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Lack of representation is one of the biggest issues facing the LGBTQ+ outdoors community. Queer adventurers don’t often see themselves represented in the marketing campaigns and media narratives of mainstream brands and companies, but queer people are out on the roads and trails doing awesome things outside every day, and today’s guest is forging the trail for LGBTQ+ representation in the outdoor adventure world with determination and infectious joy. Today In the Den, Sara is joined by national parks expert and endurance athlete Mikah Meyer to talk about a journey that shaped him, the friendships that sustained him, and the vision he’s building for a world where every person can step outside—into nature, into community, into themselves—and know they belong.

Special Guest: Mikah Meyer

Called a "professional road tripper" by REI, Mikah's 3-year, world record road trip to all 419 U.S. National Park Service sites made him the first to experience all federal parks in a single journey. He's continued that passion in the 2020s with the creation of the Outside Safe Space Program, which provides allies a simple way of making The Great Outdoors more accessible for LGBTQ+ people. Since its launch in 2020 with a Run Across Minnesota, it has sold over 100,000 symbols, become carried by REI stores nationwide, and Mikah has raised awareness for the OSS Program through a Run Across Mississippi, Run Across Nebraska, Bike Across Oregon, and other "Across" projects. The symbol's creation has helped Mikah consult major brands on the design and implementation of their first Pride products, and spawned workshops, including keynote speaking for Kansas City Design Week, about inclusive marketing to the $1+ trillion dollar LGBTQ+ purchasing power community in the United States, and beyond.

Links from the Show:

• More on Theodore Roosevelt 
• Buck Island
• Outside Safe Spaces Logo Gear
• Canyon Chorus Documentary 
• Join Mama Dragons today

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State laws across the country, and now even federal policies, increasingly target transgender people and LGBTQ people more broadly.  Lifesaving, necessary gender-affirming care is being restricted or criminalized. Discriminatory policies and legislation, such as proper identity document bans, restrictions on participation in sports, and “sex definition” laws that police public restrooms, are attacking people in their day-to-day lives. What people may not realize, is that every one of these laws and policies affects intersex people, too, and that is why organizations like interACT are so important. From education to support, interACT is working to affirm trans and intersex folks in the fight to access lifesaving, necessary care. Today In the Den, we’ll  cover some important basic information that will explain intersex conditions, and we’ll talk about how we can better support and affirm the intersex folks in our lives and in our country.

Special Guest: Bria Brown-King

Bria Brown-King (They/She) is a Black, queer, non-binary, and intersex person. Bria is the Associate Executive Director at interACT: Advocates for Intersex Youth. Bria got their start in intersex advocacy in 2018 as an interACT Youth Advocate. In 2019, they became the first openly intersex person to speak about intersex issues on the steps of the Supreme Court. In their current role, Bria facilitates education on intersex issues, works to close the gap in intersex-affirming research and data collection, and serves on multiple advisory boards, representing intersex people nationally and internationally.

Special Guest: Dr. Bonnie Scranton

Dr. Scraton is a licensed clinical social worker, AASECT-certified sex therapist and sexual health educator, and an assistant professor of social work at Central Connecticut State University. She maintains a private practice and serves on a multidisciplinary team at Connecticut Children’s Medical Center, where she supports children with variations in sex characteristics and their families. Motivated by both her clinical work and her lived experience as the parent of a child with an intersex variation, Bonnie's  doctoral research at the University of Pennsylvania resulted in the development of Project LISTEN, a peer support and empowerment program for parents newly learning about their child’s variation. The program is designed to provide information, connection, and support for parents and caregivers, helping families ensure children grow up with agency and ownership over their bodies and medical decisions.

Links from the Show:

• Find the interACT website here
• Intersex Definitions here
• Intersex FAQ here
• Join Mama Dragons today

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The Supreme Court is currently considering two major cases brought by West Virginia and Idaho which address state-level bans on transgender female students playing on girls' school sports teams. Together, these cases could determine whether states can legally exclude trans athletes from school sports nationwide. Politicians and pundits argue about fairness, biology, and the future of women’s sports, but far too often the voices of transgender athletes themselves get lost in the noise. That’s exactly what Anna Baeth, Ellie Roscher, and Chris Mosier are trying to change. Ellie and Chris join Sarato discuss their new and groundbreaking book Fair Game, which breaks down the myths being told through personal interviews with trans athletes and includes an informative look at the research, history, and politics of gender in sports.  They explore the deeper question underneath it all: what do we really mean when we talk about fairness, and why does sports participation matter—not just for elite athletes, but for every kid who simply wants to play on a team, move their body, and belong.

Special Guest: Ellie Roscher

Ellie Roscher is the author of Fair Game, Remarkable Rose, The Embodied Path, 12 Tiny Things, Play Like a Girl and How Coffee Saved My Life. Ellie teaches writing and yoga in Minneapolis. She was a two-sport college athlete, competing in gymnastics and softball, and went on to coach both at the rec, club, and high school level. Ellie holds an MFA in Writing from Sarah Lawrence College and an MA in Theology from Luther Seminary. 

Special Guest: Chris Mosier

Chris Mosier is a trailblazing athlete, coach, and founder of TransAthlete.com, the go-to resource on transgender inclusion in sports. He made history as the first openly trans man on a U.S. Men’s National Team and helped change International Olympic Committee policy for trans athletes. A Nike-sponsored athlete, Chris is a five-time national champion, and relentless advocate for trans rights. When not training and competing, he mentors transgender and nonbinary athletes around the globe, living out his motto of “be who you needed when you were younger.” 

Links from the Show:

• Buy Fair Game here
• Ellie’s Website
• Find Ellie on IG
• Dr. Baeth’s Website
• Ellie’s Website
• Chris’s Website
• Dr. Baeth on IG
• Find Chris on IG

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Research indicates that autistic individuals are more likely to identify as transgender or gender diverse compared to the general population. Studies show that people who do not identify with the sex assigned at birth are more likely to be autistic than cisgender individuals. This overlap between autism and gender diversity may be confusing to some parents.. Parenting a child who is gender diverse and autistic can feel complex, and supporting them may at times feel overwhelming, so we’re going to get into the complexity in today’s episode. We’ve invited Dr. Theresa Lyons,  international autism educator, to share her unique blend of science and real-world experience to try to give our listeners clarity, confidence, and a roadmap to better supporting their autistic children. 

Special Guest: Dr. Theresa Lyons

Dr. Lyons is an international autism educator, Ivy League scientist, and autism parent. She’s the founder and CEO of Navigating AWEtism, a groundbreaking platform that transforms the overwhelming complexity of autism science into clear, actionable steps for families. With a Ph.D. from Yale and a deeply personal mission, Dr. Lyons has worked with parents in over 21 countries, bringing evidence-based strategies that change lives. She shares her unique blend of rigorous science and real-world experience while giving parents what they’ve never had before: clarity, confidence, and a roadmap for progress.

Links from the Show:

• Navigating Awetism on YouTube
• Navigating Awetism on IG
• Navigating Awetism on FB
• Find Theresa on LinkedIn
• Navigating Awetism on TikTok
• Navigating Awetism website
• Awestism.net  
• Join Mama Dragons today

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Every news cycle lately brings yet another headline about transgender people and their families, whether it's the inflammatory remarks during the State of the Union or the recent invalidation of driver's licenses in Kansas, or any number of other recent court cases. These stories are showing up across the country and creating confusion and fear and a whole lot of questions for our families. So today In the Den, we're taking some time to pause, to break it all down, to breathe together, and to talk about what's happening in the news right now, what these developments mean, why they matter, and how we can all stay grounded and informed in the middle of it all. Joining Sara is special guest and policy strategist Sam Ames. 

Special Guest: Sam Ames

Sam Ames (they/he) is a legal and policy strategist with 15 years of leadership experience in the LGBTQI+ movement. Sam served in the Biden-Harris Administration as Chief of Staff in the Department of Education Office for Civil Rights and Senior Advisor in the Department of Health and Human Services Substance Abuse & Mental Health Services Administration. Sam began their legal career as a staff attorney at the National Center for Lesbian Rights, working on impact litigation cases involving marriage equality, employment discrimination, and family law, and in 2013 founded the Born Perfect Campaign, a national effort to end anti-LGBTQI+ conversion therapy.

Links from the Show:

• Find Sam’s Substack here
• Born Perfect
• Join Mama Dragons today

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Accessing best-practice gender-affirming care for transgender youth is becoming increasingly challenging: 27 states have passed laws banning or restricting care, the U.S. Supreme Court has upheld these bans in the Skrmetti v. L.W. case, and the current Administration has pursued a relentless campaign attacking access. As a result, thousands of transgender youth and their families are being forced to try to find new healthcare providers, travel extreme distances, and take on significant expenses just to get the care they need. Today In the Den, we’ll talk with Amanda Keller from The Trans Youth Emergency Project (TYEP), a program that was created to help families navigate this complex and exhausting maze, offering logistical and financial support. 

Special Guest: Amanda Keller

Amanda Keller is a Southern LGBTQIA movement leader working at the intersection of strategy, equity, and liberation. As Manager of Strategic Partnerships at the Campaign for Southern Equality, she is helping lead efforts to Meet the Moment, mobilizing resources, forging powerful cross-sector partnerships, and advancing equity across race, gender, and class in a region where the stakes for LGBTQIA  people could not be higher. With more than 16 years of nonprofit leadership, Amanda has built institutions and movements that center those most often pushed to the margins. As the Founding Director of the Magic City Acceptance Center in Birmingham, Alabama, she grew a grassroots vision into a statewide hub serving thousands of LGBTQIA youth, families, and community members, expanding access to affirming services, leadership development, and community power across Alabama. Her work spans youth development, HIV advocacy, public policy engagement, and cultural organizing, grounded in a clear belief: the South is not a lost cause — it is a place of courage, resilience, and possibility. Her career is defined by one throughline, ensuring that where you live does not determine whether you are safe, affirmed, or free.

Links from the Show:

• Find the Trans Youth Emergency Project here
• Join TYEP’s Parent Support Group 
• Volunteer with Campaign for Southern Equality
• Listen to the Trans Cookout Podcast
• Supportive Schools Program
• Send a Message of Support to Trans Youth
• Join Mama Dragons today

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Families with trans and non-binary kids are facing bans on bathroom use, bans on sports participation, bans on affirming pronoun use in schools, bans on use of chosen names, and even bans on life-saving medical care for their trans children. Those of us with trans family members find ourselves in, what often feels like, an impossible situation of trying to figure out how we can possibly protect our children from the worst of the harm. Some families are considering moving states, or even leaving the United States, to escape anti-trans legislation and to seek safer, more supportive environments for their children. Today In the Den, we’re hosting a conversation with Suzy and Debi, two moms with families who have done just that–picked up and moved countries in order to access gender affirming care, safety in schools, and to find a less overall hostile climate for their queer children. 

Special Guest: Suzanne Solomon

Suzanne Solomon, her husband, and their son, lived in the Dallas area of Texas, where she was a professional opera singer. She has joined protests from the Women’s March to Black Lives Matter to Pride and more, participated in letter writing campaigns, called representatives, campaigned for Beto O’Rourke, attended ACLU of Texas events to help counter proposed legislation. Mama Dragons has been a huge resource, and a source of comfort and community. Getting out of the country is incredibly difficult and expensive, and the Solomons owe a lot to family, fellow US emigrants, and friends who helped them check every box on their journey from the US to Finland.

Special Guest: Debi Jackson

Debi is a longtime advocate for transgender youth and LGBTQ+ inclusion, known for her compassionate storytelling and public education efforts. She became an activist in 2014 when a speech about her child Avery’s gender journey went viral, and she’s been speaking out ever since to help other families feel less alone. Avery later appeared on the cover of National Geographic’s “Gender Revolution” issue — an iconic moment that brought global visibility but also intense backlash. In response to the growing wave of anti-trans legislation and public hostility in the U.S., Debi and her family made the difficult decision to move to Europe. Now, she shares her experiences as a parent, advocate, and expat to highlight the real-life impact of transphobia and the importance of finding and building affirming community wherever you are.

Links from the Show: 

• Anne Health
• Gender GP
• Transgender Map
• Mexico Transgender Center
• Debi’s Website
• Join Mama Dragons today

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We doubt anyone listening to this podcast will be surprised to hear that transgender folks face unique challenges, including social stigma, bullying, and family rejection. Even if we are doing our best as parents to support and love our trans children, most of us are not trans ourselves, and so we can’t fully understand the particular difficulties that our children will face in their lives. And that is where organizations like Trans Mentor Project come in. Trans Mentor Project is a national virtual mentoring program that pairs trans/nonbinary mentees with trans/nonbinary adult mentors. Joining us In the Den from TMP are Kyle and Max. Max is currently a mentor with TMP and Kyle has been part of TMP as both a mentee and an intern. Together, they’ll be able to tell us more about the program and how we can help get our trans kiddos involved.

Special Guest: Kyle

Kyle is a designer and creative strategist whose work centers storytelling and critical inquiry. With a background in education, arts-based research, and trauma-aware peer support, Kyle designs experiences that cultivate connection, expression, and shared meaning. At TMP, Kyle helps shape programs and strategies that empower trans young people—designing zines and community experiences that center their voices, and leading outreach efforts across Southern California. At his core, Kyle is building worlds where people feel valued, welcomed, and free to be who they are.

Special Guest: Max

Max is a multidisciplinary theatre artist living in New York City. He has mentored with TMP since 2023. He frequently volunteers with PFLAG NYC's Safe Schools program, visiting middle and high school classes throughout the city to speak about his personal identity as a gay trans man, combat anti-trans disinformation, and promote safety and inclusion in NYC schools. Max is also one half of the producing team behind "Let’s Hear It For the Boys: A Transmasc Cabaret," an annual variety show which features an entirely transmasculine and trans man cast, band, creative team and ASL interpreter team and showcases new work by transmasc writers.

Links from the Show:

• Learn More About TMP
• Submit art for zines by emailing TMP
• Join Mama Dragons Today

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Life can be hard, especially for our queer children. They often face unique obstacles, encounter discrimination, and endure marginalization in their lives and in their pursuits of happiness. Resilience helps our children (and us) cope with life's challenges and setbacks, allowing folks to recover and grow stronger from difficult experiences. Resilience fosters emotional regulation, optimism, and a strong support network, which are essential for maintaining mental well-being and overall life satisfaction. Joining us In the Den is Dr. Kate Lund, a licensed psychologist, Tedx Speaker, author of Stepping Away the Keys to Resilient Parenting, and an expert on the topic of resilience. Dr. Kate insists that resilience does not have to be complicated and that we all are capable of living our best lives, regardless of our setbacks.

Special Guest: Dr. Kate Lund

Dr. Kate Lund is a clinical psychologist, keynote speaker, published author, and resilience expert dedicated to helping individuals and families thrive within their own unique contexts. With advanced training from three Harvard-affiliated hospitals and decades of experience in clinical practice, Dr. Lund specializes in emotional intelligence, stress resilience, and sustainable well-being for parents, athletes, and high performers. She is the author of Bounce: Help Your Child Build Resilience and Thrive in School, Sports, and Life and Step Away: The Keys to Resilient Parenting. Dr. Lund also hosts Resilient Parenting with Dr. Kate, a podcast that explores the science and lived experience of resilience through conversations with parents, educators, clinicians, and leaders. Known for her relatable, evidence-based approach, Dr. Lund blends clinical expertise with personal insight as the mother of twin boys and while working as a volunteer with her dog Wally as part of the animal assisted therapy program at Seattle Children’s Hospital. Whether on stage, in session, or on the air, she empowers people to step away from overwhelm and step into clarity, connection, and confidence.

Links from the Show:

• Kate’s Book Step Away
• Kate Book Bounce
• Kate’s Website
• Join Mama Dragons today

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The Human Rights Campaign Foundation’s recent Youth Report shows that more than 46 percent of LGBTQ+ youth, including almost 55 percent of transgender and gender-expansive youth, feel unsafe in at least one school setting. And despite the pervasiveness of school bullying, many teachers and staff remain unaware — or are explicitly unhelpful when informed. This is why HRC’s Welcoming Schools resources and professional development training, including National Day of Reading events, are so vital to meeting the needs of LGBTQ+ students today. This year’s National Day of Reading is happening on February 27th, and today In the Den we are joined by the HRC Foundation's Welcoming Schools Sr Director Cheryl Greene to tell us more about this event and how we can get involved.

Special Guest: Cheryl Greene

Cheryl is the Vice President of School and Youth Programming at the Human Rights Campaign. She has spent her career in education and is passionate about providing educators and school leaders with the tools to create LGBTQ+ and gender inclusive classrooms where all children can thrive. She spent 20 years as a middle school teacher, district bullying prevention coordinator, and as an adjunct professor before turning her talents to lead the broader work of preventing bias-based bullying nationwide. Cheryl leads the most comprehensive, bias-based bullying prevention program in the nation specifically designed for youth serving professionals impacting over 10.5 million students. She also oversees a robust school advocacy program designed to empower local advocates to organize and impact school boards and district policy to positively impact LGBTQ+ youth and families. In her spare time, Cheryl enjoys spending time with her spoiled Cavalier King Charles Spaniel, her wife, and three amazing grandchildren.

Links from the Show:

• HRC LGBTQ Youth Report 
• Learn More About HRC’s Day of Reading
• Welcoming School Resource List
• Request a Welcoming School Training
• Pledge to Participate in the Day of Reading
• Join Mama Dragons today

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