Podcasts: a source of validation and connection -

What podcasts are you listening to?

Over the last year, I have been listening to more than a handful of trans and LGBTQIA podcasts. These have been, at times, a great source of validation as well as an opportunity to learn about the community often through the lens of storytelling. So here are my current top picks not in any specific order:

Come Out where every you are

As the name suggests, Sean Szeps’ podcast focuses on the continual process of coming out as a member of the broader LGBTQIA community. Each episode features a different guest and discusses a range of issues relevant to their experiences and journey. Szeps is an engaging host who can draw out insightful and colourful stories from his guests that make the time fly and leaves you often wanting to hear more. As an Australian, this is the best local podcast I have found with plenty of episodes and covers such a wide array of topics affecting the LGBTQIA community.

The Transagenda

Chronicles the journey of Ana, a transgender woman and Cam, her cisgender dad in a light-hearted and often whimsical approach. The Transagenda is far less structured than other podcasts on this list, but it is a joy to listen to the interplay between a supportive father and his trans daughter. The podcast still touches on dense and serious topics, but in a way that is a bit more approachable and often doesn’t dwell too much on negative things. Joined regularly by a range of guests, The Transagenda allows its audience to learn from varied experiences but never becomes a formal interview and always feels like relaxed chat. This means it is a good entry point as it is always entertaining and very approachable.

Totally Trans

This is not going to be for everyone as Totally Trans is all about searching for the Trans literary cannon. In my case it is almost a perfect intersection of my trans identity and my interest in literature, so it is a natural fit. Every episode sees hosts Katie Coleman, Ada-Rhodes Short and Henry Giardina get stuck into an in-depth analysis of a different text and its representation of trans themes. At times, some of their discussion seems like they may be stretching things a little, but regardless, it is always an interesting take. The first three episodes on a series of old Disney classics are especially interesting and highlight how much the house of mouse has always been involved in social discourse to some degree.

Outward

Starting in 2018 Outward is Slate Magazines queer podcast with hosts Bryan Lowder, Jules Gill – Peterson and Christina Cauterucci. More structured than other podcasts on this list Outward has several regular segments like ‘Pride and Provocation” that beginning the show each month gives the hosts an opportunity to highlight something positive in the last month within the LGBTQIA community or vent some frustration. Similarly, each month the Podcast concludes with ‘The Gay Agenda’ were the hosts sign off with suggestions for listeners to look at including books, films, events, and other queer fun. Each month the main body of the show has a different focus on an aspect of queer life whether that is a discussion of queer culture, an engagement with current issues or exploring an element of queer experience. As a result, episodes are diverse and often have a range of different guests that might be sharing their experiences and journey or bringing their expertise on the topic. The ability to switch from discussing the relationship dynamics of Throuples to Utopian Fiction highlights the diverse topics Outward tackles. This diversity means it remains fresh and potentially easier to binge than other podcasts that tackle similar themes each week in a standard interview format.

Undoubtably I will be editing this post at a later date to add a few more shows that have captured my attention and I am definitly open to suggestions so get in contact or leave a comment. I would love to put the spotlight on a few more interesting LGBTQIA podcasts.