First, I thank my editor at HarperOne, Hilary Swanson. Thank you for saying yes to tea and to this book. Your support and enthusiasm have warmed my heart, and I’m so grateful to have worked with you.
Overwhelming gratitude to the many authors I’ve worked with through The Neurodiversity Project—Pico Iyer, Bill Hayes, Gabor Maté, Lissa Rankin, Joel Salinas, Maya Dusenbery, Steve Silberman, Rev. angel Kyodo williams—thank you for saying yes to something so new and different. I hope our time together has enriched your lives just as you have enriched mine—and thank you for cheering on this book.
I also thank the many authors I’ve been fortunate to interview through my work with the UC Berkeley Greater Good Science Center—Krista Tippett, Roshi Joan Halifax, Courtney Martin, Sebastian Junger, and many more.
Thank you to my mentors Susan Cain, Elaine Aron, Nick Walker, and Rev. angel. You four have been so pivotal in my work and development.
Thank you to the many creators who participated in our first #Reframe Conference just as I was finishing this book! Kamal Sinclair, Shawn Taylor, Nidhi Berry, Liz Fosslien, Casper ter Kuile, Tina Sacks, and so many others—it has been a joy to collaborate and cross-pollinate intersectional ideas.
Thank you, also, to the many volunteers who have helped to make each event happen with such excitement and meaning, connection, and belonging.
To the whole HarperOne team—you’ve been so kind and supportive from day one. Thank you for your tenderness, and unlike many publishing teams these days, we’ve actually had face-to-face time, which I’m so grateful for!
To the many communities who held me as I journeyed through—Thrive East Bay, On Being, The Aspen Institute, The Center SF, The Family Spirit Center, OZY Media, 101 Surf Sports, Heart Source, and the Tahirih Justice Center.
Thank you to my early high school and college teachers who encouraged my voice.
Thank you to the many amazing women interviewed for this book—thank you for sharing your stories and opening up your hearts with me. I know how hard you work every day—I see you, I feel you, I thank you, and I am sending fire your way to light you up as you release your gifts to the world.
To my friends who’ve known me since childhood and gracefully danced this dance with me: Kate, Shirin, Lydia, Becky.
To my extended family of in-laws, aunts, uncles, cousins, colleagues, and family friends across the US and abroad, thank you for your love and gentleness.
To my parents, thank you for exemplifying how to thrive and fight for sensitivity, each in your own way.
To my siblings, my protectors, I am so grateful for our tribe.
To my partner, thank you for standing alongside me on this journey and for your patience and support. And thank you for always keeping things fun. :)
To my daughter, I hope for you a world where the expression, acceptance, and flourishing of sensitivity becomes the norm. Your perceptiveness and humor are gifts beyond measure and I love you. Thank you for your patience as I have slowly put the pieces of my own story back together.