Mark and Kenny rejoice over this beautiful surprise at the tail end of the deluxe edition of Rebel Heart with acclaimed actor Tony Corrales, who picks up the phone to discuss his particular devotion to this album and who precisely IS the “Messiah.” Topics include Mercy James’ piano scales, candlelight mysticism, lyrical previews, the balance of vulnerability and power, Madonna as sorcerer, higher conscious study, managing heartbreak, coming out for a second time, and the clarifying narrative of the entire album. Plus, Mark unearths cut lyrics, Kenny digs back into the Kabbalah principles, and Tony discusses “Demons at Dawn” (written and directed by Julian Hernandez) and the special nods to Madonna in the film. AND making a case for Something to Remember … Volume 2.
All I Want To Do Is Talk About Madonna
S7 - A Special Message - Calling All Clowns!
Mark and Kenny are taking a breather this week to recover from PHYSICAL ATTRACTION: LIVE @ IRON | FEATHER (were you there?) with a small request and assignment for the listening fans Down Under and in Miami. Can you guess? See you next week.
S7 - Ep18 - S.E.X.
Kenny and Mark critique/celebrate this lesson in sexology while Madonna resurrects and re-embraces Dita Parlo. Topics include being Game & Giving, Sniffies, blatant innuendo, the Summer of Spitting, licorice, golden showers, breaking the beds, raw meat recipes with mayonnaise, grillz, a phenomenal demo bridge, Samantha’s hand-rolled sushi, masks, the 1994 version of S.E.X., and having a “bad attitude”. Mark makes a nostalgic pilgrimage back to the Upper West Side and Kenny makes a case for getting out the meat. Whatcha know about sex?
S7 - Bonus Episode - Two Steps Behind
Mark and Kenny investigate who the culprit of this lost, sassy demo. Topics include dissing friends, BOMBOCLAT, taking to twitter, Guy Oseary, “appreciating” Tony Bennett & Lady Gaga, recipes, Whitney Houston, Janet Jackson, Paula Abdul, Cyndi Lauper, Sabrina Carpenter, teaching the children, starting a feud with YouTubers, imitators, the power of community, Lola Lourdes as Betty Rizzo, the importance of playing the game well, cherries, The Witches of Eastwick, Recess Therapy, The Color Purple, Heather Headley, and how showing up to our live show at Iron | Feather on August 14th (which is sold out!) would reignite the Revolution of Love. Plus, the two divas who play the game better than Madonna.
S7 - Ep17 - Veni Vidi Vici (feat. Nas)
Mark and Kenny grapple with a feeling that they cannot explain while discussing the meaning (and mythology) behind this would-be anthem. Topics include Julius Caesar, perception, the value of the underdog, generational education, Nas, divorcing Kelis, and Madonna (finally) embracing the title of QUEEN. Plus electronic pop artist Afro Sensei picks up the phone and joins the conversation to discuss the Nas/Jay-Z feud, fulfilling your potential, taking the assignment, atheism, Kendrick Lamar, campy earworms, Janelle Monae, chill pop, and following in the footsteps of other black queer artists to meet the musical moment. Mark allows “journey” to return and Kenny makes a case for the song in The Celebration Tour - and the importance of getting the facts rights. SupercaliSWAGalistic!
S7- Ep 16 - Best Night
Kenny and Mark head back into the shadows of Hollywood noir and portraiture on this slinky gem that opens the deluxe edition of Rebel Heart. Topics include the M Experience, the fucking GRILLZ, nom de plumes, Art of Noise, Vangelis, champagne and big cigars, remembering “Justify My Love”, sex tapes, a license to chill, and the Madonna song that everyone walks down the wedding aisle to. Plus an inevitable conversation about Mark and Kenny’s personal best nights (with a cameo from Broadway legend Betty Buckley). Pay with love.
S7- Ep 15 - Wash All Over Me (w/special guest Jeff Vicente)
Mark and Kenny wrap up the standard edition of Rebel Heart with this intense and beautiful ballad (and its THREE versions!) with events guru Jeff Vincente. Topics include operatic rock, Elizabeth Taylor, kikis, Good Music, Charlie Heat, Avicii, The Cure, other surprising water songs, theatrical strings, spiritual revelations on the beach and the Tower of Babylon, community spaces, jean shorts, the Aidan Shaw haters, and the power (and mystery) of Madonna’s breath. “Did we run out of music?”
PLUS, Kenny, Mark, and Jeff share a special announcement - PHYSICAL ATTRACTION: THE LIVE SHOW on August 14, 2025 at IronFeather in downtown NYC - including music from DJ Chauncey, a performance by Jessica Rose, and lots of special surprises! Get your tickets here:
S7- Ep14 - Inside Out
Kenny and Mark grapple with the proper arrival of producer Mike Dean on this miss of an anthem from Rebel Heart. Topics include patchwork songwriting, sweatpants energy, loving the scars, lazy strings, switching “tactics”, spontaneous looping, another reconsideration of the RH track list, and a “BREATH” requirement. Plus Kenny stalks the wigs of Madame X and Mark makes a case for re-embracing the belt. Take off your mask!
S7- Ep 13 - Holy Water (X-rated)
Mark and Kenny get down to the nitty-gritty (and steamy) throw back to 1992’s Erotica. Topics include game-changing weather, cunnilingus, vitamins and filth, Kanye West and Yeezus, baseline and hand claps, gold star gays, pole dancing, the physical challenges of sexual positioning and particular turn-ons, multiple leaking demos, and when is the right time to return to “Vogue.” Plus Mark tells tales out of altar boy school (while sharing a sapphic confession), Kenny defends the big swings on Rebel Heart, and Madonna finally vanquishes her Catholic shame.
S7-Ep 12 - Body Shop (w/special guest Wayne Parker!)
Kenny and Mark pop up the hood and take this romantic romp of a song out for a spin with Madonna Get Together podcast host Wayne Parker! Topics include vehicular high jinks, having fun, over-thinking and staying out of the way, electro-shock, Sabrina Carpenter, sequels to songs from True Blue and Madonna, role-playing, driving stick shift, car CD players, snacks, Lady Gaga, Aston Martins, Nikki Sue Trott, Rolls Royces, Austin Powers’ SHAGuar, mechanics, trollies, and does Madonna still go to the DMV? Plus, Kenny spring a pop quiz, Wayne performs a Madonna tribute in Virginia (and plays kickball), and Mark floats a theory about Sam Smith’s “Unholy”.
S7-Ep 11 - Heartbreak City (featurning Jess Rothschild)
Mark and Kenny amp up the drama (and military drums) with special guest Jess Rothschild (host of Hot Takes & Deep Dives and Finding Fire Island) to discuss one of the most vulnerable songs in the entire canon. Topics include piano deliciousness, public humiliation, ten songwriters, Sean Penn, cinema demos, terrible waiters, Joe’s Pub, and Madonna’s last private relationship. Plus Jess shares the moment her fitness world collides with Madonna, her personal understanding of heartbreak, and her just-dropped Cult of Body and Soul documentary podcast series. “More to follow!”
S7-Ep10- Iconic
Kenny and Mark explore the part that no one sees in the soaring (and strange) anthem from Rebel Heart. Topics include being in an “era”, current slang, mite bites, Mike Tyson Mysteries, Head of the Class, Mohammed Ali, Robin Givens, Jay-Z, Amy Schumer, Chance the Rapper, Save Money, icons and gods as examples, Avicii’s cinematic choices, and a deep dive into the endurance and character of Mike Tyson. Plus, Madonna goes to see Big Top Pee Wee! “Good morning Ironic."
S7-Ep9 - Joan of Arc
Mark and Kenny unsheathe their swords to discuss this powerful and beautiful ballad about mortality, battle, inspiration, and the pulsating humanity that lies beneath it all. Special Guest Jesse Factor joins the conversation to discuss remixing Martha Graham & Madonna together in his thrilling dance show The Marthaodyssey and the many muses found in his work as both a dancer and a choreographer - and mega fan Manny Melendez shares a poem inspired by the song and his own philosophy of artistic endurance. Plus, the All I Want To Do is Talk About Madonna Institute launches its Call for Projects - get those artist statements together!
Find Jesse Factor here: www.jessefactor.com
S7 - Ep8 - Hold Tight
Kenny and Mark pick up the story of this anthemic, enduring tracks from Rebel Heart. Topics include: the haunting MNEK, Ryan Tedder, apocalyptic lyrics, Joan Rivers, survival techniques, alternative melodies, drumming, and the power of a solo Madonna producer credit. Plus, another alternative release concept for Rebel Heart to consider and the priority of reaching out, making time, and being together. Only love tonight, babes.
S7 - Ep 7 - Bitch I'm Madonna
Mark and Kenny conclude the Season of the Bitch by twerking their way through this maximalist third single from Rebel Heart. Topic include Diplo, finales, taking the day, the return of Nicki Minaj, colorful pop art synths, boundaries, plantar fasciitis, pale ale beers, the Standard Hotel, Wicked Part 2, pools in Westchester, neighbors Barry and Fran, Lil B, Charli xcx, celebrity cameos (Beyonce! Chris Rock! Alexander Wang!), Rocco’s man bun, David Banda’s coming out on the dance floor, sock puppets, roughing up the cops, and partying on Madonna’s terms. London’s premiere drag pop star BABY/FACE picks up the phone for a ribald conversation about the brilliant and much-missed electro-pop pioneer (and song collaborator) SOPHIE and her impact on BABY/FACE’s fabulous EP “Harpy”. Plus, the danger of sitting during a Madonna television performance, Kenny sends poetic voice memos at 5AM, and Mark dances naked on a table in Greece! Who do you think YOU are?
S7- Ep 6 - Illuminati
Kenny and Mark hide from the all-seeing eye to wrestle with this polarizing track from Rebel Heart. Topic include the golden calf, the arrival of Mike Dean, stoners, the true definition of the illuminati, the potential to dance, a reckoning with Kanye West (past & present), Claire Dederer’s Monsters: A Fan’s Dilemma, iconography, the TIDAL signing, and the desire (and danger) of channeling power to help others. Plus, Kenny makes Mark watch The Kardashians! “Don’t make it into something sordid!”
Special bonus -Trust No Bitch
Mark and Kenny continue the Season of the Bitch w/ this bratty lost demo from the Rebel Heart era. Topics include Natalia Kills, Rosalind Shays, STDs, Anne Sexton, Brahim Zaibat, Nicole Winhoffer, the allure of vindictive cleverness, hooking up in a sauna, knowledge as power, Orville Peck, Khloe Kardashian’s podcast, Paul Mescal, French theatergoers and Tennessee Williams, not applauding Cate Blanchett, karmic betrayal, Mark’s neighbor Florinda, and whether or not there is a ‘no fraternization’ policy in the Inner Circle. Plus, Kenny has a bathroom emergency at BAM and Mark calls out a basic bitch in the audience at A Streetcar Named Desire. “This is a special time.”
f you want more Shadow Season Episodes, join the Patreon here: https://www.patreon.com/c/alliwant2doistalkaboutmadonna
S7- Ep 5 Unapologetic Bitch
Mark and Kenny get their Reggaeton swagger going to discuss the sassy shoulda-been-a-single from Rebel Heart. Topics include Toby Gad, Garcia & Teenwolf, the primal urge to get up and go out post-break-up, Justin Bieber, ex-boyfriend group texts, shooting weekends with Guy Ritchie, Kieran Culkin, The Weekend, tsunami alarms, Bette Davis, James Baldwin, and a surprise encounter with a favorite bitch (and pioneer) … TINA! Plus, a detour into that deranged Bond tribute at the 2025 Academy Awards and Mark writes a fan letter to his spirit animal Stockard Channing ahead of his trip back to the UK.
S7-Ep 4 - Ghosttown
Kenny and Mark celebrate the return of the power ballad with Boy Culture himself (and author of the essential Encyclopedia Madonnica) Matthew Rettenmund! Topics include: nepo babies, Celine Dion, potential cover albums, illegal downloads, the value of spite, Jason Derulo, My Two Dads, vocal “edging”, lyrical warnings and promises, bringing a golf club to an apocalypse, Stevie Nicks, Terrence Howard, Ariana Grande, mature dance breaks, resistant industry tides, Taylor Swift, the Ellen residency, Andy Cohen and Sandra Bernhard, and Matt makes a strong case for Rebel Heart as the ultimate embarrassment of riches. Plus, Matt shares the inspiration behind Encyclopedia Madonnica, his evolving embrace (and flexibility) of the fandom ride, rejecting the binge mentality, and another encounter with the legendary (and witty) Liz Rosenberg. “I don’t want to focus on the hair."
S7- Ep3 - Devil Pray
Mark and Kenny break out the guitars, the oracles (and the glue) to examine the folky, funky - even freaky - second track on Rebel Heart. Topics include the arrival of Aviccii, the Animals’ “House of the Rising Sun”, The Rake and Appalachian folk tunes becoming global anthems, the Madonna rhythm, walking as inspiration, getting high, karaoke voice memos, Emily Witt, higher consciousness, rubber cement, lecturing and hectoring, and protection from the Devil. Plus, Kenny and Mark take mushrooms “We can get STONED!”
And on the "shadow season” HEART REBEL - a lost protest song that hints at the direction the album really could have taken. Join the Patreon to listen! https://www.patreon.com/c/alliwant2doistalkaboutmadonna
