Episodes

  • 186. Preventing School Shootings: Jonathan Cogburn on the Conservative Case for School Counseling

    186. Preventing School Shootings: Jonathan Cogburn on the Conservative Case for School Counseling
    Nov 3 2025
    In this compelling follow-up conversation, I welcome back Jonathan Cogburn, a licensed marriage and family therapist from Texas, to explore a nuanced conservative perspective on mental health services in schools. While we've covered many concerns about ideological overreach in school counseling on this podcast, Jonathan makes a thoughtful case for why certain levels of mental health intervention are not just appropriate but indispensable in our current educational landscape.We dive deep into the McKinney-Vento Act and its implications for students experiencing homelessness - a critical issue that most therapists haven't even heard about. Jonathan shares his extensive experience working with behavioral threat assessment teams and reveals surprising data about successfully prevented school attacks. We explore how schools can create positive cultures that prevent violence upstream, the proper boundaries between school support and parental roles, and why some vulnerable student populations desperately need these services.This conversation challenges us to think beyond binary positions about school mental health services, examining what a "just right" balance looks like that serves students while respecting parental authority and avoiding ideological indoctrination.Jonathan Cogburn is a Licensed Marriage and Family Therapist in West Texas who currently works for an agency that provides a variety of support to school districts in his area In that role he delivers state-required mental health training to districts, supports rural school counselors and homeless student liaisons, and co-leads a team of licensed professionals and school counselors that respond to crises and disasters. Follow Jonathan @SystemicTexism on X or on Substack.MAKE SURE YOU'RE FOLLOWING THIS PODCAST ON ANY PLATFORM OTHER THAN SPOTIFY. Spotify removes episodes for containing copyrighted music, even though I have a license to use my theme song, Half Awake by Joey Pecoraro. It's been a huge pain; I'll release an episode explaining this soon. In the meanwhile, find this podcast on your platform of choice starting here. [00:00:00] Start [00:02:45] Defining McKinney-Vento and Student Homelessness [00:05:40] Unaccompanied Youth and School Support Systems [00:08:50] Mental Health Professionals’ Role in Identifying Homeless Students [00:14:10] Student Leadership Summit and Success Stories [00:18:10] Association of Mental Health Professionals Conference Recap [00:19:45] Detransition Language Discussion [00:23:05] Values and Ethics in School Mental Health Services [00:29:45] Social Emotional Learning (SEL) Explained [00:33:00] Voluntary vs. Imposed Therapy for Students [00:40:13] Problems with Suicide Awareness Campaigns for Children [00:46:00] Overmedicalization and the Origins of Family Therapy [00:51:00] Family Therapy’s Historical Role and Modern Challenges [00:55:00] Appropriate Levels of School-Based Intervention [01:04:30] Behavioral Threat Assessment Overview [01:35:30] Restoring School Function and ReadinessROGD REPAIR Course + Community gives concerned parents instant access to over 120 lessons providing the psychological insights and communication tools you need to get through to your kid. Now featuring 24/7 personalized AI support implementing the tools with RepairBot! Use code SOMETHERAPIST2025 to take 50% off your first month.PODCOURSES: use code SOMETHERAPIST at LisaMustard.com/PodCoursesTALK TO ME: book a meeting.PRODUCTION: Looking for your own podcast producer? Visit PodsByNick.com and mention my podcast for 20% off your initial services.SUPPORT THE SHOW: subscribe, like, comment, & share or donate.Watch NO WAY BACK: The Reality of Gender-Affirming Care. Use code SOMETHERAPIST to take 20% off your order.MUSIC: Thanks to Joey Pecoraro for our song, “Half Awake,” used with gratitude & permission. ALL OTHER LINKS HERE. To support this show, please leave a rating & review on Apple, Spotify, or wherever you get your podcasts. Subscribe, like, comment & share via my YouTube channel. Or recommend this to a friend!Learn more about Do No Harm.Take $200 off your EightSleep Pod Pro Cover with code SOMETHERAPIST at EightSleep.com.Take 20% off all superfood beverages with code SOMETHERAPIST at Organifi.Check out my shop for book recommendations + wellness products.Show notes & transcript provided with the help of SwellAI.Special thanks to Joey Pecoraro for our theme song, “Half Awake,” used with gratitude and permission.Watch NO WAY BACK: The Reality of Gender-Affirming Care (our medical ethics documentary, formerly known as Affirmation Generation). Stream the film or purchase a DVD. Use code SOMETHERAPIST to take 20% off your order. Follow us on X @2022affirmation or Instagram at @affirmationgeneration.Have a question for me? Looking to go deeper and discuss these ideas with other listeners? Join my Locals community! Members get to ask questions I will respond to in exclusive, members-only livestreams, post ...
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    1 hr and 41 mins
  • 185. Why Autistic Teens Fall for “Trans” and What They Need Instead with Simon Amaya Price

    185. Why Autistic Teens Fall for “Trans” and What They Need Instead with Simon Amaya Price
    Oct 27 2025
    In this compelling conversation, I sit down with 21-year-old desister Simon Amaya Price, who identified as transgender from ages 14 to 17. Now serving as Outreach and Events Lead at the LGB Courage Coalition, Simon offers invaluable insights into why young people—especially those with autism—fall into gender ideology.We explore the perfect storm of factors that led to Simon's trans identification: autism, bullying, sexual assault, and false accusations in the wake of the #MeToo movement. Simon shares how his parents' firm boundaries against medicalization, combined with giving him a "long leash" to make mistakes and learn from them, ultimately helped him desist.Our discussion delves into practical strategies for parents, including the "match plus one" social skills framework, body-based distress tolerance techniques, and why allowing kids to experience natural consequences is crucial. Simon challenges the "neurodiversity affirming" approach that keeps autistic kids disabled, advocating instead for teaching real-world skills. We examine how disconnection from the body fuels gender dysphoria and why adventures, cold showers, and physical challenges can reconnect kids to reality. This episode offers hope and concrete tools for families navigating the gender crisis.Simon is a desister, writer, and speaker, fighting gender ideology with classical liberal values. At 14, he came out as transgender but desisted after 3 years. He has written for The Boston Globe, testified on bills nationwide, has spoken in communities across the country, and been featured in the Daily Mail, Boston Herald, and The Daily Signal. Simon now is the Outreach and Events Lead at the LGB Courage Coalition.Simon can be found at:X (Twitter): @SimonAmayaPriceInstagram: @SimonAmayaPriceYouTube: @SimonAmayaPriceWebsite: simonamayaprice.comBooks mentioned in this episode:The Coddling of the American Mind by Jonathan Haidt and Greg Lukianoff[00:00:00] Start & guest introduction[00:02:52] Political Violence and Role Models[00:04:00] The Coddling of American Minds[00:05:00] Finding Normal Male Peers[00:05:41] Charlie Kirk's Impact[00:07:00] Coming Out as Bisexual[00:08:00] Sexual Assault and False Accusations[00:10:09] Why Accusations Fueled Trans Identity[00:11:18] Parents Unaware of Trauma[00:12:49] How Boys Learn About Female Power[00:14:46] Rejection and False Allegations[00:16:28] Young Men's Dating Fears[00:18:00] Male Coping Strategies[00:20:37] Conservative vs Liberal Dating Success[00:21:41] Parent Coaching Advice[00:23:07] What My Parents Did Right[00:26:00] Making Mistakes Builds Character[00:27:00] Adventures and Neuroplasticity[00:28:01] Natural Consequences Build Identity[00:31:32] Learning Through Experience[00:33:30] Complaining as Communication[00:34:30] Inconvenience vs Challenge vs Trauma[00:37:00] The Long Leash Double Bind[00:39:00] Life Skills Prevent Trans Identity[00:40:26] Social Skills Algorithm[00:41:47] Match Plus One Framework[00:43:00] Life Skills Get You Out[00:44:05] Working Hard on Social Fluidity[00:45:00] Neurodiversity Affirming Care Problems[00:47:23] Therapists Who Only Validate[00:49:00] Tools for Autistic Teens[00:51:00] Frameworks for Social Understanding[00:54:00] Mental Health Energy Landscapes[00:56:00] Reflective Listening for Rumination[00:58:03] Body-Based Distress Tolerance[01:02:00] Concrete Goals in Therapy[01:04:00] Breaking Down Big Goals[01:07:00] Modeling Coping Strategies[01:09:08] Ice Cube Self-Harm Prevention[01:11:00] Embodied Experiences Matter[01:14:00] Ancient Vedic Psychology[01:16:00] Looking Inwards vs Ruminating[01:18:30] Trauma Separates Mind from Body[01:19:41] Growing Into Your Body[01:22:00] Losing Connection at Puberty[01:24:00] From Appearance to Function[01:25:17] Adult Personality Development[01:27:00] Presenting Yourself Authentically[01:28:02] Breaking Down Big Tasks[01:30:00] Health Signals and Attractiveness[01:31:00] Queer Theory vs Reality[01:33:00] Theory of Mind and Autism[01:33:39] Standpoint Epistemology Problems[01:35:45] Understanding Historical Atrocities[01:37:05] Street Conversations with Opposition[01:39:00] Charlie Kirk Abortion Discussion[01:40:30] Building Empathy Across Difference[01:41:56] Starting with Agreement[01:43:38] Closing and Contact InformationROGD REPAIR Course + Community gives concerned parents instant access to over 120 lessons providing the psychological insights and communication tools you need to get through to your kid. Now featuring 24/7 personalized AI support implementing the tools with RepairBot! Use code SOMETHERAPIST2025 to take 50% off your first month.PODCOURSES: use code SOMETHERAPIST at LisaMustard.com/PodCoursesTALK TO ME: book a meeting.PRODUCTION: Looking for your own podcast producer? Visit PodsByNick.com and mention my podcast for 20% off your initial services.SUPPORT THE SHOW: subscribe, like, comment, & share or donate.Watch NO WAY BACK: The Reality of Gender-Affirming Care. Use code SOMETHERAPIST to take 20% off ...
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    1 hr and 46 mins
  • 184. The Best ROGD Parenting Advice a Robot Can Give: Meet RepairBot, a Groundbreaking AI Tool

    184. The Best ROGD Parenting Advice a Robot Can Give: Meet RepairBot, a Groundbreaking AI Tool
    Oct 20 2025
    In this groundbreaking episode, I introduce RepairBot: the world's first artificial intelligence chatbot specifically designed for parents navigating their child's gender identity questions. Trained on my ROGD Repair program, coaching transcripts, and even my own voice, RepairBot serves as a 24/7 support tool for parents of trans-identified adolescents and young adults seeking help navigating the tricky terrain of maintaining connection while encouraging healthy choices.I demonstrate RepairBot's capabilities through a recorded conversation where I role-play as a parent seeking guidance about a 16-year-old daughter who's binding and requesting they/them pronouns. The AI impressively handles complex concepts from my course, including double binds, parts language, accusation audits, and alter-casting. We explore how to build genuine self-esteem in teens, navigate rigid ideological positions, and handle situations where adult children violate agreements about medical transition.I address the ethics of AI in this sensitive space, explaining why I created RepairBot despite the uncanny valley effect and ethical questions. With families already turning to generic AI for help—and receiving conflicting advice—I believe offering an AI trained on specialized knowledge is better than leaving parents to navigate alone. RepairBot speaks 40 languages and integrates with the full ROGD Repair curriculum to provide culturally accessible, evidence-based support when families need it most.Try RepairBot free at ROGDrepairbot.com or find it embedded as a golden chat box in the bottom right corner of any of my websites (rogdrepair.com, sometherapist.com, stephaniewinn.com). Enter your email address to access the voice call feature. RepairBot Unlimited comes with new ROGD Repair memberships so students get all the homework help they need. Get yours at ROGDrepair.com, or add-on RepairBot separately here. Use code SOMETHERAPIST2025 to take 50% off your first month of ROGD Repair with RepairBot Unlimited. Report any technical issues, incorrect answers or unanswered questions to hello@sometherapist.com Share this episode with someone in your life who could use these tools![00:00:00] Start – Introducing Repair Bot and episode overview[00:01:00] What Repair Bot is and how it helps parents[00:02:00] Role play Q&A begins - teen binding and pronouns[00:04:00] Applying the “double bind” concept to communication[00:07:00] Using “parts language” to model emotional awareness[00:10:00] Explaining and using “accusation audits”[00:13:00] Discussing hypothetical father’s rigidity and emotional maturity[00:16:00] Helping a headstrong teen with moral development and ego[00:20:30] Building confidence and competence outside ideology[00:24:00] Friend's son using estrogen secretly; resentment, entitlement[00:28:30] End of demo – reflection on AI ethics and Repair Bot limits[00:32:00] Coaching versus therapy, role of AI support for parents[00:36:00] Repair Bot’s purpose, boundaries, and user guidelines[00:38:30] Features: language support, access options, and pricing[00:41:30] Technical note – how subscriptions and manual setup work[00:44:30] Closing remarks – patience, clarifications, and final sign-off[00:45:00] End credits – music, acknowledgments, and program linksROGD REPAIR Course + Community gives concerned parents instant access to over 120 lessons providing the psychological insights and communication tools you need to get through to your kid. Now featuring 24/7 personalized AI support implementing the tools with RepairBot! Use code SOMETHERAPIST2025 to take 50% off your first month.PODCOURSES: use code SOMETHERAPIST at LisaMustard.com/PodCoursesTALK TO ME: book a meeting.PRODUCTION: Looking for your own podcast producer? Visit PodsByNick.com and mention my podcast for 20% off your initial services.SUPPORT THE SHOW: subscribe, like, comment, & share or donate.Watch NO WAY BACK: The Reality of Gender-Affirming Care. Use code SOMETHERAPIST to take 20% off your order.MUSIC: Thanks to Joey Pecoraro for our song, “Half Awake,” used with gratitude & permission. ALL OTHER LINKS HERE. To support this show, please leave a rating & review on Apple, Spotify, or wherever you get your podcasts. Subscribe, like, comment & share via my YouTube channel. Or recommend this to a friend!Learn more about Do No Harm.Take $200 off your EightSleep Pod Pro Cover with code SOMETHERAPIST at EightSleep.com.Take 20% off all superfood beverages with code SOMETHERAPIST at Organifi.Check out my shop for book recommendations + wellness products.Show notes & transcript provided with the help of SwellAI.Special thanks to Joey Pecoraro for our theme song, “Half Awake,” used with gratitude and permission.Watch NO WAY BACK: The Reality of Gender-Affirming Care (our medical ethics documentary, formerly known as Affirmation Generation). Stream the film or purchase a DVD. Use code SOMETHERAPIST to take 20% off your order. Follow us on X @...
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    46 mins
  • 183. Men Out of Women’s Prisons: Retired Judge Elspeth Cypher Fights to Protect Female Interests

    183. Men Out of Women’s Prisons: Retired Judge Elspeth Cypher Fights to Protect Female Interests
    Oct 13 2025
    In this powerful episode, I sit down with Elspeth Cypher, a retired judge and board secretary for the Women's Liberation Front (WoLF), to discuss the critical legal battles being fought to protect women and girls' rights. We dive deep into the shocking reality of male prisoners being transferred to women's facilities, where Elspeth reveals that 57% of trans-identifying males in prison have been convicted of sexual offenses. She shares disturbing accounts from incarcerated women facing violence and sexual assault from these male transfers.We also explore the groundbreaking Chiles v. Salazar case*, which by the time this episode airs, will have just been heard by the Supreme Court with early indications looking favorable for therapists' freedom to practice exploratory therapy. This case could revolutionize how therapists approach gender identity issues without fear of losing their licenses. As someone who was personally targeted by conversion therapy accusations, this case hits close to home. Elspeth explains how WoLF is working through the courts to challenge policies that erase women's sex-based rights while being forced to divert resources from other crucial women's issues like reproductive rights and violence prevention. This conversation exposes how language manipulation and institutional capture have created a crisis that affects everything from prisons to therapy offices.*This episode was recorded September 8 and originally intended to be released just prior to the Chiles v. Salazar Supreme Court hearing on October 8. However, the assassination of Charlie Kirk shifted my priorities and timeline. So while we discuss this case as if I am learning about it for the first time, the episode will air after the initial hearing. Read our mutual friend and former podcast guest Glenna Goldis' take on Chiles v Salazar or see the full case here: Chiles v. Salazar.Elspeth B. Cypher, a retired justice from the Massachusetts Supreme Judicial Court, is the Board Secretary for the Women’s Liberation Front. (WoLF ) is a nonpartisan, not for profit organization dedicated to restoring, protecting, and advancing the rights of women and girls. Follow her on X @ebclaw. Contact: elspeth@womensliberationfront.orgDonate to WoLFDoe v. Bondi00:00 Start00:00:55 Guest intro — Retired Judge Elspeth Cypher joins the show00:02:43 What is WoLF? Mission and background of the Women’s Liberation Front00:09:30 Supreme Court case: Childs / Chiles v. Salazar — conversion-therapy and counselor licensing00:18:00 Why exploratory therapy matters for minors and therapists00:33:06 Upcoming Supreme Court sports cases — BPJ & Peacock00:36:13 Doe v. Bondi — men housed in women’s prisons00:55:56 The 2016 turning point and the legal ripple from Bostock001:03:42 Real-world example: Tremaine Carroll rape case in California women’s prison01:11:49 What WoLF would prioritize if not fighting gender-identity battles ROGD REPAIR Course + Community gives concerned parents instant access to over 120 lessons providing the psychological insights and communication tools you need to get through to your kid. Now featuring 24/7 personalized AI support implementing the tools with RepairBot! Use code SOMETHERAPIST2025 to take 50% off your first month.PODCOURSES: use code SOMETHERAPIST at LisaMustard.com/PodCoursesTALK TO ME: book a meeting.PRODUCTION: Looking for your own podcast producer? Visit PodsByNick.com and mention my podcast for 20% off your initial services.SUPPORT THE SHOW: subscribe, like, comment, & share or donate.Watch NO WAY BACK: The Reality of Gender-Affirming Care. Use code SOMETHERAPIST to take 20% off your order.SHOW NOTES & transcript with help from SwellAI.MUSIC: Thanks to Joey Pecoraro for our song, “Half Awake,” used with gratitude & permission. ALL OTHER LINKS HERE. To support this show, please leave a rating & review on Apple, Spotify, or wherever you get your podcasts. Subscribe, like, comment & share via my YouTube channel. Or recommend this to a friend!Learn more about Do No Harm.Take $200 off your EightSleep Pod Pro Cover with code SOMETHERAPIST at EightSleep.com.Take 20% off all superfood beverages with code SOMETHERAPIST at Organifi.Check out my shop for book recommendations + wellness products.Show notes & transcript provided with the help of SwellAI.Special thanks to Joey Pecoraro for our theme song, “Half Awake,” used with gratitude and permission.Watch NO WAY BACK: The Reality of Gender-Affirming Care (our medical ethics documentary, formerly known as Affirmation Generation). Stream the film or purchase a DVD. Use code SOMETHERAPIST to take 20% off your order. Follow us on X @2022affirmation or Instagram at @affirmationgeneration.Have a question for me? Looking to go deeper and discuss these ideas with other listeners? Join my Locals community! Members get to ask questions I will respond to in exclusive, members-only livestreams, post questions for upcoming guests to answer, plus other perks TBD. ★ ...
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    1 hr and 29 mins
  • 182. From Estrangement to Advocacy: Lynn Chadwick on Parental Identity After Your Child Transitions

    182. From Estrangement to Advocacy: Lynn Chadwick on Parental Identity After Your Child Transitions
    Oct 6 2025
    In this episode, I speak with Lynn Chadwick, founder of Themis Resource Fund, about her deeply personal journey from devastating parental estrangement to purposeful advocacy. Lynn opens up about losing contact with all three of her children to trans ideology and how she nearly lost herself in the process. We explore the critical distinction between activism and family relationships—when fighting the broader culture war can actually harm your connection with your own child.Lynn shares the transformative moment that changed everything: turning off her phone, leaving behind the constant stream of trans-related content, and spending two weeks in Mexico with baby whales. This experience helped her reclaim her identity beyond "ROGD parent" and taught her that prioritizing her own healing wasn't giving up on her children—it was the most powerful thing she could do.We discuss why trans functions like a religious system that cannot tolerate doubt, the trauma parents experience in this situation, and practical wisdom about setting boundaries with information consumption. Lynn explains her vital work with Themis Resource Fund, which provides litigation support for detransitioners seeking justice through the legal system. She details the enormous costs and challenges of bringing these cases to trial, and why these lawsuits represent one of the most important frontiers in stopping medical harm to young people.Lynn Chadwick began advocating and supporting parents during her career as a neonatal intensive care nurse. Her story of how her family was affected by gender ideology was first published in the Christian Post in 2019, after which Lynn began advocating for parents both publicly and privately. Lynn has volunteered with the Kelsey Coalition, Parents of ROGD Kids, Partners for Ethical Care, and Genspect. She started a private Facebook group for parents in 2019 which is still active today. She has been interviewed about her life and work including on the Wider Lens podcast. Lynn founded Themis Resource Fund in 2023 to assist detransitioned people with litigation.To join one of the support groups Lynn runs contact parentsupprogd@gmail.comDonate to Themis or learn more at ThemisResourceFund.orgFollow Themis on X @themisrfMy blog post about how to file a complaint against a gender affirming therapist can be found here[00:00:00] Start[00:00:54] Introduction to Lynn Chadwick and Themis Resource Fund[00:06:16] Lynn's personal journey into activism and estrangement[00:14:25] Identity, grief, and transformative experiences[00:22:35] Viewing trans ideology as a belief system[00:34:30] Failures of therapy and the role of family therapy[00:42:30] Parents' courage, honesty, and relational approaches[00:51:00] Introduction to ROGD Repair and peer support[00:59:00] Parental self-care and boundaries with media[01:13:00] Themis Resource Fund's mission and legal strategies[01:35:00] The realities of litigation and detransitioner voices[01:39:00] Hope for the future and closing remarksROGD REPAIR Course + Community gives concerned parents instant access to over 120 lessons providing the psychological insights and communication tools you need to get through to your kid. Now featuring 24/7 personalized AI support implementing the tools with RepairBot! Use code SOMETHERAPIST2025 to take 50% off your first month.PODCOURSES: use code SOMETHERAPIST at LisaMustard.com/PodCoursesTALK TO ME: book a meeting.PRODUCTION: Looking for your own podcast producer? Visit PodsByNick.com and mention my podcast for 20% off your initial services.SUPPORT THE SHOW: subscribe, like, comment, & share or donate.ORGANIFI: Take 20% off Organifi with code SOMETHERAPIST.Watch NO WAY BACK: The Reality of Gender-Affirming Care. Use code SOMETHERAPIST to take 20% off your order.SHOW NOTES & transcript with help from SwellAI.MUSIC: Thanks to Joey Pecoraro for our song, “Half Awake,” used with gratitude & permission. ALL OTHER LINKS HERE. To support this show, please leave a rating & review on Apple, Spotify, or wherever you get your podcasts. Subscribe, like, comment & share via my YouTube channel. Or recommend this to a friend!Learn more about Do No Harm.Take $200 off your EightSleep Pod Pro Cover with code SOMETHERAPIST at EightSleep.com.Take 20% off all superfood beverages with code SOMETHERAPIST at Organifi.Check out my shop for book recommendations + wellness products.Show notes & transcript provided with the help of SwellAI.Special thanks to Joey Pecoraro for our theme song, “Half Awake,” used with gratitude and permission.Watch NO WAY BACK: The Reality of Gender-Affirming Care (our medical ethics documentary, formerly known as Affirmation Generation). Stream the film or purchase a DVD. Use code SOMETHERAPIST to take 20% off your order. Follow us on X @2022affirmation or Instagram at @affirmationgeneration.Have a question for me? Looking to go deeper and discuss these ideas with other listeners? Join my Locals community! Members get to ask ...
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    1 hr and 41 mins
  • 181. From Ayahuasca to Christ: Will Spencer on Escaping the Serpent's Deception

    181. From Ayahuasca to Christ: Will Spencer on Escaping the Serpent's Deception
    Sep 29 2025
    What might lead an adventurous spiritual seeker to renounce psychedelics, repent for his colorful past, and accept Jesus Christ as his lord and savior? In this powerful episode, I sit down with evangelist, podcast host, and men’s work facilitator Will Spencer to explore his remarkable journey from New Age seeker to committed Christian. Will shares his background as an underground house music DJ who spent decades exploring psychedelics, including 15 ayahuasca ceremonies, transpersonal therapy, and occult practices like Kabbalah and tarot.We dive deep into the moral contradictions he discovered in New Age beliefs, particularly around karma and the problem of evil. Will explains how learning about child sex trafficking shattered his worldview and forced him to confront uncomfortable truths about spiritual practices he once embraced. His story takes a surprising turn when he describes meeting Christians at Burning Man who showed him a different path.Our conversation examines the spiritual dangers of ayahuasca, and explores how Christian faith transformed his understanding of everyday life, marriage, and moral responsibility. This episode offers hope for anyone seeking truth beyond the spiritual marketplace of modern culture.Will Spencer is an evangelist and adventurer who journeyed from Stanford University and the Dotcom Boom through 30 countries. He's explored spiritual traditions worldwide: from meditation in the Himalayas to ayahuasca retreats in the Amazon. The Lord found him at the Burning Man festival in Nevada. Now he hosts The Will Spencer Podcast and helps rescue men from destructive thinking and find their way to Christ. Follow him on X @renofmen, on YouTube @willspencerpod or via his Linktree.[00:00:00] Start [01:13:00] Introduction to Will Spencer and his background [03:03:00] Honoring Charlie Kirk's memory and legacy [06:34:00] Discussion of political violence and media bias [09:08:00] Stephanie's journey from New Age to current perspective [12:02:00] The infiltration of gender ideology into New Age spaces [15:34:00] COVID response contradictions in holistic health community [17:28:00] Moral incoherence of karma and "all is one" beliefs [21:21:00] Child sex trafficking as a worldview-breaking reality [23:02:00] The purpose of life and facing uncomfortable truths [25:14:00] Personal responsibility vs. blaming circumstances [27:21:00] The problem of evil and Christian worldview [31:58:00] God's creation and the fall of humanity [35:28:00] Serpent worship, psychedelics, and human sacrifice [36:54:00] Kundalini energy and serpent symbolism [38:28:00] Personal Kundalini experiences described [42:50:00] Occult mystery schools and magical practices [46:03:00] New Age community's failure to help abuse victims [49:46:00] Cult-like behavior and exploitation in spiritual communities [53:36:00] Defining "selfism" - the worship of the self [58:14:00] Ayahuasca as communion with named entity "Mama Ayahuasca" [01:06:01] Questioning ayahuasca's supposed benevolence [01:10:03] Ayahuasca in mainstream medicine and veteran treatment [01:16:25] The cost of seeking "true self" vs. honoring commitments [01:21:42] Will's personal journey and opportunity costs [01:26:02] Christianity's gift of meaning in mundane life [01:28:19] Sanctification and transformed desires [01:33:28] Missing the "colorful" world of festivals and DJing [01:35:32] Will's conversion story at Burning Man 2015 [01:42:40] Vision of Christ and underground Christian ministry [01:47:27] Reading Christian apologetics and final conversion [01:51:34] Learning from personal experience vs. taking things on faith [01:56:14] The spiritual dangers of magic and occult practices [02:00:20] Knowing people by their fruits - final thoughts ROGD REPAIR Course + Community gives concerned parents instant access to over 120 lessons providing the psychological insights and communication tools you need to get through to your kid. Now featuring 24/7 personalized AI support implementing the tools with RepairBot! Use code SOMETHERAPIST2025 to take 50% off your first month.PODCOURSES: use code SOMETHERAPIST at LisaMustard.com/PodCoursesTALK TO ME: book a meeting.PRODUCTION: Looking for your own podcast producer? Visit PodsByNick.com and mention my podcast for 20% off your initial services.SUPPORT THE SHOW: subscribe, like, comment, & share or donate.Watch NO WAY BACK: The Reality of Gender-Affirming Care. Use code SOMETHERAPIST to take 20% off your order.SHOW NOTES & transcript with help from SwellAI.MUSIC: Thanks to Joey Pecoraro for our song, “Half Awake,” used with gratitude & permission.ALL OTHER LINKS HERE. To support this show, please leave a rating & review on Apple, Spotify, or wherever you get your podcasts. Subscribe, like, comment & share via my YouTube channel. Or recommend this to a friend!Learn more about Do No Harm.Take $200 off your EightSleep Pod Pro Cover with code SOMETHERAPIST ...
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    2 hrs and 3 mins
  • 180. After Charlie Kirk: Embracing Moral Courage and Healthy Conflict with Jonathan Cogburn, LMFT

    180. After Charlie Kirk: Embracing Moral Courage and Healthy Conflict with Jonathan Cogburn, LMFT
    Sep 22 2025
    Just days after Charlie Kirk's assassination, I sit with Texas Marriage and Family Therapist Jonathan Cogburn for what becomes a profound exploration of faith, courage, and finding hope in dark times. Jonathan shares his journey from being apolitical to openly identifying as conservative, inspired by brave voices who showed him there's nothing shameful about his beliefs.We dive into systems theory concepts like pursuer-distancer patterns that explain both family dynamics and our current cultural moment, discussing how healthy conflict is necessary to prevent accumulated resentment. Jonathan reveals his patient approach to online discourse, treating people as capable of the change he hopes to see, while I grapple with questions of when charity becomes naive.Our conversation weaves through theological perspectives on human worth, the intersection of therapy and faith, and how Christianity offers a practical framework for living with our flawed nature. We tackle the thorny question of whether consequences for those glorifying violence constitute "cancel culture" or a necessary reset of social norms. This episode captures the wrestling many of us are doing right now - how to maintain hope, express truth, and build bridges while protecting ourselves and those we love.Jonathan Cogburn is a Licensed Marriage and Family Therapist in West Texas who currently works for an agency that provides a variety of support to school districts in his area In that role he delivers state-required mental health training to districts, supports rural school counselors and homeless student liaisons, and co-leads a team of licensed professionals and school counselors that respond to crises and disasters. Follow Jonathan @SystemicTexism on X or on Substack[00:00:00] Start[01:12:14] Introduction to Jonathan Cogburn [03:25:16] Context setting: Recording in wake of Charlie Kirk assassination[07:54:28] Jonathan's journey from apolitical to openly conservative therapist[11:46:20] Meeting Soad and deciding to put "conservative" in bio[15:02:58] Discussion of "It's okay to be white" shirt story from vigil[18:33:05] Conflict as necessary and healthy when conducted properly[23:18:16] Texas licensing board policies vs. other states[27:53:13] Success stories of changing minds through patient dialogue[32:34:38] Alter casting and projective identification concepts[36:32:19] Pursuer-distancer patterns in parent-child relationships[41:02:27] Setting boundaries with name-calling in online discourse[47:18:53] Discussion of reporting tip lines and cancel culture reversal[55:14:05] Cultural reset and consequences for glorifying violence[01:03:28] Left's moral framework and externalized decision-making[01:07:48] Theological perspective on human worth and creation[01:15:10] God as emotionally differentiated being[01:19:10] Parenting analogy and relinquishing control[01:25:43] Substack mission and upcoming school activism article[01:28:06] Christianity vs. other religious paths and perfectionism[01:35:10] Evil, satanic cults, and need for moral frameworks[01:38:52] Closing and contact informationROGD REPAIR Course + Community gives concerned parents instant access to over 120 lessons providing the psychological insights and communication tools you need to get through to your kid. Now featuring 24/7 personalized AI support implementing the tools with RepairBot! Use code SOMETHERAPIST2025 to take 50% off your first month.PODCOURSES: use code SOMETHERAPIST at LisaMustard.com/PodCoursesTALK TO ME: book a meeting.PRODUCTION: Looking for your own podcast producer? Visit PodsByNick.com and mention my podcast for 20% off your initial services.SUPPORT THE SHOW: subscribe, like, comment, & share or donate.ORGANIFI: Take 20% off Organifi with code SOMETHERAPIST.Watch NO WAY BACK: The Reality of Gender-Affirming Care. Use code SOMETHERAPIST to take 20% off your order.SHOW NOTES & transcript with help from SwellAI.MUSIC: Thanks to Joey Pecoraro for our song, “Half Awake,” used with gratitude & permission. ALL OTHER LINKS HERE. To support this show, please leave a rating & review on Apple, Spotify, or wherever you get your podcasts. Subscribe, like, comment & share via my YouTube channel. Or recommend this to a friend!Learn more about Do No Harm.Take $200 off your EightSleep Pod Pro Cover with code SOMETHERAPIST at EightSleep.com.Take 20% off all superfood beverages with code SOMETHERAPIST at Organifi.Check out my shop for book recommendations + wellness products.Show notes & transcript provided with the help of SwellAI.Special thanks to Joey Pecoraro for our theme song, “Half Awake,” used with gratitude and permission.Watch NO WAY BACK: The Reality of Gender-Affirming Care (our medical ethics documentary, formerly known as Affirmation Generation). Stream the film or purchase a DVD. Use code SOMETHERAPIST to take 20% off your order. Follow us on X @2022affirmation or Instagram at @affirmationgeneration.Have a question for me? Looking to go deeper and ...
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    1 hr and 41 mins
  • 179. Hounded: Jenny Lindsay Speaks Out About the Women Who Have Been Harmed in the Gender Wars

    179. Hounded: Jenny Lindsay Speaks Out About the Women Who Have Been Harmed in the Gender Wars
    Sep 15 2025
    Scottish poet and writer Jenny Lindsay's artistic career was derailed when she spoke out against the violent tactics used by gender identity activists. Today, Jenny is the author of "Hounded: Women, Harms and the Gender Wars," and her story illustrates what she calls the "secondary harms" of gender ideology - the ripple effects that occur when competent voices are silenced through systematic harassment campaigns.We explore how Jenny went from being "one of Scotland's leading performance poets" to being completely ostracized from the Scottish arts scene, not for discussing gender issues directly, but simply for defending women's right to meet and discuss proposed legal changes. Her experience reveals the parasitic nature of this ideology as it hollows out liberal institutions from within.Jenny breaks down what she identifies as the three core beliefs that get women labeled as "TERFs": that women are a materially definable category, that we have rights based on this reality, and that we deserve freedom of speech on matters affecting us. We discuss the psychological tactics of this movement, the economic warfare against dissenting voices, and why competent women across fields are being systematically targeted. This conversation examines not just what we're losing when reality becomes negotiable, but what happens to a society that rewards ideological conformity over truth-telling and competence.Jenny Lindsay is a writer, poet and essayist based in Scotland. She has a weekly column in The Scotsman and writes for numerous publications including The Spectator, The Daily Mail, and The Times. Her debut book Hounded: Women, Harms and the Gender Wars was published to great acclaim by Polity in 2024, being described as 'one of the most important political books ever to have been written about Scottish culture and politics,' by The Herald, and 'one of the definitive chronicles of these times,' by author JK Rowling. A former poetry performer and live literature programmer, she gained several accolades in the arts prior to her own 'hounding' over gender identity issues in Scotland, including a John Byrne award for Critical Thinking for her film-poem The Imagined We in early 2020, and a Creative Edinburgh Award for Leadership in 2017.Get Jenny's book on AmazonFollow on X @msjlindsay Read Jenny's Substack, The Schism Ring00:00 Core Beliefs and the Hounding Phenomenon06:49 The Existential Question of Gender Identity12:53 Understanding Core Beliefs and Their Implications18:07 The Parasitic Nature of Ideologies24:44 The Sociopathic Dynamics of Hounding32:44 The High Road vs. The Low Road41:33 The Personal Toll of Ideological Conflicts45:54 The Edinburgh Arts Scene and Its Challenges52:56 Cultural and Economic Impacts of Activism01:01:24 The Intersection of Gender and Racial Dialogues01:09:20 Hope Amidst Ongoing Struggles01:19:28 Navigating the Future of DiscourseROGD REPAIR Course + Community gives concerned parents instant access to over 120 lessons providing the psychological insights and communication tools you need to get through to your kid. Now featuring 24/7 personalized AI support implementing the tools with RepairBot! Use code SOMETHERAPIST2025 to take 50% off your first month.PODCOURSES: use code SOMETHERAPIST at LisaMustard.com/PodCoursesTALK TO ME: book a meeting.PRODUCTION: Looking for your own podcast producer? Visit PodsByNick.com and mention my podcast for 20% off your initial services.SUPPORT THE SHOW: subscribe, like, comment, & share or donate.ORGANIFI: Take 20% off Organifi with code SOMETHERAPIST.Watch NO WAY BACK: The Reality of Gender-Affirming Care. Use code SOMETHERAPIST to take 20% off your order.SHOW NOTES & transcript with help from SwellAI.MUSIC: Thanks to Joey Pecoraro for our song, “Half Awake,” used with gratitude & permission. ALL OTHER LINKS HERE. To support this show, please leave a rating & review on Apple, Spotify, or wherever you get your podcasts. Subscribe, like, comment & share via my YouTube channel. Or recommend this to a friend!Learn more about Do No Harm.Take $200 off your EightSleep Pod Pro Cover with code SOMETHERAPIST at EightSleep.com.Take 20% off all superfood beverages with code SOMETHERAPIST at Organifi.Check out my shop for book recommendations + wellness products.Show notes & transcript provided with the help of SwellAI.Special thanks to Joey Pecoraro for our theme song, “Half Awake,” used with gratitude and permission.Watch NO WAY BACK: The Reality of Gender-Affirming Care (our medical ethics documentary, formerly known as Affirmation Generation). Stream the film or purchase a DVD. Use code SOMETHERAPIST to take 20% off your order. Follow us on X @2022affirmation or Instagram at @affirmationgeneration.Have a question for me? Looking to go deeper and discuss these ideas with other listeners? Join my Locals community! Members get to ask questions I will respond to in exclusive, members-only livestreams, post questions for upcoming guests to answer, plus other...
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    1 hr and 23 mins