Slightly Unhinged With Justin Pavis

Slightly Unhinged with Justin is a podcast built on honest conversations, real personality, and the kinds of topics that make life and business interesting. With friends, guests, and fellow entrepreneurs, Justin explores big ideas, everyday challenges, and the moments that are funny, messy, and worth talking about. Tune in every other Friday for new episodes!

Episodes

Jul 10, 2026

47 min

Portland drag queen Shandi Evans is regionally famous, deeply committed to Diet Coke, and unexpectedly knowledgeable about America’s wild pig crisis.
Justin sits down with Shandi to talk about starting drag in a small California town with no real gay scene, moving to Portland, and building a career around hosting, performing, and being very good with a microphone.
They also get into Jesus camp injuries, roller coasters, astronomy, Real Housewives history, The Traitors, the difference between polished drag and fully committed gutter drag, and whether the Kool-Aid Man can get it.
Important educational topics are covered.
See Shandi Evans
Drag Battle Season Finale
Saturday, July 11 at 7 p.m.CC Slaughters
Five months of challenges come down to one final night, with $3,000 going to the winner.
Betty: A Queer Dance Party, Pride Edition
Friday, July 17White Owl Social ClubSpecial guest: Uffie
Tickets:https://www.eventbrite.com/e/betty-a-queer-dance-party-pride-edition-w-special-guest-uffie-tickets-1992300888589
Shandi is also working on a special holiday show with her friend Dahlia. Follow her on Instagram for details when they’re ready.
Connect with Shandi
Instagram:https://www.instagram.com/rainbowwhale?igsh=cHB5bGJoMWdvZDlz
Follow Shandi for upcoming performances, show announcements, and whatever else the rainbow whale is doing next.
About Shandi Evans
“I’m a regionally famous drag queen with a deep love for astronomy, roller coasters, and Diet Coke. I’ve been everywhere in the world but now I’m ready for the world to be in me.”
In This Episode
starting drag by going to Denny’s and Walmart in full dragleaving a conservative California hometown for Portlandhow the Portland drag scene changed after the pandemicwhy hosting is Shandi’s favorite part of dragWillam, Bob the Drag Queen, and the performers who shaped her styleauditioning for The Traitorsthe Real Housewives performances that should never be forgottenworking at Jesus camp while not believing in Jesusa stingray attack, multiple concussions, and the Weekend of Sinwhy fully committed bad drag deserves your five-dollar billsthe wild pig crisis nobody asked to learn aboutSlam Pig or Scram Pigthe local causes Shandi wants listeners to support
Support the Organizations Shandi Mentioned
Black & Beyond the Binary Collective
Supporting Black trans, queer, nonbinary, Two-Spirit, intersex, and asexual Oregonians through leadership, healing, and community support.
https://www.blackbeyondthebinarycollective.org/
Meals on Us PDX
Shandi recommends supporting their work providing meals for people recovering from gender-affirming surgery and others experiencing food insecurity.
https://www.instagram.com/mealsonus.pdx/
Oregon Wild
Protecting Oregon’s wildlands, wildlife, and natural spaces through conservation, restoration, and education.
https://oregonwild.org/
Follow Slightly Unhinged
Instagram:https://www.instagram.com/slightlyunhingedthepodcast/
Like, follow, and subscribe for more conversations with Portland performers, business owners, community members, and people willing to share their most slightly unhinged stories.

Jul 10, 2026

47 min

Jul 3, 2026

1 hr 3 min

Monique Michaels is on the pod this week. She moved across the country for drag, and she came to PLAY!
Justin and Monique talk about leaving Virginia for Portland, starting over in a new city, and what it feels like to walk into a scene where nobody knows you but you still know exactly what you bring. They get into East Coast vs West Coast drag culture, confidence, beauty, ego, performance standards, queer spaces, and why “support local drag” actually has to mean something in practice.
There’s also a lot of Lady Gaga in this one. As there should be.
Connect with Monique Michaels
Instagramhttps://www.instagram.com/themoniquemichaels?igsh=dXY4MW93OHBsNG1q
Linktreehttps://linktr.ee/Moniquemichaels
Follow Monique on Instagram to stay up to date on upcoming shows, merch, and new music.
What Monique is promoting
Rotation with Moneybag MonroeAvailable through her Linktree
MerchAvailable through her Linktree
Upcoming showsFollow Monique on Instagram for the most current updates
In this episode
why Monique moved across the country for dragwhat felt different about Portland right awayEast Coast drag standards vs Portland drag culturestarting drag in high school and doing prom, graduation, and senior photos in dragthe moment she realized she was actually making an impactwhy people assume pretty queens are bitcheswhy she says she’s self-taught, self-made, and independentglamour, camp, villain era, and all the stuff in betweenher biggest pet peeves at drag showswhy supporting queer spaces actually starts with people showing upa very serious Lady Gaga section
About the guest
Monique Michaels is a fresh face on the West Coast, recently making her move from Virginia. With five years of professional drag experience and a decade rooted in the house scene, she brings both polish and presence to every stage she touches. While in Virginia, she earned titles including MX Manchester and was voted 2nd Best Performer in RVA in 2024. Known as a true crowd pleaser, a beauty in every sense, and undeniably that girl, this is Monique Michaels.
Mentioned in this episode
Portland queer spaces:Monique says it pretty plainly: if you want queer spaces, queer shows, and local drag to keep existing, you have to actually go out and support them.
Lady Gaga:A real Gaga conversation. Not a casual one. A full one.
Local drag shoutouts:Monique gives love to people from both Richmond and Portland, including Rio Deal, Mona Chrome, Drew Friday, Drew Sedora, A’Laya Arman, Unique New York, the House of Envy, Amber St. Lexington, Lavender Menace, and others she says deserve their flowers.
Follow the show
Instagramhttps://www.instagram.com/slightlyunhingedthepodcast/
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Jul 3, 2026

1 hr 3 min

Jun 26, 2026

1 hr 16 min

Quesa D’Mondays is on the pod this week, and this episode covers a lot. Justin and Quesa get into how her drag name came to be, how theater shaped her, what made drag click for her in a way theater stopped doing, and how she turned that into full-time work.
They also talk about queer identity, family dynamics, heartbreak, online hate, Pride, drag history, and the bigger purpose behind drag beyond just entertaining a crowd. There’s plenty of fun in this one too, especially once they get into the instrumental lip sync videos, RuPaul, Susie Toot, and the general chaos of being a person on the internet.
If you know Quesa from social media, this gives a much fuller picture of who she is and what she’s actually building.
In this episode
-how Quesa D’Mondays got her name-why she wanted a drag name that felt funny and connected to her culture-how theater led her into drag-the Cindy Lou Who show that helped bring Quesa to life-what happened when drag brought back the joy theater had stopped giving her-how she went from side project to full-time drag performer-the instrumental lip sync videos and why they took off-what it’s like to build an audience online while dealing with hate-why drag has always been bigger than performance-how queer history and drag history are tied together-what Pride should still mean-where to find Quesa’s shows and events
About the guest
Quesa D’Mondays is the cheesy, briezy, bleutiful songstress of Portland. Though she made a big splash in the drag scene just a couple of years ago, she’s been a live entertainer and performer for well over a decade. A campy, comedic queen known for parody, quick wit, and viral social media content, Quesa also uses drag as a tool for community care, education, and advocacy through food drives, lectures on drag history, fundraising, and work with queer youth.
Connect with Quesa D’Mondays
Instagramhttps://www.instagram.com/quesa_d.mondays/
Facebookhttps://www.facebook.com/alec.lugo.3
TikTokhttps://www.tiktok.com/@quesa_d.mondays
Quesa shares in the episode that the best way to keep up with where they're performing is through their social media, where they regularly posts their calendar and upcoming events.
Mentioned in this episode
Pride in Numbershttps://prideinnumbers.org/
In Studio 255https://www.instudio255.com/
History of Drag at In Studio 255https://www.instudio255.com/classes-coaching/#history-of-drag
Quesa talks about her work with Pride in Numbers and the importance of helping queer Oregonians, especially outside Portland, feel safer sharing their stories and being seen.
She also talks about the drag history class she teaches through In Studio 255 and why knowing drag history matters.
 
Susie Toot at Helium Comedy Clubhttps://portland.heliumcomedy.com/shows/366726
Quesa talks about wanting to open for Susie Toot when she comes through Portland, and we fully support the campaign! Buy tickets to the show, and tag Suzie on IG to let her know you want to see Quesa open for her!
 
Follow the show
Instagramhttps://www.instagram.com/slightlyunhingedthepodcast/
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Jun 26, 2026

1 hr 16 min

Jun 19, 2026

59 min

Lindsay Givens is on the pod this week, and this one makes insurance feel way less miserable than it usually sounds. Justin and Lindsay talk about what insurance actually covers, why life insurance matters more than people think, and the kinds of claims that make you stop and go, wait… that paid out?
They also get into networking, family life, working in the same industry as your spouse, and what it’s like to build a business while also raising kids and trying to be a real person. Somewhere in the middle, they cover food trucks, boat insurance, exploding whales, million dollar life insurance policies, and a truly brutal bleach-at-home claim story.
This one is practical, funny, really helpful if insurance is one of those things you know you should understand better but keep putting off until something goes sideways.
In this episode
-how Lindsay ended up in insurance and why Farmers was personal from the beginning-what she’s learned after more than 20 years in the business-why PNW Power Partners feels more real than traditional networking groups-what people misunderstand about insurance pricing-why life insurance is about protecting the people left behind-when to get life insurance and why younger is usually better-what’s changed in Oregon that makes insurance harder in some areas-food truck insurance, boat insurance, and why cheap internet policies can come back to bite you-the Oregon exploding whale story and whether that claim would still pay today-some of the weirdest claims Lindsay has seen-what it looks like to grow a business and still be present for your family
About the guest
Lindsay Givens has been with Farmers Insurance for over 20 years, helping clients protect what they’ve built and actually understand what they’re paying for. She’s a mom, wife, agency owner, and someone who really believes you can build a strong business without losing your whole life to it. In the episode, she comes across exactly how you’d want your insurance person to feel: calm, clear, experienced, and not interested in making things more confusing than they already are.
Connect with Lindsay Givens
Websitehttps://agents.farmers.com/or/lake-oswego/lindsay-givens/
Instagramhttps://www.instagram.com/lindsayinsuranceagency
Wine for this episode
Bouchon: A Wine Shophttps://bouchonpdx.com/
Thank you again to Bouchon for the wine for this episode. Justin opens this one with a rosé Mandy picked and gives Bouchon their usual shoutout.
Mentioned in this episode
PNW Power PartnersJustin and Lindsay talk about how much more natural and useful this group feels compared with the stricter, numbers-heavy networking spaces they’ve both been in before.
Life insuranceLindsay breaks down why life insurance is really about making sure the people in your life aren’t left holding everything together financially while they’re also grieving. She also talks about why getting coverage earlier matters, especially while you’re still healthy and insurable.
Food truck insuranceYes, food trucks can be insured, and according to Lindsay, they’re not nearly as complicated from a risk standpoint as people might assume.
Boat insuranceFrom normal coverage questions to what happens when you forget the plug, they get into boating mishaps and why the right policy matters more than a random discount.
The exploding whale storyJustin brings up Oregon’s exploding whale story, and Lindsay confirms that yes, if whale blubber came down on your car, that would still be treated like a real claim. 
Follow the show
Instagramhttps://www.instagram.com/slightlyunhingedthepodcast/
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Jun 19, 2026

59 min

Jun 12, 2026

1 hr 10 min

Jordyn Jones is on the pod this week! Justin and Jordyn start with real estate, get into birding, Le Creuset, ocean panic, the feeling of sand in the flaps, and the very real need for boundaries when your job starts taking over your whole life.
Jordyn talks about getting into real estate without ever really planning to, what people get completely wrong about the job, and how much work it actually takes to build a business that looks effortless from the outside. She and Justin also get into how COVID impacted housing, the pressure to always be available, and why protecting your time doesn’t make you bad at your job. It usually makes you better at it.
Also, yes, there is a full side quest about birds. And the ocean. And why Justin absolutely does not trust what’s in the water. So if you like your business conversations with a healthy amount of randomness, this one’s for you.
In this episode
how Jordyn ended up in real estatewhat people misunderstand about being a realtorwhy the first few years are such a grindhow COVID changed the housing worldwhat finally pushed Jordyn to get serious about boundarieswhy separate work and personal phones might actually save your brainbirding as a lifestyleJustin’s ongoing fight with the oceansand in the flaps discoursewhat it looks like to build a career without letting it eat you alive
About the guest
Jordyn Jones is a realtor with The Agency who’s been working in and around real estate since 2015 and licensed on her own since 2017. She built her business the hard way: through consistency, relationships, and a lot of years of showing up. She’s also a dog mom, a cook, a committed bird watcher, and one of the few people willing to explain basic ocean behavior to Justin. Stay tuned for their future trip.
Connect with Jordyn Jones
Websitewww.jjoneshomes.com
Instagramhttps://www.instagram.com/jordyn.jones.realtor
LinkedInhttps://www.linkedin.com/in/jordynj/
YouTubehttps://www.youtube.com/@jordynjonesrealtorportland/videos?app=desktop&view=0&sort=dd&shelf_id=2
Wine for this episode
Bouchon: A Wine Shophttps://bouchonpdx.com/
Thank you again to Bouchon for the wine for this episode.
Mentioned in this episode
The AgencyJordyn talks about her move to The Agency and how different it feels to be in an environment that actually supports the way she wants to work.
Le Creuset outlet in WoodburnThere is a very real conversation about Le Creuset, outlet pricing, and emotional overwhelm.
BirdingNot a bit. Not a joke. A real and growing part of Jordyn’s personality. Binoculars included.
Follow the show
Instagramhttps://www.instagram.com/slightlyunhingedthepodcast/
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Jun 12, 2026

1 hr 10 min

Jun 5, 2026

1 hr 43 min

In this episode of Slightly Unhinged, Justin sits down with Sean O’Hare, founder of Evolution RoofWorks, owner of PDX DJs, flight attendant for Alaska Airlines, entrepreneur, casino enthusiast, and one of Justin’s favorite humans.
What starts with talk of opening a bar and spirals through business ideas, entrepreneurship, friendship, and chosen family turns into a much more real conversation about support systems, identity, ambition, and the people who actually show up for you when it matters. Sean has a way of turning the mic right back on Justin, which makes this episode feel a little different from the usual format in the best way.
They get into entrepreneurship, family complexity, allyship, social media, housing, roofing, and the emotional side of building something from the ground up. It’s chaotic, funny, honest, and unexpectedly personal.
In this episode
how Sean ended up owning multiple businesses at oncewhy entrepreneurs always seem to have one more ideathe fantasy of opening a nasty grungy Portland barwhat chosen family really looks likeJustin on siblings, family complexity, and letting gothe emotional reality of building Blake & Alderwhy support systems matter more than blood sometimeshow Sean got into Alaska Airlineswhat Evolution RoofWorks is really built aroundwhy human-first business actually mattersthe kind of friendship that lets a conversation go from chaos to something real
About the guest
Sean O’Hare is the founder of Evolution RoofWorks, a roofing company dedicated to delivering high-quality craftsmanship and a better overall experience for homeowners. Since launching the company in 2024, he has focused on raising the standard in the roofing industry through transparency, attention to detail, and a strong emphasis on quality work. With a passion for both construction and customer education, Sean works closely with clients to ensure they fully understand their roofing investment. He’s committed to building a company known not just for great roofs, but for trust and long-term value.
Sean also owns PDX DJs and works as a flight attendant for Alaska Airlines, which makes this episode especially fitting for someone who somehow manages to live several careers at once.
Connect with Sean O’Hare
LinkedInhttps://www.linkedin.com/in/sean-ohare-pdx/
Evolution RoofWorks
Websitehttps://www.EvolutionRoofWorks.com
Instagramhttps://www.instagram.com/evolutionroofworks?igsh=MTBkcjhza3FxZWxkcw==
Preferred call to actionVisit website or call/text to schedule a roofing consultation.
PDX DJs
Websitehttps://www.thepdxdjs.com/
Instagramhttps://www.instagram.com/pdxdjs?igsh=MXJvZGcwN3V6aXl3MA==
Mentioned in this episode
Jordyn JonesWebsitehttps://www.jjoneshomes.com
Instagramhttps://www.instagram.com/jordyn.jones.realtor
LinkedInhttps://www.linkedin.com/in/jordynj/
YouTubehttps://www.youtube.com/@jordynjonesrealtorportland/videos?app=desktop&view=0&sort=dd&shelf_id=2
Ghost Hill Cellarshttps://www.ghosthillcellars.com/
Poop Solutions PDXhttps://www.poopsolutionspdx.com/
Mental health and suicide prevention
This episode includes a real conversation about mental health and suicide. If you’re struggling right now, please know you are not alone and there is support available.
If you are in immediate danger or may harm yourself, call 911 right away.
If you are in the U.S. or Canada, call or text 988 for the Suicide & Crisis Lifeline.https://988lifeline.org/
Please reach out to someone. Support is here, and your life matters.
Follow the show
Instagramhttps://www.instagram.com/slightlyunhingedthepodcast/
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Jun 5, 2026

1 hr 43 min

May 29, 2026

1 hr 12 min

In this episode of Slightly Unhinged, Justin sits down with Riley Burrows, a high-glamour, high-energy drag performer whose story is as compelling as the performances themselves. From starting drag at just 13 years old in deeply conservative Idaho to building a full-time career as a traveling entertainer, Riley opens up about identity, ambition, survival, performance, and what it really takes to make drag your whole life.
Justin and Riley get into growing up queer in places that were anything but safe, the tension between performance persona and real self, and the very real physical, emotional, and financial labor behind drag as a full-time job. They also talk about Portland, chosen family, favorite local venues, drag community, and the strange, beautiful reality of building a life completely on your own terms.
This one is hilarious, brutally honest and full of the kind of perspective that makes Slightly Unhinged feel like more than a podcast. It feels like community.
In this episode:
how Riley started drag at 13
growing up queer in Idaho
being openly visible in conservative spaces
why drag is much harder than people think
the difference between Riley the performer and the person underneath
the challenge of work-life balance in full-time drag
what inspires Riley creatively right now
Portland drag culture and chosen family
favorite venues to perform in Portland
the June tour and producing Sun Valley Pride
About the guest
Riley Burrows is a full-time traveling drag entertainer originally from Boise, Idaho, now based in Portland. Known for high-energy performances, sharp humor, and serious stage presence, Riley has been performing for over a decade and has built a career touring, producing, and performing across cities while staying rooted in queer community and live performance.
Connect with Riley Burrows
Instagram: @rileyburrowsofficial
Riley says Instagram is the best place to keep up with performances and what's happening next.
Mentioned in this episode
CC SlaughtersWebsite: ccslaughterspdx.comInstagram: @slaughterspdx
Alberta Street PubWebsite: albertastreetpub.comInstagram: @albertastreetpub
Clinton Street TheaterWebsite: cstpdx.comInstagram: @clinton_street_theater
Sun Valley PrideWebsite: Sun Valley PrideInstagram: @sunvalleypride
Humpin’ Hannah’sWebsite: humpinhannahs.com
The Balcony ClubWebsite: thebalconyclub.com
Shoutouts
Nicole OnoscopiInstagram: @nicoleonoscopi
Kharisma with the KInstagram: @kharismakwiththek
Sheniqua VoltInstagram: @sheniqua_volt
Riley specifically shouts out Nicole, Kharisma, and Sheniqua as queens she loves and respects in the Portland scene.
Follow the show
Instagram: @slightlyunhingedthepodcast
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Follow, like, and subscribe to Slightly Unhinged so you don’t miss upcoming episodes, queer community conversations, and more chaos from Justin’s corner of the world.

May 29, 2026

1 hr 12 min

May 22, 2026

54 min

In this episode of Slightly Unhinged, Justin sits down with Andrea Kramer for a conversation about burnout, big career pivots, and what it looks like to finally choose a life that feels better instead of just looking good on paper. Andrea shares the story of moving from the high-stress world of property management and mortgages into a completely different chapter with No Worries In-Home Care, where the work feels more personal, more grounded, and far more aligned with who she is now.
Justin and Andrea also get into the very unhinged realities of property management, the emotional toll of constantly being caught in the middle, and the moment when enough finally becomes enough. It’s one of those episodes that swings from hilarious industry horror stories to something much deeper: trusting your gut, following your integrity, and building a life around real care instead of constant survival mode.
Along the way, they talk networking, relationships, family, San Francisco, Lake Oswego, in-home care, and what it means to find work that actually fits your values. This one is funny, a little wild, and deeply relatable for anyone who has ever looked at their career and thought, “I cannot do this forever.”
In this episode:
-Justin and Andrea on burnout and career pivots
-the reality of working in property management
-the industry stories that make you question everything
-how Andrea found her way into No Worries In-Home Care
-what in-home care actually means and who it helps
-why integrity and loyalty matter so much in care work
-the role networking has played in Andrea’s growth
-San Francisco stories, family life, and a little wine-fueled fun
 
About the guest:
Andrea Kramer is a former property manager who made a bold transition into the care industry with No Worries In-Home Care. She’s a mom, a networker, a relationship-builder, and someone who chose a more aligned life after years in demanding industries that took a lot out of her. In this episode, she shares what that transition looked like, what she learned from burnout, and why she loves the work she does now.
 
Connect with Andrea Kramer & No Worries In-Home Care -
Website: noworriescare.com
Instagram: @noworriescare
Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/share/1N4cCk7fEN/?mibextid=wwXIfr
LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/company/no-worries-care/
 
Mentioned in this episode:
 
No Worries In-Home Care: Andrea explains how the company supports clients with companionship, personal care, meal prep, light housekeeping, errands, and even higher-level care needs like wound care, insulin, catheters, feeding tubes, and more, all in the comfort of home or within a care community.
 
Bouchon: A Wine Shop: This episode’s wine, like always, is brought to you by Bouchon. Justin gives Mandy and Bouchon their usual shoutout at the top of the episode.
Bouchon: bouchonpdx.com
 
Follow the show Instagram: @slightlyunhingedthepodcast
 
Subscribe If you liked this episode, make sure you like, subscribe, and follow Slightly Unhinged.

May 22, 2026

54 min

May 15, 2026

1 hr 37 min

In this episode of Slightly Unhinged, Justin brings the conversation home and sits down with the person who has been there through all of it: his husband, Daniel Pavis. This is not just a guest episode. It’s the real origin story behind Justin’s growth and the relationship that helped shape the life he lives now. Plus the love, friction, ambition, and belief it took to build something real together.
Justin and Danny get into how they met, what it looked like to choose each other before titles or success were part of the picture, and the very unglamorous chapters that came before the life they’ve built now. They talk about letting go of what people think, growing into yourself, navigating self-doubt, surviving broke years, and learning how to challenge each other without losing the relationship in the process. From Tinder and Scandals to San Diego, dungeon apartments, free Albertsons bagels, and the long road to stability, this one is funny, personal, and very real.
More than anything, this episode gives listeners a deeper look at Justin through the eyes of the person who knew him before the glow-up, before the business, and before the public-facing version of the story. It’s about partnership, queer love, self-trust, and what it means to become more fully yourself while building a life with someone who sees you clearly.
In this episode:
Justin and Danny’s real origin story
how a Tinder match turned into a life together
what the broke years actually looked like
San Diego, free bagels, and making a little go a long way
learning to stop caring so much about what other people think
the shift that came with getting older and more grounded
negative self-talk, self-trust, and inner work
what makes their relationship work, even as total opposites
the support Danny gave Justin before Blake & Alder ever existed
karaoke nights, basement parties, and stories from the early years
About the guest
Daniel Pavis is Justin’s husband, creative sounding board, co-conspirator, and one of the biggest forces behind the scenes of Slightly Unhinged. In this episode, he steps into the chair to talk about growth, identity, partnership, and the road he and Justin took to build the life they have now.
Connect with Daniel Pavis
InstagramCreative work / projects
Mentioned in this episode
Stranger Care by Sarah SentillesDanny mentions he’s reading Stranger Care. Official publisher page here: Penguin Random House
Shoutouts
Shout out to Shannon for the karaoke memories, fashion inspiration, and generally being everything.
Shout out to Albertsons for the Monopoly-ticket bagel era that kept the romance alive and the groceries interesting.
Follow the show
Instagram: @slightlyunhingedthepodcast
Subscribe
If you liked this episode, make sure you subscribe, leave a comment, and come back next Friday. Danny says he’ll see the haters in the comments.

May 15, 2026

1 hr 37 min

May 8, 2026

1 hr 12 min

If you've been listening to Slightly Unhinged for any amount of time, you already know Mandy. She's been in the background of this show since the very beginning — her wine bar, Bouchon, is where the wine comes from in almost every episode, and her name has come up more times than either of them can count. This week, she finally gets her moment.
Mandy is the owner of Bouchon: A Wine Bar in Cedar Mill, one of Portland's most beloved neighborhood wine bars and the unofficial home base of this podcast. In this episode, Justin and Mandy get into how they met, how Bouchon came to be, the rebrand from Portland Wine Cellar to the cozy, sexy space it is now, and why she left her old location the second her lease ran out. They also dig into wine club, the crash course Mandy got in wine knowledge after opening a business she wasn't totally prepared for, and why her no-bullshit approach to wine is exactly what makes her so good at what she does.
And then it gets a little unhinged. They break down this season of RuPaul's Drag Race (the queens were not the problem), compare favorite comfort movies, debate whether Titanic is an acceptable answer in a rapid fire round, and somehow end up talking about Justin's bottle purge party that did not result in fewer bottles.
This one is for the longtime listeners who've been waiting for this episode, and for anyone new who wants to understand exactly what kind of show this is.
In this episode:
How Justin and Mandy met at a CMBA happy hour
The origin story of Bouchon and why the name means cork
Why Mandy hated her old space so much she left the second her lease was up
The rebrand from Portland Wine Cellar to Bouchon
Wine club: what it is, how it works, and why the four bottle option is the right call
Mandy's crash course in wine knowledge and why she's proud of how far she's come
Why she never pretends to know something she doesn't
This season of RuPaul's Drag Race, and Mandy's very strong feelings about production
Rapid fire: comfort movies, wine trends, karaoke go-tos, and a very spirited defense of Dante's Peak
Justin's bottle purge party that somehow required buying a new case of wine
Saving bottles from Simon's birth year for his 21st birthday
The Alien franchise, stepbrothers discourse, and natural wine opinions
Mandy's unhinged moment: yelling at other people's children in a zip line queue
About Mandy
Mandy is the owner of Bouchon: A Wine Bar in Cedar Mill, Portland. What started as a crash course has turned into a genuine expertise and a community-centered space that people actually want to hang out in. She knows her wine, she'll tell you when she doesn't, and she built something her regulars are fiercely loyal to. She's also been mentioned in nearly every episode of this podcast, so it's about time.
Connect with Mandy & Bouchon
Website: bouchonpdx.com Instagram: @bouchonpdx
How to support Mandy: Visit Bouchon, join the wine club, and send people her way.
Mentioned in this episode:
Bouchon: A Wine Bar — bouchonpdx.com
Cedar Mill Business Association (CMBA)
Violin Wines (Willamette Valley Pinot Noir)
Vincent Wine
Granville Wines
Corsini (Italian wine featured in episode 2/3)
PDX Deals — pdxdeals.com
Buddha Lounge, Portland
Arlene Schnitzer Concert Hall (The Schnitz)
Jinkx Monsoon
Wine for this episode
Thank you to Bouchon: A Wine Bar for providing the wine for this episode — a 2017 Chateau Falfas Bordeaux, right bank, heavier on the cab than you'd expect, and one of Mandy's personal favorites from the shop. Visit Bouchon: bouchonpdx.com
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If this episode made you want to finally check out Bouchon, good. If it made you want to watch Dante's Peak, we understand. Either way, subscribe and share it with someone who needs more of this energy in their life.

May 8, 2026

1 hr 12 min

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