How to Be a Girl

My daughter and I are stunned and sad, but we are doing OK. Here is something for you. Some words from me, with some music from my amazing daughter. A message from Marlo Marlo Mack Music credit: Improvisation on electric guitar, by M. Mack

What happens when supporting your child means leaving your home? Meet my courageous friends from Montana, who are building a new life in a new state after anti-trans legislation targeted their young daughter. This is the second part in a two-part story. Listen to Part One here. HTBAG #35: Unwelcome (Part II) Marlo Mack Music credits: Game Hens by Blue Dot Sessions Chorus and Call, Detroit by Podin...

Imagine living in a place where your own child has been outlawed. This is happening, right now, all over the United States. In this episode, you’ll meet my new friends, a courageous and close-knit family who suddenly found themselves unwelcome in the place they had always called home. HTBAG #34: Unwelcome (Part I) Marlo Mack Music credits: Night Light, Dowdy, Quarry Clouds, & November Mist, by...

It's been over two years. I wanted to let you know how we are doing. Thank you for your patience. (Spoiler: My daughter is still amazing.) HTBAG #33: How We Are Now Marlo Mack MUSIC CREDITS: Tides (instrumental) by Benjamin Mullins (Courtesy of Audiosocket) Lost in the Dark (instrumental) by Forest Sun (Courtesy of Audiosocket)

For years, people have asked me what I would do when my daughter hit puberty. Was I going to let her do... the "medical stuff?" Well, right after the pandemic struck, so did puberty. And this is what my daughter (and her mother) decided to do.

HTBAG #31: M is for Middle School, Take Two Marlo Mack Download This episode is different from any of our previous episodes. It’s also a do-over, because the first version of this episode overlooked the fact that my daughter is growing up, fast. She’s almost a teenager, and we both agree that it’s time she took charge. So that’s what she did. (Here’s a little more about how this episode came to be...

I want you to meet my good friend, Emma. When she was a little girl, she was just like my daughter. But no one knew her for 60 years. I'm so glad she's here now.

HTBAG #29: Eleven Marlo Mack I sit down for a talk with my (almost) 11-year-old: Cliques, gossip, fashion, puberty, and how it feels to be a transgender tween. MUSIC CREDIT: “Little Girl” by Jetty Rae (Courtesy of Audiosocket)

HTBAG #28: The Tell Marlo Mack A new friend at school. A poker lesson. A 10-year-old hatches a plan. MUSIC CREDITS: “Ganef” by Vagabond Opera and “Moonlight Love Affair” by Steve Rice (Courtesy of Audiosocket) “Chill Wave” by Kevin MacLeod “The Reckoning” by Podington Bear Please consider checking out our Support Page . Your help keeps this podcast going!

HTBAG #27: Playdates with Christians Marlo Mack Are the new next-door neighbors going to let their daughters play with mine if they find out she's transgender? To attempt to answer this question, I seek expert advice from a new friend in the Bible Belt. MUSIC CREDITS: “Morning” by Nicole Reynolds, “Shall We Gather at the River” by Pat Holmberg, “Amazing Grace Solo Piano” by Lana Palmer (Courtesy o...

HTBAG #26: Sarah McBride Marlo Mack Need to hear a positive story about politics? I know I do. Here's the inspiring story of Sarah McBride, the young transgender activist who gives me hope (and is my personal pick for the first transgender president). MUSIC CREDITS: "Halflight," “G Piano," “Across the River, and "Triste" by Podington Bear; “Asturias” by Isaac Albeniz (Courtesy of Audiosocket). Ple...

HTBAG #25: To Tell or Not to Tell? Marlo Mack In the last episode, I asked my listeners to help me answer this question: Should my daughter tell the kids at her new school that she's transgender? In this episode, you will hear the wisdom that came back to me. My cup runneth over. MUSIC CREDITS: “Den," "Floating in Space," "Surface Tension," and "Threshold" by Podington Bear; "You Are a Memory" by...

HTBAG #24: New School Marlo Mack My daughter starts fifth grade at a new school next month.  It's a fresh start, where no one knows that she's transgender.  How do I handle this? How do I advise her?  Should she keep her transgender status to herself or be more open? At the end of this episode, I'll be asking for your advice: What should I do? MUSIC CREDITS: "Sensitive" and "Constel...

HTBAG #23: Won't you be my neighbor? Marlo Mack We've moved.  To the suburbs.  We're getting to know the new neighbors, and we're wondering: Will they accept us here?  MUSIC CREDITS:   "Glitter" and "Chauncy" by Podington Bear (licensed under CC BY-NC 3.0 ) and "Bloom" by Jahzzar (licensed under CC BY-SA 4.0 ).

HTBAG #22: The Prince Marlo Mack Did you know there's a wedding coming up, uniting an Englishman with an American bride?  Listen now for ALL the juicy details on this intercontinental couple's forthcoming nuptials! (And hear what my daughter thinks of her soon-to-be stepdad.) MUSIC CREDITS: "Lord of the Land," "Evening Melodrama," "Master of the Feast," "The Rule," and "Bossa Bossa" by Kevin...

HTBAG #21: Going First Marlo Mack In this episode, my daughter and I get to talk with two of our heroes.  Jazz Jennings is a reality TV star, LGBTQ activist, and arguably the most famous transgender teen in the world.  Her mom Jeanette is as brave as they come. MUSIC CREDITS:  “Springtime,” “Quartrefoil,” and “Blue” by Podington Bear (licensed under CC BY-NC 3.0 ) “Helice” by Monpla...

HTBAG #20: The Betrayal Marlo Mack Of course I knew this was going to happen eventually.  But that didn't make it any easier when it did.  Music credits:  “Chicxuclub” and “Transient” by Podington Bear “Undaunted” by Kevin MacLeod “Dormir rien de plus” by Monplaisir

HTBAG: 2018 Season Intro Marlo Mack After a pretty lengthy hiatus, we're back!  The first episode of the 2018 season comes out next week.  Here's a little taste of what's to come.   Music credits:   "Lode Runner" and "Sorrento" by Podington Bear.

We Shall Overcome M. Mack

Happy Holidays Marlo Mack This mini-episode contains: One VERY excited little girl awaiting Santa, news of the big changes coming to our lives, my plans for the future of this podcast, and... a miracle!  Music credits: Dee Yan-Key,  "Santa on Tour" (licensed under CC BY-NC-SA 4.0 ) Borrtex, "Buying Presents" (licensed under CC BY-NC 4.0 )  

When it rains it pours Marlo Mack How can the best of times also be the worst of times? This spring nearly washed me away... but not quite.  M. tries her hand at TV journalism. Music credit: David Mumford, “Singing in the Rain (Instrumental)" (licensed under CC BY 4.0 )  

HTBAG#19: Red State Mama Marlo Mack I thought I was pretty brave until I met my counterpart from a red state. Music credits: "Telling Me So" and "Spring" (instrumental) by St. Paul de Vence   

A little update, with cat videos Marlo Mack This tiny episode is mostly silly, and a little bit serious.  I also have some news.  Plus, cat videos.  (KUOW is hosting a How to Be a Girl listening party in Seattle on February 26! Reserve a seat at http://kuow.org/post/join-us-how-be-girl-listening-party ) MUSIC CREDITS: "Quirky Dog" by Kevin MacLeod ( www.incompetech.com ) "Mama"...

HTBAG#17: The Window Marlo Mack In 2013, Obama opened a window for transgender people when he made it easier to change the gender on your Social Security record. But with Trump coming into office, it looks like that window is about to close.  I hadn't been in much of a rush to change my 9-year-old transgender daughter's Social Security record, but I sure am now.  MUSIC CREDITS: “Dubakupa...

HTBAG#16: How to Be a (Teen) Girl Marlo Mack It’s still five years off, but I think about it all the time.  What’s it going to be like when my transgender daughter becomes a teenager? Music credits: Andy G Cohen, "Land_Legs" (licensed under CC BY 4.0 ) David Mumford, "Twinkle Twinkle Instrumental" (licensed under CC BY 4.0 ) Loch Lomond, "Elephants and Little Girls" (licensed under CC BY 4.0...