Dem Bois Podcast
by Shawn Aaron
This podcast aims to serve as a platform to highlight and amplify the voices of trans men of color and share our transition stories. The Dem Bois Podcast will also cover other issues related to being a trans man of color, such as dating, fitness, sex, mental health, family, and other topics related to our existence. The podcast aims to amplify trans men of color voices and raise awareness of our lived experiences.
Episodes
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Celebrating Humanity and Joy for Black Trans Men with Dr. Lockett
Send us Fan Mail Can Black men be human? Depending on the messaging you receive from the media, you may think that the answer to that question is debatable. But, in this episode of Dem Bois Podcast, we answer with a resounding yes! Today I sit down with scholar, healer, and creative, Dr. Gabriel...
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Navigating Identity and Embracing Abundance with Kaneni
Send us Fan Mail 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...
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Empowering Queer Youth Through Visibility and Listening with Chandler Jones
Send us Fan Mail 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…
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Trans History, Soft Masculinity, and Genealogy with Cai Shirley
Send us Fan Mail 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…
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The Heart of Dem Bois Podcast: A Conversation with Syir and Shawn Aaron
Send us Fan Mail 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…
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Finding Affirmation in Everyday Moments with Shawn Aaron
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...
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Extracting Closure; Dear Father, with Shawn Aaron
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...
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Extracting Closure; Dear Mama, with Shawn Aaron
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…
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Cultural Resilience Through Music and Drumming with EN'B
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…
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Autonomy and Authorship: Transitioning Into Visibility and Self-Definition with Noah Arhm Choi
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...
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Fulfillment Through Authenticity and Art as Self-Discovery with Wen Neale
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...
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The Weight of Trauma: Unpacking Adoption, Love, and Identity with Felix-Long Laneri
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...
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The Power of Community and Representation in Parenthood with Keo and Mason
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,...
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A Body Made Home: Reflection with Shawn Aaron and Joël Simeu
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...
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Breaking Cycles of Trauma through Art and Love with Sunny
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...
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Queer Representation in Healthcare: A Conversation with Taylor Chiang
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...
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Love Over Ignorance: Customizing Your Life with Wenjamin Nguyen-Gilmore
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...
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Redefining Masculinity Through Writing and Vulnerability with Bodi
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…
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Trans Time: Escaping Linear Narratives with Alexis N. Garcia
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...
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Building Support: A Hater's Guide to Comedy with Jonnea Herman
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...
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The Importance of Community and Connection in Queerness with KB Brookins
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…
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Breaking Free from Conventional Femininity with denim {d} chang
Send us Fan Mail When you think about masculinity and vulnerability, you may not think they work together, but they do! And in this episode of Dem Bois Podcast, denim chang tells us how. He also shares personal experiences with conventional femininity, healing from toxic patterns, and the role of...
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Staying Connected to Humanity in Chaos with Simran Chugani
Send us Fan Mail Think about anger like a pot of boiling water. If the fire keeps burning when all the water is boiled, the pot will eventually catch fire. And if you allow your anger to boil over, your body will pay the price. And we dive deeper into this concept in this episode of Dem Bois...
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Finding Community Through Visibility and Fitness with Miles
Send us Fan Mail Finding community is something we discuss often on Dem Bois Podcast. Why? Because it is important! And in this episode, Miles and I emphasize the significance of community, confidence, and visibility, as well as the challenges and triumphs faced during transition. We also discuss...
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Unapologetically Black, Trans, and Pregnant with Keo Ruiz-O’Neal
Send us Fan Mail I say it all the time and I will continue to say it: “Children are a blessing!” They are innocent beings that deserve love and care, and that is the basis of my conversation with Keo Ruiz-O’Neal on this episode of Dem Bois Podcast. Keo is our first guest who is actively pregnant...
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Embracing Sex Positivity and Freedom with Gabe Tha Babe
Send us Fan Mail What would society look like if we could all be ourselves with no repercussions? I can’t be sure, but we touch on it in this episode of Dem Bois Podcast. Today’s guest is Gabe Tha Babe, a multidisciplinary artist and community organizer, and we discuss the importance of family...
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The Complexities and Phases of Gender Awakening with Taj Taylor
Send us Fan Mail One thing we don’t get to talk about often is the role that fashion can play in gender awakening and identity. But in this episode of Dem Bois Podcast, our guest Taj Taylor brings it to the forefront of the conversation. Today we discuss family dynamics, self-acceptance, and the...
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Extracting Closure From a Past Situation with Shawn Aaron
Send us Fan Mail Why is it so important to express your feelings? Because people aren’t mind readers and if you don’t express yourself, they may never know how you feel. And, I had to learn this the hard way. This episode of Dem Bois Podcast is a solo episode where I discuss extracting closure…
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Exploring Gender Identity in the Ballroom Scene with Jota & Calvin
Send us Fan Mail A recurring theme on Dem Bois Podcast is the importance of friendship and chosen family. And in this episode, I sit down with two friends who have become family. Today I talk to Jota and Calvin, and we discuss the impact of community, the intersections of race and gender, and the...
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Trailer
Send us Fan Mail Welcome to Dem Bois Podcast! This podcast aims to serve as a platform to highlight and amplify the voices of trans men of color as we share our transition stories, discuss mental health, fitness, parenthood, and many other issues that are relatable to trans men of color and our...
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Advocating for Trans Equality and Resilience with Devon Ojeda, PhD
Send us Fan Mail In this episode of Dem Bois Podcast I have an amazing conversation with Devon Ojeda, about the importance of community, identity, and resilience in the face of adversity. Devon shares their personal journey, including their experiences with trauma, spirituality, and the...
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Building Brotherhood Using Unconditional Love with Kalvin Byrd
Send us Fan Mail Did you know that there are people in the world that will love you for free? People that will hold space for you with no conditions whatsoever… And that is pretty much the message of this episode of Dem Bois Podcast. Today I sit down with Kalvin Byrd, and we discuss the…
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Navigating Gender Expressions and Expectations with Kai Marshall Green
Send us Fan Mail We all fail at gender, trans and cis folks. We don’t fit into the rigid boxes society has created for us because binary rules are flawed. And in this episode of Dem Bois Podcast, we dive into this concept. Today’s guest is Kai Marshall Green, and together we explore themes of...
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Building Your Best Life, Brick by Brick with Olíver Eluz Infante
Send us Fan Mail The life you want doesn’t just happen. You have to build it! And, in this episode of Dem Bois Podcast, my guest Olíver Eluz Infante tells us how he is building the life of his dreams, brick by brick. Today we discuss the importance of mutual aid, the intersection of gender...
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Celebration of the 100th Episode with Shawn Aaron
Send us Fan Mail This is the 100th episode of Dem Bois Podcast! And I am so grateful to each and every listener, whether you’ve been rocking with us since episode one or if you’re just tuning in today. Thank you! In this milestone episode, I take the guest role while our producer, Jasmine from…
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Dem Bois Highlight Series Part 7; with Jasmine Gary aka Pink Lady
Send us Fan Mail Wow! We have almost made it to the 100th episode of Dem Bois Podcast, and our producer Jasmine Gary aka Pink Lady has been rocking with us since episode one. In this episode we discuss the evolution of the podcast, the importance of amplifying marginalized voices, and the growth...
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The Collection of Encouragement Series; Part 1
Send us Fan Mail This episode of Dem Bois Podcast is part 1 of our new encouragement series. It features sound bites from various episodes that highlight themes of self-worth, identity, and resilience. The clips explore non-binary identity, the journey of self-acceptance, the importance of…
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Dem Bois is More Than a Podcast with Shawn Aaron
Send us Fan Mail Did you know that Dem Bois Podcast is an extension of Dem Bois Inc.? Well in this episode, I’m going to tell you all about it! Today I discuss the history and mission of Dem Bois, Inc. I reflect on the journey of the podcast, its impact on the community, and the importance of...
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Season 3 Finale - Episode of Empowerment with Alexander Rey Simon-Perez
Send us Fan Mail I wanted to do something different to end season 3 of Dem Bois Podcast. So, in this episode, you will hear a voice you’ve already heard. Alexander Rey Perez is back and today we are talking all about empowerment, mental health, and personal journeys. Alexander shares insights…
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Having Faith and Knowing That You’re Worthy with Alexander Rey Simon-Perez
Send us Fan Mail What does loving yourself actually mean? In this episode, we answer that question. Today I sit down with Alexander Rey Simon-Perez, sharing their journey of self-discovery, empowerment, and the importance of community support. Alexander discusses the significance of his name, the...
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Dem Bois Highlight Series Part 6; Visibility = Possibility™️ with Zyon Aijon
Send us Fan Mail Visibility equals possibility! You hear it all the time on this show, but now I’m giving you a peak behind the scenes of how that phrase operates at Dem Bois Inc. Today, on Dem Bois Podcast, I sit down with Zyon Aijon, one of our brand collaborators, and we discuss the creative...
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Navigating Identity While Learning and Healing with Maxx
Send us Fan Mail In this episode of Dem Bois Podcast, my guest Maxx and I discuss his journey of healing and learning, identity, and the complexities of navigating race and gender in various spaces. Maxx shares personal experiences with choosing their name, living up to societal expectations…
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Breaking Barriers and Advocating for the South with Demarco Lord
Send us Fan Mail I’ve said it once on this podcast and I will say it again: you don’t have to have surgery to be a trans man! You don’t have to do anything you don’t want to do. You just have to feel comfortable in your body and do what is best for you! And that is what this episode of Dem Bois...
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Navigating Identity, Activism, and Culture with Nat Moghe
Send us Fan Mail Gender affirming care is not just for trans folks. It is for everyone! And gender affirming care doesn’t have to mean surgery. It could mean wearing clothes that feel comfortable to you! And we dive deeper into this topic on this episode of Dem Bois Podcast. Today, my guest Nat...
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Finding Peace and Harmony Beyond Identity with Jay Moton
Send us Fan Mail If you don’t learn anything else from this podcast, please learn to choose yourself first! In a way that’s what this episode is all about. Today on Dem Bois Podcast, my guest Jay Moten shares his journey of self-discovery and healing through self-care practices such as yoga,...
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The Intersection of Identity and Creativity with Cowboy Poet Grayson Thompson
Send us Fan Mail It is really important to center grace in your life, especially right now with everything going on in the world. So I’m excited to introduce today’s guest on Dem Bois Podcast, because he went so far as to use the word “grace” in his name. In this episode, Grayson Thompson, a…
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Building Confidence in Queerness and Self-Expression with Dr. Van Bailey
Send us Fan Mail 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...
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Building Technology for Social and Cultural Good with Dr. Kortney Ziegler
Send us Fan Mail 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…
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Fostering Community and Collaboration through Creative Expression with rommy torrico
Send us Fan Mail 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...
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Exploring Nonbinary Identity and Queer Masculinity with Kelz
Send us Fan Mail 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…
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About this show
This podcast aims to serve as a platform to highlight and amplify the voices of trans men of color and share our transition stories. The Dem Bois Podcast will also cover other issues related to being a trans man of color, such as dating, fitness, sex, mental health, family, and other topics related to our existence. The podcast aims to amplify trans men of color voices and raise awareness of our lived experiences.
Hosted by
Shawn Aaron