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In The Telling: Black Family Podcast
This season, we engage in meaningful conversations with Trans and Gender Non-Conforming family from across the world. They share deeply personal stories about their connections to family—both biological and chosen—while reflecting on the significance of honoring their past and envisioning a more unique future.
Contact us if you would like to be a guest on the show.
Original music by Sean Bempong
Season 4
In this intimate episode (32) of season four of In the Telling, co-hosts Miranda Mims and Steven G Fullwood engage in a meaningful dialogue with Dr. Van Bailey, a fashion curator and advocate for LGBTQ+ representation. Together, they examine the concepts of safety, care, and intimacy beyond conventional family dynamics. The conversation addresses mental health challenges, the vital role of a support network, and how these connections contribute to our ability to endure and flourish.
Dr. Bailey recounts his experiences as a Black trans individual, highlighting the importance of his chosen family in his life and the influence of community support on mental well-being and resilience. The discussion navigates the intricacies of intimacy, accountability, and the healing required to cultivate robust, affirming relationships—particularly for Black trans individuals. The dialogue underscores the necessity of love, acceptance, and the bravery to dismantle barriers in order to nurture deeper bonds.
This episode serves as a meditation on love, trust, and the individuals who stand by us in our times of need. Whether it be a close friend, a mentor, or a community that fills the gaps left by biological relatives, chosen family acts as a unifying force in our lives.
If you would like to learn more about Dr. Bailey, visit https://www.drvanbailey.com.
In this episode (31) of Season four of In the Telling, co-hosts Miranda and Steven sit down with movement artist, environmental justice advocate, and multi-disciplinary collaborator Ayan Felix to explore Black Southern family traditions and the power of intergenerational storytelling. Ayan shares their journey of discovering a second father in 2018, navigating the positive emotional complexities of identity, and embracing a broader, more fluid understanding of family. From Texas Zydecos to burlesque stages, from voter suppression stories to embodied resistance, this conversation weaves together themes of ancestry, queerness, and the narratives that shape us.
Born to the swamps of Beaumont, TX, Ayan moved to Durham for the Duke Dance MFA program, completed in 2021. The land heavily informs their artistic practice which takes root in collaborative process with other cultural organizers, body workers, agitators, and spirits.
Their research examines pleasurable terror and Black American markers of social class with a focus on burlesque and cabaret performers. Felix was a NCDF Artist-in-Residence and makes screendance and performances in NC, TX, and NY. Learn more about their work at movingaf.com.
In this episode of In the Telling, co-hosts Miranda and Steven "sit" down with the founder of ArtsXCulture, Amir, a Black trans artist, poet, and advocate. Amir shares his compelling journey of growing up in the foster care system, navigating gender and sexuality, and ultimately finding belonging through chosen family and creative expression. Through art and poetry, he has carved out a space for healing and self-discovery while reflecting on the impact of biological and chosen family on his identity and resilience. Amir also discusses the importance of queer genealogy, his interest in uncovering LGBTQ+ ancestors, and how community spaces in Chicago and Boston have shaped his path. From his early years in the Midwest and South to building a creative and affirming network, Amir’s story is a testament to perseverance, love, and the transformative power of art.
For more information about Amir and ArtsXCulture, see his Instagram account.
In this season's premiere episode of In the Telling, hosts Miranda and Steven engage in a conversation with art consultant Pacheanne Anderson. They explore themes of identity, cultural heritage, and the dynamics of family—both biological and chosen. Pacheanne shares personal stories about their Caribbean and South Asian roots, the impact of intra-POC politics, and the importance of community in navigating their identity as a non-binary, trans-masculine individual. The discussion also delves into the significance of home, belonging, and the role of chosen family in recovery from mental health challenges, culminating in a vision for a future that embraces love, respect, and inclusivity.
Pacheanne Anderson is an art consultant and art writer collaborating with art galleries & institutions, organizations, and publications that support the development and promotion of low-income, queer, Black, and PoC British artists. Pacheanne Anderson Gallery & Advisory offers a channel of access between the non-profit and commercial art sector through providing opportunities to artists directly through exhibitions, residencies, sales, and commissions.
For more information about Pacheanne, see his Instagram account.