Hot Mic with Dan Savage

Love is patient, love is kind, love is giving up your rent controlled apartment, screaming alone on a beach, and everything in-between. This episode of Hot Mic with Dan Savage features two stories where someone drops the “I love you” bomb  – including a studio story from master teller Kevin Allison, and comic Jackie Kashian speaking of love at Romantic Encounters. Dan also offers some tips on dealing with heartbreak, should said "I love you" bomb happen to explode upon impact. In each episode of Hot Mic with Dan Savage, relationship expert and columnist Dan Savage showcases and provides commentary on the best true stories about sex and relationships from live storytelling shows across the country.See Privacy Policy at https://art19.com/privacy and California Privacy Notice at https://art19.com/privacy#do-not-sell-my-info.

Secret identities don't just cause problems for superheroes - they make trouble for normal people too. In this episode of Hot Mic, two storytellers  - one of them is Dan Savage himself - describe what it's like to hide, and then reveal, sexual or gender orientation. This episode features the stories "Trans on Ice" by Elana Lancaster for The Story Collider, and "Watch and Learn" by your host Dan Savage for Bawdy Storytelling. In each episode of Hot Mic with Dan Savage, relationship expert and columnist Dan Savage showcases and provides commentary on the best true stories about sex and relationships from live storytelling shows across the country.See Privacy Policy at https://art19.com/privacy and California Privacy Notice at https://art19.com/privacy#do-not-sell-my-info.

“Don’t hesitate! Take the plunge! Put yourself out there!” Well…what’s out there? You may find an open minded sexual unicorn capable of pleasuring you beyond humankind’s feeble imagination, or limp home bruised and black-eyed with little more than your dignity and a story; maybe not even that much. On this episode of Hot Mic with Dan Savage, two storytellers put themselves pretty far out there, to vastly different results. First up is Rachel Bitney Wecht's “A Little Geological Time and Pressure,” which she told for the Story Collider. Then, comedian and writer Marina Franklin shares a studio story about a time she got put out there. In each episode of Hot Mic with Dan Savage, relationship expert and columnist Dan Savage showcases and provides commentary on the best true stories about sex and relationships from live storytelling shows across the country.See Privacy Policy at https://art19.com/privacy and California Privacy Notice at https://art19.com/privacy#do-not-sell-my-info.

The most hopeless of crushes are often the most powerful. On this episode of Hot Mic with Dan Savage we'll hear a studio story from Samm Levine, the actor whose breakout role was in the cult TV favorite Freaks And Geeks. Samm shares a story about a pre and post-fame crush on a girl with an intoxicating name. We'll also hear a RISK! live story from David Montgomery, who once nurtured a rather expensive crush on a very unavailable man. Plus, Dan shares a memory of his very first unrequited crush and the residual effect it had on the future. In each episode of Hot Mic with Dan Savage, relationship expert and columnist Dan Savage showcases and provides commentary on the best true stories about sex and relationships from live storytelling shows across the country.See Privacy Policy at https://art19.com/privacy and California Privacy Notice at https://art19.com/privacy#do-not-sell-my-info.

When applied appropriately, a little shame can be hot. But all too often when shame enters a sexy situation, it's not the fun kind. On this episode of Hot Mic with Dan Savage we'll hear two stories that deal with shame head on. First, writer Elna Baker attempts to get laid while ignoring the Mormon voice in her head in "New York Virgin," told live at RISK! Then we'll hear from comedian Jessica Kirson, who shares a studio story about the time a raucous hookup left her filled with shame. In each episode of Hot Mic with Dan Savage, relationship expert and columnist Dan Savage showcases and provides commentary on the best true stories about sex and relationships from live storytelling shows across the country.See Privacy Policy at https://art19.com/privacy and California Privacy Notice at https://art19.com/privacy#do-not-sell-my-info.

When love ends and your lover leaves, they also leave things behind—that t-shirt that smells like them, or that mix CD they made you, or...their sex toys. In this episode of Hot Mic with Dan Savage, we present to you an elegiac dildo variety show of sorts. We have a live story called "Up in Flames" by Henry Bear from The Mystery Box Show, all about sex toys' brilliant final moments. We have a specially-produced piece about an unusual graveyard in San Francisco. And we have the saddest country love song ever, from the musical duo Reformed Whores. Plus, Dan discusses a possible new national holiday for those starting over. In each episode of Hot Mic with Dan Savage relationship expert and columnist Dan Savage showcases and provides commentary on the best true stories about sex and relationships from live storytelling shows across the country.See Privacy Policy at https://art19.com/privacy and California Privacy Notice at https://art19.com/privacy#do-not-sell-my-info.

Online dating is the grandest gamble - the reward might be a great time, but the opportunity for disappointment and deception is no joke. On this episode of Hot Mic, Dan Savage features two hilarious stories about online hookups that went in different directions than the storytellers imagined. First up, comedian and writer Guy Branum shares a story with us in studio about a hookup gone rogue. Then, journalist Tod Kelly shares "When You Give Something a Name," a story he told live at the Mystery Box Show about his adventures on the notorious website Ashley Madison. In each episode of Hot Mic with Dan Savage relationship expert and columnist Dan Savage showcases and provides commentary on the best true stories about sex and relationships from live storytelling shows across the country.See Privacy Policy at https://art19.com/privacy and California Privacy Notice at https://art19.com/privacy#do-not-sell-my-info.

When it comes to sex, nothing is harder than talking about sexually transmitted infections. Get it?! And STIs are even more difficult to make funny - look how hard we just tried! But on this episode of Hot Mic with Dan Savage, a bunch of brave souls break the stigma with hilarious STI stories and scenarios. Rob Penty shares a story from RISK! about genital warts, and members of the famous improv troupe The Groundlings conjure up ridiculous STI-ridden, fully-improvised scenes. For contrast, Dan Savage offers up a bit of actually practical STI advice. In each episode of Hot Mic with Dan Savage, relationship expert and columnist Dan Savage showcases and provides commentary on the best true stories about sex and relationships from live storytelling shows across the country.See Privacy Policy at https://art19.com/privacy and California Privacy Notice at https://art19.com/privacy#do-not-sell-my-info.

As a tiny minority of America's population, most members of the LGBT community spend most of their time in heterosexual spaces. But the "Gay Area" episode of Hot Mic with Dan Savage is...well, just what it sounds like. You'll hear a story from Don't Tell My Mother about what happened when straight comedian and actor Barry Rothbart got hired to film a promo video for a huge gay nudist retreat. And then Joel Kim Booster, a NYC-based standup comedian, shares a story about the time he and a few dudes claimed a room of their own.  In each episode of Hot Mic with Dan Savage, relationship expert and columnist Dan Savage showcases and provides commentary on the best true stories about sex and relationships from live storytelling shows across the country.  See Privacy Policy at https://art19.com/privacy and California Privacy Notice at https://art19.com/privacy#do-not-sell-my-info.

Everyone loves a good creepy story, and this episode of Hot Mic with Dan Savage features two particularly great ones - including a creeper story with a twist by Janelle James from RISK!, and a studio story from Sean Patton about what happens when you become the creep. Plus, Dan has some advice for those who hang out with creepy people. In each episode of Hot Mic with Dan Savage, relationship expert and columnist Dan Savage showcases and provides commentary on the best true stories about sex and relationships from live storytelling shows across the country.See Privacy Policy at https://art19.com/privacy and California Privacy Notice at https://art19.com/privacy#do-not-sell-my-info.

Having a comfort zone to retreat to is important. But just like a city gets rezoned in order to accommodate development, we have to rezone what we're comfortable with in order to grow. Especially when it comes to sex. On this episode of Hot Mic with Dan Savage, two storytellers decide to try to make their comfort zones a little larger. This episode features "Can I Pick This Up," which David Crabb told at RISK!, and "Afterparty," which Caitlin Gill told at Don't Tell My Mother. Plus, Dan discusses the future of coming out and more. In each episode of Hot Mic with Dan Savage, relationship expert and columnist Dan Savage showcases and provides commentary on the best true stories about sex and relationships from live storytelling shows across the country.See Privacy Policy at https://art19.com/privacy and California Privacy Notice at https://art19.com/privacy#do-not-sell-my-info.

On this episode of Hot Mic with Dan Savage, singer and songwriter Rachel Lark joins Dan to talk (and sing) about heartbreak, love lost, hope found. Featured stories include "Searching for the Rainbow" by Michael Zhuang for Story District, and "Janine Gets Her Groove Back" by Janine Brito for RISK! In each episode of Hot Mic with Dan Savage, relationship expert and columnist Dan Savage showcases and provides commentary on the best true stories about sex and relationships from live storytelling shows across the country.See Privacy Policy at https://art19.com/privacy and California Privacy Notice at https://art19.com/privacy#do-not-sell-my-info.

Every romance begins differently, but for the ones that last, there's always a moment when you decide to commit - we call it your commit-moment. In this episode, two storytellers share the tale of their own commit-moments, and prove that real love can come from the strangest of places. This episode of Hot Mic with Dan Savage features "Wet Feet" by Emma Weisfeld for The Narrators, and "How Nick's Mind Works" by Lesley Jones for Bawdy Storytelling. In each episode of Hot Mic with Dan Savage, relationship expert and columnist Dan Savage showcases and provides commentary on the best true stories about sex and relationships from live storytelling shows across the country.See Privacy Policy at https://art19.com/privacy and California Privacy Notice at https://art19.com/privacy#do-not-sell-my-info.

Prostitution, phone sex, porn, stripping, pro-domination. Sex work is a diverse range of professions united by sex, money, and stigma. And as a consequence of the stigma, we hear a lot about sex work but we rarely hear from sex workers themselves. But in this episode of Hot Mic hosted by Dan Savage, two sex workers show their work. "Humiliatrix" Ceara Lynch shares the story, originally performed at the Mystery Box Show, of how she got started in her line of work and how she managed to tell her dad. We also feature a funny, revealing interview between Dan Savage and porn star, writer, and activist Conner Habib. In each episode of Hot Mic with Dan Savage, relationship expert and columnist Dan Savage showcases and provides commentary on the best true stories about sex and relationships from live storytelling shows across the country.See Privacy Policy at https://art19.com/privacy and California Privacy Notice at https://art19.com/privacy#do-not-sell-my-info.

In this special, single-story episode of Hot Mic with Dan Savage, Lily Be tells the tale of how her parents' marriage ended—a mystery she had to wait more than a decade to uncover. Plus, Dan Savage shares his thoughts on monogamy, secrets, and more. This episode features the story "Conversion Van Stowaway", which Lily Be told for RISK! in Chicago. In each episode of Hot Mic with Dan Savage, relationship expert and columnist Dan Savage showcases and provides commentary on the best true stories about sex and relationships from live storytelling shows across the country.  See Privacy Policy at https://art19.com/privacy and California Privacy Notice at https://art19.com/privacy#do-not-sell-my-info.

Let's get it on, with a little help from our friends. In these two stories, middle school friends clue each other in to the world of sex and romance—from new uses for internet connections to first kisses to Ryan Phillippe to lesbian smut. Hosted by your guide Dan Savage, this episode features "Sarah and Christina" by Daniel, from True Story, and "Awkward Intentions" by Isaac Oliver, from The Soundtrack Series. In each episode of Hot Mic with Dan Savage, relationship expert and columnist Dan Savage showcases and provides commentary on the best true stories about sex and relationships from live storytelling shows across the country.See Privacy Policy at https://art19.com/privacy and California Privacy Notice at https://art19.com/privacy#do-not-sell-my-info.

Sometimes you have to escape the nest in order to learn how to flap your wings, if you know what I mean. In this episode, Margot Leitman escapes her parents' gaze—they'd rather focus on each other—to Puerto Rico, where a handsome man in a lavender shirt awaits her. Storyteller Mike O'Connell, on the other hand, completely fails to escape the nest. Plus, Dan tells the story of the time he tried to escape to San Francisco but, unfortunately, couldn't get off (the bus). This episode of Hot Mic with Dan Savage features "The Not So Virgin Islands" by Margot Leitman told live at Don't Tell My Mother and "Anti Custody" by Mike O'Connell for Dirty Birdie Story Hour. In each episode of Hot Mic with Dan Savage, relationship expert and columnist Dan Savage showcases and provides commentary on the best true stories about sex and relationships from live storytelling shows across the country.  See Privacy Policy at https://art19.com/privacy and California Privacy Notice at https://art19.com/privacy#do-not-sell-my-info.

When it comes to live storytelling shows, stories that end in bad sex are much more common than those that end well. Which makes sense—it's hard to come off looking good with a story about how great you are in the sack. But on this episode of Hot Mic with Dan Savage we’ll hear two good sex stories where everyone leaves happy and maybe even a little better off. Our first storyteller, Waverly Jane, moves from her conservative upbringing to a place that is both very sexy and very cold. Then poet Derrick Brown joins Dan Savage in the studio to discuss his poem "Chrome Hotel," about a surreal encounter with a woman he had just met. This episode of Hot Mic features “Guiltless Pleasure” by Waverly Jane from RISK! and "Chrome Hotel" by Derrick Brown performed live from Preservation Hall in New Orleans. In each episode of Hot Mic with Dan Savage, relationship expert and columnist Dan Savage showcases and provides commentary on the best true stories about sex and relationships from live storytelling shows across the country.See Privacy Policy at https://art19.com/privacy and California Privacy Notice at https://art19.com/privacy#do-not-sell-my-info.

How does dressing up in drag help you disappear? Why is being feminine like being a poodle...and what does that mean for the wolves? These and other questions are explored on this Halloween episode of Hot Mic with Dan Savage, wherein Dan shares his own story, from RISK!, about judging a Halloween costume contest on acid and performing femininity as an escape technique. Afterwards, Dan interviews You'll Grow Out of It author and Inside Amy Schumer executive producer Jessi Klein about her experiences turning into a not-very-feminine adult. In each episode of Hot Mic with Dan Savage, relationship expert and columnist Dan Savage showcases and provides commentary on the best true stories about sex and relationships from live storytelling shows across the country.See Privacy Policy at https://art19.com/privacy and California Privacy Notice at https://art19.com/privacy#do-not-sell-my-info.

Coming out is a huge step—but what about all the small steps afterwards? In this episode, two gay people try to navigate their romantic lives after coming out, and learn that finding love isn't quite as easy as just walking into a gay bar. This episode features "Sunset at Noon" from Holly Lorka for The Soundtrack Series, and "How to Be" from R. Eric Thomas for RISK! In each episode of Hot Mic with Dan Savage, relationship expert and columnist Dan Savage showcases and provides commentary on the best true stories about sex and relationships from live storytelling shows across the country.See Privacy Policy at https://art19.com/privacy and California Privacy Notice at https://art19.com/privacy#do-not-sell-my-info.