Testimonials…
from mental health professionals,

A somewhat representative sampling of particularly meaningful reviews as well as the unsolicited, complimentary notes I’ve gotten through the years, edited for concision and anonymity …

“My hope is that it will become a classic and universally read by all psychiatrists.” Dr. Howard Forman, Albert Einstein Medical School, reviewing AKOMP for The Psychiatric Times [mainstream psychiatry’s largest publication]

“[Allen] shows a burgeoning critical mental health gaze.” Jessica Pons reviewing AKOMP for ISPS-UK [International Society for Psychological and Social Approaches to Psychosis, a more radical-leaning professionals organization]

“I am not a crier except when I am in physical pain but this book has had me tear up and question so much the way my patients with schizophrenia view me and the ‘help’ that I believe I am giving them. I can think of no book — including the DSM — that those of us treating severe mental illness need to be more familiar with than this one.” [a psychiatrist]

“I wanted to drop a line to share something. I was talking to one of my supervisors …way back when, we had had a conversation about mental health in the ER, I brought up AKOMP, we talked about how we both had family members who carry psychiatric diagnoses. Fast forward a couple years … [s]he mentioned she had bought and read AKOMP, and that her experience with that book along with family experience had affected how she treats some of her patients. I've noticed it too in my practice as a doc. I don't have the skills to describe it without rambling on and on forever, but the gist is, one of the really hard parts about this job is that sometimes you just have to make a decision to not let people do what they want. People who are at risk of harm, who for whatever reason can't process the risk/benefit conversation, and of course the distinct category of people who are actively violent. Occasionally it's obvious, more often it's complicated in lots of ways. But what we've both noticed is that the window has shifted, the line has moved a little. We both had examples of patients that our classic training and habits would have warranted a sedation, or at least a hard conversation about a medication they may not have wanted, but we were able to see things a little differently and go another way. Unfortunately we're not at the end of sedation, nor an immediate revolution in how we administer emergency psychiatric care. But I thought you might like to know that there are at least a handful of people walking around that had less difficult and traumatic experiences with the healthcare system because of the work you did. I'm glad you're keeping it up.” [a physician]

“WOW - and such a beautiful, loved filled story. I am a teacher and a mental health therapist who works with teachers in care and treatment settings ... I’m going to suggest your book as a book for us all to read. Thank you for sharing Bob’s story. We all need to hear it.”

“I worked in experimental and clinical neuropsychology and neuroscience for years in the US [and abroad] … My interests have always been motivated by personal experiences too little of which ever gets related alongside the statistics of things; things become a human science without any real human dimension that way. That you so much for relating that dimension in the story of your uncle Bob … I personally dealt with anxiety issues and my best friend is currently trying to get a handle on the voices he hears. Marginalisation is all about robbing people of the agency to act or be, so finally, thank you for restoring that for yourself for [me], your uncle, and my friend, and everyone who I’m sure you touched (my parents and friends will certainly be pressed into listening). I am thinking, I may have to get your book too.”

“I just listened to the podcast you were featured in: how to be a better human. I felt compelled to write to you because so much of what you were saying deeply resonated with me. I have never heard anyone with this same view point so I just bought your book to hear more about your research and perspective. … I have an incredible opportunity to pursue my masters in Global Mental Health at [prestigious university abroad]. I have been thinking a lot about my dissertation project and what I want to write about, but more specifically what impact I want to have on the world. I would be honored to talk to you and pick your brain a little bit!”

“I love everything you’ve ever written. … I think this context might be helpful: I am a social worker in the suburbs of [mid-sized American city in a red-leaning state] and I work primarily with gender divorce adolescents and young adults in an outpatient therapy setting. … I have shared your work with clients and their families. I have found that for parents that are struggling to understand their child, your Esquire piece tends to result in transformational shifts in the way they parent. (Your “Marie Kondo” piece has been circulated a time or 30, too. I go back to it over and over.)

“(Subject: Book) Just finished it!!!! Thank you for sharing your uncle’s story! Mental health advocate here too!!!!”

“I am an ER nurse and interact with all sorts of people whom society is unkind to on a daily basis. It is part of what has driven me to my work; the desire to provide care at the margins, in a structure that is unkind, unjust and unsatisfactory, I seek opportunities to show individuals that I seen them, their uniqueness and that I care for them. Your piece on TAL is one of many that has moved me to inspire me to continue doing the work that I do. In particular your thoughts as which pertain your Uncle Bob; I work with many people whose stories are similar to his and, yet, simultaneously completely different, which are not always recognized by our current social structures …You are a marvelously inspiring being.”

“The subject matter is of special interest to me as I worked in a state mental hospital in the ‘60, and, as in most families, I have had relatives with mental illness. … What really impressed me was [Sandy] — all [his] research, [his] writing and speaking skill, [his] ability to share [his] enthusiasm, his charm. Wow!”

“I find it more enjoyable and readable than many of the books sent to us.” - an individual with lived experience involved with the Hearing Voices Network amongst other peer support

“I hope I relate this adequately at how great I think your book is without getting too disorganized. I just finished your book on audio book. So very glad I did. The delivery first by both yourself and the man were great. You are very animated and had great timing. … I first started to listen and had a great deal of anxiety in your initial relating of his first hospitalization. The ignoring of his questions and pleas, their ‘I know what is best for you’, the total discounting of his personhood was such a trigger for me. You capture his frustration and outrage at being discounted. His basic human rights of acknowledgment and respect and dignity are ignored. Bob it seemed saw his life with a great deal of irony and dry wit. One thing that is so compelling to me and you probable thought of this to, is that those labeled with schizophrenia have difficulty staying on topic, are not organized, insightful, engaging Bob seemed all of these things for the most part. I think the biggest thing I was relived to hear about Bob especially how things were going initially for him was that he had joy in his life and relationships that he valued and were other valued him. .. Very glad through much struggle he maintained his view of the Heavens and a sense of humor. Who is anyone to say what is truth and what is reality? I wept a great deal in hearing of your book for many reasons. You covered it all so well from not just Bob’s story and the family dynamics that one faces, but educating the public that there this a better way and raising questions that need desperately to be asked. One where people are valued, esteemed, and respected. Where gifts can be developed and not be ‘out of this world.’ I hope I conveyed my heartfelt thanks for writing this and bringing attention and raising this questions. You honored him and honor others who share a similar history.” - former nurse and current peer-support advocate with lived experience

“I read your book while on vacation … this week. I founded a [business that related to people with disabilities nearly 50 years ago]. All that time, my brother, a disabled veteran living with schizophrenia has been a center of our lives. Your piece is sensitive and recognizes the person behind the diagnosis. It meant much to me personally. … your work would resonate with many of my friends who experience life like your uncle and many others. Thank you for sharing this piece of your uncle’s life and yours. Peace to you.”

“I read AKOMP yesterday … pretty much in one sitting — was completely rapt. I’ve never read anything like it. Not that I’m any sort of literary authority but … in particular, I liked the way you mixed your own narration with Bob’s first-hand account.” – a professor of biostatistics

“I teach ninth and eleventh grade English. In my AP English course, I asked the students to read your essay, “That’s So Crazy” to discuss the concept of madness in Hamlet. We also discussed pronouns. They loved your piece and the discussion. In my class surveys, they have listed it as one of their top discussions of the years. Some of these students had never considered pronouns. One of them wrote a response, used the incorrect pronouns, and then went back and meticulously fixed all of them. … It was especially impactful because I chose this lesson to be my observation period for my principal and assistant principal.”

“I cannot tell you how much I relate to your story. I listened to it several times. I know that there are other transmasculine vocalists out there, but this was the first time that someone was sharing their experience on a platform that I had access to. … I am a speech language pathologist. My research is focused on transmasculine voices…”

… from people with lived experience/ patients & their families,

“It is an odd thing, paranoia. It’s easily lampooned and culturally accessible, but it’s seldom experienced or portrayed so elegantly as Allen does here. Bret Easton Ellis’ novels, Robert Browning’s dramatic monologues, Gillian Flynn’s razor-sharp thrillers, all of these revel in the more horrible and fantastic forms of paranoia for art. … So it’s significant that Allen’s subtle portrayal of paranoia in a book about schizophrenia does the disorder justice by not naming it. Tinfoil hats and webs of thread removed, A Kind of Mirraculas Paradise asks you to consider the disease by demonstrating it in the way I live it: always on the periphery, impossible to disentangle, necessary to navigate as best as one can.” freelance journalist B. David Zarley reviewing AKOMP for Paste Magazine (“Paranoia Is Like Background Radiation, and A Kind of Mirraculus Paradise Gets It Right”)

“I’ve spent most of my 70 years trying to heal and understand the experience of having had a paranoid schizophrenic mother. Your book gave me another perspective on probably the biggest sorrow … Thank you for giving me more insight into my mother, into myself, and I’m grateful to both you and your uncle…”

“What a beautiful and moving book. Thank you for making it happen! Speaking at least for myself it can be hard for people with extreme mental illness to get their stories out since basic functioning does not always happen. It means so much that you were game to do this.”

“I just wanted to tell you that I loved your book. It made me laugh and cry. My brother has schizophrenia. I’m giving it to my mother to read next. Thank you for being so kind to Bob and for sharing his story.”

“Thank you for writing the book about your Uncle. It has been so helpful to me and has opened my eyes to the history of mental health care and the possibilities for a brighter future. I just wanted to let you know that it has made a huge difference in my family’s life.”

“Thank you for writing your book about your uncle Bob. I have a mental illness as well. I understand the stigma that people with mental illness face. the more people are represented the better. I had a breakdown when I was 19 in 2005. I’m from Louisiana and both Hurricane Katrina and Rita hit that year. … My side of the state was hit by Rita. I was in the beginning stage of my illness and got arrested because of a curfew. … I was psychotic and spent four days in a jail deteriorating badly. … I hope law enforcement changes for the better. … appreciate you being bold enough to write a book for your uncle.”

“As a mother of a 55 year old son with a diagnosis of Schizophrenia, I thank you for the respect you showed your uncle by including his book within your book… You allowed your uncle to have a voice and I hope others will follow your example.“

“…your book was so good. I feel like I really get your Uncle Bob by the way you shared his life from his own words. I had an Uncle [first name] growing up that schizophrenia and who lived in San Francisco. I didn’t know much about the illness back except he lived alone and studied the Egyptian calendar for years and was trying to figure out its meanings and actual start date. My son started having mental health issues at age 20 and is now 30 with schizophrenia. There are events in your book, like the military telling him don’t mention about the mental health issues when enlisting and being hospitalized I can relate to. Or all the jobs that didn’t work out or the medicines that make your a zombie or the knife carrying and collections. … Thank you for writing this, it helps change society’s thinking on those with schizophrenia are treated.”

“I just want to say thank you. Thank you for sharing, thank you for your ramblings. Thank you for being so strong. Thank you for being you!! I love everything you write. I bought your Uncle bob and Mirraculas Paradise book right after I heard you on our local NPR station… I am now going to buy more copies for my nephew, currently writing his thesis in psychology, and my niece third year into her bachelors in psychology. Thank you for all that you do.”

“I was inspired to sign up for your newsletter and to listen to your audiobook after hearing you on the how to be a better human podcast… It was a very interesting story to hear about your uncles [sic] life. I also found it inspiring since my brother has high functioning autism I find it interesting to hear about peoples lives with mental disabilities.”

“I just finished reading your ECT piece in The Believer - so well written and thorough and important. I, too, live with a complicated head, ‘caught between this life and something’ and ultimately choosing life…”

“(Subject: Your ECT story in The Believer) Thank you for the wonderful article. I am [huge deal career specifics I won’t republish.] I have done the dance with depression for most of my life, and I’ve taken most of the psychiatric and drug treatments…”

“Lyz Lenz included your article on ECT in her sunday links today … As a survivor of long term psychiatric hospitalization in 1969-70, I was lucky the shock shop where I was had been shut down. Thorazine (in massive doses) was the chemical of choice for patient control in those days. Anyway thank you for your article. It resonated. I have gone on to have a life (as an out Lesbian) in spite of all that but the memory is never far away. Especially these days.” [Note: my book, mostly set in the late 60s and early 70s, is largely focused around discussions of antipsychotics including Thorazine and of involuntary psychiatric treatment.]

“I am a nonbinary person [abroad] … My mother has schizophrenia … As a small child I found myself often caring for my mother, although I never understood exactly why. The last time I remember being a child myself was when I was 7. .. A friend recommended Mad Chat to me after I had a breakdown which floored me … Not only did Mad Chat keep me going through one of the darkest times of my life, but your book, well audiobook, my own struggle is that I cannot focus on written materials, has saved me once again. I have cried so much, and will cry so much more. / Thank you / Thank you / Thank you / This has saved my life, and salvaged the love I have for my mother… I will raise a toast for Bob often - I am not spiritual, not religious, but I wish I could just tell Bob, I hear you, I don’t get you and I never will, but I hear you and you are beautiful and brave and sticking it through in a world that simply won’t have the ‘likes’ of you.”

“Thank you for writing such a beautiful tribute to your uncle. My little sister had paranoid schizophrenia. She passed away at the age of 53 four months ago. It breaks my heart that she felt so controlled by others; she desperately wanted her own life to be able to make her own decisions. Reading about some of your uncle’s issues brought back a flood of memories. My sister lived in [state] in a group home … Your Uncle Bob would have been very proud of you for letting his voice be heard. I think people won’t be so afraid of the unknown surrounding this illness after reading your book. I think people will be more willing to get to know people who are different due to something they have no control of. Good for you! / Thank you from the bottom of my heart,”

“I just finished your wonderful book about your uncle Robert. It was a page turner and very enlightening. I took had an uncle with schizophrenia. He was an incredible story teller, especially scary tales that we kids enjoyed so much. I remember he would wrap his head in tin foil, getting messages from space.

Your debut book told your uncle’s story with humanity and with a perspective of what it feels. like from the inside to have this illness. Your uncle would be proud of what you have accomplished. All he wanted was what we all want, to be understood and respected as a person. … Many continued success and blessings.”

“I can really relate to Bob’s father, Gene. As you probably realized Gene’s relationship with Bob placed him between a rock and a hard place. On one hand he was Bob’s father and had feelings for him. On the other hand, Bob greatly embarrassed Gene and expressed it in a variety of ways. Deliberately forgetting what embarrassed him or didn’t like at what happened allowed him to mentally and emotionally deal with it. / Unlike Bob, I was adopted. I was a great embarrassment to my parents and took it personally. Throughout their lives they constantly expressed their disappointment bluntly and subtly in hundreds of different ways. … Take care Sandy, you are an effective voice for those who have no voice. Looking forward to reading your next book … ”

“(Subject: Fan letter) Greetings, This is the first time I have ever written a ‘fan letter,’ but your book, A Kind of Mirraculas Paradise, really struck a chord with me … The experiences of your uncle in his early life prior to taking meds consistently is very familiar. I was diagnosed as manic/depressive when Iw as 19 years old in 1983 after being committed to a psychiatric ward in [small midwestern city], they were so ashamed of the stigma I woul bring to our family … / I have found your book so compelling that it only took me three days to read. I guess you could say that it gave me validation that my life experiences and points of view are not totally unique … Thank you from the bottom of my heart for taking on all the work you have in sharing your uncle’s story, your research and your point of view. I also thank you for reading this missive. It is such a thing that I rarely share with anyone. Your work in destigmatizing the diagnosis of schizophrenia and other mental illness is gratefully accepted. May God bless you and keep you.”

“I just finished AKOMP, and want to thank you. I hope Bob’s story and the loving work you put in to telling it are going to have a big influence on mental health care in this country. / I picked up the book at the public library in [northeastern state]. I suspect you’ll get many letters from families like mine, who have wrestled with getting care and understanding for loved ones. … I’m hoping to get a book club going with a group with similar experiences around here. This one will be top of the list. / Sincere best wishes.”

“I just finished reading your book and I loved it. It was very moving for me as the father of a 36 year old son with various diagnoses depending on who is doing the diagnosing (paranoid schizophrenia, schizoid, autistic with anxiety and depression, social anxiety, etc.) I also lead a support group for family members of the mentally ill … I found the subject matter very familiar of course but was so impressed by the creativity you displayed in the way you put all that material together. I read the book in three days and couldn’t put it down. … You have done a great service to give people some insight into Bob’s world.”

“(Subject: I Read Your book) I finished it yesterday. Mom my was a paranoid schizophrenic. You might be able to identify with the chaos that was my mom’s life. It was a lot like your uncle’s. It was pretty amazing that I was able make my way through the first eighteen years of my life. She was not much help for long periods of time. … But, like your uncle, there were also a number of good and positive moments that we can look on with a great deal of warmth. … You have a wonderful talent for producing this kind of book.”

“I just wanted to send a quick message of appreciation for A Kind of Mirraculas Paradise. I just finished reading it, as an out non-binary person with a family history of mental illness, it was incredibly gratifying to read this book and learn about your existence! … reaching adulthood learning all of the closely-held mental illness-related family secrets was a profound experience that left me with many thoughts about how we view loved ones with psychiatric diagnoses with empathy and dignity. / Really I just want to congratulate you on writing an excellent, thoughtful and extremely empathic piece.”

… & from my fellow media professionals,
amongst other fan mail

Not quoting my best friends or anything like that, I promise. (Though they do say nice stuff to me too!)

"Thrilling writing . . . The interest and the quality of the story make honesty about each aspect of this strange life worth including . . . A watershed in empathetic adaptation of 'outsider' autobiography." – Jo Livingstone reviewing AKOMP for The New Republic

"Compelling . . . A bracing work of art and a loving tribute to a man whose voice, no matter how unpolished, deserves to be heard." – Maris Kreizman interviewing me on AKOMP for The Los Angeles Times

“I wanted to send you a note to say that I rode the subway this morning standing next to a young man who was reading your book. He was riveted … ” - an editor at a major news org I published with and consulted for

“This book is such a work of genius and empathy. You are a rockstar.” - a journalist/writer

“I thoroughly enjoyed the book & hope it opens up more of the important conversations we’re not having right now.” - an author with family experience related to schizophrenia

“A Kind of Mirraculas Paradise was a compelling and intense read, bringing to light or sometimes merely scratching the surface of some of the issues surrounding mental health, child rearing, and families. A real page-turner, as they say, I read it in a couple of days.” - a bookseller

“Your book is already touching lives … My friend, who was my maid of honor … Her son … has had differing diagnosis over the years and has been in and out of treatments, jail and medications. [the mother’s] common statement has always been ‘I wish I could understand how he sees the world.’ I just called her and she immediately ordered your book. She had tears in her voice when she described what I was reading. … Thank you.”

(Subject: Overwhelmed) “I can’t remember reading a book that has affected me more. I’m going to recommend it to friends who deal with the mental illness of family members.”

“Thank you so much for your amazing story … So many people talked to me about how powerful and thought-provoking you were. And, of course, you owned the stage the way I knew you would. We really appreciate you sharing your story and Bob’s with us.” - event executive producer

(Subject: mirraculas paradise) “Literally just writing to tell you that I fucking loved your book. I am a Reader at a Hollywood talent agency, can’t say which, but I read a lot of books of all different kinds. Some are bad, some are good, and a few become part of my structure and change the way I see the world. Your book is in that last category, so thank you for writing it.”

“I read the book … I can’t tell you what a marvel it is. The level of difficulty of what you were tasked with accomplishing — that you threw yourself into accomplishing — was so high, and I’m frankly in awe of your ability to achieve it. Not because I doubted your ability, but because, conceptually, it seems nearly impossible, and you have done the nearly impossible.” - fellow journalist, podcast host

“I’m writing to compliment you on your book. Read it in three days.”

“Thank you … I believe your book is going to offer this balm to many. I’m so grateful to have read it and to have met you.”

“I finished A Kind of Mirraculas Paradise last night and my heart was warmed by the story, and by the style of your writing. You took on a real challenge, I can see, and wow, what an achievement! the outcome is a beautiful book that seems to keep that integrity of the original message and sequence of events your uncle wanted to share / I have recently been quite ill … but my son … put the book on the coffee table. It has been a page-turner, and I thank you for that! Unless we walk in someone else’s shoes, we don’t know their joys and burdens — this story made me feel close to an understanding. I wish your continued success in your writing and otherwise.”

“Thankyou for writing this book. Real honest truth is always heartfelt. Although living in BC Canada - I lived in the bay area in the time period & identified with all the places & happenings. The book was cathartic for me. You will impact so many lives. Your objective delivery of Bob’s story was a perfect complement to his experience. Awesome.”

“I wanted to write you a quick note to thank you for the amazing book you wrote. It taught me so much about schizophrenia and the history of mental illness treatment in the United States. I know your book is a look into the life of one man but I think it is written so beautifully and is so accessible that it can be a great starting place for people trying to understand what it might be like to live with a diagnosis like schizophrenia. I really think everyone should read it and I will be telling anyone and everyone about it from now on. I am grateful that you were able to share your uncle’s voice and his story with us. I think more voices like his should be heard and talked about. I heard about your book from Minnesota Public Radio … I am originally from Minnesota and grew up on a lake so the stories you tell about your family’s time at the lake were really touching … Nothing quite compares in my opinion. / I don’t usually write authors and I know you have heard all these things before but I felt strongly that should know your book is wonderful! So in case you haven’t heard it enough yet, there it is!”

“I just finished the Bob book. What a great read. I felt Bobs life to be adventurous and entertaining. … I would have loved to have known Bob. Thank you for putting it out there.”

“…the Kirbride episode. I loved it. Really nice work, especially capturing that moment of trying to extricate ourselves from the horror-film level treatment of those with mental conditions…” - renowned writer/podcast storyteller

“I just wanted to let you know I really liked your piece on top surgery for Between the Binary. It had a lot of interesting points and perspectives and was a well-written story about the emotions that accompany such a decision. I’m considering top surgery … and found the article intriguing as well as inspiring.”

“I first saw your Marie Kondo essay last spring, and have read it many times since. I am nonbinary and have spent many years trying to understand why I could not fit into a feminine ideal, why I developed an eating disorder at puberty, and why the thought of pregnancy resulted in helpless panic. … Growing up in Catholic Schools, I beat down all my desires, especially in terms of gender identity expression, and sexuality. … I just wanted to thank you for your writing. It has meant a lot to me. I’ve gone back to it during this isolating time. I have limited access to other people who ‘get it’. Living in the South is tough already … Your work is a lifeline for me and for others. It validated my sense of freedom when I gave away that last dress and bought my first pair of men’s corduroys. “

“Greetings from the heart of rural Ireland, where I have just listened to your awesome segment on This American Life. It made such an impact on me that I sent this message to all my friends who I thought might ‘get it’. … As a trans woman who had my own rollercoaster ride following surgery in 1992, I sooooooooooo loved the laughter in your voice, the compassion in your words, the integrity in your lived experience.”

“Just finished the Audible version of your book, AKOMP. Just wanted to tell you, I loved it and thank you for writing it. … I’m a recent immigrant … moved here from Amsterdam … One of many things that this nation differs from my home country is how it deals (or rather, does not deal with) mental illness. Books like yours certainly help move us all in the right direction.”

“I loved your book. You did a great job with it and I learned a lot. I think your Uncle would be proud. / Thanks for educating me and others on how hard things are for people like Bob.”

“Your presence is a rich companionship—on the page, on the little screen, on the planet!” – an acclaimed journalist/author

“I just read your Marie Kondo piece in Them and wanted to thank you for sharing. I’m currently in the process of figuring out my own gender stuff, wardrobe included. Today was hard because I have my Grandma’s funeral and the extra layer of emotion around clothes felt really overwhelming. the fact that I randomly came across your piece today really helped me feel less alone. So thank you.”

“I listened to you on This American Life this week and your voice gave me goosebumps. I sent the link to all four of my kids (three of whom identify as other than cis straight). I wanted them to hear the genuine magic and be inspired. Thank you so much for sharing your beautiful, fearless experience.”

“Mostly saying hello but I just heard your story about relearning your singing voice on This American Life and I could relate in a way. I had a stroke 18 months ago and learning to not just make words but also communicate emotion with my voice has been/is a journey… Thanks for your story.”

“I listened to your piece on NPR on Friday, and I really really loved it. I’m transfeminine, and it was so cool to hear someone talking about their experience with their voice masculinizing in a positive way … I’m grateful you shared your story about it.”

“I am also a trans man, and I am also a singer … I don’t have words for how amazing it felt to hear you talk about your vocal journey and feel so SEEN. ALL of the fear, the becoming alienated from my voice, having to mourn it, learning to love it as my own again. Thank you for your vulnerability. … Your story hit me right where I needed it to remind me why I wanted to become a teacher in the first place: so kids like us don’t have to feel so scared becoming themselves. / Sincerely, from the bottom of my heart, thank you. I hope your voice continues to grow int you as mine has continued to grow into me. We fucking deserve it.”

“I just googled to see if your music is available to purchase/download. I know some other people are asking … Your Act was the most beautiful podcast story I’ve heard. Really riveting.”

“I am the mother of a trans/non-binary 8 year old with a big voice that centers their identity. your story is so beautiful and holds so much of the hope and tension I have for my child. … Thank you.”

“I listened to your TAL episode today. I felt compelled to tell you how much I love your voice. And for some reason, when the duets with yourself played, it touched me so deeply I cried. No, I’m not trans or queer. I don’t know any trans folks. It didn’t have any personal meaning to me. It was just so beautiful. I felt it squeeze on my heart.”

“Your duet with yourself will stay with me for a long time and I hope many others listen as well.”

“I’m a transmasculine nonbinary person in Aotearoa New Zealand. I live on a farm very rurally … I just sent your stories on TAL to a few of my friends. Especially my trans loved ones … Your stories are beautiful. Thank you so much for sharing them.”

“I was talking to a new friend about my grief over my singing voice changing after being on t, and how along I feel holding that grief. She sent me the podcast and it was comforting to listen to. … Sending gratitude.”

“…thank you! You helped me resolve in one audio article what I couldn’t figure out in years of therapy. Please keep doing the work you do.” (responding to Apple News+ audio version I read of this one for Esquire)

“Just a note to say thank you for your beautifully open article about your experience at Camp Lost Boys. I attended [another time]. I definitely teared up as I remembered that powerful feeling being around that many transmen for the first time. What a special time. Anyway. Just a thank you note. ❤️”

“Thanks for your articles helping those of us to understand the PoV of a trans man. As a mother of two trans men, I have been accepting and supportive, but your articles really help me to understand and feel what they have gone through in this life of theirs.”

(Subject: Your Esquire article was amazing) As a whole 60+ Cis man I really loved that article!! I hope you keep on writing on your experiences so that the hate that is out there will disappear.”

“Sandy, thank you SO MUCH for writing such a beautiful article in Esquire about your experience at camp. I am a cis female who grew up feeling like camp was my safe place and to know that there are opportunities for trans men to feel this sense of belonging as well just warmed my heart. Sending you all the love and light as you continue to share such beautiful talents with this world. Thank you.”

“Hi Sandy, I just read your Esquire article about CLB and loved it. I attended CLB … Your article really captured the feeling of camp, and I got teary reading it. Thank you so much for writing it, for my sake as well as for the sake of communicating things to cis people. I’ve shared the article with my girlfriend and family. Thank you, and thanks for existing and getting to camp and writing! Take care, brother.”

“Wanted to reach out and tell you how much I enjoyed your interview today with Krys Boyd on Think. You sound like such a nice person and are so articulate and well spoken. I hope the world becomes more accepting of all human beings because, as you said, trans people encompass the range of humanity … / I’m a 67 year old mother/grandmother/etc and all I want is for children to live in peace, safety and acceptance and love. They should all still clean their damn rooms and cheerfully do their chores, but the devil is int he details. :) / Keep speaking your truth and I’m so glad you enjoyed summer camp!”

“Hi! I was driving from Tennessee to Oklahoma, bored, tired … I came across your interview on some radio station … I absolutely loved the interview. As a straight female … I am a total believer in every one should be able to live who they are without judgement or being condemned because it doesn’t fit into everyone’s box but honestly, your interview opened my eyes even more. Just everything you said made me stop and think how being trans can be mentally draining. I never even thought about that. I feel like I left the interview with a whole new outlook and learning on someone being transgender.”

“i’ve been a fan of your writing for a long time … thanks for writing. i’m grateful for your words, your courage, and your wisdom. and your inspirational baking!”

“I just finished reading your recent article in The Believer, A Brilliant Cure But We Lost the Patient. It was an amazing story, engrossing, well-researched, and compassionate. The story was thoughtful and courageous. Thank you.”

“I stumbled upon your article on Camp Lost Boys and it was the most heartwarming article I’ve ever read in my life. I’m a semi-stealth gay trans man in Singapore (now coming 14 years on T), and it made me feel so much less alone. Your article on trans boyhood brought me to tears. The last time I cried this much as when my friend died. Your writing put into words so much buried grief I’ve never been able to express, definitely not to my family and not even to my trans friends, who are mostly much younger than me and grew up in a different world. / Thank you, so much, for your beautiful words, and for your courage in sharing them out in to the world. Thank you for the reminder that despite how much the fear and hatred from society can seem overwhelming sometimes, we are not alone, and have never been alone. Thank you also for the reminder of older trans men who managed to survive and thrive despite everything the world threw at them. / Thank you for the hope. / I turned 35 today and that’s the best gift I could have received. / I wish you and all the other trans folks in the US all the best as you navigate the coming years. Sending love and solidarity from the other side of the planet.”

“btw I know it was a long time ago now but your book was amazing / I've given it away to friends a few times over the years. Totally shifted the way I think.” – fellow journalist who works for a national outlet covering trans healthcare

“truly, your book is one of my favorites. I think about it a lot / ❤️ / I recommend it to so many people / (and I am not just saying that lol!)” - fellow journalist who covers trans folks and sports

“Sandy Ernest Allen is a ‘drop everything’ byline for me and should be for you, too. Drop everything to read about his experience at “a sleepaway camp for grownups just like me” in his Esquire essay, ‘Into the Woods with 150 Trans Men.’” The Flytrap Best of 2024