Who's Gonna Be There?
Hosted by Kashif Andrew Graham and Blake Mundell, this culture podcast explores queer life in Nashville and the American South. The two introverts discuss politics, the arts, and personal experiences from a Southern queer perspective, offering thoughtful conversation often overlooked in mainstream media. Episodes are published through the We Own This Town network.
Episodes
Moonlight Revisited
In moonlight, Black boys still look blue, and Moonlight is getting a 4K glow-up for its 10th anniversary. Blake and Kashif unpack the film’s continued importance, offer a close reading of Moonlight‘s central themes, and discuss their first viewings. Chiron as the king of queer introverts. Beyoncé and ‘all that blue light.’ Nicholas Britell and scoring Black cinematic life.
Junk Drawer: Thrifting, Kirkiversary, Rogue AI, and Millennial Optimism
Why on earth are prices so high at thrift stores? A year after the killing of Charlie Kirk and taxpayers’ unwitting role in the slew of 2025 firings. AI scientists need an old school whupping, not for what they’ve created but for what they actually haven’t. Gen Zers fantasize about millennial optimism, but are we (two millennials) sure we remember that? Stay for Going/Not Going,
The Disappearers w/ Marlon James
The Disappearers is a book of the decade, and we’re so glad to share our conversation with its author, Marlon James. Set in 1980’s Jamaica, this epistolary gay revenge thriller (yes, it’s all of those things), chronicles the lives of eight gay men following an attack. What does it mean for our culture to disappear us? How can people disappear, but not leave? This is a career-def
Feels Like Somebody’s Watching Me: Surveillance Capitalism
In today’s world, we are always giving up our privacy for the promises of safety, connection, and convenience. But is the tradeoff worth it? In this episode, we explore how surveillance companies like Flock are actually making our neighborhoods more unsafe, why you just can’t seem to stop swiping (and paying for it!), and why nothing may have an actual price anymore. Stay for a revamp
Let’s Talk About Catfishing [TEASER]
For this patreon-only conversation, we met up at a local favorite, Americano Lounge, to discuss the many forms catfishing takes in queer communities.
Both of us have been catfished more times than we can remember. Once you spend enough time on the apps, you of course develop something of a sixth sense when it comes to grainy, overcropped photographs and chatty blank profiles.
But we also recogn
Standing Tall w/ Rep. Gloria Johnson
Member of the ‘Tennessee Three’ Rep. Gloria Johnson is an educator at heart. Sometimes, that means being a teacher voice in the legislature (read: asking her republican colleagues ‘if you can hear me clap once!’ ‘if you can hear me clap twice!’), but it always means standing in the gap for all Tennesseeans. Join us in this honest conversation about Gloria’
There’s Only One Sin in Hollywood w/ Rasheed Newson
There are at least three things that you’re likely to experience in a Rasheed Newson novel: 1) A feeling of period-correctness 2) A well-researched ethical dilemma 3) Sex — fortunately his latest book, There’s Only One Sin in Hollywood, is no exception. Our hosts talk with Rasheed about his career as a screenwriter and novelist, but also about the importance of letting historical figu
Live at Nashville Pride!
Flanked by a giant spinning wheel of party guests and all the extroverted energy they can muster, our hosts head to Nashville Pride! There, they talk to historian Sarah Calise of Nashville Queer History on just how not new Southern Prides are and how we can all become queer archivists. Listen as festival goers (maybe you?) spin the game wheel to decide if they’re going to the party or not a
Conversion Therapy Dropout w/ Timothy Schraeder Rodriguez
Sometimes not succeeding at things can be good, especially if we’re talking about gay conversion therapy. There’s no better person to reflect on this than Timothy S. Rodriguez, author of the recently-released memoir, Conversion Therapy Dropout: a Queer Story of Faith and Belonging (Broadleaf). Recounting his experience with gay conversion therapy programs and ministries such as Exodus
Who’s Gonna Be There Live Show
We’ll be at Nashville Pride on Bicentennial Mall from 11AM – 6PM this Saturday, June 27th! Stop by to hear interviews with special guests and for your chance to play the game with us (and maybe even be featured on the pod!)
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Join our Patreon for bonus content (starting at $5 a month)
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About the show:
A culture podcast by two insufferable queer introverts in the South who
I Love Boosters x The Devil Wears Prada 2
In this episode, we look at the anti-capitalist afrosurrealist film I Love Boosters (Boots Riley), and the highly-anticipated anti-something The Devil Wears Prada 2 (David Frankel). We explore the common threads (sorry!) of fashion versus capitalism, the depictions of the right kind of billionaire, and the importance of soul sucking demons. Of course, we talk Marxist theory as it applies to fashi
The Cure for Blue Dot Fever
‘Blue dot fever’ happens when you look at a concert seating chart and see mostly unsold seats (blue dots). As the epidemic worsens with a flood of cancelled tours, our hosts explore archival live performances as a cure to blue dot fever. Join as they analyze style, scene, and technique in six recorded shows.
• Patti LaBelle: Somewhere Over the Rainbow
• Joni Mitchell: Both Sides Now
But the Gag is the Gag’s Over: Inclusion TN & the Tennessee Titans [TEASER]
The hosts are spilling the hottest tea over on Patreon. Now that their gag orders are lifted, the stories they share about the organizations that exploited them will have you shook. Join the Patreon to hear the full episode from the coffee shop where it all started, Frothy Monkey 12 South.
• Join the Community on Patreon
• Frothy Monkey
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About the show:
A culture podcast by two insuffer
Generational BEEF
A Baby Boomer, Gen Xer, Millennial, and Gen Zer walk into a…ring. Well, you can guess how that goes. Join our hosts for deep dive into the second season of Netflix’s hit series, BEEF. Blake and Kashif examine character motivations, wealth inequality, the healthcare system and more. Later, an intergenerational panel takes on some of the themes explored in the show. Who is really to bla
In the Way of Johnny Appleseed w/ Isaac Fitzgerald
Isaac Fitzgerald, author of American Rambler: Walking the Trail of Johnny Appleseed (Penguin Random House), stops by the pod to talk about the historic figure of John Champan, Isaac’s own complex familial relationship with the outdoors, faith, and American legends. How did apples become a symbol of Americana? Bars and stadiums, and churches? Isaac’s first time getting ducked, a tradit
DJ Afrosheen Thinks DJs are Sociologists
On this episode of Who’s Gonna Be There?, Blake and Kashif sit down with DJ Afrosheen, one of the hottest DJs of the queer South, and a name you might recognize from Bonnaroo, SXSW, or opening for Jill Scott. The trio talk about Afrosheen’s journey from studying dance to curating the music for queer people to dance to, and Afrosheen’s commitment to ensuring that everyone (especi
What Exactly is Armageddon?
The US war with Iran brings Armageddon into public conversation, yet again. This time, with some US military leaders allegedly aiming to bring about this endtime battle, while others (Pete Hegseth) warn that Iran is the one desirous of a religious Armageddon. So, what exactly is Armageddon and where does it come from? In this episode, our hosts look at the history of apocalyptic thought, Armagedd
James Baldwin in Love w/ Nicholas Boggs
Nicholas Boggs, author of the new James Baldwin biography, Baldwin: A Love Story (Farrar, Straus and Giroux), stops by the pod for a conversation on the platonic and romantic love life of the icon. How did Baldwin’s love for men, women, and people square with his love for Country? What James Baldwin did with all his longing. A look at euro-centric beauty standards and unusual paths to self-
Why Aren’t We Talking About Touch?
Fun fact: kissing isn’t a universal human behavior, and is only exhibited by about 50% of humans, mostly in the industrialized parts of the world. In this special episode on touch, co-host Blake, a licensed massage therapist and educator, guides us through an exploration of physical touch. What actually happens in our bodies when we touch? Can touch make me more attractive? What’s the corre
Think of Astrology as the Ingredients w/Sarah Jane Chapman
Sarah Jane Chapman is a yoga therapist, tarot reader, astrologer, and founder of Be With Your Body, a total embodiment practice. She stops by the pod to tell us what astrology already knew about our present darkness and what we can do about what is to come. To manifest or not to manifest: that is the astrological question. How is tarot a mirror? What does loving your body actually feel like? Sara
Your Favorite Civil Rights Leader Had Guns Too
In this season premiere, guns are close to home. Our hosts explore their relationship to bearing arms, and how the respect of that right changes based on who holds the gun. They explore the Black Panther Party for Self-Defense and lesser known armed Black self-defense groups. Who are these new Black Panthers defending against ICE? Was MLK a gun owner? What does it mean to be nonviolent and own a
Wet Hypnotism & James Baldwin in Love
In this bonus episode, Blake recounts a wild experience of group hypnotism and an unexpected power differential. Kashif examines James Baldwin’s first three novels, and how, he too, was hypnotized—by love.
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About the show:
A culture podcast by two insufferable queer introverts in the South who really need to know who’s gonna be there before they commit to anything.
Instagram: @whosgo
Don’t Wear Pack Hair to a Square Dance
In this bonus episode, Kashif offers a brief history of beauty supply store extensions, otherwise known as ‘pack hair’. He traces its emergence as a social marker. Moving 18th century England, he examines the parallels betweens wigs and wealth. Blake (an actual square dancing champion), walks us through the architecture and history of square dancing. From France to Henry Ford, he expl
Heated Rivalry with R.K. Russell
R.K. Russell, the first openly bisexual player in the NFL, visits the pod to chat about Heated Rivalry. Russell’s live Threads posts garnered attention in the fandom for his honest, tender, and sometimes controversial takes on the Canadian series, which stars Connor Storrie and Luke Hudson. Russell came out as bisexual in 2019, playing for the Dallas Cowboys and the Tampa Bay Buccaneers. Th
The Sun-Sneezers of the Mountain, The Lilies of the Valley
In this bonus episode, Blake reveals a personal connection to sun-sneezing, and how it can tie people to one another. Kashif explores the symbolism and history of the flower, Lily of the Valley.
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About the show:
A culture podcast by two insufferable queer introverts in the South who really need to know who’s gonna be there before they commit to anything.
Instagram: @whosgonnabetherepod
T
SEASON FINALE: Biting into New Yams: Our Ideal Year of Holidays
Why do holidays matter? In the season finale, our hosts share their ideal year of holidays: some ancient, some sacrilegious, and some downright pornographic. Considering sociologist Amitai Etzioni’s scholarship around holidays, Blake and Kashif decide to keep, tweak, or trash celebrations that occupy the American calendar year. What the heck is up with Groundhog Day? A tough day to be ugly
We Are Sounds in the Afterlife: On Ambient Music w/ JayVe Montgomery
Nashville-based ambient artist JayVe Montgomery stops by to talk about his work in this elusive genre of music.
Welcome to Dorinda’s: On Coffee Shops as Third Spaces
A nerdy and comical exploration of coffee shops and third spaces.
‘Read Me, Daddy’ w/ psychic Logan Taylor
Conversation with psychic Logan Taylor of Hulu's queer paranormal series, Living for the Dead.
Take a Look, They’re Banning Books
1982 was quite a year for books, censorship, and the freedom to read. That year, the Supreme Court heard Board of Ed v. Pico, Banned Books Week was founded, and Reading Rainbow was in development. In this episode, Blake and Kashif examine the state of books bans in the US. Kashif unpacks activist librarianship and the symbolic firing of Carla Hayden. Blake explores Reading Rainbow in light of the
Andrew Goodman & The Salt Cedars
The first bonus episode where hosts talk the benefits of being good and the takeover of a certain type of invasive plant.
How to Interview a Drag Queen
Interview on interviews, and how to seem interesting at a party by asking the right questions.
Sit-n-Reach
The Biggest Loser doc, the return of the Presidential Fitness Test, and the wellness to alt-right pipeline.
Dark Matter Matters to KeShawn Ivory
KeShawn Ivory, an astrophysicist who specializes in dark matter and a fellow introvert, stops by. The trio examine ideas about the galaxy, Black representation in astronomy, and other stellar possibilities. What does it mean for an astronomer to believe in the Universe? What’s the best way to keep a wig on in space? KeShawn sticks around for a special Space Edition of the game.
Show Notes:
“It Ain’t Small!”: The Noah’s Arc Empire
Following the release of Noah's Arc: The Movie, this is a deep dive into the Black gay touchstone.
Jehovah Breeder
Firsthand confrontations with abuse in churches and the contemporary Christian music industry. Woven with humor.
Good Old Fashioned American Procreation
Tender and chaotic reflections on Nashville Pride, the NFL and queer family.
Try Pride in a Small Town
Our resident introverts sit down with musician and activist Morgxn to talk about Affirming Sumner, the pride celebration they hosted on their farm. Blake recounts his experience performing at pride in his hometown for the first time.
Show Notes:
• Morgxn
• Alok V. Menon
• Pre-save Morgxn’s new single: Heartland
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About the show:
A culture podcast by two insufferable queer introverts in
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