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Taboo Science · Nov 13, 2025 · 35 min

Nonbinary 101: Beyond the Binary

What if the government declared you don't exist? In 2025, that's exactly what happened to nonbinary people—but they're not going anywhere. This episode breaks down what nonbinary actually means (hint: it's not "between man and woman"), why they/them pronouns are harder for our brains to process, and how some nonbinary people use hormones to craft their perfect gender recipe. With help from psychologist Dr. Em Matsuno and our sensitivity reader Newt Schottelkotte, we're exploring everything from microdosing testosterone to why misgendering is the default for nonbinary folks—along with the benefits to the journey of gender discovery. Whether you're nonbinary yourself, know someone who is, or are just trying to figure out how to not mess up someone's pronouns, this episode will help you understand what it means to make your own gender from scratch. More from Em Matsuno: Empowerment Lab website: https://empowermentlab.wordpress.com/ Empowerment Lab on Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/empowerment_lab_asu More from Newt Schottelkotte: Website: https://newtschottelkotte.com/ See citations and a transcript here: https://www.tabooscience.show/nonbinary-101-beyond-the-binary/ Connect with the show: Join the Patreon: https://patreon.com/tabooscience Leave me a voice memo: https://podline.fm/tabooscience Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/tabooscience YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/@tabooscience Website: https://www.tabooscience.show/ Loved this episode? Leave a review and rating here: https://podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/taboo-science/id1533606473

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transcript

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show notes

What if the government declared you don't exist? In 2025, that's exactly what happened to nonbinary people—but they're not going anywhere. This episode breaks down what nonbinary actually means (hint: it's not "between man and woman"), why they/them pronouns are harder for our brains to process, and how some nonbinary people use hormones to craft their perfect gender recipe. With help from psychologist Dr. Em Matsuno and our sensitivity reader Newt Schottelkotte, we're exploring everything from microdosing testosterone to why misgendering is the default for nonbinary folks—along with the benefits to the journey of gender discovery. Whether you're nonbinary yourself, know someone who is, or are just trying to figure out how to not mess up someone's pronouns, this episode will help you understand what it means to make your own gender from scratch.
More from Em Matsuno: 
More from Newt Schottelkotte:
See citations and a transcript here: https://www.tabooscience.show/nonbinary-101-beyond-the-binary/

Connect with the show:
Loved this episode? Leave a review and rating here: https://podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/taboo-science/id1533606473
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