Living My Best Disabled Life

In this episode, I sit down with Rachel Bender disability advocate, digital creator, and storyteller—to talk about navigating politics in the digital space through the lens of disability advocacy. We discuss why representation matters, how creators can use their platforms for political impact, and the importance of making space for conversations around invisible disability, chronic illness, and di...

In this episode of 'Living My Best Disabled Life', Sabina  Nordqvist discusses her book 'It's All in Your Head', a spoonie romance that explores the lives of two chronically ill individuals navigating love and ableism. The conversation delves into the inspiration behind the book, the importance of authentic disability representation in literature, and the challenges of writing intimacy in romance...

Two friends living with the same rare disease and hosts of the Wheel Talk With Kelly & Avery Podcast join Olivia for a special Rare Disease Day conversation. They share their personal journeys, discuss the realities of living with a rare disease and reflect on the inspiration behind launching their podcast to amplify disabled voices and build community. Listen to Wheel Talk With Kelly & Avery Podc...

In this episode of Living My Best Disabled Life, host Olivia Murphy sits down with artist, photographer, and writer Briana Raucci for an honest conversation about creativity, disability, and advocacy. Briana shares her journey from aspiring photographer to multidisciplinary artist and storyteller, using her lived experience with multiple disabilities to inform and shape her work. Together, they di...

 this conversation, Olivia Murphy speaks with Saphire Murphy about her journey into disability advocacy, the importance of education, and the need for inclusive spaces for disabled voices. They discuss the organic nature of advocacy, the impact of intersectionality, and the challenges faced by disabled individuals in pursuing education and community engagement. Sapphire shares her aspirations for...

this episode, Lolita opens up about her journey from a difficult childhood to becoming an accomplished actress and content creator. She discusses living with a disability, how media representation has evolved, and why independence and empowerment are essential for disabled individuals. Olivia and Lolita also talk about the power of community, the importance of building an engaged audience, and the...

In this episode, Olivia talks to Marissa Hirt (@marissa.hirt) about her journey of resilience, adaptation, and advocacy. From early vision loss to navigating college, career challenges, and life as legally blind, Marissa shares how she’s embraced empowerment, purpose, and joy. Follow her story on Instagram @marissa.hirt and discover how she inspires inclusion, confidence, and bold living every day...

In this episode, Olivia talks with Sagar O’Hare about their experience at Disability Power on the Hill. They share what it was like to meet with lawmakers, advocate for the SSI Savings Penalty Elimination Act, and call for an end to subminimum wage. The conversation highlights the challenges of policy change, the importance of lived experience in advocacy, and the power of showing up to make disab...

in this episode of Living My Best Disabled Life , Olivia is joined by Erin Field a C5/6 quadriplegic, disability advocate, and future trauma therapist. Erin shares the story behind The 10% , a new community app designed to help disabled people connect, share resources, and support one another. Together, they discuss the power of peer connection, the realities of life after injury, and why building...

Olivia Murphy sits down with Whitney Bailey, disability advocate and former host of Spastic Chatter , to talk about her journey in the disability community. Whitney shares how she navigates online negativity, embraces support without shame, and uses her background in rehabilitation services to empower herself and others. This episode dives into how advocacy, mindset shifts, and education helped Wh...

in this episode of  Living My Best Disabled Life , I sit down with Cassidy Huff—actress, voice-over artist, best-selling author, and disability rights activist. Cassidy shares how she uses storytelling, social media, and performance to challenge stereotypes and advocate for authentic disability representation in the entertainment industry. We talk about everything from navigating the spotlight as...

In the season premiere of Living My Best Disabled Life , host Olivia Murphy sits down with disability advocate and eating disorder recovery coach Jayne Mattingly . As the CEO of Recovery Love and Care and founder of The AND Initiative , Jayne is dedicated to supporting individuals with chronic illness and physical disabilities. She also explores the emotional and psychological journey of living in...

Jill Cabernel shares her journey living with Charcot-Marie-Tooth disease and kyphoscoliosis and how it shaped her work as a content creator. She discusses embracing her disability, navigating the intersection of disability and fashion, and offering advice to her younger self. Jill also touches on mental health, tackling societal norms, and her goals for the future of disability representation. Sup...

In this episode, Olivia chats with Tyler Lima-Roope, a comedy content creator from California. Tyler, known for his humorous stories on TikTok and Instagram, shares his experiences living with Spinal Muscular Atrophy (SMA). Join us to hear about his journey, the challenges he faces, and how he uses a mix of humor and authenticity to connect with his audience.

In honor of Tourette's Awareness Month, I'm releasing one of the top five episodes. This episode features singer-songwriter Dylan Brady. His music is like no other artist. It's somewhere between pop and country. Diagnosed with Tourette Syndrome at the age of 13, Dylan found opportunities within his differences. He began speaking in schools all over the US and even Canada, spreading not...

In this episode, Kaylee Bays, a pioneering wheelchair dancer from "So You Think You Can Dance," shares her remarkable journey. Kaylee discusses the early signs of EDS before her diagnosis at 21, the impact of using a wheelchair on her dance career, and her groundbreaking experience on the show. She talks about the influence of her performance on the perception of disabled dancers, offers...

In this episode, I spoke with Victoria O'Brien, who has cerebral palsy. Victoria is the co-founder of Wheelie You, an organization dedicated to fostering connections among disabled individuals and raising awareness about various disabilities. She holds a master's degree in public administration with a focus on nonprofits and a bachelor's degree in strategic communication and leadership. Victoria's...

In this episode, I spoke with Dr. Lindsey Urley, a clinical psychologist, about motherhood as a "wheelie mom." She shared her experience creating the brand Wheel Good Motherhood, which aims to support wheelie moms and provide them with a safe and supportive place to connect. You can follow her at @wheel.good.motherhood.

In this episode, I had a conversation with Jackie Robinson, a software engineer from Dallas, TX. She has cerebral palsy spastic diplegia and uses an ambulatory wheelchair. Jackie is also a pole dancer who has been exploring ways to adapt pole dancing to incorporate her wheelchair and increase representation in a type of dance that lacks disabled people.  

Join Alli Cameron and I in this episode as we delve into Alli's journey with @seated. Perspectives. Alli, a disabled woman herself, will share her experiences and how they've fueled her mission to amplify the voices of disabled women. We'll explore Alli's strategies for creating engaging content on Instagram and the crucial role of representation for disabled women in media. Additi...

In this episode, I sit down with Bella Adlah, a resilient individual with many passions and a drive to make a difference. Bella wears many hats as she pursues her aspirations as an aspiring nurse, dancer, and founder of her nonprofit organization. We dive deep into Bella's journey, starting with the life-altering event that occurred when she was just 16 years old: a vaccine injury that left he...

In this episode, I had the privilege of speaking with Joci Scott, a multi-talented actress, singer, dancer, and content creator based in Los Angeles. At the age of 20, Joci's life took a dramatic turn when she became paralyzed due to a T12 spinal cord injury sustained in a plane crash. Despite the glaring absence of wheelchair users in her favorite movies and TV shows, Joci's determination to purs...

In this episode, Teddy Cosmo, a disabled musician, offers valuable insights into his life with cerebral palsy. Teddy candidly discusses the challenges he faces, such as spasticity and hand tremors, and how these impact his journey as a musician. Throughout the conversation, Teddy delves into the obstacles disabled performers encounter in an industry often inaccessible. He highlights the vital role...

In this episode, the founders of Dateability discussed their app's unique approach to dating for people with disabilities. They emphasized the importance of accessibility and inclusivity, which sets Dateability apart from other dating platforms. The app offers a range of features that cater to the specific needs of people with disabilities, such as the ability to filter matches based on access...

Within this episode, Alex Martinez, a wheelchair user with spina bifida recounts her journey in the performing arts, particularly her adaptations in ballet and hip hop. She elaborates on her choreographic preferences, emphasizing her affinity for lyrics, and highlights her aspirations of mainstream inclusion for wheelchair dancers. Alex delves into the challenges of performing on stage, underscori...