Today we hear how affirmed woman Dr. Diana Sorrentino works to ensure safe and fair affirmation for all adolescents today. Dr. Diana is a psychologist, author, and educator for gender diversity. Her latest book Adolescent Gender-Affirming Medical and Behavioral Healthcare published last week, so pick up your copy with the link below. Diana and I consider topics as far afield as how you know your gender, why the tide of anti-Queer discrimination is turning, and why a little bit of fashion is appropriate in a podcast about science.

REFERENCES:
Dr. Diana Sorrentino’s Website: https://paradoxesofgender.com/

Follow Diana on LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/dr-diana-sorrentino-ph-d-1b64781a4/

Buy Diana's recent book: https://a.co/d/0gJ8zj7H

• (00:00) - Opening credits
• (00:37) - Show opening
• (01:03) - Introducing Dr. Diana Sorrentino
• (01:53) - A search for self-understanding
• (05:33) - Gender identity happens in utero
• (15:17) - Socialization and how you know
• (27:14) - Importance of adolescent gender-affirming care
• (35:47) - Why discontinuing puberty blockers is a success
• (39:56) - The tide is turning because of education
• (45:12) - Transgender women in sports
• (55:40) - How to find Dr. Diana Sorrentino on the internet
• (58:36) - Show closing
• (59:58) - Closing credits

Today's episode features Spencer West's journey through disability to self-discovery. Spencer is a content creator, motivational speaker, advocate, and author. His newest book Breaking Free: Stop Following Expectations and Start Following Yourself teaches how to listen to your inner voice and stop accepting other people's expectations. Spencer and I muse over topics as far afield as personal agency, interdependence, and marveling at method actors.

REFERENCES:
Spencer West’s Website: https://www.spencer2thewest.com/

Follow Spencer on Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/spencer2thewest/?hl=en

Follow Spencer on YouTube: http://www.youtube.com/Spencer2thewest

Follow Spencer on Facebook: http://facebook.com/Spencer2thewest

Follow Spencer on TikTok: http://www.tiktok.com/@spencer2thewest

• (00:00) - Opening credits
• (00:37) - Show opening
• (01:32) - Introducing Spencer West
• (02:22) - Unbecoming what doesn't belong to us
• (08:04) - Becoming who you are requires knowledge to choose
• (12:50) - Finding his joy led to other people's empowerment
• (19:22) - Noticing comfort and discomfort
• (26:25) - You already know what you want
• (31:05) - Take the parts that work; leave the parts that don't fit
• (35:07) - Putting purpose to your passion
• (40:07) - Sometimes it has to get worse
• (45:24) - Boundaries as staying true to our purpose
• (49:56) - You are allowed to say NO
• (58:34) - How to find Spencer West on the internet
• (59:16) - Show closing
• (01:00:36) - Closing credits

Today's episode features the indefatigable Kobey Layne hearing the call and becoming what she must. Kobey is a Democratic-Farmer-Labor candidate for Governor of Minnesota. She and I muse over topics as wide as owning our past, youth in American politics, and why you should vote for someone who cares about you.

REFERENCES:
Kobey Layne’s Website: https://www.kobey4governor.com/

Follow Kobey on Bluesky: https://bsky.app/profile/kobey4governor.bsky.social

Follow Kobey on Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/kobey4governor

Follow Kobey on Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/groups/1194661289324772

Follow Kobey on YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/@Kobey4Governor

Follow Kobey on TikTok: https://www.tiktok.com/@kobey4governor

• (00:00) - Opening credits
• (00:37) - Show opening
• (01:28) - Introducing Kobey Layne
• (02:32) - Connecting life with policy
• (08:38) - Reclaiming our shame as lessons learned
• (19:21) - Who is the Democratic-Farmer-Labor party?
• (22:18) - Does being young disqualify a candidate?
• (29:49) - The DFL State Convention
• (35:12) - Does being young make you a better candidate?
• (43:37) - Holding politicians accountable
• (48:44) - Holding business accountable
• (53:42) - Representation requires someone who cares
• (58:35) - How to find Kobey on the internet
• (01:02:32) - Show closing
• (01:03:05) - Closing credits

In this episode, we hear Shannon Donohoe-Simpson's story of healing and renewal. Shannon is a Joybringer, Spaceholder, speaker, and storyteller who survived breast cancer and turned her journey into a TEDx Talk. We talk about radical ownership, the magical connections we make with others, and making sure not to deprive the world of the opportunity to support you.

REFERENCES:
Shannon Donohoe-Simpson’s Website: https://shannondonohoesimpson.com/

Shannon’s story on The Collective Magazines: https://thecollectivemags.ca/healing-through-art/

Follow Shannon on Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/shannon.donohoesimpson

Follow Shannon on Linkedin: https://www.linkedin.com/in/shannon-donohoe-simpson/

Follow Shannon on YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/@shannondonohoesimpson/videos

Follow Shannon on Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/shannondonohoesimpson/

• (00:00) - Opening credits
• (00:37) - Show opening
• (01:29) - Introducing Shannon Donohoe-Simpson
• (02:39) - Keeping something that wasn't hers to hold
• (08:43) - Giving emotions the opportunity to move
• (11:52) - Breaking the cycle by finding the mirror
• (18:46) - Only you can do the work to move past trauma
• (24:36) - Finding tools to manage the hard times
• (31:35) - Move through the discomfort
• (36:00) - What if we could slow down and be?
• (38:39) - What if we could be brave enough to be vulnerable?
• (47:29) - Don't take away an opportunity to connect
• (52:11) - The magic of allowing connection
• (55:49) - How to find Shannon Donohoe-Simpson on the internet
• (58:42) - Show closing
• (01:00:05) - Closing credits

Today we hear Lilliana Kendra Young's pursuit of justice for all in Indiana State government. Lilliana is a candidate for District 61 of the Indiana State House of Representatives and Founder of The Sisterhood, a support organization in Bloomington, Indiana. She and I peruse topics as off the beaten track as:

☑️How some politicians are clearly slacking off
☑️Why money makes most politicians unaware of the real problems our country faces
☑️Whether transgender women are contractually obligated to play Magic: The Gathering

REFERENCES:
Lilliana Young’s Website: https://youngfor61.com/

Follow Lilliana on Bluesky: https://bsky.app/profile/lillianayoung.bsky.social

Follow Lilliana on YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/@LillianaKendraYoung

Follow Lilliana on Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/people/Lilliana-Young-for-IN-61/61582462953972/

Follow Lilliana on Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/lillianakendra

• (00:00) - Opening credits
• (00:37) - Show opening
• (01:31) - Introducing Lilliana Kendra Young
• (02:49) - Realizing her Queer identity
• (08:35) - Finding the activist within
• (12:37) - Committing to how government should be run
• (19:16) - The anger effective government needs
• (25:15) - An oligarchy by any other name
• (32:46) - The story of Lilliana's name
• (36:24) - The story of Lilliana's logo
• (39:55) - What makes being awake worthwhile
• (43:38) - Becoming an artist who feels
• (48:28) - Develop your skills and forget about talent!
• (53:12) - How to find Lilliana Kendra Young on the internet
• (54:46) - Show closing
• (57:37) - Closing credits

In this episode, Terraine LeBeau breaks down how trauma begins, how it manifests, and how it can end. Terraine is a Certified Relationship Mentor, mental health advocate, and host of the “Behind the Shades” podcast. We talk about topics as diverse as dreams we never carried, learning to live for your mental health, and how Julie Brown predicted 1980s trauma accurately.

REFERENCES:
Terraine LeBeau’s Website: https://www.behindtheshades.ca/

Follow Terraine on Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/behindtheshadesfb

Follow on LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/terraine-lebeau/

• (00:00) - Opening credits
• (00:37) - Show opening
• (01:31) - Introducing Terraine LeBeau
• (02:38) - Giving voice to trauma
• (06:15) - ACEs, PACEs, and perception
• (11:58) - Perception of the traumatic experience
• (19:32) - It's right until it feels wrong
• (25:56) - The dream was never yours
• (38:13) - Seeing through the eyes of your tramua
• (43:49) - Helping means not judging the person
• (50:01) - Spot the signs of change
• (56:12) - Set both positive and negative goals
• (01:02:55) - Toxic productivity
• (01:10:16) - Finding the value inside
• (01:15:19) - How to find Terraine LeBeau on the internet
• (01:16:44) - Show closing
• (01:18:34) - Closing credits

Today's episode features Serena Saint Sinclair's story of deconstructing religion to build a new magical practice. Serena is a Chaos witch, Persephone devotee, and hostess of "The Pomegranate Path" project. Serena and I mull over topics as fascinating as the Problem of Evil, Western health care, and why every kid deserves to have pomegranates peeled for them.

REFERENCES:
Serena Saint-Sinclair’s Linktree: https://linktr.ee/serenasaintsinclair

Follow Serena on Patreon: https://www.patreon.com/cw/serenasaintsinclair

Follow Serena on Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/serenasaintsinclair

Follow Serena on YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/@SerenaSaintSinclair

• (00:00) - Opening credits
• (00:37) - Show opening
• (01:27) - Introducing Serena Saint Sinclair
• (03:04) - Finding intrinsic meaning in life
• (05:48) - Evil in God's Image
• (10:32) - Finding Chaos Magic and Persephone
• (20:40) - Holding multiple truths at once
• (24:47) - Co-creating with the Universe
• (30:51) - Hating on the US health care system
• (38:58) - Life force and balance
• (45:38) - Duality, pomegranates, and Persephone
• (52:07) - How to find Serena Saint Sinclair on the internet
• (55:41) - Show closing
• (58:27) - Closing credits

This week, we hear Gloria Battini's story of overcoming real life to reclaim her spiritual gifts. Gloria is a transformational guide, spiritual teacher, and empathic visionary whose work empowers humanity to reach its highest potential. Gloria and I discuss fascinating topics, such as how social healing really happens, listening to your soul's messages, and Ami's stunning ability to recognize Greek letters.

REFERENCES:
Gloria Battini’s Website: https://www.gloriabattini.com/

Follow Gloria on YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/@gloriabattini

• (00:00) - Opening credits
• (00:37) - Show opening
• (01:27) - Introducing Gloria Battini
• (02:20) - From paralyzing OCD to seeing clearly
• (08:33) - Matching outside to inside
• (15:03) - Beating OCD with a great life
• (16:36) - Not really able to read Greek
• (18:23) - Healing from the bottom up
• (21:54) - The layers of conditioning
• (27:32) - Build a stronger foundation
• (32:43) - Healing yourself is enough
• (36:16) - Follow what makes you curious
• (39:52) - See your child for who they are
• (41:45) - The soul is chatty!
• (45:26) - The beginning of a new cycle
• (52:10) - How to find Gloria Battini on the internet
• (55:15) - Show closing
• (56:54) - Closing credits