Listen Up Girl

FC Köln shares viral proposal on the pitchTennessee GOP candidate calls for executions over gender-affirming carePete Buttigieg slams Trump over housing commentsTrump administration rules SJSU violated Title IX over trans athletePam Bondi demands Minnesota voter data amid immigration protestsCatherine O’Hara dies at 71Canadian PM calls Heated Rivalry star his “new best friend”Journalists arrested in Minnesota spark First Amendment concernsIdaho bill targets LGBTQ+ nondiscrimination protectionsOprah praises Heated Rivalry at NYC bookstoreNicki Minaj declares herself Trump’s “number one fan”UC Berkeley students preserve queer history via WikipediaNew masculinity trends reshape pop cultureAnti-LGBTQ+ attacks rise again in 2025Drag satire sparks backlash — and ACLU fundraising 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.

Make the switch! MINTMOBILE.COM/LISTENUPIn this special report of Listen Up Girl, host Zach Randles-Friedman examines a troubling contradiction of our time: LGBTQ visibility has never been higher—yet legal protections, especially for trans people and queer immigrants, are rapidly eroding.From queer representation dominating pop culture to Pride branding filling our screens, it can feel like progress is inevitable. But beneath the surface, aggressive policies, political backlash, and federal enforcement are creating fear, displacement, and real harm. Through cultural analysis, policy context, and a close look at events unfolding in Minneapolis, this episode asks a hard but necessary question: Is visibility actually protecting anyone—or is it masking a growing crisis?This is a conversation about visibility without protection, the limits of representation, and what real accountability and progress must look like moving forward. 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.

Make the switch! MINTMOBILE.COM/LISTENUPNYC shuts down amid snowstorm—and City Hall recommends Heated RivalryHeated Rivalry stars carry the Olympic flame in ItalyElton John turns knee replacement surgery into luxury jewelryTiffany Pollard urges Nicki Minaj to seek wisdom from Bruce SpringsteenKesha supports Kim Petras amid label disputeNational support grows to abolish ICE after Minneapolis shootingsGay asylum seekers face deportation to IranBBC apologizes to Jack Murley after years of homophobic abuseBroadway’s Six defends Dylan Mulvaney castingTransgender colonel Bree Fram launches congressional campaignMichigan Sen. Jeremy Moss pushes forward after trauma 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.

Kim Petras asks to be released from Republic Records amid album delaysVermont proposes state trust fund to protect gender-affirming health careFederal judge blocks DOJ demand for trans youths’ personal dataLGBTQ+ protests erupt across Florida, Tennessee, and UtahMAGA reacts to rumored Bad Bunny Super Bowl dressHundreds of Minnesota businesses close to protest ICE operations 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.

Retired Australian basketball star Andrew Ogilvy comes out as gay during the NBL’s annual Pride Round, saying the culture in sport has finally shiftedU.K. hockey player Zach Sullivan reflects on the emotional impact of Heated Rivalry and the lasting trauma faced by closeted athletesThe LGBTQ Sports Hall of Fame announces its 2026 inductees, including trans non-binary runner Nikki HiltzTennis legend Billie Jean King and former NBA player Jason Collins to receive the Glenn Burke Award for courage and authenticityHeated Rivalry stars Hudson Williams and Connor Storrie named Olympic torchbearers for the 2026 Milano Cortina GamesThe Ottawa Senators launch Heated Rivalry–inspired jerseys to support Ottawa Pride HockeyActor Max Parker cast as Heimdall in Prime Video’s upcoming adaptation of God of WarAlexander Skarsgård clarifies viral comments after fans speculate about his sexualityActor Ruby Rose accuses Nicki Minaj of mistreating tour staffWexford Pride partners with TITE Film Festival to showcase trans-led short films in County WexfordIowa lawmakers advance legislation restricting classroom discussions of gender identity and sexual orientationU.S. Department of Education opens Title IX investigation into a Maine school district over a trans student in co-ed cheerleadingSouth Carolina state Rep. RJ May sentenced to 17.5 years in federal prison after pleading guilty to child sexual abuse material chargesCanadian Prime Minister Mark Carney receives standing ovation at the World Economic ForumNew polling shows growing U.S. public support for abolishing Immigration and Customs Enforcement 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.

Visit Shopify.com/ListenUp and get you business started today! Dolly Parton Turns 80 and Celebrates the LGBTQIA+ CommunityHarry Styles Announces New Album and Reflects on Queer VisibilityStudy Finds Same-Sex Behavior Across 59 Primate SpeciesStonewall Relaunches Rainbow Laces as #MoveWithPrideUK Study Finds Higher Drug and Alcohol Death Rates Among LGB PeopleNearly Half of LGBTQ+ Americans Say They’re Less Out Than a Year AgoU.S. Publishers Pull Back From Queer Books Amid Political PressureUniversity of Arkansas Drops Law Dean Pick Over Trans RightsUtah’s Anti-Trans Bill Sparks Alarm Among Advocates 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.

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.