This week, my bag is packed with treasures from New York City. Here’s what’s bringing me joy right now:Why I’m Loving It:This graphic novel brilliantly captures the raw evolution of its characters—watching them reveal their true light when shit gets real is nothing short of inspiring. It’s a journey through chaos that reminds us family

I’m starting to realize that no one ever gets a feeling wrong. Every emotion—whether it’s anger, hurt, jealousy, tiredness, joy, or curiosity—is simply a part of who I am. Even in moments of discomfort, when my lower back is on fire and all I want to do is finish this blog, I know there’s a

We all get triggered. It happens in big moments, small moments, and often when we least expect it. But what if we could recognize our triggers as they happen and respond differently? What if we could turn these moments into opportunities for growth rather than spiraling into anger, shutdown, or regret?Signs of Being Triggered:Recognizing the

Last night, under the glow of the full moon, I fell more deeply in love—with my wife, Kelly, and for the first time, intentionally, with myself.Date nights have always been important to us. We try to carve out Wednesday nights to reconnect, but with the chaos of life—holidays, travel, flu season, kid stuff, work stuff—it

https://www.theguardian.com/us-news/2025/feb/07/book-bans-pen-america-censorshipI’m a queer author. Words I never thought would define me—queer or author. And I haven’t taken book banning seriously. It’s been on the back burner

For many people, trans rights seem to be the line in the sand—the place where they feel things have gone “too far.” I’ve seen it in my own life, even in my own family. People who once viewed me as moderate now see me as “far left” because I’m speaking up for trans people.But why?

I have been asking myself this question for longer than I’ve even realized. Where do I fit in the fight for justice? How do I step into action instead of watching from the sidelines? This question first paralyzed me in seminary as I sat through classes on prophetic leadership and liberation theology. I was riveted

This past weekend, I had the chance to read the chapter Dude Wipes at Stay Gold Bookstore in Pittsburgh. We talked about anger and rage—how it builds, how it manifests, and how, sometimes, it’s not about what we think it’s about.For a long time, I thought my anger was caused by my then-husband. Now ex-husband.

Thank you for reading Magic in the Mess — your support allows me to keep doing this work.If you enjoy Magic in the Mess, it would mean the world to me if you invited friends to subscribe and read with us. If you refer friends, you will receive benefits that give you special access to