Paula Neira's guest appearances

Paula Neira

Onward Podcast

She Pivots

Sophia Bush

Betty Reid Soskin

Jason Redman

Nicholas Pearson

Logan Sneed

John Allen

Cynthia Jamin

Gleb Tsipursky

Reshma Saujani

Robin Finney

Tai Beauchamp

Dave Sanderson

Leonard Perlmutter

Michael Taylor

Amanda Valentine

OwlTail

When Paula Neira graduated with distinction from the U.S Naval Academy in 1985 and went on to serve in the Navy, she was faced with the difficult choice. As a transgender woman, Paula had to make the difficult choice to leave the Navy so she could live authentically. A difficult moment turned into an inspiring pivot when she decided to serve her country in another way - through nursing. She spent five years as a trauma ER nurse, but after feeling frustrated that she didn’t have a voice, she pivoted again. She decided to go to law school then used her law degree to fight for something deeply personal to her: the repeal of Don’t Ask Don’t Tell (the archaic policy that barred openly gay, lesbian, or bisexual persons from military service). Emily talks with Paula about how she leveraged her pivots and became a leading expert on transgender military service and health care. She now works at Johns Hopkins and has an impressive list of letters after her name (Paula M. Neira, J.D., M.S.N). Be sure to subscribe, leave us a rating and share with your friends if you liked this episode! She Pivots was created in partnership with Marie Claire to highlight women, their stories, and how their pivot became their success. To learn more about Paula, follow us on Instagram @ShePivotsThePodcast or visit marieclaire.com/shepivots.This episode is sponsored by Michter's Distillery. Michter’s Distillery has a passion for making the finest bourbon, rye and American whiskey possible.For more information follow us on social media @michterswhiskey or go to michters.com or visit your favorite bartender.LINKS: Instagram: www.instagram.com/shepivotsthepodcastTwitter: twitter.com/shepivotsthepodWebsite: www.shepivotsthepodcast.com/

When Paula Neira graduated with distinction from the U.S Naval Academy in 1985 and went on to serve in the Navy, she was faced with the difficult choice. As a transgender woman, Paula had to make the difficult choice to leave the Navy so she could live authentically. A difficult moment turned into an inspiring pivot when she decided to serve her country in another way - through nursing. She spent five years as a trauma ER nurse, but after feeling frustrated that she didn’t have a voice, she pivoted again. She decided to go to law school then used her law degree to fight for something deeply personal to her: the repeal of Don’t Ask Don’t Tell (the archaic policy that barred openly gay, lesbian, or bisexual persons from military service). Emily talks with Paula about how she leveraged her pivots and became a leading expert on transgender military service and health care. She now works at Johns Hopkins and has an impressive list of letters after her name (Paula M. Neira, J.D., M.S.N). Be sure to subscribe, leave us a rating and share with your friends if you liked this episode! She Pivots was created in partnership with Marie Claire to highlight women, their stories, and how their pivot became their success. To learn more about Paula, follow us on Instagram <a href="https://www.instagram.com/shepivotsthepodcast/" rel="nofollow" target="_blank">@ShePivotsThePodcast </a>or visit <a href="https://www.marieclaire.com/shepivots/" rel="nofollow" target="_blank">marieclaire.com/shepivots.</a>This episode is sponsored by Michter's Distillery. Michter’s Distillery has a passion for making the finest bourbon, rye and American whiskey possible.For more information follow us on social media <a href="https://www.instagram.com/michterswhiskey/" rel="nofollow" target="_blank">@michterswhiskey</a> or go to <a href="https://michters.com/" rel="nofollow" target="_blank">michters.com</a> or visit your favorite bartender.LINKS: Instagram: <a href="http://www.instagram.com/shepivotsthepodcast/" rel="nofollow" target="_blank">www.instagram.com/shepivotsthepodcast</a>Twitter: <a href="http://twitter.com/shepivotsthepod" rel="nofollow" target="_blank">twitter.com/shepivotsthepod</a>Website: <a href="http://www.shepivotsthepodcast.com/" rel="nofollow" target="_blank">www.shepivotsthepodcast.com/</a>

‘I was always a woman’: Paula Neira

Emily Harman, host of Onward Podcast, interviews her Naval Academy classmate and Clinical Program Director of the John Hopkins Center for Transgender Health, Paula Neira. Paula shares how she overcame a traumatic loss (her naval career) but kept moving forward, being consistent in her core values. In moving onward, Paula realized her calling in life was broader than just serving in the Navy and that she has been blessed with the opportunity to help others in many ways.      Episode Highlights:  Paula explains the history of transgender individuals serving in the U.S. military. Paula shares why she decided to attend the U.S. Naval Academy. Paula explains why she had to leave the Navy and end her naval career. Paula shares important lessons (things to do or not do) that she learned from dealing with her greatest adversity. Paula discusses past suicidal thoughts. What does it take to respond to discrimination?   What questions does Paula typically get asked about being transgender? Paula explains her role as co-sponsor of the new USNS Harvey Milk, an underway replenishment oiler. Paula and Emily talk about how we don’t always know the grand plan for our lives - your life is your life. There is no “supposed to be.”   Paula explains how her experience shaped how she approaches her current job  as Clinical Program Director of the John Hopkins Center for Transgender Health. Most societal change happens incrementally. What should a parent do if their child questions their gender identity and how did Paula’s parents react? In times of adversity, you have to take care of yourself and ask for help when it is needed. Paula shares that her Naval Academy classmates have treated with respect since she identified as transgender.      3 Key Points:   Our country is stronger because of our diversity. People should not be denied opportunity ( i.e to serve or access medically necessary care) based on other’s prejudice. The struggle to move our country forward is often fraught with adversity and we have to keep going. For people who fight for civil rights or social justice, there are some important things to consider:   Be Resolute (Never Surrender, Live by Your Core Values) Be Strategic (Make decisions based on achieving victory and not satisfying emotion/ego) Be Healthy (Self-care, Realistic perspectives, Patience)    Tweetable Quotes:  “The only direction you can go in after dealing with adversity is forward.” – Paula Neira “It didn’t matter how good I was at my job. It didn’t matter how dedicated I was. It didn’t matter what skills I had. The only thing that mattered was that my gender identity didn’t align with the sex that I was assigned at birth.” – Paula Neira “Part of being a leader is taking care of your people, and we’ve put into place regulations that prevent them from doing that.” – Paula Neira    Resources Mentioned:  Paula Neira: Linkedin Listeners can contact Paula at work via email pneira2@jhmi.edu or phone 443-287-7161    Veterans Crisis Line: 1-800-273-8255 press 1 The Veterans Crisis Line is a free, confidential resource that’s available to anyone, even if you’re not registered with VA or enrolled in VA health care. The caring, qualified responders at the Veterans Crisis Line are specially trained and experienced in helping Veterans of all ages and circumstances.   The Trevor Project: 1-866-488-7386 www.thetrevorproject.org The Trevor Project is the leading national organization providing crisis intervention and suicide prevention services to lesbian, gay, bisexual, transgender, queer &amp; questioning (LGBTQ) young people under 25.   JHCTH (Johns Hopkins Center for Transgender Health) 844-546-5645  https://www.hopkinsmedicine.org/center_transgender_health/index.html The mission of the Johns Hopkins Center for Transgender Health is to reduce health care disparities and improve the overall health of the transgender community through world-class clinical care, medical education and research. Embracing diversity and inclusion, the Center for Transgender Health provides affirming, objective, person-centered care to improve health and enhance wellness; educates interdisciplinary health care professionals to provide culturally competent, evidence-based care; informs the public on transgender health issues; and advances medical knowledge by conducting biomedical research.

Emily Harman, host of Onward Podcast, interviews her Naval Academy classmate and Clinical Program Director of the John Hopkins Center for Transgender Health, Paula Neira. Paula shares how she overcame a traumatic loss (her naval career) but kept moving forward, being consistent in her core values. In moving onward, Paula realized her calling in life was broader than just serving in the Navy and that she has been blessed with the opportunity to help others in many ways.    Episode Highlights: <ul> <li>Paula explains the history of transgender individuals serving in the U.S. military.</li> <li>Paula shares why she decided to attend the U.S. Naval Academy.</li> <li>Paula explains why she had to leave the Navy and end her naval career.</li> <li>Paula shares important lessons (things to do or not do) that she learned from dealing with her greatest adversity.</li> <li>Paula discusses past suicidal thoughts.</li> <li>What does it take to respond to discrimination?  </li> <li>What questions does Paula typically get asked about being transgender?</li> <li>Paula explains her role as co-sponsor of the new USNS Harvey Milk, an underway replenishment oiler.</li> <li>Paula and Emily talk about how we don’t always know the grand plan for our lives - your life is your life. There is no “supposed to be.”</li> </ul> <ul> <li>Paula explains how her experience shaped how she approaches her current job  as Clinical Program Director of the John Hopkins Center for Transgender Health.</li> <li>Most societal change happens incrementally.</li> <li>What should a parent do if their child questions their gender identity and how did Paula’s parents react?</li> <li>In times of adversity, you have to take care of yourself and ask for help when it is needed.</li> <li>Paula shares that her Naval Academy classmates have treated with respect since she identified as transgender.  </li> </ul> 3 Key Points: <ol> <li>Our country is stronger because of our diversity. People should not be denied opportunity ( i.e to serve or access medically necessary care) based on other’s prejudice.</li> <li>The struggle to move our country forward is often fraught with adversity and we have to keep going.</li> <li>For people who fight for civil rights or social justice, there are some important things to consider:</li> </ol> <ul> <li>Be Resolute (Never Surrender, Live by Your Core Values)</li> <li>Be Strategic (Make decisions based on achieving victory and not satisfying emotion/ego)</li> <li>Be Healthy (Self-care, Realistic perspectives, Patience)</li> </ul> Tweetable Quotes: <ul> <li>“The only direction you can go in after dealing with adversity is forward.” – Paula Neira</li> <li>“It didn’t matter how good I was at my job. It didn’t matter how dedicated I was. It didn’t matter what skills I had. The only thing that mattered was that my gender identity didn’t align with the sex that I was assigned at birth.” – Paula Neira</li> <li>“Part of being a leader is taking care of your people, and we’ve put into place regulations that prevent them from doing that.” – Paula Neira</li> </ul> Resources Mentioned: <ul> <li>Paula Neira: <a href="https://www.linkedin.com/in/paula-neira-48a23419" rel="nofollow" target="_blank">Linkedin</a></li> <li>Listeners can contact Paula at work via email pneira2@jhmi.edu or phone 443-287-7161</li> </ul> Veterans Crisis Line: 1-800-273-8255 press 1 The Veterans Crisis Line is a free, confidential resource that’s available to anyone, even if you’re not registered with VA or enrolled in VA health care. The caring, qualified responders at the Veterans Crisis Line are specially trained and experienced in helping Veterans of all ages and circumstances. The Trevor Project: 1-866-488-7386 <a href="http://www.thetrevorproject.org/" rel="nofollow" target="_blank">www.thetrevorproject.org</a> The Trevor Project is the leading national organization providing crisis intervention and suicide prevention services to lesbian, gay, bisexual, transgender, queer &amp; questioning (LGBTQ) young people under 25. JHCTH (Johns Hopkins Center for Transgender Health) 844-546-5645 <a href="https://www.hopkinsmedicine.org/center_transgender_health/index.html" rel="nofollow" target="_blank"> https://www.hopkinsmedicine.org/center_transgender_health/index.html</a> The mission of the Johns Hopkins Center for Transgender Health is to reduce health care disparities and improve the overall health of the transgender community through world-class clinical care, medical education and research. Embracing diversity and inclusion, the Center for Transgender Health provides affirming, objective, person-centered care to improve health and enhance wellness; educates interdisciplinary health care professionals to provide culturally competent, evidence-based care; informs the public on transgender health issues; and advances medical knowledge by conducting biomedical research.

Ever Onward - the Voyage of a Transgender Navy Woman with Paula Neira