Uploaded September 2024 | Updated September 2026, 3 days ago
If you work in pediatric gender medicine and have concerns about the safety of practice, you are not alone. Contact the LGBT Courage Coalition (lgbtcourage.org/whistleblowers) for guidance and support (including finding legal counsel and connecting you with media contacts).
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In this episode, Stella & Sasha sit down with Vanessa Sivadge, a former pediatric nurse at Texas Children's Hospital, who courageously exposed the illegal use of federally funded insurance programs to cover sex hormones and transgender treatments for minors. Initially coming forward anonymously as a whistleblower, Vanessa believed her concerns would incite meaningful change, only to face repercussions from the government. After disclosing the hospital’s concealed practices, she was met with an unexpected visit from FBI agents—an act she interprets as intimidation.
Vanessa recounts her journey, reflecting on her decision to publicly come forward in June 2024. She shares how she faced almost immediate backlash, being placed under investigation, put on leave, and ultimately terminated, prompting her to pursue legal action for wrongful termination.
This conversation examines the evolving 'groupthink' culture within hospitals, exacerbated by the pandemic, which has discouraged open dialogue and questioning among medical professionals. Vanessa’s story underscores the complexities of healthcare practices, specifically surrounding gender-affirming care, the ethical implications of medical documentation, and the critical importance of safeguarding patient welfare. It also emphasizes the value of whistleblowers as empowering and necessary for fostering accountability and promoting a culture of transparency.
Drawing from her experiences, Vanessa offers up three essential strategies for individuals contemplating speaking out about their concerns.
For links and resources relevant to this episode, access the full show notes at
widerlenspod.com/p/episode-186
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Legal Defense Fund for Nurse Whistleblower (Vanessa’s GiveSendGo): givesendgo.com/nurse_whistleblower
- - -
Buy Our Book – When Kids Say They’re Trans: A Guide for Thoughtful Parents at whenkidssaytheyretrans.com
Join Our Listener Community to Access Exclusive Content at widerlenspod.com/
Support the Show at widerlenspod.com/p/support-the-show
Join this channel to get access to additional bonus content:
youtube.com/channel/UCP62aWWtlZV1oVnbMhTRBcg/join
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For more information about Sasha’s & Stella’s parent coaching membership groups, visit:
Sasha Ayad: sashaayad.com/parenting-coaching
@SashaLPC
Stella O’Malley: stellaomalley.com/parent-coaching
@stellaomalleypsychotherapist
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To learn more about our sponsors, visit:
Therapy First at therapyfirst.org
Genspect at genspect.org
- - -
If you liked this episode, more episodes you might find interesting include:
Episode 27 — Behind the Curtain: Psychotherapy for Gender Dysphoria with Sue and Marcus Evans
youtube.com/watch?v=zaC6xqriU3Q&t=0s
Episode 31 - Silencing Thought: A Conversation with Heather Brunskell-Evans
youtube.com/watch?v=UzrTWOAQcR4&t=0s
Episode 91 — Uncovering the GIDS Disaster: Dr. Dave Bell
youtube.com/watch?v=wGjDmEYat2w&t=0s
Episode 112 — Jamie Reed: “Every Ethical Line I Drew Was Walked On… We Are Hurting People”
youtube.com/watch?v=QafpwKrz-lw&t=0s
Episode 125 — From Gender Expert to Skeptical Dissenter with Sara Stockton
youtube.com/watch?v=fRoGVXPycEI&t=0s
Episode 151 - "These Doctors Have Forgotten the Meaning of Medicine" with Dr. Eithan Haim
youtube.com/watch?v=DgbWy2ntwqY&t=0s
Episode 161 - The Unlikely Whistleblower with Tamara Pietzke
youtube.com/watch?v=afuodzjH8y4
If you work in pediatric gender medicine and have concerns about the safety of practice, you are not alone. Contact the LGBT Courage Coalition (lgbtcourage.org/whistleblowers) for guidance and support (including finding legal counsel and connecting you with media contacts).
- - -
In this episode, Stella & Sasha sit down with Vanessa Sivadge, a former pediatric nurse at Texas Children's Hospital, who courageously exposed the illegal use of federally funded insurance programs to cover sex hormones and transgender treatments for minors. Initially coming forward anonymously as a whistleblower, Vanessa believed her concerns would incite meaningful change, only to face repercussions from the government. After disclosing the hospital’s concealed practices, she was met with an unexpected visit from FBI agents—an act she interprets as intimidation.
Vanessa recounts her journey, reflecting on her decision to publicly come forward in June 2024. She shares how she faced almost immediate backlash, being placed under investigation, put on leave, and ultimately terminated, prompting her to pursue legal action for wrongful termination.
This conversation examines the evolving 'groupthink' culture within hospitals, exacerbated by the pandemic, which has discouraged open dialogue and questioning among medical professionals. Vanessa’s story underscores the complexities of healthcare practices, specifically surrounding gender-affirming care, the ethical implications of medical documentation, and the critical importance of safeguarding patient welfare. It also emphasizes the value of whistleblowers as empowering and necessary for fostering accountability and promoting a culture of transparency.
Drawing from her experiences, Vanessa offers up three essential strategies for individuals contemplating speaking out about their concerns.
For links and resources relevant to this episode, access the full show notes at
widerlenspod.com/p/episode-186
- - -
Legal Defense Fund for Nurse Whistleblower (Vanessa’s GiveSendGo): givesendgo.com/nurse_whistleblower
- - -
Buy Our Book – When Kids Say They’re Trans: A Guide for Thoughtful Parents at whenkidssaytheyretrans.com
Join Our Listener Community to Access Exclusive Content at widerlenspod.com/
Support the Show at widerlenspod.com/p/support-the-show
Join this channel to get access to additional bonus content:
youtube.com/channel/UCP62aWWtlZV1oVnbMhTRBcg/join
- - -
For more information about Sasha’s & Stella’s parent coaching membership groups, visit:
Sasha Ayad: sashaayad.com/parenting-coaching
@SashaLPC
Stella O’Malley: stellaomalley.com/parent-coaching
@stellaomalleypsychotherapist
- - -
To learn more about our sponsors, visit:
Therapy First at therapyfirst.org
Genspect at genspect.org
- - -
If you liked this episode, more episodes you might find interesting include:
Episode 27 — Behind the Curtain: Psychotherapy for Gender Dysphoria with Sue and Marcus Evans
youtube.com/watch?v=zaC6xqriU3Q&t=0s
Episode 31 - Silencing Thought: A Conversation with Heather Brunskell-Evans
youtube.com/watch?v=UzrTWOAQcR4&t=0s
Episode 91 — Uncovering the GIDS Disaster: Dr. Dave Bell
youtube.com/watch?v=wGjDmEYat2w&t=0s
Episode 112 — Jamie Reed: “Every Ethical Line I Drew Was Walked On… We Are Hurting People”
youtube.com/watch?v=QafpwKrz-lw&t=0s
Episode 125 — From Gender Expert to Skeptical Dissenter with Sara Stockton
youtube.com/watch?v=fRoGVXPycEI&t=0s
Episode 151 - "These Doctors Have Forgotten the Meaning of Medicine" with Dr. Eithan Haim
youtube.com/watch?v=DgbWy2ntwqY&t=0s
Episode 161 - The Unlikely Whistleblower with Tamara Pietzke
youtube.com/watch?v=afuodzjH8y4
