In The Den with Mama Dragons

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In this week’s episode of In the Den, Jen sits down with Emmy award-winning transgender filmmaker Asher  as he discusses his experiences of pursuing a career in the American film industry. He shares some of his favorite memories in making the Mama Dragons documentary, and how that experience changed him forever. He also offers insights into what brings him fulfillment as a filmmaker and where he finds queer joy in his life. 

Special Guest: Asher 

Asher is a New York City native who fell in love with film after watching The Wizard of Oz as a child. He spent most of his adolescence with a camera in his hand, attending film school after film school. While his career has taken him on beautiful and unexpected adventures, he always believes that the best is yet to come. Asher has worked in media for over ten years and has a track record of proven successes in branded content and documentary film. Asher has established himself as a big-picture thinker and is known as someone who can be leaned on for creative ideation and problem-solving.

Asher has received tremendous acclaim for his varied work in the industry. His talent spans all production facets, from pre-production to field production to post-production. As a transgender man, Asher focuses much of his attention on LGBTQ+ issues and uses his platform to amplify LGBTQ+ people and their stories. Asher still spends his free time with a camera in his hand, waiting for the magic to happen.

Links from the Show:

• Asher’s website: https://www.maycorsini.com
• Great Big Story’s Mama Dragons Documentary: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=34J95Ev3wy4
• Asher on IG: https://www.instagram.com/maycorsini/ 
• Documentary on Club Q: https://www.goodmorningamerica.com/news/video/club-found-love-lost-loved-100049217
• Join Mama Dragons today at: www.mamadragons.org 

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Help us continue to deliver quality content by becoming a donor today at www.mamadragons.org.

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Studies show that transgender and nonbinary people are three to six times more likely to have autism than their cisgender peers. Researchers are still trying to better understand the connection. This week In the Den, Jen visits with occupational therapist Dr. Anne Kirby and Frank Vales, a trans and autistic student, about the intersection of the autism spectrum and gender diversity. 

Special Guest: Dr. Anne Kirby

Anne V. Kirby, PhD, OTR/L, is an associate professor in the Department of Occupational and Recreational Therapies at the University of Utah, with an adjunct appointment in the Department of Psychiatry. She received her BS and MS degrees from the University of New Hampshire, and then practiced as an occupational therapist in multiple settings in Washington, DC. She received her PhD in Occupational Science from the University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill in 2015, before becoming a faculty member at the University of Utah. Her research expertise is in sensory processing, the transition to adulthood, and suicide risk and prevention for the autistic community. She is currently leading a K23 award from NIMH using community based participatory research for suicide prevention, in partnership with the Academic Autism Spectrum Partnership in Research and Education (AASPIRE). She serves as a Consultant on the University of Pittsburgh ACE grant.

Special Guest: Frank Vales

Frank Vales (he/him) is a 20-year-old student and artist born and raised in Salt Lake City, Utah. He is studying communication and writing with plans to go into the field of applied linguistics. He is autistic, disabled, and Queer, and is passionate about advocacy and community engagement. He has extensive public speaking experience on the topics of LGBTQ+ youth, mental health, autism acceptance, and suicide prevention. He is particularly interested in the intersection of Queer, neurodivergent, and disabled experiences and identities. In his spare time, he enjoys taking care of his unusual pets, including snakes and exotic cockroaches, and studying Irish Gaelic. 

 Links from the show: 

• https://aaspire.org/projects/mental-health/suicidality/
  
  
• https://www.liebertpub.com/doi/10.1089/lgbt.2018.0252
  
  
• https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC7415151/
  
  
• https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/30140984/
  
  
• https://www.nature.com/articles/s41467-020-17794-1
  
  
• https://faculty.utah.edu/u6002168-ANNE_V._KIRBY/research/index.hm
  
  
• https://www.spectrumnews.org/news/largest-study-to-date-confirms-overlap-between-autism-and-gender-diversity/
  
  
• Join Mama Dragons today at: www.mamadragons.org 

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In this episode of In the Den, American actor and musician Emmett Preciado visits with Jen about his experience growing up as a transgender boy in a conservative religion. He candidly talks about a range of topics from transition to his experiences with dating to experiencing Hollywood as a trans man. You won’t want to miss this thoughtful glimpse into Emmett’s life and the wisdom he’s gained through embracing his transgender identity. 

Special Guest: Emmett Preciado

Emmett Preciado, formerly known as Emmett Claren, is an American transgender actor and singer-songwriter of Spanish, Mexican, and European descent. He was born in Merced, California, but grew up in Chilton, Wisconsin. Emmett grew up in, and served a full-time mission for, The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints. After briefly attending BYU Idaho, he dropped out to physically transition and to seriously pursue his acting career. Emmett is known for his role as Rowan on Freeform's Good Trouble, Rio Gutierrez on ABC’s The Good Doctor, and has worked with The Trevor Project and The National LGBTQ Task Force.

Links from the Show:

Emmett on TikTok: https://www.tiktok.com/@emmettpreciado

Emmett on IG: https://www.instagram.com/emmettpreciado

Emmett on FB: https://www.facebook.com/emmettpreciado/

Emmett on YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/channel/UCyx59LUSE0uhgqDSF0MzipA

Early documentary with Emmett: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Zzyroz1OgSA

New article about Emmett: https://www.emmettpreciado.com/p/news.html

Emmett’s website: https://www.emmettpreciado.com/

Emmett’s top surgery reaction video: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Hofq-y2WHHo&ab_channel=EmmettPreciado 

Emmett dueting with himself pre-transition: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=72Na68cO3_I&t=9s&ab_channel=EmmettPreciado 

Join Mama Dragons here: www.mamadragons.org 

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Words with Friends episodes are bonus episodes where different members of Mama Dragons provide definitions for LGBTQ related topics. This episode includes the following definitions:

Intersex shared by Becky Johnson

Sex shared by Pam Theron

Gender shared by Barbara Proudfoot

Endosex  shared by Rhonda Hill

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

Help us continue to deliver quality content by becoming a donor today at mamadragons.org. 

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On this week’s episode of In the Den, Jen talks with Lupe Bartholomew, mother of American popstar David Archuleta. They discuss Lupe’s experience as a religiously devoted Latina mother of five. Lupe explains how having a child come out as gay in the world spotlight in 2021 changed her life and inspired her to become a public supporter of the LGBTQ community.

Special Guest: Lupe (Mayorga) Bartholomew

Lupe is American Idol finalist David Archuleta’s mother. Lupe, her mother, and her two sisters joined the LDS church in Honduras in 1978. Ultimately, Lupe and her family came to the United States to live the Mormon dream. Lupe lived as a very happy, fully believing, orthodox Mormon mother until her son David came out as gay in 2021. 

Links from the Show: 

David Archuleta’s website: https://davidarchuleta.com/ 

Find David on Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/davidarchie/?hl=en

David on FB: https://www.facebook.com/davidarchuleta

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 mamadragons.org.

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Conversion therapy, also referred to as reparative therapy, attempts to change a person’s sexual orientation or gender identity and is not a legitimate form of therapy. Conversion therapy has been denounced by all major medical organizations, but continues to exist and cause harm to LGBTQ people throughout the world. In this episode of In the Den, Jen talks with Dr. Matt Salmon, a psychiatrist and author, about his experiences as a victim of conversion therapy as well as the broader impact of conversion therapy on queer people today.

Special Guest: Matt Salmon

Dr. Matt R. Salmon is a psychiatrist based in Washington, DC, specializing in child, adolescent, and adult mental health and a Master of Health and Public Interest. Matt is the manager of psychiatry at Whitman Walker Health and primarily treats LGBTQ+ young people who have been marginalized by structural bias. Matt's work is deeply influenced by lived experience, which includes growing up queer and neurodiverse in a Mormon household with a Republican congressman dad and undergoing conversion 'therapy' as a teen.

Matt is preparing to publish a book titled Pride & Prejudice: Healing Division in the Modern Family, which serves as both a memoir and a critique of societal norms that often harm LGBTQ+ individuals, especially within religious communities. In it, Matt uses personal and professional experience to advocate for embracing diversity and challenging our own biases so we can heal the divisions that harm us all. The book is set for publication in Spring 2024 and can be pre-ordered at: https://matt-salmon.presale.manuscripts.com.

Links from the show:

Order Matt’s book here: https://bookshop.org/p/books/pride-prejudice-healing-division-in-the-modern-family-matt-r-salmon/21498681?ean=9798889261025&next=t

Find Matt on IG: https://www.instagram.com/lovemattrs/ 

Family Acceptance Project: https://familyproject.sfsu.edu/ 

Join Mama Dragons today www.mamadragons.org 

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Help us continue to deliver quality content by becoming a donor today at mamadragons.org.

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This week In the Den, Jen sits down with Jeffrey Marx to chat about a variety of topics, including Jeffrey’s fascinating career as a reality television casting director in Hollywood, his journey to winning an Emmy, embracing his body size, and finding queer joy amidst the challenges of life. It’s an episode you won’t want to miss! 

Special Guest: Jeffrey Marx

Jeffrey Marx is an Emmy Award-winning casting producer for reality television. Notable credits include HBO’s We’re Here, Love on the Spectrum, MTV’s The Real Word, Nailed It! and more. Before his career in TV, he followed in his mother’s footsteps as a special education teacher. Jeffrey got his start in casting when he was cast as a player in “The Glass House”, which is still streaming on the ABC app. He went toe-to-toe with a very kind Mormon mother over gay marriage on the show and, later that year, became boyfriends with a man from a very devout Mormon family. Although they aren’t together anymore, Jeffrey’s experiences with the LDS community have shaped how he approaches casting queer stories today. Now happily partnered with a non-Mormon boyfriend in Los Angeles, Jeffrey reflects on the dynamics of love, faith, and what “family” means to LGBTQ folks.

Links from the Show:

• Article about Jeffrey: https://metrosource.com/jeffrey-marx-has-a-colorful-path-to-an-emmy/?fbclid=PAAaYRdn_P-B1dDUosbHwoPyHcoRrEJz9NLyvR3T6hsm-Xcsv9Dt49U_usUwM_aem_AVJYuwAcrMH6MCULFtsS5FUdY7fUUrYD4nQJdtzCDWARK2kpQja_Ix2LwbvuY8a_OLQ
• Link to Jeffrey’s IG: https://www.instagram.com/jeffmarxthespot/?hl=en 
• Join Mama Dragons: www.mamadragons.org 

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Help us continue to deliver quality content by becoming a donor today at mamadragons.org.

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In this week’s episode of In the Den, Jen joins guest Blaire Ostler to discuss intersex conditions. As an intersex person herself, Blaire is uniquely positioned to not only share information about many aspects of intersex conditions, but also give personal insight into life as an intersex person.  The discussion ranges from when intersex conditions are most often diagnosed to the potential impact of trans legislation on people with intersex conditions to the problematic nature of surgeries done on intersex infants and children. Don’t miss this valuable introduction to a better understanding of what it means to be intersex. 

Special Guest: Blaire Ostler

Blaire is a philosopher specializing in queer and Mormon studies, and is a leading voice at the intersection of queer, Mormon, and transhumanist thought. She is the author of “Queer Mormon Theology: An Introduction.” Blaire is also an artist and poet, and spends her spare time hiking, painting, writing, and bickering with her friends about almost any topic imaginable. Blaire lives in Utah with her husband and their three children.  

Links from the Show:

• Blaire’s website: http://www.blaireostler.com/
• Find Blaire on Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/blaire.ostler
• Blaire’s Book: https://www.amazon.com/Queer-Mormon-Theology-Blaire-Ostler/dp/1948218410 
• Join Mama Dragons today at: www.mamadragons.org 

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

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Over the years we’ve heard LGBTQ people say that they didn’t know what life might look like for them as an adult. Many haven’t had LGBTQ role models that provide examples of a potential future, and a lot of fear that parents of LGBTQ children experience comes from the unknown as well. We thought it might be helpful for parents to get to know some of the amazing members of the LGBTQ community, just a few at a time, so that they can provide a realistic view of what life could look like for our children. Today, Jen joins guests Marshall Shearer, Craig Watts, and Candice Green in this episode of World of Possibility.

Special Guest: Marshall Shearer

Marshall is a proud trans man who's been living life to the fullest for the past 8 years since transitioning. When he’s not busy being an awesome dad to five adopted kids, aged 14 to 24, or spoiling his adorable 2-year-old grandson, you can find him crushing it at board games, giving his all on the softball field, or just soaking up the sun at the beach. Marshall’s a foster care superhero with 11 years under his belt and 10 placements along the way. Life's a journey, and he’s loving every moment of it!

Special Guest: Craig Watts

Craig grew up in a conservative Christian community in Utah, where everyone he knew lived in traditional families. When he realized he was gay at 18, he thought he'd never have kids or have a place in his community. So, after completing a Master's Degree in Chicago, Craig ran away to Asia and spent the next two decades as an out gay man living and working in Japan and China before deciding to have kids via surrogacy. Craig had hoped to find a partner before becoming a parent, but he had strong support from his parents and siblings, and the biological clock was ticking, so he took the solo parent plunge at age 46. A Bangkok-based clinic helped Craig find a Thai egg donor and surrogate mothers for his three kids who are now aged 11 and 9 (twins). Craig and his kids lived for a few years in Beijing, then moved home to his parents' basement in Utah, and now live in the heart of San Francisco. They attend a Chinese immersion school where Craig teaches 7th grade. It's been a tough decade, but Craig loves being a parent even when the kids gang up on him!

Special Guest: Candice Green

Candice is a High School English teacher and mother of two. She loves Marvel movies, her book club, and going on adventures with her friends and kids. 

Links from the show:

Utah Foster Care’s LGBT Resource Page: utahfostercare.org/lgbt  

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 mamadragons.org.

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Donate to this podcast

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Words with Friends episodes are bonus episodes where different members of Mama Dragons provide definitions for LGBTQ related topics. This episode includes the following definitions:

Nonbinary, shared by Shauna from Idaho, USA

Bigender, shared by Marnie Lobban from Australia 

Agender, shared by Mel Fraze from California

Gender Diverse, shared by Zane Bates from Colorado

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

Help us continue to deliver quality content by becoming a donor today at mamadragons.org. 

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Donate to this podcast