The Cutting Up: A Kiki with Connie & Lina

Pride House Media
  • 5.0 (22)
  • FASHION & BEAUTY

Welcome to The Cutting Up: A Kiki with Connie and Lina, a new weekly podcast hosted by DJ/activist Lina Bradford and fashion legend Connie Fleming, the show offers unprecedented access to the icons, secrets, and untold stories that shaped queer culture. Lina and Connie are both trailblazing women of transgender experience, with deep backgrounds hosting and performing in NYC’s most storied clubs—and pioneering on fashion runways. They bring their knowledge, stories, and relationships to “The Cutting Up,” offering audiences a backstage pass to authentic conversations that can only happen between true friends and industry legends. “The Cutting Up” goes deep on fashion, music, activism, and identity.

  1. 3D AGO

    Hollywood, Casting & Life as a Trans Actress

    This week on the pod, Connie and I are doing what we do best: talking fashion, reliving auditions we absolutely should have booked, and unpacking the absolute circus that is today’s news cycle. We get into door‑knocker earrings (obviously), guilty pleasures, iconic roles, and the very real gymnastics trans actors have to do just to exist in Hollywood. We’re joined by the fabulous Matthew Breen, who helps us connect fashion, media, and those unforgettable NYC nightlife moments (yes, Jackie’s 60, we see you). From MTV memories to club chaos, TikTok trends, bottle service nonsense, and why House of Style still deserves a comeback — it’s all here. Think: fashion talk, career flashbacks, nightlife lore, and unfiltered banter — aka a backstage pass to our brains. Press play, grab a snack, and don’t forget your accessories, Sugar. Apple Podcasts: https://podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/the-cutting-up-a-kiki-with-connie-lina/id1849020008 Spotify: https://open.spotify.com/show/200MOk48TaLRPLQvzx2UK0?si=6499dd094f704a10 iHeart: https://www.iheart.com/podcast/1333-the-cutting-up-a-kiki-wit-303161901  Write to us at Kiki@TheCuttingUp.com And follow us on instagram: @TheLinaBradford @TheRealConnieGirl @PrideHouseMedia The Cutting Up: A Kiki with Connie & Lina is a Pride House Media production. Producers: Josh Rosenzweig & Matthew Breen. Graphic Design by Daryl Raymond. Original Music by 808 BEACH (John “J-C” Carr & Bill Coleman), courtesy of Peace Bisquit.   Production Design by Darryl Dickens.  Hair by Mariah Molina. Our very special thanks to Jason Kanner for all your support.

    50 min

  2. JAN 22

    More Than Makeup: Beauty as Trans Power

    Okay Sugar, strap in! This episode of The Cutting Up is serving beauty, history, and a whole lot of truth. This week, when the gong rashes, guess who it is… the iconic Bradley Miller—makeup artist, educator, and all‑around force—and she sits down for a kiki that starts with nostalgic movie obsessions and legendary lipstick moments, and quickly turns into something deeper, but no less fabulous. Bradley spills on her journey through the cosmetics industry, what it really means to be visible as a trans person in corporate spaces, and why advocacy is not optional. It’s essential. We get into how makeup has literally saved lives for trans women, the power of being seen, and the importance of showing up for one another when the world isn’t exactly rolling out the red carpet. There are laughs, there are tender moments, there’s a little dating tea too. Oh, and yes, there’s plenty of glam. From healthcare access and inclusivity to the everyday challenges trans women still face, this episode is about living authentically, loving loudly, and lifting each other up. Grab your favorite lip gloss and join us cuz we are serving it up this week. Apple Podcasts: https://podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/the-cutting-up-a-kiki-with-connie-lina/id1849020008 Spotify: https://open.spotify.com/show/200MOk48TaLRPLQvzx2UK0?si=6499dd094f704a10 iHeart: https://www.iheart.com/podcast/1333-the-cutting-up-a-kiki-wit-303161901  Write to us at Kiki@TheCuttingUp.com And follow us on instagram: @TheLinaBradford @TheRealConnieGirl @PrideHouseMedia The Cutting Up: A Kiki with Connie & Lina is a Pride House Media production. Producers: Josh Rosenzweig & Matthew Breen. Graphic Design by Daryl Raymond. Original Music by 808 BEACH (John “J-C” Carr & Bill Coleman), courtesy of Peace Bisquit.   Production Design by Darryl Dickens.  Hair by Mariah Molina. Our very special thanks to Jason Kanner for all your support.

    35 min

  3. JAN 15

    Training the Body, Feeding the Soul: A Kiki with Celebrity Trainer Kacy Duke

    We were already in full kiki mode, but once fitness icon Kacy Duke stepped into the chat? Baby. It became a juicy, feel-good, soul-stirring conversation about fitness, confidence, and loving the skin you’re in, no matter the season. We talked about how our bodies survived the pandemic, laughed about our favorite throwback ’80s workout queens, and confessed what fitness really looks like for us these days. It's not always cute, but it’s got to be honest. Kacy has trained legends like Denzel Washington, Bruce Willis, and Lenny Kravitz, and she spills a little celeb training tea, serving up a Gwen Stefani moment.  Between the laughs, the real talk, and some very necessary reminders about sensuality, energy, and moving your body with intention, this episode felt like a permission slip to show up fully. Strong, soft, sexy, and unapologetic. If you’ve ever needed motivation with a side of sass and soul, this one’s for you. Apple Podcasts: https://podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/the-cutting-up-a-kiki-with-connie-lina/id1849020008 Spotify: https://open.spotify.com/show/200MOk48TaLRPLQvzx2UK0?si=6499dd094f704a10 iHeart: https://www.iheart.com/podcast/1333-the-cutting-up-a-kiki-wit-303161901  Write to us at Kiki@TheCuttingUp.com And follow us on instagram: @TheLinaBradford @TheRealConnieGirl @PrideHouseMedia The Cutting Up: A Kiki with Connie & Lina is a Pride House Media production. Producers: Josh Rosenzweig & Matthew Breen. Graphic Design by Daryl Raymond. Original Music by 808 BEACH (John “J-C” Carr & Bill Coleman), courtesy of Peace Bisquit.   Production Design by Darryl Dickens.  Hair by Mariah Molina. Our very special thanks to Jason Kanner for all your support.

    47 min

  4. JAN 8

    Carson Kressley: Style with Heart

    Slip on your favorite heels and settle in, because this episode is everything. We are spilling fashion tea from the early 2000s—the era that gave us questionable shoes, plaid overload, and confidence we maybe didn’t earn. And just when you think it can’t get better, Carson Kressley struts into the conversation like the gorgeous gay icon he is. Carson dishes on everything from his Queer Eye for the Straight Guy days (life-changing, culture-shifting, no big deal) to his time twirling through RuPaul’s Drag Race, and sneaking around secret super-celeb green rooms backstage at the Emmys. We laugh about fashion disasters we definitely thought were working at the time, swoon over nostalgic designer moments, and lovingly roast trends that should’ve stayed in the archives. Between personal closet confessions, starstruck encounters, and retail war stories, Carson reminds us why kindness, humor, and a little fabulousness can actually change the world.  Basically? It’s fashion history, but we make it fun. 💅 ✨ Episode Breakdown (aka: When the Chaos Happens) 00:00 – Introductions, tangents, and immediate derailment 00:26 – Shoe designers of the early 2000s (RIP our arches) 01:17 – The oldest shoes in the closet… and why they’re still emotionally important 04:29 – Spa culture, plaid overload, and vibes we can’t explain 05:24 – Fashion crimes of the 2000s (no one is innocent) 08:03 – Carson’s Drag Race journey and behind-the-scenes magic 10:16 – Emmy nights: glamour, chaos, and good lighting 13:24 – Starstruck moments and celebrity encounters we’re still not over 16:55 – Why kindness is the real makeover secret 17:24 – Queer representation on TV: sneaky, powerful, and iconic 17:45 – Personal stories and public reactions (some sweet, some wild) 19:41 – Fashion, retail, and “you had to be there” moments 22:08 – The legacy of Queer Eye (still changing lives, BTW) 22:40 – Fan interactions and love from all directions 27:02 – DJ culture, nightlife now vs. then, and evolving cool 29:54 – Bye-bye, Honey!  Apple Podcasts: https://podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/the-cutting-up-a-kiki-with-connie-lina/id1849020008 Spotify: https://open.spotify.com/show/200MOk48TaLRPLQvzx2UK0?si=6499dd094f704a10 iHeart: https://www.iheart.com/podcast/1333-the-cutting-up-a-kiki-wit-303161901  Write to us at Kiki@TheCuttingUp.com And follow us on instagram: @TheLinaBradford @TheRealConnieGirl @PrideHouseMedia The Cutting Up: A Kiki with Connie & Lina is a Pride House Media production. Producers: Josh Rosenzweig & Matthew Breen. Graphic Design by Daryl Raymond. Original Music by 808 BEACH (John “J-C” Carr & Bill Coleman), courtesy of Peace Bisquit.   Production Design by Darryl Dickens.  Hair by Mariah Molina. Our very special thanks to Jason Kanner for all your support.

    33 min

  5. JAN 1

    Connie & Lina’s Holiday Hot Takes

    This week, our brother and producer Matt joins us to ring in the new year!  We share some of my favorite holiday memories from childhood gifts to traditions that still bring the vibes. We talk about how we actually like to spend the holidays, debate overplayed Christmas songs, and give Mariah Carey her flowers. The diva is THE DIVA after all. We also touch on holiday shopping chaos, festive cocktails, squeezing in that New Year’s jump off, and what drama we are all happily leaving behind as the clock strikes midnight. Tune in for the last cackle of 2025!  Apple Podcasts: https://podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/the-cutting-up-a-kiki-with-connie-lina/id1849020008 Spotify: https://open.spotify.com/show/200MOk48TaLRPLQvzx2UK0?si=6499dd094f704a10 iHeart: https://www.iheart.com/podcast/1333-the-cutting-up-a-kiki-wit-303161901  You can write to us at Kiki@TheCuttingUp.com And follow us on instagram: @TheLinaBradford @TheRealConnieGirl @PrideHouseMedia The Cutting Up: A Kiki with Connie & Lina is a Pride House Media production. Producers: Josh Rosenzweig & Matthew Breen. Graphic Design by Daryl Raymond. Original Music by 808 BEACH (John “J-C” Carr & Bill Coleman), courtesy of Peace Bisquit.   Production Design by Darryl Dickens.  Our very special thanks to Jason Kanner for all your support.

    22 min

  6. 12/25/2025

    Connie & Lina's Christmas Pajama Party

    What’s the first thing a girl’s to do on a jubilant Christmas morning? Call a sistrix, of course! Sugar, this is unfiltered Christmas energy because if anyone is going to tolerate me before caffeine, it’s a sistrix. Your girl Lina woke up like this and your girl Connie Girl answered the call, sounding exactly as you’d expect: just risen from the coffin, half asleep, half delighted, and fully confused. What starts as a “Merry Christmas and a Happy Nude Rear!” turns into a full‑blown recap of 2025, complete with laughter, mild emotional whiplash, as we do, we kinda go off the rails.  We kiki about our wins, the struggles we survived, the moments that built character, and how our friendship somehow keeps getting stronger despite the chaos. And we gently roast each other like chestnuts on an open fire. No matter how wild the year gets, we know we can always talk it out together. It’s truly a gift to have someone who knows your whole story and still picks up the phone. It’s not deep because we planned it. It’s deep because it’s us. In pajamas. On Christmas morning. Bold choice, honestly.  ⏰ Episode Breakdown 00:00 – Christmas Morning Chaos  I wake up and immediately choose Connie. Zero regrets. 01:11 – Sleepy Voices & Questionable Life Choices  “Merry Christmas!” but make it groggy, giggly, and slightly unhinged. 03:37 – This Year Was A Lot (Plus Funny Stories)  Highs, lows, and memories that prove we really did survive this year. 15:15 – Gratitude, Growth & Accidental Wisdom  Faith, lessons learned, and realizing we grew… even when we resisted. 21:10 – Holiday Wishes & Hanging Up Eventually  Warm goodbyes, Christmas blessings, and promises to talk later (we will). Apple Podcasts: https://podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/the-cutting-up-a-kiki-with-connie-lina/id1849020008 Spotify: https://open.spotify.com/show/200MOk48TaLRPLQvzx2UK0?si=6499dd094f704a10 iHeart: https://www.iheart.com/podcast/1333-the-cutting-up-a-kiki-wit-303161901  You can write to us at Kiki@TheCuttingUp.com And follow us on instagram: @TheLinaBradford @TheRealConnieGirl @PrideHouseMedia The Cutting Up: A Kiki with Connie & Lina is a Pride House Media production. Producers: Josh Rosenzweig & Matthew Breen. Graphic Design by Daryl Raymond. Original Music by 808 BEACH (John “J-C” Carr & Bill Coleman), courtesy of Peace Bisquit.   Production Design by Darryl Dickens.  Our very special thanks to Jason Kanner for all your support.

    24 min

  7. 12/18/2025

    Pirate Boots & Punk Roots: Connie & Lina’s Tribute to the Iconic Vivienne Westwood

    Okay Sugar, buckle up—because this episode was basically mine and Connie’s Olympics. From the moment we hit record, the energy was high, the accessories were rattling, and Vivienne Westwood was in the house hovering over the conversation like the patron saint of chaotic glam. We kicked things off with a little accessory talk (because of course we did), and before long,we were deep in our feelings about our Westwood babies—yes, the squiggles, the pirate boots, and those corsets. Con and I traded stories - spiraling into memories of punk’s electric surge in the late 70s and 80s, back when fashion wasn’t just fashion—it was a full‑blown cultural riot. And then came the icons. Pat Cleveland strutting through my imagination. Yoko Ono being...Yoko Ono. Grace Jones, obviously slaying from every angle. It felt like flipping through the coolest scrapbook ever made. Just when you think we can’t get more ‘unserious’, we dive into fishbowl questions—fashion trends we’d banish, knockoff drama, and the teen fashion choices we wish we could time‑travel to fix. Chaos, laughter, and maybe a little too much honesty. If you want the play‑by‑play, here’s your stylish timestamp menu: • 00:00 — Hellos, hugs, and general fabulousness  • 00:18 — Accessories we’re unreasonably attached to  • 00:57 — Nostalgia hour: fashion shows we still dream about  • 01:16 — The Vivienne Westwood fangirl spiral begins  • 04:54 — Punk, politics, and platform everything  • 08:51 — Why color theory should come with a warning label  • 14:00 — Personal fashion lore (yes, the corset story is here)  • 17:11 — Iconic outfits and the Case of the Missing Corsets  • 18:02 — Fishbowl chaos: trends, tips, tea  • 21:05 — “Sun’s out, buns out” but make it fashion  • 23:41 — Teen fashion memories we survived  • 25:14 — Designer jeans and the era that shaped us  • 29:17 — Voting matters (and so does what you wear to the polls)  • 29:55 — Final thoughts and fabulous farewells Apple Podcasts: https://podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/the-cutting-up-a-kiki-with-connie-lina/id1849020008 Spotify: https://open.spotify.com/show/200MOk48TaLRPLQvzx2UK0?si=6499dd094f704a10 iHeart: https://www.iheart.com/podcast/1333-the-cutting-up-a-kiki-wit-303161901  You can write to us at Kiki@TheCuttingUp.com And follow us on instagram: @TheLinaBradford @TheRealConnieGirl @PrideHouseMedia The Cutting Up: A Kiki with Connie & Lina is a Pride House Media production. Producers: Josh Rosenzweig & Matthew Breen. Graphic Design Daryl Raymond. Original Music by 808 BEACH (John “J-C” Carr & Bill Coleman), courtesy of Peace Bisquit.   Production Design by Darryl Dickens.  Our very special thanks to Jason Kanner for all your support.

    32 min

  8. 12/11/2025

    Joy Reid Unfiltered: Black Identity, Bold Truths, Fashion, and a Little Paranormal Tea

    Buckle up, because this episode goes off the rails the way only our show can. Today we have Joy Reid! Yes, Joy freakin’ Reid, the first Black woman primetime news anchor, New York Times bestselling author, and the woman who tells it like it is. We jump right into the deep end with, what else, dolls! It’s an obsession in this house, as you all know. We talk Mr. and Ms. Potatohead, Baby That–a-Way, custom dolls, and then we go thataway talking about Joy’s ascendance to make primetime news history, and how her Jamaican godmother won’t let it go. The tea is hot! Joy's own independent media platform is flourishing—and baby, the freedom? She said she can finally tell the truth without anyone in a suit whispering, “Um, maybe we don’t say that.” And honestly, I felt that in my spirit. We dip into the fish pond and come up with some ghost stories. The whole episode is a celebration of authenticity—and we can promise you’ve never seen Joy like this! Enjoy honeysuckles. Check out Joy's YouTube channel at https://www.youtube.com/@TheJoyReidShow Episode Breakdown:  00:00 Welcome Blaque  00:55 Where is the trustworthy news at?!  03:20 Fashion Talk (Joy understood the assignment)  07:11 Welcoming Joy Reid like the queen she is  10:16 Doll Collections & Childhood Memories  22:24 Gender Roles and Expectations  24:51 The Trad Wife Trend (girl…)  28:16 Joy’s Media Journey Begins  30:12 Launching a Show During a Pandemic  32:10 Jumping into Independent Media  33:07 Social Media, Truth‑Telling, and Being Real  41:04 Paranormal Moments & Ouija Shenanigans  46:07 Thank‑yous, Hugs, and Goodbyes Apple Podcasts: https://podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/the-cutting-up-a-kiki-with-connie-lina/id1849020008 Spotify: https://open.spotify.com/show/200MOk48TaLRPLQvzx2UK0?si=6499dd094f704a10 iHeart: https://www.iheart.com/podcast/1333-the-cutting-up-a-kiki-wit-303161901  You can write to us at Kiki@TheCuttingUp.com And follow us on instagram: @TheLinaBradford @TheRealConnieGirl @PrideHouseMedia The Cutting Up: A Kiki with Connie & Lina is a Pride House Media production. Producers: Josh Rosenzweig & Matthew Breen. Graphic Design Daryl Raymond. Original Music by 808 BEACH (John “J-C” Carr & Bill Coleman), courtesy of Peace Bisquit.   Production Design by Darryl Dickens.  Our very special thanks to Jason Kanner for all your support.

    47 min
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5
out of 5
22 Ratings

About

Welcome to The Cutting Up: A Kiki with Connie and Lina, a new weekly podcast hosted by DJ/activist Lina Bradford and fashion legend Connie Fleming, the show offers unprecedented access to the icons, secrets, and untold stories that shaped queer culture. Lina and Connie are both trailblazing women of transgender experience, with deep backgrounds hosting and performing in NYC’s most storied clubs—and pioneering on fashion runways. They bring their knowledge, stories, and relationships to “The Cutting Up,” offering audiences a backstage pass to authentic conversations that can only happen between true friends and industry legends. “The Cutting Up” goes deep on fashion, music, activism, and identity.

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