The burden compounds: Conversion practices

The burden compounds: Conversion practices

Author: Charts & Leisure June 17, 2026 Duration: 42:41

The second episode of Unravelling’s Pride Month series examines the hidden human and economic costs of so-called conversion therapy. Kurt speaks with health economist and professor Ben Harrell, Ph.D., of Trinity University, on how these discredited practices shape not only mental health outcomes but also education, employment, and long-term financial well-being by disrupting what economists call human capital.

Dr. Harrell highlights elevated risks of depression, anxiety, suicidality, and family disruption among those subjected to conversion efforts, with particularly severe impacts on transgender and gender-expansive people. He also reviews research on state bans, including evidence that protections are associated with reduced suicidal ideation among high school students.

Grounding the data in lived experience, the episode reflects on young people navigating non-affirming religious environments and the long process of reclaiming identity. Dr. Harrell offers compassionate guidance for families and youth, emphasizing affirmation, dignity, and the importance of safe spaces that honor both faith and identity.

Links -

Ben Harrell, Ph.D. 

Dr. Harrell's Google Scholar Page


There’s a thread that connects our inner lives to the culture we live in, and Unravelling pulls on it to see what emerges. This isn’t a lecture series, but a conversation guided by therapist Kurt White and journalist Mary Wilson, who bring their distinct perspectives to every discussion. They explore how mental health is woven into everything from our daily fitness routines and societal pressures to the art we consume and the relationships we keep. In each episode, you’ll hear from experts who study the mind alongside individuals sharing their personal, lived experiences, creating a dialogue that feels both intellectually rigorous and deeply human. The aim is to move beyond simple definitions, examining how anxiety, resilience, joy, and struggle shape our collective reality. Produced by Charts & Leisure, this podcast provides a space for nuance, challenging the idea that our psychological worlds exist in a vacuum. It’s for anyone who has ever felt the tension between their private thoughts and the public world, offering not easy answers but a more textured understanding. By listening, you become part of a broader exploration into how compassion, for ourselves and our society, can actually be built from a place of genuine curiosity.
Author: Language: English Episodes: 50

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