Unmasking Winter

Season finale! Taking off the mask off one last time this season to talk about machismo - the pressure to look strong, chill, and unbothered even when you're falling apart. It's raw, it's messy, and honestly... freeing. Thank you for unmasking with me this season! I appreciate the love and support :)Stay connected with Masc Off!Instagram: @themascoffpod

Alexa can fix her car and parallel park like a pro. I avoid both like the plague. She's femme; I'm masc. But when it comes to gender norms, it's not that simple.In this episode of Masc Off, we unpack the assumptions projected onto us in queer dating. Who’s supposed to initiate? Who pays the bill? Who’s the emotional one? We dive into the messy, hilarious, and frustrating ways masc/femme dynamics still mirror heteronormativity—and how we're trying to unlearn it.Spoiler: Femme doesn’t mean passive. Masc doesn’t mean dominant. And I will never build your IKEA shelf ;)

Ever met someone and thought, "Do I want to be your best friend... or be more like you?"In this episode of Masc Off, I dive into the soft, strange, and often confusing world of friend crushes - that magnetic pull toward someone that isn't romantic or sexual, but still feels deeply intimate.I reflect on a friendship that blurred the lines between admiration and identity, exploring how friend crushes can become mirrors - showing us the part s of ourselves we've buried under masking, fear, and survival. Especially as queer and trans folks, these connections can awaken something powerful: the desire to finally be seen... by ourselves.Stay connected with Masc Off!Instagram: @themascoffpodLike this episode? Be sure to give Masc Off a five star rating. It helps fight the masc extinction ;) Thank you for listening!

In this episode of Masc Off, I confess to doing the most during my first time using a strap. I pretended I was a seasoned strap pro when in reality, I was a nervous masc with sweaty palms and zero aim. What followed was a Tom & Jerry level disaster involving awkward thrusts, self inflicted injury, and a cameo from casper the ghost.A tale of overcompensating, unlearning shame, and realizing that even straps deserve a soft launch.For queer-friendly strap-on resources and beginner kits, check out these body-safe shops and resources:A Guide To Stap-OnsWild FlowerSpectrum BoutiqueLike this episode? Be sure to leave a five-star rating! It helps fight the masc extinction! Thank you for listening! :)Stay connected with Masc Off!Instagram:@themascoffpod

In this episode of Masc Off, I'm joined by my femme friend Dayna J. Francois, host of Stirring the Plot podcast, as we unpack the layered dynamics of masc and femme friendships. We dive into the assumptions people often place on our connection - especially within queer spaces. We also discuss how we have built a friendship that resists the binary. From misread intentions to the beauty of platonic intimacy, we talk about what it means to show up for each other without fitting into the boxes others expect.Check out Dayna's Stirring the Plot podcast!@stirringtheplotpod@daynajfrancoisStay connected with Masc Off!@themascoffpodLike this episode? Be sure to give us a five star rating to fight the masc extinction ;) Thank you for listening!

In this episode, I open up about something many of us are feeling but rarely talk about - loneliness. Not just the kind that comes from being alone, but the kind that lingers even when you're surrounded by people. We're living in what researchers are calling a loneliness epidemic. It's affecting all of us, across all ages.I share my own struggles with feeling emotionally disconnected and how hard it is to admit that out loud. But the truth is, the more honest we can be about our loneliness, the more we strip away the shame tied to it. This episode is about breaking that silence - because the moment someone says, "I feel that way too," something shifts. The mask comes off.If you've been feeling isolated, disconnected, or like no one really gets it, I promise you're not the only one. Loneliness thrives in silence, but connection starts when we say, "Me too." Let's take off the mask together.Sending you love friend. Articles and ResearchLoneliness EpidemicEconomics of LonelinessEmotional Support:988 suicide & crisis lifeline - call or text 988 anytime for free, confidential supportWarmline DirectoryInclusive therapy resources:inclusivetherapists.comQTBIPOC Mental Health and Well- BeingThe Loveland Foundation

In this episode of Masc Off, I'm joined by Chel. Chel is the creative mind behind a series of Puff & Paints popping up all over the Valley. We spark up a conversation around how Chel defines masculinity, how her cannabis-inspired events are building community one high at a time, and why there might be a masc shortage in the queer scene. We unpack theories, throw out bold ideas, and maybe (just maybe) land on a solution. Come for the laughs, stay for the honesty, and don't forget to pass the paint brush ;)Check out Chel's upcoming events! @chillxchel@itschelperiodStay connected with Masc Off!Instagram: @themascoffpodLove the episode? Be sure to give us a five star rating! It helps you promote realness and queerness out into the universe! Thank you for listening! :)

In this episode, I sit down with my non-binary, pansexual friend Genesis (aka Miss Eggy). We will be talking about all things fashion, gender, and self-expression. We unpack how clothing still shapes gender assumptions, even in queer spaces, and how Genesis navigates masculinity beyond appearances. It's real, funny, and a little bit eggy.Follow Genesis on Instagram:@eggenesisStay connected with Masc Off!Instagram: @themascoffpodLove the episode? Be sure to leave a 5 star rating! It helps promote realness and queerness out into the universe! It also helps you fight the masc extinction ;) Thank you for listening!

In this episode of Masc Off, I sit down with Brianna (@imturningmyswagon), an androgynous individual navigating masculinity, fluid gender expression, and queer perception.We unpack:What masculinity means beyond the binaryHow presentation impacts perception The pressure to be composted, mysterious, or emotionally unavailableHow identity shifts with comfort, mood, and settingBrianna brings humor, clarity, and realness to a conversation that dives into vulnerability, authenticity, and the complexity of self-expression.Stay connected with Masc Off!Instagram: @themascoffpodGuest: BriannaInstagram: @imturningmyswagonLiked the episode? Be sure to give a five start rating! It helps fight the masc extinction and brings realness and queerness out into the universe. Thank you for listening! :)

EP 1: Unmasking WinterWhat happens when you've been making your whole life - and finally decide to stop?In this kickoff episode, Winter (your local certified masc and host), talks growing up straight-passing, navigating internalized homophobia, and finally cutting the hair, the act, and the expectations.From the "masc shortage" to gender performance and reclaiming softness, this one's raw, real, and long overdue. If you've ever felt like you had to shrink to survive, this space is for you.Let's connect!Instagram: @themascoffpod Email: [email protected] episodes drop every Wednesday!Love the episode? Give us 5 stars and help queer the algorithm and fight the masc extinction.