S3E12: Moving Hiatus and Self-Care
Straight Wife Trans Life
The big news in this episode is that I am taking a little hiatus until mid to late August due to a big move with my spouse and our son. I'll miss you until then! I leave you with a few self-care tips that I hope are fresh enough to help carry each of us forward as we wade through these uncertain times. Chin up and onward we go, together. Information for allies: PFLAG (PDF) GLAAD Advocates for Transgender Equality Human Rights Campaign Places to look for therapy and professional support: for Cis & Straight Partners of Transgender, Gender Diverse, and LGBTQ+ Folx ...
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S3E11: Hitting that Reset Button
Straight Wife Trans Life
It is easy to get distracted and drift off in one direction a little more than anticipated; sometimes we need to pause and hit the reset button when that happens. Recently, I have been laying it on thick as an ally to my spouse while forgetting about my own needs — not too difficult to do in these crazy times. While I reset, I reshare a talk with my son regarding his perspective about when my spouse came out as transgender. It’s a reminder that things aren’t that complicated and people are people. Information for allies: PFLAG (PDF) GLAAD Advocates for Transgender Equality ...
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S3E10: Interview - Jimmy Chen, Founder of Trans Voice Lab
Straight Wife Trans Life
Meet Jimmy Chen, the founder of Trans Voice Lab that offers online gender affirming voice lessons. Jimmy just released his book titled Owning Your Voice, an introduction to his concept of functional vocal training. He has a large social media following with the voice content he creates. Follow along with exercises Jimmy shares in this episode and check out the website to learn more about Jimmy, his gender affirming voice lessons, and to purchase his book. Mentioned or related to this episode: Trans Voice Lab Jimmy Chen's , , and Find Jimmy on , , , Information for...
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S3E9: Interview - Renée Yoxon, Gender-Affirming Voice Teacher
Straight Wife Trans Life
In this episode, meet Renée Yoxon, a gender-affirming voice teacher who has created a suite of online voice courses to help you or the transgender or nonbinary person in your life to feminize, masculinize, or find something in between to shape that preferred this-is-me sound when speaking. Renée discusses their background, tips for voice health, and not allowing your fears to prevent you from beginning your voice transition journey. They also walk me through a voice exercise that you can find in the freebies section of their website. The goal: "there isn't a final goal... really what...
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S3E8: After Vocal Feminization Surgery
Straight Wife Trans Life
Two weeks post vocal feminization surgery, we hear what my spouse sounds like as she slowly recovers. She was on vocal rest for the past weeks and we talk about how she communicated, her reasons for opting for vocal surgery, and what she hopes the outcome will be in the months ahead. My favorite word in this episode: otolaryngology. Say that ten times. Mentioned or related to this episode: Phone app (Google Play) Type of vocal surgery: VFSRAC -- Vocal Fold Shortening and Retrodisplacement Anterior Commissure who performed this surgery Information for allies: PFLAG (PDF) GLAAD ...
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S3E7: Surgeries Past, Present, Future
Straight Wife Trans Life
On the eve of her vocal feminization surgery, I talk to my spouse about surgeries she has had at this stage of her transition, the surgery decision process, and how she is feeling going into this one. Mentioned or related to this episode: GLAAD: , March 31 : LGBTQ+ health care provider HRC: Information for allies: PFLAG (PDF) GLAAD Advocates for Transgender Equality Human Rights Campaign Places to look for therapy and professional support: for Cis & Straight Partners of Transgender, Gender Diverse, and LGBTQ+ Folx More transgender families: YouTube...
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S3E6: Interview 2 of 2: Parent Reaction to Spouse Coming Out as Transgender
Straight Wife Trans Life
In this episode, I talk to my mom in her eighties about her reaction when I told her that my spouse had come out as transgender. My favorite quote from our talk: “You’re not the one who has the right to judge.” Mentioned or related to this episode: (AFS) Book my parents read: , by Jennifer Finney Boylan for friend and family ally support for friend and family ally support Book I recently read and recommend: , by Kenny Ethan Jones Information for allies: PFLAG (PDF) GLAAD Advocates for Transgender Equality Human Rights Campaign Places to look for therapy and...
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S3E5: Interview 1 of 2: Parent Reaction to Spouse Coming Out as Transgender
Straight Wife Trans Life
Telling your parents that your spouse has come out as transgender can be quite stressful; no two family dynamics are the same. In this episode, I talk to my midwestern, cisgender, former United States Navy officer, highly educated dad in his eighties about his reaction when I told him that my spouse had come out as transgender. My favorite quote from our talk: “The only change would be our nasty attitude and that just makes no sense.” FYI: The podcast is now available on YouTube, too. Mentioned or related to this episode: Book my dad read: , by Jennifer Finney Boylan for friend and...
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S3E4: How Much Longer?
Straight Wife Trans Life
The news headlines about attempts to erase the transgender community can do a number on us. Partner up, it’s going to be an unpredictable, bumpy ride. Rest when you need to, stay hydrated, and keep being you. Allies, time to step up. Trans Lifeline: Mentioned or related to this episode: USA Today: The Salt Lake Tribune: NPR: ABC News: Recommended: Recommended: Recommended: Recommended groups for cisgender spouses: , , Facebook and More Information for allies: PFLAG (PDF) GLAAD Advocates for Transgender Equality Human Rights Campaign Places to look for therapy and...
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S3E3: Let's Talk Critical Thinking
Straight Wife Trans Life
Misinformation and fake news are abundant, and knowing what’s real and what’s not can even take the savviest person by surprise. Transgender people are the current target and as the saying goes, repeat a lie enough times and people start to believe it. Let’s change that. In this episode, I share tips and thoughts on how to spot fake news and stop others from spreading it. Mentioned or related to this episode: NBC News: Cornell University: T Adelphi University: Adelphi University: National Geographic / Global Digital Citizen Foundation: L.A. Public Library: How to Talk to Friends and...
info_outlineIt is easy to get distracted and drift off in one direction a little more than anticipated; sometimes we need to pause and hit the reset button when that happens. Recently, I have been laying it on thick as an ally to my spouse while forgetting about my own needs — not too difficult to do in these crazy times. While I reset, I reshare a talk with my son regarding his perspective about when my spouse came out as transgender. It’s a reminder that things aren’t that complicated and people are people.
Information for allies:
- PFLAG Guide to Being a Trans Ally(PDF)
- GLAAD Tips for Allies of Transgender People
- Advocates for Transgender Equality ally guide
- Human Rights Campaign ally guide
Places to look for therapy and professional support:
- Psychology Today
- Coaching for Cis & Straight Partners of Transgender, Gender Diverse, and LGBTQ+ Folx
More transgender families:
- YouTube Channel: Great Scotts
- YouTube Channel: Jammidodger
- TikTok: TransitionTogether
- The Cut: My Husband is Now my Wife: Trans Women’s Wives on Their Own Dramatic Transformations
- Chicago Tribune: Suburban Wife Loves the Person, Not the Gender, After Spouse Comes out as Woman
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Get in touch, I’m happy to hear from you or answer questions.
If you would like to support the podcast, consider Buy Me A Coffee or donating to: The Trevor Project, GLAAD, PFLAG and PFLAG International chapters, Lambda Legal, Trans Formations Project, The Williams Institute, your local LGBTQ+ centers.