What does social transition really mean for transgender children, and why does it matter? In this episode, I break down the realities of social transition—what it is, what it isn’t, and why it benefits transgender kids. With firsthand stories and research-backed insights, I address common questions and misconceptions, including how children understand their gender and whether social transition is reversible.

This episode is the first in a series designed to help healthcare providers understand the full journey of transgender patients who transitioned before puberty. Future episodes will explore medical and surgical transition, giving providers a clearer picture of the patients they will encounter in adulthood.

How does understanding social transition shape the way you support transgender patients and their families?

References & Resources:

• Olson KR, Durwood L, DeMeules M, McLaughlin KA. Mental Health of Transgender Children Who Are Supported in Their Identities. Pediatrics. 2016 Mar;137(3):e20153223. doi: 10.1542/peds.2015-3223.
• Reimagine Gender: Developmental Stages of Gender in Young Children
• Olson KR, Durwood L, Horton R, Gallagher NM, Devor A. Gender Identity 5 Years After Social Transition. Pediatrics. 2022 Aug 1;150(2):e2021056082. doi: 10.1542/peds.2021-056082.
• Durwood L, Kuvalanka KA, Kahn-Samuelson S, Jordan AE, Rubin JD, Schnelzer P, Devor AH, Olson KR. Retransitioning: The Experiences of Youth Who Socially Transition Genders More Than Once. Int J Transgend Health. 2022 Jun 29;23(4):409-427. doi: 10.1080/26895269.2022.2085224.

Enjoyed this episode? Share it on social media or send the link to a colleague or a friend who’s curious about learning more about gender. For more insights, visit engenderlove.com and join our mailing list. Don’t forget to rate or review the podcast—your support helps more people discover and learn with us.

Special thanks to Indy M W for the music. Like and follow him on Spotify, Apple, or wherever you get your music.

Are you prepared to treat transgender adults who transitioned before puberty?

Most conversations about transgender healthcare focus on those who transition after puberty—but what about those who transition earlier in life? The first generation of transgender people who transitioned in childhood are now adults, yet many medical providers have never considered how their experiences and healthcare needs might differ.

In this episode, we begin a critical conversation about this often-overlooked perspective. What does it mean for a patient to have lived their entire adolescent and adult life in alignment with their gender? How might their medical, social, and psychological experiences differ from those who transition later? And why is it so important for providers to understand these differences?

This episode kicks off a multi-part series exploring the unique aspects of transitioning in childhood—covering social, medical, and surgical considerations. If you want to be fully prepared to provide informed, inclusive care, make sure to subscribe so you don’t miss the upcoming episodes.

Enjoyed this episode? Share it on social media or send the link to a colleague or a friend who’s curious about learning more about gender. For more insights, visit engenderlove.com and join our mailing list. Don’t forget to rate or review the podcast—your support helps more people discover and learn with us.

Special thanks to Indy M W for the music. Like and follow him on Spotify, Apple, or wherever you get your music.

Learning new names and pronouns can feel daunting at first—but why is it so hard? In this encore episode, we dive into the brain’s role in learning and why it takes conscious effort to create new habits. You’ll gain a deeper understanding of the challenges involved and find encouragement to keep going, knowing it will get easier.

Along the way, I’ll share practical strategies to help you disrupt old patterns and build new ones, all while reminding you that the work is worth it—for everyone involved.

Listen now and join the journey…because pronouns matter.

Enjoyed this episode? Share it on social media or send the link to a colleague or a friend who’s curious about learning more about gender. For more insights, visit engenderlove.com and join our mailing list. Don’t forget to rate or review the podcast—your support helps more people discover and learn with us.

Special thanks to Indy M W for the music. Like and follow him on Spotify, Apple, or wherever you get your music.

Congress is doing something unprecedented—legislating healthcare coverage for TRICARE in a way it never has before. In this episode, I discuss H.R. 5009, the National Defense Authorization Act (NDAA), which includes a political amendment in Section 708 that directly affects patient care. This amendment, buried within a crucial bill funding our nation’s military defense, prohibits TRICARE from covering specific gender-affirming care for minors.

What does this mean for military families? And what are the broader implications for healthcare and patient rights when political amendments shape medical decisions? These questions weigh heavily on my mind as I explore the language of the bill, the medical concerns it raises, and the precedent it sets for future legislation.

I challenge you to step outside your comfort zone and explore a perspective you might not fully agree with. It’s okay to disagree—what matters is staying curious and open enough to listen without immediately shutting it down. Let’s commit to understanding, even if just for a moment, a different way of thinking.

Take the challenge. Share the episode. And let’s stay curious—because awareness matters.

If you want to read the bill, you can find it here. 

Enjoyed this episode? Share it on social media or send the link to a colleague or a friend who’s curious about learning more about gender. For more insights, visit engenderlove.com and join our mailing list. Don’t forget to rate or review the podcast—your support helps more people discover and learn with us.

Special thanks to Indy M W for the music. Like and follow him on Spotify, Apple, or wherever you get your music.

Start your journey toward inclusivity! This week, explore the School for Engendering Inclusivity—your resource for gender education, live office hours, and practical tools. With the holidays near, it’s the perfect time to prepare for meaningful conversations or a New Year’s resolution to be a better ally.

Plus, don’t miss our favorite episodes packed with actionable insights and a teaser for January’s unique series on pre-puberty transitions—essential knowledge for all physicians.

Learn more at engenderlove.com/courses!

Enjoyed this episode? Share it on social media or send the link to a colleague or a friend who’s curious about learning more about gender. For more insights, visit engenderlove.com and join our mailing list. Don’t forget to rate or review the podcast—your support helps more people discover and learn with us.

Special thanks to Indy M W for the music. Like and follow him on Spotify, Apple, or wherever you get your music.

I dive into the medical arguments behind United States vs. Skrmetti—what’s said, what’s left unclear, and how subjective terms like “new” and “experimental” shape perceptions. You’ll hear why banning gender-affirming care for minors contradicts established medical practices and why these treatments deserve thoughtful understanding, not sweeping legislation.

If you’ve ever wondered how words influence decisions in healthcare debates, this episode is for you.

Listen now and follow the podcast for more insights at the intersection of gender and medicine.

Enjoyed this episode? Share it on social media or send the link to a colleague or a friend who’s curious about learning more about gender. For more insights, visit engenderlove.com and join our mailing list. Don’t forget to rate or review the podcast—your support helps more people discover and learn with us.

Special thanks to Indy M W for the music. Like and follow him on Spotify, Apple, or wherever you get your music.

In this episode of Gender Matters: Insights from a Physician, we explore a challenge many face today: how to critically evaluate what we hear about gender from people we assume are “experts.” Just because someone holds a specific title or shares a personal connection to the topic doesn’t mean their perspective is comprehensive—or even accurate.

Join me as I share a fascinating story from a transgender conference that illustrates why one perspective isn’t universal, and learn how to ask the right questions to uncover where someone’s expertise truly lies. We'll also tackle the common human tendency to embrace voices that affirm our beliefs without fully understanding their background.

This episode challenges listeners to think critically and offers actionable steps for navigating expertise—without giving away too much.

Listen now to gain a better understanding of how to evaluate "experts" critically.

Enjoyed this episode? Share it on social media or send the link to a colleague or a friend who’s curious about learning more about gender. For more insights, visit engenderlove.com and join our mailing list. Don’t forget to rate or review the podcast—your support helps more people discover and learn with us.

Special thanks to Indy M W for the music. Like and follow him on Spotify, Apple, or wherever you get your music.

Representative Sarah McBride’s historic election should be a moment of progress, yet it’s met with a wave of anti-trans bathroom bills. These laws claim to protect, but who—or what—are they really protecting against?

In this episode, we unpack the myths fueling this legislation, examine the real safety statistics, and challenge you to reflect: What do you think is unsafe, and why?

Join us as we explore the truth behind the rhetoric and ask the question: Who’s really at risk?

Enjoyed this episode? Share it on social media or send the link to a colleague or a friend who’s curious about learning more about gender. For more insights, visit engenderlove.com and join our mailing list. Don’t forget to rate or review the podcast—your support helps more people discover and learn with us.

Special thanks to Indy M W for the music. Like and follow him on Spotify, Apple, or wherever you get your music.

Providing gender-inclusive care aligns with the very foundation of medicine, honoring each patient as a unique individual. In this episode, we reveal how inclusive language goes beyond serving a few—it’s an essential part of patient-centered care that elevates care for all. 

Join us to see how small changes in language can strengthen trust, foster connection, and fulfill our highest responsibilities as providers. 

Special thanks to Trudi Lebron, CEO of the Institute of Equity-Centered Coaching, for the inspiring elevator analogy that illustrates how inclusive practices benefit everyone.

Enjoyed this episode? Share it on social media or send the link to a colleague or a friend who’s curious about learning more about gender. For more insights, visit engenderlove.com and join our mailing list. Don’t forget to rate or review the podcast—your support helps more people discover and learn with us.

Special thanks to Indy M W for the music. Like and follow him on Spotify, Apple, or wherever you get your music.

In the wake of the recent presidential election, many transgender and nonbinary patients—and their families—are grappling with renewed uncertainty and concerns for their safety, respect, and access to care. As physicians, we have an opportunity to play a key role in addressing these fears and providing the support our patients need now more than ever.

In this episode, I share insights on what I’m hearing from patients and families, the common questions and concerns they bring, and why these worries matter for every healthcare provider. We’ll explore responses that help, approaches that don’t, and practical steps that strengthen reassurance in your practice, no matter your specialty.

Are you prepared to address the concerns your transgender and nonbinary patients may bring to the exam room? Listen in to explore how you can be a reliable source of support in these uncertain times.

Enjoyed this episode? Share it on social media or send the link to a colleague or a friend who’s curious about learning more about gender. For more insights, visit engenderlove.com and join our mailing list. Don’t forget to rate or review the podcast—your support helps more people discover and learn with us.

Special thanks to Indy M W for the music. Like and follow him on Spotify, Apple, or wherever you get your music.