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.
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
How Hypnotism REALLY Works (And Why It Might Help You)
Identify Yourself - a live stream you can live with
Hypnosis is a natural human state, but most people only see a stage with people bawking like a chicken. Hypnotism can and does work, and
Know That You Deserve Better - with Gloria Battini
The Purplepaw Clan - now in convenient podcast form!
This week, we hear Gloria Battini's story of overcoming real life to reclaim her spiritual gifts. Gloria is a transformational guide, spiritual teacher, and empathic
From Innocence to Desire: The Process of Isolation
The journey from knowing we are pure to accepting we are guilty
In the last article introducing the Amethyst Pentacle, we found a model composed of five states of human experience connected by five processes to evolve
Anchor Your Gender in Joy - with DR Z PHD
The Purplepaw Clan - now in convenient podcast form!
This week's episode was a tremendous treat for me - I got to talk to Dr. Natalia Zhikhareva, or DR Z PHD! Natalia is a
Introducing the Amethyst Pentacle
A practical tool for developing and manifesting personal identity
Human identity comprises far more than genetics, as conservative rhetoric would have us believe. Instead, identity is a complex of the physical, cognitive, and behavioral,
The Superiority Trap: Why Boys Are Falling behind Girls
Identify Yourself - a live stream you can live with
We tell boys they are natural leaders, yet they are falling further behind girls in education every year. Is the very belief in "male superiority"
Reality Seen Through the Eyes of Love - with Gregory James Thelian
The Purplepaw Clan - now in convenient podcast form!
This week, we hear about identity made reality through boudoir photography with Gregory James Thelian. Gregory is an award-winning photographer and speaker on self-perception whose
Becoming the Person You ALREADY Are: The Amethyst Pentacle
Identify Yourself - a live stream you can live with
Human Identity is more than biology - we have experiences that far exceed the boundaries of any mere body. In reading a book recently by
Language: Grammatically Misgendering You Since Birth
Why moving to Finland nets you more than Universal Health Care
What's in a name? that which we call a rose
By any other name would smell as sweet.
William Shakespeare
"Romeo and Juliet" Act 2,
How Politics Obscures the REAL Science behind Sex
Identify Yourself - a live stream you can live with
From JK Rowling to online activists, everyone has a take on defining "sex." But the truth is most definitions completely ignore the Scientific Method. In
Re-Enchanted by the Unknown - with Richard Kaczynski
The Purplepaw Clan - now in convenient podcast form!
This week's episode is a story of science, politics, and ignorance with Dr. Richard Kaczynski. Richard is a psychologist, Thelemite, and author of the book
Discrimination in Society: Why Being Queer Makes Life Harder
Identify Yourself - a live stream you can live with
Being Queer is difficult! We face hate and discrimination every day. We are stigmatized by society, which limits our ability to succeed. While conservative rhetoric