Surface Level

Latest Episodes:

Gurl, Stay Woke Jan 29, 2025

Show notes

Damon, Jordan, and Tony are curious – how do we balance resistance and protecting our peace? In Season 1, we explored the sacrifices needed to make Black queer lives matter. Today, we ask: what does resistance look like in 2025? With political unrest, DEI rollbacks, and an election that left many Black Americans feeling isolated, how do we keep fighting without burning out? We reflect on the role of Surface Level in activism, how Black identity is shifting in politics, and the ways we’re protecting our peace for the next four years. 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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Gurl, You Good? Jan 22, 2025

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Damon, Jordan, and Tony are curious – how does loneliness effect Black Queer identity?

In Season 1, we explored the disconnect we sometimes feel towards our hometowns in pursuit of our dreams. Today, we go further, centering the loneliness many Queer individuals feel for existing outside of accepted norms. We are excited to welcome Keith “Icy” Parris, beauty influencer and disability advocate, to our Surface Level family. We explore how digital platforms have created both online community and further isolation, how our own standards of personal access can contribute to isolation, and whether we have ever been the culprit in isolating others. The line between protecting your peace and exclusion is fine—where do you draw that line?

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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Gurl, We're Just Friends Jan 15, 2025

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Damon, Jordan, and Tony are curious – can failed romance become friendship?

In Season 1, we explored how we navigate platonic friendships. Today, we take it a step further by discussing the intersection of past romance and current friendship. We'll examine past relationships through the lens of our present partnerships. As queer people, many of our relationships overlap, and we'll explore how this affects our communication with current partners, as well as the line between trauma responses and the perception of nefarious intent. The reality is that the queer community—particularly the Black queer community—is small. So, when navigating life and love, how can we ensure we don’t close ourselves off to great people simply because of how a relationship began?

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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Gurl, Who Raised You? Jan 08, 2025

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Damon, Jordan, and Tony are curious – who has shaped our Queer identities?

In season one, we explored our relationships with our fathers. Today, we go further by bringing our “Gay Mothers” on the show to shed light on the people who have shaped our Queer journeys. We are excited to welcome Corey Baker, Anthony Woodburne, and George Gary III to our Surface Level family. Each of us has a separate conversation with the people who have been most impactful, especially during our years of Queer discovery. It is often said that Queer people experience a second adolescence, as we spend the first one often hiding parts of who we are. These individuals were the guiding lights we needed during that stage of our lives, and our relationships with them are integral to what Surface Level is today.

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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Gurl, You Tried It Jan 01, 2025

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Damon, Jordan & Tony are curious – when is criticism friend or foe?

In season one, we discussed the environment of cancel culture. Today, we go further in examining public critique and when it is helpful—and when it is not. We are honored to welcome Lena Waithe, actor, producer, and screenwriter, to our Surface Level family. Together, we explore the societal boxes we are often defined by, the importance of cultivating community both on and off screen, how social media chatter does or does not affect the art we create, and the stories we tell. This episode is one we are truly excited to share as we begin the journey into 2025.

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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Gurl, Who Gone Be The Boy Dec 25, 2024

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Damon, Jordan & Tony are curious – where do we stand on toxic masculinity?

In season one, we discussed the obsession with masculinity in the queer community—chasing "trade," butching it up around straight people, and learning to embrace our femininity. Today, let’s examine where we stand on toxic masculinity. We are excited to welcome Sailey Williams, creative director, photographer, and publisher, to the Surface Level family. Together, we explore the desires of "masc for masc" gays, the inclination of some queer men to distance themselves from femininity, and how both masculinity and femininity can thrive within our community.

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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Gurl, Are Yall Open? Dec 18, 2024

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Damon, Jordan & Tony are curious – how varied are our views on non-monogamy?

We are excited to welcome you to Season 10 of Surface Level: Gurl, Grow Up, where each week we will revisit a different episode from Season 1 through the lens of growth.

In this first episode, we explore the topic of romantic relationships and how our experiences with non-monogamy have evolved since recording our first season. We discuss the experiences that have led us to our current beliefs, whether relationships are stronger when open from the beginning or at a later point, and any rules we have in our individual relationships. This topic truly highlights the range of opinions among the hosts, and we are excited for you to join in on the conversation.

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 Personal Is Political Pt. 3 Oct 16, 2024

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Damon is curious – how do anti-LGBTQ+ laws impact the Black Queer community, and what’s being done to fight back?

In this final episode of our 3-part mini-series, Damon is joined by Dr. David Johns, CEO & Executive Director of the National Black Justice Coalition, Tabytha Gonzalez, Human Rights Specialist for the NYC Commission on Human Rights, and Olivia Lux, drag artist, actor, singer, and musician. Together, they dive into the legislative battles that disproportionately affect the Queer community, especially Black and Brown folx. From anti-trans laws to attacks on drag performances, we discuss how these harmful measures are shaping the political landscape—and what Black Queer leaders are doing to make their voices heard.

As we close out the series, we look at how personal experiences often drive political action and explore what political issue hits closest to home for our guests.

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 Personal Is Political Pt. 2 Oct 09, 2024

Show notes

Jordan is curious – how is politics shaping the daily lives of young Queer Americans?

In this episode, we continue our 3-part mini-series with a focus on the youth vote and political engagement. Jordan is joined by Jay Jones, first Trans President of the Howard University Student Association, Kevin Ortega-Rojas, host of Here’s Why News and co-host of ByLatinMen Podcast, and Herby Revolous, culture critic and creator. Together, they dive into how young people are interacting with politics online and the ways these interactions are shaping real-world outcomes. From school safety to social media censorship, they explore the unique challenges faced by younger generations in today’s political climate.

As we navigate topics like gun violence and the role of social media in political campaigns, we’re reminded of how much the youth vote matters—and why their voices must be heard.

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 Personal Is Political Pt. 1 Oct 02, 2024

Show notes

Tony is curious – how will this election effect Queer healthcare?

We welcome you to part one of our three-part miniseries, “The Personal Is Political,” in partnership with GLAAD. This series is centered around the current political landscape and will explore issues with a focus on Black and Queer communities. Tony is happy to welcome Lala B. Zannell, Senior Campaign Strategist at the ACLU; Kris Chessen, co-host of the Bad Queers Podcast; and Zach Stafford, journalist and co-host of the Vibe Check Podcast, to our Surface Level family. In this first episode, we interrogate abortion care as an issue not just for cis women, discuss the misinformation surrounding gender-affirming care, and explore how HIV stigma impacts the spread of HIV. We close each part of this series by giving our panel a chance to highlight the political issue that is most personal to them. This is not your boring political show; it is our kitchen table—a place to talk like real people about increasingly urgent issues.

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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