This mini-episode contains: One VERY excited little girl awaiting Santa, news of the big changes coming to our lives, my plans for the future of this podcast, and... a miracle! 

Music credits:

Dee Yan-Key,  "Santa on Tour" (licensed under CC BY-NC-SA 4.0)

Borrtex, "Buying Presents" (licensed under CC BY-NC 4.0)

How can the best of times also be the worst of times? This spring nearly washed me away... but not quite. 

M. tries her hand at TV journalism.

Music credit: David Mumford, “Singing in the Rain (Instrumental)" (licensed under CC BY 4.0)

 

I thought I was pretty brave until I met my counterpart from a red state.

Music credits: "Telling Me So" and "Spring" (instrumental) by St. Paul de Vence  

This tiny episode is mostly silly, and a little bit serious.  I also have some news.  Plus, cat videos. 

(KUOW is hosting a How to Be a Girl listening party in Seattle on February 26! Reserve a seat at http://kuow.org/post/join-us-how-be-girl-listening-party)

MUSIC CREDITS:

"Quirky Dog" by Kevin MacLeod (www.incompetech.com)

"Mama" (instrumental) by St. Paul de Vence (Thank you, Benjamin Doerr!!) 

I'm not transgender, but my daughter is. That means she needs someone to model the future who isn't me:  A transgender big sister. 

Music credits: 

“Dormir Rien de plus” by Monplaisir (public domain) 

In 2013, Obama opened a window for transgender people when he made it easier to change the gender on your Social Security record. But with Trump coming into office, it looks like that window is about to close.  I hadn't been in much of a rush to change my 9-year-old transgender daughter's Social Security record, but I sure am now. 

MUSIC CREDITS:

“Dubakupado” by www.incompetech.com

“Homeless California” by Monplaisir (public domain) 

“King Thumbscrew The Third” by Doctor Turtle (CC-BY-NC 4.0) 

It’s still five years off, but I think about it all the time.  What’s it going to be like when my transgender daughter becomes a teenager?

Music credits:

Andy G Cohen, "Land_Legs" (licensed under CC BY 4.0)

David Mumford, "Twinkle Twinkle Instrumental" (licensed under CC BY 4.0)

Loch Lomond, "Elephants and Little Girls" (licensed under CC BY 4.0)

Kevin Macleod, “J.S. Bach, Prelude in C” (licensed under CC BY 3.0)

She hasn't got a womb or ovaries but she wants to be a mommy.  How do I tell my young daughter that she won't ever be a biological mother? 

Music credits: 

"Child Come Home" by Michael Howard (Licensed under CC BY-NC 3.0)

"Flagger" by Blue Dot Sessions (Licensed under CC BY-NC 4.0)

“That Old Harpoon” by Gillicuddy (Licensed under CC BY-NC 4.0)

My 8-year-old transgender daughter is not giving up.  She's eating popcorn and singing and telling jokes and she has some advice for you. 

When I first realized I had a transgender child, Lauren reached out and told me it was going to be OK. Ever since, she's been the one I lean on when I'm terrified. She's the bravest woman I know. 

My friend, "Lauren," in 1979. 

Music credits: 

“George Street Shuffle” and “In Your Arms” by Kevin MacLeod (incompetech.com) 

“Evenhanded” by Podington Bear

“From here to Iceland" by Loch Lomond

“I Enjoy Being a Girl,” performed by Christine Jorgensen

"Mars Landscape: Moon Set” by Julie Maxwell (Source:  Free Music Archive, CC License)

Thank you to my new supporters on Patreon.com: Brady Houck, Shaleece Haas, Rona So, Jennifer Zuber, Emily Hoff, Andrew Weisner, and Damiana Day.