Big Mood, Little Mood with Daniel M. Lavery

This week Jules sits down with Raquel Willis, an award-winning activist and journalist whose work is dedicated Black trans liberation. Raquel’s new memoir, The Risk It Takes to Bloom chronicles her political and personal awakenings as a Black trans woman growing up in the south. Jules and Raquel talk grief, gender, and collective liberation. Podcast production by Palace Shaw.Email us at: outwardpodcast@slate.com

On the final episode of Big Mood, Little Mood, Daniel M. Lavery reflects on more than eight years of offering advice on both this show, and Dear Prudence. As a parting gift, Lavery shares a piece that was influenced by many of the recurring conversations over his tenure titled: “Let Me Save You Some Time: A Field Guide To Avoiding Transition By Family Committee”Although this show is ending, Lavery will still be a featured guest on Slate's Outward podcast, so please do like and subscribe right here.Production by Phil Surkis

Danny Lavery welcomes Ben Roy is a Denver-based comedian. Lavery and Roy offer advice to someone who is upset that his family is resenting his brother’s success, instead of just loving and supporting him. Another letter writer is worried about feeling guilty about being relieved that her children will no longer have to deal with their addicted father who passed away. Need advice? Send Danny a question here.Email: mood@slate.comIf you enjoy this show, please consider signing up for Slate Plus. Slate Plus members get an ad-free experience across the network and exclusive content on many shows—you’ll also be supporting the work we do here on Big Mood, Little Mood. Sign up now at Slate.com/MoodPlus to help support our workProduction by Phil Surkis

Danny Lavery welcomes Max Read, a journalist and screenwriter based in New York.Lavery and Read offer advice to someone who is regretting being a landlord to their aunt. Another letter writer is wishing they could get out of an internship, but doesn’t want to hurt the project.Need advice? Send Danny a question here.Email: mood@slate.comIf you enjoy this show, please consider signing up for Slate Plus. Slate Plus members get an ad-free experience across the network and exclusive content on many shows—you’ll also be supporting the work we do here on Big Mood, Little Mood. Sign up now at Slate.com/MoodPlus to help support our workProduction by Phil Surkis

Danny Lavery welcomes back his wife, Gracy Lavery, a writer and academic based in Brooklyn.The Lavery’s offer advice to someone who is wondering the next step in a marriage where one person desires polyamory. Another letter writer is wondering if she should response to an email from her younger brother who made her high school years hell.Need advice? Send Danny a question here.Email: mood@slate.comIf you enjoy this show, please consider signing up for Slate Plus. Slate Plus members get an ad-free experience across the network and exclusive content on many shows—you’ll also be supporting the work we do here on Big Mood, Little Mood. Sign up now at Slate.com/MoodPlus to help support our workProduction by Phil Surkis

Danny Lavery welcomes back Ben Gullard, an artist living in Brooklyn who designs exhibits for children's science museums. Lavery and Gullard offer advice to someone who is wondering how to handle a parent who forged his signature to get student loans. Another letter writer is fed up with the mother of her daughter’s friend, who is always dropping off the friend’s siblings for an “emergency” babysitting situation.Need advice? Send Danny a question here.Email: mood@slate.comIf you enjoy this show, please consider signing up for Slate Plus. Slate Plus members get an ad-free experience across the network and exclusive content on many shows—you’ll also be supporting the work we do here on Big Mood, Little Mood. Sign up now at Slate.com/MoodPlus to help support our workProduction by Phil Surkis

Danny Lavery welcomes Ben Gullard, an artist living in Brooklyn who designs exhibits for children's science museums. Lavery and Gullard offer advice to someone who doesn’t understand why his partner can’t see that their parents are abusive. Another letter writer is butting heads with her boyfriend’s sister.Need advice? Send Danny a question here.Email: mood@slate.comIf you enjoy this show, please consider signing up for Slate Plus. Slate Plus members get an ad-free experience across the network and exclusive content on many shows—you’ll also be supporting the work we do here on Big Mood, Little Mood. Sign up now at Slate.com/MoodPlus to help support our workProduction by Phil Surkis

Danny Lavery welcomes Marisa Renee Lee, a called-upon grief advocate, entrepreneur, and bestselling author of "Grief is Love: Living with Loss". Lee also regularly contributes to The Atlantic, Glamour, Vogue, MSNBC, and CNN and serves as an expert for Ritual's wellbeing app.Lavery and Lee offer advice to someone who is put off by her mom who wants to be friends with her. Another letter writer is wondering if she should let go of a friendship with someone who really doesn’t show up for her.Need advice? Send Danny a question here.Email: mood@slate.comIf you enjoy this show, please consider signing up for Slate Plus. Slate Plus members get an ad-free experience across the network and exclusive content on many shows—you’ll also be supporting the work we do here on Big Mood, Little Mood. Sign up now at Slate.com/MoodPlus to help support our workProduction by Phil Surkis

Danny Lavery welcomes Adrien Behn, the host and creator of A Race Around the World: Based on the True Adventures of Nellie Bly and Elizabeth Bisland. She is also the creator of the popular travel podcast Strangers Abroad, as well as a writer, and live storyteller.Lavery and Behn offer advice to someone who is wondering how to get a good night’s sleep living next to loud neighbors. Another letter writer is wondering how to live with an ex and avoid falling into old argument patterns.Need advice? Send Danny a question here.Email: mood@slate.comIf you enjoy this show, please consider signing up for Slate Plus. Slate Plus members get an ad-free experience across the network and exclusive content on many shows—you’ll also be supporting the work we do here on Big Mood, Little Mood. Sign up now at Slate.com/MoodPlus to help support our workProduction by Phil Surkis