Holdin’ Space with Z and Lee

Hosted by Zach Stoner and Lee Gray

Born from that Wicked meme and fuelled by late-night voice notes, Holdin’ Space is where chaos meets clarity. Hosts Zach Stoner and Lee Gray hold space for the deep and the dumb, the heartfelt and the hilarious — all with zero judgement and maximum side-eye. From family baggage to pop culture breakdowns, queer joy to existential dread, nothing’s off limits. It's not therapy, but it might feel like it. It’s not gossip, but it definitely is. In a world that’s doing the most, Holdin’ Space is here to do just enough. Tune in for real talk, wild laughs, and the occasional emotional spiral.

Episodes

  1. 10/23/2025

    For When You Finally Understand Why Marriage, Capitalism, and Your Spine Are All Crumbling at Once

    This week, Z and Lee are holding space for the quiet rebellion of not showing up. From skipping events you didn’t want to attend to wondering if the human body was ever meant to make it past 35, we’re talking about why your back hurts, your marriage might not, and your job might soon belong to AI. It’s giving existential dread with ergonomic flair.

  2. 08/07/2025

    for... Masculinity, Caleb Williams & Conservative In-Laws 😅

    In this episode, Z & Lee are holdin space for all the messy, meaningful convos that keep showing up in real life 💭✨ We kick things off with some Spice Girls nostalgia 🧡 and summer catch-ups ☀️🍦, then dive into a bigger convo around NFL star Caleb Williams and why his personal style is triggering some very loud opinions 😬👕💅. We unpack the fragility of masculinity, why emotional intelligence still feels taboo for men 🧠💔, and how therapy changes the game. Also on the table: the oh-so-fun challenge of meeting your partner’s conservative parents for the first time 😬🎭 - and what it really means to bridge political gaps in love 💌 vs. values 🌍. 🧩 Chapters: 00:00 – Spice Girls & Summer Adventures 👯‍♀️🌴 06:36 – Holdin Space for Caleb Williams 🏈👗 13:25 – Men, Emotions & Relationship Realness 🧠💞 21:21 – Politics, Parents & Partnership 🎭🗳️💬

  3. 07/03/2025

    for TS Madison & The Myth of Protecting Women

    This week, Lee is holding space for the icon, the mogul, the moment — Miss T.S. Madison. Because if you're not saying her name with your chest during Pride Month (or any month, tbh), then what are you even doing? 💁🏾‍♀️ We get into why Maddie matters, and use her as the launchpad for a bigger conversation about how trans people — especially Black trans women — are constantly being politicised, othered, and debated instead of protected, celebrated, or even just left alone. Lee and Z dive into the way toxic masculinity and hypermasculine fear fuel so much of the current transphobia, why the “women’s safety” narrative is often a smokescreen, and how the media stays loud and wrong. 🗞️💨 Don’t worry, it’s not all heavy — we wrap with a little kiki about dating, social masks, and why performing someone you’re not just isn’t sustainable (or cute). 🕰️ Chapters 00:00– Holdin’ Space for T.S. Madison 14:41 – Understanding Trans Issues and Societal Norms 22:55 – The Debate on Women's Safety and Trans Rights 23:49 – Understanding Sexual Offender Statistics 24:21 – The Real Issues Affecting Women 25:16 – Debating Feelings vs. Facts 26:44 – Cultural Discussions and Control of Women 28:14 – The Absurdity of Gender Segregation 31:16 – Empathy and Independence in Men 32:08 – Trans Representation in Media 32:27 – Locker Room Conversations and Comfort Levels 37:12 – The Hypocrisy of Triggering Anatomy 39:09 – Reverse Catfishing: Authenticity vs. Performance

  4. 06/26/2025

    for Tops That Text Back & Sex Ed That Doesn’t Suck

    This week on Holdin’ Space with Z & Lee, Lee steps into his grown era 👏🏽 and reflects on all the ✨ lessons learned ✨ from past messes — because if you're not growing, you're just repeating the same situations with different hairstyles. We get real about sex, self-worth, and the sacred act of being with someone who actually cares 🛐 (shout out to the gentle tops doing the Lord’s work 🙌🏾). Z shares some Pride Month reflections 🏳️‍🌈 — the celebration, the struggle, and the slightly overdone corporate collabs. We dive into coming out stories (some cute, some chaotic), explore the gaps in queer sex ed 📚, and answer a very honest listener letter about how to prep for sex (aka Bottoming 101 🍑🚿). No shame here, just truths, tea, and a few tips your PE teacher definitely skipped. Whether you’re finding yourself, finding your position, or finding the confidence to speak up in bed — we got you. This episode is tender, shady, and everything in between 💅🏽. 🕰 Chapters:00:00 – Lee’s growth era begins (again) 🌚02:31 – Pride Month without the performative glitter 🎉05:18 – In praise of Tops That Care 💆🏽‍♂️07:56 – Why sexual etiquette is hot 🔥10:29 – Global Pride vibes 🌍11:21 – Coming out: the soft launch vs. the scream 🧏🏽21:06 – Balancing faith and your freaky side 🙃25:11 – Is it sin or is it Sunday? ⛪️27:40 – More coming out gags (literally) 🤐31:53 – First times: the expectation vs. the chaos 🎬43:05 – Bottoming 101: Prep, patience & poppers 😮‍💨🍑

  5. 06/18/2025

    for Zombies, Corsets, Cubicles & Fake-Woke Men

    Z & Lee are peeling back the layers this week — from the politics of love to the lies period dramas keep selling us 👀. They’re talking social media chaos, fake progressives, and how being “liberal passing” can look great in a dating profile… until you realise his idea of activism is retweeting once and ghosting twice. It’s a deep, reflective episode with just enough shade to keep it real. Expect personal stories, a few media hot takes, and an honest look at how hard it is to navigate love when the vibes are off and the politics are worse 💔📉. Takeaways: Introspection isn’t just for journaling — it helps you figure out what kind of love you actually want 📝 Media shapes how we see ourselves and others (especially when it’s wearing a bonnet) 📺 Just because someone sounds progressive doesn’t mean they are 🤡 The internet has turned everyone into a commentator, whether they have range or not 🗣️ Comfort shows are real — and sometimes necessary when the world feels like too much 🫂 Chapters: 00:00 – Unpacking Relationships and Introspection 🧠 04:17 – Cultural Fantasies and Reality 🎬 09:01 – Comfort in Entertainment 🍿 16:32 – The Impact of Opinions in Society 📢 25:12 – Reflections on Time and Timeline 🕰️ 30:34 – Reflections on Colonialism and Identity 🏛️ 38:43 – Navigating Relationships and Political Ideologies 💘⚠️

  6. 06/11/2025

    for Millennials because Dating Is a Job, Work Is a Scam, and We’re Tired

    Millennials: the generation that brought you avocado toast, unpaid internships, and the death of the housing market. In this episode of Holdin' Space with Z & Lee, we’re diving headfirst into the millennial struggle — not the TikTok version, the real version. We’re talkin’:💸 Why financial "stability" feels like a scam👶 The myth of work-life balance (especially if you have kids)📉 Career pivots, burnout, and the "what am I even doing?" spiral💔 Why dating apps are basically capitalism for your heart🥲 And the loneliness that hits even when your phone’s blowing up Also: Z’s got some thoughts, Lee’s got some shade, and together they’re unpacking what it means to grow up in a world that still doesn’t quite know what to do with us. Come for the existential dread, stay for the inappropriate jokes. Timestamps:00:00 – Holding Space for Millennials07:00 – The Challenges of Parenthood and Work-Life Balance19:22 – Deep or Dumb: Career Reflections27:28 – Understanding Loneliness in a Crowded World 📝 Got drama, dilemmas or just need to scream into the void?We got you. If you’ve got a messy life question, a rant that needs airing, or just something deeply unserious to get off your chest — hit us up at holdinspacepod@gmail.com and it might just land in our next Dear Z & Lee segment. Anonymity guaranteed (unless you're our ex).

  7. 06/01/2025

    for the Mother of All Episodes

    This week, we’re getting into the mess and magic of mother figures - from mums to grandmas and everything in between. We unpack how these relationships shape the way we move through the world, the stories we carry, and the way we see ourselves. Expect personal truths, cultural reflections, and yes, a few pop culture mother moments too (because obviously). We also touch on the friendships that no longer serve us and why saying goodbye isn’t always a bad thing. It’s tender, honest, and a little bit spicy - just how we like it. 00:00 – We’re back... with a new name and a fresh start01:04 – Mother’s Day: the feels, the mess, the memories05:00 – Our grandmas? Icons. Let’s talk about them08:29 – Inherited creativity and finding our own path14:19 – How family shaped us (for better or worse)21:42 – When you start seeing your parents as people24:11 – Divorce, independence & learning the hard way24:26 – Culture, motherhood and what we were taught25:26 – The pop culture mums who raised us26:54 – What does “mother” even mean in 2025?28:26 – Film, TV, and the mothers we still quote33:58 – Friendships, boundaries, and bad vibes40:03 – Real talk: honesty isn’t optional

  8. 05/08/2025

    for Beyonce, Sinners, gym etiquette and relationships on social media

    In this episode of Holdin’ Space with Z and Lee, the duo catch up on life lately - from personal updates to pure excitement over Beyoncé’s upcoming tour (because obviously). They dive into a review of Sinners, a film that actually dares to do something different, and talk about why it stands out in today’s sea of remakes and reboots. The conversation shifts to gym culture and the nonsense women have to deal with just trying to work out in peace - yes, we’re talking about respect, boundaries, and why some of y’all need to learn gym etiquette. Z and Lee also get into the messiness of posting relationships online, the emotional baggage of past loves, and the blurry lines between sharing and oversharing. There’s also a moment of reflecting on childhood bullies - and how growing, thriving, and living well can sometimes be the best revenge.

  9. 05/08/2025

    for a new chapter

    In this episode of Holdin’ Space with Z and Lee, Z opens up about reconnecting with his inner child and what it means to move through life with softness, even when everything around you feels chaotic. Together, Z and Lee get into the realities of dating in New York—the apps, the mess, the moments that leave you spiraling at 2AM - and how friendships are often the real love stories carrying us through. They explore the lines between platonic and romantic intimacy, whether you could raise a child with a best friend, and why we should be putting more love into our chosen family. The conversation also weaves through NYC’s political tension, protest culture, and how safety and softness can feel like a privilege in the current climate. And yes, they even touch on how economic chaos - tariffs, rent hikes, and the cost of literally existing - adds to the pressure. It’s an honest, layered look at how we’re all trying to grow, connect, and just stay soft in a world that keeps getting louder.

  10. 05/08/2025

    for Wicked & nothing but Wicked

    In the very first episode of Holdin’ Space with Z and Lee, the two dive into the cultural grip Wicked has on them—yes, the film and the musical. From the emotional gut-punch of seeing it on screen to the deeper themes of corruption, identity, and power, they unpack how it reflects real life. Lee opens up about what it meant to see Elphaba played by a Black actress, and how that hit differently—leading into a wider convo about race, representation, and the power of performance, especially when the camera brings you in close. They also get into how Defying Gravity is basically a queer anthem for self-acceptance—a big, dramatic “choose yourself” moment. And the Glinda vs. Elphaba debate? It’s more than just sparkle vs. sass—it’s about whether you’re actually doing the work or just posting about it. From protest culture to personal dreams, they hold space for the mess, the meaning, and the magic of being seen—especially as queer folks of color navigating a world that wasn’t built for us.

  • 10 Episodes

About

Born from that Wicked meme and fuelled by late-night voice notes, Holdin’ Space is where chaos meets clarity. Hosts Zach Stoner and Lee Gray hold space for the deep and the dumb, the heartfelt and the hilarious — all with zero judgement and maximum side-eye. From family baggage to pop culture breakdowns, queer joy to existential dread, nothing’s off limits. It's not therapy, but it might feel like it. It’s not gossip, but it definitely is. In a world that’s doing the most, Holdin’ Space is here to do just enough. Tune in for real talk, wild laughs, and the occasional emotional spiral.

Information

  • Creator
    Hosted by Zach Stoner and Lee Gray
  • Years Active
    2025
  • Episodes
    10
  • Rating
    Explicit
  • Copyright
    © Hosted by Zach Stoner and Lee Gray
  • Show Website
    Holdin’ Space with Z and Lee