Everything You Know About Disability Is Wrong

Advocacy is not just about raising awareness; it’s about creating real change. Madison Tevlin is an actor, Host, Model, and Advocate. She is known for her impactful work in the "Assume That I Can" campaign for World Down Syndrome Day and her role in "Champions" alongside Woody Harrelson. Madison shares her wonderful journey and passion for music and storytelling. Madison talks about her upcoming p...

Humor is a bridge to understanding; it transforms conversations about disability into moments of connection. Pamela Schuller is a passionate disability advocate and stand-up comedian. Pamela shares her journey with Tourette syndrome and how humor has helped her tackle tough conversations about disabilities. Pamela opens up about finding the right balance between vulnerability and oversharing, the...

Rachel Lowenstein, Founder and Culture Expert at Rachel Lowenstein Consulting and Divergent Convergent, joins Lily Newton and Erin Hawley on the show. Rachel talks about why neuro-inclusion is a crucial part of workplace accessibility and how her work with Divergent Convergent is making a difference.  Rachel also opens up about her own experiences with finding her true identity, avoiding burnout,...

"The journey of self-acceptance is ongoing and deeply personal." Jennifer Gasner, author of *My Unexpected Life: Finding Balance Beyond My Diagnosis*, shares her journey of self-acceptance and understanding of her own identity. She explores the importance of supportive workplaces, the power of tell your own story, and addressing misconceptions about disability. Jennifer also highlights her persona...

Author and Activist, Lauren Melissa, shares a powerful story of resilience and creativity. Diagnosed with autism in her twenties, Lauren Melissa turned the challenges of the COVID-19 pandemic into an opportunity, hand-writing a novel that was later accepted by Bold Strokes Books.  Based in New York City, she passionately advocates for the representation of queer, BIPOC, and disabled individuals in...

"I don't concern myself with what they get wrong. I like to just show up as myself and then let any preconceived notion, if there is any, flow like, float away” Oliver Scheier, is a 19-year-old filmmaker, artist, and sophomore in college. Oliver discusses his approach to authenticity in both his work and personal life. He shares insights on his short film "Read a Page," his journey as a young arti...

Your co-hosts Erin & Lily have a special in-person segment for the first time ever on the podcast. They Kick things off by discussing the significance of Disability Pride Month and the joys of creating content together as friends who are both disabled. They also discuss some light-hearted topics like newfound interests—Erin’s evolving relationship with pizza and Lily’s dive into the world of f...

In this episode, hosts Erin and Lily interview Jenna Bainbridge, an actress, singer, and accessibility advocate. Jenna shares her journey as the first wheelchair user to perform in a new musical on Broadway, debuting in the award-winning "Suffs." She discusses her career and daily life as an ambulatory wheelchair user, challenging misconceptions and emphasizing the importance of accessibility and...

Your co-hosts Erin & Lily have a special segment today called “Just Between Us!” Today’s episode is all about the importance of Disability Pride Month. They share their thoughts on why it's crucial to celebrate being disabled and not just focus on ableism. Erin & Lily also discuss how pride in their identities as disabled people and as friends empowers them.  We hope you enjoy today’s real...

Amanda McGrory, a four-time Paralympian and seven-time Paralympic medalist shares her journey as an elite athlete. She addresses the pervasive stereotypes and misconceptions surrounding disabled athletes and how they are often misrepresented in the media. Throughout the conversation, the importance of authentic representation in media and sports is highlighted, focusing on the significance of comm...

In this episode, Chelsea Bear, a content creator and disability advocate, shares her experiences and challenges as a lifestyle influencer. Chelsea highlights the importance of embracing her disability wholeheartedly and the sense of community and validation it brings. She discusses how Disability Pride Month encourages individuals to own their disabilities proudly, even on tough days. The co-hosts...

In this episode, Cory shares his experiences exploring the world as a wheelchair user, from group trips to international destinations to navigating the challenges of air travel accessibility. Learn about Cory’s blog, Curb Free with Cory Lee, and its company non-profit, The Curb Free Foundation, which funds dream trips for wheelchair users. Discover practical tips on accessible travel planning, ins...

In today’s episode, we have Spencer West! From discussing the challenges of accessing queer spaces and nightlife to setting boundaries as a disabled content creator, this conversation sheds light on pivotal issues affecting the LGBTQ+ and disabled communities.  Spencer shares his personal experiences, advocacy work, and the role of social media in promoting awareness. Don't miss this engaging epis...

In this episode, hosts Lily Newton and Erin Hawley sit down with actor, model, content creator, and CEO of the lifestyle brand Live Solo,  Lolo Spencer. Known for her advocacy work and trailblazing efforts in changing the narrative around disability, Lolo shares her incredible journey and vision for a more inclusive world. We also explore the broader implications of representation in Hollywood and...

In today's episode, Erin and Lily are joined by Tina Friml, a New York-based comedian who shares her unique experiences navigating the comedy scene. We'll explore the misconceptions about disabilities, the role of humor and radical self-acceptance, and turning casual ableism into comedy gold. From the sometimes illogical things Tina can and cannot do, to her decision to only perform in ADA accessi...

In today's episode, your hosts Lily Newton and Erin Hawley have a heartfelt conversation with our guest, Rawan Tuffaha. Rawan is the lead singer of the ASD Band, a group composed entirely of autistic musicians, which shines a light on talent within the autistic community. Besides her music career, Rawan is an advocate for autism acceptance and disability employment, challenging misconceptions and...

Navigating Independence and Relationships: Subodh and Aarti's Journey on EYK | Season 3, Episode 2 Welcome to a special episode of Everything You Know, presented by Easterseals. Today, we've got a truly enlightening conversation lined up with our guests, Subodh Garg and his sister, Aarti Garg. Subodh, a charismatic individual diagnosed with autism at the age of 3, shares his journey towards indepe...

Join our hosts, Lily Newton and Erin Hawley, as they sit down with the riveting Gaelynn Lea, whose voice and violin strings resonate with the force of change, challenging our perceptions of ability and accessibility. Imagine being told that your dream career is not designed for someone like you. Now picture breaking that mold and redefining what is possible. Gaelynn Lea did just that. Born with a...

In this exciting episode, Jameela Jamil, actress, activist, and television host, shares how she began to understand her own disability while navigating the entertainment industry. We're working through shame, making our own rules, and creating inclusive spaces together to break barriers. Are you in?

Erin and Lily are joined by award-winning recording artist, Youtuber and disability advocate Lachi. Lachi talks about her DEI work in the music industry and the nuances of ableism as it relates to trauma, class, race, and gender.

Collette Divitto, founder and CEO of Collettey’s Cookies, turned her love for baking into a successful business where half of the staff has a disability. She joins hosts Erin and Lily to chat about her successes, life as an entrepreneur, and the stigma many disabled people face while building their careers.

As a fashion model, actress, and disability rights advocate, Jillian has a lot going on! Throughout her career, she has encountered comments from strangers about her disability. Learn about how she became inspired by those experiences to create safe, inclusive spaces on social media.

Lindsey Rowe Parker, author of the children’s book, “Wiggles, Stomps, and Squeezes Calm My Jitters Down,” joins the podcast to discuss why disability representation is important in children's literature. This episode also explores the often challenging road toward self-acceptance.

Kaelynn Partlow, autistic advocate and Senior Therapist at Project Hope Foundation, Inc., was featured on the Netflix series called, “Love on the Spectrum.” She joins hosts Erin and Lily to chat about neurodiversity, social media advocacy, and more!

In this episode, we talk about disability pride with Vilissa Thompson, who is celebrating the 10 year anniversary of her work!