Today's segment is about the things I'm still grateful about growing my fundamentalist upbringing. There are many things that were harmful about how I grew up, but I don't know who I'd be without the community that raised me. Fundamentalism is dangerous and toxic, but it isn't a monolithic evil, and only ever talking about the bad things only perpetuates that idea. 

Hello!

As of 8/28/2021, I am officially 2 years on Testosterone! I'm so excited to share my update on my transition and I also want to talk about what it has been like transitioning a global pandemic. Missing out on celebrating milestones with friends has been really hard and I want to bring some awareness and maybe some support to others going through it too!

This is also available on YouTube with pictures to document my physical transition! - https://youtu.be/3xjT0NTHz6g

Enjoy!

In this segment, I start retelling my story filling in gaps that I previously left out because I was ashamed of who I was before coming out and accepting my identity. I was indoctrinated from a very young age and as a result, I know I hurt people with my words and actions - here is the first part of my story of coming to terms with who I am and the obstacles I had to face to get here.

Instagram - @Mackofafew

Youtube - The Careful Poet

TikTok - @MackEmerson

It has been over a year since my last episode and I finally think it's time to start again! In this segment, I will be explaining why I've decided to return to this podcast and also tell you a little bit of my story with conversion therapy. If you haven't watched #PrayAway on Netflix yet, please do. As a survivor of conversion therapy, it's real and damaging and only gets worse the more we avoid talking about it.

Follow me on Instagram for updates on new episodes - @mackofafew

Looking back there were a lot of things going on with baby Mack and while some of it was probably the precursors to my depression or anxiety or run-of-the-mill childhood awkwardness,  some of it was definitely dysphoria I just couldn't name yet. I hope this helps someone as they try to figure out their own identity.

Instagram: @Mackofafew

Youtube: The Careful Poet

My Book: Confessions of the Careful Poet

Today, June 19th, is Juneteenth or the day we celebrate the liberation of the enslaved. On this day in 1865, the last of enslaved were informed of emancipation. Take this day to educate yourself and learn the history of enslavement and oppression in The United States. Fittingly, this is also the last segment in my series reading "We Have Never Asked Permission to Sing," a chapbook of poetry written by Black and Brown Trans people. I hope you enjoy it and you can download the book for yourself at: https://forwardtogether.org/art/we-have-never-asked-permission-to-sing/

Take this day (and everyday) to educate yourself about systemic racism and how to be actively anti-racist.

Find opportunities to get involved with the links below.

https://blacklivesmatters.carrd.co/#petitions

https://blacklivesmatters.carrd.co/#donate

https://bit.ly/antiraciststarter

My Youtube Channel (my 9 month video is out): The Careful Poet

I said last week that I was going to spend a few weeks reading some poetry by Black and Brown trans people, so here is part two of that series. We probably have one week left of it after this. I hope you enjoy and download the book so you can read them over again. This poetry was written by Black and Brown trans people for a chap book called "We Have Never Asked Permission to Sing." It was released for Trans Day of Remembrance in 2019 and can be downloaded at https://forwardtogether.org/art/we-have-never-asked-permission-to-sing/

I will continue to read from this collection for the next several weeks to raise up the voices of Black and Brown trans people because the very community that gave us Pride is under attack. Find opportunities to get involved with the links below.

https://blacklivesmatters.carrd.co/#petitions

https://blacklivesmatters.carrd.co/#donate

https://bit.ly/antiraciststarter

My Youtube Channel (my 9 month video is out): The Careful Poet

Hey Everyone! I guess I should say Happy Pride, but it doesn't feel like the right statement. Although, maybe it is because Pride was started by Black and Brown Trans women who fought back against the police. Pride is old school this year. This week, I want to stay focused on what matters, so this week's segment of Master of a Few is a poetry reading...but it isn't mine. This poetry was written by Black and Brown trans people for a chap book called "We Have Never Asked Permission to Sing." It was released for Trans Day of Remembrance in 2019 and can be downloaded at https://forwardtogether.org/art/we-have-never-asked-permission-to-sing/

I will continue to read from this collection for the next several weeks to raise up the voices of Black and Brown trans people because the very community that gave us Pride is under attack. Find opportunities to get involved with the links below. 

https://blacklivesmatters.carrd.co/#petitions

https://blacklivesmatters.carrd.co/#donate

https://bit.ly/antiraciststarter

My Youtube Channel (my 9 month video is out): The Careful Poet

I am a white straight man and it's time to check my privilege and do better than silence.

Black and brown people are being murdered simply for existing and my silence does nothing to help, so I am starting by educating myself. Below are a list of resources I'm using to start that process. I hope you'll do the same.

#Saytheirnames #Blacklivesmatter

https://sojo.net/articles/our-white-friends-desiring-be-allies?fbclid=IwAR1CkXOVIq6L_F2IdktZ3ynq8xP1sP950oLC3IbmgOmKOuAkjrYtbHDqroU

https://docs.google.com/document/d/1BRlF2_zhNe86SGgHa6-VlBO-QgirITwCTugSfKie5Fs/mobilebasic?fbclid=IwAR3A_2_hf6EwrJkn6w8jgZYZldi84w2MtCnN-N3lzVCCE7Xjff3EibFv090

My Youtube: The Careful Poet

2 Weeks Post Top Surgery!! I'm feeling good and will include more details about recovery in my 9 month on T video to be released on the 30th! Thank you to everyone who supported me and continues to support my recovery! This segment is also about my parents. I heard an interesting phrase lately that I wanted to talk about; "What is left after anger?" Hear my answer in this segment! Enjoy!

YouTube: The Careful Poet

My Book: Confessions of the Careful Poet