Dem Bois Podcast

Hosted by Shawn Aaron

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Episodes

122

Latest episode

May 2026

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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.

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60 recent

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 visibilityEpisode 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 photographyEpisode 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: SPICEDADCelebrate 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 challengesEpisode 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-discoveryEpisode 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!

April 29, 2026Episode 1161 hr 0 min

Redefining Masculinity Through Writing and Vulnerability with Bodi

Send us Fan MailI say this all the time and I will say it again! Masculinity is what you choose to make of it. You don’t have to subscribe to the toxic masculinity of our fathers and uncles. We can choose a softer side, and we talk all about that in this episode of Dem Bois Podcast. Today’s guest is fiction writer and poet, Bodi, and we explore the themes of masculinity, identity, and community. We emphasize the power of vulnerability and the role of writing in healing. And, we address the privileges and challenges at the intersections of race and gender.We talk:3:45 - How we met at Camp Lost Boys9:59 - Bodi’s journey of self-discovery29:58 - Navigating race and identity in germany40:10 - Embracing change and positive masculinity48:31 - The role of art in expression 53:29 - Bodi’s poemEpisode References:Camp Lost BoysOne World Poetry NightMath jokes page?Read more about Bodi in his bio below:Bodi (he/him), a fiction writer poet is a fire sun and rising, moon in cute. His work guides him to process what life blessed him with like dreams and water, spirituality, ancestry, love and affection but also body politics around gender, queerness and disability. Bodi has a background in cultural science and has been working with queer communities of colour in Berlin Germany as a project manager, educator and social worker for more than 10 years. He loves to sing, he loves to cook, give massages and he thinks about qualities of rest.@bodipoetryCelebrate 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!

April 22, 2026Episode 1151 hr 4 min

Trans Time: Escaping Linear Narratives with Alexis N. Garcia

Send us Fan MailWhat do you know about “trans time?” I had never heard the term before my interview with poet and educator, Alexis N. Garcia, but in this episode of Dem Bois Podcast, Alexis teaches all about this concept and more! In this episode, Alexis also discusses their identity, exploring themes of gender, ancestry, and the importance of community. They reflect on the role of play and imagination in our lives, the journey of writing and creativity, the significance of support systems, and the essence of freedom. We talk:2:44 - Exploring identity and ancestry18:26 - The journey of gender and transition33:21 - Healing generational trauma40:05 - Understanding “Trans Time” and nonlinear existence54:35 - Support systems and community connectionsEpisode References:Octavia ButlerCaro De RobertisTina Aguirre The Hips on the Drag Queen Go Swish, Swish, SwishRead more about Alexis is their bio below:Alexis N. Garcia is a t-boy poet & educator dreaming against the state. Their cross-discipline experiments glitch traditional poetic form to construct trans time & non-linear meaning-making. You can find their work in The Hopkins Review, Poets.org’s “Poem-A-Day” series, The Slowdown, The Best of the Net Anthology 2022, among others. Aceves Garcia has received fellowships from The Outpost Foundation, Jack Jones Literary Arts, and the Tin House Summer Workshop. Their latest callings include bringing plant offerings to the ocean and escaping linear time. Instagram loveloaf_ alexisacevesgarcia.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!

April 16, 2026Episode 1141 hr 11 min

Building Support: A Hater's Guide to Comedy with Jonnea Herman

Send us Fan MailLaughter is a powerful tool for connection! It breaks down barriers and cools fires, and in this episode of Dem Bois Podcast Jonnea talks about how he connects with people through comedy. Jonnea is a stand-up comedian and artist/designer, and he shares insights on embracing his hater side, the significance of his name, and girlhood and womanhood. We also discuss the importance of relationships and support systems, the impact of perception on identity, and the intersection of humor and identity, particularly as a trans individual. We talk:02:58 - Embracing the hater within15:03 - Menstruation and body experiences24:03 - Perception and identity36:33 - The journey into stand-up comedy49:50 - The power of laughter53:29 - Comedy and gender identity01:01:31 - The intellectual side of comedyClick here for Episode References!Read more about Jonnea in his bio below:Jonnea Herman is a queer, afrolatinx, part storyteller and part hater, stand up comedian, and artist/designer based in Brooklyn, New York.@j0nnea (Twitter + IG + tiktok) www.jonneaherman.infoCelebrate 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!

April 8, 2026Episode 1131 hr 9 min

The Importance of Community and Connection in Queerness with KB Brookins

Send us Fan MailConnection is like a light in a dark space. The more light there is, the brighter the room becomes. And the more trans men of color connect with each other, the bigger our families become. In this episode of Dem Bois Podcast, my guest, award-winning author KB Brookins, shares their journey of navigating identity, writing, and family dynamics. We discuss the importance of visibility and connection, the nuances of Black womanhood and manhood, the precarity of these identities, and the significance of diverse representation in literature. We talk:09:05 - Understanding gender and self-discovery21:14 - Advice for navigating queerness and family34:22 - The journey of writing a memoir44:36 - Exploring freedom through poetry55:18 - Trans News That Doesn't SuckEpisode References:1946 (movie)Dearborn (book) By Ghassan ZeineddineErin In The MorningAutostraddleLGBTQ NationLearning to Shut Out the Noise with Ja’Mel Ashely WareRead more about KB in their bio below:KB Brookins is the author of three books, including Pretty (2024), winner of the Lambda Literary Award in Transgender Nonfiction. They are an ACLU of Texas Artist-in-Residence and a Black Mountain Institute Shearing Fellow at UNLV. @earthtokb on Instagram, TikTok, and SubstackTrans News That Doesn’t SuckFreedom House Celebrate 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!

February 25, 2026Episode 1121 hr 2 min

Breaking Free from Conventional Femininity with denim {d} chang

Send us Fan MailWhen you think about masculinity and vulnerability, you may not think they work together, but they do! And in this episode of Dem Bois Podcast, denim chang tells us how. He also shares personal experiences with conventional femininity, healing from toxic patterns, and the role of spirituality in healing processes. Together we discuss the importance of community care, the significance of names and pronouns, and the journey of gender identity and transition. We talk:Chapters05:56 - The significance of names and pronouns18:04 - The role of spirituality in healing35:35 - Embracing vertical alignment and masculinity43:44 - Creating a space for learning and growth47:22 - The journey of self-discovery55:59 - Visibility equals possibilityClick here for transcription!Episode References:bell hooks Ep. 106 - Extracting Closure From a Past Situation with Shawn AaronAudre Lorde: Uses of the Erotic: The Erotic as Power@tboyskr1pclubRead more about denim in his bio below:denim {d} chang is a somatic trauma resolution practitioner and erotic power enthusiast. In his work, he bridges body-based intelligence, the ancestral wisdom of his taoist lineage, and his love for relationship anarchy to support our healing work in feeling more vulnerability, intimacy and belonging. He is the creator of Somatics for the People, an emerging school for liberatory embodiment and identifies as a transmasculine nonbinary immigrant and survivor on the autism spectrum, and a love and sex addict in recovery. When not avoiding his writing practice, he's in muay thai or at the drums.d-chang.comIG - huesofdenimsomaticsforthepeople.com Celebrate 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!

February 18, 2026Episode 1111 hr 5 min

Staying Connected to Humanity in Chaos with Simran Chugani

Send us Fan MailThink about anger like a pot of boiling water. If the fire keeps burning when all the water is boiled, the pot will eventually catch fire. And if you allow your anger to boil over, your body will pay the price. And we dive deeper into this concept in this episode of Dem Bois Podcast. Today’s guest is Simran Chugani and we discuss the role of poetry in self-discovery, the intersection of cultural expectations, and the importance of staying connected to humanity amidst societal chaos. We also explore the multifaceted nature of activism, emphasizing the importance of community, healing, and the balance between anger and joy.We talk:08:53 - Martial Arts and the concept of peace17:48 - Cultural expectations and assimilation39:28 - Balancing anger and joy in activism44:51 - Alternative forms of contribution54:46 - Marathons as a metaphor for life's struggles01:00:13 - The beauty of humanity in shared experiencesClick here for transcription!Episode References:Power Beyond Pride Andrea GibsonJohn GreenDan SavageE.R. FightmasterViolence - EPRead more about Simran in their bio below:Simran Chugani is a health researcher, poet, and marathoner based in Orlando, Florida whose work lies at the intersection of storytelling, community-building, and having as much fun as possible. As a researcher, Chugani aims to make health care more integrated, responsive, and accessible. As a poet, they aim to tell stories that capture the beauty in the everyday. As a marathoner, Chugani promotes visibility for trans athletes and leads initiatives that improve inclusivity in sports. At their core, Chugani is grounded in ancestral knowledge and powered by joy.Instagram: @simran.chuganiCelebrate 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!