Podcast episodes

Fifty Shades of Gender podcast graphic with Robin Rice

23. ROBIN RICE – parent of a transgender adult

Robin is the mother of two sons, one of whom is transgender, and runs a project called Your Holiday Mom, which is all about offering LGBTQ youth a loving mother’s support between Thanksgiving and New Year’s Day. We also talk about the journey you go through as a parent as you support your child through their gender journey, the importance of a parents’ acceptance, how gender colours everything we choose for ourselves, our children and our world, and just being who you are. [Transcript available.]

Details
Fifty Shades of Gender podcast graphic with Hannah Watson

22. HANNAH WATSON – transgender

Hannah is transgender, and although not fond of labels, the terms non-binary and asexual semi-resonate with her as well. We also talk about gender identity versus biology versus sexuality, to what degree gender defines you, why the term ‘gender confirmation surgery’ is a better term than ‘gender reassignment surgery’ and ‘sex change’, conforming to society’s norms, and ‘unconventional’ types of love, attraction, intimacy and relationships. [Transcript available.]

Details
Fifty Shades of Gender podcast graphic with Felix

21. FELIX – non-binary, transgender, queer

Felix is non-binary transgender and describes their sexuality as queer. We also talk about the difficulty with fitting in boxes, having to perform gender, how body and identity are different, the binariness in teaching and sports, and how you can figure out your gender at any age. [Transcript available.]

Details
Fifty Shades of Gender podcast graphic with Ela Xora

20. ELA XORA – transgender woman, anti Intersex Genital Mutilation activist

Ela identifies as a transgender woman and is an anti Intersex Genital Mutilation activist. We also talk about the roots of the word hermaphrodite, how the gender-critical movement is far from new, Hippocrates as a gender critical pioneer, the blatant suppression and erasure of transgender and intersex gods – and human beings – in art history and modern museums, and how history is starting to be unmasked. CW: castration. [Transcript coming soon]

Details
Fifty Shades of Gender podcast graphic about Allyship with Katy Jon Went, Tiga-Rose Nercessian, Ophelia and Esther Lemmens

19. How to be a better gender-diverse ally

Esther has a conversation with two cisgender LGBTIQA+ people; Tiga-Rose, an intimacy coach and sex therapist in training, and Ophelia, an historian, archivist and conservator, under the watchful eye (or ear) of project co-creator Katy Jon Went, who is transgender and non-binary, about how to be a better gender-diverse ally. [Transcript coming soon]

Details
Fifty Shades of Gender podcast graphic with Sophie James

18. SOPHIE JAMES – transsexual, transvestite

Sophie uses the words transsexual and transvestite of herself, but considers herself to be a work in progress and very much Sophie. We talk about finding the balance in family dynamics, having two different personas, and being yourself no matter what labels you use. [Transcript available.]

Details
Fifty Shades of Gender podcast graphic with Sam Bettens

17. SAM BETTENS – transgender man

Sam identifies as a transgender man. We also talk about music and creative expression, self-identifying, the benefits of ageing, family and relationships, hormone therapy, body image, self-acceptance and being proud of who you are, and finding your voice in a whole new way. [Transcript available.]

Details
Fifty Shades of Gender podcast graphic with Katy Jon Went

16. KATY JON WENT – transgender, non-binary, asexual

Katy is transgender and identifies as non-binary and asexual. We also talk about adolescence and development, religion, conversion therapy, crossdressing, being outed, depression, aesthetics, sex workshops, hormone therapy, being a reluctant transsexual, gender reassignment surgery, going on a journey towards authenticity, and freedom of expression. [Transcript available.]

Details
Fifty Shades of Gender podcast graphic with Dr. Kyl Myers

15. KYL MYERS – genderqueer woman, gender-creative parent

Kyl identifies as a genderqueer woman and a gender-creative parent. We also talk about being raised with conventional gender roles, trying on different gender labels and pronouns, how names fit or not, what it’s like to bring up a child without gender expectations, and the start of a gender revolution. [Transcript available.]

Details
Fifty Shades of Gender podcast graphic with Charlie Caine

11. CHARLIE CAINE – gay trans man

Charlie identifies as a gay trans man. We talk about gender identity & expression vs sexual orientation, gender roles, transitioning, dysphoria, gender identity clinic (GIC) waiting lists, trans visibility and activism, and how there is no such thing as a universal trans experience. [Transcript available.]

Details
Fifty Shades of Gender podcast graphic with Bonnie Bakeneko

10. BONNIE BAKENEKO – trans-masculine, non-binary, graysexual

Bonnie identifies as trans-masculine, non-binary and greysexual. We talk about Dissociative Identity Disorder or DID (previously called Multiple Personality Disorder or MPD), gender dysphoria, body dysmorphia, drag, self-expression, body autonomy, radical tenderness and vulnerability, choosing kindness, being a flawed being rather than good or bad, spoon theory, and how the body could be considered a forest rather than a temple. CW: dental trauma, sexual abuse, exposure therapy, fetish, piercing, scarification, nullification, self-cannibalism. [Transcript available.]

Details
Fifty Shades of Gender podcast graphic with Alys Wilfred Earl (2)

9. ALYS WILFRED EARL (FRED) #2 – trans-masculine, non-binary, genderfluid

Alys Wilfred (aka Fred) identifies as trans-masculine, non-binary and genderfluid. In this second conversation, we talk about the minor and major effects of testosterone (or T) injections including voice changes and mental health, body dysmorphia versus gender dysphoria, recovering from top surgery and being topless, options for bottom surgery (phalloplasty versus metoidioplasty or meta for short), and why the term ’sex change’ doesn’t do it justice. [Transcript available.]

Details
Fifty Shades of Gender podcast graphic with Ange de Lumiere

7. ANGE DE LUMIERE – parent of a transgender child

Ange is the parent of a transgender child. She moved to the UK from Paris in 2001, has four children, and started the Parents of Transgender Adults support group earlier this year. We talk about souls, reincarnation, past lives, choosing your life experience and law of attraction; We talk about gender roles in society, the Silk Ring Theory of support, home schooling, The Hero’s Journey and the ins and outs of running and moderating a support group.

Details
Fifty Shades of Gender podcast graphic with Sophia Wise One

6. SOPHIA WISE ONE – gender-transcendent

Sophia identifies as gender-transcendent and welcomes all pronouns. We talk about the physical experience, spirituality, vibration and energy, the divine feminine, the female body, menstruation, Premenstrual Dysphoric Disorder (PMDD), sex, and embodying the genital energy of both sexes. We talk about gender as a role, archetype or presentation, and also conditioning, oppression of the feminine, reclaiming identity, healing, and a vision for the future.

Details
Fifty Shades of Gender podcast graphic with Sarah Corke

5. SARAH CORKE – intersex, non-binary

Sarah is intersex and identifies as non-binary. We talk about Androgen Insensitivity Syndrome, hormone replacement therapy, gonadectomy surgery, Queer Britain, being different and getting attention, being queer and bisexual, Differences in Sexual Development (DSD) and Intersex Genital Mutilation. [Transcript available.]

Details
Fifty Shades of Gender podcast graphic with Edalia Day

4. EDALIA DAY – transgender, non-binary

Edalia is transgender and identifies as non-binary. We talk about acting, clothes, the tv show The Good Place, the gender binary, support groups, visibility and the term ‘passing’, gender options on forms, Hamlet, free speech, representation of trans people in the media and in comedy, and films like Silence of the Lambs and Ace Ventura. [Transcript available.]

Details
Fifty Shades of Gender podcast graphic with Harri Elouise

3. HARRI ELOUISE NELLAR – trans-feminine, non-binary

Harri Elouise identifies as trans-feminine and non-binary. We talk about the difference between gender identity/expression and sex, gender clinics and the medical transition process, use singular ’they’ and getting pronouns right, coming out to family, friendships, being a shy kid, and fitting in versus belonging. [Transcript available.]

Details