Episode 1147: Dr. Debra Soh

TL;DR: Rogan platforms a former sex researcher who promotes the debunked “desistance myth,” denies the existence of nonbinary people, and dismisses conversion therapy as nonexistent — all with zero pushback.

Debra Soh appears as a credentialed “sex neuroscientist” to discuss gender and transgender topics. The episode advances multiple false and harmful claims about trans youth, gender identity, and conversion therapy that have been widely debunked by mainstream researchers and medical organizations.

Key Problematic Claims

1. The “Desistance Myth”

Soh claimed the “vast majority” of trans kids will “grow out” of being trans and become gay adults instead.

What the evidence says:

Temple University / The Conversation (2018): Desistance research relies on outdated DSM diagnostic criteria from the 1980s–90s that conflated gender non-conformity with transgender identity, inflating “desistance” rates. Link
Olson et al., Pediatrics (2022): A longitudinal study found that the vast majority of socially-transitioned trans youth continued to identify as trans 5 years later, with only 2.5% identifying as cisgender.
GLAAD: Soh “misrepresented desistance” by ignoring that older studies counted children who never identified as trans in the first place. Link

2. Denying Nonbinary Identities Exist

Soh dismissed nonbinary identities as fashionable invention, asserting gender is “either male or female.”

What the evidence says:

American Psychological Association: Recognizes nonbinary identities as valid and supported by clinical research.
Williams Institute (UCLA, 2021): An estimated 1.2 million LGBTQ adults in the US identify as nonbinary — not a fringe phenomenon.
Cross-cultural and historical evidence (hijra, two-spirit, fa’afafine) documents nonbinary gender categories across societies.

3. Claiming Conversion Therapy “Doesn’t Exist” for Trans People

Soh argued that conversion therapy for trans youth is not a real practice.

What the evidence says:

The Trevor Project (2019 National Survey): 14% of LGBTQ youth reported being subjected to conversion therapy, with trans youth disproportionately targeted.
American Medical Association, American Psychiatric Association, and American Academy of Pediatrics all formally oppose conversion therapy as harmful and ineffective.
Media Matters documented Soh’s denial as a direct misrepresentation of the documented practice. Link

4. Autistic Trans People as “Fixations”

Soh framed transgender identity in autistic individuals as merely “fixations” rather than authentic identity.

What the evidence says:

Oxford SU Disabilities Campaign: Said this framing “attempts to deny autistic trans people — and autistic people as a whole — agency over their lives.” Link
Strang et al., Journal of Autism and Developmental Disorders (2018): Co-occurring autism and gender diversity is well documented; affirming care improves outcomes.

Joe Rogan’s Role

This episode is a textbook example of Rogan platforming misinformation without pushback.

Zero challenge to the desistance claim, despite it being contested by major medical bodies even at the time of recording.
Active agreement with Soh’s framing that trans-affirming care is ideological rather than medical.
Amplified the “brainwashing on campus” narrative without asking for evidence.
Repeatedly used Soh’s credentials as a shield, treating her contested op-ed positions as settled science.
This episode became part of a recurring pattern documented by Media Matters in which Rogan repeatedly hosts guests advocating against gender-affirming care for trans youth.

Real-World Harm

Legislative impact: The “desistance myth” Soh promoted is routinely cited in state legislative testimony banning gender-affirming care for minors. By 2024, 25+ US states had enacted such bans.
Mental health: The Trevor Project’s research consistently shows trans youth denied affirming care have significantly higher rates of suicidal ideation.
Platform scale: JRE was one of the most-listened-to podcasts in 2018; misinformation here reached millions.

Why It Matters

Soh holds a PhD in sexual neuroscience, but her public claims about trans youth go well beyond her research expertise and contradict mainstream pediatric and psychiatric consensus. Rogan presents her views as expert-backed without ever indicating they are minority positions disputed by the relevant medical bodies.

Sources: