DisTopia

How do you talk to disabled people without saying the wrong thing? Start by "calling it what it is." A cane is a cane, not a fishing pole or a wizard's staff. [The cover for this podcast features a white person with curly, blowing red hair seated in a purple wheelchair. They wear glasses, red leather gloves, and a broad smile. Around this person is a bright pink circle that is accompanied by a purple flash: A camera light? A supernova? A purple star from the distant future? Regardless, there is a horizon line dividing white and maroon in the background. The text reads: Introducing In a Flash. A short, accessible, and sometimes irreverent podcast offering an introduction to topics important to disabled people. Hosted by Jessica Suzanne Stokes.]

Aiden Gamez and Kat Day, a mom and son, an artist duo, two individuals living with autism spent time with us nearly one year ago. The messages that they share are not bound by time. Kat describes their process of making art together, "we go into it accepting already that whatever comes out of it will be enough. We accept that I am enough and the Aiden is enough and that what we make together will be enough." For a full transcript of this episode please visit https://www.disartnow.org/uncategorized/episode-69-aiden-gamez-and-kat-day

Join us for a conversation with Thomas Reid about intersectionality, blindness, and the disability community. For a full transcript of this episode please visit https://www.disartnow.org/podcasts/episode-68-thomas-reid

Heather Watkins shares nuggets of wisdom and insight as a proud Black disabled woman with Chris and Jill on this My Dearest Friends Project podcast episode. For a full transcript of this episode please visit https://www.disartnow.org/podcasts/episode-66-heather-watkins/

Chris and Jill enjoy chatting with musician and disability advocate Tyler Zahnke who has contributed to DisArt's programming in 2018 for the Process and Presence exhibition and in 2019 for Voices. For a full transcript of this episode please visit https://www.disartnow.org/journal/episode-67-tyler-zahnke/

Chris and Jill spend time with Riva Lehrer, friend, artist, author and activist talking about how the personal impact of the COVID-19 pandemic and Black Lives Matter protests. Interview Date: June 29, 2020. For a full transcript of this episode please visit: https://www.disartnow.org/podcasts/episode-65-riva-lehrer

Jill and Pamela Quinn spent time talking about how the COVID-19 pandemic has impacted Pamela's work as a choreographer, dancer, and instructor for and with people with Parkinson's disease. For a full transcript of this episode please visit: https://www.disartnow.org/podcasts/episode-65-pamela-quinn

Chris and Jill spent time talking with Sara Hendren about her new book title "What Can a Body Do?" that was released this past September. For a full transcript of this episode please visit https://www.disartnow.org/podcasts/episode-63-sara-hendren

Chris and Jill are joined by Avi Prager who shares their perspective on life during the COVID-19 pandemic, the Black Lives Matter protests, and finding hope by bringing new life to the old. For a full transcript of this episode please visit https://www.disartnow.org/podcasts/episode-62-avi-prager

Comic book artist Kip Hendersen shares his perspective on life and disability during the COVID-19 pandemic on this episode of the My Dearest Friends Project podcast episode. For a full transcript of this episode please visit https://www.disartnow.org/podcasts/episode-61-kip-henderson

Jill is joined by Lawrence Carter-Long on his "day off". Lawrence is the Communications Director for the Disability Rights Education and Defense Fund, artist, activist, and DisArt board member who makes sure to take time to listen when others speak. For a full transcript of this episode please visit https://www.disartnow.org/podcasts/episode-60-lawrence-carter

Chris and Jill are joined by artist and advocate, Gaelynn Lea, on this episode of the My Dearest Friends Project podcast. For a full transcript of this episode please visit https://www.disartnow.org/podcasts/episode-59-gaelynn-lea

Jill had the pleasure of spending time getting to know service dog handler, Emily Pohl, whose lived experience during the COVID-19 pandemic has the potential to inform positive changes post-pandemic if we take the time to listen. For a full transcript of this episode please visit https://www.disartnow.org/podcasts/episode-58-emily-pohl

Chris and Jill are joined by friend, DJ, artist, and activist Rynita Shephard on this My Dearest Friends Project podcast episode. For a full transcript of this episode please visit https://www.disartnow.org/podcasts/episode-57-rynita-shepherd

Chris and Jill enjoy a conversation with friend, artist, service dog handler, Disability advocate, public speaker, and My Dearest Friends Project collaborator Oaklee Thiele. For a full transcript of this episode please visit https://www.disartnow.org/podcasts/episode-56-oaklee-thiele

Chris and Jill enjoy an honest conversation of life during the COVID-19 pandemic with Cripple Streets Podcast hosts Eric and Corey Ryan. For a full transcript of this episode please visit https://www.disartnow.org/podcasts/episode-55-eric-and-corey-ryan  

Chris and Jill are joined by Deanna Haggag, President and CEO of United States Artists (USA), in this episode of the My Dearest Friends Project podcast. For a full transcript of this episode please visit https://www.disartnow.org/podcasts/episode-54-deana-haggag

DisArt friend Aimi Hamraie talks about your commitment to their community during the COVID-19 pandemic during this My Dearest Friends Podcast episode. For a full transcript of this episode please visit https://www.disartnow.org/podcasts/episode-53-aimi-hamraie/

American disability rights activist and change maker, Judy Heumann, joins Chris and Jill in this My Dearest Friends Project podcast episode. For a full transcript of this episode please visit https://www.disartnow.org/podcasts/episode-52-judy-heumann

Chris and Jill spent time talking about the power of language with Disabled artist Benjamin Merritt in this My Dearest Friends Project podcast episode. For a full transcript of this episode please visit https://www.disartnow.org/podcasts/episode-51-benjamin-merritt

My Dearest Friends Project podcast guest Patricia Kalidonis talks about the Socially Distant Artist Residency that she founded in response to the COVID-19 pandemic and the associated social distancing practices put into place beginning in March 2020. For a full transcript of this episode please visit https://www.disartnow.org/podcasts/episode-50-patricia-kalidonis/

Zosia Zaks is an educator who teaches undergraduate students about disability and, in particular, autism, through a social justice lens. For a full transcript of this episode please visit https://www.disartnow.org/podcasts/episode-49-zosia-zaks

Kuttin Kandi shared insight, passion, and wisdom about what it takes to show up for people in this My Dearest Friends Project podcast episode. For a full transcript of this episode please visit https://www.disartnow.org/podcasts/episode-48-kuttin-kandi/

Chris and Jill had the honor of interviewing Disabled artist and father, Marco Bailey, during this My Dearest Friends Project podcast episode. For a full transcript of this episode please visit: https://www.disartnow.org/podcasts/episode-47-marco-bailey/

Chris, Jill, and Julie McNamara pick up their conversation with updates and commiseration about life during the COVID-19 pandemic. For a full transcript of this episode please visit: https://www.disartnow.org/podcasts/episode-46-julie-mcnamara/

We had the pleasure of chatting with comedian, disability activist, storyteller, children's book author and educator Nina G on this My Dearest Friends Project episode. For a full transcript of this episode please visit https://www.disartnow.org/podcasts/episode-45-nina-g-comedian/

Chris and Jill are joined by disability model and advocate Jason Clymo from Australia in this My Dearest Friends Project podcast episode. For full transcript please visit https://www.disartnow.org/podcasts/episode-44-jason-clymo/

Chris and Jill enjoyed getting to know Margaret Chase, her artwork and her past exhibitions in an informal conversation for the My Dearest Friends Project podcast. For a full transcript of this podcast please visit https://www.disartnow.org/podcasts/episode-43-margaret-chase/

Chris and Jill enjoyed a personal conversation with Chris' brother, Randy Smit in this My Dearest Friends Project podcast episode. For a full transcript of this episode please visit https://www.disartnow.org/podcasts/episode-42-randy-smit/

Chris and Jill were joined by law student and advocate Lucy Trieshmann for this episode of My Dearest Friends Project podcast.  For a full transcript of this episode please visit https://www.disartnow.org/podcasts/episode-41-lucy-trieshmann/

Chris and Jill are joined by Cheryl Green who is an independent documentary filmmaker and audio producer, captioner, audio describer, public speaker, member-owner at New Day Films and cat lover. For a full transcript, please click the following link: https://www.disartnow.org/podcasts/episode-40-cheryl-green/

This week DisTopia talks to the cofounder of Krip-Hop Nation Keith Jones about race, Disability, and the pandemic. For full transcript please see: https://www.disartnow.org/podcasts/episode-39-keith-jones/

Chris and Jill enjoy getting to know Valerie Novak who identifies herself as a Disability policy expert and Afro-Latina Disabled person. Please copy and paste the following link for a full transcript of the episode: https://www.disartnow.org/podcasts/episode-38:-valerie-novak/

DisArt enjoyed a lively conversation with Terry Galloway and Donna Nudd in this episode of the My Dearest Friends Project. Please copy and paste the following link for a full transcript of the episode: https://www.disartnow.org/podcasts/episode-37-terry-galloway-donna-marie-nudd/  

Sculptor Nicola Rigby joins DisArt in this episode of the My Dearest Friends Project. Please copy and paste the following link for a full transcript of the episode: https://www.disartnow.org/podcasts/episode-36-nicola-rigby/

Chris and Jill are joined by the amazing Alice Sheppard in this episode of the My Dearest Friends Project. Please copy and paste the following link for a full transcript of the episode: https://www.disartnow.org/podcasts/episode-35-alice-sheppard/

(Recorded April 10, 2020) Disabled activist, academic, and poet Jim Ferris joins Jill and Chris in this episode of the My Dearest Friends Project. Please copy and paste the following link for a full episode transcript: https://www.disartnow.org/podcasts/episode-34-jim-ferris/

The powerful and splendid Ruth Fabby, MBE, Director at Disability Arts Cymru in the UK joins Jill and Chris in this episode of the My Dearest Friends Project. Please copy and paste the following link for a full transcript of the episode: https://www.disartnow.org/podcasts/episode-33-ruth-fabby-mbe/

DisTopia Podcast’s special series My Dearest Friends Project continues with a conversation with Canadian Disabled academic and activist Nancy Hansen. Please copy and paste the following link for a full transcript of the episode: https://www.disartnow.org/podcasts/episode-32-nancy-hansen/

The My Dearest Friends Project continues: Disability Civil Rights photographer and activist Tom Olin talks with Chris and Jill about his current hopes and fears for the Disabled community as well as the legacy of the movement. Please copy and paste the following link for a full transcript of the episode: https://www.disartnow.org/podcasts/episode-31-tom-olin/

The My Dearest Friends Project continues today with a conversation with Disabled writer Shaun Phuah about coronavirus, acid trips, and family. Please copy and paste the following link for a full transcript of the episode: https://www.disartnow.org/podcasts/episode-30-shaun-phuah/ 

DisTopia Podcast’s special series My Dearest Friends Project continues with a conversation with Disabled psychotherapist and trauma counselor Marin Brooke Hann. Please copy and paste the following link for a full transcript of the episode: https://www.disartnow.org/podcasts/episode-29-marin-hann/

DisTopia Podcast’s special series My Dearest Friends Project continues with a conversation with Disability and media scholar Beth Haller about the state of media during the pandemic. Please copy and paste this link for a full transcription of this episode: https://www.disartnow.org/podcasts/episode-28-beth-haller/

Chris and Jill talk to London-based theatre director, playwright, producer, actor, and poet Julie McNamara for this episode of the My Dearest Friends Project. Please cut-and-paste the following URL for episode transcript: https://www.disartnow.org/podcasts/episode-27-julie-mcnamara/

In this episode Jill and Chris continue the My Dearest Friends Project by talking to Disabled activist and accessibility advocate Mary Fashik about virtual camp, finding community, and much more. Please copy and paste the following link for a full transcript of the episode: https://www.disartnow.org/podcasts/episode-26-mary-fashik/

Join Jill and Chris as they continue the My Dearest Friends Project podcast series with a conversation with Disabled health advocate, activist, and artist Jane Hash. Please copy and paste the following link for a full transcript of the episode: https://www.disartnow.org/podcasts/episode-25-jane-hash/

Join Jill and Chris for this continuation of the My Dearest Friends Project podcast series as they talk to artist, activist, and poet Leroy Moore about pandemic life at the intersections of race, class, and disability. Please copy and paste the following link for each full transcript of the episode: https://www.disartnow.org/podcasts/episode-24-leroy-moore/

Join DisTopia hosts Jill Vyn and Chris Smit for a candid discussion with Disability activist and photographer Anthony Tusler who talks about the odd convergence of the coronavirus and the release of the documentary film Crip Camp. Please copy and paste the following link for a full transcript of the episode: https://www.disartnow.org/podcasts/episode-23-anthony-tusler/

Join DisTopia hosts Chris Smit and Jill Vyn as they talk to Disabled artist Robert Andy Coombs about his work, life, and reality during this time of quarantine. This episode is part of the My Dearest Friends Project. Please copy and paste the following link for a full transcript of the episode: https://www.disartnow.org/podcasts/episode-22-robert-andy-coombs/

During this time of social distancing and isolation, DisArt and artist Oaklee Thiele seek to create an inclusive documentation of our experiences as a Disabled community. Join the team as they talk about the origins of the project My Dearest Friends on this special episode of DisTopia. Please copy and paste the following link for a full transcript of the episode: https://www.disartnow.org/podcasts/episode-21-my-dearest-friends-project/

DisTopia connected with the curators of this groundbreaking exhibition Recoding CripTech. Curated for SOMARTS by Vanessa Chang and Lindsey D. Felt, Recoding CripTech reimagines enshrined notions of what a body can be or do through creative technologies, and how it can move, look, or communicate. Opening with a free, all ages reception on Thursday, January 23, 6–9pm, the evening program features an artist panel discussion and Q&A, led by disability scholar and UC Berkeley professor Karen Nakamura featuring disability activist and Disability Visibility host, Alice Wong.  Click here for more information about how to attend this exhibition.