Conscious Capitalism, It’s On Us

“Courage is turning toward hard truth, not turning away.” This quote appeared last week on the Facebook page of Brené Brown, popular author, and speaker on vulnerability, courage, and shame. Brown is a scheduled speaker at the tenth annual Conscious Capitalism CEO Summit, October 18–20 in Austin, Texas. I commented Read more

Nancy Levine

Nancy Levine is the author of the four-book series beginning with The Tao of Pug (Penguin) has just been released. She spent 30 years in corporate recruiting and human resources roles, starting at American Express Company. More recently, Nancy has devoted herself to advocacy efforts, working to eradicate child sexual abuse and amplifying the voices of survivors. She lives in the San Francisco Bay Area.

The Red-Dyed Shirt

She dresses tonight in a red-dyed shirt. Gauzy fabric brushes her shoulders Cool, sexy, and perfect for a summer party. She recalls when it was white: Dancing, moonlight, kissing, wine. “He’s so nice,” they said. But the Sangria stains on her white shirt said something else. Meanwhile she said nothing. Read more

Mary Rowen

Mary Rowen is a writer and blogger who often writes about women of various ages growing up or figuring out what they want from this world. She grew up in the Massachusetts Merrimack Valley, graduated from Providence College, and has worked as a teacher, marketing writer, and political canvasser. She lives in the Boston area with her husband, two teenage children, dog and cat.

Swiss Army Knife Girl Makes a Stand

Daddy always said, don’t start fights. He said, if I hear you’ve been starting fights at school you’re going to be in big trouble, little miss. Daddy always said, don’t start fights, but if someone starts with you; he said, if someone lays hands on you – Daddy always said, Read more

Veronica Mattaboni

Veronica is an fiction and poetry author from Pennsylvania. She graduated from West Chester University of Pennsylvania with a B.A. in English: Writing and a minor in Creative Writing. Veronica's work has been featured in the GLVWG's Write Here, Write Now Anthology, Writer's Yoga Zine, and Daedalus. She has also worked as an Associate Editor with 823 on High, and as Editor in Chief of Literati.

Dance Like You Matter

I sit and wait in a coffee shop. My notepad perfectly prepared for a meeting that I’ve arranged. A meeting to discuss a film project with a girl who is fourteen, and her mother. They arrive, and we all shake hands. I invite them to my table. So far, we Read more

Byron Hamel

Byron Hamel was raised by a violent man who got the death penalty for torturing and killing a baby. As a result of his upbringing, Byron dedicates his life to fighting child abuse. He lives with Complex PTSD, Depression, and Anorexia. Despite his obstacles, he’s an amazing dad to his two lovely daughters. An award-winning Canadian journalist, and television producer, his documentary film, “A Breaking Cycle”, is a powerful journey into the world of tough bikers who protect abused kids. Byron is currently writing for his blog Trauma Dad, and his book "I Am A Killer", to be released in 2016 by the Gravity Imprint of Booktrope Publishing. This post is an excerpt from his work in progress. His writing challenges readers with both depth and simplicity. It’s raw and funny, but leaves you feeling hopeful and inspired.

Why I am Afraid to Call Myself a Feminist

I’m a feminist, but I’m growing shy about saying that. I have a lot of friends who are survivors of abuse and sexual trauma. I spend a lot of time advocating for and supporting them and others like them. Many of these survivors demonstrate very deep trust in me. Because Read more

Drew Sheldon

Drew Sheldon is a feminist, disabled veteran, PTSD sufferer, and adoring cat dad. He watched a lot of television in the 1980's and remembers most of it fondly. He blogs about his personal journey of discovery and improvement at www.swmseeks.wordpress.com.

Cosby’s Indirect Impact on Pop Culture and Why it’s Still No Excuse

Every time I hear about a celebrity behaving badly, I have a great struggle. A good friend of mine does a lot of set and prop work for movies and TV shows. He has encountered a large number of celebrities and has a very low opinion of most of them Read more

Drew Sheldon

Drew Sheldon is a feminist, disabled veteran, PTSD sufferer, and adoring cat dad. He watched a lot of television in the 1980's and remembers most of it fondly. He blogs about his personal journey of discovery and improvement at www.swmseeks.wordpress.com.

The Longest Conversation

The man in line behind us at the grocery store told my 11-year-old daughter that she had beautiful blue eyes like her mother. It was probably a very innocent compliment. But my heart started racing. All I wanted was to pay for our groceries and get my daughter away from Read more

Hasty Words

HastyWords is an anxiety driven over-analyzer. With a mind full of rainbows and devils she began giving her thoughts a way out of her head by writing poetry. Writing began as therapy for her depression and helped her gain perspective by putting her tears and laughter into words! Be sure and follow her journey, you can find her on Twitter and Facebook.

No Means No, Or Does It?

No means no. Not anymore! Recent events regarding perceived rejection have left me frankly, very scared and well worried for my life. Maren Sanchez,16-year-old, Milford, Connecticut high school student was stabbed in the neck and killed in April after refusing a prom invitation. The accused attacker, her middle school ex-boyfriend Read more

Madeline Derujinsky

Madeline Derujinsky is a high school sophomore attending a performing arts high school in downtown LA. She was in “Guys and Dolls” and participated in the DTASC’s fall and Shakespeare festivals. She is sophomore representative of Thespian troupe 7573 and participated in this fall’s Music Center Student Ambassador Program. When she isn’t at school, she spends her time reading, writing, baking, learning sign language, and finding new passions each and every day.