Dem Bois Podcast

Shawn Aaron
  • 5.0 (9)
  • Non-Profit
  • Updated Weekly

This podcast aims to serve as a platform to highlight and amplify the voices of trans men of color and share our transition stories. The Dem Bois Podcast will also cover other issues related to being a trans man of color, such as dating, fitness, sex, mental health, family, and other topics related to our existence. The podcast aims to amplify trans men of color voices and raise awareness of our lived experiences.

  1. 1d ago

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

    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 - sippystrawIG 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!

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

  2. Jul 15

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

    Send us Fan Mail If you’ve ever wondered what it really takes to love yourself and be loved for exactly who you are, this episode of Dem Bois Podcast will challenge your beliefs and inspire your journey. Today I sit down with Felix-Long Laneri, and he shares his story of how embracing his trans identity, healing from a complicated adoption story, and leaning into community transformed his life. From unpacking the weight of human trafficking behind his adoption story to navigating relationships with a distant adoptive mother, he offers raw insights into the complexities of identity, family, and belonging.  We talk: 05:14 - Adoption, loss of heritage, and the complexity of trafficking  06:20 - China’s one-child policy, uncertainty around his birth story, and lost origins 11:28 - Childhood memories that revealed gender alignment  19:08 - Felix’s relationship with his adoptive mother 32:59 - Community, engagement, and the love that currently supports him 45:19 - Somatic therapy, healing through the body, and why it matters for trans folks Episode References: Dem Bois Podcast Ep. #95 Having Faith and Knowing That You’re Worthy with Alexander Rey Simon-Perez Dem Bois Podcast Ep. #96 Season 3 Finale - Episode of Empowerment with Alexander Rey Simon-Perez (Divine, They, He, King) Read more about Felix in his bio below: Felix-Long Laneri is a social worker, somatic practitioner, organizer, trans, transracial adoptee. He currently works as a gender therapist in a therapy group practice, providing space for predominantly trans folks across the life span to explore identity, relationships, and healing. On his off time he organizes Philly TMOC, a transmasc of color group focused on relationship building and expansive boyhood. IG - felixlaneri 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!

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

  3. Jul 8

    The Power of Community and Representation in Parenthood with Keo and Mason

    Send us Fan Mail Pregnancy and birth are beautiful things that I don’t get to talk about enough. But in this episode of Dem Bois Podcast, those are the main topics of conversation! Today I sit down with Keo and Mason, a Black trans masculine couple, and we discuss their journey through pregnancy, birthing, and parenting. Keo and Mason also share their experiences with healthcare, their evolving perspectives on family, and the importance of community support. Together, we emphasize the significance of love, understanding, and preparation in raising a child in today's world. We talk: 5:59 - Navigating healthcare as a Trans couple 17:51 - Future aspirations for Lou (their daughter) 23:56 - Family dynamics and identity  31:33 - Sharing life experiences with children 40:10 - Adjusting to parenthood and new responsibilities 54:37 - Celebrating milestones and fatherhood Episode References: Ep. 109 - Unapologetically Black, Trans, and Pregnant with Keo Ruiz-O’Neal Ep. 15 - Growing Beyond Insecurities and Healing from Trauma with Xavier Jones Read more about Keo and Mason in their bio below: Keo & Mason are a Black transmasculine couple who have been together for 9 years and have been married for 6 & a half. The couple recently welcomed a baby girl who Keo carried. Keo and Mason are very proud of the life they’ve built together and even more proud of what their love has manifested into. The pair live in Colorado with their daughter, 3 cats, & dog. IG - keos_kingdom 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!

    The Power of Community and Representation in Parenthood with Keo and Mason

  4. May 27

    A Body Made Home: Reflection with Shawn Aaron and Joël Simeu

    Send us Fan Mail What does “home” mean to you? This is a word with multiple definitions and Kai Marshall Green explores many of them in his memoir, A Body Made Home: They Black Trans Love. And that is what this episode of Dem Bois Podcast is all about. Today I sit down with our Production Assistant, Joël Simeu, and we discuss the themes of identity, home, mental health, and the transformative power of writing. We also reflect on our personal experiences and the significance of the book's structure, emphasizing the importance of breaks and self-care in the reading process.  We talk: 08:49 - The power of writing and memory 15:12 - The structure and style of the memoir 21:02 - The importance of breaks in reading 33:15 - Reflections on mental health and identity 46:47 - The power of vulnerability in healing 01:00:05 - The impact of storytelling and visibility Click here for transcription! Episode References: A Body Made Home by Kai Marshal Green Ep. 69 - What if Everyone Leads with Love? with Joël Simeu Ep. 77 - Dem Bois Highlight Series Part 5; with Joël Simeu Ep. 102 - Navigating Gender Expressions and Expectations with Kai Marshall Green Phenomenal Woman by Maya Angelou Heavy by Kiese Laymon 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 - demboisincIG - shawnaaron81 Read more about Joël in his bio below: Joël Simeu Juegouo is a poet, musician, and griot from Cameroon. His writing is featured in HarperCollins' Here to Stay: Poetry and Prose from the Undocumented Diaspora. And he was selected as 2026 Undocupoet Fellow. Joël has served as manager for Outpost Foundation’s writing residency program and assesses submissions for the program’s fellowship candidates. He also works towards amplifying the voices of transmasculine folks of color, as Production Assistant to Dem Bois, Inc. Simeu earned his M.A. in Literatures in English from Cornell University, where he teaches writing seminars. His doctoral dissertation contends with poetics of Black transmasculine cultural epistemology. These days find him craving that which is tender and slow. Each day, he strives to become a menace to his enemies and prays for the liberation of all oppressed people. Each day he gives his gorgeous calico, all of his love. Today, and always, he invites you to stay rooted in your breath. IG - jojosim27 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!

    A Body Made Home: Reflection with Shawn Aaron and Joël Simeu

  5. May 20

    Breaking Cycles of Trauma through Art and Love with Sunny

    Send us Fan Mail I didn’t have the best relationship with my mother growing up, so when I became a father, I leveled up on my healing so I could break that cycle. And, healing is a huge part of this conversation with Sunny, a nonbinary trans artist, photographer, and advertising creative. In this episode of Dem Bois Podcast, Sunny and I discuss the impact of their upbringing, the complexities of maternal relationships, and the significance of therapy in their life. Sunny also explains the concepts of Afrofuturism and surrealism, highlighting how these artistic movements influence their work. We talk: 08:55 - Navigating gender identity and expression 14:56 - Cultural expectations and parenting 27:13 - Defining nonbinary identity 36:21 - Navigating family dynamics 48:04 - The power of art and community 59:29 - Building confidence through photography Click here for transcription! Episode References: The Brown Boi Project Dem Bois Highlight Series Part 5; with Joël Simeu A video of an adopted person speaking to their birth parent  Dem Bois Episode 12 - Healing Generational Trauma Through Transformative Parenting Read more about Sunny in their bio below: Sunny (They/He) is a nonbinary, transmasc artist, photographer and advertising creative with a background in Black feminist theory, gender studies and pedagogy. Through “poetry in motion,” their art centers afrofuturism, surrealism and the radical beauty of joy. IG: SPICECAMVISUALSIG: COMPLEX.SUNTT: SPICEDAD 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!

    Breaking Cycles of Trauma through Art and Love with Sunny

  6. May 13

    Queer Representation in Healthcare: A Conversation with Taylor Chiang

    Send us Fan Mail Visibility equals possibility, and that is especially true in the medical field. In this episode of Dem Bois Podcast, I sit down with Taylor Chiang, a non-binary general surgery resident at the University of Chicago, and we discuss Taylor's journey through medical school, their experiences with gender identity, and the challenges of being queer in a traditionally conservative field. The conversation also touches on family dynamics, the importance of representation in medicine, and advice for aspiring medical professionals from gender-diverse backgrounds.  We talk: 05:58 - Understanding non-binary identity 12:04 - Navigating family dynamics and gender identity 29:04 - Queer representation in medicine 34:11 - Advice for aspiring gender diverse medical professionals 46:51 - Navigating medical school admissions 55:59 - Access to healthcare challenges Click here for transcription! Episode References: No Reservations (movie 2007) Love Jones (movie 1997)  Ep. 107 - The Complexities and Phases of Gender Awakening with Taj Taylor Read more about Taylor in their bio below: Taylor is a non-binary, queer PGY2 general surgery resident at the University of Chicago. Originally from NJ, they received their BA from Swarthmore College, and MD from Rutgers Robert Wood Johnson. They recently moved to IL and the last year and a half has been marked by a lot of change. New city, new job, new friends. Outside the hospital they enjoy running and lifting to keep them sane. IG - @t_chiang_LinkedIn - tchiang1taylor.chang15@gmail.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!

    Queer Representation in Healthcare: A Conversation with Taylor Chiang

  7. May 6

    Love Over Ignorance: Customizing Your Life with Wenjamin Nguyen-Gilmore

    Send us Fan Mail Life is customizable! I know that society tries to pretend that it isn’t, but the truth is, you get to choose! And in this episode of Dem Bois Podcast, my guest Wenjamin Nguyen-Gilmore drives that point home. Wenjaman is a queer business boy and retired runway model, and today we discuss Wen's journey of gender identity, the challenges faced in the modeling industry, and the importance of community and education in understanding diverse identities.  We talk: 8:10 - Exploring gender identity  25:35 - Modeling career and its challenges 39:08 - Understanding autism and gender identity 42:25 - The importance of education and empathy 51:38 - The need for cultural understanding and acceptance 1:06:20 - Traveling and self-discovery Click here for transcription! Episode References: Vocaloid Hatsune Miku Transguy Supply Auston Bjorkman Mutt (movie 2023) Gia (TV movie 1998) Dem Bois Podcast Ep. 72 - Autism, Queerness, Parenting and Family Dynamics with Schereéya Read more about Wenjamin in their bio below: Retired runway model, queer business boy-wonder, and cat father to the stars. How does one juggle between parenthood, being in college for 3 degrees, and a job working with autistic kids? Insane, yes, but not impossible. Wenjamin is a trans-nonbinary, multilinguist of colour on the rise to get their doctorate, here to give advice on queer social mobility, as well as navigating life’s hardships from everyday struggles to geosociopolitical levels of intersectionality. @heywenjamin on IG 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!

    Love Over Ignorance: Customizing Your Life with Wenjamin Nguyen-Gilmore

  8. Apr 29

    Redefining Masculinity Through Writing and Vulnerability with Bodi

    Send us Fan Mail I say this all the time and I will say it again! Masculinity is what you choose to make of it. You don’t have to subscribe to the toxic masculinity of our fathers and uncles. We can choose a softer side, and we talk all about that in this episode of Dem Bois Podcast. Today’s guest is fiction writer and poet, Bodi, and we explore the themes of masculinity, identity, and community. We emphasize the power of vulnerability and the role of writing in healing. And, we address the privileges and challenges at the intersections of race and gender. We talk: 3:45 - How we met at Camp Lost Boys 9:59 - Bodi’s journey of self-discovery 29:58 - Navigating race and identity in germany 40:10 - Embracing change and positive masculinity 48:31 - The role of art in expression  53:29 - Bodi’s poem Click here for transcription! Episode References: Camp Lost Boys One World Poetry Night Math jokes page? Read more about Bodi in his bio below: Bodi (he/him), a fiction writer poet is a fire sun and rising, moon in cute. His work guides him to process what life blessed him with like dreams and water, spirituality, ancestry, love and affection but also body politics around gender, queerness and disability. Bodi has a background in cultural science and has been working with queer communities of colour in Berlin Germany as a project manager, educator and social worker for more than 10 years. He loves to sing, he loves to cook, give massages and he thinks about qualities of rest. @bodipoetry 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!

    Redefining Masculinity Through Writing and Vulnerability with Bodi
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About

This podcast aims to serve as a platform to highlight and amplify the voices of trans men of color and share our transition stories. The Dem Bois Podcast will also cover other issues related to being a trans man of color, such as dating, fitness, sex, mental health, family, and other topics related to our existence. The podcast aims to amplify trans men of color voices and raise awareness of our lived experiences.

Information

  • Creator
    Shawn Aaron
  • Years Active
    2022 - 2026
  • Episodes
    125
  • Rating
    Explicit
  • Copyright
    © 2026 Dem Bois Podcast
  • Show Website
    Dem Bois Podcast