So, Life Wants You Dead

In this episode, Nora speaks to writer and producer Carolina Barlow about her life-altering car accident at the age of 28. Nora and Carolina discuss the commonalities in what they’ve been through (and how they both thought maybe astrology would save us — it didn’t), how much humour helps in recovery, and the inevitable depth of empathy gained through having a “before and after”: whether that’s an...

In this episode, Nora speaks to Georgia Fenwick, an entrepreneur, writer, and mother who got sober at 22. We discuss how Georgia got sober, the impact it has had on her creativity, the challenges she faced in shutting down her creative side as she focused on being functional, and what has helped her reconnect with her full self. We also talk about motherhood, her business and her thoughts on the c...

In this episode, Nora speaks to Daisy Friedman, a writer, director, and multi-organ transplant recipient. We talk about Daisy’s story: she received critical transplants as a child which led to her current work as a filmmaker exploring themes of tradition, intimacy, embodiment, and disability.  We discuss the complexities of chronic illness, societal perceptions of disabled bodies, and the empowerm...

In this episode. Nora speaks to writer and director Ashley Eakin . Ashley has directed projects for Disney+, Apple TV+ and Netflix. Her AFI Directing Workshop for Women short film Single , won the 2020 SXSW Special Jury Recognition Award and is being developed into a TV show with FX. Eakin discusses her experiences growing up with Maffucci syndrome, a rare bone disease, and how it has influenced h...

In this episode, Nora speaks to Harshada David Wagner, a master meditation instructor, author, artist, dad, and wisdom teacher, about being diagnosed with ulcerative colitis and having an ileostomy at 27 and how it has shaped his life, art, and teaching. Harshada shares candidly about his initial denial and resistance to Western medicine, his experiences with both Eastern and Western medical appro...

In this episode, Nora speaks to social practice artist Ethan Lipsitz. Diagnosed with brain cancer in 2017, Ethan discusses how his diagnosis shifted his perspective, the roles of curiosity and acceptance in his journey, and the evolution of his artistic practices. Their conversation delves into the impact of their respective health crises on their identities, the balance between embracing love and...

In this episode, Nora talks to Dr. Akilah Cadet, who shares what it's like living with rare genetic conditions, the challenges of being believed as a Black woman in the American healthcare system, and the impact of white supremacy in healthcare. She discusses the grief of living with a disabled body and the constant calculations she has to make to live her life, about facing death and how it...

In this episode, Nora interviews Jezz Chung , a Korean-American writer, facilitator, and performer based in NYC. This Way to Change , their debut book of prose, poems, and practices, came out earlier this year. Jezz discusses their experiences with neurodivergence and disability and how these aspects of their identity intersect with their creative endeavors. The conversation delves into the power...

In this episode of So Life Wants You Dead, Nora sits down with Chris Tartaro. Chris Tartaro is a television director from Queens, NY, who currently works on the Tonight Show Starring Jimmy Fallon. He is a father of 3 and a husband of 1. He is also half of “blazrdog” [pronounced Blazer Dog] Their music can be found on all streaming platforms. For more info head to blazrdog.com . Chris has faced sig...

In this episode, we talk to Kendall Ciesemier, a writer, producer, reporter, and health and disability advocate. Nora celebrated the launch event of So, Life Wants You Dead during Disability Pride Month last July when we recorded this conversation. We're so excited to launch our second season with this conversation.  Kendall discusses her experience with liver transplant, navigating disabilit...

In this episode, we talk to Ronaé Fagon , a sustainability thought leader, illustrator, fashion designer, and co-founder of the sustainable e-commerce platform SlowCo. We talk about Ronaé’s experience living with a mystery chronic illness for which she’s yet to receive a diagnosis, how grinding at a demanding job contributed to burning out in 2018, and what it’s like to navigate the medical system...

In this episode, Nora talks to Claudia Rose Walder, a London-based editor and creative director working within the realms of styling, image direction and journalism. She is also a disability activist, model and the founder of Ablezine, a magazine dedicated to disabled and chronically ill communities, young people and creatives. We talk about Claudia’s experience living with Myalgic Encephalomyelit...

In this episode, Nora talks to Matilda Ibini. Matilda is a Nigerian Londoner and an award-winning bionic, Queer playwright and screenwriter with Limb Girdle Muscular Dystrophy. Their work often centres women, disabled people, Queer people and the Black British experience seen through a magical realist lens. Today we talk about their work as a playwright and screenwriter, what it was like to grow u...

In this episode, Nora talks to Alexa Wilding , a writer, musician, and mother of two whose cancer and caregiving experience has both built community and informed her creative life. We talk about what it’s like to be a caregiver and mother of twins, dubbed on her Instagram #twinmagic, her own breast cancer experience, her writing practice and what it means to reframe resilience. We talk about the b...

In this episode, we talk to Charlie Fitz. Charlie is a UK-based sick and disabled artist, arts practitioner, writer, co-director of the remote artist studio TRIAD³ c.i.c and medical humanities postgraduate at Birkbeck, where she is a recipient of the Wellcome Trust studentship.  Since becoming sick, Fitz has turned to her art practice as a meditative process, a form of disability activism, and as...

In this episode, we talk to Tonya Ingram, a poet and mental health advocate living with Lupus. During our conversation, we discuss Tonya’s experience being on the kidney transplant waiting list, the darker side of the organ transplant process and OPOs, her poetry practice, and choosing to blossom — despite the conditions of the soil. Artwork by Ronaé Fagon ; Music by Milo Segal Follow us on social...

In this episode, Nora talks about her illness, what happened when she went into liver failure, and her subsequent liver transplant surgery. Speaking to her friend and former colleague Christine Cestaro, she talks about why she wanted to start So, Life Wants You Dead, the power of community, and what this show is all about. Artwork by Ronaé Fagon ; Music by Milo Segal Follow us on socials: Instagra...