Trandescendant
Father/daughter duo, Joe and Rya, discuss LGBTQ family issues and how to preserve positive relationships
Episodes
101 episodes
How Playing a Made-up Role Can Help You Live Your Most Authentic Life
Joe and Rya take a deep-dive into the ways LGBTQ people can learn to accept themselves through play. They discuss Rya's childhood love for Dungeons & Dragons, a game which is celebrating its 50th anniversary in 2024. They explore how role-p...
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Season 3
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Episode 4
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29:52
The Remarkable Power of Therapy in Family Dynamics
Is mental health therapy really worth the investment, especially when navigating complex LGBTQ experiences? In this episode, Joe and Rya consider common skepticism about therapy's value, addressing concerns over cost and effectiveness. Through ...
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Season 3
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Episode 3
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32:53
How Our Biggest Political Enemy is Hiding in Plain Sight
What happens when our opponents' political rhetoric spirals out of control? Joe and Rya explore how the intense divisiveness in politics feeds the growing conflict surrounding LGBTQ+ issues. The way we frame our own stories can mask the true va...
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Season 3
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Episode 2
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30:34
Be Not Afraid: A Priest's Coming-Out Story
Father Greg Greiten knew from an early age that he had a secret. In this episode, he shares the deep mental anguish he experienced trying to keep his identity hidden, including moments when he considered ending it all. In this episode, Father G...
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Season 3
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Episode 1
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34:06
"I'm Worried My Son Is Gay. How Do I Cope?"
A listener shares how she has been grappling with fear that her son might be gay. Joe and Rya offer thoughts on how to maintain a strong relationship without compromising her beliefs. The discussion centers on how to reconcile personal values w...
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Season 2
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Episode 52
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30:56
When it Becomes Wrong to Fight Injustice
In this episode, Joe and Rya discuss the complexities of fighting injustice, exploring when standing up for what’s right can go too far. They examine how political divisiveness and social media can lead to the dehumanization of others, even in ...
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Season 2
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Episode 51
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28:50
Understanding Asexuality, with Will Church
In this episode, Will shares his experiences of being asexual and aromantic, providing insights into his journey and what it means to navigate the world with these identities. The conversation delves into his worries about coming out at w...
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Season 2
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Episode 50
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28:36
The Difference Between Gender Identity and Sexual Orientation
Did you know that there is dramatic segmentation between different parts of the LGBTQ+ community? We often group people together when we don't understand them. But no one is a stereotype. Each person is an individual, and each is on a continuum...
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Season 2
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Episode 49
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30:48
How She and Her Wife found Acceptance in the Catholic Church
In this moving interview with Monica Skarban, she shares how her Catholic Church embraced her with full acceptance after the death of her wife. She discusses the rejection she experienced in some churches and the joy of discovering a parish tha...
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Season 2
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Episode 48
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31:35
The Roots of Homophobia
This episode delves into the origins and complexities of prejudice against LGBTQ+ individuals, specifically focusing on attitudes towards homosexuality. Homophobia extends beyond mere dislike or fear; it encompasses deep-seated societal norms, ...
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Season 2
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Episode 47
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38:25
Common Lies that Homophobes Like to Tell
Have you ever tried to convince someone they are believing a lie? If you say something enough times with no proof at all, people start to believe it. A lot of what homophobes have been saying for decades just isn't true. But you can't convince ...
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Season 2
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Episode 46
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29:00
How Two Transgender Muslim Women Fell In Love When They Least Expected It
Every love story is different. Ameera and Julia didn't plan to have a relationship. It just happened, and suddenly they realized they were together. Despite objections from conservative Muslims peers, they affirmed their gender, retained their ...
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Season 2
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Episode 45
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29:23
Exposing Rya's Deepest Insecurities
Rya had an emotional session with her therapist this afternoon. In this episode, Joe and Rya discuss what happened and why she felt so vulnerable. Joe asks about the value of seeing a therapist. We all know mental health is important, and we ne...
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Season 2
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Episode 44
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32:47
Allyship part 2: Ten More Ideas to Level Up as an Ally
As we near the end of Pride month, we want to keep looking for ways to strengthen our commitment to our LGBTQ loved ones. This episode gives a checklist for maximizing the good and minimizing the harmful in our relationships. Let's show those w...
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Season 2
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Episode 43
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26:36
Allyship part 1: Eight Simple Ways to Become a More Confident Ally
Being an ally means more than just being accepting our gay, lesbian, bisexual, transgender, queer, or other sexual- or gender-non-conforming loved one. We want to become fully affirming. How do we learn to stand proud of our LGBTQ+ friends and ...
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Season 2
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Episode 42
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26:09
The Shocking Feedback She Got After Rya's Transition: The Mom's Story
You've heard from the Dad. You've heard from the Daughter. But you've never heard from the Mom... until now. In this episode, she shares her earliest struggles to accept the news that her adult child came out as transgender. At first the shock ...
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Season 2
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Episode 41
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24:23
When the Spokesman for the Ex-Gay Movement Finally Stopped Lying to Himself: an Interview with John Paulk
For over a decade, John Paulk was the most visible spokesperson for conversion therapy. He gave his testimony on Oprah, 60 Minutes, and everywhere he could about how God had changed him from gay to straight. But inside, it was just fake-it-till...
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Season 2
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Episode 40
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35:12
Do You Know How to Call Out These 12 Myths About LGBTQ+ People?
We need to tell people that myths are just that. When we do not challenge ideas that have already been debunked, we allow falsehoods to perpetuate . Don't buy into the misinformation. This episode gives a taste of some of the misleading views a...
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Season 2
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Episode 39
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28:48
Coming Out Slowly: the Positives, Negatives, and Surprises
Maggie Williams joins us for a one-year update about her transition. A year ago, we explored the similarities and differences with Rya's transition. But this past year has brought some important milestones on her journey. You won't want to miss...
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Season 2
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Episode 38
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31:03
Elliott Green: From Homecoming Queen to Euphoric Trans Man
When we hear transgender stories, we often encounter tragic elements and tales of difficult experiences. We frequently learn how gender dysphoria drives trans people to give up everything. But what about uplifting trans experiences? What happen...
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Season 2
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Episode 37
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26:34
I Quit Drinking Alcohol When I Was 36 – Here’s How It Changed Me
Joe has mentioned on this podcast in the past how he had a drinking problem. We wanted to explore the ways alcohol affected his life, and what brought him to the decision never to have another drink. Whether you have a healthy relationship with...
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Season 2
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Episode 36
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29:08
How to Fight Confirmation Bias
We like to think we know what we're talking about. But the people who disagree with us think they are just as correct we think we are. How do we know who is right? When it comes to preserving relationships, sometimes it is more important to acc...
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Season 2
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Episode 35
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29:37
Queer is Not Queer
Everyone is different. Everyone is a minority, and minorities are good. Let's end the stigma against LGBTQ people being weird or odd. Committed allies understand that the majority is comprised of a combination of minorities. We are all queer in...
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Season 2
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Episode 34
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30:21
Important Changes for TranDescendant Podcast
A year ago, we shared an update about the podcast and where things were headed. Now, one year later, the TranDescendant community has grown exponentially. Joe and Rya paint their vision for where the podcast is headed for the coming year. Plus,...
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Season 2
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Episode 33
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24:04