The TMI Project Story Hour

Growing up in a predominantly white world, Troy Ellen is often criticized for not being black enough. By exploring identity through two different characters—first at 13 when she’s forced to play the role of Tituba, the enslaved character in The Crucible, and at 16 when she chooses to play the role of Peaches in Four Women by Nina Simone—Troy Ellen accepts herself for being black enough just as she...

In this pet-themed episode, three storytellers share mis-adventurous tales that celebrate the unique connection between animals and the crazy human caretakers who love them: Crystal has an epic cat battle, Sarah forms an unbreakable bond with a disabled dog, and Susan goes on a pet rescue mission. These stories were originally presented on February 18th, 2016 at BSP in Kingston, NY. Writing Prompt...

Ray Cocks learned the intricate complexities of violence at a young age - knowledge he continued to carry with him through his deployment during the Vietnam War. In honor of Veteran’s Day, Ray shares his story, which captures the profound strength and resilience of the human spirit. He also opens up about how it felt to tell his story and how storytelling continues to impact him today. Content War...

Discover the transformative power of true storytelling on The TMI Project Story Hour. In this trailer, we offer a glimpse into the compelling narratives you’ll hear in upcoming episodes.  Each episode features real people, real voices, and real stories - all written during a TMI Project workshop. These unsung heroes craft true stories that intentionally include the “too much information” parts we...

TMI Project’s Executive Director Eva Tenuto is back to deliver another message in a bottle. With our first message in a bottle, which aired back in April of 2020, we filled you in on what was to come with our then brand-new podcast. Now, Eva comes with an update about why things have been so quiet on your feed lately - and unveil some exciting changes on the horizon. The TMI Project Podcast is now...

As a member of the original, legendary Royal House of LaBeija, Cece (she/her) explains how her ballroom background helped her deal with a difficult health diagnosis. This is Episode 11,  the Season 5 finale of The TMI Project Podcast: Black Trans Stories Matter featuring Cece Suazo. Cece is a life-long trans activist and artist. She was honored with the 2018 Advocate Magazine Award for her contrib...

From military boots to pumps, Theadora (she/her) embodies courage, commitment, and claims her space in the world during her first public walk in women's clothing. This is Episode 9,  Season 5 of The TMI Project Podcast: Black Trans Stories Matter featuring Theadora Green. Originally from Chicago, Theadora is a queer, social, progressive activist. She is currently studying at Northeastern Illinois...

With feelings of pride and joy for his family, Syd (he/him) takes us back to the day of his wedding. This is Episode 8 of Season 5 of The TMI Project Podcast: Black Trans Stories Matter featuring Syd Williams-Black. Syd is a native of Durham, North Carolina. He is a father of two boys and currently works for an LGBTQ law firm, NicholsonPham. When Syd is not at work he is helping put on Name Change...

Though Mars (they/them) comes from a legacy of performers, their genuine identity emerges after competing in a high school drag show. This is Episode 7 of Season 5 of The TMI Project Podcast: Black Trans Stories Matter featuring Mars Wolfe. Mars Wolfe is a genderqueer nomad. They orbit New York, Chicago, and LA, writing, performing, and project managing. Mars moonlights as the genderf*ck drag quee...

While chasing her goals, Sanaia (she/her) goes on her first date as a trans woman. The date does not go as planned. Content warning: This story contains graphic violence about a sexual assault. Listener discretion is advised. This is Episode 6 of Season 5 of The TMI Project Podcast: Black Trans Stories Matter featuring Sanaia Hood.  Sanaia is currently busy balancing career, family, social life, a...

After coming out as Trans to his father, Jahir (he/him) decides to create his own definition of masculinity. This is Episode 5 of Season 5 of The TMI Project Podcast: Black Trans Stories Matter featuring Jahir Thomas. Jahir recently moved back to Georgia with the rest of his family where he has made huge strides in his relationships and confidence. Jahir hosts T-Talk W/ Jahir on YouTube. In additi...

The fourth episode of Season 5 of The TMI Project Podcast: Black Trans Stories Matter features KT Kennedy. KT is a Black queer non-binary multidisciplinary digital media artist, educator, and youth program coordinator based in Brooklyn, NY committed to resource sharing, artistic expression, and youth leadership as tools for liberation. You can find out more about KT at @KT_Kennedy_. This episode w...

The third episode of Season 5 of The TMI Project Podcast: Black Trans Stories Matter features Julian Harris. Julian is a Black trans man from the mid-Atlantic region, a social worker, and a lover of the written work, music, and travel. You can find out more about Julian at @The_black_trans_therapist. This episode was mixed/mastered by Stevie Manns (they/them) and produced in partnership with Radio...

The second episode of Season 5 of The TMI Project Podcast: Black Trans Stories Matter features Eddie Maisonet. Eddie is a storyteller, teaching artist, and performer based in NYC, born and raised in Boston, MA. He is a queer, trans, disabled, black boricua: identities that create rich material from which to craft stories based on experience. Eddie is also a dog enthusiast, enjoying everything from...

The first episode of Season 5 of The TMI Project Podcast: Black Trans Stories Matter features K.C. Nyabinyere Jallah. K.C. is originally from the Twin Cities area in Minnesota and currently resides in Los Angeles, California. They serve as a Resource Specialist Teacher and vehemently advocates for the total liberation and sovereignty of disenfranchised people at all intersections. You can find out...

Meet your hosts, Kiebpoli Calnek (they/them) and Erik Harris (he/him), along with the 10 storytellers who were chosen in a national call to perform in TMI Project’s first-ever Black Trans Stories Matter program, spearheaded by ballroom icon, actress, and activist Ms. Cece Suazo (she/her) whose own story is featured in the season finale.   In 2021, in the thick of the pandemic, TMI Project conducte...

This is the prologue to Season 5 of The TMI Project Podcast: Black Trans Stories Matter.  Each episode in this 11-part season will feature a personal narrative from a TMI Project storyteller focused on the “too much information” parts of their story that are usually left out due to shame, embarrassment, fear, or cultural expectation. Storytellers featured include: Cece Suazo, Theodora Green, Julia...

This is Episode 9, Season 4 of The TMI Project Podcast: Pride Stories featuring Kiebpoli Calnek and Erik Harris.  Kiebpoli has always identified with male and female energies, but it isn’t until they meet a trans man at a queer sex party that they begin to have the language to claim their trans identity. Erik has never been comfortable with his Triple D chest. Finally, a gender-affirming surgery a...

This is Episode 8, Season 4 of The TMI Project Podcast: Pride Stories featuring Windy Sharpe. Windy Sharpe (they/them) is a poet and author who has been writing since age six. Windy moved to New Jersey to be closer to friends (one of whom is TMI alum and workshop leader Raine Grayson) and is nearly done with the first draft of their novel. This episode was written collaboratively by Eva Tenuto, Bl...

This is Episode 7, Season 4 of The TMI Project Podcast: Pride Stories featuring Ralph Goneau and Pat Meeker. Ralph Goneau (1931-2021) lived in Woodstock, NY. He married his partner of 41 years as soon as same-sex marriage became law in NY.  Pat Meeker participated in TMI Project’s 2019 true storytelling performance at the Mental Health Association in Ulster (Kingston, NY). This episode was written...

This is Episode 6, Season 4 of The TMI Project Podcast: Pride Stories featuring Bailey Buckles. These days Bailey (she/her) is focusing on endurance running through the mountains and creating adventure with her amazing wife and pack of puppies.  This episode was written collaboratively by Eva Tenuto, Blake Pfeil, and Julie Novak, produced and edited by Eva Tenuto, and mixed and mastered by Stevie...

This is Episode 5, Season 4 of The TMI Project Podcast: Pride Stories featuring Liam Juanis. Liam (he/him) recently graduated from Full Sail University with a BA in Digital cinematography. This episode was written collaboratively by Eva Tenuto, Blake Pfeil, and Julie Novak, produced and edited by Eva Tenuto, and mixed and mastered by Stevie Manns. It was co-produced by Radio Kingston and sponsored...

This is Episode 4, Season 4 of The TMI Project Podcast: Pride Stories featuring Zelda, aka Judith Z. Miller.  Zelda (she/they) is a multifaceted artist: performer, producer, visual artist, workshop leader, and healer who lives in an erotic, musical, spiritual universe. As a feminist Jew who studies shamanism, she is inspired by the beauty of nature and the guiding force of her intuition as she exp...

This is Episode 3, Season 4 of The TMI Project Podcast: Pride Stories featuring Ness White. This episode was written collaboratively by Eva Tenuto, Blake Pfeil, and Julie Novak, produced and edited by Eva Tenuto, and mixed and mastered by Stevie Manns. It was co-produced by Radio Kingston and sponsored in part by MrJulieTees.com . Ness (he/him) is a storyteller living in Rosendale, NY. Taking a pa...

This is Episode 1, Season 4 of The TMI Project Podcast: Pride Stories featuring Julie Novak and Blake Pfeil. This episode was written collaboratively by Eva Tenuto, Blake Pfeil, and Julie Novak, produced and edited by Eva Tenuto, and mixed and mastered by Stevie Manns. It was co-produced by Radio Kingston and sponsored in part by MrJulieTees.com . Since before she was even born, it seems like ever...