In this episode, I’m thrilled to be joined by storyteller, advocate, and Hezzie Mae author Bella Tousignant for a conversation that’s as courageous as it is deeply human. Bella opens the door to her memoir, The Uninvited Passenger—a book that spans six decades of carrying, and finally embracing, her truth as a transgender woman. From a childhood in the 1950s to navigating marriage, secrecy, and ultimately transitioning later in life, Bella’s story is one of resilience, honesty, and the radical power of choosing yourself. We dig into what it truly means to carry an “uninvited passenger” for most of your life, and the liberation and joy that come when you finally stop hiding. I’m so proud to know Bella and to help bring her voice to the world.
Among many other topics, we explore:
Growing Up Different in the 1950s: Bella recalls her early years in a male-dominated household, long before there was language or support for what she was experiencing.
The Mask of Normalcy: From sports to music to marriage, Bella describes how she built a “normal” life while carrying a hidden truth.
Halloween Outfits to Honesty: What started as a playful tradition with her wife became the first space where Bella could explore her authentic self, and eventually led to seeking therapy and beginning transition in her 60s.
The Tipping Point: How decades of suppression, one too many goodbyes to her true self, and finally seeing role models like Caitlyn Jenner and Laverne Cox pushed Bella to say, “When is it my turn?”
Transitioning Later in Life: From hundreds of hours of electrolysis to major surgery, Bella shares the physical and emotional journey of aligning her inner and outer self.
Writing The Uninvited Passenger: Why Bella turned to writing as a way to process her story, and how her memoir became a message of hope for anyone carrying silent battles.
Hope in the Midst of Gaslighting: Bella speaks to today’s political climate, the dangers of misinformation, and why her book is also a call to protect and encourage vulnerable young people.
Join us for an honest, inspiring conversation about identity, resilience, and the joy of finally living as your true self—proof that it’s never too late to embrace who you are.
The Uninvited Passenger releases September 12, 2025, in paperback and eBook. Visit
to order your copy and step into this powerful story.