The season three line-up of stories feature a slew of incredible personal journeys showcasing resilience, inspiration and stigma fighting at their best. Check out this preview and get ready to tune into the full episodes this June. --- Send in a voice message: https://podcasters.spotify.com/pod/show/notyouraveragegoat/message

Our season three stories showcase a wide range of personal adversities. Check out this preview and get ready to tune in to the full episodes this summer. --- Send in a voice message: https://podcasters.spotify.com/pod/show/notyouraveragegoat/message

We're gearing up for an exciting season 3, but we still have so many incredible stories from last season to celebrate! Check out 8 of Teisha's favorite moments from season 2, and if you haven't already, be sure to tune into the full episodes. --- Send in a voice message: https://podcasters.spotify.com/pod/show/notyouraveragegoat/message

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. --- Send in a voice message: https://podcasters.spotify.com/pod/show/notyouraveragegoat/message

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 abuse. 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. --- Send in a voice message: https://podcasters.spotify.com/pod/show/notyouraveragegoat/message

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. --- Send in a voice message: https://podcasters.spotify.com/pod/show/notyouraveragegoat/message

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. --- Send in a voice message: https://podcasters.spotify.com/pod/show/notyouraveragegoat/message

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. 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 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 InjuryWe can help you to choose a suitable: Keyboard Mouse Control device Support or other equipment to improve your well-being. Adapt-IT --- Send in a voice message: https://podcasters.spotify.com/pod/show/notyouraveragegoat/message

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. --- Send in a voice message: https://podcasters.spotify.com/pod/show/notyouraveragegoat/message

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. ResourcesBarrierBreak 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. Newz Hook247 Accessible DocumentsAmerican Association of People with Disabilities --- Send in a voice message: https://podcasters.spotify.com/pod/show/notyouraveragegoat/message