Beyond Gender

“Family life is much more problematic now than it was in the past.”In this episode, sociologist and author Frank Furedi reflects on his journey from radical politics to critiquing identity politics and therapy culture. He unpacks how ideological movements target children, reshape families, and transform education across Europe.

“It’s a heartbreaking time to live in — we’re so fragmented.”In this episode of Beyond Gender, filmmaker Michael Nayna unpacks how viral media, academic hoaxes, and ideological capture have reshaped our institutions. From filming a racist incident that went global, to exposing bias in academia through the Grievance Studies Affair, Nayna gives a rare inside look at the cultural unraveling across media, education, and tech — and what it all means for the future.

In this episode of Beyond Gender, philosopher Holly Lawford-Smith unpacks why the word "woman" has become controversial—and what gender critical feminism is really about. She challenges mainstream narratives on gender, identity, and feminism, and explains why fighting for women’s rights shouldn’t be confined to the political left.

Ray shares his raw and honest journey from childhood cross-dressing to eight years living as a trans woman, and ultimately finding peace through detransition. He reflects on autogynephilia, gender ideology, and what he’s learned about himself—and the wider conversation on gender.

Dr. Allen Frances, who chaired the DSM-IV Task Force, joins us for a candid and at times tense conversation. Known for his warnings about psychiatric overdiagnosis, Frances shares insights on the medicalisation of ordinary life, the autism diagnosis boom, and his philosophy of diagnostic caution. But the discussion takes an unexpected turn when it comes to gender dysphoria, revealing a sharp divergence between his views and those of the hosts. This episode is a striking example of respectful disagreement on a deeply complex issue.

After a decade living as transgender and suffering serious health issues from DIY hormones, Victoria shares her powerful story of detransition. She speaks out about the overlap between gender ideology and fetish subcultures, the exploitation of autistic women, and a phenomenon she calls "empathy hijacking"—where predators pose as victims to gain trust. With her striking style and rainbow cane, Victoria offers a rare insider's view of these overlapping worlds.Full show notes: https://stellaomalley.substack.com/p/the-dark-side-of-gender-ideology

Developmental psychologist J.D. Haltigan joins Stella O'Malley and Mia Hughes to expose how activist ideology has captured the field of psychology. From the collapse of scientific standards to the rise of “pathology normalization,” Haltigan reveals how political pressure is reshaping mental health — with serious consequences for vulnerable children.The conversation covers the feminisation of psychology, the erosion of diagnostic categories, and the disturbing effects of growing up online. Haltigan also shares how leaving academia opened the door to genuine intellectual freedom — and unexpected collaborations.

What happens when a child never experiences puberty? James Linehan knows firsthand. Born with hypogonadism, a condition that prevented his body from naturally maturing, he remained physically and emotionally childlike while his peers grew into adulthood. Now, as modern medicine deliberately blocks puberty in gender-questioning youth, his experience serves as a stark warning about the lifelong consequences they may face.Linehan shares how puberty suppression left him vulnerable to manipulation, emotionally stunted, and socially isolated, with long-term health impacts that continue decades later. He challenges the claim that puberty blockers are reversible, exposing the irreversible fertility risks and developmental delays associated with them. His insights offer a chilling look at the unprecedented human experiment being conducted on today’s children.

Carrie Clark, Director of Genspect UK, joins Stella O'Malley and Mia Hughes to expose the alarming details of the NHS’s proposed Pathways study on puberty blockers. Despite the Cass Review uncovering major failings at the now-closed Tavistock clinic, the NHS is pushing forward with a new trial that risks repeating the same devastating mistakes on a massive scale.Clark reveals how this £10 million study ignores evidence of harm, fails to include detransitioners, and manipulates scientific data to justify medicalizing vulnerable children. The conversation explores the flawed Dutch Protocol, the suppressed Early Intervention Study, and the NHS’s refusal to follow up on the 9,000 children who passed through GIDS.

Novelist Lionel Shriver joins Stella O'Malley and Mia Hughes to discuss how transgender ideology took over Western institutions and why some people resist social contagions. She explores cancel culture, humor censorship, and the political consequences of identity-based governance.Shriver, known for We Need to Talk About Kevin and Mania, shares her insights on ideological movements, COVID lockdowns, and the fate of social manias.Full show notes: https://stellaomalley.substack.com/p/this-ideology-took-over-the-west