Positive Voices: Season 2

217: Ryan Jamaal Swain and Activism in Hollywood

For our season finale, Tei and Malachi sit down with actor, singer, dancer, and activist Ryan Jamaal Swain. You might recognize Ryan from his work on the FX series "Pose” as Damon, but in this exclusive interview, Ryan talks about his journey as well as Damon’s. Listen in as Ryan talks about how doing the work reinforces what it means to live your life, the power of representation in media, and finding the beauty in life. This program contains language and subject matter that some audiences may find triggering or sensitive. Our purpose is to encourage engagement in care and treatment; however, please consider your well-being before continuing.

216: Status, Behavior, and Stigma - Talking about HIV in the Black MSM Community

Black men who have sex with men are the demographic with the highest risk of contracting HIV, so you know we’re going to talk about it. In this episode, we’re joined by Mark and Zaine, who get into all the juicy details of past relationships, the do’s and don’ts of disclosure, and the state of the Black MSM community in the DMV and abroad. The bottom line? “The positive person is not the problem; the behavior is the problem.” This program contains language and subject matter that some audiences may find triggering or sensitive. Our purpose is to encourage engagement in care and treatment; however, please consider your well-being before continuing.

215: “This Shouldn’t Happen Now” - On Privilege and Advocacy in the HIV Space

In this week’s episode of Positive Voices, Tei and Malachi chat with Murray Penner, a DC-based advocate with a deep personal interest in ensuring that people with HIV have access to the care and support needed. Throughout this episode, Murray discusses his own HIV diagnosis and why he advocates so passionately for U=U. Come for the great chemistry, and stay for a deep conversation on how privilege and perception can play a significant role in who gets help in healthcare spaces. This program contains language and subject matter that some audiences may find triggering or sensitive. Our purpose is to encourage engagement in care and treatment; however, please consider your well-being before continuing.

214: Live, from Montgomery County, It’s Positive Voices!

Tei and Malachi From The Past are finally here on our first-ever live show filmed on World AIDS Day 2023! In this live environment, they’re joined by four guests: Melkham Woldamanuel and Karen Blanton, who share their experiences as HIV-positive Black women, then Shania Thomas and Kathryn Kelly, who talk about how they address HIV as healthcare providers. The life joy and knowledge in this episode have to be heard to be believed. Relive the magic with us! This program contains language and subject matter that some audiences may find triggering or sensitive. Our purpose is to encourage engagement in care and treatment; however, please consider your well-being before continuing.

213: (Myth) Bustin’ Makes Me Feel Good!

*Cue the Ghostbusters theme, but make it sexual health* This week, Tei and Malachi are talking to sexual health expert Bryce Furness about the myths that abound in sexual health conversations. There’s a lot that’s just accepted culturally, but we gotta stop and unpack. That’s how we get the stigma out and the compassion in. Tune in for fast facts about DMV healthcare and to hear what DC residents really think about some popular HIV myths. This program contains language and subject matter that some audiences may find triggering or sensitive. Our purpose is to encourage engagement in care and treatment; however, please consider your well-being before continuing.