Thicket & Bramble Newsletter, Vol. 2: Giving Thanks
Hello! This is Gabriel. Here we are, once again.
The first eight episodes of the Thicket & Bramble podcast are out there in the world, available on Apple and Spotify.
Today’s episode is the third in our three-parter: The Door at the Back of the Temple. I’m so god damn proud of it. I’ve never written anything like it. Make sure you check out the content warning in the description if you have triggers you look out for, or if you don’t usually watch/read horror stories.
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Alec, my producer, put in incredible work for all eight of these episodes, and he really outdid himself with this one. Alec and I met when we were 17. I immediately recognized his boldness, his electricity, the fact he is fucking hilarious. Quickly thereafter I was privileged to learn of his sword-sharp intellect and his warm, tender heart.
He has been a steady, stalwart, true friend to me through the years, through some harrowing times in my life. He has poured that love, as well as his deep technical prowess, into his work on this project. Thank you, Alec. Thank you for your skill and your patience and your grace. You rocked it, brother.
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Thank you to everyone who listened along day to day this past week as the episodes came out, and thank you to everyone reaching out and saying lovely things. I love you. Give me time, I’ll respond to everybody.
Thank you to Rules, who showed up early to the party last weekend, brought lights, put the fire pit together, and helped Etai and me turn his backyard into a theater. My moony, fiddly, wiggly little actor self was so comforted to have a kickass competent tech-savvy problem-solver in the house. You should check out this extremely cool thing she and her husband are building.
Thank you to Erika, our caterer, who provided an absolutely delicious meal. I inhaled it. I threw it down my gullet Garfield-style. If anyone in the Kingston area is looking for food for a small gathering, I can’t recommend Erika highly enough. Excellent food, excellent vibes.
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One more thing: My dear friend and talented storyteller J is getting funds together to attend a summit in LA this summer. Looks like it’s going to be a beautiful, nourishing experience. If you have something to spare, why not kick it J’s way?
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That’s all for now, friends. I expected to have this party and release these episodes, briefly catch my breath, and then jump right into the Moss Living Room Tour. Actually though? I’ve been going really, really hard the past two months and Big Rest is needed. For the next few weeks I will simply vibe. I’ll be back after that and we’ll embark on our next adventure.
Thank you for being here.
Gabriel Maria Rodriguez
they/them
Hudson Valley
6.29.2025
thicket-bramble.com