Always Looking Up

In this week’s episode I sat down with Medusa. Medusa is a non-binary revenge-pop artist based in New York. They aim to transform stories of queer joy and agony into song “by any means necessary,” and credit their visceral production style to the somatic-emotional crossover specific to autism. We discuss having to mask parts of who we are depending on the situation, the experience of having our identities understood within the disability community,  how music is another language to them how they use it to express emotions, the feelings and the power and the impact of seeing yourself represented in a space for the first time and much, much more. Listen To Medusa's Music: Apple Music Spotify Follow Medusa: Instagram: @adsume YouTube: Medusa TikTok: @adsume Website: https://medusa-adsume.com/ Follow Me: Instagram: @jill_ilana , @alwayslookingup.podcast TikTok: @jillian_ilana Website: https://www.jillianilana.com/ Email: alwayslookingup227@gmail.com

In this week’s episode I sat down with Lachi. Lachi is a globally touring singer and songwriter, award winning social entrepreneur, GRAMMYs Chapter Board Governor, founder of the UN-recognized organization RAMPD (Recording Artists and Music Professionals with Disabilities), and host of PBS’ American Masters series ‘Renegades’. Born legally blind, Lachi uses her platform in music, storytelling and fashion to amplify identity pride and Disability Culture. Named a USA Today Woman of the Year, a “new champion in advocacy” by Billboard, and "a foot soldier for Disability Pride'' by Forbes, her cultural activism has landed her spots on national ads and TEDx stages, discussions with the White House, BBC, Good Morning America and The New York Times, and her bejeweled glam canes have popped up everywhere from New York Fashion Week to major LA movie premieres. We discuss the power of community and the importance in recognizing other people’s journeys, the differences between accessibility and disability inclusion, how the music industry transformed her and how she is transforming the music industry and much, much more. Listen To Lachi: Spotify Follow Lachi: Instagram: @lachimusic TikTok: @lachimusic YouTube: Lachi Website: https://www.lachimusic.com/index.html  Follow RAMPD: Instagram: @rampd_up Website: https://rampd.org/  Shop Glam Canes HERE Follow Me: Instagram: @jill_ilana , @alwayslookingup.podcast TikTok: @jillian_ilana Website: https://www.jillianilana.com/ Email: alwayslookingup227@gmail.com

In this week’s episode I sat down with Isabel Mavrides-Calderón. Isabel is a disability justice activist and organizer. Her work focuses on advocating for policy change, accessibility, and anti-ableism. She has hosted numerous campaigns and protests for disability rights bills with the ACLU, Patients Rising and the Center for Disability Rights and, in 2022, she was celebrated as one of Teen Vogue’s 21 under 21, a list of changemakers, influencers, activists, and artists who have made a substantial impact in both their communities and the world. We discuss the fragility and importance of the ADA, how the ways in which people view us impacts policy, creating a legacy for the next generation and much, much more. Follow Isabel: Instagam: @powerfullyisa TikTok: @powerfullyisa  Teen Vogue's 2022 21 under 21 Follow Me: Instagram: @jill_ilana , @alwayslookingup.podcast TikTok: @jillian_ilana Website: https://www.jillianilana.com/ Email: alwayslookingup227@gmail.com This podcast was edited and produced by Ben Curwin

To start I would like to issue a trigger warning. In this conversation we do discuss harassment, assault, and trauma. If these are triggers for you, please feel free to skip this episode. In this week’s episode I sat down with Colin Buckingham. Colin Buckingham is a Writer, Actor, Model, and Producer based in Brooklyn, NY. His goal as a storyteller is to make projects that reflect the intersectional nature of disability and create opportunities for historically excluded and disenfranchised persons. We have a raw and honest conversation about the beliefs and behaviors we confront as little people living in an average-height world, how the world does not know and understand its image of dwarfism, what it takes to challenge these perceptions and much, much more. Follow Colin: Instagram: @cocobucks Website: https://www.colin-buckingham.com Follow Me: Instagram: @jill_ilana , @alwayslookingup.podcast TikTok: @jillian_ilana Website: https://www.jillianilana.com/ Email: alwayslookingup227@gmail.com This podcast was edited and produced by Ben Curwin

In this special episode I sat down with Emily Ladau. Emily is a disability rights activist, storyteller, digital communications consultant, author of the book Demystifying Disability: What to Know, What to Say, and How to be an Ally and editor of Able News at The Viscardi Center, a monthly print periodical and digital news outlet that serves as a resource for and amplifies the perspectives of New York’s diverse, vibrant disability community. In this conversation, we take a deep dive into the timeline and media firestorm surrounding Catherine, the Princess of Wales leading up to and in the days following her medical disclosure and examine what happened through a disability lens. Follow Emily: Instagram: @emilyladau Twitter/X: @emily_ladau Website: https://emilyladau.com Follow Me: Instagram: @jill_ilana , @alwayslookingup.podcast TikTok: @jillian_ilana Website: https://www.jillianilana.com/ Email: alwayslookingup227@gmail.com This podcast was edited and produced by Ben Curwin

In this week’s episode I sat down with Amanda Leduc. Amanda is a disabled writer and author of the non-fiction book Disfigured: On Fairy Tales, Disability, and Making Space and the novel The Centaur’s Wife. She is also an essayist and public speaker where she talks about accessibility and the role of disability in storytelling. We discuss the aspects of disability that are often ignored by those who write and tell stories, seeing disability as a marker of change and creativity, what it means to be a part of a community where the stories can be painful but are so rich and so full of love and much, much more. Follow Amanda: Instagram: @amanda.leduc Website: https://amandaleduc.com Follow Me: Instagram: @jill_ilana , @alwayslookingup.podcast TikTok: @jillian_ilana Website: https://www.jillianilana.com/ Email: alwayslookingup227@gmail.com This podcast was edited and produced by Ben Curwin 

In this week’s episode I sat down with Alycia Anderson. Alycia is a TEDx motivational speaker, corporate Diversity, Equity, Inclusion & Accessibility consultant, advocate, founder & CEO of The Alycia Anderson Company, and host of the podcast Pushing Forward with Alycia. We discuss making the decision to either lead or follow, disability inclusion in DEI efforts, daring to be bold and asking for what you want, what can happen when a brand actually listens to disabled people and much, much more. Listen To Pushing Forward With Alycia: Apple Podcasts Spotify Listen To My Episode of Pushing Forward With Alycia: Apple Podcasts Spotify Follow Alycia: Instagram: @alyciaspeaking TikTok @alyciaspeaking LinkedIn: Alycia Anderson Website:  https://alyciaanderson.com/  Follow Me: Instagram: @jill_ilana , @alwayslookingup.podcast TikTok: @jillian_ilana Website: https://www.jillianilana.com/ Email: alwayslookingup227@gmail.com This podcast was edited and produced by Ben Curwin 

In this week’s episode I sat down with Hannah Bonam-Young. Hannah is a writer of romance novels including Next of Kin, Next to You, and Out On A Limb that feature a cast of diverse, disabled, marginalized, and LGBTQIA+ folks in romantic storylines that blend with the beautiful, messy, and challenging realities of life. We discuss how she got into writing, why she wanted to write romance, the need for more diverse, disabled authors in the genre, how beautiful it is to be loved for who you are, that disabled people are worthy of a happy ever after and much, much more. Hannah's Books: Next of Kin Next to You Out On A Limb Follow Hannah: Instagram: @authorhannahby TikTok: @hannahby_writes Website: https://www.hannahbywrites.com/ Follow Me: Instagram: @jill_ilana , @alwayslookingup.podcast TikTok: @jillian_ilana Website: https://www.jillianilana.com/ Email: alwayslookingup227@gmail.com This podcast was edited and produced by Ben Curwin 

In this week’s episode I sat down with Emma Vogelmann. Emma, also known as The Wheelchair Activist, is a disability activist based in the UK. She is the Policy, Public Affairs and Research Manager at Transport for All and host of The Wheelchair Activist Podcast. We discuss the differences in the US vs the UK in regards to disability representation, some of the impossible beauty standards that exist and the impact they have on the disability community, that disabled people are the experts on disability, how the world can change yet continuously tries to change us and much, much more. Listen To The Wheelchair Activist Podcast: Spotify Apple Podcasts Listen To My Episode Of The Wheelchair Activist Podcast: Spotify Apple Podcasts Follow Emma: Instagram: @emma.vogelmann Website: https://www.thewheelchairactivist.com  Follow Me: Instagram: @jill_ilana , @alwayslookingup.podcast TikTok: @jillian_ilana Website: https://www.jillianilana.com Email: alwayslookingup227@gmail.com This episode was edited and produced by Ben Curwin 

In this week’s episode I sat down with Matthew August Jeffers. Matthew is an actor of stage and screen, having appeared on shows such as New Amsterdam, FBI, and The Blacklist and can currently be seen portraying Nat on the AMC show The Walking Dead: The Ones Who Live and is about to be making his Broadway debut in the play An Enemy Of The People. We discuss the dance between recognizing limitations and accepting challenges, that dwarfism is not a monolith, seizing opportunities to affect the most change, what it means to him to be an actor with dwarfism and much, much more. Follow Matthew: Instagram: @matthewaugustjeffers  Follow Me: Instagram: @jill_ilana , @alwayslookingup.podcast TikTok: @jillian_ilana Website: https://www.jillianilana.com Email: alwayslookingup227@gmail.com This episode was edited and produced by Ben Curwin 

In this week’s episode I sat down with Dom Kelly. Dom is the Co-Founder, President & CEO of New Disabled South, a non-profit working to achieve liberation and justice for disabled people in the South. and New Disabled South Rising, its advocacy arm. Prior to that he served as both the Georgia Fundraising Director and the Senior Advisor for Disability for Stacey Abrams’ campaign for governor of Georgia and was the Senior Fundraising Manager and a Strategic Advisor for Disability at Fair Fight Action, where he also created and led the organization’s Disability Council composed of prominent disability advocates and policy experts from across the country. We discuss understanding disability from a political perspective, the importance of base-building, how New Disabled South is achieving its mission and much, much more. Follow Dom: Instagram: @the_tattoedjew Twitter/X: @the_tattoedjew Follow New Disabled South: Instagram: @newdisabledsouth Twitter/X: @DisabledSouth LinkedIn: New Disabled South Facebook: New Disabled South Website: https://www.newdisabledsouth.org Follow New Disabled South Rising: Instagram: @newdisabledsouthrising Twitter/X: @DisSouthRising LinkedIn: New Disabled South Rising Website: https://www.newdisabledsouthrising.org Follow Me: Instagram: @jill_ilana , @alwayslookingup.podcast Twitter/X: @jillx3456 Website: https://www.jillianilana.com Email: alwayslookingup227@gmail.com This episode was edited and produced by Ben Curwin 

In this week’s episode I sat down with Shelby Holloway. Shelby, in addition to being one of my best friends, is a content creator on TikTok and an advocate for dwarfism awareness. With Valentine’s Day just around the corner we have a heart-to-heart about the realities of dating as a little person, dating as a disabled person, the importance of looking for a safe space to find those relationships, and much, much more. Follow Shelby: Instagram: @shelbyhollowayy TikTok: shelby_holloway Follow Me: Instagram: @jill_ilana , @alwayslookingup.podcast Twitter: @jillx3456 Website: https://www.jillianilana.com Email: alwayslookingup227@gmail.com This episode was edited and produced by Ben Curwin 

In this week’s episode I sat down with Rebecca Cokley. Rebecca is the program officer for the Ford Foundation’s first-ever U.S. Disability Rights program, which is focused on strengthening the field, building a pipeline of diverse leadership, promoting disability pride, and mobilizing resources toward disability rights work. Prior to joining the foundation Rebecca was the co-founder of the Disability Justice Initiative at the Center for American Progress and is a three-time presidential appointee under President Obama. With 2024 being a pivotal election year we discuss the disability rights and disability justice issues on the ballot,  as well as ways in which the disability community can get involved, highlighting the work that is being done by individuals and organizations, the fact that visibility is often confused for impact when it doesn’t have to be and much, much more. Follow Rebecca Cokley: Twitter: @RebeccaCokley Organizations Mentioned: AAPD RevUp Campaign Center American Progress Data For Progress Disability Victory New Disabled South  Follow Me: Instagram: @jill_ilana , @alwayslookingup.podcast TikTok: @jillian_ilana Website: https://www.jillianilana.com Email: alwayslookingup227@gmail.com This episode was edited and produced by Ben Curwin

In this week’s episode I sat down with Amy Roloff. Amy is a reality TV star, appearing on the show Little People Big World, an a cookbook author and a motivational speaker. We discuss having to contextualize what it means to be a little person, the power of sport in the little person community, life through a camera lens and much, much more. Follow Amy: Instagram: @amyjroloff Website: https://amyroloffslittlekitchen.com  Follow Me: Instagram: @jill_ilana , @alwayslookingup.podcast Website: https://www.jillianilana.com Email: alwayslookingup227@gmail.com This episode was edited and produced by Ben Curwin.

In this week’s episode I sat down with Bradley Rose. Bradley is a Peloton Instructor, and teaches cycling classes from Peloton Studios London, bringing his unique British charm and eternally optimistic attitude to every ride.  Prior to joining Peloton, Bradley spent the last ten years in the USA, working as an actor, appearing in both films and TV shows. After sharing his story we discuss how he defines being a survivor, how he came into fitness and becoming a Peloton instructor, what it means to be a part of the disabled, survivor, and Peloton communities and much, much more. Follow Bradley: Instagram: @bradley_rose23 TikTok: @bradrose23 Follow Me: Instagram: @jill_ilana , @alwayslookingup.podcast Website: https://www.jillianilana.com Email: alwayslookingup227@gmail.com This episode was edited and produced by Ben Curwin.

In this week’s episode I sat down with Professor Javier Robles. Professor Robles is a professor at Rutgers University in the Kinesiology and Health Department, is the Director of the Center for Disability Sports, Health and Wellness at Rutgers, and is the Chair of the New Jersey Disabilities Covid-19 Action Committee. We discuss the differences between equality vs. equity, the importance of disability education, what is needed in order to have a society that is truly inclusive for people with disabilities, why his class is the reason I transferred to Rutgers and much, much more. Follow Me: Instagram: @jill_ilana , @alwayslookingup.podcast Website: https://www.jillianilana.com Email: alwayslookingup227@gmail.com This episode was edited and produced by Ben Curwin.

In this week’s episode I sat down with Caitlin Conner. Caitlin, in addition to being the founder and CEO of Be More Adaptive, a global disability database, is a mom, a model, an advocate, and an athlete. After sharing her beautifully impactful story we discuss what it means to be a T-Rex and a chameleon, the differences between adaptive and universal design, the ability to be strong with a disability, the fact that we are worthy of joy and much, much more. Follow Caitlin: Instagram: @caitlin.andherlegnamed.rex LinkedIn Newsletter: Adversity Is Your Super Power Follow Be More Adaptive: Instagram: @bemoreadaptive Website: https://www.bemoreadaptive.org Follow Me: Instagram: @jill_ilana , @alwayslookingup.podcast Website: https://www.jillianilana.com Email: alwayslookingup227@gmail.com This episode was edited and produced by Ben Curwin.

In this week’s episode I sat down with Violet aka hi its vi. Violet is a disability advocate, filmmaker, and content creator with almost 70 thousand followers on TikTok. Violet’s advocacy focuses on the representation of people with dwarfism in the media. In light of some recent at the time of recording comments made by actor Hugh Grant regarding the film Wonka we discuss how modern remakes of classic films are perpetuating harmful stereotypes, what Peter Dinklage actually said when discussing the upcoming Snow White film, the dwarfism representation we are hoping to see on screen and behind the camera in 2024 and much, much more. Follow Violet: TikTok: @hi.itsvi Instagram: @hello.itsvi Follow Me: Instagram: @jill_ilana , @alwayslookingup.podcast Website: https://www.jillianilana.com Email: alwayslookingup227@gmail.com This episode was edited and produced by Ben Curwin.

In this week’s episode I sat down with Kylie Miller. Kylie is an audio journalist and social media curator. She is dedicated to advocating for disability rights and amplifying disability pride through podcasting and social media. She is the former producer of Judy Heumann’s podcast The Heumann Perspective and currently manages social media for Judy Heumann Legacy and Lachi Music. To celebrate Judy Heumann’s birthday we discuss Judy’s life, legacy, and what it was like to be working for and now continuously empowered by her. Follow Kylie: Instagram: @ky__mills Follow Judy Heumann's Legacy: Instagram: @theheumannperspective Website: https://judithheumann.com/heumann-perspective/ Listen to The Heumann Perspective: Spotify Apple Podcasts YouTube Follow Lachi: @lachimusic Follow Me: Instagram: @jill_ilana , @alwayslookingup.podcast Website: https://www.jillianilana.com Email: alwayslookingup227@gmail.com This episode was edited and produced by Ben Curwin.

In this week’s episode I sat down with Chris Ruden. Chris is an amputee, Type 1 diabetic record-holding powerlifter, motivational keynote speaker, author, and disabled model who was featured on The Rock’s hit TV show “Titan Games”. Through his platforms, his message of “creating your world without limits” has made a global impact. We discuss what it means to be respectfully curious, the feelings of not being disabled enough, how disability protects us and much, much more. Follow Chris: Instagram: @chrisruden LinkedIn: Chis Ruden Website: https://chrisruden.com  Follow Me: Instagram: @jill_ilana , @alwayslookingup.podcast Website: https://www.jillianilana.com Email: alwayslookingup227@gmail.com This episode was edited and produced by Ben Curwin.