Always Looking Up
A podcast dedicated to telling honest and real stories about living in a world that was not necessarily designed for us.
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Liz Gutman On Enhancing The Content We Consume
05/13/2025
Liz Gutman On Enhancing The Content We Consume
In this week’s episode I sat down with Liz Gutman. Liz is the Head Audio Description Writer at International Digital Centre in New York City. She has written award-winning AD for 850+ hours of movies and TV, and proudly works as an instructor with Audio Description Training Retreats. We discuss making and creating content that is digitally accessible, how she explains and defines access f*ckery and much, much more. Editor’s Note: This episode was recorded back in August of 2024 as a collaboration with her podcast, also titled Access F*ckery, so tuned for that conversation which is coming soon, link in show notes. Join The Patreon: Click Listen To Access F*ckery: Follow Liz: Instagram: Website: Follow Me: Instagram: , TikTok: Website: Email: Read With Me: Relief For Disabled People Impacted By The Los Angeles Fires: The Partnership For Inclusive Disaster Strategies: Richard Devylder Disaster Relief Fund: United Spinal Disaster Relief Grant: Inevitable Foundation Emergency Relief Fund: This episode was edited and produced by Ben Curwin
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Kirsten Ferguson On Starting Her Healing Journey To Finishing The NYC Marathon
05/13/2025
Kirsten Ferguson On Starting Her Healing Journey To Finishing The NYC Marathon
In celebration of May being Mental Health Awareness Month I am honored to have sat down with Kirsten Ferguson. A successful career woman turned Peloton fitness instructor, Kirsten wholeheartedly embraces the changes that life brings. After seven years of working with the NFL, she shifted her focus to family. Her journey to motherhood was not easy, and fitness helped Kirsten strengthen her body and soul during difficult times. She is now the proud mother of two beautiful daughters and uses her life experiences to fuel her deeply inspiring workouts. We discuss how she came to Peloton (and how Peloton came to her), how she makes the time and space for her mental health, becoming a runner and then empowering others to follow in her footsteps, her journey from hip surgery to running the New York City Marathon, and much, much more. Join The Patreon: Click Follow Kirsten: Instagram: TikTok: Follow Me: Instagram: , TikTok: Website: Email: Read With Me: Relief For Disabled People Impacted By The Los Angeles Fires: The Partnership For Inclusive Disaster Strategies: Richard Devylder Disaster Relief Fund: United Spinal Disaster Relief Grant: Inevitable Foundation Emergency Relief Fund: This episode was edited and produced by Ben Curwin
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Peet Montzingo On Growing Up Average-Height In A Little Person World
04/28/2025
Peet Montzingo On Growing Up Average-Height In A Little Person World
In this week’s episode I sat down with Peet Montzingo. Peet Montzingo is one of the top social media content creators who has over 21.5M subscribers on his YouTube channel, 14.2M followers on his TikTok, and 3.1M followers on his Instagram. Known for his comedic videos that feature his family and daily life, his content also dabbles in the supernatural, where he formerly lived across the street from the infamous Cecil Hotel and documented its strange occurrences. Aside from being a star on social media, Peet is an accomplished singer/song writer, model, and the author of Little Imperfections: A Tall Tale of Growing Up Different. We discuss his experience growing up in a space that was not designed for him, who society will actually listen to when talking about disability issues, average-height allyship in a little person world, and much, much more. Join The Patreon: Click Follow Peet: TikTok: YouTube: Instagram: Spotify: Follow Me: Instagram: , TikTok: Website: Email: Read With Me: Relief For Disabled People Impacted By The Los Angeles Fires: The Partnership For Inclusive Disaster Strategies: Richard Devylder Disaster Relief Fund: United Spinal Disaster Relief Grant: Inevitable Foundation Emergency Relief Fund: This episode was edited and produced by Ben Curwin
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Keah Brown On Being Unapologetically Herself
04/27/2025
Keah Brown On Being Unapologetically Herself
In this week’s episode I sat down with Keah Brown. Keah is an award winning journalist, author, and screenwriter. Her work on disability, identity, and pop culture has appeared in Town & Country Magazine, Teen Vogue, Elle, The LA Times, Marie Claire UK, And The New York Times, among other publications. We discuss the connection between disability and celebrity, not having time for imposter syndrome, the pressure of writing an acknowledgements page and much, much more. Join The Patreon: Click Follow Keah: Instagram: TikTok: Website: Follow Me: Instagram: , TikTok: Website: Email: Read With Me: Relief For Disabled People Impacted By The Los Angeles Fires: The Partnership For Inclusive Disaster Strategies: Richard Devylder Disaster Relief Fund: United Spinal Disaster Relief Grant: Inevitable Foundation Emergency Relief Fund: This episode was edited and produced by Ben Curwin
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Anna Pakman, Margo Gignac and James Ian On Emergency Plan And Raising Awareness On The Realities Of Being Disabled In Times Of Disaster
04/17/2025
Anna Pakman, Margo Gignac and James Ian On Emergency Plan And Raising Awareness On The Realities Of Being Disabled In Times Of Disaster
In this episode I sat down with Anna Pakman, Margo Gignac and James Ian, the writer/director and stars of Emergency Plan, a new short film for the Easterseals Disability Film Challenge. Emergency Plan stars Margo and James as a disabled couple forced to send their young son out alone after a catastrophic East Coast earthquake — when it becomes clear no one is coming to help them evacuate. Ali Stroker voices the radio anchor whose warnings grow increasingly urgent as the crisis unfolds. We discuss the making of the film, the real-world inspiration and reason for telling this story, how systems fail disabled people during disasters and much more. Join The Patreon: Click Watch Emergency Plan: Follow Anna: Instagram: Follow Margo: Instagram: Follow James: Instagram: The Partnership For Inclusive Disaster Strategies: Learn More About The Easterseals Disability Film Challenge: Website: YouTube: Instagram: Follow Me: Instagram: , TikTok: Website: Email: Read With Me: Relief For Disabled People Impacted By The Los Angeles Fires: Richard Devylder Disaster Relief Fund: United Spinal Disaster Relief Grant: Inevitable Foundation Emergency Relief Fund: This episode was edited and produced by Ben Curwin
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Rachel Handler On Saving Her Creative Heart And Embracing Our Stories
04/15/2025
Rachel Handler On Saving Her Creative Heart And Embracing Our Stories
In this episode I sat down with Rachel Handler. Rachel is a filmmaker and actor known for her stint as Peg Leg Doris on AMC’s “Interview With the Vampire” and her award-winning Slamdance films “Committed” and “HOW MUCH AM I WORTH?” We discuss the magic of theater and storytelling, her creative processes as both an actor and a writer, the importance of something like the Easterseals Disability Film Challenge for disabled artists and creatives and much, much more. Join The Patreon: Click Follow Rachel: Instagram: YouTube: Website: Watch DON'T TAKE THIS THE WRONG WAY: Click Learn More About The Easterseals Disability Film Challenge: Website: YouTube: Instagram: Follow Me: Instagram: , TikTok: Website: Email: Read With Me: Relief For Disabled People Impacted By The Los Angeles Fires: Richard Devylder Disaster Relief Fund: United Spinal Disaster Relief Grant: Inevitable Foundation Emergency Relief Fund: This episode was edited and produced by Ben Curwin
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Mariadeliz Santiago On The Beauty Industry And Disability
04/14/2025
Mariadeliz Santiago On The Beauty Industry And Disability
In this week’s episode I sat down with Mariadeliz Santiago. Maria is a NYC-based disabled content creator, speaker, and advocate who uses her platform to champion authentic representation and accessibility in media. As a Latina with an upper limb difference and chronic conditions like Wolff-Parkinson-White syndrome and new daily persistent headache (NDPH), she creates impactful content that bridges beauty, lifestyle, and disability awareness. With a growing and engaged audience, Maria partners with inclusive brands to tell meaningful stories, and regularly speaks on the importance of disability visibility, intersectionality, and inclusive marketing. We discuss the rise and importance of adaptive beauty, how she uses make-up as a palette to show her creativity and express herself, beauty brands that are truly doing it right and much, much more. Join The Patreon: Click Follow Maria: Instagram: TikTok: Follow Me: Instagram: , TikTok: Website: Email: Read With Me: Relief For Disabled People Impacted By The Los Angeles Fires: Richard Devylder Disaster Relief Fund: United Spinal Disaster Relief Grant: Inevitable Foundation Emergency Relief Fund: This episode was edited and produced by Ben Curwin
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Makenzie Morgan Gomez On Dancing (Disabled) Through Life
04/07/2025
Makenzie Morgan Gomez On Dancing (Disabled) Through Life
In this week’s episode I sat down with Makenzie Morgan Gomez. Mackenzie is a Mexican-American, queer, dynamically disabled performer based in Brooklyn, NY. She is a member of Actors' Equity Association and recently made her Off-Broadway debut starring as Libby in Neil Simon's I Ought To Be In Pictures at Theatre Row, where she used both a cane and a manual wheelchair on stage. We discuss going against society’s expectations of disability, how disability representation should not be limited, question what it means to maintain the integrity of a piece of art and much more. Join The Patreon: Click Follow Makenzie: Instagram: TikTok: YouTube: Website: Creative Adaptations: Follow Me: Instagram: , TikTok: Website: Email: Read With Me: Relief For Disabled People Impacted By The Los Angeles Fires: Richard Devylder Disaster Relief Fund: United Spinal Disaster Relief Grant: Inevitable Foundation Emergency Relief Fund: This episode was edited and produced by Ben Curwin
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Mark Povinelli On The Return Of Benjamin Lay
03/31/2025
Mark Povinelli On The Return Of Benjamin Lay
In this week’s episode I sat down with Mark Povinelli. Mark is an activist as well as an actor on stage and screen. He is currently portraying Benjamin Lay, shepherd, sailor, revolutionary, the British Empire's first revolutionary abolitionist, and someone whose story for too long has not been told, in the Off-Broadway production of The Return of Benjamin Lay. We discuss who Benjamin Lay was, how this show came to be, the importance of telling this story at this time, much more. Join The Patreon: Click Get your tickets to see The Return Of Benjamin Lay (Use the discount code"LPA"): Follow The Return Of Benjamin Lay Play: Instagram: Follow Mark: Instagram: IMDb: Follow Me: Instagram: , TikTok: Website: Email: Read With Me: Relief For Disabled People Impacted By The Los Angeles Fires: Richard Devylder Disaster Relief Fund: United Spinal Disaster Relief Grant: Inevitable Foundation Emergency Relief Fund: This episode was edited and produced by Ben Curwin
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Rachel Wherley, Erin Elswood and Shelby Holloway On Mascots Matter And Calling For An End Of Discriminatory Disability Mascots
03/24/2025
Rachel Wherley, Erin Elswood and Shelby Holloway On Mascots Matter And Calling For An End Of Discriminatory Disability Mascots
In this week’s episode I sat down with Rachel Wherley, Erin Elswood, and Shelby Holloway, the co-directors of the Mascots Matter campaign. Mascots Matter is an independent grassroots advocacy initiative calling for the retirement of offensive disability mascots. We discuss the origins of the “m” slur and its continued, harmful use through to present day, the founding of Mascots Matter and its advocacy efforts thus far, why discriminatory disability mascots are not just a local issue and much more. For reference, this conversation was recorded on March 18, 2025. Also, the “m”-slur will be used in context when explaining it as a slur as well as referring to these mascots. It is important to note that neither myself nor my guests condone the use of this word nor is it a part of our vocabularies. Follow And Support Mascots Matter: Website: Donate Instagram: Facebook: Follow Rachel: Instagram: TikTok: Follow Erin: Instagram: Follow Shelby: Instagram: TikTok: Follow Me: Instagram: , TikTok: Website: Email: Read With Me: This episode was edited and produced by Ben Curwin
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Jillian Curwin And Felicia Gans On Turning 30, What We've Lost, What We've Gained, And What's Next
03/17/2025
Jillian Curwin And Felicia Gans On Turning 30, What We've Lost, What We've Gained, And What's Next
In this week’s episode I sat down with Felicia Gans Sobey. Felicia is a deputy editor of content strategy at The Philadelphia Inquirer. She is also a retired theater kid, an avid watcher of 90s/early 2000s TV, a Kindle obsessive, a dark chocolate lover, and a longtime friend of yours truly. As we are two Pisces girls turning 30, celebrating a friendship that has lasted half our lives thus far, I invited Felicia to ask and answer more audience questions about turning a decade older and much, much more. TW: Mentions Of Pregnancy Loss Relief For Disabled People Impacted By The Los Angeles Fires: Richard Devylder Disaster Relief Fund: United Spinal Disaster Relief Grant: Inevitable Foundation Emergency Relief Fund: Follow Felicia: Follow Me: Instagram: , TikTok: Website: Email: Read With Me: This episode was edited and produced by Ben Curwin
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Melanie Waldman On Finding Comfort In Being Yourself
03/10/2025
Melanie Waldman On Finding Comfort In Being Yourself
In this week’s episode I sat down with Melanie Waldman. Melanie is a multi-award-winning filmmaker with the Easterseals Disability Film Challenge, a member of SAG-AFTRA, an on-air talent member at QVC, host of the Disability Reality Podcast (which, yours truly, will be making an appearance on very soon talking all things on Bravo), and she STILL somehow finds time to teach adaptive yoga to the disability community & beyond! We discuss disability as a collective and the healing power of connection within, turning adversity into joy, the opportunities that arise from authenticity and much, much more. Relief For Disabled People Impacted By The Los Angeles Fires: Richard Devylder Disaster Relief Fund: United Spinal Disaster Relief Grant: Inevitable Foundation Emergency Relief Fund: Follow Melanie: Instagram: TikTok: Listen to : Follow Me: Instagram: , TikTok: Website: Email: Read With Me: This episode was edited and produced by Ben Curwin
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Eliza Orlins On Pushing For Change Within The System
03/03/2025
Eliza Orlins On Pushing For Change Within The System
For context, this episode was recorded on February 19, 2025. In this week’s episode I sat down with Eliza Orlins. Eliza Orlins is a career public defender who has represented close to 4000 people charged with crimes in Manhattan over the last 13+ years. She’s an outspoken advocate and can be found raging against injustice on her social media platforms. We discuss the misunderstandings and misrepresentations of the criminal legal system, the ways in which the system and how it is designed impacts those in marginalized communities including persons with disabilities, how she is pushing for change within the system as an advocate and as an activist, and much, much more. Relief For Disabled People Impacted By The Los Angeles Fires: Richard Devylder Disaster Relief Fund: United Spinal Disaster Relief Grant: Inevitable Foundation Emergency Relief Fund: Follow Eliza: Instagram: TikTok: Substack: Follow Me: Instagram: , TikTok: Website: Email: Read With Me: This episode was edited and produced by Ben Curwin
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Jillian Curwin On Turning 30 And Healing In A World Not Necessarily Designed For Me
02/24/2025
Jillian Curwin On Turning 30 And Healing In A World Not Necessarily Designed For Me
In this week’s episode it is just me and the microphone as I sit down to answer your questions about my ongoing surgery recovery journey, healing in a world that was not necessarily designed for me, ending the chapter that was my twenties and preparing to enter the chapter that will be my thirties. Relief For Disabled People Impacted By The Los Angeles Fires: Richard Devylder Disaster Relief Fund: United Spinal Disaster Relief Grant: Inevitable Foundation Emergency Relief Fund: Follow Me: Instagram: , TikTok: Website: Email: Read With Me: This episode was edited and produced by Ben Curwin
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Allison E. Lang On The Beauty Of Disabled Bodies
02/17/2025
Allison E. Lang On The Beauty Of Disabled Bodies
In this week’s episode I sat down with Allison Lang. Allison is a content creator, speaker, model, and a medal-winning Paralympian, having just competed in the 2024 Paralympics on Team Canada’s seated volleyball team. Her advocacy focuses on self love and body acceptance with the hope of helping others who may be on a similar journey. We discuss connecting with authentic stories, what can happen when you feel seen and heard by a brand, being inspired by our accomplishments, not our existence, and much, much more. Learn more about and support the Mascots Matter Campaign using the link here: Relief For Disabled People Impacted By The Los Angeles Fires: Richard Devylder Disaster Relief Fund: United Spinal Disaster Relief Grant: Inevitable Foundation Emergency Relief Fund: Follow Allison: Instagram: TikTok: YouTube: Website: Follow Me: Instagram: , TikTok: Website: Email: Read With Me: This episode was edited and produced by Ben Curwin
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Chuck Aoki On Wheelchair Rugby And Changing How The World Watches Para Sports
02/10/2025
Chuck Aoki On Wheelchair Rugby And Changing How The World Watches Para Sports
In this week’s episode I sat down with Chuck Aoki. Chuck is an American wheelchair rugby, aka “murder ball” player, a 4-time Paralympic medalist and one of the most recognized and decorated athletes in the sport both on the court and off. He is also one of the co-founders of Culxtured, a media collective that is changing the ways in which the world views para sport. We discuss the evolution of wheelchair rugby and how he found the sport, the timelines it takes to become a Paralympian compared to an Olympian, how the Paralympics have evolved in regards to media coverage, brand development and partnerships and much, much more. Learn more about and support the Mascots Matter Campaign using the link here: Relief For Disabled People Impacted By The Los Angeles Fires: Richard Devylder Disaster Relief Fund: United Spinal Disaster Relief Grant: Inevitable Foundation Emergency Relief Fund: Follow Chuck: Instagram: TikTok: Follow Culxtured: Instagram: TikTok: Website: Follow Me: Instagram: , TikTok: Website: Email: Read With Me: This episode was edited and produced by Ben Curwin
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Violet On The Weight Of Words When Said Behind A Podium Or A Desk
02/06/2025
Violet On The Weight Of Words When Said Behind A Podium Or A Desk
In this episode I sat down with Violet aka hi its vi. Violet is a disability advocate, filmmaker, and content creator with almost 100 thousand followers on TikTok. Violet’s advocacy focuses on the representation of people with dwarfism in the media. For context, we recorded this episode on February 3rd following remarks made by the President and the media about people with dwarfism. This is a conversation unpacking how society perceives, acts toward, and talks about people with dwarfism as well as the relationship between disability organizations and politics. Trigger warning for harmful rhetoric. Relief For Disabled People Impacted By The Los Angeles Fires: Richard Devylder Disaster Relief Fund: United Spinal Disaster Relief Grant: Inevitable Foundation Emergency Relief Fund: Follow Violet: TikTok: Instagram: Follow Me: Instagram: , TikTok: Website: Email: Read With Me: This episode was edited and produced by Ben Curwin
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Adam Ayers On The Wins That Happen On A Level Playing Field
02/03/2025
Adam Ayers On The Wins That Happen On A Level Playing Field
In this week’s episode I sat down with Adam Ayers. Adam is the current president of the Dwarf Athletic Association of America, also known as DAAA. DAAA is a non-profit organization that provides athletic opportunities for people of short stature. The organization consists of a core Board of Directors who are supported by volunteers and philanthropic contributors. We discuss how DAAA has evolved since its founding in 1985, what happens behind the scenes to make the games accessible and successful, the magic of DAAA and much, much more. Learn more about and support the Mascots Matter Campaign using the link here: Relief For Disabled People Impacted By The Los Angeles Fires: Richard Devylder Disaster Relief Fund: United Spinal Disaster Relief Grant: Inevitable Foundation Emergency Relief Fund: Follow DAAA: Instagram: Website: Email: Follow Me: Instagram: , TikTok: Website: Email: Read With Me: This episode was edited and produced by Ben Curwin
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Keely Cat-Wells On Making Investments And Making Space For Disability
01/27/2025
Keely Cat-Wells On Making Investments And Making Space For Disability
In this week’s episode I sat down with Keely Cat-Wells. Keely, a Forbes 30 Under 30 honoree and Presidential Leadership Scholar, has been a dedicated advocate for disability rights since becoming Disabled in her teens. She is the CEO of Making Space, a talent acquisition and learning platform and co-founded Making Space Media, producing content that centers Disabled voices. We discuss investing in disability, the success of creating pipelines to companies such as NBC, Indeed, and Hello Sunshine, making outer space accessible and much, much more. This episode was recorded before the LA fires. Learn more about and support the Mascots Matter Campaign using the link here: Relief For Disabled People Impacted By The Los Angeles Fires: Richard Devylder Disaster Relief Fund: United Spinal Disaster Relief Grant: Inevitable Foundation Emergency Relief Fund: Follow Keely: Instagram: LinkedIn: Website: Follow Making Space and Making Space Media: Instagram: , Website: Follow Me: Instagram: , TikTok: Website: Email: Read With Me: This episode was edited and produced by Ben Curwin
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Julia Métraux On Media Literacy And Disability
01/21/2025
Julia Métraux On Media Literacy And Disability
In this week’s episode I sat down with Julia Métraux. Julia is Mother Jones' disability reporter, where she covers disability, chronic illness and mental health as it relates to politics. Her experience is influenced by her lived experience with vasculitis, a TBI, ME/CFS and hearing loss. We discuss what it means to be a disability reporter, how reporting on disability has evolved over time, issues and stories she is looking out for in the upcoming administration and much, much more. Follow Julia: Instagram: BlueSky: Newsletter: Website: Mother Jones: Mentioned Articles: Relief For Disabled People Impacted By The Los Angeles Fires: Richard Devylder Disaster Relief Fund: United Spinal Disaster Relief Grant: Inevitable Foundation Emergency Relief Fund: Follow Me: Instagram: , TikTok: Website: Email: Read With Me: This episode was edited and produced by Ben Curwin
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Jillian Curwin On What It Means To Be Healing
01/13/2025
Jillian Curwin On What It Means To Be Healing
In this week's episode it is just me and the microphone. After my most recent doctor's appointment last week (week of 1/6/2025) I wanted to sit down and update you all on how I'm doing, how I'm feeling, my frustrations, my hopes, my growth, my pain...all of it. Relief For Disabled People Impacted By The Los Angeles Fires: Richard Devylder Disaster Relief Fund: United Spinal Disaster Relief Grant: Inevitable Foundation Emergency Relief Fund: Follow Me: Instagram: , TikTok: Website: Email: Read With Me: This episode was edited and produced by Ben Curwin
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Marissa Bode On Nessarose, Making History, And The Magical, Accessible World Of Wicked
01/06/2025
Marissa Bode On Nessarose, Making History, And The Magical, Accessible World Of Wicked
In this week’s episode I sat down with Marissa Bode. Marissa is an artist and actor who made history in her feature-film debut as Nessarose in the film Wicked, being the first actor that is also a wheelchair user to play the part. We discuss her audition process, what Nessa means to her, the importance of seeing disabled characters authentically portrayed on screen and stage and much, much more. And yes, there will be spoilers. Follow Marissa: Instagram: TikTok: YouTube: Relief For Disabled People Impacted By The Los Angeles Fires: Richard Devylder Disaster Relief Fund: United Spinal Disaster Relief Grant: Inevitable Foundation Emergency Relief Fund: Follow Me: Instagram: , TikTok: Website: Email: Read With Me: This episode was edited and produced by Ben Curwin
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Jillian Curwin On My Surgery Recovery Journey So Far
12/11/2024
Jillian Curwin On My Surgery Recovery Journey So Far
I'm back! After a brief hiatus I am back on the microphone to catch you all up on what has happened in the too many minutes that we've been apart. I share how my recovery has been going, talking about the ups, the downs, the moments of joy, of frustration, and everything in between, before sharing what my plans are for the future of Always Looking Up as we head into the new year. Follow Me: Instagram: , TikTok: Website: Email: Read With Me: This episode was edited and produced by Ben Curwin
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Ariella Elm On The Disabled Vote
09/30/2024
Ariella Elm On The Disabled Vote
In this special episode Jillian sat down with Ariella Elm. Ariella is a content creator on TikTok who covers politics, local and global news. With Election Day just around the corner we discuss voting and accessibility and making sure that disabled voices are heard and disabled votes are counted. Election Resources: Follow Ariella: TikTok: Instagram: Threads: Twitter/X: YouTube: Substack: Follow Me: Instagram: , TikTok: Website: Email: Read With Me: This episode was edited and produced by Ben Curwin
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Jillian Curwin With A Little Life Update
09/27/2024
Jillian Curwin With A Little Life Update
In this special episode it is just me and the microphone as I share a little life update as I will be having surgery in the matter of days which means the podcast will be on a bit of hiatus. I then discuss what it has been like to live and exist in my body during this time, the impact it has had on my physical, mental, emotional, and social health before looking ahead to the future, talking about what I'm looking forward to and working towards. Follow Me: Instagram: , TikTok: Website: Email: Read With Me: This episode was edited and produced by Ben Curwin
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Madison Lawson On How Perceptions Shape Our Realities
09/23/2024
Madison Lawson On How Perceptions Shape Our Realities
In this week’s episode I sat down with Madison Lawson. Madison is a journalist, model and disability rights activist. Recognizing the importance of authentic representation in media from a young age, Madison strives to bring light to the disabled experience and to create a world that is more equitable for the next generation of disabled people. We discuss the relationship between history and accessibility, how perceptions perpetuate behaviors, the realities of simply existing as a disabled person and much, much more. Follow Madi: Instagram: Watch Madison Share Her Story Follow Me: Instagram: , TikTok: Website: Email: This episode was edited and produced by Ben Curwin.
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April Lockhart On Normalizing Disability In The Fashion Industry
09/16/2024
April Lockhart On Normalizing Disability In The Fashion Industry
In this week’s episode I sat down with April Lockhart. April, coined the Internet's "Disabled Fashion Girlie", has become a pioneer in the disabled community through her online fashion content. Her approach to vulnerable storytelling about her limb difference online has amassed millions of views and empowered many within the disabled community to express themselves through style. With September being Fashion Month here in New York City we discuss all things fashion from shopping for clothes as disabled women to, as she puts it, normalising disability in the fashion industry, much, much more. Follow April: Instagram: TikTok: YouTube: Follow Me: Instagram: , TikTok: Website: Email: This episode was edited and produced by Ben Curwin.
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Steven Verdile On The Squeaky Wheel And Building A Community Through Laughter
09/09/2024
Steven Verdile On The Squeaky Wheel And Building A Community Through Laughter
In this week’s episode I sat down with Steven Verdile. Steven is the founder of Squeaky Wheel Media, a nonprofit organization that empowers disabled writers to use humor to combat ableism, and the first-ever satire publication focused on disability. We discuss the ways in which traditional comedy spaces are inaccessible, why it was so important to build a team of writers with voices that are authentic and genuine, how The Squeaky Wheel consistently finds the right balance of laughter and reality, and much, much more. Follow Steven: Instagram: Twitter: Website: Follow The Squeaky Wheel: Instagram: Website: Facebook: Follow Me: Instagram: , TikTok: Website: Email: This episode was edited and produced by Ben Curwin.
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Sophia Herzog Gibb On Why Everyone Is Watching The Paralympics
09/03/2024
Sophia Herzog Gibb On Why Everyone Is Watching The Paralympics
In this week’s episode I sat down with Sophia Herzog Gibb. Sophia is a two-time medal-winning Paralympian, having competed as a swimmer in the 2016 and 2020 Paralympic Games in Rio and Tokyo. She is now joining NBC as a contributor covering the 2024 Paralympic Games in Paris. We discuss the excitement and media coverage surrounding this year's Paralympics, important language you need to know, how she prepared to take on this role, what it means to her to be the first little person commentator at NBC, and much, much more. Follow Sophia: Instagram: Twitter: Follow Team USA: Instagram: TikTok: Twitter/X: YouTube: Website: Follow Me: Instagram: , TikTok: Website: Email: This episode was edited and produced by Ben Curwin.
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Tiffany Yu On Creating A Must-Have Community
08/26/2024
Tiffany Yu On Creating A Must-Have Community
In this week’s episode I sat down with Tiffany Yu. Tiffany is the CEO & Founder of Diversability, an award-winning social enterprise to elevate disability pride, the Founder of the Awesome Foundation Disability Chapter, and the author of The Anti-Ableist Manifesto: Smashing Stereotypes, Forging Change, and Building a Disability-Inclusive World. We discuss the creation and evolution of Diversability, the work that happens in community and solidarity, being an amplifier of other disabled voices and much, much more. Follow Tiffany: Instagram: Twitter: LinkedIn: TikTok: Website: Buy The Anti-Ableist Manifesto: Follow Me: Instagram: , TikTok: Website: Email: This episode was edited and produced by Ben Curwin.
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