Every once in a while, a guest comes on Brief Talk and the conversation just flows. No walls. No posturing. Just two people talking honestly about how gear, kink, and confidence show up in real life.
That’s exactly what happened when I sat down with Pup Hermes.
What starts as a conversation about thongs quickly becomes something much bigger. We talk about discovering underwear and fetish gear at a young age, growing up in a conservative environment, and what it means to lean into the things that make you feel confident—especially when the world around you tells you to tone it down.
Pup Hermes shares what it was like wearing thongs in high school (yes, really), how underwear became a private source of confidence before it ever became public, and how that confidence grew once he found spaces where being different wasn’t just accepted—it was celebrated.
We also talk about San Francisco, working at Mr. S Leather, winning Mr. San Francisco Rubber 2017, and how being surrounded by like-minded people can completely change how you see yourself. When you’re no longer the “only one,” everything shifts.
But one of my favorite parts of this episode is that it doesn’t stay focused only on sex or gear.
We get into the idea that fetish spaces don’t have to be just about hooking up. That there’s room for friendship, chosen family, movie nights, gym buddies, and community—without losing the sexual energy that brought everyone together in the first place.
We talk about keeping the gear on.
We talk about creativity in play.
We talk about knowing your audience, reading the room, and owning your confidence without apology.
And honestly, it’s refreshing.
This episode isn’t just for thong guys. It’s for anyone who’s ever felt like their interests were “too much,” or who struggled to find people that really get them. It’s a reminder that when you own who you are, you don’t just change your own experience—you give other people permission to do the same.
If you love gear, kink, spandex, or just real conversations that go deeper than the surface, this is one you don’t want to miss.
Give it a listen.
Get to know Pup Hermes.
And maybe take a little inspiration into your own life.
