Being a 2SLGBTQIA+ family in the military can be incredibly hard — especially when you're constantly trying to "find your village” and rebuild your network every few years. But it can also open doors to opportunities most people never get. There aren't many kids (or adults, for that matter) who can say they walked the ball out to the mound at an MLB Pride Month game and lived in Germany, all before starting kindergarten.
That's the world Jessica Trammell is building for her family — and it's just one thread in a much bigger story.
Jessica has always been a storyteller. From writing imaginative stories as a child, to serving in the military and living around the world, creativity has remained a constant throughout her journey. It was while stationed in the Middle East that she met the love of her life, Tara — and the two quickly realized they shared something extraordinary, including a dream of building a family together.
After Jessica's medical release from the military following their marriage, they began pursuing parenthood, and Jessica eventually found her way back to writing. Today, while Tara is stationed in Germany, Jessica is creating children's books that celebrate imagination, inclusion, and the many ways families can stay active together.
In this episode, Jessica shares:
- The winding path that led her from military service to becoming a published children's author
- Why representation in children's literature matters
- The inspiration behind her debut book, Blast Off, Eleanor
- How she's building stories where every child — and every family — can see themselves reflected on the page
Whether you're a parent, an aspiring author, or someone who believes books have the power to shape kinder, more inclusive generations, this conversation is one you won't want to miss.
Learn more about Jessica, purchase Blast Off, Eleanor, and follow her upcoming projects at www.jessicattrammellbooks.com
Find her books on Bookshop.org, Amazon, and Barnes & Noble
Follow her on Instagram: @author.jessica.trammell
If you'd like, please subscribe, leave a review, and share this episode with someone who believes every family deserves to see themselves in the stories we tell.
