Episode 7 - Emily Ladau + a "Wicked(ly Brief)” Recap

Please welcome my dear friend Emily Ladau, who honestly felt like a warm and cozy cup of activist self-care. I, who also happens to be a killer-advocate for Disability rights, as well as the author of one of my (non-biased but) absolute favorite books on the subject: "Demystifying Disability: What to Know, What to Say, and How to be an Ally."

Our episode begins with a closer look and a bit of a story-time, of my very own "one short day" at the premiere of "Wicked: For Good".Rounding out my interview with Emily, I share my gratitude for all of you, sweet audience of ours!

Content alert: If blubbering and happy-tears are at all a trigger to you, please keep scrolling and bless your sweet heart for getting thru today, alone! BELIEVE ME, that alone can be HEAVY some days, just getting thru today is plenty enough. Normalize big feelings being okay.

Moments unacknowledged on-air:
1. Emily, thank you for loving my nub heart and for thinking “it’s way cuter!!!”
2. In my outro, I sadly forgot to mention and thank you to all of my OG’s & previous podcast guests, you know who you are from this podcast AND the last—you’re truly the real ones!
3. Shout out as always to NBC Universal —
4. All photos and images are and shall remain the property of Melanie Waldman LLC
5. Theme song courtesy of Artlist “Who’s That” Ty simon

To purchase Emily’s work:
“Demystifying Disability” by Emily Ladau on Audible, Kindle & paperback: https://amzn.to/4pTpeiY
Large Print: https://www.amazon.com/gp/product/B0F...

Full Show Notes:

Summary

In this episode of the Disability Reality Podcast, Melanie Rivera-Waldman engages in a heartfelt conversation with Emily Ladow, author of 'Demystifying Disability.' They explore personal experiences with disability, the importance of representation in media and theater, and the challenges of accessibility. The discussion also touches on the impact of DEIA initiatives on disability advocacy and the joy found in community and shared experiences. Through laughter and reflection, they highlight the significance of understanding and embracing disability in all aspects of life.


Takeaways

The importance of personal experiences in understanding disability.
Accessibility in literature is crucial for representation.
DEIA initiatives can create fear around discussing disability.
Community support is vital for disabled individuals.
Theater can be a powerful medium for disability representation.
Yoga can be adapted to be inclusive for all abilities.
Disabled joy is a significant aspect of advocacy.
Representation in media affects societal perceptions of disability.
Personal stories can inspire others in the disability community.
Advocacy is an ongoing journey that requires collaboration.



Sound bites
Emily:
"Diversity is a fact."
"I really got to give it to my mom."
"This is disabled joy."


Chapters

00:00 Introduction and Gratitude
02:42 Reflections on Wicked and Personal Experiences
05:26 Demystifying Disability: Emily Ladow's Insights
08:20 Accessibility in Literature and Media
11:29 The Shift in Disability Discourse
14:07 The Impact of Public Broadcasting on Disability Representation
17:06 Disability Pride and Current Challenges
19:45 The Role of Activism in Personal Narratives
22:25 The Intersection of Disability and Theater
25:40 The Importance of Community and Representation
28:14 Future of Disability in Media and Arts
31:19 Conclusion and Reflections on Disabled Joy



#DisTeaPod #DisabilityReality #DisabilityRealityPodcast #DisabilityActivism #demystifyingdisability
#disability #advocacy #representation #accessibility #DEIA #theater #community #Broadway #PersonalStories #yoga, #media