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.
Cocoon After Dark
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 engagement, the host also sets the stage for the upcoming season with promises of even deeper connections and more vulnerable dialogues. Listeners are encouraged to contribute their ideas and stories to shape the future content. The episode closes with personal reflections on goals for the next year, the importance of showing up authentically, and a hopeful outlook for the future.
00:00 Reflecting on an Incredible Season
01:03 Gratitude and Acknowledgements
02:17 Looking Ahead: Season Two Plans
03:34 Personal Aspirations for the Future
04:50 A Promise for the Next Year
05:42 Final Thoughts and Farewell
Apply to be on the show at INSTA: https://www.instagram.com/cocoonafterdark/
https://linktr.ee/CocoonAfterDark
Ah, wow. What a season. Welcome back you guys. We are just four weeks away from the end of season one. And to be honest, it was such an amazing roller coaster. I learned so many things about recording, about editing, about questions and depth and vulnerability. And the ability to just sit there and listen without thinking of what to say next. it definitely made me a better listener for sure. I had some really incredible moments with all of my guests, and I'm super excited for next season. So this episode feels a little different. It's softer and slower because today isn't another topic. Or another story. It's a moment to honor what this season has been. And honestly, you guys, I'm so deeply grateful for each and every one of you that helped us reach so many goals I didn't even know we had. So thank you. Thank you so much. Um. Our podcast started as an idea and then it became a commitment. Every Wednesday I was committed to putting out a new episode, and some weeks felt like two days and other weeks felt like it was 10 days, but it became something alive and something shared between you guys and me. And every download, every DM and every that episode hit me or, wow, that was a good question. Or, wow, I really had fun on this podcast, or no one's ever asked me that question before. Mattered more to me than I can express. I'm proud of the season, not because it was perfect, it wasn't obviously, but because it was real and consistency isn't glamorous, but damn it is rewarding. So thank you for being here. Now let me talk about where we're going. I'll be taking a breath, a small pause, and I'll be back in January with a fresh season, deeper conversations, more vulnerability, and hopefully more laughter, more honesty, more moments that make you think someone finally said that out loud. And while I'm planning, I want your voice in it. If there's someone you'd love to hear on this podcast, someone whose story matters, someone doing work that deserves light, or maybe you feel called to share something, reach out. Nominate them. Nominate yourself. This isn't just my platform, it's ours. You can go on to Cocoon After Dark and there is a link to apply for the podcast and I will reach out to you, I promise. And um, I would really love to hear so many ideas and stories, even just a mini. Episode would be amazing because I don't want this to just be everything that I'm thinking about. I want it to be things that you all enjoy and really need to hear about. So for me, I'm thinking a lot about what next year feels like. I want deeper relationships, the kind where conversations last past the surface. I want more hikes, more fresh air, more sun of my skin, more grounding. I wanna celebrate my winds instead of sprinting past them like they never happened. I want more dinners, real dinners, where people show up as themselves and stay long after dessert because the conversation hasn't finished unraveling, and I wanna keep showing up for the people I love. Especially my young daughter, helping her grow into the fullest version of herself and letting her see me do the same. We were on vacation last week in Hawaii and a few different times she said to me, mommy, I wanna be like you. Now. This kid is 12. Like what? 12 year olds are telling their moms? They wanna be like them. So I felt pretty honored that she sees. My drive, my commitment, my ability to connect with people, and I really want to show up for her in more ways than she will probably ever know. So here's my quiet promise. Next year I'll show up even more honestly. More curious, more open, more me, and I hope you'll walk into that season with me. Thank you for listening. Thank you for supporting me, for growing alongside this space and for encouraging me to continue to have conversations with people that matter in our L-G-B-T-Q space in our L-G-B-T-Q Bipoc space. And. Small business owners, just people that are out there spreading the word and helping change what perception people have about our community. So thank you. I'll see you in January. Listen to the last few episodes coming up every Wednesday we're just getting started. Take care and take up space. Many, many hugs. Love you all.
And may the rest of this year bring you closer to your dreams, your desires. And your goals. I am really excited for you. I'm really excited for me, and I'm so hopeful that next year will be so much better than 2025, even though I had some great highlights. I am blushing as I say that because it was a really spectacular finish to the year. So everyone. Seriously, just go out there and have fun and stick to your goals and dream as big as you can.
