Send us a text Anyone who has ever experienced bullying or teasing of any kind has probably heard the saying, “Sticks and stones may break my bones, but words will never hurt me.” Really though, words can hurt, and the words we use matter. They can heal, connect, and empower, or they can harm and exclude. Words have power, and in today’s episode of In the Den, Sara talks with special guest Alex Kapitan to unpack what inclusive language really means, why it’s more than just "political correctness...
Jan 20, 2025•1 hr 12 min•Ep. 105
Send us a text Activism takes many forms, from frontline advocacy and protests to behind the scenes legal work and policy-making to creative visioning and artistic expression. Today’s guest In the Den is an amazing human who weaves all of these forms of justice work into her life. Sara talks with activist, civil rights attorney, and poet Sunu Chandy about her life, her poetry, and how art acts as an integral piece of her activism. Special Guest: Sunu P. Chandy Sunu Chandy (she/her) is a social j...
Jan 13, 2025•53 min•Ep. 104
Send us a text So many of us lead overly busy lives and often find ourselves consumed with caring for others, including our children. Self-care is often the last thing on our priority list. Perhaps the whole concept of self-care feels frivolous or trendy. In today’s episode of In the Den , Sara sits down with Reverend Florence Caplow, a Zen priest and teacher, to discuss the reality of self-care and some very practical suggestions for prioritizing personal well-being so that we’re better equippe...
Jan 06, 2025•1 hr•Ep. 103
Send us a text It isn’t unusual for LGBTQ+ people to decide to come out to their families during the holidays, and we want to help it go as smoothly as possible for everyone.This week In the Den , we’re throwing it back to replay an important past episode, where Jen spoke with Neca Allgood about what to do when your child first comes out to you. They discuss common mistakes and how to avoid them. They also cover what to do when you don’t get things right the first time. It’s an important convers...
Dec 30, 2024•50 min•Ep. 102
Send us a text Content Warning: This episode discusses suicide. According to the CDC, suicide is the second-leading cause of death for teens and young adults, and LGBTQ+ youth are more than four times as likely to attempt suicide than their peers. Additionally, there’s often an increase in suicidality and mental health crises around the holiday season, especially in the days that directly follow the holiday itself. This week’s In the Den episode is a conversation between Sara and special guests ...
Dec 23, 2024•1 hr 26 min•Ep. 101
Send us a text When you and your family have spent your lives rooted in a particular religious tradition only to realize that your tradition does not openly welcome, support, and affirm your LGBTQ+ child or family member, it can be devastating. As a result, many parents end up leaving church. Some leave because of a lack of support, some because the church leaders and community shunned them or turned against them, some because they have a complete crisis of faith, unable to reconcile their love ...
Dec 16, 2024•1 hr 12 min•Ep. 100
Send us a text With the holiday season in full swing, many of us are finding ourselves navigating sometimes tricky and challenging family gatherings, especially with our queer kids. This time of year often comes with particular, sometimes unspoken, expectations about our participation in family events. Supporting our queer kids also occasionally means having to respond to inappropriate questions, uncomfortable interactions, and hurtful situations. This week In the Den , Sara sits down with thera...
Dec 09, 2024•1 hr 16 min•Ep. 99
Send us a text Currently, young trans people are under attack across the country and around the world. Many of them continue to face rejection, persecution, and lack of support. Transanta is an amazing organization that is showing up to help meet the needs of the young trans community in the United States. Today In the Den , Sara talks with Transanta Elf Claudia Roley to discuss the needs of trans youth and explore how you can join Transanta in meeting those needs this holiday season. Special Gu...
Dec 02, 2024•55 min•Ep. 98
Send us a text We've had quite a few therapists on this podcast, and they have all shared so much wisdom and compassionate advice for us and our families. This week In the Den , our host Sara sits down with therapist Ann Russo, who specializes in the intersection of religion and LGBTQ+ issues. They discuss a range of topics surrounding mental health, spirituality, and queerness. Special Guest: Ann Russo Ann Russo is a mental health professional, author, and advocate specializing in sex positivit...
Nov 25, 2024•57 min•Ep. 97
Send us a text The outcome of the recent presidential election has left many of us reeling and feeling concern for our LGBTQ+ community, especially for our queer children. Many of us in the Mama Dragons community are already feeling the impact as our children share with us their fears and real-life interactions at school, work, and in the community. So, what can we do? This week In the Den , Sara meets with Allen Morris from The National LGBTQ Task Force to talk about actions we can take right n...
Nov 18, 2024•1 hr 12 min•Ep. 96
Send us a text In the Den with Mama Dragons is entering a new era! After almost two years, our original host Jen is passing the hosting microphone on to another amazing Mama Dragon who will take the lead. Our new host is Sara LaWall. Sara has guest-hosted several episodes in the past and should be familiar to regular listeners. Today, Jen sits down with Sara to visit, so that we can all get to know our new host just a little bit better. Special Guest: Sara LaWall Sara serves as the Minister for ...
Nov 11, 2024•1 hr 5 min•Ep. 95
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: Gender Binary shared by Jess in North Carolina Gender Expansive shared by Julie in Snohomish, Washington Gender Expression shared by Marie, formerly in Texas Gender Queer shared by Kate in Melbourne, Australia In the Den is made possible by generous donors like you. Help us continue to deliver quality ...
Nov 08, 2024•5 min
Send us a text Note: This episode is a replay of a past episode (E44) that felt timely as the holidays approach again. We asked members of our group to share some of the most hurtful things that had been said to them or their LGBTQ children, even if the speaker’s intentions were good. The response was absolutely overwhelming. Some of the reported comments would be considered microaggressions and some were intentionally cruel. Just in time for all of the upcoming holiday gatherings, Jen brings ba...
Nov 04, 2024•59 min•Ep. 94
Send us a text Art has such power to transform the way we see the world and to show us new perspectives, ideas, and values. Art can also be an invitation to beauty and joy, which is something we all need more of in our lives and the world, especially in these times. This week In the Den , guest host Sara LaWall talks with special guest Rae Senarighi, also known as the Transpainter, about his experiences as a non-binary artist. They discuss his drive to create art that highlights and celebrates t...
Oct 28, 2024•1 hr 11 min•Ep. 93
Send us a text There are similarities and differences between all of our individual stories. We come from diverse religious backgrounds, political parties, family dynamics, and geographic areas. Each of us started at different levels of acceptance, but we all relate to the desire of wanting to protect our children over our own biases. A few times a year, we will be sharing a Mama Dragon’s story. Today, Jen visits with Mama Dragon Britt Celusta In the Den . Special Guest: Britt Celusta Britt (the...
Oct 21, 2024•42 min•Ep. 92
Send us a text We have introduced several LGBTQ+ people on this podcast in the past. Our hope is to better understand the unique and individual lives of people who are not always represented. We also hope to remind our listeners that there is a world of possibility that exists for our kids–the same possibilities as any of our straight and cis kids. This week In the Den , Jen explores some of those ideas with nonbinary journalist Nico Lang as they share their unique life experiences as a reporter...
Oct 14, 2024•59 min•Ep. 91
Send us a text As Mama Dragons, we often find ourselves in places where we have the opportunity to stand up and advocate for our queer children. Today In the Den , Jen sits down with fierce Mama Dragon Debbie Thomas to talk about her experiences of mothering two LGBTQ+ children, and how she learned to advocate for her child in a big way–all the way to the Supreme Court. Special Guest: Debbie Thomas Debbie Thomas is retired after a career working with the public providing assistance through the S...
Oct 07, 2024•52 min•Ep. 90
Send us a text As states across the nation continue to target transgender children, some families flee for safety and refuge. Some families choose to be as invisible as possible for their safety, and we support and celebrate that. But other families are choosing to plant their feet and fight back. Today’s In the Den guest is a mom from Texas who fought back when the state investigated her and her husband for child abuse for nothing more than supporting their trans child. Special Guest: Amber Bri...
Sep 30, 2024•1 hr 1 min•Ep. 89
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: Prejudice shared by Chris Davis in Maine Unconscious Bias shared by Lisa Renaud in Windsor, Ontario, Canada Microaggressions shared by Marnie in Gold Coast, Australia Discrimination shared by Erin in Clinton, Mississippi In the Den is made possible by generous donors like you. Help us continue to deliv...
Sep 27, 2024•6 min
Send us a text People around the world battle with self-image and self-esteem issues. Humans do a lot of things to look presentable and attractive, or even acceptable, to the world around them. Society sets unrealistic expectations about what it means to be a woman and what it means to be a man. Transgender people not only have to face these universal unrealistic expectations, they also face many unique challenges and have experiences that cisgender people don’t. Today In the Den , Jen sits down...
Sep 23, 2024•1 hr 5 min•Ep. 88
Send us a text Project 2025 is a comprehensive initiative developed by The Heritage Foundation as a blueprint for any administration willing to take it on. Many people have seen or heard of it in news headlines, but not as many really understand what it actually is or why it matters. Regardless of who wins any election, the elements and ideas in Project 2025 will come up, and parents and allies of the LGBTQ+ community need to be informed. Lawyer, advocate, and strategist Rachel Laser joins Jen I...
Sep 16, 2024•1 hr 1 min•Ep. 87
Send us a text Conversion therapy, sometimes known as reparative therapy, targets LGBTQ+ people and seeks to change their sexual or gender identities.Conversion therapy has been shown to be harmful and has been categorically rejected by every mainstream medical and mental health organization for years. However, due to continued societal bias against queer people, some practitioners continue to use conversion therapy. Young people are particularly vulnerable to its harmful effects, which include ...
Sep 09, 2024•50 min•Ep. 86
Send us a text As individuals who love and celebrate the queer people in our lives, we are very aware that their journey to accepting themselves is not always an easy one. There are lots of intersections that come together to make every journey unique, and yet we find common threads. Today In the Den , Jen visits with Mike Maeshiro about his experiences coming out as gay, deconstructing evangelicalism, healing from religious trauma, and helping others to do the same. Special Guest: Mike Maeshiro...
Sep 02, 2024•1 hr 1 min•Ep. 85
Send us a text Many of our children are more expansive with regard to gender than we would have ever considered in our generation. As parents of LGBTQ+ children, we are invested in having the tools we need to best support them and help them as they navigate the complexity of their gender identity. In this week’s episode of In the Den , Jen talks with psychiatrist Dr. Jack Turban about a range of topics that impact our transgender and gender diverse children. Special Guest: Jack Turban Dr. Jack T...
Aug 26, 2024•1 hr 5 min•Ep. 84
Send us a text In the last couple of years, states have ramped up their attacks on the LGBTQ+ community, introducing laws surrounding sports, books, and even healthcare. 24 states have banned gender affirming care for youth, and many of those laws are now being discussed, debated, and decided in the courts as LGBTQ+ people, families, and advocacy groups file challenges to these laws. Medical bans on gender affirming care have been some of the most terrifying for families, and there have been a l...
Aug 19, 2024•1 hr 4 min•Ep. 83
Send us a text As human beings, we are all more than just one thing. We each hold more than one identity, and our cultural and ethnic backgrounds play huge parts in how we experience the world. Today In the Den , guest host Sara LaWall dives into the intersection of Latinx and Queer identities with two special guests, Gabe Morales & Alex Carmelo. Special Guest: Alex Carmelo Alex was born in Galveston, TX, and raised in the city of South Houston. He was brought up by his grandparents. Their s...
Aug 12, 2024•1 hr 2 min•Ep. 82
Send us a text Mama Dragons has a new Executive Director! Liz Welch brings new leadership, new enthusiasm, and new ideas to Mama Dragons, so we thought it was important to introduce this new Executive Director to our podcast listeners and give her a chance to share her vision for Mama Dragons in her own words as she joins Jen in this week’s episode of In the Den . Special Guest: Liz Welch Liz comes to Mama Dragons with extensive advocacy and lobbying experience in LGBTQ+ and religious freedom at...
Aug 05, 2024•48 min•Ep. 81
Send us a text There is currently a lot of public discourse around what an LGBTQ+ ally is and isn’t. We know that our listening audience wants to be allying well and often, and as the political climate in the country continues to put our LGBTQ+ loved ones in the crosshairs, it has become increasingly important that we get our allyship right. This week In the Den, Jen sits down with Sara Burlingame, Executive Director of Wyoming Equality, to talk about ways that we can improve our efforts at bein...
Jul 29, 2024•1 hr 1 min•Ep. 80
Send us a text rds with Friends episodes are bonus episodes where different members of Mama Dragons provide definitions for LGBTQ related topics. This episode includes the following definitions: Biphobia shared by CC H. in Oklahoma Bi-Erasure shared by Amy Hutchinsson Intersectionality shared by Kelly Fay in Essex, England Romantic Orientation shared by Alex in The Bronx, New York In the Den is made possible by generous donors like you. Help us continue to deliver quality content by becoming a d...
Jul 26, 2024•6 min
Send us a text There are similarities and differences between all of our individual stories. We come from diverse religious backgrounds, political parties, family dynamics, and geographic areas. Each of us started at different levels of acceptance, but we all relate to the desire of wanting to protect our children over our own biases. A few times a year, we will be sharing a Mama Dragon’s story. Today, Jen visits with Heather Gooding In the Den . Special Guest: Heather Gooding Heather grew up in...
Jul 22, 2024•1 hr 1 min•Ep. 79
