Interview with Caragh

Monika: Today let me share the story of Caragh, an American producer and writer, known for her work on series such as Behind the Music, The Late Late Show With Craig Kilborn, The Queen Latifah Show, and The Kelly Clarkson Show. She’s won two Emmy Awards for her work on the latter series. She has also worked as a reporter for People Magazine, executive editor at TV Guide Magazine and as a freelance correspondent for The Hollywood Reporter, Emmy Magazine, the New York Times, and the Los Angeles Times. She’s also written two books. Hello Caragh! Thank you for accepting my invitation.

Caragh: It’s a sincere pleasure to speak to you. I started reading your interviews way back when I was so far back in the closet, even my childhood t-shirts and shoes were easier to find. Seriously, I used them as motivation to transition myself. Your site is incredibly aspirational, and I dreamed of one day being worthy enough to be included. So it’s truly an honor to be with you.

Interview with Yasmin Lee

Monika: It has been 8 years since my first interview with Yasmin Lee, an American entertainer and adult movie actress, TV celebrity, model, and make-up artist. So I am happy to reconnect with Yasmin to talk about what has happened in her life and professional career in recent years.

Hello Yasmin! I am an old woman now and you are still young and beautiful. How have you been doing this?

Yasmin: Wow, it really has been a while! As for staying young, I have no idea. I don’t go out much or drink heavily or do drugs. There’s only so much we can do. We came from nothing, created a life of our own and one day retreat back to dust, leaving a trail of faint memories until one day we are forgotten entirely.

Interview with Galen Kirkpatrick

Monika: Today I am taking you to the sky where my guest feels at home and where she is often visible. Galen Kirkpatrick is an American paraglider, former national champion, and world cup tour pilot. She is among the top ten women in the world and this year (for the second time) she will represent the United States in the world championships. She is also an instructor and guide and has had a variety of careers. Hello Galen!

Galen: Hi Monika, thanks for interviewing me. 

Monika: I guess most of us have heard about paragliding but I have not been aware that it is also a sport competition, and you are one of the best paragliding women in the world…

Galen: Many people confuse it with Parasailing or Hangliding. Parasailing is completely different because you are attached to a boat over water. It's great for tourists because it requires no skill. With Hang Gliding or Paragliding, you are using a relatively small lightweight wing that you foot launch from a mountain or a ridge. After launching we use naturally occurring lift, either convective or mechanical to stay in the air without the need for a motor. By using the convective lift (the natural updrafts of warm air the earth creates) it is possible to fly long distances. This discipline or art form is called Free Flying.

Interview with Jessika Janene

Monika: Today, I’m delighted to welcome Jessika Janene, a creative professional, businesswoman, and the founder of Jessika Janene Creative from Pittsburgh, PA. Jessika is also an inspirational transgender woman who has been carving her own path. Hello, Jessika, and thank you so much for accepting my invitation!

Jessika: Thank you for interviewing me, Monika. I think this platform you’ve built is amazing and allows all of us trans people to see that we are not alone.

Monika: Could you tell us a bit about yourself?

Jessika: I am a child of the 70s, born in ‘67 I grew up in the aftermath of the summer of love. I believe now I was always meant to live life as a woman but my egg didn’t crack until 2020. We had no words for it when I was a kid, in hindsight I can see all of the signs I was trans.

Interview with Ellen Jansen

Get ready to meet the inspiring Ellen Jansen, an inspiring woman from Maastricht, the Netherlands. Ellen is a passionate entrepreneur and founder of Cheappower4U, a company specializing in energy transition solutions for residential construction. She has developed an innovative technique to make sustainable renovations accessible to lower-income households and holds a patent for her invention. In addition to her business endeavors, Ellen is a certified coach and speaker, guiding individuals, teams, and organizations through transformative change. She is also an ambassador for Workplace Pride, a global foundation that promotes workplace inclusivity. In 2023, Ellen published her deeply personal and motivational book, Eindelijk Ellen: De Odyssee van een transgender vrouw (Finally Ellen: The Odyssey of a Transgender Woman), where she shares her courageous journey of living authentically. Ellen’s life and work reflect her belief in the power of transformation, resilience, and self-acceptance. She is a proud advocate for living life true to one's identity while inspiring others to do the same.

 

Monika: Hello Ellen! Thank you so much for accepting my invitation.

Ellen: Hi Monika! You’re welcome, happy to share my story.

Interview with Sarah Wenno-Stephenson

Monika: Sarah Wenno-Stephenson is my lovely guest today. Sarah is a London-based fashion model, background artist, presenter, and property investor. Hello Sarah! Thank you for accepting my invitation.

Sarah: Hi Monika, thank you for the invitation, and I am happy to be here.

Monika: Could you say a few words about yourself?

Sarah: Few words about myself... mmm let me put this in a short phrase. An ambitious, hard-working woman who knows what she wants in life and the future ahead, goofy more towards joker clown light the party kinda girl really. Married once, engaged close to married twice, and been living in 5 countries but London is my last stop where I do call it my home. Last but not least I am pushing on 50 so there you have it lol not quite a few words, sorry I can’t help it.