Barbary Lane Dispatches Podcast
Episodes
A Love Letter to Laura Linney
23 Mar 2026
Contributed by Lukas
Here’s a transcript of the video:Today I want to tell you about one of my favorite people in the world. Judging from what I hear from fans, I think ...
The Teachers Who Made Me a Writer
16 Mar 2026
Contributed by Lukas
Here’s a transcript of the video: When I was a little boy, I had a terrible recurring nightmare. It wasn’t about a specific thing—it was just a ...
Demigods and Crimes Against Nature
10 Mar 2026
Contributed by Lukas
Here’s a transcript of the video: When I was a teenager, my best friend was a guy named Eddie Russell.My parents didn’t approve of him, and I alwa...
I Found Myself in 1970s San Francisco
02 Mar 2026
Contributed by Lukas
Here’s a transcript of the video: I moved to San Francisco in 1971. I got a job with the Associated Press. They first offered me Buffalo, and I had ...
The Secret I Didn't Know I Had
19 Feb 2026
Contributed by Lukas
Here’s a transcript of the video: “I lived with a secret, but didn’t know it was a secret. I didn’t even know I was living with it for many, m...
I'm Back
18 Feb 2026
Contributed by Lukas
Here’s a transcript of the video:“Well, I’m back.As some of you may already know, I fell down those stairs over there on Christmas Eve — fifte...
Update from Armistead
17 Jan 2026
Contributed by Lukas
Here’s a transcript of the video:“Hey there.I just want to give you a bit of an update here. I know Chris let you know that I fell down the stairs...
A Time for Living
24 Dec 2025
Contributed by Lukas
Here’s a transcript of the video: Well… it’s that time of the year again, when we’re all being forced into a state of jollity and merriment, w...
My Answer to Anita Bryant: Michael's Letter
22 Dec 2025
Contributed by Lukas
Here’s a transcript of the video: I want to talk to you today about Anita Bryant.That name will mean everything to some of you, probably a small min...
Holding Forth: The End of the Marina Safeway?
19 Dec 2025
Contributed by Lukas
Here’s a transcript of the video: “Hey there.I recently read that the Marina Safeway in San Francisco is about to be demolished—not by Trump, wh...
Ask Me Anything: December 17th
17 Dec 2025
Contributed by Lukas
Here’s a transcript of the video: This is the third Ask Me Anything feature we’ve done.So I’ve got some questions here from people who are askin...
My relationship with Rock Hudson
12 Dec 2025
Contributed by Lukas
Here’s a transcript of the video:Today I’d like to tell you about my friendship—relationship, whatever you want to call it—with Rock Hudson.It...
Holding Forth: The End of Trump?
10 Dec 2025
Contributed by Lukas
Here’s a transcript of the video:“Well, it looks like there’s some possibly good news on the horizon.Most of you know that Marjorie Taylor Green...
Ask Me Anything: Episode 2
09 Dec 2025
Contributed by Lukas
Here’s a transcript of the video: Welcome back to our second Ask Me Anything feature.The questions we didn’t get to the first time around, I’m g...
Book Club: I Capture the Castle
06 Dec 2025
Contributed by Lukas
Here’s a transcript for Armistead’s introduction before the reading: Today I’m going to read to you from one of my favorite books. It was when I...
Ask Me Anything: Episode 1
02 Dec 2025
Contributed by Lukas
We weren’t able to answer all of your questions in this first segment, but we’ll get to more in next week’s AMA video. Stay tuned Steve, Richard...
Holding Forth: Trump's A-gays
24 Nov 2025
Contributed by Lukas
Here’s a transcript of the video:“About fifty years ago — I can’t believe I’m saying that — when I started writing Tales of the City for t...
Creating Anna Madrigal - Part 2
17 Nov 2025
Contributed by Lukas
Here’s a transcript for Armistead’s talk: “The inspiration for Anna Madrigal was initially a trans woman I discovered while living in Charleston...
Creating Anna Madrigal - Part 1
10 Nov 2025
Contributed by Lukas
Here’s a transcript of Armistead’s talk:”When I graduated from Officer Candidate School in the late 1960s, I was stationed in Charleston, South ...
Holding Forth: Why Gays and Lesbians Need to Support Trans Folks
05 Nov 2025
Contributed by Lukas
Here’s a transcript of his talk: I’d like to have a few words today with my gay and lesbian brothers and sisters.I have noticed — on my page on ...
Book Club: A Single Man
03 Nov 2025
Contributed by Lukas
Isherwood was not only a literary hero of Armistead’s (as you’ll note from the earlier episode on Isherwood), he was a dear friend and mentor. A S...
Holding Forth: Sh*tshow at the White House
27 Oct 2025
Contributed by Lukas
Armistead was invited to the Oval Office when Richard Nixon was President (don’t worry, it’s not a moment he’s proud of). He reflects on what it...
Tea with Armistead: Lord Cashman
26 Oct 2025
Contributed by Lukas
Michael Cashman came from a humble, working-class background, growing up in London’s East End. His acting talent was recognized early, and at just 1...
Heroes: Tammy De Treaux
20 Oct 2025
Contributed by Lukas
Armistead met Tammy in the 1980s, and they quickly became close friends. Standing just 31 inches tall, she still is, recognized as the shortest ever a...
Day to Day: A Trip to Soho
13 Oct 2025
Contributed by Lukas
In our latest Dispatch, we take you on a tour of some of our favorite spots in Soho, with a detour to the historic Salisbury Pub. The Salisbury was a ...
Heroes: Alfred Hitchcock
07 Oct 2025
Contributed by Lukas
This is a public episode. If you'd like to discuss this with other subscribers or get access to bonus episodes, visit armisteadmaupin.substack.com/su...
Behind the Tales: The Manor House
27 Sep 2025
Contributed by Lukas
Mona of the Manor and Babycakes feature a manor house inspired by Stanway House in the Cotswolds, about a two-and-a-half-hour drive from London. In th...
Ramblings: I've Fallen and I Can't Get Up
19 Sep 2025
Contributed by Lukas
Transcript“You remember that old ad we used to see on TV — “I’ve fallen and I can’t get up.” It was a pitiful old lady who’d hit the gro...
Tea with Armistead: Celeste Lecesne
12 Sep 2025
Contributed by Lukas
In the very first “Tea with Armistead,” Armistead sits down with his longtime friend Celeste Lecesne—founder of The Trevor Project and The Futur...
Italian Tales: The Literary Festival
08 Sep 2025
Contributed by Lukas
This is a public episode. If you'd like to discuss this with other subscribers or get access to bonus episodes, visit armisteadmaupin.substack.com/su...
Italian Tales
04 Sep 2025
Contributed by Lukas
This is a public episode. If you'd like to discuss this with other subscribers or get access to bonus episodes, visit armisteadmaupin.substack.com/su...
Ramblings: Getting Old
01 Sep 2025
Contributed by Lukas
This is a public episode. If you'd like to discuss this with other subscribers or get access to bonus episodes, visit armisteadmaupin.substack.com/su...
Welcome to my Substack
29 Aug 2025
Contributed by Lukas
This is a public episode. If you'd like to discuss this with other subscribers or get access to bonus episodes, visit armisteadmaupin.substack.com/su...
Day to Day: A Chat on a Bench
29 Aug 2025
Contributed by Lukas
This is a public episode. If you'd like to discuss this with other subscribers or get access to bonus episodes, visit armisteadmaupin.substack.com/su...
Holding Forth: In Support of Trans Folks
23 Aug 2025
Contributed by Lukas
In this first video of the series, Armistead speaks plainly about transphobia today—calling out J.K. Rowling and TERFs. Drawing on over fifty years ...
Day to Day: Clapham Common
21 Aug 2025
Contributed by Lukas
This is a public episode. If you'd like to discuss this with other subscribers or get access to bonus episodes, visit armisteadmaupin.substack.com/su...
Heroes: Christopher Isherwood
18 Aug 2025
Contributed by Lukas
This is a public episode. If you'd like to discuss this with other subscribers or get access to bonus episodes, visit armisteadmaupin.substack.com/su...