Dear Reader,

Timing for creative work is interesting. Sometimes we start a project that, for whatever reason, doesn't come together right then. But later, the perfect timing arises, and you understand that this project was prepared ahead of time.

I recorded this conversation with Sigrid K. Nielsen two years ago; then my podcast went on hiatus. (As in, my editor quit to be a musician.) Which meant that episode was put on hold.

Now it's Pride Month 2025 and exactly the moment for this episode.

What I said then is equally true today. Sigrid K Nielsen lights up a room. I have spent time with her on many occasions, live and on Zoom calls, and she's never been anything but her authentic, fully expressed self. When you read her book (forthcoming) you'll see what I mean: Sigrid is incredibly astute.

But you don't have to wait for the book to meet Sigrid. Listen today.

But be forewarned, Sigrid will force you to rethink things you thought you were certain of. Because she sure has. Courageously so.

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Back to this episode’s timing: I wanted to release it on Friday, but that didn't want to happen. All the things were conspiring to delay publication. Then on Saturday evening we learned that bombs were illegally dropped on Iran without notice or real justification.

And I'm going to say this part out loud:

Othering trans people, making them scapegoats and distractions for all the harms in the world, are keeping us from being who WE ALL truly are, seeing what's right there for us to see.

WE ALL have it in us to be kind and compassionate people, when we're not running scared from each other.

This othering is not a new tactic. It was there in the 30's in Germany, when trans people were targeted (we forget that part because their libraries, their history, their culture were obliterated), and we all stayed in our place in the 80's when Sigrid and I came of age, and only rockstars could dress as they wanted. Because it was a "costume." Performance, you see.

But that was also hiding in plain sight. And once you're aware of what's really there, you can't not see it. You don't want to make believe.

Which is why Sigrid is a trans woman who transitioned at nearly 50 years old. This is who she's always been. And there has never been a moment when that message was more essential.

Because, as Sigrid often reminds me, though our stories may look vastly different on the surface, and hers is from the perspective of a trans woman who came out at midlife, our real-life stories are universal. We are all human and we are all in this together.

It will require us all to face our deepest fears to find solutions for our one small, beautiful planet. And maybe even, bliss.

And to be abundantly clear, this doesn't mean you have to be trans. Unless you are. We need YOU to be YOU.

Thanks Sigrid!

Love,

Amy

PS—If you happen to want to write, you might reach out to me. I'm supporting people JUST LIKE YOU (well, you know, nobody is just like you, but...) in shaping the stories that they feel called to bring into the world.

You know, healing stories... the kind we all thirst for and need at this moment.

Or check out my website for options.