Surface Level

Latest Episodes:

Case Of The Ex Jan 26, 2022

Show notes

Jordan, Damon & Tony are curious – how have you worked to heal from failed romantic relationships? We play a game titled, “Are You That Somebody”, detailing our own red flags when romantically involved. We then enter a convo with many highs and lows around how we have dealt with the ending of relationships. We further discuss the lingering feelings and how we worked through those, then laugh a lot about on how social media comes into play and awkward run ins with former partners. A relationship ending is not something we believe should be viewed as a failure. We have each learned valuable lessons that make us not just better partners in the future but better humans. Romance is hard and we don’t dare to say we are experts but we hope to stay curious enough to learn from the past. We know a lot but we don’t know it all, so join the conversation on social and let us know your thoughts.

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Stop Blasian Hate Jan 19, 2022

Show notes

Jordan, Damon & Tony are curious – how can we strengthen the alliance between Black and Asian communities? We play a game of trivia highlighting Blasian artists, then launch into a discussion centered on the Asian American experience, and highlight ways in which we can create empathy between our communities. This week we welcome content creator and storyteller Johnathan Gibbs, artist and community organizer Will Lex Ham, and founder and creative director Steven Wakabayashi to our Surface Level Family. They offer their perspectives to an amazing conversation starting with dissecting the stereotype of the model minority and how it affects the relationship between Asian Americans and other minorities. We then discuss the lack of representation of Asian Americans in pop culture. We end by highlighting some of the struggles and triumphs of the Black Lives Matter and Stop Asian Hate movements. This conversation was special in how we’re able to highlight an experience in which our identities do not intersect. We look forward to sharing their stories and hope we do our part in pushing this conversation forward. We know a lot but we don’t know it all, so join the conversation on social and let us know your thoughts.

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Gayfishing Jan 12, 2022

Show notes

Jordan, Damon & Tony are curious – why is same gender affection viewed differently between men and women? We play a game of would you rather in relation to some Queer notable figures, discuss the societal acceptance of affection between women compared to men, and sound off on the divisive trend of heterosexual men playing into Queerness for engagement on social media. Over time the line between gender identity and sexuality will become increasingly blurred. That journey, like our show, requires an examination of what is truly authentic versus participating in trends because of societal pressure. We hope this episode sparks conversation across all communities and continues to place focus on the humanity of all people. We know a lot but we don’t know it all, so join the conversation on social and let us know your thoughts.

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Plant Kween Jan 05, 2022

Show notes

Jordan, Damon & Tony are curious – have you explored self-care through plant care? We play a game centered around what changes we will and will not be making in the new year, we the delve into a discussion around better ways we can care for ourselves this year, and the success or lack thereof we’ve had at being “plant dads”. This week we welcome gardener, educator, LGBTQ+ activist Christopher Griffin affectionately known as @Plantkween to our Surface Level Family. They give us some helpful information around using plants to be more mindful. We also discuss some of the history of Black Americans and gardening. Finally, they talk about what it has meant to use there platform to tell stories of Black, femme, non-binary folx. This episode is an amazing way to jumpstart 2022 in a meaningful way, we hope you enjoy. We know a lot but we don’t know it all, so join the conversation on social and let us know your thoughts.

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Gay Dating For Dummies Dec 29, 2021

Show notes

Jordan, Damon & Tony are curious – what bad dating habits do you hope to leave in 2021? We play a game centered on common Jack’d scenarios, tell stories about our first time kissing another man, how our selectivity regarding partners has evolved over time, and bad dating habits we would like to leave in 2021. This week we welcome gay dating coach and couple’s counselor Lamont White to our Surface Level Family. We have a blast discussing the value of dating with intention and clearly communicating our desires for a partner. He also gives advice on how to approach the fine line of having clear expectations for a partner without putting an unfair burden on them. We had a great time recording this episode and are happy to share this with you as we end the year. We know a lot but we don’t know it all, so join the conversation on social and let us know your thoughts.

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The Upper Echelon Dec 21, 2021

Show notes

Jordan, Damon & Tony are curious – how do socio-economic factors effect the relationships we have with other Black Queer folx? We play a game of high/low discussing the “luxuries” we can’t live without, give our take on the W.E.B. Dubois vs Booker T. Washington debate, rant about unwanted expectations individuals have when you begin to make more money, and litigate how economic status impacts our dating habits. Money and status are two things that can cloud the judgment of the best of us. Being both Black and Queer, our success represents advancement for two underserved communities. Our discussion highlights the balancing act of being in service to those around us while also creating space for individuals to create their own paths to success. We know a lot but we don’t know it all, so join the conversation on social and let us know your thoughts.

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White Fragility Dec 15, 2021

Show notes

Jordan, Damon & Tony are curious – did anyone really learn to be an anti-racist? We play a ridiculously titled “You Ain’t Black”, discuss our thoughts on last years social “reckoning” one year later, and look internally at confidence we gained in speaking truth about injustice in any situation. This week we welcome author and political commentator Keith Boykin to our Surface Level Family. He discusses his favorite quote by Audre Lorde, his experience with activism in the 90’s, and gives important commentary around the history of White backlash in politics through the lens of his new book Race Against Time. This episode is equal parts fun and informative and we are happy to share. We know a lot but we don’t know it all, so join the conversation on social and let us know your thoughts.

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Unpopular Opinion Dec 08, 2021

Show notes

Jordan, Damon & Tony are curious – is freedom of speech a right or responsibility? We play a game that exposes our own unpopular opinions, discuss how our thoughts of being cancelled have informed what we say on the podcast, talk about the polarizing nature of the court of public opinion, and how we manage relationships with people whose beliefs differ from our own. With the continuous outrage regarding public statements, this topic feels quite timely. Where is the line between accountability and compassion and how can we remain open to advancement without accepting bigotry? We know a lot but we don’t know it all, so join the conversation on social and let us know your thoughts.

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Beautiful Gowns Dec 01, 2021

Show notes

Jordan, Damon & Tony are curious - how can fashion tell Black, Queer stories? This week Tony & Jordan fail miserably at a game of Black fashion trivia, we discuss our opinions on fashion vs style, our acceptance or lack of towards overtly fem clothing, and the personal and professional benefits of embracing fashion. This week we welcome Kinglsey Gbadedesin, CEO & Founder of K.ngsley to our Surface Level family. Kinglsey shares his experience launching a brand that grew out of his desire to give back to Black femme folx during last year's social justice movement. In his own words, everything he does is “for the girls” and that commitment has landed his signature tanks everywhere from major publications to television placement on the final season if Insecure. He is using the medium of fashion to tell stories from a place of honesty, representing his motto that he’d like to live from a place where there’s no lie left. The industry isn’t all beautiful gowns and his work is pushing our stories to the forefront. We know a lot but we don’t know it all, so join the conversation on social and let us know your thoughts.

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The Nigerian Underground Nov 24, 2021

Show notes

Jordan, Damon & Tony are curious - how do anti gay laws affect your travel? We poke fun at the joy and pain of being podcasters, discuss our experiences traveling the world as Queer people, and have an in depth conversation with our guest regarding the Queer experience in Nigeria. This week we welcome OKTimileyin, activist, cast member of HBO Max’ Legend of the Underground and Host of Nigeria’s Queercity Podcast. Timi shares his experience navigating family and broader society while being Queer in Nigeria. His story is personal yet not unique in its many challenges. We are using our platform to amplify the stories of Queer people fighting for liberation globally. This was an enlightening conversation for us, and we hope to continue our work from a place of courage and not fear in the same way Timi has. We know a lot but we don’t know it all, so join the conversation on social and let us know your thoughts.

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