Grieving to Give Birth: What Trans and Cis Bodies Can Teach Each Other

In this episode of Over the Mountains, host Sylvie Barbier engages in a conversation with Uriel, also known as Freak Daddy, a musician and performance artist. Uriel shares his journey from growing up in a Southern evangelical Christian home to embracing his identity as a trans man. He reflects on the challenges of navigating his gender identity in a society that often misunderstands and marginalizes trans experiences. Uriel discusses the importance of having open conversations about identity and the complexities of transitioning, emphasizing the need for understanding and compassion in these discussions.

The dialogue delves into Uriel’s artistic expression, where he uses performance as a means to explore and communicate his experiences. He articulate the emotional and spiritual aspects of his transition, including the grief associated with leaving behind his past identity while also celebrating the rebirth of their true self. Sylvie, a cis woman whose experience of giving birth connected her to the physicality and animalistic wisdom of motherhood, asks genuine questions about nature, technology, and bodily autonomy. Both find common ground: what matters is whether actions come from love.

The conversation highlights the intersection of art, identity, and societal norms, ultimately advocating for a world where diverse identities can coexist. The episode models the kind of good-faith dialogue across differences that building a new future demands.

Chapters

• 00:00Welcome and Introductions
• 04:50Journey of Self-Discovery
• 11:14Understanding Gender Identity
• 15:17The Complexity of Transitioning
• 23:49Art, Performance, and Identity
• 32:12The Intersection of Technology and Self-Expression
• 40:32The Journey of Self-Acceptance
• 42:43Navigating Grief and Identity
• 47:03Rebirth and Motherhood
• 54:00The Intersection of Creation and Identity
• 57:49Conversations on Acceptance and Complexity
• 1:01:38Art as a Reflection of Struggle
• 1:06:02The Power of Authentic Expression

Speakers