Gender Identity, Social Justice and the Media: Five Questions for Lyralen Kaye

Lyralen is passionate about social justice. Their work as an actor, educator, activist and writer supports the same vision: truth in storytelling and equality for all people. They are also the show runner at Another Country Productions.

One reviewer of their work says “…[Lyralen] takes up so many difficult topics with such a strong sensitivity, finesse and power and at the same time makes you want to both laugh and cry.” We spoke on my Embark podcast last week about her groundbreaking web series Assigned Female at Birth. They answer a few more questions here. (more…)

Revising A Dream When Adversity Hits: A Conversation with DIYMFA’s Gabriela Pereira

Gabriella Pereira is the founder of DIYMFA, an online writing community and a virtual alternative to the traditional MFA creative writing program. When she was 24, Gabriela received the life-changing diagnosis of bipolar disorder. Last week on my podcast Embark, she shared her story in the hope this conversation sparks more conversations about the stigma we attach to mental illness, and how we can change the language around it. The following is an excerpt of that conversation. (more…)