These transcripts were computer generated and have not been edited.
Brad Shreve:
I met David S Peterson when I interviewed him on my old show, and he is an outstanding mystery author. Having gotten to know him via social media, I’ve been impressed with his good nature. His positive attitude is infectious. So when I learned during his life he has survived cruel bullying, a dangerous physical attack and extensive treatment for a deadly illness, I knew I must have him for this show.
On Queer We Are you won’t be hit in the head with the same hard to digest news you hear over and over in the media. It’s important to know, but unless you’ve been lost in the tundra for years, you know what’s going on. Then again, maybe you choose not to know what’s happening, but that’s a whole issue of its own.
This is the place where you’ll hear positive stories of what people are doing about our challenges, or how they keep optimistic in difficult times, or maybe they’re just here to entertain. Simply, this is the place where a few minutes each week you get a breather.
On a different episode not too far back, I said it’s not enough to survive, but how you survive To come up on top, not just physically but mentally too. I mean, how horrible for those who fight the fight but end up resenting life in the process. Now, this is no judgment, because that’s easy to have happen, but fortunately it didn’t for David and I asked him to tell us about it. So hang tight, because I’m Brad Shrave and my guest is David S Peterson and Queer we Are
. David Peterson, there is a role in podcasting, I think it’s a great great role because it drives me crazy when I see other podcasts do this, and it’s a lot. And that role is never start talking about the weather. That’s not how you wanna start a show. But you’re in Phoenix, and you guys have been fucking hot. How is it now to how is the weather today?
David S Pederson:
Well, I’m always pleased to be called fucking hot. I can tell you that.
Brad Shreve:
Hey. I spell you on, social media. You’re not too shabby, my friend.
David S Pederson:
you know, it’s, yeah, it’s hot, but it it’s the old cliche. It’s a dry heat. So we deal with you know, and that’s what pools are for. So it’s all good.
Brad Shreve:
I’m not sure who was. I think it was Louie Anderson that said They say it’s a dry heat, but so is my oven, and I’m not sticking my head in it.
Brad Shreve:
Good point. Now in your life, you’ve had some challenges come your way, but let’s start with what is your life like today? because I I follow you on social media. A lot of people do these phony. We’re always smiling, happy. Years isn’t phony. I can tell for a fact that isn’t. So tell us about your life today.
David S Pederson:
I like my life today. I’ve got a wonderful husband. We’ve been together 29 years, believe it or not. I love Phoenix. I love the location, or walkable to just about everything when it’s not a 110 degrees out. We can walk to the theater. We can walk to the restaurants. We’ve got amazing friends. I think we have more friends here than we ever did in our entire life in Wisconsin. They’re so supportive. It was such a a great group of people. And we’re always doing something. I mean, it’s it’s the theater. It’s a pool party. It’s out to dinner. It’s It’s what it’s just having people over for drinks. So, yeah, life is good. I’m I can’t complain. I mean, I could, but it doesn’t do any good. So
Brad Shreve:
Well, and you just told me in a few days it’s what National Underwear Day?
David S Pederson:
This coming Saturday is National Underwear Day. Yes. So be sure and celebrate. August 5th.
Brad Shreve:
Well, from what I’ve seen of you, I’m sure you will be celebrating.
David S Pederson:
This is true.
Brad Shreve:
Well, there’s 3 paragraphs on your website that really jumped out at me. I’m gonna read them all right here. First, I quote, I’m very open minded and try not to judge others. I’m open to new things and new adventures and I love meeting new people and hearing their stories. end quote. Next one is I’m fascinated by the past and feel it is our gateway to the future I believe in compassion, love, and kindness always, end quote. And the last one is I feel life should be more like an MGM musical. I agree. And I frequently burst in the song and sometimes dance. often much to the surrender my husband and friends, I believe in happy endings and strive always to make it so. End quote.
David S Pederson:
That is true.
Brad Shreve:
You know what? They all speak for themselves, but I’m gonna make you elaborate on that more.
David S Pederson:
Oh, I can’t tell you how many times my husband’s rolled his eyes. when we’ve been out or some place and I’m just singing and dancing away. It’s, you know, I think I I do think life should be more like an MGM musical. I what’s wrong with the little, with the little singing and a little dancing? I think, I think people take themselves too seriously. And I, I think you gotta enjoy your life. I mean, you know, life is short. So we get one shot at this. We might as well make the most of it. It’s, So, yeah, I don’t judge people. I try not to judge people. I say, Hey, as long as as long as you’re not hurting anybody else, as long as you’re not infringing on anybody else, you do you. I mean, it’s, it’s, it’s a philosophy to live by. And what goes on between 2 concerning a as nobody’s business, but theirs, in my opinion, as well. I know a lot of people can be snarky. A lot of people can be judgmental and and it’s easy to do, but I try not to do that. And I’m always self aware of that. So because I’ve been judged in my past, and and other things as well. So, yeah, that’s that’s my philosophy. I I try to live by it.
Brad Shreve:
I’m gonna slam you on one thing that you just said.
David S Pederson:
Okay.
Brad Shreve:
You just said you don’t judge people.
David S Pederson:
Well, I tried.
Brad Shreve:
Everybody judges everybody judges people. And let me tell you something I heard that was great. A guy said, I judge every single one of you when you walk in the room. The difference is you have no right to know what my judgment is. and I have no right to tell you what it is.
David S Pederson:
That’s true.
Brad Shreve:
We can’t help him make judgements, but don’t act upon him. That’s the difference.
David S Pederson:
What I like is I hate judgmental people, and I can tell you’re very judgmental just by looking at you.
Brad Shreve:
That is that is very good. So your positive attitude. I mean, it’s not it’s just great. I love everything I read about your attitude. Does it come from the traumas that we are gonna talk about here that you faced earlier in your life?
David S Pederson:
Yeah. I I think that’s definitely part of it for sure. Everybody’s got some trauma somewhere in their life or some history, and I certainly had my share, but I got through it. And it I think it made me a stronger person. And I I move forward. And it’s it definitely made me realize that life is short and that I could either wallow in self pity or I could move forward and make the best of it. And, I’m I chose to do the latter. So so here I am.
Brad Shreve:
Well, thank you for not saying that with the which doesn’t kill us. Makes us stronger. I would have reached through this screen and slapped you. Not that it’s not true, but I’m a little tired of that way.
David S Pederson:
Yeah. No. I agree.
Brad Shreve:
So there are three events that impacted your life. and you said you like happy endings. And I I would say at this point, you have, but I’m sure they didn’t feel like happy moments at the time? No. So let’s start from the beginning. You were bullied in school. How prevalent was that?
David S Pederson:
Yeah. That was that was pretty bad. I was a very shy child. Believe it or not. I think I’ve overcome that one. Yeah. But I was. I was a very shy child. I didn’t have very many friends. My best friend well, we we moved her a lot too as a kid, so that was part of it. But my best friend in 4th and 5th grade was a light pole on the playground. So I would go and stand next to the playground, next to the light pole on the playground while the kids played. I talked to the light pool and, you know, we had some nice moments. Unfortunately, you know, that, that friendship ended 1 winter day when I was feeling particularly sad. And I walked over to the playground on a weekend and gave my light, my light pole a sweet little kiss and my lip froze to the bowl.
Brad Shreve:
Are you serious?
David S Pederson:
I am serious.
Brad Shreve:
Straight out of the movies.
David S Pederson:
Yeah. Except that was a tongue, but, yeah, this was my lips. And I left a trail of blood in the snow practically all the way home. It was was not pleasant. So that ended that relationship too. So that was my one and only friend back then. But, yeah, yeah,
Brad Shreve:
You grew up in Wisconsin?
David S Pederson:
Yeah. Wisconsin. Okay. Yeah. So after that, the, the bullying, I mean, continued. And I got to a point where I actually started skipping school to avoid the bullies. And that led to a whole another segment of problems because I almost didn’t, didn’t pass 5th grade because I was skipping school so much because I was afraid of these bullies. And I was afraid to tell anybody why I was skipping school. I, I told them that I didn’t like math class, and that’s why I didn’t go to school, but it was it was really a bullying situation. So yes. That’s
Brad Shreve:
why I hated math class. So that would have been in perfect excuse for me as well.
David S Pederson:
Well, I did too. So seemed natural.
Brad Shreve:
So you you obviously did eventually graduate. What did you do to overcome it? I’m presuming you didn’t just internalize it and just bear through it the the rest of your school years.
David S Pederson:
So to overcome the bullying? or the shyness?
Brad Shreve:
both.
David S Pederson:
Yeah. Well, the shyness got, I finally joined theater class. And, started acting in plays. And so that really brought me out of my shell in a good way, I hope. And the bullying, I finally came out to my mother as far as what was really happening. And she actually was a big part of getting that getting me through that. So she told me that, you know, that was wrong. And, and I still remember one day she showed up at the school to pick me up and let led into this one guy that was really laying into me. So and that, that showed me that I could stand up to him too. I’m like a My mom who believe it or I’m 63, and my mom is like 4:11. I mean, if she can stand up to this guy, I figured I can do it. So, you know, so, yeah, we that moved on eventually. And and as far as the shyness goes, the theater helped a tremendous deal.
Brad Shreve:
Well, my husband is 63, and one of my actions was amazing. 69,
David S Pederson:
which is
Brad Shreve:
pretty amazing when you consider, I’m 55. but still damn sexy.
David S Pederson:
Absolutely. You’re fucking sexy.
Brad Shreve:
Oh, thank you. I am fucking fucking sexy. So based on my experience with them, how sick are you, being asked about playing basketball?
David S Pederson:
Yeah. All of those old cliches. How’s the weather? When you play basketball, I get, I, I get the basketball 1 a lot. I still get the basketball 1. Did you play basketball? so my best return to that is no. Did you play miniature golf?
Brad Shreve:
Well, one of the good things about being short is I get through crowds easy.
David S Pederson:
There you go. See, well, the good thing about being tall is I can look over the crowds and see see my best roads. You know? They both have their advantages.
Brad Shreve:
Yes. That is very true. I can never find anybody in the house unless I know what shoes they’re wearing.
David S Pederson:
or underwear.
Brad Shreve:
Well, yes. Exactly. Any advice for kids out there that are being bullied?
David S Pederson:
If you’re being bullied, don’t be afraid to let somebody know. Don’t be afraid to go to an adult and and tell them what’s going on. You know, it’s not your fault. no one’s gonna blame you and the adults can help you. You know, if you don’t feel comfortable talking to your parents, Talk to a trusted teacher, talk to a friend’s parent, talk to somebody.
Brad Shreve:
So later in life, in your early thirties, you were gay bashed. Give us a just a quick synopsis of what happened.
David S Pederson:
So, yeah, that was about, roughly 30 years ago. I was, leaving a gay bar and poor guys jumped me late at night. I was by myself. Didn’t think anything of it. Cause again, I’m I’m 6:3. I’m a big guy. I actually saw them coming towards me. And I just kinda, like, moved to, to walk around them. And the next thing I know I was on the sidewalk. Getting the crap beat out of me. And, they put me in the hospital, and I’ve got a plastic plate in my head now because of it. Good thing is plastic because, you know, it doesn’t doesn’t interfere with going through the metal detectors at the airport. there’s a there’s
Brad Shreve:
a positive
David S Pederson:
See? but, yeah, that laid me up for, for quite a while. And it definitely was a dark period in my life. I was afraid to go back to that bar. and I was afraid to do pretty much anything. So, I was out of work for a long period of time, and the best thing that came out of that was it got me writing again. and I was really happy about that. So I had not been a published author prior to that. I’d kind of shelved my writing at gotten about it. And, with all that time on my hands, because this was basically pre internet. I mean, today I’d probably just be sitting there looking at porn all day. But,
Brad Shreve:
Well, what’s wrong with that?
David S Pederson:
What’s wrong with that? But instead, I was a little more productive and and, turned back to my writing and and I think that was a good thing.
Brad Shreve:
I love both your Heath Barrington mysteries and your Mason Adler Adler Mystery. So I wish it came about in a different way, but I will say that is something that benefited the rest of You’re a great writer.
David S Pederson:
Thank you.
Brad Shreve:
So it sounds like you became a bit of a recluse, though, after that happened.
David S Pederson:
Yeah. I did. And I’ve always been a people person. I mean, after I finally overcame my shyness, I love spending time with friends So during that period, I mean, I, I was not a pretty sight. I can tell you that. You know, my whole head was bandaged to look like an Egyptian mummy. I had my whole left side of my face was black and blue. And it wasn’t pretty. So, you know, I didn’t really wanna see people. I wasn’t in the mood to see people. And Plus, you know, it was, it was a traumatic thing to, to go through. So I’ve held up for in my apartment for quite a while.
Brad Shreve:
And it’s interesting about you taking theater to overcome your shyness because having lived in LA for quite a while, I learned very quickly that almost every actor I know is shy. And then having interviewed actors on this show I learned that even more true than I realized. What possessed you was there? Did you join acting to or start studying acting to overcome that.
David S Pederson:
Yeah. I I think that was just a good outcome because of it. You know, you asked me before about the bass ball thing and people, and people asking me if I played basketball. I am, I am probably the most unathletic person you’ve ever met. I do not play basketball. I don’t play football. I don’t, I, you know, so, but, but theater is something I could do and inquire. So that, and again, back to the MGM musical thing, I’ve always sung. I’ve always danced, and I’ve always been like, I would love to be in the movies. So, when the school plays came around and like, wow, that’s kind of a natural thing for me. So, and I, I tried it And it seemed like I was somewhat good at it. So I, I kept at it. And I met a lot of great people, and I, and I found that wow. people like what I do and they actually applaud. And at least, you know, they pretend to, and pretend to be enjoying it. So I kept at it. And that, yeah, that definitely help bring me out of my out of my shell quite a bit.
Brad Shreve:
Well, that comment now begs the question in a play about your life, What grand MGM song would best define your story?
David S Pederson:
Oh, I would definitely have to say singing in the rain. because, you know, it’s raining. It’s gray. It’s gloomy. There’s storms up above, but who cares? I’m singing. I’m in dancing. and what good is it gonna do to to sit and cry about it? So
Brad Shreve:
— That’s the perfect. I’d you know, I wouldn’t have thought about it, but once you said, I’m like, what an obvious answer for you?
David S Pederson:
I’m singing it in the ring. Just singing it in the ring.
Brad Shreve:
Keep going.
David S Pederson:
What a glorious fear, and I’m happy again. I’m laughing at clouds. You see now you got me started. I could go all day.
Brad Shreve:
Well, people are gonna question whether I’m gay or not. I know the song very well, but not once have I seen the movie
David S Pederson:
Really? Oh my gosh. Yeah. It’s a good one. I’ve even seen the play version, the musical version on stage. It’s very well done.
Brad Shreve:
Yep. Oh, on the it’s on my list of the many things that I’m required to watch, but haven’t gotten around to yet.
David S Pederson:
Okay.
Brad Shreve:
So what was it that brought you out of that that shell that you went into after after that violent incident you encountered?
David S Pederson:
Well, eventually, you know, I did I did recover physically. It took a lot longer mentally and emotionally to get over it, but, you know, I more or less healed. my hair grew back from where the plate was. And, the black and blueness, I still have a small scar over on the one side of my head, but So, yeah, I went back to work and realized that life goes on. And I said, I think I mentioned before, I was afraid to go back to that bar. it was absolutely terrified, but then I realized it was a country western bar don’t know if I said that before, but I I was very much into country dancing at the time, even though I wasn’t very good at it. And I realized eventually that it was foolish of me to let this horrible thing that happened take away something that I loved so much and something I enjoy doing so much. So I forced myself to go back to that bar and to dance again at that bar. And, believe it or not, short while after that, I met my husband at that bar when he came up and asked me to dance. That was another good thing. So had I had I given into that fear and had I had I refused go back, that never would have happened, and that would have been a a sad thing. So
Brad Shreve:
You had a whole different life,
David S Pederson:
but — Yeah.
Brad Shreve:
— you know, stuff to do it.
David S Pederson:
Very true.
Brad Shreve:
Yeah. I my husband and I earn early in our relationship did lots of dance into country bars. Just absolutely loved it.
David S Pederson:
It’s a lot.
Brad Shreve:
— away from that area, but why we really missed it. Country dancing was really big and popular for a while.
David S Pederson:
Oh, it was huge. It still is. Yep.
Brad Shreve:
So moving on from there, 7 years ago in 2 2016, you were diagnosed with prostate cancer. and prostate cancer is is known to be very treatable when it’s caught caught early, but And so many men brushed it off, but 35,000 men in the US die from it every year. And years was pretty extensive. What were the thoughts? What thoughts ran through your head when you were diagnosed?
David S Pederson:
Oh, it was it was another super dark period in my life. Yeah. Mine mine had progressed to the margins. I’m fortunate that they caught it when they did. I wish they caught it earlier. so I I’m a huge advocate for getting your PSA test. I would say starting at age forty, If your doctor doesn’t offer it, insist on it, it’s important. Mind had progressed to the margins. So I had to have I had to have the prostate removed surgically. They did it robotically. And then I went on underwent 36 radiation treatments. over the course of 36 days. That was a lot of fun. Holy cow. You had to have a full bladder for those radiation So every morning, I’d get up and drink a gallon of water.
Brad Shreve:
Oh, god.
David S Pederson:
Drive to the hospital and lay on a bed with a full bladder for about 45 minutes. Yeah. That was, that was intense. And after that, then I went through 2 years of, radiation shots and or hormone shots where they injected my stomach, on a regular basis and went through the whole hot flashes. I can really relate to women and and the hot flashes now because I went, I went through them all. So that was definitely a rough, a rough time in my life. It was, again, fraught with fear, fear of the unknown, you know, and and it’s still, you know, a little bit of a a cloud that hangs over my head, like, you know, is it really gone? Is it really, is it gonna come back? But I still get tested every 6 months and Knock on wood right now. I’m I’m, I’m still in the clear, so I’m I’m I’m good with that.
Brad Shreve:
So these were not funny experiences. In fact, they were pretty traumatic, and and you did touch on it. I mean, we touched on it quite a bit about your attitude and everything, but When it comes right down to why the hell aren’t you bitter?
David S Pederson:
I guess it goes back.
Brad Shreve:
Don’t say don’t say I just a lot of people say, well, it’s just a choice. I don’t wanna be bitter. What made you realize? I don’t wanna be bitter.
David S Pederson:
I guess part of it goes something my mom always would say. And, you know, she’s like, it doesn’t do any good. you know, the the old adage, and she grew up all the time. Don’t cry overspill milk. Yeah. Everybody has a choice. You know, you can, you can be bitter or you can, or you can be sweet. I tend to be sweet. I tend to be, you know, What? It just what’s the point? So life’s too short.
Brad Shreve:
Well, I’ve never met you, but based on everything I can see — Yeah.
David S Pederson:
Yeah.
Brad Shreve:
— sweet, No. Not yet. That’s that is sure. You are sweet, but you sure as hell ain’t innocent.
David S Pederson:
Oh, innocence is overrated, Brad.
Brad Shreve:
So after the the gay bashing, you did get into writing, but when did you first realize you have a passion for writing?
David S Pederson:
Oh, that was when I was very young, actually. I loved I’ve always loved writing and way back way back. I mean, as I said, I was very shy. Didn’t have a lot of friends except for that light pole. So so I would I would sit in my room and make up stories to entertain myself. I mean, again, this was pre internet. You know, we had one TV in the house. originally, it was even black and white. So it went off the air at midnight, that kind of thing. So, yeah, I had to entertain myself. So besides my toys, when I got a little bit too old for those, I just want to really turn to writing and making up my own stories. I’d watch these movies and things on TV and I’d be like, wow. That’s kind of cool. So I would, I would write my own stories and, and entertain myself that way and create my own characters. And I had a lot of fun with it and continued with it. I know as I got older and loved English class. As I said, I hated math, but I loved English. And That helped a lot too. And I had a great English teacher in junior high that also really helped develop my writing and, and she Encourage me a great deal. So that was also a big part of it.
Brad Shreve:
A lot of kids write and even adults like to write, but Not everybody says I wanna be an author. Was there a time before you really start pursuing it that you said I do wanna be an author? And how did that compare to you wanting to be an actor?
David S Pederson:
Well, I definitely wanted to be an actor, but I thought I thought being an author was something that might be a little more cannable as a profession. I love telling stories and I think it’s a lot of fun. I can escape into a fantasy world. and create and create world. So, yeah, there was a time when I said, I think I would like to try to be an author. And so I wrote a couple of books. And I said, let’s see what happens. And and fortunately for me, they’ve been relatively successful and and, it’s it’s been good. I don’t think I would have had that success as an actor.
Brad Shreve:
Within the lgbtq plus crime genre. You are well known. So I will say you definitely are successful.
David S Pederson:
Thank you.
Brad Shreve:
So let’s talk about your vegetarianism because, you talked about your love for animals. Is your love for animals and your concern for animals? Is that what led you to become a vegetarian?
David S Pederson:
Yeah. Most definitely. Yeah. That more than anything else. I have 2 sisters, and one of them has has been a vegetarian foreign. Oh, probably 40 years. And I have not been a veteran as long as that because, you know, I’m just a child, but, yeah, but, yeah, my, her love for animals and my love for animals. I mean, my whole family has always been a huge animal rights advocacy. So, that’s definitely what, what led that to become reality for me. And, and it’s been fine. I feel good. I definitely eat enough protein. That’s the one question people always ask me, but what do you do about protein on it? There’s plenty of protein sources. So, yeah. It’s good. I don’t, I don’t really don’t miss eating meat at home.
Brad Shreve:
Yeah. People that aren’t from our vegetarianism or veganism, people eat a whole lot more protein than they need to.
David S Pederson:
Yeah.
Brad Shreve:
they need to. So you’re also an environmentalist, and I’m curious because vegetarianism is very tied into environmentalism. 1, there’s so much land that has cleared due to cattle, and we know the problem with cow farts. Was that part of it, or did it happen to be separate and they’re just kind of at the same time?
David S Pederson:
I would say mostly separate just because we only have the one planet and we gotta take care of it. and we gotta take it seriously what’s happening in the world. So I think that’s that’s a whole separate issue. But then, yeah, they’re they’re definitely there’s crossover there for sure. Like you said, I am totally makes sense. It drives me crazy to see forest destroyed and rain forest destroyed for short term gain.
Brad Shreve:
Dave and I had some technical difficulties, and they were slight, but in the process I lost part of where we talked about his novels. So I have to cut it because he’s an excellent author and would be a disservice to you and to David for me not to jump in here. He has a 2 time finalist for Lambda literary Awards. The 2 mystery series he is known for are his Heath Barrington mysteries, and his Mason Adler mysteries, and I can tell you they are both excellent. His latest novel that just came out is murder at the Oasis. It is an Adler series, and it’s no surprise. I personally haven’t read it yet, but the reviews have been great. So again, it’s murder at the Oasis, and the link is in the show notes. And here we get back to where he responded to my questions about the book.
David S Pederson:
And that’s that’s part of what I do in my books because my books are set in the forties. I try to educate people to a great degree. I mean, even in, one of my books, I have a, I have a trans person. I have, you know, people of color in my books. And obviously, a lot of lgbtqpluspeople in my books because that’s, that’s the main characters. And and I talk about what they went through and how they had to hide and and what would happen to them had they been discovered and what they went in and what they went through on a daily basis to trying to survive and live their lives. So, yeah, the good old days, yeah, it’s, rose colored mirrored glasses.
Brad Shreve:
And I think what you’re doing is important. I just watched a, documentary by Matt Baum. A lot of people know on YouTube, mainly does queer history on television, mostly sitcoms, but he did a whole almost an hour long video on Norman layer. And I suggest you find it out on YouTube. It’s very, very interesting, fascinating, incredible man. And my feeling always has been, and he validated that for me. If you write a book about well, a nonfiction book or do a documentary, you’re gonna wake up some eyes, but you’re not gonna get a lot of people flooding to buy those books. and you’re not getting a lot of people flooding to those movies. But if you put that stuff, just seeds of it in fiction, that people are more likely to pick up and you’re entertaining them and and getting their brain a little bit to set them straight That is a beautiful thing.
David S Pederson:
Mhmm. Yep. That’s a good way to do it.
Brad Shreve:
Pat yourself on the back for you. you go. And, listen, he just did. You forgot this is all audio, not video.
David S Pederson:
That’s — I know. That’s why I’m not showing you my underwear, Brad. Just got it.
Brad Shreve:
If it was video, we’ll we would show everybody.
David S Pederson:
I’m not shy. I told you that.
Brad Shreve:
No. You are not. It’s hard for me to believe when you you said that you were. So before I let you go, you’ve talked about this great attitude you have it, and I can tell you it shows and everything that I see. Unless you’re a good faker, and I don’t think you are. other than just put on a happy face. in fact, do you remember Jim and Tammy Faye?
David S Pederson:
Oh, yeah.
Brad Shreve:
Baker. Yep. evangelicals during the —
David S Pederson:
Make up.
Brad Shreve:
She had a doll. I don’t yeah. Oh, yeah. Tammy was like, a Revlon truck ran into her face.
David S Pederson:
She looked like weird Barbie if you’ve seen the Barbie movie.
Brad Shreve:
I haven’t seen the Barbie movie yet. We’re we’re waiting. Tammy came up with this doll, and I don’t remember what the damn stupid name was, but he pulled its cord and it said, You can take a frown and turn it upside down. Whoops. You’ve got a smile. That is such crap. If it was that easy, We would all just, oh, I’m gonna stop frowning today and smile. So it’s not that pet. I wanna know what you think people can do. to give them a better attitude like you have. You know, 10 seconds to respond. 10
David S Pederson:
seconds. definitely. I I can
Brad Shreve:
be a little more than that.
David S Pederson:
You know, therapy and talking to a professional, a mental health professional is is excellent. You know, I, I personally have never done it, but I I know people who’ve done it and it, it’s true. It’s helpful. you know, a lot of people, for some reason, there’s a lot of mental health shaming out there in the world. And I’ve never understood that. You know, you go to the doctor for a broken arm. Everybody’s like send you cards, send you flowers, you go to a psychiatrist or a therapist for a mental health issue, and, and you feel like you can’t even tell people about it because people are gonna oh lord, he’s got issues. So I think that’s that’s sad and that’s something else that needs to be addressed and and pushed forward So I think that’s that’s a huge thing. If you, if you’re in a dark place, you need to share it. You need to tell people you need to seek the proper help that you need to get.
Brad Shreve:
I think that’s true of so many things. Yeah. Try to do it alone. Yep. And the mental health thing, I, I have bipolar disorder, and Carrie Fisher had bipolar disorder. and she is my idol because Carrie Fisher, she had no problem talking about what it was like to have mental illness. She talked about the challenges. She made jokes about it. She was hysterical. I don’t know if people realize how funny that woman was.
David S Pederson:
She went funnily.
Brad Shreve:
So I love people like her. She’s she’s my idol, and and I’m glad you’re speaking out about it, and I’m glad more people will be speaking out about in the future. So, David, thank you for all the wonderful insight.
David S Pederson:
— Thank you.
Brad Shreve:
— your life is fascinating, and I’m I’m glad you still see it all as a musical.
David S Pederson:
Don’t forget to go buy some underwear for Saturday.
Brad Shreve:
you know, I I am so overloaded with underwear, but I don’t have anything from Andrew Christian or any jock drops. Maybe I do need to order something really quick.
David S Pederson:
There you go.
Brad Shreve:
Thank you so much, David. It’s been a pleasure to talk
David S Pederson:
to you. Likewise, Brad.
Brad Shreve:
If you enjoy this show, T encouraged someone else to take a break from all the noise in the news and the social media. Plus word-of-mouth is the number one way podcast grow. So let others know about Queer We Are.
