DisTopia

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DisTopia looks at disability, art, and culture from the inside out. A production of DisArt, this podcast is invested in raising the voice, visibility, and value of Disabled people through interviews and episodes with past and present trend makers within the world of Disability culture.

DisArt


    • Sep 27, 2022 LATEST EPISODE
    • infrequent NEW EPISODES
    • 44m AVG DURATION
    • 70 EPISODES


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    Latest episodes from DisTopia

    In A Flash Episode 1: Call it What it Is (Teaser)

    Play Episode Listen Later Sep 27, 2022 1:11


    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.]

    Episode 69 My Dearest Friends Project: Aiden Gamez and Kat Day

    Play Episode Listen Later Aug 25, 2021 87:45


    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

    Episode 68 My Dearest Friends Project: Thomas Reid

    Play Episode Listen Later Aug 5, 2021 40:07


    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

    Episode 66 My Dearest Friends Project: Heather Watkins

    Play Episode Listen Later Jun 3, 2021 48:40


    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/

    Episode 66 My Dearest Friends Project: Tyler Zahnke

    Play Episode Listen Later May 29, 2021 39:55


    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/

    Episode 65 My Dearest Friends Project: Riva Lehrer

    Play Episode Listen Later May 6, 2021 55:11


    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

    Episode 64 My Dearest Friends Project: Pamela Quinn

    Play Episode Listen Later Apr 14, 2021 32:18


    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

    Episode 63 My Dearest Friends Project: Sara Hendren

    Play Episode Listen Later Feb 4, 2021 64:58


    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

    Episode 62: My Dearest Friends Project: Avi Prager

    Play Episode Listen Later Jan 11, 2021 40:29


    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

    Episode 61 My Dearest Friends Project: Kip Henderson

    Play Episode Listen Later Dec 21, 2020 57:24


    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

    Episode 60 My Dearest Friends Project: Lawrence Carter-Long

    Play Episode Listen Later Oct 21, 2020 49:02


    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

    Episode 59 My Dearest Friends Project: Gaelynn Lea

    Play Episode Listen Later Oct 21, 2020 79:04


    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

    Episode 58 My Dearest Friends Project: Emily Pohl

    Play Episode Listen Later Oct 21, 2020 44:38


    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

    Episode 57 My Dearest Friends Project: Rynita Shepherd

    Play Episode Listen Later Oct 21, 2020 38:36


    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

    Episode 56 My Dearest Friends Project: Oaklee thiele

    Play Episode Listen Later Oct 21, 2020 45:09


    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

    Episode 55 My Dearest Friends Project: Eric and Corey Ryan

    Play Episode Listen Later Oct 12, 2020 49:37


    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  

    Episode 54 My Dearest Friends Project: Deana Haggag

    Play Episode Listen Later Oct 5, 2020 36:48


    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

    Episode 53 My Dearest Friends Project: Aimi Hamraie

    Play Episode Listen Later Sep 25, 2020 50:19


    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/

    Episode 52 My Dearest Friends Project: Judy Heumann

    Play Episode Listen Later Aug 19, 2020 48:48


    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

    Episode 51: My Dearest Friends Project Benjamin Merritt

    Play Episode Listen Later Aug 13, 2020 42:30


    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

    Episode 50 My Dearest Friends Project: Patricia Kalidonis

    Play Episode Listen Later Aug 11, 2020 35:25


    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/

    Episode 49 My Dearest Friends Project: Zosia Zaks

    Play Episode Listen Later Jul 30, 2020 42:19


    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

    Episode 48 My Dearest Friends Project: Kuttin Kandi

    Play Episode Listen Later Jul 21, 2020 51:23


    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/

    Episode 47 My Dearest Friends Project: Marco Bailey

    Play Episode Listen Later Jul 17, 2020 36:03


    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/

    Episode 46 My Dearest Friends Project: Julie McNamara

    Play Episode Listen Later Jul 16, 2020 31:00


    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/

    Episode 45 My Dearest Friends Project: Nina G.

    Play Episode Listen Later Jul 7, 2020 54:36


    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/

    Episode 44 My Dearest Friends Project: Jason Clymo

    Play Episode Listen Later Jul 7, 2020 35:37


    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/

    Episode 43 My Dearest Friends Project: Margaret Chase

    Play Episode Listen Later Jun 30, 2020 43:28


    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/

    Episode 42 My Dearest Friends Project: Randy Smit

    Play Episode Listen Later Jun 23, 2020 56:47


    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/

    Episode 41 My Dearest Friends Project: Lucy Trieshmann

    Play Episode Listen Later Jun 17, 2020 42:50


    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/

    Episode 40 My Dearest Friends Project: Cheryl Green

    Play Episode Listen Later Jun 15, 2020 41:47


    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/

    Episode 39 My Dearest Friends Project: Keith Jones

    Play Episode Listen Later Jun 8, 2020 50:05


    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/

    Episode 38 My Dearest Friends Project: Valerie Novak

    Play Episode Listen Later Jun 3, 2020 50:43


    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/

    Episode 37 My Dearest Friends Project: Terry Galloway + Donna Marie Nudd

    Play Episode Listen Later Jun 1, 2020 51:22


    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/  

    Episode 36 My Dearest Friends Project: Nicola Rigby

    Play Episode Listen Later May 23, 2020 44:47


    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/

    Episode 35 My Dearest Friend Project: Alice Sheppard

    Play Episode Listen Later May 19, 2020 55:09


    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/

    Episode 34 My Dearest Friends Project: Jim Ferris

    Play Episode Listen Later May 14, 2020 47:06


    (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/

    Episode 33 My Dearest Friends Project: Ruth Fabby, Mbe

    Play Episode Listen Later May 7, 2020 55:24


    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/

    Episode 32 My Dearest Friends Project: Nancy Hansen

    Play Episode Listen Later May 5, 2020 39:24


    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/

    Episode 31 My Dearest Friends Project: Tom Olin

    Play Episode Listen Later May 1, 2020 42:41


    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/

    Episode 30 My Dearest Friends Project: Shaun Phuah

    Play Episode Listen Later Apr 29, 2020 22:13


    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/ 

    Episode 29 My Dearest Friends Project: Marin Hann

    Play Episode Listen Later Apr 27, 2020 35:01


    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/

    Episode 28 My Dearest Friends Project: Beth Haller

    Play Episode Listen Later Apr 24, 2020 44:54


    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/

    Episode 27 My Dearest Friends Project: Julie McNamara

    Play Episode Listen Later Apr 22, 2020 41:22


    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/

    Episode 26 My Dearest Friends Project: Mary Fashik

    Play Episode Listen Later Apr 20, 2020 45:03


    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/

    Episode 25 My Dearest Friends Project: Jane Hash

    Play Episode Listen Later Apr 16, 2020 33:42


    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/

    Episode 24 My Dearest Friends Project: Leroy Moore

    Play Episode Listen Later Apr 14, 2020 39:41


    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/

    Episode 23 My Dearest Friends Project: Anthony Tusler

    Play Episode Listen Later Apr 10, 2020 23:28


    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/

    Episode 22 My Dearest Friends Project: Robert Andy Coombs

    Play Episode Listen Later Apr 6, 2020 19:40


    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/

    Episode 21: My Dearest Friends Project: Oaklee Thiele

    Play Episode Listen Later Apr 3, 2020 17:00


    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: Recoding Crip Tech, Exhibition Expose

    Play Episode Listen Later Jan 22, 2020 17:45


    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.

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