Jaden Pan is a transgender documentary and reality TV producer based in Los Angeles.For years, we were roommates, and yet, I had no idea about the depth of Jaden’s gender story. He carries the rare privilege of being able to choose how, when, and to whom he shares that part of his life. In this conversation, I finally got to ask the questions: What was his journey like? How did his understanding of gender evolve over time? And what helped him make it through?Jaden opens up about his path, one marked by courage, curiosity, and transformation. Today, he's not just thriving professionally, but also focused on his health, financial freedom, and personal growth. His story is a reminder that we’re all evolving, and we all have the potential to rewrite our narratives.Timestamps[Recorded on 8/4/2024]00:00 – Intro00:26 – Coming Out to Roommates07:42 – Jaden’s Background – My Chinese Mom09:52 – I Knew Young I Was Attracted to Women11:24 – My First Girlfriend Changed My Life13:58 – Sexual Orientation17:18 – Love Felt Natural, But I Was Told It Was Wrong19:11 – Revisiting Age 16 and Falling in Love21:04 – Thoughts on Love24:47 – Love Addiction: I Was 80% Suicidal31:20 – My School Counselor Saved Me36:02 – Parents vs. Elders: Who Should Raise Children?38:41 – Joining GSA and Starting My Transition43:58 – My Family’s Reaction to My Transition50:19 – Medical Side of My Transition54:21 – Talking About Genitals56:39 – Did My Transition Define Me?59:37 – I Can’t Multitask Anymore1:01:03 – Feeling Lucky – There Must Be a God1:01:59 – My “I Don’t Know” Mantra1:05:13 – We Commodify People Before We Humanize Them1:07:58 – Building Rapport: Finding Similarities First1:09:30 – Visiting Monowi, Nebraska – City of One1:14:18 – Producing TV with Marginalized Communities1:16:50 – Getting a Break in the Industry1:22:28 – Coffee, Doritos, and Life-Changing Moments1:24:16 – It’s About Trust and Relationships1:26:18 – Talking About Joe Rogan1:29:23 – Proudest Career Moments – Believing in Miracles1:31:51 – Addiction and Shame1:32:31 – Amateur Interventions1:34:10 – Addiction vs. Suicide1:36:40 – Could Death Bring Relief?1:38:10 – Hoping My Mom Can Change1:39:26 – Focusing on Physical and Emotional Health1:46:26 – Jaden’s Relationship with Food1:50:54 – Vision Quest: The Desert Calls You Out1:56:46 – Getting to the South Pole2:06:52 – Living and Working in Antarctica2:12:54 – What Do They Actually Do in Antarctica?2:18:58 – Coming Back “Home”2:20:03 – Big Questions About Life