Tails and Tassels

Gemma Smith
  • 5.0 (9)
  • PERFORMING ARTS
  • UPDATED BIWEEKLY

Hello, kitty cats! Welcome to Tails and Tassels. I’m your host, Gemma Smith. By day, I work in animal welfare, and by night, I host the Catbaret!, New York City's cat-themed variety show. On this podcast, you’ll dive into the world of burlesque and nightlife performers—their craft, their cats, and how these two worlds collide. You’ll also get bonus episodes featuring feline experts answering your most curious, cat-centric questions. New episodes drop every Thursday. If you like what you hear, please subscribe, rate, and review—and come join our cozy com-mew-nity on Instagram. Thanks for listening! I’m paws-itively delighted you’re here. Get in Touch: Instagram: @tailsandtasselspod, @gemmasmithnycEmail us at TailsandTasselsPod@gmail.comLeave a comment below

  1. APR 2

    Krista Moy of the My Cat Calling Podcast and Her Cat Prints Gary

    Looking for a cat-themed event? 🐱🎭 Catbaret is NYC’s cat-themed variety show featuring comedy, music, and burlesque – with in-person and virtual shows throughout the year. Learn more at CatbaretShow.com -- Krista is the host of My Cat Calling, a podcast dedicated to celebrating cat people and their relationships with their cats — inspired by her own beloved cat, Prints Gary. This episode is also the Season 2 finale of Tails and Tassels — thank you for being here. 💛 🎤 Connect with Krista: Instagram: @mycatcallingTikTok: @mycatcallingSubscribe on Youtube!Podcast: My Cat Calling (available on Spotify, Apple Podcasts, and more!)💛 Products Mentioned: Dehydrated Minnow TreatsTreat Mouse 🐱 Stay Connected: Follow Tails and Tassels on Instagram: @tailsandtasselspodFollow Catbaret on Instagram: @catbaretshowGot a question or a story about your cat? 🐱 I’d love to hear from you! Message me on Instagram or email tailsandtasselspod@gmail.com. Planning a Creative Cat Lovers Happy Hour in NYC soon — stay tuned for details  If you enjoyed this episode, subscribe, leave a review, or share it with a fellow cat person. It truly helps this indie show grow. Support the show Logo by Logan Laveau

    51 min

  2. MAR 19

    Performing, Recording & Awarding Burlesque — with Viktor Devonne

    Looking for a cat-themed event? 🐱🎭 Catbaret is NYC’s cat-themed variety show featuring comedy, music, and burlesque – with in-person and virtual shows throughout the year. Learn more at CatbaretShow.com -- Burlesque performer, producer, podcaster, and founder of the Silver Tusk Awards, Viktor Devonne joins me for a thoughtful conversation about his creative life in burlesque. With over two decades as an artist and nearly 300 episodes of his podcast We Burlesque, Viktor has dedicated himself not only to performing, but to documenting, spotlighting, and supporting the ecosystem of burlesque through interviews, festivals, and awards. We talk about his early Rocky Horror influences, navigating the industry, producing responsibly in a small creative community, and what it means to stay engaged in the work over time. And of course, we talk about Samuel — his very handsome senior rescue cat — whose story includes a dramatic street rescue including a mouse-related emergency.  🎭 Connect with Viktor Instagram: @viktordevonneWe Burlesque: @weburlesqueSilver Tusk Awards: @silvertuskawardsListen to We Burlesque wherever you stream podcasts.🏆Projects Mentioned We Burlesque Podcast – Nearly 300 episodes chronicling performers and producers across the burlesque worldSilver Tusk Awards – An annual celebration spotlighting burlesque talent and contribution🐱 Stay Connected: Follow Tails and Tassels on Instagram: @tailsandtasselspodFollow Catbaret on Instagram: @catbaretshowGot a question or a story about your cat? 🐱 I’d love to hear from you! Message me on Instagram or email tailsandtasselspod@gmail.com. If you enjoyed this episode, subscribe, leave a review, or share it with a fellow cat person. It truly helps this indie show grow. Support the show Logo by Logan Laveau

    1h 29m

  3. MAR 5

    Cat Nutrition 101 with Amy Dudley of Weruva

    Looking for a cat-themed event? 🐱🎭 Catbaret is NYC’s cat-themed variety show featuring comedy, music, and burlesque – with in-person and virtual shows throughout the year. Learn more at CatbaretShow.com -- Connect with Weruva Instagram: @weruvaWebsite: weruva.comWeruva + Episode Resources  Weruva Wx Low PhosWeruva’s NEW Pantry Purrs Squirrelarina Bianca TikTokAAFCO Merv the Cat Feminist Kitty Cat Glasses Stay Connected with Tails and Tassels Follow Tails and Tassels: @tailsandtasselspodFollow Catbaret: @catbaretshowGot a question or a story about your cat? I’d love to hear from you. Message me on Instagram or email tailsandtasselspod@gmail.com. If you enjoyed this episode, subscribe, leave a review, or share it with a fellow cat person. It truly helps this indie show grow. Support the show Logo by Logan Laveau

    56 min

  4. FEB 19

    Cat Lady: The Real Labor of Rescue & Documentary Filmmaking with Megan Liz Smith

    Looking for a cat-themed event? 🐱🎭 Catbaret is NYC’s cat-themed variety show featuring comedy, music, and burlesque – with in-person and virtual shows throughout the year. Learn more at CatbaretShow.com -- Filmmaker and journalist Megan Liz Smith joins me to talk about her short documentary Cat Lady, a moving portrait of an independent rescuer in South Florida. We discuss the emotional and physical labor of caring for community cats, what it means to document someone’s life with dignity, and how storytelling can shine a light on often-invisible work. Of course, we also talk about her orange soul cat Jack, fostering, prescription food struggles, and a toy your cats might go absolutely wild for. Watch & Follow Megan Instagram: @meganlizsmithYouTube: Megan Liz SmithWatch Cat Lady on Megan’s YouTube channel Resources & Mentions Royal Canin SO Prescription Food – Discussed in relation to male cat urinary healthSelf-Heating Cat Beds – A cozy option for winter monthsCat Dancer Wire Toy – A simple, affordable toy that sparks serious playTrap-Neuter-Return (TNR) – Check your local animal services or rescue organizations for community cat programs near youGirls and Their Cats - Cat Lady Home Tours🐱 Stay Connected: Follow Tails and Tassels on Instagram: @tailsandtasselspodFollow Catbaret on Instagram: @catbaretshowGot a question or a story about your cat? 🐱 I’d love to hear from you! Message me on Instagram or email tailsandtasselspod@gmail.com. Got a question or a story about your cat? I’d love to hear from you. Message me on Instagram or email tailsandtasselspod@gmail.com. If you enjoyed this episode, subscribe, leave a review, or share it with a fellow cat person. It truly helps this indie show grow. Support the show Logo by Logan Laveau

    46 min

  5. FEB 5

    Burlesque Wisdom and Backstage Stories with Fem Appeal

    Looking for a cat-themed event? 🐱🎭 Catbaret is NYC’s cat-themed variety show featuring comedy, music, and burlesque – with in-person and virtual shows throughout the year. Learn more at CatbaretShow.com -- 🎭 Connect with Fem on Instagram: @theladyappeal 🔗 Resources & Mentions See Fem in action 2/6 - Johnny Caligula’s Twin Peaks–themed birthday burlesque show featuring Fem AppealKitty Nights – Weekly burlesque and variety show founded and produced by Fem Appeal, mentioned in this New York Times articleSlipper Room – NYC nightlife and performance venueGalapagos Art Space – Former Williamsburg performance space now in DetroitHelsinki Burlesque Festival Jo Weldon’s New York School of Burlesque🐱 Stay Connected: Follow Tails and Tassels on Instagram: @tailsandtasselspodFollow Catbaret on Instagram: @catbaretshowGot a question or a story about your cat? 🐱 I’d love to hear from you! Message me on Instagram or email tailsandtasselspod@gmail.com. Support the show Logo by Logan Laveau

    1h 3m

  6. JAN 22

    Aubvious: From Ballet to Burlesque (With Cats)

    Looking for a cat-themed event? 🐱🎭 Catbaret is NYC’s cat-themed variety show featuring comedy, music, and burlesque – with in-person and virtual shows throughout the year. Learn more at CatbaretShow.com -- 🔗 Resources & Mentions  Whirly Burly Brunch – Aubvious's monthly burlesque brunch at The Whirling TigerThe Bizarre Bazaar – Louisville-based burlesque and variety production company Crestview Studios – Dance classes in Louisville Bourbon Barrel Foods – Yoga and community events🎭 Connect with Aubvious: Instagram: @aubvious_ Website: movewithaubrielle.com🐱 Stay Connected: Follow Tails and Tassels on Instagram: @tailsandtasselspodFollow Catbaret on Instagram: @catbaretshowGot a question or a story about your cat? 🐱 I’d love to hear from you! Message me on Instagram or email tailsandtasselspod@gmail.com. Support the show Logo by Logan Laveau

    35 min

  7. JAN 8

    5 Things Your Cats Can Teach You for the New Year

    Looking for a cat-themed event? 🐱🎭 Catbaret is NYC’s cat-themed variety show featuring comedy, music, and burlesque – with in-person and virtual shows throughout the year. Learn more at CatbaretShow.com -- In this New Year solo episode of Tails & Tassels, I’m reflecting on five lessons my cats, Lion-o and Luna, taught me in 2025 – and how I’m carrying those lessons into the year ahead. Instead of resolutions or pressure to reinvent yourself, this episode is about rest, boundaries, consistency, play, and knowing when it’s time to walk away. These quiet lessons shaped a big transitional year for me and are guiding how I’m approaching 2026 with more ease, intention, and sustainability – both creatively and personally. If you’re a creative, a cat parent, or someone craving a softer start to the New Year, this episode is for you. Stay Connected: Follow Tails and Tassels on Instagram: @tailsandtasselspodFollow Catbaret on Instagram: @catbaretshowVisit Catbaret’s website: catbaretshow.comGot a question or a story about your cat? 🐱 I’d love to hear from you! Message me on Instagram or email tailsandtasselspod@gmail.com. Support the show Logo by Logan Laveau

    12 min

  8. 12/18/2025

    Low-Stress Marketing Tips for Creatives with Harris Baker of Catfluence

    Looking for something fun and cat-themed? 🐱🎭 Catbaret is NYC’s cat-themed variety show featuring comedy, music & burlesque – with in-person and virtual shows throughout the year. Learn more at CatbaretShow.com -- Marketing your creative work doesn’t have to mean burning out, posting every day, or trying to “beat” the algorithm. In this episode of Tails & Tassels, Gemma Smith chats with Harris Baker, founder of Catfluence, about low-stress, realistic ways creatives can grow an audience online — even if marketing isn’t your favorite part of the process. Harris is a digital marketer and SEO specialist who’s built Catfluence into a thriving cat-creator community, spotlighting everyone from celebrities and athletes with cats to everyday creators just getting started. Together, we talk about how cat-loving creatives, performers, and artists can show up online with more intention and a lot less pressure. Whether you’re a burlesque performer, show producer, podcaster, visual artist, or just a creative with a cat who wants your work to be seen, this episode is packed with practical ideas you can actually use. 🔗 Resources & Tools Mentioned Buffer – Social media scheduling tool for cross-posting contentHootsuite – Social media management and scheduling platformAhrefs – Keyword research and SEO analytics toolSEMrush – SEO insights and keyword researchCanva – Create simple media / brand kits for pitching brandsGoogle AdSense – Display ads for passive income on blogsBluetooth camera clicker / remote – Helpful for filming solo or working with petsRing light + tripod – with a Bluetooth remoteConnect with Harris: Catfluence: @Catfluence on Instagram, TikTok, YouTube, FacebookCatfluence WebsiteHarris Baker: @harris_baker on Instagram Elliot & Olivia: @elliot_and_olivia on InstagramConnect with Us: Follow us on Instagram: @tailsandtasselspodFollow Catbaret on Instagram: @catbaretshowEmail: tailsandtasselspod@gmail.comSubscribe & Review: Follow Tails & Tassels on your favorite podcast app, & if you enjoy Support the show Logo by Logan Laveau

    35 min
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5
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About

Hello, kitty cats! Welcome to Tails and Tassels. I’m your host, Gemma Smith. By day, I work in animal welfare, and by night, I host the Catbaret!, New York City's cat-themed variety show. On this podcast, you’ll dive into the world of burlesque and nightlife performers—their craft, their cats, and how these two worlds collide. You’ll also get bonus episodes featuring feline experts answering your most curious, cat-centric questions. New episodes drop every Thursday. If you like what you hear, please subscribe, rate, and review—and come join our cozy com-mew-nity on Instagram. Thanks for listening! I’m paws-itively delighted you’re here. Get in Touch: Instagram: @tailsandtasselspod, @gemmasmithnycEmail us at TailsandTasselsPod@gmail.comLeave a comment below

Information

  • Creator
    Gemma Smith
  • Years Active
    2024 - 2026
  • Episodes
    38
  • Rating
    Explicit
  • Copyright
    © 2026 Tails and Tassels
  • Show Website
    Tails and Tassels