Power Beyond Pride

Shawn Aaron takes the guest seat in conversation with co-hosts Mattie Bynum and Shane Lukas to discuss the origins of his organization, Dem Bois Inc., which advocates for access to gender-affirming care and surgeries for trans men of color. He shares deeply personal accounts of past homelessness and family struggles, emphasizing his core philosophy that "visibility equals possibility". By being op...

In this episode, co-host team members Mattie Bynum and Shane Lukas talk with The New York Times-lauded author Mattilda Bernstein Sycamore about the "urgency" of queer storytelling and the importance of refusing the terms of dominant culture. Mattilda describes their process of meshing fiction with historical reality to capture the "spectacular intimacy" of queer life in the 1980s and 90s. They sha...

In this episode, podcast co-host team members Mattie Bynum and Daniel W.K. Lee hang out with William Torres Fuentes to discuss the "rainbow of colors" in Puerto Rican culture and how moving to North Carolina forced him to redefine his identity in his 30s and 40s. He details the specific challenges facing the undocumented community, such as the fear that ICE raids create, which often prevents peopl...

Kitty Stryker, activist, journalist, and author of Ask: Building Consent Culture , joins co-hosts Shane Lukas and Hunter to delve into the complex conversation surrounding consent culture. She shares the origins of her work in the Bay Area kink community, her background driving attention to mutual aid and the importance of sustainable communities, and embracing accountability to move clo...

"Tub Talks" vlogger and therapist Damon Jacobs shares the evolution of sexual health conversations, the impact of PrEP, and the importance of integrating personal and political positions for a more satisfying life with co-hosts Mattie Bynum and Kate d'Adamo.

As the founder of the Outlaw Project, Monica Jones shares her story with hosts Mattie Bynum and Shane Lukas, detailing how her lived experience and the impact of activist Sharmus Outlaw the organization's work on secure housing, harm reduction, and policy to support trans people.

Co-hosts Kenyon Farrow, Mattie Bynum, Melodie KG, and Shane Lukas explore the struggles faced in memorializing trans lives, the comfort found in chosen family for LGBTQ+ people during the holidays, and the urgent need for community vigilance and non-compliance trainings against federal enforcement actions like ICE raids. Plus, we take listener questions to the classroom!

Stephen Fletcher, Director of Victim Services for the Family Service of the Piedmont, joins hosts Mattie Bynum and Shane Lukas to discuss his career evolution from LGBTQ+ outreach specialist to his current role, emphasizing that the field "picked" him. 

Community organizer Melvy Shaw meets with Mattie Bynum and Kate d'Adamo to discuss the importance of cross-community solidarity, her work with the North Carolina's Guilford Green Foundation amidst the challenges facing the LGBTQ+ community, and channeling her creativity into music and photo magic.

Palestinian American writer and organizer Thafer Abu Qamir chats with Daniel W.K. Lee and Shane Lukas about co-founding NOLA Freedom Forum and the Palestinian Youth Movement in New Orleans to educate people on the interconnectedness of liberation struggles and to create a space for queer Palestinians, his views on how to create a more inclusive and just world that recognizes the significance of Pa...

This monthly Reply All episode features hosts Kate d'Adamo, Daniel Lee, and Shane Lukas discussing the balance between symbolic activism (such as rainbow crosswalks and murals) and material policy change, prompted by the attempted removal of the Montrose (Houston) crosswalks. They explore whether a focus on symbols can overshadow more consequential political work. The hosts also critique tokenized...

Dominique Jackson joins co-hosts Mattie Bynum and Shane Lukas to discuss her career, activism, and mental health advocacy, drawing on her own life experiences. The Pose superstar reflects on the power of visibility for Black trans women, her deep commitment to mental health informed by her work as a community organizer, and her upcoming film launching this weekend: the majority queer-cast horror f...

Artist and activist Carlo Quispe discusses his journey in using comics to explore queer and Latinx identity, challenge censorship, and advocate for social change with co-hosts Mattie Bynum and Kenyon Farrow.

LGBTQ and human rights activist Pauline Park joins co-hosts Daniel WK Lee and Kate d'Adamo as she shares about the critical need to move beyond representational politics and dismantle systemic oppressions, including capitalism and apartheid.

Your hosts Mattie Bynum, Kenyon Farrow, Melodie KG, and Shane Lukas explore the idea of rhetorical consistency and responsibility in political movements, prompted by a surprisingly inclusive statement from the NRA supporting universal gun access regardless of gender identity as well as take audience questions.

Terrell Dungee, a community organizer with the Carolina Federation and the American Friends Service Committee as well as community grassroots activist, talks with hosts Kenyon Farrow and Melodie KG to discuss his passion for social justice, his "inherently queer" agenda, and the network of care, discovery, and celebration he nurtures to keep it moving forward.

Tay and Val, founders of Modern Mind Labs, discuss their life's work with hosts Melodie KG and Shane Lukas. The conversation navigates the power of creating brave and inclusive spaces by meeting people where they are and focusing on shared humanity rather than divisions as well as the couple's balancing of work, growth, and keeping their relationship full of adventure.

Tania Jimenez, Executive Director of Asheboro Latinx Services, chats with co-hosts Mattie Bynum and Shane Lukas to discuss her work empowering the trans+ and Latine communities, advocating for transgender and immigrant rights, and building affirming spaces in North Carolina and throughout the country for translatinas.

Scientist Dr. Shuntai Zhao joins co-hosts Mattie Bynum and Shane Lukas to share the insights on the current state and possibilities of HIV research, the challenges of funding in science, and the critical role of communication between scientists and the public.

This monthly "Reply All" episode features members of the co-host team (Mattie Bynum, Kate d'Adamo, and Daniel WK Lee) discussing the political optics of Meta's new anti-woke AI advisor and a Pete Buttigieg's remarks on trans athletes, as well as the importance of community support for activists. The team also takes listener questions and invites you to submit yours!

S**worker and activist Laura LeMoon chats with hosts Mattie Bynum and Daniel W.K. Lee about her journey as a trafficking survivor, adult industry worker and advocate, and internationally recognized queer artist, highlighting the personal and systemic hurdles faced in social justice as well as what we can all use to move LGBTQ+ rights and intersections forward.

Daniel Valdez, Chief External Affairs Officer at Welcoming America and Charlotte Pride board member, shares his personal journey as a Mexican-American, nonprofit leadership, and insights about the changing dynamics of large scale pride events in 2025 with co-hosts Mattie Bynum and Shane Lukas.

Mattie, a comedian, actress, and advocate chats with co-hosts Kenyon Farrow and Hunter to share about he identity journey, the important role faith plays in her life, and how to process past experiences while encouraging others to embrace their voices and drive societal transformation.

Join Power Beyond Pride co-host team members Daniel WK Lee and Kate D'Adamo as they explore the dynamic landscape of queer liberation and activism with Shane Lukas, an award-winning designer, public speaker, and grassroots activist dedicated to fighting for bodily freedoms and bold ideas.

Miguel Camnitzer, a writer and anti-genocide activist, joins co-hosts Daniel W.K. Lee and Mattie Bynum to discuss the overrepresentation of LGBTQ+ people among unhoused populations, the necessity of universal programs like Medicare for All, and the importance of intersectional approaches to social justice.