Transparently Speaking

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Last week brought a surge of anti-trans legislation proposals that felt impossible to ignore, especially for families raising transgender kids. In this episode, we step away from our planned content and talk honestly about what it’s like to live inside this moment, in real time.

We share how these proposals land differently depending on where our kids are in their journeys, how we’re balancing staying informed with protecting our mental health, and the small ways we’re caring for ourselves and our families as we navigate uncertainty.

If you’re feeling overwhelmed, numb, or unsure what to do next, this episode offers connection, perspective, and a reminder that you’re not navigating this alone.

If you’re taking something away from our podcast, we’d appreciate it if you’d take a moment to provide us with a review; the more listeners and reviews, the more people we can reach and support.

As always, feel free to reach out to us at [email protected].

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Join Diana and Joy as they reflect on the people and things they are grateful for during this holiday season.  Although they've faced many challenges (and anticipate more), there is still much to be grateful for!  Plus - the saying "where attention goes, energy flows" is real!  Science continues to provide evidence that the practice of gratitude can help regulate stress, enhance happiness, boost immune function, improve sleep, etc. etc.  So, after you listen, join us in practicing.  What are you grateful for?

If you’re taking something away from our podcast, we’d appreciate it if you’d take a moment to provide us with a review; the more listeners and reviews, the more people we can reach and support.

As always, feel free to reach out to us at [email protected].

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In this episode, we unpack what happens when an adult in a position of authority chooses “respect” over real understanding, and how that choice shapes a transgender child’s daily experience. 

A recent school meeting revealed just how much harm comes from assumptions, unchecked bias, and a teacher’s refusal to learn about gender, even after years of knowing a student.

If you’re taking something away from our podcast, we’d appreciate it if you’d take a moment to provide us with a review; the more listeners and reviews, the more people we can reach and support.

As always, feel free to reach out to us at [email protected].

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Joy and Diana open up about their current challenges amid the ongoing attacks on youth gender affirming care. They discuss the real-world hurdles of managing prescription renewals, medication access, and insurance barriers. The episode also offers an inside look at Samantha’s upcoming endocrinology appointment and the thoughtful planning behind timelines and next steps for blockers, hormones, and future surgical care. 

If you’re taking something away from our podcast, we’d appreciate it if you’d take a moment to provide us with a review; the more listeners and reviews, the more people we can reach and support.

As always, feel free to reach out to us at [email protected].

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Diana and Joy share the profound isolation of raising transgender children while maintaining their privacy. They discuss why they limit who knows their children's identities, the risks they're protecting against, and the loneliness of being unable to share their biggest challenges with friends and family. A raw conversation about the emotional cost of keeping their children safe in today's political climate.

If you’re taking something away from our podcast, we’d appreciate it if you’d take a moment to provide us with a review; the more listeners and reviews, the more people we can reach and support.

As always, feel free to reach out to us at [email protected].

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In this episode of Transparently Speaking, Joy and Diana explore the challenge for everyone in adopting new names and pronouns.  They share personal stories and reflect on how it feels when someone dismisses or neglects pronouns, how to respond (or not), and how allies can do better. 

If you’re taking something away from our podcast, we’d appreciate it if you’d take a moment to provide us with a review; the more listeners and reviews, the more people we can reach and support.

As always, feel free to reach out to us at [email protected].

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From new driver’s licenses to marathon training, we share family updates alongside deeper reflections on advocacy, trans rights, and why a simple message like “You Are Loved” matters more than ever.

In this episode, we catch up on big life updates—from teenagers getting their driver’s licenses to the final stretch of marathon training. But woven through these everyday milestones are deeper conversations about what it means to parent, advocate, and show up for transgender youth.

We share the relief of seeing correct gender markers affirmed on official documents, the bittersweet transition of kids gaining independence, and the courage it takes to wear a message as simple—and as controversial—as “You Are Loved.”

Along the way, we talk about the troubling rhetoric labeling transgender people and their advocates as dangerous, and why visibility and allyship matter now more than ever.

If you’re taking something away from our podcast, we’d appreciate it if you’d take a moment to provide us with a review; the more listeners and reviews, the more people we can reach and support.

As always, feel free to reach out to us at [email protected].

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Diana and Joy reflect on the impact of the Minneapolis shooting (Aug 27, 2025) as they prepare for sending their trans kids off to a new school year.

If you’re taking something away from our podcast, we’d appreciate it if you’d take a moment to provide us with a review; the more listeners and reviews, the more people we can reach and support.

As always, feel free to reach out to us at [email protected].

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A physician dad shares how politics are disrupting research, parenting transgender kids, and the sports debate.

In this episode, Diana sits down with her husband, Arthur, a physician researcher and parent, to talk about how today’s shifting policies and headlines affect real families. Together, they cover three big themes:

• The ripple effects of political decisions on medical research and patient care
• What it means for parents of transgender kids to prepare and protect their families
• The science, myths, and realities behind the transgender sports debate

This candid conversation sheds light on how systemic changes impact everyday lives, and what families and allies can keep in mind moving forward.

If you’re taking something away from our podcast, we’d appreciate it if you’d take a moment to provide us with a review; the more listeners and reviews, the more people we can reach and support.

As always, feel free to reach out to us at [email protected].

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Recorded in the first half of July, Episode 103 is a reflection of how Joy and Samantha are feeling since the Supreme Court agreed to take up the constitutionality of laws that bar transgender women and girls from participating on girls’ and women’s sports teams.  Since 2020, 27 states have banned grade school transgender girls from participating on girls sports teams.  Since this recording, in late July, the U.S. Olympic & Paralympic Committee (USOPC) updated their athlete safety policy, effectively barring transgender women from all women's competitions. 

Access details here: https://www.usopc.org/diversity-equity-inclusion/transgender-athlete-participation-in-sport 

If you’re taking something away from our podcast, we’d appreciate it if you’d take a moment to provide us with a review; the more listeners and reviews, the more people we can reach and support.

As always, feel free to reach out to us at [email protected].