NEW YEAR, NEW HIM: The men of HIM Podcast return with new co-hosts
HIM is a weekly podcast which centers five queer men of color working, learning, and loving in NYC.
The men of HIM are back for 2020, and there are two new faces at the infamous table. Catch up with Malik, Stevie, and Trey and get to know their new co-hosts, Aaron Trotman and LaQuann Dawson.
With their first episode streaming in 2017, HIM has over 200k downloads and have been named top 10 LGBTQ podcasts by Podcasts in Color.
TENz sits down with Malik Little, creator and host of HIM podcast for 10 questions with us.
What made you want to create a podcast?
2017. I was homeless and i recently contracted HIV. I was extremely depressed and suicidal, but there was something else deeper and strong than that depression, and that was the need to share my story. I decided that I would create podcast. I wasn’t sure how I was going to accomplish, but i knew that I wanted to share this platform with other queer men of color.
What are some topics that you discuss on the podcast?
All things black and GAY!!! – But really. We advocates of our community; the LGBTQ+ community. Homophobia in the black community. Gay + trans rights. Advocating for trans men and women of color. Mental health awareness. Depression and anxiety. etc.
How did you meet Stevie and Trey?
I have been following Miss Stevie for almost 10 years on social media. Back in the day he was known for this infamous tumblr page and he was an avid Youtuber. I really started getting into him when he decided to detail his weight lost to social media, and i was more or less surprised to his dedication to losing weight. Not to mention this was pre IG. Stevie is also a party girl like me, so when I moved to NY in 2015 we quickly bonded. Trey on the other was 17 and a senior in high school when we first started following each other on social media. I’ve always been impressed by Trey’s work ethic, and amazing taste in music.
Why Aaron? Why LaQuann? Why the switch up for 2020?
I really felt that we as podcast we needed to revamp the show. Also, we’ve sort of modeled our show off of The View where the co hosts change from time to time. It was very important that whoever we added to the group mesh well with the current members. Both Aaron and LaQuann have been big supporters of the show since our first episode! LaQuann was actually the photographer for her very first photoshoot, and he was featured on episodes 034 and 035. LaQuann’s creative eye an attention to detail is unmatched. His personality paired with his need to create made him the perfect addition. When we first started using a recording studio Aaron would come to sit in on our recordings. He was a pleasure to be around then, and nothing has changed since. His effervescent personality draws people in with an unshakable point of view to match. Aaron was recently married so he definitely is here to offer unique perspective amongst four other men.
Why did you choose to podcast, vs doing a YouTube channel?
We chose podcasting because we felt that it was the most authentic route to take, with podcasting you’re hearing our voice and not distracted often by what we’re wearing or how we look, people just focus on our voices which for us is the most important thing!
Where do you see HIM Podcast in the future?
I want so much for HIM Podcast, but I ultimately would love to see HIM as a nightly tv talk show. Can you picture 5 gay men on your tv nightly?
Who are some of the dream guest you want on the show?
Of course we would love to have the entire cast of Pose on, Twiggy Pucci Garçon, DeRay Mckesson, Dwayne Wade and Gabrielle Union, Jeremy O’Harris and so much more!
What has been the most difficult part of recording a weekly podcast?
I think the hardest part is doing the show is finding a work/life balance, we record every other week on top of all of our already busy schedules.
What advice would you give an upcoming queer creative?
Be you, live with your flaws but always push forward. Make sure you believe in whatever you are doing, because if you don’t believe in it neither will your audience.
With the knowledge that you have now, what is one thing you wish you’d done differently when starting the podcast?
I would have saved as much money as i could in the beginning because you never know what pops up or all the things needed to keep an indie podcast afloat!
