Props No More: Reclaiming Disability Representation in Media

Global Alliance for Disability in Media and Entertainment (GADIM)
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Props No More is a documentary podcast series from the Global Alliance for Disability in Media and Entertainment (GADIM) and Disability Rights Podcasts. The show follows the making of the forthcoming film Props No More and amplifies the voices of disabled media creators who are reshaping how the world sees disability. Through conversations with journalists, filmmakers, activists, and industry leaders, the series reveals how authentic disability representation enriches storytelling for everyone. Each episode offers a behind-the-scenes look at the project and the movement it

Episodes

  1. Popcorn Disabilities | Kristen Lopez on Disability Representation in the Movies

    11/14/2025

    Popcorn Disabilities | Kristen Lopez on Disability Representation in the Movies

    Leah Smith talks with entertainment journalist and author Kristen Lopez about her upcoming book Popcorn Disabilities, which examines how film has shaped public understanding of disability. They explore why disabled women and girls rarely see themselves portrayed with depth, how “pretty disabilities” distort real experiences, and what it means to grow up without disabled role models in media.  Their conversation moves through the complicated history of little-person representation, the ongoing erasure created by CGI, and the industry’s discomfort with addressing ableism directly. They also discuss the need for disabled people behind the camera, the political moment threatening disability rights, and what authentic storytelling could look like when disabled creators and allies share real power. 00:00 – Cold open preview clips 00:35 – Welcome & introductions 01:12 – Why Kristen wrote Popcorn Disabilities 02:46 – Representation, community, and internalized narratives 04:11 – Gender, disabled women, and “pretty disabilities” 08:03 – Sexuality, safety, and erased identities 11:16 – Representation in Coming Home and Forrest Gump 15:34 – LP representation, Freaks, and CGI erasure 20:31 – Snow White, casting debates, and studio fear 23:55 – Hollywood gatekeeping and avoiding ableism 31:37 – Disability rights under threat today 35:08 – Imagining authentic representation and disabled leadership 39:05 – Self-identifying, workplace barriers, and access 41:28 – Closing reflections & resources Kristen's Links & Upcoming Events:Website (The Film Maven): https://thefilmmaven.com/ Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/kristenlopez88/ X (Twitter): https://x.com/kristenklopez Bluesky: https://bsky.app/profile/kristenklopez.bsky.social OC Book Fair on 11/14: https://www.theocbookfair.org/ Freaks Screening at the Los Feliz 3 on 11/15:https://www.americancinematheque.com/now-showing/kristen-lopez-presents-freaks-11-16-25/ GADIM and Props No More links: Props No More Documentary: https://propsnomore.org GADIM – Global Alliance for Disability & Media: https://gadim.org

    43 min

  2. 10/22/2025

    Tylenol, Autism & Ableism | A Discussion about Media Representation and Politics

    In this episode of Props No More, Leah Smith is joined by Dr. Kara Ayers, Jason Harris, and Matt Shedd to unpack the political claim linking Tylenol use during pregnancy to autism. Together, they explore why autism has become a cultural and political “boogeyman” and how misinformation harms autistic people, women, and new parents. The conversation delves into the lingering “refrigerator mother” myth, the persistence of ableism, and the ways autistic humor and culture challenge stigma.The panel also highlights why research literacy matters, the importance of finding community and rejecting shame after a new diagnosis, and why we need autistic people’s perspectives to help shape a better world.00:00 – Cold open preview clips01:02 – Welcome & introductions03:45 – Why autism? Fear, politics, and the “boogeyman” narrative07:25 – Mother-blaming, “refrigerator moms,” and ableism in diagnosis11:10 – The harm of misinformation: policy contradictions & stigma15:30 – Correlation is not causation: What the research really says18:05 – Autistic humor and resilience in the face of stigma21:20 – Pain, pregnancy, and the “just tough it out” message25:15 – Finding community & rejecting shame after diagnosis28:10 – Why the world needs autistic thinkers and voices33:00 – “Props No More”: How disabled people are used as political props37:20 – Closing reflections & where to learn more (Props No More, GADIM)

    39 min
  3. Representation, Stigma, and Power: Leah Smith on the Vision Behind Props No More

    09/10/2025

    Representation, Stigma, and Power: Leah Smith on the Vision Behind Props No More

    Welcome to the Props No More Podcast, a production of the Global Alliance for Disability and Media and Entertainment (GADIM) and Disability Rights Podcasts.In this first episode, host Matt Shedd speaks with Leah Smith, Director of Public Relations for GADIM, about the forthcoming Props No More documentary. They discuss how disabled people have too often been used as “props” in media, why authentic representation matters, and how accurate portrayals can shape public attitudes, reduce stigma, and even influence life-or-death policy decisions.Learn more at propsnomore.orgExplore GADIM at gadim.org00:00:04 – Opening: “Our lives aren’t worth living” narrative00:00:35 – Show intro & series overview00:01:43 – Guest intro: Leah Smith (GADIM)00:02:08 – What is “Props No More”? (film + platform)00:02:58 – What “prop” means in disability representation00:04:20 – Impact on kids: stigma, erasure, and villains00:06:10 – Why creators with disabilities must shape stories00:07:46 – How the project evolved & went global00:09:39 – Leah’s path into comms, PR, and policy00:14:33 – Barriers: skills training & “what sells” in media00:17:37 – Against the “inspiration” trope (buying milk ≠ heroic)00:20:46 – The feedback loop & naming disability00:23:19 – Misconceptions, pregnancy reactions, job bias00:25:59 – Accessibility: captions, audio description, ASL00:29:20 – Journalism pitfalls: headlines & mental health stigma00:33:31 – Politics & policy00:37:43 – GADIM’s vision: toolkits, style guide, documentary00:39:48 – Momentum, UN conversations, global learning00:41:31 – Outro & where to learn more

    42 min
  • 3 Episodes

Ratings & Reviews

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About

Props No More is a documentary podcast series from the Global Alliance for Disability in Media and Entertainment (GADIM) and Disability Rights Podcasts. The show follows the making of the forthcoming film Props No More and amplifies the voices of disabled media creators who are reshaping how the world sees disability. Through conversations with journalists, filmmakers, activists, and industry leaders, the series reveals how authentic disability representation enriches storytelling for everyone. Each episode offers a behind-the-scenes look at the project and the movement it

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