Disability Reality Podcast

A couple of disabled-Aries-baddies walk into a podcast... and OH, how they ATE . Our guest in our 9th episode is the iconic Grammy nominated artist, named Lachi * (yes, like Versace ) Host Melanie Rivera Waldman interviews Lachi, a Grammy-nominated recording artist, advocate, and founder of Ramp’d, an organization supporting music professionals with disabilities. They discuss Lachi's journey w...

In episode 8, "oh what a celebration, we'll have today!" we're joined one of our favorite fellow disabled-Jersey-Girls", Jillian Ilana Curwin for another "clock tick" on the show. "Thank Goodness!" Breakdown: Jill joins host Melanie Rivera Waldman, as they explore themes of disability representation in media, personal journeys, and the dynamics of reality TV. They discuss the importance of authent...

FULL SHOW NOTES, COMING SOON - Please welcome my dear friend Emily Ladau , who honestly felt like a warm and cozy cup of activist self-care. I, who also happens to be a killer-advocate for Disability rights, as well as the author of one of my (non-biased but) absolute favorite books on the subject: "Demystifying Disability: What to Know, What to Say, and How to be an Ally." Our episode begins with...

To make a generous donation in honor of my “Nub-Mitzvah-Project” 12th alive day, here are the links to the organizations that you can donate to: Lucky Fin Projec t https://www.paypal.com/donate?token=l_FTChWGfw3FX4_7VKLOacCDZj085DBvihrS-QiTre-15qyOnaopPFhLlzVZu7Oj9IfyH7EupTR7aRe7 AAPD American Association for Person with disabilities https://secure.everyaction.com/Yc3t1__vREStfq6WbSGV5w2

Rounding out July 2025's Disability Pride Month with an absolute BANG is the one and only Grammy Recording Academy member (and friend of the podcast) Austin Halls . TRUST that this episode is nothing but the most joyous of ALL joys.  Share in the laughter, love, and knowledge DROPPED along Austin’s incredible career journey and how both the one and only Lachi @rampd_up and even Gavin Degraw &#...

Summary In this episode of the Disability Reality Podcast, host Melanie Waldman speaks with Danny Kurtzman about his feature film 'Good Bad Things.' They discuss the film's impact on the disability community, the importance of authentic representation in media, and the collaborative process of filmmaking. Danny shares his personal journey in the film industry, the significance of community support...

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SummaryIn this episode of "Disability Reality", host Melanie Waldman introduces Daisy Friedman, a young filmmaker whose short film 'Unholy' explores the intersection of disability and Jewish identity. As they discuss the film, Daisy shares her personal journey as a triple organ transplant recipient and the complexities of family dynamics surrounding her disability. The conversation delves into the...

Summary In this episode of the Disability Reality Podcast, host Melanie Waldman shares her personal experiences with disability, health challenges, and the impact of reality TV on her life.  Joined by guest Jillian (Ilana) Curwin, they discuss the representation of disability in media, particularly in reality TV--focusing in on their favorite Bravo shows--and how these portrayals affect public per...

To donate to the Eaton Fires, visit: https://linktr.ee/eatonfire Jillian Mercado ( she/her) shares her journey from the fashion industry to acting, particularly her role in The L Word . She discusses the importance of representation for disabled and queer individuals in media, her personal connection to her character, and the impact of her experiences on her identity. The discussion also touches o...

In this engaging conversation, the indelible Steve Way ("Ramy" on Hulu) and host Melanie Waldman (QVC, "Goliath" on Amazon Prime) explore a variety of topics ranging from personal experiences and reflections on disability, to their journeys in the entertainment industry. They discuss the importance of representation in media, share memories from theater and Broadway, and delve into their coping me...

Welcome one and all to Disability Reality Podcast aka Spilling the #DisTea . Here's where we'll cover everything from pop-culture- to spicier subjects! This podcast is not rated for children, or teens, or even non-disableds. Disabled supervision is advised! Interested in becoming a Substack Producer? Subscribe Here: https://substack.com/@disabilityreality Youtube https://www.youtube.com/channel/UC...