Take the Last Bite

R.B. Brooks

Take the Last Bite is a direct counter to the Midwest Nice mentality— highlighting advocacy & activism by queer/trans communities in the Midwest region. Each episode unearths the often disregarded and unacknowledged contributions of queer & trans folks to social change through interviews, casual conversations and reflections on Midwest queer time, space, and place. For questions, comments and feedback: takethelastbite@gmail.com Host: R.B. Brooks, they/them Cover Art: Adrienne McCormick

  1. 07/16/2024

    Knowledge in the Land, Stories in the Seeds

    We take a bite out of the First Nations Garden, a healing space for the Intertribal Native community of Chicago. Co-founder Fawn Pochel (they/kwe) shares the origins of this youth-led project, the importance of establishing and maintaining relationship with plant relatives, and how the garden has transformed the neighborhood and provided a community gathering place for celebrations, education, and practicing intertribal traditions.  Additional Resources and References from this episode:  Learn more about First Nations Garden and follow the project at @firstnationsgarden Chi Nations Youth Council – a youth organization creating safe space for Native youth through arts, activism, and education. Follow the council @chinationsyouthcouncil Indigenous Grounds – an emerging organization striving to create a more sustainable world. Follow the project @indigenous.grounds Previous Take the Last Bite episodes that center food justice, the joys of growing and cooking food, and innovations in urban farming:  Queers Who Make Beers – a chat with queer and trans folks in the craft microbrewing industry working to improve working conditions for marginalized service workersFerrets, Farming, and Fat-Kid Food – a segment about growing basil in shipping containers and a segment about cooking with taste-loss due to long-COVID‘Chef’ is Gender Neutral – brunch baddie Catie Randazzo talks about wanting to connect queer and trans youth to service industry skills For questions, comments or feedback about this episode: lastbite@sgdinstitute.org We’re on TikTok! You can also find us on Twitter, Facebook and Instagram or at sgdinstitute.org Host: R.B. Brooks, they/them, director of strategy and impact for the Midwest Institute for Sexuality and Gender Diversity Cover art: Adrienne McCormick

    48 min

  2. 06/25/2024

    A Midwest Princess and her Mighty Kingdom

    We take a bite out of Chappell Roan through a brief queer history of Midwest music and media influences. Host R.B. Brooks (they/them) highlights queer and trans music artists with ties to the Midwest, how the Midwest is used intentionally in film and streaming series for dramatic effect, and the impact of Midwest stereotypes on racialized and gendered assumptions about the region. Additional Resources and References:  In a Queer Time and Place by Jack HalberstamRolling Stone article about Chappel Roan’s Casual release Teen Vogue culture story about Chappell Roan Right On, Cuee (Take the Last Bite interview with Black trans hip hop artist Cuee WrightFor questions, comments or feedback about this episode: lastbite@sgdinstitute.org We’re on TikTok! You can also find us on Twitter, Facebook and Instagram or at sgdinstitute.org Host: R.B. Brooks, they/them, director of strategy and impact for the Midwest Institute for Sexuality and Gender Diversity Cover art: Adrienne McCormick

    49 min

  3. 06/04/2024

    The (Literal) Debate for Trans Lives [redux]

    We take a bite out of local legislation with Minnesota State Representatives Liish Kozlowski (they/them) and Leigh Finke (she/her). We all have a role to play – but our roles aren’t all the same. We chat with these powerhouses about their motivations to run for office, their experiences on the legislative floor, and how Trans Refuge Bills can offer a pathway to improved living conditions for trans, nonbinary, two spirit, and intersex people. Additional Resources and References from this episode:  Learn more about the Transgender Justice Teach-In and check out video recordings of our previous panel discussions.For questions, comments or feedback about this episode: lastbite@sgdinstitute.org We’re on TikTok! You can also find us on Twitter, Facebook and Instagram or at sgdinstitute.org Host: R.B. Brooks, they/them, director of strategy and impact for the Midwest Institute for Sexuality and Gender Diversity Cover art: Adrienne McCormick

    1h 11m

  4. 05/21/2024

    Cause of Death: Kids

    We bite into a hard conversation around Nex Benedict’s death as well as the two teenagers who killed Brianna Ghey receiving life sentences after jury conviction. Robert Alberts (they/them) and host R.B  Brooks (they/them) process their rough thoughts and devastated feelings in an attempt to answer “what does it mean that the project of annihilating trans children has fallen into the hands of other children?” and also “what does justice look like in these instances?”  Additional Resources and References from this episode:  Oklahoma Medical Examiner’s office releases Nex Benedict’s autopsy reportTeenagers who killed Brianna Ghey receive life sentences after jury conviction TransLifeLife – a trans peer support and hotline run by trans volunteer For questions, comments or feedback about this episode: lastbite@sgdinstitute.org  We’re on TikTok! You can also find us on Twitter, Facebook and Instagram or at sgdinstitute.org  Host: R.B. Brooks, they/them, director of strategy and impact for the Midwest Institute for Sexuality and Gender Diversity  Cover art: Adrienne McCormick

    1h 14m

  5. 05/07/2024

    Tristan and R.B. Take on Fat Con

    We take a bite out of Fat Con! In January 2024, Tristan and R.B. attended Fat Con in Seattle, a celebration of fat joy featuring keynotes, a fashion show, and brunch. These fattie baddies reminisce on their glorious time at the inaugural event and share their aspirations for a Midwest Fat Fest. Additional Resources and References:  Learn more about Fat Con in Seattle at FatCon.orgAlso check out Philly FatCon Revisit “Trans Fat: Lessons from Large Trans Folks” via video or podcast  Timeline: The ‘Gaza Solidarity Encampment” from the Columbia SpectatorFor questions, comments or feedback about this episode: lastbite@sgdinstitute.org. We’re on TikTok! You can also find us on Twitter, Facebook and Instagram or at sgdinstitute.org Host: R.B. Brooks, they/them, director of strategy and impact for the Midwest Institute for Sexuality and Gender Diversity Cover art: Adrienne McCormick

    42 min

  6. 04/23/2024

    Midwest: More than Cows, Corn, and Conservatives

    We take a bite out of Midwest queer history! Vince Tripi (he/him, co/cos) is a homegrown historian dedicated to compiling LGBTQ+ history into digestible exhibits for pride-goers and LGBTQ+ youth. We chat about his latest project called “Flyover Country,” an exhibit highlighting LGBTQ+ firsts of the Midwest, including some wild discoveries about the first few years of the Midwest Bisexual Lesbian Gay Transgender Asexual College Conference. Additional Resources and References from this episode:  Check out all of Vince’s LGBTQ+ history exhibits: https://vince.lgbt/exhibits/Learn more about MBLGTACC at mblgtacc.orgRead the full news release about the Institute receiving an award an ACPA Learn more about the Coalition for Sexuality and Gender Identities For questions, comments, or feedback about this episode: lastbite@sgdinstitute.org. We’re on TikTok! You can also find us on Twitter, Facebook and Instagram or at sgdinstitute.org Host: R.B. Brooks, they/them, director of strategy and impact for the Midwest Institute for Sexuality and Gender Diversity Cover art: Adrienne McCormick

    57 min

  7. 04/09/2024 · BONUS

    Small Bites: Doctor Who Discourse, Two Palestines, and Coding with Empathy

    We’re delivering a batch of small bites featuring Doctor Who and extraterrestrial gender education [06:29]; parallels and lessons from a trainwreck in East Palestine, Ohio and Gaza, Palestine [35:54]; and getting things done (like web coding) with empathy [45:27]. Additional Resources and References from this episode:  No Pride in Genocide – a collective of Queer and Trans anti-zionist Palestinians, Arab/SWANA folks, Jews, and allies working for a free Palestine.Article: Norfolk Southern continues to defend CEO Alan Shaw’s leadership Article: Doctor Who has always been woke, and that’s the way real fans like itGoblin.tools –  a collection of small, simple, single-task tools, mostly designed to help neurodivergent people find overwhelming or difficultFor questions, comments or feedback about this episode: lastbite@sgdinstitute.org We’re on TikTok! You can also find us on Twitter, Facebook and Instagram or at sgdinstitute.org. Host: R.B. Brooks, they/them, director of strategy and impact for the Midwest Institute for Sexuality and Gender Diversity Cover art: Adrienne McCormick

    1h 12m

  8. 09/19/2023

    Today’s Gender Is Up for Debate

    We take a bite out of “the gender debate” with sports journalist Katie Barnes (they/them).  We reminisce about our days as student leaders at gay camp, how Katie’s educational background in history, higher education, and even Russian studies has positioned them to be a leading reporter at/on the intersection of sports and gender, and the release of their new book “Fair Play: How Sports Shape the Gender Debate”  Join us in Lexington, Kentucky November 3-5 for the Midwest Bisexual Lesbian Gay Transgender Asexual College Conference featuring Katie Barnes as Keynote. Register and make arrangements at mblgtacc.org

    1h 24m
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About

Take the Last Bite is a direct counter to the Midwest Nice mentality— highlighting advocacy & activism by queer/trans communities in the Midwest region. Each episode unearths the often disregarded and unacknowledged contributions of queer & trans folks to social change through interviews, casual conversations and reflections on Midwest queer time, space, and place. For questions, comments and feedback: takethelastbite@gmail.com Host: R.B. Brooks, they/them Cover Art: Adrienne McCormick

Information

  • Creator
    R.B. Brooks
  • Years Active
    2021 - 2024
  • Episodes
    48
  • Rating
    Explicit
  • Copyright
    © 2025 R.B. Brooks