Are you as accepting as you think you are? Most parents believe they're supportive of their LGBTQ family members. But when put to the test, many discover significant gaps between their intentions and their actual level of acceptance. This ten-question assessment reveals where you stand on the acceptance scale and identifies the specific areas where you can strengthen your connection with LGBTQ loved ones. By the end this episode, you will be able to: Uncover blind spots you didn't know existe...

Are you wondering if it's the right time to share your LGBTQ+ identity with family, friends, or your community? The decision to come out is deeply personal. Timing matters more than you might think. Whether you're feeling pressure to come out or wondering if you should wait, this practical checklist provides the clarity you need to make the decision that's right for your unique situation. Send us a text Support the show

Why do loving, supportive parents still lose their LGBTQ children? The answer isn't what most families expect. Learn how to recognize the hidden patterns that destroy family relationships before it's too late. Understanding these dynamics will change how you approach every difficult family conversation. These principles are important for all of us, whether you're a parent trying to reconnect with an estranged child or an ally who wants to help others navigate these painful situations. Discove...

Do you hear the term "non-binary" and feel confused or overwhelmed? What does it actually mean? How do pronouns work when someone uses both he and they? Eos, who leads a local transgender support group, breaks down the real experience of non-binary identity beyond stereotypes. This conversation covers the practical questions families need answered. "Accepting" isn't the same as "affirming." Small changes in language can make the difference between a child feeling supported or invisible. For t...

Have you ever poured your heart into loving someone only to discover they don't feel loved at all? This happens frequently in LGBTQ+ families where parents think they're being supportive, but their child feels misunderstood or invalidated. When someone you care about shuts down completely, your instinct might be to defend how much you've done for them. Instead, there are four specific strategies that can help draw people out of emotional withdrawal and back into connection. These tools ...

The Supreme Court is hearing cases right now that could fundamentally reshape what it means to be LGBTQ in America. States are passing laws that ban medical care for transgender youth, restrict which sports teams kids can join, and , and allow therapists to practice conversion therapy on minors. Former US Attorney Jim Santelle has good news for you. There are specific, practical actions that actually move the needle. Your voice matters more than the headlines suggest. Send us a text Sup...

Most parents think, "Don't confuse them," "They're too young," "Let them figure it out themselves." These all sound like reasonable approaches. But the research reveals a shocking truth. Families that stay silent about LGBTQ issues actually harm their children. Too many well-meaning parents choose quiet over conversation. What feels like protection is actually the very thing putting kids in danger. Send us a text Support the show

Tired of feeling powerless while politicians make decisions that affect your life? Your voice carries more weight than you realize. Especially at the local level where real change happens fastest. Most people stop at voting. But the smartest advocates know that ongoing communication with representatives is where the actual influence lies. Local politicians are accessible and responsive. They are desperate to understand their constituents' needs... but only if you show up and speak up. Joe and...

When your child comes out as LGBTQ+, suddenly you have questions you never expected to face. Did you cause this somehow? Will they ever truly be happy? What if this is just a phase and you're enabling something harmful? These are the 2 AM thoughts that keep us awake at night. Joe and Rya tackle the deepest parental fears head-on. They address the guilt and the secret wishes that maybe this wasn't happening at all. You don't have to have all the answers, just love. Send us a text Support the s...

Conservative activist Charlie Kirk was assassinated today at a college speaking event in Utah. Regardless of where you stand politically, murder is never the answer to disagreement. In this special episode, Joe and Rya give us their personal response to the news. Send us a text Support the show

Understanding the difference between supportive curiosity and invasive questioning isn't just about avoiding awkwardness. Many of us want to ask questions about LGBTQ experiences. We care deeply and want to show genuine interest, but the fear of saying something wrong keeps us from asking authentic questions. The truth is, some questions that feel perfectly reasonable in our minds can actually hurt the people we're trying to support. Even worse, we might be asking those questions right now wi...

It's our third year anniversary of Trandescendant Podcast! And boy, do we have a shocking episode for you. We decided to expand our podcast from two to three generations. And this might surprise you, but Rya has a transgender son. This is his story. You might expect that having a transgender parent would make the journey easier for a transgender child, but the reality is far more complex. Each person's path to authenticity looks different, even within the same family. Kelly shares how college...

Have you ever tried to have an important conversation with a family member only to watch it explode into an argument you never wanted? Most people think there are only two choices when something needs to be addressed: stay silent and let resentment build, or speak up and risk a fight. But there's another option. Joe and Rya break down a simple five-step method that transforms even the most sensitive topics into productive conversations. Whether you're advocating for an LGBTQ family member or ...

What happens when the conversations that matter most feel impossible to have? Too many families avoid difficult talks until relationships reach a breaking point. They think they're protecting each other when they're actually making everything worse. Most family conflicts aren't caused by different beliefs. What matters is how we approach our loved ones. When you practice these two simple conversation techniques, even the hardest topics become manageable. This episode gives us proven tools tha...

Have you ever noticed how some of the most hurtful rejections come wrapped in language that sounds accepting? Coded phrases hide judgment behind politeness, creating what feels like acceptance but actually delivers conditional love with strings attached. From military culture to church communities, conditional acceptance creates exhausting energy costs for LGBTQ+ people who must constantly manage which parts of themselves are acceptable. Love that comes with disclaimers and conditions isn't r...

The global landscape of LGBTQ+ rights reveals dramatic contrasts that might surprise you. While places like Iceland, Canada, and the Netherlands boast acceptance rates above 90%, over 30 countries in sub-Saharan Africa still criminalize LGBTQ+ identities entirely. Yet beneath these stark differences lies a hopeful truth: younger generations worldwide are driving unprecedented change. From Taiwan becoming Asia's first country to legalize same-sex marriage to underground activist networks fight...

Is it better to stop hiding who you are, or are there times when staying private is the better choice? This question divides even the most supportive allies and LGBTQ+ advocates. From teenagers navigating hostile family situations to adults managing workplace dynamics, every coming out decision is complicated. The debate is even more layered when considering the differences in coming out between gay and transgender people. How can allies be most supportive? Advocates of both perspectives offe...

Real people are losing access to healthcare, having their gender markers erased, and watching their rights disappear with each new executive order and state law. While some allies post supportive messages online, many don't grasp the depth of fear gripping the LGBTQ+ community right now. Joe and Rya examine the harsh realities while also spotlighting victories around the world. When hate rises, so must we. That means moving from comfortable concern to uncomfortable action. This episode give c...

Thousands of Christian parents feel trapped between two impossible choices: fully supporting their LGBTQ+ child or staying faithful to their religious beliefs. This devastating dilemma tears families apart and leaves both parents and children feeling abandoned. Do we have to choose between them, or is it possible to have both? Send us a text Support the show

We know that many LGBTQ+ critics are tired of being painted as hateful bigots when their heart is in the right place. We understand your position because we believed exactly what you believe now, and we can explain why we changed our minds without calling you names or questioning your faith. This isn't another lecture about tolerance—it's a conversation from people who get where you're coming from and want to show you what we discovered when we stopped being afraid of the truth. The conversat...