The Queer Economy

Award-winning filmmaker Tony Zosherafatén joins host Ben Ferney to discuss the creation of Trans and Trumpland , an Emmy-shortlisted documentary capturing trans lives across the U.S. during a heightened political era. Tony opens up about his filmmaking journey, the urgency of trans-led storytelling, the power of queer community, and the courage it takes to stay visible. He also shares behind-the-s...

Ben Ferney talks with Andrew , the founder of That’s So Andrew — a snarky, stationery and gift line made for the girls, gays, and theys — and The Monitor Mercantile , a shop in Monroe, WA featuring over 25 local makers. Andrew shares how a $500 idea turned into a thriving business now sold in stores like Urban Outfitters, Spencer’s, and HomeGoods. He opens up about entrepreneurship, creating a que...

Host Ben Ferney welcomes Anissa “Donny” Truitt , founder of 17th & Granville , a Black, queer, and gender-expansive clothing brand. Donny shares how their personal journey and identity fuel a mission-driven business rooted in authenticity, activism, and community support. We discuss: Building a brand for self-expression and belonging Lessons learned from starting and growing a queer-owned busi...

This week on The Queer Economy , Ben Ferney interviews Ian Timbrell , founder of the nonprofit More Than Flags and Rainbows . Ian shares his powerful journey from a career in teaching to building safer schools for LGBTQ+ youth across the UK. From the realities of adoption as a gay parent to standing up against performative allyship, Ian’s story highlights why true inclusion is about more than rain...

Queer people have always been innovators, creators, and trailblazers. In this episode of The Queer Economy , Ben Ferney explores the lives of LGBTQ+ entrepreneurs throughout history —from astronauts and economists to entertainers, activists, and billionaires. Hear the stories of: Sally Ride (astronaut & STEM entrepreneur) John Maynard Keynes (economist) Josephine Baker (performer & activis...

Charlie Sprinkman, founder of Everywhere Is Queer , joins us to share the journey of building a worldwide map of over 19,000 queer-owned businesses and organizations . From growing up in rural Wisconsin to launching a global app, Charlie’s story highlights resilience, community, and entrepreneurship in the queer economy . We explore how Everywhere Is Queer empowers LGBTQ+ people to connect, travel...

Queer poet and leadership coach Breeanna “Bree” Smith joins host Ben Ferney to talk about From Burn to Bloom , the writing practice that helped her rebuild after her life “crumbled in 24 hours,” and why poetry became the portal back to herself. Bree shares growing up in conservative Mormon Davis County, Utah, going on a mission, and finally coming out at 29—then navigating divorce, step-parent los...

In this episode of The Queer Economy , Ben Ferney sits down with Jane Massey — a former UK police officer who served for 25 years, LGBTQ+ advocate, and contestant on The Traitors New Zealand Season 2. Jane shares her journey from being adopted into a strict Catholic family to breaking barriers as one of the few openly gay women in the UK police force during the 1990s. She opens up about navigating...

In this episode of The Queer Economy, we sit down with Amanda Wan, queer Asian entrepreneur, creator, and founder of Wan Media, a social media and music marketing agency. Amanda opens up about coming out in a conservative environment, the intersection of her Asian and queer identities, and why she left the 9-to-5 path to build a business on her terms. We delve into the power of storytelling, conte...

🎙️ In this heart-opening episode of The Queer Economy , host Ben Ferney sits down with singer-songwriter HURST to talk about authenticity, queerness, and the transformative power of music. From his conservative upbringing in Central Florida to stepping away from the church and fully embracing his identity, HURST shares his powerful coming-out journey, his love for introspective pop music, and how...

In this episode of The Queer Economy , host Ben Ferney chats with Shanna , the Canadian queer entrepreneur and creator behind The Kitchy Cactus — a wildly fun, retro-inspired earring and accessory brand that’s caught the eyes of drag royalty like Trixie Mattel and Marcia Marcia Marcia . 🌵👑✨ Shanna opens up about her journey from a toxic relationship and job burnout to building a brand rooted in...

Keywords LGBTQ+, Amazing Race, queer identity, community, performance, AIDS Lifecycle, personal growth, marriage, representation, podcast Summary In this episode of the Queer Economy podcast, hosts Ben Ferney, Brett, and Mark discuss their journeys of identity, their experiences in college, and their careers as performers. They delve into the challenges of navigating personal and professional live...

In this episode of The Queer Economy , host Ben Ferney sits down with Renée Yoxon , a non-binary, disabled voice teacher based in Montreal who’s redefining what gender-affirming voice care looks like. 🌈🎙️ Renée shares their journey from jazz singer to becoming a sought-after gender-affirming voice coach , helping mostly trans and non-binary individuals find a voice that brings them gender euphori...

Hear from Breanna Stone, a solo developer and creator of the app Get Adulting. Bree shares her journey from a marketing background to app development, driven by personal experiences and the need for a comprehensive resource for adulting, especially for neurodivergent individuals. The conversation explores the challenges of being a solo developer, the importance of community feedback, and Bree's pe...

Welcome to The Queer Economy, where we celebrate LGBTQ+ innovators, entrepreneurs, and community leaders shaping the world. In this episode, Ben Ferney interviews Marcus James, aka Chef Marcu, a Black trans chef, entrepreneur, and founder of Alleyway Dinner Society. Chef Marku shares his journey of resilience and creativity, from navigating college as the only Black trans student , to launching a...

Brandon Hilton’s story is about resilience, reinvention, and delusion. 💫 From navigating a challenging childhood to becoming a social media sensation in the early 2000s, Brandon’s journey took him from the heights of fame to moments of deep struggle—and ultimately to a powerful comeback. Today, he’s a thriving fashion designer, singer, model, author, pig farmer, and advocate, turning life’s tough...

In the intro episode of The Queer Economy, host Ben Ferney introduces the mission behind the show: celebrating LGBTQ+ individuals who are transforming business, building community, and shaping culture. Ben shares his personal journey, the importance of uplifting queer voices, and what listeners can expect from future episodes. Tune in for stories that inspire, connect, and advocate for a brighter,...