Being Seen
ViiV Healthcare
The award-winning podcast Being Seen is an in-depth exploration of culture’s role in resolving the tension between how we are seen and how we see ourselves. It is a space to explore current cultural representations and their impact through conversations with leading artists, writers, activists, entertainers, and community leaders. If we create nuanced and accurate cultural portrayals of identity and experience, we have an opportunity to reduce stigma and change perception - impacting everything from HIV to institutional inequality.Each episode is brought to life visually through licensed artwork and photography. This season, our artwork is curated by Cierra Barton, acclaimed art historian, art advisor, curator and writer. The photography for each episode has been curated by Patti Wilson from photographers including Miranda Barnes, Laylah Amatullah Barrayn, and Widline Cadet. Our theme song is La Cumbia Me Está Llamando feat. La Perla by Nubya Garcia.Consulting partners on the project are Novella Ford, Charlene Carruthers, Aria Sa’id, Davina Otalor and Darnell Moore.Being Seen is produced by Harley & Co. and created in partnership with ViiV Healthcare.
Episodes
Mentioned books
Jul 13, 2021 • 43sec
Our Community
We want to hear from our listening community! We need your input, your feedback, your agreements and your disagreements. It only takes two minutes to fill out and can be found at beingseenpodcast.com/survey.
Jul 8, 2021 • 22min
Being Seen, Episode 20, For The People
A look behind the scenes at what it means to create in this moment. Reflections on community, fellowship and love from the creators of Being Seen.Featured in this episode: Emil Wilbekin (Founder, Native Son), Darius Brown (Emmy-Award Winning Producer), Gioncarlo Valentine (Visual Narrator, Writer & Curator), and DaShawn Usher (Founder, Mobilizing Our Brothers Initiative (MOBI)). Artwork for this episode provided by Adryan Tunde Abii-Smith and photography provided by Hannah Price.
Jun 29, 2021 • 35min
Being Seen, Episode 19, Sports
How gay and queer Black men are reimagining sports, creating space, and discovering new possibility models.Featured in this episode: Nate Burleson (Sports Commentator & Former NFL Player), Jason Collins (Former NBA Player), and LZ Granderson (Award-Winning Sports Journalist). Artwork for this episode provided by Jonathan Lyndon Chase, and photography provided by Andre D. Wagner.
Jun 22, 2021 • 44min
Being Seen, Episode 18, Trans Masculine Experience
An exploration of masculinities through the eyes of trans masculine people, gender-expansive individuals, and the ones who love us.Featured in this episode: Guest Host Texas Isaiah (Visual Narrator), Wazi Maret (Producer & Songwriter), Ahya Simone (Multidisciplinary Artist), and Marquise Vilsón (Actor & Activist). Artwork for this episode provided by Amani Lewis, and photography provided by Texas Isaiah.
Jun 15, 2021 • 33min
Being Seen, Episode 17, Afro-Latinx
How interconnected identities shape our stories, through the lens of the Afro-Latinx experience.Featured in this episode: Representative Ritchie Torres, Steven Canals (Screenwriter & Producer), and Wilson Cruz (Award-Winning Actor). Artwork for this episode provided by Gustavo de Nazareno and photography provided by Steven Molina Contreras & Gioncarlo Valentine.
Jun 8, 2021 • 24min
Being Seen, Episode 16, Hollywood
An exploration of representation in Hollywood and how entertainment can become a tool for transformation.Featured in this episode: Anthony Hemingway (Director & Producer), Brandon Goodman (Writer & Actor), and Colman Domingo (Actor, Writer & Director). Artwork for this episode provided by Xavier Daniels and photography provided by Dustin Thierry.
Jun 2, 2021 • 33min
Being Seen, Episode 15, Barbershop
Finding spaces where we can inhabit shared visions of freedom.Featured in this episode: Quincy Mills (Professor & Author), Marc Lamont Hill (TV Host, Author & Activist), and Lorenzo Lewis (Advocate, Speaker & Author). Artwork for this episode provided by Stephen Towns and photography provided by Antonio Johnson.
May 25, 2021 • 26min
Being Seen, Episode 14, Youth
An exploration of marking our existence, building community and cherishing our youth. Featured in this episode: Shangela (Actor, Comedian & Performer), Kalen Allen (Creator, Writer & Actor), and Keiynan Lonsdale (Dancer & Singer-Songwriter). Artwork for this episode provided by Daniel Marcellus Givens and photography provided by Widline Cadet.
May 18, 2021 • 26min
Being Seen, Episode 13, Mentorship
The power of mentoring to create representative narratives, construct community and build a collective legacy.Featured in this episode: Guest Co-Host Lena Waithe (Writer, Actor & Producer), Gina Prince-Bythewood (Writer & Director), Little Marvin (Writer & Producer) and LaDarian Smith (Writer & Producer). Artwork for this episode provided by Jon Key and photography provided by Gioncarlo Valentine and Texas Isaiah.
May 11, 2021 • 32min
Being Seen, Episode 12, Fatherhood
An exploration of the power, the challenge, the opportunities and the experience of fatherhood.Featured in this episode: Dennis Williams (SVP, WarnerMedia), Jericho Brown (Award-Winning Poet), and Calvin & Tim (Fathers & Advocates) joined by their daughter Grady. Artwork for this episode provided by Cbabi Bayoc and photography provided by Gioncarlo Valentine.
