Simply Beyond Podcast Episode 3
Episode Description:
Host: Cyn Sweeney
Guest: Hanley Smith (Program Coordinator, Heal Nova Scotia; creator of Check Me Out)
Gender dysphoria can shape how young people relate to their bodies, intimacy, and care—especially when stigma and misinformation get loud. In this episode of Simply Beyond, host Cyn Sweeney speaks with Hanley Smith (Heal Nova Scotia; creator of Check Me Out) about using affirming language, trauma-informed practices, and community resources to reduce shame and build confidence.
We explore safer intimacy when navigating body discomfort, red flags around fetishization, how to fact-check sexual health online, and why community knowledge and medical guidance must work together.
You’ll also hear how the Check Me Out tool generates custom sexual-health recommendations (for all bodies, 18+)—and simple ways adults can support trans youth beyond donations.
Listen and Subscribe
Why listen: practical language tips, safer-sex frameworks, resource pathways for rural/underserved communities, and a warm reminder: you are not alone.
The importance of support at home
According to Canadian data, access to supportive adults can make trans and non-binary youth four times more likely to report excellent mental health. Supportive school environments can double those odds again. Hanley shares how silence, avoidance, or discomfort at home can communicate disapproval—even when parents believe they’re “doing nothing wrong.”
In this episode we talk about:
1
Lifelong Resilience
Why affirming homes build lifelong resilience
2
Language Tools
Language tools that reduce dysphoria (and what NOT to say)
3
Body Comfort
Intimacy when you’re navigating body discomfort
4
Check Me Out
How the Check Me Out tool works (380+ possible custom responses!)
In This Episode
Key Takeaways
- Silence communicates shame; language experimentation communicates safety.
- Supportive adults radically improve long-term mental health outcomes.
- Community knowledge is powerful, but should be paired with medical guidance.
- Safety is informed, not perfect.
- You are not alone.
Connect with Simply Good Form:
Having a laugh and learning language.
Lead the conversation. Language empowers.
Additional Resources
Nova Scotia Sexual Health Clinics Directory
https://shns.ca/sexual-health-clinics/
Planned Parenthood Sexual Health Resources
https://plannedparenthood.ca/
CATIE HIV / Hepatitis C Knowledge Base
https://www.catie.ca/
Show Links:
Check Me Out: https://checkmeout.ca/all-about-sexual-health/gender-dysphoria-sexual-health/
Heal Equity Alliance Nova Scotia: https://healns.ca/
The Trevor Project: https://www.thetrevorproject.org/
Sugar Health (NS) — Sexual health directory + warm line
The Youth Project: https://www.youthproject.ns.ca/
Anchor Archive Zine Library: https://anchorarchive.org
Music Credit:
Show intro/outro music courtesy of: Craymo: https://www.craymo.com/ and Be Myself video
#TransYouth #GenderDysphoria #AffirmingCare #SexualHealth #LGBTQ2S #InclusiveLanguage #TraumaInformed #QueerHealth #CheckMeOut #SimplyBeyondPodcast #ParentAllies #Educators #MentalHealth #InformedConsent #FetishizationRedFlags #RuralHealth #CommunityCare #NovaScotia #SupportMatters
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