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One of the most powerful truths about change is that it often begins in the most ordinary moments—when we choose authenticity, vulnerability, and the courage to be seen. Our guest In the Den today is Ash Beckham, who discovered that courage to be seen, which led her on a surprising journey to advocacy and activism. Ash is an author, advocate, and public speaker known for her viral TEDx talk “Coming Out of Your Closet”. In that powerful speech, Ash reminds us that we are ALL in the closet and invites us to step into empathy by recognizing the silent struggles we all carry. Today Ash and Sara unpack how Ash’s vulnerability—starting with everyday moments—has grown to become a powerful form of activism and inclusion.

Special Guest: Ash Beckham

Ash Beckham is a mom of two, speaker, career coach, equality advocate, and author of Step Up: How to Live with Courage and Become an Everyday Leader. Ash is an inclusion activist whose TEDx Talk “Coming Out of Your Closet” became a viral sensation. Her intrepid, relatable, and intrinsically comical style has made her an in-demand speaker, including events at Microsoft, Lockheed Martin, Bank of America, and the keynote for the first LGBTQ Conference at Harvard University.

Links from the Show:

• Ash’s website: www.ashbeckham.com
• Ash’s TEDx talk: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=kSR4xuU07sc
• Find Ash on FB: https://www.facebook.com/ashbeckham/
• Find Ash on IG: https://www.instagram.com/theashbeckham/
• Find Ash on Twitter: https://twitter.com/ashbeckham
• Find Ash on LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/ash-beckham/
• Buy Step Up here: https://bookshop.org/p/books/step-up-how-to-live-with-courage-and-become-an-everyday-leader-ash-beckham/9833723?ean=9781683643920&next=t
• Join Mama Dragons today: www.mamadragons.org

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Today In the Den, we’re diving into a conversation at the intersection of identity, belonging, and storytelling. Our guest, Ingrid Hu Dahl, is a writer, speaker, and leadership coach whose work explores the layers of what it means to be both mixed race, queer and finding feminism. Ingrid is the author of the newly released memoir Sun Shining on Morning Snow, a powerful and intimate exploration of identity, grief, resilience, and transformation.

Special Guest: Ingrid Hu Dahl

Ingrid Hu Dahl is an author, speaker, and leadership coach. She is the founder of a coaching and consulting business dedicated to empowering the next generation of leaders. With over two decades of experience in learning and development, she brings her expertise to a wide range of industries, from corporate and media to nonprofit and social justice organizations. A TEDx speaker and a founding member of the Willie Mae Rock Camp in Brooklyn, Ingrid has a lifelong passion for amplifying underrepresented voices. She has written, filmed, and directed two short films exploring identity, representation, and the mixed-race experience. She has toured in multiple rock bands, playing bass, guitar, synth, drums and singing. Ingrid is certified by the International Coaching Federation and the Center for Creative Leadership. She is a global lecturer and speaker, and an advisory board member for the Institute for Women’s Leadership at Rutgers University. She lives in Sausalito, California, with her wife, Courtney, and their dog, Palo Santo.

Links from the Show:

• Ingrid’s website: www.IngridHuDahl.com
• Buy Ingrid’s book here: https://bookshop.org/p/books/sun-shining-on-morning-snow-a-memoir-of-identity-loss-and-living-boldly-ingrid-hu-dahl/22618239?ean=9781774586174&next=t
• Sun Shining on Morning Snow website: www.SunShiningonMorningSnow.com
• Find Ingrid on IG: https://www.instagram.com/ingridhudahl/
• Find Ingrid on LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/ingridhudahl/
• Sun Shining on Morning Snow on IG: https://www.instagram.com/sunshiningonmorningsnow
• Join Mama Dragons today: www.mamadragons.org

In the Den is made possible by generous donors like you. Help us continue to deliver quality content by becoming a donor today at www.mamadragons.org.

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For far too many LGBTQ+ people, religion has been used as a weapon–a source of shame, exclusion, and deep spiritual wounds. Many have been told they are “incompatible with scripture,” and some have left their faith communities altogether just to protect their own well-being. Today In the Den, Sara sits down with Reformation Project founder Matthew Vines, who offers an invitation to re-read the Bible with fresh eyes, to separate tradition from truth, and to imagine a church where everyone is welcomed without condition.

Special Guest: Matthew Vines

Matthew Vines is the Founder and Executive Director of The Reformation Project and the author of God and the Gay Christian: The Biblical Case in Support of Same-Sex Relationships. He lives in Dallas, Texas. Matthew attended Harvard University from 2008 to 2010. He then took a leave of absence in order to research the Bible and same-sex relationships. In March 2012, Matthew gave a speech at a church in his hometown of Wichita, Kansas, about the Bible and same-sex relationships, calling for acceptance of gay Christians and their marriage relationships. The video of the speech was viewed more than a million times on YouTube, leading to a feature story in The New York Times that fall. In 2013, Matthew launched The Reformation Project, a Bible-based, Christian non-profit organization that works to advance an orthodox and affirming vision for the church while remaining grounded in a love for God, a love for the Bible, and a love for the church. The Reformation Project hosts a variety of events, including a conference, a Parents in Process group, a Pastors in Process group, and leadership training cohorts.

Links from the Show:

• God and the Gay Christian: https://bookshop.org/p/books/god-and-the-gay-christian-the-biblical-case-in-support-of-same-sex-relationships-matthew-vines/6425211?ean=9781601425188&next=t
• Find more about Matthew here: https://matthewvines.com/about/
• Matthew’s speech on gay Christians: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ezQjNJUSraY
• The Reformation Project: http://www.reformationproject.org/
• New York Times article on Matthew’s speech: http://www.nytimes.com/2012/09/16/fashion/matthew-vines-wont-rest-in-defending-gay-christians.html
• Join Mama Dragons here: www.mamadragons.org

In the Den is made possible by generous donors like you. Help us continue to deliver quality content by becoming a donor today at www.mamadragons.org.

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Imagine a world where queer and trans youth have safety, autonomy, joy, and the chance to live into their fullest potential. It’s a world we Mama Dragons all dream of for our queer kids. Our guests today are from an organization called Queer Youth Assemble that is not just dreaming it, but making it happen–through marches, walkouts, protests, creative activism, and community resources. This week In the Den, Sara visits with three young people who are sparking change from coast to coast.

Special Guest: Pluto or Snail

Pluto or Snail uses he/it pronouns and is trans masc and gay, though semi-questioning his sexuality. He has been out to his family since 5th grade, going through many different sexualities and genders until around his 10th grade year. Pluto has now graduated from high school.

Special Guest: Zadyn Higgins

Zadyn Higgins is an 18 year old queer and trans activist. Zadyn has been with Queer Youth Assemble for a few years now but has had a lifelong involvement in activism.

Special Guest: Esmée Silverman

Esmée Silverman (they/she) is a nationally renowned queer activist, community organizer, and changemaker. Described as a spark of creativity, Esmée has used her unique personality and lived experiences as a non-binary asexual woman to improve the lives of queer & trans youth through events, protests, education, and other endeavors. They currently serve as the co-president of Queer Youth Assemble, a non-profit she co-founded to bring autonomy and joy to all queer & trans youth across the United States.

Links from the Show:

• Find Queer Youth Assemble here: https://queeryouthassemble.org/
• Donate to Queer Youth Assemble: https://queeryouthassemble.org/donations/1738/
• Join Mama Dragons here: www.mamadragons.org

In the Den is made possible by generous donors like you. Help us continue to deliver quality content by becoming a donor today at www.mamadragons.org.

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For far too many LGBTQ+ people, the idea of changing who they are has been forced upon them—through family pressure, faith communities, or the dangerous practice of conversion therapy. These programs, often cloaked in the language of care or religious devotion, have left deep wounds on survivors—shame, trauma, and fractured relationships with themselves and others. Today In the Den, Sara visits with Dr. Lucas Wilson, editor of Shame-Sex Attraction: Survivors’ Stories of Conversion Therapy, a powerful collection of 17 survivor accounts—including his own—shedding light on the emotional and psychological fallout of conversion practices. Together they explore what conversion therapy looks like in practice, how survivors navigate the lasting impacts, and why storytelling is such a powerful tool for healing and change.

Special Guest: Lucas Wilson

Lucas Wilson is a SSHRC Postdoctoral Fellow at University of Toronto Mississauga and was formerly the Justice, Equity, and Transformation Postdoctoral Fellow at University of Calgary. He is the editor of Shame-Sex Attraction: Survivors’ Stories of Conversion Therapy, as well as the author of At Home with the Holocaust: Postmemory, Domestic Space, and Second-Generation Holocaust Narratives, which received the Jordan Schnitzer First Book Publication Award. He is currently working on a new literary anthology about queer experiences in Christian higher education, tentatively entitled Don’t Ask, Tell All: Stories of Christian Colleges’ Anti-Queer Regimes.

Links from the Show:

• Find Shame-Sex Attraction here: https://bookshop.org/p/books/shame-sex-attraction-survivors-stories-of-conversion-therapy-lucas-wilson/21360797?ean=9781805011323&next=t
• Find At Home with the Holocaust here: https://bookshop.org/p/books/at-home-with-the-holocaust-postmemory-domestic-space-and-second-generation-holocaust-narratives-lucas-f-w-wilson/21705604?ean=9781978839816&next=t
• Find Lucas on IG/Threads/TikTok: @lukeslamdunkwilson
• Lucas on Bluesky: https://bsky.app/profile/lukeslamdunkwilson.bsky.social
• Lucas on FB: www.facebook.com/luke.wilson.96
• Lucas on Twitter/X: https://x.com/wilson_fw
• Lucas at LinkedIn: www.linkedin.com/in/lucas-wilson-2a0753b1/
• Join Mama Dragons today: www.mamadragons.org

In the Den is made possible by generous donors like you. Help us continue to deliver quality content by becoming a donor today at www.mamadragons.org.

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After the Supreme Court’s recent ruling in the US vs. Skrmetti case, trans youth and their families have been reeling. The decision upheld state bans on healthcare for trans youth, further stripping away life-saving care and deepening the fear and uncertainty so many of us and our kids already live with. Through it all, Mama Dragons has been here–holding families, offering comfort, and standing as a community of fierce love and unwavering support as this case has unfolded. Today In the Den, Sara sits down with special guests Sam Feder and Erin Reed to go behind the headlines and to explore the longer, more human story–one of courage, resistance, and the fight for dignity, a story that is powerfully told in the new documentary Heightened Scrutiny. This incredible film follows fearless civil rights lawyer Chase Strangio as he battles at the Supreme Court for transgender adolescents’ access to gender-affirming healthcare, confronting not only the legal system but also a media landscape that distorts public perception and threatens the struggle for trans rights.

Special Guest: Sam Feder

Sam Feder is a Peabody Award-nominated film director and writer. Sam’s films explore the intersection of visibility and politics along the lines of race, class, and gender. Sam directed the award-winning Netflix Original documentary DISCLOSURE (2020) and the widely acclaimed documentary Kate Bornstein Is a Queer & Pleasant Danger. Sam was recently invited to join the Academy of Motion Picture Arts and Sciences Documentary Branch and is an on-going Project& Fellow.

Special Guest: Erin Reed

Erin Reed, known to her readers by her newsletter, Erin in the Morning, is a transgender journalist based in Washington, D.C. tracking LGBTQ+ legislation around the United States. Her work has been cited by the AP, Reuters, The New York Times, The Washington Post, and many more major media outlets.

Links from the Show:

• Project&: https://projectand.org/
• Find a Heightened Security screening near you: https://www.heightenedscrutinydoc.com/
• Watch a trailer for Heightened Scrutiny here: https://www.heightenedscrutinydoc.com/#trailer
• Find Erin in the Morning’s substack here: https://www.erininthemorning.com/
• Find Erin on Blue Sky at: https://bsky.app/profile/did:plc:m65ifh7vn5zdgs7izcmht4gy
• Join Mama Dragons today: www.mamadragons.org

In the Den is made possible by generous donors like you. Help us continue to deliver quality content by becoming a donor today at www.mamadragons.org.

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In the Den this week is the incredible Brian Selznick—yep, the genius behind The Invention of Hugo Cabret, which became the beloved movie Hugo, directed by Martin Scorsese. He also wrote Wonderstruck, The Marvels, and so many other beautiful, genre-blending books that mix stunning illustrations with powerful storytelling. Brian isn’t just a wildly talented author and artist—he’s also part of the LGBTQ+ community, and he brings that perspective into his work in such thoughtful and creative ways. His stories often center around characters who are finding their place in the world, discovering who they are, and learning how to be fully themselves—all themes that really resonate with our mission here at Mama Dragons.

Special Guest: Brian Selznick

Brian Selznick is an award-winning author and illustrator, whose groundbreaking books have sold millions of copies and been translated into over 35 languages. He revolutionized storytelling with The Invention of Hugo Cabret, a #1 New York Times bestseller, which won the Caldecott Medal and was adapted into Martin Scorsese’s Oscar-winning film Hugo. His bestsellers Wonderstruck and The Marvels further cemented his reputation as one of publishing’s most imaginative storytellers. Selznick also illustrated the 20th anniversary covers of the Harry Potter series and collaborated with Steven Spielberg and Chris Meledandri on Big Tree. He lives in Brooklyn and La Jolla with his husband, Dr. David Serlin.

Links from the Show:

• Brian’s website: https://brianselznick.com/
• Find Brian’s book here: https://bookshop.org/beta-search?keywords=brian+selznick
• Join Mama Dragons here: www.mamadragons.org

In the Den is made possible by generous donors like you. Help us continue to deliver quality content by becoming a donor today at www.mamadragons.org.

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In our Mama Dragons community, we know how transformative it is to witness the joy and authenticity of LGBTQ+ young people, and today In the Den we get to introduce you to two people who are helping make that visibility possible on a national scale. Sara visits with Jen Grosshandler, founder of the groundbreaking organization GenderCool, and her incredible daughter Chazzie. GenderCool is a youth-led movement replacing misinformed opinions with powerful, positive experiences by elevating the voices of transgender and nonbinary young people who are thriving, talented, and simply being themselves.

Special Guest: Jen Grosshandler

Jen and her husband John are the parents of four kids: three sons and their youngest transgender daughter Chazzie, who is 19 and thriving. Born and raised in Georgia, Jen’s focused the last decade on having reasonable, calm conversations with friends and family who may not understand what it means to raise a transgender daughter. This work led Jen to help create The GenderCool Project, a national nonprofit helping folks evolve their opinions by simply meeting transgender kids and their

families. Jen has been featured in national media, including TODAY, Good Morning America, USA Today, Associated Press, New York Times and Forbes.

Special Guest: Chazzie Grosshandler

Chazzie Grosshandler is a 19 year old young woman singularly focused on living her life with purpose. She is the inspiration behind a global movement called The Gendercool Project, a non-profit organization helping to replace misinformed opinions with positive experiences meeting transgender & nonbinary young people who are thriving. Chazzie realizes that by telling her powerful, positive story, she helps people understand that transgender and nonbinary kids are just like all other kids.

At 11 years old, she shared her story nationally on TODAY and helped launch GenderCool to a global audience. She has spoken at corporations, conferences, black-tie galas, houses of worship and schools across the country and has been featured in national media including The New York Times, USA Today, ABC News, Hulu, NBC News, Adweek, and Teen Vogue among other outlets. She is a GLAAD 20 under 20, and has had the great honor of speaking at the White House and collaborating with the Biden administration around progressing equality for transgender and nonbinary young people.

Links from the Show:

• Find the GenderCool website here: https://gendercool.org/
• Join Mama Dragons here: www.mamadragons.org

In the Den is made possible by generous donors like you. Help us continue to deliver quality content by becoming a donor today at www.mamadragons.org.

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