Blocked and Reported

Episode 330: Toxic Love

This week on Blocked and Reported, Jesse and Katie discuss how RuPaul made drag mainstream, the legend of problematic queen Sharon Needles, and the Pittsburgh drag bar caught in an accidental blackface scandal. Plus, a fond farewell to the Last Ditch. Village Underground with Jeff Maurer Next In Line Comedy with Jeff Maurer RuPaul Apologizes for Drag Race “She-Male” Segment in Response to Transphobia Criticisms—Slate Dragged Into Debate: Reality-TV Fame Puts Spotlight on Sharon Needles’ Controversial Act—Pittsburgh City Paper Sharon Needles’ Racist Aftermath—HuffPost World of Wonder: Get Sharon Needles’ Title Revoked—Change.org Something Wicked This Way Comes: The Sharon Needles Controversy—Queer Space Magazine Queer/Bar Re-Opens This Weekend With Sapphira Cristal—Seattle Gay Scene After Blackface at Blue Moon, black Performers Are Asking Pittsburgh’s LGBTQ Community to Do More Than Be Outraged—QBurgh Hexxus “Toxic Love” Open Stage Performance—Facebook $20 Million Suit Says Bay Area School Forced Boys Out Over Face Mask Photo—San Francisco Chronicle This is a public episode. If you'd like to discuss this with other subscribers or get access to bonus episodes, visit www.blockedandreported.org/subscribe

Episode 329: An Attempted Trans Ratfracking In Texas

This week on Blocked and Reported, Jesse and Katie dig into Initiative-638, the Washington ballot initiative that would bar male athletes from girls’ sports. Will it mean genital exams in the school gym, as the No campaign claims, or just a checked box on a form, as the Yes side argues? Plus: the Camas cross-country walkout, the short life and shorter death of Marsha’s, and a mysterious campaign impersonating a trans rights group in Texas. Jesse’s upcoming live shows: New York: Village Underground with Jeff MaurerPhiladelphia: Next In Line Comedy with Jeff Maurer, Tuesday Indiana ACLU in turmoil: Leadership change leads to attorney resignations—IndyStar Transgender ballot initiative could require genital exams for WA secondary school students—KUOW Medical Eligibility Form—WIAA“The fun wasn’t there anymore”: Teen runners say media circus over trans teammate ruined the season—LGBTQ Nation Camas cross-country girls runner forced to bunk with trans-identified male student during away meet—The Post Millennial AG Brown leads coalition supporting Minnesota’s trans-inclusive policy for youth sports—Washington Attorney General’s Office Children’s Sexual Development and Privacy: A Call for Evidence-Based Ethical Policy—Clinical Pediatrics Ursula: Allowing a trans student to race against girls in Camas only fuels hate toward the trans community—MyNorthwest Trans advocates, GOP rep want answers after Texans get texts impersonating group—KXAN Texas transgender rights group says it didn’t send texts that prompted call for an investigation—The Texas Tribune TENT’s statement—Transgender Education Network of Texas Texas Families Got Mail From a “Texas Transgender Student Union.” The Trans Group It Promotes Says It’s an Impersonation.—The New Transsexual False pamphlets causing backlash and confusion, Texas transgender rights group says—The Texas Tribune Mystery transgender mailers sent to Texas students traced to newly formed Wyoming company—CBS News Texas West Texas DA opens forgery investigation into disputed transgender mailers—The Texas Tribune This is a public episode. If you'd like to discuss this with other subscribers or get access to bonus episodes, visit www.blockedandreported.org/subscribe

Episode 329: An Attempted Trans Ratfracking In Texas

This week on Blocked and Reported, Jesse and Katie dig into Initiative-638, the Washington ballot initiative that would bar male athletes from girls’ sports. Will it mean genital exams in the school gym, as the No campaign claims, or just a checked box on a form, as the Yes side argues? Plus: the Camas cross-country walkout, the short life and shorter death of Marsha’s, and a mysterious campaign impersonating a trans rights group in Texas. Jesse’s upcoming live shows: New York: Village Underground with Jeff MaurerPhiladelphia: Next In Line Comedy with Jeff Maurer, Tuesday Indiana ACLU in turmoil: Leadership change leads to attorney resignations—IndyStar Transgender ballot initiative could require genital exams for WA secondary school students—KUOW Medical Eligibility Form—WIAA“The fun wasn’t there anymore”: Teen runners say media circus over trans teammate ruined the season—LGBTQ Nation Camas cross-country girls runner forced to bunk with trans-identified male student during away meet—The Post Millennial AG Brown leads coalition supporting Minnesota’s trans-inclusive policy for youth sports—Washington Attorney General’s Office Children’s Sexual Development and Privacy: A Call for Evidence-Based Ethical Policy—Clinical Pediatrics Ursula: Allowing a trans student to race against girls in Camas only fuels hate toward the trans community—MyNorthwest Trans advocates, GOP rep want answers after Texans get texts impersonating group—KXAN Texas transgender rights group says it didn’t send texts that prompted call for an investigation—The Texas Tribune TENT’s statement—Transgender Education Network of Texas Texas Families Got Mail From a “Texas Transgender Student Union.” The Trans Group It Promotes Says It’s an Impersonation.—The New Transsexual False pamphlets causing backlash and confusion, Texas transgender rights group says—The Texas Tribune Mystery transgender mailers sent to Texas students traced to newly formed Wyoming company—CBS News Texas West Texas DA opens forgery investigation into disputed transgender mailers—The Texas Tribune This is a public episode. If you'd like to discuss this with other subscribers or get access to bonus episodes, visit www.blockedandreported.org/subscribe

Premium: CHOP/CHAZ 2 (Electric Boogaloo)

This week on Blocked and Reported, Jesse and Katie head to Madison, Wisconsin, where a fatal police shooting in July sparked a protest encampment in the vein of CHOP/CHAZ. You will be shocked to learn that the protest zone quickly turned into a homeless camp, complete with a needle exchange. Plus, Jesse’s old beef is new again. How CBS News’ Middle East … To hear more, visit www.blockedandreported.org

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Episode 328: Fat Liberation at Harvard Medical School (with Brad Polumbo)

This week on Blocked and Reported, Katie is joined by Brad Polumbo to discuss a revelatory panel on fat liberation held at Harvard Medical School, featuring New York Times contributor Roxane Gay, fat activist Ragen Chastain, and Da’Shaun Harrison, the socialist commentator who recently went viral for arguing that GLP-1s are “fascistic.” Plus, for Primos, Brad answers your questions. Brad vs Everyone Normal Gays Roxane Gay calls to free Luigi Mangione at Harvard Med School event | Fox News This week on Blocked and Reported, Katie is joined by Brad Polumbo to discuss a revelatory panel on fat liberation held at Harvard Medical School, featuring New York Times contributor Roxane Gay, fat activist Ragen Chastain, and Da’Shaun Harrison, the socialist commentator who recently went viral for arguing that GLP-1s are “fascistic.” Plus, for Primos, Brad answers your questions. Brad vs Everyone Normal Gays Roxane Gay calls to free Luigi Mangione at Harvard Med School event | Fox News This is a public episode. If you'd like to discuss this with other subscribers or get access to bonus episodes, visit www.blockedandreported.org/subscribe

Bonus: Jesse’s Conversation With Talarico-Hoaxer Rhein Amacher

Jesse’s 70-minute conversation with the man who uncovered* James Talarico’s hidey hole in an Ohio psych ward. Note: Listen to the episode first! *Did not uncover To hear more, visit www.blockedandreported.org

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Premium: A Truly Talafreaky MAGAsphere Meltdown

This week on Blocked and Reported, Jesse and Katie break down the viral rumor that Texas Senate candidate James Talarico was secretly being treated at an Ohio psychiatric hospital. Featuring: attempted HIPAA violations, deeply amateur flight tracking, Jesse’s adventures in X Space… To hear more, visit www.blockedandreported.org

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Episode 327: Rock Opera Revolts Over Caucasian Cornrows

This week on Blocked and Reported, Jesse and Katie go to Baltimore, Maryland, where the Baltimore Rock Opera Society fired its brand-new executive director following objections to her Burning Man cornrows. This one features a bizarre, never-before-reported internal memo that lays out exactly what happened. Then, Mattress Girl revisited, and the surprising trajectory of Emma Sulkowicz. Baltimore Rock Opera Society Backstage as Baltimore Rock Opera Society prepares its latest: “Valhella”—Baltimore Brew Baltimore Rock Opera Society 990 filings—ProPublica Nonprofit Explorer After cornrows controversy, Baltimore Rock Opera Society’s new leader is out—The Baltimore Banner Baltimore Rock Opera Society leader defends Burning Man cornrows that she says got her fired—The Baltimore Banner Accusers and the Accused, Crossing Paths at Columbia University—The New York Times Columbia Student: I Didn’t Rape Her—The Daily Beast How to Make an Accused Rapist Look Good—Jezebel Emma Sulkowicz’s annotated Facebook messages—Scribd Nungesser v. Columbia University complaint Columbia Settles With Student Cast as a Rapist in Mattress Art Project—The New York Times Discredited, the Legend of Mattress Girl Just Won’t Go Away—Reason Allegedly False Rape Accusations as Sexual Harassment for Title IX Purposes—The Volokh Conspiracy In Landmark Case, Jury Says Falsely Accused Males Are Victims Of Sexual Harassment—The Daily Wire ‘Mattress Girl’ Emma Sulkowicz Walked Into a Libertarian Happy Hour. No, This Is Not a Joke.—Reason Did Emma Sulkowicz Get Redpilled?—The Cut This is a public episode. If you'd like to discuss this with other subscribers or get access to bonus episodes, visit www.blockedandreported.org/subscribe

Episode 327: Rock Opera Revolts Over Caucasian Cornrows

This week on Blocked and Reported, Jesse and Katie go to Baltimore, Maryland, where the Baltimore Rock Opera Society fired its brand-new executive director following objections to her Burning Man cornrows. This one features a bizarre, never-before-reported internal memo that lays out exactly what happened. Then, Mattress Girl revisited, and the surprising trajectory of Emma Sulkowicz. Baltimore Rock Opera Society Backstage as Baltimore Rock Opera Society prepares its latest: “Valhella”—Baltimore Brew Baltimore Rock Opera Society 990 filings—ProPublica Nonprofit Explorer After cornrows controversy, Baltimore Rock Opera Society’s new leader is out—The Baltimore Banner Baltimore Rock Opera Society leader defends Burning Man cornrows that she says got her fired—The Baltimore Banner Accusers and the Accused, Crossing Paths at Columbia University—The New York Times Columbia Student: I Didn’t Rape Her—The Daily Beast How to Make an Accused Rapist Look Good—Jezebel Emma Sulkowicz’s annotated Facebook messages—Scribd Nungesser v. Columbia University complaint Columbia Settles With Student Cast as a Rapist in Mattress Art Project—The New York Times Discredited, the Legend of Mattress Girl Just Won’t Go Away—Reason Allegedly False Rape Accusations as Sexual Harassment for Title IX Purposes—The Volokh Conspiracy In Landmark Case, Jury Says Falsely Accused Males Are Victims Of Sexual Harassment—The Daily Wire ‘Mattress Girl’ Emma Sulkowicz Walked Into a Libertarian Happy Hour. No, This Is Not a Joke.—Reason Did Emma Sulkowicz Get Redpilled?—The Cut This is a public episode. If you'd like to discuss this with other subscribers or get access to bonus episodes, visit www.blockedandreported.org/subscribe

Live with Katie Herzog & Sarah Hepola

Thank you everyone who joined my live chat with Sarah Hepola about her new book, her old book, drinking, sex, consent, and more. The entire two-hour conversation is available for Primos only. To listen to (or watch) the whole thing—and get many more perks—join us. To hear more, visit www.blockedandreported.org

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Episode 326: The Case That’s Shaking Cornell—and the Internet

This week on Blocked and Reported, Jesse and Katie discuss a former Cornell student’s claims that seven fraternity brothers drugged and raped her in 2024. Plus: Nkechi Diallo (née Rachel Dolezal) weighs in on the latest race faker, a Philadelphia teacher who is definitely not Palestinian. Two Drinks with . . . Rachel Dolezal—The Free Press A Philadelphia teacher pretended to be Black and Palestinian, ‘a betrayal’ of the activists she supported—The Philadelphia Inquirer Philadelphia teacher and activist admits to lying about race, heritage—6abc Philadelphia Jane Doe v. Cornell University et al. (complaint)—NYSCEF The ‘Cornell 7’ Have Not Been Proven Guilty—The Free Press New video of text chain from night of alleged Cornell gang rape—CBS News New York How a Cornell student went from shame to seeking justice—The New York Times District Attorney Public Statement, Sept. 28, 2026—Tompkins County District Attorney’s Office Jane Doe in Cornell University case told campus police, “I can say with 100% confidence I was raped,” transcript shows—CBS News New York Feminist Campus Kangaroo Court Nets Female ‘Rapist’—Cathy Young, Medium Men Accused in Cornell Sex Assault Suit Give Varying Accounts of Night—The New York Times New text messages from days after alleged gang rape at Cornell University—CBS News New York The Institutional Failure at the Heart of the Cornell Rape Case—Calm Down with Ben Dreyfuss This is a public episode. If you'd like to discuss this with other subscribers or get access to bonus episodes, visit www.blockedandreported.org/subscribe

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Premium: The Erin Reed Story: It's Not Just About AI Plagiarism—It's About The Rich Tapestry of Human Connection In An Ever-Evolving Digital Landscape (And That's Truly Beautiful)

This week on Blocked and Reported, Jesse and Katie dig into a new report claiming that trans journalist and influencer Erin Reed has spent years passing off error-riddled, AI-generated text as her own reporting. Plus: Nikole Hannah-Jones revisits her decision to send her daughter to a struggling public school. In Fighting for Every Blac… To hear more, visit www.blockedandreported.org

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Premium: Our Favorite Long-Covid Lesbian Bar Gets Famous

This week on Blocked and Reported, Jesse and Katie discuss the extremely viral Boston Globe story on the Last Ditch, our favorite long-Covid lesbian bar in Greenfield, Mass., and what came after. Plus, Cambridge decides not to investigate itself after all. Cambridge Drops Plans to Fully Investigate Jason Arda… To hear more, visit www.blockedandreported.org

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Episode 325: What’s The Matter With Seattle?

This week on Blocked and Reported, Katie is joined by Blue City Blues co-hosts David Hyde and Sandeep Kaushik to discuss what the hell is going on in America’s most progressive major city. Featuring: drugs, homelessness, performative social justice, the tech-money “prosperity bomb,” a socialist mayor, a housing crisis, CHOP/CHAZ, Robin DiAngelo, Chris Rufo, and an equity agenda that hobbled Seattle Public Schools. Blue City Blues Seattle Nice The Cities That Said Yes to Drugs - The Atlantic Will the Crazies Kill Seattle? - County Highway The Battle Over Seattle Public School’s Gifted Progams Heats Up Seattle School Board Takes Steps to Dismantle Gifted Program This is a public episode. If you'd like to discuss this with other subscribers or get access to bonus episodes, visit www.blockedandreported.org/subscribe

Episode 325: What’s The Matter With Seattle?

This week on Blocked and Reported, Katie is joined by Blue City Blues co-hosts David Hyde and Sandeep Kaushik to discuss what the hell is going on in America’s most progressive major city. Featuring: drugs, homelessness, performative social justice, the tech-money “prosperity bomb,” a socialist mayor, a housing crisis, CHOP/CHAZ, Robin DiAngelo, Chris Rufo, and an equity agenda that hobbled Seattle Public Schools. Blue City Blues Seattle Nice The Cities That Said Yes to Drugs - The Atlantic Will the Crazies Kill Seattle? - County Highway The Battle Over Seattle Public School’s Gifted Progams Heats Up Seattle School Board Takes Steps to Dismantle Gifted Program This is a public episode. If you'd like to discuss this with other subscribers or get access to bonus episodes, visit www.blockedandreported.org/subscribe

Episode 324: Free Speech, Free Palestine, Free Macklemore, Free Ed Sheeran, Free Hobo Johnson, Free Podcast

This week on Blocked and Reported, Jesse and Katie dig into the Macklemore mess. Plus, introducing a new segment, in which your intrepid co-host guesses Why'd He Apologize??? SacBee coverage of Hobo Johnson apology Hobo Johnson’s Facebook apology statement ESPN: Kraft says Macklemore performance crossed a line BBC: Macklemore’s 2014 costume apology Bluewin: Why Macklemore is suddenly being cancelled at Gurtenfestival NYT: Germany arts cancellations tied to Israel/Palestinians This is a public episode. If you'd like to discuss this with other subscribers or get access to bonus episodes, visit www.blockedandreported.org/subscribe

Episode 324: Free Speech, Free Palestine, Free Macklemore, Free Ed Sheeran, Free Hobo Johnson, Free Podcast

This week on Blocked and Reported, Jesse and Katie dig into the Macklemore mess. Plus, introducing a new segment, in which your intrepid co-host guesses Why'd He Apologize??? SacBee coverage of Hobo Johnson apology Hobo Johnson’s Facebook apology statement ESPN: Kraft says Macklemore performance crossed a line BBC: Macklemore’s 2014 costume apology Bluewin: Why Macklemore is suddenly being cancelled at Gurtenfestival NYT: Germany arts cancellations tied to Israel/Palestinians This is a public episode. If you'd like to discuss this with other subscribers or get access to bonus episodes, visit www.blockedandreported.org/subscribe

Premium: Last Ditch Bar And The Never-Ending Accountability Session

This week on Blocked and Reported, Jesse and Katie sit through a 3+ hour stuggle session at Last Ditch, the Greenfield, Mass., queer bar being torn apart by a slight relaxation of their masking policy. Plus, we head to Portland, Oregon, the latest battleground over trans women in women's sports, after a group wearing "Save Women's… To hear more, visit www.blockedandreported.org

Episode 323: The Social Justice Mayor Vs The Social Justice Non-Profit

This week on Blocked and Reported, Jesse and Katie discuss a legal battle between a radical California mayor and a progressive non-profit with a fascinating history. Plus, updates from the long Covid lesbian bar, and Retard Finder finds Kash Patel. Last Ditch bar entry ban—Greenfield Recorder Protesters demand money from San Luis Obispo business owners—Cal Coast News DA charges six more protesters; Harmon accuses DA of systemic suppression—New Times SLO SLO mayor deletes post on energy plan after criticism from Black Chamber of Commerce—The Tribune (San Luis Obispo) Facing Harassment As A Female Mayor—NPR San Luis Obispo teacher’s anti-gay letter sparks controversy—Los Angeles Times Heidi Harmon Gets Threatening Nude Email On Her Last Day As Mayor—New Times SLO SLO Mayor Heidi Harmon Stepping Down, Will Take On New Career As Climate Advocate—KCBX SLO Mayor Heidi Harmon Quits Early, Demeans Critics—Cal Coast News Former SLO mayor loses lawsuit—Yahoo News Former San Luis Obispo mayor canned, loses discrimination lawsuit—Cal Coast News This is a public episode. If you'd like to discuss this with other subscribers or get access to bonus episodes, visit www.blockedandreported.org/subscribe

Episode 323: The Social Justice Mayor Vs The Social Justice Non-Profit

This week on Blocked and Reported, Jesse and Katie discuss a legal battle between a radical California mayor and a progressive non-profit with a fascinating history. Plus, updates from the long Covid lesbian bar, and Retard Finder finds Kash Patel. Last Ditch bar entry ban—Greenfield Recorder Protesters demand money from San Luis Obispo business owners—Cal Coast News DA charges six more protesters; Harmon accuses DA of systemic suppression—New Times SLO SLO mayor deletes post on energy plan after criticism from Black Chamber of Commerce—The Tribune (San Luis Obispo) Facing Harassment As A Female Mayor—NPR San Luis Obispo teacher’s anti-gay letter sparks controversy—Los Angeles Times Heidi Harmon Gets Threatening Nude Email On Her Last Day As Mayor—New Times SLO SLO Mayor Heidi Harmon Stepping Down, Will Take On New Career As Climate Advocate—KCBX SLO Mayor Heidi Harmon Quits Early, Demeans Critics—Cal Coast News Former SLO mayor loses lawsuit—Yahoo News Former San Luis Obispo mayor canned, loses discrimination lawsuit—Cal Coast News This is a public episode. If you'd like to discuss this with other subscribers or get access to bonus episodes, visit www.blockedandreported.org/subscribe