HOMOPHONIC is the brand new pop music, pop culture focused podcast by pop music meme creator, Zach Rickel, the creator behind all your favorite memes on @afunctioninggay on Instagram. This weekly show will highlight the best of pop music both in the current pop zeitgeist as well as the past. From favorite deep cuts and bonus tracks to obscure remixes and unreleased material to the biggest hits and the worst flops, we are covering it all here. But just like my voice ... it's not that deep!

Episode List

Poolside Pop Playlist (with DJ John Michael)

Aug 5th, 2025 8:00 AM

What do Kylie Minogue, Mariah Carey, Madonna, Carly Rae Jepsen, Katy Perry, Jewel, Hanson, Meredith Brooks, Tyrese, George Michael, Alphabeat, Deborah Cox, Gina G, Cher, Backstreet Boys and Stacie Orrico have in common!? They are all a part of our POOLSIDE POP PLAYLIST! As we start nearing the end of summer, John Michael and I discuss some of our favorite songs to play in the summertime. From tea dance classics to 90's pop nostalgia to Y2K R&B deep cuts, we cover it all.

New Music Catch-Up (with DJ John Michael)

Jul 29th, 2025 8:00 AM

Summer’s buzzing, and so are we! DJ John Michael and I are back with a brand new episode of HOMOPHONIC, catching up on all things summer and music. He fills me in on his epic Rufus Du Sol concert experience, and I share the story of how I managed to fracture my finger (oops!). We then dive into the power of Britney’s “Lucky” and how it entrances the gays before sharing our thoughts on new releases from Madonna, Mariah Carey, Celine Dion, Kesha, Kiesza, J.Lo, Jade, FKA Twigs, Jessica Simpson, Sophie Ellis-Bextor, and Sam Smith. And of course, we gush over our excitement for Chappell Roan’s upcoming single, “The Subway.”

More Pride & Dance Divas (with DJ John Michael)

Jul 1st, 2025 8:00 AM

We're back from a quick hiatus (I turned 40—milestone unlocked!) and covering a lot of pop culture ground with DJ John Michael. This episode, we spotlight an underrated Michael Jackson deep cut, give Traci Lords' "Control" its overdue flowers, and shout out Bradley Stern. We unpack the drama around William Orbit and Madonna's "Veronica Electronica," talk DJ John Michael’s Pride Ride with Cody Rigsby, and dig into some standout tracks in his mix, including Chris Lake’s remix of Kylie Minogue’s “In Your Arms” and Barry Harris & Pepper Mashay’s “Dive in the Pool.” Plus, I open up about his DJ days, we get nostalgic over Wild Orchid’s unreleased Fire album, and show some love to the HQ2 Club Mix of Toni Braxton’s “Spanish Guitar.”

LGBTQ Artist Spotlight (with DJ John Michael)

Jun 17th, 2025 8:00 AM

In this special Pride episode, we're turning the volume all the way up to celebrate the incredible talent, legacy, and joy of LGBTQ+ artists we love and admire. From trailblazing icons like Sylvester, George Michael, Kevin Aviance, and Boy George, to modern-day powerhouses like Darren Hayes, Olly Alexander, Troye Sivan, MNEK, and Vincint—we're giving them all their flowers.We also show big love to HOMOPHONIC favorites and friends of the pod ZEE MACHINE and Bentley Robles, and bow down to fierce forces like Rina Sawayama, Shygirl, Betty Who, Chappell Roan, and Michaela Jaé—plus so many more.Whether you're dancing, crying, or just vibing, this playlist is a Pride-filled love letter to queer music and the artists who keep our spirits high.

World Pride, Detroit & Veronica Electronica (with DJ John Michael)

Jun 10th, 2025 1:22 PM

We open this episode on a more serious note, taking a moment to acknowledge the intensity and heartbreak of what’s happening in the world right now. While HOMOPHONIC has always been a place of joy, celebration, and escape, we felt it was important to pause and share how we’re processing the injustice around us.Once we’ve cleared the air, we pivot into full-on Pride mode. John Michael recaps an unforgettable weekend DJing with Jess King at World Pride, experiencing their block parties, and catching performances by Betty Who, Rita Ora, Kevin Aviance, and Kristine W. Meanwhile, I share my own weekend in Detroit with family—ending in a moment three years in the making: finally meeting our incredibly talented friends of the pod, ZEE MACHINE and Bentley Robles! I talk about the electric energy of seeing ZEE perform live, dancing next to Bentley, and falling in love with the music of Madison Rose.We also get into some big pop moments, including Madonna’s surprise announcement of the long-awaited Veronica Electronica remix album and Mariah Carey’s brand-new single, “Type Dangerous.”

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