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Imagine belonging to a faith that is fighting to keep you out—and refusing to leave. Some of you in our Mama Dragons community know this experience well. Some of you are still living it, loving your families and your traditions while also working, every day, to make change from within. That tension—the push and pull between belonging and exclusion—is not unique to any one faith. Today In the Den, Sara is joined by Miryam Kabakov, a national leader who has spent more than three decades walking alongside LGBTQ+ people in Orthodox communities. She is the Executive Director and co-founder of Eshel, an organization that provides support, resources, and community for LGBTQ+ Orthodox individuals and their families—and is helping to quietly, steadily shift what’s possible from the inside. Sara and Miryam talk about what it means to stay in a tradition that doesn’t always make room for you, how families navigate love and religious commitment, and why change—especially in deeply traditional spaces—often begins with small, brave acts of connection.

Special Guest: Miryam Kabakov

Miryam Kabakov is a national leader who has worked for more than three decades on the inclusion of LGTBQ+ individuals in the Orthodox world. Miryam is Executive Director and co-founder of Eshel, a national organization that supports LGBTQ+ Orthodox individuals and their families. Prior to being a leader at Eshel, Miryam was the New York and National Program Director of AVODAH: The Jewish Service Corps, Director of LGBT programming at the JCC Manhattan, Social Worker at West Side Federation for Senior and Supportive Housing, and was the first social worker at Footsteps. Miryam received her MSW from the Wurzweiler School of Social Work. She also received a certificate in fundraising from the University of St. Thomas and a certificate in program evaluation from the University of Washington, and has a background in informal Jewish education from Brandeis University. She founded the New York Orthodykes, a support group for lesbian, bisexual and transgender Orthodox women, and is the editor of Keep Your Wives Away From Them: Orthodox Women, Unorthodox Desires (North Atlantic Books, May 2010), a collection of writings about the challenges and joys of LBT Orthodox Jews and winner of the Golden Crown Literary Award.

Links from the Show:

• Find Eshel online
• Eshel’s Calendar of Events
• Join Mama Dragons today

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We know that one of the most powerful things we can do as parents is raise kids who know who they are, who treat others with dignity, and who have the courage to live out loud. Today In the Den, Sara is joined by author, educator, and speaker Kevin Cripe, who spent 27 years as an elementary school teacher helping young people—many of whom felt overlooked or underestimated—discover confidence, identity, and a sense of possibility. Through his work in the classroom, his nationally recognized chess program, and his children’s books—including stories like Princess Max, which gently but powerfully explores gender expression and self-acceptance—Kevin invites us to rethink the messages kids receive about who they’re allowed to be. In today’s episode, Sara and Kevin discuss how the environments we create at home, in schools, and in our communities can either silence kids or help them shine, and they explore what it looks like to raise children who not only embrace their own identities, but make space for others to do the same.

Guest Speaker: Kevin Cripe

Kevin Cripe is a motivational speaker, author, and educator with over 27 years of experience inspiring students, teachers, and communities. Today, Kevin shares his passion for empowerment and empathy through keynote presentations for schools, parent organizations, churches, and community groups.

Links from the Show:

• Kevin’s website
• Article about Princess Max
• Find Princess Max here
• Join Mama Dragons today

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Lack of representation is one of the biggest issues facing the LGBTQ+ outdoors community. Queer adventurers don’t often see themselves represented in the marketing campaigns and media narratives of mainstream brands and companies, but queer people are out on the roads and trails doing awesome things outside every day, and today’s guest is forging the trail for LGBTQ+ representation in the outdoor adventure world with determination and infectious joy. Today In the Den, Sara is joined by national parks expert and endurance athlete Mikah Meyer to talk about a journey that shaped him, the friendships that sustained him, and the vision he’s building for a world where every person can step outside—into nature, into community, into themselves—and know they belong.

Special Guest: Mikah Meyer

Called a "professional road tripper" by REI, Mikah's 3-year, world record road trip to all 419 U.S. National Park Service sites made him the first to experience all federal parks in a single journey. He's continued that passion in the 2020s with the creation of the Outside Safe Space Program, which provides allies a simple way of making The Great Outdoors more accessible for LGBTQ+ people. Since its launch in 2020 with a Run Across Minnesota, it has sold over 100,000 symbols, become carried by REI stores nationwide, and Mikah has raised awareness for the OSS Program through a Run Across Mississippi, Run Across Nebraska, Bike Across Oregon, and other "Across" projects. The symbol's creation has helped Mikah consult major brands on the design and implementation of their first Pride products, and spawned workshops, including keynote speaking for Kansas City Design Week, about inclusive marketing to the $1+ trillion dollar LGBTQ+ purchasing power community in the United States, and beyond.

Links from the Show:

• More on Theodore Roosevelt
• Buck Island
• Outside Safe Spaces Logo Gear
• Canyon Chorus Documentary
• Join Mama Dragons today

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State laws across the country, and now even federal policies, increasingly target transgender people and LGBTQ people more broadly. Lifesaving, necessary gender-affirming care is being restricted or criminalized. Discriminatory policies and legislation, such as proper identity document bans, restrictions on participation in sports, and “sex definition” laws that police public restrooms, are attacking people in their day-to-day lives. What people may not realize, is that every one of these laws and policies affects intersex people, too, and that is why organizations like interACT are so important. From education to support, interACT is working to affirm trans and intersex folks in the fight to access lifesaving, necessary care. Today In the Den, we’ll cover some important basic information that will explain intersex conditions, and we’ll talk about how we can better support and affirm the intersex folks in our lives and in our country.

Special Guest: Bria Brown-King

Bria Brown-King (They/She) is a Black, queer, non-binary, and intersex person. Bria is the Associate Executive Director at interACT: Advocates for Intersex Youth. Bria got their start in intersex advocacy in 2018 as an interACT Youth Advocate. In 2019, they became the first openly intersex person to speak about intersex issues on the steps of the Supreme Court. In their current role, Bria facilitates education on intersex issues, works to close the gap in intersex-affirming research and data collection, and serves on multiple advisory boards, representing intersex people nationally and internationally.

Special Guest: Dr. Bonnie Scranton

Dr. Scraton is a licensed clinical social worker, AASECT-certified sex therapist and sexual health educator, and an assistant professor of social work at Central Connecticut State University. She maintains a private practice and serves on a multidisciplinary team at Connecticut Children’s Medical Center, where she supports children with variations in sex characteristics and their families. Motivated by both her clinical work and her lived experience as the parent of a child with an intersex variation, Bonnie's doctoral research at the University of Pennsylvania resulted in the development of Project LISTEN, a peer support and empowerment program for parents newly learning about their child’s variation. The program is designed to provide information, connection, and support for parents and caregivers, helping families ensure children grow up with agency and ownership over their bodies and medical decisions.

Links from the Show:

• Find the interACT website here
• Intersex Definitions here
• Intersex FAQ here
• Join Mama Dragons today

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The Supreme Court is currently considering two major cases brought by West Virginia and Idaho which address state-level bans on transgender female students playing on girls' school sports teams. Together, these cases could determine whether states can legally exclude trans athletes from school sports nationwide. Politicians and pundits argue about fairness, biology, and the future of women’s sports, but far too often the voices of transgender athletes themselves get lost in the noise. That’s exactly what Anna Baeth, Ellie Roscher, and Chris Mosier are trying to change. Ellie and Chris join Sarato discuss their new and groundbreaking book Fair Game, which breaks down the myths being told through personal interviews with trans athletes and includes an informative look at the research, history, and politics of gender in sports. They explore the deeper question underneath it all: what do we really mean when we talk about fairness, and why does sports participation matter—not just for elite athletes, but for every kid who simply wants to play on a team, move their body, and belong.

Special Guest: Ellie Roscher

Ellie Roscher is the author of Fair Game, Remarkable Rose, The Embodied Path, 12 Tiny Things, Play Like a Girl and How Coffee Saved My Life. Ellie teaches writing and yoga in Minneapolis. She was a two-sport college athlete, competing in gymnastics and softball, and went on to coach both at the rec, club, and high school level. Ellie holds an MFA in Writing from Sarah Lawrence College and an MA in Theology from Luther Seminary.

Special Guest: Chris Mosier

Chris Mosier is a trailblazing athlete, coach, and founder of TransAthlete.com, the go-to resource on transgender inclusion in sports. He made history as the first openly trans man on a U.S. Men’s National Team and helped change International Olympic Committee policy for trans athletes. A Nike-sponsored athlete, Chris is a five-time national champion, and relentless advocate for trans rights. When not training and competing, he mentors transgender and nonbinary athletes around the globe, living out his motto of “be who you needed when you were younger.”

Links from the Show:

• Buy Fair Game here
• Ellie’s Website
• Find Ellie on IG
• Dr. Baeth’s Website
• Ellie’s Website
• Chris’s Website
• Dr. Baeth on IG
• Find Chris on IG

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Research indicates that autistic individuals are more likely to identify as transgender or gender diverse compared to the general population. Studies show that people who do not identify with the sex assigned at birth are more likely to be autistic than cisgender individuals. This overlap between autism and gender diversity may be confusing to some parents.. Parenting a child who is gender diverse and autistic can feel complex, and supporting them may at times feel overwhelming, so we’re going to get into the complexity in today’s episode. We’ve invited Dr. Theresa Lyons, international autism educator, to share her unique blend of science and real-world experience to try to give our listeners clarity, confidence, and a roadmap to better supporting their autistic children.

Special Guest: Dr. Theresa Lyons

Dr. Lyons is an international autism educator, Ivy League scientist, and autism parent. She’s the founder and CEO of Navigating AWEtism, a groundbreaking platform that transforms the overwhelming complexity of autism science into clear, actionable steps for families. With a Ph.D. from Yale and a deeply personal mission, Dr. Lyons has worked with parents in over 21 countries, bringing evidence-based strategies that change lives. She shares her unique blend of rigorous science and real-world experience while giving parents what they’ve never had before: clarity, confidence, and a roadmap for progress.

Links from the Show:

• Navigating Awetism on YouTube
• Navigating Awetism on IG
• Navigating Awetism on FB
• Find Theresa on LinkedIn
• Navigating Awetism on TikTok
• Navigating Awetism website
• Awestism.net
• Join Mama Dragons today

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Every news cycle lately brings yet another headline about transgender people and their families, whether it's the inflammatory remarks during the State of the Union or the recent invalidation of driver's licenses in Kansas, or any number of other recent court cases. These stories are showing up across the country and creating confusion and fear and a whole lot of questions for our families. So today In the Den, we're taking some time to pause, to break it all down, to breathe together, and to talk about what's happening in the news right now, what these developments mean, why they matter, and how we can all stay grounded and informed in the middle of it all. Joining Sara is special guest and policy strategist Sam Ames.

Special Guest: Sam Ames

Sam Ames (they/he) is a legal and policy strategist with 15 years of leadership experience in the LGBTQI+ movement. Sam served in the Biden-Harris Administration as Chief of Staff in the Department of Education Office for Civil Rights and Senior Advisor in the Department of Health and Human Services Substance Abuse & Mental Health Services Administration. Sam began their legal career as a staff attorney at the National Center for Lesbian Rights, working on impact litigation cases involving marriage equality, employment discrimination, and family law, and in 2013 founded the Born Perfect Campaign, a national effort to end anti-LGBTQI+ conversion therapy.

Links from the Show:

• Find Sam’s Substack here
• Born Perfect
• Join Mama Dragons today

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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Accessing best-practice gender-affirming care for transgender youth is becoming increasingly challenging: 27 states have passed laws banning or restricting care, the U.S. Supreme Court has upheld these bans in the Skrmetti v. L.W. case, and the current Administration has pursued a relentless campaign attacking access. As a result, thousands of transgender youth and their families are being forced to try to find new healthcare providers, travel extreme distances, and take on significant expenses just to get the care they need. Today In the Den, we’ll talk with Amanda Keller from The Trans Youth Emergency Project (TYEP), a program that was created to help families navigate this complex and exhausting maze, offering logistical and financial support.

Special Guest: Amanda Keller

Amanda Keller is a Southern LGBTQIA movement leader working at the intersection of strategy, equity, and liberation. As Manager of Strategic Partnerships at the Campaign for Southern Equality, she is helping lead efforts to Meet the Moment, mobilizing resources, forging powerful cross-sector partnerships, and advancing equity across race, gender, and class in a region where the stakes for LGBTQIA people could not be higher. With more than 16 years of nonprofit leadership, Amanda has built institutions and movements that center those most often pushed to the margins. As the Founding Director of the Magic City Acceptance Center in Birmingham, Alabama, she grew a grassroots vision into a statewide hub serving thousands of LGBTQIA youth, families, and community members, expanding access to affirming services, leadership development, and community power across Alabama. Her work spans youth development, HIV advocacy, public policy engagement, and cultural organizing, grounded in a clear belief: the South is not a lost cause — it is a place of courage, resilience, and possibility. Her career is defined by one throughline, ensuring that where you live does not determine whether you are safe, affirmed, or free.

Links from the Show:

• Find the Trans Youth Emergency Project here
• Join TYEP’s Parent Support Group
• Volunteer with Campaign for Southern Equality
• Listen to the Trans Cookout Podcast
• Supportive Schools Program
• Send a Message of Support to Trans Youth
• Join Mama Dragons today

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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