What happens when you sit down with a Sydney? You get a discussion on the intersections of grief and pleasure, on releasing expectations, and on what it means to walk a polyamorous life even in loss. 

About Sydney:

Sydney Rae Chin (they/she) is a  Queer polyamorous non-monogamy sex educator and writer based in what is colonially known as Philadelphia. Their IG handle sexysoupdumplings is a hub for educational content and peer support geared towards non-monogamous people of color. Her degree in Media Arts Production from Emerson College has impacted how they create educational content with unpacking media, looking at social norms through a non-monogamy lens, and more.

Sydney's Links:

Website

Instagram

Substack

Ko-Fi

Welcome to Season Two of The Queering Death Podcast where we are dedicated to the stories and lived experiences of queer and trans people at the intersections of grief, loss, shadowless, death, and end of life. Our lens here is justice and liberation. When we sit down on the virtual couch, our brave space is one of personal sovereignty and a willingness to reframe as well as have empathy and compassion for the views that may be different than our own. 

My name is Ori. I am your two spirit and trans host. I am known as The Death Companion.

These last few months have been nothing short of an adventure in patience, will, survival, and what it means to live fully as my authentic self.

Personal loss has been my theme since our last season. And in this trailer I talk a bit about the balance of loss and gain.

If you enjoy our work here, I ask one thing of you my dear listeners and that is to support this podcast by going to queeringdeath.org.

If you would like to check out my range of services as well as how to support me as your host please visit thedeathcompanion.org.

As we move into a new format for this podcast, we were able to dig up 4 episodes that were "lost." These episodes follow the old format and are incredibly enlightening.

On this episode we speak with Bunny. 

Bunny is a disabled combat veteran who has traversed the journey of twin loss as well as the the grief and death that confronts those who enlist. 2021 brought a reckoning with Bunny's identity as a half-Japanese and gender expansive human being.

As we move into a new format for this podcast, we were able to dig up 4 episodes that were "lost." These episodes follow the old format and are incredibly enlightening.

On this episode we speak with Leah. Leah is a special guest because I was Leah's family death doula during the pandemic due to the illness and death of her mother. 

Leah is a sober spiritual mentor who is also a psychic medium. She is a gentle soul with a big heart, moving through healing. Leah's philosophy and message as a healing practitioner is that healing is a journey not a destination. 

How to Connect with Leah

Instagram: @bemoreboozeless

Drop In Readings: calendly.com/leahbmoreboozeless/mediumshipreading

As we move into a new format for this podcast, we were able to dig up 4 episodes that were "lost." These episodes follow the old format and are incredibly enlightening.

On this episode we speak with James. James and I formed a bond over Instagram after finding out we both were Indigenous, Two Spirit, and of Romani descent. 

James Bio:

James is an indigenous, two-spirit artist who is dedicated to healing practices that center their community. As a witch, James’ central question is: What is the medicine of the moment and how do we show up to the right now? Thinking through art that is for sexual liberation, leather crafts primarily, not just producing to produce but tailored to the needs, thoughts, and desire of an individual’s passion. They are committed to medicine embodiment and facilitating magic within themselves and their communities. As a professional Dominant they seek to provide empowerment for those that are willing to be vulnerable and ask for their needs to be met which in turns provides a healthy container for their nourishing tendencies and alchemizing neglectful caregiving trauma through mindful consensual sadism.

How to Connect with James:

Shop: Etsy.com/shop/OcelotlsTradePost
Instagram: @odinsbrujx
Instagram: @OcelotlsTrade

Support James In their life transitions for 2022 including gender affirming surgery, recovery, as well as a return to ancestral land and traditions by donating to their GoFundMe: https://www.gofundme.com/f/2022-life-transitions

As we move into a new format for this podcast, we were able to dig up 4 episodes that were "lost." These episodes follow the old format and are incredibly enlightening. 

On this episode we speak with Vanessa, an incredible human being who advocates for end of life care and sex workers. 

Vanessa's Bio:

Vanessa Carlisle (she/they) holds a PhD in Creative Writing, Literature and Gender Studies. Vanessa is the author of novels Take Me With You (2021) and A Crack in Everything (2010), as well as stories and essays appearing in PULP!, NinthLetter, Frolic, We Too: Stories of Sex Work and Survival, and many more. As a queer femme sex worker, death doula, activist, and educator, Vanessa's work calls for big change while celebrating the beauty and complexity of her communities here and now.

How to Connect with Vanessa:

Vanessa's Website: www.vanessacarlisle.com

Buy "Take Me With You": https://tinyurl.com/366w79jf

Vanessa's course "Writing With Your Whole Body" at PULP! Public School: https://www.thepulpmag.com/class/writing-with-your-whole-body

Instagram: @vanessacarlisle

Twitter: @VCarlisle

On this episode we sit down with queer death worker and advanced directive specialist, Tracey Walker, who serves the queer community and beyond, helping us sort through the inevitable yet protective paperwork to make sure our wishes, as queer and trans people, are carried out in end of life. 

This episode is for everyone and dives into the power of pre-planning and having an advocate by your side to companion you through what may seem like a daunting and even taboo task.

Tracey Walker is a queer death worker, a coach, and an educator you can find at www.letitbedeathdoula.com and www.goingwithgrace.com.

Zaya, a young gay Black man full of positivity and light, joins us for a special Father's Day episode where we discuss everything from what it was like to discovery his biological father and the aftermath of losing him again. Zaya also reveals a very special figure in his life who loves him and accepts him as just Zaya.