Chosen Family

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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!

Download S2 E10: Funny Girls with Matteo Lane
[mp3 file: runs 00:35:29]

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.

Download S2 E9: Hanging By A Moment with Xavier Dolan
[mp3 file: runs 00:41:15]

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?”

Download S2 E8: Morphing Time with Amy Jo Johnson
[mp3 file: runs 00:29:31]

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.

Download S2 E7: Teenage Dreams with Tegan and Sara
[mp3 file: runs 00:36:36]

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.

Download S2 E6: Hot Goddess Summer with Guy Branum
[mp3 file: runs 00:39:58]

S2 E5: Disrupting the Senses with Rodney Evans

Thomas and Tranna talk about not feeling queer enough. Then, a chat with filmmaker Rodney Evans on Vision Portraits – his moving documentary about the challenges and strengths of being a visually-impaired artist. Plus, in a very special Obsessions, Tranna gets answers to a certain Sex and The City episode that has plagued her, from the writer herself, Cindy Chupack.

Download S2 E5: Disrupting the Senses with Rodney Evans
[mp3 file: runs 00:40:24]

S2 E4: Red Carpet Jungle with Karla Welch

Tranna opens up to Thomas about the unrealistic beauty expectations she feels as a trans woman. Then the two get pointers from celebrity stylist Karla Welch who sees fashion as a form of activism. Plus, Basic City Gay Thomas talks wilderness with Quince Mountain — the first openly trans person to appear on the survival reality show Naked and Afraid.

Download S2 E4: Red Carpet Jungle with Karla Welch
[mp3 file: runs 00:38:52]

S2E3: The Notorious Life with Margaret Cho

In a very special episode, Thomas and Tranna welcome legendary stand-up comic and LGBTQ champion Margaret Cho for a feature chat on the radical nature of her comedy, educating millenials on queer sex… and John Travolta.

Download S2E3: The Notorious Life with Margaret Cho
[mp3 file: runs 00:44:19]

S2 E2: Queer Is the New Straight with Lauren Morelli

Thomas and Tranna share their ideals of home and then talk about queer utopia with Lauren Morelli, writer-producer on Netflix’s Tales of the City and Orange Is the New Black. Plus, this week’s obsession: 50 percent off tags. 

Download S2 E2: Queer Is the New Straight with Lauren Morelli
[mp3 file: runs 00:37:36]

S2 E1: Tell Me Lies with Ryan O’Connell

Thomas and Tranna reveal their personal delusions to each other and then talk lies with Ryan O'Connell, creator and star of the Netflix series Special — a comedy that draws on Ryan’s real-life experience hiding his cerebral palsy. Plus, T&T;’s latest obsession: the rebranding of Ginger Spice.

Download S2 E1: Tell Me Lies with Ryan O’Connell
[mp3 file: runs 00:33:55]

Chosen Family is back!

Tranna Wintour and Thomas Leblanc return with season two on June 19. Get ready for more conversations about sexuality, culture, community and of course, Céline Dion. Plus, exciting news! Chosen Family has joined the CBC Podcasts team.

Download Chosen Family is back!
[mp3 file: runs 00:02:10]

S1 E15: Together - A Season Finale

It's the season finale - talk about an ocean of emotions! Tranna and Thomas try to tie it all together as they assess where they find themselves in their lives right now.

Download S1 E15: Together - A Season Finale
[mp3 file: runs 01:23:41]

S1 E14: Patsy Gallant and New Beginnings

Canadian icon and disco queen Patsy Gallant bursts into the studio like an unstoppable force of energy, as she prepares to record the album of a lifetime. Having Patsy in the studio was a dream come true for Tranna, who's been a die-hard fan for years.

Download S1 E14: Patsy Gallant and New Beginnings
[mp3 file: runs 01:02:01]

S1 E13: Brendan Kelly and Céline Dion Gold

Journalist Brendan Kelly, who's been covering and interviewing Céline for the last 25+ years, joins Chosen Family in its extreme and hilarious Céline obsession. Prepare to dive deep into the universe of the Queen of Québec.

Download S1 E13: Brendan Kelly and Céline Dion Gold
[mp3 file: runs 01:14:29]

S1 E12: Random Recipe and Creative Partnership

When a musical duo (Frannie Holder and Fab from Random Recipe) meets a comedy duo (Thomas and Tranna), the results are explosive fun!

Download S1 E12: Random Recipe and Creative Partnership
[mp3 file: runs 01:06:31]

S1 E11: In Real Life with Féminin/Féminin

Chosen Family goes live in front of an audience for the first time! With guests Chloé Robichaud and Alexa-Jeanne Dubé from the hit show Féminin/Féminin, Thomas and Tranna dive into queer media and the industry changes that are slowly taking shape (en français).

Download S1 E11: In Real Life with Féminin/Féminin
[mp3 file: runs 00:56:15]

S1 E10: A Chosen Family Christmas

It's simultaneously the most wonderful and awful time of the year, but you better not pout because Thomas and Tranna are here to help you navigate the ups and downs of the holiday season in their first Christmas special!

Download S1 E10: A Chosen Family Christmas
[mp3 file: runs 01:07:49]

S1 E9: Judith Lussier and Joyful Justice

Thomas and Tranna wonder if they should take an extended break from the toxicity of social media, as they are joined (en français) by Judith Lussier, a writer, producer and host, who's had her own share of difficult experiences on social media.

Download S1 E9: Judith Lussier and Joyful Justice
[mp3 file: runs 01:07:05]

S1 E8: Arshad Khan and Finding Acceptance

A discussion about religion and spirituality goes so far beyond when filmmaker Arshad Khan, who's been touring the international film festival circuit with his acclaimed documentary, Abu, joins the table.

Download S1 E8: Arshad Khan and Finding Acceptance
[mp3 file: runs 01:00:39]

S1 E7: Dana Michel and A Place of Love

Tranna and Thomas reveal themselves in a way they haven't before - diving deep into the subject of love in the age of the dating app. Plus great conversation, comedy and music from guests Dana Michel, Ashley Moffatt, Ryan G. Hinds and Antony Carle.

Download S1 E7: Dana Michel and A Place of Love
[mp3 file: runs 00:57:11]

S1 E6: Eileen Myles and Radical Transparency

Tranna and Thomas are weary and worn as the world feels like an increasingly dark place. But inspiring guests Eileen Myles, Jonathan Van Meter and Chanty Marostica are here to save the day with their wit and wisdom.

Download S1 E6: Eileen Myles and Radical Transparency
[mp3 file: runs 01:04:28]

S1 E5: Dayna McLeod and (Im)perfect Femininity

Dayna McLeod, Jena Friedman and Natalie Norman are the brilliant, shiny stars of this episode. Chosen Family goes full-on girl power!

Download S1 E5: Dayna McLeod and (Im)perfect Femininity
[mp3 file: runs 01:05:33]

S1 E4: Nantali Indongo and the Art of Being Real

Tranna calls up her hero and friend, Sandra Bernhard; Thomas obsesses over fashion satire queen, Mademoiselle Agnès; and Nantali Indongo joins the family live in studio for a deep conversation on race and art.

Download S1 E4: Nantali Indongo and the Art of Being Real
[mp3 file: runs 01:09:39]

S1 E3: Christiane Charette and Camera Culture

Television and radio host Christiane Charette is Québec culture royalty. She joins T and T to discuss her impressive career (en français).

Download S1 E3: Christiane Charette and Camera Culture
[mp3 file: runs 00:54:16]

S1 E2: John Cameron Mitchell and Queer Identity

Thomas and Tranna discuss queer identity, the role of labels and the punk way of life with legendary writer, actor and director John Cameron Mitchell (Hedwig and the Angry Inch, Short Bus, Rabbit Hole). Plus, the hilarious Nadya Ginsburg dials in!

Download S1 E2: John Cameron Mitchell and Queer Identity
[mp3 file: runs 01:01:19]

S1 E1: Jen Kirkman and the Madonna Connection

Meet Chosen Family hosts, Thomas Leblanc and Tranna Wintour, who share a unique friendship. Joining the family for the first episode are comedy superstar Jen Kirkman and choreographer Miguel Gutierrez.

Download S1 E1: Jen Kirkman and the Madonna Connection
[mp3 file: runs 01:06:20]