The I’m From Driftwood Podcast
Launched in 2020, The I’m From Driftwood Podcast takes the organization's rich archive of stories and delivers them in a new format and to a new audience. Hosted by Alex Berg and Phil aka Corinne, each episode centers around a specific theme, using previously published stories to guide a conversation between the two hosts and occasional guest host.
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S3 :
E19
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It’s one thing to live an openly queer, happy life - but can you imagine doing so while balancing a high profile career in politics?
21:44
S3 :
E18
1fheoB9lJZqrNPI5sgAzwu
Children know themselves better than we give them credit for.
23:42
S3 :
E17
2mdgpAYI5gE61JByHF5kYV
Angela was kicked out of her family home as a teenager and from there, her life only became more unstable.
14:38
S3 :
E16
1Xj2fQADVgMRYybMTjGqHO
Do you get butterflies when you see your name on a simple work document? Jaye did, highlighting the importance and value of respecting people’s preferred names.
28:03
S3 :
E15
5pNJnQJStuZy1T03hf84TB
Which is a better place to live for queer and trans folks - the city or the country? Turns out it depends on who you ask.
32:12
S3 :
E14
5MUeFhTu2hoSW19Hkzmfri
Ever feel like people are placing you in a box? Ada and Dubbs definitely did.
43:03
S3 :
E13
7oBpA2Xef2onS24jbza80X
What would you do if your cis spouse came out as trans? For Mitch, coming out to his girlfriend was a nerve-wracking experience but the concern was all for naught.
28:51
S3 :
E12
5AG70Ea18Lvwx78GzNO4Hj
Are you out at work? It’s easier for some people than others.
33:01
S3 :
E11
1Nd04mbloAw1T5A0bwyq1Z
What makes someone an ally? For Rosa, it’s learning to love queer people even though it was her gay ex-husband who hurt her the most.
35:22
S3 :
E10
2bb5OMAO7COfVAgiaqGrkm
Some people might think that the LGBTQIA+ rights movement began with the Stonewall Riots. To be sure, it was a major event - but the movement began long before that.
57:04
S3 :
E9
6LOc01QuqVL6dQUTSgjosw
Should teachers keep their sexuality hidden from their students?
25:37
S3 :
E8
1qEwiAGIPsoMBSTODidrd5
Do you know what Intersex is? If not, you’re not alone. Even some people who are born Intersex go through a steep learning curve.
28:47
S3 :
E7
2uqbIptVkaHpp9fDv2uHUy
In this week’s episode, you’ll hear stories from Cecilia who, as a child, only saw one opportunity for trans women: sex work and drugs. But now?
58:54
S3 :
E6
5PPsEimByEVueHKoOnP5lp
HIV diagnoses affect different people differently.
54:30
S3 :
E5
32VLRiEbxvyWAQ74gBtqqw
Kids get asked all sorts of random questions by their peers. For Julia, it was a question of how she could possibly have two moms, or how they gave birth to a child.
23:43
S3 :
E4
1otAop1TAQnWYNjp0cv7s1
You never know when you are going to meet the love of your life. Will it be at a party? Through an app? For Simone, it was a chance encounter on the subway.
28:18
S3 :
E3
0y8vLlCfJmokzXfUwY3RwB
Jay Blotcher is a longtime writer, journalist and activist, and was an early member of ACT UP.
40:13
S3 :
E2
2uuXHjZ8IVnfAucu0NqOtv
At some point in our lives, we are touched by the loss of someone, be they a friend, relative, or partner.
27:19
S3 :
E1
3LbcWTQrH4lAl8OzjgrRAd
We often hear stories of people coming out to their friends, their parents, their co-workers - but less often do we hear stories about parents coming out to their young children.
29:17
S2 :
E12
6IPto3ZCBQfTlkLLHOQtw3
Phil and Alex are joined by Jim Obergefell, Director of Individual Giving at Family Equality and the lead plaintiff in the landmark marriage equality Supreme Court case.
36:10
S2 :
E11
4ORtgm5MtUsxPDq1hUCjHI
Is it possible to pray the gay away? Jack Bates, cohost of the queer spirituality podcast, Lavender Mafia, joins Phil and Alex in tackling this question.
34:15
S2 :
E10
5ny5LpvCBNWA94YBBkagM0
Struggles with mental health impact everyone, but for those in the LGBTQ+ community, they can be amplified.
28:18
S2 :
E9
6L6on4HFM75mC52vqD1yZZ
The LGBTQ+ community is no stranger to bullying. We’ve all experienced it - whether we were being bullied or were the bullies ourselves.
30:48
S2 :
E8
041aMwUCOdQ2pY4spwjjfF
In this episode, Black Queer comedian Sampson McCormick joins Alex and Phil as they have a candid discussion of the role race plays in the LGBTQ+ dating scene.
33:53
S2 :
E7
2uHeqXqnRhHczz3gHBJg4F
Thanks to the three “amazing women” who helped raise her, Gloria Allen knew from a young age that she didn’t need to feel any shame for being who she was.
27:05
S2 :
E5
6GH9qTz5RlW6W210lyeKcR
RuPaul’s Drag Race star Dida Ritz joins Alex and Phil to answer a common question: Can you be both an observant Christian and a member of the LGBTQ+ community?
37:06
S2 :
E4
5iltgdPkxYU4WRZPg0OxSt
Love, fear, and women’s music. They seemed to be ever present in Dr. Thea Iberall’s life as she was coming out as a lesbian in the 1960s.
31:39
S2 :
E3
6fGUioWM1Uxb1XPzA7qJYA
Few things in life are only one way or the other - and gender is no exception. Jacob learned in high school that gender was something fun and something you could play with.
21:37
S2 :
E2
0deeh4FtEqL7zYAZyJgjDZ
A lot of people - especially those in the LGBTQIA+ community - struggle with body image issues.
22:28
S2 :
E1
2aW0CC4P2OsvTmM4ryrvLe
Some people discover their sexuality later in life and some are aware of it from a very young age. Noah Michelson knew he was queer from some of his earliest memories.
28:02
S1 :
E12
4JJjaiURlwB98kb0ORHNCN
When Stephen started going out to gay bars, he was immediately made to feel like a Black visitor in a predominantly white gay world.
26:22
S1 :
E11
4dd0qebdZeWqN0U8e72yHO
Pearl Bennett transitioned later in life.
32:12
S1 :
E10
3tqMrnyCqWv3tMCxVIBEGy
When Robyn heard homophobic comments as a child, she had no idea how her grandmother would react when she eventually came out as trans as an adult.
22:02
S1 :
E9
1wE5u5v66974tbdwVIj6yi
Before his transition, Teo was repeatedly dismissed by healthcare professionals when he realized he’d contracted HIV from an ex-girlfriend.
23:25
S1 :
E8
12NEJqcquwUMD94ON4oPja
When Don Bell came of age as a gay man in college, the United States was engaged in a disastrous war in Vietnam. Were it discovered that he was gay.
28:54
S1 :
E7
5XwN4ZaxNBF46SGngNXokn
Substance abuse and addiction do not discriminate. In fact, in the LGBTQ community, it sometimes feels like we are hit harder with dependency issues than any other community.
18:15
S1 :
E6
6BMuK8aVrXwaN6r7Zi7YQd
In this episode, Alex and Phil discuss the stories of Ilo from Venezuela and Adrian from Jamaica.
20:58
S1 :
E5
44SwVae3obuTgscrv0O5xa
Listen to the stories of Evonna McDonald and Amelia Meigs, two women who repeatedly had biphobic encounters with people from the broader queer community.
17:03
S1 :
E2
0kxk3o6twE8iVUwOFiVHp9
Did the inkling that you might be queer start with a crush you had at childhood?
16:20
S1 :
E3
5JgI3TGobTj44PmxJdjmvB
Back in 2014, I’m From Driftwood sat down with Keith Levy, the creative genius behind drag queen extraordinaire, Sherry Vine.
18:30
S1 :
E1
1B6VYRpURVdzyz75ms8oPp
Meet Phil aka Corinne and Alex Berg, hosts of the all-new I’m From Driftwood Podcast
20:29
27:40
It’s one thing to live an openly queer, happy life - but can you imagine doing so while balancing a high profile career in politics?
21:44
Children know themselves better than we give them credit for.
23:42
Angela was kicked out of her family home as a teenager and from there, her life only became more unstable.
14:38
Do you get butterflies when you see your name on a simple work document? Jaye did, highlighting the importance and value of respecting people’s preferred names.
28:03
Which is a better place to live for queer and trans folks - the city or the country? Turns out it depends on who you ask.
32:12
Ever feel like people are placing you in a box? Ada and Dubbs definitely did.
43:03
What would you do if your cis spouse came out as trans? For Mitch, coming out to his girlfriend was a nerve-wracking experience but the concern was all for naught.
28:51
Are you out at work? It’s easier for some people than others.
33:01
What makes someone an ally? For Rosa, it’s learning to love queer people even though it was her gay ex-husband who hurt her the most.
35:22
Some people might think that the LGBTQIA+ rights movement began with the Stonewall Riots. To be sure, it was a major event - but the movement began long before that.
57:04
Should teachers keep their sexuality hidden from their students?
25:37
Do you know what Intersex is? If not, you’re not alone. Even some people who are born Intersex go through a steep learning curve.
28:47
In this week’s episode, you’ll hear stories from Cecilia who, as a child, only saw one opportunity for trans women: sex work and drugs. But now?
58:54
HIV diagnoses affect different people differently.
54:30
Kids get asked all sorts of random questions by their peers. For Julia, it was a question of how she could possibly have two moms, or how they gave birth to a child.
23:43
You never know when you are going to meet the love of your life. Will it be at a party? Through an app? For Simone, it was a chance encounter on the subway.
28:18
Jay Blotcher is a longtime writer, journalist and activist, and was an early member of ACT UP.
40:13
At some point in our lives, we are touched by the loss of someone, be they a friend, relative, or partner.
27:19
We often hear stories of people coming out to their friends, their parents, their co-workers - but less often do we hear stories about parents coming out to their young children.
29:17
Phil and Alex are joined by Jim Obergefell, Director of Individual Giving at Family Equality and the lead plaintiff in the landmark marriage equality Supreme Court case.
36:10
Is it possible to pray the gay away? Jack Bates, cohost of the queer spirituality podcast, Lavender Mafia, joins Phil and Alex in tackling this question.
34:15
Struggles with mental health impact everyone, but for those in the LGBTQ+ community, they can be amplified.
28:18
The LGBTQ+ community is no stranger to bullying. We’ve all experienced it - whether we were being bullied or were the bullies ourselves.
30:48
In this episode, Black Queer comedian Sampson McCormick joins Alex and Phil as they have a candid discussion of the role race plays in the LGBTQ+ dating scene.
33:53
Thanks to the three “amazing women” who helped raise her, Gloria Allen knew from a young age that she didn’t need to feel any shame for being who she was.
27:05
37:43
RuPaul’s Drag Race star Dida Ritz joins Alex and Phil to answer a common question: Can you be both an observant Christian and a member of the LGBTQ+ community?
37:06
Love, fear, and women’s music. They seemed to be ever present in Dr. Thea Iberall’s life as she was coming out as a lesbian in the 1960s.
31:39
Few things in life are only one way or the other - and gender is no exception. Jacob learned in high school that gender was something fun and something you could play with.
21:37
A lot of people - especially those in the LGBTQIA+ community - struggle with body image issues.
22:28
Some people discover their sexuality later in life and some are aware of it from a very young age. Noah Michelson knew he was queer from some of his earliest memories.
28:02
When Stephen started going out to gay bars, he was immediately made to feel like a Black visitor in a predominantly white gay world.
26:22
Pearl Bennett transitioned later in life.
32:12
When Robyn heard homophobic comments as a child, she had no idea how her grandmother would react when she eventually came out as trans as an adult.
22:02
Before his transition, Teo was repeatedly dismissed by healthcare professionals when he realized he’d contracted HIV from an ex-girlfriend.
23:25
When Don Bell came of age as a gay man in college, the United States was engaged in a disastrous war in Vietnam. Were it discovered that he was gay.
28:54
Substance abuse and addiction do not discriminate. In fact, in the LGBTQ community, it sometimes feels like we are hit harder with dependency issues than any other community.
18:15
In this episode, Alex and Phil discuss the stories of Ilo from Venezuela and Adrian from Jamaica.
20:58
Listen to the stories of Evonna McDonald and Amelia Meigs, two women who repeatedly had biphobic encounters with people from the broader queer community.
17:03
Did the inkling that you might be queer start with a crush you had at childhood?
16:20
Back in 2014, I’m From Driftwood sat down with Keith Levy, the creative genius behind drag queen extraordinaire, Sherry Vine.
18:30
Meet Phil aka Corinne and Alex Berg, hosts of the all-new I’m From Driftwood Podcast
20:29
About the I’m From Driftwood Podcast
I’m From Driftwood has been collecting and sharing first-person LGBTQIA+ Video Stories for over 12 years now and has over 35 million views on its YouTube channel. The I’m From Driftwood Podcast gives lovers of storytelling and the LGBTQIA+ community a reason to celebrate. Each episode has its own theme, with topics ranging from childhood crushes, immigration, and bi-inclusion, to substance abuse, gender identity, and racism within the LGBTQIA+ community. Each episode features audio clips from I’m From Driftwood stories, and is then discussed by the two podcast hosts and the occasional guest.
The Podcast is produced by Anddy Egan-Thrope and hosted by Alex Berg and Phil aka Corinne. Anddy is a Made in NY Fellow, the producer of the podcast “Queers From the Crypt”, and creator, producer, and host of “Fruit Basket”, a podcast about queer comedy. Alex, a “a loud and proud bisexual femme” is a journalist covering national news, women’s issues, and LGBTQIA+ culture.
Phil is the creator, producer, and host of the podcast “Transition of Style” whose mission is to “help gender non-conforming people bring forth their most authentic, confident and true selves by providing professional styling.”
The Podcast is supported, in part, by public funds from the New York City Department of Cultural Affairs in partnership with the City Council. Additional funding is provided by a Humanities New York SHARP Grant with support from the National Endowment for the Humanities and the federal American Rescue Plan Act.
Our Hosts
Alex Berg
she/her Podcast Host
Alex Berg
she/her Podcast Host
Alex, “a loud and proud bisexual femme” is a journalist covering national news, women’s issues, and LGBTQ culture.
Alex Berg
Phil aka Corinne
they/them Podcast Host
Phil aka Corinne
they/them Podcast Host
Phil is the creator, producer, and host of the podcast “Transition of Style” whose mission is to “help gender non-conforming people bring forth their most authentic, confident and true selves by providing professional styling.”
Phil aka Corinne
Featured Episodes
S3 : E20
Special Episode: Live Comedy Event!
Watch it on Youtube Phil: Hey, this is Phil aka Corinne. Alex: And I’m Alex Berg. And you are listening to… Both: The I’m From Driftw...
S3 : E19
Queer Elected Officials
It’s one thing to live an openly queer, happy life - but can you imagine doing so while balancing a high profile care...