Interview with Becca Benz

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Interview with Cassidy McGuinn

Today, I have the gentle joy and heartfelt privilege of introducing Cassidy McGuinn, a warm, witty Irish-American blogger from Boston whose musings drift gracefully across topics like love, music, family, running, and baseball, with a healthy sprinkle of humor and heart. Cassidy is the woman behind Cassidy’s Quest, a blog and vlog that have quietly resonated with readers looking for hope, perspective, and a good laugh or two. Whether she’s reminiscing about Del’s frozen lemonade in Newport, cheering on the Red Sox (with some side love for the Blue Jays and Mariners), or sharing vulnerable moments from her transition, Cassidy brings the kind of authenticity that feels like a deep breath on a hard day. Cassidy came out as a transgender woman at 46, in what she describes as a moment of sleepless clarity, honesty, and fierce resolve. Since then, her journey has unfolded with courage, humor, and grace.

 

Her words have helped others feel seen, understood, and encouraged to walk their own paths, with petticoats, ponytails, or whatever suits them best. From her love of 1950s-inspired fashion to her reflections on self-acceptance, Cassidy radiates kindness and wisdom, often wrapped in the colors of a striped dress or the energy of a runner’s high. In this interview, Cassidy opens her heart to talk about the importance of humor in transition, the ache of family estrangement, the power of finding one’s own love within, and her dreams for a better world, one where a transgender First Lady or President isn’t a fantasy, but a real possibility. She speaks with humility, but her impact is quietly radiant. I invite you to meet Cassidy not only as a blogger or baseball fan, but as a woman who has turned self-discovery into a beautiful act of generosity.

Interview with Laura Smith

Laura Smith is a resilient and inspiring transgender woman from the United Kingdom who has been courageously documenting her transition journey under the Reddit handle inharmony123. At 49 years young, Laura embodies the spirit of a late bloomer, showing that it is never too late to embrace one’s true self. Nearly three years into hormone therapy, she shares her experiences openly to inspire others transitioning later in life, encouraging them to find hope and beauty in their own transformations. Laura’s story is one of strength, authenticity, and grace. Coming from a religious background, her decision to live openly as her authentic self came with profound challenges, including estrangement and the fear of losing everything she held dear. Yet, through it all, Laura remains steadfast, offering compassion and patience to those around her while holding her head high in the face of adversity. Her journey is not just about physical transformation, but about reclaiming her spirit and joy.

 

Passionate about fashion and self-expression, Laura effortlessly balances casual elegance with moments of glamorous flair, embracing colors and styles that celebrate her femininity and radiant personality. She believes deeply in the power of love, as an essential, binding force that fuels resilience and human connection. With a keen awareness of the social challenges transgender people face, Laura hopes to contribute to greater understanding and acceptance by sharing her honest reflections and everyday realities. Her journey is ongoing, with hopeful steps toward further medical support and an unwavering dream of living fully and authentically, exactly as she was meant to be. This interview invites you to walk alongside Laura, to glimpse the courage it takes to become your true self, and to celebrate the beauty found in every stage of transformation.

Interview with Sheri Swokowski

There are women whose courage reshapes institutions. There are women whose truth reshapes hearts. Colonel Sheri A. Swokowski has done both, with quiet grace, unwavering integrity, and a patriot’s heart that never stopped beating for justice, even when her country struggled to understand her. Sheri is the highest-ranking openly transgender veteran in the United States Army. Over nearly 35 years of distinguished service, she rose from the enlisted ranks to the rank of Colonel in the Infantry, a place where few women, and no openly transgender women before her, had stood. Her journey was marked by leadership, resilience, and sacrifice. After retiring from the military, she continued her service to the nation in civilian roles at the Pentagon and the U.S. Forest Service, and later became a powerful voice for transgender rights and inclusive policy, working alongside allies such as Congresswoman Tammy Baldwin.

 

But behind the impressive résumé is a woman who made the hardest decision of her life in her fifties: to finally live authentically. The cost was steep, relationships, career opportunities, and the comfort of familiarity. Yet in embracing her truth, Sheri found joy, strength, and a new mission: to ensure that others like her could serve and live with dignity. Whether wearing her female Infantry officer uniform at the White House Pride reception, mentoring younger trans women, or volunteering tirelessly with organizations like the ACLU and Fair Wisconsin, Sheri has never stopped marching forward. In every room she enters, she carries not just her story, but the hopes of countless others still finding the courage to live theirs. It is my honor to share this conversation with a woman whose journey exemplifies grace under fire, authenticity against the odds, and the enduring power of truth. Ladies and gentlemen, meet Colonel Sheri Swokowski.

Interview with Ísabel Pirsic

With gentle strength and quiet brilliance, Ísabel Pirsic stands at the intersection of science and activism, weaving together logic, compassion, and lived experience into a remarkable tapestry of advocacy. A mathematician by profession and an activist by heart, Ísabel began her public transition nearly four years ago, bringing with her not only decades of introspection but also a fierce commitment to creating safer, more inclusive spaces for others. She is a core member of TransX, an Austrian organization dedicated to supporting transgender individuals and advancing political change, whether through their lively bi-monthly gatherings or tireless advocacy on issues like naming laws and the rights of trans prisoners.

 

Ísabel’s voice is both thoughtful and measured, her insights shaped by years of personal growth and a deep awareness of the complexities surrounding identity, visibility, and acceptance. She approaches each challenge with a balance of intellect and empathy, never losing sight of the individual humanity at the center of every political or cultural debate. Her reflections are rooted in both realism and hope, acknowledging the obstacles while still envisioning a future filled with possibility. Whether speaking about the quiet courage required for self-acceptance, the evolving media landscape in Austria, or the deeper meanings of love and resilience, Ísabel offers a kind of wisdom that lingers in the heart. This interview is not just a portrait of a woman navigating the many layers of her identity, it is an invitation to rethink how we define beauty, strength, and authenticity in a world that too often asks us to choose between them.

Interview with Roxanne Manzone

There is a quiet courage in living authentically, and few women embody that courage more gracefully than Roxanne L. Manzone. A proud Ocala resident for over four decades, Roxanne’s journey is one of inner strength, steady resilience, and heartfelt conviction. After retiring from a long career in law enforcement, she found a second calling as a Roadway Inspector with the Florida Department of Transportation, navigating not just roads but the winding path toward becoming her true self. She transitioned at the age of 57, embracing womanhood not as a beginning or an end, but as a lifelong truth finally set free. Her story, once featured in The New York Times series “Transgender Today,” is not one of regret but of empowerment, a reminder that it is never too late to live in harmony with your soul. Roxanne’s life is filled with the kind of passions that reveal a tender and authentic heart: from displaying her beloved car at local shows, to volunteering weekly at a soup kitchen, to custom-painting model trains with the kind of care that only someone deeply attentive to beauty and detail can offer.

 

Her sense of responsibility to the transgender community is deeply rooted in visibility and hope. Through her testimony at legislative hearings and the quiet bravery of everyday conversations, Roxanne has become a local advocate, not for attention or applause, but to show the world that transgender people are neighbors, colleagues, and kind souls who simply want to live and be loved. Though she has faced painful losses, especially within her family, Roxanne remains grounded by strong friendships, supportive co-workers, and her cherished “transition buddy,” Cindy. She believes that being transgender is not about passing, it’s about peace. In a world where trans women are often expected to prove their womanhood, Roxanne stands firmly in her jeans, unbothered by trends or expectations, offering instead a model of self-acceptance, grace, and quiet pride. It is my honor to share this conversation with a woman whose strength speaks softly but echoes deeply.

Interview with Jemma

Jemma is a transgender woman in her early 30s who began her transition at age 30. Known online as SuddenlyJemma, she has been candidly documenting her journey on Reddit, offering insight and inspiration to others just beginning their path. By day, Jemma works in a tire manufacturing factory producing colossal off-road mining tires, the smallest one towering at 9.5 feet and weighing nearly 2 tons! Her life outside of work includes caring for her two beloved rescue dogs and a mischievous group of guinea pigs. Starting her transition was a leap of faith fueled by the support she found in online trans communities. Sharing her story is her way of giving back. Over the last 18 months, she’s experienced dramatic physical and emotional changes, from rapid weight loss and unexpected medical setbacks to the surreal joy of looking in the mirror and seeing someone she finally recognizes.

 

Jemma’s resilience has carried her through family rejection, the loss of longtime friendships, and the challenges of transitioning in a conservative, male-dominated workplace. Surprisingly, her job has become one of her safest spaces, a testament to the power of professionalism and quiet acceptance. She draws inspiration from everyday trans voices on Reddit as well as public figures like Michelle Hendley, whose role in Boy Meets Girl was pivotal for her. Though not deeply embedded in organized LGBTQ activism, Jemma takes every chance to lift others up, from sharing resources with newer trans folks to offering quiet encouragement. With a hopeful spirit, she dreams of a future where trans characters in media are treated not as punchlines or metaphors, but as regular people living ordinary (and extraordinary) lives.

Interview with Faye Seidler

Faye Seidler is a dedicated transgender activist, educator, and writer focused on improving awareness and representation of transgender people across healthcare, education, government, and business sectors. Growing up in poverty, Faye developed a pragmatic approach to life and fashion, valuing comfort and utility over trends. Despite these humble beginnings, she has become a respected voice in the fight for trans rights and social justice. Faye’s advocacy centers on challenging harmful stereotypes that have long dominated media portrayals of trans individuals, especially the outdated and reductive tropes of victims, sex workers, or villains. Drawing on historical data and cultural analysis, she emphasizes the need for authentic transgender representation and participation in storytelling.

 

A self-taught researcher and lifelong writer, Faye combines her passion for social justice with grassroots activism. She actively works to create safer school environments through initiatives like the Gender and Sexuality Alliance (GSA) project in North Dakota, mentors LGBTQ+ youth, and develops transgender cultural competency trainings in healthcare. Faye understands the complexities of gender dysphoria and the transition journey, recognizing that medical interventions like hormones and surgery are tools that bring some relief but not the entirety of liberation. She advocates for self-acceptance beyond passing and stresses the importance of emotional support from friends and partners. Currently involved in community journalism and education, Faye plans to expand her work by pursuing continuing education grants and possibly writing memoirs. Supported by a loving polyamorous relationship, she finds strength in love, community, and the hope of a future where transgender people can live authentically without societal limitations.

Interview with Jessica Harrington

In the quiet resilience of everyday heroes, we sometimes find stories that shake us, ground us, and gently remind us what courage really looks like. Jessica Harrington is one of those women. A 42-year-old trans woman from Reno, Nevada, Jessica’s story is not one of fairytales or easy triumphs, it is one of quiet strength, heartbreak, and a spirit that refuses to disappear, even when life strips away nearly everything. Jessica began her transition at 38, armed with years of research and a heart full of hope. But her path, like that of so many trans women, was marked by betrayal and unimaginable loss. On the very day she began hormone therapy, she was abandoned by the person she loved most, left without home, resources, or support.

 

And yet, Jessica stands today, not only as a survivor but as someone who devotes herself to helping others step into their truth. Despite living on the margins, Jessica’s wardrobe bursts with pink, her favorite color, a tender symbol of femininity reclaimed. She finds joy in uplifting other trans women, offering guidance on transition, makeup, and the emotional labyrinth of becoming. Though she often jokes that no one cares what she has to say, her story is a vital piece of our shared history, a testament to love, loss, and the transformative power of authenticity. It is my deepest honor to share this conversation with Jessica. I hope you find within it the same raw beauty and honesty that moved me so deeply.

Interview with Charlotte Flanigan

Charlotte Flanigan is not just a storyteller, she is a living story, one that gracefully weaves courage, tenderness, and resilience into every page of her life. A British writer with a deep love for Germany and a soul shaped by self-discovery, Charlotte opened her heart to the world in The Whole Shenanigans: Charlotte's Story (2017), a candid and heartfelt autobiography born not of ambition but of healing. Her voice is quiet yet unwavering, her truth carved gently through the ink of memory and the ink of tattoos that chronicle her journey with symbolic beauty. At the heart of Charlotte’s life is love, love that triumphs, transforms, and transcends. Her bond with her wife Agnieszka is nothing short of soul-deep, and their story is a reminder that the truest connections often come when we are most vulnerable and most ourselves.

 

Though her transition brought loss, family, friends, familiarity, Charlotte stands with dignity, never letting pain silence her. She believes in the uniqueness of every trans woman’s path, refusing to reduce identity to performance or conformity. Humble yet fiercely real, Charlotte is uninterested in fame or fashion. What she offers instead is something far more enduring: honesty, warmth, and the quiet wisdom of someone who has made peace with the past. In her next project, Charlotte turns the lens outward, exploring the experiences of children growing up with transgender parents, once again using her pen as a lantern for others. It is my honor to share this conversation with Charlotte, whose soft-spoken strength reminds us that there is no one way to be a woman, only the way that feels like home.