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Trans and Caffeinated

Trans and Caffeinated

By Arielle Rebekah

This podcast is rooted in a singular dream – to aid our culture’s growth by fostering collective education, encouraging open discussion, and most importantly nurturing and inspiring new generations of my transgender siblings.

Here’s to a transer future.

Become a patron at patreon.com/transandcaffeinated
Created by @ariellergordon (IG and Twitter)
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Currently playing episode

Em Rabelais (they/themme, fae/femme) on white feminist violence in nursing

Trans and CaffeinatedDec 19, 2020

00:00
01:01:45
Brit Alexandria (they/them) on writing a novel, being “a lot,” and The Non-Binary Barista

Brit Alexandria (they/them) on writing a novel, being “a lot,” and The Non-Binary Barista

A full transcript of this episode is now available at transandcaffeinated.com/transcripts

Payment |

Venmo: @bloggerbrit

Social |

Twitter: @bloggerbrit

Instagram: @bloggerbrit

Links |

Buy Brit’s novel: All We’ve Ever Done
Brit’s blog: The Non-Binary Barista
The Twelfth Annual Sprudgie Award Nominations
Umeko Moyotoshi’s "A Better Table" interview with Alice Wong
Umeko Moyotoshi
Alice Wong

Background Info |

Brit Alexandria and I have confusingly parallel online presences. I’m a coffee person, they’re a coffee person. I run a coffee and trans stuff blog, they run a coffee and trans stuff blog. Both of our websites were nominated for Sprudgie awards, both of us write candidly about mental health and workplace advocacy. But earlier this year, Brit released a full-length, sci-fi fantasy novel, so I guess now I have to write a freaking book!

Brit, who is sometimes referenced (at least in my brainhole) by their longtime username “Blogger Brit” , has been writing online since 2006. Formerly a lifestyle blogger, Brit launched The Non-Binary Barista in early 2020 to give themselves—and the coffee community—a space to talk about coffee, fun little coffee experiments, disability justice, gender, workplace dynamics, and so much more, and to share resources for marginalized baristas. They also use their social media for similar purposes, and are constantly seeking new ways to show their support for people around them.

Brit just has lots of great thoughts about a whole array of different topics, and doesn’t tend to limit themselves to discussing or addressing any one particular thing—only that, from what I can see, pretty much everything they do both on and offline is filtered through their desire to make the world a kind, safer, happier, healthier place for others.

This episode mentions mental health, ableism, and workplace mistreatment.

This is Brit Alexandria on writing a novel, being “a lot,” and The Non-Binary Barista

Sep 25, 202143:43
SPECIAL EDITION: I Went to NYU Langone and All I Got was this Brand New Pu$$y

SPECIAL EDITION: I Went to NYU Langone and All I Got was this Brand New Pu$$y

Oh hey, there.
You’re pretty cute.
Haven’t seen you around here before…
Heh heh, come here often?

Oh, you work here?
So you’re here to stay?
Oh fuck yeah, they fired the other guy?
Honestly, I never liked him—yeah, what was his name…
Uhh… what was that? Oh, yeah, Penis, that’s right, Penis used to be there

Penis used to be there but now here you are all shiny and new and pretty and well…
You’re mine. I mean, you were always mine but four months ago I woke up from a surgery and they were like “you have a vagina!!!” and I was like “cool I’m on a lot of drugs and in a lot of pain!!”

And then four days later, when they removed the bandages, that resident assistant lady took one very intense look into your eyes… erm, eye… and said, “UGH! Rachel’s an artist!” and I looked down at you, and looked up at her and said “that’s art?!”

No, seriously, I said that. Or… I thought it really loudly? I don’t know, they still had me on that pain stuff, but you were categorically not cute back then. Art was a bit of a stretch.

But uh…. May I say. Now… now I see art.

I look at you and you’re a fucking masterpiece—my dazzling David chipped out of the metaphorical penile stone by my very own private Michaelangelo, AKA Rachel Bluebond-Langner at NYU Langone. And you’re mine. All mine, no one else’s. Nope, you’re mine.

No more staring at myself in undies in the mirror, dick yanked back between my buttcheeks and wishing my coochie would just sit nice and flat against my pelvis.

No more staring intensely at someone’s face as they take stock of my naked body for the first time, wondering what they’re thinking, wondering if they’re realizing they actually think my body is kind of gross and now they’re second guessing their impulsive decision to go home with that hot trans girl who absolutely wrecked them at pool in the back of Henrietta Hudson—not based on a real example… or several real examples.

Nope. None of that. Now, it’s just me and my pussy. My. Pussy.

I can’t wait for all the… climactic adventures we’re going to have together.

I’m very grateful that you are mine.

This episode mentions transphobia, discrimination, violence, genitals, sex, and surgery. It’s also… really funny, if I do say so myself.

This Very Special Episode of Trans and Caffeinated, I Went to NYU Langone and All I Got Was this Brand New Pussy, is brought to you in part by…

Otters, holding hands while they sleep… no wait, wrong episode.

Ah, yes, Anchor. Thanks Anchor. You’re a pal.

Sep 11, 202101:18:43
M-A Reida (they/them) on being present, saying “I love you,” and saying it often

M-A Reida (they/them) on being present, saying “I love you,” and saying it often

SOCIAL |

IG/Twitter: @meghanannette

PAYMENT |

Ca$happ: $MeghanAnnette

Venmo: @mrsgoodwin

LINKS |

Likewise Coffee

Canary Coffee Bar

US Coffee Championships

World Barista Championships

Coffee and Good Spirits

Glitter Cat bootcamps

Glitter Cat DiGiTiTiON

Cup Taster’s DiGiTiTiON

Getchu Some Gear

Black and White Coffee

Q Grader Certification

BACKGROUND |

If you’re a coffee person like myself...which many of you are... chances are you’ve seen M-A Reida’s face flash across your timeline at least once or twice. Over the past few years, M-A has competed in a number of local and national coffee competitions and started to make quite a name for themselves. They placed second in the qualifier for Coffee in Good Spirits, a competition where coffee and liquor craft collide, and they placed second by a literal… second… in Glitter Cat Barista’s inaugural Coffee Taster’s DiGiTiTiON.

I know what you’re thinking—”wow, M-A Reida sounds so stinkin’ cool!” But to me, the coolest thing about M-A is their beautiful outlook on the world. “Love yourself. Love your friends. Say I love you, and say it often.” “Be present with people.” “Life is bigger than toasted seeds and water” These are just a few of the warm pretzel nuggets of wisdom that M-A dropped into my… erm, pretzel basket... throughout this episode.

Anyone who’s friends with M-A is better for it, and I think you’ll all be a little bit better for hearing them share.

This episode mentions the COVID pandemic and social isolation.

This is M-A Reida on being present, saying “I love you,” and saying it often

Aug 28, 202135:56
Morgan Dean (they/them) on drinking water, touching plants, and dancing in the rain

Morgan Dean (they/them) on drinking water, touching plants, and dancing in the rain

A full transcript of this episode is now available at https://transandcaffeinated.com/transcripts/

LINKS |

Hudson Valley Amps, Facebook/Instagram

www.morganrosedean.com

SOCIAL |

IG: @_morgandean_

Twitter: @_morgandean_

INFO |

Like many millennials, Morgan Dean grew up in a world controlled by a generation who were taught that feelings are private, and mental illness is shameful. As a child and into their adolescence, Morgan bounced from doctor to doctor, many of them suggesting that their symptoms were the result of various totally out-of-left-field physical ailments — when the truth was actually very simple: Morgan, like many young trans and non-binary people, was struggling with mental illness.

Today, after finally gaining access to proper medication and therapy, Morgan is happier than they ever thought possible. They move through the world with a simple mantra: “be who you needed when you were younger.”

Whether you like to cry at work, on the train, or compartmentalize until you can cry in private, Morgan wants to remind you that it is okay to struggle. And it’s also okay to get help.

This episode mentions depression, anxiety, suicidal ideation, eatings disorders, drugs and alcohol, and societal stigma about mental illness and sex work.

This is Morgan Dean on drinking water, touching plants, and dancing in the rain

Aug 14, 202142:58
Charli Mandel (she/they) on the World’s VERY FIRST Fixed Gear Brakeless Everesting

Charli Mandel (she/they) on the World’s VERY FIRST Fixed Gear Brakeless Everesting

A transcript of this episode is now available at transandcaffeinated.com/transcripts/

PAYMENT |

Venmo: @charli-mandel


SOCIAL |

IG: @gnarli_xcx


LINKS |

Documentary: Fixed up - A Terrible Idea

Cycling Tips Article: Everesting on a Fixie with a Hormone Headwind


ABOUT |

It’s hard to know which one Charli Mandel learned first: how to walk, or how to ride a bike.

You know, come to think of it, you probably need to be able to walk before you can learn how to ride a bike… but if it were possible to ride a bike first, I’m pretty sure Charli would have done it.

Because from the time she was itty bitty teeny tiny, Charli. Loved. Bikes. Starting at just 4 years old on a little Rhino Racer mini, they would eventually go on to set their very own world record.

This episode mentions transphobia, misgendering, and biking injuries

This is Charli Mandel on the World’s VERY FIRST Fixed Gear Brakeless Everesting

Not sure what that means? I didn’t at first either, but that’s what this interview is for, silly billy! Looks like you came to the right place...

Jul 31, 202149:02
Chris Mcauley (he/they) on wacky animals, the new Double Bubble, and Getchu Some Gear

Chris Mcauley (he/they) on wacky animals, the new Double Bubble, and Getchu Some Gear

PAYMENT

Venmo: @bleeeeeez

SOCIAL

IG: @Getchu some gear 

Twitter: @Getchu some gear


ABOUT

Bok bok.

Who’s there?

Chris Mcauley.

Chris Mcauley who?

Did you know that Chris Mcauley has chickens? It’s definitely not the coolest thing about him, but it’s up there.

Chris Mcauley is the founder of Getchu Some Gear, which he launched a little under two years ago alongside his partner, Chelsea. Getchu set out to hook up marginalized coffee workers with free coffee stuff, but they’ve since expanded the scope of their work tremendously: first with Getchu a Job, which provides free resume assistance and resources for baristas… then Getchu a Grant, which earlier this year helped distribute $60,000.00 to historically marginalized coffee business owners. They also provide free coffee education, and recently roasted their own “Getchu” coffee for the very first time.

Getchu Some Gear is Chris’ “love letter to the coffee family” and this shows in everything that they do.

You might be wondering, what’s next for Chris? And the truth is, I don’t really know. Getchu Some Soap, maybe? Getchu Some Eggs? What I do know is that, whatever it is, it’s going to make the world a better place — because, like Chris says, “we’ve got us.”

This episode mentions the white, cis hetero, ableist patiarchy of the coffee industry and beyond.

A transcript of this episode is now available at transandcaffeinated.com/transcripts

This is Chris Mcauley on wacky animals, the new Double Bubble, and Getchu Some Gear

Feb 27, 202141:59
Mx. Lex Pe’er Horwitz (they/them) on dismantling the road maps of gender transition

Mx. Lex Pe’er Horwitz (they/them) on dismantling the road maps of gender transition

When is the last time you laid down on your bed with a sweet, purring cat curled up on your chest, took a long, deep breath, and remembered to forget the world, if only for a moment? If your answer is “never” or “I can’t remember,” then take a second—if you can—to do that right now. Pause this episode, take a deep breath in, take an even longer breath out, ground yourself in this moment, and remind yourself that it is okay to just be.

This is what Mx. Lex Pe’er Horwitz wants you to remember: that you are enough. That you are okay. That your understanding of yourself and your identity does not have to conform to some pre-scripted road map in order for your experiences and your self-knowledge to be valid.

You are trans enough. You are queer enough. You are right where you need to be.

A jack of many trades—and equally gifted in all of them—Lex shares unique and often profound perspectives about gender and sexuality, transition, mental health, the magic of fur babies, and just life in general. Our conversation was every bit as thought-provoking and transformative as it was hopeful and warm, and you will walk away from this episode having learned something, or multiple somethings, or thinking about parts of the world in a whole new way.

This episode mentions gender dysphoria, gender-based trauma, transphobia, homophobia, racism, depression, and suicide.

A full transcript of this episode is now available at transandcaffeinated.com/transcripts

This is Mx. Lex Pe’er Horwitz on dismantling the road maps of gender transition

SOCIAL

IG: @lex_horwitz

Twitter: @lex_horwitz

TikTok: @lex_horwitz

Facebook: Mx. Lex Horwitz 

Youtube: Mx. Lex Horwitz

Beacons: @lex_horwitz

LINKS

www.lexhorwitz.com

PAYMENT

Patreon: Mx. Lex Horwitz

Venmo: @lex_horwitz

CashApp: $LexHorwitz

PayPal: MxLexHorwitz

Direct Donations

Beacons: @lex_horwitz

Feb 13, 202101:20:30
Felix Tran (he/they) on cancel culture, being horny, and softvelvetboy
Jan 30, 202143:16
Cheyenne Xochítl Love (she/her) on rejecting your bullshit “inclusive” paradigm

Cheyenne Xochítl Love (she/her) on rejecting your bullshit “inclusive” paradigm

Jan 16, 202157:23
Mar León (they/them, fae/femme) on being the monster that’s under your bed
Jan 02, 202145:45
Em Rabelais (they/themme, fae/femme) on white feminist violence in nursing
Dec 19, 202001:01:45
Faith (she/her) on freedom, self-discovery, and Wish Me Luck Tattoo
Dec 05, 202057:14
Mya Petsche (she/her) on loving yourself and others

Mya Petsche (she/her) on loving yourself and others

Nov 21, 202037:54
Fiora Wise (she/her) on Being Pretty but Also Kind of a Bada**
Nov 07, 202053:09
Jesse Lee-Young (they/them) on That Good Gay Manga
Oct 24, 202054:16
Special Edition | Trans and Gender Non-Conforming Poets

Special Edition | Trans and Gender Non-Conforming Poets

Oct 10, 202046:19
In Loving Memory of Jeffrey Scott Guillermo (he/him), Dec. 11, 1991 — Mar 25, 2021

In Loving Memory of Jeffrey Scott Guillermo (he/him), Dec. 11, 1991 — Mar 25, 2021

When I recorded this episode in Summer 2020, I had no idea how little time we had left with my dearest friend Jeff. This episode is now and forever a tribute to the kind, loving, generous, incredible soul that was Jeffrey Scott Guillermo. May he rest in the sweetest, most beautiful peace. I love you forever, Jeff❤️️
--
Jeff Guillermo was 13 years old when he first learned that gay people even exist. Growing up as the child of religious immigrants, LGBTQ+ people were rarely the topic of discussion - and when they were, it was most often within the context of queerness as a sin. When Jeff began to realize that he himself was queer, he feared that he would not be accepted by his community.

As his journey continued, Jeff began to understand that he was transgender - but when he came out, it seemed difficult for those around him to see him as the man that he is. Still, he pressed on, and decided to transition in spite of his fears.

Nine years later, Jeff says that transitioning has been a “breath of fresh air,” and he is happier now than he ever thought possible. Though the journey has at times been incredibly challenging, he has found support and community in the most unlikely of places.

This episode mentions anti-trans violence, transphobia, misgendering, and religious discrimination.

This is Jeff Guillermo on (almost) crying at the dinner table

LINKS

Callen-Lorde Community Health Center

Planned Parenthood - HRT

Capsule Pharmacy


SOCIAL

IG: @jeffrey.scott91

CREDITS

Closing Music: Helena Dryjanski (she/they). You can follow them on Instagram and Bandcamp.

Sound editor + Intro Music: Joey DiPeri (she/her). You can follow her on Twitter @NoraQRosa. You can also follow her band Fempathy on Facebook, Twitter, and Bandcamp.

Sep 26, 202035:16
Daya Deuskar (she/her) on feeling God again, at an all trans Kabbalat Shabbat
Sep 12, 202056:19
Payton Sliepka (they/them) on turning their pain into power

Payton Sliepka (they/them) on turning their pain into power

From the time they were young, Payton knew they were different from those around them. They didn’t have words to describe exactly how, and living in the politically conservative, hyper-religious, suburban town of Plano, TX, people weren’t exactly open to helping them explore.

When Payton was 15, they mustered up the courage to come out to their family as gay. After that, they were quickly admitted to conversion “therapy,” a manipulative and egregiously harmful abuse tactic to which many young LGBTQ+ kids are subjected as a method of scaring them into believing they are cisgender and straight. At the time of this recording, conversion therapy remains legal in 30 U.S. states, but the fight continues to outlaw this practice nationwide.

In the years since, Payton has committed to using their experiences to improve the lives of others, and has witnessed how their own life has improved in the process. At just 19 years old, Payton speaks with the wisdom and clarity of a much older queer.

This episode mentions sexual assault and conversion therapy.

This is Payton Sliepka, on turning their pain into power.

SOCIAL

Facebook: Payton Sliepka

Twitter: @twinkpay

IG: @paytonsliepka

ON CONVERSION “THERAPY”

Conversion Therapy

PATRON SHOUTOUTS

If you'd like early access to future episodes, shoutouts, Trans and Caffeinated goodies, and more, join us on Patreon!

Thank you, Em Rabelais (they/themme). Follow @dr.whomever on Instagram, @dr_whomever on Twitter, and follow their Health Ethics Book Club, which is linked in the information for this episode. Season 1 of their series is focused on Racism and Whiteness in the health profession.

Thank you, Sarita Sinha (she/her). Follow @saritarosedesign on Instagram, where you can view and purchase designer face masks. She’s an up and coming designer, so stay on the lookout for other great designs in the future.

Thank you, Stephanie Muttillo (she/her). You can follow @_stephaniesara on Instagram. Stephanie is extremely outspoken about environmental sustainability, and I encourage you to support her favorite environmental organization, @4ocean.

Each of these amazing individuals is also featured in the “Shoutouts” highlight on Trans and Caffeinated.

CREDITS

Closing Music: Helena Dryjanski (she/they). You can follow them on Instagram and Bandcamp.

Sound editor + Intro Music: Joey DiPeri (she/her). You can follow her on Twitter @NoraQRosa. You can also follow her band Fempathy on Facebook, Twitter, and Bandcamp.

Aug 29, 202031:14
Ary (he/him) on choosing happiness

Ary (he/him) on choosing happiness

When Ary first came out, he had to reckon with the realization that transitioning might mean losing the support of his parents. For quite some time, his parents held firm that they could not support his transition, and begged him to reconsider. Ary knew that for him, living his truth was a matter of life or death. He chose life, in spite of how his parents may react.

Ary has been out as trans for several years now, and has taken it upon himself to share about his journey with others. He works in the coffee industry, where he wears many hats, from barista to technician. As for his parents? Well, their journey might surprise you.

This episode discusses suicidal ideation, family rejection, misgendering, and surgery.

This is Ary on choosing happiness.


PATRON SHOUTOUTS

If you'd like early access to future episodes, shoutouts, Trans and Caffeinated goodies, and more, join us on Patreon!

Thank you, Elaine Kohler! Follow @laineyofshalott on Instagram to view and purchase her beautiful mosaics.

Thank you, Umeko Motoyoshi! Follow @umeshiso_ on Instagram, and head to umeshiso.com, to purchase Umeko’s beautiful coffee cupping spoons. I personally have about 15 of their rainbow cupping spoon, and I use it every single time I brew coffee.

Thank you, Jeffrey Guillermo. Follow @jeffrey.scott91 on Instagram. Jeff is a dear friend of mine, who you’ll get to meet as a guest on a future episode of this podcast.

Each of these amazing individuals is also featured in the “Shoutouts” highlight on Trans and Caffeinated.


CREDITS

Closing Music: Helena Dryjanski (she/they). You can follow them on Instagram and Bandcamp.

Sound editor + Intro Music: Joey DiPeri (she/her). You can follow her on Twitter @NoraQRosa. You can also follow her band Fempathy on Facebook, Twitter, and Bandcamp.

Aug 15, 202043:59
Sophie Kozub (she/her) on why it's okay to take your time

Sophie Kozub (she/her) on why it's okay to take your time

Aug 01, 202038:02
Welcome to Trans and Caffeinated!
Jul 27, 202003:25