On this episode, Caroline, Kristin, and Lusi meet Kaz Phillips, a 22-year-old trans woman currently serving in the U.S. Army as a human intelligence professional. As the military once again attempts to roll back protections for transgender service members, Kaz faces an involuntary discharge under a policy that forces trans personnel to separate or risk losing their benefits. With courage and clarity, she walks us through what it means to serve your country while being forced to hide who you are, and what it feels like when that service is deemed expendable by the very institutions you swore to protect.

Kaz opens up about her journey of self-discovery, from growing up in a large musical family in Cincinnati to navigating gender and marriage, military intelligence training, and the complexities of transition in uniform. She shares the tensions between duty and identity, patriotism and pain, and how her lived experiences have reshaped her purpose.

Through this intimate and powerful conversation, we explore not just the challenges Kaz has faced but the heart behind her advocacy. From TikTok activism to confronting transphobia within and beyond the military, Kaz speaks to the urgency of visibility, the need for diverse trans voices, and the resilience it takes to keep showing up.

“Kaz Phillips (she/her) is a daughter, sister, wife, and proud trans woman who loves her life. She currently serves as a Human Intelligence professional in the U.S. Army, where she gathers and analyzes critical information to support national security efforts. A graduate of the Defense Language Institute in French, Kaz has also trained fellow HUMINT professionals and led volunteer initiatives across the country.

Outside of her military service, Kaz advocates for trans rights, especially for those serving in uniform, and creates content to educate and uplift others navigating similar journeys. Raised in a Christian family split between rigid and more accepting views, Kaz’s path to transition was shaped by faith, reflection, and resilience. She began her transition at age 21 and continues to speak out about the realities trans people face in the military today. When she’s off duty, she can be found crocheting or dancing to just about every song she hears.”

**

“Make it real to me” written by Athena Promachus, covered by Boy Bowser

The Trans Narrative was created, and produced by Caroline Penny, powered by Spotify for podcasters

If you’d like to reach out, or be apart of the show contact us at

“transnarrativepodcast@gmail.com”

Support and donations can be made to cash app tag $gottabesomthinmore

Find us Facebook, TikTok, and on Apple, Spotify, and iHeartRadio, or anywhere you listen to podcasts

Thank you for your support

Suicide Hotline 1-800-SUICIDE (784-2433)

S.A.F.E. (Self Abuse Finally Ends) 1-800-DONT-CUT

American Foundation for low vision 212-502-7633.

Trevor Hotline (Suicide) 1-866-4-U-TREVOR

Family Violence Prevention Center 1-800-313-1310

National Domestic Violence Hotline 1-800-799-SAFE

Drug Abuse National Helpline 1-800-662-4357

National Human Service Call Center 2-1-1

On this episode, Caroline and Jordan have the pleasure of meeting Tessa White, a retired detective sergeant, Marine Corps veteran, and fierce LGBTQ+ rights advocate whose journey spans decades of service, transformation, and community leadership. Tessa shares stories from her upbringing in Philadelphia, her time in the military and law enforcement, and the pivotal moment when she began transitioning in 2015. With humor, heart, and unflinching honesty, she reflects on navigating gender dysphoria, family estrangement, and ultimately finding solidarity and love within Oklahoma City’s queer community.

Throughout the conversation, Tessa, Caroline, and Jordan dive into complex and often under-discussed dynamics within the transgender community—such as the pressures of “passing,” internal gatekeeping, and navigating identity in hostile environments. Together, they also reflect on deeply personal moments of growth and resistance, from confronting transphobia in public to reclaiming womanhood through community celebration. Tessa shares her experiences leading Oklahoma City Pride, where she’s used both visibility and behind-the-scenes advocacy to fight anti-LGBTQ+ legislation and create spaces of joy and resilience—even in the face of rising drag bans and political backlash.

The episode also explores the power of social media in building queer solidarity, with Tessa recounting her viral TikTok moments and emphasizing the importance of storytelling over statistics in shifting public opinion. Caroline, Jordan, and Tessa agree: living visibly, organizing across difference, and showing up with vulnerability are revolutionary acts. Whether organizing Pride events, dancing at the club, or testifying at the state capitol, Tessa’s message is clear—trans people belong everywhere, and their stories have the power to move hearts, change laws, and unite communities.

“Tessa White is a Marine Corps veteran, a retired detective sergeant from the Seacoast region of New Hampshire, and a bold, outspoken advocate for LGBTQ+ rights. After transitioning a decade ago upon returning to her birthplace of Oklahoma, Tessa immersed herself in queer activism, serving on multiple nonprofit boards and becoming a visible force for human rights in a deeply conservative state. Now in her fifth year as President of Oklahoma City Pride, Tessa leads with fierce compassion and community vision. She is also the owner and contractor of TwinStar HVAC Inc., a proud mother to two sets of twins, and someone whose life is grounded in love, justice, and the power of living authentically. Tessa is unafraid to speak truth to power—especially in confronting the cruelty of far-right policies targeting the trans community—and she’s recently experienced the wild ride of going viral on TikTok.“

**

“Make it real to me” written by Athena Promachus, covered by Boy Bowser

The Trans Narrative was created, and produced by Caroline Penny, powered by Spotify for podcasters

If you’d like to reach out, or be apart of the show contact us at

“transnarrativepodcast@gmail.com”

Support and donations can be made to cash app tag $gottabesomthinmore

Find us Facebook, TikTok, and on Apple, Spotify, and iHeartRadio, or anywhere you listen to podcasts

Thank you for your support

Suicide Hotline 1-800-SUICIDE (784-2433)

S.A.F.E. (Self Abuse Finally Ends) 1-800-DONT-CUT

American Foundation for low vision 212-502-7633.

Trevor Hotline (Suicide) 1-866-4-U-TREVOR

Family Violence Prevention Center 1-800-313-1310

National Domestic Violence Hotline 1-800-799-SAFE

Drug Abuse National Helpline 1-800-662-4357

National Human Service Call Center 2-1-1

On this episode, Athena, Caroline, and Jordan are joined by Indy Pride’s own Hudson Gaunt, a transmasculine, non-binary, autistic, Hispanic pagan and EMT whose life is rooted in radical care, community resilience, and queer joy. Together, they dive into Hudson’s personal journey, from growing up in a conservative religious household to becoming a visible and vital advocate for inclusive queer spaces in Indianapolis. With honesty and depth, Hudson shares the formative moments of their self-discovery, the tension between identity and faith, and how they’ve woven together their lived experiences to shape both their spirituality and community activism.

As the conversation unfolds, the group explores the evolving meaning of Pride, especially under the growing shadow of political backlash and anti-trans legislation. Hudson offers a behind-the-scenes look at their work with Indy Pride, highlighting efforts to create trauma-informed, accessible events like the “Mellow Cello” sensory tent and the Transmixer. They reflect on their desire for Pride to be less corporate, more community-driven, and genuinely inclusive, built not on performance, but on shared values of safety, belonging, and liberation.

In a world that often tries to erase or sanitize queer complexity, this episode becomes a love letter to intersectionality, lived truth, and the healing power of chosen family. Hudson’s story reminds us that Pride isn’t just a party, it’s a practice. A practice of showing up, of holding space, and of daring to imagine futures where everyone belongs.

“Hudson Gaunt is a multifaceted soul whose life and work embody resilience, authenticity, and radical care. A Queer, Non-Binary, Autistic, Hispanic, Pagan, Trans cat-dad and EMT, Hudson holds space at the vibrant intersections of identity, disability, and community healing. Raised in a conservative town by a pastor, Hudson’s early life was marked by suppression, of truth, of expression, of joy. But after finding affirmation and belonging within the Indianapolis queer community, Hudson committed himself to creating safe, affirming spaces for others. As the Office Manager for Indy Pride, he now works to ensure the organization reflects the full spectrum of identities it serves. Hudson brings lived experience, spiritual depth, and a creative lens to everything he touches, building community not just with systems—but with soul.”

**

“Make it real to me” written by Athena Promachus, covered by Boy Bowser

The Trans Narrative was created, and produced by Caroline Penny, powered by Spotify for podcasters

If you’d like to reach out, or be apart of the show contact us at

“transnarrativepodcast@gmail.com”

Support and donations can be made to cash app tag $gottabesomthinmore

Find us Facebook, TikTok, and on Apple, Spotify, and iHeartRadio, or anywhere you listen to podcasts

Thank you for your support

Suicide Hotline 1-800-SUICIDE (784-2433)

S.A.F.E. (Self Abuse Finally Ends) 1-800-DONT-CUT

American Foundation for low vision 212-502-7633.

Trevor Hotline (Suicide) 1-866-4-U-TREVOR

Family Violence Prevention Center 1-800-313-1310

National Domestic Violence Hotline 1-800-799-SAFE

Drug Abuse National Helpline 1-800-662-4357

National Human Service Call Center 2-1-1