Pushing Forward with Alycia | A Disability Podcast

Alycia Anderson

Pushing Forward with Alycia | A Disability Podcast Pushing Forward with Alycia is the weekly podcast that gives disability a voice and welcomes everyone—disabled people, allies, families, and inclusive employers—into a courageous, judgment‑free space to learn, ask questions, and advance access together. Launched June 29, 2023 and dropping new episodes every Thursday, host Alycia Anderson—disabled motivational speaker, DEI educator, entrepreneur, athlete, and storyteller—shares lived experience and amplifies voices across the global disability community. The show began as a safe, respectful space to talk honestly about difference, ableism, and belonging; that welcoming spirit remains its heartbeat today. What You’ll Hear From headline issues to everyday wins, we dig into DEI + disability, digital accessibility, workplace inclusion, disabling ableism, Disability Pride Month, intersectionality, airlines & disability discrimination, and so much more. If it shapes how disabled people live, learn, work, travel, play, create, love, and lead—we’re talking about it. Nearly 100 Episodes (and Counting!) In just two years we’ve published 98 full episodes (as of July 16, 2025) and are racing toward our 100th celebration. Recent conversations feature boundary‑breaking guests like Marsha Elle (bionic model, Billboard artist), Tiffany Yu (Diversability & The Anti‑Ableist Manifesto), Gigi Robinson (chronic illness creator & strategist), Kristen Anderson (global inclusive leadership champion), Isaac Harvey MBE (East London influencer & entrepreneur), and many more advocates, athletes, artists, policy shapers, siblings, caregivers, and allies you’ll love meeting. Who It’s For Whether you identify as disabled, are new to advocacy, support a disabled loved one, or lead teams striving to build a more inclusive workplace, you’ll leave each episode with insight, language, and actionable takeaways you can bring to classrooms, boardrooms, events, and everyday life. Our mission is to be a safe place to learn, share, ask “no wrong” questions, and transform awkwardness into connection. Listen & Support Follow, subscribe, share, rate, and review to help amplify disability inclusion. Sign up for release alerts, suggest a guest, and bring Alycia to speak or train your organization in disabling ableism. However you engage, you’re helping open hearts and clear paths for all of us. Open hearts, clear paths. Let’s go.

  1. 4D AGO

    From “I Want One” to “Watch Out”

    In this episode of Pushing Forward with Alycia, Alycia Anderson speaks to parents, teachers, and caregivers about how to talk to kids about disability and why we shouldn’t shut down their curiosity. She shared a joyful interaction with a six-year-old at her niece’s recital who was excited about her wheelchair, asked questions, and even said she’d always wanted one. She contrasts that with a store experience where a mom’s fearful comment instantly made her child retreat, illustrating how adult cues teach ableism, exclusion, and lowered expectations. She encourages using honest, safe language, modeling comfort, focusing on capabilities, and inviting respectful conversation so kids grow into inclusive adults who build workplaces, schools, and communities where everyone belongs. What Shaped the Dialogue 👶 Kids Aren’t Born Uncomfortable Around Disability 🤔 Understanding Children's Natural Curiosity 😨 The Other Side of Curiosity: When Fear Is Instilled 🚧 How Kids Learn Disability Exclusion 🗣️ Guiding Kids Through Healthy Dialogue 🔄 A Mindset Flip 📖 Shifting the Narrative Quotes from Alycia  ”When children grow up understanding that disability is just another part of the human experience, they will grow into adults that understand how important it is to include everybody.” ~Alycia Anderson  ”We need to use honest, real, safe language that allows children to navigate.” ~Alycia Anderson Playlist of Segments 00:00 Podcast Intro 00:29 Why Kids Ask 02:48 Recital Wheelchair Story 06:20 Curiosity Versus Ableism 08:12 Store Fear Moment 09:38 How Adults Shape Beliefs 12:51 Practical Tips for Parents 14:20 Bigger Vision for Inclusion 15:24 Final Takeaways 16:32 Outro and Thanks Follow Up with Alycia ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠Share Feedback with Alycia About the Podcast⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠ |⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠ Follow Alycia on Instagram⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠ |⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠ Connect with Alycia on LinkedIn⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠ |⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠ Book Alycia for a Speaking Event⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠ |⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠ Inquire on How Alycia Can Train Your Employees in Disabling Ableism⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠ |⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠ Buy Alycia’s Disability Inclusion Micro Learning Video Series⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠ Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

    17 min
  2. MAR 19

    Synchronized Sisters: Boldly Shaping Tomorrow's Herstory

    Alycia Anderson celebrates Women’s History Month on Pushing Forward with Alycia by welcoming her sisters, twin Regina and Corinna, to discuss women’s empowerment, history-making moments, and lessons from their lives. In rapid-fire prompts, they share defining words, women they’d invite to dinner, what women should stop apologizing for, and their empowerment anthems. Regina recounts the life-changing emergency C-section birth of her daughter Ella, while Corinna shares a pivotal choice to call her future husband. Alycia reflects on leaving her corporate job, their father’s influence, and grief around losing their parents. They close with hopes to be remembered for kindness, love of family, and inspiring others. Lessons for Leaders & Doers 👋 Introduction to My Sisters' World 👩‍👩‍👧 Powerful Women in Our Lives 🪑 The Truth About Taking a Back Seat to Power 💬 The Unspoken Strengths and Apologies of Women 🚫 Stop Saying Sorry, Here’s Why 🎶 Anthems of Empowerment 📜 Defining Our Historic Moments 🌳 Reflections on Family Legacy ⬆️ The Courage to Level Up 🎲 Risks That Define Us 🏊‍♀️ Bravery Feels Like Synchronized Swimming 🌅 Hope for Future Generations Quotes from Regina & Corinna “I’ve done a lot of taking the backseat. And the more I started shifting that mindset  and that behavior, the stronger I've become.” ~ Regina “There’s nothing more important than kindness in treating people the way you want to be treated.” ~ Regina “ I love that you just underestimated me. I'm gonna blow you out of the water." ~ Corinna “ You find a confidence in yourself you maybe didn't know that you had, when you fake it.” ~ Corinna Cue Points for Skimming 00:00 Podcast Welcome 00:25 Women's History Month 01:32 Meet The Sisters 04:44 Rapid Fire Round 05:12 Women At Dinner 10:16 Stop Saying Sorry 13:41 Empowerment Anthems 16:44 Personal History Moments 17:19 Regina's Birth Story 19:35 Corinna's Love Story 21:18 Alycia’s Marty Tribute 21:52 Partners Raise The Bar 22:27 Moms Who Shaped Them 24:43 Papa’s Push And Pull 29:18 Grief And His Legacy 33:18 Risks That Changed Everything 34:16 Slay And Pray Spotlight 36:44 Breaking Into Construction 39:36 Bravery And Synchronized Swimming 41:29 What We Hope To Stand For 43:31 Sisterhood Sendoff Connect with Regina & Corinna Slay & Pray Podcast | Slay & Pray YouTube Follow Up with Alycia ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠Share Feedback with Alycia About the Podcast⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠ |⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠ Follow Alycia on Instagram⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠ |⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠ Connect with Alycia on LinkedIn⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠ |⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠ Book Alycia for a Speaking Event⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠ |⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠ Inquire on How Alycia Can Train Your Employees in Disabling Ableism⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠ |⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠ Buy Alycia’s Disability Inclusion Micro Learning Video Series⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠1⁠ Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

    46 min
  3. MAR 12

    The Zebra in the Room: What Rare Disease Patients Want the World to Know

    Pushing Forward with Alycia introduces Lynsey Chediak, a disabled woman and rare disease advocate whose lived experience has shaped work spanning government, global health policy, and biotech. Lynsey shares growing up with arthrogryposis alongside an unaffected twin sister, realizing her difference at school, while also navigating chronic pain, limited medical answers, and systems not built for patients. Additionally, she speaks about how insurance barriers before the Affordable Care Act impacted access. Lynsey discusses rare disease priorities, which includes faster diagnosis, better treatment access, and policy change. Her role at BioMarin involves work to remove prior authorization in California and urging listeners to meet their local representatives. She also recounts ignoring neck pain that resulted in surgery, underscoring self-advocacy, and closes with her mantra that people are stronger than what doctors and medical charts suggest. Mindset Shifts & A-ha’s ⚡ An Instant Connection 🩺 Doctors List the Problems, But Don’t Forget the Pros 🌱 Growing Up Differently 🧍 You Only Know the Body You’re Born In 🚧 Challenging Healthcare Norms 🎭 Now I Blend, and It’s Emotionally Complicated 🧬 Cancer vs. Rare Disease: The One-Gene Difference 📣 Raising Awareness and Advocacy ⏱️ Ending Prior Authorization Delays for Rare Disease Patients 💪 A Message of Strength and Hope 📊 Stronger Than the Medical Chart 🤝 Get Involved Quotes from Lynsey  ”If you see hoof prints in the ground  and you think it could be a horse or a zebra,  assume it's a horse." ~ Lynsey Chediak   “Everyone is so much stronger than their medical chart, than a flippant doctor's response about what they may think they see.” ~ Lynsey Chediak Skip-To Map 00:00 Podcast Welcome 00:25 Meet Lynsey Chediak 02:35 Growing Up a Patient 05:25 Twin Identity Moments 09:51 Femur Surgery Breakthrough 12:05 Insurance and Preexisting Care 16:10 Blending and Hidden Disability 18:42 Rare Disease Advocacy 101 21:30 Policy Work and Prior Auth 24:40 How to Support Locally 26:26 Broken Neck Wake Up Call 28:55 Doctors Listening Struggles 31:44 Pushing Forward Mantra 32:50 Final Thanks and Outro Connect with Lynsey ChediakLynsey’s Website | Lynsey’s LinkedIn Follow Up with Alycia ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠Share Feedback with Alycia About the Podcast⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠ |⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠ Follow Alycia on Instagram⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠ |⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠ Connect with Alycia on LinkedIn⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠ |⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠ Book Alycia for a Speaking Event⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠ |⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠ Inquire on How Alycia Can Train Your Employees in Disabling Ableism⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠ |⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠ Buy Alycia’s Disability Inclusion Micro Learning Video Series⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠ Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

    34 min
  4. MAR 5

    Me vs. Me | From Drift to Discipline

    What happens when you decide you’re done living the same year twice? In this powerful Women’s History Month episode of Pushing Forward with Alycia, Kristina Watts⁠ shares the raw, disciplined, identity-shifting journey that changed everything. This isn’t just a story about weight loss. It’s about betting on yourself before anyone else understands. It’s about quieting the noise. It’s about standing at mile five of your life and realizing, I belong here. Kristina is a wife, mom of three, multipreneur, and founder of a multiple seven-figure life insurance agency. But three years ago, she was 274 pounds, rebuilding financially after losing a business, and facing the hardest opponent of all: Herself. From using GLP-1 medication amid criticism… To losing 130 pounds… To running her first marathon at the Every Woman’s Marathon… To completing Andy Frisella’s 75 Hard and then extending it to 365 days… This episode is about discipline, identity, leadership, and declaring your own “I Did It” year. 🚨 Why This Episode Is Blowing Up 🔒 The airplane seatbelt moment that forced radical honesty 💉 Using GLP-1 before it was mainstream and quieting the criticism 🏃‍♀️ “Oh. I belong.” The marathon corral mindset shift 🥶 The brutal rules of 75 Hard (and why she did it for an entire year) 🔥 Hosting a 40-person New Year’s Eve party… and still finishing her final outdoor workout 💰 Rebuilding financially and scaling to a 7-figure business 🧠 The real work: rewiring identity, not just losing weight 👑 Becoming a lighthouse leader instead of a spotlight leader 🎯 This Episode Is For You If: You feel stuck in “drift” on autopilot through your own life You’ve outgrown an old identity but haven’t stepped into the new one You want discipline without losing your power You’re building something big but secretly wonder if you belong You’re ready to stop negotiating with your potential 💥 The Hard Truth Kristina didn’t transform because it was convenient. She speed-walked through airports to finish workouts on travel days. She drank water at midnight. She worked out outside in freezing weather. She removed herself from her own party to finish strong. Because as she says: “If you want to, you will.” And perhaps the most powerful realization of all: “I had to quiet the noise of everyone else so I could finally hear myself.” The physical transformation was visible. The mental rewiring? That’s the real victory. 👑 Women’s History Month Lightning Round We close with rapid-fire reflections on: Sarah Blakely and bold entrepreneurship Freedom as the word for women who have become Strength over softness Unlearning the belief that women should stay quiet Presence as an underrated superpower Leadership evolution And why red lipstick signals authority 🔥 Mic Drop Moments “Nobody would have known if I quit. But I would have.” — Kristina Watts “Anything is possible, but what’s holding most people back is their belief in themselves.” — Kristina Watts “It’s time to own my story and impact as many women and men as possible.” — Kristina Watts 🗺 Topic Map & Timecodes 00:00 Welcome to Pushing Forward 00:25 Meet Kristina Watts 03:37 The 130-Pound Transformation 08:10 Letting Go of Identity 11:11 Marathon Mindset Shift 15:24 What Is 75 Hard? 17:52 Extending It to 365 Days 20:23 The Hardest Holiday Moments 21:59 Declaring an “I Did It” Year 25:36 Building a 7-Figure Agency 27:39 Becoming “Her” 31:02 Women’s History Month Lightning Round 🚀 Your Turn What would your “I Did It” year look like? Not someday. Not when it’s convenient. Now. Share this episode with someone who’s ready to stop living the same year twice. 🔗 Connect with Kristina Watts Website | Instagram (@the.kristina.watts) | Facebook This is Pushing Forward with Alycia where we remind you that belonging isn’t given. It’s claimed. And that’s how we roll. 🎙🔥 Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

    35 min
  5. FEB 26

    A Soulful Voice Bringing Change

    Pushing Forward with Alycia welcomes award-winning singer, songwriter, actor, writer, and Georgetown Law graduate James Ian, who lives with Spinal Muscular Atrophy (SMA) type 3. Alycia Anderson and James talk about meeting at New York Fashion Week 2024 during Runway of Dreams and what it meant to see disabled models represented on the runway. James shares how access barriers at Georgetown motivated him toward law school to fight for disability rights, and how experiences performing music—including falling on stage and disclosing his disability—helped him realize he could advocate through art. He also talks about his performance at the DRA Gala (Disability Rights Advocates) in a room that included Hillary Clinton, and discusses the limited opportunities for disabled musicians, widespread venue inaccessibility, and the extra labor of education and advocacy alongside creative work. James details SMA basics, how type 3 has progressed for him, and complications from his cervical stenosis surgery that led to C5 palsy, major loss of arm strength, requiring rehab and forcing him to relearn his body. This episode dives into so much more with reflections on grief, gratitude, learning to accept help and more on his songs including “Spaces,” “Lift Me Up” honoring Judy Heumann, and his collaboration “Unconditional Love” with disabled artist Tap Waters. What Shaped Our Dialogue ✨ When Advocacy Meets Artistry ⚖️ From Law to Lyrics 🎶 The Power Behind the Music 👠 Breaking Stereotypes on the Runway 🚧 Navigating Industry Challenges 🙏 Embracing Change and Gratitude 🎧 Connecting Through Music 🕯️ If We Lose Hope, What’s the Point? 🌟 Disability Isn’t Tragedy—It’s Talent 💛 The Truth About Joy in the Disability Community 💼 “It Isn’t a One-and-Done”: The Hidden Hustle Behind Opportunity 💪 Everyone Needs Help: Reframing Support as Strength Quotes from James “  You're gonna need help sooner than you think, and that's okay. There are people in your corner who are gonna help you out." ~ James Ian “ Everyone has to ask for help at points in their life.” ~ James Ian Quick Jump Index 00:00 Podcast Welcome 00:28 Meet James Ian 03:22 Change Is Gonna Come 07:17 Runway Of Dreams 09:05 Georgetown To Music 11:01 Advocacy Through Art 12:50 Music Industry Barriers 14:21 Owning Your Expertise 15:30 Hustle and Advocacy 16:14 Representation on Stage 16:52 Barriers Before the Art 17:47 Understanding SMA 19:27 Progression and Daily Impact 20:44 Surgery and Recovery Setbacks 22:56 Grief and New Perspective 24:43 Learning to Ask for Help 26:56 Music Shoutouts and Where to Find 28:24 Keep It Pushing Finale Connect with James IanJames’s RAMPD Profile | James’s Instagram | James’s Facebook Follow Up with Alycia ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠Share Feedback with Alycia About the Podcast⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠ |⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠ Follow Alycia on Instagram⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠ |⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠ Connect with Alycia on LinkedIn⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠ |⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠ Book Alycia for a Speaking Event⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠ |⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠ Inquire on How Alycia Can Train Your Employees in Disabling Ableism⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠ |⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠ Buy Alycia’s Disability Inclusion Micro Learning Video Series⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠ Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

    31 min
  6. FEB 19

    Rolling in Laughter | Comedian Adam Keys

    In this episode of Pushing Forward with Alycia, host Alycia Anderson chats with Adam Keys, an Army veteran and comedian, about his incredible journey of resilience, comedy, and advocacy. Adam shares his experiences as an Afghanistan war survivor, his transition to stand-up comedy, and the importance of humor in dealing with life's challenges, not in that particular order. He also discusses accessibility issues, the impact of his injuries on his identity, and his bold approach to tackling tough topics on stage. Tune in for a real conversation filled with laughter and valuable insights on perseverance. Press Play Roadmap 00:00 Introduction to Pushing Forward with Alycia 00:25 Meet Adam Keys: Comedian and Veteran 01:39 Rapid Fire Questions with Adam 03:09 Adam's Journey: From Army to Comedy 08:05 Life After Injury: Embracing a New Reality 10:53 Advocacy and Humor: Breaking Barriers 14:48 Turning Frustrations into Comedy 15:32 Travel Challenges and Solutions 17:29 Dating Adventures Post-Injury 19:07 Performing for Different Audiences 24:32 Booking Challenges as a Disabled Comic 26:28 Upcoming Shows and Final Thoughts A Quote from Adam “ Whatever your fight may be, just keep fighting, but don't be weird.” ~ Adam Keys Big Picture & Bold Moves 🎤 A First-time Comedian Guest 🎖️ Adam’s Story: From Military to the Stage 😂 The Role of Comedy as Therapy 🎭 Tackling Tough Topics with Humor ♿ Insights on Accessibility and Representation 💑 Navigating Personal Relationships ❤️ The Heart of Stand-Up 🔮 Looking Forward 🤔 Challenging a Common Assumption About Disability ⚡ Surviving the Unthinkable: A Life Transformed Overnight 🗣️ Embracing “My Truth”: A Bold Stand on Authenticity 🚀 Embrace Boldness: Just Go For It! ✈️ Travel Realities: Why I Carry Extra Brakes on Flights 📱 Dating in the Digital Age: Let’s Cut to the Chase! 🎬 Keep Showing Up: A Comic's Journey to Breaking Barriers 🥊 Keep Fighting, But Don’t Be Weird Connect with Adam Keys Adam’s Website | Adam’s Instagram | Adam’s Twitter Follow Up with Alycia ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠Share Feedback with Alycia About the Podcast⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠ |⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠ Follow Alycia on Instagram⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠ |⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠ Connect with Alycia on LinkedIn⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠ |⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠ Book Alycia for a Speaking Event⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠ |⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠ Inquire on How Alycia Can Train Your Employees in Disabling Ableism⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠ |⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠ Buy Alycia’s Disability Inclusion Micro Learning Video Series⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠ Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

    30 min
  7. FEB 12

    Humanizing HR | Changing Workforce Dynamics & Creating Equitable Workplaces

    In this episode of 'Pushing Forward with Alycia,' Alycia Anderson welcomes Rachel Shaw, president and founder of Rachel Shaw Incorporated, and a nationally recognized ADA compliance expert. Rachel shares her journey from a novice HR professional to an award-winning strategist, focusing on enabling employers to better accommodate disabled employees. The discussion includes her insights into the evolving understanding of ADA, the importance of communication and process in HR, and how to overcome fear and assumptions in workplace accommodation. Rachel also talks about her book 'Disabled Workforce: What the ADA Never Anticipated' and highlights the need for continual adaptation of the ADA to modern needs. The episode emphasizes empathy, curiosity, and the intent to find 'yes' as central to creating inclusive workspaces. Rachel concludes by stressing the importance of representation and how her work aims to make significant differences in people's lives. Strategy, Grit, and Growth ❓The Why Behind the Work 🧭Thrown into the Deep End: Navigating ADA Compliance 😨The Fear of Doing it Wrong 🤝Bridging the Communication Gap 🧠The Power of Curiosity and Finding a Yes 🌍Representation Matters 🚧Breaking Barriers: The Unseen Struggles of Employees with Disabilities 💖Empathy First: Revolutionizing Workplace Conversations 💪Why Employers Need to Be Brave 🗣️Simplify Decision-Making: Just Say Yes 🚀The Rise in Workplace Accommodation Requests 🙌Your Actions Can Make a Difference 🌟 The Power of Individual Actions A Quote from Rachel “ My actions can make a difference in someone else's life.” ~ Rachel Shaw Key Points on the Clock 00:00 Introduction to Pushing Forward with Alycia 00:25 Meet Rachel Shaw: HR Strategist and ADA Expert 01:57 Rachel's Journey into ADA Advocacy 04:01 Bridging the Gap: Employer and Employee Communication 08:10 Challenges and Solutions in ADA Compliance 14:18 The Importance of Representation and Inclusion 19:57 Rachel Shaw's Book and Future Directions 29:11 Final Thoughts and Pushing Forward Moment Connect with Rachel Shaw Rachel’s Website | Rachel’s Instagram | Rachel’s Facebook | Rachel’s LinkedIn Follow Up with Alycia ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠Share Feedback with Alycia About the Podcast⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠ |⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠ Follow Alycia on Instagram⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠ |⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠ Connect with Alycia on LinkedIn⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠ |⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠ Book Alycia for a Speaking Event⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠ |⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠ Inquire on How Alycia Can Train Your Employees in Disabling Ableism⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠ |⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠ Buy Alycia’s Disability Inclusion Micro Learning Video Series⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠ Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

    32 min
  8. FEB 5

    We Get It | Talking Disability, Identity, and Power

    In this episode of Pushing Forward with Alycia, Alycia Anderson welcomes Olivia Murphy, a disability advocate, speaker, and podcast host of 'Living My Best Disabled Life.' They discuss Olivia's journey of embracing her disabilities, overcoming internalized ableism, and using her platform to celebrate and advocate for the disability community. Olivia shares her experiences with cerebral palsy and being a late-diagnosed autistic, revealing the challenges and triumphs she encountered. The conversation also delves into the importance of authentic representation in media, Olivia's upcoming children's book 'How Olivia Learned to Live Her Best Disabled Life,' and the significance of creating inclusive environments. This episode highlights the power of disabled voices and the resilience required to thrive in a world not always designed for everyone. Timecoded Table of Contents 00:00 Introduction to Pushing Forward with Alycia 00:25 Meet Today's Guest: Olivia Murphy 01:39 Living Your Best Disabled Life 03:16 Olivia's Journey with Disability 07:27 Finding Community and Overcoming Ableism 14:53 Olivia's Podcast and Advocacy Work 17:12 Exciting New Projects: Olivia's Children's Book 19:16 Fun Facts and Final Thoughts A Quote from Olivia “Don’t let your disability stop you, but also don’t see it as a barrier.” ~ Olivia Murphy Lessons for Leaders & Doers 👋 Introduction to Olivia's Journey 🌈 Defining “Living My Best Disabled Life” 🎒 The Pain of Being 'Othered' in School 💖 Embracing Self-Acceptance: A Journey Beyond Disability 💪 Finding Strength in Advocacy 🩺 Confronting Medical Misunderstandings 🤝 Finding Community: An Unlikely Friendship Journey 🧩 A Closer Look at Intersectionality 🎙️ Her Podcast: A Platform for Community and Conversation 📚 Upcoming Children's Book ♿ Inclusive Creations: A Book Made Entirely by Disabled People 🌟 Embrace Your Strength: Overcoming Barriers 🏠 The Power of Community: Feeling Safe to Just Be Connect with Olivia Murphy Olivia's Contra Portfolio | Olivia's Carrd Site | Living My Best Disabled Life Blog Site | Olivia's Merch Shop | Living My Best Disabled Life on Spotify | Living My Best Disabled Life on Instagram Follow Up with Alycia ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠Share Feedback with Alycia About the Podcast⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠ |⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠ Follow Alycia on Instagram⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠ |⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠ Connect with Alycia on LinkedIn⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠ |⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠ Book Alycia for a Speaking Event⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠ |⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠ Inquire on How Alycia Can Train Your Employees in Disabling Ableism⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠ |⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠ Buy Alycia’s Disability Inclusion Micro Learning Video Series⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠ Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

    27 min
5
out of 5
38 Ratings

About

Pushing Forward with Alycia | A Disability Podcast Pushing Forward with Alycia is the weekly podcast that gives disability a voice and welcomes everyone—disabled people, allies, families, and inclusive employers—into a courageous, judgment‑free space to learn, ask questions, and advance access together. Launched June 29, 2023 and dropping new episodes every Thursday, host Alycia Anderson—disabled motivational speaker, DEI educator, entrepreneur, athlete, and storyteller—shares lived experience and amplifies voices across the global disability community. The show began as a safe, respectful space to talk honestly about difference, ableism, and belonging; that welcoming spirit remains its heartbeat today. What You’ll Hear From headline issues to everyday wins, we dig into DEI + disability, digital accessibility, workplace inclusion, disabling ableism, Disability Pride Month, intersectionality, airlines & disability discrimination, and so much more. If it shapes how disabled people live, learn, work, travel, play, create, love, and lead—we’re talking about it. Nearly 100 Episodes (and Counting!) In just two years we’ve published 98 full episodes (as of July 16, 2025) and are racing toward our 100th celebration. Recent conversations feature boundary‑breaking guests like Marsha Elle (bionic model, Billboard artist), Tiffany Yu (Diversability & The Anti‑Ableist Manifesto), Gigi Robinson (chronic illness creator & strategist), Kristen Anderson (global inclusive leadership champion), Isaac Harvey MBE (East London influencer & entrepreneur), and many more advocates, athletes, artists, policy shapers, siblings, caregivers, and allies you’ll love meeting. Who It’s For Whether you identify as disabled, are new to advocacy, support a disabled loved one, or lead teams striving to build a more inclusive workplace, you’ll leave each episode with insight, language, and actionable takeaways you can bring to classrooms, boardrooms, events, and everyday life. Our mission is to be a safe place to learn, share, ask “no wrong” questions, and transform awkwardness into connection. Listen & Support Follow, subscribe, share, rate, and review to help amplify disability inclusion. Sign up for release alerts, suggest a guest, and bring Alycia to speak or train your organization in disabling ableism. However you engage, you’re helping open hearts and clear paths for all of us. Open hearts, clear paths. Let’s go.

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