Interview with Elaine Walquist

Elaine Walquist’s life is a testament to reinvention, courage, and an endless curiosity for the world around her. She has been many things over the years, each chapter adding to a story that is both deeply personal and universally inspiring. As a young woman, she pursued modeling, capturing in photographs a beauty and elegance that hinted at the confidence she would one day fully embrace. Yet her professional path took her in another direction, into the classroom, where for twenty years she inspired students as a teacher and chaired the Foreign Language Department at her high school. Her love of languages was not just about words and grammar, but about opening doors to new cultures and perspectives. Elaine’s talents extend far beyond academics. With discipline and determination, she transformed a high school hobby into a passion for table tennis, climbing the ranks to become a four-time state champion and one of the top twenty women players in the United States. Chess, too, became one of her arenas, another space where strategy and patience brought her success. These pursuits reflect a theme that runs through her life: when Elaine commits to something, she pursues it with heart and persistence until she excels. After her retirement in 2012, Elaine entered yet another defining stage of her journey. Having lived much of her life in stealth, she stepped into the light as an advocate for transgender rights, using her voice and her experience to help others.

Interview with Mireya Milan

Mireya Milan is a dynamic and inspiring young video blogger who has built a loyal following on YouTube by openly documenting her journey of transition. Born in Chihuahua, Mexico, she moved to the United States as a child and grew up in Dallas, Texas, before making the move to Los Angeles to pursue new opportunities. Mireya first started her channel sharing fun, lighthearted videos with her friends, capturing everyday moments of dancing, partying, and enjoying life. As she began her transition, she made the courageous decision to share her personal experiences, creating a space where honesty, humor, and authenticity are at the forefront. Her openness has resonated with thousands of viewers, many of whom look to her for guidance, encouragement, and inspiration during their own transitions. Mireya has become known not only for her relatable storytelling but also for her confidence and unapologetic self-expression. She uses her platform to address challenging topics, including the intrusive questions transgender individuals often face, offering advice on how to navigate them with grace and humor.

Interview with Danni Rose Monroe

Danni Rose Monroe is a young Canadian video blogger whose openness and honesty have inspired countless people within the transgender community and beyond. Living in Calgary, Alberta, she began documenting her transition on YouTube at just twenty years old, determined to educate others and provide support for those navigating a similar journey. What started as a personal outlet quickly turned into a powerful platform where viewers could ask questions about transition, identity, and self-acceptance and receive thoughtful, sincere answers. Danni has always believed that there are no strange questions, only opportunities for learning, and she approaches her audience with patience, kindness, and a strong desire to break down misconceptions about what it means to be transgender. Through her videos she has shared the ups and downs of her transition, from her experiences with hormone replacement therapy to the emotional challenges of coming out to family. Her content reflects not only her own growth but also her commitment to helping others see that being transgender is a natural part of human diversity that deserves respect, empathy, and understanding.

Interview with Jamie Haze

Jamie Haze is a 23-year-old video blogger who courageously shares her journey as a trans woman on YouTube, creating a space where education, honesty, and encouragement intersect. Having recently graduated from college, she is currently exploring career opportunities while also serving as the head coach of a college hockey team in the United States, combining her love for sports with her dedication to mentoring young athletes. Beyond her athletic pursuits, Jamie has made it her mission to document her transition in a way that is both relatable and informative, answering questions from her audience with openness, humor, and authenticity. Her videos cover everything from the emotional and physical aspects of transition to the often surprising questions people ask, offering insight into the real-life experiences of transgender women. Inspired by role models like Jamie Clayton and Janet Mock, Jamie emphasizes the importance of visibility, education, and self-acceptance, showing that it is possible to be successful and happy while living authentically.

Interview with Deena Kaye Rose

Deena Kaye Rose is a remarkable figure in American music and literature, known for her creativity, resilience, and honesty. As one of Nashville’s most recognized songwriters of her time, she has over 400 songs published, with around 200 recorded and released worldwide. Her collaborations with legendary artists, including Johnny Cash, secured her place in the history of country music, with songs such as Any Old Wind That Blows becoming timeless hits. She also penned songs that reached audiences across the globe, shaping the sound of an era in country and popular music. What makes Deena’s story even more compelling is the way she has intertwined her artistic journey with her personal one. After years of success in the music industry, she embraced her true self and transitioned later in life, choosing authenticity over fear. She has spoken openly about the challenges and joys of that decision, offering wisdom to others who may be standing at similar crossroads.

 

In her autobiographical book Some Days Are Diamonds (2016), she reflects not only on her career and creative process but also on the power of living one’s truth. Her life has taken her through Los Angeles, New York, and Nashville, always in pursuit of music and creativity. Along the way, she has performed, collaborated with some of the most iconic names in the industry, and built lasting relationships with fellow artists. Yet her work extends beyond music. As a writer and lecturer, she has given voice to transgender experiences in ways that resonate deeply with both trans and cisgender audiences. Today, Deena continues to embody a fearless artistic spirit. She writes new music from a transgender point of view, reimagines her past creations through the lens of her present self, and inspires countless others with her humor, humility, and insight. Her story is one of courage, reinvention, and devotion to the creative life, reminding us that art and authenticity are inseparable companions.

Interview with Rica Salomon

Rica Salomon is a young and inspiring voice from Manila, Philippines, whose journey as a video blogger has touched many lives. At only 24, she has already carved out a space where she openly documents her transition on YouTube, using her platform not just to share personal milestones but also to encourage others who may be facing similar struggles. A graduate of a Jesuit university, where she studied Interdisciplinary Studies with a focus on communications and psychology, Rica combines academic insight with personal experience to create thoughtful, relatable content. Her channel, which began as a small experiment, has since grown into a meaningful commitment, supported by viewers from different walks of life and by her boyfriend, who has been her strongest motivator and cheerleader. Beyond her online presence, Rica is also exploring entrepreneurial dreams. With a creative spirit and a determination to build something of her own, she is weighing the possibilities of franchising her father’s restaurant or starting a beauty salon, reflecting her passion for both family and self-expression.

Interview with Nikola Piława

Nikola Piława is a young Australian video blogger whose openness and creativity have made her a recognizable voice in the transgender community online. Originally from New Zealand, she grew up surrounded by a supportive environment that gave her the courage to embrace her identity. At just 20 years old, she made the bold move to Australia to follow her dream of becoming a makeup artist, and it was there that her career and online presence began to flourish. Her YouTube channel, where she documents her transition from male to female, has become not only a personal diary but also a resource for others seeking guidance and reassurance. What makes Nikola stand out is her ability to speak about her journey with honesty, warmth, and relatability. She answers questions about her transition with patience and sincerity, stressing that there are no “stupid” questions when it comes to understanding trans issues. In sharing her story, she offers a glimpse into the realities of hormone therapy, surgery, fashion, and everyday experiences, all while encouraging others to find joy in self-expression.

Interview with Debbie Ballard

Debbie Ballard is an American IT architect consultant, writer, and transgender activist whose remarkable journey reflects both innovation in technology and the resilience of living authentically. She was among the early pioneers who shaped the commercialization of the Internet in the 1990s, later became a leader in advancing Linux and Open Source technologies, and contributed to globalization initiatives that helped redefine how businesses and people connect across the world. With decades of experience at the forefront of technological progress, she has also carried a deeply personal story of navigating her identity in a time when being openly transgender often meant rejection, loss, or invisibility. Her autobiographical works, Debbie's Secret Life: LGBT in Stealth and Living in Stealth: Undercover, provide an unflinching look at what it means to grow up transgender while being forced to hide one’s true self. Written from her lived experience, these books are more than memoirs, they are heartfelt appeals to parents, teachers, counselors, and policymakers to understand the lifelong impact of denial and suppression.

Interview with Pamela Giovanni

Monika: Today it is my pleasure and honor to interview Pamela Giovanni, a British actress, model and singer, performer, entertainer, and diva. Hello Pamela!

Pamela: Hi!

Monika: Could you say a few words about yourself?

Pamela: Firstly, thank you for asking me to interview for you, and a pleasure to offer my advice and help to others. I am a mature lady. I am an actress, model, and wannabe singer.

Monika: When did you decide that you would like to be a stage artist?

Pamela: I am not a stage artist per se. I have performed on stage and screen. I guess I have always been a drama queen from a very early age.