In this belated episode, Elle talks about a book published just this past summer on the history of women's running. Better Faster Farther, by Maggie Mertens, explores the myths that have restricted women athletes access to competitive sports (namely running) and that continue to threaten them to this day. Read or learn more about it here and here. Included in this conversation are reflections on trans athletes competing with women, as well as intersex athletes who sometimes do not discovery they are intersex until being tested as part of Olympic protocols.

Some of the resources referenced in the show include:

• Erin in the Morning's reporting on Blaire Fleming, the volleyball player from San Jose State University who became the center of a hate campaign in October 2024.
• Bobbi Gibb, Marathoner
• Fierce Femmes Support Group

As always, to learn more about Elle and her work, or to explore the possibility of accessing psychotherapy from her, please visit her website at ⁠⁠⁠www.estherloewen.com⁠⁠⁠.

For constructive feedback on the show, to ask questions, or to get access to the Fierce Femmes support group, please email ⁠⁠⁠twatpodcasting@gmail.com⁠

This week's episode is a recording of a sermon/lecture that Elle gave back in May at Paradox Church in Redlands (see their website here). In the speech, Elle reflects on some of the unique ways that queer people are often harmed by especially high control religions. As a spiritual person and one who practiced rigid religion for many years, Elle has experiences with both being negatively impacted by religious trauma and also being a perpetrator as a Christian leader.

• Watch a video version of the sermon with Elle's visuals here: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=gZpnn09daAY&t=14s
• Learn more about Kevin Garcia's work on religious harm, including his book "Bad Theology Kills" here: https://www.thekevingarcia.com/
• To learn more about inviting Elle to come speak for your event or organization, please visit her website: https://estherloewen.com/speaking

As always, to learn more about Elle and her work, or to explore the possibility of accessing psychotherapy from her, please visit her website at ⁠⁠www.estherloewen.com⁠⁠.

For constructive feedback on the show, to ask questions, or to get access to the Fierce Femmes support group, please email ⁠⁠twatpodcasting@gmail.com⁠

In this edition of the show, Elle talks about the idea of the 24/7 news cycle, and how it creates predictable waves of outrage throughout our culture, and into our lives. She reflects on the common denominators of the cycle as described by author Mark Manson (from the Subtle Art of Not Giving a F*ck) in a ⁠block post⁠, and explores how these dynamics are uniquely experienced by trans and gender expansive people. Elle talks about her experiences of feeling pressure to "have a take" when the news cycle hits, and anxiety about how that take or lack of a take may be received.

Some of the resources discussed in the show include:

• ⁠Better, Faster, Farther,⁠ by Maggie Mertens
• The work of ⁠Erin in the Morning⁠
• ⁠Church Redwood Trees Scandal⁠

As always, to learn more about Elle and her work, or to explore the possibility of accessing psychotherapy from her, please visit her website at ⁠www.estherloewen.com⁠.

For constructive feedback on the show, to ask questions, or to get access to the Fierce Femmes support group, please email ⁠twatpodcasting@gmail.com⁠