We've talked a lot on this podcast about institutional capture — whistleblowers, mission drift, what happens when ideology takes the steering wheel. Today my guest takes a different angle on all of it.

Tanya de Grunwald hosts This Isn't Working, a podcast about workplace dynamics, and runs This Is Working, a business community for employers. From 2018 to 2024 she ran a club for early-careers heads at companies like Google, KPMG, AstraZeneca, and the NHS — a front-row seat to peak DEI from the inside. By 2024 she'd seen enough unintended consequences, especially around the trans agenda, to walk away and start telling the story.

In this conversation we trace the personal psychology underneath workplace wokeness: the embarrassment about capitalism that pushed HR toward "higher purpose," the older gay men reliving Section 28 through trans activism, the weaponized fragility that lets the loudest voice win every argument. Tanya explains the brain drain that happens when sensible people leave and "nodding dogs" stay behind — and why the private sector is now leading the cleanup.

We also dig into what bullied kids fail to learn about self-protection, why "bring your whole self to work" is a mental-health disaster, and what it looks like when leaders finally take the room back. If you've been wondering whether the vibe shift is real, this episode is your field report from someone who sees the spreadsheets.

Tanya de Grunwald hosts This Isn't Working, a podcast exploring what has gone wrong in modern workplaces. In 2010 - after 10 years as a features writer for Glamour, Cosmopolitan and the Guardian - Tanya founded the careers blog Graduate Fog, and became a youth recruitment strategist. From 2018-24, Tanya ran the Good + Fair Employers Club, helping big UK employers including Google, KPMG, AstraZeneca and the National Health Service to hire graduates and apprentices. Last year, Tanya founded the business network This Is Working, bringing sensible employers together to unpick their problems. She is regularly quoted in UK newspapers including the Daily Telegraph and the Daily Mail. Follow her on X @IsntWorkingPod or YouTube ⁨@This-Isnt-Working⁩

[00:00:00] Start
[00:02:34] Workplace Dysfunction and the DEI Agenda
[00:05:54] Inside the Peak DEI Years
[00:11:23] Embarrassment About Capitalism
[00:15:00] Older Gay Men and Workplace Activism
[00:19:00] Weaponized Fragility in Arguments
[00:29:04] Self-ID Confusion and Legal Risk
[00:30:45] The Corporate Brain Drain
[00:35:47] Affirming Parents in Senior Leadership
[00:41:54] The Piggy Lesson on Bullying
[00:52:55] The Workplace as Cultural Collision Point
[01:00:32] Comfort, Challenge, and Young Workers
[01:06:52] The Vibe Shift and the Private Sector
[01:16:12] Bring Your Professional Self to Work
[01:24:47] We Make Paperclips

ROGD REPAIR Course + Community gives concerned parents instant access to over 120 lessons providing the psychological insights and communication tools you need to get through to your kid. Now featuring 24/7 personalized AI support implementing the tools with RepairBot! Use code SOMETHERAPIST2026 to take 50% off your first month.

PODCOURSES: use code SOMETHERAPIST at LisaMustard.com/PodCourses

PRODUCTION: Looking for your own podcast producer? Visit PodsByNick.com and mention my podcast for 20% off your initial services.

MUSIC: Thanks to Joey Pecoraro for our song, “Half Awake,” used with gratitude & permission.

 ALL OTHER LINKS HERE.

To support this show, please leave a rating & review on Apple, Spotify, or wherever you get your podcasts. Subscribe, like, comment & share via my YouTube channel. Or recommend this to a friend!

Learn more about Do No Harm.

Take $200 off your EightSleep Pod Pro Cover with code SOMETHERAPIST at EightSleep.com.

Take 20% off all superfood beverages with code SOMETHERAPIST at Organifi.

Check out my shop for book recommendations + wellness products.

Show notes & transcript provided with the help of SwellAI.

Special thanks to Joey Pecoraro for our theme song, “Half Awake,” used with gratitude and permission.

Watch NO WAY BACK: The Reality of Gender-Affirming Care (our medical ethics documentary, formerly known as Affirmation Generation). Stream the film or purchase a DVD. Use code SOMETHERAPIST to take 20% off your order. Follow us on X @2022affirmation or Instagram at @affirmationgeneration.

Have a question for me? Looking to go deeper and discuss these ideas with other listeners? Join my Locals community! Members get to ask questions I will respond to in exclusive, members-only livestreams, post questions for upcoming guests to answer, plus other perks TBD.

Why does your teen tune you out? It might have to do with the role your message unconsciously casts her in. "Alter-casting" refers to the way every message you send implicitly assigns a role or identity to the person you're speaking with. If the role you cast your child in conflicts with how they want to see themselves, your message will be rejected — no matter how accurate, loving, or urgent it is.

I walk through a concrete example: a mother warning her teenage daughter about predators online. The mother's intention is protective love. What the daughter hears is: "You think I'm a naive, helpless child." That identity is intolerable to an adolescent fighting for autonomy — and so the message fails entirely. I explain how this same dynamic plays out when parents share detransitioner videos with their kids, and why that approach almost always backfires for this exact reason.

The episode also covers practical tools from ROGD Repair, including the alter-casting Venn diagram (mapping the overlap between what you see in your child, and what they see in their idealized self-image, even if aspirational); the strategic use of self-deprecating humor and strategic naivete; and the accusation audit — a technique for front-loading anticipated criticism in a way that actually invites your child into a more generous, gracious response. I close with a broader reflection on what this work really is: seeing beneath the performance to the real person underneath, and helping them become who they're meant to be.

This podcast episode doubles as an ROGD Repair bonus lesson. It can be found in the course here, along with homework questions to help you personalize the material. If you're a parent navigating these issues in your family, ROGD Repair can help you work smarter, not harder, to get through to your teen. Get access to over 120 lessons like this and more. Use code SOMETHERAPIST2026 to take half off your first month at ROGDrepair.com.

[00:00:00] Start
[00:01:00] What Altercasting Is and Why It Matters
[00:02:15] The Teen and the Predator Warning: A Case Study
[00:05:00] Why Sharing Detransitioner Content Backfires
[00:07:00] How to Cast Your Child in a Role They'll Accept
[00:07:45] The Altercasting Venn Diagram Exercise
[00:11:00] Why Failed Conversations Make the Next One Harder
[00:12:00] Strategic Naivete and Self-Deprecating Humor
[00:13:00] The Accusation Audit Tool
[00:15:30] Reading Your Child's Self-Presentation Without Reacting
[00:18:00] Early Intervention and the Cost of Waiting
[00:26:30] Accepting Reality as the Path to Self-Actualization

ROGD REPAIR Course + Community gives concerned parents instant access to over 120 lessons providing the psychological insights and communication tools you need to get through to your kid. Now featuring 24/7 personalized AI support implementing the tools with RepairBot! Use code SOMETHERAPIST2026 to take 50% off your first month.

PODCOURSES: use code SOMETHERAPIST at LisaMustard.com/PodCourses

PRODUCTION: Looking for your own podcast producer? Visit PodsByNick.com and mention my podcast for 20% off your initial services.

MUSIC: Thanks to Joey Pecoraro for our song, “Half Awake,” used with gratitude & permission.

 ALL OTHER LINKS HERE.

To support this show, please leave a rating & review on Apple, Spotify, or wherever you get your podcasts. Subscribe, like, comment & share via my YouTube channel. Or recommend this to a friend!

Learn more about Do No Harm.

Take $200 off your EightSleep Pod Pro Cover with code SOMETHERAPIST at EightSleep.com.

Take 20% off all superfood beverages with code SOMETHERAPIST at Organifi.

Check out my shop for book recommendations + wellness products.

Show notes & transcript provided with the help of SwellAI.

Special thanks to Joey Pecoraro for our theme song, “Half Awake,” used with gratitude and permission.

Watch NO WAY BACK: The Reality of Gender-Affirming Care (our medical ethics documentary, formerly known as Affirmation Generation). Stream the film or purchase a DVD. Use code SOMETHERAPIST to take 20% off your order. Follow us on X @2022affirmation or Instagram at @affirmationgeneration.

Have a question for me? Looking to go deeper and discuss these ideas with other listeners? Join my Locals community! Members get to ask questions I will respond to in exclusive, members-only livestreams, post questions for upcoming guests to answer, plus other perks TBD.

Constitutional attorney Dean Broyles, president of the National Center for Law and Policy, joins me to continue untangling the legal battles reshaping how public schools handle gender identity — and what they mean for parents, teachers, and students.

Picking up where we left off with Laura Powell in episode 207, Dean begins with a detailed breakdown of the Mirabelli v. Bonta case, which started in Escondido, California, when two Catholic teachers refused to comply with “gender secrets” policies requiring them to conceal a child’s gender identity from parents. Dean walks us through Judge Bonita’s landmark ruling, which found that California’s parental exclusion policies create a “trifecta of harm” to children, parents, and teachers alike — and the March 2nd Supreme Court decision reinstating the statewide injunction squarely on the side of parental rights.

We go deep on what these rulings mean in practice: the secret “shadow records” schools have been keeping on students’ gender identities, the religious accommodation rights teachers can assert against California’s coercive PRISM training, and the student free speech protections guaranteed by Tinker v. Des Moines. Dean explains the difference between a parent’s right to be informed and a teacher’s legal obligation — and where the courts are headed on whether parents can block social transition at school entirely.

We also address the growing wave of detransition malpractice cases, including the Varian v. Einhorn verdict, and what a pending Supreme Court case could mean for therapists’ freedom of speech in counseling. This is essential listening for parents, teachers, and mental health professionals navigating what Dean calls an Orwellian environment in today’s public schools.

Dean Broyles is a constitutional attorney who serves as the president of the National Center for Law & Policy. He is a free speech, religious freedom, and parental rights advocate with extensive experience involving sexual identity issues in the courts, culture, and public schools. Dean regularly files amicus briefs at the U.S. Supreme Court in landmark cases, provides legislative testimony, and advises mental health professionals. He lives in southern California and has been married to his wife, Shona, a public-school teacher, for 36 years. Dean is the father of four adopted children and two grandchildren. Follow him on X: DeanBroyles. His blog can be found here.

[00:00:00] Start
[00:02:08] Mirabelli v. Bonta: Background and Origins
[00:05:55] Judge Bonita's Ruling: Trifecta of Harm
[00:09:25] Supreme Court Reinstates Statewide Injunction
[00:13:52] Teachers' Rights vs. Obligation to Inform
[00:15:45] Shadow Records in California Schools
[00:24:33] First and 14th Amendment Parental Rights Explained
[00:38:35] Students' Free Speech Rights: Tinker v. Des Moines
[00:44:50] Orwellian Coercion of Religious Students and Teachers
[00:51:20] AB 5 and California's PRISM Teacher Training
[00:58:40] Teachers Win Exemptions After Supreme Court Ruling
[01:00:50] The Spiral of Silence — and How to Reverse It
[01:07:15] Can Parents Block Social Transition at School?
[01:12:36] Desistance Rates and the Danger of Medicalization
[01:18:20] Detransition Malpractice Cases: Who's Liable?
[01:23:46] Pending Supreme Court Case on Therapist Free Speech

ROGD REPAIR Course + Community gives concerned parents instant access to over 120 lessons providing the psychological insights and communication tools you need to get through to your kid. Use code SOMETHERAPIST2026 to take 50% off your first month.

PODCOURSES: use code SOMETHERAPIST at LisaMustard.com/PodCourses

PRODUCTION: Looking for your own podcast producer? Visit PodsByNick.com and mention my podcast for 20% off your initial services.

MUSIC: Thanks to Joey Pecoraro for our song, “Half Awake,” used with gratitude & permission.

ALL OTHER LINKS HERE.

To support this show, please leave a rating & review on Apple, Spotify, or wherever you get your podcasts. Subscribe, like, comment & share via my YouTube channel. Or recommend this to a friend!

Learn more about Do No Harm.

Take $200 off your EightSleep Pod Pro Cover with code SOMETHERAPIST at EightSleep.com.

Take 20% off all superfood beverages with code SOMETHERAPIST at Organifi.

Check out my shop for book recommendations + wellness products.

Show notes & transcript provided with the help of SwellAI.

Special thanks to Joey Pecoraro for our theme song, “Half Awake,” used with gratitude and permission.

Watch NO WAY BACK: The Reality of Gender-Affirming Care (our medical ethics documentary, formerly known as Affirmation Generation). Stream the film or purchase a DVD. Use code SOMETHERAPIST to take 20% off your order. Follow us on X @2022affirmation or Instagram at @affirmationgeneration.

Have a question for me? Looking to go deeper and discuss these ideas with other listeners? Join my Locals community! Members get to ask questions I will respond to in exclusive, members-only livestreams, post questions for upcoming guests to answer, plus other perks TBD.

MaryCate Delvey is a female rights activist and satirist. She created the video series “Listen To Trans People,” which exposes the dark nature of transgender ideology in their own words. 

In this episode, she helps me uncover the disturbing inner worlds of porn-saturated misogynists, incel Redditors, and autogynephiles, shedding light on the fetishistic nature of some men who simultaneously seek to become women while mocking us and undermining our safety. 

What is hypno sissy porn? Is “gender euphoria” just a euphemism for inappropriate erections? What drives these men to seek validation through violating women's spaces and boundaries? How do their actions reflect possible deeper issues of narcissism and sadism? And what do parents of young heterosexual men with Rapid Onset Gender Dysphoria (ROGD) need to know about the dark corners of the internet their sons may be spending time on?

Join us as we navigate through the murky waters of gender identity and the blurred lines between sexual orientation and fetishism. Are you ready to uncover the unsettling realities behind the Transmaxxing Manifesto and its implications on society? Tune in to find out more.

MaryCate Delvey is a female rights activist and satirist. She created the series “Listen To Trans People,” which exposes the dark nature of transgender ideology in their own words. She enjoys painting, Chinese soap operas, and rescuing elderly and special-needs animals. You can find her on X at @marycatedelvey

Books mentioned in this episode:

• Irreversible Damage: The Transgender Craze Seducing Our Daughters by Abigail Shrier
• Four Thousand Weeks: Time Management for Mortals by Oliver Burkeman

00:00 Start

[00:00:00] Transitioning for dating pool expansion.

[00:07:55] Pornhub model confusion.

[00:08:33] Super straight and gender critical.

[00:16:09] Dark revelations about transgender communities.

[00:19:51] Desire to escape sexualization.

[00:22:31] Gender euphoria and arousal.

[00:25:43] The sick thrill in sissy porn.

[00:30:50] Effects of extreme porn on youth.

[00:37:35] Sexual fetish and violation.

[00:41:43] Unusual encounters in locker rooms.

[00:44:43] Fear of speaking up.

[00:49:29] Genital preference.

[00:54:26] Gender identity in young lesbians.

[00:57:45] Sexuality and identity complexities.

[01:00:15] Trans Maxing Manifesto.

[01:05:20] Parenting challenges in ROGD cases.

[01:09:48] Men coming out as trans

[01:13:04] Psychological dynamics in relationships.

[01:14:27] Merger and self-respect in men.

[01:19:07] Fetish and hypnosis in therapy.

[01:24:32] Psychedelics for personal growth.

[01:26:12] Psychedelics and ego death.

[01:31:21] Life's Difficult Decisions

[01:34:46] Sacrifices for living.

[01:39:25] Veganism and health.

[01:42:34] Pregnant men and Twilight Zone.

[01:46:12] Twisted relationship with evil.

[01:48:55] The importance of dialogue.

To support this show, please leave a rating & review on Apple, Spotify, or wherever you get your podcasts. Subscribe, like, comment & share via my YouTube channel. Or recommend this to a friend!

Learn more about Do No Harm.

Take $200 off your EightSleep Pod Pro Cover with code SOMETHERAPIST at EightSleep.com.

Take 20% off all superfood beverages with code SOMETHERAPIST at Organifi.

Check out my shop for book recommendations + wellness products.

Show notes & transcript provided with the help of SwellAI.

Special thanks to Joey Pecoraro for our theme song, “Half Awake,” used with gratitude and permission.

Watch NO WAY BACK: The Reality of Gender-Affirming Care (our medical ethics documentary, formerly known as Affirmation Generation). Stream the film or purchase a DVD. Use code SOMETHERAPIST to take 20% off your order. Follow us on X @2022affirmation or Instagram at @affirmationgeneration.

Have a question for me? Looking to go deeper and discuss these ideas with other listeners? Join my Locals community! Members get to ask questions I will respond to in exclusive, members-only livestreams, post questions for upcoming guests to answer, plus other perks TBD.

In this episode, I sit down with Tamara Pietzke, a mental health therapist best known for having blown the whistle on gender affirming care this past February in a Free Press article. What has she been up to since then?

We discuss the complexities of therapists being pressured to rubber stamp gender identities and recommend medical interventions. Tamara shares her experiences challenging the status quo and the backlash she faced for questioning the rush to affirm identities.

We explore the ethical dilemmas therapists face when young clients demand immediate medicalization, and confront the myths surrounding suicide risk and prevention in the transgender population. How do we navigate the fine line between supporting individuals in the moment and ensuring their long-term well-being? The conversation touches on the hot-cold empathy gap, the sunk cost fallacy, and the conveyor-belt nature of the gender industry, shedding light on the challenges of helping vulnerable youth in today's society.

Join us as we unravel the layers of social contagion, neuroplasticity, and the impact of social transitioning on young minds. Can therapy provide a safe space for exploration beyond immediate demands for medical interventions? Tune in to discover how therapists like Tamara navigate the delicate balance of protecting the holistic health of their clients.

Tamara is a mental health therapist (licensed independent clinical social worker) and has been a therapist for twelve years. She has worked a number of places, but most recently was working at Multicare, one of the state's largest hospital systems, for the past six years. When she raised concerns about the shift towards mandated "gender affirming care," she was bullied and dismissed. She stopped working there January of 2024, a couple weeks before her whistleblowing article came out in the Free Press. From Multicare, she went to another practice, but they let her go after three weeks, the same week the article came out, simply saying she wasn't "the right fit for the position." She has since been working on building a private practice. Meanwhile, the state is now investigating her license on account of not being "gender affirming.”

Links & Resources:
Free Press article 1
Free Press article 2
City Journal article
Give Send Go
Pietzke Counseling
 

00:00 Start

[00:01:10] Gender affirming care concerns

[00:07:11] Gender-affirming therapy for teenagers.

[00:12:25] Symbolic exploration of identity.

[00:14:25] Gender identity exploration challenges.

[00:17:48] Suicide risk and gender-affirming care.

[00:20:51] Teenagers and parental involvement.

[00:27:02] Therapists' reaction to detransitioners.

[00:29:10] Therapists' reaction to differing views.

[00:31:27] The gray area in ethics.

[00:36:59] Challenges in therapy practice.

[00:40:21] The hot cold empathy gap.

[00:44:05] Conversion therapy and gender identity.

[00:45:05] Gender dysphoria and identity confusion.

[00:48:57] Power dynamics in adolescence.

[00:53:35] Navigating marketing in therapy.

[00:59:10] Ethics of helping endangered children.

[00:59:29] Detransitioning concerns in youth.

[01:05:03] Ethics in Therapy

[01:08:28] Whistleblowers and support network.

[01:10:50] Gender crisis.

To support this show, please leave a rating & review on Apple, Spotify, or wherever you get your podcasts. Subscribe, like, comment & share via my YouTube channel. Or recommend this to a friend!

Learn more about Do No Harm.

Take $200 off your EightSleep Pod Pro Cover with code SOMETHERAPIST at EightSleep.com.

Take 20% off all superfood beverages with code SOMETHERAPIST at Organifi.

Check out my shop for book recommendations + wellness products.

Show notes & transcript provided with the help of SwellAI.

Special thanks to Joey Pecoraro for our theme song, “Half Awake,” used with gratitude and permission.

Watch NO WAY BACK: The Reality of Gender-Affirming Care (our medical ethics documentary, formerly known as Affirmation Generation). Stream the film or purchase a DVD. Use code SOMETHERAPIST to take 20% off your order. Follow us on X @2022affirmation or Instagram at @affirmationgeneration.

Have a question for me? Looking to go deeper and discuss these ideas with other listeners? Join my Locals community! Members get to ask questions I will respond to in exclusive, members-only livestreams, post questions for upcoming guests to answer, plus other perks TBD.

LaRell and Valerie Herbert are a married couple with a very unique story. During their time together, LaRell first believed he was a transgender woman and went through full sex trait modification before awakening to self-acceptance as a man. 

Join us as we explore their journey through somatic psychology and psychedelic integration. How did their relationship withstand the challenges of detransitioning, medical trauma, and identity crises? What impact did their individual traumas have on their journey? 

Discover the intricate dynamics of their blended family and the unexpected twists that unfolded as they navigated the medical pipeline of gender transition. How did their experiences with therapists and surgeons shape their perspectives on identity and healing? Tune in to uncover the profound insights and personal growth that emerged from their transformative journey.

Valerie is a somatic trauma-informed mentor and teacher. She is an earth ceremonialist and weaves wisdom through understanding and learning more about our innate goodness and wildness from connection with Mother Earth and learning from her elements. Although she is classically trained as a systems thinker and understands theoretical approaches and methods of healing trauma, she finds that creating a deep, loving, consistent, and safe relationship and container is how people heal. Valerie helps people remember the wholeness of who they are.

LaRell Herbert is a former transwoman who lived for years believing he was a female born in the wrong body. This belief led him to pursue hormone replacement therapy in 2017 at 36 and gender reassignment surgery in 2019, despite being married to a loving and supportive woman. Through introspection and self-growth, LaRell realized his gender identity was rooted in childhood trauma. In October 2023, he de-transitioned and returned to living as his biologically male self. His journey through trans ideology and lived experience as a trans woman has made him acutely aware of the tragedies young people face when sold the idea of medical transition for happiness. LaRell and his wife Valerie aim to raise awareness about the impact of transition on spouses and family members, recognizing that while transition is a personal choice, it significantly affects those around you.

Books mentioned in this episode:

• "The Body Keeps the Score" by Bessel van der Kolk
• "The End of Gender" by Debra Soh

 00:00 Start

[00:00:00] Identity exploration and transition journey.

[00:05:30] Shame and trauma in childhood.

[00:11:45] Discovering transgender identity.

[00:14:10] Inner dissonance in marriage.

[00:18:51] Repression and trauma in relationships.

[00:23:02] Transition and addiction parallels.

[00:25:46] Taking female hormones' impact.

[00:30:42] Hormone effects on emotionality.

[00:33:45] Femininity and bone mass.

[00:38:17] Fear of suicide and transition.

[00:41:22] Blended family challenges.

[00:44:32] Relational healing and gender ideology.

[00:52:20] Vaginoplasty experiences and complications.

[00:53:02] Post-surgical challenges in transitioning.

[00:57:08] Gender identity and self-love.

[01:01:19] Dissociation and body acceptance.

[01:07:00] Gender identity and transition journey.

[01:09:58] Gender identity realization.

[01:12:55] The journey of self-discovery.

[01:17:30] Unique life path and experiences.

[01:22:16] Men's initiation retreats.

[01:24:43] Best friends with therapist.

[01:30:25] Real-life relationships and complications.

[01:31:51] The Reality of Gender-Affirming Care.

To support this show, please leave a rating & review on Apple, Spotify, or wherever you get your podcasts. Subscribe, like, comment & share via my YouTube channel. Or recommend this to a friend!

Learn more about Do No Harm.

Take $200 off your EightSleep Pod Pro Cover with code SOMETHERAPIST at EightSleep.com.

Take 20% off all superfood beverages with code SOMETHERAPIST at Organifi.

Check out my shop for book recommendations + wellness products.

Show notes & transcript provided with the help of SwellAI.

Special thanks to Joey Pecoraro for our theme song, “Half Awake,” used with gratitude and permission.

Watch NO WAY BACK: The Reality of Gender-Affirming Care (our medical ethics documentary, formerly known as Affirmation Generation). Stream the film or purchase a DVD. Use code SOMETHERAPIST to take 20% off your order. Follow us on X @2022affirmation or Instagram at @affirmationgeneration.

Have a question for me? Looking to go deeper and discuss these ideas with other listeners? Join my Locals community! Members get to ask questions I will respond to in exclusive, members-only livestreams, post questions for upcoming guests to answer, plus other perks TBD.

In this episode, I dive into a fascinating conversation with Dr. Camilo Ortiz about a groundbreaking concept he coined as "independence therapy." Dr. Ortiz shares insights on how giving kids age-appropriate responsibilities and freedoms can help them overcome anxiety. We discuss the evolution of this idea from classic exposure therapy to empowering kids with independence. How does this therapy work, and what age group is it suitable for? Dr. Ortiz reveals the surprising results and the potential impact on children's anxiety levels.

We explore the importance of allowing kids to experience discomfort, danger, distress, and disappointment to build resilience. Dr. Ortiz shares real-life examples of how parents can support their children in developing independence, highlighting the risks of overprotective parenting. What are the risks of inaction, and how can parents strike a balance between safety and independence? We also touch on the legal aspects of children's independence and the role of parents in fostering self-reliance.

Join us as we uncover the hidden benefits of independence therapy and discuss practical strategies for parents to empower their children. Discover how small changes in parenting approaches can have a significant impact on children's confidence and self-reliance. Are you ready to learn how to support your child's journey towards independence and resilience? Tune in to this episode for valuable insights and actionable tips from Dr. Camilo Ortiz.

Camilo Ortiz, Ph.D., is an associate professor and director of clinical training in the clinical psychology doctoral program at Long Island University-Post. He is also a fellow with the Flourishing in Action project at the Archbridge Institute’s Human Flourishing Lab. His scholarship focuses on parenting, disruptive behavior problems in children, child anxiety, elimination disorders, and cognitive behavior therapy for child and adult psychiatric disorders. He completed a pre-doctoral internship at Montefiore Medical Center and a postdoctoral research fellowship at Stony Brook before joining the faculty at LIU-Post in 2001. He teaches cognitive-behavior therapy (CBT) and evidence-based treatment of children and adolescents. Dr. Ortiz is a licensed psychologist in New York State and maintains a private psychology practice where he sees adults and children. He received a Ph.D. in clinical psychology from the University of Massachusetts, Amherst. DrCamiloOrtiz.com

X: @DrCamiloOrtiz

Treating Childhood Anxiety with a Mega-Dose of Independence - Profectus Magazine
New York Times article

Books recommended on this show can always be found at sometherapist.com/bookshop. Thank you for purchases that support the show!

 00:00 Start

[00:01:38] Independence therapy for anxious kids.

[00:07:16] Children's decline in mixed-age play.

[00:11:17] Independence activities for children.

[00:13:37] Changing parenting dynamics over generations.

[00:18:25] Developing sense of competence.

[00:22:11] Broken bone resilience discovery.

[00:25:28] The four Ds for kids.

[00:28:05] Trust in Independence Activities.

[00:33:42] Interacting with kids in society.

[00:37:41] Parental support and independence.

[00:41:04] The risks of inaction.

[00:44:00] Kids needing practice with danger.

[00:49:53] Independence and life skills.

[00:52:40] Therapist's role in politics.

[00:55:21] Therapist referral service and talks.

[01:00:07] Generational differences and media influence.

[01:03:23] Living life consistent with values.

[01:09:15] Therapists' online presence discussed.

[01:13:16] Gender-Affirming Care.

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EIGHTSLEEP: Take $200 off your EightSleep Pod Pro Cover with code SOMETHERAPIST.

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Watch NO WAY BACK: The Reality of Gender-Affirming Care. Use code SOMETHERAPIST to take 20% off your order. Follow us on X @2022affirmation or Instagram at @affirmationgeneration. 

SHOW NOTES & transcript with help from SwellAI.

MUSIC: Thanks to Joey Pecoraro for our song, “Half Awake,” used with gratitude & permission. 

To support this show, please leave a rating & review on Apple, Spotify, or wherever you get your podcasts. Subscribe, like, comment & share via my YouTube channel. Or recommend this to a friend!

Learn more about Do No Harm.

Take $200 off your EightSleep Pod Pro Cover with code SOMETHERAPIST at EightSleep.com.

Take 20% off all superfood beverages with code SOMETHERAPIST at Organifi.

Check out my shop for book recommendations + wellness products.

Show notes & transcript provided with the help of SwellAI.

Special thanks to Joey Pecoraro for our theme song, “Half Awake,” used with gratitude and permission.

Watch NO WAY BACK: The Reality of Gender-Affirming Care (our medical ethics documentary, formerly known as Affirmation Generation). Stream the film or purchase a DVD. Use code SOMETHERAPIST to take 20% off your order. Follow us on X @2022affirmation or Instagram at @affirmationgeneration.

Have a question for me? Looking to go deeper and discuss these ideas with other listeners? Join my Locals comm...

I sit down with three remarkable gentlemen to discuss the complexities of black fatherhood in America. Speaking from their hearts, Adam, Mike and Jeremiah share how it has shaped their characters to embrace the responsibilities, challenges, and blessings of fatherhood. They critically examine societal norms, narratives, and myths that keep black families in survival mode, and explore what it truly means to “do your best” as a parent.

As the conversation unfolds, we touch on the concept of generational curses versus generational choices. Are we destined to repeat the mistakes of our ancestors, or do we have the power to make different decisions and break free from the cycle? We delve into the importance of hope and resilience in the black community, highlighting the need for healing and self-awareness to overcome past traumas and societal limitations.

Join us as we navigate through the complexities of fatherhood, resilience, and societal expectations. How can parents empower themselves and their children to break free from the constraints of generational curses and embrace a future filled with hope and possibility?

Adam B. Coleman is the Author of “Black Victim To Black Victor”, Op-Ed Writer, Public Speaker, host of the “Breaking Bread” video series, and the Founder of Wrong Speak Publishing. Adam is a columnist for Human Events, a frequent contributor for The New York Post and has articles published in Newsweek, The Telegraph, The Federalist, The Epoch Times, Daily Mail, The Post Millennial, Unherd, The Publica, ScoonTV, Free Black Thought, Life News HQ & Human Defense Initiative. Substack

Twitter: @wrong_speak

Michael David Cobb Bowen is a Stoic writer, data engineer and author of the award-winning blog Cobb. He has been published in Newsweek and was a regular NPR contributor, host at Cafe Utne, founder of the Conservative Brotherhood, Rights Universal and Free Black Thought. His online writing projects on political, cultural and philosophical subjects reach back over 23 years. His latest project, Stoic Observations, can be found at mdcbowen.substack.com. 

Jeremiah Wallace is a health coach and founder of RenewYou Health & Fitness. Over the last seven years, he has supported his clients to achieve renewal in their bodies, minds and behaviors. He is also host of the podcast Blended - Navigating The Blended Family Experience. As a stepparent himself, Jeremiah supports stepfamilies and those that are facing the complexities that exist within the blended family unit. His desire is for parents to have the clarity, competence and conviction necessary to lead well and to walk in purpose for their families. https://linktr.ee/jeremiahwallace

Books written by guests of this show can always be found at sometherapist.com/bookshop. Or follow the Amazon affiliate links below for books mentioned in this episode. Thank you for purchases that support the show!

Black Victim to Black Victor by Adam B. Coleman

 00:00 Start

[00:00:21] Fatherhood myths and realities.

[00:06:09] Fatherhood and personal growth.

[00:11:13] The impact of fatherlessness.

[00:12:13] Importance of family structure.

[00:16:33] Fatherhood myths and misconceptions.

[00:22:10] Family dynamics and relationships.

[00:27:13] Parenting challenges and gender dysphoria.

[00:31:20] Generational curses.

[00:33:09] Fatherhood and challenging stereotypes.

[00:39:13] Living a life without hope.

[00:41:25] Learning from privilege vs. trauma.

[00:45:56] Generational curses.

[00:51:17] Getting out of survival mode.

[00:56:21] Learning from parental struggles.

[00:57:15] Building discipline and success.

[01:03:33] The breakdown of marriage.

[01:06:11] Commitment and relationship standards.

[01:09:47] Shame and celebrity culture.

[01:14:44] Impact of fathers on daughters.

[01:20:21-01:20:32] Crisis of identity and values.

[01:24:37] Ancestry and identity crisis.

[01:26:08] Parental Responsibility and Guilt.

[01:30:13] Forgiveness and self-improvement.

[01:34:24] Gender crisis and community dialogue.

TALK TO ME: book a discovery call.

LOCALS: Ask questions of me & guests; get early access to new episodes + exclusive content. Join my community.

SUPPORT THE SHOW: subscribe, like, comment, & share or donate.

DO NO HARM: join our community of concerned professionals.

EIGHTSLEEP: Take $200 off your EightSleep Pod Pro Cover with code SOMETHERAPIST.

ORGANIFI: Take 20% off Organifi with code SOMETHERAPIST.

Watch NO WAY BACK: The Reality of Gender-Affirming Care. Use code SOMETHERAPIST to take 20% off your order. Follow us on X @2022affirmation or Instagram at @affirmationgeneration. 

SHOW NOTES & transcript with help from SwellAI.

MUSIC: Thanks to Joey Pecoraro for our song, “Half Awake,” used with gratitude & permission. 

To support this show, please leave a rating & review on Apple, Spotify, or wherever you get your podcasts. Subscribe, like, comment & share via my YouTube channel. Or recommend this to a friend!

Learn more about Do No Harm.

Take $200 off your EightSleep Pod Pro Cover with code SOMETHERAPIST at EightSleep.com.

Take 20% off all superfood beverages with code SOMETHERAPIST at Organifi.

Check out my shop for book recommendations + wellness products.

Show notes & transcript provided with the help of SwellAI.

Special thanks to Joey Pecoraro for our theme song, “Half Awake,” used with gratitude and permission.

Watch NO WAY BACK: The Reality of Gender-Affirming Care (our medical ethics documentary, formerly known as Affirmation Generation). Stream the film or purchase a DVD. Use code SOMETHERAPIST to take 20%

I sit down with Maia Poet, a 24-year-old Israeli-American writer, researcher, and public speaker with an extraordinary story. Maia began identifying as transgender at the tender age of 12 and recently desisted from this identity after living as a man in the Middle East for several years. What led her to this profound change? How did her experiences in Israel and Palestine shape her understanding of gender and identity?

Maia shares her harrowing escape from the October 7th attacks, narrowly avoiding the chaos due to a last-minute change in plans. What was it like to be on the brink of such a life-altering event? How did her involvement in peace activism between Jewish and Arab children influence her worldview? Maia paints a vivid picture of the optimism and innocence that existed just before the world around her was shattered.

We delve into Maia's unique cultural background, exploring how her Russian Jewish roots and her deep connection to Arab culture influenced her journey. How did studying Arabic and immersing herself in Middle Eastern culture help her reconnect with her Jewish identity? And what role did her trans identification play in her integration into both religious Muslim-Palestinian and Orthodox-Jewish communities?

Join us as we navigate through Maia's compelling narrative, from her early intellectual obsessions to her life-changing experiences in Israel. How did a chance encounter in a West Bank coffee shop and an unexpected Bar Mitzvah at the Western Wall cement her male identity? And what ultimately led her to desist from her trans identity? Tune in to hear Maia's fascinating story and gain insights into the complex interplay of culture, identity, and survival.

Maia Poet is a 24 year old Israeli-American writer, researcher and public speaker. She began identifying as transgender at the age of 12, and has recently desisted from a trans identity which has lasted for half of her life. Maia is reflecting on her experiences of desistance, in hopes of providing insight for young people struggling with gender distress and, for their parents.  

Twitter/X: @thepeacepoet99

Maia's YouTube channel

Speech for Detrans Awareness Day

Book co-authored with Israeli social worker, Tal Croitoru, based on Maia’s life and journey of desistance, Lia's Journey

 00:00 Start

[00:00:21] Challenging beliefs about body image.

[00:03:50] Peaceful coexistence among Israeli kids.

[00:10:25] Youthful optimism in challenging times.

[00:15:32] Building bridges between communities.

[00:18:53] Interconnectedness of Jewish and Arab cultures.

[00:21:52] An intergenerational longing for connection.

[00:24:18] A rare pituitary tumor.

[00:29:10] Discovering newfound physical sensations.

[00:33:14] Cultural and social influences.

[00:37:16] Identity and political alignment.

[00:41:09] Gender identity realization.

[00:43:49] Bar Mitzvah surprise.

[00:49:29] Maia is looking to mingle.

[00:51:50] LARPing as an Orthodox Jewish man.

[00:55:39] Pro-Palestinian views and differences.

[00:57:54] Paradigm-shifting realization about anti-Zionism.

[01:03:34] Regrets of transition journey.

[01:06:14] Detransitioning experiences.

[01:09:14] Gender identity realization.

[01:13:18] Re-envisioning identity post-transition.

[01:19:34] Gender ideology and children's books.

[01:20:16] Gender identity exploration journey.

To support this show, please leave a rating & review on Apple, Spotify, or wherever you get your podcasts. Subscribe, like, comment & share via my YouTube channel. Or recommend this to a friend!

Learn more about Do No Harm.

Take $200 off your EightSleep Pod Pro Cover with code SOMETHERAPIST at EightSleep.com.

Take 20% off all superfood beverages with code SOMETHERAPIST at Organifi.

Check out my shop for book recommendations + wellness products.

Show notes & transcript provided with the help of SwellAI.

Special thanks to Joey Pecoraro for our theme song, “Half Awake,” used with gratitude and permission.

Watch NO WAY BACK: The Reality of Gender-Affirming Care (our medical ethics documentary, formerly known as Affirmation Generation). Stream the film or purchase a DVD. Use code SOMETHERAPIST to take 20% off your order. Follow us on X @2022affirmation or Instagram at @affirmationgeneration.

Have a question for me? Looking to go deeper and discuss these ideas with other listeners? Join my Locals community! Members get to ask questions I will respond to in exclusive, members-only livestreams, post questions for upcoming guests to answer, plus other perks TBD.

Many cultural critics have expressed a mounting concern about prevalent attitudes that promote fragile mentalities, potentially crippling a generation and leaving them underprepared for the demands of adult life. Today’s roundtable panel brings together experts in mental health, social work, and social-emotional learning to discuss these concerns. How do narratives about our ability to bounce back from adversity shape our mental health and impact our outcomes? 

The discussion touches on the importance of self-awareness and the practice of mindfulness in strengthening our emotional resilience. But what happens when our nervous system goes haywire, and we can't trust our emotions? How do we navigate through moments of distress and disorientation? 

The guests share personal experiences and insights on how to cultivate mental fitness in a world filled with fear and self-censorship. Join us as we unravel the complexities of emotional well-being and resilience in the modern age.

Jake Wiskerchen, LMFT owns and operates Zephyr Wellness in northern Nevada and serves on the board of Walk the Talk America. His emotional functioning videos mentioned in this episode can be found here. Follow him at Twitter/X: @jakewisk 

Zander Keig, LCSW, is an award-winning social worker, speaker, caregiver, and educator who presents sought-after emotional well-being webinars and hosts the popular Umbrella Hour podcast. Zander co-founded the LGBTQ Caregiver Center, publishes change-maker stories at Third Space Press, and serves as a Caregiving.com LGBT Expert and Pride 365 Champion.

Jason Littlefield is an educator and advocate for personal well-being and societal well-being. He is the author of Empowered Humanity Theory: A Framework For An Empowering And Dignified Life. He's served more than years in public education in the capacity of teacher/coach, assistant principal and Social Emotional Learning. Jason has impacted students globally, including in Taiwan, China, and Benin, Africa. He works to reduce human division and promote personal well-being through EmpowerED Pathways, Free Black Thought, and The Institute for Liberal Values.

Books mentioned in this episode:

• "The Psychology of Emotions" by Carroll Izard

Previous episodes mentioned:

• Jake Wiskerchen: episodes 2 & 97
• Zander Keig: 38
• Jason Littlefield: 46
• Sara Stockton: 93

TALK TO ME: book a discovery call.

LOCALS: Ask questions of me & guests; get early access to new episodes + exclusive content. Join my community.

SUPPORT THE SHOW: subscribe, like, comment, & share or donate.

DO NO HARM: join our community of concerned professionals.

EIGHTSLEEP: Take $200 off your EightSleep Pod Pro Cover with code SOMETHERAPIST.

ORGANIFI: Take 20% off Organifi with code SOMETHERAPIST.

Watch NO WAY BACK: The Reality of Gender-Affirming Care. Use code SOMETHERAPIST to take 20% off your order. Follow us on X @2022affirmation or Instagram at @affirmationgeneration. 

SHOW NOTES & transcript with help from SwellAI.

MUSIC: Thanks to Joey Pecoraro for our song, “Half Awake,” used with gratitude & permission. 

To support this show, please leave a rating & review on Apple, Spotify, or wherever you get your podcasts. Subscribe, like, comment & share via my YouTube channel. Or recommend this to a friend!

Learn more about Do No Harm.

Take $200 off your EightSleep Pod Pro Cover with code SOMETHERAPIST at EightSleep.com.

Take 20% off all superfood beverages with code SOMETHERAPIST at Organifi.

Check out my shop for book recommendations + wellness products.

Show notes & transcript provided with the help of SwellAI.

Special thanks to Joey Pecoraro for our theme song, “Half Awake,” used with gratitude and permission.

Watch NO WAY BACK: The Reality of Gender-Affirming Care (our medical ethics documentary, formerly known as Affirmation Generation). Stream the film or purchase a DVD. Use code SOMETHERAPIST to take 20% off your order. Follow us on X @2022affirmation or Instagram at @affirmationgeneration.

Have a question for me? Looking to go deeper and discuss these ideas with other listeners? Join my Locals community! Members get to ask questions I will respond to in exclusive, members-only livestreams, post questions for upcoming guests to answer, plus other perks TBD.

Sidewalk Steve earned this nickname from boldly positioning himself on the streets of New Hampshire to discuss what’s wrong with pediatric sex trait modification with hundreds of passers-by. How has an introvert like Steve worked up the courage to speak in public about the most controversial issue of our time, despite fear of cancel culture and even assault? What communication techniques does he use to reach people? And what has he observed changing in the public consensus over the past several years?

Join us as we explore the communication techniques and talking points essential for challenging gender clinics, puberty blockers, and pediatric sex trait modifications. How do we navigate the delicate balance of engaging with those who vehemently oppose our views? And what about the suicide narrative that often clouds discussions on this topic? Can we break through the barriers of cognitive dissonance to truly connect with individuals who may have been hurt by gender ideology, while they project that hurt onto those of us trying to help?

Discover the power of listening, not lecturing, as we uncover the emotional and psychological complexities that drive individuals to cling onto identities that may not serve their best interests. How do we address the need for belonging and reassurance in a world where online forums can easily groom vulnerable youth into irreversible decisions? Tune in to gain insights into the nuanced challenges of advocating against harmful gender practices and the importance of creating safe spaces for individuals to question and explore their true identities.

Stephen Scaer is a special education teacher and an activist fighting sex-trait modifications for children. SidewalkSteve.org

X: @sidewalk_steve

Books mentioned in this episode:

• Irreversible Damage by Abigail Shrier
• When Prophecy Fails by Leon Festinger

Also mentioned:

• My testimony against a proposed Oregon bill banning misleadingly named “conversion therapy”
• My testimony in favor of Alaska House Bill 338

 00:00 Start

[00:00:37] Activist fighting sex trade modifications.

[00:05:29] Overwhelmingly positive responses to activism.

[00:08:15] Autism and transgender activism.

[00:11:33] Children and puberty blockers.

[00:16:57] Cognitive dissonance and reactions.

[00:19:08] Cognitive dissonance and defense mechanisms.

[00:22:33] Millennial movements throughout history.

[00:27:36] Listening and understanding diverse perspectives.

[00:30:39] The balance of information overload.

[00:34:43] Regret rates in medical procedures.

[00:39:39] Detransition and autism in identity.

[00:42:51] Gender identity exploration journey.

[00:49:25] The suicide narrative.

[00:52:08] Gender Affirming Care.

[00:54:56] Suicide rates among trans youth.

[01:00:29] Suicide rates among genders.

[01:06:26] Teaching kids about suicide.

[01:08:08] Manipulation and mental health.

[01:11:59] Gender identity and autism.

[01:16:27] Speaking up in public forums.

[01:20:09] Personal stories in advocacy.

[01:23:03] Speaking up for a cause.

TALK TO ME: book a discovery call.

LOCALS: Ask questions of me & guests; get early access to new episodes + exclusive content. Join my community.

SUPPORT THE SHOW: subscribe, like, comment, & share or donate.

DO NO HARM: join our community of concerned professionals.

EIGHTSLEEP: Take $200 off your EightSleep Pod Pro Cover with code SOMETHERAPIST.

ORGANIFI: Take 20% off Organifi with code SOMETHERAPIST.

Watch NO WAY BACK: The Reality of Gender-Affirming Care. Use code SOMETHERAPIST to take 20% off your order. Follow us on X @2022affirmation or Instagram at @affirmationgeneration. 

SHOW NOTES & transcript with help from SwellAI.

MUSIC: Thanks to Joey Pecoraro for our song, “Half Awake,” used with gratitude & permission. 

To support this show, please leave a rating & review on Apple, Spotify, or wherever you get your podcasts. Subscribe, like, comment & share via my YouTube channel. Or recommend this to a friend!

Learn more about Do No Harm.

Take $200 off your EightSleep Pod Pro Cover with code SOMETHERAPIST at EightSleep.com.

Take 20% off all superfood beverages with code SOMETHERAPIST at Organifi.

Check out my shop for book recommendations + wellness products.

Show notes & transcript provided with the help of SwellAI.

Special thanks to Joey Pecoraro for our theme song, “Half Awake,” used with gratitude and permission.

Watch NO WAY BACK: The Reality of Gender-Affirming Care (our medical ethics documentary, formerly known as Affirmation Generation). Stream the film or purchase a DVD. Use code SOMETHERAPIST to take 20% off your order. Follow us on X @2022affirmation or Instagram at @affirmationgeneration.

Have a question for me? Looking to go deeper and discuss these ideas with other listeners? Join my Locals community! Members get to ask questions I will respond to in exclusive, members-only livestreams, post questions for upcoming guests to answer, plus other perks TBD.

I’ve brought together a panel of two detransitioners and an elder therapist with many years of experience treating transition regret in psychoanalytic psychotherapy. Together, we explore the barriers to effective psychotherapy for individuals experiencing transition regret and the importance of a relational approach in therapy. But what happens when therapists fall into the trap of ego issues and countertransference? How do detransitioners navigate the shame and blame that often accompany their experiences? And what role does the mind-body connection play in healing trauma and emotional wounds? Join us as we uncover the challenges detransitioners face and the need for a holistic approach to mental health care.

Nicolas Blooms describes himself as a Detransitioner and Gender Shaman full of fruity passion to create ways for people to spark the deeper magical wisdom within their hearts to root in their inner resilience. Witness his liberating journey to self-love and remembering his Soul by soaking in his graphic novel, Trans to Detrans: A Soul Solution. He believes it’s totally possible to heal gender dysphoria and any other mental dis-ease! He previously appeared on episode 98. Trans to Detrans: A Graphic Novel Journey from Self-Hate to Self-Compassion, with Nicolas Blooms.

Layton is a detransitioned woman, conversion therapy survivor, artist, and psychic somatic practitioner. She previously appeared on episodes 95. Transing the Gay Away? Cults, Actual Conversion Therapy, & Dissociation: part 1 with Layton, and 96. From Cult to Gender Clinic: Misdiagnosis, Detransition & Healing — Layton, part 2. Follow her on X @origina1ange1 or visit her website at psychicsomatic.com. 

Bob Withers is a Jungian analyst with over 35 years’ experience as a psychotherapist. During that time he has worked with several transgender people in various stages of transition and detransition. He has written a series of articles about that work including the 2020 article ‘Transgender Medicalization’. Bob is a former senior lecturer on the University of Westminster’s master’s program, where he specialized in the history and philosophy of the mind/body relationship in medicine. He is also co-founder of The Rock Clinic, a charitable, community based psychotherapy and counseling service in Brighton England, where he lives. He previously appeared on episode 47. The Scapegoated Body: Transition Regret in Psychotherapy with Bob Withers. 

All books mentioned on this podcast can be found at sometherapist.com/bookshop or by following the Amazon affiliate links below.

Trans to Detrans: A Soul Solution, by Nicolas Blooms

00:00 Start

[00:00:49] Detransitioners in therapy.

[00:03:54] Complex psychiatric needs in counseling.

[00:07:21] Overcoming mind-body dissociation.

[00:13:30] Suicide narrative discussion.

[00:16:33] The effect of estrogen on suicide.

[00:18:20] Transitioning without therapist guidance.

[00:24:26] Mentorship in therapy relationships.

[00:28:09] Boundaries in therapy.

[00:31:40] Therapist-client relationship dynamics.

[00:35:14] Individualized approach in therapy.

[00:40:22] Challenges in mental health care.

[00:43:14] Bodily care and mental health.

[00:46:10] Trauma stored in the body.

[00:49:39] Somatic experiencing and healing.

[00:55:23] Taking healing into own hands.

[00:59:04] Detransitioning and medical issues.

[01:02:24] The needs of detransitioners.

[01:03:38] Gender dysphoria treatment controversies.

[01:09:35] Gender identity and detransitioning.

[01:13:38] Challenges in therapy dynamics.

[01:14:48] Reintegrating anger after dissociation.

[01:20:45] Hope and healing after trauma.

[01:23:04] Join my community at somekindoftherapist.locals.com.

TALK TO ME: book a discovery call.

LOCALS: Ask questions of me & guests; get early access to new episodes + exclusive content. Join my community.

SUPPORT THE SHOW: subscribe, like, comment, & share or donate.

DO NO HARM: join our community of concerned professionals.

EIGHTSLEEP: Take $200 off your EightSleep Pod Pro Cover with code SOMETHERAPIST.

ORGANIFI: Take 20% off Organifi with code SOMETHERAPIST.

Watch NO WAY BACK: The Reality of Gender-Affirming Care. Use code SOMETHERAPIST to take 20% off your order. Follow us on X @2022affirmation or Instagram at @affirmationgeneration. 

SHOW NOTES & transcript with help from SwellAI.

MUSIC: Thanks to Joey Pecoraro for our song, “Half Awake,” used with gratitude & permission. 

To support this show, please leave a rating & review on Apple, Spotify, or wherever you get your podcasts. Subscribe, like, comment & share via my YouTube channel. Or recommend this to a friend!

Learn more about Do No Harm.

Take $200 off your EightSleep Pod Pro Cover with code SOMETHERAPIST at EightSleep.com.

Take 20% off all superfood beverages with code SOMETHERAPIST at Organifi.

Check out my shop for book recommendations + wellness products.

Show notes & transcript provided with the help of SwellAI.

Special thanks to Joey Pecoraro for our theme song, “Half Awake,” used with gratitude and permission.

Watch NO WAY BACK: The Reality of Gender-Affirming Care (our medical ethics documentary, formerly known as Affirmation Generation). Stream the film or purchase a DVD. Use code SOMETHERAPIST to take 20% off your order. Follow us on X @2022affirmation or Instagram at

Today’s episode is unlike any other. Although I had an entirely different episode planned, something came up recently that needed to be addressed. I said something on social media that hit a nerve for a lot of anguished people, namely, ROGD parents — ironically, the population I am most focused on addressing, and typically have great relationships with in the markedly different context of personal consulting. But this wasn’t consulting; it was the social media platform X, where misunderstandings and pile-ons abound while tone and context are in short supply. In turn, the reaction of people who felt hurt left me feeling quite hurt as well. 

I spent two days intensively processing what happened and discussing it with trusted advisers. This episode is the result of that processing, and it is probably the most vulnerable thing I will ever express to the public. I ask that anyone impacted by the recent drama take the time to listen. I hope it will also be of value to others interested in how to help families impacted by the gender crisis.

If you were one of the people who felt hurt by what I said on the internet, or perhaps questioned how you should feel about it, please consider what I have to say with an open heart and mind by listening to this message in full. It may resonate in unexpected ways. In an effort to address the ocean of pain inflicted by gender ideology and the ripple effects of brushing up against them, I illuminated aspects of the nature of the beast we are up against, and addressed several interconnected matters many of us have been feeling for a while but perhaps not put words to. Along the way, I addressed matters of grief and anguish; shame and blame; victim/rescuer/perpetrator dynamics; good and evil; idealization and devaluation; and what happens when society is overtaken by a dark force that raises the stakes of our smallest foibles into life-and-death matters. Finally, I suggest a way forward that restores innocence through grace and redemption.

Although I am not normally in the habit of posting videos of myself crying on the internet, on this occasion, it felt important to share my innermost experience with you as I face the heart of the beast that is hurting us all. I invite you to grieve with me. For a fuller experience including body language, you may wish to view this episode as a video on YouTube.

If you don’t want to spend an hour of your time this way, I only ask that you be willing to withhold judgment and refrain from making comments to disparage my reputation, since you are making the choice not to take into consideration what I have to say. That’s a fair request, and I would certainly do the same for you.

Likewise, if you have made critical remarks of me to others, or on social media, but you do take the time to hear me out, and you do end up feeling differently after this, I would appreciate you following up and sharing with those people how this episode impacted your perspective. Again, I would do the same for you. 

In case you’re wondering: the hurt and drama surrounding these events caused me to delete the tweets in question, temporarily lock my account, and stop looking at it for a few days. While I thought I screenshotted everything, all I am left with when I look is screenshots of hurtful comments left by others, so I actually find myself without a record of what I originally said. Some people may have taken my choices to delete the tweets, lock my account, and/or ignore social media for a few days to mean something in particular, but my choices meant only that I needed a break from all of it to collect myself. What I have to say is contained in this episode when listened to as a whole.

No timestamps, no ads, no “where to find me,” no outro today. 

To support this show, please leave a rating & review on Apple, Spotify, or wherever you get your podcasts. Subscribe, like, comment & share via my YouTube channel. Or recommend this to a friend!

Learn more about Do No Harm.

Take $200 off your EightSleep Pod Pro Cover with code SOMETHERAPIST at EightSleep.com.

Take 20% off all superfood beverages with code SOMETHERAPIST at Organifi.

Check out my shop for book recommendations + wellness products.

Show notes & transcript provided with the help of SwellAI.

Special thanks to Joey Pecoraro for our theme song, “Half Awake,” used with gratitude and permission.

Watch NO WAY BACK: The Reality of Gender-Affirming Care (our medical ethics documentary, formerly known as Affirmation Generation). Stream the film or purchase a DVD. Use code SOMETHERAPIST to take 20% off your order. Follow us on X @2022affirmation or Instagram at @affirmationgeneration.

Have a question for me? Looking to go deeper and discuss these ideas with other listeners? Join my Locals community! Members get to ask questions I will respond to in exclusive, members-only livestreams, post questions for upcoming guests to answer, plus other perks TBD.

If you have a son, this conversation is essential listening. I'm welcoming back Shane Cole, breathwork practitioner and men's coach, who first appeared in episode 149, where we broke down what parents need to know about sissy hypnosis pornography. This time, we go even deeper. One of the things I'm most passionate about tackling here is the dangerous myth that sweet, sensitive, smart boys are somehow immune to porn addiction. Shane is living proof that the opposite can be true — and that this particular profile of boy may in fact be especially vulnerable, for reasons we explore in depth.

We walk through the architecture of how sissy hypnosis pornography works: how it enters through mainstream platforms using innocuous images, then systematically eroticizes male insecurity using professional-grade hypnosis techniques, binaural beats, and repeated mantras designed to take young viewers into deeply suggestible trance states. This is not content a boy can simply "turn off" — and we make the case for why that framing fundamentally misunderstands the neuroscience involved.

We also get into territory I think the gender-critical community need to be taking far more seriously: the role of endocrine-disrupting chemicals in the environment and how they may be contributing to skyrocketing rates of gender dysphoria. I share my perspective — tinfoil hat and all — on why normalizing trans identity as an "identity to be affirmed" may function as a convenient cover for the very industries that are poisoning us. And I make the case that parental guilt and ideological defensiveness are getting in the way of an honest reckoning with this data.

From there, Shane lays out a compelling and deeply personal vision of his alternative path, including semen retention, Qigong, meditation, breathwork, and a sense of masculine purpose directed outward toward the world. We contrast the easy-now-hard-later escape of estrogen and porn with the hard-now-easy-later path of character, and Shane speaks directly to the young men who are standing at that crossroads right now.

Shane Cole is a trauma-informed breathwork facilitator and founder of Inspiratus Breathwork. After studying psychology at the University of Southern California and completing a nine-month, trauma-informed breathwork facilitator training program, he travels the country to musical festivals and retreats teaching breathwork. With Inspiratus, he creates sacred spaces for humans to cultivate purpose, positivity, and presence through his research-backed approach to breathwork. Throughout his life, he struggled with gender dysphoria and an addiction to sissy hypnosis pornography. After traditional talk therapy did not assist or even want to address the issues he faced, he turned to alternative solutions. Using breathwork, meditation, IFS therapy, psychedelic-assisted therapy, and men's work, he was able to free himself from his addiction, come back to his masculinity, and reclaim his innocence. He is now on a mission to bring breathwork practices to clients struggling with gender dysphoria and pornography addiction.

To work with Shane, join the EDM Breathwork Council.

Follow him on Instagram @breathingwithshane and @edmbreathwork

Books Mentioned in This Episode:
-Countdown by Dr. Shanna Swan
-Think and Grow Rich by Napoleon Hill

[00:00:00] Start
[00:03:00] Why Sweet, Sensitive Boys Are Vulnerable to Porn Addiction
[00:06:34] What Is Sissy Hypnosis Pornography
[00:14:40] How the Content Escalates into Full Hypnosis Videos
[00:19:25] Why "Just Turn It Off" Fundamentally Misses the Point
[00:26:47] Breathwork and Reclaiming Your Dopamine System
[00:28:44] Male Sexual Energy: A Powerful Force
[00:33:23] Testosterone Decline and Endocrine Disrupting Chemicals
[00:40:57] Semen Retention, Qigong, and Channeling Purpose
[00:50:55] Why Estrogen Feels Like a Solution to Young Men
[00:54:10] Reclaiming Anger as Vital Energy
[00:56:26] Alexithymia and the Allure of Synthetic Emotions
[01:04:53] The Anima, Autogynephilia, and Real Relationship
[01:13:00] Hard Now, Easy Later: The Path of Character
[01:17:24] A Message to Young Men Standing at the Crossroads

ROGD REPAIR Course + Community gives concerned parents instant access to over 120 lessons providing the psychological insights and communication tools you need to get through to your kid. Now featuring 24/7 personalized AI support implementing the tools with RepairBot! Use code SOMETHERAPIST2026 to take 50% off your first month.

PODCOURSES: use code SOMETHERAPIST at LisaMustard.com/PodCourses

TALK TO ME: book a meeting.

PRODUCTION: Looking for your own podcast producer? Visit PodsByNick.com and mention my podcast for 20% off your initial services.

SUPPORT THE SHOW: subscribe, like, comment, & share or donate.

Watch NO WAY BACK: The Reality of Gender-Affirming Care. Use code SOMETHERAPIST to take 20% off your order.

MUSIC: Thanks to Joey Pecoraro for our song, “Half Awake,” used with gratitude & permission.

 ALL OTHER LINKS HERE.

To support this show, please leave a rating & review on Apple, Spotify, or wherever you get your podcasts. Subscribe, like, comment & share via my YouTube channel. Or recommend this to a friend!

Learn more about Do No Harm.

Take $200 off your EightSleep Pod Pro Cover with code SOMETHERAPIST at EightSleep.com.

Take 20% off all superfood beverages with code SOMETHERAPIST at Organifi.

Check out my shop for book recommendations + wellness products.

Show notes & transcript provided with the help of SwellAI.

Special thanks to Joey Pecoraro for our theme song, “Half Awake,” used with gratitude and permission.

Watch NO WAY BACK: The Reality of Gender-Affirming Care (our medical ethics documentary, formerly known as Affirmation Generation). Stream the film or purchase a DVD. Use code SOMETHERAPIST to take 20% off your order. Follow us on X @2022affirmation or Instagram at

In a rare solo episode, I reflect on a few key themes that have emerged during the course of my work consulting with with parents who are worried about losing their kids to the gender craze. Join me as I share insights on how to help families facing this challenge. When is it actually a bad idea to tell your kids about the harms of sex trait modification? How can parents express concerns to headstrong adolescents without pushing them away? What strategies can you employ to understand their perspectives while maintaining your own boundaries? Tune in to discover the power of strategic apologizing and the importance of listening without necessarily agreeing.

We'll also explore the impact of porn and social media on youth's perceptions of gender and sexuality. How does exposure to certain media influence their beliefs and behaviors? And what part do male and female role models play in shaping their identities? Plus, we'll touch on the dynamics of splitting and triangulation within families facing the gender crisis. How can parents navigate these complex relationships to support children effectively? And what common pitfalls must be avoided in order to prevent the rift from deepening?

Books mentioned in this episode:

• Never Split the Difference by Chris Voss
• Lost in Trans Nation by Miriam Grossman

Books mentioned on this podcast can also be found in my bookshop. My recommended reading list for ROGD parents is the second section down on that page. If I can help, book a discovery call.

 00:00 Start

[00:02:25] Gender craze in family dynamics.

[00:05:27] Origins of gender dysphoria.

[00:10:04] Importance of being strategic.

[00:11:31] A tightrope marathon.

[00:15:47] Avoid sharing too much information.

[00:20:48] Navigating teenage pride and knowledge.

[00:24:11] Hormonal effects on reproductive system.

[00:27:14] Hostage negotiation techniques.

[00:33:40] Apologizing for giving access to technology.

[00:36:21] Internalizing female oppression.

[00:39:44] Boys and porn addiction.

[00:43:35] ROGD parent role models.

[00:47:21] Cry for help in parenting.

TALK TO ME: book a discovery call.

LOCALS: Ask questions of me & guests; get early access to new episodes + exclusive content. Join my community.

SUPPORT THE SHOW: subscribe, like, comment, & share or donate.

DO NO HARM: join our community of concerned professionals.

EIGHTSLEEP: Take $200 off your EightSleep Pod Pro Cover with code SOMETHERAPIST.

ORGANIFI: Take 20% off Organifi with code SOMETHERAPIST.

Watch NO WAY BACK: The Reality of Gender-Affirming Care. Use code SOMETHERAPIST to take 20% off your order. Follow us on X @2022affirmation or Instagram at @affirmationgeneration. 

SHOW NOTES & transcript with help from SwellAI.

MUSIC: Thanks to Joey Pecoraro for our song, “Half Awake,” used with gratitude & permission. 

To support this show, please leave a rating & review on Apple, Spotify, or wherever you get your podcasts. Subscribe, like, comment & share via my YouTube channel. Or recommend this to a friend!

Learn more about Do No Harm.

Take $200 off your EightSleep Pod Pro Cover with code SOMETHERAPIST at EightSleep.com.

Take 20% off all superfood beverages with code SOMETHERAPIST at Organifi.

Check out my shop for book recommendations + wellness products.

Show notes & transcript provided with the help of SwellAI.

Special thanks to Joey Pecoraro for our theme song, “Half Awake,” used with gratitude and permission.

Watch NO WAY BACK: The Reality of Gender-Affirming Care (our medical ethics documentary, formerly known as Affirmation Generation). Stream the film or purchase a DVD. Use code SOMETHERAPIST to take 20% off your order. Follow us on X @2022affirmation or Instagram at @affirmationgeneration.

Have a question for me? Looking to go deeper and discuss these ideas with other listeners? Join my Locals community! Members get to ask questions I will respond to in exclusive, members-only livestreams, post questions for upcoming guests to answer, plus other perks TBD.

In response to a viral tweet that sparked a heated debate about the natural bond between mothers and babies, I’ve brought together a panel of wise women to delve into the controversial topic of motherhood, daycare, and child-rearing in the 21st century. My guests share personal experiences and expertise in reproductive mental health, child development, and embodiment, shedding light on the biological and cultural aspects of mother-child attachment.

The conversation explores the biological foundations of mother-baby bonding, emphasizing the critical role of early attachment in a child's development. We touch on the impact of daycare on children's emotional well-being and the importance of self-regulation in early childhood. We also examine generational shifts in parenting styles, from stay-at-home moms to working parents, highlighting the evolving dynamics of modern families.

As the discussion unfolds, the guests propose innovative solutions, including on-site daycare at universities and workplaces, and a reimagining of welfare systems to support postpartum parents. They challenge societal norms that undermine women's reproductive biology and advocate for a more holistic approach to childcare. The episode leaves listeners pondering questions about the ideal environment for children, the role of attachment in emotional development, and the need for systemic changes to support families. Tune in to discover how these experts navigate the complexities of motherhood and childcare in today's world.

Robin Atkins is a licensed mental health counselor with nearly 2 decades of experience overall and nearly a decade of experience in reproductive mental health. She speaks professionally regarding reproductive mental health, concerns with the current state of affairs in the mental health field, and ethical practice, particularly in regards to informed consent.

Website: www.charisetveritasllc.com

Twitter: @TruthAgape

Email: ratkins@charisetveritasllc.com

Laura Wiley Haynes is a writer, a mother & grandmother, and a former CASA. Read her article on Wesley Yang’s Substack, Universal Early Childhood Daycare Has Been Proven to Damage the Children Who Have Been Through It.

Amy E. Sousa holds a MA in Depth Psychology. She is a women's rights activist, lecturer, and educator, with an expertise in embodiment. She holds one-on-one coaching, teaches classes, and facilitates workshops to help women strengthen their intuition. She also posts educational videos about embodiment & boundaries on her YouTube. Sousa has organized multiple rallies, protests, and free speech events on behalf of women/girls sex-based safeguarding provisions and against the unnecessary medicalization of children. For more about Amy follow her on Twitter, Instagram, & TikTok @KnownHeretic, on Substack theknownheretic.com, YouTube @KnownHeretic.

Books mentioned in this episode can be purchased in my bookshop or by following the Amazon affiliate link below. Thank you for purchases that support the show!

• "The Anxious Generation" by Jonathan Haidt

 00:00 Start

[00:00:21] Babygate 2024- Controversy Over Daycare

[00:06:20] Emotional impact of daycare separation.

[00:10:47] Controversy around daycare comments.

[00:12:45] Centering children's well-being.

[00:15:47] Ideal parenting and societal norms.

[00:22:33] Ideal childhood development strategies.

[00:25:36] Mother's role in teaching self-regulation.

[00:30:41] Importance of attachment.

[00:33:00] Moms and babies designed connection.

[00:37:31] Importance of mother-baby bonding.

[00:39:27] Shifting Parenting Styles.

[00:43:11] Women's reproductive choices and support.

[00:46:22] Misogyny in parenting culture.

[00:50:24] Devaluation of mothers.

[00:55:32] Motion and emotion.

[01:00:00] Building self-trust in children.

[01:04:00] The role of bonding and trust.

[01:07:23] The normalization of separating babies.

[01:12:08] Therapists sharing opinions online.

[01:14:48] Therapist-patient dynamics and opinions.

[01:20:29] Unhinged behavior in adults.

[01:23:30] Gender movement values and daycare.

[01:25:44] Ego attachments and self-validation.

TALK TO ME: book a discovery call.

LOCALS: Ask questions of me & guests; get early access to new episodes + exclusive content. Join my community.

SUPPORT THE SHOW: subscribe, like, comment, & share or donate.

DO NO HARM: join our community of concerned professionals.

EIGHTSLEEP: Take $200 off your EightSleep Pod Pro Cover with code SOMETHERAPIST.

ORGANIFI: Take 20% off Organifi with code SOMETHERAPIST.

Watch NO WAY BACK: The Reality of Gender-Affirming Care. Use code SOMETHERAPIST to take 20% off your order. Follow us on X @2022affirmation or Instagram at @affirmationgeneration. 

SHOW NOTES & transcript with help from SwellAI.

MUSIC: Thanks to Joey Pecoraro for our song, “Half Awake,” used with gratitude & permission. 

To support this show, please leave a rating & review on Apple, Spotify, or wherever you get your podcasts. Subscribe, like, comment & share via my YouTube channel. Or recommend this to a friend!

Learn more about Do No Harm.

Take $200 off your EightSleep Pod Pro Cover with code SOMETHERAPIST at EightSleep.com.

Take 20% off all superfood beverages with code SOMETHERAPIST at Organifi.

Check out my shop for book recommendations + wellness products.

Show notes & transcript provided with the help of SwellAI.

Special thanks to Joey Pecoraro for our theme song, “Half Awake,” used with gratitude and p...

Mia Hughes, author of the recently released WPATH Files report, joins me today to discuss the medical scandal of our era. Together, we uncover the shocking revelations from the leaked files, exposing the mistreatment of vulnerable individuals seeking gender transition. 

We explore how the official-sounding “World Professional Association for Transgender Health” got its name, and whether that title is deserved or misleading. What happens when an organization with so much power strays from ethical standards and prioritizes political agendas over patient well-being? What role do autogynephiles play in leading the charge for widespread normalization of radical body modifications? How does the shift from ego-syntonic to ego-dystonic framing impact the treatment of psychiatric conditions, and what are the implications of the de-psychopathologization of gender identity for individuals seeking sex trait modifications?

Join us as we navigate the complexities of gender dysphoria, questioning the validity of medical pathways and the true motives behind the trans rights movement. Are we witnessing a dangerous trend of consumer-driven medicine at the expense of Hippocratic ethics?

Mia Hughes is an Ottawa-based British journalist and researcher for Michael Shellenberger's nonprofit Environmental Progress. She is the author of the WPATH Files report, which exposed the widespread medical mistreatment of children, adolescents and vulnerable adults in the field of gender-affirming care.

Follow Mia on X @_crymiariver

Read the WPATH Files

Books mentioned in this episode:

• The Anxious Generation: How the Great Rewiring of Childhood Is Causing an Epidemic of Mental Illness, by Jonathan Haidt

All books mentioned on this podcast can be found at sometherapist.com/bookshop or by following the Amazon affiliate links. Thank you for purchases that support the show!

 00:00 Start

[00:00:00] Gender identity diagnosis controversy.

[00:07:18] The group's ideological shift.

[00:08:43] Gender-affirming care and WPATH.

[00:14:57] Questioning the motives of WPATH.

[00:18:00] Gender affirming medicine ethics.

[00:22:58] Medical necessity and experimental medicine.

[00:27:05] WPATH misled the public.

[00:28:26] Understanding hormone effects in kids.

[00:32:02] WPATH's two-faced nature.

[00:37:35] Embodiment and neural pathways.

[00:39:18] De-psychopathologizing sex trait modification.

[00:43:56] Pathology of gender identity disorder.

[00:48:07] Ego-syntonic framing of the issue.

[00:53:28] Autogynephilic men in transgender diagnosis.

[00:56:19] Borderline Personality Disorder and misdiagnosis.

[01:00:59] Multiple personality disorder resurgence.

[01:03:20] The importance of obtaining consent.

[01:10:50] Self-care challenges in transgender surgery.

[01:11:18] The reality of post-op recovery.

[01:16:52] Gender dysphoria and surgical decisions.

[01:20:16] The ethics of informed consent.

[01:23:42] Victim blaming in medical decisions.

[01:27:36] WPATH standards of care scandal.

[01:30:28] Detransition lawsuits and WPATH guidelines.

[01:34:38] The gentle approach in persuasion.

[01:41:08] Non-binary surgeries and ethics.

[01:43:45] Where to find Mia.

TALK TO ME: book a discovery call.

LOCALS: Ask questions of me & guests; get early access to new episodes + exclusive content. Join my community.

SUPPORT THE SHOW: subscribe, like, comment, & share or donate.

DO NO HARM: join our community of concerned professionals.

EIGHTSLEEP: Take $200 off your EightSleep Pod Pro Cover with code SOMETHERAPIST.

ORGANIFI: Take 20% off Organifi with code SOMETHERAPIST.

Watch NO WAY BACK: The Reality of Gender-Affirming Care. Use code SOMETHERAPIST to take 20% off your order. Follow us on X @2022affirmation or Instagram at @affirmationgeneration. 

SHOW NOTES & transcript with help from SwellAI.

MUSIC: Thanks to Joey Pecoraro for our song, “Half Awake,” used with gratitude & permission. 

To support this show, please leave a rating & review on Apple, Spotify, or wherever you get your podcasts. Subscribe, like, comment & share via my YouTube channel. Or recommend this to a friend!

Learn more about Do No Harm.

Take $200 off your EightSleep Pod Pro Cover with code SOMETHERAPIST at EightSleep.com.

Take 20% off all superfood beverages with code SOMETHERAPIST at Organifi.

Check out my shop for book recommendations + wellness products.

Show notes & transcript provided with the help of SwellAI.

Special thanks to Joey Pecoraro for our theme song, “Half Awake,” used with gratitude and permission.

Watch NO WAY BACK: The Reality of Gender-Affirming Care (our medical ethics documentary, formerly known as Affirmation Generation). Stream the film or purchase a DVD. Use code SOMETHERAPIST to take 20% off your order. Follow us on X @2022affirmation or Instagram at @affirmationgeneration.

Have a question for me? Looking to go deeper and discuss these ideas with other listeners? Join my Locals community! Members get to ask questions I will respond to in exclusive, members-only livestreams, post questions for upcoming guests to answer, plus other perks TBD.

This Earth Day, I’d like to honor the importance of our connection to the natural world by welcoming the insightful Derrick Jensen, an author and environmental activist whose work has profoundly influenced me from an early age. We explore the stark contrast between our knowledge of commercial jingles and movie stars versus our understanding of the stars in the sky and the edible plants in our own backyards. How has our relationship with nature changed so drastically over the centuries? And what does this mean for our souls and our future?

Derrick paints a vivid picture of a world teeming with life, a stark contrast to the ecological devastation we witness today. Can we truly comprehend the rapid pace of loss that's occurring right before our eyes? We discuss the concept of addiction, not just in terms of substances, but in how we've become enslaved to technology and convenience. What are the implications of this enslavement for our planet and our very humanity?

Join us as we grapple with these questions and consider the idea of communal decision-making. Could it be the key to balancing innovation with tradition, action with contemplation? And what might we learn from the Okanagan decision-making process that honors the perspectives of youth, elders, mothers, and fathers? Tune in to find out how we might navigate the complex relationship between our technological advancements and the natural world we seem to be drifting away from.

Hailed as the philosopher poet of the environmental movement, Derrick Jensen is author of twenty-five books, including The Myth of Human Supremacy, Endgame and A Language Older Than Words. He holds a degree in creative writing from Eastern Washington University, a degree in mineral engineering physics from the Colorado School of Mines, and has taught at Eastern Washington University and Pelican Bay State Prison. He has packed university auditoriums, conferences, and bookstores across the nation, stirring them with revolutionary spirit.

Books mentioned in this episode:

• A Language Older Than Words by Derrick Jensen

All books mentioned on this podcast can be found at sometherapist.com/bookshop or by following the Amazon affiliate links provided here. Thank you for purchases that support the show!

00:00 Start

[00:02:37] The world we've forgotten.

[00:05:07] Unimaginable abundance of wildlife.

[00:08:10] Love story with the land.

[00:14:27] Decline of Monarch Butterflies.

[00:17:40] Appreciating the stars at night.

[00:23:31] Nostalgia and envy.

[00:24:55] Envy for lost species.

[00:29:25] Communal decision making.

[00:34:27] Technologies shaping social structures.

[00:40:35] Trauma and warfare's impact.

[00:43:28] Deal making with technology.

[00:45:11] Addiction and enslavement concept

[00:50:49] Animistic view of the universe.

[00:53:30] The importance of perspective.

[00:57:33] Racially discriminatory practices in healthcare.

[01:04:25] Forgotten skills and cultural dynamics.

[01:06:12] Connection to Earth through meditation.

[01:10:26] Ecological grief.

[01:14:18] The lost ecstasy experience.

[01:20:28] The source of artistic inspiration.

[01:25:17] Human connection through traditions.

[01:26:53] The power of singing together.

[01:30:53] Nature observation in rainforest.

[01:34:41] The importance of boredom.

[01:39:22] Making music in nature.

[01:42:20] Greeting nature in new places.

TALK TO ME: book a discovery call.

LOCALS: Ask questions of me & guests; get early access to new episodes + exclusive content. Join my community.

SUPPORT THE SHOW: subscribe, like, comment, & share or donate.

DO NO HARM: join our community of concerned professionals.

EIGHTSLEEP: Take $200 off your EightSleep Pod Pro Cover with code SOMETHERAPIST.

ORGANIFI: Take 20% off Organifi with code SOMETHERAPIST.

Watch NO WAY BACK: The Reality of Gender-Affirming Care. Use code SOMETHERAPIST to take 20% off your order. Follow us on X @2022affirmation or Instagram at @affirmationgeneration. 

SHOW NOTES & transcript with help from SwellAI.

MUSIC: Thanks to Joey Pecoraro for our song, “Half Awake,” used with gratitude & permission. 

To support this show, please leave a rating & review on Apple, Spotify, or wherever you get your podcasts. Subscribe, like, comment & share via my YouTube channel. Or recommend this to a friend!

Learn more about Do No Harm.

Take $200 off your EightSleep Pod Pro Cover with code SOMETHERAPIST at EightSleep.com.

Take 20% off all superfood beverages with code SOMETHERAPIST at Organifi.

Check out my shop for book recommendations + wellness products.

Show notes & transcript provided with the help of SwellAI.

Special thanks to Joey Pecoraro for our theme song, “Half Awake,” used with gratitude and permission.

Watch NO WAY BACK: The Reality of Gender-Affirming Care (our medical ethics documentary, formerly known as Affirmation Generation). Stream the film or purchase a DVD. Use code SOMETHERAPIST to take 20% off your order. Follow us on X @2022affirmation or Instagram at @affirmationgeneration.

Have a question for me? Looking to go deeper and discuss these ideas with other listeners? Join my Locals community! Members get to ask questions I will respond to in exclusive, members-only livestreams, post questions for upcoming guests to answer, plus other perks TBD.

Today I welcome the esteemed Dr. Joseph Burgo to discuss the psychological crisis of males who find refuge in a trans identity. Along the way, we explore myriad contributing factors, from shame, narcissism, and autogynephilia; to rising rates of autism and unlimited access to increasingly obscene internet pornography; as well as gender roles, norms, expectations, and recent cultural shifts.

As we unravel the narratives of ex-military men and individuals in positions of power who transition, we uncover the complexities of idealization and devaluation in trans identification and the numerous parallels with personality disorder traits. How do societal norms and social justice narratives fuel the shallow idealization of the opposite gender?

We also touch on the challenges detransitioners face in therapy and the obstacles therapists encounter in providing effective care for individuals with gender ideation. How can therapists navigate the tense climate surrounding gender identity exploration? And what role should exploration of fantasies and projections play in understanding the complexities of gender distress? 

Joseph Burgo, Ph.D. is a licensed clinical psychologist and graduate psychoanalyst who has been practicing for more than 40 years. As a writer, he’s the author of several works of non-fiction bringing his insights and experience as a therapist to a popular audience, and his articles and commentary on the topics of shame and narcissism have appeared in the New York Times, the Washington Post, the Wall Street Journal, and most of the large news outlets online. In his private practice, he currently focuses on gender distress, and works with trans-identified adolescent boys, male detransitioners, and men who struggle with autogynephilia. He can be reached at joeburgo@gmail.com; find him on X @jburgo55; visit his website at AfterPsychotherapy.com; or view him in the documentary film of another former guest, Jennifer Lahl (from episodes 52 and 97), The Lost Boys: Searching for Manhood.

Dr. Burgo's books:

• The Narcissist You Know: Defending Yourself Against Extreme Narcissists in an All-About-Me Age
• Why Do I Do That?: Psychological Defense Mechanisms and the Hidden Ways They Shape Our Lives
• Shame: Free Yourself, Find Joy, and Build True Self-Esteem

All books mentioned on this podcast and written by my guests can be found at sometherapist.com/bookshop or by following the Amazon affiliate links. Thank you for purchases that support the show.

00:00 Start

[00:02:49] Autism diagnosis evolution.

[00:06:36] Psychology in developmental framework.

[00:08:02] Rise in autism due to screens.

[00:11:55] Shame and narcissism in youth.

[00:18:45] Shame defiance.

[00:21:03] Adolescence and privacy for development.

[00:25:37] Exploring views on pornography.

[00:29:36] Effects of intense porn consumption.

[00:32:55] Autogynephilia as narcissism and desire.

[00:37:40] Ex-military men and transgender identity.

[00:40:58] Grass is greener syndrome.

[00:46:03] Idealization and devaluation in identity.

[00:49:50] The impact of societal beliefs.

[00:52:17] Avoiding adult responsibilities.

[00:56:20] Emancipating children's decision-making.

[01:01:27] Detransitioning experiences.

[01:02:43] Detransitioning experiences and insights.

[01:08:15] Importance of finding healing relationships.

[01:10:15] Lack of ICD procedure codes for detransition.

[01:13:42] Self-care reminder.

TALK TO ME: book a discovery call.

LOCALS: Ask questions of me & guests; get early access to new episodes + exclusive content. Join my community.

SUPPORT THE SHOW: subscribe, like, comment, & share or donate.

DO NO HARM: join our community of concerned professionals.

EIGHTSLEEP: Take $200 off your EightSleep Pod Pro Cover with code SOMETHERAPIST.

ORGANIFI: Take 20% off Organifi with code SOMETHERAPIST.

Watch NO WAY BACK: The Reality of Gender-Affirming Care. Use code SOMETHERAPIST to take 20% off your order. Follow us on X @2022affirmation or Instagram at @affirmationgeneration. 

SHOW NOTES & transcript with help from SwellAI.

MUSIC: Thanks to Joey Pecoraro for our song, “Half Awake,” used with gratitude & permission. 

To support this show, please leave a rating & review on Apple, Spotify, or wherever you get your podcasts. Subscribe, like, comment & share via my YouTube channel. Or recommend this to a friend!

Learn more about Do No Harm.

Take $200 off your EightSleep Pod Pro Cover with code SOMETHERAPIST at EightSleep.com.

Take 20% off all superfood beverages with code SOMETHERAPIST at Organifi.

Check out my shop for book recommendations + wellness products.

Show notes & transcript provided with the help of SwellAI.

Special thanks to Joey Pecoraro for our theme song, “Half Awake,” used with gratitude and permission.

Watch NO WAY BACK: The Reality of Gender-Affirming Care (our medical ethics documentary, formerly known as Affirmation Generation). Stream the film or purchase a DVD. Use code SOMETHERAPIST to take 20% off your order. Follow us on X @2022affirmation or Instagram at @affirmationgeneration.

Have a question for me? Looking to go deeper and discuss these ideas with other listeners? Join my Locals community! Members get to ask qu...

In this rare solo episode, I delve into personal decisions that have recently shaped my career path, shedding light on the challenges and triumphs that have led me to where I am today, including the impact of stress on chronic illness, and the difficult choice to step back from therapy to prioritize my well-being. But why did I choose consulting over therapy? What drove me to specialize in helping parents Rapid Onset Gender Dysphoria, and how has this decision influenced my consulting practice?

I explain the intricacies of my consulting work, from assisting ROGD parents to guiding individuals on self-expression journeys, as well as the core values that drive my practice, including a deep yearning for synchronicity and serendipity in a world dominated by asynchronicity. How do these values shape my approach to communication and expression coaching? And what role do they play in fostering connection and harmony in a world plagued by loneliness?

Join me on this introspective journey as I navigate the blurred lines between personal health, professional choices, and the pursuit of meaningful connections. Will my leap of faith into consulting lead to a balanced life, or will the uncertainties of radical self-employment prove too daunting? Tune in to explore the nuances of my career evolution, the essence of synchronicity, and the quest for authentic expression in a world filled with noise and disconnection.

 [00:00:00] Gender dysphoria as social contagion.

[00:03:55] Why I stopped doing therapy.

[00:08:43] Consulting in gender dysphoria.

[00:11:43] Consulting vs. Therapy Differences.

[00:15:24] Consulting ROGD parents.

[00:18:28] Coaching clients in personal expression.

[00:22:31] Balancing work and health.

[00:25:10] Core values and synchronicity.

[00:29:47] The gender crisis.

To support this show, please leave a rating & review on Apple, Spotify, or wherever you get your podcasts. Subscribe, like, comment & share via my YouTube channel. Or recommend this to a friend!

Learn more about Do No Harm.

Take $200 off your EightSleep Pod Pro Cover with code SOMETHERAPIST at EightSleep.com.

Take 20% off all superfood beverages with code SOMETHERAPIST at Organifi.

Check out my shop for book recommendations + wellness products.

Show notes & transcript provided with the help of SwellAI.

Special thanks to Joey Pecoraro for our theme song, “Half Awake,” used with gratitude and permission.

Watch NO WAY BACK: The Reality of Gender-Affirming Care (our medical ethics documentary, formerly known as Affirmation Generation). Stream the film or purchase a DVD. Use code SOMETHERAPIST to take 20% off your order. Follow us on X @2022affirmation or Instagram at @affirmationgeneration.

Have a question for me? Looking to go deeper and discuss these ideas with other listeners? Join my Locals community! Members get to ask questions I will respond to in exclusive, members-only livestreams, post questions for upcoming guests to answer, plus other perks TBD.

Is shame always destructive, or can it foster growth? Does being compassionate require that we affirm every belief or validate every emotion? When are psychiatric diagnoses helpful or harmful? Is it better to strive for race-awareness or a color-blind society? Should social norms be challenged or reinforced? What is the role of hope in fostering change? I’ve brought together several interesting guests from previous episodes to discuss these current debates at the intersection of psychology, philosophy, and culture.

Michael David Cobb Bowen is a Stoic writer, data engineer and author of the award-winning blog Cobb. He has been published in Newsweek and was a regular NPR contributor, host at Cafe Utne, founder of the Conservative Brotherhood, Rights Universal and Free Black Thought. His online writing projects on political, cultural and philosophical subjects reach back over 23 years. His latest project, Stoic Observations, can be found at mdcbowen.substack.com.  

Pamela Garfield-Jaeger is a licensed clinical social worker with over 20 years of experience in mental health. She had to drop out of full time work due to health issues and she was fired from her part-time per-diem position in 2021 due to COVID regulations. That emboldened her to become outspoken on issues plaguing the mental health system. Pamela has a new book, written for parents on the gender issue, A Practical Approach to Gender Distress.

thetruthfultherapist.org

Instagram @the.truthfultherapist

X @truththerapist

Substack Pam the Truthful Therapist

Soad Tabrizi is a licensed marriage and family therapist with a distinctive approach to therapy that combines deep philosophical inquiry with a steadfast commitment to a holistic health. Soad has a telehealth practice providing counseling around the world. 

Soad's counseling website

Conservative Counselors

Simpli Well

All social media @soadtabrizi

Books mentioned in this episode:

A Practical Approach to Gender Distress by Pamela Garfield-Jaeger

It's Me: A 30-Day Journal by Soad Tabrizi

Strong Fathers, Strong Daughters by Meg Meeker

Red, White, and Black: Rescuing American History from Revisionists and Race Hustlers by the Woodson Center

00:00 Start

[00:02:35] Pamela’s intro & latest book.

[00:06:02] Soad’s intro, projects & guided journal.

[00:09:48] Michaels’ intro, projects, race abolitionism & Free Black Thought.

[00:12:06] Personal deracination and mental health.

[00:15:55] Race as a social construct.

[00:19:43] Identity and cultural influences.

[00:25:05] Overcoming racial divides.

[00:29:53] Groupthink and social construction.

[00:32:16] Gender confusion and fears.

[00:35:56] Racial dynamics and societal impact.

[00:39:22] Society's Perception of Mental Health.

[00:42:48] Shame and societal behavior.

[00:45:52] Delusional beliefs in mental health.

[00:49:54] Losing the gift of praise.

[00:53:17] Lived experience.

[00:56:58] Parental involvement in child therapy.

[01:02:22] Challenging beliefs about gender.

[01:03:34] Mental health challenges in families.

[01:09:40] Mental health field reflections.

[01:12:21] Healing and mental health.

[01:18:29] A holistic approach to health.

[01:20:31] Marijuana and mental health.

[01:24:26] Marijuana and mental health.

[01:27:48] Hope and gratitude in discussion.

[01:33:32] Gender crisis and film.

[01:04:27] Taking care of yourself.

To support this show, please leave a rating & review on Apple, Spotify, or wherever you get your podcasts. Subscribe, like, comment & share via my YouTube channel. Or recommend this to a friend!

Learn more about Do No Harm.

Take $200 off your EightSleep Pod Pro Cover with code SOMETHERAPIST at EightSleep.com.

Take 20% off all superfood beverages with code SOMETHERAPIST at Organifi.

Check out my shop for book recommendations + wellness products.

Show notes & transcript provided with the help of SwellAI.

Special thanks to Joey Pecoraro for our theme song, “Half Awake,” used with gratitude and permission.

Watch NO WAY BACK: The Reality of Gender-Affirming Care (our medical ethics documentary, formerly known as Affirmation Generation). Stream the film or purchase a DVD. Use code SOMETHERAPIST to take 20% off your order. Follow us on X @2022affirmation or Instagram at @affirmationgeneration.

Have a question for me? Looking to go deeper and discuss these ideas with other listeners? Join my Locals community! Members get to ask questions I will respond to in exclusive, members-only livestreams, post questions for upcoming guests to answer, plus other perks TBD.

In what ways is gender ideology cult-like? What are its core foundational myths, and how can concerned citizens challenge them?

Today’s guest, Justine Deterling, founded the LGB watchdog organization Gender Health Query to create resources for parents and educators to address these concerns. In this episode, we discuss the cult-like dynamics of gender activism influencing young people's beliefs and behaviors, and debunk common myths that have insidiously crept into public education and other institutions.

We also touch on the role of mental health professionals in addressing the unique needs of the LGB community amidst the growing emphasis on TQ+ issues. In its quest to “affirm” the rainbow, has the counseling profession inadvertently harmed LGB people?

Justine Deterling is an LGB human rights activist with a focus on pediatric transition for gender dysphoria and its effects on youth of all orientations. She founded the medical and queer theory watchdog organization Gender Health Query in 2019, which provides extensive information on these subjects and whose members protest ideological “LGBTQ+” activists corrupting media, the health professions, and education. Gender Health Query members hope people will join them in sending the message opposing extremist gender activism is not “bigotry” but a sane response to overreach. They would like people to join them in opposing indoctrinating school children and teens into radicalization and unscientific worldviews around sex and gender. GHQ is part of a larger long-term goal to create an evidence-based, supportive organization focusing on the long-term well-being of LGB people and the wider society. Justine happily lives with her partner of 26 years.

Links:
Gender Health Query
Parent/Educator School Resource
X @justinedeter
X @thehomoarchy
Facebook @theh0moarchy

Previous episodes mentioned:
98. Trans to Detrans: A Graphic Novel Journey from Self-Hate to Self-Compassion, with Nicolas Blooms

All books mentioned on this podcast can be found at https://sometherapist.com/bookshop

00:00 Start
[00:01:37] Informational resource for parents
[00:06:25] Culture war and mainstream media.
[00:08:16] The dangers of demonizing others.
[00:14:58] Gender Health Query.
[00:17:13] Medicalization of children.
[00:23:39] Abuse and its definition.
[00:25:16] Cult dynamics in gender activism.
[00:29:25] Gender identity in sports.
[00:35:40] Egotheistic belief system.
[00:36:23] Blasphemy and cult tendencies.
[00:42:17] Gender dysphoria and mental health.
[00:43:33] Gender activism and culture war.
[00:47:29] Mental health professionals' focus shift.
[00:51:57] Human nature and tribal thinking.
[00:56:27] Mental health profession's impact.
[01:00:34] Mental health profession concerns.
[01:04:48] Detransitioning and psychology concepts.
[01:07:08] Gender dysphoria and ego-dystonic denial.
[01:10:57] The mental health profession's messiah complex.
[01:16:37] Power dynamics in therapy.
[01:19:24] Treating transgender surgeries as cosmetic.
[01:21:49] Self-care and well-being.

To support this show, please leave a rating & review on Apple, Spotify, or wherever you get your podcasts. Subscribe, like, comment & share via my YouTube channel. Or recommend this to a friend!

Learn more about Do No Harm.

Take $200 off your EightSleep Pod Pro Cover with code SOMETHERAPIST at EightSleep.com.

Take 20% off all superfood beverages with code SOMETHERAPIST at Organifi.

Check out my shop for book recommendations + wellness products.

Show notes & transcript provided with the help of SwellAI.

Special thanks to Joey Pecoraro for our theme song, “Half Awake,” used with gratitude and permission.

Watch NO WAY BACK: The Reality of Gender-Affirming Care (our medical ethics documentary, formerly known as Affirmation Generation). Stream the film or purchase a DVD. Use code SOMETHERAPIST to take 20% off your order. Follow us on X @2022affirmation or Instagram at @affirmationgeneration.

Have a question for me? Looking to go deeper and discuss these ideas with other listeners? Join my Locals community! Members get to ask questions I will respond to in exclusive, members-only livestreams, post questions for upcoming guests to answer, plus other perks TBD.

Wise decision-making often requires that we grapple with notions of good and evil. Fields such as history, spirituality, philosophy, and psychology all help orient our moral compass. Yet despite so much access to information, today’s youth seem to lack the grounding principles needed to navigate life's challenges.

How is the modern world's existential crisis impacting today's youth? Today, returning guests and I unravel the connection between sensitivity, trauma, and the search for meaning. And what role does spirituality play in finding healing and purpose for those with unique sensitivities?

Uncover the hidden truths behind the gender industrial complex and its impact on mental health, as we question the narrative that permanent physical alterations can solve deeper psychological issues. How do unstable identities and the quest for belonging intersect with transgender ideation? Join us on this journey of self-discovery and introspection, where each revelation leads to more profound questions and a deeper understanding of the human experience. Tune in to unlock the mysteries of history, spirituality, and personal growth.

Kim O is a Relational Soul Coach, Author, & Resilience Cheerleader. Contact, workbooks, journals, free course of the month: https://linktr.ee/heartworku

Matt Osborne is a military historian and an accidental movement historian. @OsborneInk https://www.thedistancemag.com/

Benjamin “The Dream Wizard” Davidson is a psychological professional with over 20 years experience in mental health, offering eclectic dream analysis, editing historical dream literature, and sometimes playing video games, all for entertainment and educational purposes only. https://BenjaminTheDreamWizard.com

Books mentioned in this episode:

• The Joy of Movement by Kelly McGonigal https://amzn.to/3PoNDx9

Kim’s books:

• What is Ego, by Kim O: https://amzn.to/46FoGE2
• Living in the Power of Your Energetic Signature, by Kim O: https://amzn.to/3S83GkZ
• Love Cures Anxiety, by Kim O: https://amzn.to/3tFWnXD
• Roe the Rabbit Lost His Happy Hop: https://amzn.to/4cjLFrp
• I Want Prickles Too! https://amzn.to/3Tk43rC

Benjamin’s books:

• https://amzn.to/4agqG75

All books mentioned on this podcast can be found at sometherapist.com/bookshop or by following the Amazon affiliate links here. Thank you for purchases that support the show!

 00:00 Start

[00:02:53] Historian of ideas and religion.

[00:04:17] Modernity and spirituality crisis.

[00:10:06] Lack of challenge in modern lives.

[00:13:40] Dissociation and embodiment in spirituality.

[00:17:21] Pain perception and chronic conditions.

[00:20:10] Individual constitution and Ayurveda.

[00:23:12] Indigo Child concept.

[00:27:03] Spiritual experiences in punk rock.

[00:31:14] The draw of community.

[00:35:51] First principles and grounding principles.

[00:39:51] Spirituality and personal development.

[00:41:08] Highly sensitive nervous system.

[00:47:29] Borderline Personality Disorder and Identity

[00:50:50] Man-made horrors and consequences.

[00:54:19] The healthiest resolution to the trans question.

[00:57:58] Astral projection and dreams.

[01:02:12] Astral projection experience.

[01:04:06] Out of body experiences.

[01:07:32] Vivid encounters in dreams.

[01:13:45] Dreaming of public figures.

[01:16:50] Dream interpretation and magic.

[01:21:15] Exploring spiritual beliefs and afterlife.

[01:24:04] Dreams and technology in sleep.

[01:27:43] Dreams and screen time.

[01:29:31] Effects of technology on creativity.

[01:33:26] Life's joys and sorrows.

[01:37:38] The Gender Crisis.

To support this show, please leave a rating & review on Apple, Spotify, or wherever you get your podcasts. Subscribe, like, comment & share via my YouTube channel. Or recommend this to a friend!

Learn more about Do No Harm.

Take $200 off your EightSleep Pod Pro Cover with code SOMETHERAPIST at EightSleep.com.

Take 20% off all superfood beverages with code SOMETHERAPIST at Organifi.

Check out my shop for book recommendations + wellness products.

Show notes & transcript provided with the help of SwellAI.

Special thanks to Joey Pecoraro for our theme song, “Half Awake,” used with gratitude and permission.

Watch NO WAY BACK: The Reality of Gender-Affirming Care (our medical ethics documentary, formerly known as Affirmation Generation). Stream the film or purchase a DVD. Use code SOMETHERAPIST to take 20% off your order. Follow us on X @2022affirmation or Instagram at @affirmationgeneration.

Have a question for me? Looking to go deeper and discuss these ideas with other listeners? Join my Locals community! Members get to ask questions I will respond to in exclusive, members-only livestreams, post questions for upcoming guests to answer, plus other perks TBD.

Gabrielle helped her daughter escape the cult. Now, as a Desistance Coach, she helps other parents find ways to reach their ideologically captured children too. Meanwhile, my career has taken a similar direction, as I’ve devoted a significant portion of my energy toward helping parents of youth with Rapid Onset Gender Dysphoria (ROGD) as a communication skills consultant.

Today, we discuss the challenges parents face in today's school system, where Critical Race Theory has a divisive impact on diverse families such as Gabrielle’s; so-called “Social Emotional Learning” is antithetical to its name; and victim/oppressor narratives incentivize children to go to war with their own sexed bodies. What can parents do when their rights to protect their children are under attack?

Join us as we uncover the importance of trust in instincts and the power of nature in shaping a child's perspective. How can a change in environment and engaging in hands-on challenges help children build confidence and resilience? We discuss the regional differences in cultural norms, from the West Coast's liberal acceptance to New England's view of rebellion. And what about the rise of gender ideology in Christian homeschooling families in red states? Tune in to discover the impact of societal influences on our children's identities and the role of parents in guiding them through these turbulent times.

Gabrielle Clark fights indoctrination in the K-12 educational setting. Both her school aged children were affected by indoctrination in different ways. One harmed by CRT. One harmed by SEL. She fought back starting with CRT indoctrination. Her son was discriminated against at school. They filed the first federal lawsuit against indoctrination in America. 

While she was raising awareness about CRT, her daughter was socially transitioned through the SEL program. She organized a plan to facilitate a safe environment for her daughter to desist. The Affirming Reality methodology helps people parent their children into desistance.

Affirming Reality Connected (coming soon)
Donate to Affirming Reality

Books mentioned in this episode:

Hold On To Your Kids by Gabor Maté and Gordon Neufeld

All books mentioned on this podcast can be found at sometherapist.com/bookshop or by following the Amazon affiliate links. either way your purchases help support the show. Thank you!

00:00 Start

[00:03:25] Fighting indoctrination in schools.

[00:06:12] Identity and mixed-race families.

[00:12:23] Social Transition Consequences

[00:14:47] Children's mental health struggles.

[00:19:47] Personality changes in youth.

[00:25:07] Benefits of Wonderment in Nature.

[00:28:06] Connecting with nature to heal.

[00:33:50] Identity and privilege realization.

[00:36:47] Building confidence through challenges.

[00:41:17] Challenges of being the opposite sex.

[00:42:46] Gender expectations and appearance.

[00:47:38] Regional cultural differences.

[00:52:31] Gender ideology in red states.

[00:55:04] Boundaries in parenting.

[01:00:18] Teaching priorities and character building.

[01:03:43] Unplugging for nature detox.

[01:09:30] Strategic Apologizing.

[01:11:32] Watchful waiting parenting advice.

[01:16:24] Pronouns as a gateway drug.

[01:19:48] Solution-focused approach for families.

[01:22:49] Self-care reminder.

To support this show, please leave a rating & review on Apple, Spotify, or wherever you get your podcasts. Subscribe, like, comment & share via my YouTube channel. Or recommend this to a friend!

Learn more about Do No Harm.

Take $200 off your EightSleep Pod Pro Cover with code SOMETHERAPIST at EightSleep.com.

Take 20% off all superfood beverages with code SOMETHERAPIST at Organifi.

Check out my shop for book recommendations + wellness products.

Show notes & transcript provided with the help of SwellAI.

Special thanks to Joey Pecoraro for our theme song, “Half Awake,” used with gratitude and permission.

Watch NO WAY BACK: The Reality of Gender-Affirming Care (our medical ethics documentary, formerly known as Affirmation Generation). Stream the film or purchase a DVD. Use code SOMETHERAPIST to take 20% off your order. Follow us on X @2022affirmation or Instagram at @affirmationgeneration.

Have a question for me? Looking to go deeper and discuss these ideas with other listeners? Join my Locals community! Members get to ask questions I will respond to in exclusive, members-only livestreams, post questions for upcoming guests to answer, plus other perks TBD.

Joining me today is Laura Powell, an attorney and founder of Californians for Good Governance, to break down one of the most important parents' rights cases in recent history: Mirabelli v. Bonta. We trace how California schools came to adopt policies that require staff to conceal a child's gender identity — including name and pronoun changes at school — from their own parents, and how a federal lawsuit has finally forced this issue all the way to the Supreme Court.

Laura walks me through the legal history in California, from a 2014 state law that said nothing about parental secrecy to a decade of school districts acting as though it did. We discuss the December 2024 federal injunction, the Ninth Circuit's stay, and the landmark March 2025 Supreme Court opinion in which six justices made strong, unambiguous statements affirming that parents have a constitutional right to know how their children are being raised and educated.

We also pull apart the arguments used to justify these secrecy policies — the abuse narrative, the suicide risk claim, and the "children's rights to privacy" framing — and show why none of them hold up to scrutiny. From a psychological standpoint, I weigh in on adolescent development, the dangers of idealization transfer, the secondary gain of trans identification, and why social transition is not a neutral intervention but the beginning of a pathway toward medicalization. We also talk practically about what parents can and should do — including why parents whose kids are already caught up in this ideology may want to be more strategic than parents who are still in a preventative position.

Laura Powell is a mother, attorney, investigator, and founder of Californians for Good Governance, a nonpartisan group advocating for civil liberties and government accountability in California. Her work has gained national media coverage, been cited in federal investigations, and led to the repeal of an unconstitutional state law. A former leftist and registered Democrat, she left the party due to its shift away from classical liberal values and basic common sense.

Links

𝕏 @LauraPowellEsq

𝕏 @CA4Governance

[00:00:00] Start
[00:01:35] California's Gender Secrecy Policies: The Origin Story
[00:06:08] Mirabelli v. Bonta: The Federal Lawsuit Explained
[00:11:06] The Supreme Court's March 2025 Opinion
[00:13:08] Mahmud v. Taylor and the Parents' Rights Precedent
[00:17:40] Debunking the Abuse Narrative Behind Secrecy Policies
[00:28:14] The Suicide Argument: Emotional Blackmail and Irresponsible Messaging
[00:33:00] Children's Rights vs. Parents' Rights: Clarifying the Conflict
[00:39:41] How Secrecy Policies Leave Kids Vulnerable to Exploitation
[00:44:28] Teacher Overreach, Extended Adolescence, and Idealization Transfer
[00:51:01] Social-Emotional Learning and Teachers Playing Therapist
[00:56:06] Is Social Transition a Form of Medical Treatment?
[00:59:21] How Social Transition Leads to Medicalization
[01:04:47] The Toddler at the Steering Wheel: Why Kids Need Parental Authority
[01:06:10] FERPA Violations and Schools Hiding Records from Parents
[01:13:53] What Parents Can Do: Practical Advice and Strategic Cautions
[01:23:48] Optimism for the Legal Landscape Ahead

ROGD REPAIR Course + Community gives concerned parents instant access to over 120 lessons providing the psychological insights and communication tools you need to get through to your kid. Now featuring 24/7 personalized AI support implementing the tools with RepairBot! Use code SOMETHERAPIST2026 to take 50% off your first month.

PODCOURSES: use code SOMETHERAPIST at LisaMustard.com/PodCourses

TALK TO ME: book a meeting.

PRODUCTION: Looking for your own podcast producer? Visit PodsByNick.com and mention my podcast for 20% off your initial services.

SUPPORT THE SHOW: subscribe, like, comment, & share or donate.

Watch NO WAY BACK: The Reality of Gender-Affirming Care. Use code SOMETHERAPIST to take 20% off your order.

MUSIC: Thanks to Joey Pecoraro for our song, “Half Awake,” used with gratitude & permission.

 ALL OTHER LINKS HERE.

To support this show, please leave a rating & review on Apple, Spotify, or wherever you get your podcasts. Subscribe, like, comment & share via my YouTube channel. Or recommend this to a friend!

Learn more about Do No Harm.

Take $200 off your EightSleep Pod Pro Cover with code SOMETHERAPIST at EightSleep.com.

Take 20% off all superfood beverages with code SOMETHERAPIST at Organifi.

Check out my shop for book recommendations + wellness products.

Show notes & transcript provided with the help of SwellAI.

Special thanks to Joey Pecoraro for our theme song, “Half Awake,” used with gratitude and permission.

Watch NO WAY BACK: The Reality of Gender-Affirming Care (our medical ethics documentary, formerly known as Affirmation Generation). Stream the film or purchase a DVD. Use code SOMETHERAPIST to take 20% off your order. Follow us on X @2022affirmation or Instagram at @affirmationgeneration.

Have a question for me? Looking to go deeper and discuss these ideas with other listeners? Join my Locals community! Members get to ask questions I will respond to in exclusive, members-only livestreams, post questions for upcoming guests to answer, plus other perks TBD.

In my second returning guests group chat, I delve into the complex world of therapy with colleagues David Teachout and Christine Sefein. We explore the concept of therapeutic neutrality and its relevance in today's therapy landscape. Is therapy dead? How are therapists able to maintain neutrality in an age of biases and cultural influences? And what are the limits to neutrality?

We discuss the ethical obligation of therapists to disclose their opinions and biases to clients. How does this disclosure impact the therapeutic relationship and the client's journey towards healing?

We touch on the delicate balance between safety and challenge in therapy, highlighting the importance of creating a space where clients feel secure yet encouraged to grow. What happens when clients bring in past experiences that shape their perceptions of therapy? How do therapists navigate these preconceptions and build trust with their clients?

The conversation takes an intriguing turn as we address the ethical implications of therapists having a public presence. How does being Googleable impact the therapeutic relationship? And what are the boundaries and responsibilities of therapists in the digital age? Join us as we unravel these thought-provoking questions and explore the evolving landscape of therapy in today's world. Tune in to discover the answers to these compelling inquiries and gain insights into the intricate world of therapy.

Christine Sefein Wolk, LMFT, is a US-based Licensed Marriage and Family Therapist specializing in grief and trauma work. She has experience in various settings including residential facilities, outpatient treatment, and private practice. Christine has held positions such as Clinical Director and Clinical Supervisor. As Teaching Faculty at Antioch University, she discusses the ideological capture of therapy training in her book chapter in Cynical Therapies: Perspectives on the Anti-therapeutic Nature of Critical Social Justice. She is also a co-host on the Critical Therapy Antidote Podcast, exploring psychological trends with fascinating guests. Join CTA.

David Teachout is a mental health therapist and photographer, exploring the link between creativity and mental flexibility. Previously a Christian fundamentalist, he now embraces a diverse understanding of humanity. With masters degrees in forensic psychology and counseling, he is pursuing a doctorate in clinical psychology. Visit his blog and podcast at www.lifeweavings.com and www.humanitysvalues.com.

Books mentioned in this episode:

The Body Keeps the Score by Bessel van der Kolk

Cynical Therapies: Perspectives on the Anti-therapeutic Nature of Critical Social Justice

[00:00:00] Is therapeutic neutrality dead?

[00:05:27] Therapeutic Neutrality and Informed Consent.

[00:10:27] The relevance of childhood in therapy.

[00:14:42] Trauma and resilience in therapy.

[00:19:24] Victim mindset vs resilience mentality.

[00:22:50] Chronic illness and social perception.

[00:25:35] The Just World fallacy and fear of mortality.

[00:31:45] The elements of therapeutic relationship.

[00:33:45] Therapeutic relationship boundaries.

[00:37:27] Trauma-dumping in therapy and relationships.

[00:40:57] Depth vs brief therapy and the medical model.

[00:42:02] The impact of prior experiences on transference.

[00:46:07] Gender-affirming care for minors.

[00:49:09] Public presence and perceptions.

[00:52:21] Assumptions about the therapist.

[00:55:26] Therapy versus consultation.

[01:03:33] Porn addiction and attraction.

[01:04:47] Porn addiction debate.

[01:09:04] Therapy and criticism.

To support this show, please leave a rating & review on Apple, Spotify, or wherever you get your podcasts. Subscribe, like, comment & share via my YouTube channel. Or recommend this to a friend!

Learn more about Do No Harm.

Take $200 off your EightSleep Pod Pro Cover with code SOMETHERAPIST at EightSleep.com.

Take 20% off all superfood beverages with code SOMETHERAPIST at Organifi.

Check out my shop for book recommendations + wellness products.

Show notes & transcript provided with the help of SwellAI.

Special thanks to Joey Pecoraro for our theme song, “Half Awake,” used with gratitude and permission.

Watch NO WAY BACK: The Reality of Gender-Affirming Care (our medical ethics documentary, formerly known as Affirmation Generation). Stream the film or purchase a DVD. Use code SOMETHERAPIST to take 20% off your order. Follow us on X @2022affirmation or Instagram at @affirmationgeneration.

Have a question for me? Looking to go deeper and discuss these ideas with other listeners? Join my Locals community! Members get to ask questions I will respond to in exclusive, members-only livestreams, post questions for upcoming guests to answer, plus other perks TBD.

In this episode, I sit down with Nicholas Blooms, a detransitioner, artist, and creator of a unique graphic novel. Nicholas shares his profound journey of detransitioning, delving into the spiritual and emotional aspects of reclaiming his sense of self and finding a sustainable, embodied way of living. I explain my current model of how gender dysphoria changes over time along the spectrum between ego-syntonic and ego-dystonic — a key piece of psychological insight missing from the current culture wars over the treatment of gender-distressed youth — and we compare my hypothesis with Nicolas’ lived experience.

Together, we explore the transformative powers of mentorship, mindfulness, and self-acceptance, touching on the deep wounds of childhood and the impact of societal pressures on identity. But what led Nicholas to create a detransition graphic novel, unlike anything seen before? How did a chance encounter with a mentor spark a journey of healing and self-discovery? And what role did gender ideology play in Nicholas's struggle with self-hatred and body dysmorphia? Tune in to uncover the answers and join us on a heartfelt exploration of resilience, growth, and the power of embracing one's true self.

Nicolas Blooms is a Detransitioner, Gender Shaman, and ArtSoulogist. He is full of fruity passion to create ways for people to spark the deeper magical wisdom within their hearts. While training as a life coach to guide Detransitioners and gender confused individuals, he also co-creates a children’s book series, You Can’t Steal My Smile, with his friend Kim O, a Relational Soul Coach (from episode 80!), to empower children to root in their inner resilience. Witness his liberating journey to self-love and remembering his Soul by soaking in his graphic novel: Trans to Detrans: A Soul Solution. It’s totally possible to heal gender dysphoria and any other mental dis-ease!

Find Nicolas Blooms: linktr.ee/nicolasblooms

Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/nicolasblooms

Youtube: https://www.youtube.com/@NicolasBlooms

Books mentioned in this episode:

• Trans to Detrans: A Soul Solution by Nicolas Blooms
•  Saguaro Soul children's book series - Nicolas Blooms and Kim O
  • I Want Prickles Too! 
  • Roe the Rabbit Lost His Happy Hop

All books mentioned on this podcast can be found in my bookshop or by following the Amazon affiliate links. Thank you for purchases that support the show.

00:00 Start

[00:01:41] Detransition graphic novel creation.

[00:06:16] Mentorship and spirituality.

[00:10:50] Mentorship and self-transformation.

[00:13:36] Rejecting masculinity and identity.

[00:19:30] Gender identity exploration.

[00:22:39] War with self-image.

[00:25:27] Gender transition and family support.

[00:31:25] Emotional expression and self-identity.

[00:35:26] Cultural challenges and self-identity.

[00:39:26] Overcoming childhood bullying trauma.

[00:44:20] Battle with body image.

[00:46:48] The power of hope.

[00:51:54] Gender euphoria and emotional instability.

[00:54:48] Gender dysphoria and self-expression.

[01:02:06] Inner conflict and self-discovery.

[01:06:18] Gender ideology as a virus.

[01:07:01] Healing within family systems.

[01:12:48] Ego dystonic and ego syntonic.

[01:14:33] Gender dysphoria progression.

[01:19:21] Overcoming gender dysphoria.

[01:23:14] Stories of victory and resolution.

To support this show, please leave a rating & review on Apple, Spotify, or wherever you get your podcasts. Subscribe, like, comment & share via my YouTube channel. Or recommend this to a friend!

Learn more about Do No Harm.

Take $200 off your EightSleep Pod Pro Cover with code SOMETHERAPIST at EightSleep.com.

Take 20% off all superfood beverages with code SOMETHERAPIST at Organifi.

Check out my shop for book recommendations + wellness products.

Show notes & transcript provided with the help of SwellAI.

Special thanks to Joey Pecoraro for our theme song, “Half Awake,” used with gratitude and permission.

Watch NO WAY BACK: The Reality of Gender-Affirming Care (our medical ethics documentary, formerly known as Affirmation Generation). Stream the film or purchase a DVD. Use code SOMETHERAPIST to take 20% off your order. Follow us on X @2022affirmation or Instagram at @affirmationgeneration.

Have a question for me? Looking to go deeper and discuss these ideas with other listeners? Join my Locals community! Members get to ask questions I will respond to in exclusive, members-only livestreams, post questions for upcoming guests to answer, plus other perks TBD.

Today I welcome back former guests Jennifer Lahl, Karen King, and Jake Wiskerchen for a collegial group chat. We catch up on their latest projects, including Jennifer’s new documentary on detrans men, The Lost Boys: Searching for Manhood, and Karen’s Ideological Oasis group for counseling graduates and interns.

We dive into the topics of distress tolerance, emotion regulation, and parenting. We also touch on the latest news, including the recent New York Times article on detransitioners Stephanie was featured in and the growing backlash against the medicalization of gender dysphoria. Throughout the episode, we examine the underlying philosophical and societal issues that contribute to the current state of mental health care.

Jennifer Lahl is an author, filmmaker, and founder of The Center for Bioethics and Culture Network. Her films include Trans Mission: What’s the Rush to Reassign Gender? (2021), The Detransition Diaries: Saving Our Sisters (2022), and The Lost Boys: Searching for Manhood (2024). Her new book, The Detransition Diaries (co-authored with Kallie Fell, from episode 60) also came out this year. She was originally featured in episode 52, Surrogacy: Liberation or Exploitation? with Jennifer Lahl.

Karen King is a Licensed Mental Health Counselor in Washington who provides clinical supervision, ketamine-assisted psychotherapy, and education on psychedelic-assisted psychotherapy. She created The Ideological Oasis, a place where interns and graduate students can find support and clinical clarity through group and individual mentorship. Find her offerings at Ideologicaloasis.com and more about her psychedelic work at karencking.com. She was originally featured in episode 81, The State of Psychedelic Therapy in 2023: Karen King on Ketamine, MDMA, & Institutional Capture.

Jake Wiskerchen is a Licensed Marriage and Family Therapist in Nevada; founder and CEO of Zephyr Wellness; and host of the podcasts Noggin Notes and Guns and Mental Health. In partnership with Walk the Talk America, he offers low-cost CEU trainings to therapists on cultural competency in working with firearms owners. He was originally featured in episode 2, Jake Wiskerchen, LMFT: Demystifying Firearms and Other Taboo Topics in Mental Health.

Books mentioned in this episode:

• Irreversible Damage by Abigail Shrier
• Feminism Against Progress by Mary Harrington
• The Detransition Diaries by Jennifer Lahl and Kallie Fell

All books mentioned on this podcast can be found at sometherapist.com/bookshop or by following the Amazon affiliate links here. Either way, purchases support the show. Thank you!

00:00 Start

[00:02:33] Surrogacy and exploitation.

[00:05:01] Detransitioning and mental health.

[00:08:56] Erosion of medical ethics.

[00:12:06] Therapy ethics and ideologies.

[00:16:30] Ethical base and biological reality.

[00:19:37] Mental health professionals and detransitioners.

[00:24:05] Medical scandals and public awareness.

[00:27:43] Lack of preventative care.

[00:30:08] Compassion and enabling the problem.

[00:34:21] Unconscious sadism in our culture.

[00:37:06] Shifting Philosophical Perspectives.

[00:41:30] Ethical codes in counseling.

[00:45:36] Seeking consent in ethical debates.

[00:48:11] Medically transitioning children at 15.

[00:54:26] Psychedelics and disindoctrination.

[00:56:08] Exploring unconventional therapeutic practices.

[01:02:03] Unlocking the potential within.

[01:04:10] Threats to establishments and effectiveness.

[01:08:09] Our essential nature.

[01:11:37] The process of self-discovery.

[01:15:36] The duties of adolescence.

[01:20:54] Calling to task the medical profession.

[01:24:40] Creating parallel economies.

To support this show, please leave a rating & review on Apple, Spotify, or wherever you get your podcasts. Subscribe, like, comment & share via my YouTube channel. Or recommend this to a friend!

Learn more about Do No Harm.

Take $200 off your EightSleep Pod Pro Cover with code SOMETHERAPIST at EightSleep.com.

Take 20% off all superfood beverages with code SOMETHERAPIST at Organifi.

Check out my shop for book recommendations + wellness products.

Show notes & transcript provided with the help of SwellAI.

Special thanks to Joey Pecoraro for our theme song, “Half Awake,” used with gratitude and permission.

Watch NO WAY BACK: The Reality of Gender-Affirming Care (our medical ethics documentary, formerly known as Affirmation Generation). Stream the film or purchase a DVD. Use code SOMETHERAPIST to take 20% off your order. Follow us on X @2022affirmation or Instagram at @affirmationgeneration.

Have a question for me? Looking to go deeper and discuss these ideas with other listeners? Join my Locals community! Members get to ask questions I will respond to in exclusive, members-only livestreams, post questions for upcoming guests to answer, plus other perks TBD.

In part two of my conversation with Layton, she continues to share her journey of navigating the trauma of leaving a cult, bad therapy, the harmful effects of the trans medical industrial complex, and how she finally found wholeness.

Missed part 1? Listen to episode 95 here.

Layton opens up about her experience of undergoing synthetic testosterone as a female and the traumatic impact it had on her body and mind. We delve into the dangerous territory of misdiagnosis and the lack of consideration for her PTSD, dissociation, and other comorbidities by therapists and gender clinics. Layton shares her frustration at not being given the opportunity to explore healing from her trauma before being pushed towards medical gender transition.

As the conversation unfolds, we explore the boundaries crossed by Layton's therapist and the power dynamics at play. How did her therapist so egregiously overlook her real needs? What countertransference issues on the part of the therapist might have contributed to this massive ethical breach? We touch on the sadistic element that may have influenced her therapist's actions and the flattery used to manipulate and groom Layton. We also discuss the importance of ethical boundaries in therapy and the potential harm caused by therapists who fail to manage their countertransference.

Layton shares her journey of self-discovery and the pivotal moment when she started to question her decision to transition. Through somatic therapy, nervous system regulation, and healing her PTSD, she began to reconnect with her body and realized that she didn't have gender dysphoria. We explore the process of reconciling with her womanhood and the challenges she faced in finding her true identity.

Layton is an Anthroposophical artist, Somatic practitioner, YouTuber, and detransitioner. Having left a religious cult, and then the social cult that is Gender Ideology, she is passionate about educating others about mental health, healing and spirituality in a way that heavily emphasizes self-trust and personal autonomy. While she doesn't consider herself to be an activist, she is vocal in regards to the medicalisation of children and vulnerable adults under the guise of "Gender Affirming Care.”

Visit her website at PsychicSomatic.com

X: @origina1ange1

Psychic Somatic YouTube Channel

00:00 Start

[00:00:00] Trauma of synthetic testosterone.

[00:07:36] The dangers of misinformed therapy.

[00:10:16] Comorbidities and transitioning.

[00:12:28] Medical prioritization and mental health.

[00:16:41] Dissociation and identity building.

[00:22:16] Sadistic elements in therapy.

[00:25:12] Therapist-client boundaries and detransitioners.

[00:29:36] Projection and vulnerability in therapy.

[00:36:28] Lack of boundaries.

[00:39:37] Faux sense of connection.

[00:43:41] Detransitioning and self-discovery.

[00:48:09] Identity and self-discovery.

[00:52:13] Dissociation and Fragmentation.

[00:56:36] Nervous system self-care.

[01:02:31] Self-discovery and inner healing.

[01:06:06] Histamine intolerance and allergies.

[01:10:03] Anaphylactic symptoms and restrictions.

[01:14:07] Hormonal effects of testosterone.

[01:18:43] Unconditional love and boundaries.

[01:22:06] Generational longing for unconditional love.

[01:25:33] Esoteric Christianity and Anthroposophy.

[01:30:10] Trauma and medical mistreatment.

[01:35:11] Admitting mistakes and ego death.

[01:40:11] Craving stability in your 30s.

[01:44:09] Join my community.

To support this show, please leave a rating & review on Apple, Spotify, or wherever you get your podcasts. Subscribe, like, comment & share via my YouTube channel. Or recommend this to a friend!

Learn more about Do No Harm.

Take $200 off your EightSleep Pod Pro Cover with code SOMETHERAPIST at EightSleep.com.

Take 20% off all superfood beverages with code SOMETHERAPIST at Organifi.

Check out my shop for book recommendations + wellness products.

Show notes & transcript provided with the help of SwellAI.

Special thanks to Joey Pecoraro for our theme song, “Half Awake,” used with gratitude and permission.

Watch NO WAY BACK: The Reality of Gender-Affirming Care (our medical ethics documentary, formerly known as Affirmation Generation). Stream the film or purchase a DVD. Use code SOMETHERAPIST to take 20% off your order. Follow us on X @2022affirmation or Instagram at @affirmationgeneration.

Have a question for me? Looking to go deeper and discuss these ideas with other listeners? Join my Locals community! Members get to ask questions I will respond to in exclusive, members-only livestreams, post questions for upcoming guests to answer, plus other perks TBD.

Today I’m excited to bring you part 1 of a fascinating conversation with Layton, a detransitioner who shares her journey of leaving a religious cult and the subsequent challenges she faced. We delve into her experiences with actual gay conversion therapy, where she was told that her homosexuality was a form of cannibalism and a result of trauma. Layton opens up about the psychological manipulation and shame she endured during this time, and how it laid the groundwork for dissociation and vulnerability to further exploitation.

We also explore the aftermath of leaving the cult and the difficulties Layton faced as she tried to navigate the outside world. She shares her struggles with trust, identity, and finding a sense of safety. We discuss the impact of her traumatic experiences on her mental health and how an earnest search for psychological help led her to end up pushed down the trans rabbit hole by an unscrupulous therapist who Layton has now filed a lawsuit against.

This is part 1 of a two-part conversation; be on the lookout for part 2 next week!

Layton is an Anthroposophical artist, Somatic practitioner, YouTuber, and detransitioner. Having left a religious cult, and then the social cult that is Gender Ideology, she is passionate about educating others about mental health, healing and spirituality in a way that heavily emphasizes self-trust and personal autonomy. While she doesn't consider herself to be an activist, she is vocal in regards to the medicalisation of children and vulnerable adults under the guise of "Gender Affirming Care.”

Visit her website at PsychicSomatic.com

X: @origina1ange1

Psychic Somatic YouTube Channel

00:00 Start

[00:02:21] Gender-affirming care and malpractice.

[00:06:08] Conversion therapy experiences.

[00:10:46] Gay conversion therapy experience.

[00:13:40] Trauma and Homosexuality.

[00:19:08] Harmful treatment of lesbian identity.

[00:22:42] Bizarre restrictions on personal relationships.

[00:27:07-00:27:17] Learning about heterosexual relationships.

[00:30:31] Affiliated cults and experiences.

[00:36:45] Religious abuse and hypnosis.

[00:39:18] Traumatic experiences in cult.

[00:43:31] Forming a secret connection.

[00:48:52] Leaving a high control environment.

[00:52:02] Leaving one abusive relationship.

[00:57:51] Feeling like a trans woman.

[00:59:20] Dissociation and therapist's diagnosis.

[01:06:09] Therapist's grandiosity and ego.

[01:08:42] Dissociation and gender identity.

[01:11:57] Podcast promotion and engagement.

To support this show, please leave a rating & review on Apple, Spotify, or wherever you get your podcasts. Subscribe, like, comment & share via my YouTube channel. Or recommend this to a friend!

Learn more about Do No Harm.

Take $200 off your EightSleep Pod Pro Cover with code SOMETHERAPIST at EightSleep.com.

Take 20% off all superfood beverages with code SOMETHERAPIST at Organifi.

Check out my shop for book recommendations + wellness products.

Show notes & transcript provided with the help of SwellAI.

Special thanks to Joey Pecoraro for our theme song, “Half Awake,” used with gratitude and permission.

Watch NO WAY BACK: The Reality of Gender-Affirming Care (our medical ethics documentary, formerly known as Affirmation Generation). Stream the film or purchase a DVD. Use code SOMETHERAPIST to take 20% off your order. Follow us on X @2022affirmation or Instagram at @affirmationgeneration.

Have a question for me? Looking to go deeper and discuss these ideas with other listeners? Join my Locals community! Members get to ask questions I will respond to in exclusive, members-only livestreams, post questions for upcoming guests to answer, plus other perks TBD.

In this episode, I dive into the fascinating world of OCD and addiction with psychologist and podcast host, Dr. Johann D'Souza. We explore the concept of OCD as a form of behavioral addiction. Dr. D'Souza shares his expertise on the different types of obsessions and compulsions, shedding light on the lesser-known aspects of OCD beyond the common stereotypes, as well as exploring the role of genetics and trauma in the development of OCD.

Dr. D'Souza shares his strategies for helping high-achievers with anxiety and OCD individuals harness their focus and productivity, emphasizing the importance of mindfulness and intentional challenge. We also explore the impact of our modern, comfortable lifestyles on our distress tolerance and the need for intentional stressors to foster growth and fulfillment.

We touch on the concept of ego-syntonic versus ego-dystonic and how it relates to OCD and other diagnoses. We discuss the role of praise and mindset in shaping a person's ability to embrace challenges and grow. And we touch on the topic of distraction, exploring the neuropsychology behind it and how we can train our attention to overcome it.

Dr. Johann D’Souza is the founder of Values First Therapy, where he offers modern psychology with traditional values. He specializes in helping high achievers overcome anxiety or OCD by using science-based strategies.

He earned a PhD and MA in Clinical Psychology from the University of Houston on a Presidential Fellowship after receiving a prior MA from Boston University in Psychology and BA from University of Dallas in Theology. His research publications focus on the psychological benefits of hope and optimism. Dr. D’Souza is a research affiliate at Harvard’s Human Flourishing Program, a coach for OptimalWork, and the host of the Dr. Johann D’Souza Podcast.

Books mentioned in this episode:

"The War of Art" by Steven Pressfield 

The Coddling of the American Mind by Greg Lukianoff and Jonathan Haidt 

The Joy of Movement: How exercise helps us find happiness, hope, connection, and courage, by Kelly McGonigal 

The Upside of Stress: Why Stress Is Good for You, and How to Get Good at It, by Kelly McGonigal 

Books mentioned on this podcast can be found at sometherapist.com/bookshop or via the Amazon affiliate links provided. Either way, purchases support the show. Thank you!

Podcasts mentioned:

The Dr. Johann D'Souza podcast, ep # 10 - Stephanie Winn, Protecting Children from Trans Activists 

The Optimal Work Podcast
The Dr. Johann D’Souza Podcast

To support this show, please leave a rating & review on Apple, Spotify, or wherever you get your podcasts. Subscribe, like, comment & share via my YouTube channel. Or recommend this to a friend!

Learn more about Do No Harm.

Take $200 off your EightSleep Pod Pro Cover with code SOMETHERAPIST at EightSleep.com.

Take 20% off all superfood beverages with code SOMETHERAPIST at Organifi.

Check out my shop for book recommendations + wellness products.

Show notes & transcript provided with the help of SwellAI.

Special thanks to Joey Pecoraro for our theme song, “Half Awake,” used with gratitude and permission.

Watch NO WAY BACK: The Reality of Gender-Affirming Care (our medical ethics documentary, formerly known as Affirmation Generation). Stream the film or purchase a DVD. Use code SOMETHERAPIST to take 20% off your order. Follow us on X @2022affirmation or Instagram at @affirmationgeneration.

Have a question for me? Looking to go deeper and discuss these ideas with other listeners? Join my Locals community! Members get to ask questions I will respond to in exclusive, members-only livestreams, post questions for upcoming guests to answer, plus other perks TBD.

Sara Stockton is a Licensed Marriage and Family Therapist, lecturer, researcher, and clinical supervisor of a psychotherapy practice in New York who has done a complete 180 on the subject of youth gender transition. Ms. Stockton spent the first part of her career advocating for “gender affirming care” in the treatment of trans-identified youth. Starting in 2008, her work with this population included traveling to teach and train medical facilities, physicians, and schools on “gender affirmation.” In 2013, she co-authored one of the first mental health assessments in the US utilized to assess youth “readiness” for gender transition. She treated over 100 families, and wrote many of the first letters that were used to approve gender transition surgeries on minors, before a change of perspective shifted the focus of her work. More recently, she was featured in the documentary “What is a Woman,” where she decided to speak out about her moments of doubt and realizations, and her decision to raise awareness about the pitfalls of this approach. She has also been interviewed by Jordan Peterson and on Gender: A Wider Lens.

In this episode, Sara shares her journey from being a young graduate student specializing in gender issues to her eventual shift in focus towards sex therapy. We discuss the lack of historical context and critical examination of the treatment protocols for transgender-identified youth; the pressure to conform to a specific narrative without questioning the long-term consequences; and ways in which young therapists’ naïveté, openness, and eagerness to prove themselves can all be utilized to further an agenda that might more easily be recognized as sinister by more grounded individuals.

Sara opens up about the ethical dilemmas she encountered, including the issue of informed consent and the pressure to prescribe irreversible medical interventions to young people. We explore the concept of autogynephilia and its implications for understanding the motivations behind gender identity. We touch on the hyper-sexualization of youth in the context of gender issues; the links between sexual deviance and the “trans” movement; and the challenges of navigating discussions around sexuality and intimacy with young clients.

Sara shares a pivotal moment in her career when she encountered a detransitioner and realized the lack of support and resources available for those who regret their medical transition. We discuss the vulnerability of individuals during times of personal struggle and the potential for manipulation and exploitation.

This episode raises important questions about the need for a more nuanced and critical approach to gender issues. Join us as we delve into these complex topics and challenge the prevailing narratives surrounding trans-identified youth. Find Sara on X @MrsSaraStockton or at www.stocktonscoaching.com

Resources mentioned:
-Eleven Lawsuits by Detransitioners in the US (article on Lisa Selin Davis' blog, Broadview)
-Episode 82. Jamie Reed Confronts Gender Malpractice: on Courage, Whistleblowing, and Detrans Medical Records

00:00 Start

02:08 Early 20s and gender issues.

05:58 The shift in public perception.

10:39 The Dutch protocol.

13:26 Valuing discomfort over natural processes.

17:11 Squashing our instincts and intuition.

20:41 Treating gender dysphoria.

29:06 Sensory exploration and identity.

29:39 Gender-related ideation.

37:02 Informed consent and decision-making.

41:20 Talking to young transgender patients.

44:23 Oversexualization in LGBTQ+ youth.

50:39 Detransitioning experiences.

56:30 Cults and manipulation.

59:28 Safeguarding and client potential.

01:06:03 Challenging parental perspectives.

01:06:48 Gender dysphoria and mental hospitals.

01:11:00 Pornography addiction and shifting focus.

01:16:26 Butchery of children.

01:19:41 Backlash and public criticism.

01:24:18-01:24:28 Blacklisting and Speaking Out.

To support this show, please leave a rating & review on Apple, Spotify, or wherever you get your podcasts. Subscribe, like, comment & share via my YouTube channel. Or recommend this to a friend!

Learn more about Do No Harm.

Take $200 off your EightSleep Pod Pro Cover with code SOMETHERAPIST at EightSleep.com.

Take 20% off all superfood beverages with code SOMETHERAPIST at Organifi.

Check out my shop for book recommendations + wellness products.

Show notes & transcript provided with the help of SwellAI.

Special thanks to Joey Pecoraro for our theme song, “Half Awake,” used with gratitude and permission.

Watch NO WAY BACK: The Reality of Gender-Affirming Care (our medical ethics documentary, formerly known as Affirmation Generation). Stream the film or purchase a DVD. Use code SOMETHERAPIST to take 20% off your order. Follow us on X @2022affirmation or Instagram at @affirmationgeneration.

Have a question for me? Looking to go deeper and discuss these ideas with other listeners? Join my Locals community! Members get to ask questions I will respond to in exclusive, members-only livestreams, post questions for upcoming guests to answer, plus other perks TBD.

In this episode, I delve into the raw and revealing journey of Austin Unbridled, a 41-year-old who has navigated the turbulent waters of gender identity and spirituality. Austin's candid recount of transitioning from male to female, and then detransitioning twice, sheds light on the complexities of trans ideology and the often unspoken struggles that accompany it. We explore the allure of transformation, the promises of gender-affirming care, and the harsh realities that followed.

Austin's story is one of vulnerability, from the influence of older trans individuals and the seductive narratives of the trans community, to the entanglement with sex work and the pursuit of surgeries in hopes of finding peace. His return to a Christian faith offers a contrasting perspective to his past experiences.

What drove Austin to believe that changing his gender would solve his inner turmoil? How did his spiritual upbringing clash with his gender exploration? And what led to his profound realization that the path he was on wasn't leading to the fulfillment he sought? Join us as we unpack these questions and more, offering a glimpse into the life of someone who's lived on the front lines of a deeply personal and societal debate. Tune in to hear Austin's transformative tale and the lessons he's learned about identity, faith, and the human desire for authenticity.

Austin, 41, is a former male-to-female identified individual and a two-time detransitioner who has grappled with spiritual and gender identity throughout his life. Nestled in an off-grid DIY compound in Arizona's desert, Austin passionately seeks truth, enjoys journaling, and finds solace in nature and with good friends and a loyal canine companion. Documenting his detransition journey and return to faith on TikTok, Austin intertwines personal growth, reflecting on his experience between transitions with a dedication to sharing the Love and teachings of Jesus Christ. Eager to enroll in ministry school next year, and driven by a deep belief that no child is “born in the wrong body,” Austin's prodigal journey home encompasses faith, self-discovery, and at times a cautionary tale.

Follow Austin on TikTok @austin.unbridled and on YouTube @austinunbridled

Contribute to his GoFundMe to remove his breast implants

Books mentioned in this episode:

• "Invisible Monsters" by Chuck Palahniuk

Previous episodes mentioned:

• 84. Leonard Sax, MD: How Sex Differences Impact Brains, Behaviors, and Child Development

[00:00:00] Trans ideology and its impact.

[00:01:31] TikTok and transgender identity.

[00:05:51] Gender identity and religion.

[00:10:36] Faith and reasoning.

[00:19:00] Romanticizing LGBTQ+ experiences.

[00:19:02] A departure from Christian roots.

[00:23:22] Transgender identity and stereotypes.

[00:28:17] Foreshadowing psychiatric care approach.

[00:32:11] Adjusting to the hormones.

[00:33:27] Hormones and emotional sensitivity.

[00:39:13] Getting off all the meds.

[00:41:21] Nihilism and body modifications.

[00:44:54] Preying on vulnerability.

[00:49:26] Sex work and financial struggles.

[00:52:10] Transitioning and its consequences.

[00:56:01] Complications in bottom surgery.

[01:00:57] Dating challenges post-surgery.

[01:07:51] Suicides and body modification.

[01:10:05] Finding closure and questioning trans ideology.

[01:13:38] Identity and ideological differences.

[01:19:53] Guilt tripping tactics.

[01:19:55] Detransition and its consequences.

[01:27:17] Going back on testosterone.

[01:28:29] Hormonal effects on transitioning.

[01:34:13] Faith and self-discovery.

[01:38:34] Quiet detransitioning and lost connections.

[01:41:09] Regrets about transitioning.

[01:47:48] Breast implant removal fundraising.

To support this show, please leave a rating & review on Apple, Spotify, or wherever you get your podcasts. Subscribe, like, comment & share via my YouTube channel. Or recommend this to a friend!

Learn more about Do No Harm.

Take $200 off your EightSleep Pod Pro Cover with code SOMETHERAPIST at EightSleep.com.

Take 20% off all superfood beverages with code SOMETHERAPIST at Organifi.

Check out my shop for book recommendations + wellness products.

Show notes & transcript provided with the help of SwellAI.

Special thanks to Joey Pecoraro for our theme song, “Half Awake,” used with gratitude and permission.

Watch NO WAY BACK: The Reality of Gender-Affirming Care (our medical ethics documentary, formerly known as Affirmation Generation). Stream the film or purchase a DVD. Use code SOMETHERAPIST to take 20% off your order. Follow us on X @2022affirmation or Instagram at @affirmationgeneration.

Have a question for me? Looking to go deeper and discuss these ideas with other listeners? Join my Locals community! Members get to ask questions I will respond to in exclusive, members-only livestreams, post questions for upcoming guests to answer, plus other perks TBD.

We’re kicking off the new year by welcoming back the guest featured on my most popular episode for a long overdue part two!

Following up on our prior conversation about the impact of conversion therapy legislation, Helen Joyce, a former journalist and advocate for Sex Matters, sheds light on misconceptions surrounding gender, biology, belief, and human rights.

Helen emphasizes the importance of acknowledging sex in various aspects of society, from public facilities to anti-discrimination laws. Do laws attempting to protect certain groups from discrimination do so at the expense of others? How are freedom of speech and belief impacted? And what are the potential consequences of broad legislation aimed at banning conversion therapy?

Delving into the UK's Tavistock GIDS clinic, we uncover the shocking practices and lack of evidence-based care for young individuals seeking gender identity services. While an interim report called for its closure, the story doesn't end there. Discover the current state of gender identity services in the UK and the challenges faced in providing safe and ethical care.

We explore the evolving landscape of gender identity and the emergence of new categories within the transgender community. What underlying factors drive individuals to wish to dissociate themselves from their sexual biology? And how does the cultural shift towards embracing so-called gender diversity impact vulnerable individuals and those who position themselves as rescuers?

Helen Joyce is author of “TRANS: When Ideology Meets Reality”, published in July 2021 by OneWorld and in paperback since May 2022. A Times of London and Spectator book of the year, it is a UK and Amazon top ten bestseller. It received rave reviews in publications ranging from the Telegraph to the New York Times, and endorsements from, among others, Daniel Dennett (“A sane, humane book”), Lionel Shriver (“Utterly unintimidated by extremist orthodoxy”) and Richard Dawkins (“Thoroughly researched, passionate and very brave”).

Helen now works as Director of Advocacy for Sex Matters, a human-rights organization that campaigns for sex-based rights. Her journalism can be found on her website, HelenJoyce.com. Find Sex Matters at Sex-Matters.org.

Books mentioned in this episode: 

“Trans: When Ideology Meets Reality” by Helen Joyce can be found via this Amazon affiliate link or in my bookshop. Either way your purchase helps support the show. Thank you!

Previous episode mentioned:
Episode 11. Helen Joyce: Debunking the Myth of Conversion Therapy

Helen Joyce, Stephanie Winn

00:00 Start

[00:00:03] Bikini medicine and sex differences.

[00:03:32] Global push to ban conversion therapy.

[00:07:17] Conversion therapy and political motivations.

[00:10:57] Laws against conversion therapy.

[00:13:55] Misuse of UK law.

[00:19:29] Gender-critical beliefs are protected by law.

[00:21:05] Experimental medical practices on young vulnerable people.

[00:24:01] Lack of support for gender issues.

[00:30:23] Modern-day conversion therapy.

[00:31:11] Gender identity in Gen Z.

[00:34:49] Teenage girls and gender identity.

[00:38:33] Online grooming and transitioning.

[00:43:26] The blue fringe brigade.

[00:45:37] LGBTQ+ representation in education.

[00:49:16] Mermaids' board member controversy.

[00:52:36] Controversial charity challenges UK court.

[00:56:09] Ideological capture of the counseling profession.

[01:00:10] Diagnostic overshadowing and gender.

[01:03:08] Bullying and wrong solutions.

[01:06:27] Autogynephilic men in the movement.

[01:10:33] Sex differences in human bodies.

[01:13:28] Default bias in medical research.

[01:17:43] Why sex matters.

[01:21:14] Freedom of speech and feminism.

[01:24:09] Autogynephilia and its implications.

[01:30:00] Ego-syntonic versus ego-dystonic.

[01:31:37] Autogynephilia and gender dysphoria.

[01:35:06] Cross-dressing and women's sports.

[01:39:13] Gender-affirming therapy and legal considerations.

[01:42:01] Co-opted institutions passing the buck.

[01:45:40] Gender crisis and parenting.

To support this show, please leave a rating & review on Apple, Spotify, or wherever you get your podcasts. Subscribe, like, comment & share via my YouTube channel. Or recommend this to a friend!

Learn more about Do No Harm.

Take $200 off your EightSleep Pod Pro Cover with code SOMETHERAPIST at EightSleep.com.

Take 20% off all superfood beverages with code SOMETHERAPIST at Organifi.

Check out my shop for book recommendations + wellness products.

Show notes & transcript provided with the help of SwellAI.

Special thanks to Joey Pecoraro for our theme song, “Half Awake,” used with gratitude and permission.

Watch NO WAY BACK: The Reality of Gender-Affirming Care (our medical ethics documentary, formerly known as Affirmation Generation). Stream the film or purchase a DVD. Use code SOMETHERAPIST to take 20% off your order. Follow us on X @2022affirmation or Instagram at @affirmationgeneration.

Have a question for me? Looking to go deeper and discuss these ideas with other listeners? Join my Locals community! Members get to ask questions I will respond to in exclusive, members-only livestreams, post questions for upcoming guests to answer, plus other perks TBD.

In this episode, I take a moment to reflect on the past year and a half of podcasting and share some valuable insights and lessons I've learned along the way. With my fiancé by my side for moral support, I dive into the challenges and successes of being a public figure and the unexpected journey that podcasting has taken me on.

I discuss the moderate success of my podcast and its typical listenership. I open up about the transition from being a therapist known to a small circle of people to becoming a public figure and the impact it has had on my life. I share the joys of connecting with guests and forming genuine friendships through the podcast, highlighting some of the incredible individuals I've had the privilege of interviewing.

As I reflect on the past year, I also delve into the lessons I've learned from being chronically ill and the adjustments I've had to make in my personal and professional life. I discuss the importance of setting boundaries, the challenges of managing expectations, and the pet peeves that come with being a public figure. I offer advice for those who are interested in getting into podcasting on how to balance consideration for your own needs with those of your host and audience. I also share about my process of adjusting to chronic illness and opening a consulting practice.

Looking ahead to the future, I share my goals and hopes for the podcast, including bringing back previous guests for follow-up episodes and exploring new formats and collaborations. I express my desire to deepen connections with colleagues and organizations, such as Do No Harm, Critical Therapy Antidote, and Open Therapy Institute. I also express my intention to expand the podcast beyond gender issues and explore a wider range of psychology topics.

Books mentioned in this episode:

•  "4,000 Weeks: Time Management for Mortals" by Oliver Burkeman can be found in my bookshop or via this Amazon affiliate link. Either way your purchase supports the show. Thank you! 

New website: stephaniewinn.com

Join Critical Therapy Antidote: sometherapist.com/CTA

00:00 Start

[00:00:03] Introduction

[00:01:30] Reflecting on the success of the podcast and the reach of the audience

[00:05:12] Lessons learned from podcasting and the direction for the future

[00:09:45] The origin and evolution of the podcast idea

[00:14:20] The process of becoming a public figure and the challenges it brings

[00:18:45] The importance of having someone who believes in you

[00:22:10] The inspiration behind starting a podcast and the name "You Must Be Some Kind of Therapist"

[00:26:30] The concept of therapy adjacency and the podcast's focus on psychology-oriented topics

[00:30:15] Anticipated and unanticipated challenges of podcasting

[00:34:40] The perks of getting to know people through the podcast and forming connections

[00:39:55] Examples of guests who have made a lasting impact

[00:45:20] What makes a good guest and considerations for being a considerate guest

[00:50:10] Pet peeves and disappointments in guest interactions

[00:55:30] Lessons learned from 2023, including adjusting to chronic illness

[01:01:15] The growth and development experienced in the past year

[01:05:40] Goals and hopes for the future, including deeper connections with colleagues

[01:10:25] Plans for bringing back previous guests and exploring new formats

[01:15:00] Expanding partnerships with organizations like Do No Harm and Critical Therapy Antidote

[01:19:45] The desire to not be solely focused on gender issues and explore other psychology topics

[01:24:10] Conclusion and final thoughts on the podcast journey

To support this show, please leave a rating & review on Apple, Spotify, or wherever you get your podcasts. Subscribe, like, comment & share via my YouTube channel. Or recommend this to a friend!

Learn more about Do No Harm.

Take $200 off your EightSleep Pod Pro Cover with code SOMETHERAPIST at EightSleep.com.

Take 20% off all superfood beverages with code SOMETHERAPIST at Organifi.

Check out my shop for book recommendations + wellness products.

Show notes & transcript provided with the help of SwellAI.

Special thanks to Joey Pecoraro for our theme song, “Half Awake,” used with gratitude and permission.

Watch NO WAY BACK: The Reality of Gender-Affirming Care (our medical ethics documentary, formerly known as Affirmation Generation). Stream the film or purchase a DVD. Use code SOMETHERAPIST to take 20% off your order. Follow us on X @2022affirmation or Instagram at @affirmationgeneration.

Have a question for me? Looking to go deeper and discuss these ideas with other listeners? Join my Locals community! Members get to ask questions I will respond to in exclusive, members-only livestreams, post questions for upcoming guests to answer, plus other perks TBD.

Writer Róisín Michaux investigates women's rights and free speech in the context of the transgender movement. Róisín brings a uniquely European lens to her research, exposing how LGBTIQ activist organizations in Europe are heavily state-funded — unlike the U.S., where private foundations like the Rockefellers and Ford Foundation dominate — and how this funding pipeline has turbocharged some of the most extreme gender ideology we're seeing today.

We dig deep into intersex activism: what it actually is, who's behind it, and why it matters for parents navigating the gender craze with their children. Róisín explains the crucial distinction between people with genuine disorders of sexual development (DSDs) — rare, named medical conditions like congenital adrenal hyperplasia (CAH), Turner syndrome, and complete androgen insensitivity syndrome (CAIS) — and the largely queer-theory-driven "intersex identity" movement that has very little to do with medicine and everything to do with dismantling the sex binary.

We also explore the history of brain sex research, how trans activists strategically abandoned the science when it stopped serving them, and how self-ID legislation spread from Argentina to across Europe through incremental legal maneuvers. I close with an important note for parents: understanding the politics of intersex activism is valuable, but knowing how to actually talk to your child about these issues is a different skill altogether — one I teach in ROGD Repair.

Róisín Michaux is an Irish writer based in Brussels, Belgium. She writes about women's rights and free speech in the context of the transgender movement. She is specifically interested in LGBTIQ activism, activists' relationship to EU/European bureaucracies, the funding they receive, and how it has all led to deep and anti-democratic policy capture. She has 2 kids and a cocker spaniel. Follow her on X @RoisinMichaux or on Substack at Peaked.

[00:00:00] Start
[00:02:00] What Is Intersex Activism and Why It Matters
[00:07:00] DSDs vs. Intersex Identity: Two Separate Worlds
[00:16:00] The Top Line Demand: Stop All Infant Surgeries
[00:17:00] Origins of Intersex Activism and John Money's Legacy
[00:28:00] Activists vs. Doctors: The Surgery Moratorium Debate
[00:36:00] The Real Agenda: Queering the Sex Binary
[00:47:00] The Brain Sex Hypothesis and Why Activists Abandoned It
[00:54:00] The 1993 Amsterdam Meeting and the Pivot to Self-ID
[01:01:00] How Self-ID Laws Crept Through European Courts
[01:08:00] Government Funding and How Fringe Ideology Goes Mainstream
[01:16:00] Creating Iatrogenic Intersex with Cross-Sex Hormones
[01:19:00] DSD Families, the UK Supreme Court, and CAIS
[01:24:00] The "Consent at 12" Framework and the Trans Agenda
[01:29:00] Medical Necessity vs. Trans Activist Demands
[01:36:00] Infighting, Identity, and the Mess of Merging Medicine with Politics
[01:39:00] PCOS, Testosterone, and a Word for Parents

ROGD REPAIR Course + Community gives concerned parents instant access to over 120 lessons providing the psychological insights and communication tools you need to get through to your kid. Now featuring 24/7 personalized AI support implementing the tools with RepairBot! Use code SOMETHERAPIST2026 to take 50% off your first month.

PODCOURSES: use code SOMETHERAPIST at LisaMustard.com/PodCourses

TALK TO ME: book a meeting.

PRODUCTION: Looking for your own podcast producer? Visit PodsByNick.com and mention my podcast for 20% off your initial services.

SUPPORT THE SHOW: subscribe, like, comment, & share or donate.

Watch NO WAY BACK: The Reality of Gender-Affirming Care. Use code SOMETHERAPIST to take 20% off your order.

MUSIC: Thanks to Joey Pecoraro for our song, “Half Awake,” used with gratitude & permission.

 ALL OTHER LINKS HERE.

To support this show, please leave a rating & review on Apple, Spotify, or wherever you get your podcasts. Subscribe, like, comment & share via my YouTube channel. Or recommend this to a friend!

Learn more about Do No Harm.

Take $200 off your EightSleep Pod Pro Cover with code SOMETHERAPIST at EightSleep.com.

Take 20% off all superfood beverages with code SOMETHERAPIST at Organifi.

Check out my shop for book recommendations + wellness products.

Show notes & transcript provided with the help of SwellAI.

Special thanks to Joey Pecoraro for our theme song, “Half Awake,” used with gratitude and permission.

Watch NO WAY BACK: The Reality of Gender-Affirming Care (our medical ethics documentary, formerly known as Affirmation Generation). Stream the film or purchase a DVD. Use code SOMETHERAPIST to take 20% off your order. Follow us on X @2022affirmation or Instagram at @affirmationgeneration.

Have a question for me? Looking to go deeper and discuss these ideas with other listeners? Join my Locals community! Members get to ask questions I will respond to in exclusive, members-only livestreams, post questions for upcoming guests to answer, plus other perks TBD.

Merry Christmas!
No interview today. No monologue either. Just a simple, short and sweet song I wanted to give as a gift to anyone whose heart is hurting this holiday.

Why I'm sharing this song with you:
Since Christmas has fallen on a Monday this year, and I always release new episodes on Monday, I faced a dilemma. I thought it would be a disservice to any guest to ask them to do an episode that would air on a day that the average listener can be expected to have other priorities, and I didn't want to interrupt anyone's holiday with a silly request to listen to an interview instead of celebrating traditions with their loved ones. At the same time, I didn't want to lose the consistency of releasing one episode per week, which I've been doing since the podcast launched in May of 2022. A few weeks before Christmas, this beloved song came to me and said, "hey! Share me with your listeners for Christmas! I'm the perfect gift for your audience!" And I thought, that's perfect. So I reached out to the artist, got in touch with his licensing company, and shelled out the dollars for the rights to share this song with you as my way of saying thank you for supporting the show.

As you may have noticed, one of the things I like to do on this podcast is to highlight people of exceptional character and virtue. Ryan O'Neal, who goes by the artist name Sleeping at Last, is one such individual, and I simply adore him. His thoughtfully composed, exquisite music has gotten me through hard times, inspired and soothed me. Beyond mere auditory pleasure, though, his virtuous character shines through everything he touches. For example, this series he did on the Enneagram shows the tremendous amount of effort he puts in to empathizing with the human experience, taking perspectives and telling stories through sound. As an Enneagram One myself - as I discussed with Kim O in episode 80 - it's crucial to my own mental health that I surround myself with examples of virtuous character, good deeds, exquisitely crafted art, and things just generally being done really well. It helps me feel less alone in the universe, less uniquely burdened with the impossible task of bringing out the best in everyone and everything. Ryan is one of those people who seems to be well along his path of self-actualization, who strives to manifest his character and virtue through everything he touches. It seems clear that he is a well-rounded person, a loving husband, father, and friend to many. His music is heartfelt, therapeutic, soulful, and deeply empathic. May this song touch your heart as it touches mine, and bring comfort to the darkness of the winter season.

Lyrics to Snow, by Sleeping at Last

the branches have traded their leaves for white sleeves 
all warm-blooded creatures make ghosts as they breathe 
scarves are wrapped tightly like gifts under trees 
christmas lights tangle in knots annually

our families huddle closely 
betting warmth against the cold 
but our bruises seem to surface 
like mud beneath the snow

so we sing carols softly, as sweet as we know 
a prayer that our burdens will lift as we go 
like young love still waiting under mistletoe 
we’ll welcome december with tireless hope

let our bells keep on ringing 
making angels in the snow 
may the melody disarm us 
when the cracks begin to show

like the petals in our pockets 
may we remember who we are 
unconditionally cared for 
by those who share our broken hearts

the table is set and our glasses are full 
though pieces go missing, may we still feel whole 
we’ll build new traditions in place of the old 
‘cause life without revision will silence our souls

so let the bells keep on ringing 
making angels in the snow 
may the melody surround us 
when the cracks begin to show

like the petals in our pockets 
may we remember who we are 
unconditionally cared for 
by those who share our broken hearts

as gentle as feathers, the snow piles high 
our world gets rewritten and retraced every time 
like fresh plates and clean slates, our future is white 
new year’s resolutions will reset tonight

“Snow”

Written by Ryan O’Neal

Published by Asteroid B-612 (BMI) / Wine And Song Music (BMI)

Performed by Sleeping At Last

Courtesy of Asteroid B-612

By arrangement with Music Alternatives, LLC

Follow Sleeping at Last on Spotify
Follow The Sleeping at Last Podcast on Spotify

Learn about how the artist was inspired to create this song. Read what he wrote in 2011, or listen to episode 8 of The Sleeping at Last Podcast, which Ryan recorded in 2017, in which he elaborates on his songwriting process for Snow. 

To support this show, please leave a rating & review on Apple, Spotify, or wherever you get your podcasts. Subscribe, like, comment & share via my YouTube channel. Or recommend this to a friend!

Learn more about Do No Harm.

Take $200 off your EightSleep Pod Pro Cover with code SOMETHERAPIST at EightSleep.com.

Take 20% off all superfood beverages with code SOMETHERAPIST at Organifi.

Check out my shop for book recommendations + wellness products.

Show notes & transcript provided with the help of SwellAI.

Special thanks to Joey Pecoraro for our theme song, “Half Awake,” used with gratitude and permission.

Watch NO WAY BACK: The Reality of Gender-Affirming Care (our medical ethics documentary, formerly known as Affirmation Generation). Stream the film or purchase a DVD. Use code SOMETHERAPIST to take 20% off your order. Follow us on X @2022affirmation or Instagram at @affirmationgeneration.

Have a question for me? Looking to go deeper and discuss these ideas with other listeners? Join my

“Intersex” is often considered part of the “LGBTQIA+” community. But how do people with this condition feel about their inclusion that category?

The more accurate and respectful term, “disorders of sexual development,” encompasses more than 40 different medical diagnoses. Today’s guest, James Linehan, has one such DSD. Undiagnosed until age 16, hypogonadotropic hypogonadism prevented James from experiencing normal puberty. James had to undergo extensive treatment, and will forever remain a lifelong medical patient, causing a cascade of impacts on his mind, body, and relationships.

James’ lived experiences give him a unique perspective on today’s fraught gender wars. After decades of living with his condition, James learned that his unique form of suffering is now being needlessly inflicted on vulnerable, otherwise physically healthy youth. Puberty blockers (GnRH agonists, such as Lupron), which are now commonly prescribed off-label to gender-questioning youth, induce conditions like James’, raising major ethical concerns.

Today we break down myths vs facts of DSDs and address what happens when identity politics and culture wars seek to appropriate real medical conditions faced by truly disadvantaged minorities. James expresses his frustration with the politicization of these conditions and the misrepresentation of the experiences of individuals with disorders of sexual development. We discuss the impact of his condition on fertility, relationships, and mental health.

Throughout the episode, James challenges misconceptions and encourages listeners to approach these topics with empathy and a willingness to learn. James's story sheds light on the complexities of living with a disorder of sexual development and the resilience required to navigate the medical and emotional challenges associated with it.

James Linehan is an IT and AI consulting professional with a background as an instructional resource specialist and an adjunct lecturer in sociology. He has a disorder of sexual development called hypogonadotropic hypogonadism, which he has been managing, medically, and learning about for over 40 years. James is passionate about raising awareness and understanding of diverse disorders of sexual development beyond the limited representation commonly discussed. He emphasizes the exploitation of individuals with DSDs and advocates for informed consent and ethical medical practices. He criticizes the politicization of intersex conditions and the distortion of narratives by trans activism. He wishes to share this long-term study about his condition, emphasizing that it is important to understand that Lupron causes iatrogenic hypogonadotropic hypogonadism. https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC4380912/

Episode mentioned:

30. Surviving Gender Malpractice: Brian’s Detransition Story

Article on Lisa Selin Davis' blog: My Body is a Puberty Blocker

00:00 Start

00:04 Medicalization and human rights

04:28 Being politicized as a medical condition

09:03 Learning disabilities and neurologic problems

15:06 The good old days

19:09 Medically induced puberty

24:06 Infertility and treatment drawbacks

26:09 Painful and messy pellet injections

30:41 Puberty blockers and inadequate penile tissue

38:05 Emotions during puberty

41:15 Missed adolescent development

43:39 Infertility and relationships

49:57 Misinformation about transgender and hormones

52:39 Developmental disorders in gender dysphoria

56:43 Hormones and child development

01:02:07 Replicating Mother Nature's cocktail

01:07:23 XX males and biological sex

01:10:27 Trauma of medicalization and fertility

01:15:17 Ambitious doctors and unethical practices

01:21:10 Endocrinologists and growth hormones

01:24:38 Attempt to convert gay males

To support this show, please leave a rating & review on Apple, Spotify, or wherever you get your podcasts. Subscribe, like, comment & share via my YouTube channel. Or recommend this to a friend!

Learn more about Do No Harm.

Take $200 off your EightSleep Pod Pro Cover with code SOMETHERAPIST at EightSleep.com.

Take 20% off all superfood beverages with code SOMETHERAPIST at Organifi.

Check out my shop for book recommendations + wellness products.

Show notes & transcript provided with the help of SwellAI.

Special thanks to Joey Pecoraro for our theme song, “Half Awake,” used with gratitude and permission.

Watch NO WAY BACK: The Reality of Gender-Affirming Care (our medical ethics documentary, formerly known as Affirmation Generation). Stream the film or purchase a DVD. Use code SOMETHERAPIST to take 20% off your order. Follow us on X @2022affirmation or Instagram at @affirmationgeneration.

Have a question for me? Looking to go deeper and discuss these ideas with other listeners? Join my Locals community! Members get to ask questions I will respond to in exclusive, members-only livestreams, post questions for upcoming guests to answer, plus other perks TBD.

Today’s guest is very meaningful to me and probably requires no introduction. Dr. Heather Heying is the reason I know about detransitioners and am doing half the things I’m doing. An evolutionary biologist and animal behaviorist, world traveler, podcast co-host, writer, mentor to many, mother of two, agreeable contrarian, and all-around interesting person, Dr. Heying can easily be considered one of the greatest thinkers of our time.

It was tough to narrow down what to focus on in a conversation with someone so influential, so I selected a few of the recurring themes that form the foundational principles for much of her work. We discuss the concepts of culture and consciousness, and how they shape our understandings of progress and tradition, liberalism and conservatism. 

We delve into the metaphorical idea of Chesterton's fence, which represents the importance of understanding the purpose and value of something before discarding it. And we examine several “Chesterton’s fences” in modern life that have been impacted by what Heather often calls “hyper-novelty.” What do we lose when we stop sitting around a campfire together, telling stories and making music?

Heather Heying is an evolutionary biologist who earned her PhD in Biology from the University of Michigan, has been a visiting Fellow at Princeton University, and was a tenured professor at The Evergreen State College. She has been invited to speak about science, higher ed, the evolution of sex and consciousness, and the culture wars, in venues as varied as the U.S. Department of Justice, the Krishnamurti Institute, Joe Rogan, and Oxford University.

Her first book, Antipode, is based on her life in Madagascar while studying the sex lives of poison frogs. Her second book, co-authored with husband Bret Weinstein, is A Hunter-Gatherer’s Guide to the 21st Century: Evolution and the Challenges of Modern Life. A New York Times best-seller, the book provides an evolutionary toolkit for living a good and honorable life as a modern ape. She also writes Natural Selections on Substack, the Field Notes column for County Highway, and co-hosts with Bret a popular weekly livestream on the DarkHorse podcast.

Natural Selections blog

DarkHorse Podcast

X @HeatherEHeying

Heather's books are available in my bookshop or via the embedded Amazon affiliate links. Thank you for purchases that support the show!

Bands mentioned:

Blanco White 

Dead Can Dance 

00:00 Start

02:10 Detransitioners

04:46 Detransitioners and cognitive dissonance

07:39 Losing friends, gaining friends

11:10 Consciousness and culture

17:38 Seeking a mix

19:05 New ideas and adaptation

24:39 Chesterton's fence

28:13 Chesterton's breast milk

32:21 The role of fire in our humanity

36:40 Music around the campfire

40:34 Participating in a foreign culture

44:58 Cultural appreciation vs. cultural appropriation

49:05 Online culture and low context communication

52:19 Writing a book

57:39 What is actually real

01:00:23 Human interactions behind barriers

01:04:29 Mentorship and its changing dynamics

01:07:43 Mentorship in the trades

01:11:40 Changing the culture and connection

01:16:24 Cats as pets and toxoplasmosis

01:22:05 The crazy cat lady trope

01:24:38 Endocrine-disrupting chemicals and gender dysphoria

01:30:05 Endocrine disruption in water supply

01:32:21 Fixing exposures and finding answers

01:37:02 Transhumanism and its subsets

01:41:33 Wrap up

To support this show, please leave a rating & review on Apple, Spotify, or wherever you get your podcasts. Subscribe, like, comment & share via my YouTube channel. Or recommend this to a friend!

Learn more about Do No Harm.

Take $200 off your EightSleep Pod Pro Cover with code SOMETHERAPIST at EightSleep.com.

Take 20% off all superfood beverages with code SOMETHERAPIST at Organifi.

Check out my shop for book recommendations + wellness products.

Show notes & transcript provided with the help of SwellAI.

Special thanks to Joey Pecoraro for our theme song, “Half Awake,” used with gratitude and permission.

Watch NO WAY BACK: The Reality of Gender-Affirming Care (our medical ethics documentary, formerly known as Affirmation Generation). Stream the film or purchase a DVD. Use code SOMETHERAPIST to take 20% off your order. Follow us on X @2022affirmation or Instagram at @affirmationgeneration.

Have a question for me? Looking to go deeper and discuss these ideas with other listeners? Join my Locals community! Members get to ask questions I will respond to in exclusive, members-only livestreams, post questions for upcoming guests to answer, plus other perks TBD.

Today I’m joined by Bernard Lane, an independent Australian journalist who covers the international debate over youth gender medicine. We discussed the state of gender clinics and laws in Australia, as well as the challenges faced by journalists in reporting on this topic.

We also discussed the influence of environment on youth vulnerability to gender ideology, the situation in California, and the current status of the Tavistock clinic in the UK. One of the key issues we explored was the impact of conversion therapy laws in Australia and their potential consequences. Bernard highlighted the extreme nature of these laws, which can result in a 10-year prison sentence for therapists and even parents who refuse to go along with medicalization. We questioned the logic behind these laws and the conflation of gender identity with sexual orientation, as well as the lack of media coverage on the negative implications of these laws.

Overall, this episode delves into the challenges faced by journalists in reporting on gender issues, the state of gender clinics and laws in Australia, and the potential consequences of conversion therapy laws. It raises important questions about the balance between affirming gender identity and the potential harm caused by medicalization, as well as the role of media in shaping public understanding of these issues.

Bernard Lane writes Gender Clinic News, covering the international debate over youth gender medicine. He has been a journalist for more than three decades, mostly with Australia’s national daily newspaper The Australian, where he has won awards for legal, higher education and foreign affairs reporting. 

Newsletter: https://www.genderclinicnews.com/

X: @Bernard_Lane

Books mentioned in this episode can be found via the Amazon affiliate links below or in my bookshop. Either way, your purchase supports the show.

• Time to Think by Hannah Barnes 
• Gender Dysphoria: A Therapeutic Model for Working with Children, Adolescents and Young Adults, by Marcus and Susan Evans 

Previous episodes mentioned: 

• Helen Joyce 
• Marcus Evans 
• Bob Withers 
• Carole Sherwood 
• James Esses 
• Jamie Reed
• Oliver Davies
• Dina McMillan

Other resources mentioned in this episode:

• Critical Therapy Antidote
• Thoughtful Therapists

00:00:00 Conversion therapy and gender nonconforming kids.

00:02:08 Gender clinics in Australia face scrutiny.

00:04:28 Language policing in journalism.

00:06:34 Australia's pacing of gender medicine.

00:12:07 Influence of environment on kids.

00:13:52 Screen-based youth culture influences.

00:14:51 Preventing children from going down the trans wormhole.

00:19:26 Child protection and gender-affirming care.

00:20:19 Medical practitioners pushing ideology.

00:26:23 Vulnerability of youth in care.

00:27:18 Concerns about gender treatment.

00:29:24 Therapist culture and gender distress.

00:34:39 Psychotherapy field captured by social justice ideology.

00:39:46 Therapy laws in Australia.

00:41:31 Extreme conversion therapy laws in Victoria.

00:43:02 Speech and 10-year prison sentence.

00:49:10 Parental authority and conversion practices laws.

00:49:58 Conversion therapy laws impact medical decisions.

00:52:31 The harm of gender non-conforming kids.

00:57:21 Journalism on gender issues lacks balanced reporting.

01:00:03 Guidelines impact journalistic reporting.

01:02:13 Partially upheld complaint.

01:08:59 Confused and inaccurate language.

01:11:30 Greater caution in pediatric transition.

01:16:42 Mixed signals on cautious treatment.

01:21:12 Length of stay in hospitals.

01:27:26 Transhumanism.

01:28:58 Encouraging news in gender medicine.

01:31:32 Transitioning and turning to religion.

To support this show, please leave a rating & review on Apple, Spotify, or wherever you get your podcasts. Subscribe, like, comment & share via my YouTube channel. Or recommend this to a friend!

Learn more about Do No Harm.

Take $200 off your EightSleep Pod Pro Cover with code SOMETHERAPIST at EightSleep.com.

Take 20% off all superfood beverages with code SOMETHERAPIST at Organifi.

Check out my shop for book recommendations + wellness products.

Show notes & transcript provided with the help of SwellAI.

Special thanks to Joey Pecoraro for our theme song, “Half Awake,” used with gratitude and permission.

Watch NO WAY BACK: The Reality of Gender-Affirming Care (our medical ethics documentary, formerly known as Affirmation Generation). Stream the film or purchase a DVD. Use code SOMETHERAPIST to take 20% off your order. Follow us on X @2022affirmation or Instagram at @affirmationgeneration.

Have a question for me? Looking to go deeper and discuss these ideas with other listeners? Join my Locals community! Members get to ask questions I will respond to in exclusive, members-only livestreams, post questions for upcoming guests to answer, plus other perks TBD.

Psychiatrist Mark McDonald coined the term "mass delusional psychosis" to describe the fear-driven response that swept the nation during the pandemic. In this episode, I interviewed him about the events of 2020 and their impact on our society. We discuss how fear became a fuel, driving irrational and self-destructive behaviors that were not in our best interests.

Dr. McDonald highlights the shift in our society towards a culture that values safety over courage, risk-taking, and personal freedom. He points out the detrimental effects of this safety culture, such as the decline in IQ points among infants born during the lockdowns and the decrease in face-to-face interactions among young people. He also raises concerns about the erosion of masculinity and the impact it has on relationships and society as a whole.

The conversation delves into the importance of teaching virtue and morality, as well as the need to reaffirm the qualities of healthy masculinity. Dr. McDonald emphasizes the role of individuals in shaping the future and the need to save the younger generation from the damaging ideologies and behaviors that have taken hold. He warns that if we don't address these issues, we risk the extinction of our civilization.

The episode touches on the impact of the lockdowns on brain chemistry, particularly in terms of oxytocin, serotonin, and dopamine. Dr. McDonald discusses the observed changes in behavior, such as acute onset OCD-like symptoms and the reliance on non-face-to-face interactions for dating. He expresses concern about the increasing demand for drugs to alleviate depression, anxiety, and fear, and the long-lasting consequences of these changes in brain chemistry.

Dr. Mark McDonald graduated from UC Berkeley and the Medical College of Wisconsin. Trained in adult as well as child and adolescent psychiatry at UCLA, he now works primarily with children in his west Los Angeles private practice. He is co-host of the podcast Informed Dissent and the author of United States of Fear and Freedom From Fear. His opinions have been widely published in local and national news, and he has been interviewed on a variety of platforms. Links to his writings on Facebook, X, and Substack can be found at www.dissidentmd.com.

Books mentioned in this episode can be found via these Amazon affiliate links or in my bookshop

• United States of Fear: How America Fell Victim to a Mass Delusional Psychosis by Dr. Mark McDonald 
• Freedom from Fear: A 12-Step Guide to Personal and National Recovery by Dr. Mark McDonald 
• The Righteous Mind by Jonathan Haidt 
• Boys Adrift by Dr. Leonard Sax (see also: my recent interview with Dr. Sax)
• The Way of Men by Jack Donovan 

00:00 Start

02:30 United States of fear

06:09 Fuel of mass delusional psychosis

09:54 Moral rigidity and disgust

11:37 Incalculable societal damage

15:24 Safetyism and its consequences

19:07 Informed consent and individual freedom

23:27 Impact of lockdown on brain chemistry

27:13 Less sex among young adults

31:09 The redefinition of masculinity

36:52 Concerns about future generations

39:51 Sexualizing children

48:20 Lords and peasants in society

51:55 Sacrifices in education and society

56:13 Luxury beliefs in safe societies

01:00:05 The capacity for violence

01:04:05 Therapist indoctrination and patient harm

01:08:55 Detoxing from media

01:12:27 Fear addiction and urgency

01:16:59 Social media and success

To support this show, please leave a rating & review on Apple, Spotify, or wherever you get your podcasts. Subscribe, like, comment & share via my YouTube channel. Or recommend this to a friend!

Learn more about Do No Harm.

Take $200 off your EightSleep Pod Pro Cover with code SOMETHERAPIST at EightSleep.com.

Take 20% off all superfood beverages with code SOMETHERAPIST at Organifi.

Check out my shop for book recommendations + wellness products.

Show notes & transcript provided with the help of SwellAI.

Special thanks to Joey Pecoraro for our theme song, “Half Awake,” used with gratitude and permission.

Watch NO WAY BACK: The Reality of Gender-Affirming Care (our medical ethics documentary, formerly known as Affirmation Generation). Stream the film or purchase a DVD. Use code SOMETHERAPIST to take 20% off your order. Follow us on X @2022affirmation or Instagram at @affirmationgeneration.

Have a question for me? Looking to go deeper and discuss these ideas with other listeners? Join my Locals community! Members get to ask questions I will respond to in exclusive, members-only livestreams, post questions for upcoming guests to answer, plus other perks TBD.

The esteemed Dr. Leonard Sax joins us this week to share his expertise on how sex differences impact child-rearing, parenting, and education. We begin with a discussion of biological differences between male and female brains, particularly when it comes to sense perception, which can lead to misunderstandings between the sexes. Dr. Sax highlights the importance of understanding these differences in order to optimize children’s learning and home environments.

The conversation then shifts to the topic of gender atypicality and how parents and educators might embrace the richness and complexity of the human experience, allowing children to explore their interests and preferences without being labeled transgender.

We discuss the challenges faced by boys in today's society, including the growing gender gap in academic achievements, and how teachers can cater to the unique developmental needs of both sexes in co-ed schools.

Dr. Sax provides practical advice for parents and educators on how to navigate sex differences and create a culture of respect and understanding. He emphasizes the importance of recognizing and celebrating the diversity of gender expression, while also respecting biological differences.

Leonard Sax MD PhD is a board-certified family physician and PhD psychologist with more than 30 years of clinical experience. Over the past 22 years, he has visited more than 500 schools across the United States and worldwide, speaking to parents about many topics including social media, video games, and gender issues. He also leads workshops for teachers on gender-aware instructional strategies, on building a culture of respect, and on dealing with difficult parents. He has published four books for parents: Why Gender Matters, Boys Adrift, Girls on the Edge, and The Collapse of Parenting, which was a New York Times bestseller. Dr. Sax graduated Phi Beta Kappa at age 19 from the Massachusetts Institute of Technology (MIT) and went on to earn both a Ph.D. in psychology and an M.D. from the University of Pennsylvania. Dr. Sax lives with his wife and teenage daughter in Pennsylvania. Visit his website at leonardsax.com.

Dr. Sax’s four books can all be found in my bookshop or via these Amazon affiliate links below. Thank you for your purchases that support the show!

Why Gender Matters: What Parents and Teachers Need to Know About the Emerging Science of Sex Differences 

Boys Adrift: The Five Factors Driving the Growing Epidemic of Unmotivated Boys and Underachieving Young Men 

Girls on the Edge: Why So Many Girls Are Anxious, Wired, and Obsessed--And What Parents Can Do 

The Collapse of Parenting: How We Hurt Our Kids When We Treat Them Like Grown-Ups 

00:00 Start

[00:02:26] Hardwired sex differences in senses.

[00:05:23] Sex differences in hearing.

[00:08:06] Women's Peripheral Vision and Men's Magnocellular System.

[00:11:23] Boys and bullying.

[00:14:34] Color naming gender differences.

[00:18:01] Color naming ability in children.

[00:21:30] Girls value friendship above team affiliation.

[00:24:57] School culture and music influence.

[00:28:52] Growing gender gap in achievement.

[00:32:49] Making school friendly to boys.

[00:37:14] Brain development differences in genders.

[00:41:05] Pervasive and troubling pornography.

[00:43:10] Rise in erectile dysfunction.

[00:48:28] Empowering young women's experiences.

[00:52:19] Disorders of sexual development.

[00:57:37] Intersex conditions and prevalence.

[00:59:41] Intersex being misunderstood.

[01:06:22] Intersex individuals and gender identity.

[01:09:11] XY male fetus and intersex.

[01:13:48] Personality traits and sex differences.

[01:19:48] Trans issues and stereotypes.

[01:22:15] Emotional development in girls.

[01:24:49] Teaching empathy to boys.

[01:28:14] Creating healthy role models.

[01:34:18] Autogynephilia and transgender issues.

[01:39:15] Transgender issues in current society.

[01:40:56] Lawsuit against American Academy of Pediatrics.

[01:43:04] Humans and grandkids.

[01:47:26] Disastrous laws allowing kids.

To support this show, please leave a rating & review on Apple, Spotify, or wherever you get your podcasts. Subscribe, like, comment & share via my YouTube channel. Or recommend this to a friend!

Learn more about Do No Harm.

Take $200 off your EightSleep Pod Pro Cover with code SOMETHERAPIST at EightSleep.com.

Take 20% off all superfood beverages with code SOMETHERAPIST at Organifi.

Check out my shop for book recommendations + wellness products.

Show notes & transcript provided with the help of SwellAI.

Special thanks to Joey Pecoraro for our theme song, “Half Awake,” used with gratitude and permission.

Watch NO WAY BACK: The Reality of Gender-Affirming Care (our medical ethics documentary, formerly known as Affirmation Generation). Stream the film or purchase a DVD. Use code SOMETHERAPIST to take 20% off your order. Follow us on X @2022affirmation or Instagram at @affirmationgeneration.

Have a question for me? Looking to go deeper and discuss these ideas with other listeners? Join my Locals community! Members get to ask questions I will respond to in exclusive, members-only livestreams, post questions for upcoming guests to answer, plus other perks TBD.

On this podcast we often explore the gender crisis affecting today’s young and vulnerable people. Today we bring on a different perspective from Phil Illy, a man who self-identifies as autogynephilic, meaning that he experiences a sexual attraction to the idea of himself as a woman. Originally described by sexologist Ray Blanchard, autogynephilia is a common contributor to gender dysphoria in young men. Yet the sexual component of “gender identity” is rarely addressed in the process of diagnosing and reviewing “treatment options” for gender dysphoria. Why is this?

Phil considers autogynephilia, as well as its counterpart in women, autoandrophilia, to belong to a broader category he calls autoheterosexuality. While many in the gender critical community consider these to be sexual fetishes, Phil refers to them instead as sexual orientations. Within that framework, he researched the issue extensively and wrote a book on the subject, Autoheterosexual: Attracted to Being the Other Sex.

Phil makes several further assertions in this interview, while I play devil’s advocate and push back, all in an attempt to bring understanding to listeners who are concerned for loved ones and expose both sides of the debate over this taboo topic. What does femininity mean to him? Is autoheterosexuality just another form of narcissism? What is its connection with autism?  How influenced is it by fetish pornography and niche online microcultures? Would it occur in a cultural vacuum? Is it heritable? How can it be a sexual orientation if it doesn’t involve another person; isn’t it just a fetish? Are “autohet” people capable of sustaining meaningful romantic relationships with others? How are their platonic relationships and quality of life? Are self-aware autogynephilic men threats to women, and under what conditions can we peacefully coexist?

UPDATE: this episode was recorded prior to Phil's appearance at the Genspect conference in Denver, which became the subject of much heated debate on X. I was not at the conference, but have weighed in online to some degree. Things got so heated around this issue I have temporarily locked my account. The best commentary I have found on the debacle comes from the ever-admirable Heather Heying on her blog, Natural Selections: The Public Fetish.

Phil Illy is a self described autogynephile and the author of Autoheterosexual: Attracted to Being the Other Sex. Phil received degrees in physics and mechanical engineering before retiring to Portland, Oregon, where he became best known for his skill at handstand twerking and juggling hula hoops. His Substack blog, Understanding Trans, can be found at https://phililly.substack.com/. Follow him on X @autogynephilic.

Other resources mentioned:

Landon & Robby Starbuck’s interview with detransitioner Chris Beck

00:00 Start

[00:01:52] Autogynephilia and sexual orientation.

[00:05:17] Auto-sexual orientations.

[00:10:08] Dynamic competition in relationships.

[00:14:32] Autogynephilic men and attraction.

[00:19:45] Body and identity.

[00:22:12] Embracing cross-sex identity.

[00:27:13] Attaining an excellent male physique.

[00:31:18] Celebrity crushes and real relationships.

[00:37:37] Sexual orientation and self-love.

[00:41:09] Neurological studies on AGP.

[00:47:09] Porn addiction and sissy hypnoporn.

[00:50:03] Autogynephilia as an inborn predisposition.

[00:55:46] Autogynephilia in the trans community.

[01:00:29] Overlap between autism and autogynephilia.

[01:04:45] Autogynephilia and Transgender Identities.

[01:07:23] Autoandrophilia and female-to-male transgenderism.

[01:11:28] Autoandrophilia in transsexuals.

[01:19:08] Autogynephilic males seeking identity.

[01:19:23] Autogynephilia and Medical Transition.

[01:24:31] Ignorance in therapist education.

[01:28:32] The complexity of bisexuality.

[01:34:08] Relations with women and envy.

[01:38:38] Men getting in touch with feminine side.

[01:43:18] The desire to be the other sex.

[01:46:16] Autosexuality as the culprit.

To support this show, please leave a rating & review on Apple, Spotify, or wherever you get your podcasts. Subscribe, like, comment & share via my YouTube channel. Or recommend this to a friend!

Learn more about Do No Harm.

Take $200 off your EightSleep Pod Pro Cover with code SOMETHERAPIST at EightSleep.com.

Take 20% off all superfood beverages with code SOMETHERAPIST at Organifi.

Check out my shop for book recommendations + wellness products.

Show notes & transcript provided with the help of SwellAI.

Special thanks to Joey Pecoraro for our theme song, “Half Awake,” used with gratitude and permission.

Watch NO WAY BACK: The Reality of Gender-Affirming Care (our medical ethics documentary, formerly known as Affirmation Generation). Stream the film or purchase a DVD. Use code SOMETHERAPIST to take 20% off your order. Follow us on X @2022affirmation or Instagram at @affirmationgeneration.

Have a question for me? Looking to go deeper and discuss these ideas with other listeners? Join my Locals community! Members get to ask questions I will respond to in exclusive, members-only livestreams, post questions for upcoming guests to answer, plus other perks TBD.

Former Washington University Transgender Center intake coordinator Jamie Reed entered the spotlight in February when she blew the whistle on the harmful practices she witnessed during her time there. A “left of Bernie Sanders” lesbian mom of 5, she reached across the political aisle to work with the Missouri Attorney General, recognizing the need to put children’s welfare above politics. Since then, Jamie has become a prominent voice in the gender critical movement. Today, we discuss her journey from initially supporting gender-affirming care to becoming a whistleblower, and the courage it took for her to speak out.

Jamie shares her concerns about the lack of transparency and informed consent in the gender-affirming care model, highlighting the importance of asking critical questions and digging deeper when it comes to diagnosing and treating gender dysphoria. We discuss concerns about the long-term physical and psychological impacts of medical interventions on young people.

We then delve into a detailed analysis of a patient's medical records, provided by a detransitioner named Bugs. Jamie points out the vague and imprecise language used in the records, as well as the lack of thorough assessment. We discuss the potential impact of the hospital’s approach on family dynamics, particularly the triangulation that ensues when one parent is unaware of the child's gender transition. We also examine the informed consent process for hormone therapy, as outlined in Bugs' records. Jamie highlights the omission of important risks and side effects, and the need for more comprehensive and accurate information to be provided to patients. We discuss the importance of considering alternative options and the potential long-term risks associated with hormone therapy.

Jamie Reed, BA, MS Clinical Research is a whistleblower from the Washington University School of Medicine at St Louis Children's Hospital pediatric transgender center. Her explosive first person story from inside a gender center was released in February of 2023. She has been on Triggernometry, Gender: a Wider Lens, and Transparency podcasts. She is co-founder of the LGBT Courage Coalition and continues to speak out regarding the care provided in pediatric gender centers. A mom of five and a gay woman. On X, follow Jamie @JamieWhistle & the LGBT Courage Coalition @LGBT_Courage.

Resources mentioned:

•  Free Press article: "I Thought I Was Saving Trans Kids, Now I'm Blowing the Whistle" by Jamie Reid
•  LGBT Courage Coalition substack
• Do No Harm

00:00 Start

[00:01:17] Rising concerns in transgender medicine.

[00:05:21] Whistleblowing within the medical profession.

[00:10:57] Concern for detransitioners.

[00:14:09] Trusting experts blindly.

[00:19:14] Fallout and unexpected support.

[00:23:06] Detransitioner shares medical records.

[00:27:30] Gender identity and diagnostic criteria.

[00:32:04] An organ inventory.

[00:35:07] Family dynamics and gender dysphoria.

[00:39:23] Testosterone and emotional numbness.

[00:44:38] Changes in sexual attraction.

[00:48:58] Side effects of testosterone.

[00:51:06] Challenging options and unhelpful statements.

[00:55:19] Lack of true informed consent.

[01:01:20] Unrealistic goals and gender dysphoria.

[01:05:05] The world is still binary.

[01:08:19] Lack of closeness for transgender individuals.

[01:11:30] Social contagion and teenage girls.

[01:16:39] Opting into marginalized groups.

[01:22:00] Identifying out of toxic masculinity.

[01:26:07] Pediatric gender medicine concerns.

[01:29:57] The gender crisis.

To support this show, please leave a rating & review on Apple, Spotify, or wherever you get your podcasts. Subscribe, like, comment & share via my YouTube channel. Or recommend this to a friend!

Learn more about Do No Harm.

Take $200 off your EightSleep Pod Pro Cover with code SOMETHERAPIST at EightSleep.com.

Take 20% off all superfood beverages with code SOMETHERAPIST at Organifi.

Check out my shop for book recommendations + wellness products.

Show notes & transcript provided with the help of SwellAI.

Special thanks to Joey Pecoraro for our theme song, “Half Awake,” used with gratitude and permission.

Watch NO WAY BACK: The Reality of Gender-Affirming Care (our medical ethics documentary, formerly known as Affirmation Generation). Stream the film or purchase a DVD. Use code SOMETHERAPIST to take 20% off your order. Follow us on X @2022affirmation or Instagram at @affirmationgeneration.

Have a question for me? Looking to go deeper and discuss these ideas with other listeners? Join my Locals community! Members get to ask questions I will respond to in exclusive, members-only livestreams, post questions for upcoming guests to answer, plus other perks TBD.

Ketamine-assisted psychotherapy practitioner and clinical supervisor Karen King joined me to discuss the use of ketamine and MDMA in psychotherapy, as well as the infiltration of ideology into the field of psychedelic-assisted therapy.

Karen explains the proper set, setting, use, and administration of ketamine in psychotherapy. We delved into the dissociative effects of ketamine and its potential benefits and contraindications for patients. We also discussed the research conducted by the Multidisciplinary Association for Psychedelic Studies (MAPS) on the use of MDMA for PTSD, the upcoming FDA approval of MDMA as a therapeutic treatment, and the potential for insurance coverage.

The conversation then shifted to the infiltration of ideology, specifically critical social justice or "woke" ideology, into the psychedelic community. Karen expressed concerns about the impact of ideological influences on therapy and the need for a balanced and open-minded approach. We explored the distinction between personal and professional ideologies and the potential challenges they may pose in the therapeutic setting.

Karen King, LMHC has been a licensed psychotherapist for 17 years. In 2015 she founded Emerge Clinic, an integrative wellness clinic offering individual, family, and group counseling as well as traditional psychiatric evaluations and med management. Karen has also been a practicing Ketamine Assisted Therapist since adding Ketamine treatments to the clinic in 2020. She is a trainee in MAPS MDMA Assisted Therapy and also completed the year-long MAPS Psychedelic Assisted Therapy training through Naropa. Karen currently supervises KAP therapists in her clinic, and in 2024, will be offering a five part certification course in Psychedelic Assisted Psychotherapy. Karen hopes to provide one of the first clinics in the Pacific Northwest to legally offer MDMA Assisted Therapy once approved by the FDA.

Karen King website 

Clarify Consultation Group

Instagram @thepsychedeliccounselor

Books mentioned in this episode:

•  Proof of Heaven: A Neurosurgeon's Journey into the Afterlife by Eben Alexander

Other resources mentioned in this episode:

•  Multidisciplinary Association for Psychedelic Studies (MAPS)
•  American Society of Ketamine Practitioners
•  Mindbloom
•  Near Death Experience Research
•  Michael Persinger - Researcher known for the "God Helmet"
•  Naropa University

00:00 Start

[00:02:01] Ketamine-assisted psychotherapy.

[00:06:03] Ketamine and near-death experiences.

[00:08:00] Oral surgery and sedation.

[00:12:02] Discovery of ketamine-assisted therapy.

[00:18:26] The mystical experience.

[00:22:44] Near-death experiences and psychedelics.

[00:24:05] Therapeutic benefit of gaining perspective.

[00:29:47] MDMA for PTSD trials.

[00:34:09] A five to six hour CPT code.

[00:36:33] MDMA-assisted therapy efficacy.

[00:39:44] Stimulating the amygdala.

[00:44:38] Intrusion of woke into psychedelics.

[00:48:23] Impact of therapist assumptions.

[00:54:09] Psychedelic community cancel culture.

[00:57:20] Machine elves and racism.

[01:00:56] Interpretation of disempowerment.

[01:06:18] Over-victimizing therapy clients.

[01:09:47] Impact of pandemic on psychology.

[01:13:32] Join my community for dialogue.

To support this show, please leave a rating & review on Apple, Spotify, or wherever you get your podcasts. Subscribe, like, comment & share via my YouTube channel. Or recommend this to a friend!

Learn more about Do No Harm.

Take $200 off your EightSleep Pod Pro Cover with code SOMETHERAPIST at EightSleep.com.

Take 20% off all superfood beverages with code SOMETHERAPIST at Organifi.

Check out my shop for book recommendations + wellness products.

Show notes & transcript provided with the help of SwellAI.

Special thanks to Joey Pecoraro for our theme song, “Half Awake,” used with gratitude and permission.

Watch NO WAY BACK: The Reality of Gender-Affirming Care (our medical ethics documentary, formerly known as Affirmation Generation). Stream the film or purchase a DVD. Use code SOMETHERAPIST to take 20% off your order. Follow us on X @2022affirmation or Instagram at @affirmationgeneration.

Have a question for me? Looking to go deeper and discuss these ideas with other listeners? Join my Locals community! Members get to ask questions I will respond to in exclusive, members-only livestreams, post questions for upcoming guests to answer, plus other perks TBD.

Kim O, coach and founder of HeartWorkU, joins me today to share wisdom on compassion, healing, parts work, spirituality, resilience, and the Enneagram. We discuss her journey from 30 years as a hairstylist to becoming a coach and her decision to leave her Master's program in Counseling Psychology due to ideological differences.

Kim presents her research on detransitioners and the lack of acknowledgement from the American Psychological Association (APA) on this topic. She emphasizes the importance of belief and resilience in her coaching practice, and how she helps clients separate their higher self from their wounded ego or inner child.

Kim explains her approach to coaching, which focuses on helping clients witness their feelings and hold space for them. She believes in the power of self-love and teaches clients to understand that they are resilient and have the answers within themselves. We also explore the differences between counseling and coaching, highlighting the importance of ethics in counseling and the relational aspect of both roles, as well as how Internal Family Systems and the Enneagram help us in our work with clients.

Kim shares her personal journey of healing from childhood trauma and the impact it had on her identity. She shares how she overcame shame and self-judgment by living in the present and recognizing that she is not defined by her past experiences.

Kim O is a Relational Soul Coach, Author, & Resilience Cheerleader. “When you recognize the power and beauty within your Soul, you are unafraid, confident, and able to face all of your challenges with LOVE!” Contact, workbooks, journals, free course of the month: https://linktr.ee/heartworku 

These books mentioned in this episode can be found via the Amazon affiliate links below or in my bookshop. Either way, a portion of proceeds help support the show. Thank you!

• What is Ego, by Kim O: https://amzn.to/46FoGE2
• Living in the Power of Your Energetic Signature, by Kim O: https://amzn.to/3S83GkZ 
• Love Cures Anxiety, by Kim O: https://amzn.to/3tFWnXD  
• Kim’s children’s book series is coming out soon. More information at https://www.heartworku.com/resilientkids
• The Sacred Enneagram by Christopher Heuertz: https://amzn.to/3S8Ek6v

Other resources mentioned in this episode:

• HeartWorkU YouTube channel
• HeartWorkU.com
• Sleeping at Last Podcast

By the way, during the episode, I couldn't remember the exact wording of Chris Heuertz's summation of Type One. Here is the phrase: Type One strives for principled excellence as moral duty.

00:00 Start

[00:02:48] Detransitioners and societal perceptions.

[00:05:20] Understanding detransitioners' experiences.

[00:08:35] Overcoming personal challenges.

[00:13:27] Resilience and overcoming challenges.

[00:16:09] Opportunity cost of microaggressions.

[00:21:23] APA's support of gender affirming care.

[00:24:00] Counseling versus coaching.

[00:27:14] Higher self and ego distinction.

[00:31:57] Therapy vs coaching distinction.

[00:35:03] Coaching and exploring the past.

[00:41:03] Trauma and stolen identity.

[00:43:56] Understanding Your Main Drive.

[00:48:49] Wounded ego defense mechanism.

[00:51:41] Children's book series.

[00:58:34] Anton's realization about prickles.

[01:01:13] I Saw No Way Back.

[01:03:53] Words of wisdom and compassion.

[01:07:28] Core fears and human condition.

To support this show, please leave a rating & review on Apple, Spotify, or wherever you get your podcasts. Subscribe, like, comment & share via my YouTube channel. Or recommend this to a friend!

Learn more about Do No Harm.

Take $200 off your EightSleep Pod Pro Cover with code SOMETHERAPIST at EightSleep.com.

Take 20% off all superfood beverages with code SOMETHERAPIST at Organifi.

Check out my shop for book recommendations + wellness products.

Show notes & transcript provided with the help of SwellAI.

Special thanks to Joey Pecoraro for our theme song, “Half Awake,” used with gratitude and permission.

Watch NO WAY BACK: The Reality of Gender-Affirming Care (our medical ethics documentary, formerly known as Affirmation Generation). Stream the film or purchase a DVD. Use code SOMETHERAPIST to take 20% off your order. Follow us on X @2022affirmation or Instagram at @affirmationgeneration.

Have a question for me? Looking to go deeper and discuss these ideas with other listeners? Join my Locals community! Members get to ask questions I will respond to in exclusive, members-only livestreams, post questions for upcoming guests to answer, plus other perks TBD.

Today I'm sharing a conversation I had with Dennison Joyce on his show Through the Looking Glass, originally aired on WIOX Radio last year (episode #228). Dennison asked me to walk through my program for parents, ROGD Repair, and to break down the framework I call the Trifecta of Social Contagion — the three interlocking forces I believe are driving the epidemic of young people identifying as transgender.

Those three forces are: gender identity ideology, woke social justice narratives, and Cluster B personality traits. I explain how these elements work together like a perfectly engineered mind virus, exploiting the unique vulnerabilities of today's youth — their insecurities, rigidity, and need for identity — and how this creates a near-impossible situation for parents trying to help their kids. I also address the manufactured consensus inside the medical and psychiatric professions, and why so many therapists who could help are simply staying away from this issue.

We also get into the practical side of my coaching work — what the ROGD Repair program is, how I work with families, and some of the most common mistakes parents make, including why showing your child detransitioner videos usually backfires. I share how porn, particularly hypnosis-style content, is deeply connected to the rise in gender confusion in teenage boys, and why early intervention matters more than most parents realize.

FYI: this interview was recorded a few months prior to the release of RepairBot. All new ROGD Repair memberships now come with unlimited access to RepairBot, the AI companion tool designed to help with homework and strategizing.

Books mentioned in this episode:

• Trans by Helen Joyce

Dennison Joyce hosts Through the Looking Glass on WIOX Radio. Big thanks to Dennison for this wonderful interview, and for sharing the recording with me with permissions to republish.

[00:00:00] Start
[00:01:40] Stephanie's Background as a Gender-Affirming Therapist
[00:03:55] The Trifecta of Social Contagion Explained
[00:08:07] Cluster B Personality Traits Unpacked
[00:10:28] Social Justice Narratives and Intellectual Families
[00:12:12] Gender Identity Ideology and Its Roots
[00:13:23] Why Good Therapists Are Avoiding This Issue
[00:14:53] The Manufactured Consensus in Medicine
[00:17:29] How Parents Find Stephanie and ROGD Repair
[00:20:40] The Coaching Process: Working with Families
[00:22:14] Harm Reduction When Medicalization Has Already Begun
[00:23:49] Common Parental Mistakes: Detransitioner Videos Backfire
[00:27:42] When Parents Aren't on the Same Page
[00:30:14] Shift in Demographics: Boys Now Following Girls
[00:31:10] Pornography's Role in Male Gender Confusion
[00:34:35] Why Parents Should Seek Help Sooner

ROGD REPAIR Course + Community gives concerned parents instant access to over 120 lessons providing the psychological insights and communication tools you need to get through to your kid. Now featuring 24/7 personalized AI support implementing the tools with RepairBot! Use code SOMETHERAPIST2026 to take 50% off your first month.

PODCOURSES: use code SOMETHERAPIST at LisaMustard.com/PodCourses

TALK TO ME: book a meeting.

PRODUCTION: Looking for your own podcast producer? Visit PodsByNick.com and mention my podcast for 20% off your initial services.

SUPPORT THE SHOW: subscribe, like, comment, & share or donate.

Watch NO WAY BACK: The Reality of Gender-Affirming Care. Use code SOMETHERAPIST to take 20% off your order.

MUSIC: Thanks to Joey Pecoraro for our song, “Half Awake,” used with gratitude & permission.

 ALL OTHER LINKS HERE.

To support this show, please leave a rating & review on Apple, Spotify, or wherever you get your podcasts. Subscribe, like, comment & share via my YouTube channel. Or recommend this to a friend!

Learn more about Do No Harm.

Take $200 off your EightSleep Pod Pro Cover with code SOMETHERAPIST at EightSleep.com.

Take 20% off all superfood beverages with code SOMETHERAPIST at Organifi.

Check out my shop for book recommendations + wellness products.

Show notes & transcript provided with the help of SwellAI.

Special thanks to Joey Pecoraro for our theme song, “Half Awake,” used with gratitude and permission.

Watch NO WAY BACK: The Reality of Gender-Affirming Care (our medical ethics documentary, formerly known as Affirmation Generation). Stream the film or purchase a DVD. Use code SOMETHERAPIST to take 20% off your order. Follow us on X @2022affirmation or Instagram at @affirmationgeneration.

Have a question for me? Looking to go deeper and discuss these ideas with other listeners? Join my Locals community! Members get to ask questions I will respond to in exclusive, members-only livestreams, post questions for upcoming guests to answer, plus other perks TBD.

Samantha Green, a mother of two and Licensed Mental Health Counselor specializing in perinatal mental health, joins me to discuss the challenges and issues affecting women during pregnancy and postpartum. She shares her insights on maternal burnout, “mom rage,” postpartum depression, the impact of hormones on mood, and the difficulties faced by modern families in a politically polarized environment.

Samantha highlights the pressures that women face in today's society, particularly due to unrealistic expectations perpetuated by social media. She emphasizes the importance of self-care and the need for women to prioritize their own well-being, especially during the early weeks of motherhood. Samantha also addresses the dynamics between mothers and fathers, acknowledging the differences in parenting styles and the potential for resentment and communication challenges.

Our conversation delves into the hormonal shifts that occur during pregnancy, postpartum, and weaning. Samantha explains how these hormonal changes can affect a woman's mood and lead to symptoms such as intrusive thoughts and anxiety. She emphasizes the importance of understanding these shifts and seeking appropriate support and treatment when necessary.

Samantha explains how Polyvagal Theory helps in understanding the different states of the nervous system and how they relate to anxiety, depression, and stress. She provides practical strategies for managing these states and promoting overall well-being.

Throughout the episode, Samantha emphasizes the need for open communication, self-compassion, and seeking help when needed. She encourages women to let go of unrealistic expectations and prioritize their own mental and physical health. By addressing these issues and seeking support, women can navigate the challenges of motherhood and find balance in their lives.

Samantha Green is a wife, mother to two, and Licensed Mental Health Counselor in in New York who specializes in Perinatal Mental Health. After working in a community clinic for several years and experiencing first hand how difficult it was to find resources for mothers she opened her own Private Practice and is currently working on a book to help mothers manage the stress, and decrease burnout. Find Samantha’s practice at https://www.samanthagreenlmhc.com/ or follow her on X @samgreenlmhc.

Books mentioned in this episode:

•  "The Polyvagal Theory: Neurophysiological Foundations of Emotions, Attachment, Communication, and Self-regulation" by Stephen W. Porges

00:00 Start

[00:01:39] Mom rage and maternal burnout.

[00:04:10] Shifting priorities after having kids.

[00:07:12] Men and women differences.

[00:11:39] Dad's experience with baby.

[00:13:26] Impact of birth control on the brain.

[00:18:43] Hormonal treatment alternatives.

[00:21:29] Mom rage and guilt.

[00:25:35] Intrusive thoughts and OCD.

[00:28:27] Intrusive thoughts and mindfulness.

[00:31:41] Mother-baby units for postpartum depression.

[00:34:35] The freeze state.

[00:37:09] Chronic stress and its effects.

[00:41:22] Early life experiences and coping mechanisms.

[00:45:08] Postpartum PTSD and trauma.

[00:48:09] Helping women through pregnancy

[00:52:35] Trauma resurfacing in motherhood.

[00:54:13] Complex family dynamics.

[00:58:09] Co-sleeping and its taboo.

[01:00:40] Balancing career and motherhood.

To support this show, please leave a rating & review on Apple, Spotify, or wherever you get your podcasts. Subscribe, like, comment & share via my YouTube channel. Or recommend this to a friend!

Learn more about Do No Harm.

Take $200 off your EightSleep Pod Pro Cover with code SOMETHERAPIST at EightSleep.com.

Take 20% off all superfood beverages with code SOMETHERAPIST at Organifi.

Check out my shop for book recommendations + wellness products.

Show notes & transcript provided with the help of SwellAI.

Special thanks to Joey Pecoraro for our theme song, “Half Awake,” used with gratitude and permission.

Watch NO WAY BACK: The Reality of Gender-Affirming Care (our medical ethics documentary, formerly known as Affirmation Generation). Stream the film or purchase a DVD. Use code SOMETHERAPIST to take 20% off your order. Follow us on X @2022affirmation or Instagram at @affirmationgeneration.

Have a question for me? Looking to go deeper and discuss these ideas with other listeners? Join my Locals community! Members get to ask questions I will respond to in exclusive, members-only livestreams, post questions for upcoming guests to answer, plus other perks TBD.

Survivor-turned-advocate Andrea Heinz joins me to discuss her work in the Edmonton Sex Trade Offender Program, where she helps rehabilitate men who have purchased sex, and her reasons for supporting the Nordic model, which criminalizes the buying but not the selling of sex. 

Andrea opens up about her own journey in the sex industry, highlighting the combination of poverty and brainwashing that led her into it. She shares the challenges she faced, including the dissociation required to maintain the illusion for customers and the toll it took on her sense of self. Andrea emphasizes the importance of rehabilitation for men and the need to educate them about the harm they cause through their actions.

The conversation delves into the legal status of prostitution in Canada, with Andrea explaining the changes that have occurred over the years, as well as the obstacles to law enforcement.

Andrea shares her personal insights on the impact of the sex industry on both women and men. She discusses the distorted thinking and delusion that can occur for both parties, as well as the trauma and self-doubt that can linger long after leaving the industry. Andrea also highlights the importance of somatic therapy in recovering from traumatic dissociation.

Andrea Heinz is a Socialist Feminist from Edmonton, Alberta, Canada who writes and speaks about commercialized sex. After spending 7 years in licensed and regulated brothels from 2006-2013, she is now a sex trade abolitionist and Equality Model proponent. Andrea shares her journey and insights with students, professionals and the general public. She is happily married with three young children. 

Email: 2020heinzsight@gmail.com

X: @heinzsight2020

Articles mentioned:

• "On Exiting from Commercial Sexual Exploitation, Insights from Sex Trade Experienced Persons" by Andrea Heinz
• "A Mule for the Patriarchy, Waking Up to the Harms of Prostitution on Wives and Families" by Andrea Heinz

Previous episodes mentioned:

• Episode 71: Sex Work or Slavery? Myths vs. Facts of Modern Prostitution with Michelle Kelly

Resources mentioned:

• The Centre to End All Sexual Exploitation
• The Protection of Communities and Exploited Persons Act
• The Canadian Alliance for Sex Work Law Reform

00:00 Start

[00:00:15] The typical sex buyer.

[00:04:21] Men's misconceptions about sex work.

[00:07:30] Sex trade offender program.

[00:13:08] Harms of the prostitution system.

[00:18:20] Younger men's violent behavior.

[00:19:18] Drug habits and dating struggles.

[00:25:49] The Nordic model style law.

[00:28:40] Challenging Sex Work Laws.

[00:32:12] The harm of prostitution.

[00:35:06] Trauma and self-damaging experiences.

[00:39:09] Identity and self-esteem after trauma.

[00:42:37] Insights on therapy for sex workers.

[00:46:03] Somatic therapy and emotional healing.

[00:50:07] Morality and the law.

[00:54:29] Therapy in the sex industry.

[00:57:22] Challenging patient expectations.

[01:02:26] Interventions in the commercial sex industry.

[01:05:42] Toxicity of the commercial sex industry.

[01:10:31] Women's journey in the sex industry.

[01:12:10] Entry phase and judgment dynamics.

[01:16:28] FRIES acronym and sexual consent.

[01:19:10] Prostitution as bribery.

[01:22:38] Sitting in difficult emotions.

[01:27:14] Media Content and Social Change.

To support this show, please leave a rating & review on Apple, Spotify, or wherever you get your podcasts. Subscribe, like, comment & share via my YouTube channel. Or recommend this to a friend!

Learn more about Do No Harm.

Take $200 off your EightSleep Pod Pro Cover with code SOMETHERAPIST at EightSleep.com.

Take 20% off all superfood beverages with code SOMETHERAPIST at Organifi.

Check out my shop for book recommendations + wellness products.

Show notes & transcript provided with the help of SwellAI.

Special thanks to Joey Pecoraro for our theme song, “Half Awake,” used with gratitude and permission.

Watch NO WAY BACK: The Reality of Gender-Affirming Care (our medical ethics documentary, formerly known as Affirmation Generation). Stream the film or purchase a DVD. Use code SOMETHERAPIST to take 20% off your order. Follow us on X @2022affirmation or Instagram at @affirmationgeneration.

Have a question for me? Looking to go deeper and discuss these ideas with other listeners? Join my Locals community! Members get to ask questions I will respond to in exclusive, members-only livestreams, post questions for upcoming guests to answer, plus other perks TBD.

Today I’m joined by Peter Boghossian to discuss the art of facilitating constructive dialogue in a polarized world. Peter explains Street Epistemology as a way to have civil conversations and help people calibrate their beliefs to the evidence and reasons they hold. He shares his experiences teaching in prisons and how it shaped his understanding of applied epistemology.

Our conversation delves into the Socratic method, which is the foundation of street epistemology. Peter describes the five stages of the Socratic method and how it can be used to ask questions and test hypotheses. He emphasizes the importance of calibrated questions and the role of evidence in belief formation.

Peter also discusses the challenges of having conversations about emotionally laden topics and dealing with ideological entrenchment. We discuss the concept of preference falsification and how it can hinder productive dialogue. The importance of perspective taking and asking open-ended questions is highlighted as a way to facilitate understanding and challenge deeply held beliefs.

We also touch on the application of hostage negotiation techniques in difficult conversations, including those between parents and their children with ROGD (rapid onset gender dysphoria). Peter emphasizes the need for a consistent and principled stance, while also recognizing the importance of setting boundaries and removing toxic individuals from one's life. He shares his motivation for engaging in these conversations, which is rooted in the pursuit of truth and a genuine curiosity about why people believe what they do.

Peter Boghossian is a Founding Faculty member at the University of Austin and the Executive Director of National Progress Alliance. Peter has a teaching pedigree spanning more than 25 years that focuses on the Socratic method, scientific skepticism, and critical thinking. Peter’s dissertation explored increasing the moral reasoning of prison inmates and aiding their resistance to crime. His most recent book is How to Have Impossible Conversations, and his writing can be found in The New York Times, The Wall Street Journal, Scientific American, Time Magazine, National Review, and elsewhere. His work is centered on bringing the tools of professional philosophers to a wide variety of contexts to help people think through what seem to be intractable problems.

​Find Peter online https://linktr.ee/peterboghossian

Books mentioned in this episode:

• Feminism Against Progress by Mary Harrington
• How to Have Impossible Conversations by Peter Boghossian and James Lindsay
• The Gift of Violence by Matt Thornton, Peter Boghossian, et al
• Never Split the Difference by Chris Voss

All books mentioned on this podcast can be found at sometherapist.com/bookshop or by following the embedded Amazon affiliate links. Purchases help support the show. Thank you!

00:00 Start

[00:00:10] What do people mean when they say diversity, equity, and inclusion? 

[00:03:58] The Socratic method stages. 

[00:09:21] Acting accordingly. 

[00:14:20] Calibrated questions in hostage negotiations. 

[00:19:17] Preference falsification in beliefs. 

[00:22:30] Facilitating different moral perspectives. 

[00:26:21] Hostage negotiation strategies. 

[00:29:36] Lost friendships over ideological differences. 

[00:33:25] Nasty comments on social media. 

[00:35:10] Friendship and Red Lines. 

[00:39:54] Hostage situations and parental instinct. 

[00:43:41] The rise of homeschooling. 

[00:47:46] Illusion of consensus and vulnerability. 

[00:49:56] The difficulty of systemic problems. 

[00:55:11] Lost art of listening. 

[00:57:49] Making life-altering decisions. 

[01:01:26] Educating parents of trans identified youth. 

[01:03:22] Prediabetes and health concerns. 

[01:07:28] Evidence-based beliefs

To support this show, please leave a rating & review on Apple, Spotify, or wherever you get your podcasts. Subscribe, like, comment & share via my YouTube channel. Or recommend this to a friend!

Learn more about Do No Harm.

Take $200 off your EightSleep Pod Pro Cover with code SOMETHERAPIST at EightSleep.com.

Take 20% off all superfood beverages with code SOMETHERAPIST at Organifi.

Check out my shop for book recommendations + wellness products.

Show notes & transcript provided with the help of SwellAI.

Special thanks to Joey Pecoraro for our theme song, “Half Awake,” used with gratitude and permission.

Watch NO WAY BACK: The Reality of Gender-Affirming Care (our medical ethics documentary, formerly known as Affirmation Generation). Stream the film or purchase a DVD. Use code SOMETHERAPIST to take 20% off your order. Follow us on X @2022affirmation or Instagram at @affirmationgeneration.

Have a question for me? Looking to go deeper and discuss these ideas with other listeners? Join my Locals community! Members get to ask questions I will respond to in exclusive, members-only livestreams, post questions for upcoming guests to answer, plus other perks TBD.