Writers

Photographer Kyle Cassidy

May 2, 2020 Artist, Authors, Writers 00:48:36

West-Philly photographer Kyle Cassidy, who is currently working on photo-documenting essential workers and first responders during COVID-19, joins us for a LIVE BLUNTCAST. Our live Bluntcasts air regularly on Friday evenings via our Facebook page.

Kyle has authored numerous photo books and photo essays documenting the lives of roller derby players, gun owners, librarians, those will military tattoos, Occupy Wall St. protesters, and now the essential workers of Philadelphia during the COVID-19 pandemic.

The current project has him photographing folks like Philly sanitation workers, doctors, and nurses.

He joins us to talk about what motivates him, how he came to his latest project, and his thoughts about a post COVID-19 world. 

Kyle’s work has been featured in national publications and sites such as the New York Times, Barron’s, Slate.com and HuffPost. He has photographed countless artists, actors, and musical acts. He also collaborated with Neil Gaiman and Amanda Palmer on the book Who Killed Amanda Palmer.

LINK: 
kylecassidy.com

Timaree Leigh – Philly’s Burlesque & Sexuality Queen

March 28, 2020 Entertainment, Writers 56:58

We talk to Timaree Leigh for BLUNTCAST #5. Timaree is Philly’s Queen of burlesque and sexuality, as well as the host of the popular podcast Sex with Timaree.

She talks about how the porn industry is affected by COVID and how the history of burlesque has prepared it for this moment. We cover how gig-economy workers, fitness instructors, and creative folks are adapting the current economic and stay-at-home conditions. 

We also ask her about the strangest DMs she receives. It’s a fun and informative interview.

Follow Timaree: Twitter/Facebook

JUMP Magazine Founder George Miller From Tokyo

March 24, 2020 Education, Writers 46:53

Tonight’s Philly Blunt LIVE (aka the Bluntcast) is going to be fascinating. We’ll be chatting with George Miller, a former Philadelphian who is currently living in Tokyo. Miller, previously a journalist at the Inquirer and Philadelphia Weekly, is now the Associate Dean at Temple’s Japan campus. We’ll discuss the move from Philly to Tokyo, how Japan is dealing with this international crisis, what he thinks about today’s news that the Olympics will be postponed, JUMP Magazine which he founded, and other differences on the other side of the globe.

Follow George on Twitter.

Victor Fiorillo – Philly’s Most Controversial Writer Returns

March 21, 2020 Entertainment, Writers 1:11:05

For the second BLUNTCAST, Victor Fiorillo of Philly Mag sat with us, drank a cocktail, and provided fascinating insight into how the city is dealing with the current COVID19 conditions from bars staying open to gun sales in Northeast Philly.

Don’t forget to keep an eye out for the live shows via Facebook Live on Monday, Wednesdays, and Fridays while the social-distancing and stay home orders are in effect.

If you do have Facebook, you can join the show in real time with questions and maybe becoming an actual guest for a segment.

Follow us HERE for Facebook and HERE for Youtube, where we’ll also put the video up after the live broadcast.

You can and should follow Victor on Twitter.

George Anastasia Tells All About the Philly Mob

October 22, 2019 Crime, Entertainment, Writers 41:05

This episode is tailor-made for any fan of true crime. George Anastasia probably knows more about the Philly Mafia than any other civilian. He covered the Philly Mob and local organized crime for over thirty years for the Philadelphia Inquirer and is currently doing video updates with Dave Schratwieser for PhillyVoice.com.

George discussed how a guy from Dartmouth with a degree in French and no journalism education ended up at the Philly Inquirer and how covering the Atlantic City beat led him to a career covering organized crime.

George sheds light on the history of the Philly Mob as well as what he knows about power struggles and specific incidents. We discuss the future of the Italian mafia and competition from other organized crime groups like the Russian mob and what their differences are.

We recorded this one at the Kitchen Consigliere in Collingswood, New Jersey. Kitchen Consigliere is owned by chef Angelo Lutz, who is George’s friend and ended up doing some time for incidents of his past life.

LINKS:

George Anastasia: Philly Voice

Kitchen Consigliere: www/facebook

Timaree Leigh: Philly’s Sexuality Queen talks Polyamory, Burlesque, and more.

November 26, 2018 Artist, Authors, Entertainment, Writers 37:17

Timaree is Philly’s sex expert. When she’s not educating, talking, or writing about sex, she’s dancing throughout Philly at various burlesque events. She is Philly’s reigning queen of sexuality. 

Growing up in Western Nebraska, Timaree always knew she wanted to live in a big city, and she landed in Philly after discovering that nearby Widener had a world class sexuality program. She received her PhD in Human Sexuality from Widener, then began her insanely busy professional career: she works as a sex therapist, podcaster, writer, and a fitness instructor. 

She spoke with us about knowing early in her life that she was queer, and how that affected her career and her lifestyle. She also talked about being polyamorous, and whether or not it’s difficult to juggle multiple relationships at once. 

Timaree gives the key for those in long-term monogamous relationships and discusses the difficulties when orgasms are constantly the end goal in sexual play. We discuss the weirdness of Philly, Gritty, and burlesque etiquette for guys in attendance.

Ever hear of skin hunger? Neither did we, but Timaree educated us on the topic. This has to be heard.

We recorded at Frankie Bradley’s and with good reason: before it became Bradley’s the venue was the home Sisters, and was where Timaree started her burlesque career. And Bradley’s is a place where she still hosts several of her many monthly shows. She talked to us a bit about the history of burlesque, what separates it from stripping, and how it’s changed in Philly over the past decade. 

We want to thank Franky Bradley’s for having us, and Timaree for taking time out of her busy schedule to sit down with us. We think the result is a damn good interview.

LINKS:
Dr. Timaree Leigh: Facebook/Instagram/Twitter/Web

Franky Bradley’s: Facebook/Twitter/Instagram/Web

Victor Fiorillo: The Philly Journalist You Either Love or Hate

September 22, 2018 Music, Writers 00:36:47

We dig into Victor’s background and uncover a common theme. This is a cheap man. It’s exactly that frugalness that placed Victor, an unqualified tech support technician, in Haiti and led to a break that catapulted his remarkable career as a journalist.  also the keyboardist and manager of Philly’s very own legend, Martha Graham Cracker.

Victor takes us through his unbelievable life and it’s a tale you should not miss. We learn about the article that has generated the most hate mail, what is was like to knock on the door of and confront the Swiss Cheese Pervert, Victor’s efficient handling of scandalous gatherings, and insight into what makes Philly tick.

This episode was recorded at the iconic Bob & Barbara’s Lounge. Bob & Barbara’s played a special, recurring role in Victor’s life…and its cheap.

If you’re not familiar with Bob & Barbara’s, since 1969, they basically started the City Wide Special, the decor looks like a Pabst Blue Ribbon museum, they host a weekly drag show every Thursday, and on Fridays have the musical stylings of the Famous Crowd Pleasers, who play jazz, blues, and originals centered about a B3 Hammond organ. This spot is just off 15th and South Street and is a Philly Dive Bar Hall of Famer. 

 

Links:
Victor Fiorillo: Twitter/Facebook
Bob & Barbara’s: Twitter/Facebook/Instagram

Feminista Jones: Race, BDSM, Activism, Hip-Hop & more

September 22, 2018 Writers 00:46:28

The Blunt was honored to have award-winning blogger, community activist, author, kinkster, and feminist Feminista Jones sit down with the crew at the Sawtown Tavern for the debut episode of The Philly Blunt Podcast. Feminista’s writings have been featured in outlets such as the New York Times, The Washington Post, Time, XO, Jane, Salon, EBONY, and Essence.

Feminista was named one of the 100 Most Influential People in Philadelphia in 2017 and honored as one of the Top 100 Black Social Influencers by The Root. She also created the hashtag NMOS14, which led to a national moment of silence that included over 100 vigils in over 40 states.

We sat down at the Sawtown Tavern in Philly’s Tacony section, drank beers and bourbon, and talked about race relations, feminism, BDSM, anxiety, and much more before the infamous Philly Blunt segment, where we pepper her with a series of quick questions to be answered with the first thing that comes to Feminista’s brilliant mind. 

Our hosts, the Sawtown Tavern, are true visionaries. They are working to create a welcoming neighborhood watering hole where all races, genders, and sexuality are accepted and appreciated in a part of the city that isn’t always the most tolerant. They have a great selection of craft beers and may be the friendliest folks in the northeast. Sawtown runs a game night, quizzo, has live bands, and a pool table. The real draw is the energy of this place. All are welcome and the conversation is as interesting as you’ll find in the city.

LINKS:
Feminista Jones: Twitter/Facebook/Instagram
Sawtown Tavern: Facebook/Twitter/Instagram