Chapter 7: What If You're Wrong?

Host Megan Phelps-Roper asks J.K. Rowling to respond to pushback from some of her critics. The two also discuss the difficulty of discernment—why it can be so hard to know what’s right. Produced by Andy Mills, Matthew Boll, Megan Phelps-Roper, with special thanks to Candace Mittel Kahn and Emily Yoffe. This show is proudly sponsored by the Foundation for Individual Rights and Expression. FIRE believes free speech makes free people. Learn more at thefire.org. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Thank you

Megan, Joanne and crew,
Thank you for making this conversation public and possible. I highly recommend this podcast to those who are looking for a path toward reconciliation. It is honest, humble, sad and hopeful all at once.
I hope to live in a world where conversations like this happen everywhere.

Very well done!

I believe that this fairly and intelligently discussed very hard concepts. I do not believe that Rowling was being malicious or bigoted, but simply could not see past her fears, which are very real. I loved the interviews with Natalie and Noah. These are two very bright and articulate people who also conveyed, to me, at least, the perception the transgender community. I can see the valid concerns from both sides of the fence.
I will tell you, that I have a personal experience with this issue. When my daughter began going through puberty faster than her peers (a family trait) she was devastated. She was teased and bullied about her large breasts and she was attracted to females. She suffered from depression, anxiety and was desperately seeking to be included and a part of something that made her feel accepted. She came home one evening and told us she was a boy. Of course I had no idea what to do or say and that first night I handled it all wrong. But soon, I was trying to do the right thing and just support and love my child the best I could. There’s a lot involved in our story, but it’s not for a review. Long story, short, my daughter came to the conclusion that she was not supposed to be male after all, and is actually embarrassed about the situation because she feels she did something to discredit true transgender adolescents. I said that, to say this: every single situation is different. There’s not one story exactly the same. If we love and support our children and are diligent in providing them the care and medical support they need, we can make sure that our children are save on that point. But there’s a lot of and, ifs or buts there and I totally understand Rowling’s take on it. If I had just thrown my hands up and say do whatever you want, we would be in an entirely different situation now and I don’t think my child would be happy at all. As for the bathroom situation, I see the concern there too. I didn’t let my children go into a public restroom by themselves until that were teens and I still wait right outside the door. That’s scary in any situation. And I have no idea about sports and unfairness. Not something for which I have any knowledge. Prisons? I totally get that. I do not know that answer, but violence there is so prevalent, that I can’t see how transgender individuals could be considered safe and how sis woman would be afraid. It’s a topic that needs discussion, calmness, empathy and compassion. What I don’t understand are the threats, violence and jumping to conclusions. I’m really grateful for the emphasis on discussion and debate, even if you totally disagree with someone. I have learned so much by listening. It’s really amazing! Thank you for a wonderful program!

Old man oblivious now enlightened

First of all I’m not your average demographic. 71 year old straight monogamous white male. Now that I’ve offended 99% of the readers, thank you thank you for explaining to this old SCI FI fan what happened to a generation of kids steam rolled by the internet full of hate groups and LBGTQ groups all believing that they all have been anointed with the message of what’s right and wrong with the world. Opinions are like ass holes, everyone else’s but yours stinks. I didn’t have a clue, I’m not a blogger, just a Harry Potter Rowling fan who enjoyed the books and movies. Looking at the protestors on the news , far right, far left both unconvincingly headed down the wrong path. I totally respect and agree with JKR and her simple words and heartfelt concern for our children who are being told they have to be a certain way by adults who don’t have a clue or just want to profit from meds or surgery Kids are so impressionable at their young age and I agree that in 10 years or so we’re going to look back and say WTF were they thinking.
This podcast hit on the issues and gave both sides very well with respectful educated explanations of how we got here to where we are now.
Again thank you

Absolutely informative

Non bias, in-depth, well produced look into the issues the trans community faces, and the hate Rowling receives. well worth the listen.

Good interview

Very informative. Gave a lot of background/context to the events leading up to the tweets, and included multiple perspectives/reactions.

Mind Opening

Excellent podcast interview. Very informative view points from both sides. It has reminded me to open my mind to other peoples points of view and allow myself to be open to debate. This story has allowed me to see where I have allowed myself to become part of the cancel culture simply because some people dont believe as I do. Im grateful to have listened to it and highly recommend listening to it.

In-depth conversations and various points of view

I loved hearing JK Rowling articulate her points of view as well as listening to her critics. Life’s experiences are nuanced and our conversations should be as well.

A CRUCIAL DEBATE finally given a space!

I’m so impressed with the breadth of opinions from all the opposing voices in this appropriately titled “witch-hunt”. At last those people with female reproductive organs and xy chromosomes can be heard without being shouted down, attacked and abused! The disgusting labelling and verbal assaults of such a thoughtful and thought provoking person as Jk Rowling and the other highly regarded intellectual feminists, shows up the innate fear that there is something not right about actions that are now far too freely being taken. It has been so alarming to see how quickly even governments have begun embracing this “new woke ideology and new far reaching medical practices without proper debate or even proper longitudinal research. It beggars belief that health concern can be so easily shrugged off! The negation, as she says of the rights and experiences of those of us born with the xy chromosome and to simplify the experience of people with gender dysphoria with just medication creating life long dependency on medical intervention is also of huge concern. This embracing of the medical profession of not delving thoroughly into every single child’s feelings and physical health before prescribing seriously life changing medications and irreversible medical procedures is criminal. This podcast justly provides both sides with an equal platform. It was a faith & hope restoring experience. Highly recommend!

thought provoking

beautifully put together with relevant arguments on both sides that I never thought about. can't wait for the epilogue.

Well done

No matter where you stand on the issues and opinions presented in the podcast. It is well done and examined from many angles