Bisexual Latina writer, comics artist and musician Suzy X has gone from making zines to drawing comics for Rookie Mag to writing for MTV Iggy (RIP) to being the Latin music editor at Rolling Stone in the short time (approx. 7 years) I've known her, and I cannot think of anyone more deserving of this success. In this interview we discuss her zines Malcriada and Chronicles of an 8th Grade Mallgoth, illustrating her first graphic novel, and the challenges of working in media as a young woman of color. Photo by Ebru Yildiz.

Read the transcript at scribd.com/artactivistnia.

Support the podcast at patreon.com/artactivistnia.

Queer Indian-American author Rahul Mehta discusses his award-winning collection of short stories, Quarantine; growing up Asian in Appalachia; and how LGBTQ audiences in India have received his work. We also try to sort out why he's so drawn to unlikeable protagonists. Photo by Matthew Hamilton.

Read the transcript at scribd.com/artactivistnia.

Support the podcast at patreon.com/artactivistnia.

Alex Smith is a queer, Black sci-fi writer, musician and visual artist. In this interview, we discuss his collection of short stories, ARKDUST, as well as his many influences, ranging from Public Enemy to Nirvana and Marvel Comics to the Black Panther Party. Photo by Shane Jenkins.

Read the transcript at scribd.com/artactivistnia.

Support the podcast at Patreon.com/artactivistnia.

BL Shirelle of Die Jim Crow Records discusses the challenges of recording and releasing music by incarcerated artists. She also shares stories of dealing drugs, doing time and raising kids with her wife. (Photo by Verse.)

Support the podcast at patreon.com/artactivistnia.

Transcript coming soon.

Black queer Philadelphia-based musician and visual artist Oliver Spencer (known musically as St. Sol) discusses growing up between North Carolina and Okinawa, how their dad's military service impacted their life, and finding the space to be weird in (an arts) high school. We also talk about the whiteness of art school(s), not letting perfectionism hold you back, and using music to assert your humanity. Photo by Georgia Wescott.

Read the transcript at scribd.com/artactivistnia.

Support the podcast at patreon.com/artactivistnia.

Black asexual zinester and cartoonist Joyce Hatton discusses their comic Locks and their zines Trust the Knife and Grief. Joyce is a survivor of breast cancer, homelessness, and a suicide attempt, so this episode gets pretty heavy. We also talk about the concept of "trauma porn" (which is not actual porn), when illustrations come easier than words, and their love of birds. Here is a link to the Vivek Shraya article I reference in this episode. Buy Joyce's work here.

You can support the podcast at patreon.com/artactivistnia.

Transcript coming soon.

1.) I'm taking a break from the podcast. I'll be back in October.

2.) I'm moving to Philly. Please hit my up if you have leads on any jobs!

3.) The book launch for Queer & Trans Artists of Color, Volume 3 is October 19th at East Bay Booksellers in Oakland, featuring Anthony J. Williams, Luna Merbruja and Paradise Khanmalek. PLEASE DONATE so we can hire ASL interpreters for the event. Thank you! <3 <3 <3

Launch party GoFundMe: https://bit.ly/2NMcsFK

Bisexual trans Latina writer Mey Rude discusses growing up in Idaho, getting kicked out of her church family, and how comics helped her find her queer- and trans-ness. Read the transcript at scribd.com/artactivistnia. Support the podcast at patreon.com/artactivistnia.

Two-Spirit mestiza musician Aja Archuleta discusses growing up in a big Mexican family with deep Denver roots, discovering her Indigenous identity, and why "Two-Spirit" now fits her better than "trans". She also shares how her love of music evolved: from playing piano in Catholic school to discovering the how much fun noise-punk could be to making massage music. Photo by Kristin Cofer.

Read the transcript at scribd.com/artactivistnia.

Support the podcast at patreon.com/artactivistnia.

Queer Chinese-American drag queen, filmmaker, and musician, Kyle Casey Chu talks growing up in SF, touring the South in a punk band, and changing media representations of Asian-American men. Photo by Vincent Flores.

Read the transcript at scribd.com/artactivistnia.

Support the podcast at patreon.com/artactivistnia.