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.

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.