Originally published in October 2020 as part of the Hey, Cis! podcast series.
Archive Note
This post originally accompanied Episode 1 of the Hey, Cis! podcast, recorded in 2020.
Since then, the podcast has evolved into Simply Beyond, a broader conversation about leadership, identity, and belonging.
Simply Beyond
Leadership, identity, belonging, and the courage to live authentically.
Before Simply Beyond became a broader platform for conversations about leadership, identity, and belonging, I co-hosted a podcast called Hey, Cis!.
The goal was simple:
Create a space where people could ask questions about gender diversity without shame or fear of “getting it wrong.”
This first episode originally aired in 2020.
At the time, conversations about gender identity were still emerging in many workplaces and communities. Many people were hearing terms like transgender, non-binary, and cisgender for the first time.
In this episode, I’m joined by Isaac, a non-binary trans advocate, as we unpack some of the most common questions people have when they begin learning about gender diversity.
Together we explore:
- What the term transgender actually means
- The difference between sex, gender identity, and gender expression
- Why having language for identity can be life-changing
- How supportive environments dramatically improve mental-health outcomes for trans youth
- What parents and allies can do when someone they love comes out
This conversation reflects the spirit of curiosity and humility that continues to guide my work today.
Because inclusion doesn’t start with having perfect answers.
It starts with being willing to ask better questions.
A Reflection from Cynthia
Looking back at this conversation several years later, I’m reminded how powerful it can be when people simply take the time to listen.
When my own child came out as transgender, I had far more questions than answers. Like many parents and allies, I had to unlearn assumptions and expand my understanding of gender.
That learning journey ultimately shaped the work I do today — helping leaders, families, and organizations build spaces where people feel seen and valued.
Continue the Conversation
If this conversation resonates with you, I invite you to explore more episodes of Simply Beyond, where we continue these conversations about leadership, identity, and belonging.
You may also be interested in Cynthia Sweeney Coaching, where I work with leaders and individuals navigating identity, leadership, and life transitions.
→ Learn more at cynsweeney.com
Cisgender (Cis) — what’s it means anyway?
Cis is the latin term for ‘on the same side of’ and simply put describes someone who’s sex as assigned at birth aligns with their gender identity. It aligns with who they are on the inside.
Gender identity is ones innermost sense of self as a man or as a woman or lying somewhere in between these gender lines; or as lying outside these gender lines altogether.
Learn more in our Terminology Library
