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

    Extracting Closure; Dear Mama, with Shawn Aaron

    Send us Fan Mail This episode of Dem Bois Podcast is a continuation of my reflection on extracting closure, and this one focuses on my mother. I talk about my mother and our relationship often, but today I’m taking it a step further by reading a letter that I wrote to her, one that really helped me heal. I also discuss the process of writing this letter, the impact of my past traumas, and the importance of telling my story. I talk: 03:37 - Exploring past relationships and closure 12:45 - Personal stories of trauma and healing 21:55 - Writing for healing and control of narrative 27:28 - The power of healing and community 35:20 - Dear Mama: A Journey of Healing 43:10 - Transforming pain into purpose Episode References: Ep. 123 - Fulfillment Through Authenticity and Art as Self-Discovery with Wen Neale Ep. 122 - The Weight of Trauma: Unpacking Adoption, Love, and Identity with Felix-Long Laneri Ep. 119 - Breaking Cycles of Trauma through Art and Love with Sunny Ep. 106 - Extracting Closure From a Past Situation with Shawn Aaron Ep. 103 - Building Brotherhood Using Unconditional Love with Kalvin Byrd Ep 48 - Repairing the Relationship with My Birth Mother and the Death of My Chosen Mother Ep. 12 - Healing Generational Trauma Through Transformative Parenting Ep. 3 - Surviving Homelessness 30 Days of Black Trans Reflection: Abolition, Anti-capitalism, and Black Queer Feminism Dear Mama, | Day 27 of 30 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 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!

    Extracting Closure; Dear Mama, with Shawn Aaron

  2. Aug 5

    Cultural Resilience Through Music and Drumming with EN'B

    Send us Fan Mail “Right now the most invaluable resource (besides water) is empathy.” This quote from EN’B definitely sets the tone for this episode of Dem Bois Podcast. Today, EN’B shares their journey through music, their cultural identity, and the significance of drumming as a form of meditation and community connection. We also discuss the impact of colonization on cultural practices, humor as a survival mechanism, and the intersections of diaspora and cultural trauma.  We talk: 10:02 - Growing up Korean American in Arkansas 21:19 - The spiritual significance of drumming 39:46 - Exploring diaspora blues and ancestral connections 54:07 - Remembering life before colonization 01:06:03 - Self-love and body awareness Episode References: Fulfillment Through Authenticity and Art as Self-Discovery with Wen Neale Having Faith and Knowing That You’re Worthy with Alexander Rey Simon-Perez Read more about EN’B in their bio below: EN'B 은비 they/he is a Korean American non-binary transmasc producer, singer-songwriter, Korean traditional percussionist, and actor. Their work channels Han 한—collective grief and unavenged injustice—alongside heung 흥, the joy found in resilience. Born in LA, raised in Arkansas, and shaped by their studies in Baltimore, EN’B navigates the intersections of diaspora and dysphoria to express what they call their “diaspora blues.” They’ve performed across the U.S., including the Kennedy Center, Broadwater Theater stages, with a mission to ancestral dreams through performance and media IG - @Littlegiant.enb 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!

    Cultural Resilience Through Music and Drumming with EN'B

  3. Jul 29

    Autonomy and Authorship: Transitioning Into Visibility and Self-Definition with Noah Arhm Choi

    Send us Fan Mail Many of us spend most of our lives hiding. Because society tells us that we are different and should be ashamed, we hide our bodies, our sexuality, ourselves. And that is why visibility is so important, because it equals possibility. And in this episode of Dem Bois Podcast, my guest and I consider how true that really is. Today’s guest is Noah Arhm Choi and together we discuss the significance of media literacy in combating anti-trans propaganda, the impact of societal narratives on personal identity, and the intersection of gender identity with societal structures like capitalism. We talk: 11:11 - Coming out and using articles to bridge understanding 24:04 - Media literacy and anti-trans propaganda 33:09 - Autonomy and authorship: moving from invisibility to visibility 45:16 - Gender-affirming care and why joy feels threatening to systems 51:21 - Colonialism, binaries, and managing anxiety 63:31 - Noah’s Poem: My Passport Doesn’t Protect Me Anymore Episode References: The Trevor Project Gender Spectrum Lambda Legal Erin in the Morning Politico Ace Ventura: Pet Detective (1994) Written on the Body by Jeanette Winterson Cut to Bloom Read more about Noah in their bio below: Noah Arhm Choi is the author of Cut to Bloom, winner of the 2019 Jack McCarthy Book Prize. A Lambda Literary Poet-In-Residence and Valentines Editor for Honey Literary, they received an MFA from Sarah Lawrence, and their work has appeared in Adroit, Split this Rock, Poetry Daily, The Rumpus, and elsewhere. Noah was shortlisted for the Poetry International Prize and received the Ellen Conroy Kennedy Poetry Prize, alongside fellowships from Kundiman, the Sewanee Writers’ Conference, and the Adirondack Center for Writing. IG - noah.arhm.choi 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!

    Autonomy and Authorship: Transitioning Into Visibility and Self-Definition with Noah Arhm Choi

  4. Jul 22

    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

  5. 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

  6. 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

  7. 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

  8. 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: SPICEDADehS3yVOhZc8ntLSLuf9z 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
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Trailer

5
out of 5
9 Ratings

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
    128
  • Rating
    Explicit
  • Copyright
    © 2026 Dem Bois Podcast
  • Show Website
    Dem Bois Podcast

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