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With the recent Supreme Court order that allows the Trump administration to enforce discriminatory policies regarding gender markers on passports, we wanted to bring you a short episode that unpacks the case, the ruling, and provides answers to some of the questions we’ve been hearing. Sara is joined In the Den today by Bill Mitchell, an attorney with Legal Voice, a gender justice organization that works in the Northwest’s courtrooms, legislatures, and communities creating and enforcing strong, equitable laws and empowering people to know their rights.

Special Guest: Bill Mitchell

William “Bill” Mitchell (he/him) joined Legal Voice in 2023, following the Dobbs decision and its aftermath.  With a hometown in Bellingham, Washington, Bill previously had a career as a Marine Corps officer and as a private practice attorney focusing on immigration, disabilities, and Veteran benefits.  He has held both elected office and adjudicative appointments.  He is a graduate of Boston College and Gonzaga University School of Law.

Links From the Show:

• Find Legal Voice here: https://legalvoice.org/ 
• Join Mama Dragons today: www.mamadragons.org 

In the Den is made possible by generous donors like you.

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Public schools aren’t a perfect fit for everyone. The traditional "one-size-fits-all" curriculum often leaves out many students whose identities and learning needs don’t fit an outdated norm–queer students, Black and Brown students, neurodivergent students. And with decreased funding for specialized programs, crowded classrooms, and legislatures banning curriculum that honors diversity and inclusion and removing anti-discrimination protections, many families find their kids struggling and don’t know what to do. We know traditional school isn't enough, but pulling kids out or committing to full-time homeschooling feels impossible. Today’s In the Den guest Chris Linder offers a solution–a unique hybrid approach to homeschooling designed to bridge the gap between traditional schooling and homeschooling, providing a hybrid approach that allows students to thrive academically and socially that centers diverse and inclusive education.

Special Guest: Chris Linder 

Chris Linder is a former educator and tech professional with a Master's degree in Instructional Technology. Chris is passionate about making education accessible and equitable for all. He co-founded The Literacy Initiative in 2013, focusing on publishing educational resources for diverse communities. Through Homeschool Remix, Chris inspires families to explore the benefits of hybrid homeschooling, ensuring that every child receives a comprehensive and engaging education.

Links from the Show: 

• Homeschool Remix: https://homeschoolremix.com
• Homeschool Remix Blog: https://homeschoolremix.com/pages/the-homeschool-remix-revolution-blog 
• Join Mama Dragons today: www.mamadragons.org 

In the Den is made possible by generous donors like you. Help us continue to deliver quality content by becoming a donor today at www.mamadragons.org. 

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Imagine: a quietly majestic, lusciously colorful, resplendently book-and-plant-filled, naturally-lit, immaculately-vibed open space for queer and trans people of all ages–including youth, families, and elders–and all the folks they love. Now imagine that space isn’t a dream, but a real place–one that celebrates queer stories, fosters connection, and helps young people see themselves reflected in the pages they turn. Today In the Den, Sara and special guest Jake Stepansky are stepping into that space — the QT Library, a community-built sanctuary of belonging in Boston.

Special Guest: Jake Stepansky

Jake Stepansky (he/any) is a culture and care worker based in Brooklyn, NY.

He is the co-founder and board president of the QT Library – a 501(c)(3) nonprofit working to bring a brick-and-mortar LGBTQIA+ library and substance-free community space to Boston. Jake is the Producer of Festival Presentations for the Under the Radar Festival, and works with private clients as a professional organizer and decluttering coach. Jake honed his skills as an arts worker and educator at Forklift Danceworks, Marty Pottenger’s Art At Work, Pomegranate Arts, the Office for the Arts at Harvard, and more. Find him on Instagram at @jakebookplantsky.

Links from the Show: 

• QT Library: https://www.qtlibrary.org/ 
• Under the Radar: https://utrfest.org/ 
• Find Jake on IG: https://www.instagram.com/jakebookplantsky 
• Join Mama Dragons today: www.mamadragons.org 

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So often we hear arguments against homosexuality from conservative Christians who claim biblical authority. But what if that authority is built on a mistranslation? What if the word homosexual was never meant to be in the Bible? That question is at the heart of today’s conversation. Sara and filmmaker Rocky Roggio are diving into the groundbreaking documentary 1946: The Mistranslation That Shifted Culture. This film uncovers how a single mistranslation in the Revised Standard Version of the Bible has shaped decades of belief, policy, and pain for LGBTQ+ people and their families. Rocky is a strong voice, among the growing chorus of LGBTQIA+ Christians who want to cure the world of this damaging narrative. 

Special Guest: Rocky Roggio

Rocky Roggio is a multi award winning independent filmmaker and production designer. Rocky is also a member of the LGBTQIA+ community, and moved out of her home after coming out to her conservative, religious parents. Rocky’s father, Sal Roggio, is a non-affirming pastor and preaches that the LGBTQIA+ lifestyle is sinful.  Rocky lives in Los Angeles, CA, and has been a member of three IATSE unions nationwide. She has a Bachelor’s degree in Communications with a focus in Radio, Television, and Film. Her background includes large budget physical production on award winning shows and films such as House of Cards, Parks and Recreation, With Bob and David, Whip It, and Red Dawn.  In 2016, Rocky associate produced and production designed GOOK, a feature film that premiered at Sundance in 2017.  In 2018, when she heard about the 1946 mistranslation in the Bible, Roggio immediately quit all her other endeavors and has focused all her time, money, and resources on producing and creating the 1946 documentary. 1946 is Roggio’s directorial debut.

Links from the Show: 

• Learn more about 1946, the film, here: https://www.1946themovie.com/promotional-material 
• Meet the creative team behind 1946: https://www.1946themovie.com/creators 
• 1946 Resource List: https://www.1946themovie.com/workbook-resources 
• Join Mama Dragons today: www.mamadragons.org 

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So often we hear arguments against homosexuality from conservative Christians — friends, family, even legislators — who claim biblical authority. But what if that authority is built on a mistranslation? What if the word homosexual was never meant to be in the Bible at all? That question lies at the heart of today’s conversation. Sara and special Guest Kathy Baldock are diving into the groundbreaking documentary 1946: The Mistranslation That Shifted Culture — a film that reveals how a single mistranslation in the Revised Standard Version of the Bible reshaped decades of belief, policy, and pain for LGBTQ+ people and their families. 

Special Guest: Kathy Baldock

Kathy Baldock, author, LGBTQ+ advocate, and founder of Canyonwalker Connections, based in Reno, Nevada, is a leading expert on historical and present discrimination against the LGBTQ+ community, in particular, discrimination from the socially conservative Christian church and political sectors. Baldock is one of the main researchers featured in the award-winning documentary 1946: The Mistranslation that Shifted Culture. Her next book, Forging a Sacred Weapon: How a 1946 Bible Mistranslation Shifted Culture (Winter 2025), is a historical and contextually-based survey following human sexuality, same-sex behavior, procreation, and Bible translations, as impacted by cultural, social, medical, political, legal, and military influences from ancient to current times. The book focuses on original research into the reasons the word “homosexuals” was included for the first time in the 1946 Revised Standard Version NT Bible. Her first book, Walking the Bridgeless Canyon (2014), pieced together the history of cultural and religious discrimination against LGBTQ+ people and contains personal stories of LGBTQ+ people impacted by non-inclusive theology.

Links from the Show: 

• Walking the Bridgeless Canyon: https://bookshop.org/p/books/walking-the-bridgeless-canyon-repairing-the-breach-between-the-church-and-the-lgbtq-community-kathy-baldock/4512ebf197af2705?ean=9781951136017&next=t 
• Find 1946 here: https://www.1946themovie.com/ 
• Join Mama Dragons today: www.mamadragons.org 

In the Den is made possible by generous donors like you. Help us continue to deliver quality content by becoming a donor today at www.mamadragons.org. 

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Content Warning: this episode contains frank discussions of self-harm and suicidality.

At Mama Dragons we know the value of shame-free spaces where parents of LGBTQ+ kids can explore, learn, and grow. Building families and communities rooted in genuine support is an important part of creating healthy futures for our queer children. Today In the Den, Sara visits with creator, author, and speaker Heather Hester about parenting LGBTQ+ children, unlearning the biases of our past, and learning to embrace, empower, and love our queer kids more fully. 

Special Guest: Heather Hester 

Heather Hester is the creator and host of the podcast More Human. More Kind., founder of Chrysalis Mama, and author of Parenting with Pride: Unlearn Bias and Embrace, Empower, and Love Your LGBTQ+ Teen. She is a speaker, writer, and fierce advocate helping parents, allies, and organizations move from confusion and fear to compassion and courageous action. 

When her son came out as gay in 2017, it ignited a journey of unlearning, deep personal growth, and radical love. She quickly realized the need for more supportive, shame-free spaces for parents of LGBTQ+ kids and those seeking to become better allies. What began as a content-rich website and podcast has grown into a platform offering inclusive coaching, LGBTQ+ and Human-First consulting, and storytelling-driven workshops and talks.

Heather is married to the funniest guy she’s ever known and mom to their four extraordinary kids (two of whom are LGBTQ), and one super sassy mini Bernedoodle. She’s a weather nerd, a lover of indie bookstores and coffee shops, and a yogi who believes in the magic of connection and that belonging isn’t just a feeling—it’s a practice.

Links from the Show:

• Heather’s Podcast, More Human, More Kind: https://www.morehumanmorekind.com/ 
• Heather’s book: https://bookshop.org/p/books/parenting-with-pride-unlearn-bias-and-embrace-empower-and-love-your-lgbtq-teen-heather-hester/f658509f6a467cac?ean=9781641709125&next=t 
• Chrysalis Mama on FB: https://www.facebook.com/chrysalismama 
• Join Mama Dragons today: www.mamadragons.org  

In the Den is made possible by generous donors like you. Help us continue to deliver quality content by becoming a donor today at www.mamadragons.org.  

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One of the most powerful truths about change is that it often begins in the most ordinary moments—when we choose authenticity, vulnerability, and the courage to be seen. Our guest In the Den today is Ash Beckham, who discovered that courage to be seen, which led her on a surprising journey to advocacy and activism. Ash is an author, advocate, and public speaker known for her viral TEDx talk “Coming Out of Your Closet”. In that powerful speech, Ash reminds us that we are ALL in the closet and invites us to step into empathy by recognizing the silent struggles we all carry. Today Ash and Sara unpack how Ash’s vulnerability—starting with everyday moments—has grown to become a powerful form of activism and inclusion. 

Special Guest: Ash Beckham

Ash Beckham is a mom of two, speaker, career coach, equality advocate, and author of Step Up: How to Live with Courage and Become an Everyday Leader. Ash is an inclusion activist whose TEDx Talk “Coming Out of Your Closet” became a viral sensation. Her intrepid, relatable, and intrinsically comical style has made her an in-demand speaker, including events at Microsoft, Lockheed Martin, Bank of America, and the keynote for the first LGBTQ Conference at Harvard University. 

Links from the Show: 

• Ash’s website: www.ashbeckham.com 
• Ash’s TEDx talk: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=kSR4xuU07sc 
• Find Ash on FB: https://www.facebook.com/ashbeckham/ 
• Find Ash on IG: https://www.instagram.com/theashbeckham/
• Find Ash on Twitter: https://twitter.com/ashbeckham
• Find Ash on LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/ash-beckham/ 
• Buy Step Up here: https://bookshop.org/p/books/step-up-how-to-live-with-courage-and-become-an-everyday-leader-ash-beckham/9833723?ean=9781683643920&next=t 
• Join Mama Dragons today: www.mamadragons.org 

In the Den is made possible by generous donors like you. Help us continue to deliver quality content by becoming a donor today at www.mamadragons.org.  

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Today In the Den, we’re diving into a conversation at the intersection of identity, belonging, and storytelling. Our guest, Ingrid Hu Dahl, is a writer, speaker, and leadership coach whose work explores the layers of what it means to be both mixed race, queer and finding feminism. Ingrid is the author of the newly released memoir Sun Shining on Morning Snow, a powerful and intimate exploration of identity, grief, resilience, and transformation.

Special Guest: Ingrid Hu Dahl

Ingrid Hu Dahl is an author, speaker, and leadership coach. She is the founder of a coaching and consulting business dedicated to empowering the next generation of leaders. With over two decades of experience in learning and development, she brings her expertise to a wide range of industries, from corporate and media to nonprofit and social justice organizations. A TEDx speaker and a founding member of the Willie Mae Rock Camp in Brooklyn, Ingrid has a lifelong passion for amplifying underrepresented voices. She has written, filmed, and directed two short films exploring identity, representation, and the mixed-race experience. She has toured in multiple rock bands, playing bass, guitar, synth, drums and singing. Ingrid is certified by the International Coaching Federation and the Center for Creative Leadership. She is a global lecturer and speaker, and an advisory board member for the Institute for Women’s Leadership at Rutgers University. She lives in Sausalito, California, with her wife, Courtney, and their dog, Palo Santo.

Links from the Show:

• Ingrid’s website: www.IngridHuDahl.com 
• Buy Ingrid’s book here: https://bookshop.org/p/books/sun-shining-on-morning-snow-a-memoir-of-identity-loss-and-living-boldly-ingrid-hu-dahl/22618239?ean=9781774586174&next=t
• Sun Shining on Morning Snow website: www.SunShiningonMorningSnow.com 
• Find Ingrid on IG: https://www.instagram.com/ingridhudahl/ 
• Find Ingrid on LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/ingridhudahl/
• Sun Shining on Morning Snow on IG: https://www.instagram.com/sunshiningonmorningsnow
• Join Mama Dragons today: www.mamadragons.org

In the Den is made possible by generous donors like you. Help us continue to deliver quality content by becoming a donor today at www.mamadragons.org.  

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For far too many LGBTQ+ people, religion has been used as a weapon–a source of shame, exclusion, and deep spiritual wounds. Many have been told they are “incompatible with scripture,” and some have left their faith communities altogether just to protect their own well-being. Today In the Den, Sara sits down with Reformation Project founder Matthew Vines, who offers an invitation to re-read the Bible with fresh eyes, to separate tradition from truth, and to imagine a church where everyone is welcomed without condition.

Special Guest: Matthew Vines

Matthew Vines is the Founder and Executive Director of The Reformation Project and the author of God and the Gay Christian: The Biblical Case in Support of Same-Sex Relationships. He lives in Dallas, Texas. Matthew attended Harvard University from 2008 to 2010. He then took a leave of absence in order to research the Bible and same-sex relationships. In March 2012, Matthew gave a speech at a church in his hometown of Wichita, Kansas, about the Bible and same-sex relationships, calling for acceptance of gay Christians and their marriage relationships. The video of the speech was viewed more than a million times on YouTube, leading to a feature story in The New York Times that fall. In 2013, Matthew launched The Reformation Project, a Bible-based, Christian non-profit organization that works to advance an orthodox and affirming vision for the church while remaining grounded in a love for God, a love for the Bible, and a love for the church. The Reformation Project hosts a variety of events, including a conference, a Parents in Process group, a Pastors in Process group, and leadership training cohorts.

Links from the Show:

• God and the Gay Christian: https://bookshop.org/p/books/god-and-the-gay-christian-the-biblical-case-in-support-of-same-sex-relationships-matthew-vines/6425211?ean=9781601425188&next=t  
• Find more about Matthew here: https://matthewvines.com/about/
• Matthew’s speech on gay Christians: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ezQjNJUSraY 
• The Reformation Project: http://www.reformationproject.org/ 
• New York Times article on Matthew’s speech: http://www.nytimes.com/2012/09/16/fashion/matthew-vines-wont-rest-in-defending-gay-christians.html 
• Join Mama Dragons here: www.mamadragons.org

In the Den is made possible by generous donors like you. Help us continue to deliver quality content by becoming a donor today at www.mamadragons.org.  

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Imagine a world where queer and trans youth have safety, autonomy, joy, and the chance to live into their fullest potential. It’s a world we Mama Dragons all dream of for our queer kids. Our guests today are from an organization called Queer Youth Assemble that is not just dreaming it, but making it happen–through marches, walkouts, protests, creative activism, and community resources. This week In the Den, Sara visits with three young people who are sparking change from coast to coast.

Special Guest: Pluto or Snail 

Pluto or Snail uses he/it pronouns and is trans masc and gay, though semi-questioning his sexuality. He has been out to his family since 5th grade, going through many different sexualities and genders until around his 10th grade year. Pluto has now graduated from high school.

Special Guest: Zadyn Higgins

Zadyn Higgins is an 18 year old queer and trans activist. Zadyn has been with Queer Youth Assemble for a few years now but has had a lifelong involvement in activism.

Special Guest: Esmée Silverman

Esmée Silverman (they/she) is a nationally renowned queer activist, community organizer, and changemaker. Described as a spark of creativity, Esmée has used her unique personality and lived experiences as a non-binary asexual woman to improve the lives of queer & trans youth through events, protests, education, and other endeavors. They currently serve as the co-president of Queer Youth Assemble, a non-profit she co-founded to bring autonomy and joy to all queer & trans youth across the United States. 

Links from the Show:

• Find Queer Youth Assemble here: https://queeryouthassemble.org/ 
• Donate to Queer Youth Assemble: https://queeryouthassemble.org/donations/1738/ 
• Join Mama Dragons here: www.mamadragons.org 

In the Den is made possible by generous donors like you. Help us continue to deliver quality content by becoming a donor today at www.mamadragons.org.  

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