In this lively episode of A Life Lived Trans, Mardi and Lenny—self-declared trans elders with nearly a century of combined wisdom—tackle the “trans tropes” that make their eyeballs roll clear out of their heads. With sharp wit and plenty of sidebars, they call out myths like “trans people are mentally unstable,” the backhanded compliment of “I never would have known,” and the rigid gender rules that shaped their early transitions under old-school medical gatekeeping. They mix social commentary with sass, poking fun at gender reveal parties, binary nonsense, and the political circus surrounding trans lives in the U.S. and Canada—all while reminding listeners that trans people have always existed and aren’t going anywhere.

But it’s not all ranting and righteous indignation. The episode meanders delightfully through “Happy Bits Day” celebrations, questionable hospital compliments, crying therapy to Silver Springs, and the spiritual benefits of self-pleasure. Mardi shares heartfelt (and hilarious) reflections on love, loss, and surgeries past, while Lenny offers grounding wisdom and the occasional well-timed reality check. By the end, what started as a trope takedown turns into a warm, funny reminder to protect your peace, call a friend, have a good cry (or other release), and find joy—even when the world feels like it’s being run by the National Enquirer.

Mardi and Lenny open up about their journeys through aging, health scares, and the ongoing fight for visibility, sharing stories that will inspire you to stand tall despite the chaos.

Unlock the surprising truth behind how resilience, humor, and authenticity can transform the challenges of the trans community into powerful stories of hope. When facing societal intolerance, personal health crises, and political turmoil, this episode reveals the unexpected ways you can turn adversity into strength — with a little laughter along the way. Crisis hotlines: 🇨🇦 Canada: BC: 1-800-784-2433 Canada: 9-8-8 (text or call) U.S. - https://988lifeline.org/ or dial 988 Alex Verbeek: https://substack.com/home/post/p-187738078 Jan Morris "Conundrum" (Guardian article) - https://www.theguardian.com/books/2024/sep/29/jan-morris-conundrum-memoir-transgender-son Angela Morley (composer/arranger): https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Angela_Morley

Staying centered isn’t about escaping life—it’s about knowing what to do when one of your wheels comes flying off at 60 miles an hour. It’s about meeting life exactly where you are, breath by breath. This short pre-break episode is a grounded, heartfelt exploration of mindfulness and meditation as lived practices. We try to use humor, honesty, and hard-earned insight as trans elders to demonstrate how returning to the breath, the body, and the present moment can be a radical act of self-care in a loud and often unkind world.

Rooted in decades of survival, transition, love, and loss, we hope our conversations -- our testimonies highlight the unique benefits of meditation for trans elders: resilience in the face of change, compassion for aging bodies, and grace for minds that have seen it all. This is a space for slowing down, laughing a little, and remembering that peace isn’t found at the end of the journey—it’s cultivated along the way, one mindful moment at a time. "Our Deepest Fear" - Marianne Williamson poem https://www.appleseeds.org/Deepest-Fear.htm Transparently Speaking podcast https://transparentlyspeakingpodcast.buzzsprout.com/

From 70s transitions to "yoga granny tata’s ," trans elders Mardi P. and Lenny Z. have seen it all—and their eyeballs actually ache from the view. This week, the duo tackles "political pick-me's," the anatomy of Quebec’s prison laws, and why you should never get breast implants. It’s raw, it’s radical, and it’s served with a side of Annie Sprinkle-inspired glitter. If you think the world is going to hell in a handbasket, Mardi and Lenny are here to smoke a cigarette and tell you, "We told you so." This episode covers the terrifying reality of SCOTUS, the beauty of Bowie-inspired labradorite, and Annie Sprinkle's legendary performance art piece involving a speculum. It’s peer-reviewed science meets primal cave-woman energy. This week features fantastic, chaotic energy that is both deeply poignant and hilariously unfiltered. https://sprinklestephens.ucsc.edu/

Join Lenny Z and MahD as they delve into the profound connections between nature, community, and personal healing. In this episode, they discuss the wisdom of indigenous cultures, the sentience of plants, and the transformative power of meditation. Tune in for a journey through the ancient rainforests of Vancouver Island and discover how embracing interconnectedness can lead to resilience and peace in turbulent times.

Is Toxic Inclusivity really a thing? Or is it just more "pick me" fodder?

Lenny and Mardi go deep into the fear sweeping the trans community triggered by some current viral events caught on tape at several Planet Fitness locations.

Digging into LGBT history they discuss how being marginalized has left us to connect in unsafe places. Has this suppression by society continued to stunt us in acting out inappropriately?

Community support, mental health, the need for open dialogue and understanding, and the complexities of navigating gender identity in today's society has always been lacking.

We are community that has just began to heal. And sometimes it really shows by the way we interact with each other.

It's time for some group therapy kittens!!! We also highlight Raquel Willis' expertly hosted and wonderfully produced documentary podcast 'Afterlives' on Marsha P. Johnson.

Email us: alifelivedtrans@gmail.com Afterlives podcast - https://www.afterlivespod.com/

CBC Opinion piece: Trans rights? Yes. Toxic, in-your-face activism? No https://www.cbc.ca/news/opinion/opinion-trans-rights-radical-activism-1.6220106

What a journey it has been to navigate healthcare for Lenny and Mardi thru these last, almost 100 collective years!

Lenny talks about meeting progressive doctors in the 1970s, while Mardi's shares surviving the more common and dangerous DIY journey of the streets for transition needs.

They also discuss ageing and trans healthcare and how they are still teaching the medical establishment because not many of us survived this long.

They have a discussion on the importance of gender-affirming care, and the challenges faced by trans youth today. ie., legislative issues in Alberta and the U.S.

Thanks for listening to the podcast and please send us you thoughts and questions to alifelivedtrans@gmail.com and we will be sure to read some of them on air.

Happy 2026 everyone. Be kind to your mind, stay close to the ones that lift you and hang on, we think it's going to be quite the Year!

In this shorter holiday episode Lenny and Mardi discuss the importance of sharing personal stories to combat misinformation and the documented tactics used by anti-trans groups.

Through humor and candid reflections, they highlight the ongoing struggle for acceptance and understanding in society.

If you are not a Patreon member watching the video episode, Mardi is giving exhausted Greek tycoon widow, with low grade migraine, from the flooded end zone of it all.

Please help her lol, our testimony and our podcast by rating and reviewing our show wherever you listen to our podcast.

HAPPY 2026 xoxo