Wheel Talk with Kelly and Avery Podcast

Wheel Talk with Kelly and Avery Podcast

5.0 (3)
Society & Culture
Updated Biweekly

Wheel Talk with Kelly & Avery Podcast is a show hosted by two rare ladies living with congenital muscular dystrophy (CMD). It gives a front row seat to bold conversations about the thriving disability community. The show where we amplify voices, break down barriers, and celebrate the power of disability identity. It’s where wit, wisdom, and wheels are all part of the party.

Oct 7

Disability Resilience & Grief: Loss in a World Built Against Us

What does it mean to grieve when loss is woven into the experience of living with a progressive muscle-wasting disease? In this deeply personal episode, we talk about the many forms of grief that can accompany disability. We explore the loss of loved ones and friendships, changing relationships, and the ongoing grief of losing physical abilities that once felt ordinary — from strength and mobility to independence and the way we move through the world. But this conversation isn't just about loss. It's about what happens when you're expected to keep adapting in a world that was never designed with your body in mind. Together, we unpack the complicated reality of disability resilience: the pressure to be strong, the grief that doesn't always have a clear ending, the identities we build and rebuild, and the ways friendship can become a source of understanding, humor, honesty, and survival. This is a conversation about mourning what we've lost without losing sight of who we are becoming — and about finding resilience not because grief disappears, but because we learn how to carry it together. MDA Quest—Coping With Grief: https://mdaquest.org/coping-with-grief-after-losing-a-loved-one-to-a-neuromuscular-disease/MDA—Spotlight On: Navigating Grief and Change in Neuromuscular Disease: https://youtu.be/bkV28Yiaexc?si=CwFxIlWARoWmKPgVAmber Bosselman Coaching: https://sites.google.com/view/amberbosselmancoaching/home Connect with Kelly Berger Instagram | Facebook | LinkedIn Connect with Avery Roberts Instagram | Facebook | LinkedIn Intro/Outro music created by Andy RuschAvery and Kelly engage in a virtual conversation. Kelly, on the left, is a woman with light skin, brown hair, a nose ring, small petite earrings, and white earbuds. She is wearing a navy, puff sleeve shirt and is positioned in front of a wall, out of focus, with some decor. Avery, on the right, is a woman with light skin, shoulder-length brown hair, and white earbuds. She is wearing a grey baggy hoodie and is positioned in front of a blurred background with a large window behind her. A black microphone is visible in the lower-right corner.
Sep 23

Hot Girls, Wheelchairs, and Zero Filter: The Most Iconic Disability Podcast Crossover Yet

Four women. Two podcasts. One very unfiltered conversation. In this episode, we’re joined by Maylan Chavez and Sory Rivera, hosts of Access Granted Podcast. We’re bringing together leading ladies in the muscular dystrophy community who are using their podcasts to amplify disabled voices, challenge outdated narratives, and make space for the conversations that don’t always make it into the mainstream. Expect zero filter, plenty of laughs, and the kind of honest girl talk that happens when four disabled women who get it finally sit down together. We’re talking disability, friendship, advocacy, body image, visibility, navigating the world in a wheelchair, and what it really means to put your life—and your voice—out there for everyone to hear. These women aren’t just hosting podcasts. They’re building platforms, creating community, and proving that disabled stories deserve to be loud, messy, hilarious, sexy, complicated, and unapologetically human. Basically: hot girls, wheelchairs, microphones, and absolutely no filter. This is the disability podcast crossover you didn’t know you needed. Links Mentioned: Access Granted Livestream: https://www.instagram.com/accessgrantedlivestream/Access Granted Spotify: https://open.spotify.com/show/1ASDVFte8uvVcX7WXDOnCj?si=brALXEvdSMOxdvaySPE3TwMotorized Girl Merch Shop: https://motorized-girl-shop.fourthwall.com/Motorized Girl Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/motorizedgirlConnect with Maylan Chavez Instagram | LinkedIn Connect with Sory Rivera Instagram | Facebook | TikTok Connect with Kelly Berger ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠Instagram⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠ | ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠Facebook⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠ | ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠LinkedIn⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠ Connect with Avery Roberts ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠Instagram⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠ | ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠Facebook⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠ | ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠LinkedIn⁠⁠⁠ Intro/Outro Music Created by Andy Rusch Image Description: Avery, Kelly, Maylan and Sory engage in a virtual conversation. Maylan, on the top left is a woman with light skin, large clear rimmed glasses and white headphones. She is wearing a black ragged hat, tan shirt and silver round earrings. Kelly, on the bottom left, is a woman with light skin, brown hair, a nose ring, large braided gold hoop earrings, and white earbuds. She is wearing a blue and tan flowered sweater with various textured ribbed sleeves and is positioned in front of a wall, out of focus, with some decor. Avery, on the top right, is a woman with light skin, shoulder-length brown hair, and white earbuds. She is wearing a light green off the shoulder sweatshirt and is positioned in front of a blurred background with a large window behind her. A black microphone is visible in the lower-right corner. Sory, on the bottom right, is a woman with light skin, long blonde hair with bangs, large black rimmed glasses, and large silver hoop earrings. She is wearing a short sleeve black top and has a blurred background with various shelving out of focus.
Sep 9

Beep Beep Bitches…Two Chairs, One Huge Year: Can’t Walk Away From This Podcast Anyway

One year. Two chairs. Countless conversations. And somehow… we’re still here. In this special celebration episode, we’re looking back at one huge, messy, hilarious, frustrating, and unforgettable year of the podcast. From the moments that made us laugh until our wheels hurt to the conversations that made us angry, vulnerable, hopeful, and everything in between, we’re reflecting on what it means to create a space where the disabled community can be honest, loud, funny, complicated, and unapologetically ourselves. We’re talking about the highs, the lows, the unexpected moments, the things we’ve learned, and the conversations we never expected to have. So buckle up, lock those brakes, and celebrate one hell of a year with us. Here’s to the conversations that keep us rolling—and to whatever the next year brings. Beep beep. We’re not going anywhere. Connect with Kelly Berger Instagram | Facebook | LinkedIn Connect with Avery Roberts Instagram | Facebook | LinkedIn Intro/Outro music created by Andy Rusch Image Description: Avery and Kelly engage in a virtual conversation. Kelly, on the left, is a woman with light skin, brown hair, a nose ring, small gold hoop earrings, and white earbuds. She is wearing a green, ribbed, short sleeve, collared button-up sweater with white trim and is positioned in front of a wall, out of focus, with some decor. Avery, on the right, is a woman with light skin, shoulder-length brown hair, and white earbuds. She is wearing a black hoodie and is positioned in front of a blurred background with a large window behind her. A black microphone is visible in the lower-right corner.
Aug 26

Air Travel Accessibility Turbulence: First Class Exclusion

For many travelers living with disabilities, flying is still filled with barriers that begin long before boarding a plane. From inaccessible aircraft cabins and bathrooms to wheelchair damage and inconsistent support, air travel often requires passengers living with disabilities to plan, advocate, and prepare in ways that other travelers do not. In this episode, we are joined by Michele Erwin, founder of All Wheels Up, to discuss the future of accessible air travel and the work being done to create a more inclusive aviation system. Michele shares how her son’s diagnosis with spinal muscular atrophy (SMA) empowered her to advocate for wheelchair crash testing, improved airline training, and innovations that could transform the flying experience for disabled passengers. We explore what true accessibility looks like, why collaboration between the disability community and the aviation industry matters, and how we can move toward a future where every passenger has the opportunity to travel with dignity, safety, and independence. Because we all have the right to see the world. Links Mentioned: All Wheels Up Global Forum: https://www.allwheelsup.org/global-forum/Abilities Expo: https://www.abilities.com/Air Carrier Access Act: https://www.transportation.gov/airconsumer/passengers-disabilitiesAirline Passengers with Disabilities Bill of Rights: https://www.transportation.gov/airconsumer/disabilitybillofrightsHidden Disabilities Sunflower: https://hdsunflower.com/TSA Cares: https://www.tsa.gov/travel/tsa-caresAccessible Air Travel in Canada: https://www.canada.ca/en/employment-social-development/corporate/office-chief-accessibility-officer/reports/accessible-air-travel-canada-2025.htmlRights On Flights: https://rightsonflights.com/Connect with Michele Erwin/All Wheels Up Facebook | Instagram | LinkedIn | Website Connect with Kelly Berger ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠Instagram⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠ | ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠Facebook⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠ | ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠LinkedIn⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠ Connect with Avery Roberts ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠Instagram⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠ | ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠Facebook⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠ | ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠LinkedIn⁠⁠⁠⁠ Intro/Outro Music Created by Andy Rusch Image Description: Michele, Kelly, and Avery engage in a virtual conversation. Kelly, in the middle, is a woman with light brown hair, wearing a short sleeve cream sweater with a black trimmed collar and white wireless earbuds. She has a small nose ring and is positioned in front of a wall, out of focus, with some decor. Michele, on the left, is a woman with blonde hair, wearing a white collared blouse and large rimmed eye glasses. Avery, on the right, is another woman with shoulder-length brown hair and white earbuds. She is wearing a light green sweatshirt and is positioned outside in the sun, in front of a brick wall, out of focus.
Aug 12

Rolling Toward the Crown: Building a Caregiving Platform in Wheelchair Pageantry

What happens when a crown becomes more than a title? For Annie Heathcote, disability advocate, speaker, author, graphic designer, and 2023 Ms. Wheelchair Wisconsin, it became a platform for advocacy, visibility, and a mission to bring attention to the caregiving crisis. At the heart of Annie’s platform is “Caring Is Caregiving,” a mission focused on raising awareness about the need for caregivers and helping people living with disabilities hire, train, and manage their caregiving teams. We also talk about wheelchair pageantry as a form of disability representation, finding the courage to speak up about accessibility, Annie’s experience competing at Ms. Wheelchair America, the “wheel sisters” she gained along the way, and becoming a published author. Links Mentioned: Annie Heathcote / Annie Speaks: ⁠annie-speaks.com/⁠Still We Rise: Stories of Triumph Over Disabilities and the Strength of Empowerment: amazon.com/Still-We-Rise-Disabilities-Empowerment/dp/B0F7LXDVVKMs. Wheelchair America: mswheelchairamerica.org/Connect with Annie Heathcote Facebook | ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠Instagram⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠ | ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠Website⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠ | ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠LinkedIn⁠ Connect with Kelly Berger ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠Instagram⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠ | ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠Facebook⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠ | ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠LinkedIn⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠ Connect with Avery Roberts ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠Instagram⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠ | ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠Facebook⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠ | ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠LinkedIn⁠⁠⁠⁠ Intro/Outro Music Created by Andy Rusch Image Description: Annie, Kelly, and Avery engage in a virtual conversation. Kelly, on the left, is a woman with light brown hair, wearing a pink sweater and white wireless earbuds. She has a small nose ring and is positioned in front of a wall, out of focus, with some decor. Annie, in the middle, is a woman with brown hair, wearing a pink floral top and white star earrings. Avery, on the right, is another woman with shoulder-length brown hair and white earbuds. She is wearing a navy blue sweater and is positioned in front of a blurred background that hints at a window.
Jul 29

I’m Not Too Much, You’re Just Not Used to Me: Make Room or Move

For too long, people living with disabilities have been taught to shrink - to be grateful, quiet, easy to accommodate, and careful not to take up too much space. But what if we were never “too much”? What if the world simply wasn’t built with enough room? In this episode, we unpack what it means to stop apologizing for existing and start reclaiming space. From asking for accommodation to setting boundaries, “make room or move” isn’t about being hostile - it’s about recognizing that people living with disabilities deserve to be present, valued, and included in every space. We explore what it means to challenge the idea that access is an inconvenience, embrace disability pride, and redefine the labels often used to silence us. Connect with Kelly Berger ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠Instagram⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠ | ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠Facebook⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠ | ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠LinkedIn⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠ Connect with Avery Roberts ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠Instagram⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠ | ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠Facebook⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠ | ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠LinkedIn⁠⁠⁠ Intro/Outro Music Created by Andy Rusch Image Description: Avery and Kelly engage in a virtual conversation. Kelly, on the left, is a woman with light skin, brown hair, a nose ring, flower-shaped earrings, and white earbuds. She is wearing a light pink sweatshirt and is positioned in front of a wall, out of focus, with some decor. Avery, on the right, is a woman with light skin, shoulder-length brown hair, and white earbuds. She is wearing a sage green top and is positioned in front of a blurred background that hints at a window. A black microphone is visible in the lower-right corner.
Jul 15

Representation That Deserves an Encore: Disability Shines on Broadway

Broadway has the power to shape culture, but who gets to take the stage? In this episode, we sit down with Broadway actress and disability advocate Jenna Bainbridge, who is currently starring as Nessarose in Wicked as the first wheelchair user to perform the role on Broadway. Jenna also made her Broadway debut in the Tony Award-winning musical Suffs, where she originated an accessible track that continues to create opportunities for future disabled performers. We explore the history of disability representation in theater, why authentic casting matters, the barriers disabled artists still face on and off stage, and how accessibility should be built into productions from the very beginning. Jenna also shares the story behind co-founding ConsultAbility, a nonprofit helping theaters become more accessible for disabled artists, employees, and audiences alike. Whether you’re a theater lover, performer, educator, or advocate, this conversation is a powerful reminder that disability representation isn’t charity - it’s artistry. Links Mentioned: ConsultAbility: consultability.org/Wicked on Broadway: wickedthemusical.com/Suffs: suffsmusical.com/Phamaly Theatre Company: ⁠https://phamaly.org/Intro 1307: legistar.council.nyc.gov/LegislationDetail.aspx?ID=7434038&GUID=30E013CD-2EB5-4700-B2D0-1E4ABFA6E244&Options=&Search=Official Site for Accessibility to Broadway: theatreaccess.nyc/Connect with Jenna Bainbridge ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠Instagram⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠ | ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠Website⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠ | ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠TikTok Connect with Kelly Berger ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠Instagram⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠ | ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠Facebook⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠ | ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠LinkedIn⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠ Connect with Avery Roberts ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠Instagram⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠ | ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠Facebook⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠ | ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠LinkedIn⁠⁠⁠ Intro/Outro Music Created by Andy Rusch Image Description: Jenna, Kelly, and Avery engage in a virtual conversation. Jenna, on the left, is a woman with shoulder-length dark brown hair, wearing a mustard yellow knit sweater over a burgundy top. She appears to be in her home with framed wall art, a mirror, a plant, and a black hanging lamp visible in the background. Kelly, in the middle, is a woman with light brown hair, wearing a pink sweater and white wireless earbuds. She has a small nose ring and is positioned in front of a wall, out of focus, with some decor. Avery, on the right, is another woman with shoulder-length brown hair and white earbuds. She is wearing a sage green top and is positioned in front of a blurred background that hints at a window.
Jul 1

Wave the Flag: Disability Pride & Being an Ally

July is Disability Pride Month, and in this episode, we’re celebrating Disability Pride as visibility, dignity, and community. It’s about honoring every version of our bodies, minds, and lived experiences and refusing to be reduced to something to fix, pity, inspire, or ignore. It’s a reminder that disabled people have always been here, have always contributed, and deserve to be seen, valued, and included. The conversation also explores allyship beyond good intentions. What does it mean to truly support disabled people? How can non-disabled people show up in meaningful ways? And what role do all of us play in creating more accessible, inclusive communities? Allyship is action. We belong here. And we’re here to stay. Links Mentioned: National Council on Disability Resources: ncd.gov/resources/⁠Disability Pride Month 2026: What It Is, the 2026 Theme, and How to Celebrate: thearc.org/blog/why-and-how-to-celebrate-disability-pride-month/Disability Belongs: disabilitybelongs.org/The American Association of People with Disabilities (AAPD): aapd.com/Connect with Kelly Berger ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠Instagram⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠ | ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠Facebook⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠ | ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠LinkedIn⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠ Connect with Avery Roberts ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠Instagram⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠ | ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠Facebook⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠ | ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠LinkedIn⁠⁠ Intro/Outro Music Created by Andy Rusch Image Description: Avery and Kelly engage in a virtual conversation. Kelly, on the left, is a woman with light skin, brown hair, a nose ring, and white earbuds. She is wearing a tan puffy sleeve top with a rose gold sparkly necklace and is positioned in front of a wall, out of focus, with some decor. Avery, on the right, is another woman with light skin, brown hair, and white earbuds. She is wearing a black short-sleeve hoodie and is positioned in front of a blurred background that hints at a window.

5

out of 5

3 Ratings

Wheel Talk with Kelly & Avery Podcast is a show hosted by two rare ladies living with congenital muscular dystrophy (CMD). It gives a front row seat to bold conversations about the thriving disability community. The show where we amplify voices, break down barriers, and celebrate the power of disability identity. It’s where wit, wisdom, and wheels are all part of the party.

Creator

Wheel Talk with Kelly and Avery Podcast
Years Active

2025 - 2026
Episodes

30
Rating

Clean
Copyright

© Wheel Talk with Kelly and Avery Podcast
Show Website

Wheel Talk with Kelly and Avery Podcast

Society & Culture

Society & Culture

Updated 1d ago