Dem Bois Podcast

Send us Fan Mail

In this episode of Dem Bois Podcast, my guest Maxx and I discuss his journey of healing and learning, identity, and the complexities of navigating race and gender in various spaces. Maxx shares personal experiences with choosing their name, living up to societal expectations, going to the military, and the impact of grief after losing their mom. We emphasize the importance of support systems, friendships, and the need for research and self-awareness in today's fast-paced world. 

We talk:

05:51 - Navigating race and gender in professional spaces

14:29 - Military experience and gender identity

26:39 - Grief and loss of a parent

38:45 - Advice on healing and moving forward

50:53 - Research and critical thinking in the digital age

Click here for transcription!

Episode References:

Dr. Joy DeGruy 

Dem Bois Podcast Ep #85 Exploring Nonbinary Identity and Queer Masculinity with Kelz

Read more about Maxx in his bio below:

I'm from Charleston SC. I love food. I’m a chef on a break. I lost my mom about 2 years ago so coping and dealing with that is really all I have been focusing on. I have a wife and a 10 year old daughter and a 5 year old son. My son is a dog. Learning and healing is the journey I’m on.

• Facebook - Statria Maxwell

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’ve said it once on this podcast and I will say it again: you don’t have to have surgery to be a trans man! You don’t have to do anything you don’t want to do. You just have to feel comfortable in your body and do what is best for you! And that is what this episode of Dem Bois Podcast is all about. Today I sit down with Demarco Lord, and he shares his journey as an intersex male of trans experience and discusses the challenges faced by the Black LGBTQ+ community in the South. We discuss the need for mental health support and resources for marginalized individuals and the importance of resilience and love in moving forward.

We talk:

11:50 - Intersex identity and personal experiences

21:01 - Challenges and triumphs in the south

40:11 - Creating inclusive spaces in mental health

49:13 - Navigating social media and mental health

59:59 - Building infrastructure for trans rights

Click here for transcription!

Episode References:

Dunwoody Health Center 

Read more about Demarco in his bio below:

ADVOCATES OF THE SOUTH INC. , was founded by a intersex male of Trans experience, through the lived experiences with dealing with the many disparities in the South, lack of resources and oppression in black communities ADVOCATES OF THE SOUTH INC. was born.

A message from the Founder: DeMarco T Lord

When we say all, Black lives matter, when we say no one left behind, it begins to bring a true Love and an atmosphere that we can all thrive in.

• advocatesofthesouth.com 
• facebook.com/Advocatesofhesouthinc

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

Gender affirming care is not just for trans folks. It is for everyone! And gender affirming care doesn’t have to mean surgery. It could mean wearing clothes that feel comfortable to you! And we dive deeper into this topic on this episode of Dem Bois Podcast. Today, my guest Nat Moghe shares their journey of navigating identity, community, and activism. They discuss the importance of visibility, mutual aid, and the need for intersectional discourse in the fight for trans rights. 

We talk:

08:59 - Navigating transphobia and mental health

20:53 - The intersection of gender and culture

29:34 - The future of gender affirming care

35:41 - The impact of masculinity on the trans community

43:46 - Challenging misconceptions about trans existence

54:45 - Taking action in a challenging political climate

Click here for transcription!

Episode References:

A Map of Gender-Diverse Cultures 

Frances Thompson

The Body Is Not An Apology: The Power of Radical Self-Love, book by Sonya Renee Taylor

Read more about Nat in their bio below:

Nat Moghe (they/he) is a South Asian, transmasc, queer content creator and activist. As a workplace justice organizer he works to improve programs and policies to ensure that all working families have paid time to care, and advocates for fair and inclusive workplaces through community engagement. They are passionate about addressing the intersection of racial justice and LGBTQIA+ rights. They recently were appointed to the Board of Directors for Trans Lifeline, and are also a volunteer gender advocate with the Trans Advocacy & Care Team, providing free and sliding-scale peer counseling to other trans and nonbinary folks. Nat graduated from the University of Pittsburgh with a Bachelor of Arts in Sociology and Gender, Sexuality, and Women's Studies. 

• https://www.instagram.com/thetadvocate/
• https://www.linkedin.com/in/nat-moghe-330b6914b/
• https://www.instagram.com/natmoghe/

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 don’t learn anything else from this podcast, please learn to choose yourself first! In a way that’s what this episode is all about. Today on Dem Bois Podcast, my guest Jay Moten shares his journey of self-discovery and healing through self-care practices such as yoga, meditation, and breathwork. He discusses the intersectionality of race, gender, and identity, and how these elements shape his experiences as a trans man. Jay emphasizes the importance of community support and the need for safe spaces for trans individuals, particularly men of color. 

We talk:

05:55 - Jay’s journey of identity and name selection

14:27 - Spirituality and personal growth

20:41 - Transitioning and finding community

33:25 - Exploring family and identity

41:58 - Finding wholeness beyond labels

51:43 - Integrating self-care practices

01:01:06 - Creating a legacy through storytelling

Episode References:

Camp Lost Boys 

Uncloak Foundation 

Intentional Man Project 

Dem Bois Podcast Ep. 85 with Kelz 

Click here for transcription!

Read more about Jay in his bio below:

Jay Moton is a dedicated teacher, speaker, healer, and guide, passionate about fostering authentic transformation and self-discovery. Since embarking on his yogic journey in 2007, Jay has integrated Yoga, Breathwork, Meditation, and Sound Healing into his work, helping individuals cultivate self-love and deepen their inner awareness. As the lead facilitator of The Intentional Man Project, he creates space for transmen to find community, connection, and inner alignment. Known for his heart-centered and uplifting approach, Jay inspires compassion and personal growth. Through his classes, workshops, and retreats, he empowers individuals to release fears, transcend limitations, and embrace their highest potential.

• Instagram: @jaysonmoton

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

It is really important to center grace in your life, especially right now with everything going on in the world. So I’m excited to introduce today’s guest on Dem Bois Podcast, because he went so far as to use the word “grace” in his name. In this episode, Grayson Thompson, a Black Jamaican American queer transgender cowboy poet and mental health therapist, shares his journey of identity, family dynamics, and the art of writing. He discusses the significance of his name, the complexities of his relationship with his mother, and the impact of his transition on his life and work. Grayson also reads his poetry, which reflects his experiences and thoughts on love, loss, and acceptance, emphasizing the importance of visibility and representation in the LGBTQ+ community.

We talk:

03:03 Grayson’s name and identity journey

11:46 The role of a mental health therapist

20:23 The significance of family and legacy

31:34 Eldership and visibility

43:15 Reflections on life and death

50:52 The importance of community and support

Click here for transcription!

Episode References:

Donahue (TV Series 1967–1995)

8 Mile (2002)

Sand Bodied Florida Boy 

Foglifter Journal 

Read more about Grayson in his bio below:

Grayson Thompson [he/him] is a Black, Jamaican-American, queer transgender cowboy poet who moonlights as a mental health therapist. A mouthful, Grayson is Foglifter Press's 2024 Start A Riot! Chapbook Prize Winner with “Sand Bodied Florida Boy” (June 2025) and Winner of Write Bloody Publishing's 2024 Jack McCarthy Book Prize (forthcoming September 2025). Grayson has been featured in Cathexis Northwest Press, Cleaver (nominated for Best of the Net Anthology), Poetry Online, and other spaces. A teaching assistant for poet Buddy Wakefield’s Writer’s Anonymous, he supports emerging and established writers. A wanderer, he lives in Northern California and in awe of the ocean

• Instagram: @graysonwritespoems
• Writing: www.graysonwritespoems.com
• Mental Health: www.graysonlthompson.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!

Send us Fan Mail

The anxiety we are collectively feeling in this post-election climate is real! That’s why it’s so important to ground yourself and be kind to yourself. And, in this episode of Dem Bois Podcast, my guest, Dr. Van Bailey and I discuss grounding practices, mental health, and the impact of kindness. The discussion also covers the challenges and triumphs of modeling as a trans person, advocating for greater representation in the fashion industry. And, we explore themes of queerness, self-expression, and the importance of community support for trans youth.

We talk:

09:56 - Dr. Van’s journey of identity and transition

20:07 - Modeling as a trans person

30:03 - Understanding non-binary identity and gender dynamics

40:05 - Navigating barbershop conversations

51:06 - The importance of self-care and grooming

01:05:12 - Navigating political challenges for trans rights

Click here for transcription!

Episode References:

Dapper Q

The Aggressives

Campaign for Southern Equality - IG

PLFAG

Read more about Dr. Van in their bio below:

Dr. Van Bailey (they/them/theirs) is an award-winning educator and consultant. Their speeches, content, and workshops relate to LGBTQ+ equity, mental health, and belonging in the workplace. They have experience overseeing offices that address implicit bias, LGBTQ+ equity, and diversity and inclusion. As a past director for diversity and inclusion, they have spoken on the importance of gender equity, authenticity, and belonging in the workplace. Dr. Bailey was listed in the Out 100 and Business Equality Magazine's 40 under 40. Dr. Bailey holds a BA from Denison University in English and Black Studies, an MA from Ohio State University in Higher Education and Student Affairs, and a Doctorate in Educational Leadership from California State University - Northridge. 

• IG: @drvanbailey
• TikTok: dr__handsome
• LinkedIn: Dr. Van Bailey

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

In this episode of Dem Bois Podcast, we get to talk about the impact of visibility equalling possibility and the significance of building technology for social good. Today I sit down with Dr. Kortney Ziegler, a serial social entrepreneur, and we discuss the importance of community and compassion, grief after losing a parent, and cultural dynamics of living in South Africa. The conversation touches on themes of aging, representation in media, and the complexities of identity within the diaspora.

We talk:

06:14 Embracing aging and wisdom

17:59 Visibility and representation in media

24:33 Life in South Africa from a trans perspective

37:21 Cultural displacement and loneliness

46:52 Grief and loss

55:44 Building technology for social good

Click here for transcription!

Episode References:

Still Black: A Portrait of Black Transmen (2008)

The Changemakers Guide - preorder

Read more about Kortney in his bio below:

Kortney Ziegler, PhD, is the founder and CEO of WellMoney, a money-sharing community that enables members to both receive and provide monetary aid during times of financial emergencies. Kortney is a serial social entrepreneur who previously co-founded a crowdfunding platform—Appolition—that raised over $1 million to pay bail for people who couldn’t afford it and Trans*H4CK, a nonprofit that creates tech for the transgender community and visibility for trans technologists and entrepreneurs.

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 do you foster community and collaboration? One way is through art and activism. And, we dive into that in this episode of Dem Bois Podcast. Today I sit down with rommy torico, a formerly undocumented queer, trans, non-binary visual artist, and they share their experiences navigating identity, survival, and self-discovery. We also discuss the impact of being undocumented on their gender journey, the importance of college as a space for exploration, the complexities of family dynamics during the coming out process, and the significance of mental health support. 

We talk:

11:22 The Impact of Survival on Self-Discovery

20:10 The Role of Chosen Family and Community

24:19 Navigating Relationships and Trauma

39:34 Art as a Medium for Social Justice

49:31 Future Aspirations and Uncertainties

Click here for transcription!

Episode References:

Past Lives (2023)

Titanic (1997)

Love Jones (1997)

Read more about rommy in their bio below:

rommy torrico is a formerly undocumented, queer, trans nonbinary visual artist born in Iquique, Chile and raised in Florida. They have been involved in social movement spaces encompassing (im)migrant, queer and trans rights struggles for over a decade and infuse much of their work with personal experience and the stories their communities share. Over the years, Torrico’s work has been included in several publications and exhibited at the Getty Museum, the Smithsonian Museum, the Library of Congress and the Museo Nacional Centro de Arte Reina Sofía as well as many galleries and museums throughout the Americas and internationally.

• IG: @rommyyy123

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 times when we hear or read the phrase soul mate, we think of it in a very romantic way. But, soul mate relationships can be platonic. They can be found in friendships that love us down and encourage us to be our full selves. And, in this Dem Bois Podcast first, I sit down with Kelz and we discuss what that term actually means. In this conversation, we dive into critical analysis, identity, and the significance of friendship and community. And, Kelz emphasizes the importance of visibility in queer narratives and the personal nature of identity language. They also recite a really great poem at the end of the episode, so be sure to listen!

We talk:

09:07 Exploring gender identity and fluidity

18:04 The significance of the term 'stud' and class privilege

26:08 Understanding non-binary identities

34:58 Kelz work, 'we was boys together'

45:55 Rekindling friendship and identity

01:00:55 Kelz’ poetry

Click here for transcription!

Episode References

Criminal Intimacy: Prison and the Uneven History of Modern American Sexuality by Regina Kunzel (Book 2008)

The Aggressives (Documentary 2005) 

Between Women (TV Series 2011-2013) 

Sula (Novel 1973) 

we was bois together by Kelsey L. Smoot

Read more about Kelz in thier bio below:

Kelsey L. Smoot (They/Them/He/Him) is a full-time PhD student in the interdisciplinary social sciences and humanities, as well as a poet, advocate, and frequent writer of critical analysis. They are the author of a chapbook titled We Was Bois Together (CLASH! an Imprint of Mouthfeel Press).

• Instagram.com/nonbinarypapi

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

Self-affirmation has become a buzzword in this day and age, but its power isn’t debatable. When you are consistently affirming yourself, words from others won’t affect you as much. We talk about that in this episode of Dem Bois Podcast. Today I sit down with Monroe, a model, author, and influencer, and we discuss challenges of name changes, gender expression, and the evolving landscape of social media. Monroe also shares his journey of self-discovery, including his transition, the importance of self-care, and the significance of visibility in the trans community. 

We talk:

05:07 The importance of self-care during transition

15:13 Understanding gender expression 

24:38 The power of digital reach

31:36 Mental health and social media

42:16 Creating for the community

Click here for transcription!

Episode References:

Beyond the Veil Tarot 

Read more about Monroe in his bio below:

Monroe Banuelos is a transgender man, best known for his influence on Instagram and TikTok. Aside from that, Monroe is also known for modeling, his ebook for trans men, and his clothing brand 'Lucky Ba$tard'.

• Instagram.com/monroe.banuelos 
• TikTok.com/monroe.banuelos

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!