I rarely do interviews about my own life and I have never been as candid as I was in this episode of The Way We Are with Munroe Bergdorf. It was freeing to have an open conversation about quite what it means for me to have led the life I have with one of the few people working in the media who can truly understand what I’m talking about! This is partly because of some similar personal and professional experiences and partly because we’ve known each other for so long. With the readership offered to me by my own career, I feel a responsibility not to completely sanitise my own experience. As I hint at in this clip, I was, at key stages of my development, what the kids might call a “fucking mess”. This not only endangered me but also made it difficult for others to be around. I later learned I wouldn’t get anywhere just blaming struggles associated with my identity: I had to take personal responsibility in order to make a more positive contribution to the world. I think it’s important to acknowledge these things when it’s relevant. Anyway, I appreciate Munroe for offering me private support through the years and now a public space to get into some of these more shadowy corners without it becoming overly grave or somber. Link in bio and stories.