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PODCAST

Take the Last Bite

Take the Last Bite is a direct counter to the Midwest Nice mentality— highlighting advocacy & activism by queer/trans communities in the Midwest region. Each episode unearths the often disregarded and unacknowledged contributions of queer & trans folks to social change through interviews, casual conversations and reflections on Midwest queer time, space, and place. For questions, comments and feedback: takethelastbite@gmail.com Host: R.B. Brooks, they/them Cover Art: Adrienne McCormick

society & culture

All Episodes

48:07

Knowledge in the Land, Stories in the Seeds

Take the Last Bite ·

2024/07/16

We take a bite out of the First Nations Garden, a healing space for the Intertribal Native community of Chicago. Co-founder Fawn Pochel (they/kwe) shares the origins of this youth-led project, the importance of establishing and maintaining relationship with plant relatives, and how the garden has transformed the neighborhood and provided a community gathering place for celebrations, education, and practicing intertribal traditions. Additional Resources and References from this

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48:48

A Midwest Princess and her Mighty Kingdom

Take the Last Bite ·

2024/06/25

We take a bite out of Chappell Roan through a brief queer history of Midwest music and media influences. Host R.B. Brooks (they/them) highlights queer and trans music artists with ties to the Midwest, how the Midwest is used intentionally in film and streaming series for dramatic effect, and the impact of Midwest stereotypes on racialized and gendered assumptions about the region.Additional Resources and References: In a Queer Time and Place by Jack HalberstamRolling Stone article about

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70:42

The (Literal) Debate for Trans Lives [redux]

Take the Last Bite ·

2024/06/04

We take a bite out of local legislation with Minnesota State Representatives Liish Kozlowski (they/them) and Leigh Finke (she/her). We all have a role to play – but our roles aren’t all the same. We chat with these powerhouses about their motivations to run for office, their experiences on the legislative floor, and how Trans Refuge Bills can offer a pathway to improved living conditions for trans, nonbinary, two spirit, and intersex people.Additional Resources and References from this

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73:52

Cause of Death: Kids

Take the Last Bite ·

2024/05/21

We bite into a hard conversation around Nex Benedict’s death as well as the two teenagers who killed Brianna Ghey receiving life sentences after jury conviction. Robert Alberts (they/them) and host R.B Brooks (they/them) process their rough thoughts and devastated feelings in an attempt to answer “what does it mean that the project of annihilating trans children has fallen into the hands of other children?” and also “what does justice look like in these instances?” Additional Resources and

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42:24

Tristan and R.B. Take on Fat Con

Take the Last Bite ·

2024/05/07

We take a bite out of Fat Con! In January 2024, Tristan and R.B. attended Fat Con in Seattle, a celebration of fat joy featuring keynotes, a fashion show, and brunch. These fattie baddies reminisce on their glorious time at the inaugural event and share their aspirations for a Midwest Fat Fest.Additional Resources and References: Learn more about Fat Con in Seattle at FatCon.orgAlso check out Philly FatCon Revisit “Trans Fat: Lessons from Large Trans Folks” via video or podcast Timeline:

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56:41

Midwest: More than Cows, Corn, and Conservatives

Take the Last Bite ·

2024/04/23

We take a bite out of Midwest queer history! Vince Tripi (he/him, co/cos) is a homegrown historian dedicated to compiling LGBTQ+ history into digestible exhibits for pride-goers and LGBTQ+ youth. We chat about his latest project called “Flyover Country,” an exhibit highlighting LGBTQ+ firsts of the Midwest, including some wild discoveries about the first few years of the Midwest Bisexual Lesbian Gay Transgender Asexual College Conference. Additional Resources and References from this

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71:50

Small Bites: Doctor Who Discourse, Two Palestines,...

Take the Last Bite ·

2024/04/09

We’re delivering a batch of small bites featuring Doctor Who and extraterrestrial gender education [06:29]; parallels and lessons from a trainwreck in East Palestine, Ohio and Gaza, Palestine [35:54]; and getting things done (like web coding) with empathy [45:27].Additional Resources and References from this episode: No Pride in Genocide – a collective of Queer and Trans anti-zionist Palestinians, Arab/SWANA folks, Jews, and allies working for a free Palestine.Article: Norfolk Southern

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84:08

Today’s Gender Is Up for Debate

Take the Last Bite ·

2023/09/19

We take a bite out of “the gender debate” with sports journalist Katie Barnes (they/them). We reminisce about our days as student leaders at gay camp, how Katie’s educational background in history, higher education, and even Russian studies has positioned them to be a leading reporter at/on the intersection of sports and gender, and the release of their new book “Fair Play: How Sports Shape the Gender Debate” Join us in Lexington, Kentucky November 3-5 for the Midwest Bisexual Lesbian Gay

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63:06

This “Dad” Has More Than Jokes

Take the Last Bite ·

2023/09/05

We take a bite out of asexuality across generations with Cody Daigle-Orians (they/them) aka Ace Dad Advice and author of “I Am Ace: Advice on Living Your Best Asexual Life.” We chat about their Ace Dad persona, the nebulous concept of being a “queer elder,” and Cody’s aspiration for a multigenerational book series guiding folks through their asexual journeys.★ Support this podcast ★

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58:13

Animate Me Like One of Your Canonically Queer Characters

Take the Last Bite ·

2023/08/22

We take a bite out of queer animation, TV shows and characters with resident nerds Andy Newhouse and Michelle Walters. We discuss the finale of The Owl House, D20’s Dungeons and Drag Queens, and which other queer streaming moments we’d smash or pass. Additional Resources & References Listen to “The Anatomy of a Liberatory Think Tank” Learn more about the Writers Guild of America (WGA) StrikeStreaming & TV Show Recommendations and References The Owl

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66:50

Inside the “Journal of a Black Queer Nurse”

Take the Last Bite ·

2023/08/08

We take a bite out of emergency-room and travel nursing with Britney Daniels, a Black, masculine-presenting, tattooed lesbian and author of “Journal of a Black Queer Nurse”. We chat about Britney’s observations in the emergency room, the derailment that led to her career, and her high hopes for improvements to healthcare systems. Connect with Britney Daniels Website: https://blackqueernurse.co/ Instagram: @BlackQueerNurseFind Journal of a Black Queer Nurse through Common Notions Additional

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65:04

Hey Google, Who is Barbara May Cameron?

Take the Last Bite ·

2023/07/25

We take a bite out of a Google Doodle commemorating Native American and lesbian activist Barbara May Cameron. We’re joined by queer Mexican and Chitimachan artist Sienna Gonzales, aka Somewhere in June, who had the opportunity to design the homepage artwork. We discuss the stepping stones into her artistic and queer identities, a bumpy road to a BFA from UCLA, and the process of creating a visual homage to a queer powerhouse. Connect with Sienna GonzalesWebsite:

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39:28

The Anatomy of a Liberatory Think Tank

Take the Last Bite ·

2023/07/11

We take a bite out of Third Places, such as conferences, think tanks, liberation labs and other liberatory-conscious spaces that offer queer and trans community and connection outside of home, work and social media.Host R.B. Brooks (they/them) reflects on sharing (third) space with a small but mighty group of LGBTQ+ higher education scholars and educators to examine how to make LGBTQ+ centers/spaces on college campuses anti-racist spaces and how the facilitation, environment, and pace of

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96:14

Trans Fat: Lessons from Large Trans & Nonbinary Folks...

Take the Last Bite ·

2023/06/27

We take a large bite out of fat trans folk’s experiences & unearth some incredible lessons about desire, wellness, design, language, love and so much more. In December of 2022, the Midwest Institute for Sexuality & Gender Diversity hosted the 6th annual Transgender Justice Teach-In and invited TK Morton, Dr. Jonathan Higgins, and Shane Smoore to participate in a discussion about the intersections of being fat, trans, and nonbinary. This episode is the recording from that live

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66:46

"Chef" is Gender Neutral

Take the Last Bite ·

2023/06/13

We take a BIG bite out of BRUNCH with Catie Randazzo, a nonbinary chef from Columbus, Ohio who showed off their “filthy biscuits” as a cheftestant on HBOMax’s The Big Brunch—a wholesome cooking competition where the winner gets support with their big food dream. We chat about Catie’s vision for connecting trans youth to food & service industry skills, their queer & culinary come-ups in fast food kitchens, and some of their favorite moments on The Big Brunch.Additional Resources

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54:18

The Golden Era of Queer Comic Books

Take the Last Bite ·

2023/05/30

We take a bit out of queer comic books with Amara Vear, the Queer Comic Peddler. We geek out about our personal literary faves, the impact of book banning, and the future of queer publishing.Additional Resources & References Learn more about participating in the Makers Market at MBLGTACC 2023 in Lexington, Kentucky! From the Intro Target’s official statement announcing some Pride Merch would be removed NPR reports on threats to Target employees regarding Pride MerchTrans artist Erik

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46:42

Ope, I’m a Queer Trope!

Take the Last Bite ·

2023/05/16

Snapbacks. Rings of keys. An inability to sit properly. We all know a queer trope when we see one but where do they come from? And what’s the line between a queer stereotype and a queer trope? We take a bite out of queer stereotypes with Justin Drwencke and Danielle Kropveld from the Midwest Institute for Sexuality and Gender Diversity. Additional Resources & References Follow Take the Last Bite on TikTok and check out R.B.’s updates on Bud Light’s activity in the post-partnership with

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58:28

Behind the Scenes of “Diving for Rays: A Queer...

Take the Last Bite ·

2023/05/02

We take a bite out of marine conservation and documentary filmmaking with Nova West (they/them), Angel Morris (they/them), and Nicole Morris (she/they/he)– the producers and muses of “Diving for Rays: A Queer Conservationist’s Story.” We chat about how what started as an impromptu instagram DM and a conversation about childhood dreams manifested into a cinematic journey deeper than the ocean. Resources & ReferencesFrom the episode Stream “Diving for Rays: A Queer Conservationist’s

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49:24

Putting Queer Folks on the Map

Take the Last Bite ·

2023/04/18

We kick off season four talking to Charlie Sprinkman (he/they), creator of the Everywhere is Queer map– an interactive tool to locate queer and trans businesses around the globe. We chat about the inspiration for the project, the importance of promoting queer-owned businesses, and Sprinkman’s big ideas for the future of the map. Additional Resources & References Join us in Lexington, Kentucky for the 31st annual Midwest Bisexual Lesbian Gay Transgender Asexual College Conference! Learn

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84:15

Small Bites: Gallbladders, Imposter Syndrome, and...

Take the Last Bite ·

2023/01/10

In 2022, what was something you did that you didn’t think was possible? In this small bites series, we sink our teeth into this question and more as we discuss overcoming imposter syndrome as a web developer (05:19), seeking answers through a faulty healthcare system (25:45), and the hard choice of going no-contact with a family member (54:16).Resources and References:“War Isn’t Cancel Culture” – this episode of Cancel Me, Daddy tucks into the outlandish claims conservative media made

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