The Reluctant Phoenix

Mike is the lead guitarist and one of the original founders of the DC based death metal band "Darkest Hour." He talks about the pivotal moments that helped him find his love of music, the downsides of the music industry, and what it takes to stay grounded.

Jess Salomon is a Canadian comedian now based in New York, who has appeared on The Tonight Show with Jimmy Fallon. Jess left a burgeoning career as an international war-crimes lawyer at The Hague to pursue comedy.

Jeff Gomez, CEO of Starlight Runner, is one of the world's leading experts in transmedia storytelling and narrative design. Gomez talks about battling his own demons while simultaneously running one of the most complicated Dungeons and Dragons games in New York city during the '70s and '80s.

We are sad to announce the passing of Jeff's father from a year-long battle with ALS. We are going to take a pause in the podcast so Jeff can be with his family. Well wishes can be sent to thereluctantphoenix@gmail.com 

Justin Von Bujdoss is an American Buddhist teacher. As Staff Chaplain for the New York Department of Corrections, Justin was responsible for performing last rites to the hundreds of people who succumbed to COVID and are buried in the potter's field / mass graveyard on Hart Island. 

   Nonye Brown-West is a Nigerian-American comic now based in New York. She tells Jeff what it's like to be a woman of color in the world of comedy – in addition to her constant health struggles. She also clarifies what it really means when people say "we're not taking straight white guys."

Jeff is back with another season of The Reluctant Phoenix!  Co-creator of The Daily Show, comedian Lizz Winstead is the founder and Chief Creative Officer of Abortion Access Front. She shares how she uses comedy, media, and grassroots organizing to support abortion clinics around the country - and she and Jeff discover that they have something else in common.

Jeff Simmermon is back for Season 2 of The Reluctant Phoenix, with more incredible people who have reinvented their lives, whether they wanted to or not. 

What do you do when you realize that capitalism itself is held together by masking tape? Jeff talks with Anand Giridharadas, author of "Winners Take All: The Elite Charade of Changing the World" about becoming American, the drama of struggling at comedy, the big lie of management consulting, Dolly Parton and cooking at home.

What happens when cancer derails your life's work and career path as a young adult? Jeff talks with Matthew Zachary from OffScrip Media about his transformation from concert pianist and composer, to patient advocate. 

The coronavirus has forced many of us to rethink how to safely do our jobs. Activist and educator Annie Tan shares how she learned to find her voice to support teachers and students during this pandemic.

The 2008 market crash and subsequent recession had many scrambling for new ways to make money. For Ro Reddick, it meant divorcing the daily grind of her profession, and finding out how to become a whole and happy person. 

What happens when the most important opportunity in your career is marred by the truth? Jeff talks with comic Adam Mamawala about his big break amidst divorce.

Jeff talks to Fem Appeal, New York City burlesque icon about her origin story, finding sobriety in a wild nightlife culture and how it feels to be a Black burlesque performer in 2020

Jeff talks to Craig Wansink, pastor of Second Presbyterian Church in Norfolk, VA about misinterpreted Bible verses, finding yourself after a surprise divorce and what the church's responsibilities are in a culture of cascading moral bankruptcy.