First Draft Theater

About First Draft Theater

The online rehearsal space for semi-retired influencer and wannabe historian, Jackson Bird, to explore unexpected connections, overlooked stories, and the past and future of our changing world. Some of it may one day become a second draft. firstdrafttheater.substack.com (https://firstdrafttheater.substack.com?utm_medium=podcast)

Publisher

Jackson Bird

Category

history · society & culture

Language

en

Explicit

No

First episode

13 Mar 2023

Latest episode

30 Oct 2025

Latest episodes

8 episodes in the feed.

1. 

   30 Oct 2025

   Halloween as Queer Resistance

   On this All Hallow's Eve Eve, I'm diving into the history of Halloween—specifically its ties to social inversion, political action, and contradictions—to investigate why it is that gay people seem to love Halloween so much. Also, holy bad audio, Batman. I got a new mixer and did a terrible job adjusting the levels. If I weren't trying to get this episode out in time for Halloween, I would've re-recorded to save your ears. So thanks for bearing with me on this one. Links mentioned: Get the full works cited at http://patreon.com/jacksonbird (http://patreon.com/jacksonbird) One of several wonderful obituaries of David J. Skal https://archive.ph/ADZm0 (https://archive.ph/ADZm0) David J. Skal's books https://www.librarything.com/author/skaldavidj (https://www.librarything.com/author/skaldavidj) My latest appearance on Harry Potter and the Sacred Text https://www.harrypottersacredtext.com/episodes/every-once-in-a-while-we-like-to-take-step-back- (https://www.harrypottersacredtext.com/episodes/every-once-in-a-while-we-like-to-take-step-back-) Everything I've said to condemn Harry Potter https://www.jacksonbird.cool/single-post/almost-everything-i-ve-said-publicly-about-harry-potter-and-the-author-who-torched-her-legacy (https://www.jacksonbird.cool/single-post/almost-everything-i-ve-said-publicly-about-harry-potter-and-the-author-who-torched-her-legacy) Join my Stitch Streams on Mondays at 6 PM ET http://twitch.tv./jackisnotabird (http://twitch.tv./jackisnotabird) Music courtesy of Epidemic Sound. They're an amazing resource for creators. Want in? Use my referral link to sign up and I'll get a li'l kick back: https://www.epidemicsound.com/referral/37uu44 (https://www.epidemicsound.com/referral/37uu44) Get full access to First Draft Theater at firstdrafttheater.substack.com/subscribe (https://firstdrafttheater.substack.com/subscribe?utm_medium=podcast&utm_campaign=CTA_4)

2. 

   27 Jun 2025

   Hello from JOMO-ville 👋🏻

   Jackson Bird explores the concept of JOMO (the joy of missing out) and how to intentionally disconnect from the constant pressure to stay connected, offering strategies for finding contentment in solitude.

3. 

   9 Nov 2024

   "Nobody can take away from you who you are."

   Post-election thoughts on coping and not waiting for permission Links: Transgender History: The Roots of Today's Revolution by Susan Stryker: https://bookshop.org/p/books/transgender-history-the-roots-of-today-s-revolution-susan-stryker/7605046?ean=9781580056892 (https://bookshop.org/p/books/transgender-history-the-roots-of-today-s-revolution-susan-stryker/7605046?ean=9781580056892) Loren Rex Cameron tribute service: https://vimeo.com/854714199 (https://vimeo.com/854714199) Body Alchemy by Loren Rex Cameron https://archive.org/details/2023-07-24-64becdf-6d-94be-transsexualportraitsfull-compressed (https://archive.org/details/2023-07-24-64becdf-6d-94be-transsexualportraitsfull-compressed) Recommendations: The reFRESH newsletter on Substack: https://refreshnewsletter.substack.com/ (https://refreshnewsletter.substack.com/) FRESH Labs' The Green Room podcast: https://podcasters.spotify.com/pod/show/freshlabsthegreenroom/episodes/Episode-3--Shannon-Watts---How-your-flaws-can-be-your-superpower-e2pi10f (https://podcasters.spotify.com/pod/show/freshlabsthegreenroom/episodes/Episode-3--Shannon-Watts---How-your-flaws-can-be-your-superpower-e2pi10f) Ahsante Bean's democracy video series: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=kqUsmlaOefY (https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=kqUsmlaOefY) Shakespeare In a Divided America by James Shapiro: https://bookshop.org/p/books/shakespeare-in-a-divided-america-what-his-plays-tell-us-about-our-past-and-future-james-shapiro/12077112?ean=9780525522317 (https://bookshop.org/p/books/shakespeare-in-a-divided-america-what-his-plays-tell-us-about-our-past-and-future-james-shapiro/12077112?ean=9780525522317) Small excerpt of the chapter I mentioned: https://lithub.com/shakespeare-and-the-culture-wars-on-the-movement-for-color-blind-casting/ (https://lithub.com/shakespeare-and-the-culture-wars-on-the-movement-for-color-blind-casting/) What I've Been Up To: My latest video, about moving and big life changes: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=WCtjoE7jAD0 (https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=WCtjoE7jAD0) Selected short-form videos: - My 2023 Twilight phase (https://youtube.com/shorts/yJMLA0W2cso?feature=share) (Instagram version (https://www.instagram.com/reel/C2lH9_ruILy/)) - The unexpected hobby I took up after the podcast ended (https://youtube.com/shorts/qivghcXhhoI?feature=share) (Instagram version (https://www.instagram.com/reel/C2TVOMsujk9/)) - This top-recommended Halloween destination is also one of my favorites to visit for Christmas (https://youtube.com/shorts/a4lnGLwnt-c?feature=share) (Instagram version (https://www.instagram.com/reel/C1SXQ7Iuu8-/)) - A fun way to track the books you read in a year (https://youtube.com/shorts/5EffvU70srQ?feature=share) (Instagram version (https://www.instagram.com/reel/C7h6Mczu1d4/)) - A 2-for-1 Ghostbusters travel recommendation (https://youtube.com/shorts/F3L2BCwXSKQ?feature=share) (Instagram version (https://www.instagram.com/reel/DAroN-QuE6f/)) Get full access to First Draft Theater at firstdrafttheater.substack.com/subscribe (https://firstdrafttheater.substack.com/subscribe?utm_medium=podcast&utm_campaign=CTA_4)

4. 

   7 Dec 2023

   Sorted 2

   If you, like me, think my book ‘Sorted’ could use an update, I have a recommendation for you. Links: My first book, Sorted: https://www.simonandschuster.com/books/Sorted/Jackson-Bird/9781982130770 (https://www.simonandschuster.com/books/Sorted/Jackson-Bird/9781982130770) Blog post about everything I've said about Harry Potter and the Author Who Torched Her Legacy: https://www.jacksonbird.cool/single-post/almost-everything-i-ve-said-publicly-about-harry-potter-and-the-author-who-torched-her-legacy (https://www.jacksonbird.cool/single-post/almost-everything-i-ve-said-publicly-about-harry-potter-and-the-author-who-torched-her-legacy) The episode of How do you like it so far? that I was on: https://www.howdoyoulikeitsofar.org/1325-2/ (https://www.howdoyoulikeitsofar.org/1325-2/) Timestamps for How do you like it so far?: 0:00 - Origin story 10:45 - TERF Talk 38:00 - HBO’s upcoming Harry Potter series 46:20 - What I’ve been up to in recent years, and what I think about making art for different mediums as well as on topics beyond HP / trans stuff Recommendations: Material Girls podcast: https://www.ohwitchplease.ca/material-girls (https://www.ohwitchplease.ca/material-girls) Rachel Maddow on Seth Meyers: https://youtu.be/oNnyTqae-zM?si=pGzv-k6sjT0Hcg66&t=30 (https://youtu.be/oNnyTqae-zM?si=pGzv-k6sjT0Hcg66&t=30) Cher's new Christmas album: https://open.spotify.com/album/4Eeeg4yMb5qtMEm0lk6lDM?si=nnIE1aMHTCmztlHP97rpVw (https://open.spotify.com/album/4Eeeg4yMb5qtMEm0lk6lDM?si=nnIE1aMHTCmztlHP97rpVw) Earth, Wind, and Fire's 2014 Christmas album: https://open.spotify.com/album/2clJOOkMz707eU2OnHgS0z?si=9z3KliFmSoW9RM5KLFE55A (https://open.spotify.com/album/2clJOOkMz707eU2OnHgS0z?si=9z3KliFmSoW9RM5KLFE55A) Chris Daily's latest Christmas album: https://chrisdaily.bandcamp.com/album/seasonal-sounds (https://chrisdaily.bandcamp.com/album/seasonal-sounds) Paul DeGeorge's Christmas mixes: http://pauldegeorge.com/index.php/xmas-mixes/ (http://pauldegeorge.com/index.php/xmas-mixes/) Resource document: https://docs.google.com/document/d/1ZWq5PwfCMRd54Ovs61Jtr8Mxfhqp1tvaiu5sy1b_LsM/edit?usp=sharing (https://docs.google.com/document/d/1ZWq5PwfCMRd54Ovs61Jtr8Mxfhqp1tvaiu5sy1b_LsM/edit?usp=sharing) What I've Been Up To: See me in The Infinite Wrench: https://www.nyneofuturists.org/tiw (https://www.nyneofuturists.org/tiw) Donate to our 20th anniversary fundraiser: https://pages.donately.com/newyorkneofuturists/fundraiser/jack-s-ny-neo-futurist-20th-anniversary-fundraising-page (https://pages.donately.com/newyorkneofuturists/fundraiser/jack-s-ny-neo-futurist-20th-anniversary-fundraising-page) Latest episode of Harry Potter and the Sacred Text that I guest hosted: https://www.harrypottersacredtext.com/episodes/this-week-vanessa-and-jackson-bird-explore-the-theme-of-possibility-in-chapter-eighteen-of-harry-potter-and-the-order-of-the-phoenix-they-discuss-the-room-of-requirement-dobbys-newly-free-life-and-umbridges-stifling-oversight-throughout-the-episode-we-consider-the-question-how-do-we-discern-what-kinds-of-change-are-possible-in-our-current-stage-of-life--next-week-were-looking-at-the-entire-series-through-the-theme-of-intellectual-humility (https://www.harrypottersacredtext.com/episodes/this-week-vanessa-and-jackson-bird-explore-the-theme-of-possibility-in-chapter-eighteen-of-harry-potter-and-the-order-of-the-phoenix-they-discuss-the-room-of-requirement-dobbys-newly-free-life-and-umbridges-stifling-oversight-throughout-the-episode-we-consider-the-question-how-do-we-discern-what-kinds-of-change-are-possible-in-our-current-stage-of-life--next-week-were-looking-at-the-entire-series-through-the-theme-of-intellectual-humility) My latest YouTube video: https://youtu.be/H433bjjxR0A (https://youtu.be/H433bjjxR0A) Get full access to First Draft Theater at firstdrafttheater.substack.com/subscribe (https://firstdrafttheater.substack.com/subscribe?utm_medium=podcast&utm_campaign=CTA_4)

5. 

   12 Apr 2023

   Can Substack Notes Replace Twitter?

   Some notes on Substack Notes, a few (unintentionally queer) recommendations, and updates from my projects. Links: The first episode of Techmeme Ride Home I guest hosted this week, which includes more on the Substack vs. Twitter beef https://art19.com/shows/techmeme-ridehome/episodes/e7ac2988-631f-4ddb-a848-02837c8dbaaa (https://art19.com/shows/techmeme-ridehome/episodes/e7ac2988-631f-4ddb-a848-02837c8dbaaa) Everything to know about using Notes https://on.substack.com/p/notes-faq (https://on.substack.com/p/notes-faq) Why I'm ehhhh on Substack generally https://mashable.com/article/substack-writers-leaving-misinformation (https://mashable.com/article/substack-writers-leaving-misinformation) Framing Agnes trailer https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=DYnzUodIl14 (https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=DYnzUodIl14) Sharing Space from The Trevor Project, episode one featuring Daniel Radcliffe https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=rBFvppAL48U (https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=rBFvppAL48U) The Northern Boys' "Give It To Me" music video (audio NSFW) https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=zljDDcTnTG0 (https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=zljDDcTnTG0) My Cool Stuff Ride Home segment on the Northern Boys https://art19.com/shows/coronavirus-daily-briefing/episodes/ece9b8a8-dbd4-4181-96a8-84841991f629 (https://art19.com/shows/coronavirus-daily-briefing/episodes/ece9b8a8-dbd4-4181-96a8-84841991f629) The Gender Friend by Oakley Rae Phoenix https://bookshop.org/p/books/the-gender-friend-a-102-guide-to-gender-identity-oakley-phoenix/18491568?ean=9781839973574 (https://bookshop.org/p/books/the-gender-friend-a-102-guide-to-gender-identity-oakley-phoenix/18491568?ean=9781839973574) Tickets for The Infinite Wrench https://www.nyneofuturists.org/tiw (https://www.nyneofuturists.org/tiw) Get full access to First Draft Theater at firstdrafttheater.substack.com/subscribe (https://firstdrafttheater.substack.com/subscribe?utm_medium=podcast&utm_campaign=CTA_4)

6. 

   28 Mar 2023

   Depressed Goblin Nightmare is the new Manic Pixie Dream Girl

   Plus corn cob crust pizza and an update on the Internet Archive. Links I mentioned: Kate Erbland's review of A Good Person https://www.indiewire.com/2023/03/a-good-person-zach-braff-manic-pixie-dream-girl-1234821853/ (https://www.indiewire.com/2023/03/a-good-person-zach-braff-manic-pixie-dream-girl-1234821853/) Nathan Rabin's review of Elizabethtown https://www.avclub.com/the-bataan-death-march-of-whimsy-case-file-1-elizabet-1798210595 (https://www.avclub.com/the-bataan-death-march-of-whimsy-case-file-1-elizabet-1798210595) Joseph Goron-Levitt addressing 500 Days of Summer https://www.teenvogue.com/story/joseph-gordon-levitt-tweets-500-days-of-summer (https://www.teenvogue.com/story/joseph-gordon-levitt-tweets-500-days-of-summer) John Green addressing Looking for Alaska https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=4r4S9iTje0s (https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=4r4S9iTje0s) Cool Stuff Ride Home episode about "goblin mode" being the OED's 2022 Word of the Year https://www.ridehome.info/show/kottke-ride-home/mon-1205-will-sherlock-holmes-go-goblin-mode/ (https://www.ridehome.info/show/kottke-ride-home/mon-1205-will-sherlock-holmes-go-goblin-mode/) My "Manic Pixie Dream Wannabe" play https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=7e2Iz0Fcs4s (https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=7e2Iz0Fcs4s) Lady Charles' "Manic Pixie Dream Boy" music video https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=X5Ayoo8yiT0 (https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=X5Ayoo8yiT0) Lady Charles' "Godx" music video https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=7icDShiwoew (https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=7icDShiwoew) Little Caesars' Corncob crust pizza https://www.dexerto.com/entertainment/little-caesars-new-corncob-pizza-crust-has-the-internet-split-2092465/ (https://www.dexerto.com/entertainment/little-caesars-new-corncob-pizza-crust-has-the-internet-split-2092465/) Pretzel crust announcement https://www.tiktok.com/@littlecaesarspizza/video/7215210227950636334 (https://www.tiktok.com/@littlecaesarspizza/video/7215210227950636334) Trans Legislation Tracker https://translegislation.com/ (https://translegislation.com/) The Trans Week project https://www.trans-week.com/ (https://www.trans-week.com/) The Gender Friend by Oakley Phoenix* https://bookshop.org/p/books/the-gender-friend-a-102-guide-to-gender-identity-oakley-phoenix/18491568?ean=9781839973574 (https://bookshop.org/p/books/the-gender-friend-a-102-guide-to-gender-identity-oakley-phoenix/18491568?ean=9781839973574) Oakley's book launch https://events.willamette.edu/event/memoir-writing-workshop--book-launch-party-1/ (https://events.willamette.edu/event/memoir-writing-workshop--book-launch-party-1/) The Infinite Wrench https://www.nyneofuturists.org/tiw (https://www.nyneofuturists.org/tiw) Online registration for the Moving Trans History Forward conference https://www.uvic.ca/mthf2023/registration/index.php (https://www.uvic.ca/mthf2023/registration/index.php) University of Victoria's Trans Archive https://www.uvic.ca/transgenderarchives/ (https://www.uvic.ca/transgenderarchives/) *If you use this Bookshop.org link, I'll get a little kickback Get full access to First Draft Theater at firstdrafttheater.substack.com/subscribe (https://firstdrafttheater.substack.com/subscribe?utm_medium=podcast&utm_campaign=CTA_4)

7. 

   22 Mar 2023

   Apple TV+’s Role in NASA’s New Moon Suits

   About Those New Moon Suits… Plus, soapy chicken, Blackberry, and SUPER BLOOM. Links I mentioned: Axiom/NASA moonsuit announcement livestream https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=5KnOtI4fS3U (https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=5KnOtI4fS3U) NYT fashion critic on the moon suits https://www.nytimes.com/2023/03/15/style/nasa-axiom-new-spacesuit.html (https://www.nytimes.com/2023/03/15/style/nasa-axiom-new-spacesuit.html) Astounding by Alec-Nevala Lee https://bookshop.org/a/826/9780062571953 (https://bookshop.org/a/826/9780062571953) Moonrise podcast https://www.washingtonpost.com/podcasts/moonrise/introducing-moonrise/ (https://www.washingtonpost.com/podcasts/moonrise/introducing-moonrise/) Paul Rudd asks NASA about the quantum realm https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=pZp5-TFTlIY (https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=pZp5-TFTlIY) The For All Mankind companion podcast https://podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/for-all-mankind-the-official-podcast/id1552072013 (https://podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/for-all-mankind-the-official-podcast/id1552072013) More on the NYT's irresponsible and sloppy reporting on trans issues https://www.glaad.org/new-york-times-sign-on-letter-from-lgtbq-allied-leaders-and-organizations (https://www.glaad.org/new-york-times-sign-on-letter-from-lgtbq-allied-leaders-and-organizations) The video I shot of the Super Bloom https://youtube.com/shorts/nL0EXEiBRiE?feature=share (https://youtube.com/shorts/nL0EXEiBRiE?feature=share) The CIA's old policy of not hiring gay people https://www.muckrock.com/news/archives/2018/may/11/cia-polygraph/ (https://www.muckrock.com/news/archives/2018/may/11/cia-polygraph/) The CIA now cruises at SXSW https://www.texasmonthly.com/news-politics/what-is-the-cia-doing-at-sxsw/ (https://www.texasmonthly.com/news-politics/what-is-the-cia-doing-at-sxsw/) Blackberry trailer https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=cXL_HDzBQsM (https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=cXL_HDzBQsM) One of my favorite ProZD videos https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=gUrRsx-F_bs (https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=gUrRsx-F_bs) Soapy Costco chicken https://www.bonappetit.com/story/why-costco-rotisserie-chicken-taste-soapy (https://www.bonappetit.com/story/why-costco-rotisserie-chicken-taste-soapy) Manhunt by Gretchen Felker-Martin https://bookshop.org/a/826/9781250794642 (https://bookshop.org/a/826/9781250794642) The Gender Friend by Oakley Phoenix https://bookshop.org/a/826/9781839973574 (https://bookshop.org/a/826/9781839973574) Oakley's book launch that I'll be at https://events.willamette.edu/event/memoir-writing-workshop--book-launch-party-1/ (https://events.willamette.edu/event/memoir-writing-workshop--book-launch-party-1/) The Infinite Wrench, which I'll be performing in this spring https://www.nyneofuturists.org/tiw (https://www.nyneofuturists.org/tiw) Follow me on YouTube, Twitter, Instagram, or TikTok at jackisnotabird If you use the above links to purchase any of the books I mentioned, I'll get a little kickback. Get full access to First Draft Theater at firstdrafttheater.substack.com/subscribe (https://firstdrafttheater.substack.com/subscribe?utm_medium=podcast&utm_campaign=CTA_4)

8. 

   13 Mar 2023

   Why 'First Draft Theater'?

   In this introductory episode, I explain the meaning behind the name of this newsletter and give the podcasting feature a test drive. Subscribe on Substack: http://firstdrafttheater.substack.com Watch on YouTube: http://youtube.com/jackisnotabird (http://youtube.com/jackisnotabird) Links I mentioned: Please Report Your Bug Here by Josh Riedel* https://bookshop.org/p/books/please-report-your-bug-here-josh-riedel/18396148?ean=9781250813794 (https://bookshop.org/p/books/please-report-your-bug-here-josh-riedel/18396148?ean=9781250813794) Almond milk is milk! https://apnews.com/article/us-food-and-drug-administration-business-health-nutrition-ed2acef14a014eef30a0fd24f98be07b (https://apnews.com/article/us-food-and-drug-administration-business-health-nutrition-ed2acef14a014eef30a0fd24f98be07b) David Bowie impersonating other popular musicians https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=NrtXFTw2ico (https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=NrtXFTw2ico) Which generation controls the Senate? https://www.wcd.fyi/features/senate-generations/ (https://www.wcd.fyi/features/senate-generations/) My guest spot on Harry Potter and the Sacred Text https://www.harrypottersacredtext.com/episodes/vulnerability-the-house-elf-liberation-front-book (https://www.harrypottersacredtext.com/episodes/vulnerability-the-house-elf-liberation-front-book) The summer camp-style retreat hosted by Not Sorry https://notsorryworks.com/calling-all-magnificent-people (https://notsorryworks.com/calling-all-magnificent-people) Everything I've said about JKR https://www.jacksonbird.cool/single-post/almost-everything-i-ve-said-publicly-about-harry-potter-and-the-author-who-torched-her-legacy (https://www.jacksonbird.cool/single-post/almost-everything-i-ve-said-publicly-about-harry-potter-and-the-author-who-torched-her-legacy) Tickets for The Infinite Wrench https://www.nyneofuturists.org/tiw (https://www.nyneofuturists.org/tiw) The Neo-Futurists’ Instagram to check for show updates https://www.instagram.com/nyneofuturists/ (https://www.instagram.com/nyneofuturists/) The music you heard was “Trumpet Man” by Timothy Infinite, available on Epidemic Sound. Want access to tons of really great tracks? Use my ambassador link: https://www.epidemicsound.com/referral/37uu44 (https://www.epidemicsound.com/referral/37uu44) *If you use this Bookshop.Org (http://Bookshop.Org) link, I’ll get a little kickback Get full access to First Draft Theater at firstdrafttheater.substack.com/subscribe (https://firstdrafttheater.substack.com/subscribe?utm_medium=podcast&utm_campaign=CTA_4)

Reach and audience

Public platform figures. Ratings count people who left a rating, not total listeners.

Apple Podcasts (US)

5.0 / 5

2 ratings

Podcast Authority Score: 13 / 100

A composite of feed quality, social presence, YouTube performance and engagement. Read the methodology.

Quality

14

Social presence

0

YouTube

0

Engagement

32