Send us a text Jen sits down with a panel of parents of young transgender children to discuss the realities of raising young trans kids in the world today. From real talk about the fears they have for their children’s safety to the surprising and unique joys of raising transgender children to everything in between, this episode provides a behind the scenes glimpse into the lives of young transgender children and the parents who affirm, love, and raise them. Links from the show: Some articles abo...
Jul 03, 2023•1 hr 7 min•Ep. 26
Send us a text Transgender people have been forced into the national spotlight in recent years, as everyone from state legislatures to random strangers on the internet debate their identities, their access to medications, their health, their rights, their bodies, and more. There is a staggering amount of misinformation and disinformation being circulated about what it means to be transgender and to transition. Jen joins Dr. Rixt Luikenaar, a board certified OB/GYN who specializes in transgender ...
Jun 19, 2023•49 min•Ep. 24
Send us a text CONTENT WARNING: This episode includes talk of suicide, self harm, and suicidal ideation. It’s a very special Just the FAQs episode at In the Den , because we have a panel made up entirely of licensed therapists to answer some of our most frequently asked questions regarding parenting an LGBTQ child. Jen brings back past podcast guests Dianne Piggott, Cole Brennan, and Laura Skaggs, and asks them to share their wisdom from working as therapists for LGBTQ clients, as well as being ...
Jun 12, 2023•51 min•Ep. 23
Send us a text In this week’s episode of In the Den , Jen talks with Reverend Adam Ericksen as he breaks down some of the most common theology surrounding LGBTQ folks today. Reconciling theological beliefs with our desires to support our LGBTQ child is often a significant part of the journey for religious parents when their child comes out as LGBTQ. Deconstructing theology can be a big hurdle when it comes to loving and celebrating our kids. We have a large number of listeners who are processing...
Jun 05, 2023•54 min•Ep. 22
Send us a text Words with Friends episodes are bonus episodes where different members of Mama Dragons provide definitions for LGBTQ related topics. This episode includes the following definitions: Cisgender shared by Clare McFadden AFAB shared by Melissa Hardin AMAB shared by Heather Gooding Two Spirit shared by Sheri Proctor In the Den is made possible by generous donors like you. Help us continue to deliver quality content by becoming a donor today at mamadragons.org. Support the show Connect ...
Jun 02, 2023•8 min0
Send us a text Being a teenager can be really hard. Being a transgender teen comes with its own unique set of challenges and obstacles. Following last week’s trans-focused episode of In the Den , Jen is back this week with another group of amazing trans teenagers. They discuss the highs and lows that come with being a transgender teenager in the world today. Listen to this informative conversation to better understand trans youth, their experiences, hopes, and dreams, and how you can love and su...
May 29, 2023•55 min•Ep. 21
Send us a text Most of the anti-LGBTQ legislation happening this year in the United States is focused on one particular group–transgender children and teens. So much misinformation and disinformation are being spread about this specific marginalized demographic of kids. On this week’s episode of In the Den , Jen goes straight to the source. She sits down with several transgender teenagers and asks them questions about their lives, their passions, their fears, their transitions, and their hopes f...
May 22, 2023•52 min•Ep. 20
Send us a text In this week’s episode of In the Den , Jen talks with community organizer and political activist Chelsea Gaona-Lincoln about strategies to find balance while advocating for our queer children, particularly during the legislative season where so many bills are being introduced that could harm our kids. They discuss ways to practice self-care and maintain balance between advocacy and home life, along with stressing the importance of modeling resilience and self-care for our children...
May 15, 2023•45 min•Ep. 19
Send us a text Over the years we’ve heard LGBTQ people say that they didn’t know what life might look like for them as an adult. Many haven’t had LGBTQ role models that provide examples of a potential future, and a lot of fear that parents of LGBTQ children experience comes from the unknown as well. We thought it might be helpful for parents to get to know some of the amazing members of the LGBTQ community, just a few at a time, so that they can provide a realistic view of what life could look l...
May 08, 2023•58 min•Ep. 18
Send us a text Join Jen as she sits down with sex therapist Dr. Cami Hurst to discuss the topics of safe sex and sex education for our queer kids. Cami presents the foundations of sexual health, including consent, non-exploitation, mutual pleasure, protection from STIs and unwanted pregnancy, honesty, and shared values. Don’t miss this information packed episode, full of valuable resources and wisdom for parents everywhere. Special Guest: Cami Hurst Dr. Cami Hurst is a licensed marriage and fami...
Apr 24, 2023•45 min•Ep. 17
Send us a text Words with Friends episodes are bonus episodes where different members of Mama Dragons provide definitions for LGBTQ related topics. This episode includes the following definitions: Bisexual shared by Marnie Lobban Pansexual shared by Tracey Anne from Scotland Lesbian shared by Steph Leanne from Mississippi Pregnancy (queer potential) shared by Shauna Jones from Idaho In the Den is made possible by generous donors like you. Help us continue to deliver quality content by becoming a...
Apr 21, 2023•5 min0
Send us a text In this week’s episode of In the Den, Jen visits with Denver-based therapist Cole Brennen about his experiences coming out as trans himself 25 years ago, changes in society’s perceptions of trans people over that time, and what parents can do to support and nurture their queer children today. Special Guest: Cole Brennen Cole Brennan is a queer and transgender mental health therapist, owner of HeartMind Therapy in Denver, former bike mechanic and youth outdoor educator, and lover o...
Apr 17, 2023•45 min•Ep. 16
Send us a text In this episode of In the Den , Jen brings back past guests Lori Davis, Shauna Jones, Neca Allgood, and Laura Skaggs to answer some frequently asked questions regarding parenting an LGBTQ child. What do I do if my partner/co-parent isn’t supportive of my child? Why does my child say they are a boy but wear dresses and makeup? What’s the difference between gender identity and expression? How do I protect my child, both physically and emotionally? How do I respect my child’s reality...
Apr 10, 2023•1 hr•Ep. 15
Send us a text With the tidal wave of anti-transgender legislation currently sweeping the United States, there is an overabundance of misinformation and disinformation circulating about what transitioning is and what it means. To be clear, some trans people never transition in any way, and transitioning is not a requirement of being transgender. Some trans people may utilize certain aspects of transitioning and not others. Social, medical, and legal transitions are very distinct forms of transit...
Apr 03, 2023•1 hr 2 min•Ep. 14
Send us a text Many religious spaces can be fraught for LGBTQ people of faith and those who love them. Scripture and theology are all too often used to harm instead of heal, especially when it comes to our queer congregants. Pastor Stan Mitchell sits down with Jen to talk about how religious theology has hurt and wounded the LGBTQ community, and how we can lean on and expand our faith to find peace, hope, and healing amid a sometimes tumultuous spiritual journey of love and acceptance of our LGB...
Mar 27, 2023•48 min•Ep. 13
Send us a text It can be a confusing and even frustrating experience for parents when their LGBTQ child changes how they label their identity. It’s important to understand that it is very common for LGBTQ young people to find a label for themselves and to later change that label to something else down the road. What does label changing mean, and how can we fully support our children when we don’t understand certain labels? Does changing labels mean that it’s all really just a phase? In this week...
Mar 20, 2023•30 min•Ep. 12
Send us a text The 2023 legislative season is here, and there are a record-breaking 299 anti-LGBTQ bills being proposed across the nation, most attacking transgender young people. The complex nature of the legislative process, along with the overwhelming number of bills being presented, may lead parents of LGBTQ children to feel discouraged and overwhelmed, but we’re here to help. On this week’s episode of In the Den , Jen sits down with policy advocate Sue Robbins to discuss the legislative pro...
Mar 17, 2023•59 min•Ep. 11
Send us a text The 2023 legislative season is here, and there are currently a record-breaking 300+ anti-LGBTQ bills being proposed across the nation, most attacking transgender young people. The complex nature of the legislative process, along with the overwhelming number of bills being presented, has the potential to lead parents of LGBTQ children to feel discouraged and overwhelmed, but we’re here to help. In this first episode of a two part series on legislation, Jen and Shauna Jones break th...
Mar 13, 2023•26 min•Ep. 11
Send us a text Words with Friends episodes are bonus episodes where different members of Mama Dragons provide definitions for LGBTQ related topics. This episode includes the following definitions: Labels , shared by Clare McFadyen from England Queer , shared by Barbara Proudfoot from South Africa Gay , shared by Roxana Rich from California, USA Transgender , shared by Pannay from Wisconsin, USA In the Den is made possible by generous donors like you. Help us continue to deliver quality content b...
Mar 10, 2023•9 min0
Send us a text I n this week’s episode of In the Den , Jen visits with special guests Samantha Richardson and Beckett Jones about what it means to be transgender. From fundamental definitions to misconceptions/misinformation surrounding trans issues to what dating might look like as a trans person, this episode is valuable listening for anyone wanting to better understand the trans experience. Special Guest: Samantha Richardson Samantha Richardson is tall, but not as tall as a tree. She likes di...
Mar 06, 2023•1 hr 10 min•Ep. 10
Send us a text Nothing has the potential to create beautiful memories or deeply hurt feelings quite like family gatherings. Family is central for many of us, but having and supporting an LGBTQ child may open your family up to situations of conflict and discomfort when it comes to family interactions. In this episode of In the Den , Jen talks with therapist Laura Skaggs about possible scenarios that may be encountered, and healthy strategies to navigate interactions and events with family that wi...
Feb 27, 2023•55 min•Ep. 9
Send us a text Over the years we’ve heard LGBTQ people say that they didn’t know what life might look like for them as an adult. Many haven’t had LGBTQ role models that provide examples of a potential future, and a lot of fear that parents of LGBTQ children experience comes from the unknown as well. We thought it might be helpful for parents to get to know some of the amazing members of the LGBTQ community, just a few at a time, so that they can provide a realistic view of what life could look l...
Feb 20, 2023•58 min•Ep. 8
Send us a text In this episode of In the Den , Jen joins past guests Lori Davis, Shauna Jones, and Neca Allgood to answer a handful of frequently asked questions regarding parenting an LGBTQ child. How can I be sure my child's identity isn't just a phase, and could I cause harm by supporting them if it is? How can I help my child come out to extend family when they're ready? How do I prepare my child for the difficult questions that people will ask them? Why do I feel so sad? Why can't they choo...
Feb 13, 2023•43 min•Ep. 7
Send us a text Words with Friends episodes are bonus episodes where different members of Mama Dragons provide definitions for LGBTQ related topics. This episode includes the following definitions: Orientation shared by Zane Bekayci Bates, a non-binary trans-masculine parent from Colorado Klein Sexual Orientation Grid shared by Laura from California Homosexual/Heterosexual shared by Becky from Utah Internalized Homophobia shared by Melissa Hardin from Georgia In the Den is made possible by genero...
Feb 11, 2023•8 min0
Send us a text Join Jen and guest Dr. Lisa Tensmeyer Hansen as they explore the sometimes difficult world of setting and keeping boundaries to protect and support your LGBTQ child. From school to church to relatives to friends, there will always be opportunities to practice boundary setting and keeping. Practicing boundaries can be hard, but ultimately allow truer relationships with those we love and allow our LGBTQ child to feel safe and seen and respected. Special Guest: Lisa Tensmeyer Hansen ...
Feb 06, 2023•50 min•Ep. 6
Send us a text In this episode of In the Den , Mama Dragons Executive Director Celeste Carolin joins Jen to talk about finding and utilizing the available tools that can help make processing your child’s coming out journey a little easier. From appropriate ways of processing your own grief to finding answers to your questions without placing undue burden on your child, Jen and Celeste explore ways to help parents address their own emotional needs in healthy ways, so that they, in turn, are able ...
Jan 30, 2023•49 min•Ep. 5
Send us a text EPISODE 4: Bryce Cook–Building Communities of Support In this episode of In the Den , Jen talks with Bryce Cook about the need that we all have for community. Helping your LGBTQ child find or create community can be key to their emotional and social happiness. Bryce describes seeing a need for a space of community for his sons, and how he went about creating that space for his sons and for others who need it. Jen and Bryce discuss the importance of creating community, and the bene...
Jan 23, 2023•43 min•Ep. 4
Send us a text CONTENT WARNING: Mention of Suicidality Jen chats with guests Shauna Jones and Lori Davis about some of the mistakes parents may make when their child comes out. They share some of their own personal missteps, and talk about what to do when you don’t get it right. From learning new vocabulary to adjusting pronouns, there are a lot of ways to fall short of perfection, and Jen, Shauna, and Lori have an honest conversation about ways to move forward after mistakes are unavoidably mad...
Jan 16, 2023•52 min•Ep. 3
Send us a text Jen meets with veteran LGBTQ researcher Dr. Caitlin Ryan to talk about how family responses can directly impact the health and wellbeing of their LGBTQ family member. Dr. Ryan talks about her decades-long research on behaviors that occur within families when an LGBTQ person comes out and how those behaviors directly impact their self-worth, hopefulness, risk behaviors, health, and self-care. Dr. Ryan discusses the importance of connectedness and gives tips for families whose child...
Jan 09, 2023•54 min•Ep. 2
Send us a text Join Jen and guest Neca Allgood in this inaugural episode of In the Den as they talk about what to do when your child first comes out to you. They’ll discuss common mistakes and how to avoid them. They’ll also cover what to do when you don’t get things right the first time. It’s an important conversation for parents with LGBTQ children of any age. Special Guest: Neca Allgood Neca Allgood is the mother of a transgender son. She is a former President of Mama Dragons, a current Mama ...
Jan 02, 2023•53 min•Ep. 1
