You Must Be Some Kind of Therapist

Today I sit down with my friend Anita Bartholomew, a magazine journalist and author, to discuss her new book Sacrificial Lambs: Liberal Reporter Exposes How the Progressive Left Harms Children in the Name of Gender Ideology. This is Anita's second appearance on the show, and this time she walks us through the findings of her thorough investigation into how gender ideology functions as a predatory movement targeting today's youth.
We dig into the disturbing reality of what's being taught in K-12 public schools under the banner of "comprehensive sexuality education" — from second-grade anatomy lessons designed around queer theory to explicitly sexual library books being promoted to middle schoolers. Anita reads excerpts from books like "All Boys Aren't Blue," "Beyond Magenta," and "Gender Queer" that are sitting on school library shelves, and we explore how this curriculum systematically breaks down children's natural psychological boundaries.
We also examine the mainstream media's role in propping up the gender ideology narrative, looking at how outlets like the New York Times dismissed the Cass Report and continue to misrepresent reality. I share my perspective as a psychotherapist on how premature exposure to sexual content can confuse children's developing sense of sexuality and identity. We discuss what parents can do to protect their kids, why pressuring media for accurate reporting may be the most powerful long-term strategy, and why Anita believes the evidence overwhelmingly shows that there is no such thing as a "trans kid." Follow her on X @AnitaBart.
Anita Bartholomew's Substack
Anitabartholomew.com
[00:00:00] Start
[00:04:17] Why Anita Wrote Sacrificial Lambs
[00:06:22] What K-12 Schools Are Teaching Children
[00:12:15] Queer Theory Origins and Gayle Rubin
[00:14:44] Pornographic Books in School Libraries
[00:21:39] Academics Calling Children Sexual Beings
[00:24:53] Psychological Harm of Premature Sexual Content
[00:32:26] Comprehensive Sex Ed as Indoctrination
[00:35:04] How Media Indoctrinated Adults First
[00:37:46] NYT, Vox, and AP Headlines Exposed
[00:44:33] Sunk Cost, Money, and Who Pulls the Strings
[00:54:16] Advice for Parents in Captured Schools
[00:59:15] A Letter Writing Campaign for Change
[01:05:15] What Else Is in the Book
[01:12:00] Families Torn Apart by Gender Ideology
ROGD REPAIR Course + Community gives concerned parents instant access to over 120 lessons providing the psychological insights and communication tools you need to get through to your kid. Now featuring 24/7 personalized AI support implementing the tools with RepairBot! Use code SOMETHERAPIST2026 to take 50% off your first month.

PODCOURSES: use code SOMETHERAPIST at LisaMustard.com/PodCourses

TALK TO ME: book a meeting.

PRODUCTION: Looking for your own podcast producer? Visit PodsByNick.com and mention my podcast for 20% off your initial services.

SUPPORT THE SHOW: subscribe, like, comment, & share or donate.

Watch NO WAY BACK: The Reality of Gender-Affirming Care. Use code SOMETHERAPIST to take 20% off your order.

MUSIC: Thanks to Joey Pecoraro for our song, “Half Awake,” used with gratitude & permission.

 ALL OTHER LINKS 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 ★

Today I sit down with investigative reporter Benjamin Ryan, who was the only journalist present for the entirety of the historic Variant v. Einhorn trial — the first detransition malpractice lawsuit in the world to reach a jury verdict. Ben has been covering pediatric gender medicine for three years for outlets including the New York Times, NBC News, the New York Sun, and the Free Press, and he brings an extraordinary level of detail to this conversation.
We dive into the case of Fox Variant, a young woman diagnosed with autism who underwent a double mastectomy at age 16 after her psychologist, Kenneth Einhorn, wrote a referral letter riddled with errors and omissions — including listing body dysmorphic disorder instead of gender dysphoria. We discuss how the jury found Einhorn 70% responsible and plastic surgeon Dr. Chin 30% responsible for a $2 million award, the devastating testimony from Fox's mother about being coerced with suicide threats, and the critical communication failures between the psychologist and surgeon. We also explore what this verdict means for the nearly 30 other detransition lawsuits currently pending, why WPATH's standards of care were largely sidelined in the trial, and the broader implications for the field of pediatric gender medicine. I also share my own perspective as a therapist who worked for a group practice later acquired by the same company that employed Einhorn.
Benjamin Ryan is an independent reporter who has been covering pediatric gender medicine for the past three years, including on his Substack: benryan.substack.com. He writes for publications such as The New York Times, NBC News and The New York Sun and covered the detransitioner trial for The Free Press. Follow him @BenRyanWriter on X or BlueSky.
BenRyan.net
Benjamin's article in the Free Press, A Legal First That Could Change Gender Medicine
[00:00:00] Start
[00:00:54] Introducing Reporter Benjamin Ryan
[00:09:38] Fox Variant's Background and Rapid Transition
[00:18:35] Were WPATH Guidelines Actually on Trial?
[00:25:30] Disturbing Revelations From Einhorn's Treatment
[00:35:15] Changing the Body to Treat the Mind
[00:46:41] The Joanna Olson-Kennedy Lawsuit
[00:55:32] The Jury Verdict Question by Question
[01:06:41] Einhorn's Visible Devastation in Court
[01:13:04] Q&A: Technicality or Broader Indictment?
[01:31:31] What If WPATH Were Followed Perfectly?
ROGD REPAIR Course + Community gives concerned parents instant access to over 120 lessons providing the psychological insights and communication tools you need to get through to your kid. Now featuring 24/7 personalized AI support implementing the tools with RepairBot! Use code SOMETHERAPIST2026 to take 50% off your first month.

PODCOURSES: use code SOMETHERAPIST at LisaMustard.com/PodCourses

TALK TO ME: book a meeting.

PRODUCTION: Looking for your own podcast producer? Visit PodsByNick.com and mention my podcast for 20% off your initial services.

SUPPORT THE SHOW: subscribe, like, comment, & share or donate.

Watch NO WAY BACK: The Reality of Gender-Affirming Care. Use code SOMETHERAPIST to take 20% off your order.

MUSIC: Thanks to Joey Pecoraro for our song, “Half Awake,” used with gratitude & permission.

 ALL OTHER LINKS 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 ★

In this episode, I sit down with Dr. Michael Ziffra, a psychiatrist and associate professor at Northwestern University who specializes in anxiety disorders. Dr. Ziffra has been writing a Substack series called "Wise Mind in Anxious Times," exploring how we can better navigate the intersection of mental health and our turbulent political landscape.

We begin by discussing the alarming advice that made headlines—a Yale psychiatrist suggesting people should avoid family members who voted differently than them. Dr. Ziffra and I unpack why avoidance is the exact opposite of what we'd normally recommend for anxiety, and how vilifying language creates a vicious cycle that intensifies fear and paranoia. He offers practical wisdom on how softening our language can open doors to genuine dialogue.

From there, we dive deep into the world of psychiatric medication. Dr. Ziffra helps demystify the "chemical imbalance" theory, explaining why "dysfunction" is a better term than "imbalance" since we can't actually measure neurotransmitter levels the way we can check vitamin D. We explore fascinating territory including opioid receptors and depression, how low-dose naltrexone works, the dangers of chronic benzodiazepine use, and why tapering off medications requires far more patience than most people realize. We also discuss the overlooked impacts of birth control on young women's mental health, sleep disorders that masquerade as psychiatric conditions, and the emerging questions around weight loss drugs and ketamine for treatment-resistant depression.

Dr. Michael Ziffra is a psychiatrist and Associate Professor at Northwestern University, specializing in anxiety and mood disorders. Dr. Ziffra also is the author of “Wise Mind in Anxious Times”, a series on Substack exploring the interface between mental health and our sociopolitical climate. Its aim is to provide analysis and commentary from a mental health specialist with insight into why we experience anxiety about particular issues and happenings, and how to better manage that anxiety. Follow him on Substack, X, or Instagram.

[00:00:00] Start
[00:00:40] Guest Introduction: Dr. Michael Ziffra
[00:02:28] Yale Psychiatrist's Bad Advice on Family
[00:09:39] What Does a Psychiatrist Actually Do?
[00:12:03] The Chemical Imbalance Theory Explained
[00:18:02] Low-Dose Naltrexone and Opioid Receptors
[00:23:27] Benzodiazepines: Dangers and Dependence
[00:31:00] Safe Medication Tapering Strategies
[00:38:29] Nicotine Addiction and Smoking Cessation
[00:43:15] Psychiatry Beyond Just Medication
[00:47:30] Birth Control and Mental Health
[00:51:47] Sleep Disorders That Mimic Depression
[00:55:01] Weight Loss Drugs: Psychological Effects
[01:00:52] Ketamine for Treatment-Resistant Depression
[01:12:06] Where to Find Dr. Ziffra
ROGD REPAIR Course + Community gives concerned parents instant access to over 120 lessons providing the psychological insights and communication tools you need to get through to your kid. Now featuring 24/7 personalized AI support implementing the tools with RepairBot! Use code SOMETHERAPIST2025 to take 50% off your first month.

PODCOURSES: use code SOMETHERAPIST at LisaMustard.com/PodCourses

TALK TO ME: book a meeting.

PRODUCTION: Looking for your own podcast producer? Visit PodsByNick.com and mention my podcast for 20% off your initial services.

SUPPORT THE SHOW: subscribe, like, comment, & share or donate.

Watch NO WAY BACK: The Reality of Gender-Affirming Care. Use code SOMETHERAPIST to take 20% off your order.

MUSIC: Thanks to Joey Pecoraro for our song, “Half Awake,” used with gratitude & permission.

 ALL OTHER LINKS 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 ★

In this inaugural roundtable discussion, I dive headfirst into one of the most contentious topics at the intersection of faith and science: psychedelics and Christianity. As a relatively new Christian myself, I've been wrestling with what believers should think about these powerful substances—especially after interviewing guests whose lives were transformed by psychedelic experiences, including detransitioners who credit these substances with helping them see through lies they'd built their lives upon.

I've gathered four fascinating voices for this conversation, each bringing unique expertise and perspectives. Louie Locke, a pastor of 26 years from Reno, Nevada, rates himself a one out of ten—firmly opposed to psychedelic use from a Christian perspective. He explains his concerns about entering the "second heaven" or spirit realm through means other than Jesus, warning of spiritual doors that may be opened through such substances.

Cameron English, a science journalist and director of biosciences at the American Council on Science and Health, brings skepticism from both scientific and theological angles, noting the poor quality of research and drawing parallels to problematic harm reduction movements.

Daniel Elliot, an Air Force veteran and counselor who has conducted research on psilocybin and spiritual wellbeing, offers a cautious middle ground as a five, distinguishing between natural substances like psilocybin and synthetic ones like MDMA.

Dr. Liza Lockwood, an emergency medicine physician and medical toxicologist, presents the highest rating at seven, explaining her interest in the therapeutic potential for treating refractory depression while sharing the fascinating history of ergot poisoning from the Salem Witch Trials to the discovery of LSD.

Together we explore the Greek concept of pharmakeia, whether psychedelics might be connected to the tree of knowledge of good and evil, what harm reduction really means in practice, and whether Christians should be involved in psychedelic-assisted therapy settings. This is just the first in a series exploring these questions—questions that don't have easy answers but deserve thoughtful Christian engagement.

Books mentioned:
-Imagine Heaven and Imagine The God of Heaven by John Burke
-The Great Divorce by C.S. Lewis

---

WHERE TO FIND THE GUESTS

Louie D Locke is the Lead Pastor of Hillside Church in Reno, Nevada, where he has served for 26 years, and also oversees eight churches across Northern Nevada and Eastern California as an Area Pastor. Married to Joni for 36 years with three adult children and eight grandchildren, Louie's life mission is to help people understand and follow God's plan, guiding them toward spiritual wholeness and mature discipleship grounded in biblical integrity. A lifelong learner with passion for history, theology, and thoughtful discussion, he enjoys exploring complex biblical topics and applying Christian principles to everyday life.
- X/Twitter: @scoeyd
- Church website: hillside4.org

Cameron English is a writer, editor and co-host of the Science Facts and Fallacies Podcast. Before joining ACSH, he was managing editor at the Genetic Literacy Project, a nonprofit committed to aiding the public, media, and policymakers by promoting science literacy.
- X/Twitter: @CamJEnglish
- Website: acsh.org (American Council on Science and Health)
- Podcast: Science Facts and Fallacies (with Dr. Liza Lockwood)

Daniel Mark Elliott Jr., LMHCA, is a Protestant psychoanalytic counselor specializing in psychosis, dissociation, and cultural fragmentation. An Air Force veteran, psychedelic researcher, and founded Mad River Counseling. He is currently writing a book titled My Psychosis while developing a framework on how minds form reality, coherence, and meaning in fragmented societies.
- X/Twitter: @Olaf_The_Third
- Website: mad-river.org

Dr. S. Eliza Lockwood is an emergency medicine physician and medical toxicologist who completed her fellowship at NYU in 2006 and went on to establish an ACGME-accredited program at Washington University in St. Louis. Driven by a passion for sustainable global health solutions, she has organized humanitarian relief efforts, founded a global health scholar track, and now serves as Medical Affairs Lead for Bayer, focusing on innovative approaches to malnutrition and disease prevention in developing countries. She lectures nationally and internationally on medical toxicology, tropical medicine, and global health.
- X/Twitter: @DrLizaMD
- LinkedIn: Liza Lockwood
- Podcast: Science Facts and Fallacies (with Cameron English)
- Weekly X Space: Thursdays 4-6 PM Central (with Cam and John Entine) discussing science and faith topics

[00:00:00] Start
[00:00:47] Introduction to Psychedelics and Christianity Roundtable
[00:02:30] Rating Scale Explained: One to Ten
[00:03:25] Louie Locke Introduction: Pastor, Rating One
[00:05:23] Cameron English Introduction: Science Journalist, Rating Two
[00:07:13] Daniel Elliot Introduction: Veteran and Counselor, Rating Five
[00:08:14] Dr. Liza Lockwood Introduction: Toxicologist, Rating Seven
[00:09:16] Why This Topic Matters to Stephanie
[00:11:30] Louie Explains His Opposition to Psychedelics
[00:19:22] Defining Pharmakeia and Biblical Sorcery
[00:25:26] Cam's Journey Through Depression to Faith
[00:38:17] Daniel on Natural vs Synthetic Substances
[00:55:50] Dr. Liza's Scientific Perspective as a Seven
[00:57:22] Salem Witch Trials to LSD: A History
[01:10:32] Mid-Episode Break
[01:19:45] Defining Harm Reduction and Its Failures
[01:35:01] Psychedelics and the Tree of Knowledge
[01:47:30] Brian Johnson's Psilocybin and Transhumanism
[02:01:06] Seeking God in Mistaken Ways
[02:05:20] Final Thoughts from the Panel
[02:12:45] Where to Find the Guests
ROGD REPAIR Course + Community gives concerned parents instant access to over 120 lessons providing the psychological insights and communication tools you need to get through to your kid. Now featuring 24/7 personalized AI support implementing the tools with RepairBot! Use code SOMETHERAPIST2025 to take 50% off your first month.

PODCOURSES: use code SOMETHERAPIST at LisaMustard.com/PodCourses

TALK TO ME: book a meeting.

PRODUCTION: Looking for your own podcast producer? Visit PodsByNick.com and mention my podcast for 20% off your initial services.

SUPPORT THE SHOW: subscribe, like, comment, & share or donate.

Watch NO WAY BACK: The Reality of Gender-Affirming Care. Use code SOMETHERAPIST to take 20% off your order.

MUSIC: Thanks to Joey Pe...

Listen on headphones or speakers for best results.
Today we were going to air the first “Psychedelics and Christianity” panel, but then a crisis hit our family: my husband fell and broke both bones in his left forearm, while rock climbing with our kids.
When I got his call from the ER, I was 2500 miles away, working remotely on ROGD Repair from a peaceful Airbnb in Holualoa, Hawaii, where I was recharging on a solo trip. Needless to say, the news hit hard; it felt like the ground dropped out from under me.
There was a crisis whirlwind: catching up to speed on the situation; coordinating with my husband, doctors and nurses, friends and family; and figuring out how to get home quickly, despite his insistence I stay in Hawaii and somehow “enjoy” my birthday there despite knowing the love of my life was suffering without me.
When I got home, I was thankful to our amazing friends who had risen to the occasion and cared for him in my absence, but it was clear that the severity of the situation had been downplayed. My first full day back was spent handling the chaos of our home in disarray, coordinating overworked and saintly friends, and quickly catching up to speed on his pain, medications, mobility issues, caregiving needs, and surgery plan. Not to mention the psychological adjustment to finding the man who'd spent so much time taking care of me suddenly being the helpless patient in need of tending. That day also happened to be my birthday, which I'd originally planned to spend boogie boarding and whale watching. Bless my husband’s heart — he still made sure a friend picked up a dessert for me. But I chose to save most of the presents he’d prepared well in advance for a day with a more celebratory mood. What mattered was that he be able to have surgery as quickly as possible, that we be adequately prepared, and that he not further injure himself while his bones were loose.
Thankfully, the orthopedic surgeon was able to get my husband in the very next day, and despite the sickening level of anxiety I felt in the waiting room, the procedure went as well as it could have: he had great bones, a clean fracture, excellent range of motion and an ideal recovery prognosis.
My husband now has plates and screws in his arm; a bandage/splint/sling situation; and a schedule of pain relief, ice, and elevation. He’s encouraged to move gently, and will begin occupational therapy in two weeks when the sutures are removed. Meanwhile, I'm adjusting to my new role as my responsibilities have drastically increased to include both nursing him, and taking over all the chores and errands he used to handle. I'm in one of those chapters where all you can do is focus on the next thing you must do.
Although my husband should be resting, we are also dealing with a completely separate issue, a private family situation causing loads of stress and costing even greater loads of money. So while he's on the couch with his arm elevated and iced, he's still working remotely on what he can to ameliorate the other thing.
We were prepared for a rainy day, even a stormy one. We just weren't prepared to be pelted with hail the size of golf balls.
This feels like a sneak preview into the reality of aging.
With his one good hand, my poor sweet husband was going to try to make sure to get you this week’s episode as usual. But I see no reason not to save that for next week with all we’re going through. Especially not when I have this amazing recording we can use. This took him minutes to assemble, not hours.
See, before the accident, one morning in Holualoa, HI, I woke up before dawn. The chorus of birds, frogs, and insects there is normally amazing, especially at that time of day, but it was even more incredible that morning with the rain. There is something so magical about being in a place teeming with life all around you. So I opened my voice memos app and started a new recording; sat my phone down carefully on the ledge of the lanai; and sipped coffee as quietly as possible while listening to the chorus, hoping my phone’s mic would hear it as keenly as my ears did. I am pretty pleased with how the recording turned out, and I wanted to turn it into a track that could be looped, if only for myself. But I decided to share it with you too. It's pretty perfect if you ask me, aside from the occasional vehicle motor humming in the background.
So today, in honor of my husband’s healing, I bring you ten minutes of a glorious chorus of tropical birds, insects, frogs, and rain. It feels like bringing home a little piece of my time on the island, making up for the trip being cut short. Studies show 20 minutes of birdsong a day improves mental health. I hope this brings you peace.
I’m explaining everything in the notes here, and not including any speech in the podcast, both because that’s easier, and because it allows you to loop this track for sound therapy. You can listen to it over and over. I recommend playing it in the morning while waking up.
If you want to help us out while my husband is unable to work, you can send money via Venmo or Paypal. Better yet, refer every parent of a gender-confused kid you know to my course, ROGD Repair, which now comes with unlimited access to AI assistant, RepairBot. The income from the course helps us stay stable during these tough times. Thanks as always for your support.

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 co...