Best Justin Simien Podcasts (2025)

1
Men on Film’s Blaine and Antoine (ft. Justin Simien) 38:33

14d ago38:33

38:33

“Dear White People” creator Justin Simien joins Black Queer Canon hosts Tre’vell and Mikelle to revisit two controversial Black, gay characters in television history: Blaine Edwards and Antoine Merriweather. The pair were played by Damon Wayans and David Alan Grier in “Men On…” a recurring comedy sketch that appeared across “In Living Color” and “S…

1
'How to Get Away With Murder's Annalise Keating (ft Taylor Crumpton) 36:45

4h ago36:45

36:45

Cultural critic and columnist Taylor Crumpton joins Black Queer Canon hosts Tre’vell and Mikelle dig into the ABC original “How To Get Away With Murder.” In particular, the pair delve into the full-time lawyer, part-time bully and eventual self-described bisexual Annalise Keating (Viola Davis) at the center of the series which began airing in 2014.…

1
Midnight in the Garden of Good and Evil's Lady Chablis (ft Quei Tann) 37:37

7d ago37:37

37:37

Actress and comic Quei Tann joins Black Queer Canon hosts Tre’vell and Mikelle to discuss trans icon much before her time: the imitable Lady Chablis. In 1997, the Savannah, Georgia nightclub legend played a version of herself in the cult-classic Clint Eastwood film “Midnight in the Garden of Good and Evil.” In the episode, the trio discuss how the …

1
Set If Off’s Cleo Sims (ft Lena Waithe) 36:37

21d ago36:37

36:37

Emmy-winning writer and actor Lena Waithe joins Black Queer Canon hosts Tre’vell and Mikelle to discuss one of the most enduring studs on screen: Cleo Sims. Played by Queen Latifah in the 1996 crime drama “Set It Off,” Cleo has become a pivotal archetype for black butch lesbians on screen. In the episode, the three discuss Cleo’s impact, what the r…

1
'Noah’s Arc’s Noah Nicholson (ft Patrik-Ian Polk) 37:01

28d ago37:01

37:01

In this inaugural episode, Tre’vell and Mikelle introduce the Black Queer Canon and induct Noah Nicholson from the 2005 LogoTV series “Noah’s Arc.” They discuss the show’s predecessor “Punks” as well as the way Noah, played by Darryl Stephens remains one-of-one. In an interview with show creator Patrik-Ian Polk they discuss how the character came t…

1
Announcing Black Queer Canon! 1:45

1M ago1:45

1:45

Black Queer Canon is a production of Slayzhon. It is created, hosted and executive produced by Mikelle Street and Tre’vell Anderson. Chris Rodgers is our associate producer and editor. Our theme is the track “Soul,” Neverending Nina. The project is supported by Critical Minded, an initiative to invest in cultural critics of color cofounded by The N…

1
Church Announcements 2:03

1M ago2:03

2:03

Tre'vell's got an announcement -- A new cut, new color is on the way!By Tre'vell Anderson

1
Indicting Yourself (ft. Angelica Ross and Imara Jones) 1:26:35

2y ago1:26:35

1:26:35

This week, we have reached the end of the journey with the final episode of We See Each Other: The Podcast. Hosts Tre’vell Anderson and Shar Jossell welcome Pose and American Horror Story star, Angelica Ross. She speaks on the state of trans media representation, how comedy has been both a gift and curse for the trans community, and what it means t…

1
Living Nonbinary in a Binary World (ft. Devin-Norelle) 46:58

2y ago46:58

46:58

In this, the penultimate episode of We See Each Other: The Podcast, Tre’vell and Shar dive into the nonbinary pool, with all its pronouns. So what does it mean to call oneself nonbinary? Tre’vell reveals the journey they took before accepting and claiming themself. To further explore the nuances of being nonbinary, Shar and Tre’vell speak with the …

1
The Black Trans Gaze ft. Kristen Lovell and D. Smith 58:15

2y ago58:15

58:15

Hosts Tre’vell Anderson and Shar Jossell welcome producer and co - director of the documentary, The Stroll, Kristen Lovell as they discuss the documentary’s portrayal of trans sex workers who worked in the Meatpacking District of New York City during the 90s. Lovell also speaks on finally having the control of the Black trans narrative behind the c…

1
Let's Hear It For The Boys (ft. Brian Michael Smith) 48:31

2y ago48:31

48:31

On this week’s episode, hosts Tre’vell Anderson and Shar Jossell speak with 9-1-1: Lone Star's, Brian Michael Smith. The actor shares how he is now able to bring all sides of himself to the table as an actor. But first, our hosts discuss masc representation in media, or rather the lack thereof. With cis women actors playing transmasculine character…

1
Before and After "Jerry Springer" (ft. Mimi Marks and Hope Giselle) 1:09:01

2y ago1:09:01

1:09:01

On this week’s episode, hosts Tre’vell Anderson and Shar Jossell sit down with iconic performer and alum of The Jerry Springer Show, Mimi Marks. Mimi recalls her time on Jerry, learning from her mistakes while in the public eye, and shares some advice for folks who may be new in their trans journey. And after, our hosts meet with activist and commu…

1
Possibility Models (ft. Jaila Simms and Zeke Smith) 1:06:55

2y ago1:06:55

1:06:55

On this week’s episode, hosts Tre’vell Anderson and Shar Jossell discuss trans visibility within the reality tv realm with very special guests, Grammy award nominated artist and winner of MTV’s Diddy’s Making His Band, Qing Jaila Simms and writer, comedian, and Survivor: Game Changer key player, Zeke Smith. Both reality tv pioneers discuss their ex…

1
Make Them Know It (ft. Trace Lysette) 45:30

2y ago45:30

45:30

In this week’s episode, hosts Tre’vell Anderson and Shar Jossell sit down with special guest Trace Lysette, star of the critically acclaimed film Monica, as she shares her experience with the outpouring of love she’s received from audiences of the film, and what it may take for Hollywood to make more films centering trans characters. But first, we …

1
Remain Teachable (ft. Lina Bradford) 47:50

2y ago47:50

47:50

In episode two of this limited series, hosts Tre’vell Anderson and Shar Jossell discuss the first trans characters who changed their perspective on transness in media. Then later, special guest actress, DJ, and dancer, Lina Bradford graces us and shares what it was like coming up during the club kid era, her career, and who in media influenced her …

1
The Kitchen Table 24:49

2y ago24:49

24:49

It’s the very first episode of We See Each Other: The Podcast, hosted by FANTI’s very own, award-winning journalist and authoress, Trev’ell Anderson, and FANTI MVP, award-winning journalist and media personality, Shar Jossell. To jump start this limited series, our hosts give us a little bit of a primer, tabletalk style, into the #WSEO trans visibi…

1
Trailer 2:12

2y ago2:12

2:12

Here’s a sneak peak of what’s to come on We See Each Other: The Podcast, hosted by Journalists Tre’vell Anderson and Shar Jossell, based on the book, We See Each Other: A Black, Trans Journey Through TV and Film written by Tre’vell Anderson.By Tre'vell Anderson, Shar Jossell

1
Breaking Shame Cycles w/ Dahéli Hall 1:00:41

4+ y ago1:00:41

1:00:41

In this week’s pre-recorded episode of Don’t @ Me, I’m joined by the funniest woman I know, Dear White People writer-actor and comedian Dahéli Hall. Hang with me and the MADtv alum while we discuss gatekeeping in the comedy world, working through our shame cycles, and why she would’ve been a much better Seinfeld. Learn more about your ad choices. V…

1
Hollywood Outsiders w/ Sam Bailey 1:04:24

4+ y ago1:04:24

1:04:24

This week on Don’t @ Me, my friend and Dear White People writing producer/director Sam Bailey joins me as we tackle navigating the “industry of dreams” as Black creatives. The Chicago-bred, Emmy-nominated director and I talk about her being inspired by messy brown women, co-creating the hit web series Brown Girls, and operating as an outsider in Ho…

1
Queer Divinity w/ Alex Newell 1:00:05

4+ y ago1:00:05

1:00:05

In another live Zoom edition of Don’t @ Me I’m joined by Broadway-turned-TV superstar Alex Newell. We discuss his part in shaping his role as the gender-nonconforming neighbor Mo in Zoey’s Extraordinary Playlist, growing up queer in the Black church, and why he is the perfect candidate to play Dreamgirls’ Effie White. Learn more about your ad choic…

1
The Not-So-Hidden Talents of Malcolm Barrett 1:10:29

4+ y ago1:10:29

1:10:29

In this week’s episode of Don’t @ Me, the insanely hilarious Malcolm Barrett introduces me to his alter ego Verbal the Rapper. The actor-writer-rapper talks about starting Ammunition Theatre Company, not talking to white schoolmates for an entire year, and figuring out how to bring positive change as a Black creative amid protests and quarantine. P…

1
The Gospel of Karamo Brown 1:09:25

4+ y ago1:09:25

1:09:25

In this week’s episode of Don’t @ Me, tap in and get therapized by the beloved Fab Five member Karamo Brown. From learning to live for joy, to facing pushback in shaping his Culture Expert role on Queer Eye and which of his fellow co-hosts is his favorite, Karamo spits nothing but gospel truths. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoice…

1
Directing While Black w/ Tiffany Johnson 1:03:54

4+ y ago1:03:54

1:03:54

On this week’s Don’t @ Me, my friend director Tiffany Johnson catches us up on her career growth in television! We discuss picking your battles, the role of the artist in times of trauma, and an all-Black Love Witch. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoicesBy Justin Simien

1
Being Bold w/ Dime Davis 1:14:41

4+ y ago1:14:41

1:14:41

In this live via Zoom episode of Don’t @ Me, I welcome back my bestie, writer-director Dime Davis. We look at how far she’s come since her last visit as a newly Emmy-nominated director on A Black Lady Sketch Show, her work on season two of BET’s Boomerang, and how she knew her worth even before she blew up. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit p…

1
Bad Hair w/ Jarrett Hill 1:08:36

4+ y ago1:08:36

1:08:36

Don't @ Me w/ Jarrett Hill? My friend, renowned journalist and fellow podcast host Jarrett Hill, asked to interview me on my podcast and how could I say no? Tune in to hear us break down my upcoming film BAD HAIR -- the inspiration, the backlash, the ancestral energy in it -- we get into it all. Check out the film, releasing October 23rd on Hulu! L…

1
The 40 Year-Old Version w/ Radha Blank 1:09:32

4+ y ago1:09:32

1:09:32

Radha Blank came by for this week’s Don’t @ Me and she did not come to play! I talk to the brilliant writer-director of the Sundance darling “The 40-Year-Old Version.” Beware of gems dropping as Radha gets real about directing herself in her feature debut, commanding respect on set as a Black woman, and the Purple Rain reference in her film you jus…

1
The Audacity of Punks w/ Patrik-Ian Polk 1:09:57

4+ y ago1:09:57

1:09:57

Tune in for a conversation with the godfather of Black gay cinema, Patrik-Ian Polk. The Punks writer-director talks to me about commerce vs artistic vision, American culture’s Black gay spirit, and how he ended up on a Prince tribute album. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices…

1
Leading with Love w/ Laverne Cox 1:05:51

4+ y ago1:05:51

1:05:51

Freshly emerged from Venus’s shell and into our (virtual) studio, Laverne Cox joins me for another Zoom edition of Don’t @ Me. We unpack her beginnings as a hustler, why EVERYONE should watch RuPaul’s Drag Race, and how she plans on coming out of quarantine spiritually evolved. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices…

1
Grinding During the Apocalypse with Issa Rae 56:16

4+ y ago56:16

56:16

Everybody's favorite awkward Black girl Issa Rae joins us again and talks all about our sense of ownership over Black art, her expanding into Raedio, and the Insecure/Dear White People crossover you didn't realize already happened. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoicesBy Justin Simien

1
The Art of Acting w/ Chanté Adams 55:49

4+ y ago55:49

55:49

In another live Zoom edition of Don’t @ Me, I sit down with star-on-the-rise, actress Chanté Adams (The Photograph, Roxanne Roxanne) and talk all about her rapid ascension from college grad to movie star, her self-care routine, and seeing her relationship with the arts as a marriage. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoi…

1
Pure Creativity with Terence Nance 1:01:23

4+ y ago1:01:23

1:01:23

In a special live Zoom edition of Don’t @ Me, I’m joined by writer/director/fellow Texan Terence Nance as he talks Selah and the Spades, working with Solange, and the secret plot to 2001 Space Odyssey you probably missed — so don’t miss it! Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices…

1
Hollywood Demons w/ Janicza Bravo 47:25

5y ago47:25

47:25

In part two of my conversation with talented Zola director Janicza Bravo, she calls out Hollywood demons, pitches VR porn and discusses why she didn't want to do the "titty version" of Zola. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoicesBy Justin Simien

1
Interrogating Whiteness w/ Janicza Bravo 45:46

5y ago45:46

45:46

In part one of this two-part episode, tune in to hear filmmaker Justin Simien and the only Black Panamanian Jewish woman in comedy, Janicza Bravo, as they break down the dark comedy of being a Black director, the mixed response to Janicza’s debut film Lemon, and interrogating Whiteness in her work. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastcho…

1
Cinema As Therapy w/ Alma Har’el 1:06:43

5y ago1:06:43

1:06:43

Justin goes deep with Alma Har'el, the visionary director behind Honey Boy, written by and starring Shia LaBeouf (available now on VOD). Check out this one-of-a-kind conversation on fighting imposter syndrome on set, the healing properties of cinema, and Alma's unconventional path to directing. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices…

Podcasts Worth a Listen

Justin Simien Podcasts

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