ARTICLES

Read Tamara's Travel & Food Publications

The Pleasure of Decaf Coffee

Want to listen to the article? Great–listen here! This is One Thing, a column with tips on how to live. I didn’t drink caffeine for the...

Holy Food by Christina Ward

Want to listen to the article? Great–listen here! Tamara MC, former cult member, interviews Christina Ward about Holy Food: How Cults, Commune, and Religious Movements...

I'm a member of:

Travel Organization

I’ve traveled to 77 countries, mostly solo and/or with children, and I’ve published articles/essays in 60+ outlets including the New York Times, New York Magazine, Newsweek, Business Insider, and Salon.

I also have a Ph.D. in the Social Sciences, in Applied Linguistics, where I studied 7+ languages. I am a Middle East and North Africa scholar, and my Ph.D. research focuses on language, culture, and identity in the Middle East and beyond. I use anthropological/ethnographic methods in my writing, including my travel writing. I like to dive deep and move beyond the listicle (though a fun listicle is also great!)

My greatest qualities are my curiosity and fascination with the world— I love learning about people and places while meeting new friends along the way.

My travel specialties and interests:

🩷 Solo female
🩷 Empty Nester/Gen Xer
🩷 Girls’ getaways
🩷 Pink/feminine/girly
🩷 Quirky/fun/unique/colorful
🩷 Luxury/extraordinary/sparkly experiences
🩷 Vegetarian/vegan/animals/environment/outdoorsy
🩷 Alcohol-free
🩷 Decaf coffee fanatic
🩷 Slow/low adventure (nothing too fast or too high)
🩷 Water/beaches/cruising
🩷 Glamping
🩷 History/Music/Art
🩷 Social activism/investigative journalism/complex histories
🩷 Profiles 🩷 Searching for unicorns

 

I live in the desert Southwest🌵and am a Cancer, so I’m always seeking water wherever I go— be it a beach, lake, waterfall, stream… you name it. 🏖️

Fun fact: I own an ambulance I converted into a camper van. I named her “Glambulance” because she’s the prettiest darn ambulance you'll ever see. So, anything sparkly, glittery, glammy is my thang. ✨

Dr. Tamara MC's a Contributor to Over 60 Outlets

What do others have to say about Dr. Tamara MC?
What do others have to say about Dr. Tamara MC?

Support Me & My Unicorn Pup

An image with the saying, "My Unicorn Terrier, Blazer."

Leave Dr. Tamara MC a tip to support her unicorn mission

Dr. Tamara MC's Wall of Icons

These incredible women have influenced Tamara as mentors from afar.

An image titled, Dr. Tamara MC's Wall of Icons. 70 women are included including Oprah, Ruth Bader, Princess Diana, Lady Gaga, Dolly Parton, Malala, and others.

FAQs

How do you pronounce my name?

My name is pronounced:

“Tamara” like the sun will come out tomorrow.

“MC” like emcee, not McDonalds. 

My students often call me Doc MC, and you can too.

What is a Unicorn Activist?

Someone who believes in the magical strength of all girls, women, and female-identifying humans to live free in matriarchal magnificence.

 

And yes, I did make up this title. 

What's with all the pink? And Unicorns?

Pink is power. Unicorns represents our eternal search for magic. 

You deal with such a heavy topics but your website is so joyful. Why?

Joy is transgressive. Being joyful is activism.

“Joy and pain

Like sunshine and rain”

(From the lyrics of Rob Base.)

You mention girls and women. Are others welcome?

Absolutely!

 

This is an inclusive space, and anyone who supports our mission is welcome.

What's up with the Barbie theme?

I’ve loved Barbie since I was a little girl. She was able to do all the things I dreamed of before I was physically able. 

 

Barbie was my girl way before the movie premiered.

What do cults and unicorns have in common?

Absolutely nothing. That’s exactly why unicorns are the symbol of my brand and my website. Unicorns stand for freedom. 

Is Dr. Tamara MC a coach, counselor, psychologist?

No! She has no training or certificates in these areas, just a lifetime of experience. 

An image with the saying, "May Saguaros be with you."