Surface Level

This week we end our mini series Have We Lost the Plot? — a stripped-down, at-home series born out of group chat energy and that constant feeling of: what is actually happening right now? In this conversation, we ask if always being online helps our social lives and careers, or do we feel trapped in a cage? You can join the conversation on socials and let us know your thoughts. Learn more about yo...

This week we continue our mini series Have We Lost the Plot? — a stripped-down, at-home series born out of group chat energy and that constant feeling of: what is actually happening right now? Next we wonder if AI is really able to meet human emotional and intimate needs? You can join the conversation on socials and let us know your thoughts. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/ad...

This week we continue our mini series Have We Lost the Plot? — a stripped-down, at-home series born out of group chat energy and that constant feeling of: what is actually happening right now? Next we ask if the soft life a choice or a luxury we can’t all afford? You can join the conversation on socials and let us know your thoughts. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

This week we continue our mini series Have We Lost the Plot? — a stripped-down, at-home series born out of group chat energy and that constant feeling of: what is actually happening right now? Next we wonder what the biggest concerns are heading into the 2026 midterm elections? You can join the conversation on socials and let us know your thoughts. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone...

We are kicking off something a little different. We’re calling it, Have We Lost the Plot? — a stripped-down, at-home series born out of group chat energy and that constant feeling of: what is actually happening right now? First up we ask is sharing our relationships online necessary representation or performance? You can join the conversation on socials and let us know your thoughts. Learn more ab...

Support REVOLT Podcast Network & Vote Surface Level Podcast For the 2026 Webby Award's Visit the link below and search Surface Level to vote today! ⁠https://vote.webbyawards.com/PublicVoting#/2026/apps-software-immersive/app-excellence/accessibility-inclusion⁠ Damon and Tony are curious — if so many people say they support trans rights, why does it still feel like trans people are under attack? In...

Support REVOLT Podcast Network & Vote Surface Level Podcast For the 2026 Webby Award's Visit the link below and search Surface Level to vote today! ⁠https://vote.webbyawards.com/PublicVoting#/2026/apps-software-immersive/app-excellence/accessibility-inclusion⁠ Damon, Jordan, and Tony are curious – are you ready to go beyond the surface level?  We’re winding down our 11th (!!) season with the class...

Support REVOLT Podcast Network & Vote Surface Level Podcast For the 2026 Webby Award's Visit the link below and search Surface Level to vote today! ⁠https://vote.webbyawards.com/PublicVoting#/2026/apps-software-immersive/app-excellence/accessibility-inclusion⁠ Damon, Jordan and Tony are curious – Is being mainstream famous better than being Black famous?  In today’s social media era many are in pu...

Support REVOLT Podcast Network & Vote Surface Level Podcast For the 2026 Webby Award's Visit the link below and search Surface Level to vote today! ⁠https://vote.webbyawards.com/PublicVoting#/2026/apps-software-immersive/app-excellence/accessibility-inclusion⁠ Damon, Jordan and Tony are curious – How much can you respect your family members who don’t respect your queerness?  Being Black & Queer in...

Support REVOLT Podcast Network & Vote Surface Level Podcast For the 2026 Webby Award's Visit the link below and search Surface Level to vote today! ⁠https://vote.webbyawards.com/PublicVoting#/2026/apps-software-immersive/app-excellence/accessibility-inclusion⁠ Damon, Jordan and Tony are curious – Can white gay men ever truly belong in Black queer spaces? Now this one’s gonna have the girls fired u...

Damon, Jordan and Tony are curious – Is prioritizing Black joy really an act of defiance? “Joy as Resistance” is a nice catchphrase that’s been taking the Black internet by storm. The phrase has mass appeal and some say political strategy to it too, but in the face of extreme threats to personal liberties and even freedom of speech, is it the strategy really appropriate for this moment?  Brooklyn’...

Damon, Jordan and Tony are curious – Does hiding sex make us safer or is it more dangerous? Many people hide sexual encounters in order to control and manage public opinion, or just because they’re a private lady. But does that secrecy open us up to more trauma?  In this especially dynamic episode, the hosts dive into this topic with a pastor and LGBTQ ally, Kristian A Smith. They get into the up...

Damon, Jordan and Tony are curious – Can you be too loud and proud? We’ve all either had those moments or seen those moments where we or someone in our orbit is wearing their queerness out loud but very hyped up. They’re usually causing a scene of some sort, whether in person or online. And for some that’s always an expression of freedom whereas other queers feel it works against the community.  O...

Damon, Jordan and Tony are curious – Who’s to blame for the mainstreaming of Black language? We’ve all seen the ways that Black slang and especially Black queer lingo becomes everyone’s slang on the internet. Non-Black people have been monetizing off of our twang and sass, and now Republicans are even coopting and weaponizing words like Woke against our communities. All of this can feel like some...

Damon, Jordan, and Tony are curious – what's your experience been on the apps? We are excited to welcome our friences Greg, Tylan & Hector to our Surface Level family. They help us explore different end uses for apps like Jack'd because we are way more than hookups. Whether is research for the social scene of a new city or just casual conversation the apps have become a meeting ground for our comm...

Damon, Jordan, and Tony are curious – where’s the line between secrecy and privacy? This National Black HIV/AIDS Day, we had the privilege of hosting Harlem Stage Presents: Surface Level Live, powered by Gilead Sciences. We are grateful for those who were able to join us in person, and we’re beyond excited to share the experience digitally with our Surface Level Insiders who couldn’t be there. Dur...

Damon, Jordan, and Tony are curious – is Queer pleasure a privilege? This National Black HIV/AIDS Day, we had the privilege of hosting Harlem Stage Presents: Surface Level Live, powered by Gilead Sciences. We are grateful for those who were able to join us in person, and we’re beyond excited to share the experience digitally with our Surface Level Insiders who couldn’t be there. During Part 1 of t...

Damon, Jordan, and Tony are curious – are you ready to go beyond the surface level? We end our growth journey and 10th season with a tradition we hold dear—responding to questions and comments from you, our Surface Level Insiders. We laugh, share personal insights, and push back against the inquiries and opinions shared throughout the season. We can't wait to share more parts of this journey with...

Damon, Jordan, and Tony are curious – has access to the internet reduced the quality of art? In Season 1, we explored the desire for people to use the internet to stunt and fabricate their lives. In this episode, we take that conversation further by examining the positive and negative effects the internet has had on art. We're thrilled to welcome Durand Bernarr, Grammy-nominated singer, songwriter...

Damon, Jordan, and Tony are curious – can freedom and the need for validation coexist? In Season 1, we explored authenticity and living in our truths was interrogated over and over again, and today we’re going to have a conversation about how perception and validation shape us—and the freedom we find when we finally let go and “release ya wiggle.” We’re thrilled to welcome Jonté Moaning true trail...

Damon, Jordan, and Tony are curious – how do we balance resistance and protecting our peace? In Season 1, we explored the sacrifices needed to make Black queer lives matter. Today, we ask: what does resistance look like in 2025? With political unrest, DEI rollbacks, and an election that left many Black Americans feeling isolated, how do we keep fighting without burning out? We reflect on the role...

Damon, Jordan, and Tony are curious – how does loneliness effect Black Queer identity? In Season 1, we explored the disconnect we sometimes feel towards our hometowns in pursuit of our dreams. Today, we go further, centering the loneliness many Queer individuals feel for existing outside of accepted norms. We are excited to welcome Keith “Icy” Parris, beauty influencer and disability advocate, to...

Damon, Jordan, and Tony are curious – can failed romance become friendship? In Season 1, we explored how we navigate platonic friendships. Today, we take it a step further by discussing the intersection of past romance and current friendship. We'll examine past relationships through the lens of our present partnerships. As queer people, many of our relationships overlap, and we'll explore how this...

Damon, Jordan, and Tony are curious – who has shaped our Queer identities? In season one, we explored our relationships with our fathers. Today, we go further by bringing our “Gay Mothers” on the show to shed light on the people who have shaped our Queer journeys. We are excited to welcome Corey Baker, Anthony Woodburne, and George Gary III to our Surface Level family. Each of us has a separate co...

Damon, Jordan & Tony are curious – when is criticism friend or foe? In season one, we discussed the environment of cancel culture. Today, we go further in examining public critique and when it is helpful—and when it is not. We are honored to welcome Lena Waithe, actor, producer, and screenwriter, to our Surface Level family. Together, we explore the societal boxes we are often defined by, the impo...