This is a free preview of a paid episode. To hear more, visit www.widerlenspod.com Honesty and authenticity are critical when discussing identity issues. Rather than avoiding uncomfortable truths or pandering to claims that may oversimplify complex realities, fostering honest discussions can help adolescents build resilience and navigate complexities with greater confidence. Parents, educators, and professionals must strike a balance between compassion and clarity, empowering young people to...

Stella & Sasha welcome author, psychiatrist, and psychotherapist Dr. Az Hakeem to the show, sharing his experience and insights from his extensive career spanning over two decades in the field of gender dysphoria. He reflects how he initially recognized the growing confusion around the issue and noted that the real "madness" was not in the individuals struggling with gender identity, but in society's response to them. In this episode, not only does he revisit his poignant and popular...

This is a free preview of a paid episode. To hear more, visit www.widerlenspod.com Dysphoria is not a one-size-fits-all experience but rather a complex phenomenon that varies significantly from person to person. Factors like personal history, family dynamics, societal expectations, and even localized community attitudes all influence how dysphoria is felt and interpreted. While some people may experience dysphoria as an intense discomfort with their physical body, others may feel it more as...

Sasha and Stella welcome Aaron Kimberly back to the show, nearly a year after her first appearance on the podcast. Aaron has undergone a remarkable transformation, returning to her female identity and embracing a new understanding and acceptance of herself. This episode delves into Aaron’s complex journey of self-discovery, shaped by her unique experiences with a rare ovotesticular disorder of sex development (DSD), her longstanding identity as a butch lesbian, and the medical, professional,...

This is a free preview of a paid episode. To hear more, visit www.widerlenspod.com Encouraging workplace policies that support anti-discrimination without imposing specific beliefs allows employees from all backgrounds—whether critical social justice advocates, feminists, conservatives, minorities, LGBTQ individuals, or those who are religious or agnostic—to align with an organization’s commitment to fairness and inclusivity. This approach empowers individuals to clarify their own...

Sasha and Stella welcome writers Carrie Clark and Helen Pluckrose to the show for thoughtful and provocative dialogue, critically examining the intersections of identity, sex-based rights, mental health, and societal influences. Drawing from both personal experiences and professional insights, they explore complex and sensitive ideas around self-expression, feminism, and gender, encouraging a nuanced and reflective perspective. The conversation also delves into the controversy following...

This is a free preview of a paid episode. To hear more, visit www.widerlenspod.com Incorporating regular strength training can be profoundly beneficial, especially for women. Beyond the physical gains, such as improved bone density, hormonal balance, and overall health, strength training cultivates a unique sense of mental resilience and personal empowerment. Unlike purely aerobic exercise, lifting weights offers stability, balance, and structural protection that can prevent injury and...

Sasha & Stella welcome April Hutchinson — former team Canada powerlifter, North American deadlift record holder, fairness for women in sports advocate and grateful recovering alcoholic — to discuss her incredible journey from battling alcohol addiction to becoming a world-class powerlifter. During COVID, she turned to powerlifting as part of her recovery, and within a short period, she achieved record-breaking lifts, catapulting her to elite status in the sport holding national records,...

In this episode, Sasha and Stella reflect on the Bigger Picture Conference in Lisbon, discussing notable takeaways from various speakers. A key theme explored is how the gender debate has expanded into a multidisciplinary conversation, no longer just confined to therapists or concerned parents but drawing in academics, sociologists, and political thinkers worldwide. Their discussion covers a range of topics, including institutional capture, mass formation theory, societal movements, the roles...

This is a free preview of a paid episode. To hear more, visit www.widerlenspod.com The idea of doubling down despite evidence to the contrary being so prevalent, not only in individuals but in institutions as well, is a defense mechanism, rooted in fear. The fear is often tied to high stakes, like personal identity, reputation, physical/mental health, or even financial performance and career stakes. There is a self-deception and rigidity in beliefs to protect oneself from the fear. There is...

This conversation connects cognitive dissonance surrounding gender identity to cultural and institutional dynamics, including developments in gender medicine and resistance to emerging evidence that challenges prevailing medical practices — illustrating how deeply held beliefs become difficult to abandon even in the face of contradictory evidence.  The core idea is that just because something cannot be proven false doesn’t mean we should accept it as true. Stella and Sasha imply that trying...

Sasha and Stella speak live from the Genspect Conference in Lisbon, Portugal, with special guest Billboard Chris, a Canadian activist dedicated to challenging gender ideology through public engagement and thought-provoking messages.  In this conversation, Chris explores the psychological and cultural forces influencing social changes around gender, sharing his motivations for activism and the journey that led him to raise awareness about the implications of puberty blockers for children. He...

This is a free preview of a paid episode. To hear more, visit www.widerlenspod.com As debates surrounding gender medicine continue to evolve, the contrasting views within society become more evident. The polarization surrounding this issue, particularly in the U.S., often pits conservative religious beliefs against progressive advocacy for LGBTQ+ rights. This dichotomy raises critical questions about the ethics of affirming identity claims, particularly in relation to minors seeking medical...

In this episode, Stella & Sasha sit down with Vanessa Sivadge, a former pediatric nurse at Texas Children's Hospital, who courageously exposed the illegal use of federally funded insurance programs to cover sex hormones and transgender treatments for minors. Initially coming forward anonymously as a whistleblower, Vanessa believed her concerns would incite meaningful change, only to face repercussions from the government. After disclosing the hospital’s concealed practices, she was met...

Sasha & Stella invite renowned feminist and author Julie Bindel to reflect on her decades-long advocacy for women and girls, in-particular her recent work investigating gender ideology. Julie shares her motivation behind her new podcast series, Julie in Genderland, which amplifies the voices of parents grappling with their children being caught in the gender identity craze. In this episode, Julie discusses her undercover work exposing gay conversion therapy, drawing parallels to what she...

This is a free preview of a paid episode. To hear more, visit www.widerlenspod.com In today’s discourse, many issues are approached with a moral absolutist perspective. Positions are often viewed as either entirely right or wrong, with little room for nuanced understanding or compromise. This binary thinking leads to more extreme reactions and a diminished tolerance for opposing viewpoints. “If you had facts and reason on your side, you could tolerate a conversation.” The tendency to frame...

Stella & Sasha welcome former public defender and education advocate, Maud Maron to the show for a fascinating conversation examining the intersection of education and politics. Maud reflects on the troubling shifts within schools, where merit and academic standards are being overshadowed by ideological pressures. In this episode, Maud discusses the evolving landscape of education, where traditional academic standards are increasingly being influenced or overshadowed by ideological...

This is a free preview of a paid episode. To hear more, visit www.widerlenspod.com Exposing children to gender identity concepts at an early age can lead them to firmly latch onto these ideas, making it challenging to reconsider their beliefs, despite the broader context of the underlying causes of their distress. Gender identity often serves as a metaphor for broader developmental processes, such as individuation, which are typical in adolescence. However, the expansive and all-encompassing...

Another special mid-week episode release! Sasha will be back for our next episode, but don’t miss this deeply moving conversation between Stella and guest, Maia Poet, who shares her powerful story of self-discovery through the lenses of gender identity, conflict, and societal expectations. Maia recounts the emotional and psychological conflict she faced living as a trans man in a religious society, and how war—especially the harrowing events of October 7th—shifted her entire perspective on...

This is a free preview of a paid episode. To hear more, visit www.widerlenspod.com Masculinity and femininity are not purely socially constructed concepts but are grounded in evolutionary origins. Key distinctions between males and females from an evolutionary psychology perspective emphasize behavioral differences, including males' propensity for risk-taking, socio-sexuality, and aggression. These traits are deeply rooted in the evolutionary pressures faced by our ancestors. Second-wave...

In this episode, Sasha and Stella welcome Alex Byrne, philosopher and author of Trouble with Gender, to explore the evolving concept of gender, its historical roots, and the myths that shape modern discourse. Byrne offers an erudite yet accessible analysis of the term "gender," reflections about how much the term has changed and the far-reaching implications of those changes, and insights on influential figures like Jack Turbin and John Money. Expect a thought-provoking conversation...

This is a free preview of a paid episode. To hear more, visit www.widerlenspod.com Some individuals experience gender dysphoria as a deep-seated issue that predates any ideological framework, profoundly affecting their self-perception, sexuality, and overall satisfaction in life. Contrary to the more superficial aspects of the popular gender-affirming model of care, it is crucial to reconcile the persistent and often distressing nature of gender dysphoria with a more holistic, self-accepting...

Tali shares her journey from an ardent activist deeply immersed in gender and identity politics to someone questioning and ultimately walking away from the dogmatic beliefs she once held. Her story is a roller coaster of conviction, self-discovery, and transformation, particularly as she navigates the complexities of having encouraged her wife towards a trans identity of her own. Listeners will gain insight into the mindset of passionate activists, the impact of societal pressures on personal...

There remains a lingering stigma surrounding AGP specifically, but there’s a complexity to the breadth of proclivities, fixations and traits compelling certain behaviors and beliefs around sexuality and gender identity. And like discussed in The Many Roots and Presentations of Gender Dysphoria in Males, what might have otherwise remained latent in some males, has perhaps only been amplified by today’s internet-driven world.  This is a special free release of one of our bonus episodes for...