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Transformation Thursday

Transformation Thursday

By Hosted by Amy Stephens

Welcome to the Transformation Thursday Podcast, which focuses on the issues and the people who make Rochester, New York, and the Finger Lakes an excellent place for LGBTQIA+ people. With 23% of Monroe County identifying as queer per capita, Rochester and the Finger Lakes are one of the queerest communities in the United States, so take a listen and hear what makes this area a great place to live for queer people. Your host for the podcast is Amy Stephens, a local queer comedienne, parent to two queer kids, and addiction therapist.
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21 - TransThurs-Theresa Thorn

Transformation ThursdayDec 05, 2019

00:00
33:24
127 - Jen Durbent

127 - Jen Durbent

This week, Jen Durbent joins Amy Stephens to discuss comedy, family life, and the fact that GenX trans people exist.

Mar 21, 202435:03
126 - Sarah Stubbs

126 - Sarah Stubbs

Sarah Stubbs joins Amy Stephens to discuss the path of her life, knowing she was transgender from a young age and how her life has come together, and now she lives authentically as her best self.

Content Warning: Discussions about Suicide Ideation and Attempts

Mar 14, 202448:30
125 - Serena Jamison End of Transition

125 - Serena Jamison End of Transition

This week on the podcast returning guest Serena Jamison discusses the end of her transition and it differs from the end of Amy's transition.

Mar 07, 202440:25
124 - Trillium Health's Patrick Pitoni

124 - Trillium Health's Patrick Pitoni

This week Amy Stephens welcomes to the podcast, Patrick Pitoni from Trillium Health in Rochester, New York. Amy and Patrick discuss the services available at Trillium for trans and gender-diverse folks and how anti-transgender legislation has made Rochester a refuge for those looking for affirming care.

Jan 28, 202426:47
123 - Amy Stephens Now

123 - Amy Stephens Now

In this episode of Transformation Thursday, Bill Satre guest hosts the podcast to interview regular host Amy Stephens. Bill catches up with Amy as she works to conclude her transition and discusses her sobriety and her relationship status.

Jan 18, 202436:31
122 - Karen Rodriguez

122 - Karen Rodriguez

In this episode of Transformation Thursday, Amy Stephens welcomes to the podcast Karen Rodriguez an Ithaca, New York based filmmaker and the sister of Transformation Thursday Podcast Network's General Counsel Emeritus, Francesca Rodriguez. Karen explains how she dealt with Francesca's coming out and Francesca adds her viewpoint of how she managed the process with her sister and other family considerations. In the second half of the interview Karen discusses the documentary film project she is working about Amy as she returned to referee ice hockey last season after taking two years off to deal with her transition related goals.

Editing Credit: Todd Gursslin

Artwork Credit: Caitlin Burns

Oct 13, 202233:01
121 - ImageOut Preview w/ Michael Gamilla

121 - ImageOut Preview w/ Michael Gamilla

In this special episode of Transformation Thursday, Amy Stephens (she/her) previews the ImageOut Film Festival with Rochester LGBTQIA+ icon Michael Gamilla (he/him), who oversees the selection process for the festival's film selections. Grab your popcorn and favorite drink and hear what's coming to a big or device screen near you soon. Editing Credit: Todd Gursslin (he/him) / Artwork Credit: Caitlin Burns (she/her)

Oct 05, 202239:29
120 - Rachel Barnhart, Creating 5 Majority Black Voting Districts

120 - Rachel Barnhart, Creating 5 Majority Black Voting Districts

In this episode of Transformation Thursday, Amy Stephens catches up with Monroe County Legislator Rachel Barnhart to discuss her and others' efforts to create five majority-black legislative districts in the county. Amy and Rachel discuss how she feels the map follows the law in creating these districts and the perceived bad optics of the Monroe County Democrats in opposing the map.

Editing Credit: Todd Gursslin

Artwork Credit: Caitlin Burns

Oct 03, 202231:37
119 - Caitlin Burns: Dad Bod, ADHD, and UHauls

119 - Caitlin Burns: Dad Bod, ADHD, and UHauls

Welcome to the 2022 fall season of the Transformation Thursday Podcast. To kick off this season, Caitlin Burns, a Rochester (NY) based queer artist, discusses growing-up in a small Finger Lakes town as a lesbian, dating in Rochester with a small lesbian dating pool, and how she and Amy deal with being recognized in the community for their art while trying to date.

Sep 28, 202227:25
118 - Queer AF Comedy.1 - Tuesday Thomas

118 - Queer AF Comedy.1 - Tuesday Thomas

In this episode, the first of the Queer AF Comedy Podcast on the Transformation Thursday Podcast Network, we welcome Tuesday Thomas. Tuesday discusses being trans in the early 80s and her career as a national touring comic who has appeared on Botched, the BBC, and other media outlets around the globe.

May 20, 202240:02
117 - Becca Moore - Transgender Procedures

117 - Becca Moore - Transgender Procedures

In this episode, Sarah and Amy dive into the mind of Becca Moore to discuss her experiences as a woman of trans experience. Hear Becca reflect on her experience with surgery, as a queer mormon trans woman, and other interesting tidbits from an amazing life.

Apr 28, 202249:30
116 - Chris Davis - You're Coming Out, I'm Coming Out

116 - Chris Davis - You're Coming Out, I'm Coming Out

This week on Transformation Thursday, Amy Stephens interviews fellow exmormon lesbian Chris Davis. Amy and Chris discuss Chris' upbringing in the Mormon Church, serving a mission, marrying a man, how a few years ago her kid came out as transgender and how Chris came out to him as a lesbian at the same time. 

Feb 17, 202258:49
115 - Avery Smith Transgender Procedures

115 - Avery Smith Transgender Procedures

In this episode, Sarah and Amy begin their series of interviews with transgender and gender diverse folx about their transitions and the procedures they elect to get and not to get. In this interview, Amy and Sarah speak with Avery Smith about their vocal feminization, hair transplant, and bottom surgery.

Feb 11, 202201:20:48
114 - Sarah Cannon Late in Life Lesbian

114 - Sarah Cannon Late in Life Lesbian

In this episode, Sarah Cannon joins Transformation Thursday as Amy's new co-host, and the two of them discuss Sarah's life as an ASL Interpreter and coming out in her 40s as a lesbian. Plus, in the second segment, the girls discuss their future plans for the podcast and more.

Feb 05, 202238:38
113 - Amy's Transgender Life

113 - Amy's Transgender Life

In this episode, Amy Stephens shares with you the one-woman autobiographical set she performed at the Bread & Water Theatre in Rochester, New York, on November 18, 2021. Amy details her childhood, teen years, discovering she was transgender in the 1990s, and conversion to the Mormon Church. Even through sexual abuse, suicide ideation, and wrapping herself in religion, Amy found a way to accept who she was at the age of 45 in 2017.

Jan 06, 202232:38
112 - Yoga With Laura Fantinello

112 - Yoga With Laura Fantinello

In this episode, Laura Fantinello chats with Natalie Walker and Amy Stephens on how yoga can help us overcome trauma and come home to ourselves.

Nov 24, 202139:16
111 - Bill Satre Interviews Amy Stephens

111 - Bill Satre Interviews Amy Stephens

This special episode observes Transgender Awareness Week and the Transgender Day of Remembrance. Bill Satre asks me all the questions he has wanted to ask me about my transition. It's a great listen, and we hope you all enjoy it.

Nov 16, 202151:45
110 - Lt. Col. Bree Fram Returns
Nov 11, 202143:08
109 - Ericamarie Schultz

109 - Ericamarie Schultz

CW: Childhood Sexual & Physical Abuse/torture and frank talk about guns and suicide ideation. We're not joking about this one, but if you can stay with it, the ending is fantastic. In this episode, Ericamarie Schultz joins Amy Stephens and Natalie Walker to share her story of overcoming childhood abuse, torture, and suicide ideation only to find her true self later in life and her religion of love at the bottom of Lake Winnipesaukee. 
Nov 04, 202139:47
108 - V. Sucy Returns, HRT and Transgender Sex

108 - V. Sucy Returns, HRT and Transgender Sex

In this episode, V. Sucy returns to update Natalie Walker and Amy Stephens on faes life since the pandemic started. Hold on for another fun-filled episode with Transformation Thursday's most downloaded guest, V. Sucy. If you want the prequel to this episode, go back to episode 36.

Nov 02, 202138:20
107 - Comic Roundtable.1

107 - Comic Roundtable.1

CW: NSFW, NSFW, and NSFW

In this episode, Natalie Walker and Amy Stephens hold over Cindy Arena from episode 106 and Todd Gursslin joins in the conversation somehow out of the blue, and what entails is pure madness and a lot of laughs. The comic roundtable in 2022 will become a Patreon Patrons only feature, but for now, enjoy this first edition.

Oct 23, 202125:12
Episode 106 - EMDR with Cindy Arena

Episode 106 - EMDR with Cindy Arena

In this episode, we explore the uses of EMDR therapy with fellow comedian Cindy Arena (she/her) and go on tangents no one saw coming.

Oct 16, 202101:20:06
105 - Sara's Enby Life

105 - Sara's Enby Life

In this episode, Sara Gaudioso (They/Them) discusses coming out non-binary at the age of 38, and the challenges they have relating to cis folx on how to explain their gender identity. Finally, Sara, Natalie, and Amy discuss how we can help the evolution of the English language to be more inclusive of non-binary identities. In the second Amy and Natalie share their final thoughts of their interview with Sara, and announce that podcast General Counsel Francesca Rodriguez will be taking a hiatus from her weekly segment. 

Oct 10, 202141:57
104 - Jenny Hart Talks Comedy, Trains, and Coming Out as Trans

104 - Jenny Hart Talks Comedy, Trains, and Coming Out as Trans

CW: Gender Base Violence and Transphobia

In this episode of Transformation Thursday, English comedienne Jenny Hart (aka, Jenny B Side) discusses her musical comedy style. She debuts a new song discussing her recent experience wearing a women's swimsuit in public. Additionally, Jenny details her process of coming out as a trans woman and some of the violence she has experienced on the last train out of London and at isolated train stations just for being herself in public late at night. General Counsel Francesca Rodriguez stops by to discuss how hard it is to sue government entities in the United States, even when an Assistant Principal asks to see the genitals of a trans student.

Sep 30, 202101:00:30
103 - Jessica Smith Talks Fear & Vulnerability

103 - Jessica Smith Talks Fear & Vulnerability

In this episode new co-host, Natalie Walker joins Amy Stephens to discuss fear and vulnerability with guest Jessica Smith. Amy also introduces Natalie as the official new co-host of the podcast, and Francesca Rodriguez stops by for the Legal Minute.

Sep 25, 202101:02:31
102 - Bill Satre, A Radio Life

102 - Bill Satre, A Radio Life

In this episode, Bill Satre, the Program Director of B93 in Brainerd, Minnesota, joins Amy Stephens to discuss the transformation of local radio since the 1980s. Bill and Amy discuss their days of working together at KB-101 in Bemidji, Minnesota, how deregulation killed local radio as we knew it, and how small market radio is coming back during the pandemic. Bill also lets Amy know how her transition has helped him better understand the transgender experience. Also, General Counsel Jamie Rodriguez zooms in to discuss the legal cases she's keeping her eyes on.

Sep 17, 202101:23:17
101 - Todd Gursslin (Again)

101 - Todd Gursslin (Again)

Amy and Todd continue their in-depth chat that started in episode 99. This time they discuss restricting words in comedy, cancel culture, and Todd tells Amy how uncomfortable she was before she transitioned. Plus, General Counsel stops by with a new segment, the Legal Minute(10).

Sep 15, 202101:13:59
100 - Jamie and Amy Celebrate and Honor

100 - Jamie and Amy Celebrate and Honor

In this episode, Transformation General Counsel Jamie Rodriguez interviews podcast co-creator and current host Amy Stephens. Amy discusses how the podcast came about while honoring the contributions and vision of former co-host Penny Sterling. Jamie and Amy also discuss what they feel are some of the best episodes of the podcast, and of course, Amy gets a bit emotional because she always does.

Sep 02, 202101:14:42
99 - Todd Gursslin, Pt. 1, How to Load Dishwashers

99 - Todd Gursslin, Pt. 1, How to Load Dishwashers

This week's co-host and guest, Todd Gursslin (He/His), discusses with host Amy Stephens (She/Her) how to load a dishwasher properly, his non-gendered usage of the terms "dude & man," and the effects of our siloed social media reality in offline interactions. The discussion between Todd and Amy was so good, part two of the interview will become episode 101.
Aug 18, 202131:55
98 - Serena Jamison, Trans Missionary to the Mormons

98 - Serena Jamison, Trans Missionary to the Mormons

CW: Religion and Dalin H. Oaks

This week's co-host and guest, Serena Jamison, discusses with Amy Stephens her experiences in the Mormon Church as a trans woman, church policies targeting transgender and gender diverse Mormons, and her experience attending a UCC congregation during Pride.

#transgender #mormon #lgbtq

Aug 13, 202149:36
Episode 97 - Kerry Pray

Episode 97 - Kerry Pray

In this episode, Jamie and Amy discuss scientific communication of queer issues, the bimodal distribution of gender, teaching at BYU as someone who couldn't admit to being gay, and the beautiful mess of humans and queer relationships.

Aug 05, 202155:15
Episode 96 - Natalie Walker

Episode 96 - Natalie Walker

In this episode, Natalie and Amy talk about renovating campers, the War of 1812, and residential schools. You just have to listen to figure this one out.

Jul 29, 202151:02
Episode 95 - The Decriminalization of Being Gay

Episode 95 - The Decriminalization of Being Gay

In this episode, Jamie Rodriguez, the General Counsel for the Transformation Podcast Network, and Amy Stephens discuss three key United States Supreme Court cases, demonstrating how the court and society have changed their views on being gay and the privacy of personal relationships.
Jul 21, 202150:49
Episode 94 - Rev. Meredith Cox, The Spiritual Queer

Episode 94 - Rev. Meredith Cox, The Spiritual Queer

This week Amy Stephens' (she/her) guest is Reverand Meredith Cox (they/them). In this episode, I discuss with Meredith holding space for transgender and gender diverse folx who are beginning their journey as their authentic selves, religious rites as we mark transition milestones, and what it means to be a spiritual queer in Tennessee.

Jul 15, 202138:27
Episode 93 - Emma Bruce Switches Teams

Episode 93 - Emma Bruce Switches Teams

This week's podcast co-host and guest Emma Bruce returns to Transformation Thursday to discuss the changes in her life since she started living authentically as herself as the world went into lockdown in March of 2020.

Jul 08, 202134:33
Episode 92 - Cindy Arena "The Hard Lesbian"

Episode 92 - Cindy Arena "The Hard Lesbian"

This week co-host and guest Cindy Arena chats with Amy Stephens about being a hard "L" lesbian and returning to comedy after a year off. Cindy puts Amy on the spot regarding her preferences for dating and the status of her relationship.

Jul 01, 202143:60
Episode 91 - Jamie Rodriguez, SCOTUS Analysis

Episode 91 - Jamie Rodriguez, SCOTUS Analysis

In this episode of Transformation Thursday, Jamie Rodriguez joins Amy Stephens to discuss the recent changes to Transformation Thursday and to provide her expert analysis of the United States Supreme Court decision in the case of Fulton v. The City of Philadelphia.

Jun 24, 202131:19
Episode 90 - Rachel Barnhart

Episode 90 - Rachel Barnhart

In this episode of Transformation Thursday Amy Stephens (she/her) and guest host Woody Battaglia (he/him) interview Monroe County (NY) Legislator Rachel Barnhart. We discuss her vision for Monroe County, how county government can serve the needs of their transgender citizens, how people monitor her speech and Tweets more than any other woman in our area, and how working the local campaign trail she is viewed by her constituents as a 43 year old woman.  

Follow Rachel on Twitter at: @rachbarnhart

Jun 22, 202149:13
Episode 89 - Ralph & Woody

Episode 89 - Ralph & Woody

In episode 11 of the Transformation Thursday Podcast Rochester, New York based comedians Ralph Tetta and Woody Battaglia take over the show, while Penny and Amy shopped on Amazon for clothes, shoes, and makeup. While the girls were shopping Ralph and Woody had a very in depth conversation about comedy, how it has changed, what can & cannot be said on stage, restrictions on comics, and a lot more. Listen in and enjoy this very frank conversation about comedy.

Jun 22, 202101:12:15
Episode 88: Jamie Francesca Rodriguez and the Biden Presidency

Episode 88: Jamie Francesca Rodriguez and the Biden Presidency

Amy & Penny sit down with Jamie Francesca Rodriguez Senior Counsel at Holland & Knight LLP, about how nice it is to be able to say "The Biden Presidency," and also all the things he's going to have to erase, especially in the area of transgender rights. 

Jun 05, 202101:13:00
Episode 87 - Jamie F. Rodriguez

Episode 87 - Jamie F. Rodriguez

In this episode we chat with Jamie Francesca Rodriguez, Esq to discuss her transition into womanhood, and as well her transition in the workplace and what resources are available to transgender and non-binary people as we transition at work.
Links to Transition Guidelines we discussed in the episode...

HRC, Workplace Gender Transition Guidelines
Society for Human Resource Managers, Managing Gender Transition in the Workplace
Center for Transgender Equality, Know your Rights (Sections on more topics than employment)
GLAAD, Transgender Resources
Jun 05, 202101:02:28
Episode 86 - Carolyn Hoffman Runs for Monroe County Legislature

Episode 86 - Carolyn Hoffman Runs for Monroe County Legislature

In this episode, Carolyn D. Hoffman (she/they) discusses their run for the Monroe County Legislature in District 25 with Penny and Amy.

May 27, 202152:53
Episode 85 Cathryn Oakley and Anti-Trans Legislation

Episode 85 Cathryn Oakley and Anti-Trans Legislation

In this week's episode state legislative director and senior counsel at the Human Rights Campaign, Catherine Oakley stops by to talk with Amy and Penny about the 19 anti-trangender bills that have been signed into law already this year, how legal they are (hint: not very), and what we can do to combat this wave of transphobia.

CW: discussion of suicidal ideations. 

May 20, 202153:40
Episode 84: Lindsay Boylan on Cuomo, Manhattan, & Donuts

Episode 84: Lindsay Boylan on Cuomo, Manhattan, & Donuts

Amy and Penny sit down with Lindsay Boylan, candidate for Manhattan Borough President, to talk about her time on the staff of Governor Andrew Cuomo, and the toxic work environment she detailed in her tweets and her Medium article about the abuse she's received, both while she's on staff, and after tweeting about it. We also talk about progressive politics, the changes she would make as borough president, and also about how good a kruller can be. 

May 13, 202101:03:05
Episode 83: El Chenier Gender Mentor and Home With Stinky Feet

Episode 83: El Chenier Gender Mentor and Home With Stinky Feet

This week Amy and Penny interview El Chenier (They/Them/Their), who discusses their evolution of gender in society and with themself. El also discusses their Gender Mentor program, where they teach a course for non-binary folx on coming home to their non-binary bodies and writing "Letters from Home" and the importance of trans and non-binary persons finding their chosen home. (CW: Sexual Abuse)

May 06, 202101:11:52
Episode 82 - Victor Sanchez for City Council

Episode 82 - Victor Sanchez for City Council

This week, Amy and Penny chat with Victor Sanchez, who's running for an at-large seat on the Rochester (NY) City Council. Victor talks about how his heritage and sexuality have informed his activism, and about the difference between changing the system from the outside vs the inside. 

He also increases Penny's Spanish vocabulary.

Apr 23, 202154:48
Episode 81: The Fashionating Natania Barron

Episode 81: The Fashionating Natania Barron

Our guest this week is the fabulous and fascinating Natania Barron, author, meme generator and host of #Threadtalk on Twitter! 

Apr 15, 202101:08:59
Episode 80 - Amy and Kimberly Anderson, AFMT Geek Out

Episode 80 - Amy and Kimberly Anderson, AFMT Geek Out

In this episode, Amy Stephens and Kimberly Anderson, AFMT, geek out on mental health care issues related to the transgender and gender diverse community (TGD), conversion therapy in Utah, and how the TGD community intersects with Mormonism. Additionally, Amy and Kimberly go off on a few tangents related to Amy's relationship road trips, jokes that are groaners, and a special Taco Tuesday.

Apr 08, 202149:38
Episode 79 - The Nightingale Sings & Speaks

Episode 79 - The Nightingale Sings & Speaks

While Amy Stephens is recovering from surgery, Penny has a conversation with Matt Nightingale, Co-Pastor of The Quest Novato, an educator, a parent, a singer, and #faithfullyLGBTQ. We were supposed to talk about the intersection of sexuality and spirituality. And we did. But we also talked about love, booze, music and about the meaning of the word peripatetic.  

Apr 01, 202101:05:34
Episode 78: Penny Faces Her Face
Mar 26, 202155:33