In this episode, we’re joined by content creator, beauty influencer, and disability advocate Steffi Gonzalez for a conversation about representation, disability visibility, and what it means to take up space online unapologetically.Steffi shares how growing up around photography and beauty eventually led her into content creation, and how a simple moment with her husband changed the way she saw herself — and her wheelchair — on camera. From fashion and beauty influencing, to advocacy work and accessibility conversations with major brands, Steffi reflects on building a platform rooted in authenticity, confidence, and community.The conversation also explores mental health and boundaries as a creator, navigating online comments, internalized ableism, and the importance of disabled representation in beauty and fashion spaces. Steffi also discusses her Instagram series “My Normal is Not Your Normal,” where she highlights the different ways disabled people navigate everyday life while reminding audiences that different does not mean lesser.This episode is an honest, funny, and deeply thoughtful conversation about disability visibility, inclusion, and creating the kind of representation you wish you had growing up.

Cole and Charisma Sydnor, known as “Roll with Cole & Charisma,” are digital creators with a global audience. Together, they share their lived experiences navigating life in an inter-abled relationship, challenging common misconceptions about disability, dependence, and support.From early relationship vulnerability to navigating public perceptions online, Cole and Charisma reflect on how caregiving has shaped (but not defined) their connection. They also discuss the realities of sharing their lives publicly, including boundaries, mental health, and the impact of online visibility.This episode unpacks how care exists in many forms—physical, emotional, and relational—and how it often flows both ways in relationships and communities. The conversation expands beyond romantic relationships to highlight a broader truth: caregiving is not limited to one role or identity.It is something we all give and receive throughout our lives, often in ways that go unseen. It is dynamic, reciprocal, and deeply rooted in connection.Easterseals is committed to meeting people where they are, with care that honors every role they hold. Learn more at easterseals.com.

On this episode of Everything You Know About Disability Is Wrong, we’re joined by Ron Funches, a stand-up comedian, actor, and recent cast member on The Traitors. Ron shares his perspective as both an autistic adult and a parent of an autistic son, reflecting on how his recent diagnosis has deepened his understanding of himself, his family, and the power of self-acceptance. Through humor and honesty, Ron discusses what autism acceptance looks like in real life—from recognizing shared traits with his son to navigating the transition to adulthood, caregiving challenges, and the importance of meeting people where they are. This conversation reinforces the importance of acceptance, accessible support, and empowering people with disabilities to thrive on their own terms.Easterseals is committed to supporting autistic individuals and caregivers with resources, services, and community. 

Dani Bowman is an autistic animator, entrepreneur, and educator who founded DaniMation Entertainment to help people on the autism spectrum develop creative and professional skills. Through her work and advocacy, she empowers neurodivergent individuals to pursue their passions and build meaningful careers.In this episode, Dani reflects on her journey in animation and business, her experience on Netflix’s Love on the Spectrum, and her company DaniMation. The episode highlights the many ways Dani creates learning and employment opportunities for neurodivergent adults. The conversation also explores relationships, self-advocacy, and what authentic autism acceptance looks like in everyday life.This episode is a kick-off to Autism Acceptance Month and our Understanding Disability campaign. At Easterseals, we know that disability looks different for every person, and support should be tailored to individual strengths, goals, and needs.

Shane and Hannah Burcaw, creators of the YouTube channel Squirmy and Grubs, join Lily and Erin for a wide-ranging conversation about relationships, content creation, and what people consistently misunderstand about disability. As a married couple whose lives are highly visible online, Shane and Hannah share how public assumptions, especially about love, worth, and caregiving, show up in comment sections far more than in real life.They reflect on how a viral interview shifted their channel from casual vlogs to a platform that sparks deeper conversations, and how they learned to balance humor with heavier topics without losing their audience. From navigating internet cruelty to deciding how much of their lived experience to share on camera, Shane and Hannah speak candidly about pressure, boundaries, and staying grounded.The episode also explores how caregiving fits naturally into their relationship, why long-form storytelling still matters, and how shared routines, sarcasm, and trust keep their partnership strong. Throughout the conversation, Shane and Hannah emphasize curiosity, patience, and showing up honestly, online and offline.Key Moments03:34 What’s wrong about disability, worth, and relationships05:39 Why cruelty shows up online but never in real life07:58 Going viral and suddenly becoming public educators10:45 Shifting from fun vlogs to purpose-driven storytelling13:40 Mixing humor with hard conversations so people keep listening16:01 The pressure to always create disability-focused content19:20 Why “normal” couple trends never stay neutral online22:51 Long-form content as a space for nuance and depth25:57 Caregiving, autonomy, and public misunderstanding30:04 Writing books to show the range of disabled relationships39:36 Rituals, routines, and what actually keeps their relationship strongConnect with Shane & HannahShane's Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/shaneburcaw/# Hannah's Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/hannahayl/# YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/c/squirmyandgrubs Squirmy and Grubs Website: https://www.squirmyandgrubs.com/ 

Heather Mills, world-record-breaking Paralympic skier and founder of VBites Foods, joins Lily and Erin for a conversation that spans business, resilience, and the power of purpose. From surviving a life-changing accident to building one of the largest plant-based food companies in the world, Heather shares how every setback became a reason to innovate.She recalls turning personal tragedy into global advocacy, developing new prosthetics, founding support networks for amputees, and creating opportunities for others to regain independence. With humor and insight, Heather reflects on what true confidence looks like, the importance of empathy in leadership, and why helping others is the most rewarding kind of “selfishness.”Heather also discusses entrepreneurship through a values-driven lens, balancing profit with purpose, leading with compassion, and using success to make a difference. Her message is bold yet simple: face challenges head-on, stay curious, and use your energy to build solutions instead of problems.Key Moments03:22 Airport misassumptions and using humor to reset the moment05:48 Why comfort with yourself helps others feel at ease07:51 How confidence and comedy reshape public reactions11:33 Switching from “the problem is” to “the solution is”13:26 Building better prosthetics when the market failed to deliver15:42 Creating the Amputee Forum and a global peer-support network19:20 Healing after injury and the path to launching VBites22:50 Turning setbacks into purpose across sport and business25:39 Becoming a world-record Paralympic skier at 4230:27 The power of boundaries and choosing who gets your energyConnect with Heather MillsLinkedIn: https://uk.linkedin.com/in/msheathermills Heather Mills Official Site: https://heathermills.org/ VBites: https://www.vbites.com/ Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/heather.mills.official/ Twitter: https://twitter.com/heatherofficial/status/1755615616638341264 Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/heathermillsofficial/?hl=en

Dr. Destiny Huff, a late-diagnosed autistic and ADHD military spouse, therapist, and special education advocate, joins Lily and Erin for a powerful conversation on parenthood, identity, and reimagining advocacy. As the founder of Destiny Huff Consulting, she works with families across the U.S. to make education systems more responsive, compassionate, and effective for neurodivergent learners.In this episode, Destiny shares how her own diagnosis transformed the way she supports families and children. She explains what it means to build neuroaffirming practices, from presuming competence and honoring autonomy to designing goals that match real learner needs.Destiny also breaks down what an IEP really is; a program, not a plan, and how parents can ask for meetings, request changes, and find collaboration instead of conflict. The discussion explores bias in diagnosis, barriers faced by Black and Brown families, and how educators can check their assumptions to better support every student.Key Moments00:00 Tribute to Alice Wong08:13 "Advocacy and Neurodivergence Insights"15:24 "Neuroaffirming Special Education Handbook"19:17 Centering Voices in Autism Advocacy22:37 "Advocating for Diverse Learners"30:17 "Focus, Educate, and Understand Intentions"34:06 "Parenting Autism: Struggles and Strengths"41:46 "Building Bridges, Not Burning Them"48:30 Hesitation in Disclosing Diagnoses50:43 "Embracing Accurate Labels and Support"55:36 Bias in Disability Labels Explained01:02:21 "Lessons on Rest and Renewal"Connect with Dr. Destiny HuffLinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/destiny-huff-lpc-iep/ Destiny Huff Consulting: https://www.destinyhuffconsulting.com/ Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/destinyhuff_iep_advocate/ Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/destinyhuffconsulting/ HRG Counseling: https://www.hrgcounseling.com/ 

ChiChi White, a content creator, therapist, and social advocate, joins Lily and Erin to explore the world of cozy gaming, mindful streaming, and collective care. Known online as HummingMints, ChiChi plays games like Stardew Valley and Animal Crossing, combining sensory-friendly gameplay with open conversations about neurodiversity, mental health, and authentic connection.In this episode, ChiChi breaks down the meaning of soft content from creating relaxing, sensory-friendly gaming experiences that prioritize comfort, accessibility, and community over competition. They share how mindfulness shows up in gaming, how cozy spaces allow for meaningful conversation, and why it’s okay to play for joy rather than mastery.ChiChi also opens up about founding the Disabled Content Creators Collective (DC3), a growing hub for disabled streamers and creators. Through DC3, he organizes raid trains, charity events, and collaborative streams that help disabled creators connect, share resources, and grow their audiences.From discussions on masking and authenticity to harm reduction and self-acceptance, this conversation offers a grounded look at how online spaces can become real sources of healing, joy, and purpose.Key Moments03:05 What people get wrong about direct communication and tone04:46 Balancing authenticity and “masking” in streaming10:05 What soft content means and why sensory-friendly gaming matters11:55 How cozy games create calm for both players and viewers19:24 Creating safe spaces for teens in streaming and mental health24:17 Founding the Disabled Content Creators Collective (DC3)28:26 What a raid train is and why it matters for disabled creators41:57 Understanding harm reduction in therapy and daily life44:01 Why self-acceptance is a lifelong cycle, not a finish line49:51 Collective wellness: how community helps us thriveConnect with ChiChi WhiteLinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/chichi-white-929350297 Twitch: twitch.tv/HummingMints YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/@hummingmints TikTok: tiktok.com/@HummingMints Instagram: instagram.com/HummingMints 

Pop artist and model Austin Halls joins Lily and Erin for a funny, candid conversation about music, face difference, and building a career that actually works. Born with Möbius syndrome (complete facial paralysis at birth), Austin talks about growing up with media that coded face differences as villainy, and how that shaped first impressions, assumptions, and everyday interactions.Austin’s answer is art and access. His dance-pop track “Disabled” flips the script with a hook that invites everyone onto the floor, shifting from pity narratives to unapologetic confidence. He shares how fashion and stagecraft became tools of self-expression, why “success ≠ cured,” and how to handle lateral ableism when visibility rises.From Runway of Dreams and New York Fashion Week to mentorship with RAMPD and a seat at the GRAMMYs (now a Recording Academy voting member), Austin shows what practical pathways look like: make the room workable, choose teams who get it, and insist on authentic casting rather than performances of disability. Key Moments02:20 Audio descriptions and why on-mic context matters03:11 Writing “Disabled”: reclaiming a word with a dance-pop hook08:39 Breaking the villain trope for face difference in media11:47 “Command the room”: reframing visibility as an advantage18:01 Beyond pity narratives: success for talent, not sympathy clicks27:46 Runway of Dreams to NYFW: firsts and why fashion became a tool31:08 Success doesn’t cancel disability: on lateral ableism40:46 RAMPD mentorship to the GRAMMYs: from guest to voting member45:45 Why empathy and perspective shape the work (and the wins)49:51 Finding community: from resisting it to the Möbius Conference pivot55:53 Real-world friendship and the lift of being in the same roomConnect with Austin HallsWebsite: https://austinhalls.com/ LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/austinhalls Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/theaustinhalls/ TikTok: https://www.tiktok.com/@austinhalls?lang=en YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/@AustinHalls Spotify: https://open.spotify.com/artist/1wuAlAwVjnnmeNJ1NiaMSF?autoplay=true RAMPD: https://rampd.org/profile/austin-halls 

Voice actor Maria Pendolino joins Lily for an episode that challenges the narrow way society views disability. Maria shares her experiences as an ambulatory mobility-aid user, explaining how fluctuating conditions are often misunderstood or erased in media and medicine. With candid honesty, she connects her journey of psoriatic arthritis, knee replacements, and self-advocacy to building a career that truly works for her body, through voiceover and a fully accessible home studio.The conversation also takes on fat bias in healthcare, how outdated tools like BMI continue to be used to deny or delay care, and the scripts Maria uses to set boundaries in appointments. Her message: you deserve to be treated as a whole person, not reduced to a number or assumption.Maria details the creation of the Disabled Voice Actors Directory, now housed under the National Association of Voice Actors, which helps casting directors find authentic talent. It’s a resource born out of a belief that disabled people don’t just deserve representation on-screen, they should be hired behind the microphone, too.Key Moments02:50 Breaking the myth of disability as “all or nothing”06:02 What fluctuating disability really looks like in practice14:16 Age bias in surgery: when doctors refuse joint replacements under 5021:31 Why BMI is flawed and how it blocks real care29:46 Self-advocacy scripts: “I will not be weighed”42:34 The audition turning point: “Are you limping?”46:54 Building an accessible home studio and thriving as a voice actor54:11 Founding the Disabled Voice Actors Directory1:04:11 Know the Facts: fat phobia and systemic barriersConnect with Maria PendolinoWebsite: https://www.voicebymaria.com/ YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/channel/UCGkmvgiBP89fHUl9-8awQRA/videos Maria Pendolino - London Voice Over: https://www.londonvoiceover.com/artists/maria-pendolino/ Maria Pendolino - London Voice Over: https://voice123.com/voice-actor/voicebymaria