The Reluctant Phoenix podcast, by New York standup comic Jeff Simmermon is a series of conversations with a wide variety of people who have restarted their lives whether or not they really wanted to in the first place. Don't forget: a phoenix has to burn to be reborn, and it probably screams like hell on the way out.
Latest episodes
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1 h 09
Episode 17: Richard Cardillo
Richard Cardillo was an educator for over three decades on two continents and in three languages. He's also a decorated storyteller. Richard spent his early adult life as a monk in…
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48 min
Episode 16: Mike Schleibaum
Mike is the lead guitarist and one of the original founders of the DC based death metal band "Darkest Hour." He talks about the pivotal moments that helped him find his love of mus…
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54 min
Episode 15: Kiana Fitzgerald
Kiana Fitzgerald is a freelance music journalist, cultural critic, and DJ. She's written for Complex, Rolling Stone, Fader, NPR, WNYC, and more. In 2016 Kiana went missing, frighte…
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59 min
Episode 14: Jess Salomon
Jess Salomon is a Canadian comedian now based in New York, who has appeared on The Tonight Show with Jimmy Fallon. Jess left a burgeoning career as an international war-crimes lawy…
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1 h 09
Episode 13: Jeff Gomez
Jeff Gomez, CEO of Starlight Runner, is one of the world's leading experts in transmedia storytelling and narrative design. Gomez talks about battling his own demons while simultan…
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25 sec
A Pause
We are sad to announce the passing of Jeff's father from a year-long battle with ALS. We are going to take a pause in the podcast so Jeff can be with his family. Well wishes can be…
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56 min
Episode 12: Kerry Coddett
Kerry Coddett is a New York based comedian, actress and writer. An academically gifted young student, Kerry bounced between public and private schools, and eventually joined the Cr…
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48 min
Episode 11: Justin Von Bujdoss
Justin Von Bujdoss is an American Buddhist teacher. As Staff Chaplain for the New York Department of Corrections, Justin was responsible for performing last rites to the hundreds o…
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1 h 02
Episode 10: Nonye Brown-West
Nonye Brown-West is a Nigerian-American comic now based in New York. She tells Jeff what it's like to be a woman of color in the world of comedy – in addition to her constant healt…
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56 min
Episode 9: Lizz Winstead
Jeff is back with another season of The Reluctant Phoenix! Co-creator of The Daily Show, comedian Lizz Winstead is the founder and Chief Creative Officer of Abortion Access Front.…
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3 min
The Reluctant Phoenix Season 2 Trailer
Jeff Simmermon is back for Season 2 of The Reluctant Phoenix, with more incredible people who have reinvented their lives, whether they wanted to or not.
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1 h 01
Episode 8: Gary Gulman
In the Season One Finale, Jeff talks to comedian Gary Gulman, an apex Reluctant Phoenix if there ever was one. In 2017, Gary was hospitalized with major depression, given ECT thera…
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1 h 00
Episode 7: Anand Giridharadas
What do you do when you realize that capitalism itself is held together by masking tape? Jeff talks with Anand Giridharadas, author of "Winners Take All: The Elite Charade of Chang…
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42 min
Episode 6: Matthew Zachary
What happens when cancer derails your life's work and career path as a young adult? Jeff talks with Matthew Zachary from OffScrip Media about his transformation from concert pianis…
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43 min
Episode 5: Annie Tan
The coronavirus has forced many of us to rethink how to safely do our jobs. Activist and educator Annie Tan shares how she learned to find her voice to support teachers and student…
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44 min
Episode 4: Ro Reddick
The 2008 market crash and subsequent recession had many scrambling for new ways to make money. For Ro Reddick, it meant divorcing the daily grind of her profession, and finding out…
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24 min
Episode 3: Adam Mamawala
What happens when the most important opportunity in your career is marred by the truth? Jeff talks with comic Adam Mamawala about his big break amidst divorce.
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46 min
Episode 2: Fem Appeal
Jeff talks to Fem Appeal, New York City burlesque icon about her origin story, finding sobriety in a wild nightlife culture and how it feels to be a Black burlesque performer in 20…
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41 min
Episode 1: Reverend Craig Wansink
Jeff talks to Craig Wansink, pastor of Second Presbyterian Church in Norfolk, VA about misinterpreted Bible verses, finding yourself after a surprise divorce and what the church's…
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2 min
The Reluctant Phoenix
The Reluctant Phoenix podcast, by New York standup comic Jeff Simmermon is a series of conversations with a wide variety of people who have restarted their lives whether or not the…