This week, Hugh and I dive right into ou chat about one of my absolute favorite topics: how queer folks and other marginalized communities turn exclusion into empowerment. You know me — if society tries to shut a door, I’m already sashaying through a window.

We kick things off by talking about what happens when marginalized people — especially queer and trans folks — get pushed out of mainstream spaces. Spoiler: we don’t just survive, we build our own dazzling little universes. From the chosen‑family magic of queer nightlife to mutual‑aid networks that pop up like wildflowers in a sidewalk crack, we find ways to lift each other up when the world tries to push us down.

Hugh and I also get into the history of drawing lines from the so‑called “witches” of old Europe to modern‑day queer youth. And let me tell you, once you start tracing these threads, you see how often people on the margins develop perspectives, creativity, and resilience that the rest of the world could really stand to learn from.

I want to invite everyone listening to take a moment — yes, even you multitasking on the subway — to think about how we move forward together in these wild times. Because even when things feel heavy, our communities have always had the power to transform struggle into something fierce, loving, and revolutionary.

And if you want the play‑by‑play…

00:00 — I introduce the episode and warm up the mic
00:58 — We jump into queer spaces, exclusion, and finding home
02:03 — A whirlwind tour through historical and current marginalization
03:24 — How oppression sparks resistance and reinvention
08:23 — Community, chosen family, and mutual aid
11:44 — Celebrating the power and wisdom of marginalized voices
23:01 — Ad break: Transcendence Tea (darling, the blend is divine)
24:44 — Dreaming bigger: future paradigms and closing thoughts
30:00 — Outro, credits, kisses, and a wink

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