Originally from New Zealand, Phoenix is still a true-blue Kiwi at heart, although America has successfully converted her to free refills and an unreasonable enthusiasm for constitutional rights. Growing up in a deeply secular, left-leaning culture taught her early that ideas have a habit of growing legs, entering politics, and rearranging society. That experience gave her a lasting interest in the ideas beneath our politics and culture, and what happens when nobody bothers to examine them.

After earning a degree in Film and Television in New Zealand, Phoenix married her American husband and began the very impractical adventure of building a life across two countries and one very large ocean. Many years of marriage, four children, and several pugs later, life has included international moves, raising children with special needs, and building a family an ocean away from the one she grew up with.

Now based in North Carolina, Phoenix has a deep appreciation for America, not because she thinks it’s perfect, but because she believes its founding principles are historically remarkable, increasingly rare, and worth preserving.