Ryan Mitchell on Being Seen, Heard, and on a Billboard

Queer media isn’t just representation—it’s history, healing, and a little bit of chaos.This week on Pride, host Caitlynn McDaniel is joined by Ryan Mitchell—culture critic, media multi-hyphenate, and co-creator of iHeart’s new podcast HIGHKEY! From working red carpets with just a phone to landing a billboard in Times Square, Ryan’s career path is anything but typical—and deeply rooted in community, voice, and showing up unapologetically queer.Together, Caitlynn and Ryan talk about:

• Why Glee is queer canon (even if Caitlynn missed the memo)
• Finding belonging in unexpected places—from the NFL to WeHo Pride
• Podcasting as therapy, queer joy, and holding space for voices that rarely get it
• The wild ride of building High Key with two other loud, brilliant queer hosts
• Why this Pride season feels a little… off, and why it matters

Plus: hot takes on Final Destination, emotional Disney fireworks, and the kind of deep chats that make you wonder if you’re secretly in therapy.🎙️ Follow Ryan on socials: @theslaygawd
🎧 Listen to HIGHKEY! wherever you get your podcasts.