We See Each Other: The Podcast

This week, we have reached the end of the journey with the final episode of We See Each Other: The Podcast. Hosts Tre’vell Anderson and Shar Jossell welcome Pose and American Horror Story star, Angelica Ross. She speaks on the state of trans media representation, how comedy has been both a gift and curse for the trans community, and what it means to indict one’s self. Then, our hosts speak with political journalist and host of The Anti - Trans Hate Machine, Imara Jones. Imara speaks on how trans representation in media has changed over time, going from no representation at all to hypervisibility in just the span of a few years. While media representation is still an obstacle, Imara asserts that erasure is the most violent act on the trans community.

But first, some heartfelt final thoughts in Pass The Mic, where we hear from some community members from the Unique Women Coalition, and a WSEO listener.

In this, the penultimate episode of We See Each Other: The Podcast, Tre’vell and Shar dive into the nonbinary pool, with all its pronouns. So what does it mean to call oneself nonbinary? Tre’vell reveals the journey they took before accepting and claiming themself. To further explore the nuances of being nonbinary, Shar and Tre’vell speak with the model and and host of PBS’ Brave Spaces Devin-Norelle (ze/zim/zis).

Hosts Tre’vell Anderson and Shar Jossell welcome producer and co - director of the documentary, The Stroll, Kristen Lovell as they discuss the documentary’s portrayal of trans sex workers who worked in the Meatpacking District of New York City during the 90s. Lovell also speaks on finally having the control of the Black trans narrative behind the camera, and not just as the subject. Then, our hosts speak with the producer and director of the documentary, Kokomo City, D. Smith. She discusses the audience's reception to the film and the legacy of Koko Da Doll, the star of the film who was tragically murdered earlier this year.

But first, Tre’vell and Shar discuss sex work representation in media as it pertains to Black Trans women and while it being a necessary piece of trans history, it is not the end all be all of trans representation. And later we hear what every day trans folks have to say about trans visibility in another segment of Pass The Mic.

On this week’s episode, hosts Tre’vell Anderson and Shar Jossell speak with 9-1-1: Lone Star's Brian Michael Smith. The actor shares how he is now able to bring all sides of himself to the table as an actor. But first, our hosts discuss masc representation in media, or rather the lack thereof. With cis women actors playing transmasculine characters as the norm back in the day, like Hilary Swank in Boys Don’t Cry, our hosts discuss how this practice creates further confusion and harm into the trans conversation. Then later, we Pass The Mic to our everyday trans siblings and get a lesson on transmasculine activist and civil rights pioneer, Pauli Murray.

On this week’s episode, hosts Tre’vell Anderson and Shar Jossell sit down with iconic performer and alum of The Jerry Springer Show, Mimi Marks. Mimi recalls her time on Jerry, learning from her mistakes while in the public eye, and shares some advice for folks who may be new in their trans journey. And after, our hosts meet with activist and community organizer, Hope Giselle as she discusses how race and racism is left out of trans discourse, especially in media.

But first, Tre’vell and Shar have some table - talk on the one, the only - Laverne Cox. Our hosts discuss the actress’ career and the impact she had not only in media, but the world, with iconic moments like her role as Sophia in Orange is the New Black, her Emmy nomination, and her cover for Time Magazine. Along with the rise of Laverne, the uptick in the profitability in “outrage culture” is also examined. Last but not least, we “Pass The Mic” and get to hear from B, Calypso, and Kris on what they think is missing from trans media.

On this week’s episode, hosts Tre’vell Anderson and Shar Jossell discuss trans visibility within the reality tv realm with very special guests, Grammy award nominated artist and winner of MTV’s Diddy’s Making His Band, Qing Jaila Simms and writer, comedian, and Survivor: Game Changer key player, Zeke Smith. Both reality tv pioneers discuss their experience filming on set and navigating high visibility in the real world once the cameras stopped rolling. But first, Tre’vell and Shar discuss “Possibility Models” or the first examples of queerness/transness in media that queer audiences may have related to growing up - stars like Isis King in America’s Next Top Model or Leiomy Maldonado from America’s Best Dance Crew or even children’s media like the Powerpuff Girls, Sailor Moon, and Sesame Street. And later, we hear from Bryanna, Calypso, Ney who share their personal connections with trans characters from the last 20 years, on shows like Pose, Noah’s Arc, and RuPaul’s Drag Race.

In this week’s episode, hosts Tre’vell Anderson and Shar Jossell sit down with special guest Trace Lysette, star of the critically acclaimed film Monica, as she shares her experience with the outpouring of love she’s received from audiences of the film, and what it may take for Hollywood to make more films centering trans characters. But first, we discuss cross - dressing characters in film and television, and how they’re oftentimes played by cishet men, like Tyler Perry or Martin Lawrence, who are able to profit greatly off of these character tropes; Later we hear from members of the Unique Woman’s Coalition on the their most memorable moments in trans visibility growing up.

In episode two of this limited series, hosts Tre’vell Anderson and Shar Jossell discuss the first trans characters who changed their perspective on transness in media. Then later, special guest actress, DJ, and dancer, Lina Bradford graces us and shares what it was like coming up during the club kid era, her career, and who in media influenced her the most. After that, folks from the Unique Woman’s Coalition share their thoughts on how trans visibility, or even the lack of trans visibility, can have an effect on audiences.

It’s the very first episode of We See Each Other: The Podcast, hosted by FANTI’s very own, award-winning journalist and authoress, Trev’ell Anderson, and FANTI MVP, award-winning journalist and media personality, Shar Jossell. To jump start this limited series, our hosts give us a little bit of a primer, tabletalk style, into the #WSEO trans visibility discourse, with a discussion on who this book and podcast was really made for.

Here’s a sneak peak of what’s to come on We See Each Other: The Podcast, hosted by Journalists Tre’vell Anderson and Shar Jossell, based on the book, We See Each Other: A Black, Trans Journey Through TV and Film written by Tre’vell Anderson.