How do you find your own identity? There are more options than you think. Are you queer? Are you questioning? Or something else? Maybe none of the words really define you. Take the first step toward figuring out how to be the real you.

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Churches are like giant families. Just like families,  they can sometimes become abusive. When someone is trapped in a toxic system, the have to leave in order for healing to begin. Some church leaders subvert that process by trying to push those who have been wounded to come back to the church by saying, "Well we're not like the church you used to be in." But for many people in the LGBTQ+ community, the damage is too deep. Mother Julie Hendrix shares the message that it is okay to leave in order to heal. If you're not ready to come back, and even if you never come back, that's also okay.

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It's great to be an ally, but when you're ready to take the next step, how do you go about it? Often, when we try to be most helpful, we end up making things more awkward. Learn how to communicate true sincerity, not just with words, but also with actions. This episode gives tips to point you in the right direction.

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Really?

Who gets to choose what's best for someone? Who makes the rules? Parents often say, "I only want what's best for you," with the hope that their children will understand their good intentions. But is it really honest care and concern? Is it unsolicited advice? Or is it nothing more than manipulation?

Joe and Rya discuss how to tell the difference between genuine love and false concern that masks ulterior motives. When it comes to relationships with family and friends, we can all do better.

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MUST LISTEN EPISODE. Are you having a difficult time mending a broken relationship? Developing and repairing relationships can feel overwhelming when disagreements separate you. Joe and Rya discuss five ways you can get past what divides you and start to build that bridge. And it's not just theoretical. They discuss conflicting opinions where they are actively trying to build bridges in their own lives.

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The most important thing we can do is maintain relationships with the people who are closest to us. And yet, how often do we end up finding ourselves at odds with the people we love the most, especially when we desperately yearn for their approval? It's our responsibility to take the lead. In this episode, we discuss how to set a positive tone to help our non-ally loved-ones to more become accepting on their own time frame. It all starts with love.

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LGBTQ issues can tear families and friendships apart. What if you don't approve when someone close to you comes out? How can you preserve the relationship without compromising your values? Many of our podcasts on Trandescendant are geared towards allies. But not everyone feels they can be an ally in good conscience. This episode is specifically addressed to those who do not approve of LGBTQ lifestyles but desperately want to salvage the relationship. As the father of an transgender daughter, Joe gives advice on what he has learned. Spoiler: We're not asking you to change.

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Joe and Rya gave a live presentation about the importance of accepting your gay or transgender loved one. Since it was a large general audience, no one explicitly identified whether they were an ally. We didn't know how well our message would be received. No one expected how emotional it would become.

Content Warning: discussions of suicide

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We're going back to school! We asked ourselves how new teachers are being taught. Is the system getting more accepting of LGBTQ students, or are things going backwards? Do you see the school as your defender... or does the system side with the bullies? We had a discussion with our resident expert in the education field, a recent graduate from the education program and fresh with her teacher's license, Rya's daughter Megan.

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Is it better than it used to be to be openly gay in high school? While society has become more open and tolerant, things are far from easy. In this episode we welcome a special guest, our granddaughter and niece, Maya. She describes her experiences as a high school senior, and the strategies she employs to get along with everyone. Just because someone disagrees with you doesn't mean you can't be friends. Maya shares her secrets for promoting conversation instead of confrontation.

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