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EP. 478 The Leading Man: Mike Bless aka Michael Anthony on Healing, Dating, and "The Gift"

EP. 478 The Leading Man: Mike Bless aka Michael Anthony on Healing, Dating, and "The Gift"

Author: Kiki Said So February 5, 2026 Duration: 1:19:31
Cocktales with Kiki
SocietyComedyCultureJournalsPersonalRelationshipsSociety & Culture
February looks a little different this year… because we are letting men take the mic.
To kick off our February Men’s Series, we are joined by actor, producer, veteran and content creator Mike Bless aka Michael Anthony. This conversation dives deep into dating, emotional healing, masculinity and the realities of modern relationships from a male perspective.

We talk about how men process heartbreak, the role of honesty in dating, why communication looks different for men, and the idea that many men heal quietly instead of publicly. Mike opens up about accountability, emotional vulnerability, dating expectations and the importance of being honest about intentions early.

Of course, we also get into power dynamics in relationships, monogamy vs honesty, the Atlanta dating scene, men wearing purses (yes, we went there), and why giving space in early dating might actually be healthy.

This episode kicks off a full month of real conversations with men about love, growth, healing and relationships — and we are listening.

Cocktail of the Week: The Leading Man


Ingredients
2 oz bourbon
 1 oz blood orange juice
 ½ oz simple or honey syrup
 2 dashes Angostura bitters
 Orange peel garnish


  • Instructions
  1. Add bourbon, blood orange juice, syrup and bitters to a mixing glass with ice.
  2. Stir for about 20–25 seconds until well chilled.
  3. Strain over a large ice cube in a rocks glass.
  4. Express the oils from an orange peel over the drink and drop it in.


Sip, stare dramatically into the distance, and pretend you’re the main character.
🥃🍊

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Kiki Said So (Kiara Walker)
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Grab a drink and get comfortable. CockTales: Dirty Discussions is that unfiltered conversation happening in the corner of your favorite bar, hosted by friends Kiki Said So and Medinah Monroe. With one navigating single life and the other rooted in a long-term relationship, their perspectives clash and complement in the most honest ways. This isn't a clinical advice show; it's a raw, comedic, and deeply personal journal of what modern dating, sex, and relationships actually feel like on the ground, specifically through the lens of life in Atlanta. Each episode feels like you’re pulling up a chair to their table as they dissect their latest encounters, frustrations, and triumphs with zero censorship. The laughter is genuine, the stories are real, and the discussions go to places most are too polite to mention. You’ll find this podcast lives in the messy, human intersection of society, culture, and personal revelation, all served with a hefty side of comedy. Tune in for the kind of candid talk that makes you nod in recognition, laugh out loud, and maybe even rethink your own approach to the complicated sea of love and connection.
Author: Language: English Episodes: 50

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