Jordan, Damon, & Tony are curious – with time can Queer love exist without shame? In this episode, we are excited to welcome actor Noah J. Ricketts to our Surface Level family. Exploring the themes of his incredible character Frankie from the miniseries Fellow Travelers we delve into the expanse of how Queer people express love. We close our season of reflection exploring how the themes of shame and personal triumph play equal roles in our journey to love ourselves and other Queer folx. This...
Feb 07, 2024•50 min•Season 8Ep. 9
Jordan, Damon & Tony are curious – does cash rule everything around you? This week we talk about the ever-looming presence of capitalism. What experiences have shaped our relationship with money, have we ever felt looked down upon because of material things we lacked, how have we navigated mainly White professional spaces as Black Queer professionals. An often-quoted scripture says that the love of money is the root of all evil. We explore how we find the balance of meeting our economic need...
Jan 31, 2024•55 min•Season 8Ep. 8
Jordan, Damon, & Tony are curious – where is the line between funny and offensive? In this episode, we are joined by comedian, actor * writer Jay Jurdan. The artform of comedy has been in the spotlight in recent years as we all try and define the line between jokes and insensitivity. We explore the artform and the need for specificity in discussing its subjects. Is the concept of punching down a hard rule or should there be nuance instead of hard rules? Depending on who you ask those answers...
Jan 24, 2024•43 min•Season 8Ep. 7
Jordan, Damon & Tony are curious – is fear of femininity the thief of joy? This week we revisit our relationship with the expression of femininity in what we wear. Are we uncomfortable with expressing ourselves outside of the confines of the gender binary? Is that fear greater for men within our community than for women? We challenge what we’ve been taught but also interrogate who has the right to own this aesthetic in the future, if anyone at all. The beauty in finding new ways to outwardly...
Jan 17, 2024•44 min•Season 8Ep. 6
Jordan, Damon & Tony are curious – what place does AI have in the creation of art? This week we bring a fresh topic to our listeners debating the benefits and concerns around artificial intelligence. We focus in on generative AI and its effect on the world of art. Should we look for ways to make the creation of art more efficient and democratize its various forms for more people? Should we view art forms and creation as sacred where the journey is as valuable as the outcome? The world is cha...
Jan 10, 2024•48 min•Season 8Ep. 5
Jordan, Damon, & Tony are curious – why are conservatives so scared of drag queens? In this episode, we are joined by drag phenom Olivia Lux. With her first-hand account from her time on Drag Race, we use the life and lessons of RuPaul in this week’s reflection. We explore our first impressions of the art form filled with surprise and delight. Olivia gives us insight into the people and experiences that crafted her personal journey. We dive deep into the current assault on drag from conserva...
Jan 03, 2024•45 min•Season 8Ep. 4
Jordan, Damon, & Tony are curious – if your humanity is conditional is it humanity at all? Surface Level began as a show reflecting the lives, experiences, and conversation of its three host. To have a season live during the ongoing Middle Eastern conflict and not share our experience processing, learning, and developing our views towards the situation felt inauthentic. We do not believe we are experts on Middle Eastern relations but human beings witnessing a humanitarian disaster unfold in ...
Dec 27, 2023•49 min•Season 8Ep. 3
Jordan, Damon, & Tony are curious – what are the risks it takes to bloom into who we really are? In this episode, we're honored to be joined by trans activist and the author of "The Risk It Takes To Bloom: On Life and Liberation," Raquel Willis. To kick things off, we engage in an icebreaker game that pays homage to Sylvia Rivera, a trailblazing trans activist from the 60s and 70s. Each of us then reflects on the pivotal moments when we embraced our sexuality or gender identity. Diving deep ...
Dec 20, 2023•1 hr 5 min•Season 8Ep. 2
00:00-Introduction 00:54-Recap since season 7 10:00-Unveiling the season 8 theme: "A Reflection" 10:46-Engaging in a game inspired by Little Richard 18:04-Exploring the toughest aspects of our journey to self-acceptance 29:37-Thoughts on creators who reject or conceal their queerness 35:51-Delving into what aspects of our lives we choose to keep private 41:25-Examining the question of oversharing in our stories 46:13-Celebrating and recognizing a queer individual we admire Jordan, Damon, & T...
Dec 13, 2023•52 min•Season 8Ep. 1
Jordan, Damon & Tony are curious – how have our views around relationships become more fluid? This week we offer a second look at fluidity; this time through the lens of relationship types. We welcome Jahad J.C. Carter, host of the Hopeless Romantic Society, back to the Surface Level table. A topic that is enriched through the technicolor lens of Queer experience; we are sure you all will have a lot to say. Are our views around relationships similar to how we grew up? Have they been varied b...
Nov 01, 2023•52 min•Season 7Ep. 12
Jordan, Damon & Tony are curious – how have our views around our sex lives become more fluid? Surprise we’re back for a special two-part bonus series! We’re adding the fluidity of water to our season, first tackling the topic of sexuality. We welcome Jahad J.C. Carter to our Surface Level Family. Host of the viral digital series, Hopeless Romantic Society, Jahad brings his special brand of humor and humanity to our show. We are excited to explore the ever-evolving topic of sexuality, and how...
Oct 31, 2023•47 min•Season 7Ep. 11
Jordan, Damon & Tony are curious – are you ready to go beyond the surface level with us? Once again we sign off after this very special season grounded in earth, freed through wind, and emboldened by fire. We hope we’ve succeeded in our mission to make you more curious about topics that are not typically broached. Special thanks to all of our amazing guest in sharing their stories and experiences in making the journey of Surface Level that much more special. So here’s our love letter to you ...
Aug 02, 2023•1 hr 15 min•Season 7Ep. 10
Damon, Jordan & Tony are curious – how can healthy disagreement lead to personal growth? Closing the fire series, our penultimate episode for season seven explores what happens when tempers boil over. We recognize that even in our closest relationships there is bound to be conflict, but how we approach these situations make the difference in our lives. Will we accept uneasy conversations as an opportunity to grow or let ego take over? Will we assert ourselves to those around us while still s...
Jul 26, 2023•49 min•Season 7Ep. 9
Jordan, Damon & Tony are curious – how does aligning with traditional beauty standards benefit and harm our community? Pretty privilege, the hot-button topic that has been at the forefront of many kitchen tables has made its way to Surface Level. This week we welcome Obio Jones, Digital Creator and LGBTQIA+ Advocate to our Surface Level family. We ask ourselves, can we work against a system that we benefit from? The age of social media has thrust physical appearance into the forefront of any...
Jul 19, 2023•49 min•Season 7Ep. 8
Jordan & Tony are curious – how can we broaden what it means to be Black and excellent? In this unprecedented bonus episode, we revisit our season opener, 'Black Excellence Is A Scam,' from a fresh perspective. While Damon is absent this week (rest assured, he'll be back in full effect next week!), we are excited to welcome Eboni K. Williams, an Author, Attorney, and Host, to our Surface Level family. Eboni, the first Black Housewife on Bravo's Real Housewives of New York City (RHONY), is a ...
Jul 12, 2023•1 hr 31 min•Season 7Ep. 7
Jordan, Damon & Tony are curious – how does the work of Queer nightlife curators impact our ability to find community? In closing out Wind series, we are excited to pay tribute to a space that has long represented freedom for Queer individuals: nightlife. This supersized episode of Surface Level is dedicated to the legacy of Black Queer nightlife giant, Frank Watson, who we lost earlier this year. We welcome 3 impressive curators in their own right to our Surface Level family, Joe Morris fou...
Jul 05, 2023•1 hr 8 min•Season 7Ep. 6
Jordan, Damon & Tony are curious – how is the quest to not just survive but thrive unique within Black Trans experience ? In an effort to continue to introduce you to amazing members of our community this week we welcome Tabytha Gonzalez to our Surface Level Family. A human rights professional and a woman with a story that deserves to be told we speak with her through the lens of new documentary The Stroll streaming on Max. The Stroll tells the story of trans women of color who’s economic su...
Jun 28, 2023•53 min•Season 7Ep. 5
Jordan, Damon & Tony are curious – how do we protect our joy when pride is under attack? We bring you something special edition of Surface Level for Pride 2023! We are happy to share our favorite pride memories, delve into a conversation around the attack on Queer representation from conservatives, and offer a little bit of Surface Level drag story time because you know we love the kids(well Jordan and Tony do). Our joy is not optional so with equal parts celebration and defiance we offer yo...
Jun 25, 2023•40 min•Season 7Ep. 4
Jordan, Damon & Tony are curious – What was our parent’s journey in accepting our Queer identity? This episode will likely take the crown as our most personal level ever. This week we welcome Annette Epps, Teresa Randall, and Tony Jermin Sr, better known as our parents, to our Surface Level family. We explore the joy, surprise, pain, and confusion that defined our parents journey of accepting their Queer children. We hope that this episode serves as a possibility model for parents, children,...
Jun 14, 2023•1 hr 9 min•Season 7Ep. 3
Jordan, Damon & Tony are curious - How can we dismantle mental health stigmas and foster understanding? In this episode as we navigate the complex terrain of mental health. We welcome Jarred Denzel Keller to our Surface Level Family. Jarred, a Mental Health Advocate and Senior Press Secretary for the Human Rights Campaign, bears his truth for all to hear and see. Together, we shed light on the commodification of mental well-being, advocating for genuine understanding, compassion, and the urg...
Jun 07, 2023•51 min•Season 7Ep. 2
Jordan, Damon & Tony are curious – is Black Excellence doing more harm than help? In this thought-provoking episode, we challenge the notion of "Black Excellence" and explore the unrealistic pressures that surround it. This special episode was recorded in front of a live audience, marking an exciting milestone for our podcast. Together, we seek to redefine the true meaning of success and offer a fresh perspective on achievement. Join us as we navigate this transformative exploration, invitin...
May 31, 2023•43 min•Season 7Ep. 1
Jordan, Damon & Tony are curious – are you ready to go beyond the surface level with us? Another season in the books for this journey that we call Surface Level. We have a blast connecting with our listeners through a series of audience submitted questions. We’re a bit off the cuff an we’re sure you’ll enjoy it. This season we’ve worked to create visibility for stories that aren’t often told. This isn’t good buy just a see you later as we prepare to offer more thoughtful conversations in the...
Feb 08, 2023•1 hr 16 min•Season 6Ep. 10
Jordan, Damon & Tony are curious – who are we…really? This season’s penultimate episode forces us to look within in a very meaningful way. First we give language to the guiding principles that define us at our core, then we assess our intersectional experience as Black Queer people regarding what parts of our identity we are most comfortable with or not. Finally, we reflect on how the experience of building a public platform has amplified truths we previously ignored. We spend this episode l...
Feb 01, 2023•37 min•Season 6Ep. 9
Jordan, Damon & Tony are curious – why are men afraid to embrace beauty? If you walk away with one thing from this episode, know that if beating that face makes you happy, do it! We welcome Sir John to our Surface Level Family. Sir John, Creative Director and global make-up artist, brings a fun and insightful perspective to this conversation. As men, we tend to shy away from things that make us feel soft. This episode highlights ways in which we can be more confident in those parts of oursel...
Jan 25, 2023•45 min•Season 6Ep. 8
ordan, Damon & Tony are curious – is categorizing certain stories as trauma porn fair? This week is centered around the hot topic of “trauma porn”. We have seen various stories that highlight the painful history of Black Americans. Sometimes it feels that these are the only stories Hollywood wants to share about us. We interrogate the line between art sharing truth versus what can sometimes feel like a one dimensional depiction of Black life. As a people, we represent an infinite expanse of ...
Jan 18, 2023•40 min•Season 6Ep. 7
Jordan, Damon & Tony are curious – how does the approval of others lead us to hide parts ourselves? Today’s episode explores the idea of hiding parts of who we are to gain acceptance in various spaces. We welcome Elegance Bratton to our Surface Level Family. Elegance, the director of the critically acclaimed film The Inspection, speaks on his journey from Queer Marine to creative and how his identity colored relationships with people from his mother to superiors in the service. The title of ...
Jan 11, 2023•50 min•Season 6Ep. 6
Jordan, Damon & Tony are curious – how can establishing healthier relationships with alcohol? We are all guilty of the proclamation “I’m never drinking again” after a rough night on the bottle. Maybe that was driven by a desire for a good time or from a need to escape darker emotions. We explore those dueling motives in this episode. From CDC guidelines on recommended drinking, to personal stories on when we decided our relationship with alcohol this episode has it all. Start the new year wi...
Jan 04, 2023•42 min•Season 6Ep. 5
Jordan, Damon & Tony are curious – how does self-hate create toxicity among Black, Queer men? Our show often highlights external factors that stifle our community, but this week is focused on self-reflection. Growing up as Black, Queer men we develop many defense mechanisms that manifest as self-hate. This hate is often reflected in the othering of people in our community whose experiences are different than our own. Part of the advancement of Black, Queer people is the embrace of all member...
Dec 28, 2022•39 min•Season 6Ep. 4
Jordan, Damon & Tony are curious – are the benefits of abiding by respectability politics worth the cultural sacrifice? Today’s episode gets into heated territory at times as we debate the benefits, or lack thereof, for following the rules of respectability politics. We welcome Kalen Allen to our Surface Level Family. Kalen, actor and media personality, adds a fresh perspective to our conversation through his rise to fame on the Ellen DeGeneres show. This is not an episode where we all agree...
Dec 21, 2022•1 hr 10 min•Season 6Ep. 3
Jordan, Damon & Tony are curious – has our fear of judgment stifled our sexual liberation? Safe spaces are important for Black Queer people and that idea extending to sexual environments is no different. We have some fun exploring our personal do’s and don’t in these situations and highlight how we as a community contribute to each other’s liberation or shame regarding sex. We know a lot but we don’t know it all, so join the conversation on social and let us know your thoughts.
Dec 14, 2022•30 min•Season 6Ep. 2
