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Through art, she crafts her own existence, refusing to be boxed in by outdated notions of gender and identity.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!

Interview with Charlie Craggs

If the transgender community had a fairy godmother with a perfectly manicured middle finger to transphobia, it would be Charlie Craggs. Activist, author, actress, and all-around badass, Charlie has spent the last decade proving that a fresh set of nails can do more than just make you look cute, they can change minds, spark conversations, and fight bigotry one manicure at a time. Born in 1992 and raised on a council estate in Ladbroke Grove, West London, Charlie grew up navigating the challenges of gender dysphoria. Seeing Nadia Almada win Big Brother in 2004 was a turning point, it showed her that transitioning wasn’t just possible, it was powerful. Later, she studied at the London College of Fashion, where she first launched her now-iconic “Nail Transphobia” campaign. What began as a university project turned into a pop-up nail salon and a cultural movement. Because let’s be real, it’s hard to hold onto prejudice when someone’s making your cuticles look fabulous. 

 

Her work didn’t go unnoticed: in 2015, she was named one of The Independent’s most influential LGBTQ+ people, and a year later, she topped the “New Radicals” list by The Observer and Nesta. She also rallied for a trans pride flag emoji (because let’s face it, we deserved better than copy-pasting the rainbow and a T), and in 2020, Unicode finally delivered. Charlie’s 2017 book To My Trans Sisters, a heartfelt collection of letters from successful trans women, was a Lambda Literary Award finalist in 2018. She went on to front the 2021 BBC Three documentary Transitioning Teens, shining a light on the long NHS wait times faced by young trans people seeking care. And when she wasn’t educating the masses, she was breaking into the world of sci-fi, landing a lead role in the 2022 Doctor Who spin-off podcast Doctor Who: Redacted. That made her the second trans companion in Who history, because of course, the trans agenda includes taking over time and space. Charlie Craggs isn’t just making history, she’s making it fabulous.

Interview with Olivia Hill

Before stepping into the halls of government, Olivia Hill had already lived several lifetimes’ worth of determination, service, and resilience. Born and raised in Nashville, Tennessee, Olivia comes from a legacy of community roots, she is the great-granddaughter of Horace Greely Hill, founder of H.G. Hills Food Stores. Yet her own path has been uniquely hers: one marked by bravery, transformation, and an unwavering commitment to justice. After graduating from Hillwood High School in 1983, Olivia joined the United States Navy, where she served as an engineer from 1986 to 1995, including during combat in the Gulf War. Her technical expertise and quiet strength later led her to Vanderbilt University’s power plant, where for over 25 years she took on physically demanding roles as a plumber, pipe-fitter, welder, high voltage electrician, and more. Eventually, she rose to become senior supervisor and acting manager of the entire self-contained facility.

 

In 2019, Olivia came out as a transgender woman, an act of personal truth that set off both hardship and history. Facing discrimination in the workplace, she took legal action to stand up not just for herself, but for others who come out at a cost. That same courage would soon find a new outlet in public service. Encouraged by trailblazer Danica Roem, Olivia stepped into the political arena, and in September 2023, she made history as the first openly transgender person elected to public office in Tennessee. As a member-at-large of the Metropolitan Council of Nashville and Davidson County, she now uses her voice to uplift others and push for equality, sustainability, and dignity for all. Olivia’s story is one of fierce perseverance, a Navy veteran, a skilled engineer, a proud trans woman, and now, a public servant changing the face of leadership in the South. Her journey reminds us that visibility is powerful, advocacy matters, and that it’s never too late to become the woman you were meant to be.

Interview with Martina Sobková

Martina Sobková is a trailblazer in the world of beauty and fashion, proving that courage and authenticity are the true marks of elegance. At 36, this inspiring Czech model has made history as the first transgender woman from her country to compete in the prestigious Miss Trans Star International pageant in São Paulo, where she earned the title of Miss Evolution. 

 

Also, Martina is currently focused on growing her modeling career and is open to new opportunities, so if you’re looking for an aspiring model with beauty, resilience, and passion, she’s your girl! 

 

But her journey is about so much more than crowns and sashes. It's a testament to resilience, self-acceptance, and the power of representation. From navigating the challenges of transition to making her mark in the competitive world of modeling, Martina’s story is both deeply personal and universally inspiring. In addition to her success on the runway, she is also the newly appointed editor-in-chief of Bankovnictví magazine, proving that beauty and intelligence go hand in hand.

Interview with Jesse Patterson

Monika: Today, I have the pleasure of speaking with Jesse Patterson, an American social media personality and proud transgender woman who fearlessly shares her transition journey online. You’ve mentioned that we could discuss anything, from politics to, well, panties! Let’s dive in and see where this conversation takes us. Hello, Jesse, and thank you for accepting my invitation!

Jesse: Howdy Monika! Nice to meet you. Happy to have this discussion with you today and yes, lol, I will talk about pretty much anything one can think of.

Monika: Could you share a bit about yourself? Who is Jesse Patterson beyond social media?

Jesse: I’m just a person flitting about trying to find happiness in this world like everyone else. I’m happily married to a wonderful woman, with children. I live in Texas, work in finance and have a couple of degrees in history and sociology. I read history, psychology, astronomy, and self-care books or work out when I can get the time. I also love photography.

Interview with Ashley Anna Parks

Ashley Anna Parks is an American transgender woman who transitioned at 65 and then embarked on a whole new career as an author. Through her company, Butterfly Discoveries, she has shared her unique perspective on life, love, and personal growth with the world. In addition to her writing, Ashley worked as an assistant facilitator of transition support groups for two years with the LGBTQIA+ Center in Las Vegas, NV, where she supported others through their own journeys. Whether it’s her deeply personal memoir or her whimsical children’s coloring books, Ashley’s writing bridges generations and genders. Her work touches on themes of inclusion, connection, and transformation. Today, we'll explore each of her five books and dive into what motivated her to write them, what she hopes readers will take away, and how her journey continues to unfold.

 

Monika: Hello Ashley! Welcome to my blog!

Ashley: Hello Monika. I am excited to be considered for your amazing blog. To be included with so many incredible transgender women in our world is an honor. Thank you for introducing me to their extraordinary lives. Expanding my awareness of other transgender women that touches our world in a positive way, boosts my sense of hope in a troubled world. What a gift!