Allow Me to Trans-Late

Season 4 of Allow Me to Translate comes to a close with Jason’s favorite episode yet.  Dr. Markie Twist is back, along with Leif, who has brought questions from students in the Meyer Middle School Gender and Sexuality Alliance Club in River Falls, Wisconsin.  Jason and Markie tackle the insightful questions from these students in hopes to answer questions for any middle school student who stumbles on this podcast and to really help a younger, more vulnerable part of the LGBTQ+ community.  Middle school can be a very difficult time and place and we are here to help.  Busting with maturity, these questions really require depth in their answers and Jason and Markie dig right in.  Tune is as we “pay it forward” and answer really good questions from our future generation! The Gender and Sexuality Alliance (GSA) at Meyer Middle School is in its third year. Meyer Middle School (MMS) is located in River Falls, WI and has 775 students in grades 6 through 8. We currently have 33 student members in our GSA. The group is co-facilitated by Kris Nickleski (7th grade Gold House Social Studies Teacher in her 9th year at MMS but in her 16th year of teaching) and Sommer Bowers (School Psychologist in her 8th year which have all been at MMS). The GSA meets on a monthly basis. One new feature added this year to our meetings has been featuring a member of the LGBTQ+ communities each month and discussing the contributions made to United States History and culture. The GSA also runs a free school store called the Pride Den for students in need of school supplies which is located in the School Counseling office Dr. Markie's Website: www.drmarkie.com Additional Resources: www.allowmetotranslate.com/episode48 #communityresources #transgender #trans #feelgood #education #genz #kidsarethefuture Website: allowmetotranslate.com Follow: @soulesspeaks Email: [email protected]

This week Jason tackles the emerging issue of trans athletes and their supposed advantages over cisgender women. While this isn’t a new issue, it is gaining traction quickly as dozens of states, Wisconsin included, propose bills to ban trans athletes from competing. Jason explains how discriminatory and illogical these bills truly are and does his best to bring relevant examples and questions to the listener. Learn more about debunking myths and the truth of how these laws could play out affecting both cisgender and trans youth negatively. It’s not enough to block these bills. We need them to stop being created. First bathrooms.  Then the military.  Now sports. All of these bans were proven unjust and a poisonous waste of our time and resources.  When will it end? #transathletes #letusplay #stopbanningtranspeople #transgender #transpodcast #transgenderathletes #sportsareforeveryone Website: allowmetotranslate.com Follow: @soulesspeaks Email: [email protected]

Have you ever heard of Health and Wellness Coaching in the trans community?  We are so fortunate to have a new coach in our area who was kind enough to come on the show and explain more about what she does.  Jamie Hazelton is an Integrative Health and Wellbeing Coach and founder/coach of Whole You Health where she seeks to help you connect to your optimal health and wellbeing goals. Jason and Jamie talk about what a session might look like, the benefits of having such a service for the trans community, and how important it is for trans people to have someone trans to talk to about so many things.  Transitions affect many people’s lives, not just trans folks, but also parents, spouses, siblings, etc. so know that this type of coaching is open to anyone. Listen in to learn more about how you could benefit from a coaching session with Coach Jamie! Jamie's Website: www.wholeuhealth.com Jamie's Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/wholeuhealth/ Jamie's Instagram: www.instagram.com/wholeyouhealth/ #healthandwellness #coaching #communityresources #transgender #trans #feelgood Website: allowmetotranslate.com Follow: @soulesspeaks Email: [email protected]

All too often we hear the phrase “there are no dumb questions” and while usually true, and a helpful way of starting useful dialogue, it’s also much more complicated than that when interacting with the trans folks in your life.  It turns out there ARE some dumb questions!  Well, more like insensitive, irrelevant, inappropriate, and invasive.... Jason is here to help translate the complicated topic of what should I ask or not?  He talks about the importance of acknowledging both the person’s intent and their relationship with the trans person being asked.  While not all trans people are the same, there are some questions that are not good to ask at all!  Things like “Are you sure?” and “When is the surgery?” are some of the many examples he discourages as well as giving examples of questions that both educate AND normalize the experience of everyone involved. #nodumbquestions #dontaskmeanything #thinkfirst #transgender #trans #curiousityisgood Website: allowmetotranslate.com Follow: @soulesspeaks Email: [email protected]

Jason is back with another solo episode and hoping to translate just how diverse the trans community is, even within itself.  From discussing the variety of folx Jason has met to tackling Transmedicalists/TRUSCUM, this episode essentially defends the notion that there is absolutely no one way to be transgender.  It’s important for all of us to remember everyone is different, trans or cis.  There are no rules or requirements to be trans. Some medically transition and some don’t.  Some have dysphoria and some don’t and so on.  Jason looks at the importance of embracing not knowing who you’ll meet each day and staying open minded.  After all, people are whoever they say they are! #theresnoonewaytobetrans #transgender #unique #wearealldifferent #embrace diversity #trans #transpodcast Website: allowmetotranslate.com Follow: @soulesspeaks Email: [email protected]

Welcome back Dr. Markie Twist!! Today's episode is a fun and informative chat between Jason and Dr. Twist about the impact of covid-19 on queer communities.  We discuss a variety of concerns we've had along the way, the results we are seeing, surprises we didn't expect, and more.  Teaching about sexual health and relationships at the college level, Dr. Twist explains how college students have been reacting to the pandemic and what they can't seem to grasp…. Like kissing being super high risk!! Tune in to hear more and stop kissing people! To view documents and materials mentioned in this episode, go to www.allowmetotranslate.com/episode43 More information on Dr. Markie Twist’s topics of study and where to hear them speak can be found at www.drmarkie.com, @Dr_Markie_Twist on Twitter and @Dr. Markie Twist on Facebook. Website: allowmetotranslate.com Follow: @soulesspeaks Email: [email protected]

Jason is excited to return and explain how physical therapy has changed his life in a tremendous way.  Even after one appointment it was evident that this was “just what the doctor ordered”.  Gaining loads of helpful information, stretches, and exercises has not only helped Jason feel much better, but also feel so hopeful.  Feeling sore, tired, and tight doesn’t really help anyone feel productive in life and it was really taking a toll mentally as well.  Loosening up, helping alignment, retraining the core, waking up certain muscles, and generally understanding how the body works are just some examples of how this has helped.  While not all of Jason’s issues stem from binding/posture/transition issues, the majority of them DO and this doctor has done an incredible job of explaining how.  Jason does his best to recap his experience in hopes that those in need will also explore physical therapy. Website: allowmetotranslate.com Follow: @soulesspeaks Email: [email protected]

All too often the transgender community ends up being a punchline to a joke or mocked openly for being “abnormal”.  Sometimes we can immediately recognize it and other times it isn’t so obvious.  This week Jason discusses examples and the ramifications of treating the trans community as a joke.  He looks back at decades of mainstream media, growing up in the naive midwest, and the current issues that still exist in our world.  From the Brady Bunch to Family Guy, jokes and skits about gender stereotypes, gender expression, and gender roles have fueled comedy for YEARS!  Much of this has misrepresented the trans community long enough to stifle their progress. There are many things that are funny and can be joked about in terms of transgender people, but context is crucial.  Who is the audience?  Why is the joke necessary?  Is there truth to it? Who does it affect?  Tune in to hear more! Website: allowmetotranslate.com Follow: @soulesspeaks Email: [email protected]

In this exciting first episode of our brand new rebranding, we have returning guest Coltan Schoenike. Since our last episode with them, they've now graduated and started a cupcake business, Thèm de la Crème, and now they're coming out with a brand new book. Spread Love (and Buttercream!): Recipes and Reflections Where Love is the First Ingredient and a Sweeter World is Ours for the Baking is the half cupcake cookbook, half self-help, affirmations, and relationship guide that you've never known you needed. Coming out this Friday, Coltan decided to stop by and tell us about the exciting journey of writing this book, as well as give us a never-before-seen (or heard?) preview of the book.  Spread Love (and Buttercream!) comes out December 4 and you can get more info on Coltan's book at themdelacreme.com/book

It is taking some time for Jason to really understand the full extent of which his being trans impacted his entire life, but one of the biggest eye openers was learning to recognize the trauma that simply goes with the trans experience. From the earliest memories of shaming or not being seen, to dysphoria, to shifting or losing relationships after coming out... life as a trans person is not easy and much of what goes with it has a direct negative impact on one's mental health and outlook. Trust and intimacy issues can become paralyzing and close you off from your entire world. This leads to "ultra-independence" and not knowing how to ask for help. Website: allowmetotranslate.com Follow: @soulesspeaks Email: [email protected]