Replay: Trans Comedy as Resistance
TransLash Podcast with Imara Jones
TransLash Media
4.3 • 619 Ratings
🗓️ 25 December 2025
⏱️ 63 minutes
🧾️ Download transcript
Summary
Laughter is key to survival. This week, Imara talks to two of the funniest trans people out there about the power of comedy in good times and bad. First, she sits down with comedy writer Ally Beardsley about transitioning in the public eye, Dungeons and Dragons, and learning when to get serious. The two also laugh about the absurdity of Republican politics and Ally’s own conservative background. Next, Imara’s joined by comedian Robin Tran who talks about the relationship between comedy and depression and making jokes about being trans.
Send your trans joy recommendations to translash_podcast@translash.org
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Follow Imara Jones on Instagram (@Imara_jones_), Threads (@imara_jones_), Bluesky (@imarajones.bsky.social), X (@ImaraJones)
Follow our guests on social media!
Mx. Dahlia Belle: Instagram (@mx.dahliabelle)
Ally Beardsley: Instagram (@allybeardsley @genderspiral)
Robin Tran: Instagram (@robintran04)
TransLash Podcast is produced by Translash Media.
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Transcript
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| 0:00.0 | Hey, fam, it's me, Amara. |
| 0:09.1 | Welcome to the Translash podcast, a show where we tell trans stories to save trans lives. |
| 0:14.8 | I hope you've been able to rest and take time for yourself during this holiday season this week and next. My producers and I are |
| 0:22.3 | taking a much needed break ourselves so that we can hit the ground running in 2026. And what a year |
| 0:28.8 | it's going to be. So we've gone back into our archives to replace some of the best episodes |
| 0:34.6 | from this year, or the best episodes in our opinion. |
| 0:38.6 | Today, we've chosen one that we hope will help you recharge and maybe laugh out loud. |
| 0:44.5 | It's the episode about trans comedy as resistance. |
| 0:48.1 | I hope that you will listen to these incredible comedians that we had on the show and get all |
| 0:54.1 | that they have to offer. |
| 1:15.6 | All the funniest people I know are trans. I guess it's because we have to laugh to keep them crying. |
| 1:18.4 | So I guess it's no surprise that some of the best comedians on the scene right now are trans too. |
| 1:24.8 | Mixed Dahlia Bell is one of those people. |
| 1:29.9 | Breaking all kinds of ground in the comedy world, |
| 1:36.9 | she is the self-described best kind of mess. She's performed comedy festivals around the country and is a repeat guest on NPR and CBC. You may have seen her and Hannah Gatsby's Netflix comedy |
| 1:43.6 | special, Gender Agenda, and on Out Magazine's list of 11 trans comedians funnier than Dave Chappelle. |
| 1:52.8 | Amen. |
| 1:53.6 | Here's Dahlia to tell us more about the power of comedy. |
| 1:57.8 | What I think the function of comedy is, is taking things that have previously hurt someone |
| 2:04.2 | or cause someone to feel insecure or guilt or shame and to celebrate those as a victory of just |
| 2:14.7 | being human and enjoying a human experience. |
| 2:18.3 | And I'm not gonna say that trans people are never the punchline. |
... |
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