LIVE with Trans Northland

Join us as Trans Northland welcomes Karter Starling to the conversation!Karter (he/him) is the Rural Elder Outreach Manager at Lutheran Social Service of Minnesota and serves as the Treasurer on the board of Itasca Pride. Karter came out as transgender at 16 and has several years of experience working in LGBTQIA+ advocacy and organizing in a variety of political climates from his hometown of Tulsa, Oklahoma, to Portland, Oregon, and finally in rural Minnesota. Today, Karter manages a program that helps to educate rural LGBTQIA+ elders about advance care planning options and is working to record the histories and legacies of these elders through one-on-one storytelling sessions. When he's not organizing and advocating, Karter can be found in his pollinator garden, deep in a book, or enjoying living in Minnesota's nature.Show Notes:If you can’t make it to our “Protect Your Rights ASAP!” event, you can connect with a professional at Lutheran Social Services at [email protected] connected with Itasca Pride at [email protected] or https://www.itascapride.org/ 

Join us as Trans Northland welcomes Raven/Selene and Cam Kruger to the show!Raven/Selene (she/her & fae/faer) and Cam Kruger (he/him) are the co-hosts of the amazing Transgenda Podcast – a funny, touching, and informative chronicle of Raven, a transgender woman and Cam, faers cisgender dad, as they share their experiences of growing together and hating bigots. Show Notes:Follow them at @transgendapod on Facebook and InstagramCheck out their episodes on YouTube at https://www.youtube.com/channel/UCG61MX-t-vd8nXArWV9k--A

Join us as Trans Northland welcomes Carver Harries to the show!Carver (he/him) is the executive director of Ashland Area Development Corp, and he's also a trans man who came out and began his transition journey in his late 50s. Carver recently developed an informational comedy show that he performs for folks who want to learn how to become stronger allies for transgender people in a rapidly changing world.Show Notes:Ashland Area Development Corporation – https://www.ashlandareadevelopment.com/Rainbow Family Camp – June 10th-14th, 2026 in Wisconsin

Join us as we welcome our latest guest star to the show, Courtney Cochran!Courtney (they/them) has years of experience as a clinical herbalist and even more as a social worker and community organizer in the Northland. Courtney runs Alseth Acres Apothecary & Herb Farm with their partner, and they're excited for their next adventure in community caretaking...offering massage therapy and bodywork through Glittermoss Healing Arts!Show Notes:Glittermoss Healing Arts - https://www.glittermoss.com/Alseth Acres Apothecary & Herb Farm - https://alsethacresapothecary.weebly.com/

Join us as we welcome Lara Crow to the show for our first episode of 2026!Lara Crow is an intersex woman, wife, mom, and business owner. She's a licensed attorney in Minnesota and Kansas, and her and her wife co-founded Crow & Co. Books, a small independent bookstore that specializes in "the Queer, the Weird, and the Wonderful." Lara also serves on our board of directors for Trans Northland.You can find Crow & Co. Books at:@crowandcotogo on InstagramVisit their website at https://www.crowandcobooks.com/Shop in person at the Ritual Marketplace, located at 1323 Broadway StSuperior, WI

Join us as we welcome our latest guest star, Root Holden (they/them), to the show!Root (they/them) is a queer, disabled eco-spiritual care provider and celebrant based in Duluth, MN. To support their clients, Root provides spiritual discernment sessions, divination, ritual creation and facilitation, including seasonal celebrations as well as rites of passage, such as hand fasting, naming ceremonies, and death rites. You can find their work at rootholden.com and coming in 2026 at Pleasure and Belonging in Spirit Valley.Show Notes:Weaving Webs of Care: An Interactive Book Experience on January 31, 2026 from 1-3:30pm Many of us are struggling right now as we juggle survival under late-stage capitalism, taking care of ourselves, our loved ones, and showing up in and for our communities in the middle of this polycrisis. Join Dr Alex Iantaffi for an interactive book experience based on one of their books, Hell Yeah Self-care: a trauma informed workbook, to create your own personal map to balancing self and community care in 2026. Foxes and Fireflies Bookstore in Superior

Join us as Trans Northland welcomes the fabulous house mother and drag performer herself, ThatQueerIsa (she/her) to the show!ThatQueerlsa is a local drag performer here in the Twin Ports, and is Mother of the Haus of Queer! Isa produces and hosts drag shows & events throughout the Twin Ports & the Northland. Outside of the drag world, Isa dedicates her time to Trans Northland as our Vice Chair on our Board of Directors!

12/3/25 – Join us as Trans Northland welcomes Dr. Tara Richter (she/her) to the show!Our host, Sean, and Tara had a cool conversation about how cisgender people can experience gender joy, how Tara got into working with trans and gender expansive people in her mental health work & about the psychotherapy support group she facilitates for trans adults, and how we can all take good care of ourselves this holiday season when so many in the LGBTQ+ people struggle during this time of year. If you’re interested in joining the trans psychotherapy support group, or connecting with Tara for mental health counseling or psychological testing for ADHD, autism, and more…check out her website at https://www.richterpsych.com/.----------------------------------------------------------*GUEST STAR INFO: Dr. Tara Richter is a Licensed Clinical Psychologist practices gender and identity-affirming care, and has worked extensively with the 2SLGBTQAI+ community. She also facilitates a monthly psychotherapy support group for transgender adults. We’re excited to have Dr. Richter join us to talk more about her work, as well as to share some planning tips for how we can take care of ourselves during the holidays.*SHOW NOTES:1) Richter Scale Psychological Services – https://www.richterpsych.com/2) Transgender Psychotherapy Support Group – meets on the 2nd Thursday of each month at 5pm (CST). For more info, get in touch at [email protected]*NEXT EPISODE: Join us as we welcome fabulous house mother and drag performer herself, ThatqueerIsa Cassadine to LIVE with Trans Northland on Wednesday, 12/17/25 at 12pm (CST)!!ThatQueerlsa is a local drag performer here in the Twin Ports, and is Mother of the Haus of Queer! Isa produces and hosts drag shows & events throughout the Twin Ports & the Northland. Outside of the drag world, Isa dedicates her time to Trans Northland as our Vice Chair on our Board of Directors! You won't wanna miss this one!!----------------------------------------------------------*ABOUT TRANS NORTHLAND: Trans Northland is a community nonprofit organization based in Duluth, MN that provides support, resources & connection to the transgender community. To learn more about Trans Northland, please visit https://www.transnorthland.org.*SUBSCRIBE TO OUR PODCAST:Spotify – https://open.spotify.com/show/0SbKvmbuSCktbmwAiHGM0L?si=3692f1bd693e46ddApple Podcasts – https://podcasts.apple.com/podcast/id1858985328*FOLLOW OUR SOCIALS:Facebook -- https://www.facebook.com/transnorthlandInstagram -- https://www.instagram.com/transnorthland*SUBSCRIBE TO OUR EMAIL:https://lb.benchmarkemail.com//listbuilder/signupnew?5hjt8JVutE4d7F6aYzgKZ%252F5pwVnAjsSIuJF20H2GrbbtO5iNRn8gS049TyW7spdJ

11/19/25 – Join us as Trans Northland welcomes long-time community advocate, Kathy Hermes (she/they)!Many in our community have connected with Kathy over the years for their outstanding work with Together For Youth, a program of Lutheran Social Services aimed at LGBTQ+ youth and allies. Or maybe you’ve met Kathy at one of their Friends, Family & Allies support groups that they’ve been facilitating for years. If you haven’t met Kathy yet, we are excited to introduce you!Kathy has also organized a vigil for Transgender Day of Remembrance every year for the past 12-ish years! Sean and Kathy discuss what that work has meant to Kathy, and why it’s so important for our community to honor and remember our trans siblings and relatives we’ve lost to violent transphobia and hatred.----------------------------------------------------------*GUEST STAR INFO: Kathy currently works at Harm Reduction Sisters as a program manager, but describes herself as also being a utility worker, office manager, and person who assists with HIV testing and syringe services. She previously worked for Lutheran Social Service for over 10 years, where she was director of Together for Youth, a support group for LGBTQIA2S+ youth and allied youth. The group continues to be a safe space for people aged 14-20 to connect with peers and resources to help them navigate life’s challenges. For her work with Together for Youth, Kathy was named a 2018 "Changemaker" by the Minnesota Women's Press.*SHOW NOTES:1) Harm Reduction Sisters – https://harmreductionsisters.org/*NEXT EPISODE: Join us as we welcome Dr. Tara Richter on Wednesday, 12/3/25 at 12pm CST. Dr. Richter is a Licensed Clinical Psychologist who practices gender and identity-affirming care, and has worked extensively with the 2SLGBTQAI+ community. ----------------------------------------------------------*ABOUT TRANS NORTHLAND: Trans Northland is a community nonprofit organization based in Duluth, MN that provides support, resources & connection to the transgender community. To learn more about Trans Northland, please visit https://www.transnorthland.org.*SUBSCRIBE TO OUR PODCAST:Spotify – https://open.spotify.com/show/0SbKvmbuSCktbmwAiHGM0L?si=3692f1bd693e46ddApple Podcasts – https://podcasts.apple.com/podcast/id1858985328*FOLLOW OUR SOCIALS:Facebook -- https://www.facebook.com/transnorthlandInstagram -- https://www.instagram.com/transnorthland*SUBSCRIBE TO OUR EMAIL:https://lb.benchmarkemail.com//listbuilder/signupnew?5hjt8JVutE4d7F6aYzgKZ%252F5pwVnAjsSIuJF20H2GrbbtO5iNRn8gS049TyW7spdJ

11/5/25 – Join us as Trans Northland welcomes the hilarious, Danielle Thralow (she/her)!Sean and Danielle share a wonderful conversation where we get to learn more about Danielle’s story–how she always knew she was trans even though she didn’t have the words for it, how she took a chance on the “world wide web” in the early days which catapulted her businesses into success, and how she intentionally books comedy gigs in places that are not known to be the most trans-friendly places, because with every joke she shares, she also opens hearts and minds to the experiences of trans people.Don’t miss her upcoming show where she’s headlining: the Beaver Moon Extravaganza – this music & comedy event is on Saturday, 11/8 starting at 5pm at Wussow’s in West Duluth!----------------------------------------------------------*GUEST STAR INFO: Danielle has performed throughout the United States, winning Miami’s Funniest and was first runner-up at ACME Comedy Club’s Funniest Person in the Twin Cities. Not only is she a hilarious comedian, she’s also a professional photographer with numerous credits, and she founded over 30 internet-based retail stores where each of her stores became the online global leader in its category. *SHOW NOTES:1) Follow Danielle on Facebook - https://www.facebook.com/danielle.thralow2) Check out her website - http://www.xaos.com/*NEXT EPISODE: Join us as we welcome longtime Northland community advocate, Kathy Hermes on Wednesday, 11/19/25 at 12pm CST. ----------------------------------------------------------*ABOUT TRANS NORTHLAND: Trans Northland is a community nonprofit organization based in Duluth, MN that provides support, resources & connection to the transgender community. To learn more about Trans Northland, please visit https://www.transnorthland.org.*SUBSCRIBE TO OUR PODCAST:Spotify – https://open.spotify.com/show/0SbKvmbuSCktbmwAiHGM0L?si=3692f1bd693e46ddApple Podcasts – https://podcasts.apple.com/podcast/id1858985328*FOLLOW OUR SOCIALS:Facebook -- https://www.facebook.com/transnorthlandInstagram -- https://www.instagram.com/transnorthland*SUBSCRIBE TO OUR EMAIL:https://lb.benchmarkemail.com//listbuilder/signupnew?5hjt8JVutE4d7F6aYzgKZ%252F5pwVnAjsSIuJF20H2GrbbtO5iNRn8gS049TyW7spdJ

10/22/25 – Join us as Trans Northland welcomes the amazingly talented, Octavia Forte (she/her)...aka the #themmefatale of the North, and the evil twin of Brinn Major (they/them)!!ICYMI: We're hosting a Halloween Party and we're thrilled that Octavia Forte will be spinning tunes and keeping the energy up all night! Brinn is a rapper, producer, and DJ from the Twin Ports area, and has been an active part of the local music scene for over a decade and has performed at the Duluth Homegrown Music Festival. They just recently began their drag career as a part of the Haus of Queer, and we can't wait to talk more with Octavia!----------------------------------------------------------*GUEST STAR INFO: Brinn Major has been a part of the Twin Ports music community for more than a decade as a rapper, producer and DJ, opening up for the likes of Krayzie Bone, Obie Trice and various mainstream artists. Brinn has MCed multiple Duluth Superior Pride Festivals at Bayfront, and is a fixture within the LGBTQIA2S+ community, spinning music for drag performances at clubs throughout the region. The artist has produced four mixtapes and three albums and is on the verge of a new release introducing their drag persona, Octavia Forté.*SHOW NOTES:1) Follow Brinn - @brinnmajor and @octavia.forte on Instagram2) Follow Brinn’s drag house, the Haus of Queer - @hausofqueermn on Instagram3) Find info about Brinn’s performances with the Duluth Homegrown Music Festival - https://duluthhomegrown.org/bands/brinn-major/4) “Knowing Your Neighbor: Brinn Gordon A.K.A Octavia Forté” (Fox 21 News Story) - https://www.fox21online.com/2025/09/01/knowing-your-neighbor-brinn-gordon-a-k-a-octavia-forte/*NEXT EPISODE: Join us as we welcome comedian, photographer, and business founder, Danielle Thralow on Wednesday, 11/5/25 at 12pm CST. ----------------------------------------------------------*ABOUT TRANS NORTHLAND: Trans Northland is a community nonprofit organization based in Duluth, MN that provides support, resources & connection to the transgender community. To learn more about Trans Northland, please visit https://www.transnorthland.org.*SUBSCRIBE TO OUR PODCAST:Spotify – https://open.spotify.com/show/0SbKvmbuSCktbmwAiHGM0L?si=3692f1bd693e46ddApple Podcasts – https://podcasts.apple.com/podcast/id1858985328*FOLLOW OUR SOCIALS:Facebook -- https://www.facebook.com/transnorthlandInstagram -- https://www.instagram.com/transnorthland*SUBSCRIBE TO OUR EMAIL:https://lb.benchmarkemail.com//listbuilder/signupnew?5hjt8JVutE4d7F6aYzgKZ%252F5pwVnAjsSIuJF20H2GrbbtO5iNRn8gS049TyW7spdJ

10/8/25 – In our latest episode of LIVE with Trans Northland, we welcome guest star, the legendary Candi Stratton (she/her)! ICYMI…October is LGBTQ+ History Month, and Candi is a member of the advisory board for the Wisconsin LGBTQ History Project. Sean and Candi had a great conversation about our community’s history here in the Midwest and beyond. They also talked about why it’s vital for us to know about our community history, as the current political regime tries its hardest to erase us from public life.----------------------------------------------------------*GUEST STAR INFO: Born and raised in the Chicagoland area, Candi has lived and worked around the world as an entertainer and flight attendant. She won the very first Miss Wisconsin Continental in 1983, also winning the titles of Miss Trans USA 2019, All American Goddess 2009, and Miss Gay Universe 2005, which was crowned in Sydney, Australia. Candi is world-famous for her Cher impersonations, having headlined a Cher Tribute Show that toured Australia, Asia, and the United States, and hosted a Cher cruise with Chad Michaels of RuPaul’s Drag Race.*SHOW NOTES:1) Wisconsin LGBTQ History Project - https://www.wislgbthistory.com/2) Trans USA National Pageantry - https://www.transusanationalpageantry.com/*NEXT EPISODE: Join us as we welcome rapper, producer, DJ, and drag performer, Brinn Gordon on Wednesday, 10/22 at 12pm CST. ----------------------------------------------------------*ABOUT TRANS NORTHLAND: Trans Northland is a community nonprofit organization based in Duluth, MN that provides support, resources & connection to the transgender community. To learn more about Trans Northland, please visit https://www.transnorthland.org.*SUBSCRIBE TO OUR PODCAST:Spotify – https://open.spotify.com/show/0SbKvmbuSCktbmwAiHGM0L?si=3692f1bd693e46ddApple Podcasts – https://podcasts.apple.com/podcast/id1858985328*FOLLOW OUR SOCIALS:Facebook -- https://www.facebook.com/transnorthlandInstagram -- https://www.instagram.com/transnorthland*SUBSCRIBE TO OUR EMAIL:https://lb.benchmarkemail.com//listbuilder/signupnew?5hjt8JVutE4d7F6aYzgKZ%252F5pwVnAjsSIuJF20H2GrbbtO5iNRn8gS049TyW7spdJ

9/24/25 -- In our latest episode of LIVE with Trans Northland, we welcome guest star, Dr. Nomi Ostrander (she/they)! Nomi served on our board of directors for Trans Northland in the past, and they have been an ongoing community supporter of our work here in the Northland. Nomi and Sean discuss how important it is at this moment for each of us to be connecting deeper into community, and seeing other trans and queer folks creating joy together. The two of them also chat about how much the LGBTQ+ community has really expanded in big and exciting ways here in the Northland over the past couple years, as more and more people are fleeing to and relocating in Minnesota because of its “Trans Refuge State” status. Finally, Nomi speaks to the reality that many trans and gender expansive folks are afraid and unsure of what to do in this moment to feel as safe as they can. The two share ideas about how we can ground ourselves, and find ways to prepare as needed.----------------------------------------------------------*GUEST STAR INFO: Nomi moved to the Northland back in 2022, and is an associate professor and department head in UMD’s Department of Social Work. Her research follows two main paths: one path focuses on community-led efforts to address issues like gun violence and syringe access programs; the second path explores transgender health and relationships. Nomi is also a sex and kink-positive therapist largely serving trans, nonbinary, and queer individuals and their partners.*SHOW NOTES:1) "Redefining Realness: My Path to Womanhood, Identity, Love & So Much More" by Janet Mock - https://janetmock.com/2) Transgender Health and Intimacy in Community Collaborations (THICC) Lab at the University of Minnesota in Duluth - https://sites.google.com/d.umn.edu/thicc/home3) Legislative Report by MN Dept of Human Services: An Assessment of Shelter Needs for Transgender People Experiencing Homelessness in Minnesota - https://www.lrl.mn.gov/docs/2025/mandated/251291.pdf4) Duluth Human Rights Commission - https://duluthmn.gov/boards-commissions/duluth-human-rights-commission/*NEXT EPISODE: This one aired LIVE on Facebook on Wednesday, 10/8/25 at 12pm (CST) with Guest Star, the legendary Candi Stratton!! Watch now at https://youtu.be/XrD9aDJIYnE----------------------------------------------------------*ABOUT TRANS NORTHLAND: Trans Northland is a community nonprofit organization based in Duluth, MN that provides support, resources & connection to the transgender community. To learn more about Trans Northland, please visit https://www.transnorthland.org.*SUBSCRIBE TO OUR PODCAST:Spotify – https://open.spotify.com/show/0SbKvmbuSCktbmwAiHGM0L?si=3692f1bd693e46ddApple Podcasts – https://podcasts.apple.com/podcast/id1858985328*FOLLOW OUR SOCIALS:Facebook -- https://www.facebook.com/transnorthlandInstagram -- https://www.instagram.com/transnorthland*SUBSCRIBE TO OUR EMAIL:https://lb.benchmarkemail.com//listbuilder/signupnew?5hjt8JVutE4d7F6aYzgKZ%252F5pwVnAjsSIuJF20H2GrbbtO5iNRn8gS049TyW7spdJ

In this first episode of "LIVE with Trans Northland!", Trans Northland's executive director, Sean Hayes (he/him) welcomes our first guest star, Heather Thonvold (they/them)! Heather is the board chair for Trans Northland, and has brought incredible ideas and expertise to our team since joining the board in 2024.Sean and Heather discuss the changing of the seasons, this current moment that the transgender community finds itself in where we are being attacked on all sides, and they share ideas for how we can take care of ourselves as individuals and as a community.----------------------------------------------------------*GUEST STAR INFO – Heather has worked for over a decade in the healthcare and senior services fields, currently as the Executive Director of a statewide non-profit. Heather is a Board-Certified Chaplain with the Association of Professional Chaplains and served patients and families in the Allina Hospice program for seven years. Heather is a proud veteran and served in the Air Force Reserve as a chaplain candidate. They also hold a Master of Divinity from Seattle University and a BA from Marquette University, where they competed on the Division-I Track and Field Team. Heather recently completed a second master’s degree in organizational leadership from Saint Catherine University in Saint Paul, MN. They originally hail from Washington State and love being outside, preferably while drinking a good cup of coffee. However, Heather’s greatest accomplishment in life is being married to the amazing Aubrey for 11 years and building a life of compassion, authenticity, and joy.*NEXT EPISODE – Airing LIVE on Facebook on Wednesday, 9/24/25 at 12pm (CST) with Guest Star, Nomi Ostrander (she/they).----------------------------------------------------------Trans Northland is a community nonprofit organization based in Duluth, MN that provides support, resources & connection to the transgender community. To learn more about Trans Northland, please visit https://www.transnorthland.org.Follow Us on the Socials!Facebook -- https://www.facebook.com/transnorthlandInstagram -- https://www.instagram.com/transnorthland