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Informed Dissent

LGB Courage Coalition
Gender Identity
Gender Dysphoria
Gender Affirming Medical Treatment
Mental Health
Adolescents
Trump Administration
New York Times
Puberty Blockers
Gender Culture Wars
Medical Ethics
Executive Order On Gender Ideology
Transgender Policies
Gender-Affirming Care
Self-Identity
Patient Autonomy
WPATH Standards Of Care
Democratic Party
Trump's Executive Orders
Transitioning Practices
Washington Post

You Have Permission to Question, Scrutinize, Push Back, and Dissent! Jamie Reed, Cori Cohn, and Lauren Leggieri report on their adventures and misadventures trying to explain and mitigate the gender culture wars. We will publish most weeks, focusing some on the news and some on important topics from social transition to lawsuits to what the heck the word “gender” means. informeddissentpodcast.subs... more

PublishesWeeklyEpisodes44Foundeda year ago
Number of ListenersCategories
NewsSociety & Culture

Listen to this Podcast

Artwork for Informed Dissent

Latest Episodes

Week of November 8, 2025

Hosts: Jamie Reed, Lauren Leggieri, and Cori Cohn

Sponsored by the LGB Courage Coalition

■ Lauren’s Headlines

Key stories of the week in gender policy, medicine, and media.

■ Deep Dive

Topic: “Who My Child Was and Would... more

YouTube

Jamie Reed, Lauren Leggieri, and Cori Cohn break down the U.K.’s big news: the National Health Service launching a dedicated detransitioner service. What does this mean for accountability—and how does an institution open a clinic to address harm whil... more

YouTube

In this episode, we speak with Joe Figliolia, author of the Manhattan Institute’s new report on institutional capture inside the Texas Medical Association, and Dr. Lisa Ehrlich, who has seen that reality up close. We revisit the AAP’s 2018 Rafferty p... more

YouTube

In this week’s Informed Dissent—our first real fall episode—Jamie Reed, Lauren Leggieri, and Cori Cohn take a darker turn, exploring how speech—whether protected, restricted, or weaponized—shapes the moral landscape of medicine, therapy, and the digi... more

YouTube

Key Facts

Contact Information
Podcast Host
Number of Listeners
Find out how many people listen to this podcast per episode and each month.

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Recent Guests

Glenna Goldis
Lawyer in New York and founder of Gender Critical Law Society
Gender Critical Law Society
Episode: Exit Strategies: NHS Detransition Care, Texas Flight, and Legal Fights
Joe Figliolia
Policy analyst at the Manhattan Institute
Manhattan Institute
Episode: Runaway Diffusion: Institutional Capture in Texas
Dr. Lisa Ehrlich
Physician practicing in Houston, Texas for almost 30 years
Texas Medical Association
Episode: Runaway Diffusion: Institutional Capture in Texas
Alex Byrne
Professor of Philosophy at MIT, author of Trouble with Gender, Sex Facts, Gender Fictions, and co-author of the HHS report on pediatric gender medicine.
MIT
Episode: Episode 32: Revisiting the HHS report, with co-author Alex Byrne
Maud Maron
Candidate for Manhattan's next District Attorney
Episode: Episode 31: NYC vs. the world, with Maud Maron
Leor Sapir
Fellow at the Manhattan Institute, expert on pediatric gender medicine and education policy
Manhattan Institute
Episode: Episode 30: Unpacking the Skrmetti decision, with special guest Leor Sapir
Dr. Anna Hutchinson
London-based clinical psychologist with 25 years of experience specializing in adolescent mental and physical health.
Various gender services
Episode: Episode 29: A conversation with GIDS whistleblower Dr. Anna Hutchinson

Hosts

Ben Appel
Host of Informed Dissent and author of the forthcoming book, Cis White Gay.
Cori Cohn
Co-host with trans experience, psychological researcher.
Lisa Selin Davis
Co-host and author, heretic and journalist.
Jamie Reed
Co-host and gender clinic whistleblower, pediatric gender center whistleblower.

Reviews

4.8 out of 5 stars from 103 ratings
  • When will you be back?

    I look forward to this podcast every week. I miss you all! I know Cori is stepping away but I hope the rest of you come back soon.

    Apple Podcasts
    5
    Mama Ain’t Playin’
    United States2 months ago
  • Love it

    Look forward to this all week, very smart

    Apple Podcasts
    5
    Jkerseeoh
    United States7 months ago

Listeners Say

Key themes from listener reviews, highlighting what works and what could be improved about the show.

Many fans appreciate the open-minded approach to controversial subjects.
Listeners express high regard for the podcast's insightful discussions on complex topics.
The hosts are praised for their expertise and ability to articulate challenging issues surrounding gender identity.

Top Society & Culture Podcasts

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This American LifeThis American Life
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The Ezra Klein Show
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Adrift
AdriftApple TV / Blanchard House
I've Had It
I've Had ItJennifer Welch and Angie Sullivan
Sword and Scale
Sword and ScaleSword and Scale
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The Viall FilesNick Viall

Talking Points

Recent interactions between the hosts and their guests.

Runaway Diffusion: Institutional Capture in Texas
Q: Joe, can you explain why Texas, why did the Texas Medical Association become such a critical case study for you?
Part of it is pragmatic in the sense that there were concerned members of the Texas Medical Association that felt like they have an ethical duty to call out what they're seeing in their organization.
When Should We Regulate Speech?
Q: Do you think in general these laws should continue to exist, or?
The hosts discuss the balance between free speech for therapists and the need for regulation to protect vulnerable clients, indicating mixed feelings about the current laws.
When Should We Regulate Speech?
Q: Should we have a law banning talk conversion therapy regarding gender identity and sexual orientation?
There's a debate on whether the government has the ability and right to regulate speech in therapy and what constitutes harmful therapy for minors.
Episode 31: NYC vs. the world, with Maud Maron
Q: Can you tell us about that First Amendment case against the New York City Department of Education that you won last year?
Maron recounted the First Amendment win that allowed her to return to her school board seat after being removed for expressing concerns over educational policies while arguing against a speech code imposed by the Department of Education.
Episode 32: Revisiting the HHS report, with co-author Alex Byrne
Q: How did the team approach writing the HHS report under a tight deadline?
Alex explains that although the timeframe was short, the team was well-prepared, having been involved in the gender identity discourse for years.

Audience Metrics

Listeners, social reach, demographics and more for this podcast.

Listeners per Episode
Gender Skew
Location
Interests
Professions
Age Range
Household Income
Social Media Reach

Frequently Asked Questions About Informed Dissent

What is Informed Dissent about and what kind of topics does it cover?

Content focuses on intense debates surrounding gender identity and the associated sociopolitical climate. The hosts often engage in discussions about recent legislative changes, mental health implications specific to transgender youth, and the medical practices related to gender affirming care. The episodes dissect news stories, cultural norms, and the personal experiences of individuals involved in the gender culture wars, fostering a critical examination of various topics including school policies, community advocacy, and healthcare ethics. With a blend of serious discussions and personal anecdotes, this multimedia presentation aims to challenge prevailing narratives while encouraging open dialogue around contentious issues.

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Which podcasts are similar to Informed Dissent?

These podcasts share a similar audience with Informed Dissent:

1. Beyond Gender
2. Heterodorx
3. The Same Drugs
4. The Unspeakeasy With Meghan Daum
5. Calmversations

How many episodes of Informed Dissent are there?

Informed Dissent launched a year ago and published 44 episodes to date. You can find more information about this podcast including rankings, audience demographics and engagement in our podcast database.

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What guests have appeared on Informed Dissent?

Recent guests on Informed Dissent include:

1. Glenna Goldis
2. Joe Figliolia
3. Dr. Lisa Ehrlich
4. Alex Byrne
5. Maud Maron
6. Leor Sapir
7. Dr. Anna Hutchinson

To view more recent guests and their details, simply upgrade your Rephonic account. You'll also get access to a typical guest profile to help you decide if the show is worth pitching.

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