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Duke's Download Hosted by James Duke Mason
Duke's Download is weekly podcast hosted by James Duke Mason, where politics and pop culture collide! Each episode features candid conversations with influential voices from the worlds of activism, government, entertainment, and beyond. Exploring the stories, ideas, and experiences shaping our culture and driving change - all through a unique and insightful lens, offering fresh insights into the world around us.
Episodes
33 episodes
Boy George on Makeup, Reinvention & His Next Era
This week on Duke’s Download, I sit down with the one and only Boy George (yes that Boy George) — and let me tell you, he does not disappoint.We had a super fun and really relaxed conversation about reinv...
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Ask Duke Anything: Presidents I’ve Met, Politics, Wellness & Favorite LGBTQ+ Films
Hello everybody.Well…you asked — I answered.In this Ask Duke Anything episode of Duke’s Download, I’m diving into your questions about everything from the U.S. presidents I’ve met (yes, real...
Preserving Queer History: Brian J. Smith on His New Film "A House Is Not a Disco"
This week, I sit down with actor and filmmaker Brian J. Smith (Sense8, Stargate Universe, Tony‑nominated for The Glass Menagerie) — but this conversation is really about so...
Eric Orner on Queer Comics, Ethan Green, Capitol Hill & Barney Frank’s Legacy
Hey everybody, this week on Dukes Downloaded, I’m sitting down with someone who has truly lived at the intersection of queer culture, politics, and comics — Eric Orner.You might know Eric as the creator o...
Dr. Demetre Daskalakis on HIV Activism, Mpox Lessons & Leaving the CDC
Hey everybody. This week on Duke’s Download, I sit down with Dr. Demetre Daskalakis — infectious disease physician, longtime HIV activist, former CDC leader, and one of the most influential voices in LGBTQ public health.
Pride Month Reflections: Greg Cope‑White, Ross Mathews & Dustin Lance Black
Hey Everybody — this week on Duke’s Download, I’m doing something special for Pride Month.Instead of one guest, I’m revisiting three conversations that have stayed with me — and honestly, feel more relevant than ever: Greg Cope...
Inside the California Governor’s Race: What’s Next for Democrats
Primary night is behind us, and I’m sharing my honest reflections on the June 2 California primary elections — especially the race for California governor.For the past several months, I worked as an advisor and LGBTQ+ liaison f...
Matt Mahan on LGBTQ Rights | On the Campaign Trail
Welcome to this week’s episode of Duke’s DownloadAfter two intense months on the campaign trail, I’m checking in — tired, energized, and fully immersed in the race for California governor ahead of the June 2 ele...
From Ross the Intern to RuPaul’s Drag Race | Ross Mathews on 25 Years in Hollywood
On this episode of Duke’s Download, I sit down with the one and only Ross Mathews — and we cover 25 years of hustle, reinvention, visibility, and straight-up staying power in Hollywood.From being “Ross th...
Perez Hilton on Surviving Sepsis, Finding God & Being Gay
This week on Duke’s Download, I sit down with the one and only Perez Hilton — and we go way deeper than celebrity gossip.Perez opens up about his recent life-threatening health crisis: three weeks hospita...
Raising a Gay Son: A Mother’s Day Conversation with my Mom, Belinda Carlisle
I want to begin by saying that I am so fortunate to have the most amazing Mom a boy can ask for.So, for this special Mother’s Day episode of Duke’s Download, I wanted to sit down with my mom, Belinda Carl...
Can People Really Change? The Truth About Reinventing Yourself
Can people actually change… or do we just tell ourselves they can?This week, I sit down with New York Times Magazine writer and Emerson professor Benoit Denizet-Lewis to talk about his new book You’ve Changed: The Pr...
Is Europe Better Than America? LGBTQ+ Rights & CA’s 2026 Governor Race
On this episode of Duke’s Download, I’m celebrating some major milestones — one year with my boyfriend Armie, my parents’ 40th anniversary, and an early 34th birthday celebration — before diving into a big announcement: I’ve joined Matt Maha...
ZEE Machine on Queer Pop & Creating Without Compromise
This week on Duke’s Download, I sit down with singer‑songwriter and multi‑instrumentalist ZEE Machine — and we talk about what it really takes to find your voice and go all in.Zee shares how music grabbed...
Elliott with Two T’s: From Texas Farm Kid to RuPaul’s Drag Race
This week, I’m joined by RuPaul’s Drag Race Season 13 queen Elliott with Two T’s — a classically trained dancer turned Las Vegas performer who grew up as a gay kid on a Texas farm.We talk about how dance became her safe place, ...
How Morris Kight Helped Build the Modern LGBTQ Rights Movement
This week on Duke’s Download, I’m joined by writer and former TV producer Mary Ann Cherry, author of Morris Kight: Humanist, Liberationist, Fantabulous — a biography that took more than a decade to write and was create...
The First Openly Gay Major-Party Presidential Candidate | Fred Karger
In this episode, I sit down with one of the most unexpected — and fearless — figures in modern LGBTQ political history: Fred Karger.Before he became a nationally recognized LGBTQ activist, Fred was a longtime Republican politic...
A Conversation With My Dad: From Old Hollywood to the White House — and Home Again
Ok.. this one is really special and this week’s episode feels a bit different.For the first time ever, I sat down with my very private father, Morgan Mason — at home — and just… talked.About growing up in a versio...
Ask Duke Anything: Politics, Belinda Carlisle, Coming Out & Finding Love
It’s time for an Ask Duke Anything episode of Duke’s Download — and yes, my boyfriend Armie is guest-hosting from his apartment, which means I’m answering everything. 😅You sent in questions via social med...
Coming Out, Speaking Up, Starting Over: Getting Real with David Archuleta
This week on Duke’s Download I sat down with the one and only David Archuleta — and let me tell you, this conversation is everything. We talk about his New York Times bestselling memoir, <...
From Marriage Equality to the U.S. Senate: My Conversation with Zach Wahls
Hey Everyone, this week’s episode is a good one.I sit down with Zach Wahls — Iowa State Senator, LGBTQ+ advocate, author, and now Democratic candidate for U.S. Senate. You might remember him from that mic-drop
This Ain’t “Heated Rivalry”: Coming Out in Pro Hockey
This week on Duke’s Download, I sit down with someone who didn’t just break the ice — he cracked it wide open.Zach Sullivan, defenseman for the Manchester Storm, came out as bisexual in January 2020 during the UK Elite Ice Hock...
A Hollywood Insider’s Wake‑Up Call: Behind the Red Carpet with Marc Malkin
On this week’s episode, I sit down with my friend Marc Malkin—Variety’s senior culture and events editor and one of the most recognizable faces on the red carpet—to talk about life, legacy, and the moments that truly matter.We ...
Racing Out Loud with Olympian Connor McDermott‑Mostowy
On this episode of Duke’s Download, I sit down with Connor McDermott‑Mostowy — elite speed skater, Olympian, and proudly out athlete — for a conversation about what it really takes to compete at the highest level while...
How Malcolm Kenyatta Is Building Real Political Power
On this episode of Duke’s Download, I sit down with Malcolm Kenyatta — Vice Chair of the Democratic National Committee and Pennsylvania State Representative — for a real, no‑nonsense conversation about where politics is headed and how we act...