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Referential

Dr. Khaliden Nas

Referential is hosted by Dr. Khaliden Nas to have serious conversations about frivolous topics!Each episode takes you on an academically informed deep dive into pop culture and media that never skips out on a stupid joke. Subscribe & join Dr. Khaliden Nas (and the occasional guest!) as we dive into conversations about identity, representation, Blackness, queerness (and so much more) across the cultures that we make; and the cultures that make us. Artwork by Valentine M. Smith. Music by Pampered

tv & film social sciences

All Episodes

106:35

Trans Pride Brighton (with Dr. Sam Hall, Phat Problem...

Referential ·

2026/02/03

Part 2!It is currently 2026, I initially wanted to put this series out a lot quicker! (Many these conversations I’ve been holding on to for a few months now!) I’ve been feeling a little guilty about the delay, until recently I decided that it’s a good thing. It’s meant I spent a lot of the past year thinking about this one topic. This episode spans 3 different conversations I’ve had this past year about the state of our rights- and what does it look like to stand in pride every

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53:00

'Queer Cancellation' (With Victor Alexander)

Referential ·

2026/01/14

Drop Call #6Victor and I try to make sense of why 2026 is starting with all the queers getting ‘cancelled’. “Cancellation”Memetic Pile OnsGinger Minj Vs The WorldEscape from Gag CityBowen Yang and Matt RogersDylan Mulvaney Professor Mel CurthHeated Rivalry (again again)The gays in the bubbleGotmik and Violet Chachki and Marilyn MansonLindsay Ellis and Victor Vs Raya the Last DragonContrapointsFujoshis Vs KhalidenGreg Rucka___________Find Victor @roughcopyzine on insta and @roughcopyzinebtn on

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54:29

'Pillion' x 'Gay Media Catch-Up' (With Victor Alexander)

Referential ·

2025/12/20

Drop Call #5Victor and I review Pillion and catch up on all the gay media that's been hitting 'the discourse'SPOILERSPillionDudley in the closetHeated Rivalry (again)Fujoshis Vs Jordan FirstmanGay v Queer mediaRotting in the SunAMC's Anne Rice's Interview With the VampirePaper Bag GirlsI Love LADrag RaceSusan Sontag Camp SexyHenry?Phantom Thread________Directed by Harry Lighton, Pillion is a coming of age film about a timid young gay man named Colin (Harry Melling) who enters

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40:05

'Heated Rivalry' (With Victor Alexander)

Referential ·

2025/12/04

Drop Call #4Victor and I were convinced by the gay internet to watch Heated Rivalry. Listen try to us process the experienceCockyHockeyBoysYuri in OttowaWestern BLDemon Twink MediaSubs and Doms and stereotypesAnalHeartstoppers, Fellow Travellers, Red, White & Royal Blue, Queer As FolkNoah's ArcDouble speed scaleQueer v GayThe homonormative (?)____Heated Rivalry is a Canadian sports romance television series created, written and directed by Jacob Tierney for Crave. Based on Rachel

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38:27

'The Cages' (With Alexander Pavlis & Ash Alleyne)

Referential ·

2025/11/28

Drop Call #3Ash and I got together to interview Alexander Pavlis the writer and creator of the indie series 'The Cages'. We talk about the work that went into making S1 and the kickstarter for S2!_________THE CAGES is a passion project created from the love of superpowered action and queer drama. Written and created by Alexander Pavlis, featuring art by CJ Camba, Olivia Ratkins, Seye Sanyaolu, Karen Charm, Addriano Divino and Leonardo Cino; and lettered by Danny Djeljosevic!The StoryFor the

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86:52

Trans Pride Brighton '25 (with Sarah Savage, Kate...

Referential ·

2025/11/10

"We will not give in. We will not give up. We will not bow. We will not beg. We will not capitulate. We will survive." - Sarah Savage (Trans Pride Brighton CEO)Captured sounds and interviews from Trans Pride Brighton 2025. Trans Pride Brighton was the first Trans Pride event outside of the United States. It is also one of the largest, gathering tens of thoughts of Trans people and allies people in protest and celebration.Volunteer-led and taking no corporate sponsorship, the TPB organisation

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66:07

Pop Girl Mums and Daughters (with Victor Alexander)

Referential ·

2025/09/17

Drop Call #2Victor and I have been diligently working on the next episode! In the mean time I decided to pull out my recorder to capture what we talk about in between bursts of productivity and share it as a 'Drop Call' episode!Two queers unite for a first of its kind groundbreaking neverdonebefore conversation about pop stars and pop music.Listen!Lady GagaSabrina CarpenterKaty PerryTaylor SwiftKelly RowlandThe ghost of Mary J BligeAshantiJennifer LopezAmy/Adele/DuffyCity GirlsKim PetrasDula

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38:42

Catching up with Ash Alleyne

Referential ·

2025/08/28

Trying something new!A very lightly edited conversation catching up with my friend Ash Alleyne (host of X of Words!)PoddingCooking vs burn outEasing back inComing up next on X of Words!Coming up next on REFERENTIAL!Let us know if you want more of these kinds of chats with a comment on socials or Spotify!_____Find Ash on all socials @Vanthefirst and @xofwords on all socials!Keep up to date by following @AlsoPurp on all socials.Music by PamperedFists & Anzahlung.Original podcast Artwork

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2:33

Updates (Merch!)

Referential ·

2025/07/30

*All profits from this limited merch run will be donated to Trans Pride Brighton*Pre-Order a VALENTINE SMITH X REFERENTIAL 'LW/RF' T-Shirt or Print!Limited run, available to order until the 14th of August 2025. Shipping out August 15th. T-Shirts!https://everpress.com/profile/alsopurpPrints!https://www.inprnt.com/profile/alsopurp/Valentine's shop:https://www.inprnt.com/gallery/valentinesmith/Find more at www.alsopurple.com*All profits from this limited merch run will be donated to Trans

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106:49

Ancient Hatreds (Or New Antisemitism, and the Left’s...

Referential ·

2025/06/24

'The Imperial Sessions Part 2' Conversations on Fascism & Media / Video Episode 5Vid version updates on Youtube + Spotify some weeks after initial audio-only release. Ancient Hatreds (Or New Antisemitism, and the Left’s ‘Muslim Problem’ with Dr. Jonathan Galton)In Part 2 of The Imperial Sessions series I'm joined by Dr. Jonathan Galton to talk about his upcoming book 'Does Islamo-Leftism exist? British-Left-Muslim connections beyond the caricatures'. Jonathan shared with me a

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2:27

Judas In Jedha (the Lady Gaga x 'NIAMOS!' Mix) [Bonus]

Referential ·

2025/06/08

Finished the full Lady Gaga v Niamos MIX I started as a jingle in the 1st 'Imperial Session' Ep about 'Andor' & the Star Wars franchise.I decided to title it "Judas in Jedha" and share as a bonus. Enjoy!New episode in your feeds next week - see you then!Original song credits:'NIAMOS!' originally composed by Nicholas Britell and later mixed by S2 composer Brandon Roberts and released titled 'Brasso' and later as 'The Chandrilian Club Mix'

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57:26

'TIS': Andor & The Star Wars Saga (with X of Words'...

Referential ·

2025/05/31

Tangent Episode #21 'The Imperial Sessions' Conversations on Fascism & MediaNew recurring series alert! And to kick off these series of conversations about Fascism in media I'm joined by returning guest (and my X-Men '97 Sessions Co-host) X of Words' Ash Alleyne to cover Lucasfilms' latest instalment to the Star Wars Saga and franchise: 'Andor'.Created by Tony Gilroy, it is a prequel to the film Rogue One (2016) following thief-turned-rebel spy Cassian

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74:04

VID. EP 4 Black Girlhood and Coming of Age (Or From...

Referential ·

2025/04/16

Video version updates on Youtube + Spotify three weeks after initial audio-only release. For this video episode I'm joined by first time guest Shannon Miller (OG Nerd of Prey!!) to talk about the theme of Black Girlhood and Coming of Age in media.Shannon Miller is a cultural commentator and writer who you might know from her work as the previous Managing Editor at Adweek, the former News Editor and writer at the A.V. Club, or her many bylines from throughout the web!Our conversation spanned

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85:14

GUEST SPOT: Lady Gaga's Mayhem (A Queer Cinema Catch...

Referential ·

2025/03/14

While I’m in the edit cave prepping the next episode here’s a treat for the feed. Return of friends of the pod Allison and Joe from Queer Cinema Catch Up!Alison and Joe asked me to come on their podcast to talk about Lady Gaga’s latest album Mayhem! Tune in to hear us dig into this current moment in pop music and diva worship!Make sure to check back in a few days for REFERENTIAL’s upcoming episode examining the theme of Black Girlhood in media with critic and writer Shannon Miller!Queer Cinema

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83:14

GUEST SPOT: Wonder Woman #20 Starring Khaliden Nas...

Referential ·

2025/03/07

While I’m in the edit cave prepping the next episode here’s a treat for the feed. Return of the podcast cousin Sara Century!Some time ago I was asked the host of Best Issue Ever Podcast to join her for a discussion and I chose Wonder Woman Vol. 2 #20 (by George Perez, Bob McLeod, Carl Gafford, John Costanza, and edited by Karen Berger) as the comics I wanted to talk about the most #BringBackMyndiMayerSara Century also has a new zine now available for preorder! You can get your digital or physical

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115:40

RIP Krakoa x From The Ashes (X-Men With Graphic...

Referential ·

2025/03/02

Tangent episode #18Crossover!I got together with Elana Levin from Graphic Policy Radio to talk through our feelings about the current state of the X-Men franchise in the comics. A conversation in two parts!First we sat down to talk about the Fall of X and the end of the X-Men & Marvel's 'First Krakoan Age'. Then we came back to the mic to talk about the state of the X-Office today and the relaunched slate of X-Men comics under the 'From The Ashes' banner. Tune in!+Fall of

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59:34

Wicked 'The Movie' (with Miss Sundi) (Pt.2)

Referential ·

2025/01/02

PART 2!(slight Act 2 spoilers from 54:15 to 57:11)Tangent episode #17REFERENTIAL rings in the new year with a 2 parter on the latest film adaptation of Act 1 of Wicked! Welcome back to the ‘Session of The Witch’!I’m joined by returning guest Miss Sundi to talk about the 20 year history Wicked the musical and its most recent film adaptation! Directed by Jon M. Chu, ‘Wicked: Part 1’ is a film adaptation starring Cynthia Erivo and Ariana Grande. The original musical featured music and lyrics

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56:12

Mix #2: Wicked 'The Music' (with Miss Sundi) (Pt.1)

Referential ·

2025/01/02

PART 1!REFERENTIAL rings in the new year with a 2 parter on the latest film adaptation of Act 1 of Wicked!Welcome back to the ‘Session of The Witch’![an ongoing miniseries of episodes diving into the resurgence of witches in pop culture fiction and their thematic relationship to this moment in feminism, womanhood, queerness, misogynoir (and musicals!]I’m joined by returning guest Miss Sundi to talk about the 20 year history Wicked the musical and its most recent film adaptation! Directed by Jon M

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77:36

Tangent #16 Agatha All Along (With Best Issue Ever’s...

Referential ·

2024/11/28

REFERENTIAL enters the ‘Session of The Witch’ with a special series of episodes diving into the resurgence of witches in pop culture fiction and their ties to this moment in feminism, womanhood, queerness, misogynoir (and musicals!).To start us off, I’m joined by host of Best Issue Ever’s Sara Century to talk the MCU’s latest instalment Agatha All Along! Created by Jac Schaeffer and starring Kathryn Hahn, Joe Locke, Aubrey Plaza, Sasheer Zamata, Ali Ahn, Patti LuPone and Debra Joe Rupp. Agatha All

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67:25

Tangent #15 Josie and the Pussycats [2001] (with...

Referential ·

2024/10/14

I’m joined on this episode by hosts of the Queer Cinema Catch Up Podcast Allison and Joe!We get into 2001’s Josie and the Pussycats, directed by Harry Elfont and Deborah Kaplan and starring Rachel Leigh Cook, Tara Reid, Rosario Dawson, Alan Cumming, Missy Pyle and Parker Posey.The film was a commercial and critical failure that turned into a cult classic in the years since its release. We sit down to reappraise the biting satire and think about what it was trying to do in the context of today!+ Find

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