Listen free for 30 days
-
Raising Ryland
- Our Story of Parenting a Transgender Child with No Strings Attached
- Narrated by: Hillary Whittington
- Length: 7 hrs and 6 mins
- Unabridged Audiobook
- Categories: Relationships, Parenting & Personal Development, Parenting & Families
Add to basket failed.
Add to wishlist failed.
Remove from wishlist failed.
Follow podcast failed
Unfollow podcast failed
Listen with a free trial
Buy Now for £24.29
No valid payment method on file.
We are sorry. We are not allowed to sell this product with the selected payment method
Listeners also enjoyed...
-
Inconceivable
- A Medical Mistake, the Baby We Couldn't Keep, and Our Choice to Deliver the Ultimate Gift
- By: Carolyn Savage, Sean Savage
- Narrated by: Cassandra Campbell, Danny Campbell
- Length: 9 hrs and 52 mins
- Unabridged
-
Overall
-
Performance
-
Story
A medical mistake during an IVF procedure.An unthinkable situation....you're pregnant with the wrong baby. You can terminate, but you can't keep him. What choice would you make?
-
-
amazing
- By katrina on 18-08-12
-
Daddy, Can You Make Me Pancakes?
- The True Story of a Young Mother's Battle Against Cancer and Her Husband's Journey to Bring Healing to Their Family
- By: Kevin McAteer
- Narrated by: Chris Chappell
- Length: 7 hrs and 24 mins
- Unabridged
-
Overall
-
Performance
-
Story
Neither Amanda nor Daddy have their normal energetic smile. Not because they were tired, but because Mommy didn't make it home last night. Cancer unexpectedly took her. Now Daddy must find a way to care for three small children and his six-year-old son while holding down a new executive position within his company. For the moment, making pancakes is thing that keeps their family together.
-
-
sad but a great read
- By dilys on 21-08-16
-
Believing in Magic
- By: Cookie Johnson
- Narrated by: Robin Miles
- Length: 7 hrs and 11 mins
- Unabridged
-
Overall
-
Performance
-
Story
On November 7, 1991, basketball legend Magic Johnson stunned the world with the news that he was HIV-positive. For the millions who tuned in as he shared his news, Magic's revelation became a seminal moment for the nation. Now twenty-five years later, Cookie Johnson shares her story and the emotional journey that started on that day - from life as a pregnant and joyous newlywed to one filled with the fear that her husband would die, she and her baby would, too, be infected with the virus.
-
-
Must read
- By Steve Parke on 03-10-16
-
Raising My Rainbow
- Adventures in Raising a Fabulous, Gender Creative Son
- By: Lori Duron
- Narrated by: Lori Duron
- Length: 6 hrs and 10 mins
- Unabridged
-
Overall
-
Performance
-
Story
Raising My Rainbow is Lori Duron’s frank, heartfelt, and brutally funny account of her and her family's adventures of distress and happiness raising a gender-creative son. Whereas her older son, Chase, is a Lego-loving, sports-playing boy's boy, her younger son, C.J., would much rather twirl around in a pink sparkly tutu, with a Disney Princess in each hand while singing Lady Gaga's "Paparazzi".
-
-
An excellent inspirational story
- By Kyleh55y on 01-10-19
-
Inside My Heart
- Choosing to Live with Passion and Purpose
- By: Robin McGraw
- Narrated by: Robin McGraw
- Length: 5 hrs and 11 mins
- Unabridged
-
Overall
-
Performance
-
Story
In the Inside My Heart audiobook, Robin McGraw speaks directly to the heart of every woman and challenges her to recognize and develop her unique role - leading to satisfaction with herself, her profession, her family, and anything she might strive after.
-
Transitions of the Heart
- Stories of Love, Struggle and Acceptance by Mothers of Transgender and Gender Variant Children
- By: Rachel Pepper - editor
- Narrated by: Elisabeth Rodgers
- Length: 5 hrs and 33 mins
- Unabridged
-
Overall
-
Performance
-
Story
Transitions of the Heart is the first collection to ever invite mothers of transgender and gender variant children of all ages to tell their own stories about their child’s gender transition. Often transitioning socially and emotionally alongside their child but rarely given a voice in the experience, mothers hold the key to familial and societal understanding of gender difference.
-
Inconceivable
- A Medical Mistake, the Baby We Couldn't Keep, and Our Choice to Deliver the Ultimate Gift
- By: Carolyn Savage, Sean Savage
- Narrated by: Cassandra Campbell, Danny Campbell
- Length: 9 hrs and 52 mins
- Unabridged
-
Overall
-
Performance
-
Story
A medical mistake during an IVF procedure.An unthinkable situation....you're pregnant with the wrong baby. You can terminate, but you can't keep him. What choice would you make?
-
-
amazing
- By katrina on 18-08-12
-
Daddy, Can You Make Me Pancakes?
- The True Story of a Young Mother's Battle Against Cancer and Her Husband's Journey to Bring Healing to Their Family
- By: Kevin McAteer
- Narrated by: Chris Chappell
- Length: 7 hrs and 24 mins
- Unabridged
-
Overall
-
Performance
-
Story
Neither Amanda nor Daddy have their normal energetic smile. Not because they were tired, but because Mommy didn't make it home last night. Cancer unexpectedly took her. Now Daddy must find a way to care for three small children and his six-year-old son while holding down a new executive position within his company. For the moment, making pancakes is thing that keeps their family together.
-
-
sad but a great read
- By dilys on 21-08-16
-
Believing in Magic
- By: Cookie Johnson
- Narrated by: Robin Miles
- Length: 7 hrs and 11 mins
- Unabridged
-
Overall
-
Performance
-
Story
On November 7, 1991, basketball legend Magic Johnson stunned the world with the news that he was HIV-positive. For the millions who tuned in as he shared his news, Magic's revelation became a seminal moment for the nation. Now twenty-five years later, Cookie Johnson shares her story and the emotional journey that started on that day - from life as a pregnant and joyous newlywed to one filled with the fear that her husband would die, she and her baby would, too, be infected with the virus.
-
-
Must read
- By Steve Parke on 03-10-16
-
Raising My Rainbow
- Adventures in Raising a Fabulous, Gender Creative Son
- By: Lori Duron
- Narrated by: Lori Duron
- Length: 6 hrs and 10 mins
- Unabridged
-
Overall
-
Performance
-
Story
Raising My Rainbow is Lori Duron’s frank, heartfelt, and brutally funny account of her and her family's adventures of distress and happiness raising a gender-creative son. Whereas her older son, Chase, is a Lego-loving, sports-playing boy's boy, her younger son, C.J., would much rather twirl around in a pink sparkly tutu, with a Disney Princess in each hand while singing Lady Gaga's "Paparazzi".
-
-
An excellent inspirational story
- By Kyleh55y on 01-10-19
-
Inside My Heart
- Choosing to Live with Passion and Purpose
- By: Robin McGraw
- Narrated by: Robin McGraw
- Length: 5 hrs and 11 mins
- Unabridged
-
Overall
-
Performance
-
Story
In the Inside My Heart audiobook, Robin McGraw speaks directly to the heart of every woman and challenges her to recognize and develop her unique role - leading to satisfaction with herself, her profession, her family, and anything she might strive after.
-
Transitions of the Heart
- Stories of Love, Struggle and Acceptance by Mothers of Transgender and Gender Variant Children
- By: Rachel Pepper - editor
- Narrated by: Elisabeth Rodgers
- Length: 5 hrs and 33 mins
- Unabridged
-
Overall
-
Performance
-
Story
Transitions of the Heart is the first collection to ever invite mothers of transgender and gender variant children of all ages to tell their own stories about their child’s gender transition. Often transitioning socially and emotionally alongside their child but rarely given a voice in the experience, mothers hold the key to familial and societal understanding of gender difference.
-
Love Is a Verb
- Stories of What Happens When Love Comes Alive
- By: Gary Chapman
- Narrated by: Pam Ward, Grover Gardner, Lloyd James
- Length: 7 hrs and 11 mins
- Unabridged
-
Overall
-
Performance
-
Story
Love Is a Verb takes his teaching to the next level. Rather than a typical marriage self-help book filled with lengthy explanations of principles and techniques, it is a compilation of true stories displaying love in action. These stories - written by everyday people - go straight to the hearts of readers, who often say that illustrations are the most effective parts of a book. Gary Chapman adds a "Love Lesson" to each story, showing readers how they can apply the same principles to their own relationships.
-
-
Amazing
- By Lorelay on 28-05-16
-
Love, InshAllah
- The Secret Love Lives of American Muslim Women
- By: Ayesha Mattu, Nura Maznavi
- Narrated by: Lameece Issaq, Piper Goodeve, Lauren Fortgang, and others
- Length: 9 hrs and 49 mins
- Unabridged
-
Overall
-
Performance
-
Story
Romance, dating, sex and - Muslim women? In this groundbreaking collection, 25 American Muslim writers sweep aside stereotypes to share their search for love openly for the first time, showing just how varied the search for love can be - from singles' events and online dating, to college flirtations and arranged marriages, all with a uniquely Muslim twist. These compelling stories of love and romance create an irresistible balance of heart-warming and tantalizing, always revealing and deeply relatable.
-
Chicken Soup for the Soul: Moms and Sons - 34 Stories about Raising Boys, Being a Sport, Grieving and Peace, and Single-Minded Devotion
- By: Jack Canfield, Mark Victor Hansen, Amy Newmark - editor
- Narrated by: Joyce Bean
- Length: 3 hrs
- Unabridged
-
Overall
-
Performance
-
Story
There is a special bond between mothers and their sons, and it never goes away. This book contains some of the best stories and poems from Chicken Soup's library honoring that lifelong relationship between mothers and their male offspring.
-
An Unseen Angel
- A Mother’s Story of Healing and Hope After Sandy Hook
- By: Alissa Parker
- Narrated by: Alissa Parker
- Length: 4 hrs and 21 mins
- Unabridged
-
Overall
-
Performance
-
Story
When Alissa Parker lost her daughter Emilie in the Sandy Hook Elementary mass shooting, she started a life-changing journey to answer soul-searching questions about faith, hope, and healing. As she sought for the peace and comfort that could help mend her broken heart, she learned, step by step, how to open her heart to God's grace and will. The story of Alissa and Emilie reminds us that the bonds of love continue beyond this life and that despite tragedy and heartache, we can find strength in our family and our faith.
-
Through the Eyes of Hope
- Love More, Worry Less, and See God in the Midst of Your Adversity
- By: Lacey Buchanan
- Narrated by: Lacey Buchanan
- Length: 5 hrs and 10 mins
- Unabridged
-
Overall
-
Performance
-
Story
What happens when things don't go as planned? What happens when the storm you face is completely out of your control? The Buchanans' precious son Christian was born with a medical condition that is so incredibly unique, it's one of only 50 known cases in the world. This story has captured the hearts of hundreds of thousands.
-
-
Inspiring
- By Vicky on 04-12-19
-
Instant Mom
- By: Nia Vardalos
- Narrated by: Nia Vardalos
- Length: 7 hrs and 34 mins
- Unabridged
-
Overall
-
Performance
-
Story
Some families are created in different ways but are still, in every way, a family. Writer and star of My Big Fat Greek Wedding Nia Vardalos firmly believed she was supposed to be a mom, but Mother Nature and modern medicine had put her in a headlock. So she made a choice that shocked friends, family, and even herself: with only 14 hours' notice, she adopted a preschooler.
-
Working It Out
- A Journey of Love, Loss, and Hope
- By: Abby Rike, Shay Sorrells - foreward
- Narrated by: Marguerite Gavin
- Length: 7 hrs and 14 mins
- Unabridged
-
Overall
-
Performance
-
Story
In 2006, Abby Rike lost the life she knew and loved when her husband and two young children were killed in a car accident. Devastated and numb, she shut down. For nearly three years she walked through life like a spectre, present in body only. As she descended, so did her health. Fortunately, Abby was not alone. She had loving parents, supportive friends, and a faith that continued to sustain her. Little by little she found the courage to return to life. Joining The Biggest Loser proved a catalyst for the physical and emotional changes she needed to make.
-
Confessions of a Mediocre Widow
- Or, How I Lost My Husband and My Sanity
- By: Catherine Tidd
- Narrated by: Celeste Oliva
- Length: 9 hrs and 35 mins
- Unabridged
-
Overall
-
Performance
-
Story
Involuntarily single. That's the true story of where Catherine Tidd finds herself just three weeks after turning 31. Widowed with three children under six years old, a rusty resume, no fix-it skills, and no clue how to live life as a widow, Catherine can't help but be a little exasperated with her dead husband for leaving her to deal with life on her own. Catherine's now in charge of her life in a way she never wanted to be, in a way that would have most of us reeling and numb. But she soon realizes that when you call the shots, you can make pedicures one of the stages of grief....
-
-
Well written, thought provoking book
- By Ellen on 27-11-19
-
Love You Hard
- A Memoir of Marriage, Brain Injury, and Reinventing Love
- By: Abby Maslin
- Narrated by: Abby Maslin
- Length: 9 hrs and 45 mins
- Unabridged
-
Overall
-
Performance
-
Story
Abby Maslin shares an inspiring story of resilience and commitment in a deeply affecting new memoir. After her husband suffered a traumatic brain injury, the couple worked together as he recovered - and they learned to love again.
-
-
Simply beautiful, graceful & deep
- By Amazon Customer on 28-05-19
-
When Rain Hurts: An Adoptive Mother's Journey with Fetal Alcohol Syndrome
- By: Mary Evelyn Greene
- Narrated by: Mary Beth Garber
- Length: 12 hrs and 29 mins
- Unabridged
-
Overall
-
Performance
-
Story
When Rain Hurts is the story of one mother’s quest to find a magical path of healing and forgiveness for her son, a boy so damaged by the double whammy of prenatal alcohol abuse and the stark rigors of Russian orphanage life that he was feral by the time of his adoption at age three. Bizarre behaviors, irrational thoughts, and dangerous preoccupations were the norm - no amount of love, it turns out, can untangle the effects of fetal alcohol syndrome.
-
-
Interesting personal tale of adoption and FASD
- By Mr. G. D. Allen on 22-12-19
-
Misconception
- One Couple's Journey from Embryo to Mix-up to Miracle Baby
- By: Paul Morell, Shannon Morell
- Narrated by: Tavia Gilbert
- Length: 5 hrs and 44 mins
- Unabridged
-
Overall
-
Performance
-
Story
In February of 2009, Shannon and Paul Morell were especially eager to bring a new life into the world. After years of infertility and miscarriages, they had, in 2006, finally scrimped and saved enough to have in vitro-fertilization. The result? Two dear daughters had been born, and six precious embryos had been frozen. They counted the days until they could transfer the six remaining embryos. But then the clinic called....
-
-
Heart Wrenching
- By Dawn on 24-12-10
-
Born a Crime
- Stories from a South African Childhood
- By: Trevor Noah
- Narrated by: Trevor Noah
- Length: 8 hrs and 44 mins
- Unabridged
-
Overall
-
Performance
-
Story
The compelling, inspiring (often comic) coming-of-age story of Trevor Noah, set during the twilight of apartheid and the tumultuous days of freedom that followed. One of the comedy world's brightest new voices, Trevor Noah is a light-footed but sharp-minded observer of the absurdities of politics, race and identity, sharing jokes and insights drawn from the wealth of experience acquired in his relatively young life.
-
-
Excellently read
- By OldskoolHrdcore on 25-08-17
Summary
This powerful, moving story - which has already touched more than seven million through a viral video created by the Whittington family - is a mother's firsthand account of her emotional choice to embrace her transgender child.
When Hillary and Jeff Whittington posted a YouTube video chronicling their five-year-old son Ryland's transition from girl to boy, they didn't expect it to be greeted with such fervor. Beautiful and moving, the video documenting Hillary and Jeff's love for their child instantly went viral and has been seen by more than seven million viewers since its posting in May 2014.
Now, for the first time, they tell their story in full, offering an emotional and moving account of their journey alongside their exceptional child. After they discovered their daughter Ryland was deaf at age one and needed cochlear implants, the Whittingtons spent nearly four years successfully teaching Ryland to speak. But once Ryland gained the power of speech, it was time for them to listen as Ryland insisted, "I am a boy!" And listen they did. After learning that 41 percent of people who identify as transgender attempt to take their own lives, Hillary and her husband, Jeff, made it their mission to support their child - no matter what.
From the earliest stages of deciphering Ryland through clothing choices to examining the difficult conversations that have marked every stage of Ryland's transition, Hillary Whittington shares her experiences as a mother through it all, demonstrating both the resistance and support that their family has encountered as they try to erase the stigma surrounding the word transgender. In telling her family's story, she hopes she can assist the world in accepting that even children as young as five can have profound and impactful things to say and share. What emerges is a powerful story of unconditional love, accepting others for who they are, and doing what's right regardless of whether those around you understand it.
What listeners say about Raising Ryland
Average customer ratingsReviews - Please select the tabs below to change the source of reviews.
-
Overall
-
Performance
-
Story

- Kathy in CA
- 17-05-16
Wishing The Very Best Life Possible For Ryland!
If you are at all like me, maybe you are getting tired of reading newspaper articles on the controversial transgender bathroom issue? Thinking it is a bunch of hooey and needs to just go away? I was tending toward that thinking and realized I needed to have more information, to see what the "hype" was all about. I was really feeling ignorant and along with that, guilty about my ignorance. After all, I have seen a very nice family in my neighborhood for several years with what seems to be a transgender little one growing up.
So when I saw this title, I knew I needed to listen to it. It took me a short while to get used to the mom and author's voice. Hillary Whittington sounds so incredibly young. I also had to get past what I initially interpreted as her preachiness. However, as I listened to her story, I realized in some way she needed to be a bit preachy, as she really wanted to get her message across. One of her purposes in writing this book, exposing her child to the world, was the need to educate the public. That is, people like me, who have never encountered this challenge before, never even contemplated it, who may have unjustified preconceived notions.
The Whittington's story is very moving and touching. I applaud these parents for really taking the time to think about the consequences of their actions and for treating their child in the best way they possibly could, all the while breaking new ground. In reality, they were treading where very few have gone before. And all of this with such a very young child.
I can see why you might be thinking that a very young child could not even fathom what a gender mixup could feel like. If you are thinking that, then this book could be very informative and educational for you. I strongly recommend it. As they say, knowledge is power!
17 people found this helpful
-
Overall
-
Performance
-
Story

- shalaka
- 12-03-16
So Incredibly Moving!
I found my self crying a lot through out this book. Amazing Honest Loving parents. Beautiful Ryland with so much heart! I am thankful to have heard their story...not so much about transgender (which I am in full support of and care about deeply), but of the love and acceptance, stuggles and perseverance of this family. This incredible mothers words will never leave my heart.... Thank you!
3 people found this helpful
-
Overall
-
Performance
-
Story

- HeidyNoelle
- 11-03-16
Awesome story! But....
This story was so vwry interesting! I can't wait to hear more about Ryland and family as they continue their journey. The only thing I will say as a critique is that Hilary's reading was a tiny bit monotonous. She didn't quite have the voixe inflection I would have like to tell such an emotional (at times) story. My propas out to her for reading it herself though as I can only imagine how hard that is.
3 people found this helpful
-
Overall
-
Performance
-
Story

- Erw
- 24-02-16
An inspiring story of love and acceptance
I preordered this book and listened to it in one day. There are so many lessons we can all learn and apply to life regardless of our individual situations. I wish this family all the best in life to come. I thank them for their bravery and openness on a topic that society is painfully slow to accept. I feel honored to have heard their story and I strongly recommend every person take this very special opportunity to listen to this incredible book.
To the Whittington family- Thank you. As a SLP student I am so glad you included Ryland's journey from the very beginning. Your family is a wonderful example for the world to follow. Thank you for your honesty and candor about the most difficult, personal challenges as individuals, a couple, parents, and a family.
If you are ever in Cleveland, Ohio, there is a safe place for your family.
-Ella W.
7 people found this helpful
-
Overall
-
Performance
-
Story

- Becca
- 29-03-16
Amazing
I loved this story! So incredibly inspirational! Page turner! Finished in one day and the narration was great!
2 people found this helpful
-
Overall
-
Performance
-
Story

- jennifer
- 27-03-16
amazing<br />
love it how is he doing today love it love it lots. HOPE all are doing well
2 people found this helpful
-
Overall
-
Performance
-
Story

- Lukas
- 08-03-16
Loved It!
Thank you for sharing your story. I watched the video when it started to go viral and I was so moved by Ryland and your family. He is such an amazing boy and we are all truly blessed to have him in this world. Thank you Ryland for embracing who you are and showing others what compassion and tolerance is.
2 people found this helpful
-
Overall
-
Performance
-
Story

- Charity
- 26-02-16
Amazing!
Rarely does an author do well reading their own book...this is the exception! The narration is excellent. And the story of love is not only inspirational but life altering. I'm tempted to purchase a stack of this book to hand out to everyone I know!
2 people found this helpful
-
Overall
-
Performance

- Pauly Mccaslin
- 05-09-17
LOVED THIS BOOK.
I HAVE A FAMILY MEMBER WHO IS TRANSGENDER. THAT PERSON ONLY CAME OUT IN THEIR 40'S.
I APPRECIATED THE INSIGHT IN THIS BOOK.
1 person found this helpful
-
Overall
-
Performance
-
Story

- Cathy Doser
- 05-05-16
Very Emotional
First, the one bad thing about the book, was that getting through the time of Ryland's deafness was a bit slow. But after that, the story was very riveting. I had great sympathy for the parents, after dealing with the hard blow of Ryland's deafness, they then had to deal with Ryland's gender dysphoria.
It seems to me that we could get past this problem of children living with the wrong gender, if we would just have the pediatricians, during their first several interviews with this child to ask them are you a boy? Or are you a girl? That would seem to answer the question early on, before all of the problems happen with puberty. How this family handled it, after it was found out, was pretty good. However, once again, it was the male pride getting in the way of doing the right thing. If the husband had only have been more accepting of the gender difference in his child, then they would have saved Ryland several years of problems, and he could have taught his coworkers, in the firehouse, about the right thing. I think it is a very brave story, and these are obviously very caring parents, to do this for their child, and their care during the treatment for the deafness.
I would highly recommend this book to any parent. The lessons learned go beyond the gender dysphoria, and extend out to learning more of what the child needs. That's the lesson we need to learn from this, that we need to listen to our children better.
2 people found this helpful