Hi everyone. I'm Josh, and this is The Emerald,

currents and trends through a mythic lens. The podcast where we explore an ever-changing world

and our lives in it through the lens of myth, story, and imagination.

The Emerald.

All that's happening on this episode to come out. As many of you know,

my wife and I just welcomed our second child into the world. And so I've been a little bit busy

with all the wondrous things that come

with that. Those who know me know that it would not be out of character for me midway through

a series of episodes on one topic to pause and do a really long episode on another topic.

And that's exactly what's going to happen here. I'll be picking up the water episodes next time,

but I've gotten some really interesting questions recently

about the nature of trans states,

and I thought it was a good time for me to really go deep into the subject,

and that's what we're going to do today.

I also wanted to let everyone know that I'm going to be starting

a twice

monthly study group for patrons of the podcast, and this will be an hour and a half Zoom calls two

times a month, and it's a chance to go into the episodes in a little more depth and detail,

and to look at some of the myths that the episodes draw from and a chance to meet other listeners

and share vibrant discussions.

And it's going to be available for all patrons of the podcast.

So that means for just as low as about $6 a month.

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