Rainbows in the Dark

It's Pride weekend in San Francisco, and as a Super Introvert, even the 'small' Trans March (10-20k people, vs. Sunday's million) is a lot. This quick episode is on why showing up still matters even when you feel invisible in the crowd — and why it's worth holding compassion for the people fighting hardest against Pride, too.

After a few weeks of posting silence, DK back — riding in a self-driving car that somehow already knows his taste in music, which is either impressive or creepy, and possibly both. In this episode: the push-pull of creating content in a system that benefits people you didn't vote for, why small acts of random goodness still matter anyway, the Old Dominion ROTC cadets who "rendered a shoot...

It's Transgender Day of Visibility, so here are some unscripted, unpolished thoughts on being a "passing" trans person who benefits from male privilege — and why that makes visibility feel important right now. Plus: the division game, why trans people are perennial easy targets, the up-down vs. left-right thing, and why "trans rights are human rights" isn't just a sloga...

January can be a heavy month — and this year feels heavier than usual. Not just personally, but collectively. A lot of people are sensing that something big is shifting, even if no one can quite name what comes next. In this episode of Rainbows in the Dark , I talk about what it’s like to live inside a major transitional time in history — when old systems stop working, the new ones aren’t fully fo...

On a walk by the ocean, I found myself talking about aging, limits, and the things we stop doing as we get older. And then the universe sent a rebuttal. This episode is about getting older, staying embodied, and the strange freedom that comes from letting go of shame, certainty, and pants. It’s a reflection on mortality, movement, and the moments when life answers you faster than you expect. As al...

Last week, my new book Booze to Balance officially launched, which meant my very first bookstore events — and a level of imposter syndrome I did not see coming. Right before the events, my inner critic went into overdrive: “You don’t know anything.” “This book is too small.” “Who do you think you are?” But the show had to go on. This is a short reflection on doubt, visibility, and doing the thing...

In this episode, Dr. Kim shares the unexpected link between addiction, brain chemistry, and liver health — and what he learned during his intensive addictionology training back in the mid-2000s. You’ll hear: • a simple, clear definition of addiction • what different addictions have in common neurologically • why supporting the body (and especially the liver) matters • how somatic and mind-body too...

Ever mess up your perfect plan—only to realize it worked out better that way? Dr. Kim shares the story of his 88 Blessings project, a missing day, and the eerie synchronicity that turned a math error into a moment of magic. A funny, soulful reminder to trust the process and keep creating, even when it doesn’t go according to plan.

This episode runs a little longer than usual, because the story is worth it. I open up about my struggle with type 2 diabetes and how nothing seemed to help much — until art, music, and love cracked something open. From Tribal Baroque’s prayformances to a fog-soaked Macbeth at Fort Point, I discovered what one woo-woo healer once told me I was missing: the sweetness of life . If you’ve ever wonder...

Sometimes self-care feels impossible—not because we don’t know how to care for ourselves, but because… human condition, trauma, blah blah blah. In this episode, I share a simple thought experiment: imagine swapping bodies with someone you love dearly for a year. How would you treat their body differently than your own? More rest? Better food? More water, more joy? And then—what if you treated your...

Sharks and cockroaches may have evolution all figured out—but humans? We’re still chasing infinity tasks and arguing with our asshole brains. In this episode of Rainbows in the Dark , I step into the endless loop of self-improvement, productivity, and ADHD-era attention spans…

What if some of your biggest emotional struggles… were never yours to begin with? 🤯 In this episode of Rainbows in the Dark , we rewind to before you were breathing air—when you were a tiny water-dweller in utero—absorbing every vibe your mom was running. Stress, fear, chaos? Your little nervous system felt it all. The good news? Those old patterns aren’t set in stone. Awareness—and a little soma...

We’re all headed to the far side of the rainbow someday. In this episode, I’m talking about Swedish Death Cleaning, why it’s one of the most loving things you can do, and why it might be time to let go of all those random paper mementos cluttering your life. Spoiler alert: nobody wants your old Yosemite brochure.

Ever feel like you want to paint, dance, write, or make music…but tell yourself you shouldn’t because you’re “not good enough”? Or feel like if you can’t make it your career, then it’s not worth doing? In this episode, I talk about why creative expression is not optional if you want a happy and fulfilled life. I’ll share thoughts on how to rediscover your creative spark, even if you think you’ve l...

On the day of San Francisco’s 21st Trans March, I reflect on showing up in times of rising hate, the unique compassion many trans people hold, and how transitioning gave me a deeper understanding of humanity. I talk about the fear that often hides inside trans hate, why trans and nonbinary people are “bridge people,” and why it’s okay to sink into your own being and explore who you truly are. Plus...

In this bite-sized episode, I’m shining a light on the truth about your survival instincts. Fight, Flight, Freeze, or Fawn — there’s no wrong way to stay alive, no matter what your inner critic says. So if you’ve ever shamed yourself for not fighting back… listen in, breathe deep, and thank your beautiful nervous system for having your back. HUZZAH, my friend — you survived. That’s enough. 💡 Want...

You think you’re fine… but your neck is locked, your sleep is trash, and your fuse is about an inch long. So—how stressed are you really? In this episode, we talk about the sneaky kind of stress that builds up under the radar and how it quietly wrecks your body, mind, and emotional bandwidth. Enter: the Holmes-Rahe Stress Inventory —a decades-old psychological tool that actually quantifies your st...

I went on a 2-week solo cruise to Alaska, fully convinced I’d write an entire book while watching glaciers drift by. Spoiler alert: I didn’t. Not even close. In this episode, I share how this “unproductive” vacation turned into an unexpected rite of passage — the moment I realized I’ve officially become a real writer… because my brain refused to “work” on vacation. This one’s for the creatives, th...

When you're first self-employed, an empty calendar can feel terrifying. You dream of being "booked solid"—stable, successful, secure. But what if not being booked solid is actually where the real magic lives? In this episode, I share how chasing constant productivity nearly burned me out—and how following excitement (instead of fear) changed my whole relationship with work, money, an...

We’ve all heard the advice: trust your gut. But what if your “gut” is actually just your overcaffeinated monkey mind, spinning tales and hijacking your peace? In this episode, Dr. Kim shares a painfully funny real-life story from a peaceful sunrise walk that turned into an unexpected ego smackdown. If you’ve ever caught yourself judging strangers for imagined offenses 😬, this one’s for you. ✨ Le...

Why do billionaires get weird? Why does whipped cream lose its magic after the fifth mouthful? And why did my long-running booty call survive for 15+ years… while a more “serious” relationship went off the rails in a fog of too much ? In this episode, I dig into hedonistic adaptation —the sneaky way your brain gets used to pleasure, and how chasing “more” can quietly ruin the very thing that once...

After tracing the lifespans of over 100 of my ancestors—some going back to the 1600s—I’ve got news: the average human lifespan hasn’t changed as much as you think. Despite all the modern longevity fads, most people who survived childhood back then lived into their 70s and 80s… just like today. So maybe you can relax and skip the $500 cryotherapy membership? #Longevity #Ancestry #BiohackingMyth #Gh...

Have you ever had something from the past sneak up on you and knock you down? You know it’s not really about the thing in front of you, but it still feels heavy—like a weight you can’t shake. That happened to me last week. I had one of the most intense self-healing experiences of my life, and I had to share it—because you can do this, too. No therapy, no substances, no rituals. Just you, your brea...

Why are people so scared of trans women? Why is ‘trans panic’ always about penises? And why, across history and culture, has the penis symbolized power? In this episode, we dig into the unspoken gender hierarchy that shapes transphobia, misogyny, and why some men seem more afraid of unexpected genitals than actual violence. Buckle up—it’s a weird ride.

What if I really am a secret agent of the Dark Lord? What if my radical calls to love yourself and be kind to others are just part of Satan’s long con? Luring people into his diabolical trap of Love… only to slam the gates shut and start the fiery butt-poking?? 🤔 Yeah. Let’s think about that for a second. In this episode, we dive into religious trauma, the fear of divine rejection, and the absurd...