Enable: The Disability Podcast

Geoff Herbert & Kurt Hower
  • 5.0 (4)
  • Mental Health
  • Weekly

Highlighting amazing people with disabilities and different abilities, sharing stories of their experiences, challenges they've overcome, resources, accessibility, and their careers and passions. Hosted by Geoff "DeafGeoff" Herbert, who was born with a profound hearing loss, and Kurt Hower, who has ankylosing spondylitis.

  1. 3d ago

    Dating with autism: Why is it harder to meet new people? (Enable: The Disability Podcast)

    Why is it harder for neurodivergent people to meet new friends or romantic partners? Trishta Villalta, a certified behavior analyst, speaks with "Enable: The Disability Podcast" about Capable Hearts, a dating and friendship app for neurodivergent people. Villalta also spoke about her experiences working with neurodiversity, coaching people with autism spectrum disorder, training in sexuality education, and the risks that can come with meeting people who may attempt to take advantage of them. "Sometimes it's some of these skills that were never taught... if you're not taught and you have a disorder, when someone is not interested, you need to learn how to detach, you need to be able to learn how to walk away, different things like that, and social cues are hard for you to read," she explained. "For example, people will take advantage. [One person] had a para[-professional] and he gave the para a $100 gift card to iTunes. And she took it. She took it. She's like, you know, you really shouldn't be doing things like that, but she still took it. So you know, and I asked him, Do you have a crush on her? He's like, Well, she's married, and I'm like, Okay, she's married, but that's not what I asked. I asked if you had a crush on her, and he like kind of got a little quiet, and I'm like, you know, it's okay, but this is not how you show someone that you're interested in them because people will take advantage." "If you are on the spectrum, you're more likely to experience unwanted sexual advances, you're more likely to experience abuse. And so that is where I think that it's important to start teaching early on and, you know, keep the conversation going as you're an adult." For more information, visit https://capablehearts.com or follow Capable Hearts on Instagram and TikTok. The app is also free to download from Google Play and the Apple App Store. “Enable: The Disability Podcast,” which highlights amazing people with disabilities and different abilities, releases new episodes weekly on YouTube and all major podcast platforms. Follow facebook.com/enablepodcast or @enablepodcast on Instagram and TikTok for more. Note: Views expressed in this podcast do not necessarily reflect the views of Advance Local. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

    Dating with autism: Why is it harder to meet new people? (Enable: The Disability Podcast)

  2. Oct 21

    Disabilities in movies, TV shows: Do you feel seen on screen? (Enable: The Disability Podcast)

    Is there enough disability representation in film and TV? And why is it important? In this episode of "Enable: The Disability Podcast," co-hosts Geoff "DeafGeoff" Herbert and Kurt Hower discuss the first times they felt seen on screen: For Geoff, it was Freddy Krueger's hard-of-hearing victim in "A Nightmare on Elm Street: The Final Nightmare." For Kurt, it was a heartwarming guest on "Mister Rogers' Neighborhood." The discussion includes other movies and TV series about disabilities, sometimes featuring actors who have disabilities themselves, and whether or not it's OK for non-disabled actors to play characters with disabilities. Titles include “CODA” with Oscar-winning actors Marlee Matlin and Troy Kotsur, “The Theory of Everything” about Stephen Hawking, “Wicked” with wheelchair user Marissa Bode as Elphaba’s sister, “Forrest Gump” and "I Am Sam" depicting intellectual disabilities, “Rain Man” with Dustin Hoffman portraying autism spectrum disorder, and Disney’s “Out of My Mind” starring Phoebe-Rae Taylor, an actress with cerebral palsy. Hollywood can do more, though, as a study published last year by the Geena Davis Institute found just 3.9% of characters had a disability in U.S. TV shows from 2016 to 2023. And only 1 in 5 characters with a disability were authentically cast by actors with a disability. “Enable: The Disability Podcast,” which highlights amazing people with disabilities and different abilities, releases new episodes weekly on YouTube and all major podcast platforms. Follow facebook.com/enablepodcast or @enablepodcast on Instagram and TikTok for more. Note: Views expressed in this podcast do not necessarily reflect the views of Advance Local. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

    Disabilities in movies, TV shows: Do you feel seen on screen? (Enable: The Disability Podcast)

  3. Oct 14

    Museum of Disability History: 'This is really something special' (Enable: The Disability Podcast)

    Did you know there's a Museum of Disability History? Check it out! Dr. Chris Rosa, president of the Museum of Disability History in New York, spoke with "Enable: The Disability Podcast" about some of his favorite exhibits featuring famous people with disabilities, the development of assistive technology, and the importance of accessibility. Chris also spoke about his own experiences as a wheelchair user with muscular dystrophy, his additional work with the Henry Viscardi School, and how the museum's rich history began in Buffalo before finding its current home at the Viscardi Center on Long Island. "It's a really unique, truly one-of-a-kind collection of artifacts that chart the arc of the experiences of Americans with disabilities throughout the course of American history," Chris says. "Maybe you learned that Harriet Tubman had a traumatic brain injury as a result from being injured by oppressors, or FDR was a president with polio, but that's it. And the Museum of Disability History puts people with disabilities back in those narratives and reflects on their experiences at each of these milestone moments that we all cherish as these singular American experiences throughout the arc of American history." "As a person with a disability, I had never seen our our experiences as Americans with disabilities curated and the story told in any cohesive and meaningful way. But what really told me that this was something special was the reaction of the college students (visiting)... the way in which they were enthralled by what they saw, the time they took to engage with each of the exhibits. I saw them sitting and standing in groups, gesturing towards aspects of the collection, having really animated discussions. I said, now this is something special." For more information about the museum, visit https://museumofdisabilityhistory.org You can also visit the museum virtually via Bloomberg Connects at https://museumofdisabilityhistory.org/digital-guide/ “Enable: The Disability Podcast,” which highlights amazing people with disabilities and different abilities, releases new episodes weekly on YouTube and all major podcast platforms. Follow facebook.com/enablepodcast or @enablepodcast on Instagram and TikTok for more. Note: Views expressed in this podcast do not necessarily reflect the views of Advance Local. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

    Museum of Disability History: 'This is really something special' (Enable: The Disability Podcast)

  4. Sep 30

    Why saying 'You don't look sick' is not a compliment (Enable: The Disability Podcast)

    Have you ever heard someone say "you don't look sick" or "you don't look like you have a disability?" It may be well-intentioned as a compliment, but it's not helpful language. In this episode of "Enable: The Disability Podcast," co-hosts Geoff "DeafGeoff" Herbert and Kurt Hower discuss how so-called "invisible disabilities" are treated by others, how to be respectful and helpful, the spoon theory, and the unseen struggles of people with arthritis, autoimmune disorders, chronic illness, hearing loss, and other different abilities. "People with autoimmune diseases, often they're in pain 24/7," Kurt said. "Psoriasis is one of those things people they tend to cover it up with their clothing. So it's not necessarily something that you can see. But what goes along with that is pain and inflammation. So we just need to be more aware that there are people out there that have disabilities that are dealing with chronic illness, and we just need to be more mindful of that." Referenced in this episode - watch our previous interviews with: "Blind & Bored" content creator Hannah Weymouth https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=-x0q2M0BZ5Y MS and chronic illness advocate Nicole Pedra https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=rtonRypZdzA “Enable: The Disability Podcast,” which highlights amazing people with disabilities and different abilities, releases new episodes weekly on YouTube and all major podcast platforms. Follow facebook.com/enablepodcast or @enablepodcast on Instagram and TikTok for more. Note: Views expressed in this podcast do not necessarily reflect the views of Advance Local. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

    Why saying 'You don't look sick' is not a compliment (Enable: The Disability Podcast)

  5. Sep 16

    Blind & Bored: Vision loss with a sense of humor, and a superpower (Enable: The Disability Podcast)

    How do you face a disability with a sense of humor? "Blind & Bored" content creator Hannah Weymouth speaks with "Enable: The Disability Podcast" co-hosts Geoff "DeafGeoff" Herbert and Kurt Hower about how she lost vision as an adult due to a retina disorder known as cone dystrophy. She also spoke about resources she use (including helpful apps and audio description on movies and TV shows), how she embraces her disability, and her superpower (but don't compare her to Daredevil). "One of the main things that frustrates me is that a lot of sighted people don't think about the fact that we use all of our other senses and we're not that different. You know, we're all the same. It's just that we don't have this one aspect," she explained. "A lot of sighted people... think that blind people don't know anything that's going on around them. And that's just so the opposite." As "Blind & Bored," Hannah shares videos on social media featuring funny skits, jokes and satire based on her own life experiences. Follow her on the following platforms: TikTok: https://www.tiktok.com/@blindbored  Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/share/17oA1rPDUx/  YouTube: https://youtube.com/@blindandbored  Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/blindnbored  “Enable: The Disability Podcast,” which highlights amazing people with disabilities and different abilities, releases new episodes weekly on YouTube and all major podcast platforms. Follow facebook.com/enablepodcast or @enablepodcast on Instagram and TikTok for more. Note: Views expressed in this podcast do not necessarily reflect the views of Advance Local. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

    Blind & Bored: Vision loss with a sense of humor, and a superpower (Enable: The Disability Podcast)

  6. Sep 9

    IEP: What questions should parents ask about their child? (Enable: The Disability Podcast)

    What is an IEP or 504 plan? What kinds of questions should parents of children with disabilities or special needs ask about their children's Individualized Education Program? Dr. Desirie Skeete speaks with "Enable: The Disability Podcast" co-hosts Geoff "DeafGeoff" Herbert and Kurt Hower about IEPs, behavior consulting, ABA (Applied Behavior Analysis) therapy, and how her own child's speech struggles inspired her work. "During the IEP meeting, you're going through the behavioral needs for the child... at the top of that IEP, you're going to see the services that the school district is giving you. You must make sure that those services is all that you need. Sometimes you're getting a one-to-one in school. Do you need a one-to-one at home? And if so, ask that question. Are you getting ABA, parent training, speech, occupational therapy?" Dr. Skeete says. "And if you don't see the services that you need, you should be asking why. And not only why, you should be asking about the data that supports the reason as to why or why not, why you're not getting what you need." Dr. Skeete is a behavior consultant and mental health advocate who founded NESS Cares and NESS Behavioral Consulting. For more information, visit https://www.nessbehaviorconsulting.com/  “Enable: The Disability Podcast,” which highlights amazing people with disabilities and different abilities, releases new episodes weekly on YouTube and all major podcast platforms. Follow facebook.com/enablepodcast or @enablepodcast on Instagram and TikTok for more. Note: Views expressed in this podcast do not necessarily reflect the views of Advance Local. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

    IEP: What questions should parents ask about their child? (Enable: The Disability Podcast)

  7. Sep 3

    PTSD from military service, and how to TAP in for help (Enable: The Disability Podcast)

    What kind of mental health challenges do veterans face after military service? Marc Migala, a board member at Veterans Outreach of Pennsylvania and director of veterans care services at the University of Pittsburgh Medical Center, speaks with "Enable: The Disability Podcast" co-hosts Geoff "DeafGeoff" Herbert and Kurt Hower about PTSD, depression, substance abuse and other struggles that can occur after leaving military service. "Diagnosing PTSD (post-traumatic stress disorder) requires a clinical diagnosis. You can suffer from it, you can have it. We will know you've got it. But until you truly seek help and drill down to what you really are struggling with, PTSD can come from normal things," Migala explained. "And that can be any one singular traumatic incident that you went through... Now you compound that to a military-related service, whether it be incoming fire, whether it be mortar rounds, whether it be just something impactful, a car bomb, a vehicle-borne IED, all of these things create a response within ourselves that becomes a fight or flight. And it reverts us back to the very basic nature of, my gosh, I'm back in this instance. It's creating that same anxiety inside of me. My response is the same. My heart rate is the same, cold panic, sweats, anger, anxiety, reluctance to engage." "PTSD (in the most non-clinical person nutshell) is the response to traumatic events that we carry with us that unfortunately, in many instances, we have not been dealing with properly," he continued. "And there are resources that we have that we can use and tap into as veterans when we leave the military that are truly impactful for us and our family members." Migala also shared information on how to TAP in for help -- as in the U.S. Army Transition Assistance Program (TAP) -- plus additional resources to help vets:  https://va.gov (U.S. Department of Veterans Affairs)  https://maketheconnection.net (Make the Connection)  https://mentalhealth.va.gov (Mental Health Services at the VA)  https://veteransoutreachofpa.org (Veterans Outreach of PA)  https://hiringourheroes.org (Hiring Our Heroes)  https://skillbridge.mil (Skillbridge at Dept of War)  https://orhusa.org (Operation Restore Hope) “Enable: The Disability Podcast,” which highlights amazing people with disabilities and different abilities, releases new episodes weekly on YouTube and all major podcast platforms. Follow facebook.com/enablepodcast or @enablepodcast on Instagram and TikTok for more. Note: Views expressed in this podcast do not necessarily reflect the views of Advance Local. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

    PTSD from military service, and how to TAP in for help (Enable: The Disability Podcast)

  8. Aug 26

    Learning not to hide disabilities: 'I would make up crazy stories' - Ryan Minic (Enable Podcast)

    Should you hide a disability on dating apps or when meeting new people? Ryan Minic speaks with "Enable: The Disability Podcast" co-hosts Geoff "DeafGeoff" Herbert and Kurt Hower about his experiences with cerebral palsy, the lies he would sometimes tell, and realizing that you'll never know what people are capable of until you try -- such as learning jiu jitsu. "Growing up, I never told people that I had cerebral palsy. I would make up all kinds of crazy stories about it. And my thinking was that it's nobody's business," Ryan explains. "So I would make up crazy stories like I got in a helicopter crash or I got in a fight... and I started to realize that you're doing a disservice to yourself." Ryan Minic is a content creator and e-commerce entrepreneur based in California. For more information, visit https://www.ryanminic.com/ or watch his videos on YouTube:  @ryanminic. “Enable: The Disability Podcast,” which highlights amazing people with disabilities and different abilities, releases new episodes weekly on YouTube and all major podcast platforms. Follow facebook.com/enablepodcast or @enablepodcast on Instagram and TikTok for more. Note: Views expressed in this podcast do not necessarily reflect the views of Advance Local. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

    Learning not to hide disabilities: 'I would make up crazy stories' - Ryan Minic (Enable Podcast)
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5
out of 5
4 Ratings

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Highlighting amazing people with disabilities and different abilities, sharing stories of their experiences, challenges they've overcome, resources, accessibility, and their careers and passions. Hosted by Geoff "DeafGeoff" Herbert, who was born with a profound hearing loss, and Kurt Hower, who has ankylosing spondylitis.

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