“In both poetic and straightforward prose, bolstered by years of experience and research, Jodi-Ann bears her mind, heart, and body to us in Authentic, vulnerably and fearlessly. This book gathers some of those stories I have long been hearing about—from my own life, from my family and friends, from my peers and readers—about how much we struggle and sever our real selves to fit into institutions that are not built for us. It flooded me with memories of what many of us have survived and had me shaking my head at what we’ve forgotten . . . all while healing and arming me with even more audacity and purpose.” —Xochitl Gonzalez, New York Times bestselling author of Olga Dies Dreaming and Anita de Monte Laughs Last

“While weaving her own autobiography with stories of others who have struggled in organizations, Burey exposes how talk of ‘authenticity’ can hide the workings of oppressive systems and how such systems suppress talent, initiative and creativity and damage the health of individuals, both physically and psychologically. This books helps readers to recognize the problems created by the suppression of difference and what individuals and organizations can do to truly foster authenticity.” —David Mura, author of The Stories Whiteness Tells Itself: Racial Myths and Our American Narratives

Jodi-Ann Burey is a conduit, a companion, and a storyteller who uses her own personal explorations as beacons to guide us toward the fullest version of our collective selves regardless of who we are expected to be outside of the scope of our own lived experiences. In these explorations she is not offering hope. She offers kinship built upon the central idea that acknowledges our full, authentic selves still exist despite having to be buried. In this open and honest reflection, Burey places in our hands the tools to excavate these selves and bring their fullness to the surface.”
—Athena Dixon, author of The Loneliness Files