Dem Bois Podcast

Send us Fan MailCan 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 Lockett, and we discuss mental health, black trans joy, and the importance of community. We also emphasize the need for soft spaces where men can explore their identities and find acceptance beyond tolerance.We talk:9:57 - Gender identity and Dr. Lockett’s journey18:35 - Soft spaces and finding your people24:56 - Mental health and building capacity30:38 - Embracing Black Trans joy40:07 - The unique experiences of Black Trans men56:08 - Healing, resistance, and collective well-beingEpisode References:Boys Don't Cry (1999) A Series of Unfortunate Events (2004)Read more about Gabriel in his bio below:Gabriel Lockett, Ph.D. (he/him), is a scholar, healer, and creative committed to cultivating spaces of belonging, wellness, and liberation. He is an Assistant Professor in the Department of Applied Psychology at New York University, Director of the Belonging, Advocacy, Liberation, and Love (BALL) Research Collective, and Co-Director of the WELLS Healing Collective. His work centers Black, Afro-diasporic, and LGBTQ+ communities, focusing on healing, resistance, and collective well-being. Outside academia, he finds inspiration through photography, music, walking, and [email protected] 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 MailIf 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 ancestry21:23 - Liberation through dance and self-expression37:56 - Navigating family dynamics and acceptance49:16 - The impact of a past relationship on self-perception1:13:49 - Self-compassion and healingRead 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.oleadasCelebrate 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 MailListening 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 growth17:51 - The impact of relationships on identity27:11 - Creating safe spaces for authenticity32:45 - Empowering youth through listening41:40 - Building a support system56:59 - Creativity in social work1:06:34 - Future aspirations and community impactRead 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_220Celebrate 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 MailHow 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 history17:59 - Conversations about transition36:54 - Embracing change and identity42:04 - Redefining masculinity through family influence58:08 - Visibility equals possibility1:05:21 - Excavating Black Trans historiesEpisode References:CaillouThe Will to Change by bell hooksThe L WordDegrassiStone Butch Blues by Leslie FeinbergStar TrekNichelle NicholsRead 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.comsocials: crsed_poetCelebrate 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 MailWelcome 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 identity14:55 - Navigating relationships during transition24:08 - Continuing the journey of healing32:15 - Living authentically47:20 - Advice for self-discoveryEpisode References:Finding Your Voice to Live with No Regrets with SyirDem Bois Podcast New Sound with Syir aka MoLa FloTransitioning at Work with Shawn AaronLove Within the TransitionFinding Affirmation in Everyday Moments with Shawn AaronBuilding Confidence to Become Your True Self with Vee MartinBuilding Brotherhood Using Unconditional Love with Kalvin ByrdRead 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 - demboisincIG - shawnaaron81Read 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_nofearCelebrate 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 MailI 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 image17:54 - Cherished memories and lasting impact27:08 - Family dynamics and personal affirmation35:56 - Unexpected connections and humor49:55 - Healthy masculinity and self-affirmationClick here for transcription!Episode References:Ep. 98 - The Collection of Encouragement Series; Part 1Ep. 7 - Transitioning at WorkEp. 112 - Breaking Free from Conventional Femininity with denim {d} changJaylen Hands lifts up teammate after turnover - videoEp. 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 - demboisincIG - shawnaaron81Celebrate 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 MailIf 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 absence22:27 - Seeking closure: the letter to my father37:20 - Navigating parental relationships45:56 - The complexity of family dynamics55:05 - Our final conversations and lasting effectsClick here for transcription!Episode References:Ep. 126 - Extracting Closure; Dear Mama, with Shawn AaronEp. 106 - Extracting Closure From a Past Situation with Shawn AaronEp. 103 - Building Brotherhood Using Unconditional Love with Kalvin ByrdRead 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 - demboisincIG - shawnaaron81Celebrate 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 MailThis 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 closure12:45 - Personal stories of trauma and healing21:55 - Writing for healing and control of narrative27:28 - The power of healing and community35:20 - Dear Mama: A Journey of Healing43:10 - Transforming pain into purposeClick here for transcription!Episode References:Ep. 123 - Fulfillment Through Authenticity and Art as Self-Discovery with Wen NealeEp. 122 - The Weight of Trauma: Unpacking Adoption, Love, and Identity with Felix-Long LaneriEp. 119 - Breaking Cycles of Trauma through Art and Love with SunnyEp. 106 - Extracting Closure From a Past Situation with Shawn AaronEp. 103 - Building Brotherhood Using Unconditional Love with Kalvin ByrdEp 48 - Repairing the Relationship with My Birth Mother and the Death of My Chosen MotherEp. 12 - Healing Generational Trauma Through Transformative ParentingEp. 3 - Surviving Homelessness30 Days of Black Trans Reflection: Abolition, Anti-capitalism, and Black Queer FeminismDear Mama, | Day 27 of 30Read 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 - demboisincIG - shawnaaron81Celebrate 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 Arkansas21:19 - The spiritual significance of drumming39:46 - Exploring diaspora blues and ancestral connections54:07 - Remembering life before colonization01:06:03 - Self-love and body awarenessClick here for transcription!Episode References:Ep. 123 - Fulfillment Through Authenticity and Art as Self-Discovery with Wen NealeEp. 95 - Having Faith and Knowing That You’re Worthy with Alexander Rey Simon-PerezPalestinian Pole Dancer: FarrahthedollMoroccan Chef: MeantangineSinger: Storai.sDancer: JoycethethiefProducer: 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 mediaIG - @Littlegiant.enbCelebrate 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 MailMany 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 understanding24:04 - Media literacy and anti-trans propaganda33:09 - Autonomy and authorship: moving from invisibility to visibility45:16 - Gender-affirming care and why joy feels threatening to systems51:21 - Colonialism, binaries, and managing anxiety63:31 - Noah’s Poem: My Passport Doesn’t Protect Me AnymoreClick here for transcription!Episode References:The Trevor ProjectGender SpectrumLambda LegalErin in the MorningPoliticoAce Ventura: Pet Detective (1994)Written on the Body by Jeanette WintersonCut to BloomRead 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.choiCelebrate 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!