Chicago’s very own Kyle Smolinski is a rising star in the Open Bodybuilding scene, dominating some of the top NPC heavyweight contests—including a gold-medal win in the heavyweight division at the NPC Jay Cutler Classic in Virginia. 

But beyond his impressive size and stage presence, Kyle is also openly gay and known for his signature rainbow-colored hair.

Let’s Grow Big Together! The podcast that builds muscle with all the colors of the rainbow, including biceps, bronzer, and big queer energy.”

In this series, we take a look at the passion for muscle, adventures in bodybuilding, muscle gods, muscle worship and practical advice to put on the gains.

Today, the rainbow-colored beast Kyle Smolinski, joins us to talk about his rise to fame as an openly gay Open Bodybuilding champion. From his technicolor mane to his heavyweight victories, Kyle shares his journey in the sport and what it takes to stand out—both on stage and beyond.

FOLLOW US ON INSTAGRAM:
★ instagram.com/ksmo92
★ instagram.com/faustofernos
★ instagram.com/marcfelion

Plus all your questions!

• Getting the body of your dreams means making sure your sleep is deep. 

• What’s the skinny on low glycemic natural sugars, artificial sweeteners & sugar alcohols?

• Are cold plunges a scam? 

• How much does sexuality play a role in bodybuilding?

One of our all-time favorite wacky and wild films is RuPaul’s Starrbooty.

Created during a lull in her career, the film revives one of Ru’s early cable-access TV characters- Starbooty—a private detective turned sex worker who lands herself in increasingly ridiculous situations. The film celebrates RuPaul’s love for sexploitation, melodrama, gratuitous nudity, and her circle of kooky friends.

Many consider Starrbooty the launchpad for RuPaul’s resurgence as host of RuPaul’s Drag Race, a show that mainstreamed drag so successfully it has overshadowed many other styles and interpretations of the art form.

Today, Starrbooty producer and acclaimed filmmaker André Robert Lee joins us to revisit this wonderfully twisted film and discuss the challenges and triumphs of being a queer Black creative.

We also dive into his other fantastic projects, including Dirty Laundry (starring Jenifer Lewis and Loretta Devine) and The Prep School Negro, a documentary which follows young Black students adventures on their way to college. 

FOLLOW ANDRÉ ROBERT LEE:
https://andrerobertlee.com

FOLLOW US ON INSTAGRAM:
★ instagram.com/faustofernos
★ instagram.com/marcfelion
★ instagram.com/andrerobertlee89

Plus—

• George Washington Carver and our favorite queer Black luminaries.
• Is Lady Bunny on Putin’s payroll? 
• Right wing media is spreading rumors about alleged CEO shooter Luigi Maginone having 20 sex tapes. (Put up or shut up, Rupert Murdoch.)

America is under attack by the wolves in the federal government who are chewing it apart. As the nation spirals into confusion and despair, we are left wondering—why does it feel like no one is fighting back?

As Harvey Milk said, “Get out of the bars and into the streets!” Now more than ever, we need to step away from our screens, show up in public spaces, and organize. In the absence of leadership, it’s up to all of us to lead.

As a protégé of Harvey Milk, Cleve Jones became a key figure in the gay rights movement in the ‘70s and he became the creator of the AIDS Memorial Quilt, one of history’s most powerful public memorials. Cleve’s activism spans decades, from fighting the Reagan administration’s neglect of the AIDS crisis to today’s labor rights battles.

Listen as we take a look at: 

• AIDS denialist Robert Kennedy Jr. as Trump’s Secretary of Health.

• Why language matters, let’s stop calling Democrats "Dems."

• Why grassroots movements need to come out of the closet to organize effectively.

Americans are now queerer than ever! A new Gallup poll shows 9.3% of folks now identify as something other than straight—up from 7.6% in 2023. And Gen Z? A whopping 23%!

Party!

While it seems like the country’s getting more conservative, people's sexuality and gender identity says otherwise. 

Joining us today is the self-proclaimed ‘lesbian on the weekends’-- the West Side comedy queen of raunch, Tiny Thickemz, along with her comedy partner in life and onstage, OhJay Lamont. Together they host ‘Love is Blind’ at Chicago’s Laugh Factory, where real couples do joint stand-up sets about their relationships—LIVE on stage, TONIGHT FEB 27!

FOLLOW US ON INSTAGRAM:
★ instagram.com/thickemztiny

★ instagram.com/ohjay_lamont

★ instagram.com/faustofernos

★ instagram.com/marcfelion



Plus-- 

• What’s the best place in Chicago to buy loose items?

• A big fat beaver on Chicago’s Southside becomes an overnight celebrity. 

• Pope Francis is in the hospital in critical condition. 

• Republicans are upset with the Super Bowl winners, the Philadelphia Eagles, for skipping a fast food meal with the President at the White House."

• We look back at the lives of Roberta Flack, best known for her hit song ‘Killing Me Softly,’ and Lynne Marie Stewart, beloved as Miss Yvonne—the Most Beautiful Woman in All of Puppetland on Pee-Wee’s Playhouse—both of whom passed away this week. 

In The Wizard of Oz, Glinda asks, “Are you a good witch or a bad witch?” As it turns out, most witches are good—because the bad ones end up cursing themselves into oblivion. 

Today, we’re chatting with one of our favorite wicked but wonderful witches, musician Caleb De Casper. A fierce advocate for queer rights, Caleb is known for his electrifying performances and signature blend of dark synth-pop, glam punk rock, and horror cabaret. 

Honored with his own day in Austin, Texas, Caleb joins us to celebrate 20 years of Feast of Fun and give us a sneak peek at his new single, Chemical Blue. 

CHECK OUT CALEB DE CASPER:
https://www.calebdecasper.com

FOLLOW US ON INSTAGRAM:
★ instagram.com/faustofernos
★ instagram.com/marcfelion
★ instagram.com/calebdecasper


Plus, we’re serving up a cauldron of hot topics:

• Cynthia Erivo and Ariana Grande will kick off the Oscars with a Wicked medley.

• Emilia Pérez star Karla Sofía Gascón will skip the Oscars amid controversy.

• Emperor Trump storms out of the Super Bowl after getting booed and witnessing  Kendrick Lamar’s unapologetically Black Halftime Show.

• Taylor Swift enters the friendship bracelet and jewelry business.

All that and more—so grab your wands and let’s dive in!



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Netflix’s Emilia Perez is a hot mess of a movie. This musical crime drama, written and directed by French filmmaker Jacques Audiard, follows a de-greenified Zoë Saldaña working as a lawyer for a Mexican drug lord who transitions.

Saldaña’s character later goes on to support the former Mexican drug lord as she attempts to atone for her criminal past by founding a nonprofit to rescue the victims of the country’s drug cartels, including her own.

What could have been a powerful exploration of the struggles faced by trans people and all women in Latin America instead turns everyone into cartoons. Emilia Perez reduces the harsh realities of cartel violence and trans struggles into a gaudy spectacle, making one wonder if it was slapped together just to throw a wrench in Wicked’s awards season dominance.

Adding to the controversy, new reports have surfaced about the film’s lead, transgender actress Karla Sofía Gascón, and her troubling history of racist and anti-Muslim remarks.

Today we take a look at Emilia Peréz and other terrible, campy films the world would rather forget ever existed.
 
Plus-- 

Paul Reubens, best known as Pee-Wee Herman, comes out of the coffin as gay in a new documentary about his not-so-private life.

Woman pleads guilty to sendng fart vdeos to her boyfriends ex. 

Chappell Roan celebrates her Grammy win for best new artist by calling out record labels, demanding they give their employees a livable wage and healthcare. 

A mysterious nationwide network against Trump called the 50501 Movement plans protests in all of the nation’s capitols on Feb 5. 

Happy 20 year anniversary to Feast of Fun, one of the first 50 podcasts in history, still going strong 3133 shows later. 

SAVE FEAST OF FUN, HELP US GET A NEW COMPUTER:
• feastoffun.com/donate

The LA fires impacted thousands of lives, with entire neighborhoods and landmarks reduced to ash. In moments like these, it’s easy to feel a sense of dread and despair, but that’s when comedy is at the most vital. Laughter doesn’t fix the chaos, but it reminds us to breathe, connect, and find light even in the darkest moments.

Today comedian and Feast of Fun legend Amanda Cohen joins us to talk about her experience surviving the Greater Los Angeles Wildfires of 2025. Amanda was a big part of our live show and the early days of the podcast. She’s since moved to LA to pursue a comedy career. 

Listen as we take a look at how comedy can be a lifeline in times of crisis and why laughter is sometimes the greatest act of resilience.

FOLLOW US ON INSTAGRAM:
★ instagram.com/amandacohen27
★ instagram.com/faustofernos
★ instagram.com/marcfelion

Plus-- 
• For couples dying to celebrate Valentine’s Day, the 'Silence of the Lambs' Murder House is now a charming Bed and Breakfast, a visit to the torture well is optional. 

• Elon Musk does a “well known WWII hate group salute,” distracting people from Trump accidentally admitting he stole the election. 

• A look back at our visit to the worst tv show in history, the Jerry Springer Show.

The world feels like it’s teetering on the edge of an apocalypse, or maybe just a really dramatic season finale. 

Lately, we've witnessed a wave of significant deaths, or things barely clinging to life: TikTok, filmmaker David Lynch, anti-gay crusader Anita Bryant, bodybuilder Chris O’Donnell, PrEP, Marriage Equality, democracy, the U.S. dollar, the Golden Globes, The Village People and yes, even Snoop Dogg’s career.

But, as Florence + The Machine wisely reminds us, it’s always darkest before the dawn. Change often comes with chaos, upheaval, and a little bit of existential dread. So, take a deep breath, focus on the solutions, and remember: together we can overcome anything, especially when everything feels like it’s falling apart.

Today, we celebrate 20 years of podcasting as we launch of our 21st season with a special guest: Chicago comedian Dan Cass, known for his razor-sharp takes on relationships.

SAVE FEAST OF FUN, HELP US GET A NEW COMPUTER:
• feastoffun.com/donate

FOLLOW US ON INSTAGRAM:
★ instagram.com/dankkass
★ instagram.com/faustofernos
★ instagram.com/marcfelion

Join us as we dive into the deaths of icons, institutions, and ideals shaping the future, including:
The rise and fall of TikTok and the rise of… whatever comes next.

• The passing of filmmaker David Lynch.

• The Republican-controlled Supreme Court’s looming attacks on marriage equality and our ability to stop HIV. 

• Trump’s latest cash grab with not one, but two cryptocurrency scams.

• The Village People’s Victor Willis insists “YMCA” was never a gay anthem, as he cashes in on all that sweet MAGA money.

It’s not easy being green—especially when your heart is three sizes too big. No, we’re not talking about someone abusing anabolic steroids; we’re talking about everyone’s favorite green Christmas curmudgeon: The Grinch.

Created by Dr. Seuss and brought to life in the iconic animated Christmas special by Chuck Jones—of Tom & Jerry fame—The Grinch was voiced by two legends: Boris “The Mummy” Karloff and Thurl “Tony the Tiger” Ravenscroft. As two beloved queer cultural figures, both are integral to this beloved holiday tradition.

And yet, despite the popularity of the book, the animated TV special, and the live-action movie, you seldom see people dressing up as The Grinch, until recently.

Today, actor, mime, and drag queen Gregg Steigmeyer joins us to talk about his unique gig playing The Grinch at holiday parties. Gregg shares how he strikes the delicate balance between staying in character as the grouchy Grinch while still spreading that essential holiday cheer.

Why is Gregg so good at playing The Grinch? Maybe it’s his background in physical comedy, or maybe it’s because he’s Vikki Spykke, one of Chicago’s drag legends going back to the 80s when drag queens excelled at bringing in the sass and the spunk. 

Plus–– An original Christmas classic: The Grinch Who Stole Cher. 

FOLLOW US:
★ linkedin.com/in/gregg-steigmeyer-7ba9641a/
★ instagram.com/faustofernos
★ instagram.com/marcfelion

The TV sitcom The Golden Girls went off the air 32 years ago, but thanks to reruns, Dorothy Zbornak and her gal pals live on in the hearts of many, especially queer folks who delight in the comedic hijinks of four senior women living together in Miami.

Although he was a toddler when the Golden Girls was first broadcast, voice over and musical theater actor Luke McQuillan’s viral covers in the voice of Bea Arthur is helping to keep the show’s legacy alive and it got him cast on Cartoon Network and Netflix shows.

 Is Luke so good at challenging Bea Arthur that he runs the risk of being overshadowed by the Broadway legend?
 
Today Luke McQuilan joins us to celebrate the life and career of our favorite WWII Marine sergeant Bea Arthur, from her gigs in gay bars here in Chicago, to singing about drugs with Rock Hudson on her CBS TV special, from her quirky TV appearances like the Star Wars Holiday Special to her unforgettable portrayals as Maude and Dororthy on The Golden Girls.

FOLLOW US ON INSTAGRAM:
★ instagram.com/luke.mcquillan
★ instagram.com/faustofernos
★ instagram.com/marcfelion

As Americans watched Nazis march in Columbus, Ohio, we are left wondering: why is fascism on the rise? More young people in the US are voting for MAGA Republicans than ever before, with a notable increase among young white men.

Why is this happening, and how can we make kindness and compassion great again?

Today, the Rev. Quincy Danger Worthington—better known to us as the Rev. Danger—joins us to share his experience in confronting right-wing extremism within his own church. Quincy came of age in the Punk and Hardcore scene in Erie Pennsylvania, and his journey through recovery led him to become a Presbyterian minister.

His work focuses on harnessing the transformative power of community building to create meaningful social change.

Listen in as we discuss the troubling rise of fascism and violence in youth culture, and how we can begin to reverse it.

FOLLOW US ON INSTAGRAM:
★ instagram.com/myphotojourneybegins
★ instagram.com/faustofernos
★ instagram.com/marcfelion

Plus-- 

• Boxing legend Mike Tyson loses to right wing MAGA influencer and former Disney channel star Jake Paul. 

• RFK Jr. says he was forced to eat McDonalds by Trump.

• A new virtual AI Santa promises to haunt your children’s nightmares this Christmas.