Happy New Year! Looking forward to contributing to The Age of Empathy this year! I've enjoyed reading many of the stories featured in your publication so far!

Exactly! That's completely valid. People will judge regardless of what you do. I don't know what you teach, but I will say this. I would not be where I am today if it weren't for some of my college professors and mentors. They have had such a profound, positive impact on me & my life/career. And I STILL thank them to this day. So if the risk of being judged is the price you pay to be a teacher that could potentially reach and impact a student in such a way, I think it's worth it, right?

I think it's a very relatable experience/fear! Not to confirm your worst fear, but I 100% told stories from class to my parents back in the day. For me personally, I tend to tell my most horrific lived stories very nonchalantly and casually in VERY public settings. Much to the dismay of the people who happen to be in earshot of my storytelling. You have to think of it as a form of celebrity. Whether we're conscious of it or not, we've probably ALL been the subject of someone's dinnertime conversation or a "tea-time" text chain between best friends. It's inevitable. But if they are talking about you, at least they remember you!

Thank you! Ah, now that is a story for sure! I will say that the man on the train's horrified reaction was entirely justified.