Elle talks about the ways in which transition conjures the experience of grief. Quoting the work of Edith Eder (https://schizanthusnerd.com/2020/07/26/the-gift, she reflects on her life experiences with grief, some of the things she has lost in transition, and the mystical way in which grief transmutes to gratitude given enough time and magic. Elle references numerous other episodes of the podcast in this one, as well as the fact that most of the Transgender Woman Talking Podcast is available in video form on YouTube (check out Elle's channel here: https://www.youtube.com/@transgenderwomantalking )

Thanks for listening! Reach out with constructive comments and high fives at: [email protected]

In this episode, Elle talks about her experiences with traveling over the course of her life. She discusses how this privilege has shaped her worldview and enriched her life. At the same time, she also evaluates how this experience has and will change because of her identity as a transgender woman. Included in this episode are the themes of: privilege, recent legislation outlawing care for transgender youth and criminalizing the use of bathrooms, culture, racism, and Christian missions (just to name a few).

She makes mention of the artist, "Semler", and their amazing piece of music entitled "Bethlehem" (click here to listen on spotify)

Elle also talks about a US Government Travel resource for LGBTQ people - click here. 

As always, reach out to Elle at [email protected]

Check out the YouTube Channel to see the video of this episode in living color: https://www.youtube.com/channel/UCHIwunUfX0Rl8gzk2Pm2Ntw 

Elle talks about her relationship with family, how the transition has impacted those bonds, and the value of family for queer people in general. She discusses the impact of severed ties -- which sometimes is necessary and important, while also sometimes being incredibly painful and unwanted -- as well as the beauty and challenge of maintaining those ties. 

Toward the end of the episode, she talks about several ideas for future episodes. Please offer your feedback! [email protected]

No YouTube episode this week, as explained in the show. We'll be back at it next week.

Elle discusses her personal and professional experiences with therapy and mental health. She currently is in school to become a LMFT, and has been a beneficiary of therapists many times over the years. In the conversation, she touches on the negative reputation therapist has within the conservative Christian contexts; the reasons why trans people may wish to interact with a therapist; several different qualification and education levels therapists may have; and how a trans person might evaluate a potential therapist. 

Please reach out to Elle with questions or feedback at [email protected]

Watch the video versions of the show at her YouTube Channel: https://www.youtube.com/@transgenderwomantalking 

As always, please leave a rating and review for the show if you haven't done so yet! 

In the third installment of the egg-cracking series, Elle discusses additional elements of her experience that led to the discovery and embrace of her identity as a transgender woman. This episode outlines the years of praying Elle had regarding her gender, and how it changed over time. It also explores some of the gender-expansive expressions she took part in from childhood into adulthood. 

Julia Serano's book Whipping Girl can be purchased anywhere books are sold. Check out the author's blog here: https://www.juliaserano.com/

Am I Transgender? (Part 1) - https://spotifyanchor-web.app.link/e/bha9xLj2zxb

Am I Transgender? (Part 2) - https://spotifyanchor-web.app.link/e/p4lEXJj2zxb

Permanent link to the Transgender Woman Talking website with listing of all episodes: https://anchor.fm/twatpodcast

Listen and watch these episodes on Elle's YouTube channel: https://www.youtube.com/channel/UCHIwunUfX0Rl8gzk2Pm2Ntw

Reach out to Elle at the following email address: [email protected]

Elle discusses the process of choosing a new name as a part of her transition. Included in this are reflections on deadnames, strategies for choosing names, and ritualizing the new name. Though it is very important, she didn't discuss the process of going about legal-name-changing as it is highly variable from state to state. Resources discussed and referenced in this episode:

-Elle's Rite of Transition Ceremony which included a formal renaming blessing. https://estherloewen.com/writing-blog/2022/3/6/rite-of-transition-a-ritual-of-rebirth

-Samantha Allen's book M to W TF on Audible

-Mimi LeMay in "What we Will Become" - book by a mother about her transgender child. 

A YouTube version of this podcast episode is available on my YouTube Channel: https://youtu.be/UMt9UIHn4js

As always, please reach out to Elle at [email protected] with questions, constructive feedback, and blessings!

Elle talks about the spat of anti-trans legislation proposed by state legislators in 2023, and the ways in which trans identities are being politicized by far right extremists for votes. She reflects on her own emotional reactions related to these events, and how she has chosen to cope with them in the meantime. Elle closes with a word of encouragement about where we find ourselves as a trans community. 

Elle references the following resources in this episode:

Katelyn Burns MSNBC article entitled "Hyperfocusing on New Anti-Trans Bills May Hurt More than Help" — https://www.msnbc.com/opinion/msnbc-opinion/hyperfocusing-new-anti-trans-bills-may-hurt-helps-rcna68398 

The ever exuberant and strong Mardi Pieronek on Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/mardipantz/

Watch the YouTube version of this episode on my channel: https://www.youtube.com/channel/UCHIwunUfX0Rl8gzk2Pm2Ntw 

Email me with show suggestions, questions, encouragement, and constructive feedback at: [email protected]

Elle discusses her routine putting on facial cosmetics. Obviously, this activity is gendered in American culture, and highly intertwined with femininity for perhaps some good but also a lot of frustration. She talks about her feelings of obligation to utilize these products, but also the ways in which they feel affirming. Most of the episode is spent discussing her specific makeup routines, detailing products and techniques she has adopted as a trans woman over the course of a couple years. Elle also mentions Ijeoma Oluo's Instagram featuring makeup tutorials - linked here. 

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This week's episode is also available on YouTube in video form - please check it out at this link: https://youtu.be/NhdGlH4eLqQ

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As always, reach out to Elle at [email protected] with questions, ideas, and kindness. Thanks for rating and reviewing the show!

Elle gives her reaction to some of the news out of the UK this past few weeks regarding the rejection of a self-identification law in Scotland by the British Parliament. One speech, in particular, made the rounds involving a legislator's invoked fear of transgender women. Elle talks about some of the dynamics involved in this and her relationships to accessing "women's-only" spaces such as the toilet. Some of the themes in this episode include trans-misogyny, patriarchy and the gender-hierarchy, locker rooms, the existence of transgender men and transmasculine people, racism, and the disproportionate rates of murder experienced by transgender people in general and black trans women in particular. 

Elle is experimenting with video versions of the show. This week's episode is published on YouTube: https://youtu.be/XFjw5ehR8hw

As always, please reach out to her at [email protected]. Thanks for listening.

Elle talks about her experiences with and understanding of internalized transphobia. This concept is built upon the academic model of internalized oppression and the work of scholars like Audre Lorde. Elle discusses how internalized transphobia has affected her, and continues to do so, as well as ways in which we as trans people can combat it. One of the resources she references is a book by Janet Mock entitled "Redefining Realness". She also recommends seeking out a support group created for transgender people such as Trans Tuesdays, a Zoom group held at the mental health clinic Elle currently works at (as a staff member, she does not attend this group herself). 

As always, reach out to Elle at [email protected] with questions or topic ideas. Thank you for rating, reviewing, and listening!!