Cocoon After Dark
There’s a certain kind of story we only tell in the dark.
The kind that lingers. The kind we’ve carried in silence. The kind that needs soft lighting, no interruptions, and someone who won’t flinch.
Welcome to Cocoon After Dark—I’mQuincy Tessaverne, and this is a space for truth-telling that’s tender, textured, and unapologetically queer.
Each week, we sit with voices—mostly Black, brown, LGBTQ+—who’ve lived through things that don’t always fit into polite conversation.
We talk identity, pleasure, boundaries, grief, reinvention, and the moments that changed everything.
This isn’t small talk. It’s soul talk.
So take what you need. Leave what you don’t. And listen with your whole body.
Episodes
40 episodes
Lights, Courage, Action: Lee Rose's Directorial Odyssey
Lights, Courage, Action: Lee Rose's Directorial OdysseyLee Rose: In-the-Face Storytelling, The Truth About Jane, and Refusing to DisappearHost Quincy interviews writer-director-producer Lee Rose about he...
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Season 2
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Episode 12
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52:24
Intersections of Voice and Identity: Discovering Jen Cheng
Intersections of Voice and Identity: Discovering Jen ChengHost Quincy interviews Jen Cheng, poet laureate of West Hollywood, about voice, identity, community, and showing up authentically. After rapid-fire questions, Jen reads her...
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Season 2
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Episode 11
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1:04:20
What If I Die Tonight?--Love, Legacy and Queer Power
In a solo episode of Cocoon After Dark, Quincy Tessaverne argues that many queer people build beautiful lives yet could lose everything in a crisis because the system defaults to bloodline, not love, when paperwork is missing or outdated. She u...
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Season 2
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Episode 9
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23:32
Part 2- Dr. Lorri Sulpizio-Chemistry, Conflict and Control- The Truth About Lesbian Relationships
In part two of her interview with coach Dr. Lorri Sulpizio, Quincy and Lorri discuss “growing up” in relationships by slowing down, prioritizing self-understanding over labels, and avoiding measuring love by speed rather than safety. They explo...
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Season 2
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Episode 8
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1:08:20
Dr. Lorri Sulpizio- Outed, Fired, and Unapologetic- the fallout of telling her truth.
Quincy sits down with leadership educator and former women’s college basketball coach Lorri Sulpizio for the first of a two-part conversation focused on “the fire”: what it costs to speak up when silence would be easier. Lorri—director of the C...
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Season 2
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Episode 7
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1:04:38
What Is Worth Keeping: Archives, Authority, and Lesbian Life with Angela Brinksele and Kymn Goldstein
In this intimate episode of Cocoon After Dark, Quincy interviews Kymn Goldstein and Angela Brinskele, the dedicated custodians of the June L. Mazer Lesbian Archives. The conversation delves into the essence of preserving LGBTQ+ history, e...
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Season 2
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Episode 6
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1:27:54
I Was Never The Problem: The Truth about Systems, Culture and Self-Worth with Jen M. Torres
In a heartfelt and profound conversation with Quincy, Jen Torres, the Puerto Rican lesbian founder of Simply Lead, shares her journey of fighting for authenticity in the face of cultural and professional erasure. Joined by her partner Eboné, Je...
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Season 1
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Episode 5
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1:01:30
From Courtroom to Couch: The Bravo-Loving, Book-Hoarding Attorney Alexis James
Navigating Justice: A Queer Attorney's Journey with Alexis JamesJoin host Quincy from the Cocoon After Dark podcast as she interviews Alexis James, a queer attorney with a rich background in law and education. In this thought-provoking e...
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Season 2
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Episode 4
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1:04:41
Queer, Black, Social Media Influencer, and Tech Sargent in the Army: Carlneesha
Carlneesha Robinson: Building Community & Breaking BoundariesIn this episode, Quincy, sits down with Carlneeha Robinson, an Air Force tech sergeant and proud queer black content creator. Carlneesha shares her journey of balanc...
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Season 2
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Episode 3
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44:20
Love at First Swipe: Olivia and Kelly Unfiltered
What happens when a single swipe rewrites your entire future? Olivia and Kelly didn't just fall in love-they leapt headfirst, marrying only months after meeting online and choosing to share their story with the world.In this conversation...
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Season 1
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1:01:55
Solo with Quincy Season 2 Launch: When Silence Costs You People-and Love Finds You Anyway
Welcome back to Cocoon After Dark! Season two launches with reflections on the impact of sharing personal stories and the importance of community, resonating across 380 cities in seven countries. Host Quincy discusses the theme of 'starting dee...
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Season 2
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Episode 1
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14:40
Immigrant roots and queer identity in rooms of real power. Stephen Cheung: Inside the Rooms Where LA Decides
In this final episode of season one, we sit down with Stephen Cheung, President and CEO of the Los Angeles County Economic Development Corporation, for a conversation about power, responsibility, and the lives shaped in between.We talk a...
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Season 1
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55:24
Shattering Ceilings: Kathy Barron on Propelling Women Podcasters Forward
In this engaging episode of Cocoon After Dark, we welcome Kathy Barron, a witty and resilient writer, editor, and the driving force behind 'Women Who Sarcast' and 'Women Who Podcast.' Together, we delve into Kathy's journey through humor and sa...
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Season 1
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1:01:06
Not a Man. Not a Woman. Beyond the Binary with Joy Matthews
In this episode of 'Cocoon,' we sit down with Joy Matthews, a black queer health educator and volunteer coordinator at Together for Mental Wellbeing in the UK. Joy shares their journey of navigating complex relationships with their family, over...
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Season 1
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1:00:56
Against the Current: Keala Kennelly's Championing of Diversity in Surfing
In this compelling podcast episode, the host, recording from a cabana in Hawaii, dives into an intimate conversation with Keala Kenley, a trailblazing surfer who defied stereotypes and broke barriers in the world of professional surfing. Keala ...
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Season 1
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1:09:49
Fun, Fierce, and Fearless: Eboné Bell Gets Real!!
Join us for a profound conversation with Eboné Bell, a pioneering voice in representing queer women and non-binary individuals. From founding Tag Magazine to breaking stereotypes in leadership, Eboné shares her journey of creating spaces of inc...
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Season 1
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57:58
Season One: Damn That Was A Good Season
In this heartfelt episode, Quincy, the host, reflects on the incredible journey of season one, sharing lessons learned about recording, editing, and deep, meaningful conversations. Expressing deep gratitude to listeners for their support and en...
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Season 1
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6:39
Pleasure is a Language: Listening to Your Body with Whitni Miller of BDE Moves
In this enriching episode, we dive deep with Whitni Miller from BDE Moves, exploring the intricate realms of desire, intimacy, and queerness. Whitni empowers women, queer folks, and anyone feeling out of sync to reclaim their erotic voice with ...
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Season 1
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1:18:01
From Dryness to Delight: Transforming Vaginal Health with Hormones with Kate Wells
Hot, Sassy, and Science-Backed: Unleashing Midlife Power with Kate WellsIn this fiery episode of 'Cocoon After Dark,' host Quincy gets candid with Kate Wells, hormone expert and co-founder of the audacious brand Parlor Games. ...
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Season 1
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1:02:33
Wild and Free: Kayla Nielsen’s Spirited Voyage through Love and Healing
In this episode, we sit down with Kayla Nielsen, a world-renowned yoga teacher, podcaster, and survivor of domestic violence. Kayla shares her powerful story of reclaiming her body and life as she navigates through trauma, love, and heal...
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54:52
From Queer Queries to Golden Retriever Revelations with Michelle Flamer-Powell
Join us on this episode of 'Cocoon After Dark' as we dive into the multifaceted life of Michelle Flamer-Powell. Michelle shares her journey through queer motherhood, corporate leadership, and spirituality while adding her unique humor and vulne...
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Season 1
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1:05:51
OutVoteHQ: Empowering LGBTQIA+ Youth Towards Civic Engagement with Ranen Maio and Isaac James
Out Vote: Empowering LGBTQIA+ Youth Towards Civic Engagement🌈 From a simple selfie to sparking a movement—join Isaac & Ranen of Out Vote HQ as they revolutionize civic engagement! 🔥In this episode, the host interviews Isaac Ja...
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38:12
When Love Hurts the Little Ones: the Cost of Dating When You Have kids
In this emotional episode of Cocoon After Dark, host Quincy discusses the deep and often hidden impacts of dating the wrong people when you have children. She shares personal stories of her two past relationships with unhealed individuals and h...
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Season 1
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20:14
Conscious Connections in Queer Dating with Elise Braunschweiger
In this episode of Cocoon After Dark, the host is joined by Elise Braunschweiger, founder of Queer Conscious Connections, a matchmaking and coaching service for the LGBTQ community. They discuss the challenges of dating beyond heteronormative s...
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Season 1
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1:04:50