In this episode, Karin talks about incredibly difficult subjects, such as generational and sexual trauma, and yet is able to talk eloquently and with surprising empathy and groundedness. Content Warning for talk about self harm and emotional, physical, religious, and sexual abuse, as well as rape. Also talk about genital disease and damage, and a mention of BDSM. I also recognize that hearing two trans folk talk about Harry Potter may be difficult for some.Spoilers for Full Metal Alchemist: Brotherhood, Harry Potter, and A Very Potter Musical. References:Full Metal Alchemist: Brotherhood, anime show by Yasuhiro Irie"Do not pity the dead, Harry, pity the living, and above all those who live without love." Dumbledore from Harry Potter: The Deathly Hallows"And you think that killing people will make them like you, but it doesn't! It just just makes them dead." Voldemort to Quirrel in A Very Potter Musical, by StarkidJames Dobson: Conservative Evangelical leader who wrote books, did radio, other forms of media about traditional views on sexuality, gender roles, family, and discipline.Acroynyms/Definitions: BPD: Borderline Personality Disorder, https://www.psychologytoday.com/us/basics/borderline-personality-disorderOCPD: Obsessive Compulsive Personality Disorder, https://www.psychologytoday.com/us/conditions/obsessive-compulsive-personality-disorderCluster B: https://www.psychologytoday.com/us/basics/cluster-bResponding to internal stimuli: When someone is not responding to the world or people around them, but to what is internal, sometimes to hallucinationsMiracle Question: psychological tool where a client is asked to imagine what their world would look like if their problems were solved.

In this episode, Erik talks about exercise, aging, his complicated relationship with masculinity, as well as his strong belief in growth and change.Content Warnings for talk about bullying.This episode was recorded October 14, 2023.No episode will release on Thanksgiving. Next episode will be released December 7, 2023.References:White Fragility, book by by Robin DiAngelo"There’s something curious about professors in my experience... typically, they live in their heads... They look upon their body as a form of transport for their heads." - Ken Robinson, speech "Do Schools Kill Creativity"Younger Next Year, book by Chris Crowley and Henry S. Lodge

Sonic talks about hiking the Appalachian Trail, caring for himself and his community, and learning to stop caring about how other people perceive him.This episode was originally recorded on September 30, 2023. Next episode will be released November 9, 2023.

In this episode, Miche talks about her intersecting identities as a Jewish and Christian Asian transwoman, as well as how she has learned to work with her emotions and difficult upbringing.This episode was originally recorded on August 31, 2023.Next episode will be released October 26, 2023.Content Warnings for talk about bottom surgery, sexual abuse, incest, physical abuse, mental health, emotional abuse, extreme anger, transphobia. In this episode Miche mentions the war in Israel in the late  80s, and I recognize I'm releasing the episode less than a week after the October 7 Hamas attack on Israel. References:Queer Christian Fellowship: an organization that provides support for queer ChristiansStudy about opinions on trans folk by Evangelical Christians vs mainline Christians - PRRI study America's Growing Support for Transgender Rights, 2019Circumference of the Earth - Around 250 B.C., Eratosthenes used the formula (360° ÷ θ) x (s) to say that the earth's circumference was 25,000 miles. Today it is accepted that the Earth's circumference is about 24,855 miles. From: https://oceanservice.noaa.gov/education/tutorial_geodesy/geo02_hist.htmlAcronyms:DEI: Diversity, Equity, and InclusionCMA church: Christian and Missionary Alliance APA: American Psychological AssociationWPATH: World Professional Association for Transgender Health

In this episode, Hope talks about her strange relationship to her body, asexuality, being single, and her struggle with illness.Content Warnings for mentioning war and homophobia.This episode was originally recorded on August 1, 2023.The next episode will be released October 11, 2023.References: "Be humble, for you are made of earth. Be noble, for you are made of stars." - possibly a Serbian Proverb, but origin is unknownBrothers Karamazov, book by Fyodor DostoyevskyMysterium: cooperation board game found here https://boardgamegeek.com/boardgame/181304/mysterium“Never tell a child: you have a soul. Teach him, you are a soul; you have a body." - Quote often misattributed to C.S. Lewis, but in fact said by George Macdonald to people he viewed as mourning too much at funerals. Found in The British Friend, Volume 1, a collection of monthly Quaker journals"The Aunties" short story from Traveling Mercies, book by Anne Lamott"The Time I have Alone," poem by Hope:something sharp sits within me;a longing without direction,a dream I crafted without meaning to.the love I picture is so beautiful:perfect in its blur, a lovely and uncertain shape.I believe in it whenever it seems not wholly impossiblekeep it small:a hand that holds mine,somewhere for my loyalty to land..I know I'm not the only onewhose potential for romance is still a seedIt's not heartbreak, but our hearts continue to ask without receivingas we grow, we find we are not promiseda particular happiness just because we can imagine so vividly its sweetness.I pick up the lonesomenessand put it down againthere's still life to be lived (not said in the interview)Definitions/Acronyms:CRC: Christian Reformed Church, a Calvinist Christian community

Katie talks about the impact of chronic pain and sexual harassment on her life, as well as the importance and consequences of bodily autonomy.Content Warnings for talk about suicidality, suicide, and sexual harassment. This episode was originally recorded July 18, 2023.Next episode will be released September 28, 2023.References: Myth of Normal, book by Gabor MateWhen the Body Says No, book by Gabor Mate

In this episode, Ben talks about their experiences with abuse, gender identity, recovery, and how he has been finding ways to love their body.Content Warnings for mentions of sexual abuse and physical abuse, talk about Covid, AIDs, addiction, homophobia, accentism, spiritual abuse, and suicidality,Definitions:Cis-het: cisgender and heterosexual, meaning non-trans and straightReferences:"Poem 5" from Leaves of Grass by Walt Whitman"Chinar Es," Armenian traditional folk song noted down by Komitas, a composer and folk song collector who was arrested and exiled during the Armenian genocideThich Nhat Hanh, Vietnamese Zen Master who spoke out against the Vietnam WarPatrick Carnes, writer and researcher of sexual recoveryMyth of Normal, book by Gabor Mate"Don't live up to your stereotypes." Quote from "The Toughest Indian in the World," a CBS interview of Sherman AlexieThe idea that American car businesses plotted to get rid of public transportation - from 1996 documentary Take for a Ride. Poem 6 in Leaves of Grass by Walt WhitmanRichard Rohr, Franciscan priest who writes on spiritualityTender Heart of Sadness, book by Roger Guest"On Joy and Sorry," poem by Kahlil Gibran"I'm Gonna Live Forever," song by Irene CaraMention of mutual friend who was on this podcast and has since died - "Diana: Telling My Story""A Wounded Deer--leaps highest," poem by Emily Dickinson

In this episode Jacob talks about anger, racism, addiction, sexuality, and exploration.Content Warnings for talk about racism, transphobia, suicidality, head injuries, as well as extended talk about substance use and sexThis episode was originally recorded March 25, 2023.Next episode will be released August 31, 2023.References:Prince Valiant haircut: https://www.princevaliant.org/movie1.htmlA Brief History of Time, book by Stephen Hawking"The Host," episode of Star Trek: Next Generation, show created by Gene RoddenberryYearnings, book by Rabbi Irwin Realm of Hungry Ghosts, book by Gabor MateGood As it Gets, film directed by James L. Brooks21 grams (incorrectly called 23 grams), film directed by Alejandro Gonzalez Inarritu

In this episode, Amanda talks about her spiritual journey, motherhood, and her changing views on sacrifice.Content Warning for a brief mention of rape, and also talk about racism, classism, and spiritual trauma.This episode was recorded March 30, 2023.Next episode will be released August 17, 2023.References:Harry Potter Book 5: Order of the Phoenix by JK Rowling (incorrectly said to be from Harry Potter Book 6: Half-Blood Prince)Matthew 5:27-30, removing your eye if you look at someone with lust"Curled in on yourself": https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Incurvatus_in_seScrupulosity: https://iocdf.org/faith-ocd/what-is-ocd-scrupulosity/Princess Bride, film directed by Rob ReinerOrthodox view of Salvation, youtube video by Steve Robinson https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=WosgwLekgn8

In this episode, Daniel talks about his experiences of trauma, his sexuality, being a father, as well as his journey with the Orthodox church.Content Warnings for talk about substance use, weight, racism, classicism, homophobia, transphobia, emotional abuse, sexual abuse, spiritual abuse, self-harm, and suicidality.This episode was recorded March 4, 2023.Next episode will be released August 3, 2023Definitions:Fools for Christ or Holy Fools: https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Foolishness_for_ChristBabushkas (stress on the first 'a'): Russian for grandmother or older womanReferences: Exclusion and Embrace by Miraslov Volf"The Search", poem by meI am tiredof lusting after rejection, expectinglove

In this episode Dre talks about his struggles with his body and mental health, and yet also his strong belief in the importance of happiness, playfulness, self-love, and poetry.Content Warning for talk about self-harm, spiritual abuse, and a brief description of top surgeryThis episodes was originally recorded March 1, 2023.The next episode will release on July 20, 2023.References:"Cloud: Seeing Myself," episode 6 of this podcast. Dre is married to Cloud.Sometimes a Wild God, poem by Tom HironsWritten: https://tomhirons.com/poetry/sometimes-a-wild-godAudio: https://youtu.be/F5lJnbB4woQmy father moved through dooms of love, poem by e. e. cummingsRomans 8:22-24, Pauline groan passage

Billie talks about missionary culture, purity culture, her favorite Bible stories, and how she is learning to engage with gender expectations and her emotions.Content Warnings for talk about spiritual abuse, transphobia, queer phobia, suicidalityThis episode was recorded February 11, 2023. Next episode will be released July 6, 2023.Definitions:Egg - not knowing yet that you are trans; when your egg has cracked you have realized that you are transGnostic - the connotation people have with this is that it was a Christian group that believed we were dualistic beings, flesh and spirit, and that the flesh was sinful. Sanctification: a Christian term; the process of becoming more and more Christlike due to the Holy Spirit working within you. Sapphic: sexual attraction or activity between womenReferences:Queer Christian Fellowship: an organization that provides support for queer ChristiansNanette, comedy special by Hannah Gadsby I Kissed Dating Goodbye, a book by Joshua Harris that was used heavily in purity culture/inspired part of purity culture; he has since stopped the printing of new books because he believed it was harmfulWhen the Body Says No, a book by Gabor MateGenesis 32:22-32, Jacob wrestling with God/angelJob 40-41, God responding to Job by talking about the Behemoth and Leviathan Enneagram Type 8: https://www.enneagraminstitute.com/type-8

In this episode, my friend Oksana talks about identity, her experiences with an eating disorder, and how she interacts with her own restlessness and desire to be present.Content Warnings: mention of domestic violence and war, talk about eating disordersThis episode was recorded January 20, 2023.Next episode will be released June 22, 2023.References:Episodes 3 and 4 of this podcast: "Michael Part 1: Being Seen" and "Michael Part 2: Truth as a Mechanism of Healing"Yearnings by Rabbi Irwin KulaYoga with Adriene, Yoga YouTube channel

In this episode, Kianga talks about the complicated relationship she has with both viewing and experiencing her body, her experiences of racism and sexism inside and outside America, as well as her perspective on pleasure.Content Warnings for talk about fatphobia, colorism, racism, misogyny, transphobia, BDSM.This episode was originally recorded January 19, 2023.The next will be released June 8, 2023.References:Unclean, a book by Richard BeckPleasure Activism, a book written and edited by adrienne maree brownQueer Christian Fellowship, an organization for queer Christians"You've Got to Be Carefully Taught," a song from South Pacific:You've got to be taught to hate and fearYou've got to be taught from year to yearIt's got to be drummed in your dear little earYou've got to be carefully taughtYou've got to be taught to be afraidOf people whose eyes are oddly madeAnd people whose skin is a diff'rent shadeYou've got to be carefully taughtYou've got to be taught before it's too lateBefore you are six or seven or eightTo hate all the people your relatives hateYou've got to be carefully taught

In this episode, Chloe talks about appearance, ability, gender, and communication.This episode was originally recorded on December 13, 2022.Next episode will be released May 25, 2023. Content warnings for talk about fatphobia.References:Ferris Bueller's Day Off, a film directed by John HughesA Sunday Afternoon on the Island of La Grande Jatte, a painting by Georges Seurat"It is Well With My Soul," a hymn written by Horatio Spafford, written in response to losses in his life, including his young son's death, and also the death of his four daughters from a ship collision.Brunhild/Brynhild, a queen in Germanic mythology, a shieldmaiden in Norse mythologyWomen Who Run with Wolves, a book by Dr. Clarissa Pinkola Estés

In this episode, Byron talks about their relationship with creativity, spirituality, sexuality, and gender.Content Warnings for mentions of suicidality, talk about homophobia, transphobia, racism, accentism, extreme childhood neglect, and sexual abuse. This episode was recorded October 24, 2022.Next episode will be released May 11, 2023.

In this episode, Michelle talks her embattled relationship with her body, as well as her strength in all forms of recovery. This episode was recorded on October 22, 2022.Next episode will be released April 27, 2023. Content Warnings for talk about Covid, medical trauma, and abortion, including some details about the procedure.

In this episode, Daisy talks about gender, sexuality, and the importance of not only self-care, but self-love.Content Warnings for mentions of transphobia, verbal and physical abuse as well as talk about BDSM, rape, and suicidality.This episode was recorded October 17, 2022.The next episode will be released April 13, 2023.References: Ideas that phantom limb syndrome is necessary for prosthetics to work - The Man Who Mistook His Wife for a Hat, book by Oliver Sacks

In this episode, Diana talks about her work in suicide prevention, her own journey with suicidality, as well as her struggles with loving and caring for her body.Content Warnings for talk about fatphobia, colorism, physical abuse, sexual abuse, self-harm, and suicidality.This episode was recorded December 1, 2023. Next episode will be released March 30, 2023.Diana's website: https://dianacspeaks.com/bio/

In this episode Casey talks about sexuality, purity culture, body image issues, and concerns with fundamentalism both in and out of religious circles. Content Warning for talk about spiritual abuse, homophobiaThis episode was recorded October 8, 2022.Next episode will be released March 16, 2023.References:Washed and Waiting by Wesley Hill, a book by a celibate gay man talking about the realities of being a gay Christian who chooses celibacy.