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In The Den with Mama Dragons

Mama Dragons

You're navigating parenting an LGBTQ+ child without a manual and knowing what to do and what to say isn't always easy. Each week we’ll visit with other parents of queer kids, talk with members of the LGBTQ+ community, learn from experts, and together explore ways to better parent our LGBTQ+ children. Join with us as we walk and talk with you through this journey of raising healthy, happy, and productive LGBTQ+ humans.

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  • #195
    Monday · 1 hr 6 min

    Real Talk with Moms of Trans Kids

    Send us Fan Mail Two of our podcast episodes have been named finalists for the 2026 Signal Awards, and today we’re re-airing one of those episodes. You can vote through October 15th here. We hope you’ll listen to this episode again, and consider sending it to a friend or two who would benefit from it. Sara is joined In the Den by two other moms of trans kids, Melissa and Sarah, and together the three moms will share with you what’s on their hearts–the fears, the doubts, the anger and the joys–in hopes to offer you all some solidarity and connection. Because we know that being the mom of trans or queer kids right now can be really hard, but none of us are alone in the journey. Special Guest: Melissa Melissa is the mother of two wonderfully brilliant teen daughters. A 16 yo cisgender and 14 yo trans kiddo, currently living in a red state where gender affirming care is banned. Melissa works in healthcare which can be both a blessing and a curse when navigating the systems needed to keep her kids thriving. When not navigating the healthcare system, you can find her roaming the hills behind her home with her two fur babies and finding joy within nature (preferably with a backpack on her back). Special Guest: Sarah Rev. Sarah (she/they) lives with her family in the Southwest where she enjoys hiking and sunsets when she’s not working. They live in a multi generational household with her mom and 16 old, her spouse and their dog and cat. Sarah has worked as an organizer, an educator and now as a minister where she does all three! Links from the Show: 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. Support the show Connect with Mama Dragons: Website Instagram Facebook Donate to this podcast

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  • #194
    October 5 · 42 min

    Baby Gay x Mama Dragons Collab

    Send us Fan Mail Coming out can be scary and full of unknowns, but it can also be a time of celebration and curiosity. Today’s guest In the Den, PJ Brescia, created the nonprofit Baby Gay and has made it their mission to create a welcoming and warm environment for those who are just coming out of the closet and learning to embrace who they truly are. Mama Dragons is excited to be joining Baby Gay to help create welcome packages for newly out LGBTQ+ individuals. New In the Den co-host Shannon talks with PJ about their coming out story, the creation of Baby Gay, and the work that Mama Dragons will be doing with Baby Gay in the future. Special Guest: PJ Brescia PJ Brescia (they/them) is the founder & CEO of BabyGay™, a nonprofit and media platform dedicated to supporting LGBTQ+ individuals through the coming out journey via storytelling, advocacy, and togetherness. In partnership with The Black Cat, and the Los Angeles City Council, PJ helped champion the successful 2024 initiative establishing National Coming Out Day as an official day of recognition in the City of Los Angeles. PJ hosts The BabyGay™ Podcast, a 2026 Webby Awards Honoree for “Best New Podcast,” and was named to the 2025 Out100 for their work advancing queer visibility and community. PJ also serves as President of the LA Queer Coalition and as a board member of the LA chapter of NLGJA: The Association of LGBTQ+ Journalists. Links from the Show: PJ on IG Baby Gay on IG Baby Gay Website Baby Gay on FB Baby Gay Podcast on Spotify Baby Gay on Youtube Get Involved with Baby Gay Join Mama Dragons today Go deeper with Empowered Parent Learning - Mama Dragons’ on-demand library of video courses and webinars for parents of LGBTQ+ kids. Two tracks: Parenting Essentials and Parent Advocacy. Free for Mama Dragons members, a small one-time fee for everyone else. Includes Suicide Prevention Training and Parachute eLearning. 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. Support the show Connect with Mama Dragons: Website Instagram Facebook Donate to this podcast

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  • #193
    September 28 · 1 hr 1 min

    Meet Shannon: Our New Podcast Cohost

    Send us Fan Mail Content Warning: Discussion of suicidality We have some exciting news to share: we’re adding another host to the In the Den team! For the past few years, Sara has had the opportunity to sit across from some really extraordinary people and have the in depth conversations that make up this podcast. And while fortunately Sara is not going anywhere, moving forward, she’ll tag team with another host, who will bring new energy and fresh ideas to our show. Without further ado, we’d like to welcome Shannon Mannon to the In the Den family! Special Guest: Shannon Mannon As an award-winning writer and communications leader, Shannon Mannon invigorates teams, organizations, and communities. Currently, Shannon is a Senior Consultant at WD Communications where she coaches Fortune 100 clients in interpersonal communication, EQ, presentation skills, and storytelling for social impact. She also leads 3-Minute Storyteller, a platform that creates digital stories featuring movement makers of all stripes— from astronauts to entrepreneurs to New York Times bestselling authors. She’s also a contributor at Living Room Conversations, using intentional conversation to bridge divides. Her thought leadership pieces have been published in national media outlets like The Philadelphia Inquirer, USA Today, Motherly, and Advocate. Shannon brings her civic leadership to all facets of community and organizational life. As the operations lead at University of Pennsylvania's Institute for Urban Research, she designed high-profile events. While leading her community's health and wellness coalition, Shannon strengthened the social fabric, broke down silos between agencies, and secured grant funds to double the operating budget. As a Regional Director at Habitat for Humanity International, she steadily led a team through organizational upheaval. At Operation Smile International she led medical missions across three continents. She is a mother of three teens and is the co-host for the In the Den podcast for Mama Dragons, a nonprofit organization that supports, educates, and empowers mothers of LGBTQ+ children. She also serves on the board of directors at St. Peter’s Place which houses low-income seniors and leads the Speaker Series for PFLAG Chester County. Links from the Show: Join Mama Dragons today Cleavage by Jennifer Finney Boylan Go deeper with Empowered Parent Learning - Mama Dragons’ on-demand library of video courses and webinars for parents of LGBTQ+ kids. Two tracks: Parenting Essentials and Parent Advocacy. Free for Mama Dragons members, a small one-time fee for everyone else. Includes Suicide Prevention Training and Parachute eLearning. 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. Support the show Connect with Mama Dragons: Website Instagram Facebook Donate to this podcast

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  • #192
    September 21 · 45 min

    What To Do BEFORE Your Child Comes Out

    Send us Fan Mail We talk a lot about what happens when our kids come out. How do we respond? What do we say? How do we make sure they know they’re loved? But there’s another question we should be asking as well: What are we doing before they ever come out to make sure they already know they’re safe? Our kids are paying attention. They hear how we talk about LGBTQ people. They notice how we respond to a trans person on TV or someone who comes out at school. They hear what our churches and our communities are saying, and even if they haven’t told us anything about themselves, they may already be wondering, “If this is who I am, will I still belong here?”Today In the Den, special guest and past Mama Dragon blog editor Laura Leavitt talks with Sara about how we can create homes where our kids don't have to wait until they're ready to come out to know that they are loved, welcomed, and safe, and there there is nothing about who they are that could ever change that. Special Guest: Laura Leavitt Laura Howells Leavitt is married to Glen and is the mother to six wonderful kids and Lolly (her grandma name) to six beautiful grand kiddos. She was born and raised in Long Beach, CA and has been a resident of Twin Falls, ID for 23 years. She got her teaching degree from Idaho State University shortly after getting married but primarily was a stay-at-home mom. She was the blog editor for Mama Dragons from 2020-2022, gathering over 80 stories from moms of LGBTQ kids, who had so much wisdom, courage and goodness to share through their stories. Laura has volunteered through hospice and teaching art to 4th graders and loves gardening, travel and being involved in community theater. Links from the Show: Join Mama Dragons today Go deeper with Empowered Parent Learning - Mama Dragons’ on-demand library of video courses and webinars for parents of LGBTQ+ kids. Two tracks: Parenting Essentials and Parent Advocacy. Free for Mama Dragons members, a small one-time fee for everyone else. Includes Suicide Prevention Training and Parachute eLearning. 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. Support the show Connect with Mama Dragons: Website Instagram Facebook Donate to this podcast

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  • #191
    September 14 · 48 min

    The Construction of Gender

    Send us Fan Mail We talk all the time about sex and gender, about what’s “biological,” what’s “social,” and what chromosomes, hormones, and body parts have to do with it. Especially in this political moment, there is an enormous amount of energy being spent trying to define sex as one simple, fixed, binary thing, but we know there’s more to it than that. Sex as a category contains multiple and sometimes overlapping dimensions. Today’s guest In the Den is Dr. Phoenix Har, an educator, historian of science, and scholar in gender and queer studies whose work looks at the ways medicine has constructed and defined sex and gender—and how those definitions have intersected with nationalism, citizenship, and who gets recognized as belonging. Special Guest: Dr. Phoenix Har Dr. Phoenix Har (they/them) is an educator, historian of science, and scholar in gender and queer studies. They focus on the construction of gender and sex in the medical field and nationalist movements for citizenship. They demonstrate the difficulties in pinning down "biological sex" to one coherent category and argue that a pluralist understanding of sex is the only way to make the category work. Due to their scholarship on these topics, they advocate for transgender and intersex justice in medical care. Links from the Show: Dr. Har on IG Dr. Har’s Patreon Dr. Har’s Substack Join Mama Dragons today Go deeper with Empowered Parent Learning - Mama Dragons’ on-demand library of video courses and webinars for parents of LGBTQ+ kids. Two tracks: Parenting Essentials and Parent Advocacy. Free for Mama Dragons members, a small one-time fee for everyone else. Includes Suicide Prevention Training and Parachute eLearning. 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. Support the show Connect with Mama Dragons: Website Instagram Facebook Donate to this podcast

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  • #190
    September 7 · 50 min

    The Stonewall Inn Gives Back

    Send us Fan Mail When we think about Pride, there’s a good chance our minds go to one particular place: the Stonewall Inn in New York City. In the early morning hours of June 28, 1969, a police raid at that little Greenwich Village bar sparked a rebellion that lasted for days—and that moment is widely remembered as a catalyst for the modern LGBTQ+ liberation movement. Today, the Stonewall Inn continues to be a flashpoint for our movement. As a National Monument and New York State Historic Site, its history—and whose stories get remembered and honored there—have taken on new urgency as the fight for transgender rights and visibility has escalated under this administration. It is still a gathering place, a symbol, and a reminder of just how much our community has fought for—and how much there is still to fight for. Today In the Den, Sara talks with Stacy Lentz, CEO and co-founder of the Stonewall Gives Back Initiative, an organization that takes the history, visibility, and cultural power of the Stonewall name and puts it to work supporting LGBTQ+ people and communities today. They’ll discuss the history we remember, the history we sometimes get wrong, and what it means to take that legacy of resistance and turn it into action and giving back. Special Guest: Stacy Lentz Stacy is a nationally recognized LGBTQ+ Advocate, marketing expert, and CEO of the Stonewall Inn Gives Back Initiative. She is also the first and only lesbian co-owner of the historic The Stonewall Inn, widely known as the birthplace of the modern LGBTQ+ rights movement. For over two decades, Stacy has helped guide one of the most iconic institutions in the world. A trusted national media voice, she has shaped global Pride campaigns, mobilized major brands, and transformed cultural flashpoints into moments of visibility, accountability, and action. A compelling speaker and strategic advisor, she brings a powerful perspective at the intersection of legacy, leadership, and impact. Links from the Show: The Stonewall Inn Gives Back Initiative Donate to the Stonewall Inn Gives Back Initiative Join Mama Dragons today Go deeper with Empowered Parent Learning - Mama Dragons’ on-demand library of video courses and webinars for parents of LGBTQ+ kids. Two tracks: Parenting Essentials and Parent Advocacy. Free for Mama Dragons members, a small one-time fee for everyone else. Includes Suicide Prevention Training and Parachute eLearning. 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. Support the show Connect with Mama Dragons: Website Instagram Facebook Donate to this podcast

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  • #189
    August 31 · 58 min

    Exploring the Intersection of Autism and Gender Diversity

    Send us Fan Mail Autism and gender diversity often seem to show up together in our kids. There’s been some really interesting research exploring this correlation, finding that people with autism are more likely than the general population to identify as transgender or gender diverse. That doesn't mean one causes the other, but it does mean that for many of us, learning how to support a trans child has also meant learning about neurodivergence in entirely new ways. What we've discovered along the way is that so many of the things that help autistic kids thrive are the very same things that help us raise queer kids, too. This week In the Den, Sara chats with coach, speaker, and author of Grandparenting on the Spectrum: A Journey from Both Sides of the Desk, Jennifer Kaufman. Jennifer brings a unique perspective, not only as a professional who has spent years supporting families, but also as a grandparent whose own family has walked this journey. Her book is written for grandparents, but honestly, the wisdom reaches far beyond that audience. Whether your child is autistic, ADHD, otherwise neurodivergent, queer, transgender, or some beautiful combination of those identities, we think you'll hear themes that resonate deeply. This conversation is full of practical wisdom, compassion, and reminders that our kids don't need us to fix them—they need us to know them, trust them, and love them for exactly who they are. Special Guest: Jennifer Kaufman Jennifer Kaufman brings a perspective on autism that few people can claim. As a school principal with over a decade serving students with autism and the grandmother of a child with autism, she lives this world from both sides. She is the author of Grandparenting on the Spectrum: A Journey from Both Sides of the Desk and speaks to grandparents, families, and first responders about navigating the autism journey with confidence and compassion. She is also the founder of First Response Autism, where she trains police, first responders, and college campus security teams on ways in which to best support autistic and neurodivergent individuals in their communities. Links from the Show: Grandparenting on the Spectrum book Grandparenting on the Spectrum Website Grandparenting on the Spectrum FB First Response Autism Website Grandparenting on the Spectrum IG Join Mama Dragons today Go deeper with Empowered Parent Learning - Mama Dragons’ on-demand library of video courses and webinars for parents of LGBTQ+ kids. Two tracks: Parenting Essentials and Parent Advocacy. Free for Mama Dragons members, a small one-time fee for everyone else. Includes Suicide Prevention Training and Parachute eLearning. 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. Support the show Connect with Mama Dragons: Website Instagram Facebook Donate to this podcast

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  • #188
    August 24 · 57 min

    Real Talk with Dads

    Send us Fan Mail When a child comes out as transgender, every parent begins a journey. One of Mama Dragons' big priorities this year is building deeper community—making sure every parent feels seen and knows they are not alone. And while moms often find one another pretty naturally, dads don't always have those same spaces to ask questions, wrestle with big feelings, or simply hear another dad say, "Yeah, I've been there too." Today In the Den, Sara sits down with three dads to talk about those first moments of learning their child was transgender, the questions they wrestled with, the things they got wrong, the things they learned, and the ways their kids have expanded their hearts and their understanding of what it means to love unconditionally. Whether you're a mom hoping to better understand your partner, a dad looking for someone who gets it, or anyone who loves a transgender young person, we think you're going to find something meaningful in these conversations. Special Guest: Mike Jones Mike is a senior software developer in Boise, Idaho. He and his wife, Shauna, have three children and two dogs. He has been a dedicated supporter of LGBTQ+ rights since his oldest child came out over a decade ago. In his free time, Mike enjoys playing chess, hiking, watching movies, and reading speculative fiction. Special Guest: Michael Alvarado Michael works as a Sales Manager for Asana Climbing, selling padding systems to climbing gyms across the country. He loves being a dad and when he’s not working you can find him fishing, golfing and playing disc golf with his youngest and watching food shows with his eldest. Special Guest: Chris Erwin Chris Erwin lives in Idaho with his wife, two kids, two cats and a dog. He enjoys creating things with his 3-D printer, watching Arsenal, and biking near the river, as well as reading all things Brandon Sanderson. Links from the Show: Join Mama Dragons today Go deeper with Empowered Parent Learning - Mama Dragons’ on-demand library of video courses and webinars for parents of LGBTQ+ kids. Two tracks: Parenting Essentials and Parent Advocacy. Free for Mama Dragons members, a small one-time fee for everyone else. Includes Suicide Prevention Training and Parachute eLearning. 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. Support the show Connect with Mama Dragons: Website Instagram Facebook Donate to this podcast

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  • #187
    August 17 · 1 hr 1 min

    The Trans Equity Project

    Send us Fan Mail One of the joys of being Mama Dragons is getting to become fierce advocates for our LGBTQ+ children. For many of us that means learning from movement leaders, the torch bearers who rise up each generation to move the needle forward. Most often these are ordinary people with extraordinary courage who stand in the gap between reality and a future where everybody can flourish and say, “This isn’t good enough,” and then dedicate their lives to closing that gap. Today In the Den, guest host Shannon sits down with just such a movement leader. Corinne Goodwin is the founder and Executive Director of the Eastern PA Trans Equity Project, which helps transgender people across 42 counties of Pennsylvania change their legal names and receive emergency assistance, and offers peer support groups for trans people and the people who love them. Special Guest: Corinne Goodwin Corinne Goodwin (she/they) is the founder and Executive Director of Eastern PA Trans Equity Project a non-profit organization which has a mission of empowering transgender individuals throughout a 42-County area of Eastern and Central Pennsylvania. An award-winning community leader and in-demand speaker, Corinne actively works on issues impacting the lives of LGBTQ Pennsylvanians. Corinne is a member of the Pennsylvania Governor’s Commission on LGBTQ Affairs and was a founding board member of Keystone Equality. As the leader of the Trans Equity Project, she works to advance LGBTQ+ rights in coalition with organizations that include the Human Rights Campaign, Pennsylvania Commission for Fairness & Justice, the ACLU, the Education Law Center, the Pennsylvania Youth Congress and more. Recently retired, Corinne served as a senior executive in the retail and telecommunications sectors, after which she operated her own business consultancy firm for fifteen years. A parent to one son who works in New York’s theater industry, she lives in Orefield PA with her wife Debbie, a grumpy cat named April, and a model railroad that takes up way too much space in her basement. Links from the Show: Eastern PA Trans Equity Project PA Trans Equity on FB PA Trans Equity on IG 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. Support the show Connect with Mama Dragons: Website Instagram Facebook Donate to this podcast

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  • #186
    August 10 · 49 min

    What About the Siblings of Queer Kids?

    Send us Fan Mail When your child first came out to you as LGBTQ+, who else was in the room? Who else in your family had to absorb the news, adjust, learn, and figure out where they fit into a story that wasn’t theirs, but, as we’ll see in this episode, was also very much theirs? Most of the conversations In the Den center around our queer kids. Today’s episode focuses on our other kids–the siblings, who had to figure everything out quietly alongside the rest of us. In today’s episode, guest host Karmel sits down with guests Jessica, Hunter, and Brandon to reflect on their experiences of having a sibling come out, what changed for them, what challenges they faced, and what advice they have for others who have a sibling come out as queer. Special Guest: Jessica Pierce Jessica is the oldest of the Harper kids and big sister to Forrest. She works as a therapist specializing in OCD and trauma. Special Guest: Hunter Pierce Hunter joined the family when he married Jessica in May 2021. He is a fierce ally and believes we should all love one another unconditionally. He is an IT professional. Special Guest: Brandon Harper Brandon is the middle child of the Harper kids and Forrest's older brother. He is a tech entrepreneur building in the med tech and AI-embedded device space. Links from the Show: 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. Support the show Connect with Mama Dragons: Website Instagram Facebook Donate to this podcast

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  • #185
    August 3 · 58 min

    The State of the Organization at Mama Dragons

    Send us Fan Mail Today In the Den, we're going inside the Mama Dragons organization for a conversation with our Executive Director Liz Welch. We wanted to give folks a behind-the-scenes look at where we are today, what the organization has learned over the past few years, and where it's headed next. We'll talk about the challenges, the opportunities, and why this work feels more important than ever as more families are looking for hope, connection, and community. Like any nonprofit, Mama Dragons is made up of real people, mostly volunteers, dedicating themselves to keep this work going. We have celebrated incredible successes, weathered some difficult seasons, and continue to ask, "How do we best serve families in a world that keeps changing?" If Mama Dragons has ever been part of your story—or if you've wondered how movements like this keep going long after the headlines fade—we think you'll really appreciate this conversation. Special Guest: Liz Welch Liz has extensive advocacy and lobbying experience in LGBTQ+ and religious freedom at the federal, state, and local levels. While at the ACLU, Liz led a National Faith Coalition that supported efforts to advance protections for LGBTQ+ communities while preserving the rights of faith communities. She also co-facilitated a transgender education and advocacy project, working to train and support trans activists in advocating for their rights across the country. Additionally, Liz is a trained mediator, experienced facilitator, and event coordinator for everything from hyper-local Pride events to coordinating the rallies at the Supreme Court of the United States for the biggest cases of our time. She is the proud mother to Mariah, who is a public defender and an avid baker. Links from the Show: Join Mama Dragons today Find Support Resources through Mama Dragons Mama Dragons Educational Offerings Mama Dragons Programs Parachute E-learning Program 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. Support the show Connect with Mama Dragons: Website Instagram Facebook Donate to this podcast

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  • #184
    July 27 · 54 min

    Mama Dragons at Pride

    Send us Fan Mail Pride is often celebrated with glitter, music, and rainbow flags—but at its heart, Pride has always been about something much deeper: showing up in love and solidarity so that no one has to wonder if they're alone. Today, we're talking with some of the Mama Dragons who set up booths at Pride festivals across the country, creating spaces where families could find hope, connection, and unconditional love. Joining Sara In the Den are three incredible volunteers: Yanira from Puerto Rico, Jill from Kansas, and Maria from Maryland. Though their communities are hundreds of miles apart, they share a common mission: to make sure every LGBTQ+ person, every questioning child, and every parent who feels overwhelmed knows there's a place where they belong. Whether you've marched in dozens of Pride parades or have never attended one, this episode is a reminder that sometimes the most powerful act of allyship is simply showing up—with an open heart, a listening ear, and the promise that no one has to walk this journey alone. Special Guest: Maria Smith Maria currently serves on the Board of Mama Dragons. Her 15+ year career in the financial services industry has been defined by a deep commitment to building inclusive, supportive environments within the workplace. She joined Mama Dragons to learn how to best support her queer child and has become an even more passionate advocate for LGBTQ+ youth and families. Maria lives in Maryland with her husband, their two children, and two Puggles. Her life is guided by empathy, action, and the belief that every person deserves to be seen, loved, and supported for exactly who they are. Special Guest: Jill Clements Jill is a mom of 3 living in the Midwestern United States. She coordinates the Mama Dragons Embracelet program. An Embracelet is a handmade bracelet that is like a warm hug around your wrist to remind you that you are loved. Since its inception in 2023, over 42,000 embracelets have been given out by Mama Dragons at events. Over the past four years she’s helped coordinate the Mama Dragons Pride Booth in Kansas City, MO which hosts over 25,000 attendees each year. A social worker by trade, Jill often can be found giving of her time and resources to a variety of causes whether it is parents of trans kids or kids affected by a parent’s cancer. In her dream world, Jill would be living in Iceland spending her days hiking and making art and her nights photographing the Northern Lights. Special Guest: Yanira Vega Yanira lives in Vega Baja, Puerto Rico, and is the mother of a young transmasculine son and a daughter. She has been a member of Mama Dragons since 2021, when she sought self-help resources and education to address her gender-diverse family’s experience with an affirming approach. That same year, she volunteered to help coordinate MD groups and assist with the vetting and moderation processes for some groups. Puerto Rico has had its own regional group since 2024, and on March 28, 2026, they held their first local community education event at the closing of the True Self Camp for Respect, where they shared Mama Dragons’ mission to support mothers and families in their journeys and highlighted all the programs available to assist them. Their next event will be on June 27 at the All Out 5k. Yanira is a doctor in Physical Therapy working in home health settings. Links from the Show: 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. Support the show Connect with Mama Dragons: Website Instagram Facebook Donate to this podcast

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  • #183
    July 20 · 1 hr 11 min

    Evangelicalism, Drag, and Flamy Grant

    Send us Fan Mail For so many LGBTQ+ people—and for the parents who love them—the church has been a place of deep wounds rather than deep belonging. Too often, the message has been that to be loved by God, you first have to change who you are. So many have walked away from faith altogether, believing they had to choose between their spirituality and their authentic selves. But every once in a while, someone comes along who refuses that false choice. Instead of abandoning faith, they reclaim it. They reinterpret it. They reshape it into something expansive enough to hold their whole, beautiful selves—and in doing so, they create room for others to come home, too. Today In the Den, Sara talks with drag artist, songwriter, and musician Flamy Grant, whose bold blend of gospel, folk, country, and unapologetic queerness is challenging assumptions about who belongs in sacred spaces. They talk about reclaiming spirituality after harm, the healing power of music and drag, what it means to plant a stiletto in sacred space, navigating both praise and backlash, and why joy itself can be an act of resistance. Whether you've left religion behind, found your way back, or are still figuring out what you believe, this conversation is an invitation to imagine a faith that celebrates you exactly as you are. Special Guest: Flamy Grant Flamy Grant is a trailblazing drag queen and musician from Asheville, North Carolina with over 1.5 million streams on digital music platforms. Beautifully blending her Appalachian roots with drag artistry and musical excellence, Flamy has stormed stages from Los Angeles to London, from New York to the Netherlands, racking up over 1.5 million streams on digital music platforms. This powerhouse vocalist, intrepid songwriter, and shame-slaying drag queen serves up a therapeutic, theatrical experience that is fearless, flamboyant, and full of heart. Links from the Show: Flamy on TikTok Flamy on IG Flamy on FB Flamy on Threads Flamy on YouTube Flamy on BlueSky 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. Support the show Connect with Mama Dragons: Website Instagram Facebook Donate to this podcast

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  • #182
    July 13 · 1 hr 1 min

    Land, Love, and Queer Resistance in Red America

    Send us Fan Mail What does it mean as a queer person to love a place deeply when that place has so often tried to make queer people disappear? Today In the Den, Sara visits with author, activist, and former Idaho legislator Cole LeFavour to talk about their powerful new memoir In the Arms of Mountains: A Story of Land, Love, and Queer Resistance in Red America. In 2004, Cole made history as the first openly LGBTQ+ member of the Idaho Legislature, serving four terms as an Idaho State Senator and leading multiple acts of civil disobedience in the State Capitol. In addition to their being a legislator and activist, Cole has also been a long-time writer and an award-winning journalist whose work has appeared in publications including The North American Review, Idaho Wilderness Considered, and Sawtooth-White Cloud. They write from deep in Idaho about conscience, wildness, belonging, and what it means to build a life rooted in both place and resistance. Part memoir, part love letter to Idaho’s wild places, and part testimony of queer resistance, Cole LeFavour’s story explores what it means to be shaped by a place that doesn’t always know how to love you back. Special Guest: Cole LeFavour Cole Nicole LeFavour writes about conscience and the wild from deep in Idaho. An activist, award-winning journalist and writer Cole’s stories and essays have appeared in The North American Review, Idaho Wilderness Considered, Sawtooth-White Cloud, among others. In 2004, LeFavour became the first openly LGBTQ+ member of the Idaho Legislature, elected four times, serving as an Idaho State Senator and leading multiple acts of civil disobedience in the State Capitol. Cole's book, IN THE ARMS OF MOUNTAINS: A STORY OF LAND, LOVE, AND QUEER RESISTANCE IN RED AMERICA was published by Beacon Press in May. Links from the Show: Find Cole’s Book In the Arms of Mountains here Cole on FB Cole on IG 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. Support the show Connect with Mama Dragons: Website Instagram Facebook Donate to this podcast

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  • #181
    July 6 · 1 hr 12 min

    Parenting Is Political

    Send us Fan Mail Today’s In the Den episode is a rerun and one that cuts right to the heart of our Mama Dragons mission — we’re diving into the truth that parenting is political. Whether we like it or not, the choices we make as parents, how we show up for our kids, what we teach them, how we advocate for them, all ripple out into the world around us. When you’re parenting queer kids, those ripples can have a far reach and significant impact. Sara talks with special guest Jasmine Banks about the importance of nurturing a community committed to collective growth and support, because raising children is to actively participate in societal change, and the way we parent today directly influences the world our children will inherit tomorrow. Special Guest: Jasmine Banks Jasmine Banks (she/her) has more than 10 years of progressive advocacy, movement building, and organizing experience. She spent the last five years dedicated to leading an intervention campaign, UnKoch My Campus, addressing the impact of far-right billionaires leveraging their philanthropic donations in higher education to erode democracy. During the campaigns she organized multiple campuses, coalitions, and provided movement support to hundreds of students, educators, and community activists. Jasmine has traveled to a number of higher ed institutions to speak with students and faculty about donor transparency and academic freedom. She was most recently honored to give a keynote for the Higher Education division of the American Federation of Teachers. Jasmine is also a former licensed therapist, Chief Marketing Officer, and small business owner. Links from the Show: Generation Common Good: https://generationcommongood.org/ Parenting Is Political podcast: https://www.parentingispolitical.org/episodes 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. Support the show Connect with Mama Dragons: Website Instagram Facebook Donate to this podcast

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  • #180
    June 29 · 48 min

    Unlearning Bias and Embracing Your Queer Child

    Send us Fan Mail Content Warning: this episode contains frank discussions of self-harm and suicidality. This episode is a rerun and an increasingly important topic for today’s environment. At Mama Dragons we know the value of shame-free spaces where parents of LGBTQ+ kids can explore, learn, and grow. Building families and communities rooted in genuine support is an important part of creating healthy futures for our queer children. Today In the Den, Sara visits with creator, author, and speaker Heather Hester about parenting LGBTQ+ children, unlearning the biases of our past, and learning to embrace, empower, and love our queer kids more fully. Special Guest: Heather Hester Heather Hester is the creator and host of the podcast More Human. More Kind., founder of Chrysalis Mama, and author of Parenting with Pride: Unlearn Bias and Embrace, Empower, and Love Your LGBTQ+ Teen. She is a speaker, writer, and fierce advocate helping parents, allies, and organizations move from confusion and fear to compassion and courageous action. When her son came out as gay in 2017, it ignited a journey of unlearning, deep personal growth, and radical love. She quickly realized the need for more supportive, shame-free spaces for parents of LGBTQ+ kids and those seeking to become better allies. What began as a content-rich website and podcast has grown into a platform offering inclusive coaching, LGBTQ+ and Human-First consulting, and storytelling-driven workshops and talks. Heather is married to the funniest guy she’s ever known and mom to their four extraordinary kids (two of whom are LGBTQ), and one super sassy mini Bernedoodle. She’s a weather nerd, a lover of indie bookstores and coffee shops, and a yogi who believes in the magic of connection and that belonging isn’t just a feeling—it’s a practice. Links from the Show: Heather’s Podcast, More Human, More Kind: https://www.morehumanmorekind.com/ Heather’s book: https://bookshop.org/p/books/parenting-with-pride-unlearn-bias-and-embrace-empower-and-love-your-lgbtq-teen-heather-hester/f658509f6a467cac?ean=9781641709125&next=t Chrysalis Mama on FB: https://www.facebook.com/chrysalismama 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. Support the show Connect with Mama Dragons: Website Instagram Facebook Donate to this podcast

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  • #179
    June 22 · 54 min

    An LGBTQ+ State of Emergency

    Send us Fan Mail At the end of May, the Seattle LGBTQ+ Commission sent a letter to their mayor asking the city to declare a civil state of emergency in response to the growing number of transgender people and their families fleeing states with escalating anti-trans laws. Families are leaving homes, schools, jobs, churches, and entire support systems behind because remaining where they are no longer feels safe. A study from the Movement Advancement Project and the University of Chicago found that at least 400,000 transgender and gender nonconforming people have moved to another state since November 2024 because of anti-LGBTQ laws or political conditions. For years, many parents of trans kids have been sounding the alarm — telling stories of banned healthcare, hostile school policies, criminalization, fear, isolation, and the exhausting reality of fighting for your child’s right to exist openly and safely. What once felt unthinkable is now shaping where families can live, where children can go to school, and whether parents feel they can protect their kids at all. Today In the Den we talk about what it means when LGBTQ+ people become refugees within their own country. What happens to families forced to relocate in search of safety? What responsibilities do affirming cities and states have to those arriving in crisis? And what does it mean for the rest of us witnessing this moment unfold in real time? Special Guest: Chris Curia Chris Curia is Co-Chair of the Seattle LGBTQ Commission, an advisory board that provides guidance and recommendations to City leaders on issues affecting LGBTQ+ communities. Additionally, Chris supervises Crisis Care Responder teams as part of Seattle’s Community Assisted Response & Engagement (CARE) Department, the City’s third branch of public safety that delivers alternative first response to 911 calls with a mental health nexus. Chris brings years of clinical training and experience as a licensed mental health counselor to these roles, along with a passion for exploring innovative opportunities to prioritize mental healthcare equity and community-centered care for all Seattleites. Special Guest: Jessa Davis Jessa Davis (she/her) is Co-Chair of the Seattle LGBTQ Commission and Chair of its Community Outreach & Social Media Committee. She also serves as Board Secretary for Queer Power Alliance (QPA), where she chairs the Advocacy Committee, and as Board Secretary for Whole Washington. In these roles, she helps align community-driven advocacy with broader structural change efforts including in her work as Executive Director of the Organization for Polyamory and Ethical Non-Monogamy (OPEN), which is a role she recently took on after founding and leading the Seattle Coalition for Family & Relationship Equity (SCFRE). Links from the Show: Seattle LGBTQ+ Commission Jessa’s IG Jessa’s Website Study from Movement Advancement Project Join Mama Dragons 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. Support the show Connect with Mama Dragons: Website Instagram Facebook Donate to this podcast

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  • #178
    June 15 · 56 min

    Raising Trans Kids: What to Expect When You Weren’t Expecting This

    Send us Fan Mail The moment your child says something that changes the story you thought you were living, time can seem to split in two. There’s the before — the assumptions, expectations, and dreams you carefully built — and then there’s the after, where love, fear, confusion, grief, joy, protectiveness, and possibility all arrive at once. For many parents of trans kids, that moment can feel overwhelming, not because they love their child any less, but because they suddenly realize they’re stepping into unfamiliar territory without a map. Today, we’re joined by Rebecca Minor, therapist, educator, coach, and author of the new book Raising Trans Kids: What to Expect When You Weren’t Expecting This. Sara and Rebecca talk about the emotional journey many parents experience when their child comes out as trans, the myths and misinformation families are navigating right now, and how parents can move from panic and uncertainty toward connection, confidence, and advocacy. Special Guest: Rebecca Minor Rebecca Minor, LICSW (she/they), is an internationally recognized gender specialist, therapist, educator, and author of the book Raising Trans Kids: What to Expect When You Weren’t Expecting This (Row House, Sept 2025). As a gender specialist, Rebecca partners with trans and gender nonconforming youth through their journey of becoming and serves as a guide to their parents in affirming it. With over 10,000 hours of experience working with trans and gender-expansive youth and their families, she’s helped parents move beyond fear and uncertainty to become confident, affirming advocates for their children. She is the founder of Prism Therapy Collective and serves as adjunct faculty at Boston University’s School of Social Work. Rebecca has been featured in The New York Times, Parents, The Bump, Health Magazine, Them, and The Trevor Project docuseries. Links from the Show: Rebecca’s website Buy Rebecca’s Book Raising Trans Kids Rebecca’s Blog 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. Support the show Connect with Mama Dragons: Website Instagram Facebook Donate to this podcast

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  • #177
    June 8 · 1 hr 1 min

    Cookie Puss: JD Hawley

    Send us Fan Mail In conjunction with our recent episode on Canyon County Pride, we’re resharing this past episode with drag queen Cookie Pusss. Drag queens are living proof that courage can come in sequins, heels, and unapologetic self-expression. They show us every day that bravery isn’t just about facing danger—it’s about showing up fully as yourself, even when the world might not be ready for it, and that sometimes courage looks like meeting hate with humor, compassion, and a touch of glitter. Today In the Den Sara sits down with the one and only Cookie Pusss, whose video of her powerful and surprisingly tender exchange with an anti-LGBTQ Christian protester outside the Canyon County Pride Festival went viral earlier this year. What could have been just another confrontation turned into a moment of connection, curiosity, and radical grace that captured the Internet’s attention. Special Guest: JD Hawley JD Hawley, aka Cookie Pusss, is a performer and producer living in Salt Lake City, Utah, and is known for campy, irreverent drag and connecting with audiences on a more personal level. JD grew up in Arco, Idaho, and has been performing across the Pacific Northwest for over 5 years. His favorite topping of pizza is mushrooms. Links From the Show: Find Cookie Pusss on IG: https://www.instagram.com/cookie.pusss?igsh=N2hpN2VycDc3ZmY= Find Cookie Pusss on TT: https://www.tiktok.com/@cookiepussss?_r=1&_t=ZT-91ZKl9xCUJC Watch the viral Pride interaction here: https://www.instagram.com/reel/DKqMrrlyYIM/?igsh=MTlhdDF2OXR4YXRobg== 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. Support the show Connect with Mama Dragons: Website Instagram Facebook Donate to this podcast

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  • #176
    June 1 · 50 min

    Voices of Adoption

    Send us Fan Mail Today In the Den, we’re talking about family—how it’s formed, how it’s nurtured, and how love can expand beyond the narrow definitions our culture sometimes tries to impose. For so many queer people and their loved ones, building a family can come with extra layers of hope, complexity, vulnerability, and resilience. Queer families have always existed. They have always found ways to create home, to build community, and to raise children surrounded by love—even when systems or institutions made that harder than it should have been. For many parents listening—whether you’re LGBTQ+, parenting LGBTQ+ kids, or simply trying to raise compassionate humans—today’s conversation invites us into a deeper understanding of what ethical, inclusive family-building can look like. Special Guest: Donna Pope Donna Pope is the host of the podcast Voices of Adoption. Donna brings years of experience and heartfelt storytelling to conversations about adoption, identity, ethics, and belonging. Donna shares a commitment to adoption practices that center compassion, agency, and honesty for everyone involved—adoptive families, birth parents, and adoptees alike. Links from the Show: Voices of Adoption on Youtube Voices of Adoption podcast Voices of Adoption on IG Voices of Adoption on FB Join Mama Dragons today Support the show Connect with Mama Dragons: Website Instagram Facebook Donate to this podcast

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