The Reluctant Phoenix

The Reluctant Phoenix podcast, by New York standup comic Jeff Simmermon is a series of conversations with a wide variety of people who have restarted their lives whether or not they really wanted to in the first place. Don't forget: a phoenix has to burn to be reborn, and it probably screams like hell on the way out.

Episode 17: Richard Cardillo 08/17/2021

Episode 17: Richard Cardillo Richard Cardillo was an educator for over three decades on two continents and in three languages. He’s also a decorated storyteller. Richard spent his early adult life as a monk in the Catholic Church, but realized it was a massive effort to suppress his homosexuality – a major taboo for an Italian-American Catholic of his generation. /episode/index/show/thereluctantphoenix/id/20132249

Episode 16: Mike Schleibaum 08/10/2021

Episode 16: Mike Schleibaum Mike is the lead guitarist and one of the original founders of the DC based death metal band “Darkest Hour.” He talks about the pivotal moments that helped him find his love of music, the downsides of the music industry, and what it takes to stay grounded. /episode/index/show/thereluctantphoenix/id/20079782

Episode 15: Kiana Fitzgerald 08/03/2021

Episode 15: Kiana Fitzgerald Kiana Fitzgerald is a freelance music journalist, cultural critic, and DJ. She’s written for Complex, Rolling Stone, Fader, NPR, WNYC, and more. In 2016 Kiana went missing, frightening her family and friends and igniting a search for her through social media – she was a Trending Topic until she was found. This is her story about that day, and the subsequent days of mental health struggles, enlightenment, and music. /episode/index/show/thereluctantphoenix/id/20008982

Episode 14: Jess Salomon 07/27/2021

Episode 14: Jess Salomon Jess Salomon is a Canadian comedian now based in New York, who has appeared on The Tonight Show with Jimmy Fallon. Jess left a burgeoning career as an international war-crimes lawyer at The Hague to pursue comedy. /episode/index/show/thereluctantphoenix/id/19940102

Episode 13: Jeff Gomez 07/20/2021

Episode 13: Jeff Gomez Jeff Gomez, CEO of Starlight Runner, is one of the world’s leading experts in transmedia storytelling and narrative design. Gomez talks about battling his own demons while simultaneously running one of the most complicated Dungeons and Dragons games in New York city during the ‘70s and ‘80s. /episode/index/show/thereluctantphoenix/id/19862525

A Pause 06/28/2021

A Pause We are sad to announce the passing of Jeff's father from a year-long battle with ALS. We are going to take a pause in the podcast so Jeff can be with his family. Well wishes can be sent to [email protected] /episode/index/show/thereluctantphoenix/id/19629839

Episode 12: Kerry Coddett 06/22/2021

Episode 12: Kerry Coddett Kerry Coddett is a New York based comedian, actress and writer. An academically gifted young student, Kerry bounced between public and private schools, and eventually joined the Crips. She turned things around and graduated high school and college by the age of 19. /episode/index/show/thereluctantphoenix/id/19553639

Episode 11: Justin Von Bujdoss 06/15/2021

Episode 11: Justin Von Bujdoss Justin Von Bujdoss is an American Buddhist teacher. As Staff Chaplain for the New York Department of Corrections, Justin was responsible for performing last rites to the hundreds of people who succumbed to COVID and are buried in the potter’s field / mass graveyard on Hart Island. /episode/index/show/thereluctantphoenix/id/19446221

Episode 10: Nonye Brown-West 06/08/2021

Episode 10: Nonye Brown-West Nonye Brown-West is a Nigerian-American comic now based in New York. She tells Jeff what it’s like to be a woman of color in the world of comedy – in addition to her constant health struggles. She also clarifies what it really means when people say “we’re not taking straight white guys.” /episode/index/show/thereluctantphoenix/id/19390664

Episode 9: Lizz Winstead 06/01/2021

Episode 9: Lizz Winstead Jeff is back with another season of The Reluctant Phoenix! Co-creator of The Daily Show, comedian Lizz Winstead is the founder and Chief Creative Officer of Abortion Access Front. She shares how she uses comedy, media, and grassroots organizing to support abortion clinics around the country - and she and Jeff discover that they have something else in common. /episode/index/show/thereluctantphoenix/id/19302971

The Reluctant Phoenix Season 2 Trailer 05/01/2021

The Reluctant Phoenix Season 2 Trailer Jeff Simmermon is back for Season 2 of The Reluctant Phoenix, with more incredible people who have reinvented their lives, whether they wanted to or not. /episode/index/show/thereluctantphoenix/id/18933488

Episode 8: Gary Gulman 12/14/2020

Episode 8: Gary Gulman In the Season One Finale, Jeff talks to comedian Gary Gulman. In 2017, Gary was hospitalized with major depression, given ECT therapy and was unsure he'd ever do standup again. Now you can see his one-hour standup special "The Great Depresh" on HBO. /episode/index/show/thereluctantphoenix/id/17178260

Episode 7: Anand Giridharadas 12/07/2020

Episode 7: Anand Giridharadas What do you do when you realize that capitalism itself is held together by masking tape? Jeff talks with Anand Giridharadas, author of "Winners Take All: The Elite Charade of Changing the World" about becoming American, the drama of struggling at comedy, the big lie of management consulting, Dolly Parton and cooking at home. /episode/index/show/thereluctantphoenix/id/17088851

Episode 6: Matthew Zachary 11/30/2020

Episode 6: Matthew Zachary What happens when cancer derails your life's work and career path as a young adult? Jeff talks with Matthew Zachary from OffScrip Media about his transformation from concert pianist and composer, to patient advocate. /episode/index/show/thereluctantphoenix/id/16993421

Episode 5: Annie Tan 11/23/2020

Episode 5: Annie Tan The coronavirus has forced many of us to rethink how to safely do our jobs. Activist and educator Annie Tan shares how she learned to find her voice to support teachers and students during this pandemic. /episode/index/show/thereluctantphoenix/id/16913675

Episode 4: Ro Reddick 11/16/2020

Episode 4: Ro Reddick The 2008 market crash and subsequent recession had many scrambling for new ways to make money. For Ro Reddick, it meant divorcing the daily grind of her profession, and finding out how to become a whole and happy person. /episode/index/show/thereluctantphoenix/id/16820258

Episode 3: Adam Mamawala 11/09/2020

Episode 3: Adam Mamawala What happens when the most important opportunity in your career is marred by the truth? Jeff talks with comic Adam Mamawala about his big break amidst divorce. /episode/index/show/thereluctantphoenix/id/16726571

Episode 2: Fem Appeal 11/02/2020

Episode 2: Fem Appeal Jeff talks to Fem Appeal, New York City burlesque icon about her origin story, finding sobriety in a wild nightlife culture and how it feels to be a Black burlesque performer in 2020 /episode/index/show/thereluctantphoenix/id/16642895

Episode 1: Reverend Craig Wansink 10/26/2020

Episode 1: Reverend Craig Wansink Jeff talks to Craig Wansink, pastor of Second Presbyterian Church in Norfolk, VA about misinterpreted Bible verses, finding yourself after a surprise divorce and what the church's responsibilities are in a culture of cascading moral bankruptcy. /episode/index/show/thereluctantphoenix/id/16543157

The Reluctant Phoenix 10/21/2020

The Reluctant Phoenix The Reluctant Phoenix podcast, by New York standup comic Jeff Simmermon is a series of conversations with a wide variety of people who have restarted their lives whether or not they really wanted to in the first place. /episode/index/show/thereluctantphoenix/id/16494794

The Reluctant Phoenix

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