Gender in Focus

So often, we talk about trans and non-binary lives in terms of struggle, but that’s never been the whole story. In this episode, we turn toward what rarely gets said out loud: the insight, creativity and gifts that come from living in ways the world doesn’t always expect or understand. We talk about authenticity that’s been fought for, empathy that runs deep and the innovation that comes from havi...

What do you do when your values tell you one thing, but the system won’t budge? In this episode, I’m joined by Hélène Frohard-Dourlent, a community organizer with years of experience inside big institutions, navigating the tricky gap between good intentions and outdated infrastructure. We talk about what it’s like when the structures around us - forms, policies, washrooms - don’t reflect the value...

Sometimes helping doesn’t help. In this episode, we’re unpacking saviourism... the kind that sneaks in when we want to do good, but end up taking up space that wasn’t ours to begin with. We explore how it differs from real, respectful allyship and what it looks like to support inclusion without stepping into the spotlight. Saviourism can be hard to spot in ourselves. It often shows up wrapped in g...

Sometimes, conflict shows up at work in ways that catch us off guard. A comment lands wrong, someone raises a concern, and suddenly, you’re the manager everyone turns to for what happens next. If it’s about gender diversity, it can feel especially high-stakes. You want to support your team, but you don’t want to get it wrong. So you pause, hesitate or hope it’ll just blow over. In this episode, we...

There are days when it feels like the tide is turning backwards - when every step forward for gender diversity is met with a wall of resistance, and showing up starts to feel just a bit too much. This week, we’re talking about allyship burnout. The slow, quiet kind of exhaustion that creeps in when you care deeply but feel like nothing is shifting. We share the gentle practices that help us stay i...

It’s easy to say your hiring process is inclusive - but what do your job ads, interview questions and onboarding forms quietly communicate? In this episode, we’re peeling back the layers of recruitment to see what really makes a difference for trans and non-binary candidates. We talk about the subtle ways bias creeps in, how to build trust from the first click and why language - on your website, i...

For trans and non-binary people, choosing a name can be one of the first steps in recognising who we are - and asking the world to do the same. In this episode, we explore the deep meaning that names can hold. You’ll hear personal stories about the search for a name that feels like home, and the joy and affirmation that come when it finally fits. We also talk about what it feels like when the wron...

So much of the language we use at work flies under the radar, but that doesn’t mean it’s harmless. In this episode, El and Kai talk about how gender shows up in written communication more often than we think - from outdated honourifics to the casual use of “he/she,” and policies that only acknowledge men and women. They unpack how these patterns reinforce assumptions and why it matters for everyon...

To mark International Non-Binary People’s Day, we’re switching seats! In this episode, Kai takes on the role of interviewer, inviting El - usually the one asking the questions - to share their story as a non-binary, gender-fluid person. El speaks to what it’s like to navigate the world without a clear blueprint, and how turning inward has helped shape a life that feels grounded, open and full of p...

In this episode, El and Kai take a closer look at Pride - the parties, the protests and the many complicated feelings in between. For some 2SLGBTQIA+ folks, Pride is a source of joy, visibility and connection. For others, it feels commercialized, disconnected or even painful - especially this year, as anti-queer and trans backlash continues to gain ground around the world. They unpack the roots of...

In this episode, Kai and El unpack the impact of jokes about trans people - specifically those made by comedian Dave Chappelle. While some frame these moments as simple comedy, we explore why these kinds of jokes can be harmful, especially when they rely on tired stereotypes or feed into societal misunderstandings. We talk about what makes a joke punch down, and why that matters - particularly whe...

In this episode, El and Kai step into the everyday world of washrooms and changing rooms - those ordinary spaces that, for many trans and non-binary people, are anything but simple. These are places where something as basic as peeing can come with an undercurrent of discomfort, scrutiny or even violence. They talk about what it means to be seen (or questioned) in these spaces, and how the unspoken...

What if the barrier to being a good ally... is the fear of not being one? In this episode, El and Kai talk about something many of us feel but rarely say out loud: the fear of getting it wrong when trying to support trans people - of saying the wrong thing, doing the wrong thing or being seen as “part of the problem.” But the truth is, allyship is much more about presence than it is about perfecti...

This week, Kai is joined by his good friend and colleague Chase Willier for a a conversation that is both deeply personal and powerful. Recorded on xʷməθkʷəy̓əm (Musqueam), Sḵwx̱wú7mesh (Squamish), and səlilwətaɬ (Tsleil-Waututh) land - also known as Vancouver - this episode marks Indigenous History Month with compassion and connection at its heart. Chase shares his lived experience during the Six...

This International Trail Day, we’re lacing up our boots and heading into the wild - not just to celebrate the outdoors, but to share the tender, personal ways nature has shaped how we understand ourselves. In this episode, we chat about how time under open skies has helped them connect more deeply with their own sense of gender and self, and how the rich, effortless diversity of the natural world...

What happens when the simple act of being yourself is dismissed as a “trend”? In this episode, we explore the profound impact of visibility for trans people - how seeing your own experiences reflected in the world offers not just affirmation, but a deep sense of recognition and belonging. Yet when that reality is brushed aside as a passing fad, the harm runs deep, especially for trans youth who ar...

This week, in honour of Asian Heritage Month, Kai is joined by Finn Liu, a fellow TEDx speaker whose story left a lasting impression when they first shared a stage. In this conversation, Finn reflects on his TEDx experience and the impact of representation - especially in spaces where he hadn’t often seen himself reflected before. He shares his journey of exploring gender and identity within the c...

What story are your workplace visuals really telling about belonging and inclusion? Join Kai and El in this episode as they delve into the surprisingly powerful world of inclusive visuals and why authentic representation is so crucial for transgender and non-binary people to see themselves reflected in their workplaces. They share some awkward and oh-so-common missteps (glitter beards, we're looki...

This week, Kai and El are getting into one of our favourite behind-the-scenes heroes of inclusion: the toolkit. Think of it as your organization’s go-to guide for supporting trans and non-binary employees - before, during and after someone comes out at work. No scrambling, no awkward guesswork, no “uhh… what do we do now?” moments. A great toolkit does more than hand out definitions or policies -...

In 2023, Kai took to the TEDx stage with a powerful talk on gender and the ever-widening divide in how it’s understood. For some, gender feels simple; for others, it’s layered and complex. Kai’s talk was all about building bridges between those perspectives - bringing people together to learn from each other, reflect on their own experiences, and deepen their understanding through connection and c...

Let’s talk about everyone’s favourite topic… toilets! 🚽 This week, Kai is joined by Marni Robinson, Senior Director of Social Impact at HCM Architecture. Over the years, Kai has had the chance to collaborate with Marni and the HCM Architecture team on a number of projects, so this episode is the perfect opportunity to lift the lid (pun intended!) on what it really takes to design facilities that...

In this episode, Kai and El explore one of those moments that many of us shy away from - the awkwardness of correcting someone else’s mistakes. It’s one thing to fix our own slip-ups, but what do we do when someone else makes an error? It's a daunting thought for a lot of people - especially in the context of gender diversity.  Kai and El discuss how to navigate these situations with care and...

The pressure on leaders to have all the answers? Yeah, it’s REAL - especially when it comes to inclusive leadership. In this episode, El asks Kai about his experiences working with organizations to make workplaces more inclusive for trans and non-binary people, sharing how even the most experienced leaders are still learning and evolving when it comes to creating inclusive and diverse work environ...

Language shapes how we see the world - and when gender is built into the words we use, inclusion becomes a real challenge. In this episode of Gender in Focus, Kai is joined by TransFocus team members Nico, Ange and Mirko to explore what gender diversity looks like in the French, Spanish and German languages, where gender is woven into so many aspects of communication. They discuss the obstacles, t...

In this episode of Gender in Focus, Kai and El are tackling a crucial aspect of workplace inclusion: how we collect gender data. We discuss ways to update our approach to gender data collection, with a particular focus on being inclusive of trans, non-binary and Two-Spirit people. We explore why it’s time to rethink how this information is gathered, and how a more thoughtful approach can make all...