How to Be a Girl

My daughter and I are stunned and sad, but we are doing OK.

Here is something for you. Some words from me, with some music from my amazing daughter.

Music credit: Improvisation on electric guitar, by M. Mack

What happens when supporting your child means leaving your home?

Meet my courageous friends from Montana, who are building a new life in a new state after anti-trans legislation targeted their young daughter.

This is the second part in a two-part story. Listen to Part One here.

Music credits:

Game Hens by Blue Dot Sessions

Chorus and Call, Detroit by Podington Bear

Imagine living in a place where your own child has been outlawed. This is happening, right now, all over the United States.

In this episode, you’ll meet my new friends, a courageous and close-knit family who suddenly found themselves unwelcome in the place they had always called home.

Music credits:

Night Light, Dowdy, Quarry Clouds, & November Mist, by Blue Dot Sessions

Pacific Tree Frogs by Podington Bear

It's been over two years. I wanted to let you know how we are doing.

Thank you for your patience.

(Spoiler: My daughter is still amazing.)

MUSIC CREDITS:

Tides (instrumental) by Benjamin Mullins (Courtesy of Audiosocket)

Lost in the Dark (instrumental) by Forest Sun (Courtesy of Audiosocket)

For years, people have asked me what I would do when my daughter hit puberty. Was I going to let her do... “the medical stuff?"

Well, right after the pandemic struck, so did puberty. And this is what my daughter (and her mother) decided to do.

If you're interested in learning more about our story, you can check out my memoir:

Audible Originals version

Book version

Find us on Twitter: @girlpodcast

Support HTBAG on Patreon

MUSIC CREDITS:

“Starlight” and “Little Dream” by Podington Bear

“Hand of God” (instrumental) by Benjamin Mullins (Courtesy of Audiosocket)

“Lonely Life” (instrumental) by Michelle Lewis (Courtesy of Audiosocket)

“Climbing Clouds” (instrumental) by Jetty Rae (Courtesy of Audiosocket)

This episode is different from any of our previous episodes. It’s also a do-over, because the first version of this episode overlooked the fact that my daughter is growing up, fast. She’s almost a teenager, and we both agree that it’s time she took charge. So that’s what she did. (Here’s a little more about how this episode came to be.)

Listen to the book! How to Be a Girl on Audible Originals

Find us on Twitter: @girlpodcast

Support HTBAG on Patreon

MUSIC CREDITS:

“Edge of the World” (Instrumental) by Dot Dot Dot (Courtesy of Audiosocket)

Filesharer's Lament by Podington Bear

A long-overdue update on the life of my beautiful transgender daughter. She's almost a teenager. She's in middle school. She's still magical. (And middle school girls can still be super mean.)

Edited by the incomparable Whitney Henry-Lester.

Music credits:

“La Meduse Raconte” and “La Meduse Chante” by Wolfram Gruss, licensed by Audiosocket

“Edge of the World” (Instrumental) by Dot Dot Dot, licensed by Audiosocket

“Renaissance Garden” by Rosalind Richards , licensed by Audiosocket

“Synth Roboballad” by Zircon, licensed by Audiosocket

“In My Head” by Podington Bear

I want you to meet my good friend, Emma. When she was a little girl, she was just like my daughter. But no one knew her for 60 years. I'm so glad she's here now.

(Note: I recorded this interview early this year, when my daughter was still in elementary school. She just started middle school. Please stay tuned for an episode soon(ish) about that!)

MUSIC CREDITS:

“Dust in Sunlight,” “Frosted Glass,” “Boardwalk,” and “Clair_De Lune Solo Piano” by Podington Bear

"The Wah-Watusi" by The Orlons

“In the Garden (instrumental)” by Jetty Rae (Courtesy of Audiosocket)

“Like a Movie” by Nicole Reynolds (Courtesy of Audiosocket)

I sit down for a talk with my (almost) 11-year-old: Cliques, gossip, fashion, puberty, and how it feels to be a transgender tween.

MUSIC CREDIT: “Little Girl” by Jetty Rae (Courtesy of Audiosocket)

A new friend at school. A poker lesson. A 10-year-old hatches a plan.

MUSIC CREDITS:

“Ganef” by Vagabond Opera and “Moonlight Love Affair” by Steve Rice (Courtesy of Audiosocket)

“Chill Wave” by Kevin MacLeod

“The Reckoning” by Podington Bear

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