Brandon Kyle Goodman opens up about art, advocacy and his solo play 'Big Mouth's' Brandon Kyle Goodman on 'Human Resources' Spinoff and Can you talk about that pressure? Hes active enough that he is live once a week to discuss things that are on his mind. Brandon Kyle Goodman joins us now. So lets acknowledge that and have those conversations so that we can do better. TikTokWant more news, top stories, and videos? Right now, being nonbinary specifically doesn't. And really, Matthew and I would always joke about people always saying, I want my other half. Goodmans first memoir, You Gotta Be You, was purchased by Legacy Lit, an imprint of Hachette Books, in a competitive situation and will be published this fall. In this bonus episode of The Last Laugh podcast, Goodman opens up about how he knew his only path to pop culture success would be writing for himself, reveals how his own coming out story came to life on Big Mouth, and shares his reaction to Netflixs handling of the Dave Chappelle debacle. I'm writing on the show and also voicing a new creature named Walter, and all I can tell you is I adore Walter. So I started writing plays, sketches, and making videos for myself. I remember this episode of Family Matters that kind of changed my trajectory as a kid, where I think Steve is being bullied, as usual. As he continues to break barriers and present himself in different rooms, his authenticity is most unique. Whether serious or telling jokes, he tells stories that allow for several views of a Black man or queer man to be seen on television and he doesnt do it just for him. GOODMAN: Yeah, because it was - you know, I was latching on from a place of lack. Television has not always been an affirming place for Black queer voices, but Brandon Kyle Goodman is changing that one punch line at a time. How do I perform being a man so that I can fit in and also, like, stay safe? As a subscriber, you have 10 gift articles to give each month. And it's like, no, baby, I'm a whole person. He candidly shares defining moments (both good and bad) with family, friends, and lovers that influenced who hes become. Human Resources. CHANG: When in life did you decide that what you wanted to do through your art, through your personality - what you wanted to do was to help people learn to love themselves more? And so there was a lot of pain that was experienced and felt. For me, being a Black queer teenager in a lot of cis, het, white spaces was traumatizing. He actually voices his own character in his own work on his own time, and he is happy to do it. Your best friend who, sometimes youve got to hold the hair back because they drink a little too much. Brandon Kyle Goodman's book is called "You Gotta Be You: How To Embrace This Messy Life And Step Into Who You Really Are." Thank you so much for sharing this time with us, Brandon. The "yawn" creates depth and natural movement to best envelop the phallus into a welcoming and stimulating environment. The You Gotta Be You author attributes their success in navigating their path to a willingness to lean into feelings that are messy. Its a life approach that even inspired Goodman to start a sex-positive Instagram Live show called Messy Mondays in which they encouraged people to talk about the most muddled things in their lives. Brandon Kyle Goodman's book is called "You Gotta Be You: How To Embrace This Messy Life And Step Into Who You Really Are." Can you talk about that pressure? So its really nice to know that theres this show and other shows that are coming out that are allowing us to not have to be the villain, but actually be people and be humans having a human experience, where queerness is part of it, but thats not the storyline. We cant pull away from the value of that while reckoning with this other thing. Understanding the complexity of both, he uses his voice in unique ways to educate others on topics only someone like him could truthfully share. An impressive list of guest stars will join the show for its upcoming final season including Florence Pugh, Mi My therapist, a white woman, looked at me with such horror, and I can only describe my reaction as I "woke up." If controlling people is what makes you powerful, that shit is fake. And we get to hold multiple truths. Even writing about this makes me angry and devastated. Urban Dictionary: BKGY As a nonbinary person, Goodman does not define himself as either gender. So I was latching on GOODMAN: To this thing of, like, I'm missing something. You said, with white gay boys, there seemed to be an unspoken expectation that I would need to be a certain kind of gay to fit in. . Michael Tyrone Delaney for The New York Times. To be a queer Black voice in the animation space is really incredible, and I wish I had a character like Walter to watch growing up. And I dont mean that in a disrespectful way. GOODMAN: When Matthew and I met, I was already, like, fully in my love of Brandon. And CHANG: I got to say that is something that resonated with me. He only needs a one-bedroom apartment while in LA because he only lives with his husband. Thank you. A man of several causes, Goodman also supports the Innocence Project, Color of Change, the LA LGBT Center, and more. I now have two podcasts, one with Starburns Audio called Black Folxabout our lives and how being Black has shaped our identities. He instead uses himself and what he represents as fuel to continue fighting, inspiring, and empowering. NPR's Ailsa Chang chats with Brandon Kyle Goodman about their book You Gotta Be You: How to Embrace This Messy Life and Step Into Who You Really Are. Our Bond Was Thicker Than Blood - The New York Times Like, yas. GOODMAN: Before we met, I did. I would need to perform and be even more femme than I was. Who Voices Walter On 'Human Resources' & 'Big Mouth'? Meet Brandon Kyle And so for anyone who does the same, theres a reflection of that as opposed to getting into a fight with somebody who just may want the clicks, may not have been doing their mental health work, may be on their own bullshit. So tell me something good, or tell me something messy. So this program was really to zero in on up-and-coming Black writers in animation and give them every bit of access and tools that we can give them. So for me, it's important to support any organization and movement that is committed to dismantling the corrupt system and giving people back their lives. Name: Brandon Kyle Goodman. He did not know that would turn into something like a spinoff called Human Resources in which he physical acts. When Goodman came in for his first day as a writer on season 5 of Big Mouth, he says, There was already talk about introducing these two new characters, the Lovebugs, and the concept that we would meet them in season 5 and they would take us into this spinoff. But even as they started fleshing out these new creatures, Goodman had no idea he would get the chance to actually play one of them. CHANG: Being married to Matthew, how much have you evolved away from how you used to think about being with white men? Thank you. When it comes to Hollywood, his work is about highlighting stories like his own, which arent seen often. As a Black nonbinary, queer person in a dark-skinned 6'1", 180-pound male body born into a religious immigrant household, Brandon knows the pain of having to hide one's true self, the work of learning to love that true self, and the freedom of finally being your . I think they can feel that their grip is loosening and so theyre really doubling down. If you're unfamiliar with this term, that's all right. Brandon Kyle Goodman - TV Guide Human Resources will premiere its second and final season on Netflix on June 9, 2023. He is set to reprise the role as a lead in the Big Mouth spinoff, Human Resources, for which he also writes, with that series set to debut on Netflix on March 18. And suddenly I felt I was about to be an outsider yet again.. And I don't think we say it enough. You know, I think in our experience, you feel like youre the only one. I think the reckoning here, especially inside of comedy, the cancel culture, and all of that stuff, especially in terms of what was happening in my place of work at Netflix, I think a lot of the activists werent saying, Cancel this person. That wasnt the conversation. And it's like, no, baby, I'm a whole person. Writer + Actor; Author; Speaker; Educator; Activism; Messy Mondays Goodman also offers up his discoveries and musings about his path to healing, and turning trauma into triumph. NPR transcripts are created on a rush deadline by an NPR contractor. That means so much. Being a nonbinary gay Black person in Hollywood is an uphill battle he said. My therapist explained it best, which is when you have these moments of trauma and you revisit them to try and get the lesson, theres a retriggering that happens. Goodman became one of those individuals. I totally related to that. He was born and raised there, he went to college there, and he spent much of his life living there. Brandon Kyle Goodman tells The Last Laugh podcast about making the shift from Big Mouth writer to Human Resources star and weighs in on the Dave Chappelle mess. Meet Brandon Kyle Goodman, Big Mouth & Human Resources' Secret Weapon And I first just want to say that I happened to pick up your book during a time when I was struggling. So I wasnt quite sure if I would be added to that list, but it was very exciting that they trusted me enough to do that. CHANG: I mean it. Im really interested in telling that story and talking about that nuance. So thats where it began. Nothing is black and white. No, in 2020, when everything happened withBlack Lives Matter and George Floyd and Breonna Taylor, I had a bunch of videos that actually went viral and I kind of built this following. Goodman has also featured as an actor in Amazons series Modern Love and the most recent season of Curb Your Enthusiasm for HBO, along with such films as Jeff Chan and Andrew Rhymers Hulu romance Plus One and Elissa Downs family dancedramedy Feel the Beat for Netflix. No doubt you'll get back up, and the world better watch out when you do! - where queerness exists in our zeitgeist. I pivoted and a little bit and started to say, How can I talk about my experiences and what Ive been through and my Black queer identity and kind use that to inspire other people to live their authentic lives?. Innocence Project works to free innocent people who remain incarcerated, while also working to bring reform to the system that wrongfully put them there in the first place. No, shes just a sister in this family going through something with her grandmother and that, to me, is the ideal. From the time were born, a litany of dos and donts are placed on us by our families, our communities, and society. Thanks for reading! I said, I'm an actor. And what was really clocked kind of immediately was that I was really effeminate. Season 2 will also feature Florence Pugh, Miley Cyrus, Eugene Levy, . Were all people, were all trying to figure [things] out. GOODMAN: Yes, that's the work. CHANG: Goodman has built up a huge following with these Messy Mondays, doling out some truths, some laughs and, most importantly, some love. And I first just want to say that I happened to pick up your book during a time when I was struggling. Brandon Kyle Goodman is an actor, writer and activist who currently writes and stars in the Netflix animated series "Big Mouth" and its spinoff, "Human Resources." Modern Love can be . Shady. And were not always going to get it right. I always say that I live out loud as Black and queer and non-binary because so many couldnt and they fought for me to be able to. Thats probably what Im most proud of. So there will be some familiar faces and some brand-new ones. That they are beautiful. And the whole point was, how do we support and amplify up-and-coming Black writers and give them this eight week, one-on-one intensive where they get to audit the room? This is the gayest [expletive] I've ever heard. So yes, Im so glad that these other shows with representation exist while also being able to say, I want to hold you accountable for this other thing that is harmful. And so the performance of queerness or all those isms really gets credited to white gay people. CHANG: Well, I want to end on a pretty basic but important question. REVOLT Black News Weekly examines why Hollywood seems to be warming up to Black women taking on roles theyve never played before on-screen think Halle Bailey in The Little Mermaid, Yara Shahidi as Tinkerbell, Letitia Wright in Wakanda Forever, Viola Davis in Woman King and more. Brandon Kyle Goodman is making things happen. Shady. I say, go to the mat for people, really pull back the curtain. If you're ever sitting around on a Monday feeling a little angsty, maybe a little frisky, check out some of the so-called Messy Monday stories on Brandon Kyle Goodman's Instagram feed. So how do you take care of yourself inside of that retrigger? Brandon Kyle Goodman: Black Lives Mattering "Should Not Be a Debate There's a lot of gray. Yes, absolutely. For so many of us, those boxes begin to feel like shackles when we realize they dont fit our unique shape, yet we keep trying because we crave acceptance and validation. 614 posts. However, the list doesnt stop there. Black Folx is a weekly conversation hosted by the talented Goodman, where he and his guest discuss the Black experience and how its shaped the individual. GOODMAN: Because, you know, everyone wants the idea of queerness and wants the performance of it but not always the people. At least I haven't felt it. You know, before we met, I was really, like, clear about how much I loved myself. He is not going to share the most intimate moments of his own life despite being so open with the world there are some things people just dont want to share with millions. Its vastly important. Brandon Kyle Goodman, a Nonbinary Voice of Big Mouth, https://www.nytimes.com/2021/11/26/style/brandon-kyle-goodman-big-mouth.html. I think for a joke to be a joke, we should all be in on it, we should all be able to enjoy it. Were you inspired to write your book after starting your Messy Mondays Instagram Live show? Now lives: In a one-bedroom apartment in Hollywood with his husband, Matthew Raymond-Goodman, and their dog, Korey. Our criminal justice system is corrupt and disproportionately locks up Black and brown people. You know, I think she, when I was very young, really instilled in me, what is your mission statement? I hope that TV and film will recognize and honor the fact that Black people, queer people, POC, and women are beyond capable of telling our own stories and that audiences are hungry for it. A force to be reckoned with, he moves through the industry fearlessly, ready to challenge the narrative of what it means to be both Black and queer. Loyalty is delighted to welcome Brandon Kyle Goodman and Traci Thomas of The Stacks for a virtual event celebrating You Gotta Be You! I got to just play an eager father-to-be. His husband is Matthew Raymond-Goodman, and together they have a sweet pup Their dog is Korey, and they love that dog a lot. Encore: Brandon Kyle Goodman embraces their authentic self in - NPR Not excuse it with the other shows, but actually say, Yeah, good job over here, but also lets talk about this particular thing. And I think there needs to be more of that. Goodman is a change-maker with a soft touch. I dont find value in arguing or engaging with that. Sign up for THR news straight to your inbox every day. Hometown: New York City. Goodman added. So there's this thing - right? Hes joined forces, on the non-scripted side, with Netflixs social team to create a game show based on his popular Instagram live series Messy Mondays. He married Matthew Raymond-Goodman in Santa Barbara, Calif., last year, not long before the pandemic struck. (he/they) Writer: Big Mouth, Actor: Feel The Beat, Modern Love, Big Mouth. Just to be able to like name the experience and hold space for two truths, as I said, my source of my greatest inspiration and my greatest pain. And I do think that theres still value in some of the content that does exist. During the uproar specifically over the Dave Chappelle special on Netflix, one thing that happened was that Netflix [CEO Ted Sarandos] actually pointed to shows like Big Mouth and Sex Education and said essentially, Look, we also are doing this good thing, seemingly as a way to defend what was happening with Chappelle. Watch popular content from the following creators: Prime Video(@primevideo), Dansanmay(@dansanmay), Prime Video(@primevideo), Prime Video(@primevideo), (@kimyohansz), BuzzFeed(@buzzfeed), Brandi(@yorkiemommyx2), cassidy(@.cassidyrs), Jane(@janesoulofhope), Prime Video(@primevideo) . Accuracy and availability may vary. In addition to Lovebugs like Walter, the show has added a Logic Rock voiced by Randall Park, an Addiction Angel voiced by Hugh Jackman, an Ambition Gremlin voiced by Rosie Perez, and many others. Subscribe to Deadline Breaking News Alerts and keep your inbox happy. - where queerness exists in our zeitgeist. Brandon Kyle Goodman. Yeah, I mean, Im going to be very conscious about how I answer this becauselisten, I think that corporations are gonna corporate. And I was very grateful that I had these pages in my hands. That's the journey. And then, you know, when you start getting to that preschool, kindergarten age, then there starts to be these rules that I feel like get put on you. Having built trust with his audiences, the talents tactics on stage and when writing are to simply tell the truths of the disenfranchised, but make it funny. Its inscribed in each skill he possesses, and Goodman uses each to his advantage. Well, I'm just going to dive right in to the guts of this book because CHANG: You start from a really upfront place. I'm so good. GOODMAN: Before we met, I did. The episode was important to me because it was not an oppression-based narrative, nor was my race a factor. Goodman became one of those individuals. Its just words. And that, I dont think, rings true for a lot of people. And really, Matthew and I would always joke about people always saying, I want my other half. Watch! Brandon Kyle Goodman 's newly published You Gotta Be You: How to Embrace This Messy Life and Step Into Who You Really Are is much more than an advice book. When I failed my driver's test, the proctor said, what do you do for a living? There arent a ton of shows led by Black queer folks and that have nothing to do with our trauma, but rather our joy in our existence. Actor, writer, and social justice advocate Brandon Kyle Goodman has emerged in the entertainment industry as a powerful force with a voice to be reckoned with. Goodman is not afraid to use this newfound platform to bring about change in real life as well, helping shred the stereotypes assigned to Black and queer characters and instead center a Black queer viewpoint. (L to R) Brandon Kyle Goodman as Walter the Love Bug and Aidy Bryant as Emmy the Love Bug in Human Resources. Actor, writer, and activist Brandon Kyle Goodman says, Hell no it aint! Thats where I hope all television and movies get to, where we dont have to have the storyline be about the trauma of somebody coming out or about their race or whatever, but that they just get to exist. Do The Work on Apple Podcasts And my hope is that these white men will fill that void. He is proud of that degree, as he should be. That's the journey. Brandon Kyle Goodman's new book is called "You Gotta Be You: How To Embrace This Messy Life And Step Into Who You Really Are." Thats more impactful. Menu. Can you talk a bit more about being non-binary and how that intersects with other parts of yourself? But us being human and being flawed and being three dimensional, you know, there arent a lot of shows where we get to be inside of our joy, thats not for the white gaze but for us. So Im just honored to be on the ride. You Gotta Be You: How to Embrace This Messy Life and Step Into Who You Really Are is available now. What are some of the lessons you've learned this year? And you said that that - dating white guys for proximity to white privilege - it only fed into your self-hatred. Or you see our fashion. Hey, girl. Now you see guys on the red carpet wearing dresses and wearing halter tops and all this stuff. Listen to the episode now and subscribe to The Last Laugh on Apple Podcasts, Spotify, Google, Stitcher, Amazon Music, or wherever you get your podcasts, and be the first to hear new episodes when they are released every Tuesday. But inside of that business are people. It premiered on March 18, 2022, and stars Aidy Bryant . So thank you for that. For Brandon Kyle Goodman, performing always felt like a natural extension of the self. Big Mouth's Brandon Kyle Goodman Talks Book 'You Gotta Be You' - The Brandon Kyle Goodman | Los Angeles CA - Facebook So thats what my commitment is, and I know my communitys commitment is as well. Political History, Black Youth Leader Says He Was Mistakenly Detained While Naked, New Jersey Librarian Files Federal Complaint After Being Fired for 'Gay Lifestyle'. CHANG: Being married to Matthew, how much have you evolved away from how you used to think about being with white men? And I was always kind of being told by, you know, classmates, by teachers, by - even at home to, like, butch up, to be more of a man - like, this - perform at masculinity, which is very confusing GOODMAN: To a 5-year-old. After studying business in college, Tiffany embarked upon a career she never dreamed of. Hello. Lending his voice to the Black Lives Matter Movement, he grew his platform speaking from his heart about racial injustices and the plight of Black people. Black people and especially Black queer people are often positioned as a punch line, and if you're not willing to participate in that, it cuts you off at the knees since those are mostly the parts available. You know, power is not forcing people to live in these boxes and taking peoples rights away. And I thought that I could write an anti-racism book of some kind. I mean, growing up, especially as queer people, you latch onto the Disney villains because they are the most queer. I also get to knowledge that the experience I am having, because of how I look, because of how I present, is that of a Black man. The 2023 NFL Draft has wrapped -- but the team-building process continues with the signing of undrafted rookie free agents. They grew up in a religious immigrant household, and they know all too well what it's like to hide, to hide the most meaningful parts of yourself. She said, oh, well, if I ever see you in a movie, I'm going to point and say, he can't drive. Brandon Kyle Goodman - IMDb Take a look at seven reasons why Goodman is the rising face of comedy below. Goodman is a New Yorker. This text may not be in its final form and may be updated or revised in the future. He's also the person behind two podcasts: Do the Work, which focuses on race and relationships, and Black Folx, a conversation series focused on Black personalities and authentic experiences. I think CHANG: Well, as you say, we are enough exactly CHANG: As we are - so easy to say, sometimes so impossible to internalize. Ive been very fortunate [for] people like Lena Waithe and [Queer Eyes] Karamo [Brown]and all these people who have taken me under their wings, and because theyre doing that at such a big level, I want to make sure that Im constantly doing that as well, which is why that mentorship program was so important. One of the sections that was really moving, and must have been hard to write, was about your mother and the rejection youve felt from her. You kind of see yourself in Ursula, you kind of see yourself in Jafar. It also targets our young people, giving them adult sentences. As a voice for the community, Goodman created two podcasts that uplift, educate, and make people laugh. All rights reserved. His activism reaches far beyond a protest. Brandon Kyle Goodman, a Nonbinary Voice of 'Big Mouth' My hope is that, if youre white, cis and het, youll have a really candid look into what it is to be Black and queer, he said. GOODMAN: Yes, that's the work. Do The Work covers race and personal relationships. Goodmans legacy as of now has shown what doing the work can really achieve, as its been his gateway to pulling up a seat at the table of Netflix and other streaming services top-rated shows. His character is Walter. 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From his horndog Hormone Monster to the incessant Anxiety Mosquito, Nick (Nick Kroll) has been plagued by plenty . And CHANG: I got to say that is something that resonated with me. Goodman's new book is part memoir . I can't say that on NPR. . Each episode is an intimate conversation between two people who know each other well family, old friends, lovers or colleagues. Advocate on your favorite social platforms!Facebook I have no interest in associating with people like that. Watch! Goodmans goal on shows like Big Mouth was to tell a fuller story that included a colorful and more realistic version of the world. That's what Brandon Kyle Goodman has been doing as Walter, an animated queer lovebug, on Big Mouth and its new spin-off Human Resources, which premieres March 18 on Netflix. Menu. In the season three premiere, Funny Marco sits down with the Big Facts crew to talk about his viral pranks and skits, earning his stage name, being from Kansas City, interviewing Boosie Badazz and more.