Voice actress, model, and proud transwoman Airyn De Niro joins Chris to share how gaming has been both an escape and a source of empowerment.
From childhood memories on the Nintendo 64 to the transformative magic of Kingdom Hearts, Airyn opens up about identity, chosen family, and representation in gaming.
This episode dives into topics like Pokémon, League of Legends, Genshin Impact, Hoyoverse titles, and Hogwarts Legacy, exploring how games can heal, connect, and inspire.
(0:00) Intro – Gaming as connection, escape, and healing
(0:27) Meet Airyn De Niro – voice actress, model, proud transwoman
(1:14) Why Airyn reached out – gaming as a hidden passion beyond acting & modeling
(2:34) Childhood gaming memories – Nintendo 64, Pokémon, Banjo-Kazooie, Spider-Man, Kirby
(3:44) Discovering Kingdom Hearts – Disney nostalgia meets Final Fantasy storytelling
(5:35) Playing with siblings – Smash Bros. Melee and Pokémon battles
(6:51) Gaming as a safe space – coping with family stress and identity struggles
(9:04) Comfort games – Pokémon community and Kingdom Hearts escapism
(12:26) Character customization. Exploring identity through female avatars and MMOs
(14:53) Finding chosen family - Discord, League of Legends, and online tribes(16:07) Strong female characters – Zelda, Aqua, Ahri, Evelynn, Yae Miko (Genshin Impact)
(17:28) Hoyoverse games – art style, addiction, and dream of voicing a character
(19:36) Dream voice acting roles – League of Legends, Hoyoverse titles, Pokémon, World of Warcraft
(21:40) Gaming prescriptions – Kingdom Hearts for mood, roguelikes for collaborative fun
(22:56) Long‑distance friendships – connecting with scattered communities through gaming
(25:46) Meeting online friends IRL – trust, vulnerability, and lasting bonds
(27:17) Chris’s story – World of Warcraft community during tough times
(29:04) Representation in games – Hogwarts Legacy’s trans character and inclusivity hopes
(32:11) Broader representation – indie games, community feedback, visibility in mainstream titles
(35:00) Future of gaming – diverse stories, strong female leads, trans representation
(38:00) Building a career in VO – Erin’s aspirations and advice for newcomers
(41:00) Chosen family revisited – how gaming communities sustain us through life changes
(43:00) Closing thoughts – courage, creativity, and how gaming continues to save lives
Referenced in this episode:https://youtu.be/aG9U8cgnR3o?si=6FMJjA6UZ-qAp4gWhttps://youtube.com/playlist?list=PL34aCeJQEMUMLMDXL_j2yKvf5tTVjzYDT&si=7Nfn0fQrC2ABfsVR
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Airyn De Niro
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Music creditSong: Convex - 4U (feat. Jex Jordyn) [NCS Release]Music provided by NoCopyrightSoundsFree Download/Stream: http://ncs.io/4UWatch: http://youtu.be/dMnWZ8tAUkU