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Comedian Dan Yang built a huge following on the driest takes on the internet — abusing robots, the Grammys, the Wasian meetup in Central Park — all delivered with zero expression. Live from Brooklyn, he sits down with host Johnny Hwin for the story underneath the feed.

In this episode, Dan talks about:

• Growing up in the East Bay with Chinese immigrant parents — and why he "didn't work hard enough" to become a doctor
• Being a latchkey kid raised by the TV: Simpsons, Conan reruns, and translating Comedy Central sets for his grandma
• Why Park Slope kids will grow up "well-adjusted but annoying"
• Discovering comedy through improv and open mics ("the bar is that low")
• Moving to New York in 2015 and the slow climb in stand-up
• Finding his deadpan voice and going online around COVID
• His first viral video and the philosophy of "post and touch grass"
• Robots having a big year, the trash can that broke his heart, and Trump's tax-funded Knicks ticket
• Real advice for anyone chasing a creative life

Recorded live in front of a Brooklyn audience.

Follow Dan Yang: @realdanyang
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Grammy-nominated producer. Multi-platinum artist. Harvard grad at 19. Tech founder. Financial educator. Ryan Leslie has lived several careers in one lifetime — and this conversation covers all of them.

Ryan traces his journey from a Caribbean-rooted Salvation Army household to Harvard at 15, from sleeping on his dad's couch to producing Beyoncé's track on the Bad Boys 2 soundtrack on his first night in New York City. He breaks down how he used early Google AdWords and MySpace to send Cassie's "Me & U" viral before anyone else saw it coming — and why he eventually walked away from the entire major label system.

The pivot point: discovering that even after selling records on iTunes, he couldn't get his fans' email addresses. So he put his phone number on the internet instead. 35,000 texts later, he had a $2M album cycle, a database of his most loyal fans, and the seed of what would become SuperPhone.

Ryan and host Johnny also get into Wealthplan — Ryan's investing and financial literacy platform for artists — and close with a masterclass on relationship equity: why the most valuable investment you can make at any age isn't in stocks or streams, but in the people in the room with you right now.

Topics covered: growing up Salvation Army · Harvard at 15 · going all-in on music with no Plan B · the Beyoncé break · MySpace SEO · pulling from iTunes · SuperPhone · Ben Horowitz · Nipsey Hussle · Bad Bunny · Wealthplan · relationship equity · advice for young creatives1

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What does it actually take to write honestly about sex, shame, and identity?

In this episode, we sit down with Zachary Zane — Brooklyn-based author, sex columnist, and one of the most prominent voices in modern queer culture. His memoir Boy Slut: A Memoir and Manifesto was a 2024 Lambda Literary Award finalist, blurbed by Dan Savage as one of the best sex writers working today. He's written for the New York Times, Rolling Stone, GQ, Men's Health, and Cosmopolitan — and he never planned to be a writer at all.

We get into his childhood OCD, the bisexual visibility movement, accidentally going viral, writing with humor about taboo topics, and why shame only survives in isolation.

In this episode:
00:00 — Intro
04:00 — OCD, sexual shame, and growing up in a "sex positive" family
10:00 — What bisexual visibility actually gets right (and wrong)
14:00 — Going viral by accident and becoming a writer
18:00 — Using humor as a craft tool — and when it backfires
24:00 — Building a movement (while battling imposter syndrome)
29:00 — The first step to letting go of shame

📖 Boy Slut: A Memoir and Manifesto → https://bookshop.org/p/books/boyslut-a-memoir-and-manifesto-zachary-zane/b84737203b150376?ean=9781419764714&next=t&

✍️ The Boi Slut Zine (submit your work!) → https://zacharyzane.substack.com/p/boyslut-size-submissions-guidelines

📲 Follow Zachary → https://www.instagram.com/zacharyzane

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Anthony Di Mieri on Going Viral, Indie Film, and Reinventing Political Media in NYC

An onstage conversation introduces filmmaker Anthony Di Mieri and traces his decade-spanning path across comedy, politics, and independent cinema. Anthony describes discovering filmmaking as a child using his mom’s camcorder, being influenced by a theatrical Italian American family, and early projects ranging from kung fu and zombie ideas to homemade teen films. After being rejected from NYU film twice, he shifted toward politics and activism, studying political science at Fordham, interning at Democracy Now with Amy Goodman, and learning editing and videography while filming figures like Noam Chomsky. He then worked in advertising, where he met and apprenticed under filmmaker Jason Klein, learned directing and auditions, and gained time to write and create.

The conversation follows Anthony's long collaboration with Kareem Rahma, beginning when Rahma reached out after seeing “Bros.” They developed projects together, including writing a feature script about animal influencers (“To Be Frank”), making sketch comedy, and later working on Rahma’s “Keep the Meter Running,” which evolved into the viral one-minute subway interview series “Subway Takes.” He shares behind-the-scenes details, early format debates about vertical video, favorite episodes, and the show’s rapid growth, including prominent fans and international travel.

Anthony also details how his filmmaking skills transitioned into political media: he co-founded Melted Solids and began producing campaign videos for progressive candidates after being inspired by Alexandria Ocasio-Cortez’s style of authentic political media. Starting with Rafael Espinal’s campaign, the team expanded to races like Jamal Bowman’s and then began working closely with New York City politician Zoran Mamdani through his Astoria campaign, the “Fix the MTA” legislative campaign, and eventually a larger mayoral run. Anthony describes the campaign’s mix of humor and on-the-street authenticity, including interviews across boroughs, SantaCon footage, and a video visiting small donors at their homes. He recounts how viral videos—especially interviews with Trump voters discussing issues like Gaza and anti-war perceptions—hit a nerve after the 2024 election and circulated widely.

Additional threads include Anthony's directorial debut feature “Love New York,” which won Best Feature at the Bowery Film Festival, and his upcoming horror-comedy-romance “Romance Never Dies.” He reflects on emotionally intense moments around the campaign’s primary night and later celebration, as well as Bernie Sanders giving the team an impromptu pep talk emphasizing the revolutionary power of social media. The episode closes with Anthony advising aspiring filmmakers to build and participate in community, describing independent film as a “favor economy,” and crediting friends and collaborators for helping make “Love New York” possible through volunteer support, location help, and grassroots fundraising.

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FAM Podcast: The Evolution of a Musical Maestro - An Interview with Pedram, Multi-instrumentalist and Producer

Welcome to the FAM Podcast where we delve into the creative minds shaping New York City's vibrant cultural landscape. In this episode, we have an engaging conversation with Pedram, a composer, producer, and multi-instrumentalist known for fusing British classical music with contemporary electronic sounds. Pedram shares his journey from composing classical piano pieces as a teenager to creating innovative music with his dynamic jazz-house duo, STELLA., alongside Meg Brennan. Discover how Pedram's early experiences, including his move from Iran to the U.S., shaped his unique approach to music. Learn about his seamless transition from classical to jazz and electronic music, his creative process, and the philosophy driving STELLA. and their captivating live performances. Pedram also shares valuable advice for upcoming composers and producers in today's ever-evolving musical landscape.

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Debra Rapoport: Fearless Creativity, Advanced Style, and the Art of Self-Expression

In this engaging conversation, Debra Rapoport, a celebrated icon of fearless creativity, discusses her journey of over 50 years in redefining everyday objects as wearable art. Debra emphasizes the importance of self-expression over fashion, the significance of sustainability long before it became a trend, and her involvement in the Advanced Style Movement. Sharing personal stories from her childhood and career, she highlights the critical role of creativity, community, and communication in living a fulfilled life. Rapoport also sheds light on her unique ABC method (Assembling, Building, Constructing) and the therapeutic nature of her artistic process, encouraging everyone to embrace their authentic selves and nurture their creative spirits.

00:53 Debra's Philosophy on Creativity and Fashion

02:23 Childhood Influences and Early Creativity

04:38 The Advanced Style Movement

09:08 Personal Style vs. Fashion

12:42 Mentorship and Education

16:45 Sustainability and Found Materials

18:38 The Hunt for Metal Treasures

19:03 The Relationship with Materials

20:55 The ABC Method: Assembling, Building, Constructing

22:08 Color as a Vibration and Energy

24:42 Frugality and Creativity

28:50 The Advanced Style Movement

33:42 Creative Aging and Self-Care

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Comedy, Friendship, and Humor: In Conversation with Jordan Carlos

In this episode, we explore the journey of comedian Jordan Carlos from his early days on MTV's 'Guy Code' and 'Girl Code' to performing at the Comedy Cellar and creating 'Humped'—a hilarious improv show about sex. Our host and Jordan dive into memories of their friendship and the comedic scene in New York. They discuss essential topics such as the role of darkness in comedy, dealing with rejection, and the importance of mutual respect in relationships. Jordan also introduces his new book 'Chore Play,' which provides practical advice for men on sharing the invisible work in relationships. With humor and insights, this episode offers a deep dive into the life and mind of a comedian on his path to success.

00:34 Friendship and Comedy Shows
02:12 Goofy Dynamics and New York Nights
03:16 From Texas to Comedy Stardom
06:46 The Journey Through Advertising
10:21 Children's Books and Consent
12:46 Ruining Childhood Stories
13:57 The Comedy Notebook
16:12 Friends with Darkness
19:42 Stalking Rory Albanese
23:40 The Marriage-Saving Magic of Chore Play

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From Subway Performer to Worldwide Sensation: An Interview with iRO

In this episode of FAM we're excited to welcome Brooklyn-based singer-songwriter iRO, who transformed from a subway busker into an international touring artist. After winning NBC's Songland with his collaboration 'Shadow' alongside Macklemore, iRO has amassed hundreds of millions of streams and performed to countless fans worldwide. His debut album, 'White Roses,' showcases a variety of genres and deeply personal stories. Join us as iRO discusses his journey, from busking in New York subways to performing on some of the world's biggest stages, and how he stays true to his artistic vision.

00:00 Introduction to iRO's Journey
00:52 IRO's Debut Album: White Roses
02:02 The Writing Process and Personal Touch
05:25 From Math to Music: iRO's Background
07:46 Discovering the Guitar and Busking
12:02 From Subway to Stardom: Collaborations and Songland
20:30 Future Plans and Performances

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