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

It is my joy and privilege to introduce Lisa Bunker, a woman whose life and words shimmer with authenticity, resilience, and quiet grace. Lisa is best known for her imaginative and deeply human novels Felix Yz and Zenobia July, stories that open portals not only to other worlds, but into the hearts of young readers who yearn to see themselves reflected with tenderness and truth. After decades of persistence, Lisa is now living her dream as a full-time writer, creating stories that blend whimsy with wisdom, and crafting characters who are wonderfully, unapologetically themselves. Having transitioned in her mid-forties, she speaks with gentle clarity about the realities of gender, love, and becoming.

 

Her path was not without its challenges, but Lisa’s story is one of remarkable grace: she did not lose family or friends, she found herself. Beyond the page, Lisa has also stepped into the realm of politics, advocating for LGBTQ+ rights and standing as a powerful example of how trans voices can shape public life with dignity and purpose. In love, too, she has found joy and sanctuary, engaged to the woman who loves her for exactly who she is. Lisa Bunker is not only a writer of trans stories, but a writer of human stories. Her voice is thoughtful, lyrical, and grounded in a deep belief in the worth of every person. In this conversation, she opens up about her creative journey, her experience of transition, and the quiet power of simply not giving up. Let’s meet her.

Interview with Marissa Alexa McCool

Meeting Marissa Alexa McCool is like stepping into a world where words are electric, emotions unapologetically raw, and courage is worn as elegantly as eyeliner. A vibrant force in the transgender and neurodivergent communities, Marissa is a proud trans woman whose voice resonates across books, podcasts, and stages alike. Based in Saint Paul, Minnesota, she is a loving mother of two, a devoted spouse, a graduate of the University of Pennsylvania (cum laude, no less), and a fierce advocate for visibility and justice. A storyteller by instinct and craft, Marissa was typing before she could tie her shoes, dreaming up characters and conversations that would later come alive in her novels, essays, and public performances. Whether exploring the pain and poetry of identity in Passing Cars: The Internal Monologue of a Neurodivergent Trans Girl, speaking out against bigotry in The PC Lie: How American Voters Decided I Don’t Matter, or weaving the ache of adolescence into fiction like False Start, Marissa creates space for voices so often pushed to the margins. Her work doesn’t just reflect her life, it becomes a lifeline for readers searching for representation, reflection, or simply the comfort of not being alone. 

 

As a public speaker, podcaster, and community builder, Marissa is radiant and relentless. She’s not afraid to raise her voice, whether it’s to a hate preacher or a packed auditorium, and she does so not for attention, but to deflect the fire from others who may not have the safety or privilege she’s fought hard to secure. Her activism is deeply personal, born of trauma, transformation, and an unwavering desire to make the world more livable for the next generation of trans kids. Marissa’s journey is one of defiance and discovery. From coming out in the aftermath of the Pulse nightclub shooting to co-founding the Trans Podcaster Visibility Initiative, she has turned grief into grit, silence into stage presence, and marginalization into meaningful change. And through it all, her message remains beautifully clear: we exist, we matter, and our stories are worth telling. It is my heartfelt honor to share this conversation with Marissa Alexa McCool, a woman whose presence is as powerful as her prose, and whose light continues to reach those still searching for their own.