Remaking Normal with Alexander Freeman | Long Form Conversations on Norms, Culture, Society

Alexander Freeman
  • 5.0 (9)
  • EDUCATION

Remaking Normal is a long-form educational podcast featuring unfiltered, wide-ranging conversations about society, identity, culture, media, health, technology, business, economics, government policy, social change, and the systems that shape human lives through a disability perspective. Hosted by filmmaker, author, and disability advocate Alexander Freeman, the podcast explores human behavior, identity, performance, and truth through deep-dive conversations with creators, entrepreneurs, startup founders, engineers, small business owners, educators, medical professionals, mental health experts, healthcare reform advocates, and activists across multiple fields.

Episodes

  1. 6H AGO

    Episode 10: "Disposable Humanity" A Documentary About How DeHumanization Was Considered Normal and the Urgent Need Not to Repeat History

    In this episode of Remaking Normal, Alexander Freeman takes a deeply personal and urgent turn—examining disability, history, memory, and power through the documentary "Disposable Humanity" a documentary that confronts one of the most overlooked truths of the Holocaust: disabled people were among the first groups targeted by the Nazi regime. Alexander reflects on how some of the most violent and dehumanizing actions in human history were once framed as reasonable, efficient, even compassionate. Institutionalized cruelty did not arrive suddenly—it was normalized through language, policy, and bureaucracy. "Disposable Humanity" centers on Aktion T4, the Nazi program that systematically murdered disabled people under the guise of medical care and so-called mercy. What the film makes impossible to ignore is that this violence began not with chaos, but with ideas—with doctors, institutions, and governments reframing human beings as burdens and death as treatment. Alexander’s own documentary "True Value" narrated by Oscar winner Chris Cooper which explores employment, labor, and the deeper question beneath them all: who gets to decide the value and worth of a human life? "True Value" is now streaming on Kinema at: kinema.com/films/true-value-wcpqr1 That same question sits at the heart of Disposable Humanity—only at a different moment in history, with devastating consequences. One film examines devaluation in the present. The other shows us where that thinking can lead when it is left unchecked. Alexander also reflects on the work of director Cameron S. Mitchell, whose film is the result of years of personal, multi-generational research. This episode is not just about the past. It is about how cruelty is normalized in the present—when disabled lives are discussed in terms of cost, when care is framed as burden, when antisemitism is dismissed as background noise, and when dehumanizing rhetoric is excused as politics. Learn more about the film and how to watch or support it at disposablehumanitymovie.com. Host a screening at a school, synagogue, community center, library, disability organization, or workplace. Follow @disposablehumanitymovie on Instagram and help ensure this history is seen, remembered, and discussed. Find out about the documentary "My Own Normal" at myownnormalmovie.com and consider working with Alexander on a feature film by visiting outcast-productions.com. Subscribe to the Outcast Productions LLC YouTube Channel @OUTCASTPRODUCTIONSCo and follow @realalexanderfreeman on Instagram. Drink SENTIA Spirits SENTIA Spirits represent a new category of functional drinks developed by neuroscientists.Disclaimer: This post contains affiliate links. If you make a purchase, I may receive a commission at no extra cost to you.Support the show

    10 min

  2. JAN 30

    Episode 9: Entrepreneurship, Business and Disability (The Story of Collette Divitto of Collettey's Cookies

    In this episode of Remaking Normal, Alexander Freeman tells the story of entrepreneur, disability activist, tedx speaker, influencer, mentor, author, TV personality Collette Divitto of Collettey's Cookies and the movement she is building by creating employment opportunities for people with disabilities.  @colletteyscookies Find out about the documentary "My Own Normal" at myownnormalmovie.com and consider working with Alexander on a feature film by visiting outcast-productions.com. Subscribe to the Outcast Productions LLC YouTube Channel @OUTCASTPRODUCTIONSCo and follow @realalexanderfreeman on Instagram. Drink SENTIA Spirits SENTIA Spirits represent a new category of functional drinks developed by neuroscientists.Disclaimer: This post contains affiliate links. If you make a purchase, I may receive a commission at no extra cost to you.Support the show

    9 min

  3. JAN 16

    Episode 8: Power Structures, Decision Makers, Media Representation, Employment, Voting, Health Insurance, Benefits and Disability (Featuring Lawrence Carter-Long)

    In this episode of Remaking Normal, Alexander Freeman sits down with disability activist, actor, producer, modern dancer, writer, journalist, radio show host, and communications strategist Lawrence Carter-Long for a wide-ranging and deeply informed conversation about disability media representation, power structures, voting rights, health care, infrastructure, income, and public benefits. He is perhaps best known for his leadership as Director of Communications and Public Affairs at the National Council on Independent Living (NCIL), where he helped shape national disability policy conversations and media narratives. He has created, curated, critiqued, and consulted on projects for prominent organizations such as the National Endowment for the Arts, Turner Classic Movies, and the American Film Institute. His contributions to cultural discourse include writing for esteemed outlets like Film Quarterly, PBS, The Atlantic, and USA Today. Lawrence is featured in the award-winning documentary “Code of the Freaks” and appeared as an actor in the NY Times Critic’s Pick “Best Summer Ever.” Lawrence has lectured and curated programs on the history and evolution of disability in media at the Library of Congress, the Academy Museum of Motion Pictures, and the United Nations. Lawrence is the Director of Engagement for the ReelAbilities International Film Festival.  Together, Alexander and Lawrence unpack how media representation influences public opinion and policy outcomes, why disabled people are marginalized in conversations about democracy, and how systemic barriers affect access to voting, healthcare, transportation, income, and benefits.  @lcarterlong Lawrence@NothingWithoutUs.com lawrence@reelabilities.org Find out about the documentary "My Own Normal" at myownnormalmovie.com and consider working with Alexander on a feature film by visiting outcast-productions.com. Subscribe to the Outcast Productions LLC YouTube Channel @OUTCASTPRODUCTIONSCo and follow @realalexanderfreeman on Instagram. Drink SENTIA Spirits SENTIA Spirits represent a new category of functional drinks developed by neuroscientists.Disclaimer: This post contains affiliate links. If you make a purchase, I may receive a commission at no extra cost to you.Support the show

    1h 5m

  4. JAN 2

    Episode 7: Branded Independent Documentary Filmmaking and Disability Rights Action (Featuring Stan Clawson)

    In this episode of Remaking Normal, Alexander Freeman sits down with disabled filmmaker, educator, and disability-rights activist Stan Clawson to explore how storytelling, branding, and political advocacy intersect through the power of documentary film. Stan is a bold and incisive voice within the disability community, known for creating branded independent documentary content for companies and organizations that want to tell authentic, socially grounded stories. Through his filmmaking, educational work, and activism, Stan challenges the narratives that too often marginalize disabled people—reframing them through a lens of agency, complexity, and political urgency. His work pushes back on ableist assumptions, elevates disabled leadership, and highlights the systems and policies that shape disabled lives. A committed advocate, Stan uses filmmaking as both an artistic practice and a political tool: to document inequity, amplify underrepresented voices, and spark deeper conversations about disability rights, social justice, and the broader political forces affecting disabled communities. His projects often blend personal narrative with institutional critique, reminding audiences that disability is not just a personal experience, but a political identity shaped by access, representation, and power. Together, Alexander and Stan dive into what it means to create media that doesn’t simply portray disability, but actively advances disability rights. They discuss branded storytelling, the responsibilities of representing marginalized communities, and the transformative potential of documentary film in shifting public perception. Stan shares insights from his work partnering with organizations to craft inclusive media, his approach to blending storytelling with advocacy, and his commitment to using film as a catalyst for systemic change. @stanclawson  Find out about the documentary "My Own Normal" at myownnormalmovie.com and consider working with Alexander on a feature film by visiting outcast-productions.com. Subscribe to the Outcast Productions LLC YouTube Channel @OUTCASTPRODUCTIONSCo and follow @realalexanderfreeman on Instagram. Support the show

    1h 18m

  5. 12/21/2025

    Episode 2: The Role of Assistive Technology and Employment for People with Disabilities (Featuring Shamus Crowley)

    In this episode of Remaking Normal, Alexander Freeman explores how assistive technology is transforming the way people with disabilities work, communicate, and thrive in the modern world. Alexander sits down with Shamus Crowley, founder and CEO of the Boston-based technology company Accessabl, a pioneering startup dedicated to creating digital tools that bridge the gap between accessibility and opportunity. Together, they unpack how innovation can empower independence — and how technology can challenge outdated assumptions about ability and employment. They also reflect on a powerful question at the heart of the series: How do we define “normal” — and what needs to change about the norms that shape our workplaces and our technology? accessabl.com Find out about the documentary "My Own Normal" at myownnormalmovie.com and consider working with Alexander on a feature film by visiting outcast-productions.com. Subscribe to the Outcast Productions LLC YouTube Channel @OUTCASTPRODUCTIONSCo and follow @realalexanderfreeman on Instagram. Support the show

    50 min

  6. 12/21/2025

    Episode 1: The Origin of "Normal"

    In the debut episode of Remaking Normal, filmmaker, writer, musician, and disability advocate Alexander Freeman takes listeners on a powerful journey through the origins and evolution of one of society’s most dangerous and misunderstood words: normal.With his signature blend of personal reflection, history, and empathy, Alexander explores how the concept of “normal” was never just about averages — it became a tool of power, exclusion, and control. Drawing from research by Adolphe Quetelet, Lennard J. Davis, and others, he unpacks how scientific ideals shaped social hierarchies, from eugenics movements to modern systems of bias that still affect marginalized communities today. Find out about the documentary "My Own Normal" at myownnormalmovie.com and consider working with Alexander on a feature film by visiting outcast-productions.com. Subscribe to the Outcast Productions LLC YouTube Channel @OUTCASTPRODUCTIONSCo and follow @realalexanderfreeman on Instagram. Support the show

    11 min

  7. 12/21/2025

    Episode 3: Authenticity and Visibility, Redefining Disability and Queer Identity (Featuring Annie Segarra)

    In this episode of Remaking Normal, Alexander Freeman sits down with activist, creator, and YouTuber Annie Segarra — known online as Annie Elainey — for a heartfelt and unfiltered conversation about disability, queer identity, love, and the urgent need for authentic representation in media. Annie, a proud queer disabled woman and one of the most influential voices in online activism, shares her personal journey of navigating intersectional identities in a world that often insists on labels and limits. Together, she and Alexander explore what it means to exist fully — to live at the intersection of disability and queerness — while facing social structures that still define “normal” through exclusion. Through stories, laughter, and hard truths, they discuss how media and culture shape perceptions of identity, why visibility matters, and how love and self-acceptance become acts of resistance.  https://www.youtube.com/@theannieelainey @annieelainey Find out about the documentary "My Own Normal" at myownnormalmovie.com and consider working with Alexander on a feature film by visiting outcast-productions.com. Subscribe to the Outcast Productions LLC YouTube Channel @OUTCASTPRODUCTIONSCo and follow @realalexanderfreeman on Instagram. Support the show

    44 min

  8. 12/18/2025

    Episode 6: The Impact of Adaptive Sports and Fitness for People with Disabilities (Featuring Ross Lilley)

    In this episode of Remaking Normal, Alexander Freeman sits down with adaptive sports pioneer, inventor, coach, and ordained minister Ross Lilley to explore how access, innovation, and community can transform lives through sport. Ross has been adapting and teaching high-challenge sports since 1983, with roots in personal training and coaching that date back to the late 1970s. Recognized as the foremost authority on adaptive windsurfing in the United States. His work has always been driven by a deeper mission, creating inclusive spaces that overcome disparity and discrimination. The conversation dives into the personal story that sparked a movement. In 1986, Ross’s son Josh was born with cerebral palsy and spastic quadriplegia. When Josh was four years old, father and son began windsurfing together—an experience that became the catalyst for Access Sport America, with Josh continuing to serve as the organization’s “Chief Test Pilot.” Together, Alexander and Ross discuss how innovation, adaptive design, and inclusive training programs empower athletes to achieve higher function, improved fitness, better health, and a true sense of belonging. They also explore Ross’s journey from the pulpit to full-time advocacy, the role of invention in accessibility, and why community and hope are just as essential as physical achievement. goaccess.org Find out about the documentary "My Own Normal" at myownnormalmovie.com and consider working with Alexander on a feature film by visiting outcast-productions.com. Subscribe to the Outcast Productions LLC YouTube Channel @OUTCASTPRODUCTIONSCo and follow @realalexanderfreeman on Instagram. Support the show

    37 min

  9. 11/20/2025

    Episode 5: Love, Sex, Desire, Queerness and Disability (Featuring Andrew Gurza)

    In this episode of Remaking Normal, Alexander Freeman sits down with disability advocate, educator, and storyteller Andrew Gurza to explore the complex intersections of disability, sexuality, and queer identity. Andrew is a powerful voice within the disability and LGBTQ+ communities, known for his candid work around dismantling stigma, challenging ableist misconceptions, and helping people reclaim their bodies and desires with pride. Through his advocacy, writing, and public speaking, Andrew highlights the lived truths that often go unspoken: that disabled people are sexual beings, that queer identity and disability coexist in dynamic and vibrant ways, and that embracing these realities requires both personal courage and societal change.  His work has been featured on BBC, CBC, Daily Xtra, Gay Times UK, Huffington Post, The Advocate, Everyday Feminism, Mashable, Out.com, and several anthologies.  He was the subject of an award-winning National Film Board of Canada Documentary “Picture This." Andrew has guested on a number of podcasts including Dan Savage’s Savage Love and Cameron Esposito’s Queery. He has spoken all over the world on sex, disability and what it means to be a Queer Cripple.  Together, Alexander and Andrew dive into what it means to live at the crossroads of disability, sexuality, and queerness — discussing his experience with intimacy with sex workers, running a sex party for the disabled community in 2015 in Toronto, and starting the disabled sex toy company, Bump’n.  andrewgarza.com @andrewgurza.ca Find out about the documentary "My Own Normal" at myownnormalmovie.com and consider working with Alexander on a feature film by visiting outcast-productions.com. Subscribe to the Outcast Productions LLC YouTube Channel @OUTCASTPRODUCTIONSCo and follow @realalexanderfreeman on Instagram. Support the show

    29 min

  10. 11/06/2025

    Episode 4: Speech and How it Impacts the Perception of Normal (Featuring Ariela Quetant)

    In this episode of Remaking Normal, Alexander Freeman explores how the way we speak — our voices, accents, and tone — shapes how the world perceives us, and how deeply speech connects to identity and belonging. Alexander sits down with Ariela Quetant, a Boston-based speech and voice coach and founder of Sound Your Best, a private coaching practice that helps clients refine communication, confidence, and authenticity. Through her work, Ariela provides private instruction in accent modification, gender-affirming voice, and professional speaking skills, blending science and empathy to help individuals align the way they sound with who they truly are. With a background in Communication Sciences and Disorders and ongoing Vocology studies, Ariela brings both technical expertise and human understanding to the art of communication. Together, she and Alexander dive into how speech influences perception — how a voice can shape someone’s sense of credibility, gender, or even “normalcy” — and how embracing vocal diversity challenges cultural biases about what a “normal” voice should sound like. tosoundyourbest.com Find out about the documentary "My Own Normal" at myownnormalmovie.com and consider working with Alexander on a feature film by visiting outcast-productions.com. Subscribe to the Outcast Productions LLC YouTube Channel @OUTCASTPRODUCTIONSCo and follow @realalexanderfreeman on Instagram. Support the show

    49 min
  • 10 Episodes

5
out of 5
9 Ratings

About

Remaking Normal is a long-form educational podcast featuring unfiltered, wide-ranging conversations about society, identity, culture, media, health, technology, business, economics, government policy, social change, and the systems that shape human lives through a disability perspective. Hosted by filmmaker, author, and disability advocate Alexander Freeman, the podcast explores human behavior, identity, performance, and truth through deep-dive conversations with creators, entrepreneurs, startup founders, engineers, small business owners, educators, medical professionals, mental health experts, healthcare reform advocates, and activists across multiple fields.

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