Light Work by Dear Patriarchy

If this episode is resonating with you, send us a message - we’d love to hear from you 🤍

Welcome to the seventh episode of series 4, where we’re focusing on the educators, activists, and influencers who inspire and guide us.

Due to the unprecedented onslaught of anti-trans legislation and the steep rise in anti-trans and anti-LGBTQ+ rhetoric in the United States of America, we’re re-releasing our last episode in the hopes that it will spread some much needed truth about trans youth and the support they require. 

In this episode we speak to the incredible Joshua Jernigan, a trans rights activist and philanthropist based in Charlotte, North Carolina. Josh started the GEN (Gender Education Network) organization which helps transgender and gender diverse kids aged 12 and younger. As you’ll hear in the episode, Josh is a born educator and is deeply passionate about ensuring every child has a safe and loving home to nurture their growing identities.

In this episode, we’re breaking down myths about the experiences of trans youth: What does gender affirming care REALLY look like for kids 12 and younger? What can adults actually do to actively support trans youth? Josh also dives into where he sees parents of gender diverse kids get tripped up or stuck when trying to educate themselves and support their kids as well as giving advice to parents and family members of gender diverse kids in order to help them survive and thrive. 

We talk about the importance of trans kids having a consistent affirming, loving adult presence in their lives and how we all have it in us to be that person. With the rise of anti-trans policies being brought forward in the United States, the UK, and around the world, Josh shares his hopes for the future: That we all be cycle breakers for our children and parent our children in ways which are right for them, ignoring what doesn't fit or is outdated and dangerous. We hope this educational episode sparks your activism - trans and gender diverse kids need your voice!

How you can find Josh & GEN:

• Gender Education Network website (donation link at the top of the page!)
• GEN on Facebook 

- Josh mentions the Gender Spectrum website during our conversation which is a fabulous resource for parents, educators, therapists, WHOEVER, to learn more about how to support the health & wellbeing of gender diverse children & teens.

-  Continue the conversation by picking up our book Dear Patriarchy: The Gaslit Women's Guide to the (Corporate) World

• International orders
• North American orders

- Please check out our "Feminism 101" suggested reading list here if you're at a loose end for a great read from an incredible female author.

- Find out more about Nubefy, the amazing artists behind the graphics we use, here.

If this episode is resonating with you, send us a message - we’d love to hear from you 🤍

Welcome to the sixth episode of series 4, where we’re focusing on the educators, activists, and influencers who inspire and guide us.

In this week’s episode, we’re hosting the incredible Joshua Jernigan, a trans rights activist and philanthropist living in Charlotte, North Carolina. Josh started the GEN (Gender Education Network) organization which helps transgender and gender diverse kids aged 12 and younger. Josh is a born educator and is deeply passionate about ensuring every child has a safe and loving home to nurture their growing identities.

In this episode, we cover big topics: What does gender affirming care look like for kids 12 and younger? What do parents of gender diverse kids get tripped up by or stuck on when trying to educate themselves and support their kids? Josh expertly breaks these topics down and gives advice to parents and family members of gender diverse kids and also what gender diverse kids need in order to survive and thrive. We talked about the importance of trans kids having a consistent affirming, loving adult presence in their lives and how we all have it in us to be that person. With the rise of anti-trans policies being brought forward in the United States, the UK, and around the world, Josh shares his hopes for the future: That we all be cycle breakers for our children and parent our children in ways which are right for them, ignoring what doesn't fit or is outdated and dangerous. We hope this educational episode sparks your activism - trans and gender diverse kids need your voice!

How you can find Josh & GEN:

• Gender Education Network website (donation link at the top of the page!)
• GEN on Facebook 

- Josh mentions the Gender Spectrum website during our conversation which is a fabulous resource for parents, educators, therapists, WHOEVER, to learn more about how to support the health & wellbeing of gender diverse children & teens.

-  Continue the conversation by picking up our book Dear Patriarchy: The Gaslit Women's Guide to the (Corporate) World

• International orders
• North American orders

-  Check out our website AND our new feminist merch collection

• Dear Patriarchy Podcast Website

- Please check out our "Feminism 101" suggested reading list here if you're at a loose end for a great read from an incredible female author.

- Find out more about Nubefy, the amazing artists behind the graphics we use, here.

If this episode is resonating with you, send us a message - we’d love to hear from you 🤍

Welcome to the fifth episode of series 4, where we’re focusing on the educators, activists, and influencers who inspire and guide us.

In this week’s episode, we’re hosting Jessica Olzak and Shannon Collins, creators and co-hosts of Rainbow Connections from the Abington library, a program designed to give youngsters a safe space in which to discuss LGBTQ+ themed books and topics.

We started our love fest by chatting with them about the origins of their ground-breaking youth program: How & why they set it up, the challenges they faced, and how you, too, could get a program going in your community. We spoke with Shannon about their Youthphoria program and how they use photography as activism. We discussed how they keep their cups full while doing their important work, the statistics for LGBTQ+ youth & how just one affirming adult in the life of an LGBTQ+ child is a game changer. 

We hope you love the episode as much as we do: It’s an emotional & gratitude-filled journey. 

• Abington Library website 
  • Rainbow Connections Next Event
  • Rainbow Connections LGBTQ+ Resources
  • Link to the Rainbow Connections Webinar via the PLA 
• Jessica Olzak contact - [email protected]
• Shannon Collins contact - [email protected] 
  • Youthphoria website 

Rainbow Connections Guests include:

• 03/2022 - Vanessa & JR Ford, authors of Calvin
• 05/2022 - Lily Freeman, teen trans activist and creator of the IG campaign, @projectuncensored
• 07/2022 - Lindz Amer, CEO of Queer Kid Stuff
  • IG:  @lindzamer
  • Queer Kid Stuff website
• 08/2022 - Amy Schneider, 40-time Jeopardy champion and writer
  • Twitter: @Jeopardamy
• 10/2022 - C.K. Malone, author of A Costume for Charly
  • Twitter: @CKMalone2
• 11/2022--Kyle Lukoff, author
  • Kyle's website
• 11/2022--Gavin Grimm, trans activist
  • Twitter: @GavinGrimmVA 

-  Pick up our new book here:

• International orders
• North American orders

-  Check out our website to pick up our new book or via our IG: @dearpatriarchypod

If this episode is resonating with you, send us a message - we’d love to hear from you 🤍

Welcome to the fourth episode of series 4, where we’ve been focusing on the educators, activists, and influencers who inspire and guide us. However, because this week is Trans Awareness Week, we're taking a short break from hosting guests to focus on the trans community and how cis people can be better supporters and allies.

We're using information from the excellent Schuyler Bailar, the Human Rights Campaign, and PFLAG to guide this conversation and we've linked back to all of these educators & organizations (and more) below. 

We start off by running through Schuyler Bailar's "cheat sheet" about how to re-frame the language you use when talking about, or interacting with, transgender people. We then move through a list of disinformation, anti-trans tropes and rhetoric that many people believe to be true, and dispel the myths around each item.  We discuss the importance of moving away from the patriarchal gender binary and how we can support each other, and the trans, non-binary and LGBTQ+ community in general by leaving behind harmful and false heteronormative gender expectations.

If you learned something from this episode, please share with those you know and love who may need more education on this important topic. Have the hard conversations, spread love, and reach out to the communities that need your support.

- Schuyler Bailar:

• Find Schuyler (and his Trans Awareness Week Cheat Sheet) on IG: @pinkmantaray
• Schuyler's website

- Human Rights Campaign

• Myths & Facts: Battling Disinformation About Transgender Rights
• Be an Ally: Support Trans Equality

- Trevor Project

• A Guide to Being an Ally to Transgender & Non-Binary Young People

Additional Transgender, Non-Binary & LGBTQ+ Resources:

• PFLAG website
• Marsha P. Johnson Institute website
• We mentioned Alok V. Menon in the episode as well who is an excellent gender educator and author - find them on IG @alokvmenon

-  Continue the conversation by picking up our book Dear Patriarchy: The Gaslit Women's Guide to the (Corporate) World

• International orders
• North American orders

-  Check out our website AND our new feminist merch collection

• Dear Patriarchy Podcast Website

- Please check out our "Feminism 101" suggested reading list here if you're at a loose end for a great read from an incredible female author.

- Find out more about Nubefy, the amazing artists behind the graphics we use, here.

If this episode is resonating with you, send us a message - we’d love to hear from you 🤍

Welcome to the third episode of series 4, where we’re focusing on the educators, activists, and influencers who inspire and guide us.

In this week’s episode, we’re hosting Shifra Nerenberg (she/ her), owner of Spiral Intuitive & a lifelong feminist based in the Blue Ridge Mountains of North Carolina. With more than 20 years experience as an Intuitive Advisor, she guides clients all over the world in connecting with their own powerful inner wisdom.  Shifra does her best to increase the kindness & hope in our world. Her work is centered around helping intuitive folk trust themselves & shine their individual lights, spreading more of the bright light needed in the world. 

We talked with Shifra about the importance of connecting back to our bodies and grounding ourselves so that we can connect to our communities and work against capitalism and oppressive systems of control, which work best when we are isolated and alienated from each other. We discussed how knowing yourself and leaning into your intuition is an important tool to battle patriarchy, systemic racism, heteronormativity, ableism, and xenophobia.  We end by working through Shifra’s techniques and strategies to keep from getting stuck in heaviness while remaining rooted in your power and plugging back in to your community with love.

AND - the best way to use that power and help your community is to VOTE!! We’re looking at you USA!! If you’re struggling with getting info on where to cast your vote, who to support and where you stand on measures, please check out the following resources:

- You better vote b🐱tch:

• VoteSaveAmerica Website
• Ballot Ready Website 

- All things Shifra:

• Find her on Instagram: @spiralintuitive
• Spiral Intuitive Website

-  Continue the conversation by picking up our book Dear Patriarchy: The Gaslit Women's Guide to the (Corporate) World

• International orders
• North American orders

-  Check out our website AND our new feminist merch collection

• Dear Patriarchy Podcast Website

- Please check out our "Feminism 101" suggested reading list here if you're at a loose end for a great read from an incredible female author.

- Find out more about Nubefy, the amazing artists behind the graphics we use, here.

If this episode is resonating with you, send us a message - we’d love to hear from you 🤍

Welcome to the second episode of series 4 where we’re focusing on the educators, activists and influencers who inspire and guide us.

In this week’s episode, we’re hosting Gonzy, the fabulous owner of sustainable, feminist British brand Sasspatch. Gonzy's designs uplift you while keeping you grounded, and she specialises in Sassy Positivity: Sweet designs mixed with savage honesty. 

We talk about the struggle to balance motherhood with paid (and unpaid) work, how all parents need to get therapy, preferably before becoming parents, and how important equity is in everything we do. Gonzy is a passionate intersectional feminist, proponent of slow fashion and speaks beautifully on how much both matter to her and to the company ethos of Sasspatch. Gonzy closes our short (but very sweet) conversation with the perfect words: The good stuff is always worth waiting for.

- All things Sasspatch:

• Find her on Instagram: @sasspatchworld
• Sasspatch Website

-  Continue the conversation by picking up our book Dear Patriarchy: The Gaslit Women's Guide to the (Corporate) World

• International orders
• North American orders

-  Check out our website AND our new feminist merch collection

• Dear Patriarchy Podcast Website

- Please check out our "Feminism 101" suggested reading list here if you're at a loose end for a great read from an incredible female author.

- Find out more about Nubefy, the amazing artists behind the graphics we use, here.

If this episode is resonating with you, send us a message - we’d love to hear from you 🤍

Welcome to the first episode of series 4 where we’re focusing on the educators, activists and influencers who inspire and guide us.

In this week’s episode, we’re hosting the incredible writer Uju Asika. She’s based in London, runs the “Babes About Town” social media accounts and is the author of two incredible books: Bringing up Race: How to Raise a Kind Child in a Prejudiced World and A World for Me and You.

We discuss creative processes, particularly writing processes, and how the fear of writing about charged topics (like systemic racism, patriarchy and other oppressive systems) can be debilitating. Uju talked us through how she keeps herself balanced, feeds her activism and connects with her work in pursuit of change. In her (beautiful) words: This work is more important than your discomfort.

- All things Uju Asika:

• Find her on Instagram: @babesabouttown
• Website
• Bringing up Race: How to Raise a Kind Child in a Prejudiced World
• A World for Me and You

- During our discussion, Uju recommended two  books by Natalie Goldberg:

• Wild Mind 
• Writing Down the Bones 

-  Continue the conversation by picking up our book Dear Patriarchy :

• International orders
• North American orders

- Please check out our "Feminism 101" suggested reading list here if you're at a loose end for a great read from an incredible female author.

- Find out more about Nubefy, the amazing artists behind the graphics we use, here.

If this episode is resonating with you, send us a message - we’d love to hear from you 🤍

Welcome to Episode 20, the finale of series 3! This is our series recap where we discuss which episodes were the most important to us and how we feel the series progressed. We talk about the short-sightedness of the term imposter syndrome, the differences between how both us prepare and gather information for new episodes (research vs. anecdotes), and whether we feel there is a shift taking place which is slowly moving us away from the entrenched patriarchy of societal structures.  We close the episode talking about how to pre-order our book (dropping October '22!) and exciting new things on the horizon in the Dear Patriarchy world. We hope you've enjoyed the journey of season 3 as much as we have & we look forward to bringing a new series of thought-provoking and conversation-starting topics to you very soon.

- Please check out our "Feminism 101" suggested reading list here if you're at a loose end for a great read from an incredible female author!
- Find out more about the amazing artists, Nubefy, behind the graphics we use here

If this episode is resonating with you, send us a message - we’d love to hear from you 🤍

Welcome to episode 19(ish) of series 3 where Lisa does a mini-breakdown on eugenics and how it relates to reproductive healthcare, specifically forced sterilization. She starts by explaining what eugenics, and scientific racism, is at a high level, touching briefly on Margaret Sanger & Planned Parenthood as well as the inherent ableism of eugenics. She goes on to talk about how, in the wake of SCOTUS overturning Roe vs. Wade, many people are suggesting that boys & men (presumably cis-het) should be given vasectomies until they are “fit” to be a father and how this idea is on the slippery slope to eugenicist beliefs. She runs through the recent history of forced sterilization in the USA & Puerto Rico (including that it is still legal to forcibly sterilize disabled people in 34 states) and how allowing systemically racist, ableist government systems to determine who is “fit” to be a parent is taking a massive step backward. She closes with a reminder that being branded with the title of “wokeness” should not deter us from actively working to be on the right side of history. We need to continue to educate ourselves, try to always use inclusive language (because words & language matter), and put in the work every day to protect the civil rights of all those around us, not just the people who look like or identify the same way as we do. We hope you’ll continue on in this fight.

These articles were used to inform this discussion:
- Eugenics & Scientific Racism
- Margaret Sanger's Connection to Eugenics
- America's "Forgotten" History of Forced Sterilization 

- Please check out our "Feminism 101" suggested reading list here if you're at a loose end for a great read from a Feminist author.

- Find out more about the amazing artists, Nubefy, behind the graphics we use here.

If this episode is resonating with you, send us a message - we’d love to hear from you 🤍

Welcome to series 3, episode 18 where we talking about the overturning of Roe vs. Wade by the US Supreme Court. We talk about how we got here, starting with the election of Donald Trump who was voted in overwhelmingly by White women. While the Democratic Party needs to clean their house, White women (us included) need to look at and accept the responsibility we carry because we have historically chosen not to have uncomfortable conversations with each other. We talk about the insidious stigma surrounding abortion and how there does not need to be sexual violence preceding an abortion in order to make it acceptable. We discuss the statistics behind who get abortions and how the intersection of heteropatriarchy, systemic racism and ableism meet and impact different groups of people who have marginalised within our social construct. We  must all change our mindset and our language when it comes to abortion to make sure we are viewing it as inclusively and intersectionally as possible. That means including trans men and non binary people into the definition of who needs access to abortion, that means appreciating that those at the intersection of heteropatriarchy, systemic racism and ableism are the voices that need to be loudest in this fight. This is not just a White woman’s fight and we need to start addressing it as such. We end by sharing abortion resources and funds to donate to and use.

We used the following sources to inform this conversation:
- The Paradox of Disability in Abortion Debates
- Access, Autonomy & Dignity
- Who is Most Affected by US Abortion Changes
- Meta Pixel Tracking Tool Links to Anti-Abortion Clinics

- Please check out our "Feminism 101" suggested reading list here if you're at a loose end for a great read from a Feminist author.

- Find out more about the amazing artists, Nubefy, behind the graphics we use here.