The Trans Narrative Podcast

Angel Lovely: Archival Practice, Tenderness, & Queer BIPOC Joy | Witnessing, Survival, & Resistance

On this episode, Angel Lovely joins Caroline and Jordan sit for a conversation that moves through care, survival, art, and the responsibility of witnessing. The discussion is expansive, grounded in what Angel names as “the dimensionality and depth humans can carry” and the multidimensionality we hold within. Angel speaks about writing, painting, and self-portraiture as practices that held them through isolation, dysphoria, and dissociation. They trace how creative work became a method of returning to the body, building language for non-binary experience, and documenting lives often left outside official records. The conversation explores family distance with care, the impact of hypersexualization on gender perception, and the ongoing work of living authentically. Joy emerges as method: dancing, cooking, reading, and witnessing other queer people living openly become forms of survival and record. The conversation moves into Angel’s archival practice, centering Black and Indigenous queer tenderness, pre-colonial gender fluidity, ecosensuality, and the ethics of documenting community without extraction. Angel reflects on spirituality beyond lineage, decolonizing ideas of madness and consciousness, and the importance of unlearning bias when holding other people’s stories. ⸻ About the Guest Angel (they/them) is an artist and writer whose work centers Black and Indigenous narratives as acts of witnessing and archival care. Their practice documents lives, homes, communities, histories, loves, and everyday tenderness often excluded from dominant records. They are interested in literature that feels like home, work that affirms possibility, fluidity, rupture in form, and decolonial, anti-colonial, and Indigenous practices. Their creative work treats storytelling as a living archive that holds people with care rather than extracting from them. Estrangement from biological family is part of their history and may be discussed with care but is not the focus of this conversation. ⸻ About the Podcast The Trans Narrative Podcast is an international storytelling and archival platform dedicated to preserving trans and gender-diverse lives through long-form narrative. With over 150 episodes across five seasons and listeners in more than 80 countries, each episode captures lived experience from beginning to end, treating every story as historical record rather than soundbite. 🎙️ Trans or gender-diverse? Share your story at transnarrativepodcast@gmail.com 🏳️‍⚧️ “Make it real to me” written by Athena Promachus Featuring: Talk my Ear Off by Mateo Briscoe and Cameron Love, with the local Slothbois Powered by Spotify for Creators 📧 transnarrativepodcast@gmail.com 💵 Support via PayPal: CarolineREssence Find us on Facebook, TikTok, Apple Podcasts, Spotify, iHeartRadio, or wherever you listen. ⸻ Resources Suicide Hotline: 1 800 784 2433 Trevor Project: 1 866 488 7386 National Domestic Violence Hotline: 1 800 799 7233 Drug Abuse National Helpline: 1 800 662 4357 S A F E Self Abuse Finally Ends: 1 800 366 8288 Family Violence Prevention Center: 1 800 313 1310 National Human Servic

Cardioncè Ross-Derèon: Trans Asylum Support and Mutual Aid | Canadian Refugee Systems

On this episode, Cardioncè Ross-Derèon (Mz. Cardioncè) joins Caroline and Lusi for a conversation that moves through survival, migration, faith, and the material work of building support networks for trans people navigating violence and displacement. Mz. Cardioncè traces her early experiences with gender identity in a conservative Christian environment, the impact of domestic abuse, and the barriers she faced in education and healthcare while seeking affirmation outside formal systems. She speaks about her current work supporting trans and queer asylum seekers, including coordinating community-based efforts that helped a gay man flee homophobic violence in Uganda and resettle safely in Toronto. The discussion centers the practical realities of mutual aid: social media as infrastructure, informal fundraising, cross-border coordination, and the role of trans-led networks in providing housing, documentation support, and pathways to stability. The conversation also explores Mz. Cardioncè’s ongoing education in child care, her plans to expand nonprofit work focused on safe spaces for trans and gender-diverse people, and the importance of representation, self-belief, and collective care. ⸻ About the Guest Cardioncè Ross-Derèon  is a Toronto-based trans androgynous, female-identifying artist, community advocate, and creative voice. Her work and lived experience sit at the intersection of self-expression, resilience, and community structure. Through art, public engagement, and digital platforms, she uses storytelling as a tool to support gender-diverse and marginalized people with an emphasis on authenticity, visibility, and collective care. Her background includes organizing within women-centered spaces and developing group structures that prioritize resource-sharing and pathways toward independence. As she continues her education, her work has expanded to focus more intentionally on transgender, queer, and socially segregated communities, reflecting an ongoing commitment to growth alongside the people she serves. ⸻ About the Podcast The Trans Narrative Podcast is an international storytelling and archival platform dedicated to preserving trans and gender-diverse lives through long-form narrative. With over 150 episodes across five seasons and listeners in more than 80 countries, each episode documents lived experience as historical record. 🎙️ Trans or gender-diverse? Share your story at transnarrativepodcast@gmail.com 🏳️‍⚧️ Created and Produced by Caroline Essence “Make it real to me” written by Athena Promachus Featuring: Talk my Ear Off by Mateo Briscoe and Cameron Love, with the local Slothbois Powered by Spotify for Creators 📧 transnarrativepodcast@gmail.com 💵 Support via PayPal: CarolineREssence Find us on Facebook, TikTok, Apple Podcasts, Spotify, iHeartRadio, or wherever you listen. ⸻ Resources Suicide Hotline: 1 800 784 2433 Trevor Project: 1 866 488 7386 National Domestic Violence Hotline: 1 800 799 7233 Drug Abuse National Helpline: 1 800 662 4357 S A F E Self Abuse Finally Ends: 1 800 366 8288 Family Violence Prevention Center: 1 800 313 1310 National Human Services Hotline: 1 800 662 4357

Stevie Bees: What Is a Safe Space? | Nonbinary Activist, Gender Doula, & Creating LGBTQ+ Safe Spaces

On this episode, Stevie Bees (they/he) joins Caroline, Foxx Cant and Jordan Braxton to share their life, work, and community initiatives. Stevie reflects on childhood in London, Ontario, where music and imagination offered refuge and space for self-expression. Growing up without clear role models, they learned through experience and discovered the first contours of their creativity and identity. These early years surfaced later in the ways Stevie approached personal expression, relationships, and community. As the conversation moves into adulthood, Stevie traces the evolution of their identity and creative work. They share how their clothing brand began, how attention arrived unexpectedly, and how they responded by supporting community and mutual aid. They discuss the nonprofit they founded, Fairy Godparents, which provides youth and community support through sponsorship programs, toy and period equity drives, and memorial scholarships. They are also the author of the forthcoming children’s book, What Is a Safe Space? Throughout the episode, Stevie shows how personal, creative, and community work intersect, emphasizing care, connection, and practical support. The conversation remains grounded in lived experience, preserving the nuances of their story beyond public recognition. ⸻ About the Guest Stevie Bees, who uses they/he pronouns, is a community organizer, artist, and writer based in London, Ontario. They founded an independently grown apparel brand and later established the Fairy Godparents nonprofit. Through this work, they support youth and community with sponsorship programs, toy and period equity drives, and memorial scholarships. They are also the author of the forthcoming children’s book What Is a Safe Space? ⸻ About the Podcast Preserving trans voices, one story at a time The Trans Narrative Podcast is an international storytelling and archival platform dedicated to preserving trans and gender-diverse lives through long-form narrative. With over 150 episodes across five seasons and listeners in more than 80 countries, each episode captures lived experience from beginning to end, treating every story as historical record rather than soundbite. 🎙️ Trans or gender-diverse? Share your story at transnarrativepodcast@gmail.com 🏳️‍⚧️ Created and Produced by Caroline Essence “Make it real to me” written by Athena Promachus Featuring: Talk my Ear Off by Mateo Briscoe and Cameron Love, with the local Slothbois Powered by Spotify for Creators 📧 transnarrativepodcast@gmail.com 💵 Support via PayPal: CarolineREssence Find us on Facebook, TikTok, Apple Podcasts, Spotify, iHeartRadio, or wherever you listen. ⸻ Resources Suicide Hotline: 1 800 784 2433 Trevor Project: 1 866 488 7386 National Domestic Violence Hotline: 1 800 799 7233 Drug Abuse National Helpline: 1 800 662 4357 S A F E Self Abuse Finally Ends: 1 800 366 8288 Family Violence Prevention Center: 1 800 313 1310 National Human Service Call Center: 2 1 1

Erica Deuso: Pennsylvania’s First Trans Mayor | Good Neighbor Culture & Community

On this episode, Erica Deuso (she/her) joins Caroline and Jordan, with special guest co-host Jessie Gender, for a conversation about her life, work, and community leadership. Erica reflects on childhood in Vermont, where growing up in a working-class family shaped her sense of service and responsibility. Early experiences with economic insecurity, scouting, and public service influenced her commitment to affordability, safety, and care at the local level. As the conversation moves through Erica’s transition and entry into politics, she shares her approach to leadership rooted in listening, transparency, and practical problem solving. Rather than centering opposition or ideology, Erica focuses on building trust, addressing housing and flood mitigation, supporting first responders, and fostering a Good Neighbor culture in a growing town. This episode marks both the Season 5 premiere and the four-year anniversary of The Trans Narrative Podcast. It is a conversation about service over spectacle, community over culture war, and what it looks like to lead with empathy while staying grounded in the everyday needs of the people she serves. ⸻ About the Guest Erica Deuso, who uses she/her pronouns, is a scientist, community advocate, and the Mayor of Downingtown, Pennsylvania. Raised in a working-class family in Vermont, Erica studied biology and chemistry and has spent her career helping organizations better serve their communities. She transitioned at age 29 and later entered local politics with a focus on public safety, housing affordability, flood mitigation, and transparent governance. In 2026, she was elected mayor, becoming the first transgender mayor in Pennsylvania. ⸻ About the Podcast Preserving trans voices, one story at a time The Trans Narrative Podcast is an international storytelling and archival platform dedicated to preserving trans and gender-diverse lives through long-form narrative. With over 150 episodes across five seasons and listeners in more than 80 countries, each episode captures lived experience from beginning to end, treating every story as historical record rather than soundbite. 🎙️ Trans or gender-diverse? Share your story at transnarrativepodcast@gmail.com 🏳️‍⚧️ Created and Produced by Caroline Essence “Make it real to me” written by Athena Promachus Featuring: Talk my Ear Off by Mateo Briscoe and the local Slothbois, with Cameron Love Powered by Spotify for Creators 📧 transnarrativepodcast@gmail.com 💵 Support via PayPal: CarolineREssence Find us on Facebook, TikTok, Apple Podcasts, Spotify, iHeartRadio, or wherever you listen. ⸻ Resources Suicide Hotline: 1 800 784 2433 Trevor Project: 1 866 488 7386 National Domestic Violence Hotline: 1 800 799 7233 Drug Abuse National Helpline: 1 800 662 4357 S A F E Self Abuse Finally Ends: 1 800 366 8288 Family Violence Prevention Center: 1 800 313 1310 National Human Service Call Center: 2 1 1

Monica Helms: The Colors That Carried Us | Pride, Resilience, & the Importance of Trans Solidarity

On this episode, Monica Helms (she/her) joins Caroline, Jordan, Kaz Philips and Tess White for a conversation about her life, work, and enduring impact as a pioneering activist and creator of the Transgender Pride Flag. Monica reflects on childhood in Sumter, South Carolina, and upbringing in Arizona, tracing her path through military service, transition, and advocacy. Serving aboard nuclear submarines from 1970 to 1978, including during the Vietnam War, Monica’s early experiences shaped her commitment to resilience, integrity, and visibility in spaces that excluded trans people. The conversation moves through her post-military life, the creation of the Transgender Pride Flag in 1999, and the founding of the Transgender American Veterans Association (TAVA) in 2003. Monica shares how her work has fostered community solidarity, visibility, and practical support for trans service members and veterans. Themes of courage, creativity, and continuity run through the episode, emphasizing the tangible impact of one person’s dedication to collective care. This episode honors a living legend whose work continues to ripple across generations. It is a conversation about persistence, creativity, and the belief that every person deserves to live authentically and be seen in full color. ⸻ About the Guest Monica Helms, who uses she/her pronouns, is an activist, author, and U.S. Navy veteran. Born in Sumter, South Carolina, and raised in Arizona, Monica served in the Navy from 1970 to 1978. After coming out as transgender in 1997, she became a pioneering advocate for visibility and equality, founding the Transgender American Veterans Association in 2003—the first organization dedicated to trans service members and veterans. Her creation of the Transgender Pride Flag, first flown at a Phoenix Pride parade in 2000 and now housed at the Smithsonian, has become one of the most recognized symbols of trans pride worldwide. Through her memoir More Than Just a Flag, Monica continues to educate and inspire, centering authenticity, advocacy, and dignity for trans people everywhere. ⸻ About the Podcast Preserving trans voices, one story at a time The Trans Narrative Podcast is an international storytelling and archival platform dedicated to preserving trans and gender-diverse lives through long-form narrative. With over 150 episodes across five seasons and listeners in more than 80 countries, each episode captures lived experience from beginning to end, treating every story as historical record rather than soundbite. 🎙️ Trans or gender-diverse? Share your story at transnarrativepodcast@gmail.com 🏳️‍⚧️ Created and Produced by Caroline Essence “Make it real to me” written by Athena Promachus Featuring: Talk my Ear Off by Mateo Briscoe and the local Slothbois, with Cameron Love Powered by Spotify for Creators 📧 transnarrativepodcast@gmail.com 💵 Support via PayPal: CarolineREssence Find us on Facebook, TikTok, Apple Podcasts, Spotify, iHeartRadio, or wherever you listen. ⸻ Resources Suicide Hotline: 1 800 784 2433 Trevor Project: 1 866 488 7386 National Domestic Violence Hotline: 1 800 799 7233 Drug Abuse National Helpline: 1 800 662 4357 S A F E Self Abuse Finally Ends: 1 800 366 8288 Family Violence Prevention Center: 1 800 313 1310 National Human Service Call Center: 2 1 1