The Trans Narrative Podcast

On this episode Caroline sits with Jay VanLandingham, the author of The Animalist Code novellas and the dystopian novel Sentient.As an avid animal rights activist and longtime vegan, Jay’s writing focuses primarily on issues of climate change, animal agriculture, and the significance of nature as a place to call home.Jay holds a Master’s degree in Social Work as well as a Bachelor’s degree in English.When not writing, Jay can be found coaching clients on spiritual direction for creative paths and teaching young people how to cook plant-based food.Jay is based in Cincinnati, Ohio.A heart-touching, evocative, and ominous novel that explores the boundaries of human consciousness and the potentials we have to communicate with animals.” — Will Tuttle, Ph.D., author of the international best-seller, The World Peace Diet. USA 2040: Animal agriculture has drastically changed the climate and the way people live. Drinkable water is scarce, the population is suspicious and isolated, and animal rights activists are all but extinct due to threats by the agribusiness industry. Bray Hoffman isn’t an activist, but she has a secret. Her best friend Alice is a pig confined to a tortuous life on a factory farm and Bray can feel everything Alice feels. All the pain. All the fear. All the torture. As an animal empath, Bray learns first-hand the truth of the hidden horrors of animal agriculture and with Alice’s days coming to an end, Bray fears what might happen to the pig, and to herself.Bertan Duarte is an undocumented immigrant working for this agribusiness industry. The secret world in which he works is mired in the dried blood of countless lives lost, where workers must fight both themselves and each other to survive an unfair system that has them trapped in enslavement. Kage Zair has spent years in hiding with other animal activists. The landscape is far too dangerous for people like them. But Kage cannot just stand by and allow a manipulative agribusiness to destroy animal and human lives and the planet.Sentient is the first book in a new eco-dystopian series that follows Bray, Bertan and Kage as they fight for answers and freedoms in a society that wishes them none. Told from all three perspectives, this page-turning debut novel is full of action, adventure, suspense and horror. This isn’t the future we fought for but it’s the future that’s coming. ⸻

About the Podcast

The Trans Narrative Podcast is a storytelling platform centering trans voices through authentic dialogue and lived experiences. With over 130 episodes across four seasons and listeners in 75 countries, the show creates space for guests to share their journeys, insights, and work—on their own terms.

“Make it real to me” written by Athena Promachus

Created and produced by Caroline Essence, powered by Spotify for Creator’s.

📧 [email protected]

💵 Support via CashApp: $gottabesomthinmore

Find us on Facebook, TikTok, Apple, Spotify, iHeartRadio, or wherever you listen to podcasts.

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Resources

Suicide Hotline: 1-800-SUICIDE (784-2433)

Trevor Project: 1-866-4-U-TREVOR

National Domestic Violence Hotline: 1-800-799-SAFE

Drug Abuse National Helpline: 1-800-662-4357

S.A.F.E. (Self Abuse Finally Ends): 1-800-DONT-CUT

Family Violence Prevention Center: 1-800-313-1310

National Human Service Call Center: 2-1-1

On this episode Ari, Caroline, and lusi sit with Julie McDonald, Alicia Flores, Brandi Evans, Carol Ann hensworth, and Ashley Lynn. Day by day, we are seeing an attack on the LGBTQIA+ community, marginalized groups, people of color, animals, and this planet, and as of this week the attack on reproductive rights as resurged. We won’t stand for it, so Ariya, Caroline, and Lusi went to the ground level of one of the many states actively oppressing humanity, and sat with seven women from Arkansas. ⸻

About the Podcast

The Trans Narrative Podcast is a storytelling platform centering trans voices through authentic dialogue and lived experiences. With over 130 episodes across four seasons and listeners in 75 countries, the show creates space for guests to share their journeys, insights, and work—on their own terms.

“Make it real to me” written by Athena Promachus

Created and produced by Caroline Essence, powered by Spotify for Creator’s.

📧 [email protected]

💵 Support via CashApp: $gottabesomthinmore

Find us on Facebook, TikTok, Apple, Spotify, iHeartRadio, or wherever you listen to podcasts.

⸻

Resources

Suicide Hotline: 1-800-SUICIDE (784-2433)

Trevor Project: 1-866-4-U-TREVOR

National Domestic Violence Hotline: 1-800-799-SAFE

Drug Abuse National Helpline: 1-800-662-4357

S.A.F.E. (Self Abuse Finally Ends): 1-800-DONT-CUT

Family Violence Prevention Center: 1-800-313-1310

National Human Service Call Center: 2-1-1

On this episode Ari, Caroline and Lusi sit down to understand what the GMO is going on in the world! In a world of misinformation, we try to get a clearer understanding on what GMOs are. ⸻

About the Podcast

The Trans Narrative Podcast is a storytelling platform centering trans voices through authentic dialogue and lived experiences. With over 130 episodes across four seasons and listeners in 75 countries, the show creates space for guests to share their journeys, insights, and work—on their own terms.

“Make it real to me” written by Athena Promachus

Created and produced by Caroline Essence, powered by Spotify for Creator’s.

📧 [email protected]

💵 Support via CashApp: $gottabesomthinmore

Find us on Facebook, TikTok, Apple, Spotify, iHeartRadio, or wherever you listen to podcasts.

⸻

Resources

Suicide Hotline: 1-800-SUICIDE (784-2433)

Trevor Project: 1-866-4-U-TREVOR

National Domestic Violence Hotline: 1-800-799-SAFE

Drug Abuse National Helpline: 1-800-662-4357

S.A.F.E. (Self Abuse Finally Ends): 1-800-DONT-CUT

Family Violence Prevention Center: 1-800-313-1310

National Human Service Call Center: 2-1-1

On this episode Caroline, and lusi are joined by Ari Jay as she begins her role as co host, sitting down with Kenya Acid. On todays episode we talk gay, asking why Florida is focusing on attacking trans youth, and what we’re going to do, learning about two spirits and how media plays a role ⸻

About the Podcast

The Trans Narrative Podcast is a storytelling platform centering trans voices through authentic dialogue and lived experiences. With over 130 episodes across four seasons and listeners in 75 countries, the show creates space for guests to share their journeys, insights, and work—on their own terms.

“Make it real to me” written by Athena Promachus

Created and produced by Caroline Essence, powered by Spotify for Creator’s.

📧 [email protected]

💵 Support via CashApp: $gottabesomthinmore

Find us on Facebook, TikTok, Apple, Spotify, iHeartRadio, or wherever you listen to podcasts.

⸻

Resources

Suicide Hotline: 1-800-SUICIDE (784-2433)

Trevor Project: 1-866-4-U-TREVOR

National Domestic Violence Hotline: 1-800-799-SAFE

Drug Abuse National Helpline: 1-800-662-4357

S.A.F.E. (Self Abuse Finally Ends): 1-800-DONT-CUT

Family Violence Prevention Center: 1-800-313-1310

National Human Service Call Center: 2-1-1

On this episode Caroline and Lusi are joined by lgbtqia ally Olivia Shoppell as they celebrate 2022 Trans Day Of Visibility On todays episode we ask why being an ally is so important, how can a democrat marry a Republican, and if we can do anything. ⸻

About the Podcast

The Trans Narrative Podcast is a storytelling platform centering trans voices through authentic dialogue and lived experiences. With over 130 episodes across four seasons and listeners in 75 countries, the show creates space for guests to share their journeys, insights, and work—on their own terms.

“Make it real to me” written by Athena Promachus

Created and produced by Caroline Essence, powered by Spotify for Creator’s.

📧 [email protected]

💵 Support via CashApp: $gottabesomthinmore

Find us on Facebook, TikTok, Apple, Spotify, iHeartRadio, or wherever you listen to podcasts.

⸻

Resources

Suicide Hotline: 1-800-SUICIDE (784-2433)

Trevor Project: 1-866-4-U-TREVOR

National Domestic Violence Hotline: 1-800-799-SAFE

Drug Abuse National Helpline: 1-800-662-4357

S.A.F.E. (Self Abuse Finally Ends): 1-800-DONT-CUT

Family Violence Prevention Center: 1-800-313-1310

National Human Service Call Center: 2-1-1

On this episode Caroline sits with Cynthia Grace as she begins her role as contributing co host, and explore chosen family, coming out, and safety as a trans women.

On todays episode we ask Why transition for our youth is important and the effects of transition on our elder trans siblings and the challenges those

“One day isn’t enough! We’re taking this week, and everyday to celebrate the beauty, diversity, and joy of all things trans, past, present, and future. #TransDayOfVisibility may be Thursday, but this week we’re not stopping in our mission to raise awareness of the injustices we face, and increase the visibility of this incredible group of people.

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About the Podcast

The Trans Narrative Podcast is a storytelling platform centering trans voices through authentic dialogue and lived experiences. With over 130 episodes across four seasons and listeners in 75 countries, the show creates space for guests to share their journeys, insights, and work—on their own terms.

“Make it real to me” written by Athena Promachus

Created and produced by Caroline Essence, powered by Spotify for Creator’s.

📧 [email protected]

💵 Support via CashApp: $gottabesomthinmore

Find us on Facebook, TikTok, Apple, Spotify, iHeartRadio, or wherever you listen to podcasts.

⸻

Resources

Suicide Hotline: 1-800-SUICIDE (784-2433)

Trevor Project: 1-866-4-U-TREVOR

National Domestic Violence Hotline: 1-800-799-SAFE

Drug Abuse National Helpline: 1-800-662-4357

S.A.F.E. (Self Abuse Finally Ends): 1-800-DONT-CUT

Family Violence Prevention Center: 1-800-313-1310

National Human Service Call Center: 2-1-1

On this episode Caroline sits with Lusi Balzano as she begins her role as co host, getting to know one another, and exploring gender identity. Introducing Lusi Balzano

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About the Podcast

The Trans Narrative Podcast is a storytelling platform centering trans voices through authentic dialogue and lived experiences. With over 130 episodes across four seasons and listeners in 75 countries, the show creates space for guests to share their journeys, insights, and work—on their own terms.

“Make it real to me” written by Athena Promachus

Created and produced by Caroline Essence, powered by Spotify for Creator’s.

📧 [email protected]

💵 Support via CashApp: $gottabesomthinmore

Find us on Facebook, TikTok, Apple, Spotify, iHeartRadio, or wherever you listen to podcasts.

⸻

Resources

Suicide Hotline: 1-800-SUICIDE (784-2433)

Trevor Project: 1-866-4-U-TREVOR

National Domestic Violence Hotline: 1-800-799-SAFE

Drug Abuse National Helpline: 1-800-662-4357

S.A.F.E. (Self Abuse Finally Ends): 1-800-DONT-CUT

Family Violence Prevention Center: 1-800-313-1310

National Human Service Call Center: 2-1-1

On this episode, Della Licious — also known as Branden Blaettner — joins Caroline to trace a journey moving through over two decades of drag performance, community leadership, and challenging societal perceptions.

The conversation explores what it means to build an authentic life on and off the stage, sitting with the profound weight of the phrase “don’t judge a book by its cover.” After 21 years in drag, Della reflects on witnessing and navigating prejudice, stereotyping, and exclusion faced by LGBTQ+ individuals. Through lived experience, she has cultivated a sharp intellect, deep empathy, and a gift for storytelling that reframes hardship into humor, humanity, and hope.

Together, Caroline and Della dive into how authenticity, resilience, and art can reshape the narrative of visibility.

As Della shares, “I want to share an insight of acceptance that can change the perception of my community.”

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About the Guest

Della Licious (Branden Blaettner) has been a fixture on Fort Wayne’s nightclub scene for over twenty years. She emcees and performs regularly at After Dark, bringing theatricality, presence, and sharp storytelling to late-night stages. Beyond performance, Della shapes community by speaking directly to identity, prejudice, and belonging through lived experience.

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About the Podcast

The Trans Narrative Podcast is an international storytelling and archival platform dedicated to preserving trans and gender-diverse lives through long-form narrative. With over 150 episodes across five seasons and listeners in more than 80 countries, each episode captures lived experience from beginning to end, treating every story as historical record rather than soundbite.

🎙️ Trans or gender-diverse? Share your story at [email protected] 🏳️‍⚧️

“Make it real to me” written by Athena Promachus

Featuring: Talk my Ear Off by Mateo Briscoe and Cameron Love, with the local Slothbois

Powered by Spotify for Creators

📧 [email protected]

💵 Support via PayPal: CarolineREssence

Find us on Facebook, TikTok, Apple Podcasts, Spotify, iHeartRadio, or wherever you listen.

⸻

Resources

Suicide Hotline: 1 800 784 2433

Trevor Project: 1 866 488 7386

National Domestic Violence Hotline: 1 800 799 7233

Drug Abuse National Helpline: 1 800 662 4357

S A F E Self Abuse Finally Ends: 1 800 366 8288

Family Violence Prevention Center: 1 800 313 1310