Late to the Party: A Queer Podcast

Alex Hawkins

Introducing Late to the Party — a podcast where queer voices take the mic. Hosted by a proud “late bloomer” Alex, this show is all about the messy, beautiful, hilarious, and tender realities of queer life. Every episode features honest conversations, guest interviews, and listener write-ins about identity, love, coming out, community, and everything in between. Whether you’re loud and proud, still figuring it out, or somewhere in the middle—you’re not late. You’re right on time. Welcome to the party.

Episodes

  1. Jan 15

    EP 8: "HORNY 4 JESUS" with Victoria Houser

    In this heartfelt episode of Late to the Party, Allie welcomes Victoria, a cult survivor and former youth leader, who shares her journey of navigating religious trauma, purity culture, and finding her bisexual identity. The conversation delves into Victoria's upbringing in the Institute of Basic Life Principles (IBLP), her deep involvement in purity culture, and her eventual deconstruction of faith. Victoria talks about the challenges and revelations she encountered, the critical role of community, and the importance of giving oneself grace. Emphasizing the fluidity of faith and sexuality, Victoria's story is a testament to the resilience of the human spirit. 00:00 Introduction and Personal Update 01:21 Welcoming Victoria 02:20 Victoria's Early Life in a Cult 04:36 Family Dynamics and Leaving the Cult 05:39 Homeschooling and Education Challenges 27:48 Community and Social Interactions 31:05 The Impact of Evangelicalism on Society 32:02 Church Split and Its Aftermath 34:26 Transition to a Mega Church 35:24 Struggles with Purity Culture 38:36 Questioning and Rebellion 47:41 Exploring Sexual Ethics 01:00:18 College Life and Deconstruction 01:05:46 Leaving Academia and Finding Grace 01:07:13 Deconstructing Faith and Sexuality 01:07:45 A New Church Experience 01:09:28 Embracing Bisexuality 01:16:53 Purity Culture and Queer Identity 01:19:36 Redefining Spirituality and Faith 01:27:18 Healing and Setting Boundaries 01:34:13 Future Plans and Final Thoughts

    1h 38m
  2. 07/21/2025

    EP 3: "DRAG THINGS" w/ BJ QUEEN

    Exploring the Central Coast Drag Scene with BJ AKA Burnt Joint! In this episode of 'Late to the Party,' the host interviews BJ AKA Burnt Joint, a rising star in the Central Coast Drag scene. BJ discusses their journey into drag, starting just a year ago, and the unique way they balance their non-binary identity with performing as a feminine drag queen. BJ shares insights on the support from their family and friends, the influence of their creative childhood, and their current role in fostering community through drag. The episode also touches on BJ's inspirations, performances, and their upcoming participation in the 'Royalty of Pride' pageant at the New Vic Theater. BJ offers valuable advice for aspiring drag performers and emphasizes the importance of community and authenticity in the drag world. 00:00 Welcome to Late to the Party 00:28 Meet BJ AKA Burnt Joint 00:55 Sexuality and Pronouns 01:28 Exploring Gender and Drag 03:34 Childhood and Creative Beginnings 04:13 Growing Up Queer in a Conservative Area 07:20 Discovering Drag and Inspirations 09:35 First Drag Performance and Costumes 11:24 The Origin of Burnt Joint 13:06 Makeup Journey and Influences 13:52 The Drag Community in SLO 14:55 The Challenges of Being a New Queen 16:31 Favorite and Least Favorite Parts of Drag 17:50 Creating Inclusive Events 21:46 Preparing for the First Pageant 26:00 Advice for Aspiring Drag Queens 28:06 Conclusion and Final Thoughts

    29 min
  3. 07/14/2025

    EP 2: "I'M A PURPLE HEART LESBIAN" w/ Al Casa

    In this episode of 'Late to the Party,' host Alex and her best friend Al dive into a candid discussion about discovering their sexuality, the challenges of biphobia, navigating straight-passing relationships, and the journey towards self-acceptance. Al shares their personal experiences of identifying as non-binary and lesbian, discussing their coming out story, their struggles with internalized homophobia, and the societal pressures of appearing 'straight.' They also talk about the impact of living in different cultural environments, such as San Francisco versus a smaller town, on their queer experience. The episode is a heartfelt exploration of queerness, identity, and the importance of community support. 00:00 Introduction and Episode Overview 01:24 Guest Introduction: Al's Pronouns and Sexuality 01:43 Navigating Non-Binary and Lesbian Identities 02:14 Gay Awakenings and Early Realizations 02:52 Listener Write-Ins and Cartoon Crushes 03:22 Al's Bisexuality and Transition to Lesbian Identity 06:24 Coming Out and Family Dynamics 10:46 Living in San Francisco vs. Santa Barbara 14:49 Navigating the Dating Scene 15:41 Challenges in Male-Dominated Fields 16:54 Professional Struggles and Acceptance 17:36 Embracing Queer Identity at Work 18:55 Straight Passing and Its Implications 24:03 Understanding Non-Binary Identity 25:21 Addressing Biphobia and Queer Validation 27:24 Final Thoughts and Encouragement

    29 min

Ratings & Reviews

5
out of 5
4 Ratings

About

Introducing Late to the Party — a podcast where queer voices take the mic. Hosted by a proud “late bloomer” Alex, this show is all about the messy, beautiful, hilarious, and tender realities of queer life. Every episode features honest conversations, guest interviews, and listener write-ins about identity, love, coming out, community, and everything in between. Whether you’re loud and proud, still figuring it out, or somewhere in the middle—you’re not late. You’re right on time. Welcome to the party.