Intersex Joy, Activism Burnout, and Being Your Authentic Self with Intersex Educator and Creator Pidgeon Pagonis

We're thrilled to welcome back Pidgeon Pagonis, a powerhouse in intersex education and advocacy! From their #EndIntersexSurgeries campaign to their continual focus on prioritizing intersex joy, their recent endeavors are nothing short of inspiring. Pidgeon shares more about their activist journey, highlighting the need for self-care to avoid burnout in this work. DB and Pidgeon also discuss the healing power of psychedelics, and Pidgeon's transition from a trauma-focused narrative to one of joy and self-discovery. We also get a sneak peek into Pidgeon's new book "Nobody Needs to Know," available everywhere books are sold. (0:11:57) - Pidgeon's #EndIntersexSurgeries activism Discussing successes in intersex representation, #EndIntersexSurgeries campaign, and holding hospitals accountable. (0:17:46) - Managing Burnout in Activism Pidgeon discusses progress in intersex visibility, activism resources, and conservative ideology being pushed in public schools. (0:29:32) - Intersex Activism and Personal Healing (0:42:06) - Ketamine's Power in Reconnecting With Body Pidgeon shares their journey with trauma healing through psychedelics, and their dream of creating intersex retreats to foster joy and healing. Find more from Pidgeon: Instagram: @Pidgeon http://pid.ge/ Pidgeon Pagonis, M.A. (Chicago, IL) has worked for over a decade as an intersex advocate, speaker, consultant, photographer and filmmaker to shed light on the human rights violations endured by intersex people. Their goal is to help end the non-consensual irreversible medical procedures meant to discipline unruly intersex bodies. Pidgeon’s accessible advocacy helps people complicate their preconceived binary notions about “biological differences”. Their work has been essential for those who want to show up for intersex people in their lives, but aren’t sure where to start. —— Follow Sex Ed with DB on: Instagram: @sexedwithdbpodcast TikTok: @sexedwithdb YouTube: Sex Ed with DB Twitter: @sexedwithdb Facebook: @edwithdb Rep your favorite sex ed podcast with our brand new merch! Sign up for our newsletter with BTS content and exclusive giveaways here. Want to get in touch with Sex Ed with DB? Email us at sexedwithdb@gmail.com. —— Sex Ed with DB, Season 8 is Sponsored by: Lion's Den, Uberlube, Magic Wand, and Future Method. Get discounts on all of DB’s favorite things here! —— About Sex Ed with DB: Sex Ed with DB is a feminist podcast bringing you all the sex ed you never got through unique and entertaining storytelling, centering LGBTQ+ and BIPOC experts. We discuss topics such as birth control, pleasure, LGBTQ+ health and rights, abortion, consent, BDSM, sex and disability, HIV, sex in the media, and more. —— Sex Ed with DB, Season 8 Team: Creator, Host, Executive Producer: Danielle Bezalel (DB) Producer and Communications Lead: Cathren Cohen Associate Producer: Sadie Lidji Marketing Coordinator: Kate Fiala

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NEW SERIES! Welcome to Rom-Com Vom: where in every episode we go under the covers with a beloved rom-com, strip away its hidden toxic messages, and rewrite the script on love + sex. ABOUT ROM-COM VOM: Did our favorite rom-coms we adored growing up totally warp our ideas about love, relationships, dating, and sex? Spoiler alert: they sure did, and we’re here to talk about it! Join DB (Sex Educator & Pleasure Expert) and her renowned guests like Franchesca Ramsey (Comedian), Logan Ury (Dating Coach), Justine Kay and Natasha Scott-Reichel (Hosts of 2 Black Girls, 1 Rose), Reed Amber and Florence Bark (Hosts of Come Curious), and more as we dissect popular rom-coms like You’ve Got Mail, Never Been Kissed, 10 Things I Hate About You, Twilight, Hitch, How to Lose a Guy in 10 Days, and more. We’ll dive into the swoon-worthy moments and cringe-worthy toxic lessons, unpacking how these movies shaped (and messed up) our views on healthy relationships and what sex should be like. And don’t worry—we’re rewriting the script with ideas on how these films could’ve done better. This series is perfect for fans of sex-positive podcasts, film nostalgia, feminist cultural critiques, and anyone ready to challenge outdated love tropes. -- Sex Ed with DB is your go-to podcast for smart, science-backed sex education—delivering trusted insights from top experts on sex, sexuality, and pleasure. Empowering, inclusive, and grounded in real science, it’s the sex ed you’ve always wanted. ABOUT SEX ED WITH DB: Take a second and think back to the sex education you had in school. Did it prepare you to have a healthy and happy relationship with sex and identity? If it was anything like DB’s, it was stigmatizing, judgmental, and totally unhelpful. But not to worry, the experts are here to offer the sex ed you wish you had. We cover an array of sex education topics like orgasms, abortion, pornography, fetishes and kinks, pleasure, consent and boundaries, healthy relationships, LGBTQIA+ mental health and sexual health, LGBTQIA+ relationships, coming out, sexual dysfunction and pain during sex, birth control, sex in the media, Queer stories, and so much more. We believe that everyone deserves comprehensive, inclusive, pleasure-centered, feminist, medically-accurate sex education. On the show, DB and sexual health expert guests break down your most curious sex questions like “Am I pregnant?” or “How can I have a stronger orgasm?” or “How do I keep the spark alive in a long-term relationship?” or “How often should I be having sex?” or “What are common sexual fetishes?” or “What are the benefits of masturbation?” Tune in for expert insights and candid conversations redefining sexual health and empowerment! -- ABOUT DB: Danielle Bezalel (she/her), aka DB, has a Master of Public Health from Columbia University with expertise in sexuality, sexual, and reproductive health. DB is a leading voice in inclusive and medically accurate sex education. She tackles taboo topics with humor and expertise because no question is TMI when it comes to learning more about your body and pleasure. With 10 years of sex ed experience and features in Netflix, Mashable, Bustle, SELF, and more, DB empowers listeners to challenge taboos, rethink outdated narratives, and embrace sexual health and pleasure with confidence. Learn more at www.sexedwithdb.com and email DB at sexedwithdb@gmail.com.