Interview with Julia Durzyńska

Julia Durzyńska was born in Poznań, Poland, in 1976, and from an early age, she was torn between the worlds of science and the humanities. She graduated from Ad Sanctam Mariam Magdalenam High School in 1995 with a “philological” diploma, meaning she skillfully dodged math and science at her final exams (SAT) in favor of Polish, English, and French. Naturally, she then decided to… become a molecular biologist.

 

She earned her master’s degree in molecular biology from Adam Mickiewicz University (AMU) in 2000, followed by a PhD at the University of Nantes in France, defended in 2004. Since 2005, she has been shaping young scientific minds at AMU’s Faculty of Biology, first as an assistant professor and for nearly six years now, as a university professor. Her academic adventures have also taken her to Philadelphia and Florida for postdoctoral and visiting scholar research, where she spent a total of three years.

Interview with Duda Teo

Some artists don’t just create, they shatter norms, rebuild worlds, and redefine what is possible. Duda Teo is one of them. A transgender woman, a designer, an artist, and a thinker, she has turned her life into a bold artistic statement, one that challenges rigid structures and celebrates the beauty of transformation. From a small town in Santa Catarina to the forefront of Brazil’s artistic and intellectual scene, Duda’s journey is a testament to resilience, reinvention, and resistance.

 

Through art, she crafts her own existence, refusing to be boxed in by outdated notions of gender and identity. Her work isn’t just about aesthetics, it’s political, personal, and deeply connected to a long history of trans struggle. Whether illustrating, painting, or designing, Duda infuses her pieces with a radical sense of freedom. She is, in every way, an artist of defiance. In this conversation, we talk about her creative process, her influences, the price of authenticity, and, of course, the eternal quest for beauty.

Interview with Sarafina Maraschino

Sarafina Maraschino is a multifaceted individual whose journey encompasses military service, legal advocacy, musical innovation, and activism within the transgender community. Sarafina pursued higher education at the University of California, Berkeley, where she earned a Bachelor of Science in History. She furthered her academic credentials by obtaining a Master of Jurisprudence in Indian Law from the University of Tulsa College of Law. Sarafina's commitment to public service is evident through her 20 years of federal service. She served six years in the U.S. Air Force, followed by fourteen years in the Office of Counsel for the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers, San Francisco District. In her role as the District’s Tribal Liaison, she developed partnerships between her agency and Indian tribes in Northern California, particularly in the Klamath Basin, focusing on ecosystem restoration, watershed assessment, and water infrastructure.

Interview with Alisa Sarmant

 

Alisa Sarmant is a Belarusian journalist, social activist, and political figure. In 2013, Alisa graduated from the Faculty of Journalism and Political Science at the University of Warsaw. From 2014 to 2016, she pursued doctoral studies at the University of Gdańsk, specializing in Political Science.

 

Alisa has been deeply involved in Belarus's political landscape since 2010, participating in the country’s major political campaigns. In 2019, she founded TG House, an initiative supporting transgender individuals. From 2020 to 2024, she served as the editor-in-chief of one of the leading Belarusian media outlets. In 2023, she was elected a member of the board of Trans*Coalition, one of the largest transgender organizations in Eastern Europe and Central Asia.

 

Monika: Alisa, thank you so much for joining me today.

Alisa: Thank you for the invitation, I’m very pleased!

Interview with Joanna Cifredo

Joanna Cifredo is a trailblazing transgender human rights activist from Bayamón, Puerto Rico. Joanna’s work has spanned grassroots advocacy, public policy, and organizing transformational events like La Caminata Por La Equidad (The Walk for Equity). As the (former) Executive Director of the Puerto Rico Transgender Wellness Center, Joanna is a leading force in the fight for transgender rights in Puerto Rico.

 

As a beauty queen, she represented Puerto Rico at Miss International Trans in Panama and most recently at Miss Star International in Sao Paulo, Brazil. Joanna’s journey began as a young transgender teen in Central Florida advocating for her healthcare needs and has since led her to testify before the U.S. Congress at just 27 years old. Beyond her activism and leadership, Joanna’s story is one of resilience, empowerment, and inspiration.

Interview with Helen Dale

Helen Dale, an RAF Brat, once dreamed of being a pilot but turned to PR, advertising, and marketing while keeping her transgender identity secret. In 1998, she transitioned, losing a job but becoming the first openly transgender employee at Greater Manchester Probation. She co-founded the UK’s pan-civil service trans support network, a:gender, and earned a Butler Trust Award for her advocacy. Now retired, Helen continued to educate students, offer counseling, and volunteer with Diversity Role Models. She’s also a prolific writer, exploring themes of identity and transformation.

 

Monika: Today I'm honored to speak with Helen Dale, a British trans advocate, educator, and writer who’s played a key role in advancing transgender awareness. Welcome, Helen!

Helen: Thanks Monika!