You Must Be Some Kind of Therapist

My good friend Amy Sousa is a brave and resilient woman presently battling stage 3 breast cancer. We delve into the complex emotions and decisions Amy faces as she navigates her cancer journey. Amy shares her unique perspective on the significance of breasts, challenging societal norms and gender ideology. We explore the impact of cancer on her embodiment activism and the importance of self-accept...

MaryCate Delvey is a female rights activist and satirist. She created the video series “Listen To Trans People,” which exposes the dark nature of transgender ideology in their own words.  In this episode, she helps me uncover the disturbing inner worlds of porn-saturated misogynists, incel Redditors, and autogynephiles, shedding light on the fetishistic nature of some men who simultaneously seek t...

In this episode, I sit down with Tamara Pietzke, a mental health therapist best known for having blown the whistle on gender affirming care this past February in a Free Press article. What has she been up to since then? We discuss the complexities of therapists being pressured to rubber stamp gender identities and recommend medical interventions. Tamara shares her experiences challenging the statu...

LaRell and Valerie Herbert are a married couple with a very unique story. During their time together, LaRell first believed he was a transgender woman and went through full sex trait modification before awakening to self-acceptance as a man.  Join us as we explore their journey through somatic psychology and psychedelic integration. How did their relationship withstand the challenges of detransiti...

In this episode, I dive into a fascinating conversation with Dr. Camilo Ortiz about a groundbreaking concept he coined as "independence therapy." Dr. Ortiz shares insights on how giving kids age-appropriate responsibilities and freedoms can help them overcome anxiety. We discuss the evolution of this idea from classic exposure therapy to empowering kids with independence. How does this therapy wor...

I sit down with three remarkable gentlemen to discuss the complexities of black fatherhood in America. Speaking from their hearts, Adam, Mike and Jeremiah share how it has shaped their characters to embrace the responsibilities, challenges, and blessings of fatherhood. They critically examine societal norms, narratives, and myths that keep black families in survival mode, and explore what it truly...

I sit down with Maia Poet, a 24-year-old Israeli-American writer, researcher, and public speaker with an extraordinary story. Maia began identifying as transgender at the tender age of 12 and recently desisted from this identity after living as a man in the Middle East for several years. What led her to this profound change? How did her experiences in Israel and Palestine shape her understanding o...

Many cultural critics have expressed a mounting concern about prevalent attitudes that promote fragile mentalities, potentially crippling a generation and leaving them underprepared for the demands of adult life. Today’s roundtable panel brings together experts in mental health, social work, and social-emotional learning to discuss these concerns. How do narratives about our ability to bounce back...

Sidewalk Steve earned this nickname from boldly positioning himself on the streets of New Hampshire to discuss what’s wrong with pediatric sex trait modification with hundreds of passers-by. How has an introvert like Steve worked up the courage to speak in public about the most controversial issue of our time, despite fear of cancel culture and even assault? What communication techniques does he u...

I’ve brought together a panel of two detransitioners and an elder therapist with many years of experience treating transition regret in psychoanalytic psychotherapy. Together, we explore the barriers to effective psychotherapy for individuals experiencing transition regret and the importance of a relational approach in therapy. But what happens when therapists fall into the trap of ego issues and...

Today’s episode is unlike any other. Although I had an entirely different episode planned, something came up recently that needed to be addressed. I said something on social media that hit a nerve for a lot of anguished people, namely, ROGD parents — ironically, the population I am most focused on addressing, and typically have great relationships with in the markedly different context of personal...

In a rare solo episode, I reflect on a few key themes that have emerged during the course of my work consulting with with parents who are worried about losing their kids to the gender craze. Join me as I share insights on how to help families facing this challenge. When is it actually a bad idea to tell your kids about the harms of sex trait modification? How can parents express concerns to headst...

In response to a viral tweet that sparked a heated debate about the natural bond between mothers and babies, I’ve brought together a panel of wise women to delve into the controversial topic of motherhood, daycare, and child-rearing in the 21st century. My guests share personal experiences and expertise in reproductive mental health, child development, and embodiment, shedding light on the biologi...

Mia Hughes, author of the recently released WPATH Files report, joins me today to discuss the medical scandal of our era. Together, we uncover the shocking revelations from the leaked files, exposing the mistreatment of vulnerable individuals seeking gender transition.  We explore how the official-sounding “World Professional Association for Transgender Health” got its name, and whether that title...

This Earth Day, I’d like to honor the importance of our connection to the natural world by welcoming the insightful Derrick Jensen, an author and environmental activist whose work has profoundly influenced me from an early age. We explore the stark contrast between our knowledge of commercial jingles and movie stars versus our understanding of the stars in the sky and the edible plants in our own...

Today I welcome the esteemed Dr. Joseph Burgo to discuss the psychological crisis of males who find refuge in a trans identity. Along the way, we explore myriad contributing factors, from shame, narcissism, and autogynephilia; to rising rates of autism and unlimited access to increasingly obscene internet pornography; as well as gender roles, norms, expectations, and recent cultural shifts. As we...

In this rare solo episode, I delve into personal decisions that have recently shaped my career path, shedding light on the challenges and triumphs that have led me to where I am today, including the impact of stress on chronic illness, and the difficult choice to step back from therapy to prioritize my well-being. But why did I choose consulting over therapy? What drove me to specialize in helping...

Is shame always destructive, or can it foster growth? Does being compassionate require that we affirm every belief or validate every emotion? When are psychiatric diagnoses helpful or harmful? Is it better to strive for race-awareness or a color-blind society? Should social norms be challenged or reinforced? What is the role of hope in fostering change? I’ve brought together several interesting gu...

In what ways is gender ideology cult-like? What are its core foundational myths, and how can concerned citizens challenge them? Today’s guest, Justine Deterling, founded the LGB watchdog organization Gender Health Query to create resources for parents and educators to address these concerns. In this episode, we discuss the cult-like dynamics of gender activism influencing young people's beliefs an...

Wise decision-making often requires that we grapple with notions of good and evil. Fields such as history, spirituality, philosophy, and psychology all help orient our moral compass. Yet despite so much access to information, today’s youth seem to lack the grounding principles needed to navigate life's challenges. How is the modern world's existential crisis impacting today's youth? Today, returni...

Gabrielle helped her daughter escape the cult. Now, as a Desistance Coach, she helps other parents find ways to reach their ideologically captured children too. Meanwhile, my career has taken a similar direction, as I’ve devoted a significant portion of my energy toward helping parents of youth with Rapid Onset Gender Dysphoria (ROGD) as a communication skills consultant. Today, we discuss the cha...

In my second returning guests group chat, I delve into the complex world of therapy with colleagues David Teachout and Christine Sefein. We explore the concept of therapeutic neutrality and its relevance in today's therapy landscape. Is therapy dead? How are therapists able to maintain neutrality in an age of biases and cultural influences? And what are the limits to neutrality? We discuss the eth...

In this episode, I sit down with Nicholas Blooms, a detransitioner, artist, and creator of a unique graphic novel. Nicholas shares his profound journey of detransitioning, delving into the spiritual and emotional aspects of reclaiming his sense of self and finding a sustainable, embodied way of living. I explain my current model of how gender dysphoria changes over time along the spectrum between...

Today I welcome back former guests Jennifer Lahl, Karen King, and Jake Wiskerchen for a collegial group chat. We catch up on their latest projects, including Jennifer’s new documentary on detrans men, The Lost Boys: Searching for Manhood , and Karen’s Ideological Oasis group for counseling graduates and interns. We dive into the topics of distress tolerance, emotion regulation, and parenting. We a...

In part two of my conversation with Layton, she continues to share her journey of navigating the trauma of leaving a cult, bad therapy, the harmful effects of the trans medical industrial complex, and how she finally found wholeness. Missed part 1? Listen to episode 95 here. Layton opens up about her experience of undergoing synthetic testosterone as a female and the traumatic impact it had on her...