Welcome to The Purplepaw Blog, where we unpack the complexities of gender, identity, and what it truly means to be human—without the academic jargon (okay, maybe just a little, but only the fun kind).
Curated by Amethysta Herrick. Ph.D., this space is where science, philosophy, and lived experience collide to challenge assumptions and spark new perspectives. Whether you’re here to explore your own identity, stay informed on the latest research, or just enjoy a deep dive into the human experience, we deliver thoughtful, engaging, and refreshingly honest discussions. No fluff. No gatekeeping. Just real conversations about who we are and how we navigate the world. Dive in, stay curious, and let’s rethink identity together.
Intersectionality: Why "Live and Let Live" Is a CONTRADICTION
Critical Theory cuts both ways
Of all people, I was attacked by a Christian telling me to "live and let live." Worse, he did it as he attacked me with
How Much Gender Is Enough? A Transgender Christian's Dilemma.
Can you be both Christian AND transgender? A viewer says NO.
Can transgender Christians still follow their faith? Or does the Christian god demand full fealty to the commandments of his followers?
A viewer's question about
Who Gets to Decide What Queer History Our Children Learn?
New words do not indicate new experiences
What do religious conservatives fear when they suppress Queer history? If they can predict a person's identity at conception, shouldn't Queer history only be a
Conversion Therapy Thinks It's a Growth Mindset? That's EXACTLY the Problem.
Identify Yourself - a live stream you can live with
A False Growth Mindset prizes effort, not learning, and conversion therapy leans into the fallacy. But knowledge is the basis of action, and changing knowledge
Your Mindset Is Lying to You About Your Gender
Identify Yourself - a live stream you can live with
Your Mindset determines whether gender transition is possible...or permanently out of reach. Carol Dweck's research on Growth Mindset vs. Fixed Mindset reveals exactly why
Conservative Rhetoric Just Hung Itself - and SCOTUS Helped
Identify Yourself - a live stream you can live with
It felt like SCOTUS handed us a defeat in Chiles vs Salazar. But the decision, built upon a First Amendment challenge to conversion therapy bans,
Sex Is a Spectrum: The Conservative Secret Weapon
Identify Yourself - a live stream you can live with
Sex is NOT a spectrum, and claiming it is gives conservatives a secret weapon to limit gender-diverse identity.
Despite its popularity and well-meaning inclusivity, the
A New Political Playbook for Indiana - with Lilliana Kendra Young
The Purplepaw Clan - now in convenient podcast form!
Today we hear about Lilliana Kendra Young's pursuit of justice for all in Indiana State government. Lilliana is a candidate for District 61 of the
Undoing a Lifetime of Programming - with Terraine LeBeau
The Purplepaw Clan - now in convenient podcast form!
In this episode, Terraine LeBeau breaks down how trauma begins, how it manifests, and how it can end. Terraine is a Certified Relationship Mentor,
Afraid to Transition? Here's a Simple Process to Start Today!
Identify Yourself - a live stream you can live with
Afraid to transition because you don't know where to start? You don't need to have it all figured out right now. You just need a
From Awakening to Oneness: The Process of Realization
Transmuting stigma into personal gold, we open to the possibility of being just who we are
The Amethyst Pentacle models identity as five states of human experience connected by five processes in an unbroken cycle of discovery and growth. The last
Gender-Affirming Hormone Cycling: Can You Feel More Like a Woman?
Identify Yourself - a live stream you can live with
The gender-critical crowd claims Hormone Replacement Therapy can't make a woman the way natural cycles do. But what if HRT could simulate that process?
Are
Transgender Women are the New Roman Christians
Identify Yourself - a live stream you can live with
Why does leaving male privilege make society so angry? Ancient Rome holds the answer.
In this live stream, we explore a fascinating historical parallel: the
Falling in Love with Life Again - with Serena Saint-Sinclair
The Purplepaw Clan - now in convenient podcast form!
Today's episode features Serena Saint Sinclair's story of deconstructing religion to build a new magical practice. Serena is a Chaos witch, Persephone devotee, and hostess
From Desire to Awakening: The Process of Integration
By embracing the stigma that makes us different, we find community that makes us similar
The Amethyst Pentacle models identity as five states of human experience connected by five processes in an unbroken cycle of discovery and growth. The last
Gender-Affirming Surgery Options: Breast Augmentation & Vaginoplasty
Identify Yourself - a live stream you can live with
Navigating gender-affirming surgery can feel overwhelming, and I'm here to break down the choices!
I discuss how to match breast implants to your specific body
What Is Gender? (And Why the Dictionary Definition Fails)
Identify Yourself - a live stream you can live with
"Can you define the word 'gender'?"
It sounds like a simple question, but when I received it as a comment on the podcast with DR
Four Tools to Find Yourself When You're Lost in a Hostile World
Identify Yourself - a live stream you can live with
Struggling with identity and burnout in a hostile world? Being human today means feeling lost much of the time, but these four grounding tools help
Why I Regret My Transition (Sometimes)
Identify Yourself - a live stream you can live with
Gender-affirming care consistently shows lower rates of regret than almost every other medical procedure. Yet, the conservative narrative is often that even one "detransitioner" means
The Thin Veneer of Science
Why embracing the unknown beats faking the facts every time
Humans are suckers for a white labcoat. Regardless of qualifications - real or implied - nothing increases the likelihood of us believing some schmo is