DadnNat Unified Nation Podcast DadnNat Unified Nation Podcast

We are delighted to interview writer and disability activist Melissa Blake, who became a social media sensation in 2019 after an article she wrote resulted in trolling on her personal account. The negative feedback was extremely hurtful, but rather than concede to negativity, she decided to post a selfie every day for the next 365 days using the hashtag #mybestselfie. Her response was both a celebration and defense of who she is as a disabled person, and her campaign has drawn not only positive response, but has garnered attention for disability awareness and acceptance by changing the way we see and talk about disability. Melissa has written a new book titled 'Beautiful People: My 13 Truths about Disability' that releases on Tuesday, March 5, 2024.

We are very excited to speak with Jorge R. Gutierrez and Sandra Equiha. They are amazing partners creating art and animations like Nickelodeon's 'El Tigre, the Adventures of Manny Rivera', the movie 'Book of Life', the Netflix series 'Maya and the Three', and most recently the 'American Citizen' episode from the Netflix series 'We the People'. Their stories are beautiful, with characters who seek acceptance for themselves and from their families, who deal with flaws and excel in spite of them. Powerful lines like 'If it is to be, it is up to me' or 'No retreat, no surrender!' are mantras from their films. There is also a beautiful contrast in the working styles of these two artists, and their collaborations are as much about art as they are about love and life. Jorge and Sandra have a son who is diagnosed with Autism. Following a conversation with his parents about the similarities of his younger years and for those of his son, Jorge was also diagnosed with autism at age 40. He explains how his diagnosis explained who he was and is today. He is an advocate for his family and for representing disability in the industry.

Kevin Gillese is a film writer and producer at Dad's Garage. Kevin builds inclusion through storytelling and self advocacy for his characters in film, starting with recognition of his film short 'That was Awesome'. We're going to discuss disability representation in his soon-to-be released film 'How to Ruin The Holidays', which you can watch the trailer for at howtoruintheholidaysmovie.com!

Nyasha Derera served with Special Olympics as a Sargent Shriver International Global Messenger from 2019 to 2023. He is a short and long distance runner who most recently completed the 2022 Berlin Marathon leading up to the 2022 Berlin World Games. He is a Global Health Messenger and past Chairperson of the Special Olympics Global Athlete Congress. Through his leadership roles he speaks with confidence, kindness, empathy, bravery and compassion.

Ben Mattlin is a journalist and the author of 'Disability Pride', a book that explores what's taken place in the US since the signing of The Americans with Disabilities Act, more commonly known as the ADA. The first Disability Pride Day was held in 1990 the same year as the signing of the ADA. Ben decided to explore the changes taking place in a thriving disability culture that is normalizing Disability. He also looks at problems that still exist in stigma, ableism, and the erasure of voices and visibility within the movement, particularly for people of color and for the LGBTQIA+ communities.

DadnNat welcome Joshua 'Swagman' Felder and talk with him about his role as a Global Ambassador for Best Buddies. Josh is currently a board member and global ambassador for Best Buddies, and a Mission Partner for Dean Valenti, a Champion candidate for Best Buddies gala in Tampa Bay, Florida. He became a social media sensation in 2021 when he performed at the Pepsi Super Bowl LV Halftime Show with The Weeknd and subsequently became the first person with autism to perform at a halftime show. Josh also garnered a role in the 2023 film 'Champions' that shined a light on his acting ability when he played Darius, a basketball star of a Special Olympics team who has to make a difficult decision about love and forgiveness.