Pot, Police, and Sandwiches

June 12, 2020 Activist, Food & Drink, Politics 40:37

Nikki Allen Poe is a local activist and sandwich shop owner. He recently made headlines when he refused to send sandwiches during the Philly protests and later declared that he would not service police officers in uniform.

Poe is also Philly’s leading cannabis activist and played a pivotal role in Philly’s decriminalization of cannabis. 

We discuss the reaction to Poe’s business decision, his thoughts on the current protests in town, and how he is helping the cause.

We also talked about his previous campaign for City Council and the future of Philly’s government.

LINKS:

Poe on Twitter/Poe’s Sandwich Joint

MICHAEL COARD – “Angriest Black Man in America”

June 11, 2020 Activist, Authors, Crime, Politics, TV/Radio 1:08:21

Activist, journalist, defense attorney, and self-proclaimed “Angriest Black Man in America!”, Michael Coard joins us for Bluntcast #16.

We discuss the George Floyd protests here in Philly and around the world.

Michael also gave us his opinion on the Rizzo Statue. He actually wanted the statue to remain in place with a few additions to serve as a constant reminder of the city’s past racial history.

We talked about his views on defunding the police and he offered some advice on what white folks can do to be part of the solution.

LINKS:

Michael Coard: Instagram/Twitter/Facebook

Kate Nyx – Musician & Wrestling Costume Maker

May 25, 2020 Artist, Entertainment, Music 51:54

Kate Nyx is a folk-rock musician in Philly as well as a nationally recognized costume and luchador mask creator. She is our guest for BLUNTCAST #14. These Bluntcasts air live on Friday nights on our Facebook page. 

Kate creates honest, grass-roots folks rock that has been garnering local and national attention. From originals to covers, her music is raw and honest.

Kate is also a wrestling costume creator. She works with independent wrestlers as well as creating designs for the WWE. She may be best known for her luchador mask creations, which you can purchase from her website.

LINKS:
KATE NYX: www/facebook/twitter/bandcamp

Nikil Saval – PA 1st District Senatorial Candidate

May 21, 2020 Activist, Politics 46:09

Nikil Saval is Philadelphia’s Democratic Ward Leader of the 2nd Ward and is currently a Pennsylvania Senatorial candidate for the 1st District. He’s also our guest for our pandemic quarantine Bluntcast #13.

Nikil was born in Los Angeles, went to school in New York City, and now lives in Philly, where he plans to stay.

He is also one of the co-founders of Reclaim Philadelphia, which has been quite influential in recent local elections through extensive canvassing and phone-banking.

Nikhil is currently running against incumbent Larry Farnese for PA State Senate.

Saval was also a major force in the local Bernie Sanders efforts.

He speaks with us about the current situation, how Sanders’ like policies which were deemed too controversial or expensive are now part of life, the balance between improving neighborhoods  while safeguarding the folks who have called those neighborhoods home for decades, as well as dealing with The Philly Blunt.

Nikil young guy with a bright future in Philly and maybe beyond. 

We hope you enjoy.

LINKS:

Nikil Saval
Youtube video of the BLUNTCAST

Joe Gunn – Co-Owner of Pistola’s Empire

May 11, 2020 Food & Drink 00:36:48

Joe Gunn owns Jose Pistola’s, Sancho Pistola’s, and Pistolas Del Sur. He’s also one of the funniest people in the area. He joined us for Bluntcast #12.

Joe Gunn went from bartender at Fergie’s to successful restaurateur now owning three restaurants across Philly with locations in Fishtown, Center City, and South Philadelphia.

He’s also one of the driving forces behind Philly’s annual Beer Week.

Joe talks with us about his transition from bartender to bar owner, hiring and firing people, and dropping out of college. Fergie is an influential figure in Joe’s life and talk about what he learned from Fergie about being a boss. We also discuss what it was like having three prosperous locations suddenly shutting down all at once while he was away at Disney.

We talk about the eventual Philly re-opening and what the future looks like for the local bar scene.

You’ll laugh. You might cry. It’s better than cats.

Stay safe and enjoy.

LINKS:

Jose Pistola’s/Sancho Pistola’s/Pistolas Del Sur

Full Length YouTube of the Live Interview

SLUTCHURCH Performers Honeytree EvilEye & Kitana Kedavra

May 3, 2020 Entertainment, Music 00:32:25

For BLUNTCAST 11 we are joined by burlesque dancers Honeytree EvilEye and Kitana Kedavra to celebrate the 4th Anniversary of Slutchurch, Philly’s very own heavy metal/BDSM monthly burlesque event.

Slutchurch is normally held on the last Tuesday of every month at Raven Lounge at 17th and Sansom. As Honeytree professes, it is an actual church and these two dancers are the clergy for this denomination.

As they ladies as: Do you like butts? Do you like metal? Do you like BDSM? If any or all of them apply to you, then Slutchurch is your people.

We discussed the origins of the Slutchurch event and how both of these ladies found themselves in the middle of all of us. Johnny, who has never been to a Slutchurch, has the ladies describe, in detail, a typical Slutchurch happening.

The ladies, not to be deterred by COVID-19 precautions, recently celebrated their 4th Anniversary remotely by having the featured dancers perform via Instagram Live from their domiciles. We talk about how that all works and what they do if two dancers want to dance to the same track on the same evening.

If you’ve been to Slutchurch, you should enjoy this. If you have no idea what Slutchurch is, you’ll definitely enjoy this.

Don’t forget, if you have Facebook, you can watch these Friday night BLUNTCASTS LIVE and you comment real-time. If you don’t have Facebook, you can check out the videos of the interviews on our YouTube page, just search for “The Philly Blunt Podcast”.

LINKS:

Slutchurch: Facebook/Instagram
Honeytree EvilEye
Kitana Kedavra
The Raven Lounge

The Philly Blunt YouTube Channel

Undertaker John – Inside the Mortuary World

May 3, 2020 Business 00:47:55

Undertaker John joined us for the LIVE BLUNTCAST #10 to discuss what life in general is like as a Last Responder (Undertaker) during a pandemic and raising a family while living in a funeral home.

Undertaker John, known better as John Barnes of McCafferty Sweeney Slabinski Barnes Funerals and Cremations has been in the funeral business since he was in high school. He talks about how a kid from Frankford born and raised under the becomes an undertaker with no family connections. He had no idea washing limousines as a teenager would turn into a career.

Most importantly, he sheds important and useful information about how COVID-19 has affected the industry and the families of loved ones who have passed during these social distancing times.

We discuss the precautions and hazards of the industry during a pandemic and how funeral directors everywhere are scrambling to keep up with current CDC recommendations, as well as securing enough PPE supplies.

While we are all doing our best to avoid any contact with COVID-19, John has had over 30 people who have passed due to the virus brought into his home, where he both lives and works.

This is a must-listen where we think you’ll both learn and laugh.

We hope you enjoy and that you and your loved ones are safe.

Don’t forget, if you have Facebook, you can watch these Friday night BLUNTCASTS LIVE and you comment real-time. If you don’t have Facebook, you can check out the videos of the interviews on our YouTube page, just search for “The Philly Blunt Podcast”.

LINKS:

McCafferty Sweeney Slabinski Barnes Funerals & Cremations

The Philly Blunt YouTube Channel