The Trans Narrative Podcast

On this episode, Arlo Z. Graves joins Caroline, Foxx, and Noah to explore storytelling, creativity, navigating life as a nonbinary person in a rural community, and the process of building a body of work across multiple genres. The conversation sits with what it means to write queer-normative fiction alongside stories where queer characters face real-world dangers, grounded in resilience, humor, and authentic self-expression.  Arlo speaks about their break into the publishing industry with Gerald: a Memoir, a short, true story detailing their experience during the CZU Lightning Complex Fire. They open up about medically transitioning, living in a salvaged shack in the woods named Gerald, loving night hikes, chips and salsa, and navigating life in a rural area with supportive, self-described hillbilly parents.  Together, they dive into Arlo's broader literary work, including the weird west horror novella Black Rose and the fantasy novel The Ice Moves for No One, unpacking how rural environments and personal identity influence narrative craft.  —About the GuestArlo Z. Graves is a nonbinary author and creator based in a rural woods community. Their work spans multiple genres, including the weird west horror novella Black Rose, the fantasy novel The Ice Moves for No One, and their award-winning short nonfiction piece Gerald: a Memoir. Through their writing, they explore queer resilience, speculative fiction, and the complexities of rural life.  —About the PodcastThe Trans Narrative Podcast is an international storytelling and archival platform dedicated to preserving trans and gender-diverse lives through long-form narrative. With over 150 episodes across five seasons and listeners in more than 80 countries, each episode captures lived experience from beginning to end, treating every story as historical record rather than soundbite.  🎙 Trans or gender-diverse? Share your story at [email protected] 🏳️‍⚧️  “Make it real to me” written by Athena PromachusFeaturing: Talk my Ear Off by Mateo Briscoe and Cameron Love, with the local SlothboisPowered by Spotify for Creators📧 [email protected]💵 Support via PayPal: CarolineREssenceFind us on Facebook, TikTok, Apple Podcasts, Spotify, iHeartRadio, or wherever you listen.  —ResourcesSuicide Hotline: 1 800 784 2433Trevor Project: 1 866 488 7386National Domestic Violence Hotline: 1 800 799 7233Drug Abuse National Helpline: 1 800 662 4357S A F E Self Abuse Finally Ends: 1 800 366 8288Family Violence Prevention Center: 1 800 313 1310

On this episode, Jasmine Williams-Jacobs sits down with Caroline and Alicia Mullens to record their full life narrative for the archive-a journey spanning early roots in South Carolina, the discovery of spoken word artistry, navigating workplace discrimination, and ultimately founding Black Remote She.Spanning personal memory and systemic reality, Jasmine reflects on finding belonging within Black, queer, and gender-expansive communities, surviving workplace harassment and burnout, and pivoting toward freelancing and entrepreneurship. The narrative traces how lived struggle transformed into collective care-from building economic survival infrastructure for marginalized and disabled workers to honoring Ella Baker's legacy of catalytic leadership.This record documents the realities of adapting in a hostile climate, overcoming imposter syndrome, vetting inclusive spaces, and creating non-capitalist pathways to collective liberation.⸻About the GuestJasmine Williams-Jacobs is a cultural worker, communication strategist, and the founder of Black Remote She, a platform dedicated to connecting Black, queer, trans, and non-binary individuals to remote employment, resources, and community-led support. Grounded in economic justice and disability access, their work bridges the gap between labor and liberation by advocating for human-centered policies, mutual aid, and sustainable livelihoods for marginalized workers.⸻About the PodcastThe Trans Narrative Podcast is an international storytelling and archival platform dedicated to preserving trans and gender-diverse lives through long-form narrative. With over 150 episodes across five seasons and listeners in more than 80 countries, each episode captures lived experience from beginning to end, treating every story as historical record rather than soundbite.🎙️ Trans or gender-diverse? Share your story at [email protected] 🏳️‍⚧️“Make it real to me” written by Athena PromachusFeaturing: Talk my Ear Off by Mateo Briscoe and Cameron Love, with the local SlothboisPowered by Spotify for Creators📧 [email protected]💵 Support via PayPal: CarolineREssenceFind us on Facebook, TikTok, Apple Podcasts, Spotify, iHeartRadio, or wherever you listen.⸻ResourcesSuicide Hotline: 1 800 784 2433Trevor Project: 1 866 488 7386National Domestic Violence Hotline: 1 800 799 7233Drug Abuse National Helpline: 1 800 662 4357S A F E Self Abuse Finally Ends: 1 800 366 8288Family Violence Prevention Center: 1 800 313 1310

On this episode, Amar Monroe joins Caroline and Kaz Phillips to trace a journey moving through music, constant movement, transition, and the intentional creation of community space. The conversation sits with what it means to build an authentic life as a trans artist navigating the independent music industry, grounded in resilience, self-belief, and the grounding power of creative expression.Amar speaks about his earliest memories shaped by music and the stability it provided through a childhood marked by frequent moves across the country. He opens up about transitioning in his early twenties, navigating the visceral shifts in his singing voice with patience and grace, and learning to inhabit his truth fully both on and off the stage. The discussion explores his work as an artist and advocate, the spiritual and personal shifts that accompanied his transition, and his decision to meet the world with love and steady presence in conservative spaces. Together, they dive into the founding of The Review Room—a platform born out of a desire to uplift, review, and create genuine infrastructure for independent and queer artists.⸻About the GuestAmar Monroe is a Persian-Salvadoran artist, musician, and creator based in the independent music scene. Through his blend of lounge R&B and genre-crossing sounds, his work explores authenticity, identity, and the journey of self-actualization. He is also the founder of The Review Room, a dedicated live platform focused on providing constructive feedback, community support, and exposure for independent musicians navigating the industry.⸻About the PodcastThe Trans Narrative Podcast is an international storytelling and archival platform dedicated to preserving trans and gender-diverse lives through long-form narrative. With over 150 episodes across five seasons and listeners in more than 80 countries, each episode captures lived experience from beginning to end, treating every story as historical record rather than soundbite.🎙️ Trans or gender-diverse? Share your story at [email protected] 🏳️‍⚧️“Make it real to me” written by Athena PromachusFeaturing: Talk my Ear Off by Mateo Briscoe and Cameron Love, with the local SlothboisPowered by Spotify for Creators📧 [email protected]💵 Support via PayPal: CarolineREssenceFind us on Facebook, TikTok, Apple Podcasts, Spotify, iHeartRadio, or wherever you listen.⸻ResourcesSuicide Hotline: 1 800 784 2433Trevor Project: 1 866 488 7386National Domestic Violence Hotline: 1 800 799 7233Drug Abuse National Helpline: 1 800 662 4357S A F E Self Abuse Finally Ends: 1 800 366 8288Family Violence Prevention Center: 1 800 313 1310

On this episode, Angel Lovely joins Caroline and Jordan sit for a conversation that moves through care, survival, art, and the responsibility of witnessing. The discussion is expansive, grounded in what Angel names as “the dimensionality and depth humans can carry” and the multidimensionality we hold within.Angel speaks about writing, painting, and self-portraiture as practices that held them through isolation, dysphoria, and dissociation. They trace how creative work became a method of returning to the body, building language for non-binary experience, and documenting lives often left outside official records. The conversation explores family distance with care, the impact of hypersexualization on gender perception, and the ongoing work of living authentically. Joy emerges as method: dancing, cooking, reading, and witnessing other queer people living openly become forms of survival and record.The conversation moves into Angel’s archival practice, centering Black and Indigenous queer tenderness, pre-colonial gender fluidity, ecosensuality, and the ethics of documenting community without extraction. Angel reflects on spirituality beyond lineage, decolonizing ideas of madness and consciousness, and the importance of unlearning bias when holding other people’s stories. ⸻About the GuestAngel (they/them) is an artist and writer whose work centers Black and Indigenous narratives as acts of witnessing and archival care. Their practice documents lives, homes, communities, histories, loves, and everyday tenderness often excluded from dominant records. They are interested in literature that feels like home, work that affirms possibility, fluidity, rupture in form, and decolonial, anti-colonial, and Indigenous practices.Their creative work treats storytelling as a living archive that holds people with care rather than extracting from them. Estrangement from biological family is part of their history and may be discussed with care but is not the focus of this conversation.⸻About the Podcast The Trans Narrative Podcast is an international storytelling and archival platform dedicated to preserving trans and gender-diverse lives through long-form narrative. With over 150 episodes across five seasons and listeners in more than 80 countries, each episode captures lived experience from beginning to end, treating every story as historical record rather than soundbite.🎙️ Trans or gender-diverse? Share your story at [email protected] 🏳️‍⚧️“Make it real to me” written by Athena PromachusFeaturing: Talk my Ear Off by Mateo Briscoe and Cameron Love, with the local SlothboisPowered by Spotify for Creators📧 [email protected]💵 Support via PayPal: CarolineREssenceFind us on Facebook, TikTok, Apple Podcasts, Spotify, iHeartRadio, or wherever you listen.⸻ResourcesSuicide Hotline: 1 800 784 2433Trevor Project: 1 866 488 7386National Domestic Violence Hotline: 1 800 799 7233Drug Abuse National Helpline: 1 800 662 4357S A F E Self Abuse Finally Ends: 1 800 366 8288Family Violence Prevention Center: 1 800 313 1310National Human Servic

On this episode, Cardioncè Ross-Derèon (Mz. Cardioncè) joins Caroline and Lusi for a conversation that moves through survival, migration, faith, and the material work of building support networks for trans people navigating violence and displacement. Mz. Cardioncè traces her early experiences with gender identity in a conservative Christian environment, the impact of domestic abuse, and the barriers she faced in education and healthcare while seeking affirmation outside formal systems.She speaks about her current work supporting trans and queer asylum seekers, including coordinating community-based efforts that helped a gay man flee homophobic violence in Uganda and resettle safely in Toronto. The discussion centers the practical realities of mutual aid: social media as infrastructure, informal fundraising, cross-border coordination, and the role of trans-led networks in providing housing, documentation support, and pathways to stability.The conversation also explores Mz. Cardioncè’s ongoing education in child care, her plans to expand nonprofit work focused on safe spaces for trans and gender-diverse people, and the importance of representation, self-belief, and collective care. ⸻About the GuestCardioncè Ross-Derèon  is a Toronto-based trans androgynous, female-identifying artist, community advocate, and creative voice. Her work and lived experience sit at the intersection of self-expression, resilience, and community structure. Through art, public engagement, and digital platforms, she uses storytelling as a tool to support gender-diverse and marginalized people with an emphasis on authenticity, visibility, and collective care.Her background includes organizing within women-centered spaces and developing group structures that prioritize resource-sharing and pathways toward independence. As she continues her education, her work has expanded to focus more intentionally on transgender, queer, and socially segregated communities, reflecting an ongoing commitment to growth alongside the people she serves.⸻About the PodcastThe Trans Narrative Podcast is an international storytelling and archival platform dedicated to preserving trans and gender-diverse lives through long-form narrative. With over 150 episodes across five seasons and listeners in more than 80 countries, each episode documents lived experience as historical record.🎙️ Trans or gender-diverse? Share your story at [email protected] 🏳️‍⚧️Created and Produced by Caroline Essence“Make it real to me” written by Athena PromachusFeaturing: Talk my Ear Off by Mateo Briscoe and Cameron Love, with the local SlothboisPowered by Spotify for Creators📧 [email protected]💵 Support via PayPal: CarolineREssenceFind us on Facebook, TikTok, Apple Podcasts, Spotify, iHeartRadio, or wherever you listen.⸻ResourcesSuicide Hotline: 1 800 784 2433Trevor Project: 1 866 488 7386National Domestic Violence Hotline: 1 800 799 7233Drug Abuse National Helpline: 1 800 662 4357S A F E Self Abuse Finally Ends: 1 800 366 8288Family Violence Prevention Center: 1 800 313 1310National Human Services Hotline: 1 800 662 4357

On this episode, Erica Deuso (she/her) joins Caroline and Jordan, with special guest co-host Jessie Gender, for a conversation about her life, work, and community leadership.Erica reflects on childhood in Vermont, where growing up in a working-class family shaped her sense of service and responsibility. Early experiences with economic insecurity, scouting, and public service influenced her commitment to affordability, safety, and care at the local level.As the conversation moves through Erica’s transition and entry into politics, she shares her approach to leadership rooted in listening, transparency, and practical problem solving. Rather than centering opposition or ideology, Erica focuses on building trust, addressing housing and flood mitigation, supporting first responders, and fostering a Good Neighbor culture in a growing town.This episode marks both the Season 5 premiere and the four-year anniversary of The Trans Narrative Podcast. It is a conversation about service over spectacle, community over culture war, and what it looks like to lead with empathy while staying grounded in the everyday needs of the people she serves.⸻About the GuestErica Deuso, who uses she/her pronouns, is a scientist, community advocate, and the Mayor of Downingtown, Pennsylvania. Raised in a working-class family in Vermont, Erica studied biology and chemistry and has spent her career helping organizations better serve their communities. She transitioned at age 29 and later entered local politics with a focus on public safety, housing affordability, flood mitigation, and transparent governance. In 2026, she was elected mayor, becoming the first transgender mayor in Pennsylvania.⸻About the PodcastPreserving trans voices, one story at a timeThe Trans Narrative Podcast is an international storytelling and archival platform dedicated to preserving trans and gender-diverse lives through long-form narrative. With over 150 episodes across five seasons and listeners in more than 80 countries, each episode captures lived experience from beginning to end, treating every story as historical record rather than soundbite.🎙️ Trans or gender-diverse? Share your story at [email protected] 🏳️‍⚧️Created and Produced by Caroline Essence“Make it real to me” written by Athena PromachusFeaturing: Talk my Ear Off by Mateo Briscoe and the local Slothbois, with Cameron LovePowered by Spotify for Creators📧 [email protected]💵 Support via PayPal: CarolineREssenceFind us on Facebook, TikTok, Apple Podcasts, Spotify, iHeartRadio, or wherever you listen.⸻ResourcesSuicide Hotline: 1 800 784 2433Trevor Project: 1 866 488 7386National Domestic Violence Hotline: 1 800 799 7233Drug Abuse National Helpline: 1 800 662 4357S A F E Self Abuse Finally Ends: 1 800 366 8288Family Violence Prevention Center: 1 800 313 1310National Human Service Call Center: 2 1 1

On this episode, Monica Helms (she/her) joins Caroline, Jordan, Kaz Philips and Tess White for a conversation about her life, work, and enduring impact as a pioneering activist and creator of the Transgender Pride Flag.Monica reflects on childhood in Sumter, South Carolina, and upbringing in Arizona, tracing her path through military service, transition, and advocacy. Serving aboard nuclear submarines from 1970 to 1978, including during the Vietnam War, Monica’s early experiences shaped her commitment to resilience, integrity, and visibility in spaces that excluded trans people.The conversation moves through her post-military life, the creation of the Transgender Pride Flag in 1999, and the founding of the Transgender American Veterans Association (TAVA) in 2003. Monica shares how her work has fostered community solidarity, visibility, and practical support for trans service members and veterans. Themes of courage, creativity, and continuity run through the episode, emphasizing the tangible impact of one person’s dedication to collective care.This episode honors a living legend whose work continues to ripple across generations. It is a conversation about persistence, creativity, and the belief that every person deserves to live authentically and be seen in full color.⸻About the GuestMonica Helms, who uses she/her pronouns, is an activist, author, and U.S. Navy veteran. Born in Sumter, South Carolina, and raised in Arizona, Monica served in the Navy from 1970 to 1978. After coming out as transgender in 1997, she became a pioneering advocate for visibility and equality, founding the Transgender American Veterans Association in 2003—the first organization dedicated to trans service members and veterans.Her creation of the Transgender Pride Flag, first flown at a Phoenix Pride parade in 2000 and now housed at the Smithsonian, has become one of the most recognized symbols of trans pride worldwide. Through her memoir More Than Just a Flag, Monica continues to educate and inspire, centering authenticity, advocacy, and dignity for trans people everywhere.⸻About the PodcastPreserving trans voices, one story at a timeThe Trans Narrative Podcast is an international storytelling and archival platform dedicated to preserving trans and gender-diverse lives through long-form narrative. With over 150 episodes across five seasons and listeners in more than 80 countries, each episode captures lived experience from beginning to end, treating every story as historical record rather than soundbite.🎙️ Trans or gender-diverse? Share your story at [email protected] 🏳️‍⚧️Created and Produced by Caroline Essence“Make it real to me” written by Athena PromachusFeaturing: Talk my Ear Off by Mateo Briscoe and the local Slothbois, with Cameron LovePowered by Spotify for Creators📧 [email protected]💵 Support via PayPal: CarolineREssenceFind us on Facebook, TikTok, Apple Podcasts, Spotify, iHeartRadio, or wherever you listen.⸻ResourcesSuicide Hotline: 1 800 784 2433Trevor Project: 1 866 488 7386National Domestic Violence Hotline: 1 800 799 7233Drug Abuse National Helpline: 1 800 662 4357S A F E Self Abuse Finally Ends: 1 800 366 8288Family Violence Prevention Center: 1 800 313 1310National Human Service Call Center: 2 1 1

On this episode, Caroline, Jordan, and Tess sit with Osmany Villa, a multifaceted creative, activist, and community leader from Oklahoma City, Oklahoma. Known for her historic achievement as the first transgender prom queen in Oklahoma, Osmany has become a visible advocate for trans youth and LGBTQ+ representation across the South.Together, we explore Osmany’s journey of visibility, resilience, and leadership, from her Mennonite upbringing and early transition to her work as Social Media Director for OKC Pride Inc. and Parade Coordinator for The Gayly. Through storytelling, media, and grassroots organizing, Osmany bridges art and activism to uplift her community and redefine what pride looks like in the heart of the Midwest.This conversation dives deep into representation, identity, and systemic change, illuminating how trans leaders like Osmany are reshaping the cultural landscape through creativity, education, and collective care.⸻Osmany Villa is a creative, activist, and community organizer based in Oklahoma City. She made history as Oklahoma’s first transgender prom queen and now serves as Social Media Director for OKC Pride Inc. and Parade Coordinator for The Gayly. Through her activism, storytelling, and digital leadership, she fosters visibility, education, and empowerment for the trans and queer community across Oklahoma and beyond. Outside of her advocacy, Osmany prioritizes wellness, creativity, and time with loved ones—embodying the balance between self-care and social impact.⸻About the PodcastThe Trans Narrative Podcast is a storytelling platform centering trans voices through authentic dialogue and lived experience. With over 130 episodes across four seasons and listeners in 75 countries, the show creates space for guests to share their journeys, insights, and work—on their own terms.“Make it real to me” written by Athena PromachusCreated and produced by Caroline Essence, powered by Spotify for Creators📧 [email protected]💵 Support via CashApp: $gottabesomthinmoreFind us on Facebook, TikTok, Apple, Spotify, iHeartRadio, or wherever you listen to podcasts.⸻ResourcesSuicide Hotline: 1-800-SUICIDE (784-2433)Trevor Project: 1-866-4-U-TREVORNational Domestic Violence Hotline: 1-800-799-SAFEDrug Abuse National Helpline: 1-800-662-4357S.A.F.E. (Self Abuse Finally Ends): 1-800-DONT-CUTFamily Violence Prevention Center: 1-800-313-1310National Human Service Call Center: 2-1-1

On this episode, Alicia, Caroline, and Laurie sit with Jennifer Marie, founder of Jennspire and author of Ask Me Anything. Jennifer shares her journey of growing up in a Christian home, finding faith, and embracing her true identity as a trans woman—while navigating privilege, community, and resilience.We discuss her career transition from sports marketing and financial services into coaching, where she now empowers trans people and their families to navigate their journeys with confidence and authenticity.Together, we explore how Jennifer’s work—through Jennspire and her writing—creates space for compassion, understanding, and meaningful relationships, while offering real tools for those questioning gender identity or seeking to better understand trans experiences.⸻Jennifer Marie grew up in a Christian home, became a Christian herself, and clung to her faith as she embraced her true identity. Unlike many in the LGBTQIA+ community, Jennifer was fortunate to receive tremendous support from her family and community—a privilege that many others don’t experience. She spent years struggling with her gender identity, but ultimately found peace in embracing her authentic self.With over a decade of success in sports marketing and financial services, Jennifer transitioned to coaching and launched Jennspire in 2024. Through Jennspire, she empowers trans individuals and their families, helping them navigate their journeys with confidence and build meaningful, fulfilling relationships.Jennifer is also the author of Ask Me Anything, a book that offers insights into gender identity, shares her own experiences, and encourages readers to embrace their authentic selves. Through her work, Jennifer aims to create a more understanding and compassionate world for those questioning their gender or seeking to understand trans experiences.⸻About the PodcastThe Trans Narrative Podcast is a storytelling platform centering trans voices through authentic dialogue and lived experiences. With over 130 episodes across four seasons and listeners in 75 countries, the show creates space for guests to share their journeys, insights, and work—on their own terms.“Make it real to me” written by Athena PromachusCreated and produced by Caroline Essence, powered by Spotify for Creator’s.📧 [email protected]💵 Support via CashApp: $gottabesomthinmoreFind us on Facebook, TikTok, Apple, Spotify, iHeartRadio, or wherever you listen to podcasts.⸻ResourcesSuicide Hotline: 1-800-SUICIDE (784-2433)Trevor Project: 1-866-4-U-TREVORNational Domestic Violence Hotline: 1-800-799-SAFEDrug Abuse National Helpline: 1-800-662-4357S.A.F.E. (Self Abuse Finally Ends): 1-800-DONT-CUTFamily Violence Prevention Center: 1-800-313-1310National Human Service Call Center: 2-1-1

On this episode, Caroline, Jordan, and Jenna are joined by Elena J. Nova (Ru$ted Electra) the reigning Mx Trans Oklahoma 2025. A former ballerina and musical theatre performer, they now merge ballet-inspired movement with androgynous fashion to create drag that is raw, emotional, and boundary-pushing.Together, they explore Ru$ted’s path from the discipline of ballet to the fluidity of drag, and how their work as a performer, producer, and poet (Not an Apology and The Last Man on Earth) intersects with activism. From queer joy to chronic illness awareness to domestic violence prevention, their artistry becomes both personal expression and public platform.This conversation is about embodiment, resilience, and reclaiming space. Ru$ted Electra invites us to consider how movement, creativity, and lived experience converge to shape identity, fuel connection, and spark collective liberation.⸻Ru$ted Electra BioElena J. Nova, also known as Ru$ted Electra is non binary, an author, poet, and activist from Memphis, TN, and the reigning Mx Trans Oklahoma 2025. A former ballerina and musical theatre performer, Elena now channels their artistry into writing and drag performance, blending ballet-inspired movement with androgynous fashion to create work that is visceral, emotive, and transformative. They are the author of two poetry collections, Not an Apology and The Last Man on Earth, and use their platform to advocate for queer joy, chronic illness awareness, and inclusive creative spaces. Through poetry, performance, and activism, Elena uplifts LGBTQ+ people, disabled individuals, and fellow artists, inviting audiences to explore identity, resilience, and authentic expression.⸻About the PodcastThe Trans Narrative Podcast is a storytelling platform centering trans voices through authentic dialogue and lived experiences. With over 130 episodes across four seasons and listeners in 75 countries, the show creates space for guests to share their journeys, insights, and work—on their own terms.“Make it real to me” written by Athena PromachusCreated and produced by Caroline Essence, powered by Spotify for Creator’s.📧 [email protected]💵 Support via CashApp: $gottabesomthinmoreFind us on Facebook, TikTok, Apple, Spotify, iHeartRadio, or wherever you listen to podcasts.⸻ResourcesSuicide Hotline: 1-800-SUICIDE (784-2433)Trevor Project: 1-866-4-U-TREVORNational Domestic Violence Hotline: 1-800-799-SAFEDrug Abuse National Helpline: 1-800-662-4357S.A.F.E. (Self Abuse Finally Ends): 1-800-DONT-CUTFamily Violence Prevention Center: 1-800-313-1310National Human Service Call Center: 2-1-1