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.
Finding Ourselves in Sexual Fantasy with Artemisia de Vine
Gender Identity Today - now in convenient podcast form!
Today's episode features Artemisia de Vine's theory of sexual fantasy. Artemisia is a sexual fantasy expert, sexologist and author who uses fantasy not as a
The Power of the Liminal Other
The magic and benefits of being transgender
The Universe knows I am different. I was marked Other from birth.
Perhaps in innocent eyes, I would appear as a white hound with red
My Transgender Experience: I Am the Product of GOOD KARMA
Identify Yourself - a live stream you can live with
This week, I want to tackle a comment that wonders if the transgender community is being punished in some way for past crimes. The commenter
Building Community through Diversity with Ailsa Blair
Gender Identity Today - now in convenient podcast form!
On today's episode, I speak with Ailsa Blair about the drag community. Ailsa is a neurodiverse, nonbinary product designer and research leader who founded Drag
The War on Words: LGBTQ Rights and the Fight for Language
Identify Yourself - a live stream you can live with
In last week's live stream, a viewer asked what I felt about a minority changing language against the will of the majority. Language, however, is
Claiming Our Identity through History with Neil Laird
Gender Identity Today - now in convenient podcast form!
In this episode, I talk history with Neil Laird. Neil is an Emmy and BAFTA-nominated TV producer, novelist, and ancient history geek whose fiction retells
Transgender Life: Ask Me Anything!
Identify Yourself - a live stream you can live with
When I began this live stream, I intended to have it as interactive as I could. But I haven't done really well at that. Do
Choosing to Quit for Life with Duncan Bhaskaran-Brown
Gender Identity Today - now in convenient podcast form!
Today we hear an inspirational story from Duncan Bhaskaran-Brown. Duncan is a speaker, author, sober coach, and Morris dancer whose work challenges the stranglehold alcohol
The Effect of Physical Appearance on Identity
Discovering the inner through change of the outer
In 1994, I moved from Southern California to Northeast Georgia.
I had little desire to relocate; I didn't move for fun or profit. Instead, I
The Biology of Gender: What Does Science REALLY Say?
Identify Yourself - a live stream you can live with
Both sex and gender are well-defined terms used by biologists. But politicians and religious leaders have warped these terms for their gain. Today we face
Strength in Our Weakness with Eric Gee
Gender Identity Today - now in convenient podcast form!
Today's episode features a story of what can go right when you don't like school. Eric Gee is an author, a writing and life coach,
From Flower Maiden to Owl Face: A Transgender Allegory
The lesson Welsh myth teaches about identity
The Collective Unconscious is Carl Jung's best-known contribution to psychology. Symbols particular to human understanding of the Universe are stored there, waiting to be tapped
The BIG Problems I Face (and why you should face them, too)
Identify Yourself - a live stream you can live with
I'm back from a brief rest and ready to talk about my Big Problems - those questions I just have to answer, no matter how
The Adult You're Looking for Is You with Kyleigh Weathers
Gender Identity Today - now in convenient podcast form!
Today we hear a heartbreaking story of disconnection with Kyleigh Weathers. Kyleigh is an attachment coach, podcaster, and the founder of Queerly Attached, through which
'What Makes You Different From Someone Who Thinks He's Napoleon?'
We can recognize the question as unanswerable — but that doesn't mean there's no possible retort.
About 20 years ago, a fellow trans man and I noted that sometimes people ask: “What makes you, a transsexual, different from someone who believes
Gender-Affirming Care RESULTS: How Have I Changed as a Person?
Identify Yourself - a live stream you can live with
As I move into the realm of "just living" after gender-affirming care changed my life for the better, what tangible results have I experienced? The
Pimping My Identity: Challenging Entrenched Lenocracy
Yo dawg, we heard you like identity...
For the past four months, my content - video and written - has focused largely on gender-affirming surgery. I wrote a retrospective leading up to
Transform Weakness into Strength with Jhenah Telyndru
Gender Identity Today - now in convenient podcast form!
Today's episode features the eminently magical Jhenah Telyndru! Jhenah is an author, Celticist, and Priestess who founded the Sisterhood of Avalon. In this illuminating discussion,
Gender-Affirming Care Is Not a Panacea
Stress from dysphoria is only half our trouble
When I traveled to Thailand for gender-affirming surgery, I never expected the best part of returning to the United States would be taking a cold
How to be Human with Louise Boye
Gender Identity Today - now in convenient podcast form!
On today's show, I speak with the wonderfully introspective Louise Boye. Louise is a Qi Gong instructor and musician who also facilitates groups in learning