This week's episode was a tremendous treat for me - I got to talk to Dr. Natalia Zhikhareva, or DR Z PHD! Natalia is a clinical psychologist specializing in gender identity and author of the book “On Your Terms: Gender Transition Redefined for Adults.” Natalia and I discussed topics as widely diverse as the origin of gender identity, the only person able to define your identity, and why we should all learn not to give a shit.

REFERENCES:
Dr. Natalia Zhikhareva’s website: https://drzphd.com/

Follow Dr. Z on YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/c/DRZPHD

Follow Dr. Z on LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/drzphd/

Follow Dr. Z on Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/DRZPHDpractice/

Follow Dr. Z on Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/drz.phd/

Follow Dr. Z on Pinterest: https://www.pinterest.com/thedrzphd/

• (00:00) - Opening credits
• (00:37) - Show opening
• (01:26) - Introducing Dr. Natalia Zhikhareva
• (03:27) - Doing what comes naturally
• (08:47) - Why is gender only important now?
• (14:42) - The underlying cause of gender dysphoria
• (20:50) - Failure to sit in the unknown
• (26:38) - Nature vs Nurture
• (32:37) - Let gender evolve
• (37:42) - Anchor yourself in what feels like you
• (41:15) - How biology relates to gender
• (43:56) - Health insurance is for healing pain
• (50:59) - How to find Dr. Z on the internet
• (55:04) - Show closing
• (55:32) - Closing credits

This week, we hear about identity made manifest through boudoir photography with Gregory James Thelian. Gregory is an award-winning photographer and speaker on self-perception whose work focuses on helping clients see themselves as the rest of the world does. Gregory and I muse through topics as diverse as seeing yourself through self-worth, how Photoshop isn't evil in the right hands, and why Kim Kardashian should be BFFs with Gregory and Ami.

REFERENCES:
Gregory James Thelian’s Website: https://www.gregoryjamesphotography.com/

Gregory's "Reframing the Top 12 Self-limiting Beliefs" Guide: https://gjp.myflodesk.com/reframing-self-limiting-beliefs
Follow Gregory on Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/gregoryjames.photo/

Follow Gregory on Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/gregory.james.photography.nyc

Follow Gregory on TikTok: https://www.tiktok.com/@gregoryjames.photo

Follow Gregory on YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/@gregoryjamesphotography

• (00:00) - Opening credits
• (00:37) - Show opening
• (01:29) - Introducing Gregory James Thelian
• (03:10) - Discarding outside perceptions
• (09:45) - Finding the soul in photography
• (15:30) - How the people who love you see you
• (22:16) - Photoshop is not necessarily evil
• (27:27) - Connecting the dots of who you are
• (35:22) - Feeling heard and being seen
• (40:58) - Life changes when you are worthy
• (48:13) - Other people's small thinking inhibits your full thinking
• (53:35) - How to find Gregory James Thelian on the internet
• (54:54) - Show closing
• (59:23) - Closing credits

This week's episode is a story of science, politics, and ignorance with Dr. Richard Kaczynski. Richard is a psychologist, Thelemite, and author of the book "Mind Over Magick." Richard and I muse over topics as far afield as the human penchant to fill in where there are no blanks, why humans choose ignorance over science, and what "Ghostbusters" can teach about statistics.

REFERENCES:
Richard Kaczynski’s Website: https://richard-kaczynski.com/

Follow Richard on Bluesky: https://bsky.app/profile/richardkaczynski.bsky.social

Learn more about Richard’s book “Mind Over Magick”: https://www.innertraditions.com/mind-over-magick

• (00:00) - Opening credits
• (00:37) - Show opening
• (01:28) - Introducing Richard Kaczynski
• (02:42) - Just a typical magical childhood
• (08:44) - Awkward pop culture references
• (10:26) - Filling in where there are no blanks
• (15:41) - Open or closed to magick, it still happens
• (22:41) - We have no idea
• (27:17) - Throwing out what we don't understand
• (31:01) - Why do we choose ignorance?
• (36:19) - Lost confidence from bullshit answers
• (41:58) - Challenging what we already know
• (47:19) - The disenchantment of the world
• (52:58) - Applying science to magick
• (57:12) - How to find Richard Kaczynski on the internet
• (59:06) - Show closing
• (01:01:21) - Closing credits