I am the third generation in my family to live with a mental illness and it’s an issue I am very passionate about. I approach the topic through lived experience, memoir, personal essays and commentary.

I write a bi-monthly column called, “No Stigma Nevada,” which appears regularly on the Op-Ed pages of Nevada’s newspapers, which  publish the column through an arrangement with the Nevada Press Association. In part, my columns tell my story of what it’s like to live with bipolar disorder in today’s modern world. I also tell the stories of others whose lives are affected by mental health issues.

My journalism experience dates back to the 1990’s, when I moved to Moscow, Russia, to cover the fall of the Soviet Union. I lived there for 10 years, working as a freelancer for the major American media, including NBC, LA Times, and Newsweek.

I grew up in California, the Middle East, Latin America, and attended the University of California, Santa Cruz, with a major in American Studies. I speak Spanish and Russian.

Unbeknownst to many, I am passionate about the world of circus, particularly the Moscow Circus.