Listen Up Girl

Visit Shopify.com/ListenUp and get you business started today! Polyamorous Americans remain legally unprotected despite growing visibility‘Heated Rivalry’ season two expected to begin filming this summerRhea Seehorn confirms ‘Pluribus’ season two writers’ room is officially backACLU launches “More Than a Game” campaign as Supreme Court weighs trans sports bansMichigan judge resigns after racist and anti-LGBTQ+ recordings surfaceTennessee lawmakers introduce bills targeting marriage equality, Pride flags, and LGBTQ+ workplace protectionsRussian streaming platforms charged under anti-LGBTQ+ “propaganda” law as queer stories continue to spreadDating apps reshape queer spaces in Ireland, raising concerns about community lossNYPD searches for suspect after anti-LGBTQ+ attack on New York City subwayMost conversion therapy in the U.S. still administered by religious leaders, new data shows Hosted by Zach Randles-Friedmanhttps://www.listenupgirl.com/ Visit Shopify.com/ListenUp and get you business started today!  Hosted by Simplecast, an AdsWizz company. See pcm.adswizz.com for information about our collection and use of personal data for advertising.

DOJ lawyers resign over handling of Renee Good caseSan Antonio removes rainbow crosswalks in Pride DistrictNY Attorney General Letitia James leads lawsuit against HHSAI backlash after Grok generates nonconsensual sexual imageryMacKenzie Scott donates $45 million to The Trevor Project Euphoria Season 3 trailer drops with a five-year time jumpSlo Pitch: a queer sports mockumentary on the horizonNeNe Leakes returns to Bravo — but not with a peachSydney Sweeney targeted by transphobic conspiracyPlease complete our audience survey. It helps me learn more about you and what you like most about this show. I am always looking for ways to improve our content/podcast/show. http://survey.podtrac.com/start-survey.aspx?pubid=0qI0Tj7TBKvS&ver=standardFollow me on Instagram at https://www.instagram.com/therealzachre Hosted by Zach Randles-Friedmanhttps://www.listenupgirl.com/ Visit Shopify.com/ListenUp and get you business started today!  Hosted by Simplecast, an AdsWizz company. See pcm.adswizz.com for information about our collection and use of personal data for advertising.

Hockey player Jesse Kortuem comes out as gay, crediting Heated Rivalry with giving him the confidence to live openlyTransgender youth face growing sports bans across the U.S., raising concerns about safety, belonging, and accessHawaiʻi enacts landmark parentage law strengthening protections for LGBTQ+ familiesCDC warns of rising STI rates nationwide, with syphilis and congenital syphilis driving the most urgent concernsMaryland woman arrested after viral video shows alleged homophobic attack inside Virginia supermarketNearly half of LGBTQ Americans report being “less out” amid rising hostility, new HRC survey findsNew research shows inclusive restroom design improves access and reduces wait times for everyoneGay Minneapolis pastor says ICE agent detained him at gunpoint following Renee Good killingHarry Styles announces first album in four years, sparking speculation of a disco-inspired eraVivian Jenna Wilson appears in Savage X Fenty Valentine’s campaign, continuing the brand’s inclusive legacyHeated Rivalry resonates with queer viewers in Russia watching under anti-LGBTQ+ repressionPlease complete our audience survey. It helps me learn more about you and what you like most about this show. I am always looking for ways to improve our content/podcast/show. http://survey.podtrac.com/start-survey.aspx?pubid=0qI0Tj7TBKvS&ver=standardFollow me on Instagram at https://www.instagram.com/therealzachre Hosted by Zach Randles-Friedmanhttps://www.listenupgirl.com/ Visit Shopify.com/ListenUp and get you business started today!  Hosted by Simplecast, an AdsWizz company. See pcm.adswizz.com for information about our collection and use of personal data for advertising.

In this Listen Up Girl special report, I break down one news story that isn’t just trending — it’s resonating.What started as a queer hockey romance has become a full-blown cultural moment. Heated Rivalry has crossed from fandom into the mainstream, landing on late-night television, dominating social media, attracting pop-culture heavyweights, and pulling in audiences no one expected — including straight men, women, sports fans, and viewers who never thought they’d care about a hockey love story.In this episode, I explore how the show took over, why the chemistry and performances hit so deeply, and how the actors helped redefine masculinity, vulnerability, and desire on screen. We talk about why women are obsessed, why straight guys are watching and staying, and why queer audiences see themselves reflected so clearly in this story.I also dive into what’s coming next — including Season 2 anticipation and the announcement of Unrivaled, the third novel in Rachel Reid’s beloved series, where secrecy fades and visibility finally takes center stage.This isn’t just a TV recap.It’s a cultural breakdown of how one story cracked something open — and why it matters right now. Please complete our audience survey. It helps me learn more about you and what you like most about this show. I am always looking for ways to improve our content/podcast/show. http://survey.podtrac.com/start-survey.aspx?pubid=0qI0Tj7TBKvS&ver=standardFollow me on Instagram at https://www.instagram.com/therealzachre Hosted by Zach Randles-Friedmanhttps://www.listenupgirl.com/ Visit Shopify.com/ListenUp and get you business started today!  Hosted by Simplecast, an AdsWizz company. See pcm.adswizz.com for information about our collection and use of personal data for advertising.

Unrivaled, the third Shane and Ilya novel, is officially announced by Rachel ReidMark Ruffalo and Wanda Sykes protest ICE-linked killings on the Golden Globes red carpetTeyana Taylor wins Best Supporting Actress and delivers a powerful message to Black women and girlsErin Doherty wins a Golden Globe and thanks therapists in emotional speechHudson Williams and Connor Storrie bring Heated Rivalry energy to the Golden Globes stageNew YouGov poll shows most Americans view Republican transphobia as a problemColorado Gov. Jared Polis considers clemency for election-fraud figure Tina PetersDorinda Medley discusses lavender marriages on Reality CheckedSupreme Court set to hear cases on bans targeting trans girls in sportsPlease complete our audience survey. It helps me learn more about you and what you like most about this show. I am always looking for ways to improve our content/podcast/show. http://survey.podtrac.com/start-survey.aspx?pubid=0qI0Tj7TBKvS&ver=standardFollow me on Instagram at https://www.instagram.com/therealzachre Hosted by Zach Randles-Friedmanhttps://www.listenupgirl.com/ Visit Shopify.com/ListenUp and get you business started today!  Hosted by Simplecast, an AdsWizz company. See pcm.adswizz.com for information about our collection and use of personal data for advertising.

Record number of Queer and Trans candidates selected for UK’s 2026 local electionsVermont proposes trust fund to protect gender-affirming healthcareNew York City sees 161% surge in bisexual identificationAndrea Jenkins announces retirement after historic careerNationwide protests erupt after ICE agent kills Renee Nicole GoodKristi Noem vows to send more federal agents to MinneapolisBowen Yang and Matt Rogers apologize over Jasmine Crockett remarksLord Mandelson speaks out on Epstein ties in BBC interviewOver 100 detained in Azerbaijan queer nightclub raidPlease complete our audience survey. It helps me learn more about you and what you like most about this show. I am always looking for ways to improve our content/podcast/show. http://survey.podtrac.com/start-survey.aspx?pubid=0qI0Tj7TBKvS&ver=standardFollow me on Instagram at https://www.instagram.com/therealzachre Hosted by Zach Randles-Friedmanhttps://www.listenupgirl.com/ Visit Shopify.com/ListenUp and get you business started today!  Hosted by Simplecast, an AdsWizz company. See pcm.adswizz.com for information about our collection and use of personal data for advertising.

In this special episode of Listen Up Girl, we examine the life and death of Renee Nicole Good, a 37-year-old mother, writer, and partner who was fatally shot during an ICE operation in Minneapolis.This is not just a breaking-news story—it’s a human one. We take listeners beyond the headlines to understand who Renee was, what happened on the morning she was killed, and why the official accounts and eyewitness narratives diverge so sharply. Through compassion, context, and careful reporting, we explore the grief left behind, the community’s response, and the broader questions this tragedy raises about federal law enforcement, accountability, and the use of force.Most importantly, this episode asks why moments like this keep happening—and what it says about where we are as a country. Renee Good should still be here. Remembering her means refusing to accept silence, erasure, or easy answers.⚠️ Content warning: This episode discusses police violence and loss of life. Hosted by Zach Randles-Friedmanhttps://www.listenupgirl.com/ Visit Shopify.com/ListenUp and get you business started today!  Hosted by Simplecast, an AdsWizz company. See pcm.adswizz.com for information about our collection and use of personal data for advertising.

Amber Glenn delivers a record-breaking performance at the 2026 U.S. Figure Skating ChampionshipsRenee Nicole Good fatally shot by ICE agent in MinneapolisBecca Good: “We had whistles. They had guns.”Minneapolis Mayor Jacob Frey tells ICE to leave the cityFBI takes over investigation, barring state authoritiesGoFundMe for Good’s family raises over $1.5 millionCynthia Nixon calls for arrest of ICE agentOne year into Trump’s presidency, queer Americans seek asylumMadonna launches new Dolce & Gabbana eraHeated Rivalry continues to surge globally—even via piracyOrlando paints rainbow medians after Pulse crosswalk removalIndiana town sued again over Pride festival banGrok AI generates exploitative images and CSAMTennessee GOP targets same-sex marriage protectionsUtah bans Wicked statewideKendall Jenner addresses sexuality rumorsGolden Globes announce LGBTQ-favorite presentersPlease complete our audience survey. It helps me learn more about you and what you like most about this show. I am always looking for ways to improve our content/podcast/show. http://survey.podtrac.com/start-survey.aspx?pubid=0qI0Tj7TBKvS&ver=standardFollow me on Instagram at https://www.instagram.com/therealzachre Hosted by Zach Randles-Friedmanhttps://www.listenupgirl.com/ Visit Shopify.com/ListenUp and get you business started today!  Hosted by Simplecast, an AdsWizz company. See pcm.adswizz.com for information about our collection and use of personal data for advertising.

New York City has a new mayor — and a divided reaction. In this Listen Up Girl special report, we examine Zohran Mamdani’s election, the backlash against his progressive agenda, and why LGBTQ+ voters overwhelmingly supported him. We also explore what his administration promises for trans rights, healthcare, and the future of the city.Please complete our audience survey. It helps me learn more about you and what you like most about this show. I am always looking for ways to improve our content/podcast/show. http://survey.podtrac.com/start-survey.aspx?pubid=0qI0Tj7TBKvS&ver=standardFollow me on Instagram at https://www.instagram.com/therealzachre Hosted by Zach Randles-Friedmanhttps://www.listenupgirl.com/ Visit Shopify.com/ListenUp and get you business started today!  Hosted by Simplecast, an AdsWizz company. See pcm.adswizz.com for information about our collection and use of personal data for advertising.

UK’s First Queer-First Retirement Community Fully Opens in VauxhallJohn Whaite Recovers After Near-Fatal Accident, Praises Stranger’s KindnessMadonna Builds Momentum Ahead of Confessions SequelMinneapolis Mayor Tells ICE to Leave After Shooting IncidentMaine School District Faces Backlash Over Trans-Inclusive PoliciesGLAAD Announces 2026 Media Awards NomineesBowen Yang Reflects on Leaving SNL and the Myth of “Range” Please complete our audience survey. It helps me learn more about you and what you like most about this show. I am always looking for ways to improve our content/podcast/show. http://survey.podtrac.com/start-survey.aspx?pubid=0qI0Tj7TBKvS&ver=standardFollow me on Instagram at https://www.instagram.com/therealzachre Hosted by Zach Randles-Friedmanhttps://www.listenupgirl.com/ Visit Shopify.com/ListenUp and get you business started today!  Hosted by Simplecast, an AdsWizz company. See pcm.adswizz.com for information about our collection and use of personal data for advertising.

Please complete our audience survey. It helps me learn more about you and what you like most about this show. I am always looking for ways to improve our content/podcast/show. http://survey.podtrac.com/start-survey.aspx?pubid=0qI0Tj7TBKvS&ver=standard Follow me on Instagram at https://www.instagram.com/therealzachreCher Reflects on Her Relationship With David Geffen Heated Rivalry Stars Break Into Late-Night TVCalifornia Appeals Court Halts Forced Outing PolicyJoe Keery Funds LGBTQ+ Youth Through His TourKazakhstan Criminalizes Queer VisibilityQueer Stories Dominate Critics Choice AwardsTrump Warns Republicans of ImpeachmentUtah Pushes Ban Despite Pro-Care EvidenceJanuary 6 Candidate Uses Nazi SaluteHate Crime in Sacramento Turns FatalWashington State Ballot Targets Trans AthletesUK Trans Activists Hack Free Speech UnionJapanese Soccer Player Comes Out as TransMiles Heizer Addresses Netflix CancellationJameela Jamil on Rage and Closeted Fear Hosted by Zach Randles-Friedmanhttps://www.listenupgirl.com/ Visit Shopify.com/ListenUp and get you business started today!  Hosted by Simplecast, an AdsWizz company. See pcm.adswizz.com for information about our collection and use of personal data for advertising.

Please complete our audience survey. It helps me learn more about you and what you like most about this show. I am always looking for ways to improve our content/podcast/show. http://survey.podtrac.com/start-survey.aspx?pubid=0qI0Tj7TBKvS&ver=standardFollow me on Instagram at https://www.instagram.com/therealzachre Marjorie Taylor Greene Loses Her Seat After Years of Anti-Trans RhetoricMiley Cyrus Teases Possible Involvement in Season Two of Heated RivalryKathy Griffin Opens Up About Finding Humor During Life’s Darkest MomentsCorporation for Public Broadcasting Votes to Dissolve After Federal Funding Is CutFirst Openly Lesbian Archbishop Cherry Vann Speaks Out on Painful BacklashNetflix Confirms Final Season of Queer Eye Premiering January 21Trans Writer Lexie Handlang Describes Fear and Survival in Men’s PrisonsFrench Court Convicts Ten in Cyberharassment Case Targeting Brigitte MacronOrlando Sentinel Sues Florida DOT Over Destruction of Pulse Memorial CrosswalkFormer Mormon Missionary Garth Huelskamp Reflects on Praying Away His SexualityAnti-LGBTQ+ Group Urges Trump Administration to Scrutinize Netflix Kids’ ContentCardi B Shouts Out Her Trans Glam Squad on RuPaul’s Drag RaceStephen Schwartz Steps Away from Kennedy Center Over Political ConcernsAriana Grande Prepares for First Tour in Six YearsSarah Paulson Pays Emotional Tribute to Diane Keaton on Her 80th BirthdayRicky Gervais Responds to Backlash Over Trans JokesFrançois Arnaud Calls on the NHL to Change After Heated Rivalry PromoFederal Judge Rules Teachers Can Out Queer and Trans Students to ParentsMarlon Wayans Reaffirms Support for Trans Community and LGBTQ+ Youth Hosted by Zach Randles-Friedmanhttps://www.listenupgirl.com/ Visit Shopify.com/ListenUp and get you business started today!  Hosted by Simplecast, an AdsWizz company. See pcm.adswizz.com for information about our collection and use of personal data for advertising.

Historic majority female council and first trans president electedLGBTQ+ people overrepresented among Canada’s homeless populationLuke Evans to star as Dr. Frank-N-Furter in Broadway Rocky Horror revivalJudge rejects anti-trans school brief over AI-generated errorsRFK Jr. cuts pediatric funding after vaccine policy criticismMarlon Wayans speaks out in support of his trans sonFormer NYT editor alleges paper’s anti-trans editorial shiftNYC inauguration narrated by beloved trans subway announcerMassachusetts court allows opt-out from LGBTQ+ classroom booksTexas city cancels Pride after LGBTQ+ protections rolled backLGBTQ+ streaming highlights for January 2026Three out LGBTQ players named to U.S. women’s Olympic hockey teamLGBTQ+ rights across Asia show progress — and backlash Please complete our audience survey. It helps me learn more about you and what you like most about this show. I am always looking for ways to improve our content/podcast/show. http://survey.podtrac.com/start-survey.aspx?pubid=0qI0Tj7TBKvS&ver=standardFollow me on Instagram at https://www.instagram.com/therealzachre Hosted by Zach Randles-Friedmanhttps://www.listenupgirl.com/ Visit Shopify.com/ListenUp and get you business started today!  Hosted by Simplecast, an AdsWizz company. See pcm.adswizz.com for information about our collection and use of personal data for advertising.

Please complete our audience survey. It helps me learn more about you and what you like most about this show. I am always looking for ways to improve our content/podcast/show. http://survey.podtrac.com/start-survey.aspx?pubid=0qI0Tj7TBKvS&ver=standardHudson Williams stars in short film Hold Your BackRachel Reid teases possible Heated Rivalry Broadway musicalTom Hardy discusses sexual fluiditySkate Canada pulls events from Alberta over anti-trans lawZohran Mamdani sworn in as NYC mayorMamdani’s Kim Petras playlist goes viralMatt Bomer reunites with Fellow Travelers teamEHRC chair responds to trans community criticismGay couple deletes Grindr on wedding dayAnderson Cooper & Andy Cohen bring NYE chaosOklahoma Supreme Court blocks Christian nationalist curriculumU.S. isolated at UN over “woke” languageTrump’s Kennedy Center renaming sparks backlashArtists cancel Kennedy Center performancesX offers legal support in anti-trans bathroom photo caseLocal LGBTQ+ protections advanceTrans TA placed on leave at University of OklahomaJonathan Bailey named 2025’s top box office starFollow me on Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/therealzachre/  Hosted by Zach Randles-Friedmanhttps://www.listenupgirl.com/ Visit Shopify.com/ListenUp and get you business started today!  Hosted by Simplecast, an AdsWizz company. See pcm.adswizz.com for information about our collection and use of personal data for advertising.

In this special long-form episode of Listen Up Girl, we take a step back from the daily headlines to look at the full picture of transgender rights in America — how we got here, why this issue has become such a dominant political battleground, and what comes next.Throughout the year, Listen Up Girl has covered countless stories involving transgender Americans: state bans on gender-affirming care, school policies, court challenges, election rhetoric, and the real-world impact on families and young people. This episode connects those dots.We explore:What’s actually happening across the U.S.The conservative arguments driving these lawsWhy Republicans have made transgender issues such a central focusThe perspective of transgender people and advocatesHow media and moral panic fuel the debateWhy courts now matter more than legislaturesHow upcoming elections could shape the future of trans rightsThis isn’t a shouting match — it’s a deep dive into fear, power, strategy, and humanity.Because behind every political argument are real people being asked to justify their existence.If you want context, clarity, and a fuller understanding of one of the most consequential civil-rights debates of our time, this episode is for you.Follow me on Instagram at https://www.instagram.com/therealzachre/Please complete our audience survey. It helps me learn more about you and what you like most about this show. I am always looking for ways to improve our show. http://survey.podtrac.com/start-survey.aspx?pubid=0qI0Tj7TBKvS&ver=standard  Hosted by Zach Randles-Friedmanhttps://www.listenupgirl.com/ Visit Shopify.com/ListenUp and get you business started today!  Hosted by Simplecast, an AdsWizz company. See pcm.adswizz.com for information about our collection and use of personal data for advertising.

In this episode of Listen Up Girl, we look ahead to 2026 through the lens of the LGBTQ+ community — not with vague optimism, but with clear expectations shaped by the headlines we’ve lived through.From federal LGBTQ+ protections and trans rights becoming settled law, to the dismantling of ICE and a humane immigration system for queer and trans asylum seekers, this episode breaks down what real progress should look like in the year ahead. We talk about Florida changing course after years of anti-LGBTQ+ policy, why safety and accountability must be non-negotiable, and how the 2026 midterms could shape the future of LGBTQ+ lives nationwide.This is a conversation about power, policy, and people — and why hope for the LGBTQ+ community in 2026 isn’t passive. It’s something we organize, vote for, and demand.If you care about LGBTQ+ rights, equality, and the future we’re building together, this episode is for you. Hosted by Zach Randles-Friedmanhttps://www.listenupgirl.com/ Visit Shopify.com/ListenUp and get you business started today!  Hosted by Simplecast, an AdsWizz company. See pcm.adswizz.com for information about our collection and use of personal data for advertising.

Please complete our audience survey. It helps me learn more about you and what you like most about this show. I am always looking for ways to improve our show. http://survey.podtrac.com/start-survey.aspx?pubid=0qI0Tj7TBKvS&ver=standard Barack Obama Highlights LGBTQ+ Anthems in His 2025 Favorites ListDylan Kevitch’s Viral Moment Continues to Snowball Across Internet CultureAs “MAGA Minaj” Backlash Grows, Cardi B’s Drag Race Appearance Hits DifferentlyTender Masculinity Is Winning as Pop Culture Rejects Toxic NormsOklahoma Supreme Court Blocks Christian Nationalist Curriculum Push in Public SchoolsNineteen States Sue to Stop Federal Plan Targeting Gender-Affirming Care for YouthGay NYC Councilmember Erik Bottcher Drops House Bid to Run for State SenateUniversity of Oklahoma Bars Instructor After Gender Stereotypes Essay ControversyMayor-Elect Zohran Mamdani Appoints First Openly LGBTQ+ FDNY Fire CommissionerHeated Rivalry Creator Jacob Tierney Fires Back at Critics: “It’s TV. Take a Breath.”Despite Widespread Queer Visibility, Zero Active NHL Players Have Come OutPew Research Finds LGBTQ+ Youth Are Coming Out Earlier Than Any Previous Generation Hosted by Zach Randles-Friedmanhttps://www.listenupgirl.com/ Visit Shopify.com/ListenUp and get you business started today!  Hosted by Simplecast, an AdsWizz company. See pcm.adswizz.com for information about our collection and use of personal data for advertising.

2025 was loud, messy, historic, and impossible to ignore.In this year-end roundup, we break down the biggest stories that shaped 2025—from political chaos and culture wars to moments of resilience, resistance, and real progress for the LGBTQ+ community. We revisit the headlines that made us angry, hopeful, heartbroken, and fired up—and talk honestly about what they mean going into 2026.This isn’t just a recap. It’s context, accountability, and a reminder that our stories don’t end when the year does.Follow me on Instagram at https://www.instagram.com/therealzachre/ Hosted by Zach Randles-Friedmanhttps://www.listenupgirl.com/ Visit Shopify.com/ListenUp and get you business started today!  Hosted by Simplecast, an AdsWizz company. See pcm.adswizz.com for information about our collection and use of personal data for advertising.

Please complete our audience survey. It helps me learn more about you and what you like most about this show. I am always looking for ways to improve our content/podcast/show. http://survey.podtrac.com/start-survey.aspx?pubid=0qI0Tj7TBKvS&ver=standardNew Data Shows LGBTQ+ People Face Widespread Family Rejection and Holiday IsolationMeth Addiction and Party-and-Play Culture Continue to Devastate the Gay Community as Apps Avoid AccountabilityRachel Maddow Says She Has Reconnected With Her Catholic Faith After Decades AwayAndrew Scott to Portray Actor Ian Charleson in AIDS-Era Biopic ElsinoreBishop Mariann Budde, Branded “Nasty” by Trump, Delivers BBC Christmas Message on MercyDancing With the Stars Ireland Makes History With First Female Same-Sex PairingStudy Finds LGBTQ+ Inclusive Workplaces Perform Better on Climate and SustainabilityElliot Page Publishes Open Letter to the Trans Community Amid Political AttacksMariah Carey Credits Her Gay Uncles for Giving Her a Sense of Belonging and JoyCongresswoman Sarah McBride Slams GOP for Prioritizing Anti-Trans Bills Over Healthcare Hosted by Zach Randles-Friedmanhttps://www.listenupgirl.com/ Visit Shopify.com/ListenUp and get you business started today!  Hosted by Simplecast, an AdsWizz company. See pcm.adswizz.com for information about our collection and use of personal data for advertising.

Nicki Minaj was long embraced as a queer cultural icon — celebrated in clubs, drag culture, and on RuPaul’s Drag Race by LGBTQ+ fans who helped fuel her rise.But her recent appearance in MAGA-aligned political spaces, including Turning Point USA’s AmericaFest, and her silence alongside anti-trans rhetoric have sparked backlash and a wave of unfollows.In this episode of Listen Up Girl, we break down both sides of the story — Nicki’s history with the LGBTQ+ community, why some fans defend her political independence, and why many queer and trans listeners feel hurt and abandonedThis isn’t about canceling.It’s about consequence.Follow me on Instagram at https://www.instagram.com/therealzachre Hosted by Zach Randles-Friedmanhttps://www.listenupgirl.com/ Visit Shopify.com/ListenUp and get you business started today!  Hosted by Simplecast, an AdsWizz company. See pcm.adswizz.com for information about our collection and use of personal data for advertising.