Best Aidyn Podcasts (2025)

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Andrea Jenkins 40:17

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3M ago40:17

40:17

This week on the show is American politician, writer, performance artist, poet, & transgender activist, Andrea Jenkins. She was the first black openly transgender woman elected to public office in the United States, serving since January 2018 on the Minneapolis City Council, & as the council's president, since January 2022.⁠ ★ Support this podcast …

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From Aidyn & Quinn: A Quick Voice Note for Tonight, 6PM local 1:47

4M ago1:47

1:47

Tonight, 6PM local — Reading To Connect Day is here 📚💕 It’s happening. Families around the world are already gathering — and tonight at 6PM your local time, it’s your turn. Reading To Connect Day™ was born from something simple: me and my son Aidyn choosing to read for connection over performance. That choice has grown into proclamations from citie…

1
Ryan Rox 42:14

4M ago42:14

42:14

Ryan is a queer, non-binary filmmaker, screenwriter and actor. They were born and raised in El Paso, Texas, but currently reside in Las Cruces, New Mexico. Rox (@imryanrox) developed their passion for filmmaking after working as an actor on multiple independent, short films. After witnessing film crews in action and learning firsthand on set, they …

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Ava Val 31:45

4M ago31:45

31:45

This week on the show is stand-up comedian, podcaster, and musician, Ava Val, who at the time went by Al Val. Recorded LIVE 3/14/23 on The Transverse Twitch.tv/thetransverse Follow Ava: Instagram: @avavalcomedy⁠ Youtube: youtube.com/avavalcomedy TikTok: @avavalcomedy⁠ ⁠ X: @AvaValComedy⁠ FB: https://www.facebook.com/AvaValComedy/⁠ ★ Support this po…

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Jennifer Marie 39:45

5M ago39:45

39:45

This week on the show is Jennifer Marie. Jennifer is a bestselling author, and the founder of Jennspire, a business dedicated to fostering understanding, acceptance, and empowerment for individuals, families, and organizations navigating the complexities of gender identity.Through her own transformative journey, she has gone from self-doubt to embr…

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It’s happening. 6:43

5M ago6:43

6:43

Announcing the first-ever Reading To Connect Day™ I didn’t plan to create a holiday. I just wanted families to feel safe again—to pause, not perform. To read like it mattered beyond the reading. And when I started sharing our story, something happened. Parents from everywhere started joining in. Not for a program. Not for a prize. For a moment. In …

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For some... it's deeper than being tired 9:03

6M ago9:03

9:03

For Some, It’s Deeper Than Being TiredWhy one wrong math answer made her stop reading to her son. She helped him with his math.She got it wrong.It became his lowest grade of the year.So she stopped reading with him. It wasn’t even a reading moment. But it made her feel like her voice didn’t matter—and that maybe she was holding him back. This episo…

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We’re Not Just Reading... 7:57

6M ago7:57

7:57

What My Son—and One Surprising Conversation—Reminded Me About This Movement When my 11-year-old said "I love it because it just feels good...brings us closer" about our reading time, it reminded me why I started all of this. Then a friend shared how my private podcast shifted her from rushed, tense reading to creating intentional moments with her k…

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Ali 40:31

7M ago40:31

40:31

This week on the show, Emily welcomes Ali, a nonbinary, disabled small business owner, and founder of Q Space, living in Southeast Kansas. ⁠ IG @thewitchybibliophile⁠ Catch the show live, Tuesday nights at 9pm Eastern⁠ Twitch.tv/TheTransverse⁠ YouTube.com/TheTransverse ⁠⁠ #transgender #trans #transition #thetransgendershow #thetransverse #interview…

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Angela (Mama Pistachio) 40:56

7M ago40:56

40:56

This week on the show is Angela aka Mama Pistachio. Angela is a self proclaimed nerd, demi-girl, and avid role player, has always been passionate about creating a safe space for diverse populations including LGBTQ+ and neurodivergent folks. Using an intersectional approach, Angela helps her clients understand how their lived experience, including s…

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Staying Connected: Friendship, Challenges, and the Stories That Help Us Understand 31:08

10M ago31:08

31:08

Join me in this episode of Reading To Connect as I sit down with Hope Larson, New York Times bestselling and multi-Eisner award-winning cartoonist, to talk about her new middle-grade graphic novel, Very Bad at Math. We dive into the power of shared reading experiences, the impact of learning differences like dyscalculia, and how books can help kids…

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When I Hear Spirituals: A Children’s Book Rooted in the Beauty and Deep History of Black Music 42:18

10M ago42:18

42:18

Join me in this episode of Reading To Connect as I sit down with Cheryl Willis Hudson, author of When I Hear Spirituals and co-founder of Just Us Books, to explore how music, storytelling, and Black history come together in children’s books. We dive into the rich legacy of spirituals, how they carry the voices of our ancestors, and why these songs …

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A 10-Year-Old’s Take on Trump: What Sandcastles Teach Us About Power and the Power of Story 8:22

11M ago8:22

8:22

Can Stories Build a More Just World for Our Children? In this heartfelt episode, I share a powerful conversation with my 10-year-old son, Aidyn, sparked during our morning drive to school. His reflection on Donald Trump’s proposal to eliminate the Department of Education stopped me in my tracks: “What does he think America is? His playbox? All he’s…

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Resisting Erasure: The Power of Black Stories & Women’s History in Children’s Books 37:04

11M ago37:04

37:04

Join me in this episode of Reading To Connect as I sit down with Rio Cortez, author of The ABCs of Black History and The ABCs of Women’s History, to explore how children’s books can resist erasure and bring diverse voices to the forefront of history. We dive into the power of representation in children’s literature, the thought process behind selec…

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Let’s Read Together—The 28-Day Read Black Voices Challenge 📚💕 15:07

11M ago15:07

15:07

Join Our 28-Day Read Black Voices for BHM Reading Challenge! 📚✨ It’s here! Our 28-Day Read Black Voices for BHM Reading Challenge invites you to read books featuring Black main characters or written by Black authors—one intentional moment of reading at a time. But don’t worry—it’s not about finishing the book. The goal is simple: start reading, con…

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Building the Future: Kids as Social Change Makers in a Complex World 32:01

11M ago32:01

32:01

Join me in this episode of Reading To Connect as I chat with Deepa Iyer, author of We Are The Builders!, about introducing kids to social change in a way they can understand and act on. Deepa’s book inspires children to see themselves as active change makers in their communities, whether through roles like "experimenter" or "caregiver." We dive int…

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When Family Reading Feels Like a Struggle 📚💕 7:00

12M ago7:00

7:00

In this episode, Quinn Cummings dives into the heart of family reading. If you’ve ever felt guilty about not reading enough with your kids, you’re not alone—and this episode is for you. Quinn challenges the idea that literacy alone is enough to motivate busy parents, especially when kids are surrounded by books and reading in school. Instead, she s…

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A reminder to stay open 📚💕 4:55

12M ago4:55

4:55

In this heartfelt episode, host Quinn shares a touching story about a quiet Saturday spent with her son, Aidyn. While engrossed in Ta-Nehisi Coates' "A Beautiful Struggle," Quinn is drawn into an unexpected and profound conversation initiated by Aidyn's curiosity about the Bible and the wildfires in LA. This moment of connection reveals the incredi…

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Transforming Reading Time: What’s Ahead for You in 2025 9:16

12M ago9:16

9:16

Welcome to 2025! In this episode, I’m reflecting on the journey of rebuilding Reading to Connect, sharing exciting updates, and revealing what’s next for the mission. Learn how The ENGAGE Method™ transforms books into tools for deeper family connections and why we’ve shifted focus to prioritize impact. Whether you’re here to listen, learn, or take …

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A Conversation with Aaron Blabey, Creator of The Bad Guys 13:32

1y ago13:32

13:32

In this short and lively episode, we’re joined by bestselling author Aaron Blabey, the creator of The Bad Guys series. Aidyn and I dive into the inspiring story of how Aaron’s desire to help his son fall in love with reading sparked a global phenomenon. Aaron shares insights on the persistence it took to bring The Bad Guys to life, the deeper theme…

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Kari-Aidyn 36:26

1y ago36:26

36:26

This week’s episode features Kari-Aidyn, a beloved member of The Transverse family that we lost in August of 2024 to heart disease complications. Kari-Aidyn was a long time family member of The Transverse. She started out as a fan and supporter of The Transgender Show, then became a mod on the Twitch channel and Discord server, then became the prod…

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Stories as Shields: Building Empathy in a Divided World 47:25

1y ago47:25

47:25

In this week’s episode of Reading to Connect, we’re joined by Christy Mandin, the creative mind behind Millie Fleur's Poison Garden. Christy shares how her picture books inspire children to embrace their unique selves, helping parents foster resilience and self-acceptance in their kids. We discuss how simple affirmations and gentle encouragement ca…

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Our Children & The Power of Self-Acceptance 35:15

1y ago35:15

35:15

In this week’s episode of Reading to Connect, we’re joined by Christy Mandin, the creative mind behind Millie Fleur's Poison Garden. Christy shares how her picture books inspire children to embrace their unique selves, helping parents foster resilience and self-acceptance in their kids. We discuss how simple affirmations and gentle encouragement ca…

1
Storytelling, Friendship, and Connecting Through Books 35:09

1y ago35:09

35:09

In this episode of the Reading To Connect Show, host Quinn Cummings sits down with Dork Diaries creator Rachel Renee Russell and her daughter, Nikki Russell, to discuss the 16th book in the beloved series. Together, they explore the magic of chapter books, the transition from picture books to longer stories, and how parents can bond with their chil…

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Kasen Truth 28:29

1+ y ago28:29

28:29

This week on the show is Kasen Truth, a 32 year old trans man who is currently living in Baltimore, Maryland with his wife. Originally born and raised in Houston, TX, he’s an advocate for social justice, 1/2 of renskaise on YouTube, photographer and a social worker. ★ Support this podcast on Patreon ★…

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Partner: Adrienne Wehr 1:08:18

1+ y ago1:08:18

1:08:18

Adrienne Janene Wehr is a multi-disciplinary artist, and story teller and the cisgender wife of former guest Jessika Janene. Included among Adrienne's myriad stories projects are: In the Company of Ghosts (a multi-disciplinary stage performance that she produced, co-created and co-performed), The Bread, My Sweet (an award winning indie film she pro…

1
Gabe Lorca 57:10

1+ y ago57:10

57:10

By The Transverse Media

1
Ryan Cassata 41:22

1+ y ago41:22

41:22

Ryan Cassata (he/him) is an award-winning singer-songwriter, actor, performer, published writer, LGBTQ+ activist, and transgender motivational speaker. Ryan's music and story has been showcased on The Larry King Live Show, The Tyra Banks Show, CNN, GRAMMY.com, Rolling Stone, Billboard, The New York Times, Newsweek, and The NY Daily News. Ryan has b…

1
Ruth E. Macy & Courtney Naliboff 49:04

1+ y ago49:04

49:04

Ruth E. Macy and Courtney Naliboff are the co-authors of Your Postpartum Body, the first book for people of all gender identities and childbirth experiences to fully address the phisical experience AFTER pregnancy. Both are passionate about education, inclusion, and allyship. They saw that the physical changes and challenges people face postpartum …

1
Wendy Cole 1:04:23

1+ y ago1:04:23

1:04:23

As a Transition Mentor, Wendy Cole uses her life experiences to help clients face the significant life changes that come with gender transition. Since 2017, Wendy has guided others through this process. She believes in the mind’s powers; she practices mindfulness, shifting her beliefs and energy to support herself going forward, making profound cha…

1
Krystal 41:06

1+ y ago41:06

41:06

Krystal is a woman of many talents. She is a dedicated Field Service Technician with a diverse educational background. She holds qualifications in Aircraft Maintenance, both in civilian and military fields, and graduated in the top 5 of her class from an LPN Nursing program. Currently, Krystal is expanding her horizons by studying Animation and Vid…

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Gender Without Identity with authors Avgi Saketopoulou and Ann Pellegrini 1:12:43

1+ y ago1:12:43

1:12:43

This week on the show, Emily speaks with the authors of Gender Without Identity. Ann Pellegrini and Avgi Saketopoulou are psychoanalysts who have focused their attention on gender and sexual identity. In their work, they have found the notion of a “core gender identity” or the “born this way” argument too simplistic and even problematic. All gender…

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Jasmine Vine 59:54

1+ y ago59:54

59:54

This week's guest is Jasmine Vine, a 25 year old transgender woman from Adelaide, South Australia and host of the Trans Boss Podcast. Her story is one of great hardship including bullying, domestic violence, serious mental illness, and both parents dying by 21, yet she's overcome it all to become a powerhouse inspiration to her thousands of followe…

1
Toni Leslie 53:50

1+ y ago53:50

53:50

Tuesday night, Emily welcomes Toni Leslie to The Transgender Show. She's a Native American transgender female writer and artist From upstate New York. Her many past jobs have included professional photographer, contractor, pilot, radio station DJ, and photo collage artist. Toni is currently working as a peer recovery coach in addiction and working …

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Dean FM 24:52

2y ago24:52

24:52

Dean FM (Dean-Fraser Milford) is a Boston Massachusetts based non-binary rapper, activist and influencer. His music encapsulates eclectic thoughts that scat over percussive rhythms and exotic sounds. His performances exude drag culture and satiric expression. In 2016, Dean released his debut EP “Watch It”, which received local and national coverage…

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Amethysta Herrick, Ph.D. 54:58

2y ago54:58

54:58

Amethysta Herrick, Ph.D. is a writer, podcaster, and activist. Her works focuses on the origin and nature of identity, especially gender. Ami has been a geneticist, a chemist, a software engineer, and a manager, but her greatest challenge to date is taking on the entrenched fallacy that identity and gender are only of concern to the LGBTQ community…

1
Kalie Hargrove 1:03:14

2y ago1:03:14

1:03:14

Kalie is an ordained pastor in Georgia and an advocate for LGBTQIA+ inclusion in religious institutions. She has a passion for building community and supporting and protecting the rights of individuals. She was dismissed from her seminary after being outed as trans. She joined the lawsuit challenging religious exemptions in Title IX in order to sto…

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Corey Schiller (aka Goose) 1:13:55

2y ago1:13:55

1:13:55

Corey is a transgender man who began his gender journey 21 years ago at the age of 25. Since then, he's lived mostly in stealth and integrated into male culture undetected. He worked as an automotive mechanic for 10 years before beginning his spiritual journey on the Appalachian Trail in 2011. That adventure taught him a lot about true strength and…

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Van Ethan Levy 45:18

2y ago45:18

45:18

Van is a queer, non-binary, socialized as female, autistic, trans person dedicated to social justice. They are dually licensed as a Marriage & Family Therapist and a Professional Clinical Counselor. Van is passionate about holding space for all intersections of one’s identity(ies). Van aims to use a trauma informed lens to help folks learn ways to …

1
Justice Renée 56:29

2y ago56:29

56:29

Justice Renée, born trans-female, was raised in a Fundamentalist Evangelical Home. Her father was a leader in the Young Earth/Creation Science movement in Utah and surrounding states through the 1980s and 90s. She was taught through shame to hate her trans identity. In her preteens, Justice dedicated her life to Jesus and began ministry work with h…

1
Shannon McDill 59:52

2y ago59:52

59:52

A New Jersey native, Shannon is a graduate of Rutgers University, with a concentration in Historic Preservation and Political Science. She is a digital creator with content focusing on gender, race, and social justice. With her wife Rachel she co-hosts the podcast 'Our Life In Transition'. You can also find her every week boosting transition posts …

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Laser Malena-Weber 48:05

2y ago48:05

48:05

Laser Malena-Webber is musician and writer — known for their nerdy folk-pop band the Doubleclicks. The Doubleclicks sing about dinosaurs, cats, and queer feelngs. Laser's latest project is the musical Teaching a Robot to Love, which just debuted on the Billboard Cast Albums chart. Teaching A Robot To Love is a story about change, acceptance, queer …

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Mallery Jenna Robinson 54:36

2y ago54:36

54:36

This week on The Transgender Show, Emily welcomes Mallery Jenna Robinson, an AfraCarribean Transwoman and transgender and HIV healthcare advocate in Los Angeles. From 2019-2021 Mallery worked with The LGBTQ Center Long Beach in their Transgender Health Department, responsible for case management of clients, linkage to care, PrEP and PEP services, S…

1
Daniel Wilson 51:24

2y ago51:24

51:24

Daniel is a 37-year old working-class transgender veteran running a nonpartisan grassroots congressional campaign for California’s 38th Assembly District. He was born and raised in Maryland by a hard-working single mom. Daniel started working at 14, came out as a lesbian at 16, and graduated from high school the year after 9/11. Unable to break the…

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Dr. Jé Exodus Hooper 1:16:26

2y ago1:16:26

1:16:26

Dr. Jé Exodus Hooper (they/them) teaches Theatre History, is a doctor of the Arts and Theology, and an Ethical Humanist clergy. Both as performer and clergy within the Ethical Culture Movement and First Unitarian Society of Minneapolis, their ritual-based performance is grounded in the act of homiletics, decolonial Humanism and Black Intellectual T…

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Serving Joy in Every Page: Winsome Bingham on Children's Literature - Encore Presentation 36:53

2y ago36:53

36:53

This episode is our favorite annual Thanksgiving special and we are excited to dive into it with our special guest, Winsome Bingham. A US Army veteran and educator, Winsome is the author of the delightful children's book "Soul Food Sunday". In the first segment of the episode, Winsome shares about her creative process, passion for cooking, and love…

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Embracing Adventure, Imagination, & Homeschooling Insights with Courtney B. Dunlap 31:41

2y ago31:41

31:41

Have you ever been captivated by a child's expansive imagination? Have you wondered at the transformative power of books in a child's life? We've been exploring these themes with Courtney B Dunlap, author of The Rumble Hunters and a dedicated home educator. Courtney, a former mental health professional and now a mother of four, took us on an inspir…

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Jessica (Jess.Rising) 1:04:41

2y ago1:04:41

1:04:41

This week on the show is Jessica, a trans, bi, ace computer programmer by day and D&D Dungeon Master by night. ★ Support this podcast on Patreon ★By The Transverse Media

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Crafting Courage in Kids: How 'Hurricamp!' by Steph Katzovi Inspires Young Independence 35:25

2y ago35:25

35:25

Welcome to a journey of independence, resilience, and family bonding in this episode of Parenting & Bonding w/ children's Books, as we sit down with author Steph Katzovi. Discover her inspiring chapter book, 'Hurricamp,' where childhood memories of summer camp blend into a tale of growth and self-discovery. Steph's story dives into the heart of a y…

1
Unlocking Parent-Child Ties through Musical Storytime with Amanda Seibert 25:21

2y ago25:21

25:21

Have you ever sung your child to sleep and felt that incredible bond, that unique connection that only a lullaby can create? That's precisely the magic we explore with Amanda Seibert, founder of Mama Sing My Song. Amanda shares her wonderful journey of turning her child's name into a lullaby that eventually inspired her to establish her unique vent…