In The Deep: Stories That Shape Us

You’ve probably heard of Ts Madison through her iconic videos on social media, her TV show The TS Madison Experience, or even through her latest feature on Cozy, a track off the new Beyonce album. But before she became known for her content and out-of-this-world confidence as a trans woman, she was a sex worker that was battling stigmas within the same community that was meant to protect her.

In this episode, listen as Maddie s...

Why is it that men, straight Black men, are so afraid of being seen as “soft?” Why is it that so many in this country have learned that the most damaging thing you can be is queer or trans and that to see that in another triggers a wound so deep that it results in violence?

In this episode meet Yolo Akili Robinson, who shares his story of manhood – and the experience of being in relationships that were mentally, sexually and physi...

We’ve all heard the unfortunate stories of police and Black Americans in our country. From misconduct to miscommunication, we often hear about victims of police abuse through memorials and services. But Leon Ford lived to tell the tale. At the young age of 19, he was left paralyzed after being shot by police. But, instead of allowing resentment and anger drive him, he decided to take control of the narrative – and his healing – to ...

We’ve all heard the unfortunate stories of police and Black Americans in our country. From misconduct to miscommunication, we often hear about victims of police abuse through memorials and services. But Leon Ford lived to tell the tale. At the young age of 19, he was left paralyzed after being shot by police. But, instead of allowing resentment and anger drive him, he decided to take control of the narrative – and his healing – to ...

Dealing with the growing pains of becoming ourselves - a glorious, unapologetic version of us - can be painful and uncomfortable. And sometimes, life gets really messy even when you’re in the company of your own tribe.  We’ve heard from some incredible people on how they’ve dealt with the blows and twists that life can throw our way. And now, we’re back for Season 2, digging deeper to understand that feeling of otherness we often f...

Before becoming a religious leader, human rights activist, and entrepreneur, Bishop O.C. Allen III worked vigorously to gain access to prolific institutions - the ones that teach young men to be the best they can be. 

And despite loving these places and their overall mission, he quickly realized that these institutions accepted only part of him - rejecting portions of himself that were too special to hide. And after trying to fi...

Imagine a world where your favorite barber, the one you go to every few weeks and talk to about pretty much everything, was also a licensed therapist. As an entrepreneur and mental health advocate, Lorenzo P. Lewis did just that. After spending so much of his childhood in his Aunt’s beauty salon, he saw the opportunity within these neighborhood gems and created “The Confess Project,” providing a tool to heal his community. In this ...

Dr. Alexander Lloyd Blake found his passion for music singing in a gospel choir in his church as a young boy. But as a gay Black man, he found a lack of representation for his community and the gospel genre as a whole. In this episode, learn more about Dr. Blake’s story and his choral group Tonality, which tells the untold stories of Black lives through song as a tool for healing.  

Tony Morrison has spent much of his professional life telling stories. Through the years, he’s shared countless anecdotes about a number of topics through the lens of many. But the most difficult story to share became his own when he made the brave decision to trust his public at Good Morning America with his private HIV diagnosis during the COVID pandemic. In this conversation, hear more about Tony’s story, the shaping of his iden...

Anthony Delgado took a hit of what he thought was a cigarette and suddenly found himself in a 12-year addiction. But, even in the deepest points of his addiction and finding himself unhoused, he was able to find a community that he still connects with to this day. In this episode, find out how Anthony leveraged the love he found for himself - and for others - to build a network through iCare Atlanta, a non-profit that helps the com...

Ian Manuel made a bad choice as a young teen that cost him his freedom for over 20 years. But despite having a childhood filled with trauma and solitude he was able to keep his imagination alive, reading books, writing poetry - keeping in touch with the things that made him feel human. In this episode, find out more about Ian's book "My Time Will Come," and how he spent his time in prison seeking his justice and a better future: on...

For John Paul Brammer, there is no one right way to be yourself. Growing up in the South, he lived the complexities of being Mexican American in a society that wanted him to choose one culture over the other. In this episode of “In the Deep: Stories that Shape Us,” we hear how John Paul rejects this idea and proves that identity is less tethered to borders and stigmas, and instead focuses on the premise that people should be free t...

In the first episode of “In the Deep: Stories that Shape Us,” host Zach Stafford sits with author and activist Frederick Joseph to talk about the power of stories, both told and untold. As a young man growing up between the northeast and the South, Frederick isn’t a stranger to heartbreak, sharing how stigmas and traumas couldn’t define his life’s trajectory. And, despite these moments of deep sadness, he lives a life where he’s ac...