In this episode, I speak with Alyssa Rose and Jesse Greenfield about some simple and loving ways to be inclusive of transgender and queer people in our community. They share what it feels like to be trans in this anti-trans world we are living in and how micro-affirmations can make all the difference between life and death. Alyssa Rose (they/them) is an artist and dreamer of liberation. They create paintings, collage, sculpture, movement-art, and healthier cultural ecosystems in dance communities. Currently, Alyssa serves as the Operations Coordinator at DISCO RIOT, a community-centered dance nonprofit based in San Diego that supports local independent artists. As a disabled and queer/trans person, Alyssa feels called to guide and empower marginalized people through embodiment. Alyssa’s ongoing interests span research around Buddha Dharma, collective liberation, neuroqueering community care, and how these areas of focus can be expressed through art and artistic process. Find them at https://www.alyssarosecreative.com/ Jesse Greenfield (they/them), MPH, CHES is a public health educator and improviser who loves using storytelling as a tool to empower individuals and communities to live their fullest and healthiest lives. Jesse facilitates applied improvisation workshops to support people in improving their spoken and unspoken communication with others, creating joyful connections, and being effective advocates for themselves and their communities. Find them at: https://www.kaleidoscopetrainingcenter.com/ Please subscribe to this podcast and follow Alicia on Instagram https://www.instagram.com/aliciapetersonbaskel/ If you enjoyed this podcast, you may also enjoy my interview with Danna Yehev about the essence of creativity: https://podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/inside-the-creative-process/id1600742208?i=1000669289666