Episode 137

137 - Conspiracy Theories, Hoaxes, and the Detransition Time Bomb with Wilfred Reilly

Published on: 20th October, 2023

Stella & Sasha welcome Wilfred Reilly to the program for an intriguing conversation touching on gender and medicalization, political affiliations and extremism, violence and discrimination, societal myths and data analysis, and the impact of the internet on niche interests and mental health.

Wilfred Reilly is an Associate Professor of Political Science at Kentucky State University, a historically Black institution. His research interests include International Relations, contemporary American race and gender relations, and the use of modern quantitative/empirical methods to test ‘sacred cow’ theories.

In this episode, they delve into the issues surrounding gender, addressing concerns about youth and gender transition for children. They explore the challenges of obtaining reliable statistics on detransitioning and the difficulties in conducting research in the field of gender due to ideological biases. The conversation underscores the role of media bias and the evolving landscape of identity, alluding to the potential consequences of the medicalization of gender-related issues and the need for more open discussion and data collection considering that even academic studies are sometimes targeted and obstructed by activists.

The discussion also touches on the broader issues of ideological extremism and its implications for society. Wilfred shares his insights into debunking misconceptions related to topics like police violence and discrimination. He also shares about instances of fake hate crimes on college campuses, shedding light on how seemingly innocuous events were misconstrued and magnified, highlighting the prevalence of victimization and the consequences of seeking attention through such incidents. Sasha raises concerns about the impact of such ideological paranoia on people's mental health and interpersonal relationships while Wilfred draws parallels between this ideological extremism and traditional religious beliefs, suggesting that both can lead to a level of paranoia and fear. This conversation offers no shortage of intriguing stories that challenge common narratives and assumptions.

Links:

Attend Genspect’s: The Bigger Picture

https://genspect.org/the-bigger-picture-continues-denver-colorado/ 

Wilfred Reilly on Twitter

https://twitter.com/wil_da_beast630


Buy Wilfred Reilly’s Books

Lies My Liberal Teacher Told Me

https://www.amazon.com/Lies-My-Liberal-Teacher-Told-ebook/dp/B0BDZMZJ4C 


Taboo: 10 Facts You Can't Talk About

https://www.amazon.com/Taboo-Facts-Cant-Talk-About/dp/162157928X 


Hate Crime Hoax: How the Left is Selling a Fake Race War

https://www.amazon.com/Hate-Crime-Hoax-Lefts-Campaign/dp/1621577783 


The $50,000,000 Question: An Engagingly Empirical Examination of the Relationship between "Privilege" and Pride

https://www.amazon.com/000-Question-Engagingly-Examination-Relationship/dp/3659846031 


Why the Mental Health of Liberal Girls Sank First and Fastest

https://jonathanhaidt.substack.com/p/mental-health-liberal-girls


Affluenza: How To Be Successful and Stay Sane

https://www.amazon.com/Affluenza-Oliver-James/dp/0091900107 


The Washington Post's Police Shootings Database

https://www.washingtonpost.com/graphics/investigations/police-shootings-database/


Order Our Book – When Kids Say They’re Trans: A Guide for Thoughtful Parents

https://whenkidssaytheyretrans.com/ 


Support the Show & Access Exclusive Content

https://www.patreon.com/WiderLensPod


Join the conversation on YouTube

www.youtube.com/@widerlenspod



If you liked this episode, more episodes you might find interesting:

Episode 52 - Gender Dysphoria & Detransition Research: A Conversation W/ Dr. Lisa Littman

https://gender-a-wider-lens.captivate.fm/episode/52-gender-dysphoria-detransition-research-a-conversation-w-dr-lisa-littman 


Episode 64 - Pioneers Series: Psychotherapy Pre- and Post-Transition with Az Hakeem

https://gender-a-wider-lens.captivate.fm/episode/64-pioneers-series-psychotherapy-pre-and-post-transition-with-az-hakeem 


Episode 115 — How Online Communities Shape Thought, Desire, and Doubt about Transition: with Eliza Mondegreen

https://gender-a-wider-lens.captivate.fm/episode/115-how-online-communities-shape-thought-desire-and-doubt-about-transition-with-eliza-mondegreen 


Episode 116 — Identity Politics vs. The Pursuit of Knowledge with Dr. Michael Bailey

https://gender-a-wider-lens.captivate.fm/episode/116-identity-politics-vs-the-pursuit-of-knowledge-with-dr-michael-bailey 


Follow-Up Episode: 116 Part II - Retraction w/ Dr. Michael Bailey

https://gender-a-wider-lens.captivate.fm/episode/follow-up-episode-116-part-ii-retraction-w-dr-michael-bailey


Episode 118 - Prioritizing Expensive & Invasive Interventions: American Healthcare w/ Zhenya Abbruzzese

https://gender-a-wider-lens.captivate.fm/episode/118-prioritizing-expensive-invasive-interventions-american-healthcare-w-zhenya-abbruzzese


Please visit www.widerlenspod.com to explore more content, access additional resources, or to join our listener community.


Watch us on YouTube: www.youtube.com/@widerlenspod


For more information about Sasha’s & Stella’s parent coaching membership groups:

Sasha Ayad: https://inspiredteentherapy.com/parents-start-here 

Stella O’Malley: http://www.stellaomalley.com/parent-coaching


To learn more about our sponsors, visit:

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About the Podcast

Gender: A Wider Lens Podcast
Two therapists explore the expanding concept of "gender" from a psychological depth perspective.
Gender dysphoria has become a minefield for public discussion, with many afraid to express their views or question the narrative. Our mission is to examine this important and complex topic from a range of perspectives, but always through a psychological lens. By openly considering and examining gender identity, transition, and the transgender umbrella, we hope to give all interested parties permission to engage these fascinating topics with less fear and more honesty. Interviews and discussions will involve clinicians, medical professionals, academics, transgender people, parents, detransitioners and other interesting individuals whose lives have been touched by the concept of gender.

Conversations between two practicing therapists give listeners an opportunity to contemplate gender from a depth perspective not currently taken up in most of today’s accessible debates. As a result of their work with gender dysphoric therapy clients as well as their personal divergent experiences with gender, Stella and Sasha hold a refreshing and informed perspective.

Is gender identity a facilitation of development and expression of creativity, or can it be a defense against painful existential realities of living in a human body? What can we discover about masculinity, femininity, identity, gender performance, and sexuality when we peer beneath the surface and dive into a deeper psychological exploration? What is the relationship between body, mind, identity, culture, and psyche?

This podcast engages listeners in an intimate and fascinating behind-the-scenes inquiry about a topic as taboo as it is salient today.

Thank you to our sponsors:
Genspect - an international organization which offers an alternative to WPATH. Providing a range of education, resources and supports to anyone impacted by gender distress, Genspect unites many different organizations globally, and gives voice to 1,000s of previously untold stories. For more info, visit genspect.org.

GETA - an association of therapists who believe that individuals experiencing gender related concerns ought to be treated using a whole person approach. GETA connects like minded clinicians, provides educational resources and trainings, and helps people with gender dysphoria find support. For more info, visit genderexploratory.com.
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About your hosts

Stella O'Malley

Profile picture for Stella O'Malley
Stella O’Malley is a psychotherapist and author who works in private practice in Ireland. Her work focuses on parenting, family dynamics and working with teenagers.

Much of Stella’s counselling and writing focuses on mental health and the importance of well-being and she is a regular contributor to the media. She is also the resident psychotherapist for the current TV series, Raised by the Village, a family programme that helps troubled teenagers reconnect with themselves and their families.

Stella's first book, Cotton Wool Kids, was released in 2015 while Bully-Proof Kids: Practical tools to help kids grow up confident, resilient and strong was released in 2017. Stella’s latest book Fragile, was released in 2019 and focuses on overcoming anxiety and stress.

Stella was the presenter of the documentary Trans - Kids: It’s Time To Talk broadcast on Channel 4 in November 2018 and she contributed a chapter to the 2019 book, Inventing Transgender Children and Young People.

The Jungian analyst, Lisa Marchiano, and Stella launched Secrets of the Motherworld in September 2019, offering thoughtful exploration of the most intimate aspects of motherhood in a bid to help mothers feel less alone.

Stella is a Clinical Advisor for the Society for Evidence-based Gender Medicine and a founding member of the International Association of Therapists for Desisters and Detransitioners. She is also the lead facilitator for the Gender Dysphoria Support Network.

Stella holds a B.A. in Counselling and Psychotherapy and a M.A. in Cognitive Behavioural Therapy.

Sasha Ayad

Profile picture for Sasha Ayad
Sasha Ayad is a Licensed Professional Counselor who works in private practice, and has treated adolescents for over 10 years. Her work focuses on teens and young adults struggling with issues of gender dysphoria and gender identity.

She became interested in the sharp rise in teenagers who declare a trans identity for the first time during adolescence. She discovered, through working with hundreds of families, that many teens were developing gender dysphoria only after adopting a transgender identity. She questions the practice of medical transition for children and teenagers, and her clinical work focuses on developmentally appropriate, least-invasive-first talk therapy.

Sasha is also a founding member and Clinical Advisor in the Society for Evidence-based Gender Medicine and a founding member of the International Association of Therapists for Desisters and Detransitioners.

Sasha’s previous work experience includes:
- School counselor for middle and high school students at a charter school for underserved communities

- Behavioral therapy with children on the autism spectrum

- Individual and group counseling for women and children impacted by domestic abuse and sexual violence

- Developed and ran the first counseling program at a large state supported living facility for adults with intellectual disability

Sasha holds a B.S. in Psychology and an M.Ed. in Counseling Psychology.