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...

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...

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,...

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...

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,...

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...

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....

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...

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...

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...

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...

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...

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...

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...

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...

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...

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...

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...

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...

“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...

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...

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...

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...

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...