This Way Out: The International LGBTQ Radio Magazine · Overnight Productions, Inc.

Podcast Extended Interview: Marval A Rex's Big Dad Energy

·39 min·3 clips

Marval A Rex explains how Big Dead Energy uses comedy to challenge hate and shine love on trans masculine people.

This episode features an extended interview with comedian Marval A Rex about his trans masculine comedy showcase, Big Dead Energy. Host Brian DeShazer, CEO of the LGBTQ radio magazine This Way Out, leads the conversation. Rex explains his motivation for creating the event and its exclusive focus. Big Dead Energy is an exclusively trans masculine stand-up comedy night started in Los Angeles. Rex conceived the idea in October 2022 and launched the first show in January 2023 with support from a City of West Hollywood Arts Grant. The showcase has featured one trans woman comedian, Hayden Johnson, whom Rex describes as a hilarious "surprise mom" for the event. Rex states that part of his work aims to achieve a certain level of visibility for trans masculine individuals. He wants to use this platform to "shine love" on people who might be expected to hate him. A key insight is Rex's personal goal of using visibility to challenge animosity and create a powerful, positive effect on audiences. He humorously reflects on the weirdness of being a man, comparing his own appearance and heart to characters played by Jason Bateman and Patrick Bateman. The inclusion of Hayden Johnson is presented as a funny and subversive choice within the showcase's framework. The episode reveals how the project moved from a personal brainchild to a publicly funded arts event within a few months. The tone is conversational and informal, focusing on personal artistic motivation and community building. The style is interview-based, with the host prompting the guest to explain his project's origins and philosophy. This episode would appeal to listeners interested in LGBTQ comedy, trans artistry, and grassroots cultural production. Those seeking a highly structured debate or broad LGBTQ news might find it too niche.

Listen to the show on

Apple Podcasts Spotify

Play clips from this episode More from This Way Out: The International LGBTQ Radio Magazine