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Many of us want the holiday season to be a time of connection and celebration, but this time of year can also be complicated. Family gatherings can come with unspoken tension, old dynamics resurface, expectations rise, and the pressure to “keep the peace” can collide with our deep desire to protect and affirm our kids. And for some, this season can bring loneliness, depression, or grief—not warmth. We know you’re navigating all of that. And you don’t have to do it alone. Today In the Den, Sara is joined by therapist David Zealy-Wright to talk honestly about what the holidays can stir up, how to prepare for tough conversations, how to set boundaries with love, how to care for ourselves while caring for our kids, and how to find moments of joy and grounding even in challenging spaces.

Special Guest: David Zealy-Wright

David is a Licensed Professional Counselor (Licensed Clinical Mental Health Counselor), a Licensed Clinical Addictions Specialist, and a Clinical Supervisor Intern(Certified Clinical Supervisor). He graduated from Catawba Valley Community College in 2005 earning an Associate in Arts, Lenoir-Rhyne University in 2008 earning a BA in Psychology, and in 2010 an MA in Agency Counseling. He enjoys working with diverse populations, but specifically has experience with teens, adults and couples. His specialty areas include addiction, depression, anxiety, life changes, men’s issues, relationships, and LGBTQIA issues. As an addictions specialist, he believes that addiction is a disorder, not a moral failing. David is a native of Greensboro, North Carolina, but has lived in Hickory for over 23 years with his spouse.

Links from the Show:

• Join Mama Dragons Today

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Over half of states have severely restricted or banned healthcare for trans kids, so many families find themselves having to cross state lines to get their kids the healthcare they need. But there is a group of unlikely heroes, dedicated to the belief that access to healthcare saves lives and that access to that care is a right. Elevated Access is a network of volunteer pilots who use their wings to protect bodily autonomy and dignity. Today, Sara talks with Mike Bonanza, the executive director and founder behind this quiet, radical form of care that is making the impossible possible—one flight at a time.

Links From the Show:

• Visit Elevated Access
• Get help from Elevated Access
• Get involved with Elevated Access
• Join Mama Dragons today

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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
• Find Cookie Pusss on TT
• Watch the viral Pride interaction
• 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.

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Since the inauguration, the Trump administration has issued near-nonstop attacks on the trans community. From the first executive order declaring that “sex” will be defined strictly as male or female, fixed at birth; eliminating official recognition of transgender or non-binary identities on passports, visas, and other federal documents; to a ban on transgender people serving in the military; to a recent declaration that he wants to issue a total ban on healthcare for trans people across the board–just to name a few. It seems like every day there is a new wave, and yet, in the face of those attacks and legislative hostility, powerful waves of resistance are rising. Today In the Den, Sara and her guests take a deeper dive into what that resistance looks like with one coalition of trans organizers, mutual-aid groups, progressive faith communities, queer associations, and dedicated allies committed to trans joy, freedom, and safety.

Links from the Show:

• Pink Haven Coalition: https://www.pinkhaven.org/
• Join Mama Dragons today: www.mamadragons.org

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When it comes to healthcare, trust can mean everything—especially for transgender, nonbinary, and intersex people who too often face discrimination, misunderstanding, and sometimes outright harm in medical settings. Affirming healthcare isn’t just about using the right name or pronouns—it’s about safety, dignity, and the difference between being seen as a whole person or reduced to a diagnosis. Today In the Den, Sara is joined by Josh Blakesley, Executive Director of The Welcome Project PA, an LGBTQIA+ community center in Hatboro, PA, that’s redefining what affirming community care can look like.

Special Guest: Josh Blakesly

Josh, a Midwest native, holds a B.A. in Theatre at Northwestern College [IA] and a Masters of Divinity [M.Div.] at Princeton Theological Seminary [NJ] and is an ordained minister in the United Church of Christ. Josh, along with the Welcome Project PA’s founding Board Members, founded the organization in early 2020. His main focuses include: fundraising and development; diversity, equity, inclusion, affirmation and belonging education and training; interfaith immersion; event planning; workplace development and mentoring; media production; and the arts. Josh is also Pastor of Love In Action UCC, an open and affirming congregation. Josh has 26+ years of nonprofit experience, is a fellow of Interfaith Philadelphia, a founding member of The Society for Faith & Justice, and a Collaborator for Nurturing Justice. He also has written and directed various stage or film productions, and has developed theatre arts curriculum for use in religious and secular settings. Josh enjoys running, playing music, traveling, learning languages, or making strange and funny faces. He lives in Philly where there is typically GOOD trouble to be had.

Links from the Show:

• The Welcome Project website: https://welcomeprojectpa.org/
• Donate to the Welcome Project here: https://welcomeprojectpa.org/welcomeprojectpa.org/?page_id=16/
• See Me, Hear Me, Know Me Documentary: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Eo6Sxh5JA24&t=2s
• 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.

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With the recent Supreme Court order that allows the Trump administration to enforce discriminatory policies regarding gender markers on passports, we wanted to bring you a short episode that unpacks the case, the ruling, and provides answers to some of the questions we’ve been hearing. Sara is joined In the Den today by Bill Mitchell, an attorney with Legal Voice, a gender justice organization that works in the Northwest’s courtrooms, legislatures, and communities creating and enforcing strong, equitable laws and empowering people to know their rights.

Special Guest: Bill Mitchell

William “Bill” Mitchell (he/him) joined Legal Voice in 2023, following the Dobbs decision and its aftermath. With a hometown in Bellingham, Washington, Bill previously had a career as a Marine Corps officer and as a private practice attorney focusing on immigration, disabilities, and Veteran benefits. He has held both elected office and adjudicative appointments. He is a graduate of Boston College and Gonzaga University School of Law.

Links From the Show:

• Find Legal Voice here: https://legalvoice.org/
• 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.

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Public schools aren’t a perfect fit for everyone. The traditional "one-size-fits-all" curriculum often leaves out many students whose identities and learning needs don’t fit an outdated norm–queer students, Black and Brown students, neurodivergent students. And with decreased funding for specialized programs, crowded classrooms, and legislatures banning curriculum that honors diversity and inclusion and removing anti-discrimination protections, many families find their kids struggling and don’t know what to do. We know traditional school isn't enough, but pulling kids out or committing to full-time homeschooling feels impossible. Today’s In the Den guest Chris Linder offers a solution–a unique hybrid approach to homeschooling designed to bridge the gap between traditional schooling and homeschooling, providing a hybrid approach that allows students to thrive academically and socially that centers diverse and inclusive education.

Special Guest: Chris Linder

Chris Linder is a former educator and tech professional with a Master's degree in Instructional Technology. Chris is passionate about making education accessible and equitable for all. He co-founded The Literacy Initiative in 2013, focusing on publishing educational resources for diverse communities. Through Homeschool Remix, Chris inspires families to explore the benefits of hybrid homeschooling, ensuring that every child receives a comprehensive and engaging education.

Links from the Show:

• Homeschool Remix: https://homeschoolremix.com
• Homeschool Remix Blog: https://homeschoolremix.com/pages/the-homeschool-remix-revolution-blog
• 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.

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Imagine: a quietly majestic, lusciously colorful, resplendently book-and-plant-filled, naturally-lit, immaculately-vibed open space for queer and trans people of all ages–including youth, families, and elders–and all the folks they love. Now imagine that space isn’t a dream, but a real place–one that celebrates queer stories, fosters connection, and helps young people see themselves reflected in the pages they turn. Today In the Den, Sara and special guest Jake Stepansky are stepping into that space — the QT Library, a community-built sanctuary of belonging in Boston.

Special Guest: Jake Stepansky

Jake Stepansky (he/any) is a culture and care worker based in Brooklyn, NY.

He is the co-founder and board president of the QT Library – a 501(c)(3) nonprofit working to bring a brick-and-mortar LGBTQIA+ library and substance-free community space to Boston. Jake is the Producer of Festival Presentations for the Under the Radar Festival, and works with private clients as a professional organizer and decluttering coach. Jake honed his skills as an arts worker and educator at Forklift Danceworks, Marty Pottenger’s Art At Work, Pomegranate Arts, the Office for the Arts at Harvard, and more. Find him on Instagram at @jakebookplantsky.

Links from the Show:

• QT Library: https://www.qtlibrary.org/
• Under the Radar: https://utrfest.org/
• Find Jake on IG: https://www.instagram.com/jakebookplantsky
• 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.

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