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 community. We know a lot, but we don’t know it all, so join the conversation on social and let us kn...
Jun 04, 2025•59 min•Season 10Ep. 13
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. During Part 2 of this special series, we are excited to welcome producer, writer, and director Patrik-I...
Mar 05, 2025•55 min•Season 10Ep. 12
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 this special series, we explored our connection to pleasure in the age of PrEP. We discussed how mode...
Feb 26, 2025•28 min•Season 10Ep. 11
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 you. Until next time… stay curious. We know a lot, but we don’t know it all, so join the conversatio...
Feb 20, 2025•1 hr 17 min•Season 10Ep. 10
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, and artist, to our Surface Level Family. Together, we explore the impact the internet has had on p...
Feb 14, 2025•43 min•Season 10Ep. 9
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 trailblazer in dance, fashion, and queer artistry.to the Surface Level family. We explore the need to per...
Feb 05, 2025•50 min•Season 10Ep. 8
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 of Surface Level in activism, how Black identity is shifting in politics, and the ways we’re protect...
Jan 29, 2025•44 min•Season 10Ep. 7
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 our Surface Level family. We explore how digital platforms have created both online community and fu...
Jan 22, 2025•1 hr 10 min
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 affects our communication with current partners, as well as the line between trauma responses and t...
Jan 15, 2025•43 min•Season 10Ep. 5
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 conversation with the people who have been most impactful, especially during our years of Queer discov...
Jan 08, 2025•57 min•Season 10Ep. 4
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 importance of cultivating community both on and off screen, how social media chatter does or does no...
Jan 01, 2025•1 hr 18 min•Season 10Ep. 3
Damon, Jordan & Tony are curious – where do we stand on toxic masculinity? In season one, we discussed the obsession with masculinity in the queer community—chasing "trade," butching it up around straight people, and learning to embrace our femininity. Today, let’s examine where we stand on toxic masculinity. We are excited to welcome Sailey Williams, creative director, photographer, and publisher, to the Surface Level family. Together, we explore the desires of "masc for masc" gays, the inc...
Dec 25, 2024•48 min•Season 10Ep. 2
Damon, Jordan & Tony are curious – how varied are our views on non-monogamy? We are excited to welcome you to Season 10 of Surface Level: Gurl, Grow Up, where each week we will revisit a different episode from Season 1 through the lens of growth. In this first episode, we explore the topic of romantic relationships and how our experiences with non-monogamy have evolved since recording our first season. We discuss the experiences that have led us to our current beliefs, whether relationships ...
Dec 18, 2024•54 min•Season 10Ep. 1
Damon is curious – how do anti-LGBTQ+ laws impact the Black Queer community, and what’s being done to fight back? In this final episode of our 3-part mini-series, Damon is joined by Dr. David Johns, CEO & Executive Director of the National Black Justice Coalition, Tabytha Gonzalez, Human Rights Specialist for the NYC Commission on Human Rights, and Olivia Lux, drag artist, actor, singer, and musician. Together, they dive into the legislative battles that disproportionately affect the Queer c...
Oct 16, 2024•56 min•Season 9Ep. 16
Jordan is curious – how is politics shaping the daily lives of young Queer Americans? In this episode, we continue our 3-part mini-series with a focus on the youth vote and political engagement. Jordan is joined by Jay Jones, first Trans President of the Howard University Student Association, Kevin Ortega-Rojas, host of Here’s Why News and co-host of ByLatinMen Podcast , and Herby Revolous, culture critic and creator. Together, they dive into how young people are interacting with politics online...
Oct 09, 2024•1 hr 7 min•Season 9Ep. 15
Tony is curious – how will this election effect Queer healthcare? We welcome you to part one of our three-part miniseries, “The Personal Is Political,” in partnership with GLAAD. This series is centered around the current political landscape and will explore issues with a focus on Black and Queer communities. Tony is happy to welcome Lala B. Zannell, Senior Campaign Strategist at the ACLU; Kris Chessen, co-host of the Bad Queers Podcast; and Zach Stafford, journalist and co-host of the Vibe Chec...
Oct 02, 2024•37 min•Season 9Ep. 14
Jordan, Damon, & Tony are curious – when will folx learn to trust Black women? This week, we're thrilled to welcome director, producer, and screenwriter Lee Daniels to our Surface Level family. We’ll dissect the theme of trusting Black women in his new film, The Deliverance . We’ll also highlight some of the Black women who have helped shape our perspectives, address the unique challenges faced by Black trans women, and explore why Lee consistently creates complex work for this widely underr...
Sep 04, 2024•58 min•Season 9Ep. 13
Jordan, Damon, & Tony are curious – are you ready to go beyond the surface level with us? With this episode, we close another chapter in the journey of Surface Level . For the ninth time, we open the floor to questions from you, our Surface Level Insiders. We explore a range of topics, including dating, sex, work life, parenthood, and more. It’s a fun way to wrap up this season. We’re excited to take some time to develop the next part of this story. Until then… stay curious. We know a lot bu...
Aug 21, 2024•1 hr 26 min•Season 9Ep. 12
Jordan, Damon, & Tony are curious – what role does porn play in our understanding of sex? We round out Throb , our season on sex, with an exploration of our past and present relationship with pornography. We discuss our initial introduction to porn and the positive and negative impacts it had on us as young adults. We then explore its role today, both privately and with a partner. We close by discussing sexual desires we have seen on screen that we are interested in exploring in real life. W...
Aug 14, 2024•38 min•Season 9Ep. 11
Jordan, Damon, & Tony are curious – how important is sexual compatibility? This week, we explore the value placed on sexual compatibility when considering romantic partners. We discuss our role in fulfilling our partners' various desires, how honest we have been about our own desires in new relationships, and methods of fulfillment that do not rely solely on our partners. Long-term partnerships are complex, with sex being just one aspect for many. Is sexual compatibility a deal breaker, or i...
Aug 07, 2024•45 min•Season 9Ep. 10
Jordan, Damon, & Tony are curious – are we ready for Queer men to sing about sex? This week, we're thrilled to welcome music artist serpentwithfeet to our Surface Level Family. We'll dive into the overtly sexual themes of his latest album, Grip , and examine how these themes have been received by the community at large. Are there differences in how we perceive romance versus sexual intimacy in music? And how can we support queer male artists with the same enthusiasm we show to beloved female...
Jul 31, 2024•40 min•Season 9Ep. 9
Jordan, Damon, & Tony are curious – do HIV criminalization laws increase stigma? This week, we are excited to welcome Robert Suttle, a social justice advocate, to our Surface Level Family. We'll be discussing his personal experiences and advocacy work concerning the impact of HIV criminalization laws on Queer communities. Many of these laws, enacted in the 80s and 90s, do not align with current scientific understanding and perpetuate stigma and shame. HIV status is a private health matter an...
Jul 24, 2024•44 min•Season 9Ep. 8
Jordan, Damon, & Tony are curious – are you sexual on social media? We're thrilled to announce a two-part crossover episode with special guests, Busy Boys Uncensored. In part two, we welcome Jah and Sekani into our Surface Level family. Together, we delve into how sex and dating have permeated everyday social media apps. Is there shame associated with expressing sexuality or stepping outside of gender norms on these platforms? We conclude with some personal disclosure about aspects of our se...
Jul 17, 2024•37 min•Season 9Ep. 7
Jordan, Damon, & Tony are curious – are hookup apps in their flop era? We're excited to announce a two-part crossover episode featuring special guests, Busy Boys Uncensored. In part one, we welcome Mayce and Damontae into our Surface Level family. Together, we delve into the culture of "the apps" and their profound impact on our sexual interactions. We explore generational differences, questioning whether these platforms have made connections more or less meaningful, and ponder if we now hav...
Jul 17, 2024•33 min•Season 9Ep. 6
Jordan, Damon, & Tony are curious – what language should we use to discuss STIs? Part of maintaining a healthy sex life involves regular screenings for STIs. Over time, the way we discuss this topic has taken a negative turn. The question "are you clean?" has become synonymous with STI disclosure, adding public shame to the personal stigma people feel if they test positive. We discuss how to approach these conversations with sexual partners and address the stigma surrounding discussions abou...
Jul 10, 2024•44 min•Season 9Ep. 5
Jordan, Damon, & Tony are curious – how do we reduce harm when drug use and Queer sex intersect? This week, as we delve into a sensitive topic, we welcome Andrea Rodriguez, Community Cultivation Coordinator for Dance Safe, to our Surface Level Family. This episode explores the realities of drug use among Queer folx and how to provide comprehensive information and support. Harm reduction destigmatizes drug use, and organizations like Dance Safe provide participants with fact-based knowledge a...
Jul 03, 2024•45 min•Season 9Ep. 4
Jordan, Damon, & Tony are curious – what is medical fact vs fiction when it comes to Queer male sex? This week, class is in session, and we are thrilled to welcome Dr. Leo Moorei, the Medical Director for Clinic Services at the Los Angeles County Department of Public Health, to our Surface Level Family. We're diving deep into aspects of sexual hygiene, pleasure, and health with an individual who truly has the tea. We pride ourselves on creating a platform that is fun but also offers educatio...
Jun 26, 2024•40 min•Season 9Ep. 3
Jordan, Damon, & Tony are curious – how can casual sex be used as a tool for exploration and empowerment? During this dynamic episode, we welcome storyteller and activist Tarek Ali to our Surface Level Family. Tarek contributes to a conversation centered on the complex relationship that queer men have with casual sex. Casual sex is often viewed simply as a coping mechanism, but we'd like to interrogate that idea a bit further. Like everything in life, these are experiences from which there i...
Jun 19, 2024•1 hr 8 min•Season 9Ep. 2
Jordan, Damon, & Tony are curious – what impact does hookup culture have on Queer male intimacy? For our ninth season titled “Throb,” we are embarking on a journey to explore all aspects of sex and sexuality. We kick off this journey with a topic familiar to queer men: hookup culture. Where have we found the most joy in hooking up, and what memories do we hope to bury? How does instant physical gratification affect our ability to connect emotionally with romantic interests? We also delve int...
Jun 12, 2024•50 min•Season 9Ep. 1
Jordan, Damon, & Tony are curious – are you ready to go beyond the surface level with us? We made it through another cycle of the Surface Level journey. Through this season of reflection, we hope that we were able to introduce you some new figures or expand your knowledge of familiar faces. We believe truly that there is much to learn from our Queer ancestors and elders and are proud that we did our part in preserving their legacies. Now once again it’s your turn to ask the question so strap...
Feb 14, 2024•1 hr 21 min•Season 8Ep. 10
