Interview with Claire-Renee Kohner

It is my heartfelt honor to introduce Claire-Renee Kohner, a remarkable woman whose life story weaves together resilience, motherhood, and tireless advocacy. Claire-Renee is an American transgender journalist, activist, blogger, and devoted mother of three sons. Through her writing, she brings attention to both the everyday realities and the extraordinary achievements within the transgender and queer communities, with a special focus on artists, entertainers, and changemakers who are shaping culture from the margins inward. Claire-Renee has contributed over 100 published articles to esteemed outlets including The Advocate, Bustle, PlanetTransgender, GayEssentials, Original Plumbing, and her own platform Claire Channel Media, which she developed to amplify underrepresented voices in trans and queer storytelling. She has appeared on HuffPost Live, The Queer Radio Network, and MyTalk107.1, boldly discussing trans visibility, dating, and representation in media. Her digital presence, including PlanetClaire, continues to serve as a thoughtful hub for global transgender news.

 

Behind every article and appearance is a personal journey of astonishing depth. Claire-Renee came out publicly in support of gender-inclusive policies before city councils and national television cameras, moments that were as brave as they were vulnerable. Her path to womanhood was not easy, shadowed by depression, survival, and ultimately, rebirth. Yet, with quiet strength and radiant authenticity, she embraced her truth, turning hardship into hope, not only for herself, but for those who see themselves reflected in her words. Claire-Renee speaks not only as an advocate but as a survivor, a parent, a woman who knows loss and love, and a fierce believer in the power of community. Whether highlighting trans representation in media or confronting injustice in politics, she brings a fearless, compassionate voice to the ongoing fight for transgender dignity and visibility. Today, I am deeply moved to sit down with Claire-Renee, a woman whose story deserves not just to be read, but to be remembered. 

Interview with Emily Crose

In the world of cybersecurity, where silence, precision, and vigilance are the tools of the trade, Emily Crose has built a name for herself not only as a formidable network threat hunter, but also as a woman of quiet resilience, clarity, and strength. A former civilian cybersecurity specialist with the U.S. Army, Emily's story is a rare blend of technological prowess and deeply personal transformation. When she made the brave decision to transition medically and socially in 2016, she was not just stepping into herself, she was stepping into the spotlight of a career field dominated by men, and into a world still struggling to understand what it means to be truly inclusive. Emily’s life is grounded in love, curiosity, and purpose. With the unwavering support of her wife and two children, she navigated her path with grace and intentionality. Her shift from aspiring history teacher to cybersecurity expert speaks to a woman who would rather shape the future than only study the past. Yet, her love for history still glimmers behind the lines of code and firewalls she now commands.

 

She calls the trans women who guided her early steps her “fairy godmothers,” and speaks with admiration of figures like Jenny Boylan, Sarah McBride, and countless others whose courage paved the way. At the same time, she is refreshingly modest about her own journey, acknowledging the privileges she’s had, while never minimizing the weight of choosing authenticity over comfort. Emily is not just a voice of reason in the volatile realm of cybersecurity. She’s a voice of reflection and honesty in a society still learning how to hold space for trans stories, stories like hers, rooted in everyday love, tenacity, and fierce femininity. Whether she's discussing the broken landscape of cybersecurity policy, the stubborn glass ceilings in tech, or the understated beauty of a well-fitted skirt and a favorite nail polish, Emily brings insight, sincerity, and strength. It is my honor and delight to share this conversation with a woman who exemplifies intelligence and integrity, not only in what she does, but in who she is.

Interview with Ryka Aoki

There are artists who write to tell a story, and then there are artists like Ryka Aoki, who write to save lives, stitch together lost histories, and offer fragments of joy to those who’ve forgotten how to hold it. A poet, novelist, teacher, and martial artist, Ryka moves through the world like a quiet storm, gentle, grounded, but full of power. A two-time Lambda Literary Award finalist, she has made her mark not only with books like He Mele a Hilo and Seasonal Velocities, but through her compassionate presence in classrooms, shelters, and queer community centers across Los Angeles. Her work has been featured in Gender Outlaws: The Next Generation, Transfeminist Perspectives, and The Transgender Studies Reader 2, not simply as literature, but as lived truth.

 

Raised in California and shaped by a complex mixture of cultural influences, Ryka brings to her writing a deep respect for memory, place, and music, often literally, as in her current novel-in-progress involving a runaway trans girl, a violin teacher bargaining with the devil, and a family of Vietnamese space aliens running a donut shop. What could be more Ryka than trauma, tenderness, absurdity, and sweetness, all tied together with a string of melody? Beyond the page, Ryka is a beacon for trans youth. At the LA LGBT Center, she teaches self-defense to queer and homeless teens, not just techniques, but dignity. She reminds us that while survival is often the first chapter in our lives, it is never the last. It is my deep honor and joy to welcome Ryka Aoki for this conversation.

Interview with Robin Diane Goldstein

Robin Diane Goldstein’s story is one of resilience, wit, and relentless authenticity. An American transgender rights activist, former talk-radio host, stand-up comedian, and blogger, Robin has gracefully woven together an extraordinary tapestry of life experiences, from law and engineering management to pioneering health projects at Apple Inc., nestled in the vibrant heart of Silicon Valley. Since childhood, Robin knew she was meant to be a woman, even when the world around her had no language or space to understand that truth. Navigating decades before the dawn of broad transgender awareness, her journey was marked by solitude, courage, and a fierce determination to be herself despite the cultural storms of her time. Through it all, she carried a radiant humor and a soulful spirit that have endeared her to friends, family, and countless others.

 

Robin’s activism is both grand and intimate: a fearless voice on public platforms and a gentle catalyst for change one heart at a time. Her story, shared in The New York Times and echoed through her work at Apple, is a testament to the power of authenticity to transform lives and communities. Beyond her professional accolades and advocacy, Robin is a woman who delights in the small joys, crafting the perfect New York-style cheesecake, strumming the guitar to satisfy her performance spirit, and finding fashion freedom in both funky hoodies and polished blouses. Her vibrant presence is a beautiful reminder that being true to oneself is the greatest success. As Robin approaches her 60th birthday, she continues to explore new passions and reimagine what it means to live fully. Her story is not just about transition, but about transcending, inspiring, and embracing every stage of life with love, humor, and grace.

Interview with Denise Chanterelle DuBois

There are women who live many lives in one. Denise Chanterelle DuBois is one of them. An actress, environmentalist, businesswoman, and author, Denise has carved her story with grace, resilience, and the kind of radiant strength that comes only after walking through fire. Born in Portland, Oregon, she bloomed into her truth later in life, transitioning just shy of her 50th birthday. But what might seem like a late arrival was, in fact, a bold and beautiful rebirth. In her unforgettable memoir, Self-Made Woman (2017), Denise opens the curtain on a life shaped by trauma, addiction, survival, and ultimately, transformation. With honesty and elegance, she recounts her path from turmoil to triumph, refusing to let the shadows of her past dim the light she now shares so freely with the world. Whether as Margaret le Plage in The Auteur or Sunshine the Barfly in Rid of Me, Denise’s screen presence is as magnetic as her real-life authenticity.

 

Beyond the spotlight, she is a passionate advocate for trans rights, a lover of fashion with a West Coast flair, and a woman whose inner peace radiates in every carefully chosen word. She writes, acts, and lives with intention, always mindful of the power of representation and the importance of being seen, not as a spectacle, but as a full human being. Interviewing Denise feels less like asking questions and more like stepping into a room filled with light, courage, and kindness. She is, in her own words, “fortune’s favorite daughter”, a phrase that captures both the miraculousness of her survival and the gratitude that defines her every day. And perhaps that’s her greatest gift to all of us: a reminder that no matter how late it may seem, it is never too late to become yourself.

Interview with Fran Fried

Fran Fried is an American writer, editor, DJ, music lover, community advocate, and, most authentically, a trans woman whose journey into self‑discovery began in her mid‑40s. Born and raised in Prospect, Connecticut, and initially a top‑performing sportswriter and music critic, Fran spent over two decades working for regional papers before accepting a move to Fresno, California. There, a deeply personal epiphany in January 2008 launched her transition, starting with hormones in 2010 and a courageous public coming‑out that same year. Throughout her evolution, Fran has balanced life’s highs and lows, job losses, family tension, relocation, and health struggles, while forging a resilient path of authenticity.

 

She founded the blog Franorama World, hosted a web‑radio show since 2013, and lent her voice to documentaries and public speaking engagements about trans lives and healthcare. Her op‑eds in publications like The New York Times and the New Haven Register have championed trans rights, coinciding with legislative progress in Connecticut. In addition to her editorial and creative work, Fran has spoken on trans and gender issues at universities and nursing classes, contributed to policy discussions, and staked her claim in media visibility, as one of the few openly trans contestants on Jeopardy! (pending airing in October). Fran's story is a testament to raw courage, the power of living one’s truth at any age, and the ongoing journey of finding your place, and your voice, in a world that’s still learning to listen.