Gender Matters: Insights from a Physician

In this episode of Gender Matters: Insights from a Physician, Dr. Shannon and Bandit kick off a new series in response to "The Protocol," The New York Times' limited podcast on gender-affirming care.

This first conversation centers on Episode 1, which explores the origin of youth medical transition. As a physician and longtime gender educator, Dr. Shannon dissects subtle moments of bias that might go unnoticed to most...

If you’ve ever wondered, “What if they change their mind?”—you’re not alone. This episode breaks down the newest data on how often trans youth stop hormone therapy and retransition to a cisgender identity.

We walk through a 2025 study of over 1,000 adolescents and explore what it really tells us—about numbers, nuance, and how we think about gender-affirming care.

📚 Citation:
 Boskey ER, Scheffey KL, Pilcher S, et al. A Retrospec...

Bandit is back!

This time to talk through Utah’s newly released findings on gender-affirming care for youth. In this episode, we break down what the report actually says, why it matters, and why it’s being ignored.

One of us is a physician. The other? A thoughtful outsider with no personal stake in the issue—just honest questions shaped by headlines and algorithms.

Together, we explore what gender-affirming care really includes, how m...

What if the thing you’ve been told is a fact… is actually just an assumption?

In this episode of Gender Matters: Insights from a Physician, we take a closer look at fertility and gender-affirming care for youth. From social and medical transition to puberty blockers and hormones, we break down what we know, what we don’t, and what we’re still trying to learn.

If fertility concerns are shaping your views on gender-affirming care, this...

In this follow-up episode, I answer honest gender questions from a friend in a space grounded in curiosity, not debate. We talk about student names, parental rights, and how to handle pronoun mistakes with care. A practical, thoughtful conversation for anyone still learning and wanting to understand more.

Enjoyed this episode? Share it on social media or send the link to a colleague or a friend who’s curious about learning more abou...

"Rapid onset gender dysphoria" sounds urgent, but is it even real? In this episode of Gender Matters: Insights from a Physician, I trace the origins of the term, explore why it resonates with some parents, and explain why the science does not support it.

We look at how the idea caught on, what is missing from the research, and what is actually happening when teens come out. Spoiler: it is not rapid, and it is definitely no...

This week’s episode is a little different.

I invited a friend I’ve known since high school onto the podcast to ask me anything about gender. He describes himself as curious but unfamiliar with the topic, and while he’s never felt personally connected to the conversation, he’s been wondering why so many others care deeply.

He didn’t tell me his questions ahead of time. This is an unscripted, honest exchange between two friends. One is...

Transgender rights are often mislabeled as a "far-left" issue, but that framing erases the humanity at the center of the conversation. In this episode, I call out the confusion between political strategies and basic human rights, and why it's crucial to remember we're talking about people, not politics.

I also share a list of memoirs and stories to deepen your understanding, including:

• Sissy by Jacob Tobia
• Page...

Everyone says they’re protecting kids. But what does real protection look like?

Inspired by elephants during a San Diego earthquake, this episode offers a five-part “elephant test” for adults on all sides of the gender-affirming care debate. Whether you're supporting or opposing care, are you truly protecting the children you claim to defend?

Enjoyed this episode? Share it on social media or send the link to a colleague or a fri...

Why is gender-affirming care expected to be flawless when no other area of medicine is? In this episode, we unpack what “perfection” really means in this context—the idea that even one bad outcome is treated not as an individual case to learn from, but as evidence that the entire system is broken.

In most areas of medicine, unusual outcomes are examined as outliers. But with gender-affirming care, those rare exceptions often oversha...

The common misuse of the term “Spanish” to describe any Spanish-speaking patient stuck with me—and years later, it became the perfect analogy for a much deeper misunderstanding: the difference between sex and gender. In this episode, I explore why definitions matter and how neither public opinion nor executive orders change the biological and social realities these terms represent.

What happens when the facts stay the same, but the ...

In this special episode, I step away from my usual format to share a personal story that lives at the intersection of visibility, history, and love.

What does it mean for a young transgender person to see themselves reflected in the world? And how can families, even those who don’t share the same identity, offer connection through shared learning?

Join me at my computer—literally—where years ago, I sat with someone I love and explore...

We all know numbers can be misleading—but what happens when distorted facts are used to justify taking away people’s rights?

In this episode, I break down some of the most common narratives used to stir fear and confusion about transgender people—from bathrooms to sports to military service. Many of these stories aren’t just misleading—they’re factually incorrect. Still, they continue to shape public opinion and policy.

Rather than o...

A recent change to Homeland Security policy has raised serious concerns for transgender individuals and their families. In this episode, we explore how the removal of gender identity from protected categories could impact privacy, safety, and trust—both in society and within medical spaces.

For healthcare providers, this shift isn’t just political—it directly affects patient relationships and the information patients feel safe discl...

When discussing transgender girls in sports, accuracy matters. No matter your stance, one correction is essential: transgender girls are not "boys playing girls’ sports." This distinction isn't just about respect—it’s about scientific accuracy.

In this episode, I break down why this mislabeling is biologically incorrect and how it has fueled broad bans on transgender athletes. I also discuss recent research on physica...

Does Your Hospital System Need to Reassess?

Sex markers are everywhere in healthcare—from ID bracelets to patient boards—but does their constant presence actually help deliver better care? Or does it do more harm than good? In this episode, I challenge the assumption that displaying sex everywhere improves patient care. You’ll learn how this overlooked detail leads to misgendering, incorrect assumptions about anatomy, and discomfort...

Think your department has gender competency covered? What if the very confidence that you're "good" is the biggest red flag?

In this episode, I break down the common pitfalls of assuming gender competency is a one-and-done achievement. How do you measure real progress? What’s missing when your efforts aren’t reflected in patient experiences—or even on your website?

Listen in to challenge assumptions, adopt a growth min...

When an executive order threatens gender-affirming care, emotions run high—for patients, families, and providers alike. It’s easy to feel frustrated, villainized, or even ready to walk away. But how do you stay committed to your values when the system makes it harder to do so?

Whether you directly provide gender-affirming care or simply support those who do, this episode offers insight into navigating frustration, staying grounded, ...

As federal websites erase mentions of “transgender,” how can medical professionals ensure all patients remain visible? In this episode, Dr. Shannon breaks down the critical role providers play in upholding medical accuracy—not just for ethical care, but for scientific integrity.

She explains why distinguishing between sex and gender isn’t just inclusive—it’s essential for accurate medical practice. From ultrasound terminology to pat...