Interview with Shandi Strong

From the heart of Winnipeg, Manitoba, emerges a woman whose resilience and advocacy have carved out a path of courage, compassion, and transformation. Shandi Strong is not only a powerful voice for transgender rights in Canada, but a symbol of what it means to rebuild a life with fierce authenticity and tender hope. As a public speaker, author, photographer, musician, and dedicated community leader, Shandi's journey is one of deep losses and even deeper triumphs. Crowned as the first transgender Grand Marshal of the Winnipeg Pride Parade in 2015, honored with the Trail Blazer Award by the Winnipeg LGBT* Chamber of Commerce, and currently serving in multiple leadership roles, Advocacy Coordinator for Pride Winnipeg, Executive Secretary for Manitobans For Human Rights Inc., and a constituency assistant at the Manitoba Legislature, Shandi has committed her life to lifting others even as she walked through her own storms.

 

Her story, detailed in a forthcoming book and widely shared across Canadian media, is a mosaic of personal reinvention, political ambition, and quiet grace. From performing live music at Pride events to organizing Winnipeg’s first Trans March, she embodies the beautiful intersection of creative spirit and civic service. What stands out most, however, is her unwavering belief in the power of visibility, empathy, and the strength found in simply being oneself. In this interview, Shandi speaks openly about her journey, her heartbreaks, her rediscovered connection with her daughters, and her unrelenting hope for the next generation of trans youth. Her words are honest and warm, touched by a lifetime of growth, and a heart that never stopped loving, dreaming, and believing in a better world for all of us.

Interview with Lisa O'Connor

In a world where the transgender community often finds itself navigating uncharted terrain, it is heartening to meet women like Lisa O’Connor, who not only survived her own transition but chose to transform it into a beacon of support for others. A physician, therapist, and proud founder of Healthy Transitions, LLC, Lisa is a steady and compassionate presence for countless transgender and gender-diverse individuals seeking guidance, affirmation, and care. Born and raised in the vibrant heart of New York City, Lisa brings a blend of sharp intellect and warm humor to everything she does, from her clinical work in endocrinology and psychotherapy to the simple yet profound act of helping someone pick their first outfit or find the courage to come out. Her approach is holistic, deeply human, and grounded in lived experience. Lisa’s journey into womanhood was anything but easy. 

 

Like many of us, she walked through fire, losing family, a job, and nearly her peace of mind. But in the ashes, she found a calling. Her mother’s unexpected embrace became a light in the darkness, one that still shines in Lisa’s practice today, where kindness and knowledge go hand in hand. She’s the kind of woman who understands that beauty isn’t about passing, it’s about presence. That health isn’t just medical, it’s emotional, social, and spiritual. And that freedom for trans people won’t come in a bottle or a scalpel alone, but in the fierce, daily act of living authentically. Today, I have the honor of speaking with this extraordinary woman, part healer, part advocate, part philosopher, and always herself. Please join me in welcoming Lisa O’Connor, a woman whose work, wisdom, and warmth continue to shape lives far beyond the walls of her clinic.

Interview with Rachel Eliason

Rachel Eliason is a deeply thoughtful writer, speaker, and author whose life’s calling has always been two-fold: a passion for storytelling and an unyielding journey to live as her true self. Growing up in the U.S. Midwest during the 1970s and ’80s, she harbored fantasies of transformations and adventures within the pages of science fiction and fantasy, worlds where the impossible felt not only possible but profoundly personal. Her path led to the creation of The Agony, The Ecstasy and The Buddha: One Woman's Month in Thailand having a Sex Change, a work that blends memoir with courage. Alongside, she nurtured a reflective creative life, crafting both fiction and nonfiction from the quiet of her attic office. 

 

One of her proudest works is Run, Clarissa, Run, a novel born from her determination to portray the intricate and beautiful diversity of transgender lived experiences, and from her belief that no single story can encapsulate them all. Rachel’s activism is rooted in gratitude. She credits her supportive community in Iowa, including the civil rights climate, her transition-friendly workplace, and vibrant local groups, for helping her embrace her identity with grace and resolve. She stands inspired by trailblazing voices like Aleshia Brevard, Laverne Cox, Janet Mock, and Michelle Hendley, along with younger activists like Jazz Jennings. Driven by earnest conviction, she remains active in politics and education, giving talks, supporting causes like One Iowa, Des Moines Pride, the ACLU, and the Sierra Club, and trusts that courage and focus can change even the smallest part of the world.

Interview with Samantha Lauzon

There are women whose strength takes the shape of quiet resilience, and then there are those like Samantha Lauzon, radiant, outspoken, unapologetically fierce, and unmistakably feminine. A Canadian model, actress, adult film director, and beloved YouTube vlogger, Samantha is not only a powerhouse in the entertainment world, but also a heartfelt voice for transgender visibility, mental health awareness, and self-love. Her journey began early, transitioning at just 13, in a time when role models for trans girls were almost nonexistent, and when love, both from others and for herself, had to be fiercely fought for. With a career that dances between vulnerability and boldness, Samantha shares her life online with unfiltered honesty, offering everything from beauty advice to deeply personal reflections on depression, sex work, and empowerment.

 

Her storytelling invites us into the real, messy, beautiful corners of a woman’s life, one built on courage, compassion, and an endless willingness to uplift others. Her resilience is grounded in experience, her words in truth, and her laughter in knowing that nothing, not stigma, not rejection, not even fear, can outshine authenticity. In a world that often underestimates transgender women, Samantha stands tall, camera in hand, heart on sleeve, a living example of what it means to never shrink for anyone. As she says herself: “I don’t need a man, I want a man. There’s a difference.” And that difference is called power. It’s my honor to introduce you to Samantha Lauzon: a woman who has transformed her pain into passion, and her voice into a lifeline for those still learning to love the reflection in the mirror.

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.