Neir’s Tavern: NYC’s Oldest Bar & Open Mic Gem in Queens

10/26/2011, 4:39 am Angel Rodriguez 3

Discover Neir’s, one of NYC’s oldest bars, offering a cozy atmosphere, delicious affordable food, and vibrant open mic nights showcasing diverse, talented poets. Located in Queens, this historic venue provides a welcoming space for performers and audiences alike. Join the creative community at Neir’s today!

Hill Country BBQ Review: Cafeteria Style with Mixed Results

07/10/2011, 10:12 pm Angel Rodriguez 1

Hill Country New York offers a unique self-serve dining experience with casual, cafeteria-style seating. While the bourbon mashed potatoes and limited kid-friendly options may disappoint, the undercooked chicken and unconventional ordering system made this family visit less enjoyable. Consider alternatives like Blue Smoke nearby.

Rhythms & Dance Studio Open House: A Fun Multi-Dance Review

04/13/2011, 5:40 pm Angel Rodriguez 0

Expecting a simple salsa class, we ended up in an hour and a half of nonstop Bollywood, belly dance, hip hop, bhangra, and Zumba. Absolutely worth every sweaty minute!

NYCTalking Podcast

Just an average guy from New York City and his friends all over the world talking about anything and everything. Commentary on current events, film, food, fitness, social issues and much more!

Inquires and media: arodomus@gmail.com

Some time ago, I wrote a post saying I wasn’t completely comfortable with my wife training jiu jitsu with men. The reaction from many practitioners was intense. I was called insecure, and some people insisted that abuse simply doesn’t happen in the BJJ community.

Since then, I’ve seen more and more posts and discussions acknowledging that jiu jitsu has had issues with grooming and abuse, and that these problems have existed for years. It’s been interesting to watch that shift. When I first shared my concerns, a lot of higher belts and experienced practitioners dismissed my perspective. Now, many of those same types of voices openly recognize that these problems are real.

That contrast is hard to ignore. I talk about it in more detail in episode 116.

I saw something similar during my time in the military. In environments that are heavily male dominated, with very few women, the risk of misconduct can increase. My concerns were never about insecurity. They were about awareness, caution, and looking out for the people I care about.

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Episode 116 – BJJ Safety, Abuse Concerns, and Changing Attitudes in the Jiu Jitsu Community

02/09/2026, 3:56 pm

@Angelrtalk

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