Find partners
Dem Bois Podcast

Dem Bois Podcast

Hosted by Shawn Aaron

Episodes

127

Latest episode

Aug 2026

Language

EN-US

About the 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.

Listen to episodes

60 recent
August 12, 2026Episode 12656 min

Extracting Closure; Dear Mama, with Shawn Aaron

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 purposeEpisode 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!

August 5, 2026Episode 1251 hr 14 min

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 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 awarenessEpisode References:Fulfillment Through Authenticity and Art as Self-Discovery with Wen NealeHaving Faith and Knowing That You’re Worthy with Alexander Rey Simon-PerezRead 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!

July 29, 2026Episode 1241 hr 10 min

Autonomy and Authorship: Transitioning Into Visibility and Self-Definition with Noah Arhm Choi

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 AnymoreEpisode 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!

July 22, 2026Episode 1231 hr 9 min

Fulfillment Through Authenticity and Art as Self-Discovery with Wen Neale

Send us Fan MailMainstream 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 deeply. Wen also discusses the importance of online communities in understanding gender identity, the complexities of familial relationships, and the ongoing journey of understanding yourself and your place in the world. We talk:9:27 - The role of online communities in self-discovery17:26 - Family dynamics and growing up24:03 - Navigating difficult conversations with parents37:19 - Healthcare disparities: Florida vs. California43:30 - The importance of Trans history education52:40 - Art as a reflection of identityEpisode References:Deviant ArtMaine-coon Cat BreedMy Strange AddictionDeantrbl IGRead more about Wen in his bio below:Wen Neale is a Asian American transman who's been on HRT for over 10 years (and has four cats) - since the beginning of his transition, he's been an open book on the internet about his transgender journey, and was able to share his experiences as a speaker in UC Davis. Wen is an inspirational figure in the Asian American trans community for his outspoken experiences about living authentically and taking calculated risks in finding his own path to happiness, from personal life to his career.Website - catdad.online IG - sippystrawIG Shop - catdadshop Twitter - catdadwenCelebrate 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!

July 15, 2026Episode 1221 hr 1 min

The Weight of Trauma: Unpacking Adoption, Love, and Identity with Felix-Long Laneri

Send us Fan MailIf 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 identity, healing from a complicated adoption story, and leaning into community transformed his life. From unpacking the weight of human trafficking behind his adoption story to navigating relationships with a distant adoptive mother, he offers raw insights into the complexities of identity, family, and belonging. We talk:05:14 - Adoption, loss of heritage, and the complexity of trafficking 06:20 - China’s one-child policy, uncertainty around his birth story, and lost origins11:28 - Childhood memories that revealed gender alignment 19:08 - Felix’s relationship with his adoptive mother32:59 - Community, engagement, and the love that currently supports him45:19 - Somatic therapy, healing through the body, and why it matters for trans folksEpisode References:Dem Bois Podcast Ep. #95 Having Faith and Knowing That You’re Worthy with Alexander Rey Simon-PerezDem Bois Podcast Ep. #96 Season 3 Finale - Episode of Empowerment with Alexander Rey Simon-Perez (Divine, They, He, King)Read more about Felix in his bio below:Felix-Long Laneri is a social worker, somatic practitioner, organizer, trans, transracial adoptee. He currently works as a gender therapist in a therapy group practice, providing space for predominantly trans folks across the life span to explore identity, relationships, and healing. On his off time he organizes Philly TMOC, a transmasc of color group focused on relationship building and expansive boyhood.IG - felixlaneriCelebrate 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!

July 8, 2026Episode 12157 min

The Power of Community and Representation in Parenthood with Keo and Mason

Send us Fan MailPregnancy 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, birthing, and parenting. Keo and Mason also share their experiences with healthcare, their evolving perspectives on family, and the importance of community support. Together, we emphasize the significance of love, understanding, and preparation in raising a child in today's world.We talk:5:59 - Navigating healthcare as a Trans couple17:51 - Future aspirations for Lou (their daughter)23:56 - Family dynamics and identity 31:33 - Sharing life experiences with children40:10 - Adjusting to parenthood and new responsibilities54:37 - Celebrating milestones and fatherhoodEpisode References:Ep. 109 - Unapologetically Black, Trans, and Pregnant with Keo Ruiz-O’NealEp. 15 - Growing Beyond Insecurities and Healing from Trauma with Xavier JonesRead more about Keo and Mason in their bio below:Keo & Mason are a Black transmasculine couple who have been together for 9 years and have been married for 6 & a half. The couple recently welcomed a baby girl who Keo carried. Keo and Mason are very proud of the life they’ve built together and even more proud of what their love has manifested into. The pair live in Colorado with their daughter, 3 cats, & dog.IG - keos_kingdomCelebrate 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!

May 27, 2026Episode 1201 hr 4 min

A Body Made Home: Reflection with Shawn Aaron and Joël Simeu

Send us Fan MailWhat 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 Assistant, Joël Simeu, and we discuss the themes of identity, home, mental health, and the transformative power of writing. We also reflect on our personal experiences and the significance of the book's structure, emphasizing the importance of breaks and self-care in the reading process. We talk:08:49 - The power of writing and memory15:12 - The structure and style of the memoir21:02 - The importance of breaks in reading33:15 - Reflections on mental health and identity46:47 - The power of vulnerability in healing01:00:05 - The impact of storytelling and visibilityClick here for transcription!Episode References:A Body Made Home by Kai Marshal GreenEp. 69 - What if Everyone Leads with Love? with Joël SimeuEp. 77 - Dem Bois Highlight Series Part 5; with Joël SimeuEp. 102 - Navigating Gender Expressions and Expectations with Kai Marshall GreenPhenomenal Woman by Maya AngelouHeavy by Kiese LaymonRead 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 Joël in his bio below:Joël Simeu Juegouo is a poet, musician, and griot from Cameroon. His writing is featured in HarperCollins' Here to Stay: Poetry and Prose from the Undocumented Diaspora. And he was selected as 2026 Undocupoet Fellow. Joël has served as manager for Outpost Foundation’s writing residency program and assesses submissions for the program’s fellowship candidates. He also works towards amplifying the voices of transmasculine folks of color, as Production Assistant to Dem Bois, Inc. Simeu earned his M.A. in Literatures in English from Cornell University, where he teaches writing seminars. His doctoral dissertation contends with poetics of Black transmasculine cultural epistemology.These days find him craving that which is tender and slow. Each day, he strives to become a menace to his enemies and prays for the liberation of all oppressed people. Each day he gives his gorgeous calico, all of his love. Today, and always, he invites you to stay rooted in your breath.IG - jojosim27Celebrate 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!

May 20, 2026Episode 1191 hr 13 min

Breaking Cycles of Trauma through Art and Love with Sunny

Send us Fan MailI 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 episode of Dem Bois Podcast, Sunny and I discuss the impact of their upbringing, the complexities of maternal relationships, and the significance of therapy in their life. Sunny also explains the concepts of Afrofuturism and surrealism, highlighting how these artistic movements influence their work.We talk:08:55 - Navigating gender identity and expression14:56 - Cultural expectations and parenting27:13 - Defining nonbinary identity36:21 - Navigating family dynamics48:04 - The power of art and community59:29 - Building confidence through photographyClick here for transcription!Episode References:The Brown Boi ProjectDem Bois Highlight Series Part 5; with Joël SimeuA video of an adopted person speaking to their birth parent Dem Bois Episode 12 - Healing Generational Trauma Through Transformative ParentingRead more about Sunny in their bio below:Sunny (They/He) is a nonbinary, transmasc artist, photographer and advertising creative with a background in Black feminist theory, gender studies and pedagogy. Through “poetry in motion,” their art centers afrofuturism, surrealism and the radical beauty of joy.IG: SPICECAMVISUALSIG: COMPLEX.SUNTT: SPICEDADehS3yVOhZc8ntLSLuf9zCelebrate 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!

May 13, 2026Episode 1181 hr 8 min

Queer Representation in Healthcare: A Conversation with Taylor Chiang

Send us Fan MailVisibility 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 experiences with gender identity, and the challenges of being queer in a traditionally conservative field. The conversation also touches on family dynamics, the importance of representation in medicine, and advice for aspiring medical professionals from gender-diverse backgrounds. We talk:05:58 - Understanding non-binary identity12:04 - Navigating family dynamics and gender identity29:04 - Queer representation in medicine34:11 - Advice for aspiring gender diverse medical professionals46:51 - Navigating medical school admissions55:59 - Access to healthcare challengesClick here for transcription!Episode References:No Reservations (movie 2007)Love Jones (movie 1997) Ep. 107 - The Complexities and Phases of Gender Awakening with Taj TaylorRead more about Taylor in their bio below:Taylor is a non-binary, queer PGY2 general surgery resident at the University of Chicago. Originally from NJ, they received their BA from Swarthmore College, and MD from Rutgers Robert Wood Johnson. They recently moved to IL and the last year and a half has been marked by a lot of change. New city, new job, new friends. Outside the hospital they enjoy running and lifting to keep them sane.IG - @t_chiang_LinkedIn - tchiang1taylor.chang15@gmail.comCelebrate 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!

May 6, 2026Episode 1171 hr 11 min

Love Over Ignorance: Customizing Your Life with Wenjamin Nguyen-Gilmore

Send us Fan MailLife 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 discuss Wen's journey of gender identity, the challenges faced in the modeling industry, and the importance of community and education in understanding diverse identities. We talk:8:10 - Exploring gender identity 25:35 - Modeling career and its challenges39:08 - Understanding autism and gender identity42:25 - The importance of education and empathy51:38 - The need for cultural understanding and acceptance1:06:20 - Traveling and self-discoveryClick here for transcription!Episode References:VocaloidHatsune MikuTransguy SupplyAuston BjorkmanMutt (movie 2023)Gia (TV movie 1998)Dem Bois Podcast Ep. 72 - Autism, Queerness, Parenting and Family Dynamics with SchereéyaRead more about Wenjamin in their bio below:Retired runway model, queer business boy-wonder, and cat father to the stars. How does one juggle between parenthood, being in college for 3 degrees, and a job working with autistic kids? Insane, yes, but not impossible. Wenjamin is a trans-nonbinary, multilinguist of colour on the rise to get their doctorate, here to give advice on queer social mobility, as well as navigating life’s hardships from everyday struggles to geosociopolitical levels of intersectionality.@heywenjamin on IGCelebrate 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!

Is this your show?

Claim this listing to keep it up to date, reach guests who want to pitch you, and manage bookings with Guestify.

Claim this listing

More Business podcasts