Introducing: BEING Trans

This week, we’re introducing you to BEING Trans. What's it really like BEING trans? Beyond the headlines and into diverse, everyday lives -- the daily struggles, heartbreaks and triumphs. Lemonada Media brings you reality TV for your ears: an opportunity to BE someone else. In this episode, the ca…

In the Playroom with Trixie Mattel

Trixie Mattel is a drag queen with an empire: a makeup line, a renovation show and a country music career. But before Trixie there was Brian Firkus, a small-town Wisconsin boy who played with Barbies and yearned for a life with the same potential and beauty. Trixie tells Sam stories about her upbri…

In the Art Room with Rebecca Sugar

Rebecca Sugar changed the world of animation with their hit Cartoon Network show, Steven Universe. It redefined what stories children deserve to experience with themes of self love and family trauma. And it was groundbreaking for its representation of queer, nonbinary characters - it even included …

In the Ballroom with Michelle Visage

Michelle Visage always wanted to be a star. Those around her could tell she was destined for it too. From voguing in New York’s ballrooms in the 80’s to her top charting band Seduction, Michelle never took no for an answer. She tells Sam about how her ballroom family gave her the confidence she nee…

In the Garden with Ocean Vuong

Ocean Vuong first shared his poetry at open mics in New York City. Since then, he’s become a New York Times best-selling author and is one of the most celebrated poets, essayists and novelists of our time. In this emotional interview, Ocean joins Sam to chat about the women who raised him and how h…

Building Your Chosen Family with Jari Jones

Jari Jones was the first Black, trans model to be featured in a Calvin Klein ad. She’s a creative powerhouse who attributes a lot of her charisma and drive to her late grandfather Billy Jones, who was a famous model in the 1970s. Jari shares with Sam how she grew up going to ballroom-style parties …

In the Theater with Ben Platt

Ben Platt may have won a Tony for his performance in Dear Evan Hansen, but he says nothing compares to the excitement he felt during opening night in high school. In this episode, good friends Sam and Ben chat about growing up in the theater and their deep appreciation for the community that surrou…

On Stage with Joel Kim Booster

Joel Kim Booster didn’t expect to get his start in showbiz through stand-up, but he made a name for himself by laying it all out there on stage with his “hot idiot persona.” Joel takes Sam back to his suburban roots with a story about how he first found his queer community working at Cold Stone Cre…

In the Family Room with Gloria Estefan

Gloria Estefan has been a muse to the queer community for decades, with disco beats made for the club and looks that have inspired drag queens. Sam chats with her about life before stardom, how music was a respite to her after escaping Cuba as a kid, and how queer culture was ingrained in her upbri…

In the Bedroom with Elliot Page

Elliot Page has played many roles on screen over the course of his life, but his favorites were the ones he created alone in his bedroom as a kid, where he was free to be his authentic self. Today, Elliot joins Sam Smith to chat about his upbringing in Canada, his breakout role in the film Juno, an…