What's the Difference Podcast

In this first episode of season three, Jackie and her new Tru Faces co-hosts Emilee Schevers, Jess Eaton and Jenna Kedy discuss the issues with segregated sports for people with disabilities, and weigh the pros and cons of integrated versus inclusive sports. Liked this episode? Leave us your thoughts by visiting us on Instagram or Facebook, by email at whatsthedifferencepodcast@gmail.com or on our YouTube Channel, and don't forget to click to subscribe! Thanks for tuning in!  More information on Tru Faces can be found on their website, Instagram or Facebook, or on YouTube! RECORDED: March 29, 2023  FIRST AIRED: April 17, 2023  AUDIO PRODUCTION: Jackie Rosen

IN THIS EPISODE: Body shaming: it's something many of us are no stranger to and for some of us, it starts at a very young age and can have a serious or life-threatening impact on our well-being. For individuals with disabilities – where many of us already have very little control over our bodies – it can be a double punch. Jackie and Mizz Sarah welcome returning guest Nikki Crowe as well as the CNIB's Keya Osborne to discuss how size shaming impacted their respective journeys dealing with breast cancer and vision loss. The panel touches on some of the cultural origins of fat stigma, the differences between that and skinny shaming, and how medical professionals can better connect to people living with eating disorders and body dysmorphia. Please note this episode discusses eating disorders and may be triggering to some individuals. Liked this episode? Leave us your thoughts by visiting us on Instagram, Facebook or Twitter @PodcastWTD, by email at whatsthedifferencepodcast@gmail.com or on our YouTube Channel. Just search for “What's the Difference Podcast” and don't forget to click to subscribe! Thanks for tuning in! RECORDED: May 24, 2021 FIRST AIRED: November 21, 2021 AUDIO PRODUCTION: Illicit Sound Radio

IN THIS EPISODE: Deciding how to feed your baby – and the process of feeding them – is never easy. Add a disability into the mix and that can bring challenges that able-bodied individuals may never encounter throughout their parenting journey. Jackie and Mizz Sarah speak with Mallory Whitmore AKA @theformulamom about choice when it comes to infant feeding and how the push towards breastfeeding can be harmful for some women and their families. Mallory, who lives with Ehlers-Danlos Syndrome (EDS), also shares why it's important for parents of different abilities to have options when it comes to giving birth, and how hospitals and other medical professionals can better meet the needs of their patients throughout the pregnancy and postpartum months. Liked this episode? Leave us your thoughts by visiting us on Instagram, Facebook or Twitter @PodcastWTD, by email at whatsthedifferencepodcast@gmail.com or on our YouTube Channel. Just search for “What's the Difference Podcast” and don't forget to click to subscribe! Thanks for tuning in! RECORDED: June 21, 2021 FIRST AIRED: September 28, 2021 AUDIO PRODUCTION: Illicit Sound Radio

IN THIS EPISODE: The film and television industry still has plenty of catching up to do when it comes to hiring and showcasing the work of people with disabilities. In fact, disabled actors, producers, editors and writers are among the least represented of all minority groups when it comes to screentime. What's more, we still see able-bodied actors playing the roles of disabled characters way too often. Emily Schooley, a Toronto-based actor, filmmaker and all-around badass joins Jackie and Sam to discuss the current problems within the industry, what continues to hold people like us back and who's actually getting it right. Liked this episode? Leave us your thoughts by visiting us on Instagram or Twitter @PodcastWTD, Facebook @whatsthedifferencepodcast, by email at whatsthedifferencepodcast@gmail.com and through our website whatsthedifferencepodcast.ca. Thanks for tuning in! RECORDED: March 20, 2021 FIRST AIRED: September 1, 2021 AUDIO PRODUCTION: Illicit Sound Radio

IN THIS EPISODE: Growing up with both visible and invisible disabilities, Jackie and Mizz Sarah didn't exactly have the easiest time when trying to fit in amongst their peers. Although their experiences were different, they were both consistently bullied both inside and out of the classroom and even online, at a time when they were either ignored or told to “suck it up.” Jackie and Sarah look back on their school years and discuss how times are changing and how they've made peace with their past. They also provide advice to children, teens and adults who are being bullied today, both at school and in the workplace. If you're a victim of bullying, please know you are never alone and there are many ways you can get help. Do not hesitate to reach out to the following: Canada Suicide Prevention Service: 1-833-456-4566 or text 45645 Crisis Text Line: “HOME,” “START” or “HELLO” to 741741 US National Suicide Prevention Lifeline: 1-800-273-8255 Kids Help Phone (Canada): 1-800-668-6868 or text 686868 Liked this episode? Leave us your thoughts by visiting us on Instagram or Twitter @PodcastWTD, Facebook @whatsthedifferencepodcast, by email at whatsthedifferencepodcast@gmail.com and through our website whatsthedifferencepodcast.ca. Thanks for tuning in! RECORDED: January 22, 2021 FIRST AIRED: June 7, 2021 AUDIO PRODUCTION: George Quarcoo

IN THIS EPISODE: Dani-Elle Dubé has been ready for motherhood for a while, but living with Multiple Sclerosis is she able to carry a pregnancy? We hear about Dani's journey through numerous tests, treatments, doctor's appointments and well-researched plans in order to prepare her body to grow a human, which is more than possible despite her diagnosis. Dani tells us about what it's like to live with MS, her medical team helping her step-by-step along the way and how people with disabilities can advocate for themselves when planning a family, as she hopes to welcome her own child into the world in the next 1-2 years. To read Dani's article in Today's Parent magazine, please click here (https://www.todaysparent.com/getting-pregnant/trying-to-conceive/chronic-illness-and-pregnancy/) May is Multiple Sclerosis Awareness Month! To learn more about MS, please visit the MS Society of Canada (https://mssociety.ca) Liked this episode? Leave us your thoughts by visiting us on YouTube, Instagram at @whatsthedifferencepodcast, Facebook at @whatsthedifferencepodcast, or by email at whatsthedifferencepodcast@gmail.com, and through our website whatsthedifferencepodcast.ca. Thanks for tuning in! RECORDED: April 9, 2021 FIRST AIRED: June 3, 2021 AUDIO PRODUCTION: George Quarcoo

IN THIS EPISODE: Is addiction an invisible disability? Ex-actress, sober wife, senior dog-mom and writer Henriette Ivanans answers that question while recounting her journey to sobriety following two kidney transplants. Ivanans, the author of “In Pillness and In Health,” was diagnosed with Glomerulonephritis (chronic inflammation of the kidneys) as a teenager while dealing with the death of her alcoholic father. Living in Winnipeg, MB, Ivanans goes into detail about what it's really like to be in a rehab facility, how she came to terms with her dad's addiction and whether film and television's portrayal of people struggling with such issues is really all that accurate. We invite you to leave your thoughts by visiting us on YouTube, Instagram at @whatsthedifferencepodcast, Facebook at @whatsthedifferencepodcast, or by email at whatsthedifferencepodcast@gmail.com, and through our website whatsthedifferencepodcast.ca. Thanks for tuning in! RECORDED: December 12, 2020 FIRST AIRED: April 22, 2021 AUDIO PRODUCTION: George Quarcoo

IN THIS EPISODE: What's it like having a baby when you have a congenital heart defect, chronic pelvic pain and several other health issues? Our creator and host Jackie Rosen tells the story of the birth of her daughter Hannah, and why she decided to deliver her three weeks early via scheduled c-section. Jackie recounts the physical and emotional challenges leading up to the big day, why she only got to see her daughter for five minutes on the day of the birth, and why she's still full of tears – both happy and sad – several weeks later (Sarah Patel hosts this episode). We invite you to leave your thoughts by visiting us on YouTube, Instagram at @whatsthedifferencepodcast, Facebook at @whatsthedifferencepodcast, or by email at whatsthedifferencepodcast@gmail.com, and through our website whatsthedifferencepodcast.ca. Thanks for tuning in! RECORDED: March 2, 2020 FIRST AIRED: October 23, 2020 AUDIO PRODUCTION: George Quarcoo

IN THIS EPISODE: Fellow podcaster, influencer and kick-ass mama Sehdeen Lowe speaks to Jackie and Sarah about her experiences as a Black woman navigating the healthcare systems in Jamaica and Canada as well as some of the racism and bias she's experienced in both countries. Living with multiple mental health challenges and PCOS, as well as surviving an extremely high-risk pregnancy, Sehdeen gives advice on how to best advocate for yourself as a person of colour when doctors aren't necessarily willing to listen. Visit our website at whatsthedifferencepodcast.ca to listen and view all our episodes. We also invite you to leave your thoughts by visiting us on YouTube, Instagram at @whatsthedifferencepodcast, Facebook at @whatsthedifferencepodcast, Twitter at @PodcastWTD or by email at whatsthedifferencepodcast@gmail.com. Thanks for tuning in! RECORDED: January 17, 2021 FIRST AIRED: February 9, 2021 AUDIO PRODUCTION: George Quarcoo

IN THIS SEASON TWO PREMIERE: It's difficult enough to receive the proper health care that you deserve when you live with an invisible disability. But what if you don't identify within the gender binary? The panel is joined by Max Harsell, a congenital heart disease survivor and chronic pain warrior, who describes what their experience has been like since they came out as non-binary in 2019, and the challenges of navigating the health care system as a member of the LGBTQ community with a deadname still on their birth certificate. Visit our website at whatsthedifferencepodcast.ca to listen and view all our episodes. We also invite you to leave your thoughts by visiting us on YouTube, Instagram at @whatsthedifferencepodcast, Facebook at @whatsthedifferencepodcast, Twitter at @PodcastWTD or by email at whatsthedifferencepodcast@gmail.com. Thanks for tuning in! RECORDED: October 25, 2020 FIRST AIRED: January 5, 2021 AUDIO PRODUCTION: Jackie Rosen

IN THIS FINAL EPISODE OF SEASON ONE: Nikki Crowe received a diagnosis of triple negative stage three breast cancer in May 2018, only seven months after her second child was born. At the same time, she was dealing with a serious heart defect that impacted how her cancer would be treated. After several rounds of aggressive chemo, a mastectomy and months of chemo pills, Nikki is now doing well and regaining her strength day by day, but she still faces two major surgeries that have been delayed due to COVID. Nikki talks about coping while raising two young boys, enduring body shaming and other harsh commentary from medical professionals, and dealing with toxic positivity from able-bodied people who just didn't get it. We invite you to leave your thoughts by visiting us on YouTube, Instagram at @whatsthedifferencepodcast, Facebook at @whatsthedifferencepodcast, or by email at whatsthedifferencepodcast@gmail.com, and through our website whatsthedifferencepodcast.ca. Thanks for tuning in! RECORDED: September 19, 2020 FIRST AIRED: October 23, 2020 AUDIO PRODUCTION: Jackie Rosen

IN THIS EPISODE: In part two of our discussion about having kids with special guest Shaini Saravanamuthu, we examine what it's like to be pregnant when you have an invisible or visible physical disability and how difficult it is to find information online about anything beyond mainstream pregnancy culture and experiences. And why is it that some women who can't or decide not to carry due to an invisible disability are diagnosed with infertility? But there are women who DO have both: we hear about Shaini's battle with Polycystic Ovarian Syndrome and how she managed to proactively take charge of her fertility well in advance of having a family. Finally, we explore the challenges of infant and child care and how simple tasks like bathing or cutting your child's nails can be extremely difficult if you live with sight loss, epilepsy or other health issues. There's still plenty of stigma, but we are just as worthy of parenthood as anyone else – and we won't stop talking about it! We invite you to leave your thoughts by visiting us on YouTube, Instagram at @whatsthedifferencepodcast, Facebook at @whatsthedifferencepodcast, or by email at whatsthedifferencepodcast@gmail.com, and through our website whatsthedifferencepodcast.ca. Thanks for tuning in! RECORDED: August 15, 2020 FIRST AIRED: September 25, 2020 AUDIO PRODUCTION: Jackie Rosen

IN THIS EPISODE: In part one of our discussion about having kids with special guest Shaini Saravanamuthu, we explore the myths and stigma surrounding child-rearing for people with disabilities. We delve into why we will be – or already are – amazing parents when it comes to raising our kids. We discuss Cynthia's incredible eight-year journey to parenthood, the options open to us if we cannot carry ourselves but at the same time, why the line “why don't you just adopt” can actually be hurtful. Finally, we talk about the potential outcomes of having genetic children and how we would feel if our children are born with the same disabilities as we have. We invite you to leave your thoughts by visiting us on YouTube, Instagram at @whatsthedifferencepodcast, Facebook at @whatsthedifferencepodcast, or by email at whatsthedifferencepodcast@gmail.com, and our brand new website whatsthedifferencepodcast.ca. Thanks for tuning in! RECORDED: August 15, 2020 FIRST AIRED: September 18, 2020 AUDIO PRODUCTION: Jackie Rosen

IN THIS EPISODE: We meet Sandra Perlstein and Mackenzie Salt, two adults living with Asperger's syndrome - often classified as a high-functioning form of autism. But what's the deal with the terms ‘high-functioning' and ‘low functioning' anyway? Sandra and Mackenzie describe their lives starting with their childhoods, when they could sense they were somewhat different from their peers and what it's like to be diagnosed in your teens vs. in your 30s. They address some of the biggest myths about being on the autism spectrum and yes, neurodiverse people can get married and have their own families - just like everyone else! We invite you to leave your thoughts by visiting us on YouTube, Instagram at @whatsthedifferencepodcast, Facebook at @whatsthedifferencepodcast, or by email at whatsthedifferencepodcast@gmail.com, and our brand new website whatsthedifferencepodcast.ca. Thanks for tuning in! RECORDED: July 18-19, 2020 FIRST AIRED: August 21, 2020

IN THIS EPISODE: While it's difficult to navigate life while using a wheelchair, walker or cane, people with invisible disabilities can face the same struggles. Except for us, others may look at us funny if we park in an accessible spot, take the last remaining seat in the subway car or cram into the elevator rather than taking the stairs or an escalator. Jackie, Cynthia, Sam and Stacie welcome special guest Shaini - who lives with a form of blindness called retinitis pigmentosa - to discuss the weird looks and comments they've gotten throughout the years when they've required some extra mobility assistance. But it's a problem facing fully able-bodied people too, including new mothers who are often forced to carry strollers up flights of stairs! So what can we do to fix these these issues and make life easier for everyone? Tune in to find out! We invite you to leave your thoughts by visiting us on YouTube, Instagram and Facebook at @whatsthedifferencepodcast, or by email at whatsthedifferencepodcast@gmail.com. Thanks for tuning in! RECORDED: June 20, 2020 FIRST AIRED: July 24, 2020

IN THIS EPISODE: What's it like to be told you're never going to get your dream job or climb the corporate ladder because you have a disability? It's something Jackie, Cynthia, Sam and Stacie aren't exactly unfamiliar with, but the more we are told we can't do something, the more determined we are to smash that glass ceiling. The ladies also welcome special guest (and newly-minted lawyer!) Erica who discusses some of the amazing ways employers have accommodated her visual impairment. We invite you to leave your thoughts by visiting us on YouTube, Instagram and Facebook at @whatsthedifferencepodcast, or by email at whatsthedifferencepodcast@gmail.com. Thanks for tuning in! RECORDED: May 30, 2020 FIRST AIRED: June 26, 2020

IN THIS EPISODE: Mental health awareness has been a big focus throughout the COVID-19 pandemic, but feeling the negative impact of self-isolation is no stranger to people with visible or invisible disabilities. We discuss the emotional challenges we've learned to cope with throughout the years - everything from Stacie's and Sam's depression as a result of their challenges, to Cynthia's feelings of shame, and even Jackie's crippling fears of fire alarms and building demolition. We've all been there, we get it, and if you're watching this, we get you too. We invite you to leave your thoughts by visiting us on Instagram and Facebook at @whatsthedifferencepodcast or by email at whatsthedifferencepodcast@gmail.com. Thanks for tuning in! Recorded: May 9, 2020 First Aired: May 22, 2020

IN THIS EPISODE: Is romance any different when you have an invisible disability? It can be, but when it comes right down to it, the crappy dates, weird break ups and random LinkedIn invitations years later (why? Just WHY?) are pretty much the same. The good news? Jackie, Cynthia, Stacie and Sam have all since met the person of their dreams and they couldn't be happier! TRIGGER WARNING: This episode discusses sexual assault from 33:00 through 39:00. It was even challenging for us to talk about, so we get it! If this is upsetting, we strongly encourage you to skip over this section. NOTE: This episode was recorded four days before the WHO declared COVID-19 a pandemic and we hadn't even heard of the term "social distancing" at this point. We have not recorded in person since this day. Recorded: March 7, 2020 First Aired: April 24, 2020 Have a question or comment? Reach out to us on Instagram, Facebook or whatsthedifferencepodcast@gmail.com

The ladies welcome special guest Dan Rosen, comedian and playwright, who discusses what it's like to live with Crohn's disease in the midst of a pandemic (and toilet paper shortages!). The panel talks about the impact COVID-19 has on those living with chronic illnesses, and how social distancing has impacted them both physically and mentally. Full video version can be viewed on our YouTube channel! Click here to watch! (If this link doesn't work, highlight "https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=hy0VRdadkRI" and paste into your browser or YouTube app) First recorded: April 4, 2020 First aired: April 17, 2020

In the second installment of the What's the Difference roundtable, the ladies discuss how their parents first learned of their disabilities, the impact it had on the way they were raised and the struggles they encountered - and rallied against - in elementary, secondary and post-secondary schools. Got a question or comment? Interested in being on the show? Contact us at whatsthedifferencepodcast@gmail.com Find us on Instagram at @whatsthedifferencepodcast On Facebook at facebook.com/whatsthedifferencepodcast Recorded: February 8, 2020 First aired: March 11, 2020

In this episode, Jackie, Cynthia, Sam and Stacie introduce themselves and their invisible disabilities, and how each challenge they've encountered has helped to shape their outlook on life. Got a question or comment? Interested in being on the show? Contact us at whatsthedifferencepodcast@gmail.com Find us on Instagram at @whatsthedifferencepodcast On Facebook at facebook.com/whatsthedifferencepodcast Recorded: January 11, 2020 First aired: February 12, 2020