EPISODE 98 | PART 1
In this two-part cover story podcast, actor, producer, and advocate Laverne Cox opens up big time about all aspects of her life and work, in this very special interview. Here you'll get the depths and scope of Laverne’s story, because Laverne does not hold back. You’ll learn that being entirely herself is important to the multi-talented star who sang, danced, and performed for as long as she can remember. Being of service is what makes her tick too, and here on episode 98 we talk about how both have shaped the course of her extraordinary life. We talk about Laverne’s earlier years, pre-celebrity and as a student, performer, and creative living in New York City---including a favorite funny moment with the one and only Grace Jones at Manhattan’s famed Coffee Shop, where Laverne worked for ten years. We get into her connection to New York’s club scene, her stint at Lucky Cheng’s, and being influenced by the dance culture of the 80’s and performance art. Laverne talks about the beginning of her hustle and the moment when friends and family told her, in 2008, not to accept the opportunity to be a cast member on the first season of reality series, I Want To Work For Diddy. She explains how being assaulted the day before her interview for it would lead to a leap of faith that caused her to use the moment to effect change.There was the epic postcard mailing that would open up some key doors, and on the topic of opening doors, Laverne discusses how Candis Cayne, the first openly trans woman to appear as a series regular, influenced the trajectory of her career. We discuss being a trailblazer and a barrier breaker, and Laverne’s dedication to activism and how today’s media climate has impacted it. We talk all about her documentary work, including Netlfix’s Disclosure, and how she’s grown by being behind the camera. We discuss her transition, dating and dating advice, and Laverne calls out one particularly terrible dating app date in a Look At Me Now moment. We also talk her music video moments, with John Legend and with Taylor Swift, and begin the conversation about Laverne’s pivotal role as Orange Is The New Black’s Sophia, including a poignant moment when she shares the details of her complicated, treasured, and unique relationship with her twin brother. This and much more, with more to come next week in episode 99, Part 2.

EPISODE 99 | PART 2
In the words of Laverne Cox and during this part two episode of Story + Rain Talks, more tea was spilled than she thought she’d ever share in public. The conversation continues with more candid conversation and our Story + Rain cover star “being herself all over this podcast”. Laverne has done a lot of work on herself, and you’ll hear all about it and feel it here, too. Get ready to get inspired, and speaking of inspiration, we talk about what gets her into an inspired place---music is huge. We break down the award winning star’s major magazine moments, her acting process, and how she studies actors. You’ll hear her thoughts on the influence of her Orange Is The New Black co-star, Kate Mulgrew, and on fellow actor Nicole Kidman’s recent Oscar nominated performance. She shares what she does to tune out the fame when she needs to, to create balance. You’ll hear more about her activism and on a personal level, what she looks for in a partner. Laverne talks about worthiness being a birthright, and how she shows up in relationships without something to prove. Having just hosted the E! Oscars red carpet and getting ready to host it for Grammys, Laverne discusses her collaboration with the network and what she’s come to learn about how to tackle her thrilling and tough role as red carpet representative. We talk her intellectual side. We of course talk all about being Inventing Anna’s Kacey Duke, meeting her, and what she calls their “organic overlap”. Laverne shares her own take on how people are conned, and what the much loved series invites people to think about. You’ll hear all about Shonda Rhimes and Shondaland, the women who have believed in her along the way, and bringing 200 percent: Laverne is someone who works to deliver. We ask the question about what we haven’t addressed yet in terms of trans representation in the media, and what she would like to see more of. We talk about her desire to have fun and what’s next---including something in music, being obsessed with letting things go, being done with living in survival mode, and her current favorite things and aspects of her lifestyle.