In this episode, Diana and Joy continue their discussion from last time, focusing on the book about a transgender boy that was shared in Dinah's class. It's an episode you won't want to miss, full of laughter and hope. Diana also shares a letter she wrote to the parents, which is a valuable resource. Tune in to hear Diana and Joy talk about navigating this "big" reveal and the reactions it elicited.If you’re taking something away from our podcast, we’d appreciate it if you’d take a moment to provide us with a review; the more listeners and reviews, the more people we can reach and support. As always, feel free to reach out to us at transparentlyspeakingpodcast@gmail.com.

In Episode 72, Diana shares the details of a school-based scenario that’s arisen, and how she’s preparing for the possibility of Dyna disclosing his transgender identity.  Join Joy and Diana as they explore what’s different this time (vs. with Clark & Samantha), and listen to their reflection on how gender identity disclosure may help or hinder success (e.g., in sports or music / the arts).  If you’re taking something away from our podcast, we’d appreciate it if you’d take a moment to provide us with a review; the more listeners and reviews, the more people we can reach and support. As always, feel free to reach out to us at transparentlyspeakingpodcast@gmail.com.

Diana gives an update on preparing Clark to leave the house and go to school next year. Listen as things get real for Diana, as she realizes her feelings as she considers saying goodbye to her oldest child. If you’re taking something away from our podcast, we’d appreciate it if you’d take a moment to provide us with a review; the more listeners and reviews, the more people we can reach and support. As always, feel free to reach out to us at transparentlyspeakingpodcast@gmail.com.

Join Diana and Joy as they share what's been holding them back from having conversations with their trans youth about intimacy and safe sex, and learn what they are taking away as opportunities for further conversation.  If you’re taking something away from our podcast, we’d appreciate it if you’d take a moment to provide us with a review; the more listeners and reviews, the more people we can reach and support. As always, feel free to reach out to us at transparentlyspeakingpodcast@gmail.com.

Diana talks about Clark's next steps after graduation and her feelings about them. Joy helps Diana explore what is coming up for her and provides perspective. If you’re taking something away from our podcast, we’d appreciate it if you’d take a moment to provide us with a review; the more listeners and reviews, the more people we can reach and support. As always, feel free to reach out to us at transparentlyspeakingpodcast@gmail.com.

Diana and Joy share their experience in discovering and navigating the news of Nex Benedict’s tragic bullying and death in Oklahoma. If you’re taking something away from our podcast, we’d appreciate it if you’d take a moment to provide us with a review; the more listeners and reviews, the more people we can reach and support. As always, feel free to reach out to us at transparentlyspeakingpodcast@gmail.com.

Join Joy and Diana for an update on the discussion with school district administration, as Joy pursues Samantha's eligibility to participate in the sport she loves.  Listen to learn about an Endocrinologist's perspective on sex vs. gender, ongoing considerations for maintaining privacy in non-disclosure, and Diana's advice about how to set the tone in making requests for confidentiality. If you’re taking something away from our podcast, we’d appreciate it if you’d take a moment to provide us with a review; the more listeners and reviews, the more people we can reach and support. As always, feel free to reach out to us at transparentlyspeakingpodcast@gmail.com.

In this podcast episode (#66), Joy is getting ready for a meeting with her child's school district to discuss sports participation. The focus shifts to the importance of trust in the administration to safeguard her child's identity during this process. This prompts a broader conversation between Joy and Diana about the trust parents place in others, specifically in not disclosing their child's identity. The discussion extends to the broader theme of trusting others with personal feelings, emphasizing the delicate balance between openness and privacy when it comes to one's emotions and family matters.If you’re taking something away from our podcast, we’d appreciate it if you’d take a moment to provide us with a review; the more listeners and reviews, the more people we can reach and support. As always, feel free to reach out to us at transparentlyspeakingpodcast@gmail.com.

Joy, after many years, has returned to attending a support group. This leads to Diana and Joy reflecting on their experiences attending various support groups in Episode 65. They discuss the advantages and disadvantages of attending support groups. If you’re taking something away from our podcast, we’d appreciate it if you’d take a moment to provide us with a review; the more listeners and reviews, the more people we can reach and support. As always, feel free to reach out to us at transparentlyspeakingpodcast@gmail.com.

Join us in this episode to hear more about Diana and Clark's trip to Mexico in October.  This episode is also a reflection and celebration of key learnings from 2023. If you’re taking something away from our podcast, we’d appreciate it if you’d take a moment to provide us with a review; the more listeners and reviews, the more people we can reach and support. As always, feel free to reach out to us at transparentlyspeakingpodcast@gmail.com.

Diana and Joy discuss their holiday traditions and reflect on what the first years post-transition were like. They share their advice and lessons learned. If you’re taking something away from our podcast, we’d appreciate it if you’d take a moment to provide us with a review; the more listeners and reviews, the more people we can reach and support. As always, feel free to reach out to us at transparentlyspeakingpodcast@gmail.com.

In this episode, Diana and Joy explore assumptions, fears, and challenges in giving, receiving, and asking for support.  The concept of support is in the context of anti-trans legislation that has been passed or proposed in many states.  Joy and Diana articulate the impacts of proposed anti-trans legislation, even when not likely to be passed into law, and name the burden carried of navigating the news and risks our kids and families experience.  If you’re taking something away from our podcast, we’d appreciate it if you’d take a moment to provide us with a review; the more listeners and reviews, the more people we can reach and support. As always, feel free to reach out to us at transparentlyspeakingpodcast@gmail.com.

In episode 61, Joy and Diana talk about their experiences with how they approached family gatherings. They discuss everything from the tone of their presentation to setting boundaries. If you’re taking something away from our podcast, we’d appreciate it if you’d take a moment to provide us with a review; the more listeners and reviews, the more people we can reach and support. As always, feel free to reach out to us at transparentlyspeakingpodcast@gmail.com.

In Episode 60, Diana and Joy reflect on the latest round of legislative bills being proposed in their state; one, named the “Help Not Harm Act,” is legislation similar to that which has been passed in 20 states.  Also proposed is regulation around transgender participation in sports.  Join to hear about Joy's reflection as Samantha continues to participate in competitive volleyball, undisclosed.  This episode references a few resources we encourage you to check out:Powerful testimony by Representative Ryan Clancy: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=8PqsFLWXKv4Skylar Bailar, transgender advocate and athlete: https://www.pinkmantaray.com/Chris Mosier, transgender advocate and athlete: https://www.thechrismosier.com/If you’re taking something away from our podcast, we’d appreciate it if you’d take a moment to provide us with a review; the more listeners and reviews, the more people we can reach and support. As always, feel free to reach out to us at transparentlyspeakingpodcast@gmail.com.

Diana and Joy explore the concept of "Gender reveals" and their history in deciding whether or not to find out (before birth) what their children would be assigned at birth. They explore what the possible assignment meant to them and Diana also shares context around the historical economics of "finding out" the assignment prior to birth.If you’re taking something away from our podcast, we’d appreciate it if you’d take a moment to provide us with a review; the more listeners and reviews, the more people we can reach and support. As always, feel free to reach out to us at transparentlyspeakingpodcast@gmail.com.

In Episode 58, Diana and Joy share stories and their family journeys of names, including how names were selected for their gender non-conforming  children (to better reflect their identities).  They also explore how emotion arises in relation to the meanings associated with names, including the challenge of disclosure and safety when a name feels misaligned with gender expression.If you’re taking something away from our podcast, we’d appreciate it if you’d take a moment to provide us with a review; the more listeners and reviews, the more people we can reach and support. As always, feel free to reach out to us at transparentlyspeakingpodcast@gmail.com.

Diana and Joy start this episode discussing Diana's pre-school year meeting with Dinah's teachers. They explore being asked questions as well as finding people to answer their own questions. Who is an expert? If you’re taking something away from our podcast, we’d appreciate it if you’d take a moment to provide us with a review; the more listeners and reviews, the more people we can reach and support. As always, feel free to reach out to us at transparentlyspeakingpodcast@gmail.com.

In episode 56, Diana discusses how she is handling helping Dinah's classmates misgender him less. She discusses her theories of why this is happening two years after he started at the school where he has always identified as a boy. Diana and Joy discuss how people's words may reflect various perspectives and not always what we imagine. If you’re taking something away from our podcast, we’d appreciate it if you’d take a moment to provide us with a review; the more listeners and reviews, the more people we can reach and support. As always, feel free to reach out to us at transparentlyspeakingpodcast@gmail.com.

In episode 55, Diana and Joy share guidance and perspective on how parents and guardians might consider engaging with schools to support Transgender and gender non-conforming youth (given the changing social and political landscape).  Topics explored include facility (bathroom & locker room) use, disclosure, and preferred name and pronoun usage. Several resources are referenced in this episode, including: Recent federal legal ruling (Early August 2023 US federal appeals court upholds ruling for student access to bathrooms & locker rooms consistent w/ gender identity) https://thehill.com/homenews/state-watch/4136441-appeals-court-upholds-ruling-granting-indiana-transgender-students-access-to-restrooms/Schools in transition (standards of practice for supporting transgender and gender non-conforming students) https://www.hrc.org/resources/schools-in-transition-a-guide-for-supporting-transgender-students-in-k-12-sGLSEN 2021 National School Climate Survey report (including insights re: benefits of inclusivity) https://www.glsen.org/research/2021-national-school-climate-surveyFERPA (health / medical information not to be shared unless it impacts education outcomes): https://studentprivacy.ed.gov/resources/parent-guide-family-educational-rights-and-privacy-act-ferpaIf you’re taking something away from our podcast, we’d appreciate it if you’d take a moment to provide us with a review; the more listeners and reviews, the more people we can reach and support. As always, feel free to reach out to us at transparentlyspeakingpodcast@gmail.com.

Join Joy and Diana in episode 54 as they share their personal interpretations of individual's social media posts, likes and comments.  They explore specific examples of recent social media posts (by family and others) to gauge levels of support and openness to LGBTQ+ beliefs, and how this informs their choices and decisions to engage.  If you’re taking something away from our podcast, we’d appreciate it if you’d take a moment to provide us with a review; the more listeners and reviews, the more people we can reach and support. As always, feel free to reach out to us at transparentlyspeakingpodcast@gmail.com.