Month: June 2023
When Your Child Is Gay: What You Need to Know With Wesley Davidson (Ep. 6)

When Your Child Is Gay: What You Need to Know With Wesley Davidson (Ep. 6)

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Envision the emotional journey of parents, resolute in their unwavering dedication to embrace and affirm their child’s sexual orientation or gender identity, while simultaneously grappling with the burden of their child’s battle against addiction.

This multi-layered heartache casts a shadow of pain and complexity, making it an excruciating ordeal endured by far too many parents in the LGBTQ+ community.

In this episode, Tim Volk speaks with author Wesley Davidson about her book When Your Child Is Gay: What You Need to Know. Wesley shares the story of her son, Graham, a member of the LGBTQ+ community, his battle with addiction, and its influence on her decision to write a book to help other parents. Wesley’s story is a testament to the strength and resilience of parents who strive to embrace and understand their children’s sexual orientation or gender identity.

Wesley discusses: 

  • Her journey to becoming an author and the evolution of her relationship with her children
  • The lessons she learned from sending her son to rehab and her advice to other parents
  • Why she wrote When Your Child Is Gay: What You Need to Know and what she learned in the process
  • Her message to other parents of children in the LGBTQ+ community
  • A sneak peek of the new project she’s working on to help parents who are looking to intervene with their child’s substance abuse
  • And more

 

Resources:

Connect with Tim Volk: 

Connect with Wesley Davidson: 

About our Guest: 

Wesley Davidson is a member of the American Society of Journalists and Authors and The Authors Guild. During the last few years, Wesley has concentrated her writing on the LGBTQ community. Wesley co-authored When Your Child Is Gay: What You Need To Know with psychiatrist Jonathan L. Tobkes, M.D. Wesley’s popular blog Straight Parent, LGBT+ Kid gives tips for straight parents of LGBTQ children on how to deal with issues raising nonbinary children. Her book, When Your Child Is Gay: What You Need To Know was awarded the Pinnacle Book Achievement Award for best parenting book in 2017 by the National Association of Book Entrepreneurs. For parents of children with substance abuse disorders, Wesley also writes a monthly column for Psychology Today.com with addiction specialist Joseph Shrand, M.D. Wesley has contributed to websites such as gaynewspulse.com and gaynewsagenda.com as well as parenting magazines such as Adoptive Families, Family Fun, and American Baby, to name a few publications.

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Creating a Dream Family through Alternative Parenthood With Arden O’Connor (Ep. 5)

Creating a Dream Family through Alternative Parenthood With Arden O’Connor (Ep. 5)

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The journey to parenthood is filled with twists and turns, and it’s rarely an easy one. But for those who must take the path less traveled to create a baby, the journey can be even more challenging. Despite the obstacles, these individuals are determined to overcome adversity and build the family of their dreams.

In this episode, Tim Volk welcomes back Arden O’Connor to the podcast to share her inspiring story of building her own family. Unable to have children of her own, Arden has explored every option out there, overcoming obstacles at each step of the way.

Tim and Arden discuss more on: 

  • The exciting array of options available to individuals who are unable to conceive children naturally
  • The incredible advances in science that have opened up a world of possibilities for creating a family
  • Arden’s personal experience and unique perspective on navigating the surrogacy process
  • Gain valuable insights into why adoption may not be the right fit for everyone
  • And more!

Join us as we delve into the inspiring stories and uplifting journeys of those who have overcome obstacles to create the family of their dreams.

 

Connect with Tim Volk: 

Connect with Arden O’Connor: 

About our Guest: 

At the age of 25, Arden was diagnosed with Leukemia, leaving her unable to have children of her own. Knowing she wanted to become a mother, Arden set out on her journey of creating her family. 

Arden founded the O’Connor Professional Group to address the needs of families and individuals struggling with various behavioral health issues, including addiction, mental health disorders, eating disorders, learning, and other developmental challenges. With several relatives in recovery, Arden is passionate about helping families and individuals navigate the highly fragmented treatment system in a way that creates positive outcomes and allows families to heal. 

Arden is a graduate of Harvard College and Harvard Business School. She remains heavily involved in community activities, as a board member of Winsor School Corporation, Collaboration for Family Flourishing, and Massachusetts Association of Mental Health. Previously, she served as a board member for the Justice Resource Institute (former chair), C4 Recovery Solutions, Attorneys for Family Held Enterprises, Harvard Club of Boston, Victory Programs, and Harvard Business School Alumni Association of Boston.

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