The Skittle Squad Podcast

The Skittle Squad Podcast Welcome to The Skittle Squad Podcast – Your Go-To Source for LGBTQ+ News, Events, and Laughter in Tampa Bay and Beyond!

Hosts Dave & Paul, cover the hottest topics, amazing people, incredible nonprofit organizations, LGBTQ+ safe spaces and businesses. Welcome to The Skittle Squad Podcast – Your Go-To Source for LGBTQ+ News, Events, and Laughter in Tampa Bay! The Skittle Squad Podcast, a bold and vibrant new voice in the Tampa Bay LGBTQ+ community! Hosted by David Smith and Paul Fifer, in their show this dynamic duo

covers the hottest hot topics, must go to local events, incredible nonprofit organizations, and promotion of LGBTQ+ safe spaces and businesses, all while serving up humor, insight and uncensored conversation. Subscribe to The Skittle Squad Podcast and get ready to laugh, learn and celebrate all things LGBTQ+ in Tampa Bay!

12/08/2025

✨🎙️ THIS WEDNESDAY! 🎙️✨
We are beyond excited to welcome the fabulous Dioscar DeMilo, Mr. St Pete Pride 2025, to the show — and trust us… you do NOT want to miss this one! 😍🔥

In this week’s episode, Dioscar tells us all about his wild first month in NYC — including the moment he stumbled upon someone in drag and said:
“Honey, you perform?”
…only to find out he had just discovered drag for the very first time. 😂💅

From moving to New York City with $1,000, one suitcase, a one-way ticket, and ZERO plan, to becoming the fierce performer he is today — this story is EVERYTHING.

💖✨ Set your reminders, get your snacks, and tune in Wednesday — it’s going to be hilarious, inspiring, and absolutely iconic.

👑 Don’t. Miss. It.

TODAY. IS. THE. DAY.Paul Fifer is taking the stage at Cocktail St Pete for the Yule Be Gagged Event for Winter Pride Sai...
12/07/2025

TODAY. IS. THE. DAY.

Paul Fifer is taking the stage at Cocktail St Pete for the Yule Be Gagged Event for Winter Pride Saint Pete— and trust us, this is NOT a drill. If you’ve ever wanted to witness history, comedy, and possibly a wardrobe malfunction all at once… this is your moment.

Get your butt to Cocktail TODAY AT 1PM and cheer on our one-and-only cohost as he struts like he’s about to sn**ch a crown — don’t worry, RuPaul queens, he’s not coming for your jobs… yet.

Go support Paul before he gets too famous to talk to the rest of us! 🌟

🌧️ Yule Be Gagged, Rain or Shine! ❄️👑

You might just see your boss, your bartender, or even your doctor dolled up in holiday drag! Come stuff their stockings in support of Winter Pride Saint Pete, rain or shine!

📆 Sunday, December 7th
⏰ 1:00 PM - 4:00 PM
📍The Wet Spot | 2355 Central Avenue, St. Pete FL

The weather might try it, but the drag queens will NOT be stopped. If skies behave, we’ll be serving by the pool at The Wet Spot. If not, we’re taking the party inside… heels, humor, and all.

Either way, you will be gagged. 😉

Plus, there’s still time to donate to your favorite local celebrity! Donate on their behalf at cocktaistpete.com/yule-be-gagged to keep the pressure on and drag them to The Wet Spot runway!

12/07/2025

We are 🔥 excited to welcome Dioscar DeMilo, Mr. St Pete Pride 2025, as our guest on the next episode of The Skittle Squad Podcast!

In our episode next week, get ready — you'll hear the story of how Dioscar once helped teach gymnastics to Mariah Carey’s twins. And he didn't even know it was them! It’s gonna be a wild conversation with behind-the-scenes memories you don’t want to miss.

Drop a comment below if you’re ready to tune in 👇

🚨 S4E3 OUT NOW 🚨 In this honest, heartfelt episode of The Skittle Squad Podcast, we sit down with Vernon Vaden, general ...
12/03/2025

🚨 S4E3 OUT NOW 🚨

In this honest, heartfelt episode of The Skittle Squad Podcast, we sit down with Vernon Vaden, general manager of Mister D’s, Creative Loafing “Best Bartender” winner, and one of the youngest leaders in Tampa’s nightlife scene. Vernon walks us through his wild, inspiring journey, from military life to go-go dancing, overcoming addiction, and rising through the ranks to lead one of Tampa Bay’s most beloved gay clubs.

We talk about the real stuff: the work behind bartending (yes, it’s part therapy), the grind of nightlife management, choosing sobriety to get your life back, and how community patrons, friends, and chosen family can save you when you need it most. Expect laughs, real talk about mental health, late-night bar confessions, and the kind of empathy that makes our scene feel like home.

✨ This episode explores:
🍸 Life behind the bar - bartending as care, craft, and connection
🪖 Transitioning out of the military and reinventing yourself in q***r spaces
🧠 Addiction, recovery, and choosing sobriety to regain control
🏆 Winning Best Bartender — what that recognition felt like (and those photo-booth moments)
🎭 Go-go dancing, tips, and the unexpected ways performance pays the bills
🤝 How nightlife builds chosen family and keeps community strong

Tune in for a conversation about resilience, accountability, and how showing up for each other keeps our community alive. If you or someone you love needs resources, Vernon and the hosts talk openly about where to turn.

12/02/2025

✨ TOMORROW! NEW EPISODE DROP! ✨
We are so excited for you to catch the full Skittle Squad episode featuring Vernon Vaden, the General Manager of Mr. D’s Men’s Emporium — and trust us, you do NOT want to miss this one. 🌈🌈🌈

Vernon opens up in a way that is real, raw, and genuinely powerful. In one of the moments from the show, he talks about the importance of checking in on each other:

“Sometimes you get on Facebook and find out a friend or someone you served with is gone… it just reminds us how important it is to hold each other accountable. Reach out. Even if someone at the bar seems off — just saying hi, giving them a hug — it can make a huge difference.”

This episode has heart, humor, behind-the-scenes tea from Mr. D’s, and PLENTY of Vernon’s signature energy. 🌈💅✨

🎥 Tune in TOMORROW to watch the full conversation — wherever you watch your podcasts.
You don’t want to miss this one. 🌈🌈🌈

11/30/2025

✨🍹 Get ready, Skittle Squad! 🍹✨

This Wednesday, we’re spilling ALL the tea with the one and only Vernon Vaden — the fabulous General Manager of Mr D’s Men’s Emporium and the man who knows exactly what goes down behind the scenes. 👀🔥

We’re talking:
💋 The story of when Vernon came out (and honey… it’s GOOD)
🥃 His favorite shot to make — and no, sweetie, not the kind you order at the bar 😉
🎉 Plus so many wild, wonderful, and unapologetically Vernon moments

If you’ve ever wondered what really happens at Mr D’s, this episode is basically your VIP backstage pass.

So grab your snack, grab your drink, grab your person — and tune in Wednesday, wherever you listen to podcasts.

💖 The Skittle Squad is SERVING this week, babes. Don’t miss it! 🎧🌈

11/28/2025

Hey Skittle Squad fam! 🎉

We are so excited to announce that next week’s episode of The Skittle Squad will feature Vernon Vaden, General Manager of . Vernon brings a ton of energy, stories, and insight from the Tampa Bay nightlife scene — and we can’t wait to dive in.

Before we get to Vernon, we’re starting the show with a chat about Dave’s ex — and how Dave used to try to get him to relax.

So whether you vibe with fun conversations or want to hear about what goes down behind the scenes at Mr D’z, you’ll want to tune in.

♠️ Catch the episode wherever you get your podcasts — next week on The Skittle Squad. Don’t miss it!

11/27/2025

The Skittle Squad expresses gratitude for your continued support and hopes you have a great Thanksgiving. Gobble Gobble 🦃

Paul's shirt of the week 😂 ✌️ ❤️ 🌮
11/27/2025

Paul's shirt of the week 😂 ✌️ ❤️ 🌮

🚨 S4E2 IS LIVE 🚨 In this vibrant episode of The Skittle Squad Podcast, we sit down with Dave Borman, the visionary behin...
11/26/2025

🚨 S4E2 IS LIVE 🚨

In this vibrant episode of The Skittle Squad Podcast, we sit down with Dave Borman, the visionary behind TampaBayGay.com, a platform built to inform, connect, and celebrate q***r life across the Tampa Bay region.

Dave shares the origin story of the site and how it grew from a simple resource into a cornerstone for LGBTQ+ connection.

✨ This episode explores:
📧 Why a consistent email list is essential for engagement
🤝 How personal outreach builds loyalty and connection
💬 Using storytelling and authenticity in your communication
💑 The surprising ways client relationships can evolve
🌱 How online engagement can lead to real-world growth
🔗 The value of networking rooted in sincerity
💡 Why relationship-focused marketing outperforms everything else

This feel-good, business-smart episode blends strategy with heart and proves that sometimes, the smallest messages can make the biggest impact.

11/25/2025

📣 NEW Skittle Squad Episode Tomorrow! 🔥🎙️

Guess who’s sliding into the studio? Dave Borman from Tampa Bay Gay.com — and trust us, this episode is a whole vibe.

🌈 We get into community, q***r life in Tampa Bay, and of course plenty of laughs. At one point Dave drops this perfect little truth bomb:

“We need to support the people and allies who actually support us.”

Short, sweet, and absolutely on point.

👉 Don’t miss it! Tune in tomorrow and watch or listen wherever you enjoy your podcasts.

11/23/2025

🌈 SKITTLE SQUAD PODCAST — NEW EPISODE NEXT WEEK! 🎙️🔥

We’re so excited to feature a true Tampa Bay icon on next week’s episode — Dave Borman, the creator and powerhouse behind Tampa Bay Gay.com!

🎧 Tune in next week!
Come support Dave, support the community, and get ready for laughs, stories, and insight from one of Tampa Bay’s most memorable voices.

👉 LIKE, COMMENT, SHARE, and tell your friends to watch!
🌈

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