True Tales by Disability Advocates

Send us Fan Mail Click here to listen with the full transcript In this episode, Kurt Wilkinson and John Beer have an eye-opening conversation with Rand Metcaffe, his wife Rebecca Metcaffe, and Actual Lives founder Terry Galloway. Rand with the help of Rebecca and Terry is able to tell three of his stories from Actual Lives. "Drive By Healing" shows how Rand can take a moment of ableism a...

Send us Fan Mail In this episode, Jennifer McKinney welcomes Kaye Love back to the podcast after many years . Kaye shares her story, "Solitary Confinement with Seizures and Watergate," about living in a time when disability was much less understood by the public. Jennifer and Kaye are able to discuss the importance of disability education and the need for accessible and inclusive child c...

Send us Fan Mail In this episode, Kurt Wilkinson talks with his friend and fellow host of the show, Adam Griebel, and his wife, Laura Griebel. Laura shares her story, "Floaters," about proving her abilities in the swimming pool at a summer camp. Adam and Laura both share their story, "Lonely No More," and talk about finding each other and how their relationship has evolved over...

Send us Fan Mail This episode is dedicated to MsBoye and those that we have lost from "Actual Lives." After a tribute to MsBoye from Jennifer McKinney, Adam and Celia discuss Maggie Jochild's "Crip Ward Tango" and do a reenactment of it with music. Celia also reads Maggie Jochild's "Elvis Lives" piece. Celia and Adam talk about their memories of MsBoye and M...

Send us Fan Mail Welcome to the return of the "True Tales By Disability Advocates" podcast! In Episode 24, hosts MsBoye, Jennifer McKinney, and Adam Griebel hear multiple stories from Tanya Winters about "Maurice," the arm of her friend Susie Angel that has its own personality. This episode was recorded in September of 2024, and it will be the last episode hosted by Ms Boye due...

Send us Fan Mail In Episode 23 of True Tales by Disability Advocates, hosts MsBoye, Jennifer McKinney, and Adam Griebel welcome storyteller, actor, dancer, and friend Juan Munoz. Juan shares with MsBoye touching and humorous stories about his friendships, his childhood, and his enduring love with his late wife Susie. They discuss his journey as a dancer and his involvement with Actual Lives Austin...

Send us Fan Mail Making Connections and Changing Lives In this episode of the True Tales by Disability Advocates Podcast, hosts MsBoye, Jennifer McKinney, and Adam Griebel present stories from disability advocates. The episode includes a reflection on Mesko's early advocacy and a reading of his story "Glen," followed by an interview with advocate Kyle Cox, highlighting the importanc...

Send us Fan Mail Laughter, Legacy, and New Voices "Who Will Remember Us? The Warrior Spirit of Disability Advocates" is the kickoff episode of Season 3 of the True Tales by Disability Advocates Podcast, coming to you during Disability Pride Month. The new host team of MsBoye, Jennifer McKinney, and Adam Griebel bring fresh energy and humor to the show. Together, they introduce listeners...

Send us Fan Mail Hey there, listeners! Welcome back to episode twenty of our podcast 'True Tales by Disability Advocates'. Ready for a deep dive into the theme of 'Smashing Ableism: Tales of Resilience'? Well, we've got two fantastic disability advocates with us - the brilliant Alina Arredondo and the charming Peter Richter. In this episode, they open up about their own li...

Send us Fan Mail This episode features storytellers sharing their experiences of overcoming challenges while thriving with disabilities. Cindy Massey, a photographer and artist, tells her story titled "Finding Family." She recounts her journey to Africa, facing various unexpected hurdles during a safari. Despite the obstacles, she finds strength through the support of fellow alcoholics i...

Send us Fan Mail Step into the life of Albert 'Sparky' Metz, a relentless disability rights activist and country music fan who's been championing the rights of the disabled since his formative years. From his institutionalized childhood to his fiercely independent adulthood, Sparky's journey is as captivating as it is inspiring. Through it all, Sparky's spirit remained und...

Send us Fan Mail Storyteller Renée Lopez has lived a life of activism, challenging disability stereotypes, and deep friendships. She returns to True Tales with a new story "Me, Myself, and Sandra" about her experience as a Freshman at UT Austin. Host Kristen Gooch and Renée chat about Renée’s passion for social justice and her 40 years of Activism, fighting for Liberty and Justice for al...

Send us Fan Mail "The Next Generation Showcase," is a special bonus episode of True Tales by Disability Advocates,  the podcast where Advocates harness the power of storytelling to bring community to their peers and hope to develop empathy and others. The stories featured in this episode are written by fledgling storytellers from the Austin Independent School District Go-Project. The GO...

Send us Fan Mail "Awkward Moments" is being launched in March 2023, featuring two female storytellers with international stories in recognition of International Women's Day. For the first time, we feature a member of our multi-talented working group as storyteller and host. Host Kamand Alaghehband opens the episode with "London Calling", by storyteller Jennifer McKinney, a...

Send us Fan Mail In this episode, we highlight storytellers who are practitioners of this “Magical Advocacy.” The tools these practitioners use are, being clear about what you are asking for, knowing why you’re asking and connecting with people by using personal stories to put a human face on the issue.  In her story “Wand Quest”, Jessica Guerrero invokes her advocacy skills to manifest a long hel...

Send us Fan Mail Note: This episode is slightly longer than usual to honor the natural speech patterns of our guests. Welcome to the Mid-Winter Episode of True Tales by Disability Advocates, season two. Winter is the time of stillness and darkness when nature encourages us to look within and access what’s ready to grow in the coming year. In this episode, “Practice Peace not Pity” , hosts Toby Al-...

Send us Fan Mail Hosts Brittany Sessum and Kaye Love introduce storytellers Gene Rodgers and Cade Insall, who share stories about the ways they have used Kindness and Connections to transform their lives. As we enter the holiday season, listening to “Kindness and Connections” brings you the courage you need to find hope and peace in your life, no matter the circumstances right now. Guest - Gene Ro...

Send us Fan Mail Host Kristen Gooch, and storyteller PiPa McCollister, talk honestly about life in a world not designed for folks with CP, Dyslexia, or ADHD. After PiPa presents her story, “The Gift of Not Paying Attention,” host Kristen learns more about PiPa’s lived experience with ADHD. They discuss the impact of ADHD in adulthood, struggles finding a job, getting accommodations and PiPa's...

Send us Fan Mail We end the first season of True Tales by Disability Advocates with "Positively Shining Bright".  The stories in this episode highlight the power of choosing a positive mindset. Host Brittany Sessum introduces us to storytellers, Carlos Orellana, and Anne Marie Buckle. In their stories, "Listen to My World" and "Advocate Me," they share how in their ow...

Send us Fan Mail For Disability Pride Month , Kaye Love chats to Tanya Winters and Kamand Alaghehband about their stories “Pediacrisis” and “Kamand’s View: No More Prejudice”. Stories about how they navigate the predictable and unexpected barriers they meet daily. We hope your day is enriched by listening to “Independence” . Full transcript available. World Health Organization on Disability Guest:...

Send us Fan Mail Full transcripts of all episodes available at https://truetalesbydisabilityadvocates.buzzsprout.com In this episode, guests Laura Odom and Sheena Walter tell host John Beer about the “Awakenings” in their lives. Laura pushed through doubts brought on by years of narcolepsy to try her hand at a new adventure (“Finally Waking Up”), while Sheena flipped self-consciousness about her P...

Send us Fan Mail To listen with full transcript, go to https://truetalesbydisabilityadvocates.buzzsprout.com/ In this episode, host Joey Gidseg talks to Jennifer Howell about her story, “From Ally to Self-Advocate.” Jennifer describes going from being the daughter of parents with disabilities to becoming someone with disabilities of her own, and the surprising things she learns along the way. Even...

Send us Fan Mail To listen with full transcript, go to https://truetalesbydisabilityadvocates.buzzsprout.com/ In this episode, our storytellers share two very different experiences of dressing up and playing different characters, while using a wheelchair. Host Kamand Alaghehband talks to Jessica Guerrero and Renee Lopez. They talk about their journey with Cosplay and Halloween in their stories Cos...

Send us Fan Mail A team of disability advocates creates True Tales to give voice to the personal stories and lived experiences of disabled storytellers. We offer our unique, often underrepresented perspective, to the growing community of podcast listeners worldwide. This episode is being released in March, in honor of Women’s History Month. We welcome back Kristen Gooch, the storyteller from episo...

Send us Fan Mail Persons with disabilities often face the challenge of others’ misconceptions of their viewpoint and day-to-day life. In this episode, host Jennifer Howell visits with married couple Dave and Kate Chapple about their experience with such situations and the joyful message that love has no limits. In their stories, “My Journey with Religion” and "My Life in a Nursing Home,” Kate...