Ever feel trapped by societal norms about gender? It's time to shatter those confines and truly understand yourself. In this episode, we delve into the empathy connecting us all and how you're conditioned by societal messages about gender roles. Uncover surprising insights on self-discovery and empathy that's embedded in human nature. Discover if the gender tags you've worn fit—or if you need a re-stitch. Listen now to begin unpicking the fabric of gender identity, revealing your true self and embracing the spectrum of humanity.

Break the Gender Mould: Unleashing Self-Discovery in a Confined Society

Explore the emotional depths and hidden struggles faced by those embracing non-binary identities. Is it about seeking attention or genuine connection? Discover the powerful truth behind these identity revelations and the pain tied to not being fully known. Join Kai in unraveling why expressing one's true self is far more than a moment of attention-seeking—it’s a profound journey of self-acceptance and connection.

The Hidden Struggle: Are Non-Binary Identities Misunderstood as Attention Seeking?

Why do trans and non-binary people often have to prove their identity to doctors, psychiatric panels, and even courts - even after they've already told you who they are? In this episode of Gender in Focus, TransFocus's Kai Scott and El Orchard unpack gender self-determination: the idea that people should be able to define their own gender identity without needing outside approval, and why so many systems still require something else instead.

Kai and El break down what "proof" actually looks like in practice across healthcare, legal recognition, and beyond - and why these systems tend to reward conformity to narrow gender stereotypes rather than genuinely reflecting whether someone's identity is real.

In this episode:

 * Why the UK's "real lived experience" requirement (often one to two years) puts people in the position of performing gender rather than living it - including a story about a trans man who brought a photo of Jesus to a review panel to argue that long hair doesn't disqualify a man from being one
 * What psychiatric panel interviews and behind-the-glass group observations actually involve, and why being watched and assessed by strangers shapes how people answer, rather than revealing anything true
 * How Canada's more self-determination-based approach to hormone access compares to the process typically involved in surgical care, and where some process may still be reasonable
 * The safety risks of tying legal gender markers on ID to court approval, particularly for people who may be targeted or doxed
 * A striking real-world example from a Janet Mock interview, where Mock asks a cisgender woman the same invasive questions trans people are routinely asked - with revealing results. You can find the full video of this interview here: https://www.dailymotion.com/video/x2nx5pu

Whether you're new to conversations about trans rights and healthcare or have followed this debate for years, this episode offers a clear, human look at what gatekeeping actually costs - and what genuine self-determination could look like instead.

Gender in Focus is a podcast from TransFocus, exploring gender diversity, transgender and non-binary experience, and how organizations and individuals can build genuinely inclusive workplaces and communities. New episodes weekly.

Follow the show so you don't miss an episode, and if this one was useful, a rating and review helps others find it.

Connect with us online:

🌐 Learn more about how we can support your workplace: www.transfocus.ca/organization 📸 Instagram: @transfocusconsulting

🎥 Watch our YouTube episodes here: www.youtube.com/@transfocusconsulting

📧 Email: podcast@transfocus.ca

➡️ Have feedback for us? Fill in this short survey: www.podcastsurvey.scoreapp.com [https://www.podcastsurvey.scoreapp.com/]

Why Isn't "I Know Who I Am" Enough?

What does it actually mean when someone uses multiple pronouns, like she/they, he/they, or he/she (among others) - and why do so many people assume it's just for attention?

In this episode of Gender in Focus, El and Kai break down multiple pronoun use: what it means, why trans and non-binary people use two or more pronoun sets (like she/they, he/they, or he/she), and how to get it right without overthinking it. Drawing on research with thousands of trans and non-binary people, they unpack the real reasons behind multiple pronouns - from being bi-gender or gender fluid, to blending past and present identities, to simply feeling safer easing people in gradually - and take on one of the most common myths head-on: that using multiple pronouns is attention-seeking.

El also shares their own experience coming out with multiple pronouns, including a night at a party where being asked question after question about their pronouns left them feeling picked apart rather than accepted.

In this episode:

 * What it means when someone uses multiple pronouns (she/they, he/they, and more)
 * The real reasons people use two or more pronoun sets, from research with trans and non-binary communities
 * Debunking the "attention-seeking" myth around multiple pronouns
 * How to actually use someone's pronouns in conversation - alternating vs. picking one
 * Why you don't need to understand someone's reasons to respect and use their pronouns
 * What workplaces get wrong with pronoun on forms, in HR systems, and during onboarding
 * Practical tips for managers and colleagues supporting non-binary and multiple-pronoun team members

Whether you're non-binary, questioning your own gender identity, or an ally trying to better support trans and non-binary people, this episode gives you a clear, judgment-free breakdown of multiple pronoun use - and why practice, not perfection, is what actually matters.

Topics: she/they pronouns, he/they pronouns, multiple pronouns, non-binary, genderfluid, bi-gender, pronoun etiquette, gender identity, trans inclusive workplace

Follow the show so you don't miss an episode, and if this one was useful, a rating and review helps others find it.

Connect with us online:

🌐 Learn more about how we can support your workplace: www.transfocus.ca/organization 📸 Instagram: @transfocusconsulting

🎥 Watch our YouTube episodes here: www.youtube.com/@transfocusconsulting

📧 Email: podcast@transfocus.ca

➡️ Have feedback for us? Fill in this short survey: www.podcastsurvey.scoreapp.com [https://www.podcastsurvey.scoreapp.com/]

She/They Pronouns Explained: Why People Use Multiple Pronouns 

Trans bathroom bans are marketed as protecting women. The data say otherwise.

In the US, at least 21 states now restrict trans people from using washrooms that match their gender identity, requiring access based on sex assigned at birth instead. Canada has taken the opposite approach - gender identity has been the legal standard for washroom access since the late 1990s. So which model actually works, and who does each one really protect?

In this episode of Gender in Focus, hosts Kai and El dig into Williams Institute research comparing both systems - and the findings are surprising for people on both sides of the debate. They cover:

 * What the data actually shows about safety in states and provinces with gender-identity-based washroom access - including why no rise in safety incidents has been found
 * What happens when sex-at-birth laws force trans men into women's washrooms and trans women into men's washrooms — and even then, 10% of trans men and 7% of trans women are still denied access to the washrooms they're legally required to use
 * The overlooked group also harmed by appearance-based bathroom policing: gender-nonconforming cisgender women
 * Real-world consequences of sex-at-birth policy, including a trans woman's ID mismatch that led to a fraud charge
 * How organizations and workplaces can write a washroom policy based on behaviour, not appearance - with a practical code-of-conduct framework any employer can use

Whether you're following the US bathroom bill debate, trying to understand Canada's gender identity laws, or building an inclusive workplace policy, this conversation breaks down what the evidence actually says - not just what the political rhetoric claims.

Content note: this episode discusses discrimination, harassment, and misgendering.

Research mentioned: https://williamsinstitute.law.ucla.edu/publications/safety-in-restrooms-and-facilites/

Gender in Focus is a podcast from TransFocus, exploring gender diversity, transgender and non-binary experience, and how organizations and individuals can build genuinely inclusive workplaces and communities. New episodes weekly.

Follow the show so you don't miss an episode, and if this one was useful, a rating and review helps others find it.

Connect with us online:

🌐 Learn more about how we can support your workplace: www.transfocus.ca/organization 📸 Instagram: @transfocusconsulting

🎥 Watch our YouTube episodes here: www.youtube.com/@transfocusconsulting

📧 Email: podcast@transfocus.ca

➡️ Have feedback for us? Fill in this short survey: www.podcastsurvey.scoreapp.com [https://www.podcastsurvey.scoreapp.com/]

Do Trans Bathroom Bans Actually Protect Women? Here’s What the Data Shows

A transgender employee just came out at work—what should HR do next? In this episode of Gender in Focus, El and Kai break down exactly what HR, managers, and DEI leaders need to know when an employee discloses their gender identity at work, and why "employee-led" doesn't mean hands-off.

TransFocus consults organizations on building trans and non-binary inclusive workplaces, and in this episode Kai and El go deep on what workplace disclosure really looks like: what transgender and non-binary employees are weighing before they ever say a word, why so many feel like a burden just for asking for the basics, and what a proper trans inclusion toolkit actually needs to cover.

In this episode, we cover:

 1. What "disclosure" means (and why we don't say "coming out" or "transitioning" at work)
 2. Why work is usually the last place transgender and non-binary people come out—and what that tells you about the risk they're taking
 3. What "employee-led" actually means, and how HR and managers get it wrong in both directions
 4. The practical stuff no one thinks about: pronouns, names, gender markers, time off, who tells the team, and how
 5. Why having zero policy in place is a legal risk, not a neutral stance
 6. What transgender and non-binary employees are legally entitled to ask for at work (workplace rights and accommodations)
 7. How to build (or get) a disclosure toolkit for your organization

Get our free disclosure template: join the TransFocus newsletter and we'll send you our 10-12 page disclosure template—a ready-to-use HR guide covering exactly what to ask, what not to ask, and how to document a workplace disclosure process properly.

👉 https://www.transfocus.ca/freeresourcedownload

Want a tailored trans inclusion toolkit for your organization? TransFocus works directly with organizations to build custom trans and non-binary inclusion toolkits and disclosure guidelines.

👉 www.transfocus.ca/organization [https://www.transfocus.ca/organization]

Gender in Focus is a podcast from TransFocus, exploring gender diversity, transgender and non-binary experience, and how organizations and individuals can build genuinely inclusive workplaces and communities. New episodes weekly.

Follow the show so you don't miss an episode, and if this one was useful, a rating and review helps other HR leaders and DEI professionals find it.

Connect with us online:

🌐 Learn more about how we can support your workplace: www.transfocus.ca/organization 📸 Instagram: @transfocusconsulting

🎥 Watch our YouTube episodes here: www.youtube.com/@transfocusconsulting

📧 Email: podcast@transfocus.ca

➡️ Have feedback for us? Fill in this short survey: www.podcastsurvey.scoreapp.com [https://www.podcastsurvey.scoreapp.com/]

A Trans Employee Came Out at Work - What Should HR Do Next?

Why does almost every conversation about trans people eventually turn to surgery? In this episode of Gender in Focus, El and Kai Scott unpack the "have you had the surgery?" question — where it comes from, what it reveals about cis assumptions around gender and bodies, and why it's especially loaded at work.

Kai breaks down why "the surgery" is never just one surgery, why genitals so often become the unspoken centre of the question, and why most trans people never undergo every — or even any — gender-affirming surgery. El and Kai also dig into the difference between a question that comes from genuine support and one that's really just about satisfying your own curiosity, using a powerful story about disability, dignity, and asking better questions.

Then they bring it into the workplace specifically: how much (if anything) a trans employee should have to share about medical transition, what HR and managers actually need to know versus what they're just curious about, and how organizations can avoid treating trans and non-binary staff as a monolith.

If you've ever wondered whether a question you're curious about is actually okay to ask — or if you're trans or non-binary and tired of fielding it — this episode is for you.

If this episode was helpful, the best way to support the show is to follow it and leave us a rating and review — it makes a real difference in helping other people find these conversations.

About Gender in Focus:

Gender in Focus is a podcast from TransFocus, exploring gender diversity, trans and non-binary experiences, and how organizations and individuals can build genuinely inclusive workplaces and communities. New episodes weekly.

Connect with us online:

🌐 Learn more about how we can support your workplace: www.transfocus.ca/organization 📸 Instagram: @transfocusconsulting

🎥 Watch our YouTube episodes here: www.youtube.com/@transfocusconsulting

📧 Email: podcast@transfocus.ca

➡️ Have feedback for us? Fill in this short survey: www.podcastsurvey.scoreapp.com [https://www.podcastsurvey.scoreapp.com/]

"Have You Had 'The' Surgery?" - The Question Trans People Can't Escape

Trans and non-binary employees are exhausted by non-stop anti-trans news cycles — and most workplace support falls flat because it's performative, not practical.

In this episode of Gender in Focus, El and Kai unpack the real impact that constant anti-trans news, legislation, and court rulings (including the U.S. Supreme Court's Skrmetti decision [https://www.supremecourt.gov/opinions/24pdf/23-477_2cp3.pdf]) are having on trans and non-binary employees — and why so much of the standard advice for supporting them at work misses the mark.

They dig into why "performative allyship" — Pride flags, one-off statements, quick reactions to every headline — often does more harm than good, and what actually makes trans and non-binary employees feel supported day to day. They also explore the hidden cost of hyper-visibility: why organizations shouldn't rely on their trans and non-binary employees to educate everyone else, defend policy decisions, or explain every headline — and what sustainable, everyday inclusion looks like instead.

Whether you work in HR, DEI, or people leadership, this episode gives you practical, non-performative ways to support trans and non-binary staff through a hostile news cycle — including how to find the balance between over-responding to every issue and ignoring it altogether, how to recover from mistakes without falling into performative guilt, and what to actually prioritize this year to build real trans allyship and gender diversity in your workplace.

Gender in Focus is a weekly podcast from TransFocus exploring trans and non-binary workplace inclusion, gender diversity, and what's happening in the world for trans people — for HR professionals, DEI practitioners, and anyone building a genuinely inclusive workplace.

Enjoyed this episode? Don't forget to hit Follow on Spotify, Subscribe on Apple Podcasts, and leave us a 5-star review to help more allies find these vital conversations!

Connect with us online:

🌐 Learn more about how we can support your workplace: www.transfocus.ca/organization 📸 Instagram: @transfocusconsulting

🎥 Watch our YouTube episodes here: www.youtube.com/@transfocusconsulting

📧 Email: podcast@transfocus.ca

➡️ Have feedback for us? Fill in this short survey: www.podcastsurvey.scoreapp.com [https://www.podcastsurvey.scoreapp.com/]

Supporting Trans Employees Through Hostile News Cycles

Do trans people regret transitioning? The research says something very different from what most people assume about transition regret.

In this episode, El and Kai break down the real data on transgender regret rates, gender-affirming care outcomes, and detransition statistics — including a meta-analysis of 27 studies across 14 countries and nearly 8,000 trans patients, which found a combined regret rate of just 1%, compared to 20% or more for other common medical procedures like bariatric surgery and LASIK.

They unpack why regret after gender-affirming surgery happens on the rare occasions it does (hint: it's mostly not about gender identity), the pressure trans and non-binary people face to have "all the answers" before being taken seriously, and what loved ones can actually do if they're afraid someone they care about might regret transitioning. They close with practical guidance on responding to a loved one's gender journey — binary or non-binary — with curiosity instead of fear.

In this episode:

 1. Why regret became the go-to fear around trans identities
 2. Transgender regret rates vs. other medical and surgical procedures
 3. What regret is actually about when it happens
 4. Detransition and detransitioner support — what the research says
 5. How to support a loved one exploring their gender identity
 6. A free allyship resource for working through "stuck" thoughts and bias

Resources mentioned:

1. https://pmc.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/articles/PMC8099405/ [https://www.google.com/url?q=https://pmc.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/articles/PMC8099405/&sa=D&source=docs&ust=1784569721613998&usg=AOvVaw3ypUSKfAgcx11rgBrpNWtT]

2. https://www.sciencedirect.com/science/article/abs/pii/S0002961024002381 [https://www.google.com/url?q=https://www.sciencedirect.com/science/article/abs/pii/S0002961024002381&sa=D&source=docs&ust=1784569721614031&usg=AOvVaw0jJlkmFX7tdCIpnIjHVXbx]

3. https://int.livhospital.com/most-regretted-surgery-the-shocking-top-5-list/ [https://www.google.com/url?q=https://int.livhospital.com/most-regretted-surgery-the-shocking-top-5-list/&sa=D&source=docs&ust=1784569721614059&usg=AOvVaw3uTvfX2VawDDFz8OitoyTq]

Stress-Free Allyship guide: https://www.transfocus.ca/s/Final-_-TransFocus-Resource-on-Stress-Free-Allyship-Resource.pdf

About Gender in Focus:

Gender in Focus is a podcast from TransFocus, exploring gender diversity, trans and non-binary experiences, and how organizations and individuals can build genuinely inclusive workplaces and communities. New episodes weekly.

Connect with us online:

🌐 Learn more about how we can support your workplace: www.transfocus.ca/organization 📸 Instagram: @transfocusconsulting

🎥 Watch our YouTube episodes here: www.youtube.com/@transfocusconsulting

📧 Email: podcast@transfocus.ca

➡️ Have feedback for us? Fill in this short survey: www.podcastsurvey.scoreapp.com

Trans Regret Rates: What the Research Actually Shows

“You’re making us look bad.”

It’s a phrase some trans and non-binary people have heard. Not from critics, but from other trans people who worry that being too visible, too different, or too outspoken will make acceptance harder for everyone.

In this episode of Gender in Focus, Kai and El explore the fear that sits underneath comments like “tone it down,” “don’t rock the boat,” and “you’re asking for too much.” Why do conversations about pronouns, non-binary identities, gender expression, and visibility sometimes create tension within the trans and non-binary community itself?

Together, we unpack how fear of backlash can turn inward, why trans and non-binary people are not a monolith, and what happens when people feel pressured to make themselves smaller in order to be accepted. We also explore what organizations, allies, and community members can learn from the wide range of experiences and perspectives that exist across the trans and non-binary community.

Whether you’re trans, non-binary, questioning, an ally, or simply interested in understanding today’s conversations around gender identity, pronouns, inclusion, and belonging, this episode offers a thoughtful look at one of the most complex and misunderstood dynamics within the trans community.

Enjoyed this episode? Don't forget to hit Follow on Spotify, Subscribe on Apple Podcasts, and leave us a 5-star review to help more allies find these vital conversations!

Connect with us online:

🌐 Learn more about how we can support your workplace: www.transfocus.ca/organization 📸 Instagram: @transfocusconsulting

🎥 Watch our YouTube episodes here: www.youtube.com/@transfocusconsulting

📧 Email: podcast@transfocus.ca

➡️ Have feedback for us? Fill in this short survey: www.podcastsurvey.scoreapp.com [https://www.podcastsurvey.scoreapp.com/]

Join us on LinkedIn, Instagram, TikTok, Threads, and Facebook.

SEO Keywords: Trans community, Non-binary identities, Gender identity, Pronouns, Gender expression, Trans inclusion, Trans acceptance, Trans allyship, Non-binary people, Gender diversity, LGBTQ+ inclusion, Workplace inclusion, Respectability politics, Social acceptance, Allyship, Trans rights.

 “You’re Making Us Look Bad”: Why Trans People Police Each Other

Photos are supposed to preserve memories.

But what happens when a photo captures a time in your life that feels complicated to look back on?

For many trans and non-binary people, photos from before coming out or transitioning can bring up a wide range of reactions. Some people find them painful or uncomfortable. Some keep them private. Others find them funny, nostalgic, or even enjoy sharing before-and-after photos.

In this episode of Gender in Focus, El and Kai explore the often-overlooked topic of old photos of trans people and why there is no single “right” way for trans and non-binary people to feel about them.

What should you do if you accidentally find a photo of someone from before they transitioned? Should you mention it? Ignore it? Ask about it? El and Kai unpack these questions while exploring why trans and non-binary people can have very different relationships with old photos, ranging from discomfort and privacy to humour, nostalgia, and celebration.

They also discuss how social media features like Facebook Memories can unexpectedly bring past images back into view, why asking to see photos from before someone’s transition may not be as harmless as it seems, and how friends, family members, partners, coworkers, and workplaces can navigate old photos with more thoughtfulness and care.

Whether you’re a trans person reflecting on your own relationship with photos from before transition or someone who wants to better support the trans and non-binary people in your life, this episode offers practical insights into a topic that many people have never stopped to consider.

In this episode:

 * Why trans and non-binary people can have very different reactions to old photos
 * Photos from before transition and coming out
 * What to do if you find an old photo of a trans or non-binary person
 * Facebook Memories, social media, and unexpected reminders of the past
 * Before-and-after photos and transition journeys
 * Comments and “compliments” that can miss the mark
 * Family photo albums, photos on display, and shared memories
 * Workplace photos, staff directories, websites, and ID badges
 * How to navigate old photos without making assumptions

Gender in Focus is a podcast from TransFocus Consulting exploring gender, allyship, inclusion, and the everyday experiences of trans and non-binary people.

 Connect with us online:

🌐 Website: www.TransFocus.ca [https://www.transfocus.ca/]

✉️ Email: podcast@transfocus.ca

➡️ Have feedback for us? Fill in this short survey: www.podcastsurvey.scoreapp.com/ [https://podcastsurvey.scoreapp.com/]

Join us on social media: LinkedIn [https://ca.linkedin.com/company/transfocus-consulting] | Instagram [https://www.instagram.com/transfocusconsulting] | TikTok [https://www.tiktok.com/@transfocus] | Threads [https://www.threads.net/@transfocusconsulting] | Facebook [https://www.facebook.com/transfocusinc]

The Problem With Trans People's Old Photos Nobody Talks About

Many organizations are working hard to become more inclusive of trans and non-binary people. But even in workplaces with supportive leaders, inclusive policies, and good intentions, non-binary employees can still end up being overlooked.

In this episode of Gender in Focus, Kai and El explore what happens when workplace systems are built around the assumption that everyone is either a man or a woman. From gender data collection and workplace washrooms to employee programs, surveys, and everyday interactions, they unpack the hidden ways non-binary people can be excluded even in organizations that genuinely want to do the right thing.

They discuss:

• Why non-binary identities are often misunderstood as a “third gender” rather than a diverse range of experiences

• Why workplace washrooms, gender data collection, employee programs, and other everyday systems can create barriers for non-binary employees

• Why many non-binary people feel invisible in workplaces that were never designed with them in mind

• The impact of constantly navigating assumptions about gender, appearance, and identity

• Why many non-binary employees choose not to raise concerns, even when barriers exist

• The difference between cultural barriers and structural barriers in workplace inclusion

• How organizations can move beyond good intentions and create systems that work for a wider range of experiences

• The unique strengths, perspectives, and problem-solving approaches non-binary people bring to teams and workplaces

They also explore a bigger question: What if non-binary inclusion isn’t just about supporting non-binary people? What if it helps organizations build workplaces that are more flexible, responsive, and effective for everyone?

Whether you work in human resources, EDI, leadership, operations, education, healthcare, or are simply interested in workplace inclusion, this episode challenges some of the most common assumptions about gender at work and offers practical ways to build workplaces where more people can thrive.

Enjoyed this episode? Don’t forget to hit Follow on Spotify, Subscribe on Apple Podcasts, and leave us a 5-star review to help more allies find these vital conversations!

Connect with us online:

🌐 Website: www.TransFocus.ca [https://www.transfocus.ca/]

✉️ Email: podcast@transfocus.ca

➡️ Have feedback for us? Fill in this short survey: https://podcastsurvey.scoreapp.com/

Join us on social media: LinkedIn [https://ca.linkedin.com/company/transfocus-consulting] | Instagram [https://www.instagram.com/transfocusconsulting] | TikTok [https://www.tiktok.com/@transfocus] | Threads [https://www.threads.net/@transfocusconsulting] | Facebook [https://www.facebook.com/transfocusinc]

Workplace Inclusion, Non-Binary Identity, Gender Diversity in Business, HR Best Practices, EDI Strategy, Inclusive Leadership, Trans and Non-Binary Support, Gender-inclusive workplace policies.

Why Inclusive Workplaces Still Exclude Non-Binary People (And How to Fix It)

TransFocus (@transfocus) · Zencastr

TransFocus (@transfocus)

What does it really take to create an inclusive world for trans and non-binary people? If you've ever wondered how to make meaningful changes - whether at work, in your community, at home, or beyond - you're in the right place. Hosted by Kai, President of TransFocus Consulting, Gender in Focus dives into the heart of inclusion, with real stories, expert advice and practical tips. Sometimes Kai will be joined by special guests, but each week, you can expect fresh perspectives, moments of reflection, and actionable takeaways to help you lead with kindness, confidence, and a whole lot of heart. Hey, maybe you’ll learn more about your own gender through different experiences. So, whether you're already on your inclusion journey or just getting started, tune in and discover how you can make change happen. Let's get started - change is just a conversation away.