Zander Keig, MSW, LCSW
Zander Keig is an award-winning social worker, public speaker, family caregiver, and leading voice in heterodox well-being.
Heterodox Voice for Well-Being
About Zander
Zander Keig is an award-winning social worker, speaker, and author of The Third Space: A Nonconformist's Guide to the Universe. He is the founder of Third Space Institute, a heterodox well-being platform focused on alignment, dignity, and psychological freedom. His work bridges clinical insight, real-world experience, and heterodox thinking to create frameworks that are both deeply human and practically actionable.
Zander has a unique perspective as a fifty-nine-year-old first-generation American of Mexican heritage (Latino), childhood TBI survivor, and neurodivergent first-generation college graduate with a BA in Interpersonal Communication (1999), MS in Conflict Analysis and Resolution (2003), MTS in Theological Studies (2004), and an MSW in Clinical Social Work (2012) with subject-matter expertise in conflict mitigation, social care, family caregiving, spiritual discernment, and mental fitness.
Zander has been recognized and awarded for his many efforts over the years: 2023 LGBTQIA Caregiver Advocate Award, 2020 NASW Social Worker of the Year, 2020 WPATH Harry Benjamin Distinguished Educator, 2018 CA NASW Social Worker of the Year, 2016 SF CARES Outstanding Social Worker, 24th Annual Lambda Literary Finalist – Transgender Nonfiction, Top 50 Successful Transgender Americans You Should Know, These 48 Trans Women and Men Changed the World, NASW 1000 Experts Campaign, and as an inaugural Trans 100 recipient.
Exciting News!
My NEW book is now available!
It is a must-read guide to exploring the world through a nonconformist lens.
Zander’s Other Books
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Manifest: Transitional Wisdom on Male Privilege
Editors: Megan Rohrer & Zander Keig
A diverse collection of writings about male privilege from a trans male perspective. Evocative, provocative, and informative, this book provides a new lens to explore feminism, gender, and transgender advocacy.
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Manning Up: Transsexual Men on Finding Brotherhood, Family & Themselves
Editors: Zander Keig & Mitch Kellaway
Twenty-seven men who transitioned from female to male discussed their roles as male community members: fathers, sons, brothers, husbands, boyfriends, friends, and mentors.
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Letters For My Brothers: Transitional Wisdom in Retrospect
Editors: Megan Rohrer & Zander Keig
In today's fast-paced world, the Internet can provide quick answers to personal questions. But when an individual raised by society to live, breathe, and look at the world with female eyes transitions to male, some of the most enlightening, helpful, and profound advice can only come in retrospect.
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Letters for My Brothers: Transition Wisdom in Retrospect (Japanese Translation, 2025)
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Adult Transgender Care: An Interdisciplinary Approach for Training Mental Health Professionals
Chapter 12 “Finding Additional Resources” - Co-Authored with Jamison Green, PhD
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You and Your gender Identity: A Guide to Discovery
- Introduction Author
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the GENDER book
- Featured on page 82
Zander’s Films
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Zanderology (2014)
Director: Megan Rohrer
An illustrated documentary about the life of Zander Keig, a man who was paralyzed at 6 years old, put in a mental hospital as a teen, became an undercover drug officer, and is now a social worker for homeless veterans.
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Trans (2012)
Director: Chris Arnold
TRANS provides an up-close and very personal vision into the lives, loves, and challenges of a remarkable cast of characters of all ages and from all walks of life.
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Clocked: An Oral History (2009)
Director: Martin Rawlings-Fein
Clocked is the story of transgender activism and life through personal insights, stories, and reflections on the meaning of community and being trans.
Zander’s Podcasts
The Umbrella Hour
The Umbrella Hour, hosted by Dr. An Goldbauer (clinical sexologist) and Zander Keig (licensed clinical social worker), features insightful, provocative, and inspiring interviews that examine the lives of LGBT people from diverse vantage points.
The Third Space
A place for open minds, deep conversations, and fresh perspectives. Whether you're here for thought-provoking discussions, personal growth, or a new way to see the world, you’ve found your space. Relax, focus, and let’s explore together.
What People Are Saying
[Zander] is an amazing instructor who engages the group in activities and conversations surrounding the topic of instruction. I have found him to be extremely reliable, a self-starter, and empathetic. He truly is a subject matter expert that I will continue to utilize for our company.
— Dr. Tammy Hodo
President at All Things Diverse, LLC
Zander was a pleasure to work with and was such an engaging speaker; even in our fully virtual format, our internal colleagues were so invested in what Zander had to say and how he presented his personal experiences. We really appreciated his willingness to share his personal stories, and also provide some excellent resource recommendations to our colleagues.
— Kaylee Misch, CDP
Diversity, Equity & Inclusion Specialist at Tech Data
Zander has been a wonderful partner and consultant for us at CSAA Insurance Group. His collaboration and input to one of our very important diversity projects was invaluable. Zander provided valuable feedback and insight that made our deliverable even more impactful for our organization- and he delivered ahead of schedule!! We would work with Zander again any time.
— Amy Mijo
Human Resources Manager at CSAA Insurance Group
I met Zander Keig when he was an instructor for WPATH’s first-ever virtual GEI certification workshop. He later became an in-person mentor after moving to Orlando and providing clinical case consultation. Zander is a no-nonsense educator who speaks from both professional and lived experience. A great person to have on your team!
— Stephanie Preston-Hughes
FL Licensed Mental Health Counselor in Private Practice
Third Space Institute
A Heterodox Approach to Well-Being
Third Space Institute is a heterodox well-being platform founded by Zander Keig, MSW, LCSW, dedicated to helping individuals navigate identity, pressure, and modern life without losing connection to themselves.
Rooted in the principles of alignment, dignity, and psychological freedom, the Institute offers a clinically grounded alternative to conventional wellness culture. Rather than promoting performative authenticity or endless adaptation, Third Space Institute explores what it means to remain internally coherent as one moves through complex relationships, systems, and environments.
Through speaking, training, writing, coaching, and thought leadership, the Institute helps people understand:
The psychology of over-adaptation
Identity under pressure
Relational and organizational dynamics
The pursuit of well-being beyond conformity
At the center of the Institute’s work is the belief that well-being is not achieved through perfect self-expression or social approval, but through sustained alignment with self under real-world conditions.
The Institute serves professionals, leaders, clinicians, educators, and individuals seeking a more psychologically precise and intellectually honest approach to human flourishing.
Core Themes
Alignment Under Pressure
Dignity in Real Life
Psychological Freedom
Identity & Systems
Nonconformist Well-Being
Relational Integrity
Founder
Zander Keig is an award-winning social worker, speaker, and author of The Third Space: A Nonconformist's Guide to the Universe. His work bridges clinical insight, real-world experience, and heterodox thinking to create frameworks that are both deeply human and practically actionable.
Third Space Institute
Alignment • Dignity • Psychological Freedom