“Blood is thicker than water, but a blood clot will kill you before dehydration does.”

What happens when the people who feel most like family aren't the people you're related to? In EP.026 of A Podcast by Joe Louis, Joe explores chosen family, finding your people and why genuine love, understanding and belonging can sometimes come from the most unexpected relationships.

Inspired by a conversation within his livestream community, this episode begins with Glenda—a woman who found something much deeper than entertainment in a group of people she met online. What started as a place to laugh, talk and escape isolation became a family that checked on her, listened to her and gave her something she genuinely needed.

Joe reflects on the people who have become family throughout his own life, from childhood friends who understood him without explanation to the community that has supported his journey as an independent artist. He shares how these relationships have shaped his career, why being understood matters more than constantly explaining yourself, and how watching his sister's chosen family come together reminded him that family is also something we build.

This isn't about replacing blood relatives. It's about recognising the people who give you room to grow, show up when it matters and provide the love, comfort and stability you need.

Sometimes the family you're given and the family you choose look very different. Both can matter.

Key Discussion Points

(00:00) - Coming Up: Choosing Your Family

(02:00) - Why Joe Wanted to Talk About Chosen Family

(02:51) - Blood Is Thicker Than Water, But What If Blood Hurts?

(06:18) - When a Livestream Community Becomes Something More

(09:04) - How Glenda Found a Family Online

(14:57) - Sometimes This Is the Only Place Someone Feels Loved

(15:30) - Sometimes We Don't Need Solutions, We Need Love

(18:46) - Finding People Who Understand You

(21:13) - The Friend Who Knew Joe Wasn't Okay

(23:49) - When Your Community Becomes Part of Your Family

(28:41) - Choosing to Show Up for the People You Love

(35:29) - Why Chosen Family Matters to an Independent Artist

(36:01) - Building a Livestream Community With TikTok

(41:35) - How Community Culture Grows Through Its Members

(44:26) - When Blood Family and Chosen Family Support Different Dreams

(48:59) - Being Loved Without Having to Explain Yourself

(49:40) - Knowing What It Feels Like to Be Understood

(52:40) - The Childhood Friends Who Became Family

(55:42) - Why Real Friendship Doesn't Require Constant Contact

(59:10) - Surrounding Yourself With What Your Heart Needs

(01:02:46) - What His Sister's Baby Shower Revealed About Family

(01:05:53) - The Beautiful Mix of Blood Family and Chosen Family

(01:06:50) - Finding the Nurturing You Never Had

(01:08:59) - When the Family You're Given Hurts and the Family You Choose Helps You Heal

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