All I want to do is talk about Madonna

Kenny and Mark go a little nuts over Madonna’s yearning vocals on this spare and compelling gem from Madame X. Topics include Grindr and vinyl, app fantasies and selfies, Jason Evigan and Mike Dean, self-knowledge and mystery, studying and safety, married men and married songs, trust and community, changing the narrative and attracting the drama, Katy Perry and Carly Rae Jepsen, and the thrillingly influential songwriting of Starrah. Plus, Kenny breaks down his experience with the “On Being” podcast w/ Jay Shetty and Mark shares what he thinks Confessions II will ultimately be all about.

Mark and Kenny confess their latest cravings while musing on this illusive and near-classic ballad from Madame X. Topics include paper clips and major keys, desire and experience, Starrah and Swae Lee, On the Waterfront and The Wizard of Oz, bananas and pizza, Rae Sremmurd and Spider Man, Nuno Xico and Carson McCullers, “old choreography” and pigeons, swagger and grillz, Mike Cruz and Joe Gauthreaux & Leanh, and the idiosyncrasies that make this song so special. Plus, Mark has a crush (and a kiss) with a fellow subway rider and Kenny splices and dices with a stalker named Madonna. “Rush Rush Rush on You!”

Kenny and Mark get vulnerable and stay sensitive to discuss one of the most polarizing and criticized songs in Madonna’s entire canon. Topics include: Portuguese lyrics, taking a big risk, embracing awkwardness and metaphors, privilege, costs, oppressive poetry, legacy, the embarrassment of vulnerability, and the challenge embracing all of the personal and intense narratives in Madame X. “Lonely is the path”

In the midst of the “I Feel So Free” launch, Mark and Kenny flee to Cape Verde to dissect this anthemic duet w/ the mighty and inspiring Orquestra Batukadeiras. Topics include David Banda’s security, community singing, generational mentorship, radical joy, recapturing the enthusiasm, Paul Simon, Joni Mitchell, the darkness of survival, Emmanuel Adjei, communal tasks, unself-conscious joy, Queen Mabel, and Eva Peron returns! This episode is dedicated to Robert (Bob) Snyder (1948-2026).

Kenny and Mark get out the oracles and peer into this reggae-tinged anthem from Madame X. Topics include scratchy pianos, Starrah, autotune vs. clean vocal, Quavo, Athens, GA, Sondheim & Streisand, being a sound level diva, rebirth, future & past, Great Depression propaganda, Anne Frank and the lack of empathy, The Little Drummer Girl, Angels in America, a troubling Eurovision 2019, Solange, Aretha Franklin & Curtis Mayfield’s Sparkle, the weirdness of promotional singles, Natalie Merchant and revisiting old songs, and how recording new songs after performing them on a world tour might transform a new album by Madonna. Plus, Kenny finds a new stage name, Mark leads a “Future” singalong in the NYC subway, and a potential new conversation about a very party-ful song in the Madonna canon.