Janet Mock discusses her new memoir 'Surpassing Certainty'

New York Times bestseller Janet Mock stopped by BUILD Series NYC on Wednesday to promote her second and most recent memoir, Surpassing Certainty: What My Twenties Taught Me. She mentioned that while her first memoir, Redefining Realness: My Path to Womanhood, Identity, Love & So Much More involved a lot of definitions and explanations for readers who may not fully understand the intersections of her complex identity, this latest title allowed her to go deeper into her own life experiences. Mock commented upon this further when she explained, "I try to do that as much as possible, but at the same time I also know if I'm spending my limited time that I have in this world doing that work, then I'm just repeating myself and I'm not actually progressing, I'm not actually trying to push my people forward because I'm trying to grab other people to come along with us."

In addition to the latest memoir, Mock has recently launched a new podcast entitled Never Before with Janet Mock. Mock was thrilled to have Tina Knowles, legendary business owner, fashion designer, and mother of Beyoncé and Solange, as her very first guest. Mock enjoys the intimacy of the podcast format, especially since it affords her the opportunity to have conversations with some of her favorite people.

Mock describes, "There's a safety with that platform and with that medium. There's a sense where there's a safety because there's no camera on you, and you kind of forget that the microphone is in between you. There is something about that the intimacy of that exchange and that space that lends itself to these sudden revelations."

Mock wrapped up the interview by discussing the importance of Pride month, and the celebration and empowerment of both trans elders and trans youth. When asked what she does to unwind from all of this hard work, Mock admitted that relaxing with her husband and "trash" reality TV are two of her favorite outlets.

Mock's latest memoir, Surpassing Certainty: What My Twenties Taught Me is in stores now.