We probably all know someone who knows someone who has that bad tattoo of something they can’t remember in a language they don’t speak. Now, imagine you cross paths and they ask you to translate it for them as cross their fingers and hope it says what it’s supposed to. They’re asking YOU because you look like you know if “Hermano” in Spanish really means “Brother”… But unfortunately for them, you don’t know Spanish, so they are S.O.L. (*shit outta luck, in case you didn’t know).

On this episode, we chat with Mattie, the podcast’s first adoptee who identifies as transgender and the inspiration for that short story above. Mattie talks about how they’re learning to weave together their adoptee and transgender identity, both in New Orleans and in an ongoing pandemic. Feeling disconnected, being a “bad asian”, & the importance of giving yourself grace - all that, and more on this episode. Listen now.