In a world that often denies trans people access to safety and resources, DIY skills can be a path to empowerment and survival. This week, Imara explores the many ways we can all become more self-sufficient. First, she chats with Mercury Stardust about her journey to becoming the “Trans Handy Ma’am.” She explains why patience is the most important skill and how her background helps her connect with people who have been sucked down the alt-right pipeline. Then, Flint Del Sol talks through his experience building an off-grid lifestyle. He opens up about the learning curve of homesteading and his decision to pack it all up and live in an Airstream.

Subscribe to The Mess: Imara’s Guide to Our Political Hellscape on Apple Podcasts.

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Follow Imara Jones on Instagram (@Imara_jones_), Threads (@imara_jones_), Bluesky (@imarajones.bsky.social), X (@ImaraJones)

Follow our guests on social media:

Safe Combinations: Instagram (@safecombinationsme)

Mercury Stardust: Instagram (@mercurystardusttopz) TikTok (@mercurystardust) Threads (@mercurystardusttopz)

Flint Del Sol: Instagram (@justflintisfine) TikTok (@justflintisfine)

TransLash Podcast is produced by TransLash Media.

Translash Team: Imara Jones, Oliver-Ash Kleine, Aubrey Calaway.

Xander Adams is our senior sound engineer and a contributing producer.

Morgan Astbury is our social media coordinator.

Hillary Esquina is our Director of Digital Media & Social.

Theme music composed by Ben Draghi.

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185: What Do You Measure?