Tour Life, Safe Spaces, and Censorship with Ryan Cassata

Lauren

I think that's one of my favorite parts. While being out on the road with Ryan, our shows are creating like a space. Like Ryan's songs are creating a space for the community to come together, like from all the different corners of wherever that city might be. It's beautiful to meet just so many people to see. Like, it doesn't matter where we go. There are communities of really good people. And these people have the same viewpoints and they want the same world that we do.

Shane Lukas

Hello and welcome to Power Beyond Pride, a weekly queer change making podcast bringing you voices and ideas from across across the fierce and fabulous spectrum to transform our world. And we are live here at the great idea studio. So that's an exciting, exciting thing for our first episode.

Mattie Bynum

Yes, it is. Did you introduce yourself?

Shane Lukas

Oh, my gosh, I did. That's how excited I am to be here right now. My name's Shane Lukas. Em is and I'm the owner of a great idea. A lifelong harm reduction activist, and actually a clear big collector of records if you're looking at some of my records set here. So I'm a vinyl enthusiast as well.

Mattie Bynum

And I am Mattie Bynum. I am the loudest and laughing at all times in the room. Cause I am a comedian, actress, activist, dancer. In the dark but sometimes in the light. Yes. Closing optional. Sometimes, you never know. Privatizer Tina is my favorite and we're.

Shane Lukas

Gonna have to license that. It's gonna cost us money.

Mattie Bynum

But yes, we are bringing you our show tonight, Power Beyond Pride from the studio itself. And we have some of the most amazing people in our studio today. Today we have the award winning singer, songwriter, actor, publisher, writer, activist. Along with the themselves, we have the wonderful Ryan Cassata, um, and Kyle and more.

Lauren

Y'.

Ryan Cassata

All.

Shane Lukas

Well, welcome and thank you for. Thank you all for being here and having a conversation with us today. It means a lot because you're on tour. So you're on tour with how many cities? Uh, it's like a quiz.

Ryan Cassata

We don't really know.

Shane Lukas

You don't.

Ryan Cassata

It must be there on the back. Yeah.

Lauren

Ah, simply.

Shane Lukas

Oh, we got to count. 4, 5, 6, 10, 20. That's, uh, 2020. We're calling 2020 cities.

Mattie Bynum

But you just say I've already done 12 and you have 18 more.

Lauren

We, we've done 8 and we have 12 left. And so we're almost at the halfway point.

Shane Lukas

Almost at the halfway point. Okay. And what is your favorite city? And it's this one. What is your favorite city?

Lauren

Well, this is my first time in Greensboro, so I can't wait to check it out in the morning.

Shane Lukas

But okay, assuming it's not Greensboro, what city is it?

Lauren

Oh, geez. I had a great time in Dallas. It was my first time there, too. The community was wonderful.

Ryan Cassata

Yeah, they were cool.

Lauren

Yeah.

Ryan Cassata

Nashville, too, is awesome.

Mattie Bynum

Well, you must have got the big love, because they say everything is big on Texas, so.

Lauren

And then we were at Jasmine Crockett territory, and so that's where we did our show. And so all of the neighbors were so sweet and just letting us know, hey, you know, we're not just supportive. Like, we want you to know that we're doing X, Y, and Z in the community, and we have these people in office. They were really proud about it.

Shane Lukas

I love that, because, again, I think there's a lot of communities, even in spaces that are designated kind of red, that are out there doing stuff and creating, and that's the history. Right. There's always been. Even in here in North Carolina, which is where we're recording right now, like, there are definitely enclaves and communities that are coming together, recognize that they need to be. They need to be voices of dissent. So I think that's. That's powerful. And so what about you, Kyle, or.

Kyle

Your favorite city so far? I think Nashville.

Shane Lukas

Nashville.

Mattie Bynum

Um, super fun. Honey chicken.

Shane Lukas

Did you just spend more time there?

Kyle

About a day and a half or so.

Shane Lukas

A day and a half. Did you get out to any other venues?

Kyle

Oh, oh, Lipstick Lounge.

Lauren

Yeah.

Shane Lukas

Oh, that's fine. That's very fun. I have my favorite. Motown Mondays is over there. Motown Mondays in Nashville is Chef's Kiss. So good. What are we.

Ryan Cassata

I really enjoyed Nashville, too. Yeah.

Shane Lukas

So that means you're gonna go back.

Kyle

Definitely spend some more time there.

Ryan Cassata

Yeah.

Shane Lukas

Did you connect with a lot of fans there?

Ryan Cassata

Yeah. It's been really nice to connect with so many different people and hear their stories, and especially, like, the younger trans people.

Shane Lukas

That's awesome.

Ryan Cassata

Yeah.

Shane Lukas

That's wild. I love it. And again, when you're. When you're doing that, you have the performances, but are you getting to spend time outside the performances, really talking to.

Ryan Cassata

Community members outside of the performances? Well, like, not really outside of the venue much, but at the venue, we stick around. We don't hide backstage or anything. So we're, like, on the ground the whole time, meeting people and talking to people before and after the show. Yeah. So we get to connect with a lot of people, and then in some cities, we got to go out with people after as well from our shows, so that was fun.

Shane Lukas

Um, for the local food yeah. Local food. Yes.

Mattie Bynum

I mean, especially in Nashville and Dallas.

Shane Lukas

I do feel like you should have more rhinestones, though, if you're going to do Dallas.

Kyle

No.

Mattie Bynum

Well, I mean, it just depends on what part of Dallas are you at The Crystal Ballroom.

Shane Lukas

I mean, where were you all playing in Dallas?

Lauren

Oh, uh, where were we? We played in the tattoo.

Ryan Cassata

Played in the backyard of a tattoo shop.

Mattie Bynum

Oh my gosh.

Lauren

That's amazing.

Ryan Cassata

Yeah, they had a deck. They only had four inputs and so like, we had a really stripped down set. Set up. No monitors, just like, you know, a really old school setup.

Shane Lukas

That's awesome.

Ryan Cassata

Very punk rock.

Shane Lukas

Very punk rock.

Ryan Cassata

Yeah.

Shane Lukas

Uh, is that also what you're seeing among community members? Like, are they like. These house shows are amazing.

Ryan Cassata

Yeah.

Shane Lukas

And I find house shows to be.

Ryan Cassata

So fun to do.

Shane Lukas

Do you think people are turning more to house shows, try and get more artists out in the communities?

Ryan Cassata

Yeah, I think so. There's, there's a lot of house shows that are popping up. It's a good way to make it, like not be just 21 and up. Like they could be all ages or some, some of them are like 18 and up. But we are doing quite a few house shows on this tour and I think, uh, people do feel safer in house shows a lot of times, like, knowing that like, okay, there's only going to be like 30 to 50 people here. Like, it just feels safer knowing, like there's a smaller amount of people. Especially right now. It's like the political climate.

Mattie Bynum

Yeah, no, no, I definitely agree because I'm actually about to go to a concert soon and I just said that to a friend. I was like, I don't think now is the time to be in D.C. and in an arena with 5,000 other people. Like, it's kind of like, come blow me up like that. Not, not in a bad way, but, you know, but you got to be careful now because you don't know.

Lauren

My favorite parts of the house show is to say it feels really intimate. You're in somebody's home, so it's already. It feels really welcoming. It's really easy to get into conversations with strangers. Like, it's just a good time.

Shane Lukas

I love that. No, again, I think that's, it's, it's communities kind of building spaces where, where there is that safety and security.

Ryan Cassata

Yeah.

Shane Lukas

So that's awesome. Any suggestions for people who want to put our show on?

Mattie Bynum

Clean your house first.

Ryan Cassata

I was dipped. Make sure your, your pipes are like in working order. Like if your bathroom gets destroyed, you're ruined. You know, wow. Like, the bill could be terrible.

Shane Lukas

That.

Mattie Bynum

Okay, so, yeah, if I even bring you all.

Ryan Cassata

Yeah, yeah.

Shane Lukas

Clean and make sure. Make sure your house is in working order. And, uh, do you. Do you feel like when you're talking to other artists that they're really opening the door to those house parties? That's a thing that people want to.

Lauren

Be doing more of.

Shane Lukas

Because I know in the pandemic, that was like, uh, one of the things that people started to look at when they started to do private parties because they wanted to do mask and they wanted to create some more safe spaces. And then I've seen that trend kind of continue on a bit.

Ryan Cassata

Yeah. Honestly, I think, like, right now, the house show scene is blowing up more than I've ever seen it blow up. Because the. Honestly, the All American Rejects have been going viral by doing house shows, and they're, like, thousands of people coming to these people's houses. Like, but, like, they just, like, popularized it again and, like, been like, yo, look, this is, like, a cool thing. And now they just apparently made an app too. So we're hoping that we can join the app and then you could find, like, house shows to play.

Shane Lukas

Oh, that's awesome. Yeah.

Ryan Cassata

So it's coming back, and. And the reason why households are coming back is because, like, yeah, venues are struggling. After Covid, still, a lot of venues have closed down, and then a lot of venues have fees. Like, for example, our Nashville show, like, the first $400 we made went to the venue. So my cluck hood, the soap company actually sponsored the show so that we could, like, actually get paid instead of just paying the venue, like. Yeah.

Shane Lukas

So is that a small business that came through and kind of helped support.

Ryan Cassata

Yeah. Local small business?

Shane Lukas

Are you seeing. Also because as a small business owner, like, are you seeing small businesses? Because I always try to encourage small businesses to be doing more activism, to be engaged in that. Are you. Is that also something that you're seeing on in your work?

Ryan Cassata

Sometimes it's. It's more rare. Like, mostly they give product, but, yeah, it's rare that someone would, like, cover a venue fee.

Shane Lukas

Yeah, but more businesses can do that.

Ryan Cassata

They could and they should.

Lauren

Wonderful.

Ryan Cassata

Support the arts.

Lauren

Products are great, but please, a little bit of cash.

Mattie Bynum

Sponsors. That's what we're asking for. Sponsorships.

Ryan Cassata

Yeah.

Mattie Bynum

Yes. No, I definitely agree. I think that's something. You know, we promote that all the time, especially with the children, within school, within your community, just in general, because without arts, you don't have a way to express yourself so well.

Shane Lukas

With any funding being cut and so many of those channels being challenged. Right. In terms of the content that's being out there, getting stuff that's queer inclusive, getting stuff that's even talking about social justice is itself going to be a challenge, I think. Right. And that, like, in this current moment, are you feeling that censorship and that. Are you feeling any of the brunt of that? Because the current conversation is really starting to move toward limiting speech, starting to limit, you know, more presentation. Are you feeling that?

Ryan Cassata

I'm definitely feeling it online, where a lot of my posts are just like, they're not being seen. And you could tell only like 60 people viewed this. Like 60 people viewing a, uh, post on an account that has130,000 followers. Like, does it make sense? And like, I could tell, like, oh, it's because I use the word queer in the caption or something like trans. Like, especially trans. Trans is definitely being censored, I would say.

Mattie Bynum

I think that's just a word that people are just afraid of at this moment.

Ryan Cassata

Yeah.

Mattie Bynum

All around.

Ryan Cassata

Yeah.

Shane Lukas

But do you think that's going to then yield possible new channels? Because I know there's something called hey Fam that's now launched, which is trying to be queer friendly and try to create a queer friendly space, so called hey Fam. Um, they're just brand new and so they're developing. Do you think that it's. This is an opportunity to also like house parties, kind of go and build some of the solutions to get around essentially what is going to become a more restrictive environment?

Ryan Cassata

I think. So, like, we need to be in control of our own apps as queer people like, that we're using because obviously, like Instagram metal. Like, I mean, if you scroll through Facebook, my algorithm should be showing me like liberal stuff and I'm seeing like the most conservative stuff suddenly. And I'm like, what is this? You know, very funny.

Mattie Bynum

Because Facebook, uh, meta in general made it a point that they weren't going to start restricting and they weren't going to fact check and they weren't going do all this stuff. Now all of a sudden I'm like, you. I go on Facebook and I'm seeing things. I'm like, I don't follow these people. I don't follow this content. Why am I seeing this content?

Ryan Cassata

Yeah, so I definitely. And it's all stuff that you're like, this shouldn't even be allowed on the Internet. It's hateful. Like, these people are part of like Facebook hate groups that they like, will post My stuff in. And then, like, in. Within an hour, I'll get thousands of hate comments.

Mattie Bynum

I want to ask, though, how do you deal with that? Because you are in the spotlight.

Ryan Cassata

Yeah.

Mattie Bynum

You are a celebrity. And in today's climate, where is everything that we say is being targeted? How do you handle that?

Ryan Cassata

Yeah, uh, a lot of it, of course. Like, most of it I don't respond to at all. And then every once in a while, like, you know, I get pissed off, and I'm just like, all right, I'm gonna, like, bite back a little bit, but I'll. I'll try to do it in a way that I'm, like, making a joke of them or, like, the comment they said. Like, it's always similar types of people. If you go to their profiles, it's like, can I be honest? Like, why is, like, half of them, like, white guys with, like, big beards, like, or have Trump in their profile picture? Or they're holding a fish or. Yeah. Or a gun.

Mattie Bynum

But, you know, I think those are more the bots than they are the real ones.

Ryan Cassata

You do?

Mattie Bynum

Yeah, because they are. There is a common theme that you see. And just like, I was on, um, Facebook the other day, and someone had posted something about stuff that's going on, and I saw one comment from a person that was like, well, we should all be able to say what we want to say and be how we want to be. And da, da, da, da. And I go to his page, and it's, uh, um, a white man with a beard holding a fish, and he's also a Trump supporter. And you see, like, three or four things, and I'm just like, this is a bot. This is someone real. This isn't someone real. Because no matter who you support common decency, it's just common decency.

Ryan Cassata

Yeah.

Mattie Bynum

Human beings are human beings, you know so well.

Shane Lukas

And that's the thing is it's a. It's been successful as a model.

Kyle

Right.

Shane Lukas

Like, the problem is that it worked. And so I think maybe. Maybe as activists, and we're going to take a second and pause here for a break, but, like, maybe when we come back, we can think about what. What other opportunities can we, as a community then think about to, like, what's possible and creating alternative channels, like, other ways that we're going to have to be. Because, you know, social justice has been infringed upon for centuries, a very, like, entirety. And communities have come to create systems that lived, you know, independently, create community systems and care systems. Right. But I think we need to go back to that creative well a little bit and start to like, oh, well, what's possible? What can we build for ourselves? Because I think we were looking at all those popular channels, but we never owned them and they were never ours.

Mattie Bynum

Right, that's true.

Shane Lukas

And so maybe we need to start thinking about, like, well, what other ways can we live outside this system?

Mattie Bynum

Well, what platform are you going to create?

Shane Lukas

Oh, good question. I mean, this is why I love. You know, again, I mentioned, hey, fam. They're small, but I. But I do like that people are coming to the table with ideas. And so I think about, like, you know, again, like, house parties, other places, and go, like, we can't depend on these. We can't. And there's an argument and probably a fair argument we'll talk about more after we get, you know, after breaking that. So none of the systems were things we really could have depended on to begin with. And maybe, maybe, maybe we kind of lulled ourselves into a space of very, uh, feeling okay when it was never actually okay. And on that note, we'll be right back.

Ryan Cassata

Uh-huh.

Mattie Bynum

Welcome back to Power Beyond Pride. My name is Mattie Vine. I'm one of your favorite hostesses with the most. As I'm telling you, I'm always the loudest person in the room, whether it's the color I'm wearing to sound out my mouth. But I promise you, you will always see me and recognize me. And I'm sitting here with my wonderful, beautiful first time in his own kilt.

Ryan Cassata

Yes.

Mattie Bynum

Give him. I'm loving it. Shane Lukas.

Shane Lukas

I want to give a call out to Versada. Uh, Virilis, I think, is the name of the company. They're out of Virginia. Queer Owned. And we. Oh, gosh, do that. I'm not used to that. They're a great company. Check them out. They do great stuff.

Mattie Bynum

Hold you before the show starts. Keep your legs closed at your knees. Just pinch together. There you go. There you go. All right, so we are also done with the amazing group that we're sitting here with today. We have Mr. Ryan, Kyle and Lauren. Correct?

Lauren

Yes.

Ryan Cassata

I didn't hear them old name.

Mattie Bynum

So if I remember your name, that's a great thing. I just want y' all know that. Okay, so I do have a question. How did y' all get started? Like, the group, the band? Where did it all come about?

Lauren

These guys came together first, so I think this is gonna be a good place to start.

Ryan Cassata

Yeah.

Kyle

So. Well, Lauren and I are another band, but. But we submitted songs to different like blogs. And one happened to be Ryan's Rock the Pigeon. So that's how we first sort of had the connection.

Ryan Cassata

And then, then you guys, you guys were like, you want to get food? We're in la. And I was like, who are these people? And also like, you know, I'm running a music blog. But like, I didn't really have my like, face attached to it so much. Like, it was very, like, you know, it's very low key. So I was like, I don't know who they are, you know, So I was like, I'm gonna bring my manager, I brought my friend. And like, we walk in and we're like, so what's up with this? But then as soon as we saw them, we're like, oh, it's totally not scary at all.

Mattie Bynum

Like, yeah, I think that's every blind date back in the day.

Shane Lukas

And you did that. I'm gonna drop by, I'm gonna go at least a couple octaves.

Ryan Cassata

Yeah. And they're like, if you ever need a backing band, let us know. And I was like, well, actually I do. And then a few years ago, we came up with, okay, we need a band name. I've always been going by Ryan Cassata since I was like 15, 14. But we need like a name to like show. Like, hey, this is a full band show. So we came up with Ryan Cassata and the Top Surgeons.

Shane Lukas

Very fun. How did you know it was the right mix as a band?

Lauren

Well, this was kind of a fun opportunity.

Ryan Cassata

Oh, boy.

Lauren

So the other band that Kyle, um, just mentioned, I was the last member to have joined that one as well. So I just roll into this group, right, and I'm probably playing with this other band for maybe a month or so. And then this opportunity came up for us to play at this, uh, juvenile center over in Los Angeles. And that was a dual show with our other band and Ryan. And that was my first time meeting Ryan. I'm like, oh, man. Like, check this guy out. And so we played and it was a great time. A little while later, I guess there was something that like, you know, he needed a fill in bass player and I got a spontaneous call to adventure. And then we went and we played this show for UCLA campus. It was like this college. It was like a. What was, what'd you call it?

Shane Lukas

Like a.

Lauren

It was like a frat party kind of thing. Oh, that show, do you remember that? That was the first.

Mattie Bynum

So it wasn't telling the story.

Ryan Cassata

Talk about house show parties.

Shane Lukas

Yeah, right.

Lauren

Talking about.

Ryan Cassata

Nothing was set up when we got.

Lauren

There, absolutely nothing but.

Ryan Cassata

And we got there late. Oh.

Mattie Bynum

So it turned out to be the best show, y'.

Lauren

All. We're gonna put this together real quick, right? So we go ahead, we play these songs. You know, I'm like, I know. I know what I gotta do. I'm up there doing my thing. We're all jamming out. The crowd's having a great time. And I didn't really know, like, how Ryan was feeling about it because we never. I don't even know if we rehearsed before that. And he's so sweet. You, um, know, he's five foot nothing. And I'm standing behind him, um, and he just turns back at me and he says, it was really good. Oh, God, I'm so glad. And so now it's been like six years or so or five and a half. So it's been a really good time. Been on a long time.

Shane Lukas

Lauren, I have to ask since, uh, not only are you really good, do you make base space face?

Lauren

Oh, I make all kinds of faces. I make face.

Ryan Cassata

I make bass box dance.

Shane Lukas

Yeah, yeah, you do that whole, like. I love that. So, Ryan, because you run the blog and music is really important to you, do you feel like music is also a good temperature to gauge how communities are talking? Like, is that also a really good way that you are seeing changes within conversations? Because I'm thinking about the number of trans artists who sort of, you know, again, come to the. Come to the conversation these days and are doing incredibly creative things. Other queer artists, I M mean, we talk at this point, like, throw a stone on the pop chart and you can hit somebody who's, you know, somewhere along the clear spectrum.

Mattie Bynum

Yeah.

Shane Lukas

Um, do you feel like that's a. That's. That's something fascinating to watch this from a. From a music kind of journalist and an aggregate standpoint.

Ryan Cassata

I've been out as trans now for 17 years, and I've been out as queer for almost 20 years. And I think, like, when I came out, I didn't really see any queer artists. Even, like, artists that were queer. Like, I didn't even know they were queer, like, until they died or, like. Like, it was so, like, underground, you know, like, people were really being, like, closeted about it. We're just keeping it, like, hushed down low.

Shane Lukas

I mean, George Michael proclaimed he was straight, and we were all like, m. Yeah, Are you.

Mattie Bynum

How many fights were over George Michaels back in the day and Billy Ocean?

Shane Lukas

Uh, but even. Even punk bands like Revolting Cox and, like, you had all These different bands over the years who, you know, you just had amazing bands that were always queer, I would think queer affirming. But like you didn't really have a lot of people talking about it.

Ryan Cassata

Mhm. Yeah, exactly.

Mattie Bynum

I would say, I would say the trans liberation started really big 10 years ago, within the last 10 years. Because if you go back 10 years, like you said, there's not a lot of people that were out publicly. You may have knew somebody, knew somebody that knew somebody that knew the inside tip. But to be public with it, that's within the last 10 years. Yeah.

Shane Lukas

I mean, you had Jackie Shay.

Ryan Cassata

Yeah, I mean, yeah. I mean when I, when I came out, Chaz Bono was, came uh, out maybe a year after I came out.

Shane Lukas

And you were setting a trend.

Ryan Cassata

Yeah. Um, and there wasn't really that many people out then. And then like eventually like Caitlyn Jenner came out and also Laura Jane Grace of Against Me. So like I watched people that were like really famous come out and that's, I think that started, uh, changing things it more drastically. We're like, okay, now everyone knows about being trans because when I first came out, like I would say I was transgender to someone and they'd be like, what the hell is that? Like, no one would know what that meant. They thought I meant. I was talking about like some transportation thing, like vehicles. Like people had no idea what trans. Trans was. Transgender wouldn't even say trans back then. So it was just like a way different time. And now there's like so many trans musicians. Like when I was like coming up, like I could name off the top of my head every single musician that was out as trans. And now like I probably find a new trans musician like every day. You know, I thought it's out and doing their thing. So I love it.

Mattie Bynum

I love that people feel comfortable too.

Ryan Cassata

Yeah, yeah, it's great.

Shane Lukas

Is that also part of the democratization of the media, in other words, because there's less controlled avenues to release music that now you can, as an independent artist, you can really get out there. Like that's part of, to me what the Internet of opened up. It had a sort of double, double edged sword on it. But like, I don't know if that's the right metaphor, but essentially like it opened up opportunities for people to release music on their own and build up an audience.

Mattie Bynum

Yeah.

Shane Lukas

So I didn't get like major airwaves. But you mentioned like Laura Jane Grace who's like amazing. But like that's the first musician I know of from the Very public sector. Like, very public rock.

Ryan Cassata

Yeah, yeah.

Shane Lukas

To really come out and have that conversation. And, you know, she took a lot of heat for that.

Ryan Cassata

Yeah, definitely. Well, I think, I mean, the Internet's been around, like, for my entire music career. And, uh, I, like, I used to just, like, record demos in my bathroom because I had the best reverb through my MacBook with no mic and then just burn CD after CD and write all the tracks with Sharpie, like one by one and sell them at school and at shows. Like, so people have been able to, like, release their own music, like, forever. So I don't think that's, like, what has happened pushed more trans artists to come out. I just think, like, visibility has been increasing little by little. And like, now we're seeing this, like, big jump, of course, because of, like, what's happening politically. And I think just the more visibility that happens, the more people could see themselves reflected in someone else and be like, oh, like, now it all makes sense because for me, like, I was so confused and so lost and I didn't know, like, what was going on with me. Like, I didn't understand why I didn't, like, didn't fit in. Like, I came out as bi and I still was just like, I don't feel like who everyone is calling me, you know? And then as soon as I met a trans person who was older than me, like, I was just like, whoa, like, that's me, you know?

Shane Lukas

I, uh.

Mattie Bynum

Yeah, I was gonna say. So with that being said, how do you deal with. With all of that and being able to self care and take care of yourself? Because the thing about it is being in the spotlight, being a beacon, being a person that stands in the gap for other people, you have to be careful enough to take time for yourself.

Ryan Cassata

Yeah.

Mattie Bynum

So how do all three of y', all, like, how do y' all take time to recharge?

Lauren

M. Oh, I'm a big napper and I'm a big snapper.

Ryan Cassata

Napping in the snack Correlation over.

Lauren

So I'm either. Oh, I forgot performing. I'm on the road with these guys. That's my social time. Then I just get myself home. I want to watch cartoons. I don't want to see anybody. Just put me in the couch for three days and then I'm great. Ready to go.

Mattie Bynum

Okay. I feel you right here.

Kyle

Me just surrounding myself with nature.

Mattie Bynum

Okay.

Kyle

I think allows me to sort of reset, reground myself.

Mattie Bynum

And that's a shame.

Shane Lukas

I'm a huge hiker. I'm there. I'm there with it. I love social environments, but my battery goes.

Ryan Cassata

Goes.

Shane Lukas

And then I'm like, I gotta go out in nature. And I'm like, I know you're trying to kill me. Nature. I know, I know you are. All the time. That's your job.

Kyle

Everything else, too, but.

Shane Lukas

But I'm just gonna soak up. I need. I need all this green. I'm, I'm. I need the chlorophyll.

Lauren

Yeah. He's the kind of guy to wake up at six in the morning while we're still sleeping, to just go outside and get a little bit of nature before we're on to the next stop.

Shane Lukas

Uh, that's a good plan. I mean, you're getting to see all parts of the country, so I think that's amazing.

Ryan Cassata

And Ryan, everybody, I am absolutely terrible at taking a break or resting. I am, like, I'm a complete workaholic. And then, like, when I am not working, then I am, um, like, hanging out with friends, going to whatever party. The times that I'm, like, resting is like, probably when my. When I watch TV with my husband, like, and we try to do that for, like, a half hour every night when I'm home. But he's also, like, kind of a workaholic. So we just were, like, always like, are you working, babe? Are you working? Yeah, working, like, all day in the house, working.

Shane Lukas

Still a favorite genre that you both kind of agree on. Because I know with my partner, like, we have very, like, the historical romance stuff. Yeah, forget it. I'm out. Those are things. I'm like, I'm traveling. Uh, please watch away. Or watch away if I don't know what they do.

Kyle

Watch those.

Ryan Cassata

We cross over on a lot of TV shows, for sure. Like, we'll watch stuff that totally takes, like, we're like, let's watch something happy that distracts us from, like, what's going on in the world. But then we also, like, honestly, we're like, huge fans of the Jimmy Kimmel show, and we were, like, waiting for him to come on. Come back because he was on a huge break all summer. And we're like, when is Uncle Jimmy coming back? Like, we refer to him as Uncle Jimmy in our house. Yeah.

Shane Lukas

I think we're going to take a moment, honor Uncle Jimmy, but also to know, um, Uncle Jimmy. And I believe. I think I'm hearing that they're talking about another media environment that Mad Al, Colbert and Kimmel, mate.

Mattie Bynum

Yeah.

Shane Lukas

So again, I think going outside the box, really, like, as. As people feel that compression right now. In this moment.

Ryan Cassata

Mhm.

Shane Lukas

Like realizing that that freedom is so important and you sometimes have to build it for ourselves.

Ryan Cassata

They could do a podcast.

Shane Lukas

I'm sure they do plenty of podcasts. Yeah, I'm gonna go. I'm gonna go with that. But I think building a media empire around, like a commitment to freedom and a commitment to creating spaces where people could be like and again, have the commentary and be able to bring that into the. We're here for that. We. We see you, we see you.

Ryan Cassata

We love you, we encourage, we're grateful.

Mattie Bynum

So as we go to break, I need y' all to be prepared when we come back. It's our speed round. This is what we get. Juicy. This is where it gets a little teasing, tantalizing. Yeah. So be thinking of your answer while we're break. Okay. We'll be right back with Power Beyond.

Shane Lukas

Welcome back to Power Beyond Pride. I'm Shane Lukas and I'm here with my amazing co host, Mattie Bynum. And we are talking with Ryan Cassata and. And the, uh, top. I always get this wrong. And the top. The top. What is it? The top surgeons. The top surgeons and the top surgeons. No medical license required with Kyle and Lauren. Yes. No animals nor people have been hurt in the making of this episode that.

Mattie Bynum

I think you show when your age a little bit.

Ryan Cassata

Shows.

Shane Lukas

Or any of the shows or any of the.

Ryan Cassata

We do. We do bring inflatable balls to every show though.

Mattie Bynum

I mean, who doesn't like balls?

Lauren

Balls.

Ryan Cassata

Yeah.

Mattie Bynum

Who doesn't like balls?

Shane Lukas

I mean, I'm a fan.

Lauren

Everyone.

Mattie Bynum

Leave that one to myself anyways. All right. Yes. Uh, everybody loves balls in some sort of fashion.

Ryan Cassata

Some sort of balls.

Mattie Bynum

Hey, a rose has a ball at the end of it at some point. So. Okay. With that being said, I don't even.

Shane Lukas

Know how to respond to that.

Mattie Bynum

You got it done, Izzy.

Lauren

This podcast is brought to you by Vols.

Mattie Bynum

So if you can't tell, we are really having a good time tonight after this podcast. So I do have a question because I really love how at the end of every performance, y' all have this space to where people can ask questions and answers. So that way people who may not be LGBT living, they may be affirming or, you know, allied. It gives a, uh, space for everybody to leave more educated so they're not ignorant in this world. So what made you offer that space?

Ryan Cassata

Yeah, well, at, ah, when I was first starting doing my college speaking, I mean I was doing middle schools, high schools, colleges, conferences. So there I would, I would be asked to speak. But I was so afraid to speak that I would bring my guitar and play a song, and I was like, oh, okay. This is, like, makes me feel okay enough to actually speak and share my story. So then I just started, like, putting music in to all of my speeches, and then I would do a Q and A at the end, uh, to wrap it up. And I still do this a lot. And that would be, like, in a more formal way of doing it, where people are asking a question in front of a bunch of strangers, usually, which is also intimidating. Um, at our shows, though, I try to hang out at the merch table as much as I can. And, yeah, every show, people come up to me and talk to me and ask questions and. And a lot of times, you know, there's people that pull me aside and they're. They're asking about, like, coming out and things that they are probably, like, too afraid to talk to their friend group about or their families. So, uh, I think it's important to. For me to be out there. Like, I feel strong enough that, like, no matter what they say, like, I could handle what they're saying and, like, the impact that will have on me emotionally. Um, because I. I do consider myself, like, very empathetic. Like, often, like, when a person is crying to me about their trans experience or whatever they're going through at home, I'm just, like, trying so hard to, like, hold it together, too. I'm like, I could feel how this is affecting you, and it makes me feel really sad for you. And I just, like, I'm always like, can I give you a hug? Like, you know, I always want to give people a hug. Uh, and I, Yeah, I just. I just try to, like, be that person because when I was a kid, like, I didn't have that. Not from, like, another trans person, you know, and that would have made things a lot easier. Just having those interactions every once in a while, you know, would have just made everything a lot easier. So, yeah, I try to be like who I needed when I was younger.

Lauren

Uh, I find it really powerful after a show when parents with. With trans kids will go up to Ryan and ask questions about how they can better support their child.

Mattie Bynum

And that's beautiful. Yeah, because it's showing. Not only are you affecting the child and giving them a positive reinforcement and role model, but it's also creating a space for everybody to grow and learn, because that's really what we want. Like, we want our community to become everybody's community. Like, to have just one big picnic at the end of the year instead of multiple different ones. And I think a lot of times, like you said, people are scared to ask questions.

Kyle

Not, mhm.

Mattie Bynum

So much as scared to ask, but sometimes to offend because they don't know how to write, to ask the right question. Because, like, what if you don't know what to say? Or, you know, especially. Or like, with people's pronouns, like, I have a friend, Nata cracks me up. She don't know someone's pronouns. She just sits there and wait for them to start speaking.

Ryan Cassata

Oh, yeah.

Mattie Bynum

And I'm like, that's so wrong. Like, you can't do that to people. But she's like, I don't want to offend nobody. I'm like, she's looking like a damn. Like you're just asking. Wait. Exactly.

Ryan Cassata

They just ask them.

Mattie Bynum

Right? Just. But some people don't know, you know what I'm saying? Like, they don't even know how because they think that even that's offended, you know?

Ryan Cassata

Uh-huh.

Lauren

Well, I mean, like, meeting Ryan, like, Ryan was the. Was the first like, a, uh, trans man that I'd met. And so, like, that was my introduction into the trans community. So as like a CIS woman, it took me some time to also understand, like, how to navigate through that.

Mattie Bynum

Right.

Lauren

And to be able to be comfortable making that quick disclaimer, like, I'm sorry, wait, what are your pronouns?

Ryan Cassata

You know, it's also easy to ask someone. Like, you could just be like, like, hey, my. My name's Ryan. I use he, him, pronouns, what's your name? And pronouns. And it just makes it like, normalized when you're also saying yours, you know?

Shane Lukas

Yeah, I love that. I love that. Uh, because that kind of question and helping people, I think, understand, because navigating that example question is really important, but questions are actually what we're going to move to here because it is time for speed round and we have some questions for all of you. Speed round. Uh, you can't really spend time thinking about the questions. We have a few. I'm going to throw a few in this mix myself.

Mattie Bynum

Say, I'm like, I'm ready.

Shane Lukas

Because, uh, this is our chance to get to know you even a little bit better. Thank you for, for being here. And, and. And you're. You, You. We'll know how you feel about after you get these questions. All right, so first one, I'm going to ask all of you your go to comfort food.

Lauren

Oh, oh, no.

Mattie Bynum

Did you freeze up?

Lauren

It was like a three to get.

Shane Lukas

Those your comfort food.

Ryan Cassata

Honestly, sushi Ah.

Shane Lukas

Uh, sushi. Do you have a favorite. Do you have a favorite roll?

Ryan Cassata

I just. I like just a salmon roll. Just salmon and rice. Nice and easy. Yeah.

Mattie Bynum

Simple.

Ryan Cassata

Yeah. Yeah.

Mattie Bynum

With.

Shane Lukas

Without the wasabi.

Ryan Cassata

Without. Yeah.

Shane Lukas

Oh, just go. Oh. Just gonna go.

Ryan Cassata

I don't even use any sauce. Yeah.

Lauren

Wow. I'm gonna keep it simple, too. Buttery noodles.

Shane Lukas

Kyle.

Mattie Bynum

Depression.

Ryan Cassata

Just.

Kyle

I think just spaghetti.

Shane Lukas

It's spaghetti comfort food. Meatballs or. No, we've been talking balls now, and I don't do, uh, meatballs, but I.

Kyle

Do throw in some sort of protein. Protein.

Shane Lukas

Okay. That sounds good.

Ryan Cassata

Very good.

Shane Lukas

I love it.

Mattie Bynum

The comedian in me has so many jokes in that.

Lauren

We're gonna move right along.

Ryan Cassata

Su.

Mattie Bynum

What is your favorite way to spend a rainy day?

Lauren

Oh, I like to spend a inside with my girlfriend, just snuggled up on the couch watching a movie.

Mattie Bynum

That's my kind of days.

Kyle

If it's by myself, then I will go run or ride my bike outside. So I love doing that. Like when I lived in the Midwest in the rain. Yeah.

Lauren

I don't know.

Shane Lukas

It's just relaxing. He likes to frolic. You're a frolicker. We like frolic. We're a fan of frolic. What are you at?

Ryan Cassata

I honestly love to, like, look out the window and see that it's, like, still raining and be like. Like to. To my husband, like, babe is still raining. Look, it's still raining. Like, that's totally me the whole time.

Shane Lukas

So you're.

Ryan Cassata

Believe this. Your other job is like, la. It doesn't rain.

Shane Lukas

You're like, meteorologist.

Lauren

Is that.

Ryan Cassata

I wanted to be an outlook when I was a kid, like, so badly. I was like, I will be a meteorologist when I grow up.

Shane Lukas

So we have. Ryan's other career is as meteorologists.

Ryan Cassata

That was my. That was what I wanted to be when I grew up.

Mattie Bynum

That.

Shane Lukas

That is a.

Mattie Bynum

That.

Shane Lukas

That is a. I love that.

Mattie Bynum

Do you have any meteorologist jokes? Because, you know, they all had really bad jokes.

Ryan Cassata

I don't have any jokes.

Shane Lukas

All right, well, we'll come back to that. But now I. Now I feel like you need to do a music video at some point to where you are a meteorologist. Yeah, I think that would be.

Mattie Bynum

I think.

Shane Lukas

I think that to fulfill the dream, I'm all about it. So what's the last bop that you couldn't get out of your head? What's the last song that you couldn't get out of your head?

Mattie Bynum

I think he stopped them.

Ryan Cassata

Daisies. Justin Bieber.

Shane Lukas

Daisies from Justin Bieber.

Mattie Bynum

Um. Ah.

Shane Lukas

Uh, so it got stuck in there.

Kyle

And you were just.

Ryan Cassata

Yeah, for sure.

Shane Lukas

Okay, Kyle.

Lauren

I think mine was a love shack.B52. Because we were out at a karaoke night, and I was asking Kyle, I was like, hey, Kyle, do you know Love Shack? Because, like, I don't usually do karaoke. And I'm like, if we were to have enough beers in us, maybe we can get up.

Shane Lukas

So because you did that now, and because it's karaoke, are you gonna do the one. One major call out the one major pointing this on. Are you gonna do it? Yeah, we're waiting.

Lauren

Of course. Right now.

Shane Lukas

Right now.

Lauren

That's all. I got you. I can't.

Shane Lukas

Wrong.

Lauren

It's not gonna rook.

Mattie Bynum

Okay. Okay.

Lauren

All right.

Mattie Bynum

Come on.

Shane Lukas

Um, my way.

Lauren

Oh, yeah. Okay. Do we want to do take two?

Shane Lukas

Yeah.

Ryan Cassata

Rustic.

Lauren

Gonna get on that Rust?

Shane Lukas

Yes, I'll be. I'll be on it.

Lauren

Tin roots.

Shane Lukas

Rustin. What about you guys?

Kyle

I think believe by share.

Mattie Bynum

Oh, wow.

Kyle

That's always in my head.

Shane Lukas

There's a lot of callbacks. Y' all are bringing back the retro.

Kyle

I love it.

Shane Lukas

Yeah, look at that. Ryan's like, I'm from this chair. I'm, like, from this country. And you all are, like, calling in from like, I don't. Casey Kasem. Do you know who Casey Kasem is? Oh, good.

Mattie Bynum

Don't do like that. Don't do that, don't do that. Because if they'd have said no, then I've been pissed off at you. You know, case in case, don't put us on the spot like that. Okay, perfect. First date.

Lauren

The first date that I had with my girlfriend Chase was the best first date. We were in West Hollywood, Rocco's Tavern. We met for the first time. I cruised up on my bike, and I'm wearing my rose sunglasses. She was probably thinking, like, who the hell is this? And, uh, it turned into a six hour, eight hour date. We just walked around. We got a bunch of stuff to eat. She forgot about her dogs at home. And so it was. It was such a good date that, you know, she kind of forgot about all of her.

Shane Lukas

The poor dogs.

Lauren

Important response. You're just like, oh, no, I know how to leave.

Mattie Bynum

You know, what's the second date? I mean, that's still a conversation, but how do you talk that? Like, um, the first day supposed to last eight hours.

Lauren

That's how we knew, though. That's how.

Shane Lukas

Oh, Kyle, no pressure.

Mattie Bynum

You got an eight hour.

Shane Lukas

You got an eight hour day.

Kyle

With my girlfriend.

Ryan Cassata

We.

Kyle

We shared our love of for Asian foods. We went to Korean barbecue and then got bopa after.

Shane Lukas

I always get the little balls. Like, um, apparently we have a fixation.

Mattie Bynum

On you.

Shane Lukas

But like, I always get them stuck in the straw.

Kyle

Uh, you have to get the fresh.

Mattie Bynum

Fresh balls.

Shane Lukas

Is that what it is? Fresh balls. It's all about fresh balls. So we're gonna hold on to that.

Lauren

I have a hard time with boba. I have a hard time. I can't handle it because it's like Russian roulette. You never know when you're crap.

Mattie Bynum

That's the thing is there's nothing worse than a ball sucker throw. Like a ball stuck.

Shane Lukas

I'm also thinking your throat is a problem. Not gonna.

Mattie Bynum

I'm not seeing.

Lauren

Happen.

Mattie Bynum

Oh, Jesus. Where's my fan?

Ryan Cassata

Where's my fan of yours?

Shane Lukas

You have lots of.

Mattie Bynum

Lots of.

Ryan Cassata

I was. I was also afraid of boba. I was afraid of boba and choking on the boba. And then when Steph, my husband, I met him on an app and we met on a hookup app. But of course I was like on a hookup app, but I was like, I have to like meet up with you three times before we hook up because I don't trust anyone right now.

Shane Lukas

I admire your.

Ryan Cassata

Yeah.

Mattie Bynum

So is that the now version of the three month rule?

Ryan Cassata

Yeah.

Mattie Bynum

So three hookups.

Ryan Cassata

No, no.

Mattie Bynum

Three days, then hookup.

Ryan Cassata

Yeah.

Mattie Bynum

So not three months.

Ryan Cassata

Yeah. Just to wait out the crazies. Yeah. Stick around.

Shane Lukas

It's so good.

Mattie Bynum

I know, it's.

Ryan Cassata

Sorry.

Mattie Bynum

90 days like that, you know, sometimes those first time. Crazy.

Shane Lukas

So good. It's just that they knew where you like.

Ryan Cassata

Yeah, exactly. Um, so. Ah, so yeah, he, uh, he asked me, let's. Let's go to Boba. And I was like, afraid of it, but I was like, oh my gosh, you're so hot. Like, yeah, welcome to Boba. I didn't even tell him I never had it before and that I was like afraid of choking on it. Not to expect. I don't even like milk. So that was also like. So I literally ordered my boba without milk, which was. Was odd. Um, and. And no sugar.

Lauren

Dry balls cup which you're more likely.

Shane Lukas

To get caught in your throat, I'll be honest.

Ryan Cassata

But yeah, we. We went to. We got Boba and then we walked around K town for like hours, talking, getting to know each other, being cute. And then at the end, he kissed me against a tree. And that was really cute. And I was, I called my friend. I was like, oh my God, this guy, you know, and now we're married, so.

Mattie Bynum

Because I want to go walking for eight hours.

Ryan Cassata

We were walking eight hours, but we.

Mattie Bynum

We were walking and I've never had bubble tea, so I've never played. I.

Shane Lukas

First of all, the last part is not.

Mattie Bynum

I'm about to say, you know, me being the queen of who I am, I have m not had the ball and the rush roulette and the choking.

Shane Lukas

I feel like there's so many. I'm not.

Mattie Bynum

We're leaving that alone.

Shane Lukas

We're leaving that alone.

Lauren

But.

Shane Lukas

And I do want to come back to all of you in la. That la, uh, you know, in California brings a lot of opportunities for people to explore things. What's your favorite secret haunt? Which we're no longer going to make a secret now in la.

Ryan Cassata

What's a haunt?

Shane Lukas

Oh, it's kind of like the place you go. Like the place you like the place you go kind of to bring you joy. Like what's the space of the. For old people like me, where we live?

Mattie Bynum

No, it's not like it has nothing to do with scary woods or I.

Shane Lukas

Mean it could if you're into that. But like the point is that it's a, like someplace that you go to that you love, that you frequent. That is in la. That's kind of your little. I was going to say secret, but we're going to make it a secret.

Lauren

Now there's a really cute place in West Hollywood called the Woods. It's owned by Woody Harrelson and he. In the back there's this beautiful oasis called the Ganja Giggle Garden where you can go and you go and smoke.

Shane Lukas

A little bit of weed.

Lauren

They have some exotic birds in the back and like little waterfalls. It's really cute. It's a fun place to just go.

Ryan Cassata

That's such an interesting way to describe that place. What is your description? It's a dispensary that ah, you have to buy stuff from them to smoke it there or drink it.

Lauren

Oh, uh, you just have like a joint.

Ryan Cassata

Yeah, yeah. They have a bar that you can get thc drinks from.

Shane Lukas

Oh, nice.

Ryan Cassata

Yeah, yeah. But you have to walk in through the dispensary, buy something and then that's how you get like a ticket into the garden.

Shane Lukas

Into the Ganja Garden.

Lauren

Into the garden.

Ryan Cassata

But it feels like you're in a different place. Yeah.

Shane Lukas

What about you?

Ryan Cassata

I don't know. I don't know. I go to an open mic a lot called Writer's Room. It's pretty cool. It's got a good community. So maybe that.

Shane Lukas

Yeah, There we go.

Mattie Bynum

That's a good.

Shane Lukas

And where's that at?

Ryan Cassata

That's in. That's at Ivanhoe and Silver Lake.

Shane Lukas

Oh, Silver Lake.

Ryan Cassata

Yeah.

Shane Lukas

Yeah. That's awesome. Silver Lakes, where all the cool people from WeHo and everybody.

Ryan Cassata

Yeah, right. Silver Lake Dog park is. Is awesome.

Shane Lukas

Oh, the dog park.

Ryan Cassata

It's gigantic. Yeah, it's cool.

Shane Lukas

Very cool. And, Kyle.

Kyle

Where do I even go?

Ryan Cassata

Pirate studios.

Kyle

No. What is definitely not.

Shane Lukas

Oh, uh, is it. Well, Pirate Studios.

Kyle

A rehearsal spot, pretty much. No one working there, so no one works there.

Ryan Cassata

There's no ac. There's no windows. Did they make concrete?

Shane Lukas

No. Uh, okay.

Kyle

It's dirty.

Shane Lukas

I went to one.

Kyle

Is like, don't close the bathroom door because you. Otherwise you'll get locked inside and the elevator's broken.

Shane Lukas

Uh, what do you love about it?

Kyle

Oh, I don't.

Shane Lukas

You don't.

Mattie Bynum

I know it's your wife.

Shane Lukas

To go as a recording for recording sessions.

Ryan Cassata

Not record. Not recording rehearsals.

Lauren

We need a dark room.

Ryan Cassata

You can hear, like, seven other bands while you're playing, so.

Shane Lukas

Oh, that's very postmodern.

Ryan Cassata

It's like Warp Tour. Yeah.

Kyle

I think, like, Griffith park just. There's so many different trails.

Shane Lukas

Classic. Yeah, the.

Kyle

Like, the. And then next door, there's like, this Wisdom Tree Trail that overlooks the Hollywood sign.

Shane Lukas

Wisdom Tree Trail. That's awesome.

Kyle

There's, like, one random tree at the.

Ryan Cassata

Top that, uh, people try to make it to. And frequently, like, almost every day get airlifted out of because they pass out because they did not bring water.

Lauren

Oh, wow.

Shane Lukas

Yeah. Yeah, I believe that. I believe. Uh, have you ever seen a wildcat there? Because don't they have. Okay. There are occasions where they have, like, they have animals.

Ryan Cassata

Lions.

Shane Lukas

Yeah, the lions.

Ryan Cassata

We had our. Our lion P22, but he passed away.

Shane Lukas

Rest in peace. 22.

Ryan Cassata

Yeah.

Shane Lukas

Awesome moment for B22.

Mattie Bynum

The two fellow Leos sitting here.

Shane Lukas

So, you know, m. We feel. We feel that Leo energy. We just feel like, was he a lion?

Kyle

What was he?

Ryan Cassata

Oh, yeah, it was a lion. Yeah.

Mattie Bynum

So this is a group question since y' all are traveling out. Of the three y', uh, all, who is the messiest and who is the tidiest? Whoa.

Ryan Cassata

I don't know. You're all, we're pretty neat. Yeah, we're great. Which is probably why we haven't been in any fights yet.

Mattie Bynum

Yeah, that's good.

Shane Lukas

Good lesson for any van going on tour, I think. Yeah.

Ryan Cassata

Well, every time we're at a rest stop, I'm like, who's got trash? Get rid of your trash.

Lauren

I am the person who usually sits in the back who's surrounded by all the crap. So, like, it's possible that I'm the dirtiest one because I have like the four snack bags of stu things I might want to get into. While we're in the car, we're like.

Ryan Cassata

Lauren, can you put this back there?

Lauren

And I'm like, nope, sure. Nothing. Everything can fit. Just put it in my seat. I'll figure it out.

Mattie Bynum

But you're not gonna be the most protected one if anything ever happens because you got all the stuff around you, all this stuff.

Kyle

Okay.

Lauren

M like an armadillo.

Mattie Bynum

Not armadillo.

Ryan Cassata

It's cozy.

Mattie Bynum

But I was gonna say turbo. You just going down. But.

Shane Lukas

So we asked this also of our guests. What does power beyond pride mean to you?

Mattie Bynum

You?

Ryan Cassata

Mhm. To me it means going beyond just celebrating who you are and making it so that. Making it so that we can pave paths to freedom so other people are also able to celebrate who they are. So it's. It's doing the activism work.

Kyle

Love it.

Ryan Cassata

Yeah.

Shane Lukas

Thank you. What do you all think?

Kyle

Just being a part of this movement and creating the safe space, like a community where people can go and express themselves.

Lauren

Uh, when I hear power beyond pride, I think about what is the most powerful thing aside from being proud and being. Being. Having pride for who you are. And I think it's the fight to be consistently comfortable and at peace.

Shane Lukas

Peace.

Lauren

So it's. That's my favorite part of this mission, is to try to spread pride and love and to make people feel more okay. It'd be nice for everyone who is different to be able to wake up in the morning and feel peaceful and comfortable their entire day before they fall asleep.

Ryan Cassata

Mhm.

Shane Lukas

That's beautiful.

Mattie Bynum

Thank you.

Shane Lukas

That's all beautiful answers. Thank you so much.

Mattie Bynum

Thank you.

Shane Lukas

Madden Men. Do you want to do a handkerchief?

Mattie Bynum

I'm just saying, this is my spirit animal. Uh, anybody that starts the answer with repeating a question, I'm right there with you. I'm just telling you.

Lauren

Let's go.

Mattie Bynum

So I will say thank y' all so much again for coming on the show today with us or this evening. It's not really daytime, it's kind of nighttime. But thank y' all so much for coming on the show.

Lauren

It was so fun.

Ryan Cassata

Yeah, thanks for having us.

Mattie Bynum

Um, we love it. So real quick, social medias for everybody. Where can people follow you?

Ryan Cassata

Yeah, you can find me m@ryan casada.com and at Ryan Cassata on all the social medias. And I'm on Instagram and YouTube the most.

Lauren

And you can find us at the top surgeons on Instagram would be the easiest way.

Mattie Bynum

Okay, the top surgeons and y' all are still on tour. So what's the next three dates coming up?

Ryan Cassata

We got Greensboro. Wait, hold on. Greensboro Pride tomorrow. Then we're going to Pittsburgh Rehearse Fest. Then we're going to Philly to play at the Nail.

Kyle

And then Indianapolis.

Shane Lukas

Then Indianapolis.

Ryan Cassata

Oh, mhm.

Kyle

All the way through Madison, Wisconsin, Minneapolis, Minnesota, Denver, Colorado, Albuquerque, New Mexico, Ventura, California, Los Angeles, California. And then Long Island, New York.

Mattie Bynum

All right.

Ryan Cassata

Some of them are random one offs. Uh, yeah, that I put on the shirt. Yeah.

Mattie Bynum

So if you're near one of those locations, please come out and see it. You will enjoy yourself, I promise you. A hilarious group of people, but amazingly great, talented artists. And I love it, I love it, I love it.

Ryan Cassata

Thank you.

Mattie Bynum

Please. Thank y' all so much for coming. Thank you.

Shane Lukas

Yeah, thank you so much. We, we would love to have you back on the podcast. So we'll keep an eye on you on tour. And again, everyone follow them on social media. Download the music. It's the music's also available right on, uh, where they able to get the music from?

Ryan Cassata

Yeah, the best place to support is band camp where you could buy physical copies of records, CDs and vinyl to keep us afloat. And you could also stream it digitally as well.

Shane Lukas

Hey, I'm a big fan of vinyl so I definitely encourage, encourage some vinyl purchasing. Thank you for being with us today. It means a lot and we, we do hope you come back and we look forward to supporting the, the tour. I'm Shane Lukas. He him owner of a great idea, also a lifelong harm reduction activist and a big vinyl collector with uh, a band that I adore. And so I'm very excited um, to add your vinyl to my collection and continue to support you at spam.

Ryan Cassata

Thank you so much.

Mattie Bynum

I am Mattie Vinyl, like I said, the loudest person in the room. I'm not gonna go through all of it again because now I'm being quiet cause I'm tired. But yes, you can catch me @maddysimone737 on Instagram, Mattie Vinyl on Facebook. And thank you so much for watching with us today.

Shane Lukas

And you can remember to subscribe and get your friends to subscribe to Power Beyond Pride on Spotify, Apple Podcasts or wherever we get your podcasts, including YouTube as well. And check out our site at powerbeyondpride.com Power Beyond Pride is a project from a Great Idea, a queer owned design and content agency. Learn more about them at a great.

Mattie Bynum

Idea.Com and this episode was produced by Shane Lukas, Project Manager, Me Mattie and we are Our developer is going to be Ian and Jarrett Redding and we.

Shane Lukas

Are part of a seven member co host team from co hosts all around the country. And so we also do every month a reply all episode where several of our co hosts get together, talk about what's in the headlines, as well as take your questions. So we encourage you to send your questions in@powerbeyondprod.com where we will answer them.

Mattie Bynum

And so check out Power uh, Beyond Pride once a week. Here we are. Enjoy us.

Shane Lukas

Thank you all for being here. Thank you all for tuning in and we look forward to seeing you next time.

Mattie Bynum

Thank you.

Transcribed automatically and lightly checked. If something is wrong — a name especially — tell us and we will fix it.