Everything You Know About Disability Is Wrong

Easterseals
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Everything You Know About Disability is Wrong is a podcast for the disability community by the disability community, hosted by two disabled women. But if you’re not disabled, listen in to learn about real issues, celebrations, and conversations disabled people are having in their communities. Powered by Easterseals.

  1. Love, Humor, and Real Life: Shane & Hannah Burcaw on Relationships and Disability

    JAN 8

    Love, Humor, and Real Life: Shane & Hannah Burcaw on Relationships and Disability

    Shane and Hannah Burcaw, creators of the YouTube channel Squirmy and Grubs, join Lily and Erin for a wide-ranging conversation about relationships, content creation, and what people consistently misunderstand about disability. As a married couple whose lives are highly visible online, Shane and Hannah share how public assumptions, especially about love, worth, and caregiving, show up in comment sections far more than in real life. They reflect on how a viral interview shifted their channel from casual vlogs to a platform that sparks deeper conversations, and how they learned to balance humor with heavier topics without losing their audience. From navigating internet cruelty to deciding how much of their lived experience to share on camera, Shane and Hannah speak candidly about pressure, boundaries, and staying grounded. The episode also explores how caregiving fits naturally into their relationship, why long-form storytelling still matters, and how shared routines, sarcasm, and trust keep their partnership strong. Throughout the conversation, Shane and Hannah emphasize curiosity, patience, and showing up honestly, online and offline. Key Moments 03:34 What’s wrong about disability, worth, and relationships 05:39 Why cruelty shows up online but never in real life 07:58 Going viral and suddenly becoming public educators 10:45 Shifting from fun vlogs to purpose-driven storytelling 13:40 Mixing humor with hard conversations so people keep listening 16:01 The pressure to always create disability-focused content 19:20 Why “normal” couple trends never stay neutral online 22:51 Long-form content as a space for nuance and depth 25:57 Caregiving, autonomy, and public misunderstanding 30:04 Writing books to show the range of disabled relationships 39:36 Rituals, routines, and what actually keeps their relationship strong Connect with Shane & Hannah Shane's Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/shaneburcaw/# Hannah's Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/hannahayl/# YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/c/squirmyandgrubs Squirmy and Grubs Website: https://www.squirmyandgrubs.com/

    1h 1m
  2. The Power of Purpose: Heather Mills on Business, Courage, and Kindness

    12/22/2025

    The Power of Purpose: Heather Mills on Business, Courage, and Kindness

    Heather Mills, world-record-breaking Paralympic skier and founder of VBites Foods, joins Lily and Erin for a conversation that spans business, resilience, and the power of purpose. From surviving a life-changing accident to building one of the largest plant-based food companies in the world, Heather shares how every setback became a reason to innovate. She recalls turning personal tragedy into global advocacy, developing new prosthetics, founding support networks for amputees, and creating opportunities for others to regain independence. With humor and insight, Heather reflects on what true confidence looks like, the importance of empathy in leadership, and why helping others is the most rewarding kind of “selfishness.” Heather also discusses entrepreneurship through a values-driven lens, balancing profit with purpose, leading with compassion, and using success to make a difference. Her message is bold yet simple: face challenges head-on, stay curious, and use your energy to build solutions instead of problems. Key Moments 03:22 Airport misassumptions and using humor to reset the moment 05:48 Why comfort with yourself helps others feel at ease 07:51 How confidence and comedy reshape public reactions 11:33 Switching from “the problem is” to “the solution is” 13:26 Building better prosthetics when the market failed to deliver 15:42 Creating the Amputee Forum and a global peer-support network 19:20 Healing after injury and the path to launching VBites 22:50 Turning setbacks into purpose across sport and business 25:39 Becoming a world-record Paralympic skier at 42 30:27 The power of boundaries and choosing who gets your energy Connect with Heather Mills LinkedIn: https://uk.linkedin.com/in/msheathermills Heather Mills Official Site: https://heathermills.org/ VBites: https://www.vbites.com/ Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/heather.mills.official/ Twitter: https://twitter.com/heatherofficial/status/1755615616638341264 Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/heathermillsofficial/?hl=en

    1h 5m
  3. Rewriting the System: Dr. Destiny Huff on Parenting, Practice, and Advocacy

    12/11/2025

    Rewriting the System: Dr. Destiny Huff on Parenting, Practice, and Advocacy

    Dr. Destiny Huff, a late-diagnosed autistic and ADHD military spouse, therapist, and special education advocate, joins Lily and Erin for a powerful conversation on parenthood, identity, and reimagining advocacy. As the founder of Destiny Huff Consulting, she works with families across the U.S. to make education systems more responsive, compassionate, and effective for neurodivergent learners. In this episode, Destiny shares how her own diagnosis transformed the way she supports families and children. She explains what it means to build neuroaffirming practices, from presuming competence and honoring autonomy to designing goals that match real learner needs. Destiny also breaks down what an IEP really is; a program, not a plan, and how parents can ask for meetings, request changes, and find collaboration instead of conflict. The discussion explores bias in diagnosis, barriers faced by Black and Brown families, and how educators can check their assumptions to better support every student. Key Moments 00:00 Tribute to Alice Wong 08:13 "Advocacy and Neurodivergence Insights" 15:24 "Neuroaffirming Special Education Handbook" 19:17 Centering Voices in Autism Advocacy 22:37 "Advocating for Diverse Learners" 30:17 "Focus, Educate, and Understand Intentions" 34:06 "Parenting Autism: Struggles and Strengths" 41:46 "Building Bridges, Not Burning Them" 48:30 Hesitation in Disclosing Diagnoses 50:43 "Embracing Accurate Labels and Support" 55:36 Bias in Disability Labels Explained 01:02:21 "Lessons on Rest and Renewal" Connect with Dr. Destiny Huff LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/destiny-huff-lpc-iep/ Destiny Huff Consulting: https://www.destinyhuffconsulting.com/ Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/destinyhuff_iep_advocate/ Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/destinyhuffconsulting/  HRG Counseling: https://www.hrgcounseling.com/

    59 min
  4. Gaming with Purpose: ChiChi White on Soft Content, Mental Health, and Connection

    11/28/2025

    Gaming with Purpose: ChiChi White on Soft Content, Mental Health, and Connection

    ChiChi White, a content creator, therapist, and social advocate, joins Lily and Erin to explore the world of cozy gaming, mindful streaming, and collective care. Known online as HummingMints, ChiChi plays games like Stardew Valley and Animal Crossing, combining sensory-friendly gameplay with open conversations about neurodiversity, mental health, and authentic connection. In this episode, ChiChi breaks down the meaning of soft content from creating relaxing, sensory-friendly gaming experiences that prioritize comfort, accessibility, and community over competition. They share how mindfulness shows up in gaming, how cozy spaces allow for meaningful conversation, and why it’s okay to play for joy rather than mastery. ChiChi also opens up about founding the Disabled Content Creators Collective (DC3), a growing hub for disabled streamers and creators. Through DC3, he organizes raid trains, charity events, and collaborative streams that help disabled creators connect, share resources, and grow their audiences. From discussions on masking and authenticity to harm reduction and self-acceptance, this conversation offers a grounded look at how online spaces can become real sources of healing, joy, and purpose. Key Moments 03:05 What people get wrong about direct communication and tone 04:46 Balancing authenticity and “masking” in streaming 10:05 What soft content means and why sensory-friendly gaming matters 11:55 How cozy games create calm for both players and viewers 19:24 Creating safe spaces for teens in streaming and mental health 24:17 Founding the Disabled Content Creators Collective (DC3) 28:26 What a raid train is and why it matters for disabled creators 41:57 Understanding harm reduction in therapy and daily life 44:01 Why self-acceptance is a lifelong cycle, not a finish line 49:51 Collective wellness: how community helps us thrive Connect with ChiChi White LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/chichi-white-929350297 Twitch: twitch.tv/HummingMints YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/@hummingmints TikTok: tiktok.com/@HummingMints Instagram: instagram.com/HummingMints

    57 min
  5. Dance Through It: The Story Behind “Disabled” and a New Era of Disabled Joy

    11/13/2025

    Dance Through It: The Story Behind “Disabled” and a New Era of Disabled Joy

    Pop artist and model Austin Halls joins Lily and Erin for a funny, candid conversation about music, face difference, and building a career that actually works. Born with Möbius syndrome (complete facial paralysis at birth), Austin talks about growing up with media that coded face differences as villainy, and how that shaped first impressions, assumptions, and everyday interactions. Austin’s answer is art and access. His dance-pop track “Disabled” flips the script with a hook that invites everyone onto the floor, shifting from pity narratives to unapologetic confidence. He shares how fashion and stagecraft became tools of self-expression, why “success ≠ cured,” and how to handle lateral ableism when visibility rises. From Runway of Dreams and New York Fashion Week to mentorship with RAMPD and a seat at the GRAMMYs (now a Recording Academy voting member), Austin shows what practical pathways look like: make the room workable, choose teams who get it, and insist on authentic casting rather than performances of disability.  Key Moments 02:20 Audio descriptions and why on-mic context matters 03:11 Writing “Disabled”: reclaiming a word with a dance-pop hook 08:39 Breaking the villain trope for face difference in media 11:47 “Command the room”: reframing visibility as an advantage 18:01 Beyond pity narratives: success for talent, not sympathy clicks 27:46 Runway of Dreams to NYFW: firsts and why fashion became a tool 31:08 Success doesn’t cancel disability: on lateral ableism 40:46 RAMPD mentorship to the GRAMMYs: from guest to voting member 45:45 Why empathy and perspective shape the work (and the wins) 49:51 Finding community: from resisting it to the Möbius Conference pivot 55:53 Real-world friendship and the lift of being in the same room Connect with Austin Halls Website: https://austinhalls.com/ LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/austinhalls Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/theaustinhalls/ TikTok: https://www.tiktok.com/@austinhalls?lang=en YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/@AustinHalls Spotify: https://open.spotify.com/artist/1wuAlAwVjnnmeNJ1NiaMSF?autoplay=true RAMPD: https://rampd.org/profile/austin-halls

    1h 1m
  6. Beyond the Binary: Maria Pendolino on Disability, Fat Liberation, and Voiceover

    10/30/2025

    Beyond the Binary: Maria Pendolino on Disability, Fat Liberation, and Voiceover

    Voice actor Maria Pendolino joins Lily for an episode that challenges the narrow way society views disability. Maria shares her experiences as an ambulatory mobility-aid user, explaining how fluctuating conditions are often misunderstood or erased in media and medicine. With candid honesty, she connects her journey of psoriatic arthritis, knee replacements, and self-advocacy to building a career that truly works for her body, through voiceover and a fully accessible home studio. The conversation also takes on fat bias in healthcare, how outdated tools like BMI continue to be used to deny or delay care, and the scripts Maria uses to set boundaries in appointments. Her message: you deserve to be treated as a whole person, not reduced to a number or assumption. Maria details the creation of the Disabled Voice Actors Directory, now housed under the National Association of Voice Actors, which helps casting directors find authentic talent. It’s a resource born out of a belief that disabled people don’t just deserve representation on-screen, they should be hired behind the microphone, too. Key Moments 02:50 Breaking the myth of disability as “all or nothing” 06:02 What fluctuating disability really looks like in practice 14:16 Age bias in surgery: when doctors refuse joint replacements under 50 21:31 Why BMI is flawed and how it blocks real care 29:46 Self-advocacy scripts: “I will not be weighed” 42:34 The audition turning point: “Are you limping?” 46:54 Building an accessible home studio and thriving as a voice actor 54:11 Founding the Disabled Voice Actors Directory 1:04:11 Know the Facts: fat phobia and systemic barriers Connect with Maria Pendolino Website: https://www.voicebymaria.com/  YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/channel/UCGkmvgiBP89fHUl9-8awQRA/videos  Maria Pendolino - London Voice Over: https://www.londonvoiceover.com/artists/maria-pendolino/  Maria Pendolino - London Voice Over: https://voice123.com/voice-actor/voicebymaria

    1h 8m
  7. Start Now: Matthew Shapiro on Advocacy & Workplace Accessibility

    10/16/2025

    Start Now: Matthew Shapiro on Advocacy & Workplace Accessibility

    Matthew Shapiro, founder and CEO of Six Wheels Consulting, joins hosts Lily Newton and Erin Hawley for a candid conversation about language, work culture, and the everyday practice of access. Matthew unpacks how assumptions show up in daily life, why “disabled” is a valuable identifier, and what it means to balance personal energy with public advocacy. The conversation moves from nuance in calling out ableism to concrete advice for workplaces. Matthew shares practical examples that help everyone, like standing desks and curb cuts, and invites leaders to start with simple changes that reduce friction. He challenges listeners to rethink design from the ground up and to see access as standard, not a special add-on. Across the episode, Lily and Erin connect language to outcomes. They underline that asking for what you need benefits teams, and that many improvements cost more thought than money. The result is a grounded roadmap for anyone ready to begin, learn, and keep going. Key Moments 03:36 Assumptions and the myth of “needing to be fixed” 07:18 The push-pull of advocacy and fatigue 13:31 “Own the word”: why Matthew identifies as a disabled person 17:08 Ableism on social media and finding useful nuance 31:15 Standing desks, curb cuts and designing spaces that work for all 41:42 How to begin: start, listen, and make a plan you will actually use 45:19 It is not as daunting as people think Connect with Matthew Shapiro LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/matthew-shapiro-16abb932  Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/6wheelsconsulting/  Six Wheels Consulting website: https://www.6wheelsconsulting.com/

    52 min
  8. Just Between Us: Disability Language, Pride & Power

    10/09/2025

    Just Between Us: Disability Language, Pride & Power

    Your co-hosts Erin & Lily bring another “Just Between Us” conversation to Everything You Know About Disability Is Wrong. This time, they’re diving into disability language: why euphemisms like “differently abled” miss the mark, how identity-first vs. person-first language is used, and why words matter. They share stories from their own journeys—how language has shaped their identities, how it can affirm or erase, and why offering grace and education is often the most powerful tool. With humor, honesty, and a few reframes, Erin and Lily show how shared vocabulary can build connection and strengthen advocacy. Timestamps 00:38 Just Between Us: why language matters 01:40 Creating a disability language guide for Easterseals 02:40 Why euphemisms like “differently abled” don’t work 03:09 Identity-first vs. person-first explained 04:25 The importance of respecting personal preference 05:41 Autistic identity and self-definition 07:12 Erin’s shift from person-first to identity-first 08:55 Why treatment matters more than terminology 10:15 Writing and marketing with respectful language Connect with Lily Newton LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/lily-newton-3b0b5b229 Website: https://www.easterseals.com/ Connect with Erin Hawley LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/erinhawley2 Website: https://www.easterseals.com/

    24 min
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Ratings & Reviews

5
out of 5
13 Ratings

About

Everything You Know About Disability is Wrong is a podcast for the disability community by the disability community, hosted by two disabled women. But if you’re not disabled, listen in to learn about real issues, celebrations, and conversations disabled people are having in their communities. Powered by Easterseals.

Information

  • Creator
    Easterseals
  • Years Active
    2023 - 2026
  • Episodes
    51
  • Rating
    Clean
  • Copyright
    © 2024 Everything You Know About Disability Is Wrong Erin and Lily

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