Interview with Kelly Grice

In the heart of Manchester, among the terraced homes and unmistakable Northern charm of Burnage, grew a girl who hadn't yet found her reflection in the mirror. That girl would one day become Kelly Grice, a tall, elegant woman with a warm laugh, a resilient spirit, and a story of courage that would inspire many across the UK and beyond. Known for her height at 6 ft 4, Kelly’s true measure is found not in inches, but in strength, grace, and kindness. Today, Kelly lives happily with her husband, Darren Grice, whose support and love became her anchor during the more turbulent waters of her transition. Together, they prove that love transcends every expectation. In 2017, Kelly published her memoir “My Journey from He to She and How to Transition”, a heartfelt and practical guide born from the meticulous notes she kept throughout her experience, written not for fame, but to ease the journey of others walking a similar path.

 

From navigating the NHS system to embracing life as her authentic self, Kelly's journey is one of honesty and hope. She speaks candidly about the challenges trans women face, the importance of self-compassion, and the quiet victories that come from being seen and accepted, not only by others, but by oneself. Beyond her book, Kelly is now pursuing a degree in Psychology, with the dream of one day supporting other transgender individuals through their own transitions. In her downtime, she finds joy in simple things, comfortable leggings, conversations by the canal, and historical novels set in ancient times, including the one she's currently writing about Alexander the Great. In this interview, Kelly shares her experiences, insights, and a wisdom that only comes from living life fully, openly, and without apology. It is my honor and pleasure to introduce you to a woman whose voice, both gentle and powerful, reminds us all that the journey to becoming ourselves is one worth every step.

Interview with Shauna Marie O'Toole

Shauna Marie O’Toole is a woman whose life story reads like an epic, full of resilience, reinvention, and radiant authenticity. An activist, scientist, engineer, educator, and mother, Shauna has lived many lives before fully embracing the one that brings her the most joy: her life as a transgender woman, committed to fighting for justice and equality. Currently living in Geneva, New York, she is the Director of the We Exist Coalition of the Finger Lakes and a proud voice for her community. Her activism is grounded not only in policy and advocacy but in profound personal experience, from moments of homelessness to the power of reclaiming identity and voice. 

 

A self-described “accidental heroine,” Shauna began publicly transitioning at the age of 50, documenting her journey in her deeply moving memoir, You Can’t Shave in a Minimart Bathroom. With honesty and heart, she has spoken out about the joy and heartbreak of transition, the importance of chosen family, and the continued fight for transgender visibility in political and social arenas. Whether she's standing at the podium at the Women's March in Seneca Falls or speaking from her heart in a quiet classroom, Shauna radiates the kind of quiet courage that changes lives. In this interview, we meet a woman who has not only walked through fire for her children and her truth, but who continues to stand tall, spine forged in steel, voice full of empathy, so that others might walk a little more freely. With her fierce intellect, biting humor, and unwavering hope, Shauna reminds us that authenticity is not only beautiful, it is revolutionary. 

Interview with Lisa Bunker

Monika: Today it is my pleasure and honor to interview Lisa Bunker, an American writer, known for her debut novel “Felix Yz“ (Viking, 2017), about a boy fused with an alien. Her second novel, “Zenobia July”, about a trans girl getting to live as a girl for the first time in a new school, is due to be published in Winter/Spring 2019, also from Viking. Hello Lisa!

Lisa: Hi Monika! I’m glad to be talking to you today.

Monika: Could you say a few words about yourself?

Lisa: Well, you covered the basic facts of my current life situation in your intro. I’m finally a full-time author after decades of trying to make that my work. Also, I’m in a wonderful relationship and finally getting to find out what it’s like to love and be loved as the person I actually am. Plus, my children are grown and my parents are gone. So, I guess you could say I’m a person whose dreams have finally come true who then finds herself curiously free to look around for the next thing to do.

Interview with Marissa Alexa McCool

Monika: Today it is my pleasure and honor to interview Marissa Alexa McCool, an American LGBT-rights activist and speaker, multiple podcast host (The Inciting Incident Podcast), author, mother, columnist, and stage performer, the author of “Passing Cars: The Internal Monologue of a Neurodivergent Trans Girl” (2017) and four other books. Hello Marissa!

Marissa: Hello Monika, thank you so much for reaching out to me. It’s a pleasure.

Monika: Could you say a few words about yourself? You are a woman of so many talents and interests. Is writing most important for you?

Marissa: I don’t know if I can rank my interests by importance, but perhaps I can by longevity. But let me answer your other questions first: I’m 32. I graduated cum laude from the University of Pennsylvania with degrees in English, Cinema and Media Arts, and Anthropology. I live in Saint Paul, Minnesota with my husband, partner, and two children. 

Writing is the interest I’ve been pursuing as long as I can remember. I learned to type when I was four years old, and I can remember using a word processor as a young child to create stories involving people I know. As I grew up, I used that imagination in role-playing stories, and I couldn’t imagine pursuing anything else when it came to university focus. I was able to learn from some amazing professors, including Meta Mazaj, Kathy Van Cleve, and Marion Kant, and I don’t know where I’d be without them.