Dem Bois Podcast

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If 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 ancestry

21:23 - Liberation through dance and self-expression

37:56 - Navigating family dynamics and acceptance

49:16 - The impact of a past relationship on self-perception

1:13:49 - Self-compassion and healing

Read 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.oleadas

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!

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Listening 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 growth

17:51 - The impact of relationships on identity

27:11 - Creating safe spaces for authenticity

32:45 - Empowering youth through listening

41:40 - Building a support system

56:59 - Creativity in social work

1:06:34 - Future aspirations and community impact

Read 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_220

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!

Send us Fan Mail

How 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 history

17:59 - Conversations about transition

36:54 - Embracing change and identity

42:04 - Redefining masculinity through family influence

58:08 - Visibility equals possibility

1:05:21 - Excavating Black Trans histories

Episode References:

Caillou

The Will to Change by bell hooks

The L Word

Degrassi

Stone Butch Blues by Leslie Feinberg

Star Trek

Nichelle Nichols

Read 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.com
• socials: crsed_poet

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!

Send us Fan Mail

Welcome 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 identity

14:55 - Navigating relationships during transition

24:08 - Continuing the journey of healing

32:15 - Living authentically

47:20 - Advice for self-discovery

Episode References:

Finding Your Voice to Live with No Regrets with Syir

Dem Bois Podcast New Sound with Syir aka MoLa Flo

Transitioning at Work with Shawn Aaron

Love Within the Transition

Finding Affirmation in Everyday Moments with Shawn Aaron

Building Confidence to Become Your True Self with Vee Martin

Building Brotherhood Using Unconditional Love with Kalvin Byrd

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 - demboisinc
• IG - shawnaaron81

Read 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_nofear

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!

Send us Fan Mail

I 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 image

17:54 - Cherished memories and lasting impact

27:08 - Family dynamics and personal affirmation

35:56 - Unexpected connections and humor

49:55 - Healthy masculinity and self-affirmation

Episode References:

Ep. 98 - The Collection of Encouragement Series; Part 1

Ep. 7 - Transitioning at Work

Ep. 112 - Breaking Free from Conventional Femininity with denim {d} chang

Jaylen Hands lifts up teammate after turnover - video

Ep. 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 - demboisinc
• IG - shawnaaron81

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!

Send us Fan Mail

If 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 absence

22:27 - Seeking closure: the letter to my father

37:20 - Navigating parental relationships

45:56 - The complexity of family dynamics

55:05 - Our final conversations and lasting effects

Episode References:

Ep. 126 - Extracting Closure; Dear Mama, with Shawn Aaron

Ep. 106 - Extracting Closure From a Past Situation with Shawn Aaron

Ep. 103 - Building Brotherhood Using Unconditional Love with Kalvin Byrd

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 - demboisinc
• IG - shawnaaron81

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!

Send us Fan Mail

This 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 closure

12:45 - Personal stories of trauma and healing

21:55 - Writing for healing and control of narrative

27:28 - The power of healing and community

35:20 - Dear Mama: A Journey of Healing

43:10 - Transforming pain into purpose

Episode References:

Ep. 123 - Fulfillment Through Authenticity and Art as Self-Discovery with Wen Neale

Ep. 122 - The Weight of Trauma: Unpacking Adoption, Love, and Identity with Felix-Long Laneri

Ep. 119 - Breaking Cycles of Trauma through Art and Love with Sunny

Ep. 106 - Extracting Closure From a Past Situation with Shawn Aaron

Ep. 103 - Building Brotherhood Using Unconditional Love with Kalvin Byrd

Ep 48 - Repairing the Relationship with My Birth Mother and the Death of My Chosen Mother

Ep. 12 - Healing Generational Trauma Through Transformative Parenting

Ep. 3 - Surviving Homelessness

30 Days of Black Trans Reflection: Abolition, Anti-capitalism, and Black Queer Feminism

Dear Mama, | Day 27 of 30

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 - demboisinc
• IG - shawnaaron81

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!

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 Arkansas

21:19 - The spiritual significance of drumming

39:46 - Exploring diaspora blues and ancestral connections

54:07 - Remembering life before colonization

01:06:03 - Self-love and body awareness

Episode References:

Ep. 123 - Fulfillment Through Authenticity and Art as Self-Discovery with Wen Neale

Ep. 95 - Having Faith and Knowing That You’re Worthy with Alexander Rey Simon-Perez

Palestinian Pole Dancer: Farrahthedoll

Moroccan Chef: Meantangine

Singer: Storai.s

Dancer: Joycethethief

Producer: 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 media

• IG - @Littlegiant.enb

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!

Send us Fan Mail

Many 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 understanding

24:04 - Media literacy and anti-trans propaganda

33:09 - Autonomy and authorship: moving from invisibility to visibility

45:16 - Gender-affirming care and why joy feels threatening to systems

51:21 - Colonialism, binaries, and managing anxiety

63:31 - Noah’s Poem: My Passport Doesn’t Protect Me Anymore

Episode References:

The Trevor Project

Gender Spectrum

Lambda Legal

Erin in the Morning

Politico

Ace Ventura: Pet Detective (1994)

Written on the Body by Jeanette Winterson

Cut to Bloom

Read 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.choi

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!

Send us Fan Mail

Mainstream 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-discovery

17:26 - Family dynamics and growing up

24:03 - Navigating difficult conversations with parents

37:19 - Healthcare disparities: Florida vs. California

43:30 - The importance of Trans history education

52:40 - Art as a reflection of identity

Episode References:

Deviant Art

Maine-coon Cat Breed

My Strange Addiction

Deantrbl IG

Read 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 - sippystraw
• IG Shop - catdadshop 
• Twitter - catdadwen

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!