How can we accompany people if we don’t understand what they are experiencing? When cultural forces are eager to put a label on everything, what do we do with experiences that don’t fit neatly into one particular box? And what should Christians do about the question of preferred pronouns? Fr. Raphael Mary Salzillo, O.P., Dr. Julia Sadusky, and Ollie help us find out.

We are into the final four episodes of our series. While we have learned key terms and witnessed powerful stories, a big question still remains: when it comes down to it, what does authentic accompaniment actually look like, for those seeking to serve persons with gender discordance? And what sorts of alienating pitfalls do we need to avoid?

In this episode we’ll hear from lay minister Marlyn Batista about her research into this very topic. Later, Dr. Julia Sadusky and Fr. Raphael Mary Salzillo join us to share their perspectives on accompaniment. We’ll also hear Marie’s story, and identify actions that ultimately do little more than alienate.

Special thanks to Marlyn Batista, Dr. Julia Sadusky, Fr. Raphael Mary Salzillo, O.P., and Marie for being part of today’s episode.

Additional Links:

• The Us Versus Us Study: https://www.amazon.com/Us-versus-Untold-Religion-Community/dp/1631466194

• Learn more about Julia’s work here: https://www.juliasadusky.com/about

In today’s episode, we’ll meet Honorata and hear about her experience with medical transition, an experience which – quite mysteriously – coincided with her finding her way back to God and back into the Church. Honorata’s story doesn’t fit neatly into culture war narratives about gender and transition; rather, it offers a beautiful, honest look at the often enigmatic ways God moves in our lives.

We’ll also talk with Dr. Paul Hruz, an endocrinologist, about what we know and what we don’t know when it comes to the causes of gender dysphoria and its treatment.

Special thanks to Dr. Paul Hruz and Honorata for appearing in today's episode.