In The Den with Mama Dragons
You're navigating parenting an LGBTQ+ child without a manual and knowing what to do and what to say isn't always easy. Each week we’ll visit with other parents of queer kids, talk with members of the LGBTQ+ community, learn from experts, and together explore ways to better parent our LGBTQ+ children. Join with us as we walk and talk with you through this journey of raising healthy, happy, and productive LGBTQ+ humans.
Episodes
131 episodes
It Gets Better
Parenting a queer kid comes with so many questions. How do we support them? How do we help them find their community? And how do we make sure they know that no matter what, they are loved and they belong? Since 2010, the It Gets Better campa...
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Episode 115
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1:00:24
Rainbow Letters: Two LDS Parents’ Journey of Love and Faith
Today In the Den, we’re diving into a deeply personal and courageous journey—one that bridges faith, family, and the fight for LGBTQ+ equality. Gary and Millie Watts, parents to six children, were devout members of the...
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Episode 114
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1:12:54
Reclaiming Faith with the TikTok Pastor
For many in our Mama Dragons community—and for queer folks in general—it can be hard to imagine a place for themselves within religion, and Christianity specifically, especially for those who have been shunned or hurt by their religious comm...
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Episode 113
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1:02:42
Becoming a Visible Man
Coming out as a transgender man in the late 1980s—before the internet, before mainstream conversations about gender identity, and before widespread access to information and affirming healthcare—Jamison Green found himself navigating a world...
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Episode 112
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1:12:26
Preemptive Radical Inclusion
Creating spaces where everyone feels safe, valued, and seen is a critical task in today’s world, but inclusion has become a political battleground. Policies are being written to erase identities, restrict access, and make belonging condition...
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Episode 111
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1:04:41
Hope, Activism, and The Power of Authentic Living
Content Warning: This episode contains brief mentions of rape and talks about addiction. Special Guest: Rikki WestRikki West is a former spiritual seeker and UC Berkeley–trained...
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Episode 110
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50:00
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Lambda Legal and the Fight for Trans Rights
In today’s episode of In the Den, we confront a reality that far too many of our trans children are facing–relentless attacks from state legislatures and federal policies, bans on gender affirming care, restrictions ta...
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Episode 109
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1:02:42
My Child is Trans, Now What?
Supporting our queer kids and learning together about all the ways we can show up for them and ourselves is central to our Mama Dragons community. This week’s episode of In The Den dives deep into how we can support an...
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Episode 108
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1:06:19
Drag Story Hour
Drag Story Hour is a global movement that brings the magic of storytelling, the art of drag, and the power of inclusion to libraries, schools, and community spaces, creating environments where kids can celebrate diversity, explore their imag...
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Episode 107
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58:22
Queer Sex Ed
Uncomfortable as it may feel, sex education, and specifically education tailored for LGBTQ+ kids, is crucial for the overall health and wellbeing of our queer kids! Today Sara talks with special guest Emmalinda MacLean about how we provide L...
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Episode 106
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56:28
The Power of Inclusive Language
Anyone who has ever experienced bullying or teasing of any kind has probably heard the saying, “Sticks and stones may break my bones, but words will never hurt me.” Really though, words can hurt, and the words we use matter. They can heal, c...
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Episode 105
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1:12:04
Activism Through Poetry
Activism takes many forms, from frontline advocacy and protests to behind the scenes legal work and policy-making to creative visioning and artistic expression. Today’s guest In the Den is an amazing human who weaves a...
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Episode 104
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52:41
Redefining Self-Care
So many of us lead overly busy lives and often find ourselves consumed with caring for others, including our children. Self-care is often the last thing on our priority list. Perhaps the whole concept of self-care feels frivolous or trendy. ...
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Episode 103
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1:00:11
What to Do When Your Child Comes Out
It isn’t unusual for LGBTQ+ people to decide to come out to their families during the holidays, and we want to help it go as smoothly as possible for everyone.This week In the Den, we’re throwing it back to replay an i...
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Episode 102
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49:53
Speaking of Suicide
Content Warning: This episode discusses suicide. According to the CDC, suicide is the second-leading cause of death for teens and young adults, and LGBTQ+ youth are more than four times as likely...
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Episode 101
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1:26:15
Reframing the Holidays Beyond Religion
When you and your family have spent your lives rooted in a particular religious tradition only to realize that your tradition does not openly welcome, support, and affirm your LGBTQ+ child or family member, it can be devastating. As a result...
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Episode 100
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1:12:20
Navigating Family Gatherings During the Holidays
With the holiday season in full swing, many of us are finding ourselves navigating sometimes tricky and challenging family gatherings, especially with our queer kids. This time of year often comes with particular, sometimes unspoken, expecta...
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Episode 99
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1:15:51
Transanta
Currently, young trans people are under attack across the country and around the world. Many of them continue to face rejection, persecution, and lack of support. Transanta is an amazing organization that is showing up to help meet the...
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Episode 98
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54:33
Queerness, Theology, and Therapy
We've had quite a few therapists on this podcast, and they have all shared so much wisdom and compassionate advice for us and our families. This week In the Den, our host Sara sits down with therapist Ann Russo, who sp...
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Episode 97
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56:47
The Election Is Over–Now What?
The outcome of the recent presidential election has left many of us reeling and feeling concern for our LGBTQ+ community, especially for our queer children. Many of us in the Mama Dragons community are already feeling the impact as our child...
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Episode 96
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1:12:03
In the Den is Getting a New Host!
In the Den with Mama Dragons is entering a new era! After almost two years, our original host Jen is passing the hosting microphone on to another amazing Mama Dragon who will take the lead. Our new host is Sara LaWall. Sara h...
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Episode 95
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1:04:41
Words With Friends 15
Words with Friends episodes are bonus episodes where different members of Mama Dragons provide definitions for LGBTQ related topics. This episode includes the following definitions:Gender Binary share...
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4:50
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Dealing with Microagressions
Note: This episode is a replay of a past episode (E44) that felt timely as the holidays approach again. We asked members of our group to share some of the most hurtful things that had been said to them ...
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Episode 94
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58:56
Transcend: Portraying Trans & Non-Binary people in Art with Rae Senarighi
Art has such power to transform the way we see the world and to show us new perspectives, ideas, and values. Art can also be an invitation to beauty and joy, which is something we all need more of in our lives and the world, especially...
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Episode 93
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1:11:20
