Talk About Gay Sex TAGSPODCAST
TAGSPODCAST aka Talk About Gay Sex is a Queer podcast offering advice on sex and relationships plus delivers the latest LGBTQ hot topics on health, politics and entertainment to keep you updated. Shows are dropped bi-weekly on Tuesdays and Thursdays. Created and Hosted by Stevie V featuring Co-hosts Kodi Maurice Doggette, Jeremy Ross Lopez, Lincoln, Teddy Alexis and Amir Yass. Interested in sponsoring or advertising on this podcast? Visit show website: tagspodcast.com
Naked Wrestling, Bathhouse Healing and the Future of Gay Cruising with Ben Gibson EP 805
In this episode:
Steamworks Seattle and the evolution of bathhouse culture Content Creator Night and the North American Bathhouse Association Queer Mega Naked Yoga and the ancient Greek palaestra https://modernpalaestra.com/mega-nude-wrestling/ Naked wrestling, wedgie training, and cruising gyms Adult content creators and the boundaries of livestreamed erotic events Ben's personal journey into adult content Queer Men, A.I. and helping men pursue their creative goals Healing at a Bathhouse: mental health, coming out, and finding belonging Can a bathhouse be more than a place to hook up? Can sex-positive spaces also become places for personal growth...EP 804: Is He a Keeper or Just Good in Bed? Red Flags, Green Flags & Cuffing Season
In this episode:
Cuffing Season: Are we searching for romance or just a reliable winter hookup? Kodi has a big announcement related to today's episode... The underrated green flags that make a man relationship material. Dating red flags and why we sometimes ignore them. Can incredible sex make us overlook bad behavior? Sexual green flags: Communication, confidence, generosity, and respecting boundaries. Can someone be emotionally compatible but sexually incompatible? How our expectations around dating, sex, and relationships evolve with experience. Hot Topic: Cheyenne Jackson looks out for his fellow actors and health insurance... Hot Topic: Troy Sivan shares...Gay Sex Fantasies: Hotter in Your Head or Better in Real Life? EP 803
In this episode:
Gay sex fantasies: Better in our heads or in real life? Why exhibitionism topped a small survey of men's sexual fantasies The thrill of watching versus being watched Group sex fantasies and the reality of multiple partners What makes certain kinks and sexual scenarios so exciting? When sexual experimentation opens unexpected doors Why anticipation can sometimes be hotter than the actual encounter How our fantasies and turn-ons evolve with age and experience Does every sexual fantasy need to become reality? Plus, Steve V and Kodi get personal about sexual curiosity, the surprises that come with...EP 802: Behind the Costume: Gay Fantasies, Sexual Confidence & Evolving Desires
n this episode:
An unforgettable '80s Halloween wedding anniversary celebration Why costumes, uniforms, and sexual personas can be such a turn-on The connection between fantasy, confidence, and sexual freedom How our attractions and desires change as we get older Breaking free from sexual labels and expectations What experience teaches us about intimacy and pleasure Lincoln's reflections on 800+ episodes of TAGSPODCAST WSteve V is joined by co-hosts Lincoln and Kodi for a revealing, sexy, and sometimes hilarious conversation about gay fantasies, sexual confidence, and how our desires evolve over time.First up, Steve V recaps his and husband...EP 801 – Getting Naked Emotionally: Gay Men, Vulnerability and The Color of Blood with Dr. Kevin Charles
Topics explored include:
Dr. Kevin Charles's journey as a gay physician and storyteller Masculinity, emotional vulnerability, and the masks men wear The relationship between self-acceptance, confidence, and intimacy Race, representation, and the importance of being fully seen Shame, trust, and the challenges of honest conversations about sexuality The intersection of medicine, human connection, and personal identity His debut novel, The Color of Blood, and its themes of love, addiction, identity, and redemption Can we truly experience intimacy without allowing ourselves to be vulnerable? And what happens when we finally stop hiding the parts of ourselves we're afraid to...EP 800: 800 Episodes of Gay Sex! How We've Changed, Grown & Evolved
How PrEP has transformed gay sex, sexual freedom, and our attitudes toward HIV prevention. How our own sexual identities, desires, and confidence have evolved. Changing perspectives on monogamy, open relationships, jealousy, and communication. What we've learned about love, intimacy, and what we really want from a partner. Body image, aging, sexual roles, and the freedom to reinvent ourselves at any age. The ways gay culture, dating apps, and our community have changed since 2017. Why personal growth sometimes means challenging beliefs we once held about sex and relationships. What the future might hold for gay sexuality and the conversations we still...
EP 799: Living Out Loud with RAYSHARD + Kodi's Wild & Sexy RU5H Cruise Confessions
In this episode:
Meet RAYSHARD and discover his remarkable journey of radical reinvention. Walking away from stability to pursue a creative dream and live authentically. Being a Black gay independent artist and finding your voice in today's world. Queer love, marriage, and living unapologetically with husband Jay. The inspiration behind My Way, Vol. 1 and his Happy Pride… Stay Gay Tour. Kodi gives us the juicy details from the inaugural RU5H cruise! Sex-positive spaces, parties, freedom, and sexy adventures on the high seas. Steve V shares his latest The Naked Truth Substack story, revisiting his younger years discovering ho...Where Gay Men Find Home + Your Messiest Sex & Relationship Questions EP 798
In this episode:
Where Steve and Lincoln first felt at home after coming out Why gay spaces can become much more than places to drink or hook up Finding community, belonging and chosen family Sex and relationship dilemmas Communicating what you actually want Navigating expectations in dating, hookups and relationships Steve and Lincoln dispense some very unofficial gay advice And why sometimes there really is no single “right” answer Where did YOU first feel completely at home as a gay man—and whose relationship advice do you trust?Follow Steve V's new Substack features weekly articles. 20% Off now th...
We’re Open… But What Does That Actually Mean? EP 797
Why open doesn’t mean “anything goes” The difference between rules, agreements and boundaries Asking permission vs. simply giving your partner a heads-up Whether jealousy automatically means something is wrong Sexual intimacy vs. emotional intimacy When a repeat hookup starts becoming something more Whether “don’t catch feelings” is even a realistic rule What responsibility open couples have to the people they hook up with Steve and Teddy play Ransom’s “Would This Count?” relationship stress test And the big question: What actually makes non-monogamy ethical? It’s a conversation about sex, honesty, jealousy, communication and the gray areas that no relationship labe...
Are We De-Gaying Ourselves? From Naked Men on the Wall to Folsom EP 796
What does it actually mean to “de-gay” your home? Would you remove homoerotic artwork when family comes over? Is nude male art treated differently than female nudity? Where is the line between art, erotica and porn? Being considerate of guests vs. censoring yourself Kodi’s first impressions of Folsom Street Fair What surprised him most about leather and BDSM culture Kink as sexual expression, identity and community Why queer spaces still matter Have gay men become more concerned with being “respectable”? And how do you know when privacy becomes shame? From what hangs on our walls to what we wear in the str...
Season’s Breedings: Brad Ouellette Turns Queer Desire Into Pop Art EP 795
We get into:
How Brad’s background and personal journey shaped him as an artist The origins of Season’s Breedings and that unforgettable name Turning homoerotic imagery into playful queer pop art Where sexuality, humor and fantasy intersect in his work Celebrating the male body without apologizing for desire Creating art specifically through a queer gaze How Brad develops his characters, concepts and imagery The response to his work from the queer community Why provocative queer art and visibility still matter What’s next for Brad and Season’s BreedingsIt’s a fun, sexy and fascinatin...
Leather, Rain and the Statue of Liberty: Why Showing Up Matters EP 794
In this episode:
Why imperfect plans can sometimes create the most memorable experiences The fellow partygoer who declared, “We’re the real New Yorkers—we showed up” Leather, exposed ass cheeks and dancing through uncertain weather The surprisingly meaningful conversations Steve had with gay men throughout the boat Why even the busiest among us still need time for pleasure, release and community How smaller crowds can sometimes make queer nightlife feel more intimate Steve and Diego’s romantic moment in front of the Statue of Liberty Bonding with neighbors, strangers and the people who briefly enter our lives Why marria...Hank Social: Kink, Community and Connection Beyond the Hookup EP 793
Also discussed:
Why Hank Social was created and what was missing from existing gay apps The difference between a social community and a traditional hookup platform Creating spaces for leather, pups, rubber, gear and other fetish communities Balancing sexual expression with friendship, education and genuine connection Privacy and discretion for men who may not be publicly open about their interests Helping newcomers explore kink without judgment or intimidation The importance of consent, communication, boundaries and aftercare Discovering kink events and connecting with communities locally or while traveling Why queer digital spaces should be built by people who understand...Too Old for the Sauna? Gay Ageism, Sexual Energy & the 55+ Insult EP 792
In this episode:
The controversial “no men over 55” entrance policy Why describing older gay men as “more relaxed” feels so condescending Ageism and the obsession with youth in gay male spaces Why energy, confidence and sexual vitality do not have an expiration date The difference between creating a specific atmosphere and outright discrimination The sauna’s avatar game and its attempt to blend technology, fantasy and cruising Whether digital interaction enhances real-life connection—or gets in the way Who gets to decide which bodies belong in queer sexual spaces? Why intergenerational spaces can be valuable, sexy and necessary Follow Steve...Drunk, Glamorous and Full of Stories with Maria Van Cartier EP 791
In this episode:
Maria Van Cartier brings the glamour, humor, and unforgettable stories. The importance of documenting and preserving queer history. How New York City nightlife creates community and chosen family. Making space for the stories of Black and Brown queer people. What it means to live—and age—openly and unapologetically. Maria shares the inspiration behind her podcast, Remember the Time. Steve V discusses his current Substack post, “When Gay Men Started Looking at Me.” Steve reacts to the latest alarming AI story and asks whether the people developing artificial intelligence know something the rest of us don’t. ...Drawn to Desire: Inside the Erotic Art of Miguel Angel Reyes EP 790
In this episode:
• When Miguel first discovered his artistic voice • Celebrating the sensuality and diversity of men’s bodies • The line between erotic art, pornography, and fine art • Creating intimacy and trust between an artist and his subject • Body confidence, aging, vulnerability, and being truly seen • The importance of preserving queer sexuality through art • What Miguel saw—and captured—when he drew Steve
It’s a revealing conversation about art, desire, masculinity, body image, and the courage it takes to make yourself the subject.Hot Topic: Dancing the Stars will now have two female contestants as a couple...is Ameri...
Where Have All the Tops Gone? The Truth About Gay Sex’s Biggest “Shortage EP 789
In this episode:
• Is the “top shortage” supported by real data?
• Why are younger gay men more likely to identify as bottoms?
• Do some men grow into topping as they gain confidence and experience?
• Are there no tops—or simply no tops who meet every requirement?
• The erection and performance pressure placed on tops
• Why topping a partner can feel easier than topping a stranger
• Porn, hookup apps, masculinity, and unrealistic sexual expectations
• Can a soft top still deliver a great sexual experience?
• Are top, bottom, and vers preferences—or identities?
• Why...
Sorry, Just Seeing This: Why Gay Men Ghost on Grindr EP 788
In this episode:
More hilariously vague Grindr phrases translated Why “not on here much” rarely means what it says The difference between losing interest and genuinely ghosting someone Why men initiate conversations they have no intention of continuing Whether apps provide validation even when no hookup happens The endless cycle of taps, photos, attention and disappearing Why possibility can feel more exciting than actually meeting App fatigue and the exhaustion of repetitive conversations When silence becomes disrespectful Whether brutal honesty is really better than no responseMaybe sex isn’t what prevents gay men from forming meaningful connec...
What Grindr Bios Really Mean: Sex, Vibes and the Search for Connection EP 787
In this episode:
What common Grindr bios are really trying to say “Just vibes” and the language of emotional ambiguity Why sincerity on dating apps can feel suspicious The appeal—and limitations—of a Gay No Sex Weekend - actual group in the UK.... Whether sex and emotional connection actually conflict The difference between removing sex and removing pressure How gay men have historically built community in sexual spaces Why clearer communication may matter more than stricter rules Maybe gay men don’t need fewer sexual spaces. Maybe we need sexual spaces where friendship, vulnerability, romance and connection are also a...Why Are We Still So Horny for Heated Rivalry? EP 786
Why Heated Rivalry delivers more than just steamy sex The irresistible fantasy of being sexually and emotionally obsessed with someone Why yearning may be hotter than hooking up Whether dating apps have made intense romance feel even more desirable Women enjoying gay male romance versus men consuming lesbian fantasy The difference between admiration, voyeurism and fetishization Fan art, Patreon, musicals and the expanding Heated Rivalry universe Whether pop culture has been suffering through an erotic drought Why audiences are craving sex, romance and vulnerability at the same time
Maybe we aren’t merely horny for hockey players. Maybe we’re h...
Have We All Benched Someone? Dating, Backup Boys and the Grass-Is-Greener Trap EP 785
When does being genuinely unsure about someone become stringing him along? Are we avoiding rejection—or simply avoiding an uncomfortable conversation? Why do we sometimes want someone more the minute they start pulling away? Can you have a roster of casual guys without actually benching anybody? Have dating apps conditioned us to constantly look for the next best thing? Is being slowly benched actually worse than being ghosted? And when you finally know someone isn't right for you, do you owe him the truth?
It’s funny, revealing and occasionally uncomfortable as Steve, Jeremy and Kodi admit that when it c...
Gay Trauma, Gay Healing: Dan Werner on Breaking the Patterns We Carry EP 784
In this episode:
What do we actually mean when we talk about gay trauma? The lasting effects of growing up feeling different or unsafe Shame, rejection, bullying, and the closet How trauma can influence sex, dating, intimacy, and attachment Seeking validation through sex, attention, and relationships Recognizing survival behaviors we've carried into adulthood Why healing doesn't mean becoming less sexual or less adventurous Creating healthier connections without judging the choices that got us here Dan Werner's work helping gay men understand and move through trauma A thoughtful, revealing conversation about where our patterns come from—and what becomes po...The Last Days of Hot Gay Summer EP 783
In this episode:
• Leo energy, Lincoln and loving the spotlight
• Why summer feels so damn sexual
• Sex vs. validation: do we just want to be wanted?
• Thirst traps, flirting and the erotic power of attention
• Hot Gay Summer expectations—and sexual FOMO
• Feeling sexy as we get older
• Hookups, connection and end-of-summer reflection
• The ultimate question: when nobody is looking, do you still feel desirable?
Hot Topic: Bears in Ptown are on Ozempic and they don't know how they feel about it....
Advice: Approaching 40 and wondering if they will ever fin...
Native, Gay and Unfiltered: Jon Reclaims His Story EP 782
In this episode:
• Jon’s life since his first appearance on TAGS • Why he created the new podcast Why Not?! • His Native American background and family history • The intersection of Native and gay identity • Cultural community, chosen family and belonging • Living openly as a gay man in Oklahoma • Navigating HIV, misdiagnosis and healthcare • Finding queer-affirming medical and emotional support • Turning difficult experiences into purpose • Reclaiming your story through podcastingHot Topic: Perez Hilton attempts suicide on TikTok and is rushed to the hospital...
Hot Topic: Walmart employee gets the support needed when a disgruntled customer takes a picture and po...
We Need Our Sexual Mistakes: Gregg Araki, Gen Z and; America’s Fear of Sex EP 781
Why bad sex and bad relationships can still teach us something The difference between a regrettable experience and a harmful one Whether Gen Z is sexually repressed or simply more cautious How fear of judgment is changing flirting, dating and intimacy The mistakes gay men commonly make during breakups Why heartbreak can be valuable information What today’s queer cinema may have lost The freedom and danger of queer life in the 1990s America’s ongoing fear of sexual pleasure Why consent and sexual adventure are not opposites The central question: Can we protect ourselves from genuine harm without becoming so a...
Level Up Your Love Life: Are Your Dating Skills Ready for a Relationship? Featuring Amari Ice EP 780
In this Episode:
Why wanting a relationship does not necessarily mean you are ready for one The dating skills gay men are rarely taught Chemistry versus genuine romantic compatibility How anxiety, self-sabotage, and old relationship patterns affect dating Whether attraction can develop over time Becoming your own matchmaker Recognizing when someone is truly a good match Dating with clearer intentions without making it feel like a job interview Why love may be a skill we can learn—not simply something that happens to us Hot Topic: Wilson Cruz shares the one thing he enjoys when he's home alone pl...Feral Summer: Naked Beaches, Cruising & Gay Men Gone Wild EP 779
In this episode:
Why summer makes gay men feel more sexual and adventurous Naked beaches and the freedom of being seen Cruising in Central Park’s Ramble Curiosity about sex parties and group experiences Shirtless confidence versus body anxiety Working out for yourself versus working out for validation Queer spaces, community, and spontaneous connection Knowing your boundaries while still allowing yourself to explore Whether our “feral” selves might actually be our most honest selves Hot Topic: Love for Berlin when a van killed and injured many at the Pride festival... Hot Topic: Would you get a butt facial? Hot To...Are You Ready for Love—or Just Repeating the Pattern? feat. Relationship Coach Lonay EP 778
In this episode:
• Why emotionally unavailable men can feel so irresistible • The difference between compassion and making excuses • Dating while you are still healing • When someone’s trauma becomes harmful to the relationship • Why recognizing a red flag does not always stop us from pursuing it • The subconscious beliefs that influence attraction • How RTT and hypnotherapy may help interrupt recurring patterns • Whether chemistry can sometimes be anxiety in disguise • Learning to choose relationships that feel secure—not simply familiar
Plus, the hosts ask the vulnerable question so many gay men have quietly wondered:
“Is there something wrong...
Can a Sex Club Heal You? Gay Men, Shame & Sexual Freedom EP 777
• Feeling completely unedited in queer sexual spaces • Whether sex clubs are less judgmental than apps and gay bars • Body confidence, aging and the desire to feel seen • Tenderness and connection during anonymous encounters • The difference between sexual nourishment and emotional escape • Consent, boundaries and creating safer sexual experiences • Why watching, socializing or doing nothing can still be part of the experience • Can a brief sexual encounter be a meaningful form of queer intimacy?
Are sex clubs places where gay men lose themselves—or where some gay men finally get to meet themselves? Hot Topic: The gay debate on 'making love' or s...Is Monogamy Over? Polyamory, Gay Content and; Dating App Burnout with Oleg Kudymov EP 776
• Polyamory and the changing definition of commitment
• Managing jealousy, boundaries, and communication
• Whether monogamy still works for modern gay relationships
• Gay content as entertainment, visibility, and activism
• Authenticity versus performance on social media
• Dating app fatigue and the illusion of endless options
• Why meeting people in real life still matters
• Oleg’s perspective as a life coach and Russian-language creator
Follow Steve V's new Substack features weekly articles: https://substack.com/@thenakedtruthsteve
Follow Stevie on IG: @iam_stevev
Follow Oleg on IG: @olegkudymov
Follow Kodi on IG: @mista...
Sex, Reinvention & Starting Over at 50: Remembering Dale Savage EP 775
• Remembering Dale Savage and his late-in-life adult career • Why sexuality doesn’t disappear as we age • Starting over without apologizing for being “late” • The pressure gay men feel to remain young and desirable • Turning experience into confidence rather than regret • Dreams, fantasies and identities we may still be afraid to explore • Why the next chapter could be the sexiest one yet
Because it is never too late to discover a new side of yourself—or finally become the person you were always meant to be. Hot Topic: The New Rules of Kink: When being so submissive means doing exactly what you're to...Who Taught Us Not to Be Ashamed? EP 774
• Robin Byrd as a sex-positive pioneer and ally
• Late-night cable as a form of queer visibility
• Safe sex conversations during the AIDS crisis
• Madonna, Confessions II, and gay liberation through music
• The dance floor as a place of healing, sexuality, and freedom
• How TAGSPODCAST has evolved over 8+ years
• What gay men are still afraid to confess
• Sex, shame, aging, kink, intimacy, and honesty
• The people and places that taught us we were not alone
At its heart, this episode is about permission — permission to talk, to desire, to confess, to laugh, to learn...
Another Gay App Promising Connection? Honk If You’re Suspicious. EP 773
GOOSE and the promise of a “better” gay app Allegations around AI-generated or inauthentic promotional accounts Why fake intimacy feels especially insulting in queer spaces The difference between marketing, fantasy, and manipulation Dating app fatigue and the hunger for real-life gay community Invite-only culture, social status, and who gets to belong Why hookup culture is not the enemy Meetup groups, gay social clubs, and the return of offline connection The business of gay loneliness — and why we keep buying in Hot Topic: Turkey bans Atlantis Cruise from docking... Hot Topic: A gay couple experienced homophobia at a baseball game that was su...
The Roles We Play: Public Persona, Private Truth & Gay Sexual Honesty EP 772
Topics include:
Public persona vs. private truth When outrage becomes a brand Why “nice in person” does not erase public harm The roles gay men learn to play for safety and acceptance Performing masculinity, confidence, and sexual experience Bedroom roles, fantasy, and authenticity When sexual labels feel freeing — and when they become limiting Why honesty is essential to queer storytelling The difference between privacy, performance, and self-betrayal What happens when we finally stop playing the role The hosts ask: Are we being real, or just performing? And in sex, love, community, and public life — who are we when we final...Sexual Confidence After Shame EP 771
Steve V. and Kodi are back in studio for a fun, sexy Pride Week follow-up conversation. Steve and Kodi continue the Pride Week conversation by asking: What happens when sex stops feeling shameful and starts feeling like yours? The hosts talk about entering their shameless era — becoming more confident, more direct, and more honest about what turns them on. The hosts talk about the founder of Nasty Pig, David Lauterstein and embracing his Daddy era and his nudge to his fellow men of a certain age to get out and just be confident wherever you are... From flirting and DMs to...
From Shame to Shameless EP 770
It’s Pride Week, and we’re talking about belonging — not just to a community, but to ourselves as gay men. We ask: When did sex stop feeling shameful and start feeling freeing? Steve, Kodi, and Sebastian explore how gay bars, Pride, hookups, leather spaces, chosen family, and queer community helped shape their confidence. The hosts get honest about sexual shame, body image, desire, kink, aging, and the pressure to be “desirable” in gay spaces. We discuss how getting older can bring a deeper, sexier confidence — knowing what you want, what you don’t, and no longer apologizing for either. Plus: the beau...
Milo Miles: Banned at the Border EP 769
Milo’s experience being detained and banned from entering the U.S. The stigma surrounding adult performers and sex work How queer sexuality is still policed, judged, and misunderstood What privacy means in an age of phones, travel screenings, and public personas The difference between shame and accountability How adult entertainers build careers, relationships, and community The emotional toll of being treated like a criminal for living openly Why queer stories like Milo’s matter during Pride and beyond Hot Topic: Darren Kennedy's new dating series "Heyy Gay!" that encourages real life meetups and talking... Hot Topic: Lil Nas X brea...
Top, Bottom, Goblin: The New Rules of Dating EP 678
Hot Topic: Andy Cohen and Keke Palmer met their new beaus by putting themselves out there... Hot Topic: Adult Performer Drake Von is accused of strangling his girlfriend after saying it was a publicity stunt Hot Topic: Gay men sharing horror stories with their doctors and the hosts talk about their doctor stories... Hot Topic: Laverne Cox on losing work with this administration Advice: Life Checkpoints - are you where you thought you'd be now? Advice: Masc4Masc is it wrong to want this and put this out there? Studio.com/stevev for the website version and visit the app v...
Thee Rose talks about his short film "Artifice" about labels and identity EP 767
Poet, Director and Artist Thee Rose talk about his short film "Artifice" about where the inspiration came from post pandemic and how he uses his poetry to narrate the film. "Artifice" is based on identity and labels that the artist has dealt with... Attending Newfest helped Thee realize he had a voice and a story to tell How poetry and spoken word are the forefront for them Discussion on where we are now and where are we from and how they can be conflicting... The film is meant to sit with the audience to confront their own issues with identity...
Why We Still Celebrate Pride Part 2 Plus LGBTQ Film List EP 766
Why Pride is so complicated for some with big business showing their support one day a year... Pride is more than just one day and Host Steve V shares what it means to him and how he'll be celebrating... Gov. from Tennessee denounces Pride plus names it Nuclear Family Month... We share our list of Top 10 films to watch this Pride season Hot Topic: Adult Star Drake Von is arrested for assault but was it a publicity stunt? Hot Topic: RHOB Kathy Hilton steps down from WEHO Pride amid alleged gay slur and picture with Donald Trump resurfacing... Hot Topic...
