Hello Community! I wanted to say thank you to everyone who’s been here a while and thank you to those who are new. I’m an actor, humanitarian, and a writer (in no particular order!). Follow me here for updates, and thanks for being with me.
Celebrate 18 years of recovery with me! Thank you the good people at Shades of Hope who reached out to the “lost child” that I was, offering healing and a ever deeper & more beautiful way of life as the years pass.
There is always a path of peace for us, whether our loved ones change, acknowledge the existence of a problem, or get their own help. We are not betraying them when we ourselves thrive. In fact, we are giving them hope.
Celebrate 18 years of recovery with me! Thank you the good people at Shades of Hope who reached out to the “lost child” that I was, offering healing and a ever deeper & more beautiful way of life as the years pass.
There is always a path of peace for us, whether our loved ones change, acknowledge the existence of a problem, or get their own help. We are not betraying them when we ourselves thrive. In fact, we are giving them hope.
Celebrate 18 years of recovery with me! Thank you the good people at Shades of Hope who reached out to the “lost child” that I was, offering healing and a ever deeper & more beautiful way of life as the years pass.
There is always a path of peace for us, whether our loved ones change, acknowledge the existence of a problem, or get their own help. We are not betraying them when we ourselves thrive. In fact, we are giving them hope.
Celebrate 18 years of recovery with me! Thank you the good people at Shades of Hope who reached out to the “lost child” that I was, offering healing and a ever deeper & more beautiful way of life as the years pass.
There is always a path of peace for us, whether our loved ones change, acknowledge the existence of a problem, or get their own help. We are not betraying them when we ourselves thrive. In fact, we are giving them hope.
“The beginning of real love is to allow others to be perfectly themselves.” —Thomas Merton, Trappist Monk
I experienced knowings in my soul in childhood about myself. They were clear, irrefutable. Nex, I am glad you knew your truth. I am so sorry others felt entitled to dispute and interfere with your God-given autonomy. I believe you. I see you. I validate you. May your soul be at ease. 🕊️🤍
Joy. Family history. Story. Music. Social justice. Faith.
U2 loved and listened to The Judds during their iconic Joshua Tree days. My family first met them during their Dublin show in 1986 and when I was in France as a 19 year old, I looked at the liner notes on the album sleeve and cold called their management to see if I could attend the Joshua Tree stadium show in Paris. In my second-hand polka dotted skirt and Dock Martins, I was astonished to have a ticket and backstage pass. I stood side stage, 4 feet from Bono at the microphone where their spouses hugged and took me in.
37 years later, it is a friendship that has deeply shaped my public and personal life. Bono and Bobby Shriver called me in 2002 and demanded I involve myself in the HIV/AIDS emergency. I threw myself into what is now my global humanitarian advocacy, 23 countries later. The courage of the Christian tradition of my childhood has welled up consistently, as these are friendships bonded by shared faith.
Oh yeah. There is little music there, too, that has transported me! This month, Pop — who sang over 200 concerts with Elvis — and I attended @thesphere and Bono sang for him. This past weekend, Sister and I cried and danced. We made memories and reminisced. I am so grateful and my cup is full. Crew meal. Quiet time with folks who’ve been with the band since they were punks teens. Sharing the ecstatic music with 18,000 souls. Unforgettable!
Love is so rich we need it to survive. Science now proves we can die of a literal broken heart. I have expierneced various forms of love, my deeply loyal love for my sibling, cosmic, chest heaving love from my mother, the cheering sweetness of love of childhood friends, the intricate, sustaining, fascinating love of my romantic partner, ineffable love for my animals, awesome love of nature, and also AGAPE, these spontaneous vistations of profound love from total strangers. I wanted to share just one example of this with you today. Have you ever felt AGAPE? What was it like for you? Share with me in the comments below. ❤️
Reproductive health and #childcare are not just women’s issues; they are human rights issues. It’s not something for women to just “figure out”. The more we all band together to solve these problems, the better…for women, for men, for families—for generations to come.
@ashley_judd joined us in the #EqualityLounge @ #SXSW to stress that it’s time for men to join us and use their voices to reinforce the urgency behind women’s health reform and childcare reform.
#reproductivehealth #reproductiverights
Hi friends! I am deep into writing my second book and the process is a rich. Thank you so much for your encouragement. My first book was based on diaries from 13 counties, starting wtih sitting in child brothels in Cambodia and Thailand, and on to refugee camps and HIV/AIDS orphanages, uplifted grassroots movements supporting the vulnerable and resilient, & of course how I was brought into recovery after a tough childhood. This book includes my extensive time in Congo, my beautiful mother, and more!
I am eager to have something for you to read!
@ashley_judd opens up about her recovery and healing journey and defines her life’s purpose as “being here to heal.” ❤️
🎧 Tune in to our latest episode with @ashley_judd and Catherine Chen, CEO of @polarisproject, an organization at the forefront of the fight against sex and labor trafficking in the United States.
Out now wherever you listen to #podcasts, and link in bio to watch on our YouTube channel. 📺 #manenough
I am grateful to those of you who care deeply about human trafficking. I have visited with trapped folks all over the world, including in garment factories, carpet makers, folks making our cheap roller bag suitcases, three generations of women picking through trash heaps for anything resellable, and children sorting car tires. And, of course, women and children especially, who are being used for sex. And LGBTIA and folks of color are deeply affected. Traffickers can use human beings over and over, unlike single use commodities such as drugs and guns. Yet, it is demand that drives all of it: demand for the labor, and cheap goods, and demand for the sex and bodies. We must all look at our part.
Go to polarisproject.org for more information and ways to get involved. #humantraffickingawareness
I write knowing I will not get this exactly right. It is, however, important to start somewhere. It won’t please everyone. It also cannot address and hold everything. The very format is limited and flawed, especially in a situation like this, in such extraordinary harm. This is not a political statement. It is held in hope that we may perhaps see beyond labels and division.
We are all children of Abraham and Sarah.
There is no hierarchy to human life.
We all suckle, thirst, rejoice, desire.
We are all vulnerable in our need for safety, belonging, mutual trust, and our profound interdependence.
I have lamented the demonization of all brothers, sisters, siblings, the global industrial military complex, the violent rhetoric. And my own part in it all.
Violence begins at the level of thought. Including mine, and yours.
Wow, did I say that? Audacious.
What can I do? What can you do, holding this phone?
We can try to understand and eventually endeavor to love our enemies. Unpopular. Difficult. And a divine commandment.
This does not mean we tolerate unacceptable behavior, or that righteous anger a “bad” emotion.
Righteous anger teaches us our boundaries. We can love our enemies, hold people accountable, and
prosecute at the same time.
Of course, I want a ceasefire. Of course, I want antisemitism, finally, to end. Stop the slaughter and starving of Gazans. Free Israeli hostages. End to the brutalization of women & girls’ bodies.
How can I contribute to that, from here? I start with my own thoughts and attitudes. I interrogate my own contempt, bias, disgust, & practices that divide me from myself and my fellows.
I start with the Dignity Index, my spiritual practice, reading texts from the world’s wisdom traditions,
and ask for God to do for me what I cannot do for myself: to love my enemies and people with whom I differ so much. This doesn’t mean I convert to their beliefs. It means I abandon my hatred for the sake of something bigger than all of us. When I get to my edge, I ask to be softened so I can really witness other’s humanity, their hunger, their love for their families, and be recruited to our common welfare.
Peace be with you.
I write knowing I will not get this exactly right. It is, however, important to start somewhere. It won’t please everyone. It also cannot address and hold everything. The very format is limited and flawed, especially in a situation like this, in such extraordinary harm. This is not a political statement. It is held in hope that we may perhaps see beyond labels and division.
We are all children of Abraham and Sarah.
There is no hierarchy to human life.
We all suckle, thirst, rejoice, desire.
We are all vulnerable in our need for safety, belonging, mutual trust, and our profound interdependence.
I have lamented the demonization of all brothers, sisters, siblings, the global industrial military complex, the violent rhetoric. And my own part in it all.
Violence begins at the level of thought. Including mine, and yours.
Wow, did I say that? Audacious.
What can I do? What can you do, holding this phone?
We can try to understand and eventually endeavor to love our enemies. Unpopular. Difficult. And a divine commandment.
This does not mean we tolerate unacceptable behavior, or that righteous anger a “bad” emotion.
Righteous anger teaches us our boundaries. We can love our enemies, hold people accountable, and
prosecute at the same time.
Of course, I want a ceasefire. Of course, I want antisemitism, finally, to end. Stop the slaughter and starving of Gazans. Free Israeli hostages. End to the brutalization of women & girls’ bodies.
How can I contribute to that, from here? I start with my own thoughts and attitudes. I interrogate my own contempt, bias, disgust, & practices that divide me from myself and my fellows.
I start with the Dignity Index, my spiritual practice, reading texts from the world’s wisdom traditions,
and ask for God to do for me what I cannot do for myself: to love my enemies and people with whom I differ so much. This doesn’t mean I convert to their beliefs. It means I abandon my hatred for the sake of something bigger than all of us. When I get to my edge, I ask to be softened so I can really witness other’s humanity, their hunger, their love for their families, and be recruited to our common welfare.
Peace be with you.
I write knowing I will not get this exactly right. It is, however, important to start somewhere. It won’t please everyone. It also cannot address and hold everything. The very format is limited and flawed, especially in a situation like this, in such extraordinary harm. This is not a political statement. It is held in hope that we may perhaps see beyond labels and division.
We are all children of Abraham and Sarah.
There is no hierarchy to human life.
We all suckle, thirst, rejoice, desire.
We are all vulnerable in our need for safety, belonging, mutual trust, and our profound interdependence.
I have lamented the demonization of all brothers, sisters, siblings, the global industrial military complex, the violent rhetoric. And my own part in it all.
Violence begins at the level of thought. Including mine, and yours.
Wow, did I say that? Audacious.
What can I do? What can you do, holding this phone?
We can try to understand and eventually endeavor to love our enemies. Unpopular. Difficult. And a divine commandment.
This does not mean we tolerate unacceptable behavior, or that righteous anger a “bad” emotion.
Righteous anger teaches us our boundaries. We can love our enemies, hold people accountable, and
prosecute at the same time.
Of course, I want a ceasefire. Of course, I want antisemitism, finally, to end. Stop the slaughter and starving of Gazans. Free Israeli hostages. End to the brutalization of women & girls’ bodies.
How can I contribute to that, from here? I start with my own thoughts and attitudes. I interrogate my own contempt, bias, disgust, & practices that divide me from myself and my fellows.
I start with the Dignity Index, my spiritual practice, reading texts from the world’s wisdom traditions,
and ask for God to do for me what I cannot do for myself: to love my enemies and people with whom I differ so much. This doesn’t mean I convert to their beliefs. It means I abandon my hatred for the sake of something bigger than all of us. When I get to my edge, I ask to be softened so I can really witness other’s humanity, their hunger, their love for their families, and be recruited to our common welfare.
Peace be with you.
I write knowing I will not get this exactly right. It is, however, important to start somewhere. It won’t please everyone. It also cannot address and hold everything. The very format is limited and flawed, especially in a situation like this, in such extraordinary harm. This is not a political statement. It is held in hope that we may perhaps see beyond labels and division.
We are all children of Abraham and Sarah.
There is no hierarchy to human life.
We all suckle, thirst, rejoice, desire.
We are all vulnerable in our need for safety, belonging, mutual trust, and our profound interdependence.
I have lamented the demonization of all brothers, sisters, siblings, the global industrial military complex, the violent rhetoric. And my own part in it all.
Violence begins at the level of thought. Including mine, and yours.
Wow, did I say that? Audacious.
What can I do? What can you do, holding this phone?
We can try to understand and eventually endeavor to love our enemies. Unpopular. Difficult. And a divine commandment.
This does not mean we tolerate unacceptable behavior, or that righteous anger a “bad” emotion.
Righteous anger teaches us our boundaries. We can love our enemies, hold people accountable, and
prosecute at the same time.
Of course, I want a ceasefire. Of course, I want antisemitism, finally, to end. Stop the slaughter and starving of Gazans. Free Israeli hostages. End to the brutalization of women & girls’ bodies.
How can I contribute to that, from here? I start with my own thoughts and attitudes. I interrogate my own contempt, bias, disgust, & practices that divide me from myself and my fellows.
I start with the Dignity Index, my spiritual practice, reading texts from the world’s wisdom traditions,
and ask for God to do for me what I cannot do for myself: to love my enemies and people with whom I differ so much. This doesn’t mean I convert to their beliefs. It means I abandon my hatred for the sake of something bigger than all of us. When I get to my edge, I ask to be softened so I can really witness other’s humanity, their hunger, their love for their families, and be recruited to our common welfare.
Peace be with you.
I write knowing I will not get this exactly right. It is, however, important to start somewhere. It won’t please everyone. It also cannot address and hold everything. The very format is limited and flawed, especially in a situation like this, in such extraordinary harm. This is not a political statement. It is held in hope that we may perhaps see beyond labels and division.
We are all children of Abraham and Sarah.
There is no hierarchy to human life.
We all suckle, thirst, rejoice, desire.
We are all vulnerable in our need for safety, belonging, mutual trust, and our profound interdependence.
I have lamented the demonization of all brothers, sisters, siblings, the global industrial military complex, the violent rhetoric. And my own part in it all.
Violence begins at the level of thought. Including mine, and yours.
Wow, did I say that? Audacious.
What can I do? What can you do, holding this phone?
We can try to understand and eventually endeavor to love our enemies. Unpopular. Difficult. And a divine commandment.
This does not mean we tolerate unacceptable behavior, or that righteous anger a “bad” emotion.
Righteous anger teaches us our boundaries. We can love our enemies, hold people accountable, and
prosecute at the same time.
Of course, I want a ceasefire. Of course, I want antisemitism, finally, to end. Stop the slaughter and starving of Gazans. Free Israeli hostages. End to the brutalization of women & girls’ bodies.
How can I contribute to that, from here? I start with my own thoughts and attitudes. I interrogate my own contempt, bias, disgust, & practices that divide me from myself and my fellows.
I start with the Dignity Index, my spiritual practice, reading texts from the world’s wisdom traditions,
and ask for God to do for me what I cannot do for myself: to love my enemies and people with whom I differ so much. This doesn’t mean I convert to their beliefs. It means I abandon my hatred for the sake of something bigger than all of us. When I get to my edge, I ask to be softened so I can really witness other’s humanity, their hunger, their love for their families, and be recruited to our common welfare.
Peace be with you.
I write knowing I will not get this exactly right. It is, however, important to start somewhere. It won’t please everyone. It also cannot address and hold everything. The very format is limited and flawed, especially in a situation like this, in such extraordinary harm. This is not a political statement. It is held in hope that we may perhaps see beyond labels and division.
We are all children of Abraham and Sarah.
There is no hierarchy to human life.
We all suckle, thirst, rejoice, desire.
We are all vulnerable in our need for safety, belonging, mutual trust, and our profound interdependence.
I have lamented the demonization of all brothers, sisters, siblings, the global industrial military complex, the violent rhetoric. And my own part in it all.
Violence begins at the level of thought. Including mine, and yours.
Wow, did I say that? Audacious.
What can I do? What can you do, holding this phone?
We can try to understand and eventually endeavor to love our enemies. Unpopular. Difficult. And a divine commandment.
This does not mean we tolerate unacceptable behavior, or that righteous anger a “bad” emotion.
Righteous anger teaches us our boundaries. We can love our enemies, hold people accountable, and
prosecute at the same time.
Of course, I want a ceasefire. Of course, I want antisemitism, finally, to end. Stop the slaughter and starving of Gazans. Free Israeli hostages. End to the brutalization of women & girls’ bodies.
How can I contribute to that, from here? I start with my own thoughts and attitudes. I interrogate my own contempt, bias, disgust, & practices that divide me from myself and my fellows.
I start with the Dignity Index, my spiritual practice, reading texts from the world’s wisdom traditions,
and ask for God to do for me what I cannot do for myself: to love my enemies and people with whom I differ so much. This doesn’t mean I convert to their beliefs. It means I abandon my hatred for the sake of something bigger than all of us. When I get to my edge, I ask to be softened so I can really witness other’s humanity, their hunger, their love for their families, and be recruited to our common welfare.
Peace be with you.
I write knowing I will not get this exactly right. It is, however, important to start somewhere. It won’t please everyone. It also cannot address and hold everything. The very format is limited and flawed, especially in a situation like this, in such extraordinary harm. This is not a political statement. It is held in hope that we may perhaps see beyond labels and division.
We are all children of Abraham and Sarah.
There is no hierarchy to human life.
We all suckle, thirst, rejoice, desire.
We are all vulnerable in our need for safety, belonging, mutual trust, and our profound interdependence.
I have lamented the demonization of all brothers, sisters, siblings, the global industrial military complex, the violent rhetoric. And my own part in it all.
Violence begins at the level of thought. Including mine, and yours.
Wow, did I say that? Audacious.
What can I do? What can you do, holding this phone?
We can try to understand and eventually endeavor to love our enemies. Unpopular. Difficult. And a divine commandment.
This does not mean we tolerate unacceptable behavior, or that righteous anger a “bad” emotion.
Righteous anger teaches us our boundaries. We can love our enemies, hold people accountable, and
prosecute at the same time.
Of course, I want a ceasefire. Of course, I want antisemitism, finally, to end. Stop the slaughter and starving of Gazans. Free Israeli hostages. End to the brutalization of women & girls’ bodies.
How can I contribute to that, from here? I start with my own thoughts and attitudes. I interrogate my own contempt, bias, disgust, & practices that divide me from myself and my fellows.
I start with the Dignity Index, my spiritual practice, reading texts from the world’s wisdom traditions,
and ask for God to do for me what I cannot do for myself: to love my enemies and people with whom I differ so much. This doesn’t mean I convert to their beliefs. It means I abandon my hatred for the sake of something bigger than all of us. When I get to my edge, I ask to be softened so I can really witness other’s humanity, their hunger, their love for their families, and be recruited to our common welfare.
Peace be with you.
I write knowing I will not get this exactly right. It is, however, important to start somewhere. It won’t please everyone. It also cannot address and hold everything. The very format is limited and flawed, especially in a situation like this, in such extraordinary harm. This is not a political statement. It is held in hope that we may perhaps see beyond labels and division.
We are all children of Abraham and Sarah.
There is no hierarchy to human life.
We all suckle, thirst, rejoice, desire.
We are all vulnerable in our need for safety, belonging, mutual trust, and our profound interdependence.
I have lamented the demonization of all brothers, sisters, siblings, the global industrial military complex, the violent rhetoric. And my own part in it all.
Violence begins at the level of thought. Including mine, and yours.
Wow, did I say that? Audacious.
What can I do? What can you do, holding this phone?
We can try to understand and eventually endeavor to love our enemies. Unpopular. Difficult. And a divine commandment.
This does not mean we tolerate unacceptable behavior, or that righteous anger a “bad” emotion.
Righteous anger teaches us our boundaries. We can love our enemies, hold people accountable, and
prosecute at the same time.
Of course, I want a ceasefire. Of course, I want antisemitism, finally, to end. Stop the slaughter and starving of Gazans. Free Israeli hostages. End to the brutalization of women & girls’ bodies.
How can I contribute to that, from here? I start with my own thoughts and attitudes. I interrogate my own contempt, bias, disgust, & practices that divide me from myself and my fellows.
I start with the Dignity Index, my spiritual practice, reading texts from the world’s wisdom traditions,
and ask for God to do for me what I cannot do for myself: to love my enemies and people with whom I differ so much. This doesn’t mean I convert to their beliefs. It means I abandon my hatred for the sake of something bigger than all of us. When I get to my edge, I ask to be softened so I can really witness other’s humanity, their hunger, their love for their families, and be recruited to our common welfare.
Peace be with you.
I write knowing I will not get this exactly right. It is, however, important to start somewhere. It won’t please everyone. It also cannot address and hold everything. The very format is limited and flawed, especially in a situation like this, in such extraordinary harm. This is not a political statement. It is held in hope that we may perhaps see beyond labels and division.
We are all children of Abraham and Sarah.
There is no hierarchy to human life.
We all suckle, thirst, rejoice, desire.
We are all vulnerable in our need for safety, belonging, mutual trust, and our profound interdependence.
I have lamented the demonization of all brothers, sisters, siblings, the global industrial military complex, the violent rhetoric. And my own part in it all.
Violence begins at the level of thought. Including mine, and yours.
Wow, did I say that? Audacious.
What can I do? What can you do, holding this phone?
We can try to understand and eventually endeavor to love our enemies. Unpopular. Difficult. And a divine commandment.
This does not mean we tolerate unacceptable behavior, or that righteous anger a “bad” emotion.
Righteous anger teaches us our boundaries. We can love our enemies, hold people accountable, and
prosecute at the same time.
Of course, I want a ceasefire. Of course, I want antisemitism, finally, to end. Stop the slaughter and starving of Gazans. Free Israeli hostages. End to the brutalization of women & girls’ bodies.
How can I contribute to that, from here? I start with my own thoughts and attitudes. I interrogate my own contempt, bias, disgust, & practices that divide me from myself and my fellows.
I start with the Dignity Index, my spiritual practice, reading texts from the world’s wisdom traditions,
and ask for God to do for me what I cannot do for myself: to love my enemies and people with whom I differ so much. This doesn’t mean I convert to their beliefs. It means I abandon my hatred for the sake of something bigger than all of us. When I get to my edge, I ask to be softened so I can really witness other’s humanity, their hunger, their love for their families, and be recruited to our common welfare.
Peace be with you.
I write knowing I will not get this exactly right. It is, however, important to start somewhere. It won’t please everyone. It also cannot address and hold everything. The very format is limited and flawed, especially in a situation like this, in such extraordinary harm. This is not a political statement. It is held in hope that we may perhaps see beyond labels and division.
We are all children of Abraham and Sarah.
There is no hierarchy to human life.
We all suckle, thirst, rejoice, desire.
We are all vulnerable in our need for safety, belonging, mutual trust, and our profound interdependence.
I have lamented the demonization of all brothers, sisters, siblings, the global industrial military complex, the violent rhetoric. And my own part in it all.
Violence begins at the level of thought. Including mine, and yours.
Wow, did I say that? Audacious.
What can I do? What can you do, holding this phone?
We can try to understand and eventually endeavor to love our enemies. Unpopular. Difficult. And a divine commandment.
This does not mean we tolerate unacceptable behavior, or that righteous anger a “bad” emotion.
Righteous anger teaches us our boundaries. We can love our enemies, hold people accountable, and
prosecute at the same time.
Of course, I want a ceasefire. Of course, I want antisemitism, finally, to end. Stop the slaughter and starving of Gazans. Free Israeli hostages. End to the brutalization of women & girls’ bodies.
How can I contribute to that, from here? I start with my own thoughts and attitudes. I interrogate my own contempt, bias, disgust, & practices that divide me from myself and my fellows.
I start with the Dignity Index, my spiritual practice, reading texts from the world’s wisdom traditions,
and ask for God to do for me what I cannot do for myself: to love my enemies and people with whom I differ so much. This doesn’t mean I convert to their beliefs. It means I abandon my hatred for the sake of something bigger than all of us. When I get to my edge, I ask to be softened so I can really witness other’s humanity, their hunger, their love for their families, and be recruited to our common welfare.
Peace be with you.
Had such a spirited and meaningful conversation with @nelstamp and @femalequotient at SXSW.
Equality is possible when good intentions are met with intentional action: we have the right to author our own lives and need female alliances to support each other as we dream about truly living free from male entitlement to our bodies.
We brought in how we all have the right to choose, plan, and space the births of our children, the ubiquity of violent, misogynistic, racist porn (see Culture Reframes’s website)and how to build resilience to it, and the essential role of self care and for many a spiritual practice when fighting the good fight.
Thank you, everyone for turning out!
Had such a spirited and meaningful conversation with @nelstamp and @femalequotient at SXSW.
Equality is possible when good intentions are met with intentional action: we have the right to author our own lives and need female alliances to support each other as we dream about truly living free from male entitlement to our bodies.
We brought in how we all have the right to choose, plan, and space the births of our children, the ubiquity of violent, misogynistic, racist porn (see Culture Reframes’s website)and how to build resilience to it, and the essential role of self care and for many a spiritual practice when fighting the good fight.
Thank you, everyone for turning out!
