Interview with Jasmine Isabella Neuenhaus

Monika: Today’s interview will be with Jasmine Isabella Neuenhaus, a multinational corporation employee and charming lady from Queensland, Australia. Hello Jasmine!

Jasmine: Hi Monika! Thank you for inviting me to interview with you.

Monika: Jasmine is such a lovely name! Did you choose it yourself?

Jasmine: I did indeed choose my new name. When I was young I was obsessed with escaping into the fantasy world of cartoons, none more so than the classic Disney animations.

And my favorite Disney cartoon? Aladdin of course! Aladdin’s Princess Jasmine was more focused on being true to herself than just accepting the path others paved for her. That character was the first role model I identified with and taking her name seemed an easy choice.

Interview with Natasha Muse

Monika: Today it is my pleasure and honor to interview Natasha Muse, an American stand-up comedian, and artist. Hello Natasha!

Natasha: Hi Monika!

Monika: How did you start your artistic career?

Natasha: Well, I started performing at a restaurant here in San Francisco called 'AsiaSF.' I never really thought performing would be a path for me, but someone approached me while I was working out at a gym and asked me to audition. In all honesty, I didn't think they would even give me a second look since I'm a shy person by nature. I just did it so I could say I gave it a good shot and did my best. But (as you may have suspected) I got the job and slowly but surely grew to love being on stage.

Monika: You perform all over the San Francisco Bay Area, including Cobb’s Comedy, the SF Punchline, Harvey’s, and the Dark Room. Do you have any performances outside the Bay Area?

Natasha: Oh yeah. Actually one of my goals this year has been to perform further away from what I've come to think of as my 'comfort zone,' San Francisco.

Interview with Toni Newman

Monika: Today it is my pleasure and honor to interview Toni Newman, an American author, and activist. Born in Jacksonville, NC, Toni is a graduate of Wake Forest University with a Bachelor of Arts degree in Sociology. We are going to talk about her memoirs and the challenges of being a transgender woman. Hello Toni!

Toni: Hello Monika glad to talk to you.

Monika: Could you say a few words about your career so far?

Toni: Well I am the author of "I Rise - The Transformation of Toni Newman" and work for Equality organization now fighting for equality of LGBT folk. I write a blog for Huffington Post and I am Community Editor for Proud to Be Out-The Digital Magazine. My goal is to complete my law degree and work for transgender rights and full equality for the transgender community.

Interview with Racheal McGonigal

Monika: Today it is my pleasure and honor to interview Racheal McGonigal, an author, businesswoman, transgender activist from New Zealand. She is the author of the following books: Transgender Guide (2012), Country Boy to City Girl (2012), Summer Storm (2012), A Pictorial Transformation - Him to Her (2012), Be Careful What You Wish For (2013), and Reflections (2013). We are going to talk about the situation of transgender women in New Zealand and her transition. Hello Racheal!

Racheal: Thanks, Monika. Thanks for the opportunity to speak out as I believe the more we show ourselves, the sooner we will be accepted in society as understanding/education is the key to end discrimination.

Monika: Could you say a few words about your career so far?

Racheal: A very diverse career. Farmworker, sheep and beef farmer, horticulturist, Restaurant provider, storeman, salesman, key account manager, territory manager, cafe owner, Fashion boutique store owner, tractor salesman, prostitution is not illegal downunder so Escort, Brothel owner, escort agency owner, Mistress, unemployed writer.