The Reluctant Phoenix

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.  This episode mentions suicide. If you or someone you know needs help, call the suicide prevention hotline at 800-273-8255.

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.

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.

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.

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.

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. Kerry is a writer and cast member on the new Showtime show “Flatbush Misdemeanors,” and is also the host of the “On the Chopping Block Podcast.”  

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. 

   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.”

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.

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. 

In the Season One Finale, Jeff talks to comedian Gary Gulman, an apex Reluctant Phoenix if there ever was one. 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. In this episode, he talks to Jeff Simmermon about his mental health struggles, the transformative effect his special has had on his life and career, what it takes to stay healthy, how to support depressed loved ones and why relentless cynicism is complete bullshit.

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.

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. 

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.

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. 

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.

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

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.

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. In season one, you'll hear from a Presbyterian minister whose real goal is social justice, a burlesque performer who strips as Abe Lincoln, a special ed teacher in NYC public schools who's trying to teach during COVID and more than one or two professional standup comics. Don't forget: a phoenix has to burn to be reborn, and it probably screams like hell on the way out.

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 thereluctantphoenix@gmail.com