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Season 2

Fearlessly Breaking Chains–from Sexuality and Disability to Femininity and Beyond (Part 2)

We’re back with part two of Melanie’s and Wallace’s incredible story and all their fearless straight talk about the things that make us uncomfortable. If you haven’t already, head over to part one to catch up.

In the second half of this conversation, we explore the challenges couples face trying to merge “baggage,” including what it’s like learning to fight and the stigma that still encases couple’s therapy, and dive into the accident that left Wallace with a spinal cord injury (SCI) at 19 as well as that helped him discover an undiagnosed learning disability and veer him away from a destructive lifestyle.

Then, we jump into all things T6Talk, the volunteer initiative started by the Earle’s in 2021 to dispel disability myths, and provide resources and share stories on everything from sexual and mental health to accessible living and parenting. We talk about their driving motivators for beginning T6Talk, poke holes in the assumption that all disabled people are asexual, get a glimpse into Melanie’s and Wallace’s personal experiences navigating sex and SCI, and shed light on the issues surrounding healthcare equity and reproductive rights in the disability community.

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Season 2

Fearlessly Breaking Chains–from Sexuality and Disability to Femininity and Beyond (Part 1)

Melanie and Wallace Earle are making an incredible splash with their initiative T6Talk, but they’re making even more incredible waives with their vulnerable straight talk about everything from sexuality to mental health, and fearlessly challenging stigma and dispelling myths.

In part 1 of this episode, we dive into childhoods, including Melanie’s journey figuring out what it meant to be feminine, her shame about having a high libido, and an internal struggle with depression amidst a “privileged” upbringing; Wallace’s Physically and emotionally abusive upbringing, the impact of his then unknown ADHD diagnosis, and his decision to distance himself from his birth name; and all three of our experiences with sexual assault.

Then, we explore Melanie’s and Wallace’s incredible origin story, including the multiple dotted lines that connected their lives for over 20 years; what it was like navigating online dating and meeting later in life; and how age and disability status fueled their relationship dynamic.

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Season 2

Turning All My Broken Pieces into a Glimmer of Hope (Part 2)

Leeann side-by-side photos of pre and post weight loss

We’re back with part 2 of Leeann’s story. If you haven’t already, head over to part 1 to catch up.

In the second half of this conversation, Leeann opens up about her 10-year journey managing postpartum depression, including her struggle with suicidal thoughts, the impact the pandemic had on her mental health, and the myths and misconceptions that exist around mothers experiencing postpartum depression. Then, we dive into her healing journey and explore what motivated her to take the first step, her decision to become a life coach so quickly into her own recovery, and talk about the immense impact vulnerability can have on helping to inspire the world through relatable and authentic stories.

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If you would like to connect with Leeann, please reach out to her on Facebook.

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Season 2

Turning All My Broken Pieces into a Glimmer of Hope (Part 1)

Leeann side-by-side photos of pre and post weight loss

A genuine empath by nature, it’s no wonder that once Leeann Romig found her own glimmer of hope, she immediately sought to become that glimmer for others.

In part 1 of this conversation, Leeann opens up about her life-long struggle with weight, including bullying attention she received from other children as a result of her early on-set puberty and inherited metabolic disorder; talks about the depression and anxiety she experienced following her parents’ divorce at 12, as well as the prejudice she endured being part of a now “broken” working-class family in a wealthy town; and shares what it was like trying to navigate her pivotal teen years amidst the entrance and exit of multiple “father figures” and an unwelcoming relocation away from all she knew.

Then, we dive into some of the traumatic circumstances surrounding her first marriage, including the physical and emotional abuse she quietly took while mistaking it as love, as well as two unintended attempts for children that resulted in in an ectopic pregnancy and miscarriage; explore how she came to find her now husband Michael and the transformative change she took from not wanting kids to craving motherhood; and set the stage for her dark 10-year journey battling post-partum depression.

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Season 2

Making My Disadvantage My Greatest Advantage (Part 2)

Chad Bouton

We’re back with part 2 of Chad’s incredible story. If you haven’t listened to the first half yet, head over to part 1.

In the second half of this conversation, Chad and I dive into the deep depression that sent him into a suicidal state, explore his healing journey, and talk about how he made it to positively “going all in on his disability”; discuss the challenges he faced trying to obtain his first job as a blind person, the unexpected pivot his career path took as a result of the pandemic, and the importance of accessibility in the gaming world and how he leveraged his video game passion to propel forward; and highlight the critical role disability exposure and representation play in shaping personal identities and societal stigma.

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Resources

South Eastern Guide Dogs

Our dogs form unbreakable bonds with their guardians. They turn darkness into light for people with vision loss. They restore freedom for veterans who’ve sacrificed for ours. And they heal the broken hearts of children struggling with loss.

Adapt-IT

Adapt-IT are suppliers of assistive technology, including, specialist computer equipment, software, and services.

Do you have difficulties using your computer because of a physical or neurological condition?

We can help you find the right product to allow adults and children to use technology in the most efficient and comfortable way. Whether you or somebody you know:

  • Uses a mobility aid
  • Is a person with sight or hearing loss
  • Has a neurological diagnosis
  • Repetitive Strain Injury
    We can help you to choose a suitable:
  • Keyboard
  • Mouse
  • Control device
  • Support or other equipment to improve your well-being.

 

Categories
Season 2

Making My Disadvantage My Greatest Advantage (Part 1)

Chad Bouton

Once naive to the true impact of his incurable, regressive disability, Chad Bouton would end up facing a turbulent storm of self-hatred before eventually finding calm and unwavering pride in himself.

In part 1 of this conversation, Chad and I talk about what it was like growing up in a military family, the impact legacy medical technology had on his  misdiagnoses, and the devastating day his mother learned that both of her children had Retinitis Pigmentosa. Then, we dive into the emotional rollercoaster he experienced during his first vision dip at 16; the catastrophic intersection between his visual impairment and OCD plus anxiety; and how his second vision dip in college escalated his negative disability identity to absolute disdain on the verge of suicide.

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Season 2

My Not so Normal Path to Breaking Barriers of Not so Subtle Impact

Shilpi Headshot

Since she was a child, Shilpi Kapoor has always been an independent spirit that has defied conformity and taking paths of least resistance. This plus her equally altruistic spirit and drive for universal accessibility, has led her to break barriers of incredible impact.

In this conversation, Shilpi talks about what it was like growing up in Mumbai in the 1980’s, her struggles with school, and the role her father played in helping to develop her love for coding and technology; opens up about some early entrepreneurial ventures and one of her biggest “failings,” a life-changing experience during a data hacking internship that led her to starting a computer training center for the blind, and her pivot to digital accessibility testing and starting the still-thriving BarrierBreak in 2004; and dives into critical dialog on the ubiquity and universality of accessibility, how it shows up everywhere in both the digital and physical world, and the immense benefits it provides to everyone regardless of ability.

Throughout, Shilpi illustrates how vital exposure is for changing attitudes and dismantling stigma, the power constant evolution can have on realizing great impact, and why it’s so important to not always take the normal path in life.

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Resources

BarrierBreak

BarrierBreak is the leader in offshore Digital Accessibility testing and consulting based in India, founded in the year 2004 with a strong belief that technology can empower people with disabilities and elderly to live independently.

Newz Hook

Disability News – media site focusing on Disability Stories and Changing Attitudes towards Disability globally. We highlight disability news, offer inclusive solutions and create accessible collaborations. Our focus is to have Inclusion Champions from across the globe who will share disability stories and news.

247 Accessible Documents

The 247 Portal is a versatile platform that offers cost-effective solutions for accessible document remediation and testing to meet Section 508 and ADA compliance.

American Association of People with Disabilities

The American Association of People with Disabilities works to increase the political and economic power of people with disabilities.

As a national disability-led and cross-disability rights organization, AAPD advocates for full civil rights for over 60 million Americans with disabilities. We do this by promoting equal opportunity, economic power, independent living, and political participation.

Their scholarship program places students with all types of disabilities in paid summer internships with Congressional offices, federal agencies, nonprofit and for-profit organizations in the Washington, DC area.

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Season 2

The Story Behind the Story: Reinventing My Place in the World to Rise Above Dreams I Never Knew I had

Lisa Curtin

In spite of an unpromising upbringing, three divorces and a bankruptcy, Lisa Curtin’s journey proves that not only is there always a story behind the story, but that reinventing your story along the way is never impossible.

In this conversation, Lisa opens up about her childhood, including the role her Lithuanian roots played, a house-wifery grooming, and growing up amongst alcoholism and a lack of encouragement at home; the experiences surrounding her three marriages, including spousal abuse, losing a partner to cancer, and racking up six-figures of debt; and her struggle with shame, embarrassment and people-pleasing throughout her life.

Then, we discuss her journey of rising above and the incredible career path she took from police dispatcher, to school principal, to tour director, to now the COO of a very successful public accounting firm; dive into the rewarding, but emotionally taxing, experiences special education teachers face, the regressive impact weekends and summer breaks can have on children with behavioral or mental disabilities, and why it’s so important for the world to show these children empathy; and talk about what it means to create a truly great employee experience, including the mindfulness leaders must have in order to avoid unintentionally setting unattainable expectations.

And throughout, Lisa illustrates how powerful it is to just believe in yourself, and seize every opportunity that comes your way, because it might just help you realize even bigger dreams than you ever knew you could achieve.

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Resources

American Business Women’s Association

The mission of the American Business Women’s Association is to bring together businesswomen of diverse occupations and to provide opportunities for them to help themselves and others grow personally and professionally through leadership, education, networking support and national recognition.

Caldwell CPAs

Caldwell CPAs is a skilled, reliable, client-focused certified public accounting firm that can help you manage your business and achieve the highest levels of efficiency and profitability. Based in metropolitan Washington, DC, our clients include individual taxpayers, professionals in the fields of health and law, nonprofit organizations, and small businesses in a variety of industries, including tourism, high-tech, food & beverage, construction and real estate. We’re located close to embassies and multinational organizations in the nation’s capital, allowing us to specialize in addressing the financial challenges faced by foreign nationals working in the United States, as well as companies and citizens working abroad.

Categories
Season 2

The Choice of Zig or Zag: Charting My Own Path While Defying Uncommon Odds

Emmanuel Perez

Emmanual (Manny) Perez learned early on that zagging vs zigging was the only way to defy the incredible environmental, cultural and neurotypical odds placed against him in order to manifest a journey of happiness and success.

In this conversation, Manny and I talk about what it was like growing up in New York in an intensely dangerous neighborhood, watching his older brothers get sucked into crime, and the role rapping played in helping him cope; explore the impact his Puerto Rican roots had on his upbringing, including some of the deeply-engrained oppressive cultural outlooks on succeeding in life; and dive into his life-long struggle with anxiety as well as his overdue diagnosis of ADHD in his 30s, and how confronting his mental health ultimately helped him finally accept himself.

Throughout, we illustrate the power of resiliency and being your own cheerleader; the importance of discovering your whole self in order to find peace and acceptance; and why sometimes in life, it’s so crucial to zag when everyone else is zigging.

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Resources

ASPIRA Association

The ASPIRA Association promotes the empowerment of the Puerto Rican and Latino community by developing and nurturing the leadership, intellectual, and cultural potential of its youth to contribute with their skills and dedication to the fullest development of the Puerto Rican and Latino community everywhere.

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Season 2

Uppin’ the Game—from Autism to Impact

Katrina Dale

“Who doesn’t care about human rights? We’re all human, right?” – Katrina Dale, MSW

This week I sit down with Katrina, a strong Black woman on a mission to positively impact humankind, while continuously working to intentionally grow her awareness and approach to managing autism.

In this conversation, Katrina and I dive into what it was like growing up in Michigan, including the militant structure that powered her upbringing, her Black experience being a child of the 90’s, and the impact of having a disabled parent had on her as the oldest sibling; explore her incredible career as a social worker and behavioral health specialist and talk about the power of social impact and the universality of human rights; and dive into her journey living with an invisible disability, including the long road of misdiagnoses and improper treatment, the unsettling intersection between health equity and race/gender, and what it was like discovering that she was autistic in her 30s.

Throughout, Katrina illustrates how critical it is to unpack systemic inequities, support and destigmatize those living with autism, and find “some way, somehow, to be impactful.”

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Resources

Autism Speaks

Autism Speaks works to achieve a world where all people with autism, across the spectrum and throughout the lifespan, can reach their full potential – inclusive of all abilities, ages, races, ethnicities, gender identities, sexual orientations, socioeconomic status, and belief systems.