The Knew Guys (Gabe Dunn & River Butcher)

Author of "Inverse Cowgirl" Alicia Roth Weigel joins Gabe on the podcast for a FASCINATING conversation about the realities of the overmedicalization of intersex children, the connections between the transgender and intersex communities, and the gift of being born outside society.

Gabe and River are finally caught up on episodes enough to discuss the Free Palestine movement and the genocide in Gaza. Thank you to the listener who left the comment that sparked this conversation. Then, a listener writes in asking what Gabe and River's feelings are about cis men now that they've transitioned. It gets spicy!

A listener writes in asking River and Gabe if they have to come out as trans at work as they start transitioning. Then, The Trans Therapist Alo Johnston joins to talk about honing his specialty in working with trans clients, the benefit of shared experiences, and whether you're trans ENOUGH.

Gabe and River both had great experiences in New York... separately. Then, rapper Cuee joins the show to talk about the business of being a queer rapper, his political and creative inspirations (and what it means to be a loverboy), and redoing your old albums post-transition aka (Taylor's Version) (Trans). Plus, performing at Lawrence, Kansas' first Pride, being an incredibly confident stud in high school, and how he and ESPN's Katie Barnes got their boarding school to change their uniforms.

Cuee: https://cueemusic.com/

https://www.instagram.com/cueemusic/

Writer, actor, producer, host, lover and friend Vico Ortiz joins the podcast to talk about therapy, attachment styles and astrology, their drag style, coming out as polyamorous and one million other fascinating topics. Plus, which host did Vico go on a date with? (You’ll never guess.)

Gabe and River talk about their experiences in the men's restroom after a listener writes in worried about being misgendered there. What does River use to stand to pee? How much longer can Gabe use the women's room? And what is "low disclosure?" Then, performer and "guinea pig dad" Maze Felix joins the show to talk about how ASL interpreting created queer and trans community for them, their journey leaving Ohio and having top surgery with a community care team, and the meaning of the identity "trans non-binary."

Gabe and River discuss fundraising for Gabe's new trans movie they're directing. They also answer a listener's question about whether they're trans enough to medically transition and about having doubts. Then, they talk about the ongoing mockery of "they/them" pronouns not just by young people, but as a larger political Boogeyman, and about the many trans writers in the science fiction writing sphere. Gabe goes into their love of Star Trek, The People's Joker, and bisexual villains. Plus, more about Peter Parker being trans-coded. 

River gives a very cool update on the WNBA draft and coach Dawn Staley's comments on trans women in sports. Next, an incredible question leads to a nuanced conversation about internalized transphobia and judging other trans people. Then, what's the correlation between transness and "giftedness?" A listener writes in to commiserate with River's comments about holding dual identities. Finally, how do we feel about transness and aging?

Link: https://transadvocacyok.org/

Finally, we read and answer your listener emails! It gets spicy! Gabe and River discuss funding Gabe's T4T movie which needs your help! And, yay: River's BRAND NEW comedy special comes out mid-September! River shares what he's learned from injuring himself during a baseball game. He also had deep feelings seeing Le Tigre in concert. And finally, journalist and trans media consultant Tuck Woodstock joins the pod to talk about the way trans issues are reported on, the criminalization of transness, dealing with TERFs, and how Tuck's nudes changed Gabe's life.

To donate to Gabe's movie:

Venmo and Cashapp: gabesdunn

Paypal: gabe@youandiyouandmefilm.com

cw: food, diet and working out discussion in the introduction

Gabe and River discuss working out and muscle building. Then, comedian Jes Tom joins the podcast for a freewheeling conversation about keyhole top surgery pros and cons, going by they/them pronouns since 2011, and the use of "she." Jes and Gabe vs. River's sexuality, using a hoe era to figure out who you are, and living and loving amongst cis gay guys. And finally, what it was like to do their one-person show "Less Lonely."

Hey friends, some of the audio sounds different in places due to recording in Zoom. Thanks for your patience. Love you!

River and Gabe discuss the childhood toys or interests that they later believe were trans. (The 80s were wild for River and boy's dolls.) Then, The Owl House's Avi Roque joins the pod to talk about vocal health and testosterone's impact on their career in voice acting and audio books. This is a feel good one, babes.

Welcome to the first episode! This week, River dives in to Alanis Morissette’s Jagged Little Pill, an album he never felt he could get into for dysphoric reasons, and Gabe gets out their rage at a batting cage for the first time. Then, they’re joined by Daniel Sea for an incredible conversation about trans magic!

Email us at theknewguyspodcast@gmail.com!

This podcast is edited and produced by Logan Castrodale. Music by Atlas Bishop. Art by Maya Scarpa.

Content warning: We use all kinds of language in this show including some that may be considered slurs by other people. We discuss that very topic in the intro to this episode. If that is something that triggers you, maybe skip the opening and go straight into the interview. If not? On with the show! Thank you.

River and Gabe share their experiences at Dyke Day LA, an independent community based Pride event, which leads to a discussion on respectability politics, whether trans guys feel comfortable at dyke events, and the usage of certain words within the queer community. SPICY STUFF. Then, they welcome actor and producer and "cute idiot" Petey Gibson to talk about coming out as gay in high school in the early 00s (and then again as trans, after working with trans kids). Plus, the zen of making pizzas, the drag king to trans guy pipeline, the freedom of performing after transition, "passing" discourse, and building trans community infrastructure. It's such a good interview!!!

(Petey Interview starts at 23:36!)

Email us at theknewguyspodcast@gmail.com and follow us @theknewguyspod on Instagram!

This podcast is edited and produced by Logan Castrodale. Music by Atlas Bishop. Art by Maya Scarpa.

River has business and shows! Sunny writes in asking how to feel sexy or hot in their body and Gabe and River address a DM about sex changing after transitioning. Then, Gabe and River discuss dating burnout, top surgery concerns, Gabe's gender fluidity, masculinity and anger, and disordered eating. And finally, some recent news involving Imane Khelif and the 2024 election.

River and Gabe discuss Gabe's "activity" (now called Trans Action) of the week which was gathering hundreds of opinions on before and after photos of people who have undergone medical transition. They have different opinions! Then, the duo give advice to an agender listener who worries about losing their connection to their past self. And finally, they're joined by the incredible Sage "King Femme" Rosenberg for an all-encompassing and complicated conversation about non-binary identity, Black Judaism and queerness, and other SPICY topics and takes. L'Chaim!

Our Cameos: cameo.com/gabesdunn & cameo.com/riverbutcher 

keshet.org

River's comedy special is out!! Hooray!! How do you play it if Hollywood can't place you? River and Gabe share some very personal experiences! What gift have they each gotten from fans, what does it mean when someone's therapist recommends your comedy, and how do parasocial relationships work? Plus, Gabe is dating a famous podcaster! Then, we answer your emails and Ko-Fi comments! Two college baseball players are dating and it's incredible! River gives a little history of gay baseball players.

Link: https://www.outsports.com/comingout/2023/10/11/23910340/cole-philpott-aiden-phipps-college-baseball-bisexual-lgbtq-boyfriends-ncaa-coming-out

Welcome to "The Knew Guys"! The Knew Guys is a podcast about masculinity by trans-guy comedians River Butcher and Gabe Dunn! Each episode, Gabe (he/they) and River (he/him) interview a guest about their relationship to gender, and explore relevant topics and events in the LGBTQ (usually the trans and/or transmasc) community. River’s your big brother, Gabe’s your little brother! Welcome to the fam! Episodes drop every other Thursday.

Gabe and River talk about acquiring new skills. Then, we read your mail! A listener wants to know what they should call their trans guy support group and how to best keep the group together. Who would River play in live action Frozen? Theo wants to share how Ben Greene's episode helped their journey with their aunt's acceptance of their transness. Other listeners want advice on using a binder, a young listener praises the duo and makes them feel old, and another "red state" queer writes an incredibly eloquent and heartfelt email about being LGBTQ in Arkansas. And then Gabe addresses a disparaging Apple review about him and River ends up having to announce Trump's attempted assassination on stage during a show. 

PS: Per the beginning convo, it's absolutely been over 2 years since Gabe started T lol

Gabe and River are as normal as two regular guys. Was puberty traumatic for everyone? River answers a listener's question about getting misgendered. Then, Florida, the movie Stress Positions, and which Challengers boys we'd be. Author Ben Greene joins the show to talk about his book on creating joy around trans kids, his experience coming out as trans in high school, and then into some deep philosophy about expanding community, crypto-fascism, parental grief, and EVERYTHING. This is a great one. Settle in, make some tea, and enjoy.

Gabe is SHOCKED to learn that River is interested in men, which leads to a fun conversation about River's type and the assumptions everyone makes about trans men's sexualities. Then, Gabe has a lot of gripes about how horribly men behave in the men's bathroom. Finally, actor and activist Leo Sheng joins for a vulnerable and smart conversation about how his gender dovetailed with his adoption and his Asianness and not feeling like a "girl attracted to girls" or a "girl attracted to boys." Plus, how was it to be in one of the most healing trans scenes in the L Word: Gen Q?

Astrologer Jessica Lanyadoo comes onto the pod and reads both River's and Gabe's astrological charts, blowing both their minds. It gets deep. Then, she reads Gabe and River's compatibility. Plus, what do the stars say about gender and masculinity? This is a wholesome and emotional one. Get into it.

Gabe is also sporty, okay!! And River has advice for not beating yourself up after games. Then, the duo discuss tips for growing beards and how to embrace shaving. Then, Scottish writer Ely Percy joins the pod to talk about agender identity/community and how they came to know themselves. Mx., riddles, representations, cancellations and more. This one gets into everything!!

Adrian sends a fantastic email about cherry-picking horror stories from the state of Florida that has River cheering in his seat. Then, trans casting director Charlie Hano joins the pod to talk about auditioning dos and don'ts, the constantly changing landscape for what trans looks like in entertainment, and his own transition story born from a dream.

tw: brief mention of suicide

Life is life-ing. Gabe and River talk parasocial relationships, the documentary Will & Harper, queerness and fame, Gabe’s feelings on his pre transition fashion, and River’s thoughts on voting for Jill Stein in the 2024 election.

River is back! How to say no! Visiting Japan! A 21-year-old goes viral for pretending to be his own mother in drag and somehow everyone loves it! Then, the duo go over all your mail. Jamie wants them to expand on the idea that certain cishet people are queer. Two people have advice on beard growth and minoxidil. River's name twin asks Gabe if feminine clothing just feels "safer" or if this is born out of fear. Then, overthinking internalized transphobia. And finally, high school reunions!

How often do trans men think about the Roman Empire? River went to Thanksgiving with two celebrities. Then, the duo answer your listener questions about connecting to your body through sports, recommendations for acting monologues as a trans guy, gendered experiences on the school bus, hot tips on oral minoxidil, growing butt hair, being a cis listener, and getting a binder. They also discuss top surgery for everyone! This episode has everything! Write in to the show at theknewguyspodcast@gmail.com

https://ko-fi.com/theknewguys

Gabe wants to find River a husband at a sports bar, even though River is in his "hetero era." The duo talk about all kinds of topics, including looking for unconditional love, dying their beards, relating to Ken in the Barbie movie, masculinizing facial filler, and whether everyone hates being a woman. Should trans people boycott Florida? Gabe and River address an email about an NYPD ad appearing at the end of an episode, and the tragic murder of non-binary student Nex Benedict.

Do you own a podcast studio? We want to record the show in it! First, the duo pay tribute to ally Laura Ann Carlton, the shop owner murdered in Lake Arrowhead for hanging a Pride flag. Rest in Power. Then, they break down the latest Journal of the American Medical Association study that shows 99 percent of people who get top surgery do NOT regret it. And further statistics comparing different regrets. What were both Gabe's and River's feelings and experiences before, during, and after their own top surgeries?

tw: gun violence, suicidal ideation

Doctor's Who: Radical Lessons From The History of DIY Transition

https://thebaffler.com/salvos/doctors-who-gill-peterson

tw: suicide mention, sexual abuse mention

Welcome back for another episode! River and Gabe discuss name change pros and cons. Then, Gabe tells River about a surprise birthday gift from his dad that was very affirming, and River talks about his recent gym injury and an audience experience while doing stand-up in La Jolla. Next, the two are joined by actress Alexandra Grey for an amazing discussion on trans visibility in Hollywood. (How many trans women characters have to have prostate cancer before enough is enough???)

Email us at theknewguyspodcast@gmail.com and follow us @theknewguyspod on Instagram!

This podcast is edited and produced by Logan Castrodale. Music by Atlas Bishop. Art by Maya Scarpa.

Gabe and River give advice to a listener that wants to support and connect to their gender questioning partner. Then, the first openly trans athlete in professional American hockey and two-time champion Harrison Browne joins the podcast to talk about coming out while playing a professional team sport, the juicy drama of women's sports, and the history of gendered sports rules. Plus, the tough question: why hockey?

Help us out at ko-fi.com/theknewguys