Podcasts about EDS

Listen and subscribe to Money Making Conversations on iHeartRadio, Apple Podcasts, Spotify, www.moneymakingconversations.com/subscribe/ or wherever you listen to podcasts. New Money Making Conversations episodes drop daily. I want to alert you, so you don’t miss out on expert analysis and insider perspectives from my guests who provide tips that can help you uplift the community, improve your financial planning, motivation, or advice on how to be a successful entrepreneur. Keep winning! Two-time Emmy and Three-time NAACP Image Award-winning, television Executive Producer Rushion McDonald interviewed Robert Fitzpatrick, a Navy veteran, business consultant, fraternity brother (ΩΨΦ), and now the owner reviving his family’s historic Texas barbecue legacy. The conversation dives deeply into Fitzpatrick’s upbringing, his father’s groundbreaking barbecue business in 1950s Texas, his educational and military journey, his corporate career, and his decision to launch Dewey’s Barbecue Market in Skokie, Illinois—honoring his father’s original recipes and values. The interview blends entrepreneurship, legacy, cultural history, and personal transformation, while highlighting the courage of Fitzpatrick’s father and the humility and faith-driven foundation of his family. Purpose of the Interview The interview aims to: 1. Inspire entrepreneurship and legacy-building Fitzpatrick’s story showcases how family heritage and values can shape a business vision across generations. 2. Highlight resilience, faith, and leadership His upbringing in a household rooted in Christian humility, strong expectations, and boundary-breaking courage provides a blueprint for character-driven success. 3. Educate listeners on transitioning careers Fitzpatrick exemplifies pivoting from engineering and corporate consulting to pursuing passion-driven entrepreneurship. 4. Promote Dewey’s Barbecue Market The interview introduces the Chicago-area community—especially the Skokie region—to his upcoming restaurant built on a 70-year-old Texas barbecue tradition. Key Takeaways 1. A powerful family legacy rooted in courage Fitzpatrick’s father, Dewey, opened a barbecue restaurant in 1951—before desegregation—and insisted that Blacks and whites could eat together. He enforced respect and safety in his establishment, even confronting racist patrons. 2. Education was non-negotiable in the Fitzpatrick household Robert is the youngest of seven siblings, all college graduates; five hold master’s degrees. He himself holds an MBA and an MS in Management Information Systems. 3. A bridge between technology and business Fitzpatrick spent decades in consulting with major firms (EDS, Dell, Arthur Andersen, KPMG) focusing on business process improvement. His dual MS/MBA made him a translator between tech and finance. 4. Military discipline shaped his personal and professional life Served in the U.S. Navy from 1986–1990, plus reserve duty (including deployment to Iraq). Balanced military service with graduate studies and advancing his corporate career. 5. A calling to revive his father’s barbecue His wife recognized his talent early, telling him for years he should be barbecuing. A shortage of good Texas barbecue in Virginia pushed him to recreate his father’s recipes. 6. Skokie, Illinois: the ideal launchpad After moving to the Great Lakes Naval Base area for a federal role, Fitzpatrick began scouting locations. Skokie offered: active support from city leadership grants an ideal building community enthusiasm 7. Dewey’s Barbecue Market offerings Meats: brisket, sausage, hot links, smoked boudin (monthly special) Sides: potato salad (egg/mayo base), pineapple vinegar coleslaw, fried okra, smoked pinto beans Desserts: apple cobbler, blueberry cobbler, sweet potato pie, possibly fried pies Bread: sliced “light bread” for dipping—traditional Texas style Experience: dine-in with 60s–80s “feel-good” music 8. A commitment to doing things the right way Fitzpatrick refuses to launch unless he can deliver “the best product on the planet.” Focuses on simplicity, authenticity, and quality. Notable Quotes About his father and legacy “He said anybody who wants to eat here can eat here.”(His father defying segregation laws in the 1950s.) “I can call an undertaker or an ambulance. Which one do you prefer?”(Dewey enforcing respect from a belligerent white customer.) “That was my barbecue.”(On being raised around his father’s legendary pit.) About family and humility “We are firmly rooted in Christ. If you try to get too big, He has a way of humbling you.” “Seven kids, all with degrees… that’s normal to you. But we know that’s not normal.”(McDonald highlighting the family’s extraordinary achievement.) About his calling “If I didn’t think I was bringing the best product on the planet, I wouldn’t even do it.” “My wife tasted the barbecue and said, ‘This is what you need to be doing.’” About launching in Skokie “They really want me to be there… the economic development team didn’t treat it like just another restaurant.” Short 3–5 Sentence Summary (For Quick Use) In his interview with Rushion McDonald, Robert Fitzpatrick shares his journey from Navy veteran and Fortune 500 consultant to entrepreneur reviving his family’s historic Texas barbecue. He describes growing up with a courageous father who defied segregation in 1951 by serving Black and white customers together, and a family culture steeped in education, discipline, and humility. Fitzpatrick’s passion for barbecue and encouragement from his wife led him to bring his father’s 70-year-old recipes to Skokie, Illinois through Dewey’s Barbecue Market. The interview emphasizes legacy, faith, courage, and the pursuit of purpose. #SHMS #STRAW #BESTSupport the show: https://www.steveharveyfm.com/See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Listen and subscribe to Money Making Conversations on iHeartRadio, Apple Podcasts, Spotify, www.moneymakingconversations.com/subscribe/ or wherever you listen to podcasts. New Money Making Conversations episodes drop daily. I want to alert you, so you don’t miss out on expert analysis and insider perspectives from my guests who provide tips that can help you uplift the community, improve your financial planning, motivation, or advice on how to be a successful entrepreneur. Keep winning! Two-time Emmy and Three-time NAACP Image Award-winning, television Executive Producer Rushion McDonald interviewed Robert Fitzpatrick, a Navy veteran, business consultant, fraternity brother (ΩΨΦ), and now the owner reviving his family’s historic Texas barbecue legacy. The conversation dives deeply into Fitzpatrick’s upbringing, his father’s groundbreaking barbecue business in 1950s Texas, his educational and military journey, his corporate career, and his decision to launch Dewey’s Barbecue Market in Skokie, Illinois—honoring his father’s original recipes and values. The interview blends entrepreneurship, legacy, cultural history, and personal transformation, while highlighting the courage of Fitzpatrick’s father and the humility and faith-driven foundation of his family. Purpose of the Interview The interview aims to: 1. Inspire entrepreneurship and legacy-building Fitzpatrick’s story showcases how family heritage and values can shape a business vision across generations. 2. Highlight resilience, faith, and leadership His upbringing in a household rooted in Christian humility, strong expectations, and boundary-breaking courage provides a blueprint for character-driven success. 3. Educate listeners on transitioning careers Fitzpatrick exemplifies pivoting from engineering and corporate consulting to pursuing passion-driven entrepreneurship. 4. Promote Dewey’s Barbecue Market The interview introduces the Chicago-area community—especially the Skokie region—to his upcoming restaurant built on a 70-year-old Texas barbecue tradition. Key Takeaways 1. A powerful family legacy rooted in courage Fitzpatrick’s father, Dewey, opened a barbecue restaurant in 1951—before desegregation—and insisted that Blacks and whites could eat together. He enforced respect and safety in his establishment, even confronting racist patrons. 2. Education was non-negotiable in the Fitzpatrick household Robert is the youngest of seven siblings, all college graduates; five hold master’s degrees. He himself holds an MBA and an MS in Management Information Systems. 3. A bridge between technology and business Fitzpatrick spent decades in consulting with major firms (EDS, Dell, Arthur Andersen, KPMG) focusing on business process improvement. His dual MS/MBA made him a translator between tech and finance. 4. Military discipline shaped his personal and professional life Served in the U.S. Navy from 1986–1990, plus reserve duty (including deployment to Iraq). Balanced military service with graduate studies and advancing his corporate career. 5. A calling to revive his father’s barbecue His wife recognized his talent early, telling him for years he should be barbecuing. A shortage of good Texas barbecue in Virginia pushed him to recreate his father’s recipes. 6. Skokie, Illinois: the ideal launchpad After moving to the Great Lakes Naval Base area for a federal role, Fitzpatrick began scouting locations. Skokie offered: active support from city leadership grants an ideal building community enthusiasm 7. Dewey’s Barbecue Market offerings Meats: brisket, sausage, hot links, smoked boudin (monthly special) Sides: potato salad (egg/mayo base), pineapple vinegar coleslaw, fried okra, smoked pinto beans Desserts: apple cobbler, blueberry cobbler, sweet potato pie, possibly fried pies Bread: sliced “light bread” for dipping—traditional Texas style Experience: dine-in with 60s–80s “feel-good” music 8. A commitment to doing things the right way Fitzpatrick refuses to launch unless he can deliver “the best product on the planet.” Focuses on simplicity, authenticity, and quality. Notable Quotes About his father and legacy “He said anybody who wants to eat here can eat here.”(His father defying segregation laws in the 1950s.) “I can call an undertaker or an ambulance. Which one do you prefer?”(Dewey enforcing respect from a belligerent white customer.) “That was my barbecue.”(On being raised around his father’s legendary pit.) About family and humility “We are firmly rooted in Christ. If you try to get too big, He has a way of humbling you.” “Seven kids, all with degrees… that’s normal to you. But we know that’s not normal.”(McDonald highlighting the family’s extraordinary achievement.) About his calling “If I didn’t think I was bringing the best product on the planet, I wouldn’t even do it.” “My wife tasted the barbecue and said, ‘This is what you need to be doing.’” About launching in Skokie “They really want me to be there… the economic development team didn’t treat it like just another restaurant.” Short 3–5 Sentence Summary (For Quick Use) In his interview with Rushion McDonald, Robert Fitzpatrick shares his journey from Navy veteran and Fortune 500 consultant to entrepreneur reviving his family’s historic Texas barbecue. He describes growing up with a courageous father who defied segregation in 1951 by serving Black and white customers together, and a family culture steeped in education, discipline, and humility. Fitzpatrick’s passion for barbecue and encouragement from his wife led him to bring his father’s 70-year-old recipes to Skokie, Illinois through Dewey’s Barbecue Market. The interview emphasizes legacy, faith, courage, and the pursuit of purpose. #SHMS #STRAW #BESTSee omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

When living with Ehlers-Danlos Syndrome and hypermobility disorders, medications alone rarely resolve all the symptoms. In this episode of Bendy Bodies, Dr. Linda Bluestein is joined by Dr. Ina Stephens, integrative medicine specialist and Associate Medical Director of the UVA Health EDS and Hypermobility Disorders Center, for a wide-ranging conversation about how lifestyle medicine, nervous system regulation, and whole-body care can dramatically influence outcomes for people with connective tissue disorders.Dr. Stephens explains how her background in infectious disease, vaccinology, and complex care led her to recognize patterns across seemingly unrelated symptoms and why listening deeply to patients often reveals the underlying problem. The discussion explores how nutrition, gut health, vagal nerve tone, sleep quality, and gradual strength building all influence inflammation, fatigue, and autonomic dysfunction in EDS.The episode also dives into the science of the microbiome, why small lifestyle shifts can produce meaningful physiologic change, and how integrative medicine expands the treatment toolbox beyond traditional Western approaches. For patients navigating complex symptoms, and clinicians caring for them, this conversation offers a thoughtful reminder that healing often happens through steady, strategic steps rather than quick fixes. Takeaways: There is rarely a single “magic” treatment for EDS, POTS, or MCAS.  Progress usually comes from strategic sequencing. Overtreating symptoms without addressing underlying patterns can create long-term setbacks. Physical therapy must be individualized in hypermobility, with an emphasis on pacing and trust. Shared decision-making improves outcomes, especially when treatment goals align with what brings the patient meaning and quality of life. Minimally disruptive medicine matters, reducing cognitive, financial, and physical treatment burden is part of effective care. Want to learn more about the UVA EDS Center? For Appointments and Questions: RUVAEDSCenter@uvahealth.org UVA EDS: https://www.uvahealth.com/healthy-practice/advancing-care-through-ehlers-danlos-clinic UVA EDS FAQ: https://www.uvahealth.com/support/eds/faq UVA Pediatric Integrative Medicine: https://childrens.uvahealth.com/specialties/integrative-health Want more Dr. Linda Bluestein, MD? Website: https://www.hypermobilitymd.com/ YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/@bendybodiespodcast Instagram: ⁠⁠⁠⁠https://www.instagram.com/hypermobilitymd/⁠⁠⁠⁠ Facebook: ⁠⁠⁠⁠https://www.facebook.com/BendyBodiesPodcast⁠⁠⁠⁠ X: ⁠⁠⁠⁠https://twitter.com/BluesteinLinda⁠⁠⁠⁠ LinkedIn: ⁠⁠⁠⁠https://www.linkedin.com/in/hypermobilitymd/⁠⁠⁠⁠ Newsletter: ⁠⁠⁠⁠https://hypermobilitymd.substack.com/ Shop my Amazon store ⁠⁠⁠ https://www.amazon.com/shop/hypermobilitymd Dr. Bluestein's Recommended Herbs, Supplements and Care Necessities: https://us.fullscript.com/welcome/hypermobilitymd/store-start Thank YOU so much for tuning in. We hope you found this episode informative, inspiring, useful, validating, and enjoyable. Join us on the next episode for YOUR time to level up your knowledge about hypermobility disorders and the people who have them. Join YOUR Bendy Bodies community at ⁠⁠https://www.bendybodiespodcast.com/⁠⁠. YOUR bendy body is our highest priority!⁠⁠ Learn more about Human Content at ⁠⁠⁠http://www.human-content.com⁠⁠⁠ Podcast Advertising/Business Inquiries: ⁠⁠⁠sales@human-content.com⁠⁠⁠ Part of the Human Content Podcast Network FTC: This video is not sponsored. Links are commissionable, meaning I may earn commission from purchases made through links Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

PURCHASE THIS PODCOURSE! If you are a therapist or counselor looking for continuing education, check out my NBCC Approved $5 Podcourses and other continuing education offerings.Plus, get your first Podcourse half off. In this 60-minute NBCC-approved podcourse, I'm joined by Michelle Page, PharmD, to explore perimenopause and menopause as neuroendocrine developmental transitions that significantly influence mood, sleep, cognition, stress regulation, relationships, and identity. We break down the clinical definitions of perimenopause, menopause, and postmenopause, discuss common and underrecognized symptom presentations, and examine how hormonal variability may contribute to new-onset anxiety, mood instability, sleep disruption, and relational strain in midlife clients. We also explore differential diagnosis considerations, interdisciplinary referral thresholds, and practical psychotherapy interventions that remain within scope of practice. When you purchase this podcourse, you will also receive a Clinical Companion Guide, which includes a structured Menopause-Informed Clinical Formulation Model, differential diagnosis considerations, expanded symptom awareness, and applied case studies to support real-world clinical integration. This training supports therapists in recognizing menopause-related symptom clusters, differentiating endocrine-driven presentations from primary psychiatric disorders, and collaborating effectively with menopause-informed medical providers. Our hope is that you'll walk away with fresh strategies you can integrate into your clinical work right away and you can also earn one NBCC continuing education contact hour by completing this Podcourse. Michelle's other Podcourse: Beyond Digestion: How Your Gut Influences Your Mental Health

In this month's EM Quick Hits Podcast we introduce not one, but two new series! First, "EMC²" - EM Cases Cases (we know, horrible name ;) where Anton or Katie discuss a knowledge building case with a special guest. And second, "Coaching the EM Mind" with Dr. Sara Gray a professional coach for EM providers, where Katie discusses with her the science and best expert advice on how to perform your best in the ED. Plus, a withdrawal syndrome that is new EDs, life-threatening and requires specific treatment - metetomadine withdrawal, EMS handover done right, why community ED docs should not use the PECARN C-spine Rule and Part 2 of Petro's tips on management of traumatic pneumothorax... Please consider a donation to ensure EM Cases continues to be Free Open Access here: https://emergencymedicinecases.com/donation/

EDS or Ehlers-Danlos Syndrome, is something I have been seeing lots more of in the last 5 or so years, so wanted to create a brief overview of what it is and some of the other issues seen associated with EDS.

There is no magic treatment for Ehlers-Danlos Syndrome, POTS, or mast cell activation disorders, but there is strategy. In this episode of Bendy Bodies, Dr. Linda Bluestein is joined by Dacre Knight, MD, founding Medical Director of the UVA Health EDS and Hypermobility Disorders Center, for a practical and deeply thoughtful conversation about how complex chronic conditions should actually be treated. Rather than chasing quick fixes, Dr. Bluestein and Dr. Knight explore sequencing. What to address first when everything is flaring, how to balance short-term symptom relief with long-term sustainability, and why overtreatment can sometimes cause more harm than good. They discuss the pitfalls of siloed care, the insurance barriers that complicate physical therapy, and the importance of starting low, going slow, and minimizing treatment burden. The episode also tackles difficult but essential questions: What does “getting better” really mean in lifelong connective tissue disorders? How do clinicians avoid reactionary prescribing? And how can patients recognize the difference between a thoughtful care plan and a rushed one? Takeaways: There is rarely a single “magic” treatment for EDS, POTS, or MCAS—progress usually comes from strategic sequencing. Overtreating symptoms without addressing underlying patterns can create long-term setbacks. Physical therapy must be individualized in hypermobility, with an emphasis on pacing and trust. Shared decision-making improves outcomes, especially when treatment goals align with what brings the patient meaning and quality of life. Minimally disruptive medicine matters, reducing cognitive, financial, and physical treatment burden is part of effective care. Find the episode transcript here. Want to learn more about the UVA EDS Center? For Appointments and Questions: RUVAEDSCenter@uvahealth.org UVA EDS: https://www.uvahealth.com/healthy-practice/advancing-care-through-ehlers-danlos-clinic UVA EDS FAQ: https://www.uvahealth.com/support/eds/faq UVA Pediatric Integrative Medicine: https://childrens.uvahealth.com/specialties/integrative-health Want more Dr. Dacre Knight? https://x.com/knidac Want more Dr. Linda Bluestein, MD? Website: https://www.hypermobilitymd.com/ YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/@bendybodiespodcast Instagram: ⁠⁠⁠⁠https://www.instagram.com/hypermobilitymd/⁠⁠⁠⁠ Facebook: ⁠⁠⁠⁠https://www.facebook.com/BendyBodiesPodcast⁠⁠⁠⁠ X: ⁠⁠⁠⁠https://twitter.com/BluesteinLinda⁠⁠⁠⁠ LinkedIn: ⁠⁠⁠⁠https://www.linkedin.com/in/hypermobilitymd/⁠⁠⁠⁠ Newsletter: ⁠⁠⁠⁠https://hypermobilitymd.substack.com/ Shop my Amazon store ⁠⁠⁠ https://www.amazon.com/shop/hypermobilitymd Dr. Bluestein's Recommended Herbs, Supplements and Care Necessities: https://us.fullscript.com/welcome/hypermobilitymd/store-start Thank YOU so much for tuning in. We hope you found this episode informative, inspiring, useful, validating, and enjoyable. Join us on the next episode for YOUR time to level up your knowledge about hypermobility disorders and the people who have them. Join YOUR Bendy Bodies community at ⁠⁠https://www.bendybodiespodcast.com/⁠⁠. YOUR bendy body is our highest priority!⁠⁠ Learn more about Human Content at ⁠⁠⁠http://www.human-content.com⁠⁠⁠ Podcast Advertising/Business Inquiries: ⁠⁠⁠sales@human-content.com⁠⁠⁠ Part of the Human Content Podcast Network FTC: This video is not sponsored. Links are commissionable, meaning I may earn commission from purchases made through links Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

On this episode of National Disability Radio, we sit down with award-winning recording artist, advocate, and author Lachi for a powerful conversation about disability pride, music, and unmasking. Lachi shares her journey, from navigating the music industry as a blind artist, to founding RAMPD, a coalition amplifying disability culture across the industry. We talk about what it means to say “I identify as blind,” move beyond the medical and social models of disability into a cultural model rooted in identity and joy, and remind listeners that no one can defeat someone who hasn't given up. From glam canes to Grammy stages, this episode is about claiming space, rejecting internalized ableism, and turning perceived flaws into flexes. Transcript: Alden Blevins: It’s Lachi? I feel very- Lachi: Lachi like Versace. Alden Blevins: Lachi like… Oh, I love that. Michelle Bishop: That is the best way to explain it. Lachi: I mean, but you know what I’m saying? Come on. Alden Blevins: Well, we’re really excited about having you today because we’re all music lovers in this group here. Michelle Bishop: Yes. Alden Blevins: We talk about music all the time. Michelle Bishop: So much. Lachi: Good, good, good, good, good, good, good. I’m in the right place. Michelle Bishop: Hi everyone. Welcome back to National Disability Radio, the official podcast of the National Disability Rights Network. I am Michelle Bishop, 1/3 of your podcast hosting team. Stephanie Flynt McEben: And I’m Stephanie Flynt McEben, public policy analyst here at NDRN. Alden Blevins: I am Alden. I am a communication specialist at NDRN and I am so excited today, like I mentioned, we’re all lovers of music, so we got a guest that I’m really excited about. Lachi is an award-winning recording artist and a recording Academy Grammy’s national trustee. She’s also a disability advocate who’s been breaking barriers in the music industry and beyond. She’s the founder of RAMPD, which by the way, is such a fun play name. I really love that. And the author of the upcoming book, I Identify as Blind. So without further ado, Michelle, you’ve got some questions to kick us off, I think. Michelle Bishop: Yes. We’re so excited to have you with us. As Alden said, we are. We’re huge music lovers. I’m pretty sure we spend most of our meetings where we allegedly plan this podcast just talking about music. So you’re absolutely in the right place today, but to get us started, I mean, you’ve been open about the fact, and I’m just really interested in this as a disability rights podcast. You’ve been really open about the fact that it took you some time to really embrace your identity as a blind and disabled woman, especially in the industry that you’re in that often really rewards conformity. Can you tell us a little bit more about that journey for you, both as an artist and as someone navigating just the world with a disability? Lachi: Okay. Yeah, for sure. Hey, everybody. Lachi here, Lachi like Versace. I am a Black woman with cornrows, chilling here in New York in my studio. I also identify as blind, I identify as neurodivergent, and I identify as an Aries. So do with that what you will. Michelle Bishop: All the important points right there. Lachi: All the important points like name, age, sign. Thank you. Okay. Yeah, but I’m really glad to be here. And thank you for that question, and thank you for having me. So music has always been a very integral part of my life of growing up. Where other babies would kick in the womb, when she was pregnant with me, I was playing the piano in the womb. I don’t know how she got a piano in there, but she’s not a liar, so I’m going to take her word for it. When I was super-duper young, I didn’t really have a lot of friends, especially because of the fact that I had differences and this and that. And so I would take to music to, I guess, understand the world better and have the world understand me better. I just knew how to express myself through song and it just said the things I needed to say. It was the prayer I needed. And because of music, I started to find confidence in how to speak and how to behave and how to act. And as I got older, when I was growing up, disability was not necessarily a thing people talked about a lot in schools and teachers didn’t know what to do. My parents didn’t really know what to do. And so I would always just turn to music. It’s actually right now I’m working on a children’s album because I think that kids need to hear music that has to do with disability and neurodivergence, as well as their parents as they grow up. When I got into college, I started wanting to do music, but I studied business and finance because when I told my parents I wanted to do music, they were like, “That’s not how you spell doctor.” because they are Nigerian immigrants and everybody else in my family went to either med school and blah, blah, blah. And I was like, “No, I want to do music.” But I did get a day job after school, after college, and didn’t love it because this girl is not going to exist behind a desk. So I ended up going to South by Southwest and I got signed actually from playing the guitar at a hole in the wall spot that nobody was at, except for this A&R apparently. So we got signed to an imprint under EMI, which was a major label back then, and we started touring and music then became my life. Now today, why wouldn’t I pay my respects back to music? I mean, it’s because of music that I was able to really lean into who I am, my disability, my confidence, et cetera. So because of that, because of how much music has given to me in my life, I’m here using music to give back to other people with disabilities. Now, your question was essentially, how do you sit here and try to bring about change for disability in an industry that is not only about conformity, but also about like, “Hey, pick me to exploit.” is essentially what the music industry is. You’re raising your hand to be exploited and that’s what kind of authenticity is that? But at the end of the day, music is some of the truest forms of storytelling. And I think to myself, just the way that hip hop has amplified Black culture and the way that country music has amplified rural culture and the way that different global musics have represented different global cultures. I want to use music to amplify disability culture. I want to use music to amplify disability stories and feelings that are difficult to put words to, that are words of the soul, which is essentially what music is. And so I started going to studios and realizing things weren’t as accessible as they should be. I started speaking with organizations and realizing things weren’t as inclusive as they should be. And the response I kept getting was like, “Oh, well, there’s nobody with a disability in the music industry, so why would we make these measures?” And so I have made it my life’s goal through RAMPD, which by the way, the best thing we ever accomplished was our acronym, not us working with the Grammys to get sign language on the red carpet, not us getting these partnerships with title, Live Nation, Spotify. I mean, we’ve done so much, not just for artists, but also for professionals. And we’ve started to realize something really interesting with the work we’ve done with RAMPD. We are getting people joining our membership who are director level folks, who are label owners, who are like the big wigs that write the checks, and they’re like, “I’m neurodivergent. I’m actually hard of hearing. I have a TBI.” And so when I originally set out, they said, “We don’t do disability inclusion because nobody’s disabled.” That was three years ago. Now I’m like, not only are there neurodivergent and disabled music professionals out here, but we all are. So really to conclude, it’s just that everyone is navigating trying to make it out in this world, but everyone’s masking. Everyone feels that they have to change some part of themselves to be as close as they can to what success looks like, be as close as they can to what “beauty” looks like, what winning looks like. But really all it is internalized ableism. And I say, as soon as we drop that internalized ableism and we really start to sit in who we truly are and we start to recognize our perceived flaws as flexes, that’s when we truly start to win. And so that’s what we’re finding out with RAMPD, that people are like, “You know what? I’m tired of navigating this difficult industry with the added layer of having to mask.” And so that’s why I do what I do. Michelle Bishop: Yes. And honestly, as ridiculous as it sounds that they say to you, “Oh, there aren’t any people with disabilities.” When I tell you, we see that in everything that we do. I do voting work at NDRN and we’ll have elections officials tell us, “This polling place isn’t accessible, but there aren’t any people with disabilities that vote here.” And it’s like, “What? You realize we’re everywhere and we do all sorts of things.” Maybe the reason they think there’s no people with disabilities here is because they’re stuck outside and they can’t get in because you didn’t make it accessible, just a thought. But I mean, it sounds like coming up against all that is really, correct me if I’m wrong, helped you to develop that identity and that disability pride in the industry. When did you first say, “I identify as blind.” and what did that mean for you? Lachi: Well, so when I first came into really doing the disability thing, really leaning in, I wanted to find out more influencers or thought leaders and such with disabilities. I didn’t really know that many people. This is pre COVID, 2018, 2019, that kind of thing. And so I came across an influencer, her name is Molly Burke, and we’re great friends now, but I didn’t know her back then. I had just seen her tagline and it had said, “I’m Molly Burke and I’m a YouTuber who happens to be blind.” And for some reason I was like, “I don’t know if I love the happens to be blind thing.” I was like, “Well, I’m proud of being blind. Blindness is part of my identity. I don’t just happen to be a woman. I don’t just happen to be a Nigerian. I don’t just happen to be all of the things I am.” And so I would go to… I was touring… We’re always touring and every time I tour and do a show, I do a comedic open where I just introduce myself, I do a quick self-description, et cetera. And in my self-description, I would say, and I don’t just happen to be blind. My blindness is part of my identity, has given me all of the opportunities I have, and it’s really made me a deeper blah, blah, blah. It was just too long. So I had punched it up to be, “My name is Lachi like Versace. She, her, I’m a Black woman with cornrows and I identify as blind.” And the interesting thing about that is people took onto it. They were like, “Oh, that’s cool, nice and punchy.” But whenever I would say it in front of a large crowd or like I’ve said it on interviews or during commercials, I would get this weird, I don’t know, pushback of like, you can’t identify as blind. Blindness is an identity. It’s a medical condition. Or they’ll be like, “Do you read braille or not?” Or they’ll be like, “We don’t want people to think trans blindness is a thing where you just have a blind identity.” And then you can be like, “Well, I’m blind today, so that’s my identity.” And I thought that was really fun. I was like, “Look, everybody’s upset. They’re talking about blindness though.” So I really leaned all the way into it. And I have to say, I am super proud of my disability identity. Was it music that brought me there? I think in a sense and in a way, like today I have a few songs, you guys are music lovers, I have a few songs out that really talk about my disability pride. I think that a lot of the times as we navigate the world, masking our disability, masking our chronic condition, our difference or whatever, we end up overcompensating. We end up building up this really, really thick problem solving muscle or this really, really thick how to get around things muscle and we overcompensate. When we’re finally accommodated, when we finally get to a place where we’re accommodated or we have the tools we need, we’re coming in like bulk as hell. We’re coming in with problem solving muscles. We’re coming in with all of these things that we had to build up because of navigating the world differently, because of every day working through this very difficult maze that is living a life unaccommodated, then when we finally are accommodated, then we are killing it and crushing it. And how could you not be proud of that? How can that not give you a sense of pride? So the songs that I would love for you guys to check out that are mine is I have a song called Life on Hard, which has gone viral several times on Instagram. I’m known as an Instagram rapper, which is like, what? Hello, I do disability advocacy. Look at that stuff. But anyway, so I have a song called Life on Hard, which is essentially about just winning the game of life, playing it on the hardest setting out here while people are still trying to consult the manual. I have another song called Professional, which is oftentimes when I walk on the stage, people see the cane and they’re like, “Aw, she’s going to do a song for us. Is this from Make a Wish Foundation?” And then I bust out these raps or I hop on the piano and I go ape on this piano and then they’re like, “Oh, snap. What? Okay.” And I’m like, “Bro, I’m a professional artist. I’m not object for pity to make you feel good because you felt weird on a Monday and you didn’t feel like getting up for work, but it’s like, she could do it. So can I.” I’m like, “No, I can do it. You most likely probably just can’t.” So that’s what that song’s about. And then there’s The Bag, and The Bag is just essentially like, I’ve been told no so much like, “No, you can’t. No, you’re not good enough. No, we don’t want you.” And I’m like, “You know what? Yes, I am good enough and I deserve everything. So I’m going to throw everything I deserve in the bag, which is everything.” I don’t know. I would not be the person I am if I didn’t love all parts of myself. And that includes my disabilities, that includes my neurodivergences and all of the other wacky, weird body jazz that I bring with me everywhere I go. Michelle Bishop: Lachi, can we maybe, do you and I just FaceTime each other every morning and hype each other up? Stephanie Flynt McEben: I was literally about to say the same thing. I would like in on a true call. Michelle Bishop: I don’t know if you know. Actually, I want to say quickly, I know some of those songs actually from social media, but they’re real. They’re so real. So people haven’t heard music, go check it out. I don’t know if you know one of our co-hosts, Stephanie is blind. You’re speaking directly to her soul right now. Stephanie Flynt McEben: I literally just texted them in our podcast group text and I was like, she’s totally speaking to my soul RN, but of course I don’t want to interrupt anything. Michelle Bishop: No, I know you’re dying to talk to her about the book, Stephanie, and take it away. Stephanie Flynt McEben: Yeah, no, absolutely, for sure. And as somebody who is blind and who also identifies as a blind person and definitely does not identify with the medical model of disability, clearly gotten to more of a social model. But yeah, in terms of going through that journey of accepting all of who you are and everything about yourself, for me, I mean, it took a minute, especially when you’re talking about your experiences as a child and I totally feel that. I was that girl playing the harmonica on the jungle gym by herself. Anyway, this is about you. This is not about me, but I’m just saying that I totally relate to you on a spiritual level. And given that, I would love to know, were there any particular moments when it came to writing the book that were particularly hard or healing? Because I mean, I think that we all know that it’s not always a linear journey. Some days are going to be harder than others. And so would love to get your perspective on that. And I think that our listeners would be interested. Lachi: Yeah, absolutely. The journey for me has been one of constantly unwrapping this amazing gift. I always try to use that as the visual, if you will, of you have this big present and you get to unwrap it and then you just keep getting something cooler inside and then you get to unwrap that and you get something cooler inside and you just keep unwrapping this beautiful gift that is yourself. But you don’t realize that when you first get the box, the amazing stuff that’s going on inside, and it takes time to get to it. So a lot of times growing up, I would kick myself in the butt of, I wish I had come to this when I was so much younger. I wish there were people out there when I was younger, role models that I could look up to when I was eight years old and pointing on the TV and saying like, “Okay, well, I mean, I understand that Ray Charles existed, but that’s not going to…” Stephanie Flynt McEben: Stevie Wonder is here, Ray Charles is here, but we need more of us. Hello. Lachi: We need more of us. Hello. Exactly. And so this time and place where I am right now is where I needed to be for this to work. So I can’t really kick myself in the butt of like, “I wish I had this. I wish I knew this so much earlier. I would’ve been so much further.” That kind of thing. You have to be where you got to be where you need to be. Even right now, this conversation we’re having right now is going to have been necessary for the next thing that is happening in our lives. And just the other day, I was hanging out with Queen Herby, who’s been one of my favorite more modern rappers. I just did a thing with Apl.de.ap. I have done some stuff with Black Caviar. Folks that I’ve looked up to, I’m having the opportunity to Snoop Dogg. I’m having the opportunity to work with these days because of the fact that I am here at the right time now. So when I was writing my book, we were peeling back all the layers. I’m a generally very positive and energetic, social butterfly type of person today. But it’s interesting, I wasn’t always this person and I had to unpack all the layers to get there. One of the biggest things that happens to me, so I’ve always been low vision. So I was born with relatively low vision and it stayed the same throughout my teens and early 20s. But one day I woke up and my sight was just gone. Boom. So the interesting thing is anybody listening would be like, “Oh my God, if I woke up and my sight was gone, I would just die or I would not know what to do. My life would be over.” Stephanie Flynt McEben: Yep. Heard that a million times. Yes. Lachi: But for me, it was weird because I was already low vision, so I was going from level one to the underwater level or whatever. So it wasn’t like that life changing of a thing. I was already using screen readers or Zoom text. I was already doing stuff of that nature. So I wake up blind and I’m just like, “Okay, I guess this is it. This is the day that they told me was coming.” What had ended up happening was my corneas had erupted. And so I went to the doctor and he was like, “You’re going to become completely blind. You’re going to go from this much worse vision than you’ve had to complete blindness over the course of time.” So here you go, here’s a coupon. Bye.” or whatever. So I’m like, all right. So I had decided at that moment that I wanted to start a bucket list. So I was like, okay, what are all the things I’ve always wanted to do before completely going completely blind? So I was like, let me go skydiving, let me go spolunking, let me go meet with people, meet with celebrities and just do all of the things I’ve always wanted to do before I lose my vision. So I went out and I did it. This is still me doing it. This is still me doing it. And so I say that because to people who say if I ever went blind, I would just die. Well, when I went blind, it made me want to live. And that’s what opened me up into being this person that I am today. Stephanie Flynt McEben: That is amazing. I genuinely love that. Lachi: We talk about charity model and propping disabled folks up as tools of pity. We talk about medical model, which is really just waiting around for cure, making the cure the hero. We talk about social model, which is a really good place to live in the sense of things are impairing if they’re not accessible. Society is impairing if it’s not inclusive. But honestly, if I have all of the things, like if I have all my tools, if I have all that I need and if folks are inclusive, then I’m still blind, but I’m not impaired. But I like to go a little step further into what is the cultural model. And so the cultural model is it’s not just a discussion of what society should and shouldn’t do. It’s actually a celebration of what you gain as a person who identifies with their disability or their neurodivergence, the things they need to overcompensate because they’re navigating the world a little differently, leaning into that. So let’s say for instance, deaf culture, sign language, and the fact that folks can have complete discussions outside of what we’re talking about, there is so much deaf pride out in these streets, that is a celebration of culture that comes out of disability. And for me, let’s say for instance, I have ADHD and it powers my one million and counting ideas. I have diagnosed OCD, which helps me carry out all those one million and counting ideas. I have diagnosed general anxiety disorder, which gives me my empathy and my excitement. And then I am blind, which when I have the tools I need, it gives me drive. It keeps me determined, it keeps me focused, and it gives me my dope ass glam canes. There was a girl and her mom, and she came up to me after a show and she was like, “Oh my God, your music was great.” I was like, thank you. She’s like, “Mommy, can I get one of those canes?” And then her mom was like, “Ugh, well, you have to be blind.” And I’m like, “Yeah, girl, you better want to be me.” Stephanie Flynt McEben: Yeah. We drive sticks. Anyway, sorry. Lachi: Yes. You know what? I speak softly and I carry a big old stick. Thank you. Stephanie Flynt McEben: Yes. Amen to that. Exactly. As somebody who considers themself a lifelong disability advocate, I never really thought about it in the sense of going beyond the social into the cultural. So thank you so, so much. We all learn something new every single day on this podcast, but I’d love to know a little bit more about, obviously you were very, very, very good at talking through these experiences in such a way that they are very relatable and easy to understand and that thing. So I’d love to pick your brain about the intended audience of your book. Who did you write it for? Other blind folks? Did you write it for, was it written for multiple audiences? Lachi: Yeah, honestly, I wrote it for the person who is masking. I wrote it for anyone who is tired of… Listen, let me put it like this. Let’s face it, disability is boring, a lot of the time it’s sad and it’s compliancy. We have to go the extra mile to make it fun because the actual truth of it is that the only reason it’s boring, sad, and compliancy is because society has kept it that way through its collective internalized ableism. And so my book is actually a humor book. It’s a pop culture book. It’s a comedy book. In fact, when we were talking to the publisher, it’s like, we should be putting this up against other comedic books, not necessarily disability books because it’s a book. I got so many jokes. I have dad jokes, they’re corny jokes, I have rap bars. I rap in a lot of the book just because I was like, “Hey, this rhymes.” I’m going to say it like a rap. We’re doing the audiobook right now, so I actually get to wrap it, which is really fun. Stephanie Flynt McEben: Oh, that is so cool. Oh my gosh. Lachi: Which is really, really fun. But really, honestly, what the book is what everything I do is it is using joy, soul, pop culture, jokes, humor, fashion, and just a really good time to celebrate disability, as well as community. So what you’ll find in this book is my story through my story, through historical deep dives, through interviews with some really, really cool popular figures and a really big deep dose of disability joy. And so a lot of folks who have disabilities, they will read this book and they’ll be energized. It’ll be like, “This is really great. I’m glad that I finally get to read a book that talks about disability in a positive way.” For blind specific folks, they might relate to a few of my stories because I talk about the day I woke up blind, I talk about when I went skydiving blind, I talk about just some of my interesting blind moments. But then I also talk about how I would go to red carpets and not know how to talk to anybody. So I’m in this amazing room with all these celebrities I can’t see and I’m just sitting on the wall. So I talk about some of the hard times too as well. But at the end of the day, really what the book is is an invitation in for somebody who feels a little different, a little awkward, has to mask, and just needed that invite in to talk about disability in a fun, joyful, celebratory way, to recognize that yes, that thing in you that’s different, that thing in you that society has told you you should view as a weakness and hide, you should be proud of. And I say this to people all the time. I say it in the industry, I say it to all my friends, I say it to anyone who will listen. I say it to my local barista and they come back and they say things like, “Oh my God, I’m so glad you said it that way. It turns out I have a titanium hip and I’ve never told anybody about that.” And that’s the vibe. The vibe is someone who was like, “I really needed this to be said to me this way, and now I am able to step all the way into my disability identity.” Alden Blevins: I love, especially what you said about joy. I feel like for me as an autistic person, my experience in the arts is that it is really a space where people who maybe don’t belong in other spaces or don’t feel like they belong in other spaces or are made to feel like they don’t belong in other spaces. I think that a lot of them really do find a safe space in music, in the arts, in theater. And I just wanted to ask, why do you think the music space is such a special one for you and why do you think it’s a place where other people with disabilities seem to flock together as well? Lachi: I mean, you hit the nail on the head. Counterculture, I mean, music often rewards counterculture. And then it eventually becomes mainstream and then we got to rebel against that. So music is a place where your soul can speak. And I think a lot of the times with disabilities, especially autism for me, I’m ADHD, OCD, a different neurodivergence situation, but a lot of the issue is communication. We don’t know how to say exactly what we need or whoever we’re talking to just doesn’t know how to hear what we’re saying. And so I think that what music does is it allows a soul to speak to a soul. A lot of the times music does this thing where you’ll be listening to a song and you’ll just be like, “That, that right there. That’s what I it me. That’s the thing I’m feeling.” type deal. Music has the ability to do that. And so for me, right now, this children’s album that I’m working on, the kids’ album, which is an album that is essentially R&B, pop, electronic, sort of the genres that I dance in for kids centered on disability and neurodivergence. Because what I want to do is be able to say, “Hey, I want you to point at that and say, that’s me.” And I think the easiest and quickest way to point at something and say, “That’s me also.” has been music. And so it’s why it’s been my strongest medium. Again, it’s not my only medium. I’m talking to folks through the book, I’m talking to folks through fashion, et cetera, et cetera. But again, music has been just the quickest, easiest point A to point B conversation easer, if you will, about disability. Another thing I also love to use is humor and comedy. So I make jokes all the time. They’re all bad. They’re all very not good jokes. I need to probably get a joke writer, but the fact that I’m having such a good time telling the jokes, I think I think is all that really matters. So I think both music and humor are just really, really great spaces for two people to get to relate to something that may be difficult to talk about. Stephanie Flynt McEben: Yo, if you need a joke writer, I’m your girl. I actually do a joke every single episode of this podcast. Michelle Bishop: Her jokes are not better than yours, Lachi. Don’t hire her. Stephanie Flynt McEben: My jokes are pretty bad. They’re worse than dad’s jokes. They’re like granddad jokes. Alden Blevins: Yeah. Stephanie is the queen of the jokes on our podcast. She always brings one through. Didn’t know that you were working on a children’s music album, and I think that’s really interesting. I actually used to be a teacher, so children’s music is something that’s near and dear to my heart. So I just wanted to ask, what would you want to tell to younger people with disabilities, younger disabled creatives about claiming space and being able to tell their own stories? Lachi: Well, one thing that I heard from someone else, I don’t remember who it was. I think it was- Michelle Bishop: Jordan? Lachi: Yes, Jordan. He’s the one that said this. Michelle Bishop: I love him. Lachi: Yeah, he’s so funny. I met him at a… What did I meet him at? The Webby Awards or something. But anyway, no one can ever defeat someone who hasn’t given up. And for some reason that hit me, and I don’t even think he was trying to say it that deep. He was just saying a joke or something. But I took that and it was like, no one can ever defeat someone who hasn’t given up. So at the end of the day, you are really the only one who can end whatever you’re trying to get. Because as long as you are still going for it, it is still still there. It’s like a Schrodinger’s cat. It’s like as long as you’re still running for it, that opportunity is still there for you to have. The opportunity is never lost as long as you’re still going for it. And people can tell you, people can take your shoulders and tell you to go right. People can take your shoulders and tell you to go left. But until you take your own shoulders and go in the direction that your heart, your soul, your passion, your fire, desires, that is when you truly begin to live. And so I say personally, lean into that. I hear from a lot of younger, especially creators with disabilities. I mentor a lot of folks, tons and tons of folks. It’s one of the things I love to do the most. But what I love to tell folks is you are going to be the best you. And that you is going to include all of the different parts of who you are, but it is especially going to include you leaning in to the things that make you different and unique as unique selling points. Earlier I talked about how people try so hard to be the “definition of beauty”, definition of success, definition of whatever. Everyone’s trying to be this reference man. Everyone’s trying to be as close as they can to the reference man. And if I’m as close as I can to the reference man, then I’ll be successful or then I’ll get this job or then I’ll get this gig. But the truth of the matter is when we look at all of the people that are doing all of the big things, they’re “eccentric”. They’re “weird”. They did some big different idea that no one was thinking about and everybody fell into their trend. The further away you are from the reference man, that is when you start to win. That is when you’ll start to see success. That is when you’ll start to feel much better about yourself. That is when you can wake up in the morning, look in the mirror and say, “I am fine.” When you are able to accept all of those different freckles of yourself that are as far away from the reference man as possible, because guess what? There is room outside of the barrel for everyone to win if they are all being their unique self and running their unique purpose. That’s what I would tell to young disabled creators. Michelle Bishop: That’s amazing. Almost feel like we should stop there, but I have so many follow-up questions. Lachi: Listen, I’m here to drop as many mics as they will let me keep breaking. Michelle Bishop: I was wondering how you see the conversation around disability and inclusion and evolving these days. And a lot of our listeners are people with disabilities or people who have other even multiple intersecting identities in which they experience barriers as well. What does allyship look like to you? Lachi: This is one of my favorite questions. So yes, we have folks with disabilities and we have folks who want to work with people with disabilities, want to help a friend with a disability, want to make sure they don’t say the wrong thing to a person with a disability, neurodivergence, chronic condition, mental health condition. That’s not an ally. Wanting to help a person with a disability is not an ally. To me, wanting to support someone with a disability, that’s an ally in the very basic definition of allyship. Here’s what I think an ally is. To answer the question, I got to do two things. One, talk about the disability umbrella. So the disability umbrella encompasses so many forms of disability. It is neurodivergence, which is ADHD, dyslexia, OCD. It is mental health conditions like anxiety, depression, bipolar. It is someone who learns a little differently. It is someone who has explosive situations like anger management. It is someone who has substance abuse disorder, maybe somebody who drinks too much or uses different substances. It is chronic back pain. You know what I’m saying? It is asthma. It is EDS. It’s POTS. It is long COVID. It is different complications that you gain after pregnancy. It is different complications that you gain as you age. It is different complications you gain through menopause. It is temporary. It is breaking your arm and wearing a cast. It is seasonal depression. There is nobody on this earth that is not within the disability umbrella. And I don’t mean that you’re going to grow into it. I don’t mean in the future. I mean right now. Whether you identify as a person with a disability or not, you have disability identity because you have experience in your body disability. And when you figure that out, then you’re an ally. Allyship is seeing yourself through the other person because you can’t look through someone else’s eyes unless you can see yourself in them. And you can’t see yourself in disability until you recognize the disability identity within yourself. All of a sudden, and I say this and people are like, “What? I say this, but I’ve seen this. I’ve seen it happen. I’ve seen people who did not associate themselves with any form of disability or anything and they’re just like, Oh, them. Oh, I’ll help them. We have a conversation and then we have a follow-up conversation and then we’re drinking and then all of a sudden they’re telling me all their disabilities and then they’re walking a little different when they encounter disability. It’s no longer a them thing. And so that’s what an ally is. People with disabilities are also allies. I am an ally to the deaf community because I recognize though I’m not deaf, I see the having to navigate the world differently in you of myself. So that’s how I define an ally. An ally is someone who understands their own disability identity and can see it in others. Michelle Bishop: Don’t mind me over here just taking notes. Stephanie Flynt McEben: Literally. Oh my gosh. Lachi, thank you so, so, so much for being with us and taking time. I know that your website, lachimusic.com is one of the places where folks can stay up to date on all of the latest and greatest things that you’re up to. Is there anything else in particular you would like to plug for our listeners? Lachi: Like you said, LACHI, L-A-C-H-I M-U-S-I-C. I’m on the internets everywhere. Instagram, Spotify, check out the old music. If you’re a creator, a music creator or professional with a disability, check us out at RAMPD, R-A-M-P-D.org. Or if you want to donate or if you want to partner with us over at RAMPD, please do. If you are a cane user, whether you’re a blind cane user or you use Mobility Cane, check out glamcanes.com, get your canes bejeweled. I Identify as Blind, our book is out on Penguin Random House, imprint called Tiny Reparations by Phoebe Robinson, who is also a comedian. So we’re out here all writing very funny books. So please check it out. And lastly, listen, try to find moments in your day of disability joy. And when you find that moment, take a picture of it or write it down so that you can go back to it and live for those moments. So thank you guys so much for having me on this podcast. It’s really been a blast getting to talk at you about all things I identify as blind. Alden Blevins: I love it. I was over here taking notes too because I just found so much of myself in what you were saying and so many things were poignant and empowering. I, as an autistic person, try to be an ally to other parts of the disability community myself. And that’s something where I’m always trying to put myself in the shoes of another person and what they might experience. So I think that’s really powerful. We were so grateful to be able to connect and learn more about you, Lachi. Lachi: Yes, yes, yes. So honored to be here, guys. Michelle Bishop: Before you head out, Lachi, do you want to hear one of Stephanie’s grandpa jokes? Lachi: I was going to say, I was like, “Let’s hear one of these granddad jokes.” Let me see. Stephanie Flynt McEben: Okay. This might be- Michelle Bishop: Okay, do it. Stephanie Flynt McEben: … a granddad joke. Okay. Where do spiders like to get their information? Lachi: The web? Michelle Bishop: That would be something to do with web. Stephanie Flynt McEben: But what kind of web? Lachi: Wow. Really? You are fired from being my comedy writer. You are fired to be my comedy writer. I was rooting for you too. I was like, let’s just… Please. Stephanie Flynt McEben: I wouldn’t even get to the punchline yet. Michelle Bishop: Worldwide web? Stephanie Flynt McEben: It is the worldwide web. Michelle Bishop: Oh. Stephanie Flynt McEben: It’s fine. It’s fine. My wife warned me not to tell that joke this month and I didn’t lose it. Michelle Bishop: Oh my gosh. I’m so glad you stuck around for that part. Lachi: As I live and breathe. Thank you guys so, so much. This has been so much fun and I will see who else I can tell that joke to. And go ahead and just to help you out, Stephanie, I’ll go ahead and embarrass myself by telling that joke to others. Stephanie Flynt McEben: Not my best work, but that is allyship. Yes. Michelle Bishop: Oh my gosh, Lachi, thank you so much. And everyone, please lachimusic.com. Check it out. Listen to the music, read the book. Alden Blevins: Speaking of the worldwide web, this has been National Disability Radio. We celebrate stories, leadership, and talent of people with disabilities. If you enjoyed this episode, be sure to subscribe, share, and continue the conversation with us on that worldwide web at ndrn.org or anywhere you get your favorite podcasts. Thanks for listening and until next time. Stephanie Flynt McEben: Bye.

On this episode of National Disability Radio, we sit down with award-winning recording artist, advocate, and author Lachi for a powerful conversation about disability pride, music, and unmasking. Lachi shares her journey, from navigating the music industry as a blind artist, to founding RAMPD, a coalition amplifying disability culture across the industry. We talk about what it means to say “I identify as blind,” move beyond the medical and social models of disability into a cultural model rooted in identity and joy, and remind listeners that no one can defeat someone who hasn't given up. From glam canes to Grammy stages, this episode is about claiming space, rejecting internalized ableism, and turning perceived flaws into flexes. Transcript: Alden Blevins: It’s Lachi? I feel very- Lachi: Lachi like Versace. Alden Blevins: Lachi like… Oh, I love that. Michelle Bishop: That is the best way to explain it. Lachi: I mean, but you know what I’m saying? Come on. Alden Blevins: Well, we’re really excited about having you today because we’re all music lovers in this group here. Michelle Bishop: Yes. Alden Blevins: We talk about music all the time. Michelle Bishop: So much. Lachi: Good, good, good, good, good, good, good. I’m in the right place. Michelle Bishop: Hi everyone. Welcome back to National Disability Radio, the official podcast of the National Disability Rights Network. I am Michelle Bishop, 1/3 of your podcast hosting team. Stephanie Flynt McEben: And I’m Stephanie Flynt McEben, public policy analyst here at NDRN. Alden Blevins: I am Alden. I am a communication specialist at NDRN and I am so excited today, like I mentioned, we’re all lovers of music, so we got a guest that I’m really excited about. Lachi is an award-winning recording artist and a recording Academy Grammy’s national trustee. She’s also a disability advocate who’s been breaking barriers in the music industry and beyond. She’s the founder of RAMPD, which by the way, is such a fun play name. I really love that. And the author of the upcoming book, I Identify as Blind. So without further ado, Michelle, you’ve got some questions to kick us off, I think. Michelle Bishop: Yes. We’re so excited to have you with us. As Alden said, we are. We’re huge music lovers. I’m pretty sure we spend most of our meetings where we allegedly plan this podcast just talking about music. So you’re absolutely in the right place today, but to get us started, I mean, you’ve been open about the fact, and I’m just really interested in this as a disability rights podcast. You’ve been really open about the fact that it took you some time to really embrace your identity as a blind and disabled woman, especially in the industry that you’re in that often really rewards conformity. Can you tell us a little bit more about that journey for you, both as an artist and as someone navigating just the world with a disability? Lachi: Okay. Yeah, for sure. Hey, everybody. Lachi here, Lachi like Versace. I am a Black woman with cornrows, chilling here in New York in my studio. I also identify as blind, I identify as neurodivergent, and I identify as an Aries. So do with that what you will. Michelle Bishop: All the important points right there. Lachi: All the important points like name, age, sign. Thank you. Okay. Yeah, but I’m really glad to be here. And thank you for that question, and thank you for having me. So music has always been a very integral part of my life of growing up. Where other babies would kick in the womb, when she was pregnant with me, I was playing the piano in the womb. I don’t know how she got a piano in there, but she’s not a liar, so I’m going to take her word for it. When I was super-duper young, I didn’t really have a lot of friends, especially because of the fact that I had differences and this and that. And so I would take to music to, I guess, understand the world better and have the world understand me better. I just knew how to express myself through song and it just said the things I needed to say. It was the prayer I needed. And because of music, I started to find confidence in how to speak and how to behave and how to act. And as I got older, when I was growing up, disability was not necessarily a thing people talked about a lot in schools and teachers didn’t know what to do. My parents didn’t really know what to do. And so I would always just turn to music. It’s actually right now I’m working on a children’s album because I think that kids need to hear music that has to do with disability and neurodivergence, as well as their parents as they grow up. When I got into college, I started wanting to do music, but I studied business and finance because when I told my parents I wanted to do music, they were like, “That’s not how you spell doctor.” because they are Nigerian immigrants and everybody else in my family went to either med school and blah, blah, blah. And I was like, “No, I want to do music.” But I did get a day job after school, after college, and didn’t love it because this girl is not going to exist behind a desk. So I ended up going to South by Southwest and I got signed actually from playing the guitar at a hole in the wall spot that nobody was at, except for this A&R apparently. So we got signed to an imprint under EMI, which was a major label back then, and we started touring and music then became my life. Now today, why wouldn’t I pay my respects back to music? I mean, it’s because of music that I was able to really lean into who I am, my disability, my confidence, et cetera. So because of that, because of how much music has given to me in my life, I’m here using music to give back to other people with disabilities. Now, your question was essentially, how do you sit here and try to bring about change for disability in an industry that is not only about conformity, but also about like, “Hey, pick me to exploit.” is essentially what the music industry is. You’re raising your hand to be exploited and that’s what kind of authenticity is that? But at the end of the day, music is some of the truest forms of storytelling. And I think to myself, just the way that hip hop has amplified Black culture and the way that country music has amplified rural culture and the way that different global musics have represented different global cultures. I want to use music to amplify disability culture. I want to use music to amplify disability stories and feelings that are difficult to put words to, that are words of the soul, which is essentially what music is. And so I started going to studios and realizing things weren’t as accessible as they should be. I started speaking with organizations and realizing things weren’t as inclusive as they should be. And the response I kept getting was like, “Oh, well, there’s nobody with a disability in the music industry, so why would we make these measures?” And so I have made it my life’s goal through RAMPD, which by the way, the best thing we ever accomplished was our acronym, not us working with the Grammys to get sign language on the red carpet, not us getting these partnerships with title, Live Nation, Spotify. I mean, we’ve done so much, not just for artists, but also for professionals. And we’ve started to realize something really interesting with the work we’ve done with RAMPD. We are getting people joining our membership who are director level folks, who are label owners, who are like the big wigs that write the checks, and they’re like, “I’m neurodivergent. I’m actually hard of hearing. I have a TBI.” And so when I originally set out, they said, “We don’t do disability inclusion because nobody’s disabled.” That was three years ago. Now I’m like, not only are there neurodivergent and disabled music professionals out here, but we all are. So really to conclude, it’s just that everyone is navigating trying to make it out in this world, but everyone’s masking. Everyone feels that they have to change some part of themselves to be as close as they can to what success looks like, be as close as they can to what “beauty” looks like, what winning looks like. But really all it is internalized ableism. And I say, as soon as we drop that internalized ableism and we really start to sit in who we truly are and we start to recognize our perceived flaws as flexes, that’s when we truly start to win. And so that’s what we’re finding out with RAMPD, that people are like, “You know what? I’m tired of navigating this difficult industry with the added layer of having to mask.” And so that’s why I do what I do. Michelle Bishop: Yes. And honestly, as ridiculous as it sounds that they say to you, “Oh, there aren’t any people with disabilities.” When I tell you, we see that in everything that we do. I do voting work at NDRN and we’ll have elections officials tell us, “This polling place isn’t accessible, but there aren’t any people with disabilities that vote here.” And it’s like, “What? You realize we’re everywhere and we do all sorts of things.” Maybe the reason they think there’s no people with disabilities here is because they’re stuck outside and they can’t get in because you didn’t make it accessible, just a thought. But I mean, it sounds like coming up against all that is really, correct me if I’m wrong, helped you to develop that identity and that disability pride in the industry. When did you first say, “I identify as blind.” and what did that mean for you? Lachi: Well, so when I first came into really doing the disability thing, really leaning in, I wanted to find out more influencers or thought leaders and such with disabilities. I didn’t really know that many people. This is pre COVID, 2018, 2019, that kind of thing. And so I came across an influencer, her name is Molly Burke, and we’re great friends now, but I didn’t know her back then. I had just seen her tagline and it had said, “I’m Molly Burke and I’m a YouTuber who happens to be blind.” And for some reason I was like, “I don’t know if I love the happens to be blind thing.” I was like, “Well, I’m proud of being blind. Blindness is part of my identity. I don’t just happen to be a woman. I don’t just happen to be a Nigerian. I don’t just happen to be all of the things I am.” And so I would go to… I was touring… We’re always touring and every time I tour and do a show, I do a comedic open where I just introduce myself, I do a quick self-description, et cetera. And in my self-description, I would say, and I don’t just happen to be blind. My blindness is part of my identity, has given me all of the opportunities I have, and it’s really made me a deeper blah, blah, blah. It was just too long. So I had punched it up to be, “My name is Lachi like Versace. She, her, I’m a Black woman with cornrows and I identify as blind.” And the interesting thing about that is people took onto it. They were like, “Oh, that’s cool, nice and punchy.” But whenever I would say it in front of a large crowd or like I’ve said it on interviews or during commercials, I would get this weird, I don’t know, pushback of like, you can’t identify as blind. Blindness is an identity. It’s a medical condition. Or they’ll be like, “Do you read braille or not?” Or they’ll be like, “We don’t want people to think trans blindness is a thing where you just have a blind identity.” And then you can be like, “Well, I’m blind today, so that’s my identity.” And I thought that was really fun. I was like, “Look, everybody’s upset. They’re talking about blindness though.” So I really leaned all the way into it. And I have to say, I am super proud of my disability identity. Was it music that brought me there? I think in a sense and in a way, like today I have a few songs, you guys are music lovers, I have a few songs out that really talk about my disability pride. I think that a lot of the times as we navigate the world, masking our disability, masking our chronic condition, our difference or whatever, we end up overcompensating. We end up building up this really, really thick problem solving muscle or this really, really thick how to get around things muscle and we overcompensate. When we’re finally accommodated, when we finally get to a place where we’re accommodated or we have the tools we need, we’re coming in like bulk as hell. We’re coming in with problem solving muscles. We’re coming in with all of these things that we had to build up because of navigating the world differently, because of every day working through this very difficult maze that is living a life unaccommodated, then when we finally are accommodated, then we are killing it and crushing it. And how could you not be proud of that? How can that not give you a sense of pride? So the songs that I would love for you guys to check out that are mine is I have a song called Life on Hard, which has gone viral several times on Instagram. I’m known as an Instagram rapper, which is like, what? Hello, I do disability advocacy. Look at that stuff. But anyway, so I have a song called Life on Hard, which is essentially about just winning the game of life, playing it on the hardest setting out here while people are still trying to consult the manual. I have another song called Professional, which is oftentimes when I walk on the stage, people see the cane and they’re like, “Aw, she’s going to do a song for us. Is this from Make a Wish Foundation?” And then I bust out these raps or I hop on the piano and I go ape on this piano and then they’re like, “Oh, snap. What? Okay.” And I’m like, “Bro, I’m a professional artist. I’m not object for pity to make you feel good because you felt weird on a Monday and you didn’t feel like getting up for work, but it’s like, she could do it. So can I.” I’m like, “No, I can do it. You most likely probably just can’t.” So that’s what that song’s about. And then there’s The Bag, and The Bag is just essentially like, I’ve been told no so much like, “No, you can’t. No, you’re not good enough. No, we don’t want you.” And I’m like, “You know what? Yes, I am good enough and I deserve everything. So I’m going to throw everything I deserve in the bag, which is everything.” I don’t know. I would not be the person I am if I didn’t love all parts of myself. And that includes my disabilities, that includes my neurodivergences and all of the other wacky, weird body jazz that I bring with me everywhere I go. Michelle Bishop: Lachi, can we maybe, do you and I just FaceTime each other every morning and hype each other up? Stephanie Flynt McEben: I was literally about to say the same thing. I would like in on a true call. Michelle Bishop: I don’t know if you know. Actually, I want to say quickly, I know some of those songs actually from social media, but they’re real. They’re so real. So people haven’t heard music, go check it out. I don’t know if you know one of our co-hosts, Stephanie is blind. You’re speaking directly to her soul right now. Stephanie Flynt McEben: I literally just texted them in our podcast group text and I was like, she’s totally speaking to my soul RN, but of course I don’t want to interrupt anything. Michelle Bishop: No, I know you’re dying to talk to her about the book, Stephanie, and take it away. Stephanie Flynt McEben: Yeah, no, absolutely, for sure. And as somebody who is blind and who also identifies as a blind person and definitely does not identify with the medical model of disability, clearly gotten to more of a social model. But yeah, in terms of going through that journey of accepting all of who you are and everything about yourself, for me, I mean, it took a minute, especially when you’re talking about your experiences as a child and I totally feel that. I was that girl playing the harmonica on the jungle gym by herself. Anyway, this is about you. This is not about me, but I’m just saying that I totally relate to you on a spiritual level. And given that, I would love to know, were there any particular moments when it came to writing the book that were particularly hard or healing? Because I mean, I think that we all know that it’s not always a linear journey. Some days are going to be harder than others. And so would love to get your perspective on that. And I think that our listeners would be interested. Lachi: Yeah, absolutely. The journey for me has been one of constantly unwrapping this amazing gift. I always try to use that as the visual, if you will, of you have this big present and you get to unwrap it and then you just keep getting something cooler inside and then you get to unwrap that and you get something cooler inside and you just keep unwrapping this beautiful gift that is yourself. But you don’t realize that when you first get the box, the amazing stuff that’s going on inside, and it takes time to get to it. So a lot of times growing up, I would kick myself in the butt of, I wish I had come to this when I was so much younger. I wish there were people out there when I was younger, role models that I could look up to when I was eight years old and pointing on the TV and saying like, “Okay, well, I mean, I understand that Ray Charles existed, but that’s not going to…” Stephanie Flynt McEben: Stevie Wonder is here, Ray Charles is here, but we need more of us. Hello. Lachi: We need more of us. Hello. Exactly. And so this time and place where I am right now is where I needed to be for this to work. So I can’t really kick myself in the butt of like, “I wish I had this. I wish I knew this so much earlier. I would’ve been so much further.” That kind of thing. You have to be where you got to be where you need to be. Even right now, this conversation we’re having right now is going to have been necessary for the next thing that is happening in our lives. And just the other day, I was hanging out with Queen Herby, who’s been one of my favorite more modern rappers. I just did a thing with Apl.de.ap. I have done some stuff with Black Caviar. Folks that I’ve looked up to, I’m having the opportunity to Snoop Dogg. I’m having the opportunity to work with these days because of the fact that I am here at the right time now. So when I was writing my book, we were peeling back all the layers. I’m a generally very positive and energetic, social butterfly type of person today. But it’s interesting, I wasn’t always this person and I had to unpack all the layers to get there. One of the biggest things that happens to me, so I’ve always been low vision. So I was born with relatively low vision and it stayed the same throughout my teens and early 20s. But one day I woke up and my sight was just gone. Boom. So the interesting thing is anybody listening would be like, “Oh my God, if I woke up and my sight was gone, I would just die or I would not know what to do. My life would be over.” Stephanie Flynt McEben: Yep. Heard that a million times. Yes. Lachi: But for me, it was weird because I was already low vision, so I was going from level one to the underwater level or whatever. So it wasn’t like that life changing of a thing. I was already using screen readers or Zoom text. I was already doing stuff of that nature. So I wake up blind and I’m just like, “Okay, I guess this is it. This is the day that they told me was coming.” What had ended up happening was my corneas had erupted. And so I went to the doctor and he was like, “You’re going to become completely blind. You’re going to go from this much worse vision than you’ve had to complete blindness over the course of time.” So here you go, here’s a coupon. Bye.” or whatever. So I’m like, all right. So I had decided at that moment that I wanted to start a bucket list. So I was like, okay, what are all the things I’ve always wanted to do before completely going completely blind? So I was like, let me go skydiving, let me go spolunking, let me go meet with people, meet with celebrities and just do all of the things I’ve always wanted to do before I lose my vision. So I went out and I did it. This is still me doing it. This is still me doing it. And so I say that because to people who say if I ever went blind, I would just die. Well, when I went blind, it made me want to live. And that’s what opened me up into being this person that I am today. Stephanie Flynt McEben: That is amazing. I genuinely love that. Lachi: We talk about charity model and propping disabled folks up as tools of pity. We talk about medical model, which is really just waiting around for cure, making the cure the hero. We talk about social model, which is a really good place to live in the sense of things are impairing if they’re not accessible. Society is impairing if it’s not inclusive. But honestly, if I have all of the things, like if I have all my tools, if I have all that I need and if folks are inclusive, then I’m still blind, but I’m not impaired. But I like to go a little step further into what is the cultural model. And so the cultural model is it’s not just a discussion of what society should and shouldn’t do. It’s actually a celebration of what you gain as a person who identifies with their disability or their neurodivergence, the things they need to overcompensate because they’re navigating the world a little differently, leaning into that. So let’s say for instance, deaf culture, sign language, and the fact that folks can have complete discussions outside of what we’re talking about, there is so much deaf pride out in these streets, that is a celebration of culture that comes out of disability. And for me, let’s say for instance, I have ADHD and it powers my one million and counting ideas. I have diagnosed OCD, which helps me carry out all those one million and counting ideas. I have diagnosed general anxiety disorder, which gives me my empathy and my excitement. And then I am blind, which when I have the tools I need, it gives me drive. It keeps me determined, it keeps me focused, and it gives me my dope ass glam canes. There was a girl and her mom, and she came up to me after a show and she was like, “Oh my God, your music was great.” I was like, thank you. She’s like, “Mommy, can I get one of those canes?” And then her mom was like, “Ugh, well, you have to be blind.” And I’m like, “Yeah, girl, you better want to be me.” Stephanie Flynt McEben: Yeah. We drive sticks. Anyway, sorry. Lachi: Yes. You know what? I speak softly and I carry a big old stick. Thank you. Stephanie Flynt McEben: Yes. Amen to that. Exactly. As somebody who considers themself a lifelong disability advocate, I never really thought about it in the sense of going beyond the social into the cultural. So thank you so, so much. We all learn something new every single day on this podcast, but I’d love to know a little bit more about, obviously you were very, very, very good at talking through these experiences in such a way that they are very relatable and easy to understand and that thing. So I’d love to pick your brain about the intended audience of your book. Who did you write it for? Other blind folks? Did you write it for, was it written for multiple audiences? Lachi: Yeah, honestly, I wrote it for the person who is masking. I wrote it for anyone who is tired of… Listen, let me put it like this. Let’s face it, disability is boring, a lot of the time it’s sad and it’s compliancy. We have to go the extra mile to make it fun because the actual truth of it is that the only reason it’s boring, sad, and compliancy is because society has kept it that way through its collective internalized ableism. And so my book is actually a humor book. It’s a pop culture book. It’s a comedy book. In fact, when we were talking to the publisher, it’s like, we should be putting this up against other comedic books, not necessarily disability books because it’s a book. I got so many jokes. I have dad jokes, they’re corny jokes, I have rap bars. I rap in a lot of the book just because I was like, “Hey, this rhymes.” I’m going to say it like a rap. We’re doing the audiobook right now, so I actually get to wrap it, which is really fun. Stephanie Flynt McEben: Oh, that is so cool. Oh my gosh. Lachi: Which is really, really fun. But really, honestly, what the book is what everything I do is it is using joy, soul, pop culture, jokes, humor, fashion, and just a really good time to celebrate disability, as well as community. So what you’ll find in this book is my story through my story, through historical deep dives, through interviews with some really, really cool popular figures and a really big deep dose of disability joy. And so a lot of folks who have disabilities, they will read this book and they’ll be energized. It’ll be like, “This is really great. I’m glad that I finally get to read a book that talks about disability in a positive way.” For blind specific folks, they might relate to a few of my stories because I talk about the day I woke up blind, I talk about when I went skydiving blind, I talk about just some of my interesting blind moments. But then I also talk about how I would go to red carpets and not know how to talk to anybody. So I’m in this amazing room with all these celebrities I can’t see and I’m just sitting on the wall. So I talk about some of the hard times too as well. But at the end of the day, really what the book is is an invitation in for somebody who feels a little different, a little awkward, has to mask, and just needed that invite in to talk about disability in a fun, joyful, celebratory way, to recognize that yes, that thing in you that’s different, that thing in you that society has told you you should view as a weakness and hide, you should be proud of. And I say this to people all the time. I say it in the industry, I say it to all my friends, I say it to anyone who will listen. I say it to my local barista and they come back and they say things like, “Oh my God, I’m so glad you said it that way. It turns out I have a titanium hip and I’ve never told anybody about that.” And that’s the vibe. The vibe is someone who was like, “I really needed this to be said to me this way, and now I am able to step all the way into my disability identity.” Alden Blevins: I love, especially what you said about joy. I feel like for me as an autistic person, my experience in the arts is that it is really a space where people who maybe don’t belong in other spaces or don’t feel like they belong in other spaces or are made to feel like they don’t belong in other spaces. I think that a lot of them really do find a safe space in music, in the arts, in theater. And I just wanted to ask, why do you think the music space is such a special one for you and why do you think it’s a place where other people with disabilities seem to flock together as well? Lachi: I mean, you hit the nail on the head. Counterculture, I mean, music often rewards counterculture. And then it eventually becomes mainstream and then we got to rebel against that. So music is a place where your soul can speak. And I think a lot of the times with disabilities, especially autism for me, I’m ADHD, OCD, a different neurodivergence situation, but a lot of the issue is communication. We don’t know how to say exactly what we need or whoever we’re talking to just doesn’t know how to hear what we’re saying. And so I think that what music does is it allows a soul to speak to a soul. A lot of the times music does this thing where you’ll be listening to a song and you’ll just be like, “That, that right there. That’s what I it me. That’s the thing I’m feeling.” type deal. Music has the ability to do that. And so for me, right now, this children’s album that I’m working on, the kids’ album, which is an album that is essentially R&B, pop, electronic, sort of the genres that I dance in for kids centered on disability and neurodivergence. Because what I want to do is be able to say, “Hey, I want you to point at that and say, that’s me.” And I think the easiest and quickest way to point at something and say, “That’s me also.” has been music. And so it’s why it’s been my strongest medium. Again, it’s not my only medium. I’m talking to folks through the book, I’m talking to folks through fashion, et cetera, et cetera. But again, music has been just the quickest, easiest point A to point B conversation easer, if you will, about disability. Another thing I also love to use is humor and comedy. So I make jokes all the time. They’re all bad. They’re all very not good jokes. I need to probably get a joke writer, but the fact that I’m having such a good time telling the jokes, I think I think is all that really matters. So I think both music and humor are just really, really great spaces for two people to get to relate to something that may be difficult to talk about. Stephanie Flynt McEben: Yo, if you need a joke writer, I’m your girl. I actually do a joke every single episode of this podcast. Michelle Bishop: Her jokes are not better than yours, Lachi. Don’t hire her. Stephanie Flynt McEben: My jokes are pretty bad. They’re worse than dad’s jokes. They’re like granddad jokes. Alden Blevins: Yeah. Stephanie is the queen of the jokes on our podcast. She always brings one through. Didn’t know that you were working on a children’s music album, and I think that’s really interesting. I actually used to be a teacher, so children’s music is something that’s near and dear to my heart. So I just wanted to ask, what would you want to tell to younger people with disabilities, younger disabled creatives about claiming space and being able to tell their own stories? Lachi: Well, one thing that I heard from someone else, I don’t remember who it was. I think it was- Michelle Bishop: Jordan? Lachi: Yes, Jordan. He’s the one that said this. Michelle Bishop: I love him. Lachi: Yeah, he’s so funny. I met him at a… What did I meet him at? The Webby Awards or something. But anyway, no one can ever defeat someone who hasn’t given up. And for some reason that hit me, and I don’t even think he was trying to say it that deep. He was just saying a joke or something. But I took that and it was like, no one can ever defeat someone who hasn’t given up. So at the end of the day, you are really the only one who can end whatever you’re trying to get. Because as long as you are still going for it, it is still still there. It’s like a Schrodinger’s cat. It’s like as long as you’re still running for it, that opportunity is still there for you to have. The opportunity is never lost as long as you’re still going for it. And people can tell you, people can take your shoulders and tell you to go right. People can take your shoulders and tell you to go left. But until you take your own shoulders and go in the direction that your heart, your soul, your passion, your fire, desires, that is when you truly begin to live. And so I say personally, lean into that. I hear from a lot of younger, especially creators with disabilities. I mentor a lot of folks, tons and tons of folks. It’s one of the things I love to do the most. But what I love to tell folks is you are going to be the best you. And that you is going to include all of the different parts of who you are, but it is especially going to include you leaning in to the things that make you different and unique as unique selling points. Earlier I talked about how people try so hard to be the “definition of beauty”, definition of success, definition of whatever. Everyone’s trying to be this reference man. Everyone’s trying to be as close as they can to the reference man. And if I’m as close as I can to the reference man, then I’ll be successful or then I’ll get this job or then I’ll get this gig. But the truth of the matter is when we look at all of the people that are doing all of the big things, they’re “eccentric”. They’re “weird”. They did some big different idea that no one was thinking about and everybody fell into their trend. The further away you are from the reference man, that is when you start to win. That is when you’ll start to see success. That is when you’ll start to feel much better about yourself. That is when you can wake up in the morning, look in the mirror and say, “I am fine.” When you are able to accept all of those different freckles of yourself that are as far away from the reference man as possible, because guess what? There is room outside of the barrel for everyone to win if they are all being their unique self and running their unique purpose. That’s what I would tell to young disabled creators. Michelle Bishop: That’s amazing. Almost feel like we should stop there, but I have so many follow-up questions. Lachi: Listen, I’m here to drop as many mics as they will let me keep breaking. Michelle Bishop: I was wondering how you see the conversation around disability and inclusion and evolving these days. And a lot of our listeners are people with disabilities or people who have other even multiple intersecting identities in which they experience barriers as well. What does allyship look like to you? Lachi: This is one of my favorite questions. So yes, we have folks with disabilities and we have folks who want to work with people with disabilities, want to help a friend with a disability, want to make sure they don’t say the wrong thing to a person with a disability, neurodivergence, chronic condition, mental health condition. That’s not an ally. Wanting to help a person with a disability is not an ally. To me, wanting to support someone with a disability, that’s an ally in the very basic definition of allyship. Here’s what I think an ally is. To answer the question, I got to do two things. One, talk about the disability umbrella. So the disability umbrella encompasses so many forms of disability. It is neurodivergence, which is ADHD, dyslexia, OCD. It is mental health conditions like anxiety, depression, bipolar. It is someone who learns a little differently. It is someone who has explosive situations like anger management. It is someone who has substance abuse disorder, maybe somebody who drinks too much or uses different substances. It is chronic back pain. You know what I’m saying? It is asthma. It is EDS. It’s POTS. It is long COVID. It is different complications that you gain after pregnancy. It is different complications that you gain as you age. It is different complications you gain through menopause. It is temporary. It is breaking your arm and wearing a cast. It is seasonal depression. There is nobody on this earth that is not within the disability umbrella. And I don’t mean that you’re going to grow into it. I don’t mean in the future. I mean right now. Whether you identify as a person with a disability or not, you have disability identity because you have experience in your body disability. And when you figure that out, then you’re an ally. Allyship is seeing yourself through the other person because you can’t look through someone else’s eyes unless you can see yourself in them. And you can’t see yourself in disability until you recognize the disability identity within yourself. All of a sudden, and I say this and people are like, “What? I say this, but I’ve seen this. I’ve seen it happen. I’ve seen people who did not associate themselves with any form of disability or anything and they’re just like, Oh, them. Oh, I’ll help them. We have a conversation and then we have a follow-up conversation and then we’re drinking and then all of a sudden they’re telling me all their disabilities and then they’re walking a little different when they encounter disability. It’s no longer a them thing. And so that’s what an ally is. People with disabilities are also allies. I am an ally to the deaf community because I recognize though I’m not deaf, I see the having to navigate the world differently in you of myself. So that’s how I define an ally. An ally is someone who understands their own disability identity and can see it in others. Michelle Bishop: Don’t mind me over here just taking notes. Stephanie Flynt McEben: Literally. Oh my gosh. Lachi, thank you so, so, so much for being with us and taking time. I know that your website, lachimusic.com is one of the places where folks can stay up to date on all of the latest and greatest things that you’re up to. Is there anything else in particular you would like to plug for our listeners? Lachi: Like you said, LACHI, L-A-C-H-I M-U-S-I-C. I’m on the internets everywhere. Instagram, Spotify, check out the old music. If you’re a creator, a music creator or professional with a disability, check us out at RAMPD, R-A-M-P-D.org. Or if you want to donate or if you want to partner with us over at RAMPD, please do. If you are a cane user, whether you’re a blind cane user or you use Mobility Cane, check out glamcanes.com, get your canes bejeweled. I Identify as Blind, our book is out on Penguin Random House, imprint called Tiny Reparations by Phoebe Robinson, who is also a comedian. So we’re out here all writing very funny books. So please check it out. And lastly, listen, try to find moments in your day of disability joy. And when you find that moment, take a picture of it or write it down so that you can go back to it and live for those moments. So thank you guys so much for having me on this podcast. It’s really been a blast getting to talk at you about all things I identify as blind. Alden Blevins: I love it. I was over here taking notes too because I just found so much of myself in what you were saying and so many things were poignant and empowering. I, as an autistic person, try to be an ally to other parts of the disability community myself. And that’s something where I’m always trying to put myself in the shoes of another person and what they might experience. So I think that’s really powerful. We were so grateful to be able to connect and learn more about you, Lachi. Lachi: Yes, yes, yes. So honored to be here, guys. Michelle Bishop: Before you head out, Lachi, do you want to hear one of Stephanie’s grandpa jokes? Lachi: I was going to say, I was like, “Let’s hear one of these granddad jokes.” Let me see. Stephanie Flynt McEben: Okay. This might be- Michelle Bishop: Okay, do it. Stephanie Flynt McEben: … a granddad joke. Okay. Where do spiders like to get their information? Lachi: The web? Michelle Bishop: That would be something to do with web. Stephanie Flynt McEben: But what kind of web? Lachi: Wow. Really? You are fired from being my comedy writer. You are fired to be my comedy writer. I was rooting for you too. I was like, let’s just… Please. Stephanie Flynt McEben: I wouldn’t even get to the punchline yet. Michelle Bishop: Worldwide web? Stephanie Flynt McEben: It is the worldwide web. Michelle Bishop: Oh. Stephanie Flynt McEben: It’s fine. It’s fine. My wife warned me not to tell that joke this month and I didn’t lose it. Michelle Bishop: Oh my gosh. I’m so glad you stuck around for that part. Lachi: As I live and breathe. Thank you guys so, so much. This has been so much fun and I will see who else I can tell that joke to. And go ahead and just to help you out, Stephanie, I’ll go ahead and embarrass myself by telling that joke to others. Stephanie Flynt McEben: Not my best work, but that is allyship. Yes. Michelle Bishop: Oh my gosh, Lachi, thank you so much. And everyone, please lachimusic.com. Check it out. Listen to the music, read the book. Alden Blevins: Speaking of the worldwide web, this has been National Disability Radio. We celebrate stories, leadership, and talent of people with disabilities. If you enjoyed this episode, be sure to subscribe, share, and continue the conversation with us on that worldwide web at ndrn.org or anywhere you get your favorite podcasts. Thanks for listening and until next time. Stephanie Flynt McEben: Bye.

There is no magic treatment for Ehlers-Danlos Syndrome, POTS, or mast cell activation disorders, but there is strategy. In this episode of Bendy Bodies, Dr. Linda Bluestein is joined by Dacre Knight, MD, founding Medical Director of the UVA Health EDS and Hypermobility Disorders Center, for a practical and deeply thoughtful conversation about how complex chronic conditions should actually be treated. Rather than chasing quick fixes, Dr. Bluestein and Dr. Knight explore sequencing. What to address first when everything is flaring, how to balance short-term symptom relief with long-term sustainability, and why overtreatment can sometimes cause more harm than good. They discuss the pitfalls of siloed care, the insurance barriers that complicate physical therapy, and the importance of starting low, going slow, and minimizing treatment burden. The episode also tackles difficult but essential questions: What does “getting better” really mean in lifelong connective tissue disorders? How do clinicians avoid reactionary prescribing? And how can patients recognize the difference between a thoughtful care plan and a rushed one? Takeaways: There is rarely a single “magic” treatment for EDS, POTS, or MCAS—progress usually comes from strategic sequencing. Overtreating symptoms without addressing underlying patterns can create long-term setbacks. Physical therapy must be individualized in hypermobility, with an emphasis on pacing and trust. Shared decision-making improves outcomes, especially when treatment goals align with what brings the patient meaning and quality of life. Minimally disruptive medicine matters, reducing cognitive, financial, and physical treatment burden is part of effective care. Want to learn more about the UVA EDS Center? For Appointments and Questions: RUVAEDSCenter@uvahealth.org UVA EDS: https://www.uvahealth.com/healthy-practice/advancing-care-through-ehlers-danlos-clinic UVA EDS FAQ: https://www.uvahealth.com/support/eds/faq UVA Pediatric Integrative Medicine: https://childrens.uvahealth.com/specialties/integrative-health Want more Dr. Dacre Knight? https://x.com/knidac Want more Dr. Linda Bluestein, MD? Website: https://www.hypermobilitymd.com/ YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/@bendybodiespodcast Instagram: ⁠⁠⁠⁠https://www.instagram.com/hypermobilitymd/⁠⁠⁠⁠ Facebook: ⁠⁠⁠⁠https://www.facebook.com/BendyBodiesPodcast⁠⁠⁠⁠ X: ⁠⁠⁠⁠https://twitter.com/BluesteinLinda⁠⁠⁠⁠ LinkedIn: ⁠⁠⁠⁠https://www.linkedin.com/in/hypermobilitymd/⁠⁠⁠⁠ Newsletter: ⁠⁠⁠⁠https://hypermobilitymd.substack.com/ Shop my Amazon store ⁠⁠⁠ https://www.amazon.com/shop/hypermobilitymd Dr. Bluestein's Recommended Herbs, Supplements and Care Necessities: https://us.fullscript.com/welcome/hypermobilitymd/store-start Thank YOU so much for tuning in. We hope you found this episode informative, inspiring, useful, validating, and enjoyable. Join us on the next episode for YOUR time to level up your knowledge about hypermobility disorders and the people who have them. Join YOUR Bendy Bodies community at ⁠⁠https://www.bendybodiespodcast.com/⁠⁠. YOUR bendy body is our highest priority!⁠⁠ Learn more about Human Content at ⁠⁠⁠http://www.human-content.com⁠⁠⁠ Podcast Advertising/Business Inquiries: ⁠⁠⁠sales@human-content.com⁠⁠⁠ Part of the Human Content Podcast Network FTC: This video is not sponsored. Links are commissionable, meaning I may earn commission from purchases made through links Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Ashley tries a new EDS pain medication. We advise a listener who longs to leave Missouri.  Thanks to our sponsor: Sign up and get 10% off at https://www.betterHelp.com/CHOSENFAMILY. FOLLOW CHOSEN FAMILY TikTok: ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠https://www.tiktok.com/@chosenfamilypod. ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠ Instagram: ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠https://www.instagram.com/chosenfamilypod/⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠. Youtube: ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠https://www.youtube.com/channel/UC9WM_cdLWHtsCXLg3ygFiww⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠. FOLLOW ASHLEY GAVIN  @ashgavs    TikTok: ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠https://www.tiktok.com/@ashgavscomedy⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠. Instagram: ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠https://www.instagram.com/ashgavs/⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠. YouTube: ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠https://www.youtube.com/@ashgavs⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠. Twitter: ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠https://twitter.com/AshGavs⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠. FOLLOW ALAYNA JOY  @MissFenderr   YouTube: ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠https://www.youtube.com/c/MissFenderr. ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠ Instagram: ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠https://www.instagram.com/missfenderr/⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠. Twitter: ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠https://twitter.com/MissFenderr⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠. TikTok: ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠https://www.tiktok.com/@missfenderr⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠. FOLLOW MAK INGEMI  @Makingemi   Instagram: ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠https://www.instagram.com/makingemi⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠. TikTok: ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠https://www.tiktok.com/@makingemi⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠. YouTube: ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠https://www.youtube.com/c/Makingemi⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠. JOIN OUR CHOSEN FAMILY PATREON ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠https://www.patreon.com/chosenfamilypodcast. ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠ Watch our videos on YouTube: ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠https://www.youtube.com/@chosenfamilypod⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices

When you boil down the essentials of so much writing, what you get is the need for vivid, original detail. In a college essay, the story comes alive when a student goes way past the generalities and gives specific examples. In an argument essay, the intricate examples and counterargument that is explained with depth makes the most impact. In any kind of research, carefully exploring the core of the ideas with the most interesting possible language will hook and hold the reader's attention. And in narrative - as we've seen, eminently transferable to other areas of writing - it's the details. I took a copywriting class once where they boiled this concept down to a sandwich. Never say someone ate a sandwich. Say it was a pastrami on rye with extra mustard and a sheaf of pickles. Say it was a PB & J positively oozing J. Say it was a double-decker smash burger with Jimmy's special sauce and extra crispy sweet potato fries. See the difference? But here's the thing. When you tell a kid they need more details, that doesn't exactly come alive for THEM. You need more details in your request for details. They need to SEE and FEEL what you mean, just like you need to see and feel the world of their writing. So today on the pod, let's dive into six strategies you can use with your students to help improve their narrative writing detail. Your students may already have some of these down, but others may be new, or areas that will help with something causing them to struggle. As with any set of writing strategies, teach what they actually need. Apply it to their current writing projects. Links: 41 Authentic Audiences for Student Work: https://nowsparkcreativity.com/2026/02/41-authentic-audiences-for-your-ela-students.html  Find the new narrative unit on TPT here: https://www.teacherspayteachers.com/Product/Narrative-Unit-Digital-Editable-3-Weeks-15700216  Sources: Hillocks Jr., G. (2007). Narrative Writing: Learning a New Model for Teaching. Heinemann. Graham, S., MacArthur, C., & Hebert, M. (Eds). (2019). Best Practices in Writing Instruction. The Guilford Press. Stockman, Angela. (2015). Make Writing. Hack Learning Series. Zinsser, W. (2004). On Writing Well. Harper. Go Further:  Explore alllll the Episodes of The Spark Creativity Teacher Podcast. Launch your choice reading program with all my favorite tools and recs, and grab the free toolkit. Join our community, Creative High School English, on Facebook. Come hang out on Instagram. Enjoying the podcast? Please consider sharing it with a friend, snagging a screenshot to share on the 'gram, or tapping those ⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐ to help others discover the show. Thank you!   

Have a comment or question? Click this sentence to send us a message, and we might answer it in a future episode.Welcome to Season 6, Episode 7 of Winning Isn't Easy. In this episode, we'll dive into Fighting for Fairness: Navigating ERISA Disability Claims for Rare Disorders.Securing ERISA Long-Term Disability benefits with a rare medical condition often comes down to a hidden challenge: insurer misunderstanding. Disability carriers don't just look at the diagnosis - they evaluate how clearly symptoms are documented, how doctors describe functional limits, and whether medical records explain why you can't work. When a condition is rare or complex, gaps in understanding can quietly lead to delays or denials. In this episode, we break down how ERISA insurers evaluate rare disorders through three examples: Tracheobronchomalacia (TBM), Ehlers-Danlos Syndrome, and DiGeorge Syndrome. By the end, you'll understand why success isn't just about having a rare diagnosis - it's about translating complex medical evidence into clear proof of disability under ERISA.In this episode, we'll cover the following topics:One - Getting Your ERISA Disability Insurance Benefits for TracheobronchomalaciaTwo - Getting Your ERISA Disability Benefits for Ehlers-Danlos SyndromeThree - Getting Your ERISA Long-Term Disability Benefits for DiGeorge SyndromeWhether you're a claimant, or simply seeking valuable insights into the disability claims landscape, this episode provides essential guidance to help you succeed in your journey. Don't miss it.Listen to Our Sister Podcast:We have a sister podcast - Winning Isn't Easy: Navigating Your Social Security Disability Claim. Give it a listen: https://wiessdpodcast.buzzsprout.com/Resources Mentioned in This Episode:LINK TO ROBBED OF YOUR PEACE OF MIND: https://mailchi.mp/caveylaw/ltd-robbed-of-your-piece-of-mindLINK TO THE DISABILITY INSURANCE CLAIM SURVIVAL GUIDE FOR PROFESSIONALS: https://mailchi.mp/caveylaw/professionals-guide-to-ltd-benefitsFREE CONSULT LINK: https://caveylaw.com/contact-us/Need Help Today?:Need help with your Long-Term Disability or ERISA claim? Have questions? Please feel welcome to reach out to use for a FREE consultation. Just mention you listened to our podcast.Review, like, and give us a thumbs up wherever you are listening to Winning Isn't Easy. We love to see your feedback about our podcast, and it helps us grow and improve.Please remember that the content shared is for informational purposes only, and should not replace personalized legal advice or guidance from qualified professionals.

He’s married to Reza Farahan from The Valley Persian Style, Adam Neely joins Eddie for this week’s episode of The Eds. Hear how starting their whole relationship on reality TV almost ruined their marriage. Plus, do Adam and Reza want to have kids anytime soon?See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Why You Should Listen:  In this episode, you will learn about the role of Supportive Oligonucleotide Therapy, or SOT, in the treatment of Lyme disease and vector-borne infections. About My Guest: My guest for this episode is Dr. Clayton Bell.  Clayton Bell, MD is a leading integrative and functional medicine physician dedicated to helping patients achieve deep, lasting wellness.  Dr. Bell works with Lyme and vector-borne infections, integrative cancer support, environmental medicine including mold, mycotoxins, heavy metals, and detoxification; hormones, cardiometabolic and GI health, and mind-body balance.  Combining his Western medical training with functional, integrative, environmental, and Ayurvedic approaches, he focuses on uncovering the root causes of health concerns.  Patients benefit from personalized, whole-person treatment plans that empower the body's natural healing ability and support sustainable wellness from the inside out.  Dr. Bell provides online consultations that offer accessible, holistic care tailored to each individual's needs. Key Takeaways: What place does SOT have in the treatment arsenal for chronic Lyme disease? What is AOT or Antisense Oligonucleotide Therapy? What testing is acceptable for a practitioner to request an SOT for a patient? What testing is offered by Biocentaur? How does SOT work in the body? How does the practitioner determine which SOT to request when many infections may be positive? What SOTs are available for vector-borne infections and viruses? What are the foundational steps to prepare a patient for an SOT? Do certain therapies need to be stopped before testing and while doing SOT? How important is immune modulation or creating immune tolerance to the microbes? What is the SOT administration process? How are Herxheimer reactions addressed with using SOT? Can the SOT push back one infection and then lead to another becoming the dominant focus of the immune system and symptom presentation? How long should there be between SOTs?  Is there a maximum number of SOTs that can be done? Can SOT reach all potential reservoirs of infection in the body? What role do biofilms play in the context of SOT? Have any specific SOTs been helpful in the contents of EDS, PANS/PANDAS, or Long COVID? What role might SOT play in neurodegenerative conditions? Can SOT resolve autoimmunity, inflammation, or oxidative stress? When SOT does not appear to work, how does the practitioner troubleshoot potential reasons? - What is the cost of SOT? Connect With My Guest:  MetaMedical.life Related Resources: RGCC North America RGCC International RGCC Vector-Borne and Virus SOTs available RGCC Provider Map Interview Date: February 24, 2026 Transcript: To review a transcript of this show, visit https://BetterHealthGuy.com/Episode229. Support the Show: To support the show and Buy Me a Coffee, visit https://betterhealthguy.link/BuyMeACoffee. Additional Information: To learn more, visit https://BetterHealthGuy.com. Follow Me on Social Media: Facebook - https://facebook.com/betterhealthguy Instagram - https://instagram.com/betterhealthguy X - https://twitter.com/betterhealthguy TikTok - https://tiktok.com/@betterhealthguy Disclaimer:  The content of this show is for informational purposes only and is not intended to diagnose, treat, or cure any illness or medical condition. Nothing in today's discussion is meant to serve as medical advice or as information to facilitate self-treatment. As always, please discuss any potential health-related decisions with your own personal medical authority. 

What happens when you drop generative AI into the middle of a liberal arts curriculum? This week on Off Center, Scott sits down with Davis Schneiderman at Lake Forest College to find out. We dive into the HUMAN project, a campus-wide experiment putting AI tools directly into the hands of humanities students and professors. Instead of panicking or running from the tech, Davis argues that writers, artists, and historians need to get their hands dirty with AI to actually understand and critique it. From historical Chicago chatbots to the future of experimental fiction, this conversation explores why the creative critical thinking skills taught in the humanities are our best defense in an AI-driven world.References Burroughs, W. S., & Gysin, B. (1978). The Third Mind. https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/The_Third_MindChamberlain, W., & Thomas Ettrick [Racter]. (1984). The Policeman's Beard Is Half Constructed. https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/The_Policeman%27s_Beard_Is_Half_ConstructedGrossman, J. R., Keating, A. D., & Reiff, J. L. (Eds.). (2004). The Encyclopedia of Chicago. http://www.encyclopedia.chicagohistory.org/Gysin, B. (1960). I AM THAT I AM [Audio / Permutation poem]. https://www.ubu.com/sound/gysin.htmlLake Forest College. (n.d.). Humanity's Understanding of the Machine-Assisted Nexus (HUMAN) https://www.lakeforest.edu/academics/krebs-center-for-the-humanitiesSanchez Burr, D. (2025). Redshift https://morethanmeetsai.uib.no/Schneiderman, D., & [Kelly]. (2025). You Can Call Me AI Taylor, T. (2025). Serious Game 

*Content Warning: grooming, abuse of power, institutional betrayal, sexual violence, on-campus violence, intimate partner violence, gender-based violence, sexual assault and harassment. Free + Confidential Resources + Safety Tips: somethingwaswrong.com/resources   SWW Sticker Shop!: https://brokencyclemedia.com/sticker-shop SWW S25 Theme Song & Artwork: The S25 cover art is by the Amazing Sara Stewart instagram.com/okaynotgreat/ The S25 theme song is a cover of Glad Rag's U Think U from their album Wonder Under, performed by the incredible Abayomi instagram.com/Abayomithesinger. The S25 theme song cover was produced by Janice “JP” Pacheco instagram.com/jtooswavy/ at The Grill Studios in Emeryville, CA instagram.com/thegrillstudios/ Follow Something Was Wrong: Website: somethingwaswrong.com  IG: instagram.com/somethingwaswrongpodcast TikTok: tiktok.com/@somethingwaswrongpodcast  Follow Tiffany Reese: Website: tiffanyreese.me  IG: instagram.com/lookieboo *Sources: -Martinez, Ainsley. “Buss up for Promotion during Title IX Investigation.” UCentral Media, 30 Mar. 2022, ucentralmedia.com/buss-up-for-promotion-during-title-ix-investigation/-Scavelli, Melissa. “UCO Students Allege University Didn't Protect Them from Sexual Harassment by Professor.” KOKH, 12 May 2021, okcfox.com/news/local/uco-students-allege-university-didnt-protect-them-from-sexual-harassment-by-professor-Stieber, Dylan. “Petition Calls for UCO Interim Assistant Dean to Be Permanently Removed.” UCentral Media, 21 June 2021, ucentralmedia.com/petition-calls-for-uco-interim-assistant-dean-to-be-permanently-removed/-“Students React to Lawsuit against UCO, Sexual Allegations against Theatre Professor.” News9.Com, 21 May 2021, www.news9.com/story/60a5af5bede9c70bc225d950/students-react-to-lawsuit-against-uco-sexual-allegations-against-theatre-professor-Tomlinson, Joe and Bennett Brinkman. “Legal Roundup: OC Invokes Autonomy Doctrine, Walters Request Denied, 1 of 2 UCO Lawsuits Dismissed.” NonDoc, 2 May 2024, nondoc.com/2024/04/25/legal-roundup-oklahoma-christian-invokes-autonomy-doctrine-walters-request-denied-uco-lawsuit-updates/-Garcia, S. E. (2017, October 20). The woman who created #MeToo long before hashtags. The New York Times. https://www.nytimes.com/2017/10/20/us/me-too-movement-tarana-burke.html-Kantor, J., & Twohey, M. (2017, October 5). Harvey Weinstein paid off sexual harassment accusers for decades. The New York Times. https://www.nytimes.com/2017/10/05/us/harvey-weinstein-harassment-allegations.html-Farrow, R. (2017, October 23). From aggressive overtures to sexual assault: Harvey Weinstein's accusers tell their stories. The New Yorker. https://www.newyorker.com/news/news-desk/from-aggressive-overtures-to-sexual-assault-harvey-weinsteins-accusers-tell-their-stories-Mendes, K., Ringrose, J., & Keller, J. (2018). #MeToo and the promise and pitfalls of challenging rape culture through digital feminist activism. European Journal of Women's Studies, 25(2), 236–246. https://doi.org/10.1177/1350506818765318-Fileborn, B., & Loney-Howes, R. (Eds.). (2019). #MeToo and the politics of social change. Palgrave Macmillan. https://doi.org/10.1007/978-3-030-15213-0

Lesley Logan and Brad Crowell unpack insights from Brad Walsh, founder of the Empowerography Podcast. In this recap, they reflect on the transformative power of boudoir photography and how seeing yourself in a new light can change how you think, feel, and show up. This conversation digs into resilience, authenticity, and why sharing your story might be the very thing that helps someone else keep going. If you have any questions about this episode or want to get some of the resources we mentioned, head over to LesleyLogan.co/podcast https://lesleylogan.co/podcast/. If you have any comments or questions about the Be It pod shoot us a message at beit@lesleylogan.co mailto:beit@lesleylogan.co. And as always, if you're enjoying the show please share it with someone who you think would enjoy it as well. It is your continued support that will help us continue to help others. Thank you so much! Never miss another show by subscribing at LesleyLogan.co/subscribe https://lesleylogan.co/podcast/#follow-subscribe-free.In this episode you will learn about:Boudoir photography helps women see themselves differently.Why resilience is the courage to keep rising.The importance of sharing experiences to inspire others.Why true authenticity requires dropping the mask of perfection.How trusting your path frees you from fear of missing out.Episode References/Links:Agency MINI Waitlist - https://prfit.biz/miniPoland Contrology Pilates Conference - xxll.co/polandVintage Friends & Contrology Brussels - xxll.co/brusselsPilates On Tour® London - https://xxll.co/potOPC Spring Training - How to Get Overhead - https://opc.me/eventsEmpowerography Podcast - https://empowerographypodcast.comEmpowerography Podcast Instagram - https://www.instagram.com/empowerographypodcastBrad Walsh LinkedIn - https://www.linkedin.com/in/bradwalsh70Brad Walsh Facebook - https://www.facebook.com/brad.walsh.56Empowerography Live Conference 2026 - https://www.facebook.com/share/p/1D7QAc3hFx If you enjoyed this episode, make sure and give us a five star rating and leave us a review on iTunes, Podcast Addict, Podchaser or Castbox. https://lovethepodcast.com/BITYSIDEALS! DEALS! DEALS! DEALS! https://onlinepilatesclasses.com/memberships/perks/#equipmentCheck out all our Preferred Vendors & Special Deals from Clair Sparrow, Sensate, Lyfefuel BeeKeeper's Naturals, Sauna Space, HigherDose, AG1 and ToeSox https://onlinepilatesclasses.com/memberships/perks/#equipmentBe in the know with all the workshops at OPC https://workshops.onlinepilatesclasses.com/lp-workshop-waitlistBe It Till You See It Podcast Survey https://pod.lesleylogan.co/be-it-podcasts-surveyBe a part of Lesley's Pilates Mentorship https://lesleylogan.co/elevate/FREE Ditching Busy Webinar https://ditchingbusy.com/Resources:Watch the Be It Till You See It podcast on YouTube! https://www.youtube.com/channel/UCq08HES7xLMvVa3Fy5DR8-gLesley Logan website https://lesleylogan.co/Be It Till You See It Podcast https://lesleylogan.co/podcast/Online Pilates Classes by Lesley Logan https://onlinepilatesclasses.com/Online Pilates Classes by Lesley Logan on YouTube https://www.youtube.com/channel/UCjogqXLnfyhS5VlU4rdzlnQProfitable Pilates https://profitablepilates.com/about/Follow Us on Social Media:Instagram https://www.instagram.com/lesley.logan/The Be It Till You See It Podcast YouTube channel https://www.youtube.com/channel/UCq08HES7xLMvVa3Fy5DR8-gFacebook https://www.facebook.com/llogan.pilatesLinkedIn https://www.linkedin.com/in/lesley-logan/The OPC YouTube Channel https://www.youtube.com/@OnlinePilatesClasses Episode Transcript:Lesley Logan 0:00  He said when they see who they truly are and how they're captured, they leave a completely different woman. And there's not enough words, he said, to encapsulate the power in that as a photographer. Lesley Logan 0:09  Welcome to the Be It Till You See It podcast where we talk about taking messy action, knowing that perfect is boring. I'm Lesley Logan, Pilates instructor and fitness business coach. I've trained thousands of people around the world and the number one thing I see stopping people from achieving anything is self-doubt. My friends, action brings clarity and it's the antidote to fear. Each week, my guest will bring bold, executable, intrinsic and targeted steps that you can use to put yourself first and Be It Till You See It. It's a practice, not a perfect. Let's get started.  Lesley Logan 0:53  Welcome back to the Be It Till You See It interview recap where my co-host in life, Brad, and I are going to dig into the powerful convo I have with another Brad. Brad Walsh. Brad Crowell 0:55  Another Brad. Lesley Logan 0:55  In our last episode. If you haven't yet listened to that interview, then actually listen to this one. You should go back and listen that one. It's pretty good. I liked it. Brad Crowell 1:05  That's a great interview. It was, I'm not gonna lie you, you spoke my thoughts out loud. Lesley Logan 1:10  I did? Brad Crowell 1:11  Yes. Like. Lesley Logan 1:12  Did I say that I have to say Brad's thoughts? Brad Crowell 1:14  No, but two. There's another comment I can't remember. It'll come back to me. But you know when, when I heard you introduce Brad Walsh as someone who is entirely devoted to platforming and empowering women, I was like, a man is doing that? Okay, okay. I was like, I guess, I guess I'm I didn't even know. I was dubious and a little curious and then encouraged and excited at by the end. So, yes, it's great.Lesley Logan 1:45  Turns out you can be really successful if you platform women. Turns out. Brad Crowell 1:50  How about that? Lesley Logan 1:51  Yeah, it turns out there's, there's things like, there's like, good things that happen when you do that.Brad Crowell 1:55  You did mention that you had similar thoughts to him, and I was laughing, because I was like, okay, I'm not alone. Lesley Logan 1:59  Yeah. I'm intrigued. Well, we'll get into that in just a second. But first today is February 26th 2026 and it's Black Lives Matter Day. Black Lives Matter Day is celebrated annually on February 26th in remembrance of Trayvon Martin, an African American teen who was killed by a white American out of hatred. The acquittal of the killer, George Zimmerman, from the murder charge and is roaming free, caused a wave of widespread anger, which led to nationwide campaigns centered around fairness and justice for black people. Black Lives Matter is a chant against systemic racial discrimination which has shaped and increased the risk of violence towards black people. Join in the movement to end discrimination, declare equality for all.Brad Crowell 2:39  Yeah. So one of the things that I wanted to address is we're obviously not black. However, we have heard a lot of people who are not black say, well, what about white people? Or what about other, you know, people as well? Shouldn't we be focusing on them as much as we are focusing on black people? And ultimately, I would say Black Lives Matter does not say other lives don't matter. But what Black Lives Matter is saying is that there is a historical, documented like systematic approach against that has not given the same opportunities in our society, in our in the United States of America, to black people, whereas it has favored, white people. Lesley Logan 3:37  Oh one thing and I heard that I heard this in 2020 and I'll share it here. It doesn't mean you didn't have to swim uphill, it just meant that you had a paddle, it just means that, like, you could have had a hard life but there, the research is there, even if your family came here like mine did in the 1912 all this stuff, the research is, is, is very much there, the status are there that because after slavery, we didn't, we did not treat black people the same as white people, the wealth that their families could pass down, which whether or not you got any money, because I didn't either whether doesn't matter. It doesn't mean that you that there was less opportunity for their generations of families to have options. And there's actually a black family, a guy who was able to buy slaves, the black man who was able to buy his family as slaves. And so then when when slavery ended, there was this whole, basically reparations for the slave owners. And so he was given money for the slaves that he lost, and you can see his family and the generations that came from his family, and how different their lives were compared to other black people and so especially as we're watching this right now where brown people are being targeted in an insane way, black and brown people, but we're seeing a lot of it with brown people because of ICE. I'm just gonna say who it is, because of that. The reality is, is because.Brad Crowell 5:02  Because of ICE directed it by, you know, Stephen Miller and our president.Lesley Logan 5:06  And our president and his vice president, we're gonna add in there. Because some people think if we just got rid of Trump at life would be better. No, you'll still have a shit sandwich. So the reality is, because we've never had Black Lives Matter, we are all being affected. All every other color is going to have a hard time. And by the way, white people, you are too, your life is not going to get easier because they got rid of some brown people, or they only pull over black people. You're this is a community.Brad Crowell 5:32  But I want to go back to this. I agree with the things that you're saying, but I want to go back to this by saying let white lives matter too. We're actually sidestepping the issue. And that's the problem. The problem is not that white lives don't matter. That's not what we're saying, and that's not what you know, that's not what, when someone says Black Lives Matter, they're not saying white lives don't matter too. But what they but when we say white lives matter too, we're we're just derailing the conversation away from the fact that there has been systemic oppression of people in our society for 400 years, right?Lesley Logan 6:05  And also, by the way, if you vote for the people of color who are different than you, you benefit too. By the way, if you've not, I'm not saying vote for people of color. I'm saying if you vote for the people who will represent the people of the least of these, you will benefit. You'll benefit in so many different ways.Brad Crowell 6:20  But here's the thing, that, yes, that you will absolutely benefit when there is, like, cultural and systemic racism against a particular group, it almost empowers violence towards that group, and that is where the that's where everyone got really, really frustrated with this murderer who was literally set free, you know, and, and I couldn't agree more, you know, it's, it's, it's wrong.Lesley Logan 6:50  It's just fucked up. I mean, to be honest, the whole thing that he stood on, that law that he stood on, is stupid, and it's in several different states, and people and like kids have been killed since then because they knocked on the wrong door. A black kid last year knocked on the wrong door looking to pick up his brothers, and they shot him because he's a black kid at their door. Like, what the, I'm sorry, that is infuriating. And we, we are not done. And I think, like, we got past 2020. Brad Crowell 7:18  It's like a mix of fear and racism and the fact that they're ever like. Lesley Logan 7:21  But they're, I won't even give them warrant over fear they're fucked up. Like, come on, I'm sorry.Brad Crowell 7:26  Like their bread fear is like, spued into their life.Lesley Logan 7:31  Right, I guess. But also like, we live in a world where you can curate your own algorithm and and these people are not taking the time to even, like, think about somebody else's experience at all, just their own, and they're so self-centered, and then they vote for people who lie to them and use them and use fear to use them. And now look where we're at. People are dying, and they're like, but my life still sucks. Yeah, it does. You voted for people who made sure it fucking sucked. And I am just like, the guns are the fucking problem. And then we have to. We voted we got rid of Trump the first time. We're like, oh, good. All this stuff is better. No, it's not. The Democrats didn't work fucking fast enough. And now we're here in this place of shit where black people still don't have the rights that white people do, and now brown people are being attacked in crazy ways. And by the way, like, if you're so concerned with, like, immigrants and crime. Like last year, immigrants killed three people, and ISIS killed 33 people from the stats that I just looked at. So like, I just think that, like, there's things that we could be taking into perspective, and it requires us to be more considerate of people who look different than us, and also fighting for their rights, because it will help yours. Anyways, end of rant. And by the way, that's a long conversation that we were like trying to get out. So if we like, that's something a little weird forgiveness, because we're all growing. We're all learning. You get amped up. Lesley Logan 8:50  So anyways, I want to get into what's going on. We just wrapped up Agency Mini last week, and so you missed it. Brad Crowell 9:02  Congratulations, it's over. Lesley Logan 8:57  Congratulations. You can't get on the waitlist, but you can get on the waitlist for the next one. We will do one more this year, prfit.biz/mini prfit.biz/mini that's profit without the O and it is for Pilates instructors and studio owners who work for themselves or want to so highly recommend it. Now we're getting up and we're gearing. We're gearing. We're gearing up and getting ready because we will be gone for an entire month in Europe. Brad and I, we're not taking Bayon on this trip. On this trip, and so we'll be first in Poland at the Controlology Conference to Contrology Pilates Conference in Wroclaw with Karen Frischmann, xxll.co/poland you can come from anywhere to go to that. Karen and I speak in English, and it will be translated into Polish. So if you can do either of those languages, that conference is for you. And then after that, Brad, Karen and I are going to go to the Contrology. We're going to Brussels to Pilatels like Vintage Pilates and friends. Ignacio is going to be there. El is the owner. She's going to be there. The four of us are gonna be teaching workshops and classes. It's gonna be a long, fun filled days. I promise these are something you don't wanna miss. Els really throws a party with these xxll.co/brussels, and I guess we're gonna be like in Bruges. So that's really cool. Don't quote me. It's all on the site. Just go there. Brad Crowell 9:02  Sounds fun. Lesley Logan 9:02  We have a lot of eLevate and other people that we know are going to that one. So it's gonna be a really fun party. And then after our second honeymoon, which your recommendations for things to do between Brussels and Paris that get us to London are welcomed, because we're going to take that train. I think, hopefully we can. That's the plan. We clearly haven't looked up anything. I just heard you can go from Paris to London, so that's what we're going to do. But you can join us at POT London. My Saturday workshop is filled, but there is a few spots left in the Sunday workshop that I'm teaching, but you should come to any of the workshops, because there's some excellent presenters at the POT in London, xxll.co/pot. By the way, that link will take you to all the POTs that Balanced Body is doing right now. Right now the only one on that schedule that I'm going to be at is POT London. We will have a booth at a couple others, but if you want to take workshop from me in Europe, you've got three weekend options, and that is it for at least a year, maybe two. So check it out xxll.co/pot, and then we come home, we're gonna get ready for spring training. Brad Crowell 11:16  Yeah, really looking forward to it. This year we're gonna change it up. Lesley Logan 11:19  How to get overhead. Brad Crowell 11:20  How to get overhead. So last year's spring training was so fun. We had people join us from all over the world. We had teachers join us from all over the globe, all the OPC teachers, and it was a big party. And we were digging into, well, each year we're digging into a different topic. So this year's topic is how to get overhead. And I know we kind of said this last week on the pod. But you don't have to be able to get overhead right to come learn. Lesley Logan 11:46  I don't like that. It's not have to get overhead, it's a how to. It's really finding your own version of overhead exercises. It's really just, you're here to find your own and that's what Pilates is making your own personal practice practice. It's called Contrology, the study of control. Not controlled.Brad Crowell 12:02  Yeah, not controlled. So come join us. Go to opc.me/events opc.me/events to grab a spot on the waitlist so that you're gonna be the first one to know when we do that in May. Before we get into this great interview with Brad, let's dig into this question. So on YouTube, @wanderlustonwheels asks, I would love to see recommendations for us perimenopausal ladies on the Cadillac. I am also hyper mobile, so I can't really do any mat work without fabricating and crunching my joints and pinching my nerves. I always end up with neck cranks that keep me from sleeping when I do mat work. So this is like multiple things rolled up into one. Lesley Logan 12:45  Yeah, I'm gonna keep it tight, because I appreciate your question about perimenopausal exercises on the Cadillac. And unfortunately, the way that Pilates has been changed, in some ways, is that people think I need to know this type of exercise for this piece of equipment, but really it's a system. And actually all Pilates is available to any perimenopausal woman on any piece of equipment. So what's cool about Pilates is it actually is a low cortisol producing workout, or it should be. And if yours is not, then you're probably not doing Pilates. It's a mind body connective work, and you're not moving super slow or super fast. There's some moments with zest and there's some moment with rhythm. But in in all honesty, most Pilates exercise classes session should actually be low cortisol producing really great for building strength and for getting that mind body connection, which will bring down that cortisol levels. And you should be able to sleep really, really well. So I'm not gonna say which exercises are great for perimenopause, because they all are, but depends on which ones your body needs right now. And that actually has nothing. That has very little to do with perimenopause, and more to do with like, what's going on with your body, the fact that you're hyper mobile, you didn't mention that you have EDS. So if you had EDS, this was a it's a different story, and you should definitely be working. You should really make sure to find an EDS teacher near you, trained teacher near you or online. Because the fact that when you do mat work your nerves are pinched and you have neck cranks makes me actually nervous that you're not doing actual Pilates exercises, and somebody is using the popularity of Pilates to entice you in, because if you're doing Pilates from your center on the mat as a hyper mobile person, the worst case scenario you're going to have is that it's easy. I'm a hyper mobile body, and so it would just feel easy to me because I was just locking my joints out and over stretching things and kind of hanging off of things. But the fact that you're actually having pinched nerves and neck cranks tells me that there's some sort of pressure that's being pulled to you in these exercises.Brad Crowell 14:46  Well, I think, I think, like, okay, so also hypermobile here. And did you know in like, super intense yoga for like, a long time before moving to Vegas and so now I do yoga differently, but before it was like, you know, 3, 4, 5 days a week doing yoga. And I definitely understand the idea of, like, crunching joints and pinching nerves, or I don't understand fabricating. That doesn't mean anything to me. But, you know, just because you can force your body into a shape doesn't mean you're doing it correctly. Lesley Logan 15:18  Well and also, I think that, like, something that you had to learn was that not every cue is for you. And I think sometimes in a class we hear them say something, so we do it in a hyper mobile people, we can keep going like, our end range isn't there, whereas a tighter person would be like, get stuck on something.Brad Crowell 15:35  I mean, look, I you know, I could put my head, my foot behind my head on the first day of class, the very first day, like, and they were like, your yoga practice is amazing. I was like, I'm brand new. What are you talking about? Right? So.Lesley Logan 15:46  And that teacher should have been like, oh, even though you can do that, you should not do that, because you don't know what you're doing.Brad Crowell 15:51  Right. You don't know how to engage your muscles, to protect your body. And that's what, to me, that's what it sounds like here, when you have crunching joints or pinching nerves, like in Pilates, we talk about the five spine shapes. And the spine shape that that you should focus on as a hyper mobile body is tall.Lesley Logan 16:07  Yeah, look at you, Brad. Brad Crowell 16:09  Oh yeah. Lesley Logan 16:10  Look at you. So so @wanderlustonwheels, like, here's the thing, if you were an OPC member and I was you sent in a video of you doing a couple of the mat exercises, just a couple reps, I don't want you to hurt anything, I could actually see what's going on. Without being able to see it just based off what I'm reading, it sounds to me that the person who's teaching the class is not teaching your body. They are teaching a class, and that is hard because it's more accessible for you to go to a class or to watch a YouTube video, but not everything is going to be for you. And so actually learning how to move from your center is going to be key, and that might mean investing in some time or some money to get either an OBC membership or a studio near you, where a teacher can actually look at you and go, oh, that's too high. Oh, that's too much. Or here are these exercises, because the mat work, like I said, as a hypermobile, it should just feel easy, and the fact you're getting hurt, really, like alarm bells are going off for me. Brad Crowell 17:03  There's a second thing I wanted to say on this, and I'm not a physical therapist, but also being a hypermobile body, the best thing that has that I've done for my body in the past five years is lifting weights.Lesley Logan 17:16  Well and, for perimenopausal women, you should be so people who actually do Pilates say I should lift weights. It's not an or it's an and I do both. I lift heavy weights and I do Pilates.Brad Crowell 17:27  Because, because the strength, here's here's where this has been weird for me, because I am, like, super competitive, the guy who wants to be the guy who can, you know, bend over backwards and and, like, you know, touch my toes backwards. I want to be that guy, because if they can do it, so can I. That's how my mentality has always been, and I could do a lot more flexibility things, maybe not properly, but with my hypermobility before I started becoming more strong, but with the strength added, which, you know, has been like, a process over multiple years. My body hurts way less, way less. I can still jack myself up, and I can still be like, oh man, I'm in my lower back right now. I can feel it, you know. But because my, because I've been like, my shoulders don't hurt anymore. They used to. My knees are hurting less they, you know, my back especially has been hurting less, and then, you know, I haven't had neck issues the way that you're describing them. But like, you know, if you strengthen your neck, imagine.Lesley Logan 18:31  Well, that's the thing that people, especially while we're doing that, going back to that spring training with overhead, I ask you, like, what they're nervous about and everyone's afraid of their neck. And I'm like, one, you should be on your neck. And two, your neck should be strong. Most people, like, are so afraid of hurting their neck that they're not actually strengthening their neck anymore, and their necks getting weaker. And so guess what? It's actually gonna you're gonna hurt it just sitting around. So I, I really, like, I feel for people because, like, what if? So what if @wanderlustonwheels, like, can't go to any place, right? What if she, like, doesn't have money or the time, and she like, I get that it's about listening to your body. And really true, like, sometimes you have to film yourself, because if you're looking at someone do something, and then you're trying to make yourself look like them. But then when you actually film yourself, you go, oh, wow, look at how hyperextended or look where my chin is like that could help you or if you can invest in even just some privates, going hey, I need to know these foundational exercises for my body. I need to know these foundational weight training exercises for my body. I'm hyper mobile, then you can I truly believe you can do Pilates on your own once you have those foundations. And that's I wouldn't have created OPC if I didn't think so, and you can train on your own. That's why gyms exist. So at any rate, like also, I just really wonder if the person teaching that mat class is actually teaching real mat Pilates or doing lots of extra reps or something. They might be doing Pilates exercises, but doing a ton of reps, or doing it too fast, or adding heavier weights. I say, like, what? I was like, oh, I want lightweights for a class, right? And I showed up and they're like, the lightest one's worth five pounds each. And I'm like, that's not Pilates. That like that should be in a gym, because Pilates is a one pound weight. So like, sometimes, you know, people want to fill the burn and so, and then studios lean towards that, because that's what I think, is there gonna be money, and what we're not doing is educating people, you know? (inaudible)Brad Crowell 20:12  Thanks for writing in that question. There's a lot there, but, but. Lesley Logan 20:17  We have a great workshop on OPC that Mindy Westfall did about Pilates for hypermobility, so I highly recommend taking a look at that.Brad Crowell 20:24  Yeah, that's a great point and and sorry for interrupting you there. But yes, if you have a question, we want to hear it, so text us 310-905-5534, or you can submit it through beitpod.com/questions beitpod.com/questions where you can leave either a win or a question. So send us some wins, people, we want to celebrate with you. Stick around. We'll be right back. We're going to talk about Brad Walsh. Brad Crowell 20:49  All right, let's talk about Brad Walsh. Brad is the host and founder of the Empower Podcast, a Toronto based platform dedicated to amplifying women's stories and strengthening their voices. A lifelong photographer. He discovered his passion in high school, and later transitioned from a 12 and a half year career as corporate audiovisual technician to full time photography, eventually specializing in boudoir work that helps women see their own strength and beauty. His commitment to women's empowerment is rooted in the example set by his mother and grandmother, whose courage shaped the values behind his work today. Lesley Logan 21:23  Yeah, and some cool women in his life. And we've had one photographer on before, and so I was, I was excited to talk a little bit about boudoir photography with him, because I grew up where a lot of women changed their bodies because of what they thought men would like, and then him being a male boudoir photographer who's like, literally loving everybody as it is and showing them how beautiful they are in their own bodies with these photos. And then then they can see how beautiful they are in those photos. It's fucking cool. I think it's great. Thanks, Brad, for not being a dick, you know, like there are some good men out there. Brad Crowell 21:56  If you haven't listened to his episode just yet, his you know, he shared his story a little bit. His dad left, or his mom left his dad, who was, you know, off cheating on her, basically, when he was 10, and they went through it like they were broke. They got an apartment. Mom slept on the couch, because he also has a brother, and he said, you know, her strength and courage to stand back up after 15 years of marriage and say, I'm done with this abuse. She left with nothing but the clothes on her back. And, you know, and then when she got a job because she needed to, after being out of the workforce for over a decade, grandma helped in, you know, stepped in to help. So, you know, very inspirational story there. And also, like, definitely lays the foundation for why he would be encouraging, you know, women and empowering women. So I appreciated hearing a little bit of that. But what are the what is one of the things that he talked about that you really loved?Lesley Logan 22:54  Well, he said, the gift of her seeing herself for the first time a light she's not used to seeing herself in. He said, like, it's so powerful to be able to give that to another human being and.Brad Crowell 23:03  You're specifically talking about his photography, yeah, boudoir photography.Lesley Logan 23:06  Yeah. He said when they see who they truly are and how they're captured, they leave a completely different woman. And there's not enough words, he said, to encapsulate the power in that as a photographer. I mean, I.Brad Crowell 23:19  His conviction, like, was, was so. Lesley Logan 23:21  Oh yeah, you have to hear it. Brad Crowell 23:22  Yeah, it was. It was very compelling. Because he's like, I don't, I don't have the words to say how much that has impacted me. Lesley Logan 23:28  Yeah. Well, I think, like, first of all, ladies, if you're like, I hate being on camera. I don't have (inaudible) you're the one who fucking needs to have your picture taken. Because, like, I was like, oh my God, we have a photo shoot tomorrow, and I love our photographer, and I love our makeup artist, and so I'm like, it's, I know it's going to be a great time, and it's a long day, like we talked about Brooks Tyler's book last week, and it's like, to be on an eight-hour shoot, you you have to have stamina, endurance, and I really think Adderall would have helped, like, just, just to stay focused right for that many hours. But when you see the photos at the end of the day, you're like, oh my God, I'm fucking stunning. And then you like, wake up the next day without hair and makeup, like, I'm fucking stunning. Like, it just keeps going. So, like, I highly recommend doing it, because it does change how you think about yourself. And when you change how you think about yourself, you change how you act, you change how you act, you change how you be it till you see it. I mean, there's no other way to say it. So what did you love?Brad Crowell 24:25  So I really dug when he was talking about resilience, right? And it stemmed from a conversation about being tired of the word resilient. You know, like, I've been told so many times you're so resilient. Well, I don't want to be resilient anymore. Why do I have to keep being resilient?Lesley Logan 24:37  My friends are like, you're the most resilient person, I know I'm like, over it pretty done.Brad Crowell 24:42  And he took a step back and paused, and he's like, well, this is how I see what resilience is. It's, it's courage and inner strength, specifically, when you you keep getting back up after being knocked down time after time, right? And he said, he said it's really important that women be resilient so they can share their experience, and inspire other women by being vulnerable, by sharing their experience. It's a permission slip for others. It shows them what is possible, right? And I thought that's totally relevant and important. And he said, while it can certainly be tiring, it serves a greater purpose, right? And it makes your efforts bigger than just you. You know, it makes your efforts towards whatever it is that you're working on. When you share those things and you continue to get back up, you know, you're giving permission for others to keep going on their journey, which we don't know what exactly what it is, but there's clearly going to be something relatable. He said, even if you're only influencing one person, right? It's worth it. He said, think about that impact, and how you know that you can have and how you can help. Maybe, you know, maybe by sharing your story, your struggles, it will prevent someone from having to go through something similar that you experience, because you know you're sharing how you got through it. So, I mean, that's honestly, like half the reason we do this podcast is hearing, you know, how did they get from A to B? How are they being it till they see, how they get to where they are today and, you know, it's inspirational. I hope you found it as well.Lesley Logan 26:08  I did. I really did. And I couldn't agree more. I mean, like, you're, you know, it's not a podcast I used to listen to before I was ever like when the first they just ended their first season, which is like, more like an ending of a show. I think they call the end of a season one, because they could always come back. But it was like 968, episodes. And I know. And I was just like, interesting. I wonder what it'd be like, like, well, how do you, how do you think about ending it? I read, like, their statement, which is, like, everything that we did worked, and like, look, we've inspired people. And I was like, there must have been a point where they, like, thought it wasn't adding anymore, you know, and but, and every time I'm like, is this podcast like helping anybody out? And then we go on tour, and someone's like, I loved this. And I'm like, well, fuck, we got to keep going because it's fucking hard work podcasting. But I know every stupid bro makes it look like it's the easiest thing you ever did in your life. This is a fucking hard thing that we do every week.Brad Crowell 27:00  Yeah, we're surrounded by a whole team to set us up to be able to even do this.Lesley Logan 27:03  Yes, and you just get to, like, vent or rant or like, I don't know what the fuck they think they're doing, but like, you actually have to, like, have structure and, like, think about these things and think about the people you're platforming. You know, I know that dickhead CEO podcast is like, I'm not platforming these people. I'm having a conversation. No, you're fucking platforming them, right? So, like, sometimes I'm like, oh, do I should I be platforming this person? Because I want to change lives for the better, right? So, and it's difficult because you're like, how do I know this person? How am I going to there's so many things to think about, but I do agree. It's like, if you can change one's person's life with it, like, then it's worth doing, worth all the effort. Brad Crowell 27:33  Yeah, well, stick around. We'll be right back. We're going to dig into those Be It Action Items that we got from your conversation with Brad Walsh. Brad Crowell 27:42  All right, welcome back. So finally, let's talk about those Be It Action Items. What bold, executable, intrinsic or targeted action items can we take away from your conversation with Brad Walsh? He said, you just have to be authentic. Don't try to be something that you're not. And the two of you went back and forth about we need to take back the word authentic, it's overused and overplayed, but there's still something to it. You know? He said, look, when we only show the happy, shiny, beautiful part of the thing that we went through, we're not being honest, and that's not being authentic, because there was definitely some shit we had to go through to get there too, right? And so I think it's fair to say that you can still be selective about all of the shit. You don't have to share everything. We're not airing our dirty laundry, but it's important to show that there's a struggle as well, and that that like contributes to that authenticity. It makes it actually authentic, right? So drill down, you know, be selective, but take that mask off and actually like, be genuine. So what about you?Lesley Logan 28:42  Oh, well, you know, I love this his father's wisdom, who said, what's meant for you will never go by you. And the mantra that I say, which means the same thing, is, like, what is for you will not pass you, or you will not pass you. And I think that that's a really important thing, because it's really easy to, like, hang on to something because we're afraid that something else won't come along. But like, if it's meant for you, will not go by you. And it's something that, like, as our career has taken off, as our business continues to grow, I have to say no to a lot of things, and that means worrying. Oh my god, am I letting something go? Am I saying no to something that could have, like, changed the trajectory? And it's like, I have to trust that what is meant for me will never go by you. What is for me will not pass me. So I hope that gives you something to think about, because it's not going to be all fucking rainbows and glitter, especially right now. Like, it's really hard right now. And I want to recognize every single one of you are listening like, you open up the news and it's fucked, and then you have to go to work and go, how are you? Well, all things considered, not shitty, but, like, it's hard, especially especially as people who have empathy and feelings and and caring. And so you have to keep getting up, doing the best you can. If you live somewhere where you can call someone who represents you and yell at them for what they need to step up, do that, it's part of a great day, and then keep going because if you can affect one person's life to make it better, it does matter. I love that. Brad Crowell 30:04  Yeah, me too. Lesley Logan 30:04  I'm Lesley Logan.Brad Crowell 30:06  Well, before we do that, we just wanted to shout out. Brad has an upcoming conference that's called Empowerography. It's a live conference for 2026 It is Friday, April 24th, through Sunday, April 26th, and I'm pretty sure it's a virtual. Lesley Logan 30:21  It's virtual so you can go. Brad Crowell 30:22  So you can find tickets and information about it on Facebook. Search for Empowerography. That's E-M power ography. You know, Empowerography Live Conference. Just search for Brad Walsh. Lesley Logan 30:33  We'll put the link in the show notes as well. That might be easier. Okay, go do that. And I'm Lesley Logan. Brad Crowell 30:38  And I'm Brad Crowell. Lesley Logan 30:39  Thanks so much for listening. Thanks for being you. Thanks for calling your congressman and your senators and laying on the peppy if you're American and if you are European or somewhere from anywhere else you there's ways to lay on our shit too. So you can, you can help make change in this world. I believe it. I believe you and you. And if you don't want to do any of that, then leave me a review, please. Thanks so much. Until next time, Be It Till You See It.Brad Crowell 31:01  Bye for now. Lesley Logan 31:03  That's all I got for this episode of the Be It Till You See It Podcast. One thing that would help both myself and future listeners is for you to rate the show and leave a review and follow or subscribe for free wherever you listen to your podcast. Also, make sure to introduce yourself over at the Be It Pod on Instagram. I would love to know more about you. Share this episode with whoever you think needs to hear it. Help us and others Be It Till You See It. Have an awesome day. Be It Till You See It is a production of The Bloom Podcast Network. If you want to leave us a message or a question that we might read on another episode, you can text us at +1-310-905-5534 or send a DM on Instagram @BeItPod.Brad Crowell 31:45  It's written, filmed, and recorded by your host, Lesley Logan, and me, Brad Crowell.Lesley Logan 31:50  It is transcribed, produced and edited by the epic team at Disenyo.co.Brad Crowell 31:54  Our theme music is by Ali at Apex Production Music and our branding by designer and artist, Gianfranco Cioffi.Lesley Logan 32:01  Special thanks to Melissa Solomon for creating our visuals.Brad Crowell 32:04  Also to Angelina Herico for adding all of our content to our website. And finally to Meridith Root for keeping us all on point and on time.Support this podcast at — https://redcircle.com/be-it-till-you-see-it/donationsAdvertising Inquiries: https://redcircle.com/brandsPrivacy & Opt-Out: https://redcircle.com/privacy

Ehhh kia ora e te ball bags! Producer Kanuka on the tools today, Eds is out getting their 2 middle fingers reattached after a big night. Here's what you missed on the show today: Producer Arun had the most out the gate breakfast this morning... What service would you hire Tegan for? Nickson's wife Sarah got him to GIB a friends ceiling. What did your partner sign you up for? We attempt to make Tegs cool. What do you want Nate to giveaway when he's on air from 6am till midnight? Tegan got a WILD PR package, which leads us to "what food does Fame look like?" Shaun Johnson joins us to talk about League Lounge. Shot for listening, from your favourite Producer, Producer A-aron, Producer Kanuka, Producer Alonaa, Producer Ma Brother x

Eds heads to the mound for his first outting of the season with the life story of Martin Dihigo. A Cuban superstar who many say was the greatest of his generation and the best player they ever saw at any position, and he played all of them. An eventual Hall of Famer, Dihigo earned his nickname El Immortal on both sides of the ball and eventually as a field general in the dugout, but unfortunately due to the circumstances of his day, his greatness for a while was lost in time.

Think the Federal Reserve only deals with interest rates? Think again.  In this episode, we sit down with experts from the Federal Reserve Bank of Philadelphia to reveal little‑known but powerful tools designed to support workforce and economic mobility. Deborah Diamond and Theresa Dunn break down two resources that can help HR professionals rethink talent pipelines, skills‑based hiring, and local economic impact.Discover how "Eds & Meds" shape Philadelphia's workforce and why understanding your region's economic ecosystem is critical for strategic HR planning. A must‑listen for HR and business leaders seeking data‑driven insight.More about our guests:Deborah DiamondAs the senior director of engagement and initiatives, Deborah and her team develop and maintain strong relationships with stakeholders in the Third District to better understand how economic conditions affect residents, workers, and small businesses. She also focuses on the “anchor economy” locally and nationally to understand how universities and hospitals shape local economic opportunity.Theresa DunneTheresa Dunne is a community development research analyst in the Community Development and Regional Outreach Department at the Federal Reserve Bank of Philadelphia. Her research interests lie at the intersection of community development and public health. Currently, she works on topics related to digital equity and device access, equitable wealth in the city of Philadelphia, and the broad economic impacts of anchor institutions on regional economies.To learn more about the tools discussed, visit:PhiladelphiaFed.org/OMEPhiladelphiaFed.org/AnchorEconomyBusiness, Engagement, Human Resources, Management, Thought Leadership, Return to work, Inclusion, Hybrid work, AI, phillyshrm.org

Trouble with bowel or bladder function? It might be time to partner with a specialist. In this episode of BackTable OBGYN, hosts Dr. Amy Park and Dr. Mark Hoffman are joined by Dr. Shannon Wallace and Dr. Anna Spivak, experts from the Cleveland Clinic specializing in pelvic floor disorders. They dive into the complex world of combined colorectal and urogynecological issues, discussing the importance of a multidisciplinary approach to treat conditions such as rectal prolapse, constipation, and incontinence. --- SYNPOSIS The conversation covers detailed diagnostic methods like manometry and defecography, various surgical options, and the crucial role of pelvic floor physical therapy in patient recovery. They also provide insights into setting up effective multidisciplinary clinics and emphasize the need for teamwork and administrative support in delivering optimal patient care. This episode is a valuable resource for both specialists and generalists aiming to enhance their understanding and treatment of pelvic floor dysfunctions. --- TIMESTAMPS 01:05 - Introduction05:40 - Multi-Compartment Prolapse & Second Opinions08:14 - Pelvic Floor Compartments Explained10:36 - When Internal Prolapse Becomes Surgical11:56 - Incomplete Emptying, Splinting, Fragmentation & Leakage16:55 - Fluoro vs MRI and When to Order It23:47 - Anorectal Manometry26:56 - Physical Therapy, Biofeedback, Meds, Injections, & Motility Workup29:08 - Robotic Mesh Repairs vs Vaginal/Perineal Approaches34:43 - When (and Why) to Consider Biologics36:46 - Resection Rectopexy38:10 - Treating Ehlers-Danlos syndromes (EDS) & Eating Disorders42:55 - Pelvic Floor PT After Surgery and Recovery Timelines47:29- Perineal Prolapse Repairs (Altemeier vs Delorme)49:53 - Symptom Improvement vs Retraining the 'New Normal'52:20 - Fecal Incontinence & Sacral Neuromodulation57:08 - Diarrhea-Driven Incontinence58:56 - Building a Multidisciplinary Pelvic Floor Program01:04:04 - Conclusion --- RESOURCES Pelvic Floor Disorders Consortium (American Society of Colon & Rectal Surgeons) https://fascrs.org/Web/Web/My-ASCRS/Education/Pelvic-Floor-Disorders-Consortium.aspx

"[A couple state of mind] is the capacity to be subjectively involved with both individuals, but then importantly, to be able to step back, find a third position, and try to understand what the couple are creating together. Although it's kind of obvious in a way, because surely, that's what a couple therapist is doing, they're trying to understand the couple relationship. It can have quite a powerful effect on the couple coming for help, because very often they're coming with a different state of mind. They're coming with a state of mind where the other one is felt to be the problem. Quite often, one partner feels brought by the other for treatment, and it's very much a kind of two-person interaction - 'You know, if you weren't this way or if you did this for me, then I would be happy'. What perhaps the couples don't  have is the capacity themselves to step back and observe what they're creating together - that's the couple state of mind. The couple state of mind is initially in the therapist. It's the couple therapist's analytic stance, if you like. But what I'm suggesting is that over time, this gets identified with and internalized by the couple into their relationship."    Episode Description: We begin by describing the nature of the 'couple state of mind' as it exists in the mind of the therapist and as it grows in the couple allowing them to reflect on their 'coupleness'. We consider the similarities and differences between this and the familiar analytic self-reflective capacities that develop in intensive individual treatment. Mary presents clinical examples of her countertransference inclinations that are evoked in working with those who are initially 'likable' or 'unpleasant', i.e., "I can't understand why they're together" and how that evolves into a deeper understanding of the nature of their 'togetherness'. She discusses fixed unconscious fantasies and projective identifications that are both defensive and creative. We also discuss how "curiosity is the opposite of narcissism" and how that vital ability lives in the therapist and in the couple. We close with recognizing that the couple's capacity for their own 'couple state of mind' is an indication of readiness for termination.   Our Guest: Mary Morgan, is a Psychoanalyst, Couple Psychoanalytic Psychotherapist, and a writer. She is a Fellow of the British Psychoanalytical Society, Senior Fellow of Tavistock Relationships and Honorary Member of the Polish Society for Psychoanalytic Psychotherapy. She is a consultant member of the International Psychoanalytic Association's Committee on Couple and Family Psychoanalysis, a member of the Editorial board of the International Journal of Psychoanalysis and a member of the International Advisory Board of the journal of Couple and Family Psychoanalysis. She worked for many years at Tavistock Relationships, London, where she was the Reader in Couple Psychoanalysis and Head of the MA and Professional Doctorate in Couple Psychoanalytic Psychotherapy. She currently has a private practice of individuals, couples, supervision, and teaching. Along with Andrew Balfour and Christopher Vincent in 2012, she co-edited How Couple Relationships Shape Our World: Clinical Practice, Research and Policy Perspectives. Her book A Couple State of Mind: Psychoanalysis of Couples – the Tavistock Relationships Model (2019) is available in several languages. Her latest book Couple Relations: A Contemporary Introduction was published in 2025 and is available as an audiobook. Recommended Readings: Morgan, M. (2019) A couple state of mind: psychoanalysis of couples and the Tavistock Relationships Model. London & New York: Routledge.   Morgan, M. (2025) Couple Relations: A Contemporary Introduction. London: Routledge.   Ruszczynski, S. & Fisher, J. V. (Eds.) (1995). Intrusiveness and Intimacy in the Couple. London: Karnac.   Fisher, J. (1999). The Uninvited Guest. Emerging from Narcissism towards Marriage. London: Karnac.   Grier, F. (Ed.) (2005a). Oedipus and the Couple. London: Karnac.   Morgan, M. (2019) Love, Hate, and Otherness in Intimate Relating. Couple and Family Psychoanalysis 9:15-21   Clulow, C. (2009) (Ed) Sex, Attachment and Couple Psychotherapy: Psychoanalytic Perspectives (pp. 75–101). London: Karnac.  

In this episode of ACEP Nowcast, host Amy Faith Ho, MD, MPH, FACEP, talks with emergency medicine leaders about the state of pediatric disaster readiness in EDs and the role of observation units in disaster response. More links: Read more on ACEPNow.com. Revisit ACEP Nowcast podcast episodes.  View job opportunities at emCareers.

Welcome to Subatomic Sessions Episode 88   The normal format for this month! 24 off the best tracks out over the past month! Really enjoyed putting this one together!   For those that are interested, I have started Streaming live on TikTok over the past month or so. Feel free to find me @raverkeefus if you want to join the Subatomic Journey.   Crank It Up!   1. Kiyoi and Eky - Dilemma  (Extended Mix) 2. Craig Connelly - Superstar Avenue (Extended Mix) 3. Gareth Emery - Gunshots (Bogdan Vix Extended Remix) 4. RAM & MIDI Kittyy - Rapture (Extended Mix) 5. Rodrigo Deem - Want You Back (Will Rees Extended Remix) 6. Roman Messer feat. Sarah de Warren - Risk It All (Anton Pallmer Extended Remix) 7. Stargazers & Cathy Burton - Find Our Way Back Home (Extended Mix) 8. Sebastian Brushwood - Lost Time (Extended Mix) 9. Ed Sánchez - Kaizen (Extended Mix) 10. Laucco - Find The Sun (Extended Mix) 11. Rak Coon - Solstice (Extended Mix) 12. Mark Sherry & Christina Novelli - Lighting Fires (Darren Porter & BiXX Extended Remix) 13. Aly & Fila Feat Jwaydan - We Control The Sunlight (Darren Porter Extended Remix) 14. Lost Witness & Sauli - Kokoon (Extended Mix) 15. Metta & Glyde - Porcelain Skies (Original Mix) 16. Elara and Rik Crofts - February (Extended Mix) 17. Crisy - When You're Here (Extended Mix) 18. Fros7nova & Crisy - Wings Of Epic (Extended Mix) 19. Sean Truby - Regresando (Extended Mix) 20. Metta & Glyde - Singularity (Extended Mix) 21. Impulse Wave - Asesino (Extended Mix) 22. Alex M.O.R.P.H. & Paul Denton - Teleporter (Extended Mix) 23. Simon Patterson - You're All I Need (Extended Mix) 24. David Forbes - Skylines (Extended Mix)  

We are feeling the love this Valentine’s Day with Tamra and Eddie. After 16 together, what keeps their marriage going strong? They’ve shared their entire love story on RHOC, but do they regret any moments they filmed for tv? Plus, could a vowel renewal be in their future?See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Parents have questions about phones, tablets, video games…essentially all the screen time things.You might ask yourself: What age is too young to give them their own device? How do I get them to turn it off without fighting? How much time is too much?Am I a bad mom if I not only allow, but sometimes even encourage, rotting on a screen when I just need some time to get shit done or be “on break”?It's so tempting to think about screens as a black or white issue. They're either evil brain rot, or essential for human development in this digital age of AI and robots taking all our jobs?!? But neither extreme sounds quite right, does it?That's why I'm so happy to bring you this convo with Ash Brandin. Ash is the bestselling author of Power On. This book is such a helpful resource for this neverending battle with screens.Something clicked while listening?We'd love to talk with you if you want to dig deeper into your family's specific situation. If you're ready to stop guessing and start knowing what works, it might be worth a conversation. https://mastermindparenting.com/live-assessment/Get all the links, resources, and transcripts here: https://mastermindparenting.com/podcast-336About Randi RubensteinRandi Rubenstein coaches parents raising strong-willed kids. Randi searched endlessly to find the magical resource that would help her own highly sensitive, strong-willed child. (He's now in his 20's, healthy and happy-ish:). She's been passionate about helping other “cycle-breaker” parents like herself for almost two decades.Randi's Web and Social LinksWebsite: https://mastermindparenting.com/Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/mastermindparentingInstagram: https://www.instagram.com/mastermind_parenting/About Ash BrandinAsh Brandin, EdS, known online as TheGamerEducator, empowers families to make screen time sustainable, manageable, and beneficial for the whole family. Now in their 15th year of teaching middle school, they help caregivers navigate the world of tech with consistent, loving boundaries, founded on respect for children, appreciation of video games and tech, and knowledge of pedagogical techniques. Ash has appeared on podcasts including Re:Thinking with Adam Grant, Good Inside with Dr. Becky, and Culture Study with Anne Helen Petersen, and has contributed to articles featured on Romper, Scary Mommy, Lifehacker, The Daily Beast, USA Today, and NPR. Their bestselling book, Power On: Managing Screen Time to Benefit the Whole Family, debuted in August, 2025. In their free time, Ash loves to hike, bake, play video games, and spend time with their family.Ash's Web and Social LinksInstagram.com/thegamereducator

Join us in this episode of Qualitative Conversations as  Melissa Hauber-Özer  (University of Missouri) hosts Meagan Call-Cummings (Johns Hopkins University) and  Giovanni Dazzo  (University of Georgia) to explore the transformative approach of critical participatory inquiry. Discover how this methodology promotes equitable knowledge production and social change, rooted in global South perspectives and critical theory. Their work, Critical Participatory Inquiry: An Interdisciplinary Guide, was honored with the AERA Qualitative Research SIG Book Award for 2025. Featured Resources:Call-Cummings, M., Dazzo, G. P., & Hauber-Özer, M. (2023). Critical participatory inquiry: An interdisciplinary guide. Sage Publications.  Fals-Borda, O., Rahman, M.A. (1991). Action and Knowledge: Breaking the Monopoly with Participatory Action-Research. Bloomsbury Academic Call-Cummings, M., Hauber-Özer, M., & Dazzo, G. P. (Eds.). (2023). The Routledge International Handbook of Critical Participatory Inquiry in Transnational Research Contexts. Taylor & Francis Group.   Kirk, J., & Miller, M. L. (1986).Reliability and validity in qualitative research (Vol. 1). Sage.  Scholars mentioned: Paulo Freire Frantz FanonWalter D. Mignolo Sharrell Hassell-Goodman  Production Credits:Melissa Hauber-Özer - Host Meagan Call-Cummings - Co-Host Giovanni Dazzo - Co-Host Jacob Bunch - Editor Pallavi Chhabra and Jacob Bunch - Show Notes and Resources Qualitative Research SIG Podcast Committee - Production AdvisoryQualitative Research SIG Podcast Committee Members: Laetitia Adelson Jacob Bunch,  Committee Chair Pallavi ChhabraJonathan Coker Joshua Cruz Melissa Hauber-Özer Emma McMain  Seth McCall Elizabeth Morgan Elizabeth Pope 

ADHD, autism, and eating disorders through the lens of inertia. What if feeling stuck is not laziness, resistance, or lack of motivation? In this conversation, Dr. Marianne Miller speaks with ADHD and neurodivergent-affirming therapist Stacie Fanelli, LCSW, @edadhd_therapist, about how autistic inertia, ADHD hyperfocus, and executive functioning differences shape restriction, bingeing, and symptom cycling. They explore why recovery approaches built on willpower and choice can deepen shame for neurodivergent people and how capacity-aware care offers a different path. Inertia outside of the ED can be a trigger for EDs existentially because of the sense of “stuckness” it creates; then, the ED swoops in and offers a sense of control.  This episode reframes stuckness as a nervous system experience rather than a character flaw and introduces compassionate, liberation-centered recovery grounded in harm reduction, radical acceptance, and real support for neurodivergent healing. Contact Stacie https://www.autonomousmindstherapy.com Related Episodes Recovering Again: Navigating Eating Disorders After a Late Neurodivergent Diagnosis (Part 1) With Stacie Fanelli, LCSW @edadhd_therapist on Apple and Spotify. Recovering Again: Navigating Eating Disorders After a Late Neurodivergent Diagnosis (Part 2) With Stacie Fanelli, LCSW @edadhd_therapist on Apple and Spotify. Minding the Gap: The Intersection Between AuDHD & Eating Disorders With Stacie Fanelli, LCSW on Apple and Spotify.  

On this episode, we are joined by Saba Kamal, an occupational therapist and Certified Hand Therapist who has taken a special interest in treating patients with Ehlers-Danlos syndrome (EDS) and hypermobility. She shares with us how patients are diagnosed with EDS or hypermobility and how we as upper extremity therapists can educate these patients on joint protection, stability and lifelong management. Saba Kamal is an occupational therapist and a Certified Hand Therapist. She graduated from OT School in India and is currently certified to practice in the US, UK and Europe. Saba currently resides and practices as a healthcare entrepreneur and hand and upper extremity therapist in the US. She has over three decades of experience spanning clinical practice, healthcare education and professional leadership. She has delivered talks at national and international conferences, collaborating closely with surgeons and therapists to advance the field of hand and upper extremity rehabilitation.Saba's contributions include leadership roles in professional societies (initiated and chaired HTA-CA conferences 2011-2019), the development of innovative treatment approaches, and dedicated mentorship to students and clinicians. Most recently, she sold her successful therapy practices and completed a Healthcare Leadership certificate at Johns Hopkins University. Saba has also written various articles and is the author of Treating Musicians as Athletes available on Amazon and B&N.In addition to continuing to educate therapists through her Hand-On courses with Advanced Rehab Seminars, Saba is also working on several hand therapy-related inventions aimed at bringing innovative solutions to the marketThe views and opinions expressed in the Hands in Motion podcast are those of the guests and do not necessarily reflect the official policy or position of ASHT. Appearance on the podcast does not imply endorsement of any products, services or viewpoints discussed"

CreepGeeks Podcast Episode 354 INTRO  You're listening to CreepGeeks Podcast! This is Season 10, Episode 354 York County Wendigo, Vermont UAP Team, Treasure Hunting Indiana Jones, Irish Exorcism, and the return of Albuquerque vs Florida! Welcome to CreepGeeks Podcast! We broadcast paranormal news and share our strange experiences from our underground bunker in the mountains of Western North Carolina.  THIS EPISODE IS BROUGHT TO YOU BY BARLEY'S BITES Barley's Bites Barley's Bites is dedicated to providing top-quality, home-made dog treats for every doggo to enjoy. Our treats are made from fresh, healthy ingredients without any harmful chemicals, ensuring your pet receives the best nutrition possible.  Jack loves them, and the dog neighbors approve. Made in New Mexico! Thanks, Kristen and Dave, for sending Jack and us some tasty treats! Your favorite anomalous podcast hosts are Greg and Omi Want to support the podcast? Join us on Patreon:  CreepGeeks Paranormal and Weird News is creating Humorous Paranormal Podcasts, Interviews, and Videos!  Get our new Swag in our Amazon Merch Store:  https://amzn.to/3IWwM1x  Get Starlink for Rural Internet Access-  Starlink | Residential Hey Everyone. You can call the show and leave us a message!  1-575-208-4025 Use Amazon Prime's Free Trial! Did you know YOU can support the CreepGeeks Podcast with little to no effort? It won't cost you anything!  When you shop on Amazon.com using our affiliate link, we receive a small percentage.  It doesn't change your price at all. It helps us keep the coffee and gas flowing in the Albino Rhino!  CreepGeeks Podcast is an Amazon Affiliate CheapGeek and CreepGeeks Amazon Page's Amazon Page    Support the Show:  CreepGeeks Swag Shop!  Website- CREEPGEEKS PARANORMAL AND WEIRD NEWS Hey everyone! Help us out!  Rate us on iTunes!  ‎CreepGeeks Paranormal and Weird News Podcast on Apple  WARNING: This Podcast May Contain Bioengineered and Cell-Cultivated Food Products. Stanley Milford Navajo Rangers Book- The Paranormal Ranger: A chilling memoir of investigations into the paranormal in Navajoland https://amzn.to/3ZhzG8m  Interested in Past Lives or Past Life's Journeying- RC Baranowski. Past Life Journeying: Exploring Past, Between, and Future Lives Past Life Journeying: Exploring Past, Between, and Future Lives - Kindle edition by Baranowski, R. C.. Religion & Spirituality Kindle eBooks @ Amazon.com.  Over on our Patreon-  Patron's Messages-  Welcome, Patrons and new Patrons-  New Lake Shawnee Haunted Amusement Park Video is available! Brown Mountain Lights Brown Mountain Lights Geological Survey- Here's a thought: Are Brown Mountain Lights caused by lithium? 1-800 Number Comments-   Fate Magazine - Fate Magazine  Did you know that #creepgeeks is ranked- FeedSpot- 10 Best North Carolina News Podcasts You Must Follow in 2025  10 Best North Carolina Technology Podcasts You Must Follow in 2025  GoodPods- Best Fortean Podcasts [2025] Top 3 Shows - Goodpods  Best Bigfoot Podcasts [2025] Top 30 Shows - Goodpods  Greg's Pen Tangent -The Sharpie S-Gel in Copper:  https://amzn.to/4gNatda  CreepGeeks Podcast NEWS: Omi-  Into the Shadows of McDowell County  Haunted Hollers of McDowell County  What are we doing, what're we up to? CreepGeeks Podcast has won its copyright debacle. Digital Audio Player:  FIIO Snowsky Echo Mini https://amzn.to/4n8rQYh  Omi is a big-time artist and busy. North Carolina artist creates 'Bluebirds of Hope' from glass shattered by Helene | Fox Weather  One Artist Picks Up the Pieces | Our State  Greg is pushing forward in his quest to own his own digital content. Greg celebrated his YouTube Channel's 15th birthday! Last Episode FollowUp: LADY Follow Up- Mast Cells and Histamines How interesting that y'all were talking about mast cells and histamine on last's night show. Just a little rabbit hole for you: The condition that you were speaking of last night - an allergic reaction to extreme cold - is called Mast Cell Activation Syndrome (MCAS). The condition Omi was speaking about with fingers turning various shades of white, blue, and purple during temperature changes is called Raynaud's. Both MCAS and Raynaud's are co-morbids of a congenital condition called Ehlers-Danlos Syndrome (EDS).  EDS is a connective tissue disease and has over 10 subtypes, with hypermobile EDS (hEDS) being the most common. The top co-morbidities for EDS are MCAS, chronic inflammatory conditions such as migraine, interstitial cystitis, and irritable bowel syndrome (IBS); and dysautonomia. MCAS is an absolute nightmare to live with as literally anything can set it off: food, temperature changes, stress, a mosquito bite, solar weather, someone marinating in their perfume or cologne, dust, & etc. Reactions can range from sneezing and itchiness to anaphylaxis - just as you said. I am all too familiar with this condition as my daughter, youngest son, and myself all suffer from it. In fact, with the ice storm that hit NC weekend before last, the youngest son was out playing in it and when he came in his cheeks were a bright red. I immediately gave him Benadryl. The next morning when he woke up, not only had the Benadryl not touched it, his eyes, lips, and cheeks were swollen like he'd been beat up. That was a trip to the ER. And the scary part of MCAS is that it is not consistent. One week you can eat chicken and it's fine; the next week, you're off to the ER. There is literally no way to know how, if, or when your mast cells are going to have a hissy fit. All that said, it is interesting to note that histamine, which is elevated during an MCAS event, can exit the body through multiple means including sweat. Histamine reacts to electrostatic fields and in some cases has been the reason why some folks can perform telekinesis. Russian Leonid Leonidovich Vasiliev conducted research and found that a woman by the name of Nina Kulagina, who was thought to be telekinetic, had high amounts of histamine on her skin from sweat (body detoxifying), and that was interacting with the electrostatic field on the objects she was attempting to move, and was thus the reason she was able to move items viz., she wasn't telekinetic. Vasiliey's works are available if you want to nerd out on it: • Mysterious Phenomena of the Human Psyche (1959) • Experiments in Mental Suggestion (1963) • Experiments in Distant Influence (1976) Or, if you want to take a shortcut and hear about it in a five-minute deal and more eloquent fashion, skip to the 57:20 mark on this episode of Art Bell's Midnight in the Desert: https://youtu.be/vy_Aa-7b8n4?si=6oPS6Y7XQtDrjD73 You also mentioned evolution, or de-evolution in the human body, and genetic entropy is another rabbit hole one can go down. Mainline science and medicine don't like genetic entropy and have tried very hard to debunk it because it doesn't fit their narrative.  Anyhoo, thank you for letting me nerd out. Have a good one. Art Bell | Midnight in the Desert | Loyd Auerbach: Parapsychology, Hauntings & the Unexplained  Last Episode FollowUp: LADY THAT LEFT US A MESSAGE NEWS: Cobain Death ruled a homicide  UFO /UAP Ohio, are y'all okay?  Ohio residents have a one in 89 chance of reporting an alien abduction Who's got the highest abduction account numbers? New Hampshire with 2% and Idaho with 1.9%...  Vermont Lawmaker Calls for UAP Task Force to Investigate UFO incidents Montana Tech professor teaches class that takes serious look at UFO phenomenon  A Florida Man, an Albuquerque Woman, or Some dummy from NC? Guessing game! Suspect bites police dog and gets charged with felony assault, officials say Two Words: Iguana Tacos Stray balls attack woman, property, neighbors Throws Dr Pepper, Moons Teenagers, arrested at McDonalds Not a guess Coffee shop near Charlotte had seances + a coffin. It closed after 'endless threats'  Paranormal:  Irish family forced to undergo exorcism as ghost of baby haunts them Weird:  Six earthquakes in ten days…It's not LA, it's South Carolina British Museum to hire real Indiana Jones! Cryptid: York County Wendigo Sightings (Soap Box) Food: Doritos Orange Dye makes Rats Transparent Be Safe out there y'all. New Food Recalls ranging from Salmon, Hamburger, Chips Ahoy…all the stuff you'd eat tomorrow. *AD BREAK* READ: If you like this podcast, subscribe on YouTube, follow on Spotify, review on Apple podcasts, support on Patreon, and connect with us on Facebook, Twitter, and Instagram @CreepGeeks.  LIBSYN AD *AD BREAK* Bumper Music- SHOW TOPICS: AD- Want to Start your own podcast? https://signup.libsyn.com/?promo_code=CREEP  Looking for something unique and spooky? Check out Omi's new Etsy, CraftedIntent: CraftedIntent: Simultaneously BeSpoke and Spooky. by CraftedIntent  Want CreepGeeks Paranormal Investigator stickers? Check them out here: CraftedIntent - Etsy  Check out Omi's new Lucky Crystal Skull Creations:  Lucky Crystal Skull: Random Mini Resin Skull With Gemstones - Etsy  Get Something From Amazon Prime! CheapGeek and CreepGeeks Amazon Page's Amazon Page     Cool Stuff on Amazon -Squatch Metalworks Microsquatch Keychain:  Microsquatch Keychain Bottle Opener with Carabiner. Laser-cut, stone-tumbled stainless steel. DESIGNED AND MANUFACTURED IN THE USA.  Amazon Influencer!  CheapGeek and CreepGeeks Amazon Page's Amazon Page   Instagram?  Creep Geeks Podcast (@creepgeekspod) • Instagram photos and videos   Omi Salavea (@craftedintent) • Instagram photos and videos  CreepGeeks Podcast (@creepgeekspodcast) TikTok | Watch CreepGeeks Podcast's Newest TikTok Videos  Need to Contact Us? Email Info: contact@creepgeeks.com  Attn: Greg or Omi  Want to comment on the show? omi@creepgeeks.com   greg@creepgeeks.com   Business Inquiries: contact@creepgeeks.com   CreepGeeks Podcast Store   Music is Officially Licensed through Audiio.com. Artist: Paper Tiger / Song Name: Knollwood / License# 1227348319 #creepgeek  #bigfoot #mattrife #creepgeeks  Tags: WNCbigfoot NC bigfoot sighting, Bigfoot, Ghost, Appalachianhotblob, Paranormal, CreepGeeks,

*Content Warning: grooming, institutional betrayal, sexual violence, on-campus violence, intimate partner violence, gender-based violence, sexual assault and harassment. Free + Confidential Resources + Safety Tips: somethingwaswrong.com/resources   SWW Sticker Shop!: https://brokencyclemedia.com/sticker-shop SWW S25 Theme Song & Artwork: The S25 cover art is by the Amazing Sara Stewart instagram.com/okaynotgreat/ The S25 theme song is a cover of Glad Rag's U Think U from their album Wonder Under, performed by the incredible Abayomi instagram.com/Abayomithesinger. The S25 theme song cover was produced by Janice “JP” Pacheco instagram.com/jtooswavy/ at The Grill Studios in Emeryville, CA instagram.com/thegrillstudios/ Follow Something Was Wrong: Website: somethingwaswrong.com  IG: instagram.com/somethingwaswrongpodcast TikTok: tiktok.com/@somethingwaswrongpodcast  Follow Tiffany Reese: Website: tiffanyreese.me  IG: instagram.com/lookieboo *Sources: -Garcia, S. E. (2017, October 20). The woman who created #MeToo long before hashtags. The New York Times. https://www.nytimes.com/2017/10/20/us/me-too-movement-tarana-burke.html-Kantor, J., & Twohey, M. (2017, October 5). Harvey Weinstein paid off sexual harassment accusers for decades. The New York Times. https://www.nytimes.com/2017/10/05/us/harvey-weinstein-harassment-allegations.html-Farrow, R. (2017, October 23). From aggressive overtures to sexual assault: Harvey Weinstein's accusers tell their stories. The New Yorker. https://www.newyorker.com/news/news-desk/from-aggressive-overtures-to-sexual-assault-harvey-weinsteins-accusers-tell-their-stories-Mendes, K., Ringrose, J., & Keller, J. (2018). #MeToo and the promise and pitfalls of challenging rape culture through digital feminist activism. European Journal of Women's Studies, 25(2), 236–246. https://doi.org/10.1177/1350506818765318-Fileborn, B., & Loney-Howes, R. (Eds.). (2019). #MeToo and the politics of social change. Palgrave Macmillan. https://doi.org/10.1007/978-3-030-15213-0

February is Eating Disorder Awareness Month. And if you're stuck in quasi-recovery, telling yourself "I'm fine," avoiding help because you're ashamed—this is your wake-up call. I'm sharing 2026 statistics you haven't heard, alarming trends getting WORSE, and the truth about Ozempic, social media, and eating disorders. Because sis, you are not a statistic. At least not a negative one. But you need to hear this. What you'll learn: Why eating disorders increased 15% since 2020 (28.8 million Americans affected) The shocking truth: Every 52 minutes someone dies, only 10% get treatment Midlife crisis: 42% increase in hospitalizations for women 45-65 Ozempic danger: 300% prescription increase, 40% of users have ED histories, 45% relapse when stopping Social media impact: 3+ hours/day = 60% higher ED risk Post-pandemic fallout: 25-30% global increase still climbing My story: When I refused to be a negative statistic 3-question self-assessment to know if you need help NOW The wake-up call: Every day you wait, you're missing out on life. KEY STATISTICS

Soph Myers-Kelley and his mom, René Myers, have always been close. As of five years ago, they also share a diagnosis: the connective tissue disorder Ehlers-Danlos Syndrome. Soph and René were diagnosed one year apart – Soph was 25; René was 60. EDS explained symptoms they'd both been experiencing for decades, including waking up with jaw or shoulder dislocations and having chronic pain.The two talk with Anita about how their diagnoses began a new chapter of their lives, including the decision to move in together last summer.Meet the guests:- Soph Myers-Kelley is a medical librarian at East Carolina University- René Myers is Soph's mom and a retired educatorRead the transcript | Review the podcast on your preferred platformFollow Embodied on Instagram Leave a message for EmbodiedPlease note: This episode originally published February 20, 2025.

Pelvic pain, bladder symptoms, and sexual health concerns are incredibly common in people with Ehlers-Danlos Syndromes, yet they're often misunderstood, dismissed, or treated in isolation. In this episode of Bendy Bodies, Dr. Linda Bluestein is joined by Dr. Rachel Rubin, a board-certified urologist and nationally recognized leader in sexual medicine, to unpack why connective tissue disorders, mast cell activation, dysautonomia, and hormonal shifts so often collide in the pelvis. Together, they explore why bladder symptoms can occur without infection, why pelvic floor therapy alone may not be enough, and how hormones influence tissue health, inflammation, and pain. The conversation dives into underrecognized drivers of symptoms, like vestibular pain, nerve involvement, mast cell activity, and hormonal suppression from birth control, while also addressing why many patients are left searching for answers for years. Dr. Rubin explains why sexual health is inseparable from overall health and how multidisciplinary, patient-centered care can dramatically improve quality of life. For anyone living with a connective tissue disorder who has been told “everything looks normal” despite ongoing pelvic or bladder symptoms, this episode offers clarity, validation, and a new framework for understanding what may actually be happening. Takeaways: Pelvic and bladder symptoms in EDS are rarely caused by just one issue, they often involve hormones, nerves, mast cells, and musculoskeletal factors together. Pain with tampons, sex, or sitting is not normal, even if exams and tests appear normal. Hormonal changes and suppression can significantly affect pelvic tissue health, contributing to pain and urinary symptoms. Pelvic floor therapy helps many patients, but not all, especially when underlying tissue or hormonal issues go unaddressed. Sexual health is a quality-of-life issue, not a luxury, and deserves serious medical attention in hypermobility care. Find the episode transcript here. Want more Dr. Rachel Rubin? Instagram: @drrachelrubin YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/c/DrRachelRubin Want more Dr. Linda Bluestein, MD? Website: https://www.hypermobilitymd.com/ YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/@bendybodiespodcast Instagram: ⁠⁠⁠⁠https://www.instagram.com/hypermobilitymd/⁠⁠⁠⁠ Facebook: ⁠⁠⁠⁠https://www.facebook.com/BendyBodiesPodcast⁠⁠⁠⁠ X: ⁠⁠⁠⁠https://twitter.com/BluesteinLinda⁠⁠⁠⁠ LinkedIn: ⁠⁠⁠⁠https://www.linkedin.com/in/hypermobilitymd/⁠⁠⁠⁠ Newsletter: ⁠⁠⁠⁠https://hypermobilitymd.substack.com/ Shop my Amazon store ⁠⁠⁠ https://www.amazon.com/shop/hypermobilitymd Dr. Bluestein's Recommended Herbs, Supplements and Care Necessities: https://us.fullscript.com/welcome/hypermobilitymd/store-start Want to learn more about the UVA EDS Center? For Appointments and Questions: RUVAEDSCenter@uvahealth.org UVA EDS: https://www.uvahealth.com/healthy-practice/advancing-care-through-ehlers-danlos-clinic UVA EDS FAQ: https://www.uvahealth.com/support/eds/faq UVA Pediatric Integrative Medicine: https://childrens.uvahealth.com/specialties/integrative-health Thank YOU so much for tuning in. We hope you found this episode informative, inspiring, useful, validating, and enjoyable. Join us on the next episode for YOUR time to level up your knowledge about hypermobility disorders and the people who have them. Join YOUR Bendy Bodies community at ⁠⁠https://www.bendybodiespodcast.com/⁠⁠. YOUR bendy body is our highest priority!⁠⁠ Learn more about Human Content at ⁠⁠⁠http://www.human-content.com⁠⁠⁠ Podcast Advertising/Business Inquiries: ⁠⁠⁠sales@human-content.com⁠⁠⁠ Part of the Human Content Podcast Network FTC: This video is not sponsored. Links are commissionable, meaning I may earn commission from purchases made through links Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

You can listen wherever you get your podcasts or check out the fully edited transcript of our interview at the bottom of this post.In this episode of The Peaceful Parenting Podcast, I interview Jessica Slice, a disability activist and the author of Unfit Parent, a Disabled Mother Challenges an Inaccessible World. We discuss the effect of Jessica's disability on her life and parenting, and what non-disabled parents can learn from her about parenting.Know someone who might appreciate this episode? Share it with them!

Pelvic pain, bladder symptoms, and sexual health concerns are incredibly common in people with Ehlers-Danlos Syndromes, yet they're often misunderstood, dismissed, or treated in isolation. In this episode of Bendy Bodies, Dr. Linda Bluestein is joined by Dr. Rachel Rubin, a board-certified urologist and nationally recognized leader in sexual medicine, to unpack why connective tissue disorders, mast cell activation, dysautonomia, and hormonal shifts so often collide in the pelvis. Together, they explore why bladder symptoms can occur without infection, why pelvic floor therapy alone may not be enough, and how hormones influence tissue health, inflammation, and pain. The conversation dives into underrecognized drivers of symptoms, like vestibular pain, nerve involvement, mast cell activity, and hormonal suppression from birth control, while also addressing why many patients are left searching for answers for years. Dr. Rubin explains why sexual health is inseparable from overall health and how multidisciplinary, patient-centered care can dramatically improve quality of life. For anyone living with a connective tissue disorder who has been told “everything looks normal” despite ongoing pelvic or bladder symptoms, this episode offers clarity, validation, and a new framework for understanding what may actually be happening. Takeaways: Pelvic and bladder symptoms in EDS are rarely caused by just one issue, they often involve hormones, nerves, mast cells, and musculoskeletal factors together. Pain with tampons, sex, or sitting is not normal, even if exams and tests appear normal. Hormonal changes and suppression can significantly affect pelvic tissue health, contributing to pain and urinary symptoms. Pelvic floor therapy helps many patients, but not all, especially when underlying tissue or hormonal issues go unaddressed. Sexual health is a quality-of-life issue, not a luxury, and deserves serious medical attention in hypermobility care. Find the episode transcript here. Want more Dr. Rachel Rubin? Instagram: @drrachelrubin YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/c/DrRachelRubin Want more Dr. Linda Bluestein, MD? Website: https://www.hypermobilitymd.com/ YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/@bendybodiespodcast Instagram: ⁠⁠⁠⁠https://www.instagram.com/hypermobilitymd/⁠⁠⁠⁠ Facebook: ⁠⁠⁠⁠https://www.facebook.com/BendyBodiesPodcast⁠⁠⁠⁠ X: ⁠⁠⁠⁠https://twitter.com/BluesteinLinda⁠⁠⁠⁠ LinkedIn: ⁠⁠⁠⁠https://www.linkedin.com/in/hypermobilitymd/⁠⁠⁠⁠ Newsletter: ⁠⁠⁠⁠https://hypermobilitymd.substack.com/ Shop my Amazon store ⁠⁠⁠ https://www.amazon.com/shop/hypermobilitymd Dr. Bluestein's Recommended Herbs, Supplements and Care Necessities: https://us.fullscript.com/welcome/hypermobilitymd/store-start Want to learn more about the UVA EDS Center? For Appointments and Questions: RUVAEDSCenter@uvahealth.org UVA EDS: https://www.uvahealth.com/healthy-practice/advancing-care-through-ehlers-danlos-clinic UVA EDS FAQ: https://www.uvahealth.com/support/eds/faq UVA Pediatric Integrative Medicine: https://childrens.uvahealth.com/specialties/integrative-health Thank YOU so much for tuning in. We hope you found this episode informative, inspiring, useful, validating, and enjoyable. Join us on the next episode for YOUR time to level up your knowledge about hypermobility disorders and the people who have them. Join YOUR Bendy Bodies community at ⁠⁠https://www.bendybodiespodcast.com/⁠⁠. YOUR bendy body is our highest priority!⁠⁠ Learn more about Human Content at ⁠⁠⁠http://www.human-content.com⁠⁠⁠ Podcast Advertising/Business Inquiries: ⁠⁠⁠sales@human-content.com⁠⁠⁠ Part of the Human Content Podcast Network FTC: This video is not sponsored. Links are commissionable, meaning I may earn commission from purchases made through links Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

How do you build confident pediatric PTs and decode complex diagnoses like dyspraxia or EDS?Cheri Woodson has spent 45+ years treating children, educating families, and mentoring therapists. In this episode, she shares how physical therapists can better support kids with executive function and motor planning challenges — even without a formal diagnosis.✅ Why motor delays often go undiagnosed ✅ The biggest myth in pediatric PT ✅ What PT schools miss (and how to fix it) ✅ Strategies to accelerate clinical reasoningTimestamps: 00:00 - Intro02:15 - Cheri's 45-year journey in pediatric PT05:44 - Mentoring the next generation of PTs09:30 - Treating without a formal diagnosis13:20 - What PT schools still miss about peds16:47 - Strategies for dyspraxia + motor planning19:40 - The myth that still hurts pediatric care22:00 - Cheri's parting shot Sponsored By:PRE-ROLL: SaRA Health — Remote Therapeutic Monitoring made simple → https://sarahealth.comMID-ROLL: Empower EMR — EMR designed for speed and simplicity → https://empoweremr.comPRE-PARTING SHOT: U.S. Physical Therapy — Build your PT career your way → https://usph.com

AI in healthcare has moved past the hype, and leaders are now demanding real value, accountability, and global perspective.In this episode of Straight Out of Health IT, Jeffery Heenan-Jalil, CEO of hunterAI, talks about the global evolution of AI analytics in healthcare and what it takes to move from experimentation to real impact. Drawing on more than 30 years of experience leading analytics and technology initiatives across Asia-Pacific, Europe, and North America, Jeffery explains why healthcare organizations are now at a maturity inflection point. He emphasizes the shift from AI hype and “AI-washing” to disciplined, ROI-driven adoption. The conversation highlights why responsible, scalable analytics will define the next phase of healthcare transformation.Jeffery shares his professional journey from leading billion-dollar global teams at companies like Wipro, Cognizant, Unisys, and EDS to becoming a healthcare AI entrepreneur. His experience working directly within healthcare delivery systems, including Southern Cross Healthcare in New Zealand, shaped his practical view of technology's role in real-world operations. Rather than focusing solely on innovation, he stresses the importance of execution, governance, and alignment with clinical and administrative realities. This background informs hunterAI's mission to deliver analytics that healthcare leaders can trust and operationalize.The discussion also explores how AI is gaining early traction in administrative areas such as prior authorization, claims processing, and clinical documentation, where friction reduction is delivering measurable wins. Jeffery and host Christopher Kunney discuss why these use cases are building confidence for broader clinical adoption. They examine the global differences in AI readiness and regulation, underscoring why lessons from international health systems matter. Ultimately, the episode reinforces that AI's future in healthcare depends on thoughtful deployment, transparency, and outcomes that genuinely improve performance and care.Tune in to hear how global experience, disciplined execution, and responsible analytics are shaping the next chapter of healthcare AI!ResourcesConnect with Jeffery Heenan-Jalil on LinkedIn here or reach out to him via email.Follow hunterAI on LinkedIn here and visit their website here.Check out his podcast as well as his company's podcast, The Health Intelligence Pitch

What would it look like if people with Ehlers-Danlos Syndrome finally had a true medical home? In this episode of Bendy Bodies, Dr. Linda Bluestein is joined by Dr. Ina Stephens and Dr. Dacre Knight to share the story behind the newly launched University of Virginia Ehlers-Danlos Syndrome Center, how it came to be, why it was urgently needed, and what makes it fundamentally different from traditional models of care. The conversation explores the power of integrative, multidisciplinary care, the consequences of fragmented systems, and why early recognition, especially in pediatric patients, can profoundly change lifelong outcomes. Dr. Stephens and Dr. Knight discuss what patients can expect when seeking care at UVA, how research and clinical care are being built together, and why clinician education is essential to closing long-standing gaps in EDS care. The episode also features a major announcement: a new collaboration between Bendy Bodies and the UVA EDS Center, uniting global patient education with academic medicine to help reshape how connective tissue disorders are understood, taught, and treated worldwide. For anyone searching for what meaningful progress in EDS care could look like, this conversation offers a glimpse of what's possible. Takeaways: EDS care is most effective when it's coordinated, not scattered across disconnected specialties. Early diagnosis, particularly in children, can prevent years of physical and emotional harm. An “EDS home” model helps reduce gaslighting, burnout, and fragmented care. Academic medicine is beginning to catch up, creating space for evidence-informed, compassionate treatment. Education itself is a form of care, benefiting both patients and clinicians navigating complex conditions. Want to learn more about the UVA EDS Center? For Appointments and Questions: RUVAEDSCenter@uvahealth.org UVA EDS: https://www.uvahealth.com/healthy-practice/advancing-care-through-ehlers-danlos-clinic UVA EDS FAQ: https://www.uvahealth.com/support/eds/faq UVA Pediatric Integrative Medicine: https://childrens.uvahealth.com/specialties/integrative-health Want more Dr. Dacre Knight? https://x.com/knidac Want more Dr. Linda Bluestein, MD? Website: https://www.hypermobilitymd.com/ YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/@bendybodiespodcast Instagram: ⁠⁠⁠⁠https://www.instagram.com/hypermobilitymd/⁠⁠⁠⁠ Facebook: ⁠⁠⁠⁠https://www.facebook.com/BendyBodiesPodcast⁠⁠⁠⁠ X: ⁠⁠⁠⁠https://twitter.com/BluesteinLinda⁠⁠⁠⁠ LinkedIn: ⁠⁠⁠⁠https://www.linkedin.com/in/hypermobilitymd/⁠⁠⁠⁠ Newsletter: ⁠⁠⁠⁠https://hypermobilitymd.substack.com/ Shop my Amazon store ⁠⁠⁠ https://www.amazon.com/shop/hypermobilitymd Dr. Bluestein's Recommended Herbs, Supplements and Care Necessities: https://us.fullscript.com/welcome/hypermobilitymd/store-start Thank YOU so much for tuning in. We hope you found this episode informative, inspiring, useful, validating, and enjoyable. Join us on the next episode for YOUR time to level up your knowledge about hypermobility disorders and the people who have them. Join YOUR Bendy Bodies community at ⁠⁠https://www.bendybodiespodcast.com/⁠⁠. YOUR bendy body is our highest priority!⁠⁠ Learn more about Human Content at ⁠⁠⁠http://www.human-content.com⁠⁠⁠ Podcast Advertising/Business Inquiries: ⁠⁠⁠sales@human-content.com⁠⁠⁠ Part of the Human Content Podcast Network FTC: This video is not sponsored. Links are commissionable, meaning I may earn commission from purchases made through links Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Functional Neurological Disorder (FND) is often misunderstood... but it's real, common, AND treatable. In this episode of Talk Dizzy To Me, vestibular physical therapists Dr. Abbie Ross, PT, NCS and Dr. Carly Lochala, PT, NCS sit down with Dr. Julie Hershberg, PT, NCS to explain what FND is, why it's been minimized in healthcare, and how it overlaps with dizziness, migraine, dysautonomia/POTS, hypermobility/EDS, and vestibular disorders.They break down brain networks like the default mode network and salience network, discuss common clinical clues (variability, attention-related shifts), and explain how treatment often starts with nervous system regulation, trust-building, and whole-person care—not just exercises.If you've been told your symptoms are “all in your head,” this episode is for you.Guest: Dr. Julie Hershberg / Reactive PT Instagram: @reactiveptResources: FND resources hub, reactivept.com/FNDresourcesHosted by:

The conversation continues with Bozoma Saint John’s fiancé, Keely Watson. Keely confronts the biggest questions viewers have about him: Why were he and Boz having conversations about kids before saying I love you and where are they on their IVF journey? Plus, two big weddings are planned this year, will we be able to see both on RHOBH? See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

He’s our first house husband from Beverly Hills! Bozoma Saint John’s fiancé, Keely Watson, joins The Eds. Get to know Keely like never before. Does he have a secret talent that cameras have never shown? Plus, you’ve got to hear the full, bold story on how he met Boz. See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Just sharing some of my favorite things that have helped with endometriosis, PCOS, POTS, Gerd, IBS, EDS, IBD, Celiac, Gastroparesis, Lyme disease, mold toxicity and more! BUOY LMNT- http://elementallabs.refr.cc/cameronfradd

Mast Cell Activation Syndrome is one of the most misunderstood, and underrecognized, conditions in modern medicine. In this episode, Dr. Linda Bluestein is joined by Dr. Lawrence Afrin, one of the world's leading experts on mast cell disease, to unpack why MCAS is so often missed, why tryptase alone is not enough to diagnose it, and how this condition may be driving chronic inflammation, neurologic symptoms, psychiatric symptoms, and even hypermobile Ehlers-Danlos Syndrome (hEDS) in some patients. They talk about why MCAS can look completely different from one person to the next, how mast cells influence nearly every system in the body, and why so many patients are told “nothing is wrong” despite being profoundly unwell. We also explore emerging treatments, including GLP-1 medications, and what the future of MCAS research may hold. If you or your patients live with complex, multisystem symptoms that don't fit neatly into one diagnosis, this conversation may change how you see everything. Takeaways: MCAS rarely looks like classic allergy, which is why it's so often overlooked. Normal tryptase does not rule out mast cell disease, despite what many clinicians believe. Chronic multisystem inflammation is the biggest red flag for MCAS. MCAS may help explain hypermobile EDS in some patients, not as a genetic collagen defect but as an immune-driven process. New therapies are discussed, offering real hope for improved quality of life. Find the episode transcript here. Want more Dr. Lawrence Afrin? http://www.aimcenterpm.com Want more Dr. Linda Bluestein, MD? Website: https://www.hypermobilitymd.com/ YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/@bendybodiespodcast Instagram: ⁠⁠⁠⁠https://www.instagram.com/hypermobilitymd/⁠⁠⁠⁠ Facebook: ⁠⁠⁠⁠https://www.facebook.com/BendyBodiesPodcast⁠⁠⁠⁠ X: ⁠⁠⁠⁠https://twitter.com/BluesteinLinda⁠⁠⁠⁠ LinkedIn: ⁠⁠⁠⁠https://www.linkedin.com/in/hypermobilitymd/⁠⁠⁠⁠ Newsletter: ⁠⁠⁠⁠https://hypermobilitymd.substack.com/ Shop my Amazon store ⁠⁠⁠ https://www.amazon.com/shop/hypermobilitymd Dr. Bluestein's Recommended Herbs, Supplements and Care Necessities: https://us.fullscript.com/welcome/hypermobilitymd/store-start Thank YOU so much for tuning in. We hope you found this episode informative, inspiring, useful, validating, and enjoyable. Join us on the next episode for YOUR time to level up your knowledge about hypermobility disorders and the people who have them. Join YOUR Bendy Bodies community at ⁠⁠https://www.bendybodiespodcast.com/⁠⁠. YOUR bendy body is our highest priority!⁠⁠ Learn more about Human Content at ⁠⁠⁠http://www.human-content.com⁠⁠⁠ Podcast Advertising/Business Inquiries: ⁠⁠⁠sales@human-content.com⁠⁠⁠ Part of the Human Content Podcast Network FTC: This video is not sponsored. Links are commissionable, meaning I may earn commission from purchases made through links Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

American Lit has the potential to be an engaging, broadening, fascinating course. We're in what I consider an in-between era, where many schools are still providing the historical American lit canon to teachers, while other schools or independent teachers going around the system have moved into teaching a broader swirl of America's diverse stories. The American Lit curriculum I was handed twenty years ago was 98% written by dead white men. Since then, I've learned about the impact on our students when they can (and can't) see themselves in the books they read. When they can and can't see their identities. Their communities. Their problems. Their hopes. I learned from Dr. Rudine Sims Bishop's call for books in which students can see themselves and learn to understand others in her appeal to our collective humanity in her landmark essay, "Mirrors, Windows, and Sliding Glass Doors."  I learned from Felicia Rose Chavez, author of The Anti-Racist Writing Workshop, who shared her personal experience as a young reader: "It's startling as a young person of color to stare down the spines of literacy and note the neat annihilation of most of the world" (29).  I learned from Dr. Claudia Rodriguez-Mojica and Dr. Allison Briceño, co-authors of Conscious Classrooms, that using culturally relevant texts can improve student outcomes by helping improve their comprehension, motivation & engagement.  I learned more about pairing contemporary texts to the canon from the #distrupttexts movement, about "completing" the canon from Chavez, and about layering multicultural, multimodal texts from Dr. Gholdy Muhammad's Cultivating Genius.   For me, it feels so clear. And yet I still see so many curriculums either still cleaving to the classics for the most part or abandoning books altogether in favor of textbooks and " short selections." So today I want to offer my American Lit dream. If I had an unlimited budget, and didn't have to worry about book challenges, this is an outline of the American Lit curriculum I would love to teach today. If you're an American Lit teacher, I hope you find an idea for a new unit or two or five that you'd be excited to try out. If you don't teach American Lit, I think you'll still get a lot of ideas about curriculum possibilities in terms of structure and balance from this episode, which you could remix with any authors you choose. Go Further:  Explore alllll the Episodes of The Spark Creativity Teacher Podcast. Launch your choice reading program with all my favorite tools and recs, and grab the free toolkit. Join our community, Creative High School English, on Facebook. Come hang out on Instagram.  Enjoying the podcast? Please consider sharing it with a friend, snagging a screenshot to share on the 'gram, or tapping those ⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐ to help others discover the show. Thank you!  Sources: Chavez, Felicia. The Anti-Racist Writing Workshop. Haymarket Books, 2021. Bishop, Rudine Sims. "Mirrors, Windows, and Sliding Glass Doors." Perspectives: Choosing and Using Books for the Classroom. Vo. 6, No. 3, Summer 1990. https://scenicregional.org/wp-content/uploads/2017/08/Mirrors-Windows-and-Sliding-Glass-Doors.pdf Accessed November 2, 2025. Graham, S., MacArthur, C., & Hebert, M. (Eds). Best Practices in Writing Instruction. The Guilford Press, 2019. Hillocks Jr., G. Narrative Writing: Learning a New  Model for Teaching. Heinemann, 2007. Kittle, Penny. Micro Mentor Texts. Scholastic Professional, 2022. Muhammad, Gholdy. Cultivating Genius. Scholastic, 2020. Potash, Betsy. "Students Need Diverse Texts and Choice, with Dr. Claudia Rodriguez-Mojica and Dr. Allison Briceño." The Spark Creativity Teacher Podcast, Episode 204. Resolution on Grammar Exercises to Teach Speaking and Writing. NCTE online: National Council of Teachers of English Position Statements: https://ncte.org/statement/grammarexercises/, Accessed January 2026. Schoenborn, Andy and Troy Hicks. Creating Confident Writers. W.W. Norton, 2020. Zemelman, Steven, Harvey Daniels and Arthur Hyde. Best Practice. Heinemann, 2005.   

Your butt is not about aesthetics. It is a longevity organ that directly impacts metabolism, brain optimization, resilience, and how long you stay strong as you age. In this episode, you'll learn why strength training and protein intake matter more than body fat percentage, how mitochondria drive human performance and recovery, and why building muscle protects your brain, stabilizes mood, and supports long-term longevity. This conversation reframes biohacking, anti-aging, and health from weight loss to muscle span, the length of time you live with strong, functional skeletal muscle. Watch this episode on YouTube for the full video experience: https://www.youtube.com/@DaveAspreyBPR Host Dave Asprey sits down with Gabrielle Lyon, an accomplished physician and New York Times bestselling author of Forever Strong: A New, Science-Based Strategy for Aging Well, and author of the upcoming The Forever Strong Playbook, releasing January 27, 2026. Dr. Lyon pioneered the Muscle-Centric Medicine® approach, which places muscle at the center of disease prevention, metabolic health, and true vitality. She has trained elite athletes, military operatives, and public figures, while also living this philosophy at home as a mother of two with her husband, a retired Navy SEAL. Together, they break down why intermuscular fat may matter more than body fat percentage, how skeletal muscle drives insulin sensitivity and lowers inflammation, and why becoming physically stronger improves brain function and neuroplasticity. They explore protein needs across the lifespan, fasting, ketosis, carnivore-style nutrition, supplements, sleep optimization, and the real tradeoffs of GLP-1 drugs, including the risk of accelerated muscle loss if strength and protein are neglected. The conversation also covers mindset, hormesis, and why physical resilience creates emotional regulation and clearer decision-making in a world increasingly shaped by AI and convenience. This episode is essential listening for anyone serious about biohacking, hacking human performance, longevity, mitochondria, neuroplasticity, nootropics, metabolism, functional medicine, anti-aging strategies, supplements, and living Smarter Not Harder, ideally with a cup of Danger Coffee in hand. You'll Learn: • Why your glutes and skeletal muscle are critical drivers of longevity and brain health • Why intermuscular fat can matter more than body fat percentage for metabolic dysfunction • How strength training improves neuroplasticity, cognition, and emotional resilience • Why protein needs increase with age and why outdated limits can hold you back • What GLP-1 drugs get right, where they fail, and how to protect muscle span • Why progressive stimulus beats lifting heavy for long-term strength and injury prevention • How sleep optimization and recovery support mitochondria and human performance • How building muscle creates clarity, resilience, and better decision-making Dave Asprey is a four time New York Times bestselling author, founder of Bulletproof Coffee, and the father of biohacking. With over 1,000 interviews and 1 million monthly listeners, The Human Upgrade is the top podcast for people who want to take control of their biology, extend their longevity, and optimize every system in the body and mind. Each episode features cutting edge insights in health, performance, neuroscience, supplements, nutrition, hacking, emotional intelligence, and conscious living. Thank you to our sponsors! Quantum Upgrade | Support your brain, energy, focus, sleep, and recovery with Quantum Upgrade, a 24/7 streaming quantum energy service designed to work continuously in the background. Try it free for 15 days with no credit card required: https://quantumupgrade.io/DAVE Screenfit | Get your at-home eye training program for 40% off using code DAVE at https://www.screenfit.com/dave BrainTap | Go to http://braintap.com/dave to get $100 off the BrainTap Power Bundle. KillSwitch | If you're ready for the best sleep of your life, order now at https://www.switchsupplements.com and use code DAVE for 20% off. Dave Asprey is a four-time New York Times bestselling author, founder of Bulletproof Coffee, and the father of biohacking. With over 1,000 interviews and 1 million monthly listeners, The Human Upgrade brings you the knowledge to take control of your biology, extend your longevity, and optimize every system in your body and mind. Each episode delivers cutting-edge insights in health, performance, neuroscience, supplements, nutrition, biohacking, emotional intelligence, and conscious living. New episodes are released every Tuesday, Thursday, Friday, and Sunday (BONUS). Dave asks the questions no one else will and gives you real tools to become stronger, smarter, and more resilient. Keywords: muscle longevity organ, glutes brain health, strength training longevity podcast, muscle span aging, intermuscular fat metabolism, IMAT insulin resistance, skeletal muscle brain function, neuroplasticity strength training, protein intake aging, high protein diet longevity, metabolism muscle health, mitochondria muscle brain, muscle centric medicine podcast, gabrielle lyon podcast, forever strong playbook, women strength training longevity, GLP-1 muscle loss, sarcopenia aging prevention, resistance training brain health, sleep optimization muscle recovery, fasting ketosis muscle health, carnivore diet muscle metabolism, functional medicine muscle health, biohacking strength longevity, human performance muscle, anti-aging strength training, supplements muscle recovery, progressive stimulus training, blood flow restriction training, muscle resilience mindset Resources: • Get Gabrielle's NEW book Forever Strong: https://drgabriellelyon.com/forever-strong/ • Gabrielle's Website: https://drgabriellelyon.com/ • Follow Gabrielle's Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/drgabriellelyon/ • Gabrielles Youtube: https://www.youtube.com/@DrGabrielleLyon • Get My 2026 Biohacking Trends Report: https://daveasprey.com/2026-biohacking-trends-report/ • Join My Low-Oxalate 30-Day Challenge: https://daveasprey.com/2026-low-ox-reset/ • Dave Asprey's Latest News | Go to https://daveasprey.com/ to join Inside Track today. • Danger Coffee: https://dangercoffee.com/discount/dave15 • My Daily Supplements: SuppGrade Labs (15% Off) • Favorite Blue Light Blocking Glasses: TrueDark (15% Off) • Dave Asprey's BEYOND Conference: https://beyondconference.com • Dave Asprey's New Book – Heavily Meditated: https://daveasprey.com/heavily-meditated • Upgrade Collective: https://www.ourupgradecollective.com • Upgrade Labs: https://upgradelabs.com Timestamps: 0:00 – Introduction 1:01 – The Playbook vs Workbook 3:47 – Protein & Metabolic Health 6:21 – Mindset & Negativity 7:20 – Histamines & Hot Flashes 10:49 – Women & Strength Training 13:40 – Connective Tissue & EDS 16:15 – Muscle Span & Aging 19:41 – Training for Kids 21:55 – Pain Cave & Discomfort 25:25 – Emotional Regulation 29:46 – Resilience & Dating 32:11 – Building Friction & Discernment 35:47 – Self-Denial vs Awareness 41:03 – Mitochondria & Energy 42:46 – Bigger Booty, Bigger Brain 44:52 – Body Fat vs IMAT 49:01 – Measuring Muscle Health 52:08 – GLP-1s & Muscle Loss 56:12 – Protein Absorption Myths 59:30 – mTOR & Protein 1:01:29 – Closing Thoughts See Privacy Policy at https://art19.com/privacy and California Privacy Notice at https://art19.com/privacy#do-not-sell-my-info.

Today we're taking a fresh, much-needed look at screen time—one that moves beyond fear, shame, and power struggles and into something far more nuanced and humane. My guest is Ash Brandin, also known as TheGamerEducator, and the author of the new book, Power On: Managing Screen Time to Benefit the Whole Family. In this episode, Ash and I talk about screen time through the lenses of social equity and moral neutrality, and why empowering kids with skills, not control, is key to navigating technology well. We also explore practical strategies for managing screen use, how engaging with kids around their interests can change everything, and what a truly collaborative approach to technology can look like inside families. This is a grounded, compassionate conversation for anyone feeling stuck or conflicted about screens and modern parenting. About Ash Brandin, EdS Ash Brandin, EdS, known online as TheGamerEducator, empowers families to make screen time sustainable, manageable, and beneficial for the whole family. Now in their 15th year of teaching middle school, they help caregivers navigate the world of tech with consistent, loving boundaries, founded on respect for children, appreciation of video games and tech, and knowledge of pedagogical techniques. Ash has appeared on podcasts including Thinking with Adam Grant, Good Inside with Dr. Becky, and Culture Study with Anne Helen Petersen, and has contributed to articles featured on Romper, Scary Mommy, Lifehacker, The Daily Beast, USA Today, and NPR. Their bestselling book, Power On: Managing Screen Time to Benefit the Whole Family debuted in August, 2025. In their free time, Ash loves to hike, bake, play video games, and spend time with their family. Things you'll learn from this episode  How screen time can be reframed more positively when we move away from fear-based narratives Why understanding social equity issues is essential for having nuanced, moral-neutral conversations about technology How focusing on access, behavior, and content helps parents manage screen time more effectively Why empowering kids with skills—and engaging with their interests—builds trust and connection How creating safe, clear boundaries allows children to explore technology responsibly Why collaborative approaches (and simple tools like the sticky note trick) make screen time transitions smoother and more supportive Resources mentioned Power On: Managing Screen Time to Benefit the Whole Family by Ash Brandin Ash Brandin on Instagram The Game Educator (Ash Brandin's Substack) The Game Educator (website) Meryl Alper on Screens & Growing Up Autistic in the Digital Age (Tilt Parenting podcast) Kids Across the Spectrums: Growing Up Autistic in the Digital Age by Meryl Alper (via MIT Press website) Growing Up in Public: Coming of Age in a Digital World by Dr. Devorah Heitner Screenwise: Helping Kids Thrive (and Survive) in Their Digital World by Dr. Devorah Heitner Dr. Devorah Heitner on Online Safety, Internet “Rabbit Holes,” and Differently Wired Kids (Tilt Parenting Podcast) Dr. Devorah Heitner on the Pros & Cons of “Managing” Our Kids' Screen Time (Tilt Parenting podcast) Dr. Devorah Heitner on Parenting Kids Who Are Growing Up Online (Tilt Parenting podcast) Dr. Alok Kanojia on How to Raise Healthy Gamers (Tilt Parenting podcast) We Asked Roblox's C.E.O. About Child Safety (Hard Fork episode) Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices

Episode Notes On E412, Andrew sits down with Katie Farrell to talk about her experience with juvenile rheumatoid arthritis and EDS. We talk about why she uses comedy as her alchemy to find the humour in all the things. This was a really fun one. Enjoy! Follow Katie Farrell at linktree.com/thehotfunnyone Get tix to her show in support of JRA on Feb 19th Tickets:https://www.eventbrite.com/e/1955230008589?aff=oddtdtcreator Episode Sponsors Support USICD's Ten for 2030 Campaign: www.usicd.org Do you wanna turn b*tt stuff up a notch. Go to bvibe.com and use code AFTERDARK to receive 20% off orders of $100 (including bundles, discounted items and more). Disability content creation doesn't have to be hard. Follow @seated.perspectives on Instagram to learn how to make content creation a gentle, easy, accessible experience. Are you looking for attendant care when you need it at your convenience? Check out your team, on tap www.whimble.ca Get 15% off your next purchase of sex toys, books and DVDs by using Coupon code AFTERDARK at checkout when you shop at trans owned and operated sex shop Come As You Are www.comeasyouare.com Order Notes From a Queer Cripple and hire him to speak on it by e-mailing andrew@andrewgurza.com US: https://us.jkp.com/products/notes-from-a-queer-cripple Canada: https://www.ubcpress.ca/notes-from-a-queer-cripple Support the show with a donation: https://patreon.com/disabilityafterdark This podcast is powered by Pinecast.

Eddie and Edwin are back and catching up and reflecting on 2025. Amid many struggles, Edwin opens up how he’s gotten through what he says were the two toughest years of his life. Plus, Eddie and Edwin share an inspirational outlook on making 2026 the best year yet. See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.