Rae McDaniel, a non-binary Speaker and Therapist, discusses gender freedom, authenticity, setting boundaries, empowerment, chosen family, and intimacy within queer communities. The podcast covers their journey, the importance of inclusivity, shame resilience, and the role of chosen family in self-acceptance.
Rae McDaniel emphasizes setting boundaries while maintaining authenticity for personal safety and emotional well-being.
Ray promotes gender freedom and inclusive allyship to support individuals in exploring identities and building meaningful connections.
Deep dives
Ray McDaniel's Unconventional Origin Story
Ray McDaniel's unique background as an adopted child of evangelical Southern Baptist missionary puppeteers significantly influenced their journey towards becoming a trans, queer, gender, and sex therapist. Their experiences led them to focus on helping individuals with similar identities, leading to the publication of their book, 'Gender Magic,' as a practical guide for achieving gender freedom.
Navigating Family Reactions and Setting Boundaries
Ray's coming out journey involved challenges, including family tensions and threats of a restraining order from their father. They highlighted the importance of being authentic while prioritizing personal safety, necessitating ongoing negotiations and boundary-setting with family members to maintain emotional well-being.
Empowering Gender Exploration and Building Intimate Friendships
Through 'Gender Magic,' Ray aims to promote gender freedom for everyone, emphasizing that gender impacts individuals regardless of their identity. Ray's inclusive approach in addressing allyship fears and shame surrounding sexuality and gender provides a supportive framework for individuals exploring their identities and building meaningful, non-sexual intimate connections.
Supporting Authenticity and Overcoming Fear with Self-Trust
Ray encourages individuals to embrace authenticity by taking small steps towards self-discovery rather than fixating on broad identity questions. By fostering a positive vision for life and focusing on how one wants to feel and interact with the world, people can overcome fear and self-doubt, leading to confident decision-making and transformative personal growth.
I am so happy to have Rae McDaniel (they/them) on the show. Rae is a non-binary Speaker, Therapist, Certified Sex Therapist, Coach, and Transgender Diversity and Inclusion Educator. They are also the author of Gender Magic, which came out earlier this year.
Rae's style of teaching is so accessible and inviting, and we cover their backstory, setting boundaries while staying true to yourself, moving from fear into empowerment, finding chosen family, intimacy and friendships, and so much more.
I love following Rae on Instagram because I always learn something from them, and I think you will, too.