Today’s conversation brings us to the unusual intersection of social media influence, DIY home repair, and trans activism. I’m excited to introduce you to my amazing guest for today’s show! Mercury Stardust, the “Trans Handy Ma’am,” is a professional home maintenance technician, burlesque performer, author, and award-winning activist. Mercury credits her TikTok success to her experience teaching burlesque, where she learned to communicate and create a safe space for students who had frequently experienced trauma. She has been featured in stories by NBC, NPR, Buzzfeed, Newsweek, the Washington Post, and Pink News. Her leadership within the trans community has led to collaborations with such brands as I Fix It, Lowe’s, and the trans healthcare community Point of Pride. Mercury’s recent livestream fundraiser ended up raising over $2.2 million, and she’s embarking on a huge book tour this fall to promote her book, Safe & Sound: A Renter-Friendly Guide to Home Repair.   Show Highlights:  ●      How Mercury created a safe space with “Gentle DIY” in the male-dominated handyman world ●      How Mercury became a home maintenance technician to supplement her living as a cabaret performer ●      Why Mercury’s content caters to apartment renters and others who may not be comfortable with tools and DIY repairs ●      Why Mercury shows up authentically without pretense and perfectionism ●      What it’s like to be a prominent trans woman on the internet and still manage her mental health ●      How Mercury handles the task of setting boundaries with people to protect her emotional and mental health ●      Highlights from Mercury’s book, Safe & Sound, and her upcoming 52-city book tour ●      How Mercury leans into her weaknesses and insecurities   Resources and Links: Connect with Mercury Stardust: Website, Instagram, TikTok, Facebook, YouTube, and Safe & Sound book Connect with KC: Website, TikTok, Instagram, and Facebook Get KC’s book, How to Keep House While Drowning We love the sponsors that make this show possible! You can always find all the special deals and codes for all our current sponsors on our website: www.strugglecare.com/promo-codes