A Life Lived Trans - The testimony of two LGBTQ+ elders

Join in and listen to what it means to be trans, to grow older, and to keep showing up in a world that sometimes seems determined to make that difficult.Say hello! - GMail: alifelivedtrans@gmail.comQuestions: alifelivedtrans@gmail.comLinktree - https://linktr.ee/alifelivedtransPatreon - patreon.com/ALifeLivedTransA Zero Stress ProductionEdited by: Niall Santo**Views and opinions in this podcast are solely those of the hosts and are not intended as a substitute for professional medical care or therapy.  If you are struggling, please reach out to:Transgender Resources U.S. - https://glaad.org/transgender/resources/TransLifeLine -  translifeliine.orgPFLAG - plfag.orgPlume Clinic - getplume.coCANADA:List of funded 2SLGBTQI+ ORGANIZATIONShttps://www.canada.ca/en/women-gender-equality/funding/2slgbtqi-plus/list-organizations.htmlEnchanté Network - enchantenetwork.ca/Trans News That Doesn't Suck - https://transnews.substack.com/

Quei’s story moves from the brutal realities of chasing an acting career to a much more powerful idea: stop waiting for someone else to give you permission to become the artist you already are.https://www.instagram.com/queitannThis, is a Life Lived Trans PodcastSay hello! - GMail: alifelivedtrans@gmail.comThis is A Life Lived Trans!Questions: alifelivedtrans@gmail.comLinktree - https://linktr.ee/alifelivedtransPatreon - patreon.com/ALifeLivedTransA Zero Stress Production**Views and opinions in this podcast are solely those of the hosts and are not intended as a substitute for professional medical care or therapy.  If you are struggling, please reach out to:Transgender Resources U.S. - https://glaad.org/transgender/resources/TransLifeLine -  translifeliine.orgPFLAG - plfag.orgPlume Clinic - getplume.coCANADA:List of funded 2SLGBTQI+ ORGANIZATIONShttps://www.canada.ca/en/women-gender-equality/funding/2slgbtqi-plus/list-organizations.htmlEnchanté Network - enchantenetwork.ca/

In this weeks episode we discuss how far gender-affirming medicine has come—to hilarious but surprisingly poignant stories about the "dark ages" of trans surgery. 
We have our regular rapid-fire trans-news-and-chaos segment highlighting some of the fabulous things going on in our Community and catch up on our hosts current literary and music projects.
Ending the show reading some recent podcast reviews, and get into some questions and comments from viewers.
This, is a Life Lived Trans Podcast*Discount code for lennyzenith.bandcamp.com - alifelivedtrans valid for 95% off digital audio until 10/01 (Bandcamp demands a 5% fee)Say hello! - GMail: alifelivedtrans@gmail.comThis is A Life Lived Trans!Questions: alifelivedtrans@gmail.comLinktree - https://linktr.ee/alifelivedtransPatreon - patreon.com/ALifeLivedTransTrans News That Doesn't Suck - https://transnews.substack.com/A Zero Stress Production**Views and opinions in this podcast are solely those of the hosts and are not intended as a substitute for professional medical care or therapy.  If you are struggling, please reach out to:Transgender Resources U.S. - https://glaad.org/transgender/resources/TransLifeLine -  translifeliine.orgPFLAG - plfag.orgPlume Clinic - getplume.coCANADA:List of funded 2SLGBTQI+ ORGANIZATIONShttps://www.canada.ca/en/women-gender-equality/funding/2slgbtqi-plus/list-organizations.htmlEnchanté Network - enchantenetwork.ca/

At its heart, this is an episode about protecting your attention, finding balance, honoring the people who helped you survive, and making room for hope in a chaotic world.Say hello! - GMail: alifelivedtrans@gmail.comThis is A Life Lived Trans!Questions: alifelivedtrans@gmail.comLinktree - https://linktr.ee/alifelivedtransPatreon - patreon.com/ALifeLivedTransA Zero Stress Production**Views and opinions in this podcast are solely those of the hosts and are not intended as a substitute for professional medical care or therapy.  If you are struggling, please reach out to:Transgender Resources U.S. - https://glaad.org/transgender/resources/TransLifeLine -  translifeliine.orgPFLAG - plfag.orgPlume Clinic - getplume.coCANADA:List of funded 2SLGBTQI+ ORGANIZATIONShttps://www.canada.ca/en/women-gender-equality/funding/2slgbtqi-plus/list-organizations.htmlEnchanté Network - enchantenetwork.ca/

Mardi and Lenny are firmly back in the Pod-saddle again—and ready to counter all the doom and gloom with a little laughter, gratitude, and good news. While imagining a future trans renaissance the conversation gets personal and hilarious as the hosts share awkward trans moments, relationship lessons, medical-system absurdities, and stories from their combined Centenary of lived experience. They also answer a Patreon subscribers letter that triggers more funny and awkward trans stories—and remind listeners that cultivating vulnerability, gratitude, friendship, and standing up for yourself is our most important work.
 
This is A Life Lived Trans!
Questions: alifelivedtrans@gmail.comLinktree - https://linktr.ee/alifelivedtransPatreon - patreon.com/ALifeLivedTransA Zero Stress Production**Views and opinions in this podcast are solely those of the hosts and are not intended as a substitute for professional medical care or therapy.  If you are struggling, please reach out to:Transgender Resources U.S. - https://glaad.org/transgender/resources/TransLifeLine -  translifeliine.orgPFLAG - plfag.orgPlume Clinic - getplume.coCANADA:List of funded 2SLGBTQI+ ORGANIZATIONShttps://www.canada.ca/en/women-gender-equality/funding/2slgbtqi-plus/list-organizations.htmlEnchanté Network - enchantenetwork.ca/

They're Baaaack! 
Season 4 opens with Mardi and Lenny catching up after the summer and sending some lovin to our listeners.
They reflect on the work of making the show, Mardi’s upcoming memoir, aging, self-care, and the importance of listening to your body.
Diving into the latest hot topics, anti-trans politics, military restrictions, media representation, and the suppression of trans voices with decades of lived experience they talk about how we can start turning this around.
They share a viewers moving message whose parents better understood transition because of the show. 
Paid Patreon supporters  get an extra candid conversation about Trans Woman starting T and Trans Men starting E as we age, libido, hormones, and finding doctors who actually know what they're talking about.
This is, A Life Lived Trans PodcastA Life Lived Trans

In this episode of A Life Lived Trans, Mardi P. and Lenny Z. sit down with activist Shannon Axe for a candid, heartfelt, and often funny conversation about growing up as a transgender child long before most people had even heard the term. Shannon shares stories from her childhood in Colorado, coming out at age seven, and finding herself at the center of a national media storm simply for wanting to attend school as herself. Through it all, her unwavering sense of self—and the support of her family—helped her navigate challenges that would have overwhelmed most adults.
The trio reflects on how much has changed for transgender people over the years, while also acknowledging how much work remains to be done. Shannon talks about being one of the first trans kids to receive gender-affirming care through a pediatric program, and the hosts compare her experience to their own generations, when resources and visibility were far more limited. Along the way, they discuss activism, community, healthcare, and the importance of continuing to fight for trans youth in an increasingly complicated political climate.
– This is a Life Lived Trans.
 
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Shownotes
Shannon Axe, Los Angeles City Council Speeches
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=w0b1GVNOm-k
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Gq_kIODVi_0

In this episode of "A Life Lived Trans," hosts MahD and Lenny Z celebrate a historic moment as Qween Jean becomes the first trans woman to win a Tony Award for costume design. The episode is filled with discussions on Pride Month, the importance of trans visibility, and the ongoing fight for LGBTQ+ rights. The hosts share personal stories, including Mardi's last Pride Parade experience and the impact of trans activists like Sylvia Rivera and Marsha P. Johnson. They also address current challenges faced by the trans community, such as political threats and societal pressures, while emphasizing the importance of solidarity and support.
Experience the emotional depth and advocacy and resilience and unity within the trans community.
– This is a Life Lived Trans.
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Show Notes:
Daniel Mattingly Graduation Speech: https://www.youtube.com/shorts/yXHtxFqIXmY
Erin Reed 's article " "Fascism"—New Federal Rule Would Require Federal Funding Recipients To Deny Trans People Exist": https://www.erininthemorning.com/p/fascismnew-federal-rule-would-require
S.T.A.R.R alliance: https://strategictransalliance.org/
R.I.P Persia Amarra Conway 🙏: https://www.pghlesbian.com/2026/06/persia-amarra-conway-was-loved-is-the-message-of-the-family-on-the-death-of-the-black-trans-woman/
Rainbow Rainroad: https://www.rainbowrailroad.org/

Most people believe Pride is just a celebration, but for many, and Today more than ever, it’s a Protest! A powerful act of resistance and affirmation—especially in places where being queer or trans still faces fierce opposition. 
In this heartfelt episode our hosts Mardi and Lenny share raw, inspiring stories from their journeys—navigating love, politics, and community acceptance in a world still fighting for equality. 
From a small-town Pride celebration in Mardi’s home town that defied expectations, to the surprising progress in Hungary’s fight for Pride after years of bans, shows how community acceptance is transforming places like Vancouver Island, New Orleans and countries around the Globe. 
We break down the persistent disinformation campaigns, and how sharing our lived truths/ stories serves as a vital act of defiance.
With candid reflections on the progress made and the battles still ahead, you’ll get a clear perspective on why Pride remains a revolutionary act. Perfect for allies, trans and queer folks, or anyone who wants to understand why our stories matter more than ever. It’s a call to keep amplifying voices that need to be heard and to stand together against the hate. 
The future is ours to shape—listen in, get inspired, and remember: your voice is part of the movement.
- This is A Life Lived Trans.

Mardi and Lenny, two trans elders carrying over a century of lived experience, open their hearts about the realities facing the trans community today.
The episode centers on the devastating violence claiming trans lives. Trans women of color face the most brutal violence, often from intimate partners. They honor Erica Caldwell, Aliana Royal Bechdel, Devonta Curtis, and Shael Diamond Sanchez McCrae—women whose stories deserve to be told. The hosts raise awareness about systemic violence rooted in intersecting racism and transphobia.
Some A Life Lived Trans social media drama happened when a viral clip posted from our last episode sparked heated conversations online when Alexandra Billings discussed how trans men often experience different passing dynamics. Further down the algorithm, Mardi responded with a video critiquing rapid transitions and punching down at others in the community. The exchange generated thousands of comments, teaching Martdi that viral moments create conversations far beyond her original intention.
Throughout the episode, Mardi and Lenny explore how survival alone leaves people miserable – thriving requires joy, community, and growth. They acknowledge their own privilege while calling for collective liberation across all marginalized communities.
Their core message: stay authentic, support one another, engage respectfully to educate, and remember that trans elders continue learning too.
– This is A Life Lived Trans.
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Shownotes:
Trans Women of Color Collective: https://twocc.org/
RIP Davonta Curtis: https://www.them.us/story/black-trans-woman-davonta-curtis-killed-in-her-chicago-apartment
RIP Aleanna Royal Bechdel: https://www.pghlesbian.com/2026/04/black-trans-woman-aleanna-royal-bechdel-fatally-stabbed-in-new-york-state/
RIP Eryka Caldwell: https://www.them.us/story/trans-woman-eryka-caldwell-fatally-stabbed-in-bushwick-brooklyn
RIP Danielle Spillman: https://www.them.us/story/dannielle-spillman-san-francisco-trans-woman-run-over-killed
RIP Luca RedBeard: https://www.them.us/story/lucas-redbeard-knapp-killing-new-mexico