The Joy Tuck Club

Building Bridges, Breaking BarriersSome walls are fortresses. Each week, new rules, new restrictions, new barriers that make them higher and harder to climb. Some walls need a hero—someone to shatter their faulty logic and malign rigidity. In this episode of The Joy Tuck Club we have a chat with exactly that kind of person.Dr. Ioannis Ntanos is a surgeon specializing in gender-affirming care, specifically FTM top surgery, operating in London and Athens. He has performed over 980 such surgeries, and is a somewhat unusual counterpoint to the more prescriptive physicians through his emphasis on patient autonomy and shared decision-making.He is an educator, launching masterclasses and contributing to medical texts, but as you’ll hear in this discussion, he also has a Masters in Ethics and Law, which informs his approach to allyship, and he wields it with surgical precision, scything through the arguments of those opposing gender affirming care. We can only wish there were more Ioannis’ in the world, but alas, there is only one.Ioannis has a few very important points for anyone contemplating any gender affirming surgery, and it begins with finding a surgeon who is also an ally foremost, and one who won’t put your desired outcome at risk. He says a consultation must always be a negotiation between what is wanted and what is possible. Gatekeeping should never play a part.But as you can imagine from someone who is also somewhat of a polymath, he has many interesting things to say about many things. He leaves on a poetic note, with the full text printed below.We hope you enjoy, and if you wish to get in touch with Ioannis, please visit his website at https://www.ioannisntanos.com/ and tune into The Top Surgery Podcast on Spotify.Wallsby C. P. Cavafy1863 – 1933translated from the modern Greek by John CavafyWithout reflection, without mercy, without shame,they built strong walls and high, and compassed me about.And here I sit now and consider and despair.It wears away my heart and brain, this evil fate:I had outside so many things to terminate.Oh! why when they were building could I not beware!But never a sound of building, never an echo came.Insensibly they drew the world and shut me out. https://poets.org/poem/wallsSupport the show—Visit The Joy Tuck Club online at redandfreckles.com and learn more about us and our upcoming book, How To Transition. You can also find red+freckles (Rachel & Phoebe) at: Instagram: @twodamptransThreads: @twodamptransBluesky: @twodamptrans.bsky.socialTikTok: @twodamptransYouTube: @TwoDampTransSpotify: The Joy Tuck ClubApple: The Joy Tuck Club The Joy Tuck Club is written, produced, and edited by red+freckles, of Two Damp Trans Ltd, UK.

In this episode of The Joy Tuck Club we are joined by the delightfully dynamic Dani St James. This isn’t for the faint-hearted though. If you clutch your pearls at the occasional f-bomb, best get them ready.Calling in from her colourful studio in the seaside town of Margate, Dani shares a transition journey that traces a path from Wales (where trans-miners, yes, miners as in mines, played a key role in her early transition), to Ibiza, where the challenges of tucking and electrical tape sparked an idea that eventually flared into Zoah, a lingerie brand featuring perhaps the best tuckers, binders, and packers any trans person could want. Her dream was to create underwear so comfortable you forget you’re even wearing it.Along the way she also, much to the surprise of many a parliamentarian suffering from Cassification of the brain, had a good experience at the Tavistock gender clinic, just happened to become the first trans woman to out herself deliberately on a national tv show, became a model and celebrity, and went on to found an incredible charity, Not A Phase, providing vital support to trans and gender non-conforming adults across the UK.Of course, it wasn’t all smooth sailing, but you’ll have to listen to the episode to find out why.Dani shares an unfiltered story that is imbued with a monumental amount of joy. It’s also one of perseverance, passion, and a little presale panic, making it a useful listen for anyone needing some entrepreneurial uplifting too. And it all started with someone who initially thought she was just “really shit at being a gay boy.”Join us for a wonderfully rompish ride through life, love, and the pursuit of comfortable underwear.https://zoah.shop/https://notaphase.org/https://www.instagram.com/danistjamesSupport the show—Visit The Joy Tuck Club online at redandfreckles.com and learn more about us and our upcoming book, How To Transition. You can also find red+freckles (Rachel & Phoebe) at: Instagram: @twodamptransThreads: @twodamptransBluesky: @twodamptrans.bsky.socialTikTok: @twodamptransYouTube: @TwoDampTransSpotify: The Joy Tuck ClubApple: The Joy Tuck Club The Joy Tuck Club is written, produced, and edited by red+freckles, of Two Damp Trans Ltd, UK.

Not so long ago (narrator: it was just late last year), we had the pleasure of interviewing Dr Giuseppe Di Taranto—a lively, passionate Italian surgeon now based in London. His fascination with microsurgery led him across continents to Asia, where he discovered a deep interest in the intricate challenges of gender-affirming care.Dr Di Taranto now offers a wide range of treatments at his own clinic (https://giuseppeditaranto.com/)—from facelifts and breast augmentations to body contouring and non-surgical treatments—and also consults at the renowned Chelsea and Westminster Hospital.But beyond his surgical skills, he is a true trans ally. When another clinic suddenly shut down, he stepped in to support abandoned patients, and he continues to offer care that goes above and beyond what many surgeons in this field provide.We were thrilled to speak with him about his journey, his work, what patients can expect, and how best to approach a consultation.So, tune in, download, listen up (or down), and enjoy this episode with the really quite lovely Dr Di Taranto.Support the show—Visit The Joy Tuck Club online at redandfreckles.com and learn more about us and our upcoming book, How To Transition. You can also find red+freckles (Rachel & Phoebe) at: Instagram: @twodamptransThreads: @twodamptransBluesky: @twodamptrans.bsky.socialTikTok: @twodamptransYouTube: @TwoDampTransSpotify: The Joy Tuck ClubApple: The Joy Tuck Club The Joy Tuck Club is written, produced, and edited by red+freckles, of Two Damp Trans Ltd, UK.

Few combine humor with heartfelt political discourse better than the unbreakable Freda Wallace. Her insights and commentary make for a riveting blend of levity and gravity on the JoyTuck Club. Honestly, it’s a rollercoaster, but one whose twists and turns, ups downs, mirror the reality in which we live.Recorded in 2023, this interview portends a 2nd Trump presidency and the grave nature of the fight of, and for, our lives as transgender men and women.Freda's personal battles against doxxing and defamation show the resilience necessary to advocate for equality in the face of adversity. As she peels back the curtain on activism's stark realities, we're reminded of the courage it takes to maintain a public presence, of staying visible, and the importance of fostering empathy in our communities.The tides of social change are often tumultuous, and this discussion with Freda on the fragility of LGBTQ+ rights, the divisive political climate, and the need for inclusive spaces is an urgent one. Join us for a journey through the complexities of life and self-determination, all wrapped up in the indomitable spirit of Freda Wallace.You can find more of Freda on her recently relaunch YouTube channel at  The Trans Lobby.Support the show—Visit The Joy Tuck Club online at redandfreckles.com and learn more about us and our upcoming book, How To Transition. You can also find red+freckles (Rachel & Phoebe) at: Instagram: @twodamptransThreads: @twodamptransBluesky: @twodamptrans.bsky.socialTikTok: @twodamptransYouTube: @TwoDampTransSpotify: The Joy Tuck ClubApple: The Joy Tuck Club The Joy Tuck Club is written, produced, and edited by red+freckles, of Two Damp Trans Ltd, UK.

Any surgery involving your bones has, historically at least, always seemed rather brutal, evoking images of saws, hammers and brightly glinting chisels. But any status quo also represents an opportunity for innovation, for disruption, and sometimes all that takes is to step back and look at things a little bit differently. And that’s exactly what happened at Facialteam.Where other surgeons chose to perform FFS by becoming experts in three different areas, the founders of Facialteam decided to divide the work, use three surgeons in every operation, and standardise the procedures so they could be repeated across an ever expanding team of surgeons, even while ensuring that every operation was guided by 3D modelling and tooling to ensure the best possible outcome.In this episode of The Joy Tuck Club we chat with Dr Daniel Simon, maxillofacial surgeon, and co-founder of what has become the world’s leading clinic for facial feminisation.Along with a brief history lesson, Dr Simon also talks about his motivations, the challenges they’ve faced, some of their innovations, and what the future might hold.If you are considering FFS, or just want to know more, join us in this fascinating conversation.Support the show—Visit The Joy Tuck Club online at redandfreckles.com and learn more about us and our upcoming book, How To Transition. You can also find red+freckles (Rachel & Phoebe) at: Instagram: @twodamptransThreads: @twodamptransBluesky: @twodamptrans.bsky.socialTikTok: @twodamptransYouTube: @TwoDampTransSpotify: The Joy Tuck ClubApple: The Joy Tuck Club The Joy Tuck Club is written, produced, and edited by red+freckles, of Two Damp Trans Ltd, UK.

The big day is almost here! Your bag is packed, you’ve got comfy clothes for the hospital, and you’ve even pre-ordered the scar gel. You’re all set, right?Maybe not. Have you also made sure you had a soft laser pre-treatment performed on the area that is expected to scar? By priming your body’s natural healing response, your skin will have a supply of naturally-produced collagen at the ready, and you’ll not only improve your rate of healing, but also the end result.In this fourth info-packed episode in our medical series, The Joy Tuck Club talks with renowned scar treatment expert Lisa Lefever about everything skin related, from surgical prep to post-op care, to an essential and very simple daily routine, and how your own body can be prompted with a little mechanical help to start replacing older scars with rejuvenated tissue.You’ll also hear Lisa talk about her own journey, how she persisted and is now changing the treatment regime for many patients, improving their outcomes and getting surgeons on board along the way. And who knows, maybe you’ll also become one of Lisa’s Lefever Angels and help others in the trans community.Join us for this fascinating discussion. Scars are more than a bump in the road (or keloid in the dermis), but you don't have to accept their inevitability. Help is at hand.The post treatment cleanser Lisa mentions doesn’t cost a fortune and is available online and off. You can find out more on their website at Clinisept+.Contact Lisa through her clinic (Clinic Lefever) or by sending an email to cliniclefever@gmail.com.Support the show—Visit The Joy Tuck Club online at redandfreckles.com and learn more about us and our upcoming book, How To Transition. You can also find red+freckles (Rachel & Phoebe) at: Instagram: @twodamptransThreads: @twodamptransBluesky: @twodamptrans.bsky.socialTikTok: @twodamptransYouTube: @TwoDampTransSpotify: The Joy Tuck ClubApple: The Joy Tuck Club The Joy Tuck Club is written, produced, and edited by red+freckles, of Two Damp Trans Ltd, UK.

Happy New Year, everyone!Gender affirming facial surgery (facial feminisation surgery, better known simply as FFS) is one of the most fundamental and important aspects of many an FtM  transition. Our face is likely the first thing people notice, and the last thing they remember. It is our signature, our calling card, and unless puberty blockers were in use, the most obvious pointer to our assigned gender.For many of us, the testosterone-induced changes to our skull wreak havoc on our confidence and sense of self, and fuel overwhelming dysphoria. Our brows are pushed out, jaw flared, chin, nose and larynx enlarged, even while our eyes are narrowed, hairline receded, and crown thinned. And that's not even the end of it.Not so long ago (just a few decades, in fact) little could be done to erase testosterone's mark on the underlying structures of our face. There were some interventions around rhinoplasty, hair transplants, and injectables, but just the possibility of even a partial reversal of all of those changes was out of the question.While the deft wielding of scalpels and ultrasonic tools cannot correct this in a way that would completely negate the impact of going through a puberty infused with T, it can and does work wonders.Today, numerous surgeons offer FFS, but one clinic has risen to the top and you probably already know their name: Facialteam, founded in Marbella, Spain. In this third episode in our medical series you'll meet Facialteam's enigmatic co-founder, Dr Luis Capitán, in an incredibly candid interview.You'll hear about Facialteam's founding and guiding principals, their meticulous data-driven research and innovation, and the ethical considerations that underpin every procedure. Dr Capitán also opens up about their aesthetic philosophies, their goal to standardise best practices and procedures through cutting-edge technology, and their hopes for the future. FFS is a complex interplay of procedures, and so, it turns out, is Facialteam. If you are considering FFS, be sure to listen to this illuminating interview.Support the show—Visit The Joy Tuck Club online at redandfreckles.com and learn more about us and our upcoming book, How To Transition. You can also find red+freckles (Rachel & Phoebe) at: Instagram: @twodamptransThreads: @twodamptransBluesky: @twodamptrans.bsky.socialTikTok: @twodamptransYouTube: @TwoDampTransSpotify: The Joy Tuck ClubApple: The Joy Tuck Club The Joy Tuck Club is written, produced, and edited by red+freckles, of Two Damp Trans Ltd, UK.

Merry Christmas to all you wonderful Tuckers! We wish you an abundance of peace, happiness, and safety.Christmas gifts take many forms, so we’re going to try to get away with making this episode ours to you. We’re not doing this just to wish you a Merry Christmas, although why not?, it’s that you may discover that tackling one of the most challenging aspects of transition is easier than you had previously thought.You see, if you are are anything like us, you probably find your voice to be particularly problematic. That barely controlled instrument of communication carries it’s own giveaway: a nature that, if previously doused in T, makes you think twice about using it in public, and absolutely abhor answering a phone call. You’ll  end up misgendered in about as much time as it takes to say “hello.”In the previous episode with Dr Chadwan Al Yaghchi we took a rather deep dive into voice surgery. In this one, we chat with renowned voice therapist Christella Antoni, someone who has helped thousands of people align their voice to their gender identity both as an adjunct to surgery, but also without.Like all the interviews we’re doing for the medical series on transition, this one has its share of surprises. We hope you find it as enlightening as we did.Finally, all bookings made in January 2025 through Christella’s website (https://www.christellaantoni.co.uk/) receive a 10% discount.Support the show—Visit The Joy Tuck Club online at redandfreckles.com and learn more about us and our upcoming book, How To Transition. You can also find red+freckles (Rachel & Phoebe) at: Instagram: @twodamptransThreads: @twodamptransBluesky: @twodamptrans.bsky.socialTikTok: @twodamptransYouTube: @TwoDampTransSpotify: The Joy Tuck ClubApple: The Joy Tuck Club The Joy Tuck Club is written, produced, and edited by red+freckles, of Two Damp Trans Ltd, UK.

“When the sunlight strikes raindrops in the air, they act like a prism and form a rainbow. The rainbow is a division of white light into many beautiful colours. These take the shape of a long round arch..."If you ever have gender affirming vocal surgery, you'll probably become more than a little familiar with this quotation. It's the start of the Rainbow Passage, a standard recitation used to measure the before and after results for patients who undergo this incredibly delicate yet massively life-changing procedure.For most trans people, the question of whether or not to have such a surgery depends on many personal factors as well as overall transition goals. And there are usually more questions than readily-available answers.If such thoughts send a small quaver through your own voice, it might be time to join us at The Joy Tuck Club, as we sit down with one of the world's most renowed voice feminising surgeons, Dr Chadwan Al Yaghchi of the London Voice and Swallowing Clinic. You can contact him via the details provided at lvsclinic.com. In this interview you'll learn more than you probably ever thought you'd need to know, including choosing a surgeon, how to get the most out of your initial consultation, the questions to ask, preparation for the surgery, the recovery timeline, as well as the benefits but also some of the other changes to your voice that may negatively impact your life at work, home, and play.We also talk about the need for therapy after surgery, and the importance of this type of surgery in easing at least one of the difficulties in getting through a typical day.This is the first in our series of interviews with leading gender affirming health care professionals from around the world including surgeons, therapists, and more.Support the show—Visit The Joy Tuck Club online at redandfreckles.com and learn more about us and our upcoming book, How To Transition. You can also find red+freckles (Rachel & Phoebe) at: Instagram: @twodamptransThreads: @twodamptransBluesky: @twodamptrans.bsky.socialTikTok: @twodamptransYouTube: @TwoDampTransSpotify: The Joy Tuck ClubApple: The Joy Tuck Club The Joy Tuck Club is written, produced, and edited by red+freckles, of Two Damp Trans Ltd, UK.

What happens when two trans podcasters decide to trade in negative headlines for personal stories of joy and adventure? Rachel and Phoebe, affectionately known as Red and Freckles, invite you to find out as they kick off season two of the Joy Tuck Club podcast after a long hiatus. We've had a whirlwind of a year, from Phoebe's globe-trotting escapades to our serendipitous nuptials. Tune in to hear all about our unexpected challenges, like navigating the UK border and sharing laughter-filled days at Disneyland Paris. We're reconnecting with our listeners and hope to feature your uplifting stories in upcoming episodes.Embark on our European escapades as we recount a Christmas spent in a picturesque French cottage and the bittersweet trials of maintaining a long-distance relationship. The logistical gymnastics of finalizing a divorce and tackling visa hurdles led us to the sunlit shores of Cyprus, seeking a warm, welcoming expat community. We'll take you along on a rollicking road trip covering seven countries, complete with mechanical mishaps and an encounter with the Belgian police that turned an ordeal into an unforgettable adventure. Our tales are filled with humor, warmth, and the resilience needed to make a new home in unfamiliar lands.Join us as we explore the emotional landscape of transitioning identities across borders, sharing the highs and lows of immigration challenges and healthcare frustrations. We discuss the comforting presence of friends like Frances and the joy of reunification with loved ones. Expect candid film reviews and book recommendations, too, as we critique the portrayal of trans stories in media and spotlight the extraordinary within the ordinary. With a sprinkle of humor and a dose of real-life experiences, we aim to highlight the beauty and complexity of living authentically.Support the show—Visit The Joy Tuck Club online at redandfreckles.com and learn more about us and our upcoming book, How To Transition. You can also find red+freckles (Rachel & Phoebe) at: Instagram: @twodamptransThreads: @twodamptransBluesky: @twodamptrans.bsky.socialTikTok: @twodamptransYouTube: @TwoDampTransSpotify: The Joy Tuck ClubApple: The Joy Tuck Club The Joy Tuck Club is written, produced, and edited by red+freckles, of Two Damp Trans Ltd, UK.