In this episode of the Kindness Is Pod, host Kaitlin Johnstone sits down with the multi-talented Maysoon Zayid, a comedian, actress, writer, and disability advocate. As a graduate of Arizona State University and a Princeton fellow, Maysoon's journey is as inspiring as it is diverse. From her role as co-executive producer of the New York Arab American Comedy Festival to her recent venture into authorship with her first graphic novel, "Shiny Misfits," Maysoon discusses the intersections of humor, advocacy, and storytelling. Join Kaitlin and Maysoon as they delve into the importance of representation, the power of community, and the ongoing fight for equality.

Grab Maysoon's graphic novel Shiny Misfits at www.shinymisfits.com

Quotes
"I always joke that if there was an Olympics for oppression, I would win a gold medal because I'm Palestinian. I'm Muslim, I'm a woman of color, and divorced; I'm disabled; I'm from New Jersey."

"Do what you can do. Some people cannot donate to support feeding children, and Kind Cotton is feeding the minds of local children."

"True kindness, are you ready? is cats."

"The whole point being, that's not why I'm doing it. And I think that it was really fun writing a disabled character who had friends, not because they were told to be her friend or they were gonna get a Game Boy, but because you either wanted to be her best friend or you're terrified of her."

"To do nothing and say, 'It's not my business,' that is where you've lost your humanity."

"The majority of people just love the book. They think it's funny. They're like, 'I see myself in this character, that character.'"

"I absolutely hate the way disabled characters, whether it's more invisible or neurological or mobility, the way that we are shown in media, not just children's media, all media."

"If you love comic books and you've never given two hoots about politics or Muslims or anything, you're gonna love this book."


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Full Transcript: https://cdn.shopify.com/s/files/1/2247/9287/files/Kindness_Is_Podcast_with_Maysoon_2024-04-03_09_15_GMT-4_-_Transcript.docx?v=1713106953