The Gender Accompaniment Project with Abigail Favale

McGrath Institute for Church Life
  • 5.0 (27)
  • Christianity
  • Updated Biweekly

When the cultural discourse surrounding gender is heated and divisive, how can Christians respond in truth and love? Join author and academic Abigail Favale for a ten-part exploration into this timely question. The Gender Accompaniment Project is a documentary-style series centered on the stories of Christ followers who feel a sense of disconnect with their bodily sex. Through first-person testimony and expert commentary, listeners will gain a deeper understanding of the Catholic Christian vision of gender and learn to better accompany those who experience gender discordance.

Episodes

  1. May 28

    7. Alienation & Accompaniment | The Gender Accompaniment Project

    We are into the final four episodes of our series. While we have learned key terms and witnessed powerful stories, a big question still remains: when it comes down to it, what does authentic accompaniment actually look like, for those seeking to serve persons with gender discordance? And what sorts of alienating pitfalls do we need to avoid?  In this episode we’ll hear from lay minister Marlyn Batista about her research into this very topic. Later, Dr. Julia Sadusky and Fr. Raphael Mary Salzillo join us to share their perspectives on accompaniment. We’ll also hear Marie’s story, and identify actions that ultimately do little more than alienate.  Special thanks to Marlyn Batista, Dr. Julia Sadusky, Fr. Raphael Mary Salzillo, O.P., and Marie for being part of today’s episode.  Additional Links:  The Us Versus Us Study: https://www.amazon.com/Us-versus-Untold-Religion-Community/dp/1631466194 Learn more about Julia’s work here: https://www.juliasadusky.com/about

    1h 3m

  2. May 14

    6. Medicine & Mystery | The Gender Accompaniment Project

    In today’s episode, we’ll meet Honorata and hear about her experience with medical transition, an experience which – quite mysteriously – coincided with her finding her way back to God and back into the Church. Honorata’s story doesn’t fit neatly into culture war narratives about gender and transition; rather, it offers a beautiful, honest look at the often enigmatic ways  God moves in our lives. We’ll also talk with Dr. Paul Hruz, an endocrinologist, about what we know and what we don’t know when it comes to the causes of gender dysphoria and its treatment. Special thanks to Dr. Paul Hruz and Honorata for appearing in today's episode.

    1h 4m

  3. Apr 30

    5. Seen & Loved | The Gender Accompaniment Project

    In today’s episode we hear from Sean about his experiences of transition, detransition, and conversion. We’ll explore the concept of personal fragmentation and how the varied, seemingly disparate parts that make up each of us can find integration and unity in Christ’s loving gaze. Dr. Greg Bottaro joins us to offer a psychologist’s perspective, and we’ll revisit our conversation with Sr. Maria Gemma on the healing power of Adoration. Special thanks to Dr. Greg Bottaro, Sr. Maria Gemma Salyer, and Sean for appearing in today's episode. Learn more about Dr. Greg’s work here: https://catholicpsych.com/

    1 hr

  4. Apr 16

    4. Gift & Longing | The Gender Accompaniment Project

    In this episode, we hear from Quinn as she shares her journey with gender discordance. From a young age, Quinn experienced a fragmentation of her identity that spurred years of wrestling. Today, we’ll learn how she has come to reconcile her call to self gift with her gender discordance. We’ll also talk to Anna Carter of Eden Invitation about their unique approach to ministry. Special thanks to Anna Carter and Quinn for appearing in today's episode.Learn more about Eden Invitation here: https://www.edeninvitation.com/

    53 min

  5. Apr 2

    3. Body & Story | The Gender Accompaniment Project

    What story is God telling us through our bodies? Today we explore the power of story in understanding ourselves and the ambient, cultural forces that can shape our perception of gender and the body. We’ll hear Katy’s journey towards understanding her own femininity and learn from Dr. Angela Franks. Special thanks to Dr. Angela Franks and Katy for appearing in today's episode. We talked about: Pope John Paul II’s Theology of the Body: http://amazon.com/Man-Woman-He-Created-Them/dp/0819874213/ Chance or the Dance? By Thomas Howard: https://www.amazon.com/Chance-Dance-Critique-Modern-Secularism/dp/0898702291 The Works of George MacDonald https://www.worksofmacdonald.com/ Read Angela’s work here: https://www.angelafranks.com/writing-1

    52 min

  6. Mar 19

    2. Gender & Generativity | The Gender Accompaniment Project

    What is gender, anyway? In this episode, we'll take a deeper dive into the concept by looking at the various understandings on offer in our cultural moment and comparing those with a Catholic Christian understanding. So stick with us, and let’s take a little tour through the many lenses of gender. Special thanks to Dr. Angela Franks and Fr. Christian Raab for appearing in today's episode. We talked about -- Matthew 19:12: https://bible.usccb.org/bible/matthew/19?12=#48019012 Catechism of the Catholic Church 2333: https://www.usccb.org/sites/default/files/flipbooks/catechism/562/ David Bennet’s “A War of Love”: https://www.amazon.com/War-Loves-Unexpected-Activist-Discovering/dp/0310538106 Fr. Christian on the Masculine Genius: https://www.catholicculture.org/culture/library/librarypdf/Raab-Masculine-Genius.pdf

    41 min

  7. Mar 19

    1. Us & Them | The Gender Accompaniment Project

    The discourse surrounding gender is tense. When the stakes are so high and everyone seems squared off into opposing camps, how can we remain grounded in truth and walk in the way of love? We talk to a religious sister, a philosopher, and a lifelong Christian who experiences gender discordance to find out. Special thanks to Sr. Maria Gemma Salyer, Jake Thibault, and Gene for appearing in today's episode. You can find Jake’s book here: https://www.amazon.com/Transgender-Ideology-Gender-Dysphoria-Understanding/dp/1737227304?ref_=ast_author_dp&th=1&psc=1 You can find Abby’s book here: https://ignatius.com/the-genesis-of-gender-ggp/ Learn more about Eden Invitation here: https://www.edeninvitation.com/

    53 min

  8. Season 1 Trailer

    Series Trailer | The Gender Accompaniment Project

    Introducing the Gender Accompaniment Project, a new podcast series from Abigail Favale and the McGrath Institute for Church Life at the University of Notre Dame. When the cultural discourse surrounding gender is heated and divisive, how can Christians  respond in truth and love? Join author and academic Abigail Favale for a ten-part exploration into this timely question. This is a documentary-style series that centers on the stories of committed Christians who feel a sense of disconnect with their bodily sex. Through first-person testimony and expert commentary, listeners will foster a deeper understanding of the Catholic Christian vision of gender and learn to better accompany those who experience gender discordance. Together, let’s bridge the gap between truth and love. Starting 3/19/26, new episodes every other Thursday wherever you get your podcasts.

    2 min

Trailer

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out of 5
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About

When the cultural discourse surrounding gender is heated and divisive, how can Christians respond in truth and love? Join author and academic Abigail Favale for a ten-part exploration into this timely question. The Gender Accompaniment Project is a documentary-style series centered on the stories of Christ followers who feel a sense of disconnect with their bodily sex. Through first-person testimony and expert commentary, listeners will gain a deeper understanding of the Catholic Christian vision of gender and learn to better accompany those who experience gender discordance.

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