thebubblepeoplepodcast

Bubble People Podcast

Society EN ↓ 11 episodes

Bubble People is a podcast about disability and the media/Hollywood. 😷 ♿ 🎥. Hosted by Justine Barron. Each episode features disabled guests talking about their lived experiences and the portrayal of disability in a film, TV show, or other media. With rants on ableism. Funded and founded by the late Alice Wong, author and activist. 🎬 Letterboxd reviews: https://letterboxd.com/bubblepeoplepod/ 📝 Transcripts & info: www.bubblepeoplepodcast.com 📱TikTok & Instagram: @bubblepeoplepodcast

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thebubblepeoplepodcast

Episodes

Disability Representation and Access, from Hollywood to Disneyland, with Julia Irzyk 22.04.2026 1:13:28

This week, we are joined by Julia Irzyk, Hollywood talent agent and disability rights attorney. We talk about how the film and television business has grown to accommodated disabled actors. We also discuss the Disney Access pass debacle and what people don't understand about pain killers and chronic pain. @bubblepeoplepod on Instagram and Tiktok Music by Wheelchair Sports Camp Transcript: https:...

"The Golden Girls" was groundbreaking on chronic illness? With Miles Griffis of "The Sick Times" 15.04.2026 53:36

Host Justine Barron welcomes Miles Griffis, editor of "The Sick Times" to talk about those groundbreaking "Golden Girls" on ME/CFS, which were ahead of even OUR time. With rants on conservatorships and Covid caution in some LGBTQ circles. Link to Miles' news outlet: www.thesicktimes.org @bubblepeoplepodcast on Instagram and Tiktok. Music by Wheelchair Sports Camp Link to episode transcript: h...

Is "Unbreakable" an ableist nightmare? With Kalyn Heffernan of Wheelchair Sports Camp 01.04.2026 37:18

Kalyn Heffernan, rap legend from the band Wheelchair Sports Camp, joins host Justine Barron to talk about her run for Denver mayor, making music videos, brittle bone disease, comedy in disability, and their shared antipathy for "Unbreakable." Note: Wheelchair Sports Camp wrote the music that starts and ends the podcast! @bubblepeoplepodcast on Instagram and Tiktok Link to transcript: https://do...

Subtle autism in "Heated Rivalry" with journalists Eric Michael Garcia and Sara Luterman 18.03.2026 49:59

Host Justine Barron is joined by journalists Eric Michael Garcia and Sara Luterman to discuss autistic representation, "Heated Rivalry," Barbie, and more. @bubblepeoplepodcast on Instagram and Tiktok Music by Wheelchair Sports Camp Link to transcript: https://docs.google.com/document/d/1G3syvXUcMYetAU-HvABHGEmUqEVojcfvArPGf2jeNKQ/edit?usp=sharing Link to Sara's story on "Heated Rivalry": http...

"A Christmas Carol" and inspiration porn with journalist Rachel Charlton-Dailey 11.03.2026 47:28

British journalist and author Rachel Charlton-Dailey joins just Justine Barron to discuss the ableist history of Tiny Tim. We also discuss how the print/online media attacks disabled people and what it's like working as a disabled journalist. @bubblepeoplepodcast on Instagram and Tiktok. Music by Wheelchair Sports Camp Transcript: https://docs.google.com/document/d/11HYzmnt4dyVKVCZXHPqamiRXvWfYRI...

Maysoon Zayid walked away from a Hollywood deal that turned her life into caricature 25.02.2026 54:32

Legendary comedian Maysoon Zayid had an ABC deal to develop a sitcom based on her life as a Palestinian woman with cerebral palsy. She walked away rather than let Hollywood turn her vision into racist, ableist, and misogynistic caricature. We also talk accommodations, the disability tax for artists, and being disabled in a war zone. @bubblepeoplepodcast on Instagram and Tiktok Music by Wheelchai...

Imani Barbarin on disability, eugenics, and 'Wicked" 11.02.2026 55:23

Imani Barbarin joins Bubble People host Justine Barron to talk about disability, eugenics, politics, what kinds of disability representation she'd like to see in Hollywood, and Nessa Rose in "Wicked." Recorded in November 2025. @bubblepeoplepodcast on Instagram and TikTok for more content Music by Wheelchair Sports Camp Transcript: https://docs.google.com/document/d/1hlzrofJlgAVcp6jhUQUuiYl3d7GBtJ...

Blindness and Disability in a Kung Fu Classic, with "Burn it Down"'s Kim Brown 04.02.2026 59:58

Kim Brown, host of "Burn it Down with Kim Brown," joins host Justine Barron to talk about vision loss and being dangerous despite disability. We discuss a Kung Fu classic, "Against the Drunken Cat's Paws" (1979), featuring a blind alcoholic woman who can fight. With a bunch of other disabled characters. Did Kung Fu cinema represent disability better than Hollywood today? @bubblepeoplepodcast on I...

Long Covid and vampire movies - "Blade" with Leslie Lee III (RIP) 28.01.2026 58:48

Beloved "Struggle Session" host and Long Covid advocate Leslie Lee III appeared on Bubble People shortly before he passed away, on November 10. We talked about one of his favorite movies, "Blade," and how vampires are coded disabled characters. @bubblepeoplepodcast on Instagram and TikTok for more content Music by Wheelchair Sports Camp Transcript: https://docs.google.com/document/d/19Ye2l6-ytG8...

Author Kristen Lopez and the persistent legacy of "Freaks" (1932) 21.01.2026 59:13

Author Kristen Lopez discusses her new book, "Popcorn Disabilities," and how Hollywood perpetuates ableism, with host Justine Barron. We discuss the 1932 film "Freaks," with its unprecedented inclusion of so many disabled characters (even by today's standards). Also: Ableism rants on Trump's "fitness" for office and disabled seats in movie theaters. @bubblepeoplepodcast on Instagram and TikTok fo...

Welcome to Bubble People 10.01.2026 5:21

An introduction to the Bubble People Podcast, hosted by Justine Barron. Talking disability, Hollywood, and being a bubble person. @bubblepeoplepodcast on Instagram and TikTok for more content Music by Wheelchair Sports Camp Correction: Alice Wong died on November 14, not November 10. Transcript: https://docs.google.com/document/d/1ZOl02Itw7UX2-ewDvAyeCUQOB7NTh7F5/edit?usp=share_link&ouid=1177...