Bridey Thelen-Heidel
Bridey Thelen-Heidel is a teacher, TEDx speaker, Pushcart Prize nominee, and author of Bright Eyes-A Memoir—Zibby Award winner “Best Story of Overcoming”; NYC Big Book Award “Distinguished Favorite”; and San Francisco Book Festival “Runner-up, Memoir.” A fierce LGBT+ youth advocate, Thelen-Heidel’s work has been celebrated by the California Teachers’ Association. She performed in Listen To Your Mother NYC and speaks around the country about defeating our monsters then learning to live without them.
October 27th, 2025 | by Bridey Thelen-Heidel
Although we are more apt to call addiction a disease these days, by and large, the medical establishment doesn’t really treat it like one
July 8th, 2025 | by Bridey Thelen-Heidel
By engaging in what I call ‘good’ risk, we are better able to manage challenges that come up in our lives
October 1st, 2024 | by Bridey Thelen-Heidel
“Alright, let’s blow this pop stand.” Mom whispers because the sun is barely up, and all our neighbors are still
January 4th, 2023 | by Bridey Thelen-Heidel
Those who know me recognize my smile is too tight, not nearly enough teeth showing. I’m faking it because the
