iiinova — where your digital self keeps evolving

Candace Winstead @candacewinstead.bsky.social · 09/07/2026

Randomly feeling super proud of my kid for graduating w a biochem major, sense of humor and curiosity about the world intact! He loves bench research & is headed to Colorado State for PhD in Micro Immuno! 🥹 🧫

Me and my son at a sunny hot graduation, grinning from ear to ear, both in academic regalia

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Candace Winstead @candacewinstead.bsky.social · 28/03/2026

I moved from Chicago to San Diego around the same time. My CA ice cream sandwich culture shock was It’s-It! Especially the mint flavor- a wholly different class of sandwich- for special occasions or CA road trips…

Mint green ice cream sandwiched between two oatmeal cookies and covered in chocolate. Sliced in half to appreciate it’s thick deliciousness. The caption reads “SF iconic It’s-It ice cream sandwich was almost forgotten”

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Candace Winstead @candacewinstead.bsky.social · 09/03/2026

Am I listening to @tpwky.bsky.social new ep on cancer while I set up my Hematology lab practical??? Yes, yes I am! So many cancer slides (plus anemias galore). Lucky to have this nerdy distraction during this hellscape!

Teaching lab room with microscope out at every seat. This is my love language!

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Candace Winstead @candacewinstead.bsky.social · 15/11/2025

Proud of Brooke & our small but mighty team of drug checkers at SLO Bangers, presenting @amersa.org So great to hang w my social science collab “phone an anthropologist“ BFF sister @drteresa-winst.bsky.social (presented w her student on polydrug use) & w our LA DC fam @caitlinmolina.medsky.social

Three smiling women stand in front of a poster under fluorescent lights

My former student Brooke smiles in front of our poster

Blurry dark selfie of three laughing women in puffy jackets

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Candace Winstead @candacewinstead.bsky.social · 06/11/2025

SLO and SB county folks! Join the rapid response network helping keep our community safe from ICE and bearing witness to their inhumane & illegal practices. Santa Maria training on Nov 9, 1-4 PM, rsvp at QR code, location given after RSVP

Flier about Rapid Response Training

Santa Maria training on Nov 9, 1-4 PM, rsvp at QR code, location given after RSVP given by 805 UndocuFund

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Candace Winstead @candacewinstead.bsky.social · 04/11/2025

Hey CA! Vote YES on Prop 50! We had the whole family for our ballot drop (18 yo 1st election!) If you lost you mail in ballot you can get one at your polling place, locations here: www.sos.ca.gov/elections/po...

Holding my family’s ballots at the silver box with a sign that reads “election drop”

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Candace Winstead @candacewinstead.bsky.social · 20/10/2025

This weekend brought to you by the Eastern Sierra, mountains of my heart.

High alpine teal lake with snow covered peaks rising in the background and golden fall color trees at the shore on a bluebird sky sunny day

Stands of golden alder in the morning light with snow covered peaks in the background and snow on the ground in the foreground (not pictured- gurgling stream below, wind in the pines above)

Alpenglow on snow covered mountains at dawn

Pre dawn twilight with steam rising from a hot spring creek winding away from snow covered mountains just starting to light up w the new day

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Candace Winstead @candacewinstead.bsky.social · 01/10/2025

Zyra says “HI MAGGIE” (she’s loud)

Smiling blacj dog w tongue out at sunset at the beach

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Candace Winstead @candacewinstead.bsky.social · 10/09/2025

Got Covid and Flu done for kid about to go into the dorm cesspool! He had to say he has asthma for Covid shot. 😒 This is bullshit but I’m grateful it worked

Young adult male showing off his bicep bandaid and smiling

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Candace Winstead @candacewinstead.bsky.social · 30/08/2025

First time ever- our International Overdose Awareness Day event is actually including visible harm reduction advocacy (other than just our table)!! I will be speaking on a harm reduction panel with these badass SLO Bangers! Excited and a lil nervous! Support your local syringe exchange! ❤️‍🔥

Notecard with speaking order for topics on our program, harm reduction, stigma, policy and the myth that harm reduction enables

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Candace Winstead @candacewinstead.bsky.social · 18/08/2025

SLO Bangers is tabling at this mutual aid event in Nipomo next Sun to benefit local families impacted by ICE. Come and take a swing at the ICE pig piñata! ❤️‍🔥

Flier for mutual aid event. Title is “El Barrio Contra ICE” Sun, Aug 24 3-8PM 470 Mehlschan Rd, Nipomo, 93444 Other informational text reads: All Ages, $10 or food donation, proceeds to benefit families impacted by ICE.

Participating groups and acts include BENT, Los Tanquitos, xoxo Drag Show and DJ Samurai Eddy. Sponsored by Colectivo Mariposa and 805 UndocuFund

Grey background with drawing of a border patrol car on fire with multiple grant feet stomping on it

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Candace Winstead @candacewinstead.bsky.social · 27/07/2025

Hi Utah! Made amazing miles roadtripping w these dudes! Skipped lunch and dinner…only place open is Denny’s- I think have not eaten here in decades!

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Candace Winstead @candacewinstead.bsky.social · 11/07/2025

After a nerve-racking (for me) and shitty (for husband) week, we needed this date night at the temple of tacos. I submitted our Opioid Settlement fund renewal (that they are likely to give to cops instead of us) & husband had his vacation w us cancelled by hospital admin. 😭

Glowing glass of rosé and homemade tortilla chips and salsa in the foreground, parking lot palm tree (and distant ocean) in the background.

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Candace Winstead @candacewinstead.bsky.social · 08/07/2025

Someone set my dog walk difficulty level up today omg Related- please please don’t walk your dog off leash in a residential neighborhood. 🫠 Signed- reactive doggo mamma working hard w her good girl!

Black dog on leash laying in the shade in someone else's grass lawn. No sense of property boundaries

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Candace Winstead @candacewinstead.bsky.social · 05/07/2025

It’s happening!! I love vacation planning and summer backpacking in the mountains!

Topo map and book on WY wind River range hikes

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Candace Winstead @candacewinstead.bsky.social · 02/07/2025

Feeling deeply sad and concerned for the future of my kids in this country. And just everything. Anyway-Here’s a good girl on her walk yesterday.

Beautiful black dog w pink tongue out sitting at the corner for a treat

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Candace Winstead @candacewinstead.bsky.social · 23/06/2025

Summer goal: Perfecting doggo selfies. Work in progress…..

Selfie of me w my dog making a ridiculous open mouth sideways tongue face (the dog, not me!)

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Candace Winstead @candacewinstead.bsky.social · 22/06/2025

Happy 18th Birthday to my observant, smart as a whip, sarcastic, empathic kid. The world is better with you in it. 🥹 The kid has always always loved balloons, and his birthday treat request has been blueberry cobbler for the last 10 years or so!

Blueberry cobbler with heart biscuit in the middle

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Candace Winstead @candacewinstead.bsky.social · 22/06/2025

Same to you! I decided this night needed some WTF rose paired w my stress eating food of choice….

Bottle of Rose and bag of cheddar and sour cream ruffles. An inspired pairing for fucked up times

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Candace Winstead @candacewinstead.bsky.social · 16/06/2025

Current mood. Zyra says everyone gets an A

My doggo helping grade papers by sleeping on them

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Candace Winstead @candacewinstead.bsky.social · 14/06/2025

Celebrating our 9(!!) graduating seniors volunteers woth SLO Bangers! Majors include biology, microbiology and public health! Our program benefits so much from their energy and heart! Congratulations all! 🪄✨

Picture collage of smiling graduating senior volunteers, a chocolate cake with Happy SLO Bangers graduation decorated w syringes and a table with cake and gift bags!

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Candace Winstead @candacewinstead.bsky.social · 07/06/2025

HS graduation w this brilliant kind human. 🥹 My heart.

Selfie w me and my kid smiling and squinting into the sun

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Candace Winstead @candacewinstead.bsky.social · 01/06/2025

Happy Pride!! Heading to Trans Pride in the Park (Meadow Park, SLO, 1-6) w my kids to table for SLO Bangers! Looook at these gorg box the donut slinger made when I said for Pride!

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Candace Winstead @candacewinstead.bsky.social · 31/05/2025

Outreach event resource fair in Atown at the shelter w these amazing humans! Great time talking about our harm reduction sevices, distro’d a bunch of Naloxone, test strips, pipes and some points.

Outreach table w supplies and 5 volunteers standing behind it

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Candace Winstead @candacewinstead.bsky.social · 30/05/2025

How my day begins, everyday. A negotiation between coffee drinking and inside the house small ball toss.

Black dog staring intently at his super boring human while she drinks coffee waiting for her to throw the ball

Black dog staring intently with slight head tilt still waiting for boring human to throw the ball

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Candace Winstead @candacewinstead.bsky.social · 02/05/2025

This morning I opened my office after lecture for office hours and…..I guess I have a new boss!

Black and white cat lounging on my office chair. He is not fussed about much and very high self esteem. Likes pets, does not care about Krebs.

Same black and white cat now sitting on top of my industrial revolution era desk near my new swaggy red SLO Bangers to go Yeti coffee cup, looking disdainfully at my General Microbiology midterm. Too easy.

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Candace Winstead @candacewinstead.bsky.social · 26/04/2025

Snoozing mammals (I’m jelly- so much to do, not enough clear thinking hours!)

Husband and doggo snoozing and sharing the sofa.

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Candace Winstead @candacewinstead.bsky.social · 23/04/2025

SLO county showed out at the town hall w @schiff.senate.gov and @carbajal.house.gov Great to see democracy in action & so many folks out, brought my 17yo. But- it was frustrating that so many answers were basically “protest harder”. I get it- but I still want more direct action from them!

Picture taken from bleachers of Sen Schiff and Rep Carbajal in center of gym for town hall

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Candace Winstead @candacewinstead.bsky.social · 10/04/2025

This post courtesy of Yoshi- who has opinions about how long the humans should look at the glowy boxes.

Two good dogs, suki (border collie) and yoshi (shepherd) hanging out n
totally not bonking my hand for attention

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Candace Winstead @candacewinstead.bsky.social · 05/04/2025

Spent a lovely sunny day touring UC Davis. The kid has some good choices, excited to see where he goes!

My 17 year old kid w hands in pocket standing in front of bridge near a stream on a sunny day

My kid and his friend smiling in the sun

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Candace Winstead @candacewinstead.bsky.social · 24/03/2025

Got to sneak in to my 21yo son’s poster at @acs.org in San Diego! Proud professor mom moment! They did great taking me thru it!

Me and my son smiling in front of his poster

My son and his peers snappily dressed smiling in front of their poster

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Candace Winstead @candacewinstead.bsky.social · 18/03/2025

How Zyra feels about grading papers. Hard same.

Black dog on sofa resting her snout on a stack of papers, appearing bored or sleepy w eyes half closed

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Candace Winstead @candacewinstead.bsky.social · 15/03/2025

Bored bored bored…. When will mom be done playing w pens and glowy boxes and take me on a walk?

Bored looking black dog laying on a blanket looking into space

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Candace Winstead @candacewinstead.bsky.social · 10/03/2025

Lucky sunset beach doggo. Beautiful place to live!

Black lab looking dog at golden hour on sandy beach

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Candace Winstead @candacewinstead.bsky.social · 09/03/2025

Just finished The Marriage Portrait by Maggie O’Farrell- historical fiction, with beautifully evocative writing, soul crushing descriptions of casual male cruelty. It was a great book, but I’m still mad/sad at the end.

Book cover of The Marriage Portrait. Green background with animals (tiger, snakes bird) and flowers interspersed.

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Candace Winstead @candacewinstead.bsky.social · 08/03/2025

Amazing @standupforscience.bsky.social at Cal Poly San Luis Obispo! Gratitude to the national organizers, to my joyfully determined local co-organizer Jean Davidson! And huge ups to our speakers, & especially the students who showed up! What a morale boost!! Science is for everyone!!!

Collage of 7 pictures from Stand Up for science Cal Poly! They show a sunny campus day, many nerdy protest signs (listen to your campus nerds!) students, faculty and staff outside the Bailey College of Science and Math

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Candace Winstead @candacewinstead.bsky.social · 28/02/2025

First Alcohol & Other Drugs Teach-In on campus! Stoked to represent SLO Bangers program and participants! This was such a lovely combination of education w undergraduates and representing our community based harm reduction program- both so close to my heart, both giving me hope in dark times. ✨

Screenshot of last three slides of presentation:

Slide 1 Title- “Peer-peer outreach can be transformational care and deserves robust support” bulleted list below: *Reaches the disenfranchised and
displaced
● Articulates barriers and needs
● Promotes program linkages
● Can be both rewarding/motivating
and traumatic/frustrating
● Can have clear community health
impacts
● Listen to, document and break
down barriers→make a part of
team
● Supply tools needed to do the work
● Provide support and community for
working through trauma
● Provide opportunities for training,
leadership and pay!

Slide two: collage of many pictures from SLO Bangers sites of volunteers and staff. Centered in the middle is a Paul Farmer quote pay!
“With rare exceptions, all of your
most important achievements on
this planet will come from working
with others, or in a word,
partnership”

Third slide Title “Questions?” Picture of sharps containers in the public health parking lot sunset, a heart made of flags in the ground representing overdose reversals and a word cloud of participants words with “Thank you” centered

Three women with their arms around each other, wearing SLO Bangers black T shirts, smiling and posing in front of a blurry huge screen last slide with many pictures on it.

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Candace Winstead @candacewinstead.bsky.social · 25/02/2025

Small bright spot in Hematology class today! Had guest speakers come, the kindest most respectful hospital phlebotomist (Sarah, volunteers at SSP) and an amazing CLS Cal Poly alum (Kristin, Lead Micro CLS at local hospital) Shared career advice & illuminated their roles as unsung heros of Dx! 🫶

Three women smiling in front of whiteboard in classroom. I am standing in back, and guest speakers are seated in front

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Candace Winstead @candacewinstead.bsky.social · 24/02/2025

Been in the mountains this weekend…the whole fam plus new doggo! First time in snow! So many squirrels! Good to get away, sad it’s back to BS reality. I am so good at vacation!

Regal black dog chillin in a patch of snow

Ski selfie of goggled skiers in colorful jackets smiling in the sun

Black dog fixated on pine tree where squirrels were taunting here

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Candace Winstead @candacewinstead.bsky.social · 16/02/2025

Yup. (Screenshot posted as contect) As all my fellow educators know, it’s all in how we define “better outcomes”

From the site formerly known as Twitter.
Screen shot of Tweets:
Palmer Lucky “What will happen in broader academia when clear scientific consensus is that AI-assiated education delivers better outcomes than 3.8M teachers currently do”

F-Elon Musk quote tweet “This is already possible”

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