Trans Biblical
Trans Biblical is a trans positive podcast exploring transgender topics and the Bible through accessible conversations with the authors and scholars behind the groundbreaking book Trans Biblical. Join us as we interpret sacred texts for our time, share personal stories, and hopefully spark great conversation that uplifts and affirms transgender voices.
Episodes

Monday May 26, 2025
Monday May 26, 2025
This EpisodeDiscover with Dr. Joy Ladin how we may disrupt all sorts of binaries: the cis-trans binary, the human-divine binary, and so much more. Joy is a widely known and respected voice in trans topics, as well as poet and professor emeritus of literature. Joy truely does bring joy to everything she does – and you’ll discover how you can do trans hermeneutics/interpretation, whether you’re trans or not. Follow Joy on Facebook or at her website: www.joyladin.com fa
Keep GoingYou can get your copy of Trans Biblical directly from the publisher right here. To use the 40% discount (for those in the USA), enter the code TRANSBIBLICAL40. If you live outside the United States, just email the customer service department at customer_service@wjkbooks.com, and they will honor the discount.
Finally, if you'd like to leave a tip to help support this podcast, it is much appreciated! The tip jar can be found here.
Suggested amounts so you don't have to struggle:
- $1 if you're worried about your personal well being right now (stay safe y'all -- you're the priority)
- $5 if you're feeling inspired by the content
- $10 if you're inspired and learning a lot, and not personally struggling!

Wednesday May 14, 2025
Wednesday May 14, 2025
What we talk about today!Find out more about Jael, the gender-ambiguous, seducing, tent-peg slaying figure of Judges 4! Dr. Aysha Musa dives deep into this fascinating character and shows you exactly why Jael IS gender ambiguous (or nonbinary). Follow Aysha on Facebook and Twitter.
Buy the Book, Support the Podcast.
You can get your copy of Trans Biblical directly from the publisher right here or anywhere other major outlets like Amazon (affiliate link, FYI). Finally, if you'd like to leave a tip to help support this podcast, it is much appreciated! The tip jar can be found here.
Suggested amounts so you don't have to struggle:
- $1 if you're worried about your personal well being right now (stay safe y'all -- you're the priority)
- $5 if you're feeling inspired by the content
- $10 if you're inspired and learning a lot, and not personally struggling!Y'all go on and be your best, most wonderful and authentic selves. See you in the next episode.

Monday Apr 28, 2025
Monday Apr 28, 2025
Wait, I wanna read the Gospel of Thomas!Listeners, so glad you're now ready to dive into this mysterious, cool Gospel for yourself. To read the Gospel of Thomas, here is a translation.
Particulars about Melissa
The best way to reach Melissa is through email: sellew@umn.edu.
This is Melissa’s article “Reading the Gospel of Thomas from Here: A Trans- Centered Hermeneutic,” freely accessible at the Journal of Interdisciplinary Biblical Studies.
Many of Melissa’s articles on Thomas and other topics are posted on Academia.edu (you can make a free account): https://umn.academia.edu/MelissaHarlSellew
Buy the Book and Support the Podcast
If you’d like to support the podcast, you can buy me a cup of coffee right here.
You can get your copy of Trans Biblical directly from the publisher right here. To use the 40% discount (for those in the USA), enter the code TRANSBIBLICAL40. If you live outside the United States, just email the customer service department at customer_service@wjkbooks.com, and they will honor the discount.
Finally, if you'd like to leave a tip to help support this podcast, it is much appreciated! The tip jar can be found here.
Suggested amounts so you don't have to struggle:
- $1 if you're worried about your personal well being right now (stay safe y'all -- you're the priority)
- $5 if you're feeling inspired by the content
- $10 if you're inspired and learning a lot, and not personally struggling!

Monday Apr 14, 2025
Monday Apr 14, 2025
Today, we dive into the book OF Esther WITH Dr. Esther Brownsmith. Esther talks about why including non-binary and trans perspective is not part of a diversity quota, but vital for seeing the Bible in new ways. Of course, we talk about her great chapter in Trans Biblical, and she gives hints about why she believes Mordecai in the book of Esther may be non-binary. Plus, she gives us insight into Bible fan fiction!
Esther’s contact information is right here:
For the book by Tom de Bruin on Early Christianity and Fan Fiction, click here.
Plus, you may be interested in the article that got her a ton of email about Mordecai and their non-binary identity – you do have to sign up for an account at Fox News, so proceed with caution :)
Follow Esther on Blue Sky @brownsmith.bsky.socialSupport the Podcast and Your Learning!You can get your copy of Trans Biblical directly from the publisher right here. To use the 40% discount (for those in the USA), enter the code TRANSBIBLICAL40. If you live outside the United States, just email the customer service department at customer_service@wjkbooks.com, and they will honor the discount. Finally, if you'd like to leave a tip to help support this podcast, it is much appreciated! The tip jar can be found here. Suggested amounts so you don't have to struggle: - $1 if you're worried about your personal well being right now (stay safe y'all -- you're the priority)- $5 if you're feeling inspired by the content- $10 if you're inspired and learning a lot, and not personally struggling!

Monday Mar 31, 2025
Monday Mar 31, 2025
IntroductionRev. Dr. Justin Sabia-Tanis is the Associate Professor of Christian Ethics and Social Transformation Supported by the McVay Endowment, Program Director for Social Transformation. He is an amazing theologian, scholar, pastor, and so much more. You will find a link to his landmark book Transgender below, too.
Get ready to discover about how The Good Samaritan parable can be read from a trans lens.
Links and Goodies (Amazon affiliate links are ahead)
Follow Justin on Facebook, Instagram, and BlueSky.
You can check out Justin’s book Transgender: Theology, Ministry, and Communities of Faith here.
You can get your copy of Trans Biblical directly from the publisher right here. To use the 40% discount (for those in the USA), enter the code TRANSBIBLICAL40. If you live outside the United States, just email the customer service department at customer_service@wjkbooks.com, and they will honor the discount.
Finally, if you'd like to leave a tip to help support this podcast, it is much appreciated! The tip jar can be found here. Suggested amounts so you don't have to struggle: - $1 if you're worried about your personal well being right now (stay safe y'all -- you're the priority)- $5 if you're feeling inspired by the content- $10 if you're inspired and learning a lot, and not personally struggling!

Friday Mar 28, 2025
Friday Mar 28, 2025
In this two-minute trailer for Trans Biblical, host Katy E. Valentine tells you exactly why transgender and Bible go together! Future episodes will offer you tons of trans positive ways to understand the Bible from expert scholars. Discover how we interpret sacred texts for our time and get a glimpse of the insightful conversations ahead—with authors and scholars from the groundbreaking book Trans Biblical. Tune in to learn what makes our podcast a welcoming space for uplifting and affirming transgender voices in faith communities, and get ready to join the dialogue. Subscribe now and we'll see you in the first episode.Buy the book here. Claim your 40% off through May 10 with the discount code TRANSBIBLICAL40.
The music on the podcast is Eco Technology by Lexin Music courtesy of Pixabay. Follow them on YouTube!
Our next episode will be out soon, and you'll hear a very cool new way to think about The Good Samaritan. Like and subscribe to keep up to date.