My daughter and I are stunned and sad, but we are doing OK.
Here is something for you. Some words from me, with some music from my amazing daughter.
Music credit: Improvisation on electric guitar, by M. Mack
Episode XXXV: Unwelcome (Part II)
What happens when supporting your child means leaving your home?
Meet my courageous friends from Montana, who are building a new life in a new state after anti-trans legislation targeted their young daughter.
This is the second part in a two-part story. Listen to Part One here.
Episode XXXIV: Unwelcome (Part I)
Imagine living in a place where your own child has been outlawed. This is happening, right now, all over the United States.
In this episode, you’ll meet my new friends, a courageous and close-knit family who suddenly found themselves unwelcome in the place they had always called home.
Music credits:
Night Light, Dowdy, Quarry Clouds, & November Mist, by Blue Dot Sessions
Pacific Tree Frogs by Podington Bear
Episode XXXIII: How We Are Now
It's been over two years. I wanted to let you know how we are doing.
Thank you for your patience.
(Spoiler: My daughter is still amazing.)
MUSIC CREDITS:
Tides (instrumental) by Benjamin Mullins (Courtesy of Audiosocket)
Lost in the Dark (instrumental) by Forest Sun (Courtesy of Audiosocket)
Episode XXXII: The Medical Stuff
For years, people have asked me what I would do when my daughter hit puberty. Was I going to let her do... “the medical stuff?"
Well, right after the pandemic struck, so did puberty. And this is what my daughter (and her mother) decided to do.
If you're interested in learning more about our story, you can check out my memoir:
Find us on Twitter: @girlpodcast
MUSIC CREDITS:
“Starlight” and “Little Dream” by Podington Bear
“Hand of God” (instrumental) by Benjamin Mullins (Courtesy of Audiosocket)
“Lonely Life” (instrumental) by Michelle Lewis (Courtesy of Audiosocket)
“Climbing Clouds” (instrumental) by Jetty Rae (Courtesy of Audiosocket)
Episode XXXI: M is for Middle School, Take Two
This episode is different from any of our previous episodes. It’s also a do-over, because the first version of this episode overlooked the fact that my daughter is growing up, fast. She’s almost a teenager, and we both agree that it’s time she took charge. So that’s what she did. (Here’s a little more about how this episode came to be.)
Listen to the book! How to Be a Girl on Audible Originals
Find us on Twitter: @girlpodcast
MUSIC CREDITS:
“Edge of the World” (Instrumental) by Dot Dot Dot (Courtesy of Audiosocket)
Filesharer's Lament by Podington Bear
Episode XXX: Emma at last
I want you to meet my good friend, Emma. When she was a little girl, she was just like my daughter. But no one knew her for 60 years. I'm so glad she's here now.
(Note: I recorded this interview early this year, when my daughter was still in elementary school. She just started middle school. Please stay tuned for an episode soon(ish) about that!)
MUSIC CREDITS:
“Dust in Sunlight,” “Frosted Glass,” “Boardwalk,” and “Clair_De Lune Solo Piano” by Podington Bear
"The Wah-Watusi" by The Orlons
“In the Garden (instrumental)” by Jetty Rae (Courtesy of Audiosocket)
“Like a Movie” by Nicole Reynolds (Courtesy of Audiosocket)
Episode XXIX: Eleven
I sit down for a talk with my (almost) 11-year-old: Cliques, gossip, fashion, puberty, and how it feels to be a transgender tween.
MUSIC CREDIT: “Little Girl” by Jetty Rae (Courtesy of Audiosocket)
Episode XXVIII: The Tell
A new friend at school. A poker lesson. A 10-year-old hatches a plan.
MUSIC CREDITS:
“Ganef” by Vagabond Opera and “Moonlight Love Affair” by Steve Rice (Courtesy of Audiosocket)
“Chill Wave” by Kevin MacLeod
“The Reckoning” by Podington Bear
Please consider checking out our Support Page. Your help keeps this podcast going!
Episode XXVII: Playdates with Christians
Are the new next-door neighbors going to let their daughters play with mine if they find out she's transgender? To attempt to answer this question, I seek expert advice from a new friend in the Bible Belt.
MUSIC CREDITS:
“Morning” by Nicole Reynolds, “Shall We Gather at the River” by Pat Holmberg, “Amazing Grace Solo Piano” by Lana Palmer (Courtesy of Audiosocket)
"Canoe" by Podington Bear
"Amazing Grace," piano and vocals by Miss M. Mack
Please consider supporting us on Patreon. It really helps keep this podcast going!
Episode XXVI: Sarah McBride
Need to hear a positive story about politics? I know I do. Here's the inspiring story of Sarah McBride, the young transgender activist who gives me hope (and is my personal pick for the first transgender president).
MUSIC CREDITS: "Halflight," “G Piano," “Across the River, and "Triste" by Podington Bear; “Asturias” by Isaac Albeniz (Courtesy of Audiosocket).
Please consider supporting us on Patreon. It really helps keep this podcast going!
Episode XXV: To Tell or Not to Tell? (Advice from HTBAG listeners)
In the last episode, I asked my listeners to help me answer this question: Should my daughter tell the kids at her new school that she's transgender? In this episode, you will hear the wisdom that came back to me. My cup runneth over.
MUSIC CREDITS: “Den," "Floating in Space," "Surface Tension," and "Threshold" by Podington Bear; "You Are a Memory" by Message to Bears (Courtesy of Audiosocket); and "Leave Them" and "Telling Me So" by St. Paul de Vence.
Please consider supporting us. It really helps keep this podcast going!
Episode XXIV: Moving & Marrying, Part III - New School
My daughter starts fifth grade at a new school next month. It's a fresh start, where no one knows that she's transgender. How do I handle this? How do I advise her? Should she keep her transgender status to herself or be more open? At the end of this episode, I'll be asking for your advice: What should I do?
MUSIC CREDITS: "Sensitive" and "Constellation" by Podington Bear (licensed under CC BY-NC 3.0) and "Bloom" by Jahzzar (licensed under CC BY-SA 4.0).
Episode XXIII: Moving & Marrying, Part II - Won't you be my neighbor?
We've moved. To the suburbs. We're getting to know the new neighbors, and we're wondering: Will they accept us here?
MUSIC CREDITS: "Glitter" and "Chauncy" by Podington Bear (licensed under CC BY-NC 3.0) and "Bloom" by Jahzzar (licensed under CC BY-SA 4.0).
Episode XXII: Moving & Marrying, Part I - The Prince
Did you know there's a wedding coming up, uniting an Englishman with an American bride? Listen now for ALL the juicy details on this intercontinental couple's forthcoming nuptials! (And hear what my daughter thinks of her soon-to-be stepdad.)
MUSIC CREDITS: "Lord of the Land," "Evening Melodrama," "Master of the Feast," "The Rule," and "Bossa Bossa" by Kevin MacLeod
Episode XXI: Going First
In this episode, my daughter and I get to talk with two of our heroes. Jazz Jennings is a reality TV star, LGBTQ activist, and arguably the most famous transgender teen in the world. Her mom Jeanette is as brave as they come.
MUSIC CREDITS:
“Springtime,” “Quartrefoil,” and “Blue” by Podington Bear (licensed under CC BY-NC 3.0)
“Helice” by Monplaisir (licensed under CC0 1.0)
“Comedie” by Jahzzar (licensed under CC BY-SA 4.0)
Episode XX: The Betrayal
Of course I knew this was going to happen eventually. But that didn't make it any easier when it did.
Music credits:
“Chicxuclub” and “Transient” by Podington Bear
“Undaunted” by Kevin MacLeod
“Dormir rien de plus” by Monplaisir
We're back! Welcome to a new season!
After a pretty lengthy hiatus, we're back! The first episode of the 2018 season comes out next week. Here's a little taste of what's to come.
Music credits: "Lode Runner" and "Sorrento" by Podington Bear.
We Shall Overcome
A little girl, a holiday, big news, and... a miracle!
This mini-episode contains: One VERY excited little girl awaiting Santa, news of the big changes coming to our lives, my plans for the future of this podcast, and... a miracle!
Music credits:
Dee Yan-Key, "Santa on Tour" (licensed under CC BY-NC-SA 4.0)
Borrtex, "Buying Presents" (licensed under CC BY-NC 4.0)