Chosen Family

About this podcast

A podcast hosted by queer, cosmically-destined BFFs Thomas Leblanc and Tranna Wintour. Join the Montreal comedians every other week for deep and spontaneous conversations featuring renowned artists and and up-and-coming creators.

Chosen Family

Episodes

2021
S3 E2: DIY is Not a Sin with Backxwash
Thomas and Tranna share and examine the reasons why they feel so creatively blocked as they address “the pandemic wall” everyone seems to be hitting. Polaris prize-winning rapper and producer, Backxwash, joins the two to talk about growing up queer in Zambia, being a DIY artist, vulnerability, and tokenization in the entertainment industry. Plus: Thomas and Tranna find inspiration and solace in two nostalgic TV shows: “PEN15” and “It’s A Sin.”
February 25, 2021
38 min
S3 E1: Star Power with Jessica Lanyadoo
Thomas and Tranna kick off an all-new season in a world that feels turned upside down. Who better to turn to for advice on navigating these difficult days than superstar astrologer, Jessica Lanyadoo, who takes Chosen Family into the stratosphere with a deep dive on all things astrology. Plus T and T share their current obsessions: Kama La Mackerel’s debut poetry collection, Zom-Fam, and Backxwash’s breakthrough album, God Has Nothing To Do With This Leave Him Out Of It.
February 11, 2021
46 min
Can you handle this? Thomas and Tranna are back
Season three of Chosen Family kicks off on February 11th with superstar astrologer, Jessica Lanyadoo! Make sure to follow Chosen Family on Instagram @chosenfamilyshow!
February 4, 2021
3 min
2020
Special Episode: The Pride We Need with Brandon Ash-Mohammed
In this special bonus episode of Chosen Family, Thomas and Tranna are reminded of Pride’s activist roots while the BLM movement is out in full force (following the murder of George Floyd). Then, the hosts are joined by standup comic Brandon Ash-Mohammed, the first gay Black man in Canada to release a comedy album and founder of The Ethnic Rainbow. Together they talk about the overwhelmingly white comedy industry, what it means to be a trailblazer Capricorn and how the queer community might not be as unified as it would like to think. Plus, Brandon shares his obsession with Tina Turner and listeners call in with their Pride memories.
June 22, 2020
45 min
S2 E20: Vision of Love with Rufus Wainwright and Sarah Schulman
In the final episode of Season 2, Tranna and Thomas share an update on where they’re at in the middle of the pandemic. Thomas calls up writer-activist Sarah Schulman to talk about the parallels between COVID-19 and the AIDS crisis. Then, the hosts talk to Rufus Wainwright about bathrobes, his new album Unfollow The Rules, and his trajectory from wild child to dedicated father and husband. Plus, Thomas yearns for the day he can sing along to “Dancing On My Own” in public again while Tranna goes back to her ultimate obsession: Alanis Morrisette.
April 8, 2020
47 min
S2 E19: Rock Bottom with Ty Mitchell
Thomas and Tranna share what life has been like for them during the coronavirus pandemic... with Thomas making a surprising confession. Then gay porn actor and writer Ty Mitchell joins the two to talk about sex work in the gig economy and the nuances of male sexuality on screen. Plus: Thomas and Tranna manage to find an obsession during the time of covid 19: the Netflix series “Feel Good” + author Jenny Odell’s “How To Do Nothing.”
March 25, 2020
46 min
S2 E18: Purse First with Bob the Drag Queen
Thomas and Tranna wonder if being raised by single parents has influenced their relationship choices and also ask whether “monogamous privilege” is a thing. Then, Bob the Drag Queen joins the two for a chat about all things Drag Race, their new comedy special and… purses. Plus, obsessions: Jessica Simpson’s memoir and David Byrne’s American Utopia.
March 11, 2020
34 min
S2 E17: Super Soul Sexuality with Rabbi Lisa Grushcow
In this special episode, Tranna and Thomas welcome progressive rabbi Lisa Grushcow for a candid conversation about faith and its surprising connections to her personal story (lesbian, divorced, mother of three). They also talk about Judaism’s takes on sex and gender (polyamory and being trans), pop culture morality in a time of great chaos (Harry Potter + jedis!) and how spirituality and technology can co-exist harmoniously. Tranna also engages Rabbi Grushcow on her side-hustle: romantic matchmaking. Plus, Thomas and Tranna’s latest Obsessions: Madame X and Love Is Blind.
February 26, 2020
52 min
S2 E16: Boundaries and Bruises with Alicia Elliott
Thomas and Tranna share their biggest fears, among them: driving, posting a shirtless photo on instagram, and discovering that they are normal. Then, Haudenosaunee writer Alicia Elliott talks about her book A Mind Spread Out on the Ground — a collection of essays that looks at depression, intergenerational trauma, and the lingering effects of colonialism in Canada. Plus, Thomas & Tranna’s latest Obsessions: J-Lo’s second album and the 7-hour Broadway play The Inheritance.
February 12, 2020
40 min
S2 E15: It’s Complicated with Coeur de Pirate
Tranna tells Thomas about breaking her year of celibacy, after a foray into dating apps (for trans people—it's complicated). Then, singer-songwriter Coeur de Pirate, aka Béatrice Martin, join the two to chat about revenge songs, being a judge on a singing show Quebec's The Voice (La Voix), and coming out publicly as pansexual after the Orlando nightclub shooting. Plus, T&T’s latest Obsessions: Euphoria and a special episode of 90 Day Fiancé.
January 29, 2020
40 min
S2 E14: Trigger Warning with Bret Easton Ellis
As a new year’s resolution, Thomas & Tranna want to talk to people who might not share their exact world view. Novelist Bret Easton Ellis, no stranger to controversy, joins the two for a feature chat about his provocative work, Millennials, and gay political correctness. Then, T&T share their first Obsessions of 2020: Bombshell and… Cats. You could now find an expanded version of T&T's Obsessions on Xtra! Read it here: https://www.dailyxtra.com/story/obsessions
January 15, 2020
42 min
2019
Live from RIDM with Benedetta Barzini & Beniamino Barrese
Recorded live at the RIDM documentary film festival in Montreal, Tranna & Thomas talk to Italian ex-supermodel Benedetta Barzini and her son, director Beniamino Barrese. Their film "The Disappearance of My Mother" looks at Benedetta’s revolt against the culture of image-making and her strong desire to fade away from view.
December 30, 2019
27 min
S2 E13: Sweet Fantasy with Owen Pallett
Tranna and Thomas recap the Celine Dion concert they attended together and look at the singer’s renaissance, the generational divide among her fans, and... her hair. Then the two are joined by multi-instrumentalist and composer Owen Pallett (aka Final Fantasy) to talk about utopian futures, the problems with fandom, and mental health struggles during the creative process. Plus: T&T's new Obsessions take us to 80s decadence and some horny places.
December 11, 2019
44 min
S2 E12: The Power of Goodbye with Ira Sachs
Thomas confesses to Tranna that he can’t be monogamous and contemplates different configurations like polyamory and open relationships. Then, filmmaker Ira Sachs joins the two to talk about his new film Frankie, unconventional families, and why he no longer feels like an outsider. Plus, in the latest Obsessions, Thomas and Tranna explore why they’re drawn to two dynastic shows about the ultra rich: Succession and The Crown.
November 27, 2019
33 min
S2 E11: Love At The End Of The World with Kai Cheng Thom
Moving into a new apartment brings up intense feelings around identity and safety for Tranna. Then, writer-performer-social worker Kai Cheng Thom talks about cancel culture and chosen families in the wake of her new book “How To Choose Love: A Trans Girl’s Notes from the End of the World”. Plus, Thomas shares his latest Obsession: the pilates reformer.
November 13, 2019
38 min
S2 E10: Funny Girls with Matteo Lane
Thomas opens up about his grandmother’s passing and how comedy helps him in dark times. Then, standup comic and former opera singer Matteo Lane talks divas, chosen families and... his racy Instagram. Plus, a chat with comedian Robbie Hoffman on Judaism’s acceptance of queerness. This is our 25th episode, aka the Silver episode!
October 30, 2019
36 min
S2 E9: Hanging By A Moment with Xavier Dolan
In a special episode of Chosen Family — part retrospective, part love letter — Thomas shares personal stories about award-winning Montreal filmmaker Xavier Dolan from throughout the years. Then, the Cannes darling himself opens up in a rare feature interview about love, family and friendship.
October 16, 2019
42 min
S2 E8: Morphing Time with Amy Jo Johnson
Tranna and Thomas reminisce about celebrity sightings at TIFF. Then the two are joined by filmmaker Amy Jo Johnson, of pink power ranger and Felicity fame. Plus, Thomas shares his obsession with MTV dating show “Are You the One?”
October 2, 2019
30 min
S2 E7: Teenage Dreams with Tegan and Sara
Thomas opens up to Tranna about the sister he never had. Then they go back to High School with Canadian rock royalty Tegan and Sara who talk about their new memoir on their teenage years, and what it was like to navigate their sexual identities separately, as twins. Plus, Tranna discovers a new queer icon in Netflix show Blown Away.
September 18, 2019
37 min
S2 E6: Hot Goddess Summer with Guy Branum
Thomas and Tranna debate the nuances of American vs. Canadian fame. Then, a conversation at Just for Laughs with comic and writer Guy Branum — ”the gay uncle of standup.” Plus, T&T say goodbye to summer and hello to fall.
August 28, 2019
40 min

Chosen Family

About this podcast

Categories

About this podcast

Categories

Chosen Family

Episodes

S3 E2: DIY is Not a Sin with Backxwash

S3 E1: Star Power with Jessica Lanyadoo

Can you handle this? Thomas and Tranna are back

Special Episode: The Pride We Need with Brandon Ash-Mohammed

S2 E20: Vision of Love with Rufus Wainwright and Sarah Schulman

S2 E19: Rock Bottom with Ty Mitchell

S2 E18: Purse First with Bob the Drag Queen

S2 E17: Super Soul Sexuality with Rabbi Lisa Grushcow

S2 E16: Boundaries and Bruises with Alicia Elliott

S2 E15: It’s Complicated with Coeur de Pirate

S2 E14: Trigger Warning with Bret Easton Ellis

Live from RIDM with Benedetta Barzini & Beniamino Barrese

S2 E13: Sweet Fantasy with Owen Pallett

S2 E12: The Power of Goodbye with Ira Sachs

S2 E11: Love At The End Of The World with Kai Cheng Thom

S2 E10: Funny Girls with Matteo Lane

S2 E9: Hanging By A Moment with Xavier Dolan

S2 E8: Morphing Time with Amy Jo Johnson

S2 E7: Teenage Dreams with Tegan and Sara

S2 E6: Hot Goddess Summer with Guy Branum