Trandescendant

We learned a new word and we wanted to share it with you. What is transmisia? And what does it mean for promoting healthier relationships? Send us Fan Mail Support the show

What is it like to be a transgender person in the workforce? How is it different if you stay at the same job you worked before your transition. In this episode, we discuss the topic with one of Rya's childhood friends, a transgender man who works at the local foundary. Send us Fan Mail Support the show

One of the great tragedies of many LGBTQ people's life stories is the frequent non-acceptance by family members. We offer two perspectives on how gay, lesbian, and other queer people experience family life. You never know how much time you have left, so we must all make the most of the relationships we have now. Send us Fan Mail Support the show

Rya and Joe take a moment to stop and reflect on how the podcast has changed since they started. Send us Fan Mail Support the show

This kind of thing happens all the time but often goes unnoticed. In this episode, we share a real-life example of how words can hurt, even when they have the best intentions. Send us Fan Mail Support the show

You've been there. Someone tells an off color joke that set off your alarms. You know you should speak up. But you're not sure what to say. In this episode, we discuss an effective strategy for being a positive influence in that situation without having to become the "wet blanket." Send us Fan Mail Support the show

"Cultivating positive relationships together" means positive for EVERYONE. But what about for the person who has reservations about LGBTQ issues? Or the person who sincerely believes it conflicts with their faith? Is it possible to still make meaningful contributions towards the relationship? We believe it is. In this episode, we discuss things the skeptic can do to work towards healthie...

We all want to have positive relationships. But how can we cultivate them after we've gotten hurt? In this episode we discuss the one thing that is the biggest favor you can do for yourself and for your relationships. It's good for your physical health, it's good for your mental health, and it contributes to your happiness. Send us Fan Mail Support the show

When you're faced with a hopeless situation, everything can feel overwhelming. But there is a solution, and it's already there. You just have to find it. No matter what, there is an answer for you. This episode explores the types of hopeless situations you could be facing and suggests ways to get through them even when there seems to be no way. Send us Fan Mail Support the show

Even in the best of relationships, there are things that can be difficult to discuss. We share the secrets that LGBTQ people can be reluctant to talk about. Some are too painful. Others simply go unnoticed. But all are important. Send us Fan Mail Support the show

Relationships are a complicated thing. They can be the most rewarding and fulfilling thing in your life, but they can also be the most difficult. It is important to remember that relationships are not just about you. They are about two people who have their own needs and wants, and it is up to you to find a way to make both of those needs and wants work together. This episode will help you learn h...

Have you ever tried to make a change in your life only to have it fail? Trying harder doesn't work. But there is something that can motivate you without even needing any discipline. Send us Fan Mail Support the show

What makes a family a family? For some, family is based on blood. For others, family is chosen. Either way, there is a lot we can do to invest in those relationships to make family everything we yearn for it to be. Send us Fan Mail Support the show

A listener responds to our first episodes. We seemed to offer an all-or-nothing approach to relationships. But what about when relationships don't work out? What about when a family member refuses to reconcile? Or when the dynamic is too toxic to continue? Is there any wiggle room? Send us Fan Mail Support the show

Family is so important, and very few things in life matter more. How do we keep keep ties strong, especially if we don't see eye-to-eye about issues of gender and sexuality? Differences in perspective don't have to result in broken relationships. What are ways we can demonstrate unconditional acceptance despite our differences? Send us Fan Mail Support the show

LGBTQ family members frequently have to face issues of bullying. What are some coping strategies they can use? And what can those who love them do to help? Send us Fan Mail Support the show

A guide to preparing for that critical moment when you let your loved one know that you are LGBTQ. We discuss the concept of metacommunication and how you can prepare the way so that the big moment goes well. Send us Fan Mail Support the show

How do you know when you're ready to come out? What are the benefits of coming out? What are the risks of coming out? What are some things to consider before coming out? In this episode we discuss the most important things you need to consider before you take that big step. Send us Fan Mail Support the show

Whether it is you or a loved one coming out, you can deal with a tremendous sense of loss. Rya shares about the anger she felt in the process. Joe shares the secret of the Lock-Out, a strategy he developed to help him through the most difficult time of his life. This is the third part of Joe and Rya's discussion about grieving through the coming-out process. Send us Fan Mail Support the show

Coming out of the closet brings a newfound freedom. But it can also be accompanied by great loss. Rya tells her story of coming out, and the loss she experienced. Together, she and her dad explore how the first few stages of grieving can affect a person who has decided to come out. They discuss ways to find hope in the midst of the pain of loss. Send us Fan Mail Support the show

What happens when a loved one comes out to you as gay or trans? The person you thought you knew is not the same person. There can be a very real grieving process as you come to terms with who they are. Joe tells his story about accepting Rya when she came out as transgender. They discuss the difficulties the family had in coming to a place of acceptance. Send us Fan Mail Support the show

Rya and Joe discuss the difficulties in accepting our LGBTQ family members and friends, and then look at seven ways we can each demonstrate unconditional acceptance in order to affirm our relationships. Send us Fan Mail Support the show

Joe recounts the surprising decision of a girl in a leper colony, drawing parallels with how to respond when LGBTQ family members come out. Send us Fan Mail Support the show

Transitioning is not just a physical journey, but an emotional one that can reshape lives in unexpected ways. In the first episode of Trandescendant , Rya opens up to her father Joe about her experience with the emotional and physical challenges of going through a second puberty, as well as the heartbreak of ending her marriage and feeling like she had lost everything in the process. It’s an conve...