After I Left: Stories of Migration | A Help Me Leave Production

In this episode of After I Left: Stories of Migration, we speak with Max, known online as @MaxNRelax, about his journey from Colorado to Spain as a white autistic trans man living with chronic illness seeking safety, stability, and a future where he will continue supporting his community.Max recently relocated to Spain through a government-sponsored English teaching assistant program, arriving with just two suitcases, his dog, and a deep sense of responsibility to those he left behind. As a licensed social worker, Max brings both professional insight and lived experience to the conversation, offering a grounded and compassionate look at what it means to migrate during a time of political uncertainty.We talk honestly about the emotional aftermath of leaving, the realities behind the “romanticized” version of moving abroad, and what it takes to stay regulated during one of the most intense transitions a person can experience. This episode centers mental health, disability access, and the complex mix of grief, relief, and resilience that follows choosing safety.In This EpisodeDeciding to Leave the United StatesWhy Max’s move to Spain was a long, painful decision rather than an impulsive one.The emotional cost of leaving community, support systems, and familiarity behind.What it means to take a leap of faith when the future feels uncertain.How physical and mental challenges shaped Max’s decision to leave.Fears around access to essential, gender-affirming healthcare in the U.S.The dangers of romanticizing migration without acknowledging privilege, loss, and barriers.Holding compassion for those who remain while building a life elsewhere.How Max qualified for Spain’s language assistant program.Using structured programs as accessible pathways for migration.The after-move crash: emotional and physical exhaustion that can hit weeks after transition.Feeling homesick while still recognizing increased safety.First impressions of daily life and community.How kindness from strangers can make a profound difference during resettlement.Practical grounding techniques for intense emotional periods.Rebuilding routine through simple acts: meeting neighbors, visiting libraries, attending local events.Living with self-doubt after leaving and learning to work through it.How safety and nervous system regulation expand a person’s ability to help others.Exploring weightlifting and physical training within the trans community.Building body confidence and strength.Looking ahead toward gender-affirming surgery and continued healing.TikTok: @MaxNRelaxDisability, Healthcare, and Safety ConcernsFinding a Path to SpainLife in SpainManaging Mental Health Through TransitionWhat’s Next for MaxResources MentionedNALCAP – North American Language and Culture Assistants ProgramA Spanish government program placing language assistants in schools across Spain. Provides part-time work and a monthly stipend. More information available through official Spanish education channels.Follow Max

In this episode of After I Left: Stories of Migration, we welcome back Jey Poston, a trans American asylum seeker, writer, and the Head of Support & Advocacy at Help Me Leave. Last time, Jey shared the story of why he fled the United States and his early experiences seeking asylum in the Netherlands. Today, we go deeper—into the work Jey now does to support Americans navigating political collapse, rising persecution, and the urgent need to find safer futures abroad. Jey leads Help Me Leave’s Support Team, a volunteer-driven group helping people understand their paths of egress, whether through traditional visas, asylum pathways, or crisis support for those who are overwhelmed or in immediate danger. He also heads the research and writing behind the #NoLongerSafe reports - documentation used internationally to show how rapidly conditions are deteriorating for marginalized communities in the U.S.We explore what this work looks like from the inside, how support networks are evolving, and what it means to keep going when the news grows darker each week. And we talk about the #WeRemain initiative - our joint project supporting those who cannot leave, in collaboration with organizations like Lifelines for Liberty.Jey also opens up about navigating his own asylum process while supporting others, what trans and neurodivergent migrants should know, and why he believes understanding the why and how of political collapse is essential to preventing future cycles of harm.In This EpisodeJey’s Path Into AdvocacyHow Jey began bridging the gap between constitutional decisions and the everyday people impacted by them.“I felt like there was a paywall between the basics of how people should interact with their own government.”How that early work evolved into leading the Support Team at Help Me Leave.What the Help Me Leave Support Team Actually DoesHow our teams help people navigate emotional overwhelm, safety planning, and immigration pathways.“Our goal is to get through the emotional and informational overwhelm to help them understand what path of egress will fulfill their needs for safety.”#WeRemain and Supporting Those Who Cannot LeaveWhat the #WeRemain project is, and how it partners with organizations like Lifelines for Liberty.How people can get involved no matter where they live.The Emotional Weight of This WorkWe discuss what it’s like to hold space for people in panic, grief, or crisis.Rising Persecution & the #NoLongerSafe ReportsThe destruction of the East Wing, new passport markers, and escalating milestones in the U.S.Why Jey writes reports on the “why” and “how” of U.S. political collapse - and how these reports are used internationally in asylum cases.“This is the work I will continue to do for the rest of forever.”Advice for People Who Feel Afraid or UnsafeJey’s message for those panicking about conditions in the U.S.:“The United States that we have all known is dead and gone. Whatever comes next will be something new—and hopefully something better.”Why people who find safety must remain involved in #WeRemain and future rebuilding.Jey’s Own Asylum JourneyAn update on where his case stands now.The unique challenges for people who are trans, neurodivergent, OCD, or dissociative navigating asylum systems.“Every single experience is going to be different. For trans people specifically, there is no safest, there is only safer. And the safer is worth it.”Looking Toward the FutureWhat Jey hopes to build next.Where to find his writing, analysis, and updates on political shifts worldwide.Resources MentionedHelp Me LeaveA nonprofit platform supporting people exploring how to leave the United States safely and ethically. Guides, volunteer support teams, and an international community. Access guides and resources at helpmeleave.us.#NoLongerSafe CampaignReports documenting the rising persecution of marginalized communities in the United States and how international asylum systems are responding.

What happens when “the land of the free” is no longer safe? In this episode of After I Left: Stories of Migration, we speak with Jey Poston, a trans American asylum seeker, about what it takes to leave the United States in search of safety abroad.As global politics shift and conditions worsen for marginalized communities in the U.S., more people are asking: How do I immigrate out of America? What are my options if I no longer feel safe here? Jey’s story provides a raw and honest look into the asylum process, life inside an asylum camp, and the complex emotions behind leaving your home country when it turns against you.In This EpisodeHow Jey recognized the warning signs of social and political collapse in the U.S. and what pushed him to take the leap.How Jey’s education in U.S. law and politics gave them insight into how the system fails vulnerable people.What it’s really like to navigate the asylum process while queer, disabled, and neurodivergent.Key considerations for Americans researching immigration alternatives away from the US.How Jey found purpose through advocacy and international solidarity networks. Substack: @JeyHavoc | https://jeyhavoc.substack.com/ TikTok: @Jeyx6+ Resources MentionedHelp Me Leave: A growing resource hup for people exploring how to leave the United States safely. Find guides on over a dozen countries that are welcoming to LGBTQIA+ individuals and connect with others through the Help Me Leave Discord community.Follow Jey Poston:#NoLongerSafe Campaign: Learn about recent asylum policy updates in the Netherlands and Norway, and explore how international asylum frameworks are adapting to global political shifts.https://www.helpmeleave.us/guides-resources