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Natasha Stavros, PhD (she/her)

@drwkid.bsky.social
57 followers 116 following 48 posts

Resilience through change. Author. Podcast Producer. Public Speaker. Researcher. WKIDsolutions.com

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Natasha Stavros, PhD (she/her) @drwkid.bsky.social · 24/09/2026
The betrayal of a late autism diagnosis has layers: Identity — everything you were told about yourself was wrong Institutional — you did everything they asked and it didn't matter Safety net — the system support was designed to reject you first natashastavros.substack.com/p/ep-13-grie...
natashastavros.substack.com
Ep. 13 - Grief and Betrayal After a Late Autism Diagnosis: Identity Loss and Institutional Failure
A jersey. A company logo. A wave of grief. Natasha unpacks three layers of betrayal every late-diagnosed autistic adult deserves to name.
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Natasha Stavros, PhD (she/her) @drwkid.bsky.social · 10/09/2026
When you don't explain your autism to your child, they don't stop noticing, they conclude they're the reason. Episode 12: why disclosure to your child is about connection, not confession #AdultAutism #NeurodivergentParenting #AutisticMom natashastavros.substack.com/p/ep-12-diag...
natashastavros.substack.com
Ep. 12: Diagnosis Disclosure (4 of 5) - Parenting - Connection, Belonging, and Collaboration
What do you tell your child when you autism diagnosis explains everything they have been quietly watching? Tara Neri returns.
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Natasha Stavros, PhD (she/her) @drwkid.bsky.social · 27/08/2026
Disclosing your autism diagnosis to family means disrupting a system that has spent decades accommodating your neurodivergence without ever naming it. They're not ready for you to name it either. natashastavros.substack.com/p/ep-11-diag...
natashastavros.substack.com
Ep 11: Diagnosis Disclosure (3 of 5) - Family - Forced Family Fun
Disclosing your autism diagnosis to Family is fraught with revert-ego and emotions entanglement. Learn to navigate it and why you don't need them to believe your story.
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Natasha Stavros, PhD (she/her) @drwkid.bsky.social · 13/08/2026
Disclosing your autism diagnosis to friends will show you exactly which relationships are mutual, and which are transactional. That's not a loss, that's information. Ep 10: who to tell, when, and hot to protect yourself natashastavros.substack.com/p/ep-10-disa...
natashastavros.substack.com
Ep 10: Disability Disclosure (2 of 5) - Friends - Self-Study, Safe Disclosure, and the Silver Lining
Who do you tell? When? And how much? A practical framework for disclosing your autism diagnosis to friends — and what you gain by doing it.
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Natasha Stavros, PhD (she/her) @drwkid.bsky.social · 30/07/2026
Getting a late autism diagnosis means telling your partner, "I know we've had this same fight for 10 years. But now we're changing the rules." That's not a relief, that's a disruption. #AdultAutism #AutismRelationships #LateAutismDiagnosis #AuDHD open.substack.com/pub/natashas...
open.substack.com
Ep 9: Disability Disclosure (1 of 5) - Lovers - Recommitting to Long-term Relationships After Diagnosis
Got your adult autism, ADHD, or AuDHD diagnosis — now how do you tell your partner? Three phases of one of the most intimate disclosures you'll ever make.
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Natasha Stavros, PhD (she/her) @drwkid.bsky.social · 16/07/2026
Getting a late autism diagnosis as a parent means realizing: The behaviors they used to diagnose you? Your kid has them too. Episode 8: reflection vs. projection, regulation-first parenting, and how to stop your story from becoming your child's story. open.substack.com/pub/natashas...
open.substack.com
Ep 8: Parenting After a Late Autism Diagnosis: Reflection, Projection, and Regulation-First Parenting
You see yourself in your child. Now what? Three frameworks for breaking the cycle — with guest Tara Neri of Unmasked Parenting.
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Natasha Stavros, PhD (she/her) @drwkid.bsky.social · 02/07/2026
Depression → activation strategies help Non-autistic burnout → rest Autistic burnout → activation makes it worse Ep 7: what autistic burnout is, & why rest alone won't fix it. #AutisticBurnout #AdultAutism #LateAutismDiagnosis #AuDHD #AutisticWomen open.substack.com/pub/natashas...
open.substack.com
Ep 7: Autistic Burnout and Skill Regression
Autistic, ADHD or AuDHD burnout differ from depression and non-autistic burnout. Treating without recognizing it, makes it worse. Learn why rest isn't enough, and what recovery looks like.
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Natasha Stavros, PhD (she/her) @drwkid.bsky.social · 18/06/2026
New post: the real story behind Burning Inside Out — 9 drafts, a publishing contract I had to fight for, and a diagnosis at 39 that explained why "high-functioning" nearly cost me everything. Out in bookstores Dec 2026. Paid subscribers get early access (ends Sept). open.substack.com/pub/natashas...
open.substack.com
I Spent 20 Years Trying to Change the World; It Almost Burned Me Alive
Writing a book is one thing. Writing to sell is another. Paid subscribers get 30 lessons on resilience through change, 3 months early. Offer gone after September.
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Natasha Stavros, PhD (she/her) @drwkid.bsky.social · 04/06/2026
"I spent my whole life othering autistic people. I didn't realize it at the time — but I was perpetuating ableism. Because I could mask. Until I couldn't." Season 1 finale: what autism actually is — clinically, neurobiologically, and practically #AdultAutism #AuDHD open.substack.com/pub/natashas...
open.substack.com
Ep 6: What Is Autism, Really? A NASA Scientist Explains It Through the Lens of Light
What is autism — clinically both psychologically and neurobiologically, and practically? Season 1 finale unpacks the DSM, ableism, and the identity shift that changes everything.
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Natasha Stavros, PhD (she/her) @drwkid.bsky.social · 21/05/2026
"What's the last research article you read?" That's the question you should ask before trusting someone with everything you've spent your life hiding. Episode 5: how to vet your evaluator, what the #AdultAutism assessment looks like, and why you need a support plan open.substack.com/pub/natashas...
open.substack.com
Ep 5: How to Get an Adult Autism, ADHD, or AuDHD Assessment
Listen now | Not all autism evaluators are equal. Learn what a current adult assessment looks like, how to vet your evaluator, and build support when your circle doesn't get it.
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Natasha Stavros, PhD (she/her) @drwkid.bsky.social · 07/05/2026
You might not lack self-awareness. You might’ve learned to ignore it. This episode: • hidden sensory signals • why patterns don’t “connect” • curiosity > self-judgment Preparing for an adult autism diagnosis starts here. 🎧https://t.co/iwf4HPCg5a
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Natasha Stavros, PhD (she/her) @drwkid.bsky.social · 23/04/2026
I didn't fear getting an adult autism diagnosis. I feared not getting one, and still not having answers. This episode explores: – self-study before assessment – recognizing masked patterns – shifting from shame to understanding open.substack.com/pub/natashas...
open.substack.com
Ep 3: Preparing to Get an Adult Autism Evaluation - Self-study is Essential Homework (Part 2 of 3)
In this podcast autism speaks about autistic unmasking, self-study, and the path to late diagnosed autism through lived experience, clinical insight, and honest conversation between autistic women.
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Natasha Stavros, PhD (she/her) @drwkid.bsky.social · 09/04/2026
Nobody talks about this part of late autism diagnosis. The moment you stop trying to prove you’re “normal” and start asking what’s true. Episode 2 explores the psychology behind that shift—and why self-acceptance comes before assessment. You’re not broken. open.substack.com/pub/natashas...
open.substack.com
Episode 2: Preparing to Get an Adult Autism Evaluation - Autism Self-Acceptance, Victory in Surrender (Part 1 of 3)
Explore the first step in preparing for an adult autism evaluation: self-acceptance. Learn how surrendering to your neurodivergent truth leads to self-advocacy.
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Natasha Stavros, PhD (she/her) @drwkid.bsky.social · 26/03/2026
From Misdiagnosis to Clarity: When Adults Should Consider an Autism Assessment. A memoir excerpt about late diagnosis, masking, and finding the right time for evaluation. Teaser from After the Masquerade. #Autism #Neurodiversity #MentalHealth open.substack.com/pub/natashas...
open.substack.com
From Misdiagnosis to Clarity: When Adults Should Consider an Autism Assessment
A memoir snippet on recognizing autistic traits in adulthood and deciding to seek an assessment. Includes practical guidance, a podcast discussion, and resource links.
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Natasha Stavros, PhD (she/her) @drwkid.bsky.social · 12/03/2026
For 39 years I thought I was the problem. Then I was diagnosed autistic. Now I’m learning what it means to unmask after a lifetime of performance. Introducing a new section of my newsletter: After the Masquerade open.substack.com/pub/natashas...
open.substack.com
Learning to Unmask After an Autism Diagnosis at 39
With an autism diagnosis at 39, I’m learning what it means to unmask after a lifetime of performance; to live in the experience instead of the outcome.
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Natasha Stavros, PhD (she/her) @drwkid.bsky.social · 26/02/2026
Yesterday I was diagnosed autistic. Relief. Grief. Justice. On masking, burnout, and finally being seen. “Fake It ’Til You Make It” Doesn’t Work If It Means Being Someone Else open.substack.com/pub/natashas...
open.substack.com
“Fake It ’Til You Make It” Doesn’t Work If It Means Being Someone Else
A late autism diagnosis at 39 reframes masking, rejection sensitive dysphoria, cPTSD, and burnout by replacing shame with clarity. What changes now? Everything from work to justice and compassion.
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Natasha Stavros, PhD (she/her) @drwkid.bsky.social · 12/02/2026
Polycrisis and burnout aren’t just exhausting us—they’re eroding our capacity to care. Reclaiming it may be the most radical work we can do. open.substack.com/pub/natashas...
open.substack.com
Polycrisis and Burnout Drain Your Capacity to Care, Let’s Reclaim It
Polycrisis breeds burnout, and burnout erodes our capacity to care. If we want change that lasts, resilience must come first. It begins with introspection, not consumption.
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Natasha Stavros, PhD (she/her) @drwkid.bsky.social · 29/01/2026
If you’ve felt yourself going numb just to keep going—this piece is about choosing connection instead. You Can’t Heal the World by Numbing Yourself natashastavros.substack.com/p/you-cant-h...
natashastavros.substack.com
You Can’t Heal the World by Numbing Yourself
We live in a world built on burnout, the fascist techno-oligarchy, and numbness. As an Earth system scientist, I’ve found that real systemic change starts with human connection and community.
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Natasha Stavros, PhD (she/her) @drwkid.bsky.social · 15/01/2026
Abandon Your New Year's Resolution, Choose This Instead Burned out by resolutions that don’t stick? This New Year, stop fixing yourself and choose a commitment built for resilience and change. open.substack.com/pub/natashas...
open.substack.com
Abandon Your New Year's Resolution, Choose This Instead
Burned out by resolutions that don’t stick? This New Year, stop fixing yourself and choose a commitment built for resilience and change.
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Natasha Stavros, PhD (she/her) @drwkid.bsky.social · 01/01/2026
This Is Not a Self-Help Book It’s a Survival Guide for Change Makers in 2026 Burning Inside Out is not a self-help book; it is a survival guide for burned-out change makers. A scientist’s story of power, burnout, and rebuilding broken systems. open.substack.com/pub/natashas...
open.substack.com
This Is Not a Self-Help Book It’s a Survival Guide for Change Makers in 2026
Burning Inside Out is not a self-help book; it is a survival guide for burned-out change makers. A scientist’s story of power, burnout, and rebuilding broken systems.
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Natasha Stavros, PhD (she/her) @drwkid.bsky.social · 18/12/2025
34 Rejections, 3 Offers, 1 Book Deal: The Wild Road to Burning Inside Out From 34 rejections to a book deal, Burning Inside Out rises from the ash like fireweed blossoming vibrant and bright — shaped by intuition, courage, and intention. open.substack.com/pub/natashas...
open.substack.com
34 Rejections, 3 Offers, 1 Book Deal: The Wild Road to Burning Inside Out
From 34 rejections to a book deal, Burning Inside Out rises from the ash like fireweed blossoming vibrant and bright — shaped by identity, intuition, courage, and intention.
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Natasha Stavros, PhD (she/her) @drwkid.bsky.social · 04/12/2025
The Moment You Have Enough Will Change Your Life Amid burnout and change, freedom begins at the edge of enough—when staying costs more than leaving and courage finally leads you forward. open.substack.com/pub/natashas...
open.substack.com
The Moment You Have Enough Will Change Your Life
Amid burnout and change, freedom begins at the edge of enough—when staying costs more than leaving and courage finally leads you forward.
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Natasha Stavros, PhD (she/her) @drwkid.bsky.social · 20/11/2025
Sensory Overload Is Data Overload: Masking Hides Identity and Robs Your Power When the world overwhelms your senses, the data reveals the truth: masking disconnects you from identity, intuition, and the power you already hold. open.substack.com/pub/natashas...
open.substack.com
Sensory Overload Is Data Overload: Masking Hides Identity and Robs Your Power
When the world overwhelms your senses, the data reveals the truth: masking disconnects you from identity, intuition, and the power you already hold.
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Natasha Stavros, PhD (she/her) @drwkid.bsky.social · 23/10/2025
The Masquerade of Professionalism: How Authentic Leaders Get Silenced When professionalism means hiding who you are, authenticity is a practice of introspection — and true leadership begins without the mask. open.substack.com/pub/natashas...
open.substack.com
The Mask of Professionalism: How Authentic Leaders Get Silenced
When professionalism means hiding who you are, authenticity is a practice of introspection — and true leadership begins without the mask.
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Natasha Stavros, PhD (she/her) @drwkid.bsky.social · 09/10/2025
Identity in the Age of Collapse: Staying True When the World Burns In the age of collapse, authenticity builds resilience and power by reclaiming identity beyond social systems. open.substack.com/pub/natashas...
open.substack.com
Identity in the Age of Collapse: How to Stay True When the World Burns
In the age of collapse, authenticity builds resilience and power by reclaiming identity beyond social systems.
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Natasha Stavros, PhD (she/her) @drwkid.bsky.social · 25/09/2025
Invisible Struggles, Visible Courage: Building a Life That Sparks Change True power comes from self-investment that enables you to courageously live authentically and shape a life beyond conformity by redefining success and creating space for change. natashastavros.substack.com/p/invisible-...
natashastavros.substack.com
Invisible Struggles, Visible Courage: Building a Life That Sparks Change
True power comes from self-investment that enables you to courageously live authentically and shape a life beyond conformity by redefining success and creating space for change.
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Natasha Stavros, PhD (she/her) @drwkid.bsky.social · 11/09/2025
Courage Means Living Authentically — The Fuel for Change In a world that profits from conformity, courage fuels the fire that keeps authenticity alive. True change begins when we dare to live authentically, even when it burns. natashastavros.substack.com/p/courage-me...
natashastavros.substack.com
Courage Means Living Authentically — The Fuel for Change
In a world that profits from conformity, courage fuels the fire that keeps authenticity alive. True change begins when we dare to live authentically, even when it burns.
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Natasha Stavros, PhD (she/her) @drwkid.bsky.social · 28/08/2025
When embers spark, will you burn or transform? Old embers can pull us back into pain, but with presence we can rise from the fire and transform the past into something new. My cPTSD was triggered and years have therapy have made me conscious and aware. open.substack.com/pub/natashas...
open.substack.com
When embers spark, will you burn or transform?
Old embers can pull us back into pain, but with presence we can rise from the fire and transform the past into something new.
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Natasha Stavros, PhD (she/her) @drwkid.bsky.social · 14/08/2025
I traded exhaustion for intention, and in the process discovered that the most powerful change starts with the life you choose to create for yourself. natashastavros.substack.com/p/from-burno...
natashastavros.substack.com
From Burnout to Breakthrough: Manifest a Spark for Change
I traded exhaustion for intention, and in the process discovered that the most powerful change starts with the life you choose to create for yourself.
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Natasha Stavros, PhD (she/her) @drwkid.bsky.social · 31/07/2025
Faking It, Losing Me: The High Cost of Belonging If faking it makes you become it, you’d better ask—do you actually want to become it? True belonging starts not with performance, but with authenticity and connection. natashastavros.substack.com/p/lost-to-th...
natashastavros.substack.com
Faking It, Losing Me: The High Cost of Belonging
If faking it makes you become it, you’d better ask—do you actually want to become it? True belonging starts not with performance, but with authenticity and connection.
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Natasha Stavros, PhD (she/her) @drwkid.bsky.social · 17/07/2025
While the Phoenix Burns, It Also Creates Burned out by success, I quit my six-figure job—and discovered that who I am has nothing to do with what I do, but everything to do with what I create. natashastavros.substack.com/p/while-the-...
natashastavros.substack.com
While the Phoenix Burns, It Also Creates
Burned out by success, I quit my six-figure job—and discovered that who I am has nothing to do with what I do, but everything to do with what I create.
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Natasha Stavros, PhD (she/her) @drwkid.bsky.social · 03/07/2025
In a World on Fire, Be Your Own Shelter Many are crumbling under the weight of hatred proliferating society today. What if psychological resilience grows from the seeds of karma to be the change you wish to see in the world? natashastavros.substack.com/p/in-a-world...
natashastavros.substack.com
In a World on Fire, Be Your Own Shelter
Many are crumbling under the weight of hatred proliferating society today. What if psychological resilience grows from the seeds of karma to be the change you wish to see in the world?
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Natasha Stavros, PhD (she/her) @drwkid.bsky.social · 05/06/2025
What does it look like to show up with integrity? Consistent with one’s truth? To release ego and judgement and see yourself clearly? Read the full article: natashastavros.substack.com/p/behind-the...
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Natasha Stavros, PhD (she/her) @drwkid.bsky.social · 22/05/2025
When Systems Fail, Purpose Prevails As the United States grapples with uncertainty, the morale of research and development dwindles, but is there hope? open.substack.com/pub/natashas...
open.substack.com
When Systems Fail, Purpose Prevails
As the United States grapples with uncertainty, the morale of research and development dwindles, but is there hope?
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Natasha Stavros, PhD (she/her) @drwkid.bsky.social · 08/05/2025
natashastavros.substack.com/p/protesting...
natashastavros.substack.com
Protesting with FIRE
When liberation means taking your power back, the best weapon is Financial Independence, Retire Early (FIRE)
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Natasha Stavros, PhD (she/her) @drwkid.bsky.social · 30/04/2025
Inspired by Sex in the City, this drama column features mini essays by a 20-something hippie traveling the world saying yes to adventure. She believes that time is the most precious commodity, and that stories are the best investment. Read them here: natashastavros.substack.com/s/the-origin...
natashastavros.substack.com
The Original Musings | A Jester's Musings | Natasha Stavros | Substack
Inspired by Sex in the City, this drama column features mini essays by a 20-something hippie traveling the world saying yes to adventure. She believes that time is the most precious commodity, and tha...
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Natasha Stavros, PhD (she/her) @drwkid.bsky.social · 24/04/2025
Today I released my first subscription email through substack: lnkd.in/eU96FVxR
lnkd.in
LinkedIn
This link will take you to a page that’s not on LinkedIn
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Natasha Stavros, PhD (she/her) @drwkid.bsky.social · 03/04/2025
Let go of the attachment to an expected outcome to create space for the transformation. www.linkedin.com/posts/enstav...
linkedin.com
Let go of attachment to an expected outcome to create space for the… | Natasha Stavros, Ph.D.
Let go of attachment to an expected outcome to create space for the transformation. How do you feel when you think of letting go of an expected outcome?…
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Natasha Stavros, PhD (she/her) @drwkid.bsky.social · 25/03/2025
Polling Results: After I Cast My Vote. www.linkedin.com/posts/enstav...
linkedin.com
Polling Results: After I Cast My Vote | Natasha Stavros, Ph.D.
Polling Results: After I Cast My Vote.
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Natasha Stavros, PhD (she/her) @drwkid.bsky.social · 08/03/2025
The curse of capability is self-sufficiency; and what a lonely world that creates.
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Natasha Stavros, PhD (she/her) @drwkid.bsky.social · 07/03/2025
Is power finite? Is it like matter, it can not be created nor destroyed? In which case, is the pursuit of power a zero-sum game? The more empowered others feel, the more disempowered you feel? So, is it a valid protest against the rising powers of the oligarchy to be self-empowered?
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Reposted by Natasha Stavros, PhD (she/her)
Katharine Hayhoe @katharinehayhoe.com · 20/02/2025
From one of the biggest stages in sports to the rising risks of extreme heat—climate change is everywhere. Each week my free newsletter shares good news, not so good news, and something you can do about climate change and biodiversity loss to protect our families, our health, and our future. ⬇️
talkingclimate.ca
A climate ad that reached millions
Science Moms’ Super Bowl ad, why extreme heat worsens diabetes, & three S’s of climate action
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Natasha Stavros, PhD (she/her) @drwkid.bsky.social · 16/02/2025
BOOK UPDATE: Version 4 is now complete!!! V1 - Get it Out V2 - Organize it V3 - Structure it - Story Arch V4 - Developmental Edit - Restructure for Audience and Genre V5 - Line Edit - languaging (readability, consistency, & clarity), sequencing, and shielding (legal liability protection)
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Natasha Stavros, PhD (she/her) @drwkid.bsky.social · 14/02/2025
The curse of capability is self-sufficiency; and what a lonely world that creates.
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Natasha Stavros, PhD (she/her) @drwkid.bsky.social · 14/02/2025
The federal government has a rule that when traveling for work, all tips come at your personal expense and can not be reimbursed. Meanwhile, the federal government also reduces minimum wage for service workers because of the tip culture. This seems like a loophole to avoid paying a livable wage
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Natasha Stavros, PhD (she/her) @drwkid.bsky.social · 08/02/2025
Keep being you and do what you do. No one can ever take that away. Creae a the community where you belong, are accepted, and celebrated. The law is not just, bt you can be in how you show up every day - how you vote with *your* every choice, *your* money, and *your* time.
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