Always Looking Up

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:

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Listen To My Episode Of The Wheelchair Activist Podcast:

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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:

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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.

To start I would like to issue a trigger warning. In this conversation we do discuss disordered eating and eating disorders. If these are triggers for you please feel free to skip this episode.

I sat down with Jackie Silver. Jackie is a Registered Dietitian with a Masters of Health Science (MHSc) in Nutrition Communications. In her practice she works with kids, teens, and adults with autism, ADHD, and intellectual/developmental disabilities. We discuss her approach to nutrition and wellness and how she applies it to her practice, the necessary unpacking that needs to be done when it comes to understanding disability, how it still seems like there is no room when it comes to disability in regards to health and much, much more.

Follow Jackie: Instagram: @accessiblewellness Facebook: Accessible Wellness TikTok: @jackiesilvernutrition Website: https://jackiesilvernutrition.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 Katharine Quinn. Katherine is a multi-hypenated theatre creative and content creator. She served as the writing associate on Shucked and is currently working on The Great Gatsby at the Papermill Playhouse and How To Dance in Ohio, which is now in previews and opens on Broadway December 10th. We discuss how Broadway has both changed and remained the same since the pandemic, the ways Broadway could be more accessible through technology, the importance of a show like How To Dance In Ohio and authentic disability representation and much, much more.

Follow Katherine: TikTok: @itskatharinequinn Instagram: @itskatharinequinn YouTube: Katharine Quinn - Broadway and Beyond Website: https://www.katharinequinn.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 Wildine Aumoithe. Wildine is a content creator in the fashion and beauty space and holds the Guinness World Record for World’s Shortest Non-Mobile Woman. We discuss the importance of dwarfism representation in the fashion and beauty spaces, blocking out the negativity, how the unique type of dwarfism shapes the dwarfism experience and much, much more.

Follow Wildine: Instagram: @wavy.wildine TikTok: @wildinetok YouTube: Life Of Wildine 

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.

To start I would like to issue a trigger warning. In this conversation we do discuss sexual assault and violent crime. If these are triggers for you please feel free to skip this episode.

I sat down with Katherine Yoder and Leigha Shoup, the executive and deputy director of the Adult Advocacy Centers.  The Adult Advocacy Centers (AACs) work within the disability, victim services, and criminal justice systems to improve access and equity for adult crime victims with disabilities and to educate and train professionals within these systems on the unique needs of survivors with disabilities. We discuss the work of the Adult Advocacy Centers, the ways in which the criminal justice system is inaccessible for adult disabled victims of crime, the importance of having individualized victim services and much more.

Follow The Adult Advocacy Centers: Website: https://www.adultadvocacycenters.org Facebook: Adult Advocacy Centers Twitter/X: @AdultAdvocacyOH Instagram: @adultadvocacycenters 

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 Emily Voorde. Emily is the Founder and CEO of INTO Strategies, a disability-led inclusion consultancy committed to bringing people with disabilities into campaigns, moments, and movements. Prior to starting INTO Strategies Emily was an Associate Director with NEWCO Strategies, a majority-women, majority-LGBTQ progressive consulting firm, served in the White House as the Associate Director in the White House Office of Public Engagement under President Biden, and worked on Mayor Pete’s 2020 Presidential campaign. We discuss our shared experiences with the Osteogenesis Imperfecta (OI) Foundation and Little People of America respectively, who these organizations are actually for and serve, the role advocacy does and should play within these types of organizations and much, much more.

Follow Emily: Instagram: @shortyvoorde LinkedIn: Emily Voorde

Follow INTO Strategies: @intostrategies LinkedIn: INTO Strategies Website: https://www.intostrategies.com Email: emily@intostrategies.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 Bekah Bailey. Bekah, along with being one of my best friends, is a queer and disabled activist and organizer from Minneapolis. As Dwarfism Awareness Month draws to a close we discuss what it means having to accommodate our identity, the accessibility to advocacy within our own community, the differences in advocating for dwarfism vs. disability awareness, who and what Dwarfism Awareness Month is actually for and much, much more.

Follow Bekah: Instagram: @_poopatraitor_ Linktree: https://linktr.ee/bekahb 

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 Brandon Farbstein. Brandon is a 24-year-old renowned speaker, Gen Z activist and author. He inspires millions of people across the globe with his universal message of living life on your own terms and building the framework for self-acceptance. With Dwarfism Awareness Day this week, October 25, we discuss the realities of being a little person in an average-height world when it comes to school, dating, work, etc., the cost, the power, and the influence in sharing our stories, in building a platform, what it means to allow ourselves to be all of who we are, and much, much more.

TRIGGER WARNING: In this conversation we do talk about bullying and some of the darker aspects of mental health. If these are triggers for you please feel free to skip this episode.

Follow Brandon: Instagram: @farbstein FaceBook: Brandon Farbstein LinkedIn: Brandon Farbstein Website: https://brandonfarbstein.com

Watch Brandon's TED Talk 

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 Sofiya Cheyenne. Sofiya is an actor, teaching artist, community organizer and disability advocate. The theme of this episode is understanding what it means to be a little person along with this fear of understanding what it means to be a little person that exists in Hollywood, the pharmaceutical industries, within our own little person community and much, much more.

Follow Sofiya: Instagram: @sofiyacheyenne Youtube: @Sofiya Cheyenne Facebook: Sofiya Cheyenne Website: https://www.sofiyacheyenne.com

Listen to Dwarfism History:

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Apple Podcasts

Instagram: @dwarfismhistory

Website: https://www.dwarfismhistory.com/about

Follow Aubrey Smalls: Instagram: @aubreysmalls TikTok: @aubreysmalls 

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.