kayliametcalfe

Police & The LGBTQ+ Community (June 14th, 2025)

On this BONUS Pride episode, we talk about the relationship between police and the LGBTQ+ community. We touch on the LA riots, No Kings Day, Fresno Pride, and how we get past our history of police violence against our community.

We have an interview with Matthew Couto, the Fresno Police LGBTQ Liaison, as well as a statement from Jess Fitzpatrick of Gender Alchemy, and we share the statement from Garry Bredefeld of the Fresno County Department of Supervisors about the County outreach during the Pride parade.

California To Carolina: Two Trans Teens Take On The World! (June 6th, 2025)

In this trans-specific Pride episode, we talk to Kathie Moehlig, with Trans Family Support Services, about the recent controversy in Clovis, where AB Hernandez, a 16-year-old trans student, competed in the CIF competition. Then we have a fascinating talk with Gray Byrd, an 18-year-old trans student in North Carolina who was told his trans positive valedictorian speech was “too political” to be accepted.

Plus, Kaylia and Chris go over some trans statistics and talk about efforts by the President of the United States to ban trans students from school sports. Enjoy!

19. Harriet Tubman Live In Concert (Book Review)

Back from an unplanned hiatus… this week it’s Bob The Drag King’s 2025 speculative fiction novel Harriet Tubman Live In Concert!

As always, I discuss the book’s atmosphere, writing style, plot, characters, and more. Plus, a popcorn fact and our new segment “Back To The Blurb” where I revisit and then opine about the book’s promo blurb. Enjoy!

18. Sorry, Please, Thank You (Book Review)

Warning: This week’s review is a bit different than normal. First off, there was no real script. Just KJaylia winging it into the microphone. Secondly, this week’s book is not a novel but a short story collection. A sci-fi short story collection!

This week’s Spoiler Free review is for Charles Yu’s 2012 collection “Sorry, Please, Thank You”

I talk about the book’s atmosphere and writing style. There isn’t as much to say about the plot and characters (obviously), but I think that I manage to give you a sense of the book.

Plus, there are a few fun tangents and a NEW SEG<ENT I am currently calling “Back To The Blurb” where I will revisit and then opine about the book promo blurb. Enjoy!

96. “Of Ghostes and Spirites, Walking by Night” Part 1

In this, the first of two episodes, Matt discusses the first part of Of Ghostes and Spirites, Walking by Night, a book in which a 16th-century theologian tried to explain why, in a world that he believed to be ruled by a Christian God, people saw ghosts. This book provides fascinating insights into Renaissance folklore, beliefs about the afterlife, and theology. And there’s a lot of smack talk.

Here Comes Pride! (May 16th, 2025)

Join us for a conversation with Bryan Esparza from Community Link about the upcoming Fresno Rainbow Pride Parade and Festival on Saturday, June 7th in the Tower District. We talk Grand Marshalls, sponsors, festival Q&A, where you can watch live, and where to get your tickets in advance. Also, learn about the programs Community Link operates and how you can participate and support. Then there’s Community Link’s biggest fundraiser this year, the Margaret Cho show at the Tower Theater on May 31st. Kaylia has some Margaret Cho trivia, and we start to dive into words the LGBTQ+ community is reclaiming, and the best and worst US states for LGBTQ+ rights.

17. The Unmaking of June Farrow (Book Review)

The premise is intriguing, the writing is well done, and even though there aren’t witches (as I originally thought) there is some magic that warrants a closer look.
This week’s spoiler-free review is for Adrienne Young’s 2023 romantic and mysterious historical novel: The Unmaking of June Farrow.
As always, I examine the novel’s atmosphere, writing style, plot, characters, and overall entertainment value.
Plus, there’s a delightful popcorn fact at the end and a little reveal about the speculative fiction aspect that makes this book the unique experience it is. Enjoy!

16. A Song To Drown Rivers (Book Review)

This week, I discuss Ann Liang’s 2024 historical novel A Song To Drown Rivers. This book avoids the pitfalls of the YA genre, tells a compelling story, and even has some interesting things to say about power and the patriarchy. I have two main plot quibbles that I will warn you about in this Spoiler-Free review,… and then I will totally rant about the ending in a video coming to TikTok, Instagram, and YouTube in the next day or two, so look out for that.

S006. Field Trip To Fresno State

In this episode, Matt takes a field trip to California State University, Fresno to talk about the spooky stories associated with the campus, including haunted music rehearsal spaces, a demon stalking the dormitories, and the spirit of a respected journalism professor. Along the way, he is nearly run down by scooters and encounters horses walking through campus. He also tries to persuade a ghost to open a door for him, which goes about as well as you would expect.

Luis Chavez and A Queer Kerfuffle (May 2nd, 2025)

We interview newly elected Board of Supervisors member Luis Chavez, talk good/bad news for our Transgender Community, make fun of RFK (and his worm), give props to George M johnson, and highlight some upcoming queer shows and movies.

Plus hockey vs rugby, foster care facts, and Kaylia learns about Pee Wee Herman.