Hey fam, it's me, Amara. Welcome to the TransLash podcast, a show where we tell trans stories to save trans lives.

Well, I think that we can all agree that politics right now is just a bit out of control.

It's swirling.

Some may even think that it's a hellscape, especially when it comes to trans issues.

And watching a presidential candidate, you know who I'm talking about, repeatedly attack trans

people on the campaign trail, is bound to take its toll on our emotional

and mental well-being. In fact, all of the evidence and research says that it is. That's why this

week I wanted to talk with two mental health professionals about how we can manage stress and build

resilience this election season and beyond. First, I'm joined by clinician and researcher,

Dr. Sebastian Mitchell Barr, who talks through the impacts of stigma and the importance of

community care for our well-being. I know that when we are anchored to alternative systems

of care through community, the stress of what might happen in election

is at least somewhat reduced.

Next, I'll chat with also clinician Beck Gee about how we can better check in with our friends

and ourselves.

Yeah, I mean, having joyful, connected moments is healthy, right?

It is this way that we survive.

It's the way, like, marginalized people have always survived.

But before we get to these grounding and important conversations,

let's start out, as always, with some trans joy.

Music conversations. Let's start out as always with some trans joy. Resilience can take many forms, and it's more important than ever that we understand how and where we can find the strength to bounce back and keep moving forward.

Researcher Jay Puckett is studying just that. They're an associate professor and the Department of Psychology at Michigan State University and a co-leader of a study

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