Send us a text

The anxiety we are collectively feeling in this post-election climate is real! That’s why it’s so important to ground yourself and be kind to yourself. And, in this episode of Dem Bois Podcast, my guest, Dr. Van Bailey and I discuss grounding practices, mental health, and the impact of kindness. The discussion also covers the challenges and triumphs of modeling as a trans person, advocating for greater representation in the fashion industry. And, we explore themes of queerness, self-expression, and the importance of community support for trans youth.

We talk:

09:56 - Dr. Van’s journey of identity and transition

20:07 - Modeling as a trans person

30:03 - Understanding non-binary identity and gender dynamics

40:05 - Navigating barbershop conversations

51:06 - The importance of self-care and grooming

01:05:12 - Navigating political challenges for trans rights

Episode References:

Dapper Q

The Aggressives

Campaign for Southern Equality - IG

PLFAG

Read more about Dr. Van in their bio below:

Dr. Van Bailey (they/them/theirs) is an award-winning educator and consultant. Their speeches, content, and workshops relate to LGBTQ+ equity, mental health, and belonging in the workplace. They have experience overseeing offices that address implicit bias, LGBTQ+ equity, and diversity and inclusion. As a past director for diversity and inclusion, they have spoken on the importance of gender equity, authenticity, and belonging in the workplace. Dr. Bailey was listed in the Out 100 and Business Equality Magazine's 40 under 40. Dr. Bailey holds a BA from Denison University in English and Black Studies, an MA from Ohio State University in Higher Education and Student Affairs, and a Doctorate in Educational Leadership from California State University - Northridge.

• IG: @drvanbailey
• TikTok: dr__handsome
• LinkedIn: Dr. Van Bailey

Donate today to support Transmasc Gender Affirming Grants and Community Wellness Packages for Trans Men of Color!

The Visibility = Possibility™️ Merch is here!

Introducing a groundbreaking collaboration crafted by Emilio Perdomo (featured on episode 37). This isn't just merch--it's a movement! We're empowering trans men of color with creative freedom to design their interpretation of Visibility = Possibility™. Think of it like major brands collaborating with athletes, but this time, our community takes center stage. Every purchase supports our vital programs!

Craving more Connection? Dem Bois Community Voices Facebook Group is a safe, moderated sanctuary where trans men of color can connect authentically, discuss podcast episodes, share powerful experiences, and build support networks.

Dem Bois YouTube Channel! - @demboisinc

Exclusive content you won't find anywhere else: Behind-the-scenes magic, engaging YouTube shorts, and insider perspectives.

Send us a text

In this episode of Dem Bois Podcast, we get to talk about the impact of visibility equalling possibility and the significance of building technology for social good. Today I sit down with Dr. Kortney Ziegler, a serial social entrepreneur, and we discuss the importance of community and compassion, grief after losing a parent, and cultural dynamics of living in South Africa. The conversation touches on themes of aging, representation in media, and the complexities of identity within the diaspora.

We talk:

06:14 Embracing aging and wisdom

17:59 Visibility and representation in media

24:33 Life in South Africa from a trans perspective

37:21 Cultural displacement and loneliness

46:52 Grief and loss

55:44 Building technology for social good

Episode References:

Still Black: A Portrait of Black Transmen (2008)

The Changemakers Guide - preorder

Read more about Kortney in his bio below:

Kortney Ziegler, PhD, is the founder and CEO of WellMoney, a money-sharing community that enables members to both receive and provide monetary aid during times of financial emergencies. Kortney is a serial social entrepreneur who previously co-founded a crowdfunding platform—Appolition—that raised over $1 million to pay bail for people who couldn’t afford it and Trans*H4CK, a nonprofit that creates tech for the transgender community and visibility for trans technologists and entrepreneurs.

Donate today to support Transmasc Gender Affirming Grants and Community Wellness Packages for Trans Men of Color!

The Visibility = Possibility™️ Merch is here!

Introducing a groundbreaking collaboration crafted by Emilio Perdomo (featured on episode 37). This isn't just merch--it's a movement! We're empowering trans men of color with creative freedom to design their interpretation of Visibility = Possibility™. Think of it like major brands collaborating with athletes, but this time, our community takes center stage. Every purchase supports our vital programs!

Craving more Connection? Dem Bois Community Voices Facebook Group is a safe, moderated sanctuary where trans men of color can connect authentically, discuss podcast episodes, share powerful experiences, and build support networks.

Dem Bois YouTube Channel! - @demboisinc

Exclusive content you won't find anywhere else: Behind-the-scenes magic, engaging YouTube shorts, and insider perspectives.

Send us a text

How do you foster community and collaboration? One way is through art and activism. And, we dive into that in this episode of Dem Bois Podcast. Today I sit down with rommy torico, a formerly undocumented queer, trans, non-binary visual artist, and they share their experiences navigating identity, survival, and self-discovery. We also discuss the impact of being undocumented on their gender journey, the importance of college as a space for exploration, the complexities of family dynamics during the coming out process, and the significance of mental health support.

We talk:

11:22 The Impact of Survival on Self-Discovery

20:10 The Role of Chosen Family and Community

24:19 Navigating Relationships and Trauma

39:34 Art as a Medium for Social Justice

49:31 Future Aspirations and Uncertainties

Episode References:

Past Lives (2023)

Titanic (1997)

Love Jones (1997)

Read more about rommy in their bio below:

rommy torrico is a formerly undocumented, queer, trans nonbinary visual artist born in Iquique, Chile and raised in Florida. They have been involved in social movement spaces encompassing (im)migrant, queer and trans rights struggles for over a decade and infuse much of their work with personal experience and the stories their communities share. Over the years, Torrico’s work has been included in several publications and exhibited at the Getty Museum, the Smithsonian Museum, the Library of Congress and the Museo Nacional Centro de Arte Reina Sofía as well as many galleries and museums throughout the Americas and internationally.

• IG: @rommyyy123

Donate today to support Transmasc Gender Affirming Grants and Community Wellness Packages for Trans Men of Color!

The Visibility = Possibility™️ Merch is here!

Introducing a groundbreaking collaboration crafted by Emilio Perdomo (featured on episode 37). This isn't just merch--it's a movement! We're empowering trans men of color with creative freedom to design their interpretation of Visibility = Possibility™. Think of it like major brands collaborating with athletes, but this time, our community takes center stage. Every purchase supports our vital programs!

Craving more Connection? Dem Bois Community Voices Facebook Group is a safe, moderated sanctuary where trans men of color can connect authentically, discuss podcast episodes, share powerful experiences, and build support networks.

Dem Bois YouTube Channel! - @demboisinc

Exclusive content you won't find anywhere else: Behind-the-scenes magic, engaging YouTube shorts, and insider perspectives.

Send us a text

Many times when we hear or read the phrase soul mate, we think of it in a very romantic way. But, soul mate relationships can be platonic. They can be found in friendships that love us down and encourage us to be our full selves. And, in this Dem Bois Podcast first, I sit down with Kelz and we discuss what that term actually means. In this conversation, we dive into critical analysis, identity, and the significance of friendship and community. And, Kelz emphasizes the importance of visibility in queer narratives and the personal nature of identity language. They also recite a really great poem at the end of the episode, so be sure to listen!

We talk:

09:07 Exploring gender identity and fluidity

18:04 The significance of the term 'stud' and class privilege

26:08 Understanding non-binary identities

34:58 Kelz work, 'we was boys together'

45:55 Rekindling friendship and identity

01:00:55 Kelz’ poetry

Episode References

Criminal Intimacy: Prison and the Uneven History of Modern American Sexuality by Regina Kunzel (Book 2008)

The Aggressives (Documentary 2005)

Between Women (TV Series 2011-2013)

Sula (Novel 1973)

we was bois together by Kelsey L. Smoot

Read more about Kelz in thier bio below:

Kelsey L. Smoot (They/Them/He/Him) is a full-time PhD student in the interdisciplinary social sciences and humanities, as well as a poet, advocate, and frequent writer of critical analysis. They are the author of a chapbook titled We Was Bois Together (CLASH! an Imprint of Mouthfeel Press).

• Instagram.com/nonbinarypapi

Donate today to support Transmasc Gender Affirming Grants and Community Wellness Packages for Trans Men of Color!

The Visibility = Possibility™️ Merch is here!

Introducing a groundbreaking collaboration crafted by Emilio Perdomo (featured on episode 37). This isn't just merch--it's a movement! We're empowering trans men of color with creative freedom to design their interpretation of Visibility = Possibility™. Think of it like major brands collaborating with athletes, but this time, our community takes center stage. Every purchase supports our vital programs!

Craving more Connection? Dem Bois Community Voices Facebook Group is a safe, moderated sanctuary where trans men of color can connect authentically, discuss podcast episodes, share powerful experiences, and build support networks.

Dem Bois YouTube Channel! - @demboisinc

Exclusive content you won't find anywhere else: Behind-the-scenes magic, engaging YouTube shorts, and insider perspectives.

Send us a text

Self-affirmation has become a buzzword in this day and age, but its power isn’t debatable. When you are consistently affirming yourself, words from others won’t affect you as much. We talk about that in this episode of Dem Bois Podcast. Today I sit down with Monroe, a model, author, and influencer, and we discuss challenges of name changes, gender expression, and the evolving landscape of social media. Monroe also shares his journey of self-discovery, including his transition, the importance of self-care, and the significance of visibility in the trans community.

We talk:

05:07 The importance of self-care during transition

15:13 Understanding gender expression

24:38 The power of digital reach

31:36 Mental health and social media

42:16 Creating for the community

Episode References:

Beyond the Veil Tarot

Read more about Monroe in his bio below:

Monroe Banuelos is a transgender man, best known for his influence on Instagram and TikTok. Aside from that, Monroe is also known for modeling, his ebook for trans men, and his clothing brand 'Lucky Ba$tard'.

• Instagram.com/monroe.banuelos
• TikTok.com/monroe.banuelos

Donate today to support Transmasc Gender Affirming Grants and Community Wellness Packages for Trans Men of Color!

The Visibility = Possibility™️ Merch is here!

Introducing a groundbreaking collaboration crafted by Emilio Perdomo (featured on episode 37). This isn't just merch--it's a movement! We're empowering trans men of color with creative freedom to design their interpretation of Visibility = Possibility™. Think of it like major brands collaborating with athletes, but this time, our community takes center stage. Every purchase supports our vital programs!

Craving more Connection? Dem Bois Community Voices Facebook Group is a safe, moderated sanctuary where trans men of color can connect authentically, discuss podcast episodes, share powerful experiences, and build support networks.

Dem Bois YouTube Channel! - @demboisinc

Exclusive content you won't find anywhere else: Behind-the-scenes magic, engaging YouTube shorts, and insider perspectives.

Send us a text

In this episode of Dem Bois Podcast, I get the chance to sit down with someone who is just starting out on their gender journey, Tommy Colby McCray. Tommy is a serial writer and uses writing as a therapeutic outlet for stabilizing their mental health. They share their journey of self-discovery, navigating gender dysphoria, and the complexities of choosing a name that resonates with their identity. We also discuss family dynamics, personal loss, and the impact of these experiences on mental health.

Please note: Tommy changed his name after this recording.

We talk:

10:01 Navigating gender identity and name selection

19:58 Family dynamics and personal loss

29:51 Creative aspirations and Tommy’s writing process

40:06 Finding community and support

50:53 Reflections on loss and regret

Episode References:

The Aggressives

Read more about Tommy in his bio below:

I am just learning myself as not only a serial tv writer but as a person who's just been diagnosed with gender dysphoria

• Twitter @xander_gabriel7
• IG: @theoshilohmccray
• Email: gabriellemccray91@gmail.com

Donate today to support Transmasc Gender Affirming Grants and Community Wellness Packages for Trans Men of Color!

The Visibility = Possibility™️ Merch is here!

Introducing a groundbreaking collaboration crafted by Emilio Perdomo (featured on episode 37). This isn't just merch--it's a movement! We're empowering trans men of color with creative freedom to design their interpretation of Visibility = Possibility™. Think of it like major brands collaborating with athletes, but this time, our community takes center stage. Every purchase supports our vital programs!

Craving more Connection? Dem Bois Community Voices Facebook Group is a safe, moderated sanctuary where trans men of color can connect authentically, discuss podcast episodes, share powerful experiences, and build support networks.

Dem Bois YouTube Channel! - @demboisinc

Exclusive content you won't find anywhere else: Behind-the-scenes magic, engaging YouTube shorts, and insider perspectives.

Send us a text

Many people have a bad relationship with money. There is shame and guilt surrounding income and spending, and we don’t talk about it enough. So, in this episode of Dem Bois Podcast, we share some advice from financial coach Leo Aquino. Leo discusses their journey of self-discovery, the importance of financial literacy, especially within the queer and trans community, and the founding of Queer and Trans Wealth, an organization that provides financial coaching and education focused on the needs of queer & trans communities across the US.

We talk:

08:24 Understanding Leo’s non-binary identity

20:15 The birth of Queer and Trans Wealth

31:02 Practical advice for managing debt

41:42 The Pay It Forward Fund

49:15 Building financial literacy for future generations

Episode References:

The Pay It Forward Fund

Read more about Leo in their bio below:

Leo Aquino is a financial coach, multidisciplinary artist, and award-winning journalist. Leo is the founder of Queer & Trans Wealth, an organization that provides financial coaching and education focused on the needs of queer & trans communities across the US.

• IG: @queerandtranswealth
• www.queerandtranswealth.org

Donate today to support Transmasc Gender Affirming Grants and Community Wellness Packages for Trans Men of Color!

The Visibility = Possibility™️ Merch is here!

Introducing a groundbreaking collaboration crafted by Emilio Perdomo (featured on episode 37). This isn't just merch--it's a movement! We're empowering trans men of color with creative freedom to design their interpretation of Visibility = Possibility™. Think of it like major brands collaborating with athletes, but this time, our community takes center stage. Every purchase supports our vital programs!

Craving more Connection? Dem Bois Community Voices Facebook Group is a safe, moderated sanctuary where trans men of color can connect authentically, discuss podcast episodes, share powerful experiences, and build support networks.

Dem Bois YouTube Channel! - @demboisinc

Exclusive content you won't find anywhere else: Behind-the-scenes magic, engaging YouTube shorts, and insider perspectives.

Send us a text

How important is personal growth in your life? This is not a topic we cover much on Dem Bois Podcast, but today we are diving in! In this episode, I sit down with LaShaun Noel and we discuss

his transition, the challenges he faced, and the importance of self-acceptance. LaShaun reflects on his identity, family dynamics, and the evolving relationship with his mother, emphasizing the significance of support and understanding in his journey. He also shares his journey as a social media influencer focused on fitness and mental health.

We talk:

05:46 - LaShaun’s transition journey

19:55 - Understanding identity and self-expression

28:57 - Navigating relationships and family dynamics

35:18 - Going to therapy and growing through adversity

44:44 - LaShaun’s role as a Social Media Influencer

Episode References:

Dem Bois Pod Ep. 21

Dem Bois Pod Ep. 22

Actively Black

Gym Shark

Read more about LaShaun in his bio below:

My name Is LaShaun Noel and I am a transgender social media influencer who loves to promote fitness and influence others to be the best version one’s self no matter how they see fit.

• IG: @Lashaunno3l
• YouTube: Lashaunno3l
• TikTok: Lashaunno3l

Donate today to support Transmasc Gender Affirming Grants and Community Wellness Packages for Trans Men of Color!

The Visibility = Possibility™️ Merch is here!

Introducing a groundbreaking collaboration crafted by Emilio Perdomo (featured on episode 37). This isn't just merch--it's a movement! We're empowering trans men of color with creative freedom to design their interpretation of Visibility = Possibility™. Think of it like major brands collaborating with athletes, but this time, our community takes center stage. Every purchase supports our vital programs!

Craving more Connection? Dem Bois Community Voices Facebook Group is a safe, moderated sanctuary where trans men of color can connect authentically, discuss podcast episodes, share powerful experiences, and build support networks.

Dem Bois YouTube Channel! - @demboisinc

Exclusive content you won't find anywhere else: Behind-the-scenes magic, engaging YouTube shorts, and insider perspectives.