Dem Bois Podcast

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If you are looking for abundance, look no further. This one is for you! In this episode of Dem Bois Podcast, I sit down with Kaneni, and they share their journey of identity, exploring themes of indigenous ancestry, self-expression through dance, and the complexities of family dynamics. They discuss the significance of their chosen name, Kaneni, which means abundance, and reflect on moments of liberation and connection with others.

We talk:

11:43 - Exploring Indigenous identity and ancestry

21:23 - Liberation through dance and self-expression

37:56 - Navigating family dynamics and acceptance

49:16 - The impact of a past relationship on self-perception

1:13:49 - Self-compassion and healing

Read more about Kaneni in their bio below:

I am a 30 yr old transmasc nonbinary human and my ancestors are indigenous to the Americas. I'm neurodivergent and have always used art and dance as forms of self expression as they've allowed me to communicate in ways I've struggled to with words. I'm building a beautiful life with my partner, my birth child Nopalito (a pup) and my step kid Quinn (elder cat).

• Instagram: @mellow.oleadas

Celebrate 10 years of Dem Bois Inc.!

2026 marks ten years of Dem Bois Inc. To honor this milestone, we invite you to join our 10 for 10 campaign by giving $10 a month to help sustain the care, leadership, and visibility that trans men of color deserve.

Your support helps build a future rooted in care, visibility, and possibility.

Donate today!

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

The Visibility = Possibility™️ Merch is here! - Not just merch, but a movement!

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!

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Listening is a superpower and it can be a powerful tool for connection and understanding. And because of this podcast and the community that I have built around it, I can say that is 100% true. In this episode of Dem Bois Podcast, my guest and I discuss this more. Chandler Jones is a trans masc, nonbinary social worker from Philadelphia, and they share their journey of self-discovery, their experiences growing up in North Philly, navigating their gender identity, and the significance of visibility and communication in their life.

We talk:

5:47 - The influence of family on personal growth

17:51 - The impact of relationships on identity

27:11 - Creating safe spaces for authenticity

32:45 - Empowering youth through listening

41:40 - Building a support system

56:59 - Creativity in social work

1:06:34 - Future aspirations and community impact

Read more about Chandler in their bio below:

Chandler is a trans masc, nonbinary, multi-dimensional being based in Philadelphia, working as a social worker, mentor for queer youth through nonprofit programming. A true Gemini with many creative pursuits, they are also a photographer, creative director, and event curator. Their most meaningful role is community connector—grounded in the ethics of social work and a deep commitment to caring for others by connecting people to housing, clothing, food, and opportunity. They believe creativity is a powerful tool for building spaces where people feel seen, celebrated, and genuinely belong.

• Instagram: @chandler_220

Celebrate 10 years of Dem Bois Inc.!

2026 marks ten years of Dem Bois Inc. To honor this milestone, we invite you to join our 10 for 10 campaign by giving $10 a month to help sustain the care, leadership, and visibility that trans men of color deserve.

Your support helps build a future rooted in care, visibility, and possibility.

Donate today!

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

The Visibility = Possibility™️ Merch is here! - Not just merch, but a movement!

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!

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How important is it to see examples of soft masculinity? To see men cry and express themselves. To see masculine folks find joy and love. Well, I always say visibility equals possibility because once we see it, it becomes an example of what is possible for yourself. That is a huge part of this conversation with Cai Shirley, black trans poet and educator. In this episode of Dem Bois Podcast, Cai shares his journey of self-discovery, exploring themes of genealogy, family dynamics, and the complexities of transitioning.

We talk:

3:04 - Exploring genealogy and family history

17:59 - Conversations about transition

36:54 - Embracing change and identity

42:04 - Redefining masculinity through family influence

58:08 - Visibility equals possibility

1:05:21 - Excavating Black Trans histories

Episode References:

Caillou

The Will to Change by bell hooks

The L Word

Degrassi

Stone Butch Blues by Leslie Feinberg

Star Trek

Nichelle Nichols

Read more about Cai in his bio below:

Cai Sherley is a Black trans poet-educator with roots in Boston, MA. A two-time Pushcart Prize nominee, his work can be found in Best New Poets, swamp pink, Peach Mag, and Tupelo, among others, as well as the anthology I Feel Nothing Like Good: Poets Against Genocide. He has found homes at The Watering Hole, Brooklyn Poets, Tin House, Lambda, and the Chicago Poetry Center, and is a member of Trans Corner Poets. His work centers Black trans life, past and present, in the United States, and his debut chapbook, Out of Yearning, was released in October 2026.

• website: caisherley.com
• socials: crsed_poet

Celebrate 10 years of Dem Bois Inc.!

2026 marks ten years of Dem Bois Inc. To honor this milestone, we invite you to join our 10 for 10 campaign by giving $10 a month to help sustain the care, leadership, and visibility that trans men of color deserve.

Your support helps build a future rooted in care, visibility, and possibility.

Donate today!

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

The Visibility = Possibility™️ Merch is here! - Not just merch, but a movement!

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!

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Welcome back to season 5 of Dem Bois Podcast! Today we are flipping the script and instead of me asking all the questions, I’m being interviewed by a special guest host, Syir. In this episode, I share my journey of founding Dem Bois Inc. and the evolution of the podcast. I discuss personal experiences with identity, masculinity, and personal growth. And, I highlight the importance of community support, the need for self-discovery, and the crucial role of therapy in healing.

We talk:

9:08 - Exploring masculinity and identity

14:55 - Navigating relationships during transition

24:08 - Continuing the journey of healing

32:15 - Living authentically

47:20 - Advice for self-discovery

Episode References:

Finding Your Voice to Live with No Regrets with Syir

Dem Bois Podcast New Sound with Syir aka MoLa Flo

Transitioning at Work with Shawn Aaron

Love Within the Transition

Finding Affirmation in Everyday Moments with Shawn Aaron

Building Confidence to Become Your True Self with Vee Martin

Building Brotherhood Using Unconditional Love with Kalvin Byrd

Read more about Shawn in his bio below:

Shawn Aaron (he/him) is a Black queer trans man, nonprofit leader, and host of Dem Bois Podcast. He is the Founder + Executive Director of Dem Bois Inc., an organization dedicated to affirming and supporting trans men of color through access to gender-affirming care, health equity, and visibility. Drawing from his lived experience with homelessness, Shawn’s mission is rooted in community care and systemic change. Whether through storytelling or advocacy, his work amplifies the voices of those too often unheard. His signature belief: Visibility = Possibility™

• IG - demboisinc
• IG - shawnaaron81

Read more about Syir in his bio below:

Syir (he/they) is a multidisciplinary artist, creative entrepreneur, and aspiring filmmaker based in Tucson, Arizona. As an artist, Syir uses music and storytelling to explore identity, freedom, healing, and self-expression. He is also the CEO and Founder of LaFlo Entertainment, a creative platform focused on music, live events, artist showcases, youth programming, and community connection. Currently studying Film and Television Production, Syir is developing his voice as a filmmaker while continuing to build spaces where artists, creatives, and communities can connect and be seen.

• @syir_nofear

Celebrate 10 years of Dem Bois Inc.!

2026 marks ten years of Dem Bois Inc. To honor this milestone, we invite you to join our 10 for 10 campaign by giving $10 a month to help sustain the care, leadership, and visibility that trans men of color deserve.

Your support helps build a future rooted in care, visibility, and possibility.

Donate today!

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

The Visibility = Possibility™️ Merch is here! - Not just merch, but a movement!

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!

Send us Fan Mail

I want to end this season of Dem Bois Podcast by encouraging you to reflect. Reflect on moments of affirmation throughout your life and recognize the small wins that lead to the bigger wins. In this episode I do just that. I discuss different events in my life where I really felt affirmed in my body and how they transformed the way I see myself and pushed me to accept myself. The conversation highlights the significance of visibility, support from loved ones, and the power of positive reinforcement in your journey of self-discovery.

I talk:

05:58 - Reflections on body image

17:54 - Cherished memories and lasting impact

27:08 - Family dynamics and personal affirmation

35:56 - Unexpected connections and humor

49:55 - Healthy masculinity and self-affirmation

Episode References:

Ep. 98 - The Collection of Encouragement Series; Part 1

Ep. 7 - Transitioning at Work

Ep. 112 - Breaking Free from Conventional Femininity with denim {d} chang

Jaylen Hands lifts up teammate after turnover - video

Ep. 127 - Extracting Closure; Dear Father,

Read more about Shawn in his bio below:

Shawn Aaron (he/him) is a Black queer trans man, nonprofit leader, and host of Dem Bois Podcast. He is the Founder + Executive Director of Dem Bois Inc., an organization dedicated to affirming and supporting trans men of color through access to gender-affirming care, health equity, and visibility. Drawing from his lived experience with homelessness, Shawn’s mission is rooted in community care and systemic change. Whether through storytelling or advocacy, his work amplifies the voices of those too often unheard. His signature belief: Visibility = Possibility™

• IG - demboisinc
• IG - shawnaaron81

Celebrate 10 years of Dem Bois Inc.!

2026 marks ten years of Dem Bois Inc. To honor this milestone, we invite you to join our 10 for 10 campaign by giving $10 a month to help sustain the care, leadership, and visibility that trans men of color deserve.

Your support helps build a future rooted in care, visibility, and possibility.

Donate today!

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

The Visibility = Possibility™️ Merch is here! - Not just merch, but a movement!

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!

Send us Fan Mail

If you’ve been rocking with Dem Bois Podcast for a while, then you may have heard me briefly talk about my father. But in this episode I talk about his role in my life in detail. This episode is another in this mini series about extracting closure and today I reflect on the emotional impact of my father's absence, the longing for paternal love, and the journey towards healing.

I talk:

10:44 - Reflections on fatherhood and absence

22:27 - Seeking closure: the letter to my father

37:20 - Navigating parental relationships

45:56 - The complexity of family dynamics

55:05 - Our final conversations and lasting effects

Episode References:

Ep. 126 - Extracting Closure; Dear Mama, with Shawn Aaron

Ep. 106 - Extracting Closure From a Past Situation with Shawn Aaron

Ep. 103 - Building Brotherhood Using Unconditional Love with Kalvin Byrd

Read more about Shawn in his bio below:

Shawn Aaron (he/him) is a Black queer trans man, nonprofit leader, and host of Dem Bois Podcast. He is the Founder + Executive Director of Dem Bois Inc., an organization dedicated to affirming and supporting trans men of color through access to gender-affirming care, health equity, and visibility. Drawing from his lived experience with homelessness, Shawn’s mission is rooted in community care and systemic change. Whether through storytelling or advocacy, his work amplifies the voices of those too often unheard. His signature belief: Visibility = Possibility™

• IG - demboisinc
• IG - shawnaaron81

Celebrate 10 years of Dem Bois Inc.!

2026 marks ten years of Dem Bois Inc. To honor this milestone, we invite you to join our 10 for 10 campaign by giving $10 a month to help sustain the care, leadership, and visibility that trans men of color deserve.

Your support helps build a future rooted in care, visibility, and possibility.

Donate today!

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

The Visibility = Possibility™️ Merch is here! - Not just merch, but a movement!

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!

Send us Fan Mail

This episode of Dem Bois Podcast is a continuation of my reflection on extracting closure, and this one focuses on my mother. I talk about my mother and our relationship often, but today I’m taking it a step further by reading a letter that I wrote to her, one that really helped me heal. I also discuss the process of writing this letter, the impact of my past traumas, and the importance of telling my story.

I talk:

03:37 - Exploring past relationships and closure

12:45 - Personal stories of trauma and healing

21:55 - Writing for healing and control of narrative

27:28 - The power of healing and community

35:20 - Dear Mama: A Journey of Healing

43:10 - Transforming pain into purpose

Episode References:

Ep. 123 - Fulfillment Through Authenticity and Art as Self-Discovery with Wen Neale

Ep. 122 - The Weight of Trauma: Unpacking Adoption, Love, and Identity with Felix-Long Laneri

Ep. 119 - Breaking Cycles of Trauma through Art and Love with Sunny

Ep. 106 - Extracting Closure From a Past Situation with Shawn Aaron

Ep. 103 - Building Brotherhood Using Unconditional Love with Kalvin Byrd

Ep 48 - Repairing the Relationship with My Birth Mother and the Death of My Chosen Mother

Ep. 12 - Healing Generational Trauma Through Transformative Parenting

Ep. 3 - Surviving Homelessness

30 Days of Black Trans Reflection: Abolition, Anti-capitalism, and Black Queer Feminism

Dear Mama, | Day 27 of 30

Read more about Shawn in his bio below:

Shawn Aaron (he/him) is a Black queer trans man, nonprofit leader, and host of Dem Bois Podcast. He is the Founder + Executive Director of Dem Bois Inc., an organization dedicated to affirming and supporting trans men of color through access to gender-affirming care, health equity, and visibility. Drawing from his lived experience with homelessness, Shawn’s mission is rooted in community care and systemic change. Whether through storytelling or advocacy, his work amplifies the voices of those too often unheard. His signature belief: Visibility = Possibility™

• IG - demboisinc
• IG - shawnaaron81

Celebrate 10 years of Dem Bois Inc.!

2026 marks ten years of Dem Bois Inc. To honor this milestone, we invite you to join our 10 for 10 campaign by giving $10 a month to help sustain the care, leadership, and visibility that trans men of color deserve.

Your support helps build a future rooted in care, visibility, and possibility.

Donate today!

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

The Visibility = Possibility™️ Merch is here! - Not just merch, but a movement!

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!

Send us Fan Mail

“Right now the most invaluable resource (besides water) is empathy.”

This quote from EN’B definitely sets the tone for this episode of Dem Bois Podcast. Today, EN’B shares their journey through music, their cultural identity, and the significance of drumming as a form of meditation and community connection. We also discuss the impact of colonization on cultural practices, humor as a survival mechanism, and the intersections of diaspora and cultural trauma.

We talk:

10:02 - Growing up Korean American in Arkansas

21:19 - The spiritual significance of drumming

39:46 - Exploring diaspora blues and ancestral connections

54:07 - Remembering life before colonization

01:06:03 - Self-love and body awareness

Episode References:

Ep. 123 - Fulfillment Through Authenticity and Art as Self-Discovery with Wen Neale

Ep. 95 - Having Faith and Knowing That You’re Worthy with Alexander Rey Simon-Perez

Palestinian Pole Dancer: Farrahthedoll

Moroccan Chef: Meantangine

Singer: Storai.s

Dancer: Joycethethief

Producer: Vwhitehawk

Read more about EN’B in their bio below:

EN'B 은비 they/he is a Korean American non-binary transmasc producer, singer-songwriter, Korean traditional percussionist, and actor. Their work channels Han 한—collective grief and unavenged injustice—alongside heung 흥, the joy found in resilience. Born in LA, raised in Arkansas, and shaped by their studies in Baltimore, EN’B navigates the intersections of diaspora and dysphoria to express what they call their “diaspora blues.” They’ve performed across the U.S., including the Kennedy Center, Broadwater Theater stages, with a mission to ancestral dreams through performance and media

• IG - @Littlegiant.enb

Celebrate 10 years of Dem Bois Inc.!

2026 marks ten years of Dem Bois Inc. To honor this milestone, we invite you to join our 10 for 10 campaign by giving $10 a month to help sustain the care, leadership, and visibility that trans men of color deserve.

Your support helps build a future rooted in care, visibility, and possibility.

Donate today!

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

The Visibility = Possibility™️ Merch is here! - Not just merch, but a movement!

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!

Send us Fan Mail

Many of us spend most of our lives hiding. Because society tells us that we are different and should be ashamed, we hide our bodies, our sexuality, ourselves. And that is why visibility is so important, because it equals possibility. And in this episode of Dem Bois Podcast, my guest and I consider how true that really is. Today’s guest is Noah Arhm Choi and together we discuss the significance of media literacy in combating anti-trans propaganda, the impact of societal narratives on personal identity, and the intersection of gender identity with societal structures like capitalism.

We talk:

11:11 - Coming out and using articles to bridge understanding

24:04 - Media literacy and anti-trans propaganda

33:09 - Autonomy and authorship: moving from invisibility to visibility

45:16 - Gender-affirming care and why joy feels threatening to systems

51:21 - Colonialism, binaries, and managing anxiety

63:31 - Noah’s Poem: My Passport Doesn’t Protect Me Anymore

Episode References:

The Trevor Project

Gender Spectrum

Lambda Legal

Erin in the Morning

Politico

Ace Ventura: Pet Detective (1994)

Written on the Body by Jeanette Winterson

Cut to Bloom

Read more about Noah in their bio below:

Noah Arhm Choi is the author of Cut to Bloom, winner of the 2019 Jack McCarthy Book Prize. A Lambda Literary Poet-In-Residence and Valentines Editor for Honey Literary, they received an MFA from Sarah Lawrence, and their work has appeared in Adroit, Split this Rock, Poetry Daily, The Rumpus, and elsewhere. Noah was shortlisted for the Poetry International Prize and received the Ellen Conroy Kennedy Poetry Prize, alongside fellowships from Kundiman, the Sewanee Writers’ Conference, and the Adirondack Center for Writing.

• IG - noah.arhm.choi

Celebrate 10 years of Dem Bois Inc.!

2026 marks ten years of Dem Bois Inc. To honor this milestone, we invite you to join our 10 for 10 campaign by giving $10 a month to help sustain the care, leadership, and visibility that trans men of color deserve.

Your support helps build a future rooted in care, visibility, and possibility.

Donate today!

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

The Visibility = Possibility™️ Merch is here! - Not just merch, but a movement!

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!

Send us Fan Mail

Mainstream education doesn’t teach much, if anything, about the history of Trans people, but we have existed forever! And we will continue to exist forever! In this episode of Dem Bois Podcast, my guest Wen Neal shares how learning Trans history helped him understand gender more deeply. Wen also discusses the importance of online communities in understanding gender identity, the complexities of familial relationships, and the ongoing journey of understanding yourself and your place in the world.

We talk:

9:27 - The role of online communities in self-discovery

17:26 - Family dynamics and growing up

24:03 - Navigating difficult conversations with parents

37:19 - Healthcare disparities: Florida vs. California

43:30 - The importance of Trans history education

52:40 - Art as a reflection of identity

Episode References:

Deviant Art

Maine-coon Cat Breed

My Strange Addiction

Deantrbl IG

Read more about Wen in his bio below:

Wen Neale is a Asian American transman who's been on HRT for over 10 years (and has four cats) - since the beginning of his transition, he's been an open book on the internet about his transgender journey, and was able to share his experiences as a speaker in UC Davis. Wen is an inspirational figure in the Asian American trans community for his outspoken experiences about living authentically and taking calculated risks in finding his own path to happiness, from personal life to his career.

• Website - catdad.online
• IG - sippystraw
• IG Shop - catdadshop
• Twitter - catdadwen

Celebrate 10 years of Dem Bois Inc.!

2026 marks ten years of Dem Bois Inc. To honor this milestone, we invite you to join our 10 for 10 campaign by giving $10 a month to help sustain the care, leadership, and visibility that trans men of color deserve.

Your support helps build a future rooted in care, visibility, and possibility.

Donate today!

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

The Visibility = Possibility™️ Merch is here! - Not just merch, but a movement!

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!

Send us Fan Mail

If you’ve ever wondered what it really takes to love yourself and be loved for exactly who you are, this episode of Dem Bois Podcast will challenge your beliefs and inspire your journey. Today I sit down with Felix-Long Laneri, and he shares his story of how embracing his trans identity, healing from a complicated adoption story, and leaning into community transformed his life. From unpacking the weight of human trafficking behind his adoption story to navigating relationships with a distant adoptive mother, he offers raw insights into the complexities of identity, family, and belonging.

We talk:

05:14 - Adoption, loss of heritage, and the complexity of trafficking

06:20 - China’s one-child policy, uncertainty around his birth story, and lost origins

11:28 - Childhood memories that revealed gender alignment

19:08 - Felix’s relationship with his adoptive mother

32:59 - Community, engagement, and the love that currently supports him

45:19 - Somatic therapy, healing through the body, and why it matters for trans folks

Episode References:

Dem Bois Podcast Ep. #95 Having Faith and Knowing That You’re Worthy with Alexander Rey Simon-Perez

Dem Bois Podcast Ep. #96 Season 3 Finale - Episode of Empowerment with Alexander Rey Simon-Perez (Divine, They, He, King)

Read more about Felix in his bio below:

Felix-Long Laneri is a social worker, somatic practitioner, organizer, trans, transracial adoptee. He currently works as a gender therapist in a therapy group practice, providing space for predominantly trans folks across the life span to explore identity, relationships, and healing. On his off time he organizes Philly TMOC, a transmasc of color group focused on relationship building and expansive boyhood.

• IG - felixlaneri

Celebrate 10 years of Dem Bois Inc.!

2026 marks ten years of Dem Bois Inc. To honor this milestone, we invite you to join our 10 for 10 campaign by giving $10 a month to help sustain the care, leadership, and visibility that trans men of color deserve.

Your support helps build a future rooted in care, visibility, and possibility.

Donate today!

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

The Visibility = Possibility™️ Merch is here! - Not just merch, but a movement!

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!

Send us Fan Mail

Pregnancy and birth are beautiful things that I don’t get to talk about enough. But in this episode of Dem Bois Podcast, those are the main topics of conversation! Today I sit down with Keo and Mason, a Black trans masculine couple, and we discuss their journey through pregnancy, birthing, and parenting. Keo and Mason also share their experiences with healthcare, their evolving perspectives on family, and the importance of community support. Together, we emphasize the significance of love, understanding, and preparation in raising a child in today's world.

We talk:

5:59 - Navigating healthcare as a Trans couple

17:51 - Future aspirations for Lou (their daughter)

23:56 - Family dynamics and identity

31:33 - Sharing life experiences with children

40:10 - Adjusting to parenthood and new responsibilities

54:37 - Celebrating milestones and fatherhood

Episode References:

Ep. 109 - Unapologetically Black, Trans, and Pregnant with Keo Ruiz-O’Neal

Ep. 15 - Growing Beyond Insecurities and Healing from Trauma with Xavier Jones

Read more about Keo and Mason in their bio below:

Keo & Mason are a Black transmasculine couple who have been together for 9 years and have been married for 6 & a half. The couple recently welcomed a baby girl who Keo carried. Keo and Mason are very proud of the life they’ve built together and even more proud of what their love has manifested into. The pair live in Colorado with their daughter, 3 cats, & dog.

• IG - keos_kingdom

Celebrate 10 years of Dem Bois Inc.!

2026 marks ten years of Dem Bois Inc. To honor this milestone, we invite you to join our 10 for 10 campaign by giving $10 a month to help sustain the care, leadership, and visibility that trans men of color deserve.

Your support helps build a future rooted in care, visibility, and possibility.

Donate today!

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

The Visibility = Possibility™️ Merch is here! - Not just merch, but a movement!

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!

Send us Fan Mail

What does “home” mean to you? This is a word with multiple definitions and Kai Marshall Green explores many of them in his memoir, A Body Made Home: They Black Trans Love. And that is what this episode of Dem Bois Podcast is all about. Today I sit down with our Production Assistant, Joël Simeu, and we discuss the themes of identity, home, mental health, and the transformative power of writing. We also reflect on our personal experiences and the significance of the book's structure, emphasizing the importance of breaks and self-care in the reading process.

We talk:

08:49 - The power of writing and memory

15:12 - The structure and style of the memoir

21:02 - The importance of breaks in reading

33:15 - Reflections on mental health and identity

46:47 - The power of vulnerability in healing

01:00:05 - The impact of storytelling and visibility

Click here for transcription!

Episode References:

A Body Made Home by Kai Marshal Green

Ep. 69 - What if Everyone Leads with Love? with Joël Simeu

Ep. 77 - Dem Bois Highlight Series Part 5; with Joël Simeu

Ep. 102 - Navigating Gender Expressions and Expectations with Kai Marshall Green

Phenomenal Woman by Maya Angelou

Heavy by Kiese Laymon

Read more about Shawn in his bio below:

Shawn Aaron (he/him) is a Black queer trans man, nonprofit leader, and host of Dem Bois Podcast. He is the Founder + Executive Director of Dem Bois Inc., an organization dedicated to affirming and supporting trans men of color through access to gender-affirming care, health equity, and visibility. Drawing from his lived experience with homelessness, Shawn’s mission is rooted in community care and systemic change. Whether through storytelling or advocacy, his work amplifies the voices of those too often unheard. His signature belief: Visibility = Possibility™

• IG - demboisinc
• IG - shawnaaron81

Read more about Joël in his bio below:

Joël Simeu Juegouo is a poet, musician, and griot from Cameroon. His writing is featured in HarperCollins' Here to Stay: Poetry and Prose from the Undocumented Diaspora. And he was selected as 2026 Undocupoet Fellow. Joël has served as manager for Outpost Foundation’s writing residency program and assesses submissions for the program’s fellowship candidates. He also works towards amplifying the voices of transmasculine folks of color, as Production Assistant to Dem Bois, Inc. Simeu earned his M.A. in Literatures in English from Cornell University, where he teaches writing seminars. His doctoral dissertation contends with poetics of Black transmasculine cultural epistemology.

These days find him craving that which is tender and slow. Each day, he strives to become a menace to his enemies and prays for the liberation of all oppressed people. Each day he gives his gorgeous calico, all of his love. Today, and always, he invites you to stay rooted in your breath.

• IG - jojosim27

Celebrate 10 years of Dem Bois Inc.!

2026 marks ten years of Dem Bois Inc. To honor this milestone, we invite you to join our 10 for 10 campaign by giving $10 a month to help sustain the care, leadership, and visibility that trans men of color deserve.

Your support helps build a future rooted in care, visibility, and possibility.

Donate today!

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

The Visibility = Possibility™️ Merch is here! - Not just merch, but a movement!

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!

Send us Fan Mail

I didn’t have the best relationship with my mother growing up, so when I became a father, I leveled up on my healing so I could break that cycle. And, healing is a huge part of this conversation with Sunny, a nonbinary trans artist, photographer, and advertising creative. In this episode of Dem Bois Podcast, Sunny and I discuss the impact of their upbringing, the complexities of maternal relationships, and the significance of therapy in their life. Sunny also explains the concepts of Afrofuturism and surrealism, highlighting how these artistic movements influence their work.

We talk:

08:55 - Navigating gender identity and expression

14:56 - Cultural expectations and parenting

27:13 - Defining nonbinary identity

36:21 - Navigating family dynamics

48:04 - The power of art and community

59:29 - Building confidence through photography

Click here for transcription!

Episode References:

The Brown Boi Project

Dem Bois Highlight Series Part 5; with Joël Simeu

A video of an adopted person speaking to their birth parent

Dem Bois Episode 12 - Healing Generational Trauma Through Transformative Parenting

Read more about Sunny in their bio below:

Sunny (They/He) is a nonbinary, transmasc artist, photographer and advertising creative with a background in Black feminist theory, gender studies and pedagogy. Through “poetry in motion,” their art centers afrofuturism, surrealism and the radical beauty of joy.

• IG: SPICECAMVISUALS
• IG: COMPLEX.SUN
• TT: SPICEDAD

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Celebrate 10 years of Dem Bois Inc.!

2026 marks ten years of Dem Bois Inc. To honor this milestone, we invite you to join our 10 for 10 campaign by giving $10 a month to help sustain the care, leadership, and visibility that trans men of color deserve.

Your support helps build a future rooted in care, visibility, and possibility.

Donate today!

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

The Visibility = Possibility™️ Merch is here! - Not just merch, but a movement!

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!

Send us Fan Mail

Visibility equals possibility, and that is especially true in the medical field. In this episode of Dem Bois Podcast, I sit down with Taylor Chiang, a non-binary general surgery resident at the University of Chicago, and we discuss Taylor's journey through medical school, their experiences with gender identity, and the challenges of being queer in a traditionally conservative field. The conversation also touches on family dynamics, the importance of representation in medicine, and advice for aspiring medical professionals from gender-diverse backgrounds.

We talk:

05:58 - Understanding non-binary identity

12:04 - Navigating family dynamics and gender identity

29:04 - Queer representation in medicine

34:11 - Advice for aspiring gender diverse medical professionals

46:51 - Navigating medical school admissions

55:59 - Access to healthcare challenges

Click here for transcription!

Episode References:

No Reservations (movie 2007)

Love Jones (movie 1997)

Ep. 107 - The Complexities and Phases of Gender Awakening with Taj Taylor

Read more about Taylor in their bio below:

Taylor is a non-binary, queer PGY2 general surgery resident at the University of Chicago. Originally from NJ, they received their BA from Swarthmore College, and MD from Rutgers Robert Wood Johnson. They recently moved to IL and the last year and a half has been marked by a lot of change. New city, new job, new friends. Outside the hospital they enjoy running and lifting to keep them sane.

• IG - @t_chiang_
• LinkedIn - tchiang1
• taylor.chang15@gmail.com

Celebrate 10 years of Dem Bois Inc.!

2026 marks ten years of Dem Bois Inc. To honor this milestone, we invite you to join our 10 for 10 campaign by giving $10 a month to help sustain the care, leadership, and visibility that trans men of color deserve.

Your support helps build a future rooted in care, visibility, and possibility.

Donate today!

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

The Visibility = Possibility™️ Merch is here! - Not just merch, but a movement!

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!

Send us Fan Mail

Life is customizable! I know that society tries to pretend that it isn’t, but the truth is, you get to choose! And in this episode of Dem Bois Podcast, my guest Wenjamin Nguyen-Gilmore drives that point home. Wenjaman is a queer business boy and retired runway model, and today we discuss Wen's journey of gender identity, the challenges faced in the modeling industry, and the importance of community and education in understanding diverse identities.

We talk:

8:10 - Exploring gender identity

25:35 - Modeling career and its challenges

39:08 - Understanding autism and gender identity

42:25 - The importance of education and empathy

51:38 - The need for cultural understanding and acceptance

1:06:20 - Traveling and self-discovery

Click here for transcription!

Episode References:

Vocaloid

Hatsune Miku

Transguy Supply

Auston Bjorkman

Mutt (movie 2023)

Gia (TV movie 1998)

Dem Bois Podcast Ep. 72 - Autism, Queerness, Parenting and Family Dynamics with Schereéya

Read more about Wenjamin in their bio below:

Retired runway model, queer business boy-wonder, and cat father to the stars. How does one juggle between parenthood, being in college for 3 degrees, and a job working with autistic kids? Insane, yes, but not impossible. Wenjamin is a trans-nonbinary, multilinguist of colour on the rise to get their doctorate, here to give advice on queer social mobility, as well as navigating life’s hardships from everyday struggles to geosociopolitical levels of intersectionality.

• @heywenjamin on IG

Celebrate 10 years of Dem Bois Inc.!

2026 marks ten years of Dem Bois Inc. To honor this milestone, we invite you to join our 10 for 10 campaign by giving $10 a month to help sustain the care, leadership, and visibility that trans men of color deserve.

Your support helps build a future rooted in care, visibility, and possibility.

Donate today!

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

The Visibility = Possibility™️ Merch is here! - Not just merch, but a movement!

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!

Send us Fan Mail

I say this all the time and I will say it again! Masculinity is what you choose to make of it. You don’t have to subscribe to the toxic masculinity of our fathers and uncles. We can choose a softer side, and we talk all about that in this episode of Dem Bois Podcast. Today’s guest is fiction writer and poet, Bodi, and we explore the themes of masculinity, identity, and community. We emphasize the power of vulnerability and the role of writing in healing. And, we address the privileges and challenges at the intersections of race and gender.

We talk:

3:45 - How we met at Camp Lost Boys

9:59 - Bodi’s journey of self-discovery

29:58 - Navigating race and identity in germany

40:10 - Embracing change and positive masculinity

48:31 - The role of art in expression

53:29 - Bodi’s poem

Click here for transcription!

Episode References:

Camp Lost Boys

One World Poetry Night

Math jokes page?

Read more about Bodi in his bio below:

Bodi (he/him), a fiction writer poet is a fire sun and rising, moon in cute. His work guides him to process what life blessed him with like dreams and water, spirituality, ancestry, love and affection but also body politics around gender, queerness and disability. Bodi has a background in cultural science and has been working with queer communities of colour in Berlin Germany as a project manager, educator and social worker for more than 10 years. He loves to sing, he loves to cook, give massages and he thinks about qualities of rest.

• @bodipoetry

Celebrate 10 years of Dem Bois Inc.!

2026 marks ten years of Dem Bois Inc. To honor this milestone, we invite you to join our 10 for 10 campaign by giving $10 a month to help sustain the care, leadership, and visibility that trans men of color deserve.

Your support helps build a future rooted in care, visibility, and possibility.

Donate today!

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

The Visibility = Possibility™️ Merch is here! - Not just merch, but a movement!

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!

Send us Fan Mail

What do you know about “trans time?” I had never heard the term before my interview with poet and educator, Alexis N. Garcia, but in this episode of Dem Bois Podcast, Alexis teaches all about this concept and more! In this episode, Alexis also discusses their identity, exploring themes of gender, ancestry, and the importance of community. They reflect on the role of play and imagination in our lives, the journey of writing and creativity, the significance of support systems, and the essence of freedom.

We talk:

2:44 - Exploring identity and ancestry

18:26 - The journey of gender and transition

33:21 - Healing generational trauma

40:05 - Understanding “Trans Time” and nonlinear existence

54:35 - Support systems and community connections

Click here for transcription!

Episode References:

Octavia Butler

Caro De Robertis

Tina Aguirre

The Hips on the Drag Queen Go Swish, Swish, Swish

Read more about Alexis is their bio below:

Alexis N. Garcia is a t-boy poet & educator dreaming against the state. Their cross-discipline experiments glitch traditional poetic form to construct trans time & non-linear meaning-making. You can find their work in The Hopkins Review, Poets.org’s “Poem-A-Day” series, The Slowdown, The Best of the Net Anthology 2022, among others. Aceves Garcia has received fellowships from The Outpost Foundation, Jack Jones Literary Arts, and the Tin House Summer Workshop. Their latest callings include bringing plant offerings to the ocean and escaping linear time.

• Instagram loveloaf_
• https://alexisacevesgarcia.com/

Celebrate 10 years of Dem Bois Inc.!

2026 marks ten years of Dem Bois Inc. To honor this milestone, we invite you to join our 10 for 10 campaign by giving $10 a month to help sustain the care, leadership, and visibility that trans men of color deserve.

Your support helps build a future rooted in care, visibility, and possibility.

Donate today!

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

The Visibility = Possibility™️ Merch is here! - Not just merch, but a movement!

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!

Send us Fan Mail

Laughter is a powerful tool for connection! It breaks down barriers and cools fires, and in this episode of Dem Bois Podcast Jonnea talks about how he connects with people through comedy. Jonnea is a stand-up comedian and artist/designer, and he shares insights on embracing his hater side, the significance of his name, and girlhood and womanhood. We also discuss the importance of relationships and support systems, the impact of perception on identity, and the intersection of humor and identity, particularly as a trans individual.

We talk:

02:58 - Embracing the hater within

15:03 - Menstruation and body experiences

24:03 - Perception and identity

36:33 - The journey into stand-up comedy

49:50 - The power of laughter

53:29 - Comedy and gender identity

01:01:31 - The intellectual side of comedy

Click here for transcription!

Click here for Episode References!

Read more about Jonnea in his bio below:

Jonnea Herman is a queer, afrolatinx, part storyteller and part hater, stand up comedian, and artist/designer based in Brooklyn, New York.

• @j0nnea (Twitter + IG + tiktok)
• http://www.jonneaherman.info

Celebrate 10 years of Dem Bois Inc.!

2026 marks ten years of Dem Bois Inc. To honor this milestone, we invite you to join our 10 for 10 campaign by giving $10 a month to help sustain the care, leadership, and visibility that trans men of color deserve.

Your support helps build a future rooted in care, visibility, and possibility.

Donate today!

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

The Visibility = Possibility™️ Merch is here! - Not just merch, but a movement!

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!

Send us Fan Mail

Connection is like a light in a dark space. The more light there is, the brighter the room becomes. And the more trans men of color connect with each other, the bigger our families become. In this episode of Dem Bois Podcast, my guest, award-winning author KB Brookins, shares their journey of navigating identity, writing, and family dynamics. We discuss the importance of visibility and connection, the nuances of Black womanhood and manhood, the precarity of these identities, and the significance of diverse representation in literature.

We talk:

09:05 - Understanding gender and self-discovery

21:14 - Advice for navigating queerness and family

34:22 - The journey of writing a memoir

44:36 - Exploring freedom through poetry

55:18 - Trans News That Doesn't Suck

Click here for transcription!

Episode References:

1946 (movie)

Dearborn (book) By Ghassan Zeineddine

Erin In The Morning

Autostraddle

LGBTQ Nation

Learning to Shut Out the Noise with Ja’Mel Ashely Ware

Read more about KB in their bio below:

KB Brookins is the author of three books, including Pretty (2024), winner of the Lambda Literary Award in Transgender Nonfiction. They are an ACLU of Texas Artist-in-Residence and a Black Mountain Institute Shearing Fellow at UNLV.

• @earthtokb on Instagram, TikTok, and Substack
• Trans News That Doesn’t Suck
• Freedom House

Celebrate 10 years of Dem Bois Inc.!

2026 marks ten years of Dem Bois Inc. To honor this milestone, we invite you to join our 10 for 10 campaign by giving $10 a month to help sustain the care, leadership, and visibility that trans men of color deserve.

Your support helps build a future rooted in care, visibility, and possibility.

Donate today!

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

The Visibility = Possibility™️ Merch is here! - Not just merch, but a movement!

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!