Tails And Tassels Podcast: Catting Around With Burlesque Dancers

 Tails And Tassels is a superb independent podcast that would never be made by a large podcast network. Why? First, because podcast networks are linear thinkers who study Excel spreadsheets to determine programming. Second, podcast networks often copy content and think only in genre categories.

Imagine a meeting of podcast network execs discussing podcasting strategy. The Chief Creative Officer Chauncey Worthington III speaks up and announces, "We need two more true-crime podcasts, preferably with high body counts. We need another celebrity interview show and use the words opinionated, unfiltered, and controversial to describe the show."

Tails And Tassels barges into multiple genres and merges two of the unlikeliest topics, almost like a liverwurst and Nutella sandwich.

 The best way to describe the Tails And Tassels podcast is to allow the creator / host Gemma Smith to tell you herself. "Hello, kitty cats! Welcome to Tails and Tassels. I'm your host, Gemma Smith, and I'm passionate about growing a com-mew-nity of cat-loving creatives. By day, I'm a manager at a Kitten Nursery in New York City, and by night, I host the Catbaret, my cat-themed variety show!​"

 So to summarize, in this podcast, you'll explore the world of burlesque and nightlife performers—their craft, their cats, and how these two worlds collide. Plus, enjoy bonus episodes featuring feline experts answering your burning questions.

I assume you are asking at this point: Why would someone combine these oil-and-water topics?
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Again, I will let Gemma Smith respond: "Since 2018, I've curated the Catbaret!, a cat-themed variety show featuring comedy, music and purr-lesque. Check me out in Time Out New York. And, under my stage name, Gemma Stone, I host Reali-Tease Burlesque!"

Gemma continues: "Connecting with audiences is my specialty. As an On-Air Spokesperson for the ASPCA Kitten Nursery, I make regular live broadcast appearances - with kittens! *Appearances include: Cheddar News, Sherri, Amazon Live, Pix 11 New York Living, Fox Weather and New York Live."

 Gemma is not done yet: "In Tails and Tassels, I interview burlesque and nightlife performers about their craft, their cats, and how the two worlds collide."

What's the podcast about? In the episodes, Gemma interviews burlesque performers from the Catbaret, asking about their profession and their cats.

For example, my favorite episode so far was with dancer Pussy Leigh, who detailed her training as a dancer at USC Davis Glorya Kaufman School of Dance.  It's considered very competitive to be accepted, with the estimated acceptance rate has hovered around 8% to 12%.

Pussy Leigh describes her dance training and her solo act, as well as her duo act called Kitten Coven with another dancer, Tabby Twitch. Then Leigh delights in talking about her two cats, Conan and Gordon. 

What makes these episodes so fascinating is Gemma Smith. She's not a newbie. She's an established voice-over actor and on-camera host and spokesperson. Furthermore, she knows her way around a mic and public speaking.

As a podcast interviewer, Gemma Smith is first-rate. She's enthusiastic without being cloying; funny without trying too hard; and if she dances half as well as she conducts guest interviews, I'd say she's another Martha Graham, Anna Pavlova, or Misty Copeland.

Smith's voice acts like a comfy blanket, relaxing you and preparing your mind for new experiences. She's having fun. That's obvious and infectious.

In late October, Smith welcomed Stephen Quandt, a feline training and behavior specialist. The interview delved into subjects such as cats' Jacobson's organ, which is a special sense organ in cats that helps them detect chemicals in the air, including pheromones. This organ is located on the roof of the mouth.

Quandt also explained that cats, despite their reputation for being aloof, on average, spend as much with their humans as dogs. He also offered wisdom on how to adopt a cat, and how to ensure that your cats are engaged and not bored. 

When I asked Gemma about her indie podcasting experience so far, she said, "I operate from a dedicated home studio and pride myself on being professional, warm, organized, and easy to direct."

  Tails And Tassels is yet another example of the power of independent podcasting. Is Tails And Tassels for everybody? No, of course not. But it should attract an enthusiastic audience of cat lovers, dance fans, and lovers of live entertainment. 

​​Even if you do not like cats, and have never watched Dancing With The Stars and do not know about burlesque, this podcast is still ear worthy for one reason. Gemma Smith, the host, is an uncut gem. She's terrific squared.

 I know, these two topics do not seem to go together. Remember that at one time, nobody thought chocolate and peanut butter could co-exist until H.B. Reese invented the chocolate peanut butter cup.

 If you're in New York City, check out Catbaret on West 53rd Street in Midtown.