Céline Dion is having a moment. It’s not her first, and millions of fans are hoping it won’t be her last. While Céline’s international stardom seems obvious now, it was all so unlikely. Now, as a rare illness threatens to retire Celine’s more-than-four-decade long career, in Céline: Understood culture writer and Chosen Family co-host Thomas Leblanc…

It’s with a heavy heart and sense of pride that we bid you, dear listeners, farewell. Yes, this is the series finale of Chosen Family, but we’re not leaving without one last soulful, deep conversation. Joining us for this bittersweet episode is the brilliant Miguel Gutierrez, New York-based choreographer, composer, performer, singer, writer, educat…

It’s a very special episode as we welcome one of our dream guests, Québecoise pop icon, Mitsou Gélinas! Mitsou has had one of the most varied and fascinating careers in Québec entertainment, from pop success with hits like “Bye Bye Mon Cowboy” to 20 years in radio to founding her own magazine—Mitsou has done it all! We spoke to her about the ups an…

Before rolling out the red carpet for a very special guest, Tranna talks to Thomas about the high school English teacher that changed her life and how she used her new live show, High School Reunion, to process the nightmare that was her high school years. Then the two are joined by drag royalty, RuPaul’s Drag Race UK runner-up and instant fashion …

Thomas and Tranna let their inner theatre geeks out as they share memories of the fabulous Broadway shows they’ve seen. They couldn’t dream of a better guest to join them in their love of musical theatre than a person who’s being heralded as the future of the medium: the Pulitzer-prize-winning playwright, composer, lyricist, Michael R. Jackson. His…

When Tranna first started comedy eight years ago, she never could have imagined an international community of trans comedians. Thomas and Tranna reflect on the emergence of the trans comedy scene and its vitality. Then they’re joined by special guest Kama La Mackerel, multidisciplinary artist and writer of the acclaimed poetry collection, Zom-Fam, …

Thomas and Tranna never excelled in science, but that’s okay because today they are welcoming the best science teachers they never had: Gregory Brown and Mitchell Moffit, creators of the wildly successful YouTube channel, AsapSCIENCE, which has racked up over 1.5 BILLION views! Greg and Mitch bring their signature wit, charm, and smarts to this hig…

Tranna shares her secret life as a digital exhibitionist and gives Thomas a few tips on how to take hot nudes. Then they’re joined by award-winning writer, Zoe Whittall, whose new novel, The Spectacular, is truly spectacular. In this conversation she speaks about the creative process, the sometimes agonizing internal debate about starting a family,…

Thomas and Tranna are joined by the brilliant performer, composer, activist, and musicologist, Jeremy Dutcher, whose debut album, Wolastoqiyik Lintuwakonawa, won the 2018 Polaris Prize. In this deep and illuminating conversation, Jeremy talks about the connections between music and ancestry, reconciliation, and the spirituality of queerness. Also o…

Come on listeners, do you believe in making your pop star dreams come true? Cuz we’ve got something to say about it. Thomas and Tranna are joined by singer, writer, multidisciplinary artist and queer icon, Vivek Shraya, for a fun and moving conversation about the power of pop music and what happens when you fail at becoming the one thing you want m…

The legendary Jake Shears has entered the chat and we are gagged! As frontman of the massively successful Scissor Sisters, Jake brought back a 70s, queer, glam rock aesthetic back to the mainstream pop scene in 2004. After eight successful years with the band, Jake released his self-titled debut solo album in 2018 and a brilliant memoir titled Boys…

Transgender women, and trans sex workers in particular, know what it means to be marginalized, overpoliced, and underprotected. In season two of The Village, host Justin Ling investigates the stories of two women, Alloura Wells and Cassandra Do, whose deaths remain unexplained, and whose cases expose the systems that failed them. More episodes are …

It's another Pride spent apart in the midst of a global pandemic, but maybe this is the chance we need to re-evaluate what Pride means. This week Thomas and Tranna welcome Syrus Marcus Ware and Rodney Diverlus, brilliant artists, activists, and co-editors (alongside Sandy Hudson) of Until We Are Free: Reflections on Black Lives Matter in Canada. In…

Chosen Family goes pop as Tranna and Thomas welcome comedian and judge from RuPaul’s Drag Race: Down Under, Rhys Nicholson. Rhys gives us the inside scoop on what goes on behind the scenes, the best advice he received from Ru, and how he uses comedy to make important statements on queer rights. Plus a very special edition of Obsessions with guest T…

Thomas and Tranna discuss the idea of being unremarkable and what it would be like to move through the world if there wasn’t so much pressure on trans and gender non-conforming folks to disclose and explain their identity. Who better to join the exchange than Sam Feder, the brilliant director of the groundbreaking Netflix documentary, Disclosure. C…

Mother’s day has Thomas a little triggered as he talks to Tranna about the complex relationship he shares with his mom. It’s the perfect opportunity for these two to talk to award-winning writer, andrea bennett, whose brilliant collection of essays, Like a Boy but Not a Boy, examines and redefines parenthood from a non-binary perspective. Also on t…

It’s a dream-come-true moment for Thomas and Tranna as they welcome rockstar, writer, producer, and queer icon Linda Perry! From mega success in the 90s, fronting the band 4 Non Blondes, to writing and producing some of the biggest hits of the early 00s for Christina Aguilera, Gwen Stefani, and Pink, Perry is back behind the mic for the first time …

Tranna and Thomas welcome none other than Saturday Night Live cast member Bowen Yang for a wide-ranging conversation! Now in his third season as a player on the show, Bowen has already made comedy history by being the first Chinese-American and only current gay man in the cast. Bowen is also the co-host (with BFF Matt Rogers) of the wildly popular …

Tranna shares the discovery of an old VHS tape of her 6th grade ski trip, which allows her to reconnect with her 12 year old self. The theme of reconnecting with our inner child continues in conversation with photographer and writer, Samra Habib, winner of Canada Reads 2020 for the brilliant We Have Always Been Here: A Queer Muslim Memoir. Thomas h…

It’s an extra special episode of Chosen Family, as Thomas and Tranna welcome dance music legend Róisín Murphy, who’s celebrating 25 years in music! This episode is a love letter to nightlife and the dream of being reunited on the dance floor once again. Plus: surprise guest Crystal from RuPaul’s Drag Race UK S1, and T&T share their obsession with G…

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: T…

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’…

Season three of Chosen Family kicks off on February 11th with superstar astrologer, Jessica Lanyadoo! Make sure to follow Chosen Family on Instagram @chosenfamilyshow!

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. …

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 wi…

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…

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.…

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 P…

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 colon…

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 nigh…

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…

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.…

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 duri…

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’r…

Moving into a new apartment brings up intense feelings around identity and safety for Tranna. Then, writer-performer and former social worker Kai Cheng Thom talks about cancel culture and chosen families in the wake of her new book “I Hope We Choose Love: A Trans Girl’s Notes from the End of the World”. Plus, Thomas shares his latest Obsession: the…

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!…

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.

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?”

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.…

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.

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 herse…

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…

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.

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.

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.

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.

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.

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.

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

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).