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  • Episode 13: Inspiration Porn: The Objectification of Disabled Lives
    2025/07/08

    What is “inspiration porn,” and why is it harmful, even when it looks heartwarming? In this episode, Angel Heaven Lee breaks down how disabled people are reduced to feel-good props for non-disabled audiences, and why this mindset hurts real efforts toward accessibility and equity. From South Carolina’s local news to viral memes, we explore how to move from pity to true inclusion.

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    13 分
  • Episode 12: Living on Disability Benefits: Can You Actually Survive?
    2025/07/01

    Can you survive on less than $1,000 a month? For millions of disabled Americans, that’s not a hypothetical... it’s reality. In this episode of Breaking Barriers, Angel Heaven Lee exposes the harsh truths of the U.S. disability benefits system, from outdated income caps to asset restrictions that keep people trapped in poverty. We explore how policies punish independence, what needs to change, and why South Carolina is one of the hardest-hit states.

    Tune in for real stories, facts you won’t hear on the news, and what you can do to push for reform.

    If you’re outraged, and you should be, don’t just sit with that feeling. Do something.

    📞 Call your federal lawmakers and demand SSI and SSDI reform.
    ➡️ Look them up here: https://www.congress.gov/members

    📬 Tell your South Carolina legislators: Expand Medicaid. Add a state SSI supplement.
    ➡️ SC legislators: https://www.scstatehouse.gov/legislatorssearch.php

    🗳 Register to vote. These decisions are made by people we elect—or let get re-elected in silence.
    ➡️ SC Voter Info: https://scvotes.gov

    💌 Share your story. Whether you're a disabled person, a caregiver, or an ally, your voice matters. Email me at breakingbarrierswithangel@gmail.com.

    And if you’re struggling, reach out to:

    • Disability Rights South Carolina

    • National Council on Independent Living

    We’re in this fight together. Let’s get loud!!


    #DisabilityJustice #SSDCuts #SSIReform #PovertyIsPolicy #DisabledAndDeserving #BreakingBarriersPodcast #AngelHeavenLee #SCAdvocacy #StopTheCuts #CripTheVote #PovertyTrap #SurviveNotThrive #EconomicJustice #NoOneLeftBehind

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    19 分
  • Episode 11: No Kings Day: A Rallying Cry for Democracy
    2025/06/16

    On June 14, 2025 — Flag Day — thousands gathered in Columbia, SC for the No Kings Day Rally. In this powerful speech, Angel Heaven Lee takes the mic to call out corruption, uplift disabled voices, and remind America what true patriotism looks like.

    From protecting Social Security and Section 504 to standing in solidarity with Outfest and peaceful protestors nationwide, this speech is a fearless reminder:
    We don’t need a king. We need accountability.

    Real talk.Bold truth.And a call to rise — together.

    #NoKingsDay #DefendDemocracy #WhileIBreatheIHope

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    8 分
  • Episode 10: June 14: Flag Day for the People – Truth, Protest, and Power in Unity
    2025/06/13

    On Flag Day, Americans rise — not in division, but in unity. In this urgent episode, Angel Heaven Lee exposes the fear campaign meant to derail nationwide protests on June 14 and shares how disabled, working-class, and marginalized communities are fighting back with peace and power. From media misinformation in Los Angeles to Proud Boy threats across the U.S., we uncover the truth and prepare to rise together.

    📍Join the movement. Stay safe. Stay loud.

    📧 Contact: breakingbarrierswithangel@gmail.com

    📲 Follow & share the truth!

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    11 分
  • Episode 9: Department of Energy & Medicaid in Crisis
    2025/06/11

    Millions of Americans are losing access to healthcare and civil rights—and most don’t even know it’s happening.

    In this urgent episode, Angel breaks down two escalating crises:
    The rollback of disability access protections by the U.S. Department of Energy—set to take effect July 15, 2025
    The Medicaid coverage disaster unfolding nationwide, with over 25 million people already disenrolled and millions more at risk

    From South Carolina’s refusal to expand Medicaid to the nationwide push for cruel work requirements, we expose how these policy moves are stripping people of care, independence, and dignity.

    This isn’t just about systems—it’s about people:
    Disabled Americans losing essential medical devices…
    Children without access to vaccinations…
    Seniors abandoned by long-term care…
    Low-income workers drowning in medical debt…

    This is not a glitch. This is a targeted attack.
    And we can fight it—but only if we act now.

    CALL TO ACTION:

    Submit your public comment by June 16, 2025
    Tell the Department of Energy: Access is not optional—it’s a civil right!
    DOE-HQ-2025-0015 and DOE-HQ-2025-0024.

    📞 Call your state and federal legislators
    Demand Medicaid expansion and protection from cuts and work requirements
    SC lawmakers: https://www.scstatehouse.gov/legislatorssearch.php

    📝 Need Medicaid help in SC?
    SC DHHS: https://www.scdhhs.gov/

    💪 Support advocacy groups fighting back:

    • Families USA: https://familiesusa.org

    • SC Appleseed Legal Justice Center: https://www.scjustice.org

    • Disability Rights Education & Defense Fund: https://dredf.org

    • American Council of the Blind: https://acb.org

    🗳️ Vote with access in mind. Your life may depend on it.

    📬 Got a story or question? Contact Angel at: breakingbarrierswithangel@gmail.com

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    23 分
  • Episode 8: Disability Forward: Where Barriers Fall and Voices Rise
    2025/06/03

    Angel Heaven Lee shares a heartfelt teaser about the next chapter of the podcast. Change is coming… but it’s rooted in everything Breaking Barriers with Angel Heaven Lee stands for. Tune in to hear what’s ahead in this exciting evolution.


    Want to be the first to hear what’s next? Make sure you’re subscribed on your favorite podcast platform and follow on social media or updates. And as always, if you’ve got a story, a question, or just want to say hey… email Angel at breakingbarrierswithangel@gmail.com.

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    4 分
  • Episode 7: Disability and the Workforce: Why Are We Still Fighting for Inclusion?
    2025/05/17

    In this powerful episode of Breaking Barriers, Angel Heaven Lee tackles a fight that should’ve been over decades ago - workplace inclusion for people with disabilities.

    Despite being skilled, driven, and ready to work, disabled individuals still face shocking rates of unemployment, inaccessible hiring practices, and outdated policies that keep us locked out of opportunity. Angel is joined by guest Grady Gambrell, a passionate advocate and digital media professional, to unpack the myths, barriers, and systemic failures that still exist today.

    💡 Whether you're disabled, an ally, an employer, or just someone ready to learn and do better - this episode will challenge you to rethink what real equity looks like in the workplace.

    🔍 Topics we cover:

    • The hard stats on disability and employment

    • Busting common myths about disabled workers

    • Why accessibility isn’t optional—it’s essential

    • The end of subminimum wage in South Carolina

    • How fear of losing benefits holds people back

    • Local efforts creating real change—and what more we need

    • What you can do to fight for inclusion in your workplace and community

    📞 Call Your Lawmakers - Demand an end to subminimum wage. Push for funding for disability hiring programs.

    👉 https://www.scstatehouse.gov/legislatorssearch.php

    🏢 Support Disability-Owned Businesses - If the job market won’t include us - we’ll build our own spaces.

    📣 Educate Employers - If you’re in HR or leadership, get serious about accessibility and learn the real benefits of hiring disabled talent.

    🛑 Speak Up - Talk about ableism. Call it out. Keep the conversation going - at work, at school, in your community.🎧 Listen now, share widely, and help us break the barriers once and for all.

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    47 分
  • Episode 6: Immigrants & the American Dream: Is It Still Possible?
    2025/05/14

    For generations, America has promised freedom, opportunity, and success to those who seek a better life. But for millions of immigrants, that dream is slipping further out of reach—or being snatched away entirely. From ICE deporting U.S. citizens and ignoring court orders, to South Carolina echoing dangerous laws from Texas and Florida, immigrant communities are under attack.

    In this episode, Angel dives into:

    • The myth vs. reality of the American Dream

    • Broken immigration policies and deliberate delays

    • Workplace exploitation, xenophobic laws, and ICE’s abuse of power

    • What’s happening in South Carolina—and why we need to care

    • How we fight back, reclaim the dream, and protect immigrant rights


    🧭 Where to start? 📍 Find your South Carolina legislators 📍 Find your U.S. Representatives and Senators

    Call. Write. Email. Show up. Make noise. Tell them you refuse to accept a two-tier immigration system that treats human lives like bargaining chips.

    🛡️ Support organizations on the frontlines, including:

    • SC Appleseed Legal Justice Center

    • Alianza Latina of the Midlands

    • Carolina Immigrant Alliance

    These groups are doing the legal, grassroots, and policy work that keeps immigrant communities safer—but they can’t do it alone.

    Immigrant rights ARE human rights. If we care about freedom and justice, we must act.

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    32 分