This week's episode drops right after the Fourth of July, and the fireworks are going off in the studio! (Watch your fingers!)

Our hosts' smiles are filled with love. Jasmine gushes about her new job, and Michael gushes about Cree Summer for way too long. The news brings us stories of HIV drug developments, a silly bear trapped in plastic (NOT Michael for once), and support for families affected by ICE. Michael reviews both “M3GAN 2.0” and “Ironheart”.

The Wheel of Topics brings up bad advice our hosts have received in education. Ashes and Embers include lost debit cards, fun trips with good friends, sleep, and employment.

We end with good advice from our affirmation cards, and an explosive “I’m Pleasant, Damn It”.

Don your American flag apparel, channel your inner Little Edie, and join us for another pleasant conversation!

Follow us on Instagram and Threads: @PleasantConvosPod

Email us: ⁠pleasantconversationspodcast@gmail.com⁠

Check out A Kids Co.: https://www.akidsco.com

Good News Links:

HIV prevention drug hailed as a 'breakthrough' gets FDA approval: https://www.npr.org/sections/goats-and-soda/2025/06/18/g-s1-73130/hiv-prevention-drug-lenacapavir-fda-breakthrough

Tens of thousands defy Hungary’s ban on Pride in protest against Orbán: https://www.theguardian.com/world/2025/jun/28/tens-of-thousands-defy-hungarys-ban-on-pride-in-protest-against-orban

A Michigan bear roamed the woods for two years with an awful lid on his neck. Not anymore.: https://apnews.com/article/michigan-bear-neck-lid-31cfc1e0e19186f2ac666bbac8034cc4

Boyle Heights student-led group delivers groceries to families avoiding ICE: https://boyleheightsbeat.com/boyle-heights-immigrant-grocery-delivery/

Move over, Sylvia Browne! This week, we end Pride month by casting magic missile and are joined by our spiritual advisor, Lucas!

We reminisce about how we met and when we all had an adventure together a few years back. Then we get into some mystical s*** right off the bat, which sends us on a tangent about animals (shocker).

The news brings us stories of Utah Pride, a Midwest town’s first-ever drag show, Italian LGBTQ+ family rights, and Hungarian Pride in the face of conservatism.

The Wheel of Topics brings us our very first mini game: Keep It or Cut it—Queer Tropes. Will it get us canceled by the queer community? Only the Fates know for sure. But there are definitely some hot takes.

Lucas shares a beautifully spiritual Ashes & Embers, whilst Michael and Jasmine get petty. We then get a great bonus card for our weekly affirmation.

Hopefully, you won’t have to smudge your space after listening to the episode. Set your intentions, blend your margaritas, turn on some Harry Nilsson, and join us for our pleasant conversation!

Follow us on Instagram and Threads: @PleasantConvosPod

Email us: ⁠pleasantconversationspodcast@gmail.com⁠

Good News Links:

LGBTQ+ advocates sell 'petty' Pride merch to protest Utah's flag ban and help community members: https://www.goodgoodgood.co/articles/utah-pride-flag-ban-protest

Grafton to host its first-ever drag show at 3rd Chute Bar & Grill: https://www.thetelegraph.com/news/article/grafton-first-drag-show-illinois-pride-month-20382396.php

Lesbian mothers win legal status in Italy IVF ruling: https://www.cnn.com/2025/05/22/europe/lesbian-mothers-win-legal-status-italy-ivf-ruling-intl

Budapest mayor says city will organise Budapest Pride, circumventing Orban's legislation: https://www.reuters.com/world/budapest-mayor-says-city-will-organise-budapest-pride-circumventing-orbans-2025-06-16/

It’s the third episode in our Pride celebration! We welcome our friend Zachary (aka Gorgeous) to the pod this week, and Michael has met his match when it comes to podcast Chatty Kathy’s. Our hosts and guest catch up and quickly fall down the Disney rabbit hole (as they are wont to do).

Gorgeous becomes our new arts correspondent and gives us his thoughts on the Tony Awards. Apologies to non-theater people, but this takes over our news segment. Have a listen and get some culture! Speaking of culture, our Wheel of Topics will give you some fun Pride month media recs.

The episode is chock-full of laughs, corny jokes, and celebrating community. Don your best awards show attire, tell Patti Lupone to shut her brassy, magnificent trap, and join us for another pleasant conversation!

Follow us on Instagram and Threads: @PleasantConvosPod

Email us: ⁠pleasantconversationspodcast@gmail.com⁠

Good News Links:

Costume Designer Paul Tazewell on Winning a Tony and Oscar Within Months: ‘This Black, Queer Little Boy in Akron, Ohio Had No Idea He Would Have the Year That He Had’: https://variety.com/2025/artisans/news/costume-designer-paul-tazewell-wins-tony-award-death-becomes-her-1236422860/

Cole Escola makes Tony history with acting win, thanks Grindr connection: https://www.out.com/theater/cole-escola-historic-tony-award

Nicole Scherzinger Wins the Tony Award for Best Actress in a Musical: https://www.nytimes.com/2025/06/08/theater/nicole-scherzinger-tony-best-actress-musical.html

Darren Criss Is the First Asian Actor to Win Leading Actor in a Musical: https://playbill.com/article/darren-criss-wins-leading-actor-in-a-musical-at-the-2025-tony-awards

Cynthia Erivo Gets Support From Oprah, Belts Out “Sometimes All You Need Is a Song” in Tony Awards Opening: https://www.hollywoodreporter.com/lifestyle/arts/cynthia-erivo-2025-tony-awards-host-best-moments-1236259217/