Hullabaloo Podcast

We come bearing electrifying news! We're here today to announce Hullabaloo: A cross-generational media consumption podcast from us, @its.k0lya and @beyondborderswithchad . We have been working towards its launch since the beginning of fall and there is a lot we have to share with you! For a little background, we're well aware that the podcast space is bloated, but we are really confident that we have something special. Both of us, Chad and Nikolai, are members of the LGBTQIA community from two different races and two different generations with an incredible friendship. As writing partners of many years with a great mutual appreciation for art, literature, music, and film, we realized that instead of just a book club or movie night podcast, or a podca

Hullabaloo Podcast is a society podcast hosted by Nikolai Phalen, with 17 episodes on record and a Required Pod Score of 80. PitchCentric scores this show on Booking Probability, Listen Score, and live audience signals refreshed every 24 hours.

Nikolai Phalen hosts Hullabaloo Podcast, a society show with 17 episodes published.

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  Episode #19

  Madonna’s Confessions, Berlin Queer Culture, & Italian Villa Update | Ep 19 | Hullabaloo Podcast

  Aug 5, 20261h 17mS1

  Madonna’s Confessions, Berlin Queer Culture, & Italian Villa Update | Ep 19 | Hullabaloo Podcast In this episode of Hullabaloo Podcast , Chad and Nikolai bridge the Gen X and Gen Z gap for a deep dive into Madonna’s iconic discography, reviewing Confessions on a Dance Floor and comparing it to her broader legacy, reinvention, and resilience against industry ageism. LISTEN & SUBSCRIBE TO HULLABALOO PODCAST: Apple Podcasts: Listen on Apple Podcasts — If you enjoyed the episode, please take 30 seconds to leave us a 5-star rating and review! Spotify: Listen on Spotify — Follow Hullabaloo Podcast on Spotify and hit the bell icon so you never miss a new drop! Episode Breakdown: Before the album review, the hosts unpack Mercury retrograde partnership dynamics and executive coaching strategies for conflict resolution. Nikolai recounts his experiences at Berlin’s Hole Festival, discussing open queer spaces versus scene hierarchies and giving a shoutout to trans DJ Juliana Huxtable. Meanwhile, Chad shares a massive personal milestone: winning a legal victory to officially claim ownership of his 5-bedroom villa in Italy. Chapter Timestamps: 00:00 - Mercury Retrograde & Executive Coaching Strategies for Conflict Resolution 15:24 - Berlin’s Hole Festival, Queer Scene Hierarchies, & DJ Culture 33:15 - Major Life Update: Chad Wins Legal Ownership of His Italian Villa 38:51 - Hullabaloo Recommends: Downbeat House Music & DJ Juliana Huxtable 42:32 - Deep Dive: Madonna's Confessions on a Dance Floor vs. Confessions 2 56:05 - Reinvention, Ageism, & The Difference Between Pop Performers & Visionaries 1:12:43 - Final Album Ratings & Wrap-Up

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  Episode #15

  Why Fame Destroyed Lena Dunham's Family | Hullabaloo Podcast | Ep 15

  Jul 29, 202654 min

  In this episode, we bridge the generational gap by analyzing Lena Dunham's vulnerable new memoir, FameSick . We discuss the dark side of finding massive success in your early twenties, unpacking how the gravity of Dunham's fame ultimately cost her the relationship with her brother. We also break down the painful, opportunistic betrayal by her mentor, Jenny, and the accountability it takes to own your mistakes. Before the book review, we talk about the exhaustion of the Barcelona Fringe Festival, review Olivia Rodrigo's newest album You Look Pretty Sad for a Girl So in Love , and go on a heated rant about the government shutdown. Chapter Timestamps: 00:00 - Catch-up: The grueling reality of performing at the Barcelona Fringe Festival. 11:42 - Political rant: The government shutdown, Pete Buttigieg, and calling your senators. 18:28 - Nikolai reviews Olivia Rodrigo’s new album, You Look Pretty Sad for a Girl So in Love . 21:58 - Chad’s advice on finding comfort in classic music like Simon & Garfunkel. 26:36 - Deep dive into Lena Dunham’s FameSick : Navigating early-twenties fame and addiction. 35:19 - The Golden Child: How Lena’s massive success destroyed her relationship with her brother. 44:43 - The ultimate betrayal: Breaking down Jenny’s opportunism and their friendship divorce. 50:46 - Final ratings: Why FameSick is the ultimate antidote to communal shame. #FameSick #PopCultureReview #GenerationalGap #QueerCulture

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  Episode #18

  Why Ordinary People Is the Ultimate Grief Film | Ep 18

  Jul 15, 20261h 28mS1

  Ordinary People, Grief Archetypes & Politics (with Chad & Nikolai) | Ep 18 In this episode, we bridge the generational gap between Gen X and Gen Z by analyzing Robert Redford's 1980 directorial debut, Ordinary People . We break down the complex family dynamics of grief, exploring how Mary Tyler Moore’s character uses rigidity and perfectionism as a maladaptive coping mechanism. We also contrast the "boilerplate" representation of Conrad's intrusive thoughts with the rare, well-adjusted grief of Donald Sutherland's character. Before the film deep-dive, we catch up on the grueling reality of producing comedy at the Barcelona Fringe Festival, the exhaustion of the current political climate, and why calling your senators is the only way to sleep at night. Chapter Timestamps: 00:00 - Catch-up: The exhaustion of staging comedy at the Barcelona Fringe Festival. 11:42 - Political rant: Frustrations with Chuck Schumer, Hakeem Jeffries, and the government shutdown. 17:26 - Shoutout to Zohran Mamdani and the importance of calling your senators. 31:14 - Introducing Ordinary People , Robert Redford's 1980 feature debut. 37:29 - Analyzing Mary Tyler Moore’s character: Perfectionism and emotional rigidity. 50:47 - Exploring Timothy Hutton’s character and the archetypes of cinematic grief. 1:02:09 - Why Donald Sutherland’s well-adjusted grieving father is a rare depiction in film. 1:12:00 - Final ratings: Chad's 10/10 vs. Nikolai's 4.1/5 debate. If you liked this, listen to our deep dive on: https://youtu.be/3QtfCtlhEzA?si=IJMx2vk2gH5p9Y1j #OrdinaryPeople #QueerCulture #PopCultureReview #GenerationalGap

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  Episode #17

  Why Society Treated Brokeback Mountain Like a Joke | Ep 17

  Jul 3, 20261h 24mS1

  Brokeback Mountain, Coming Out, & Pride (with Chad & Nikolai) | Ep 26 In this special Pride episode, we bridge the generational gap between Gen X and Gen Z gay culture by revisiting the cultural impact of Brokeback Mountain . We discuss the horrific realities of gay bashing and the Matthew Shepard case, debate whether the concept of "coming out of the closet" places an unfair burden on the LGBTQ+ community, and analyze the purposeful ambiguity of the film's tragic ending. Chapter Timestamps: 00:00 - Disclaimers on explicit verbiage and the reality of gay bashing 31:46 - The systemic homophobia and apathy of the 1980s, 90s, and post-9/11 era 37:39 - Why "coming out of the closet" is an unfair expectation for queer people 56:04 - How Brokeback Mountain was reduced to a punchline in the 2000s 1:01:44 - The debate over Jack's death and Anne Hathaway's character 1:08:50 - Jake Gyllenhaal’s humility on set and avoiding the celebrity ego trip If you liked this, listen to our deep dive on: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=aWOfhMcXcko #BrokebackMountain #QueerCinema #QueerCulture #GenerationalGap

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  Episode #15

  Why Nina Simone Was Denied Greatness | Ep 15

  Jun 19, 20261h 35mS1

  The Tragic Reality of Nina Simone & Juneteenth (with Rise Cornelius) | Ep 15 In this episode, we bridge the generational gap between Gen X and Gen Z by analyzing the legacy of Nina Simone and the ongoing realities of systemic racism. Joined by our first guest, Rise Cornelius, we break down how Nina Simone was unjustly denied entry into the Curtis Institute despite her classical brilliance. We discuss the deep exhaustion that comes with being a Black woman navigating white spaces, the gentrification of cultural hubs from California to Berlin, and the uncomfortable work required to practice true anti-racism today. Chapter Timestamps: 00:00 - How gentrification ruined the cultural authenticity of Denver and San Diego 15:17 - The tragic reality of Nina Simone's classical music rejection 35:58 - Rise Cornelius details her experience with systemic police escalation in Berlin 42:11 - How Gen X white men started unlearning racism after George Floyd 49:09 - The hidden racial context behind Nina Simone's "The Other Woman" 1:00:33 - What Juneteenth actually means to a Black woman living in Europe 1:20:02 - The first step white people must take to actively practice anti-racism #NinaSimone #Juneteenth #GenerationalGap #LGBTQHistory #QueerCulture #LGBTQMedia #GayPodcasters #PopCultureReview #GenerationalGap #ChadChurch #NikolaiPhalen #HullabalooPodcast #racism #blacklivesmatter If you liked this, listen to our deep dive on: https://youtu.be/DCASbBCd4E0?si=mBL-sGfQsIYLQYQW

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