61. A Gender-Critical Meet-Cute: Zach and Cynthia of the Paradox Institute

Is it possible to fall in love over the internet? Today I welcome two very special guests about to welcome their first baby, whose love story began on Twitter. This was my first time interviewing a couple, and it was utterly delightful. Zach Elliott and Cynthia Breheny of The Paradox Institute join me this week to delight us with their love story, touch us with the personal experiences that directed them to this work, inspire us with methods to assist in healing families, and guide us as to how to protect and consider the long term needs of children while providing comprehensive education and care for them.What has Cynthia learned about the needs of gender dysphoric youth from her own experiences of struggling with, and recovering from, hatred of her female body? How exactly are children impacted by “gender affirming care” in the current culture? Are they perhaps empowered by pitting parents against medical professionals? Are they vulnerable to harm as a result of that support? How exactly do we address the needs of children while acknowledging and recognizing the rightful concerns of parents?Zach Elliott is ​​an author of two books on sex and gender and the producer of 20+ animated videos on sex differences. His fascination with the biology of sex and desire to learn and educate led him to create the Paradox Institute in January 2020. Cynthia Breheny is a digital artist, animator, and author. Her lifelong experience with gender dysphoria and her professional design skills provide her with unique abilities to communicate sex and gender concepts. Together, they developed a pamphlet on the myths of “gender affirming care.” Additionally, Zach has a YouTube channel for the Paradox Institute where he posts audio essays, thoughtful video responses and animated videos. You can follow Zach on Twitter, along with Cynthia to stay up-to-date on their latest works. You can find Zach’s book, “The Gender Paradox: Discrimination and Disparities in the Postmodern Era,” and Alan Gordon’s book which I mentioned in today’s episode, “The Way Out: A Revolutionary, Scientifically Proven Approach to Healing and Chronic Pain” in my bookshop!In my discussion, I mentioned a recent episode of the Some Kind of Therapist podcast: 47. The Scapegoated Body: Transition Regret in Psychotherapy with Bob WithersI also mentioned a substack, Parents with Inconvenient Truths about Trans (PITT) that you can access 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. ★ Support this podcast on Patreon ★

Om Podcasten

You Must Be Some Kind of Therapist intimately explores the human experience while critiquing the state of the counseling profession as it yields to cultural madness. Your host, Stephanie Winn, distills years of wisdom gained from her practice as a Licensed Marriage and Family Therapist as she pivots away from treating patients, and toward the question of how to apply psychology to the novel dilemmas of the 21st century. What does ethical mental health care look like in a normless age, as our moral compasses spin in search of true north? How can therapists treat patients under pressure to affirm everything from the notion of gender identity to assisted suicide? Stephanie invites heretical, free-thinking guests from many walks of life, including current and former therapists, medical professionals, writers, researchers, and people with unique lived experience, such as detransitioners. Curious about many things, Stephanie’s interdisciplinary psychological lens investigates challenging social issues and inspires transformation in the self, relationships, and society. Pick up a torch to illuminate the dark night and join us on this journey through the inner wilderness.