Hey, welcome to an episode of Crippled by Culture, where we talk about everything in life and relate it to the disability and chronically ill community. My name is Sean Gold and I am an author, advocate, and nonverbal public speaker for the disability community.

Before we jump in, I just want to give a quick shoutout to Brandon Lingle for being my voice transcriber for this episode—thank you so much. Today we’re talking about the intersections of disability and queer creative writing, and I’m really excited for this one.

GUEST BIO: JONATHAN PARKS-RAMAGE is the author of the new book IT'S NOT THE END OF THE WORLD, which has been hailed by the Los Angeles Times as "a wild ride of a novel," and selected by The New York Times Style Magazine as a pick for Best Queer Summer Fiction. His debut novel YES, DADDY was named one of the best queer books of 2021 by Entertainment Weekly, NBC News, The Advocate, Lambda Literary, Bustle, Goodreads and more. He is co-creator of the Off-Broadway musical THE BIG GAY JAMBOREE, which was nominated for five Lucille Lortel Awards, four Drama Desk Awards, and three Outer Critics Circle Awards.

FOLLOW JONATHAN:

https://www.instagram.com/jprampage

Books:

Yes, Daddy: https://a.co/d/0cHMgQPv

It's Not the End of the World: https://a.co/d/0bGGuCO6

Sean's links:

https://linktr.ee/authorseangold

Hey, welcome to an episode of Crippled by Culture, where we talk about everything in life and relate it to the disabled and chronically ill community. My name is Sean Gold and I am an author, advocate, and nonverbal public speaker for the disability community.

Before we jump in, I just want to give a quick shoutout to Raven McFadden for being my voice transcriber for this episode—thank you so much. Today we’re talking about the intersections of disability and workplace equity, and I’m really excited for this one.

Guest bio: Dr. Akilah Cadet is the Founder and CEO of Change Cadet, a creative organizational development consulting firm. As a Forbes Next 1000 Entrepreneur her work is behind some of the biggest brands you use everyday. Dismantling white supremacy through storytelling is at the core of her work as a leader, speaker, creative director, producer, writer, editor, designer, co-owner of the Oakland Roots and Soul soccer teams, host of Humane Rights podcast, and author of White Supremacy is All Around: Notes From a Black Disabled Woman in a White World. She literally has all the degrees, lives in and loves Oakland, CA, celebrates her disability, is a proud Beyoncé advocate, and has an incredible shoe game.

FOLLOW DR. CADET:

IG: @changecadet

https://www.changecadet.com/book

https://m.youtube.com/@HumaneRightswDr.AkilahCadet

https://changecadetactionnetwork.substack.com/

Sean's links:

https://linktr.ee/authorseangold

Before we jump in, I just want to give a quick shoutout to Brandon Lingle for being my voice transcriber for this episode—thank you so much. Today we’re talking about the intersections of disability and inclusion in the entertainment industry, and I’m really excited for this one.

GUEST BIO: Avery Roberts is a rare disease advocate, speaker, and professional dancer based in New York City. She lives with congenital muscular dystrophy and has used her platform to challenge stereotypes, dance on some of the most iconic stages in the world—including Radio City Music Hall—and advocate for real policy change on Capitol Hill.

Kelly Berger, based in Cincinnati, Ohio, is a 2024 RareVoice Award winner and a RARE Champion of Hope nominee who’s constantly on the move—both literally and figuratively. She’s a relentless advocate for rare disease, a dedicated mentor to other disabled young adults, and a live music fanatic who’s traveled to over 40 states in her accessible van.

FOLLOW AVERY

Avery’s Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/averyroberts916

Avery’s Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/avery.nicole916/

Avery’s LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/averyroberts916

FOLLOW KELLY

Kelly’s Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/thekellyberger/

Kelly’s Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/thekellyberger/

Kelly’s LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/thekellyberger/

Sean's links:

https://linktr.ee/authorseangold

Hey, welcome to an episode of Crippled by Culture, where we talk about everything in life and relate it to the disability and chronically ill community. My name is Sean Gold and I am an author, advocate, and nonverbal public speaker for the disability community.

Before we jump in, I just want to give a quick shoutout to Isabella Christine for being my voice transcriber for this episode—thank you so much. Today we’re talking about the intersections of disability, accessible content creation, singing, and being a plus size Black woman public figure, and I’m really excited for this one.

Guest Bio: YouTuber and Artist, Kioshi has garnered eyes from Beyoncé, Ariana Grande and much more with her infectious energy and humor! She’s amassed over 87 thousand subscribers on Youtube with her unique and informative music, tv and movie reactions. She also sings, has several covers out and a project on the way! Creating a community full of empathy, acceptance and joy, she is loved and revered by many as a safe space and comfort creator for all.

FOLLOW KIOSHIWARRIOR

https://linktr.ee/KioshiWarrior

Sean's links:

https://linktr.ee/authorseangold

Hey, welcome to an episode of Crippled by Culture, where we talk about everything in life and relate it to the disability and chronically ill community. My name is Sean Gold and I am an author, advocate, and nonverbal public speaker for the disability community.

Today I would like to thank Josh Rettig for being my voice in this episode. In this episode, we are talking about the intersections of disability and youth queer acceptance.

Guest bio: Jeff Bender is the founder of Lion+Owl, an inclusive children’s apparel brand designed to help kids feel comfortable, confident, and brave. He’s also an author and speaker, using my work to advocate for safe and welcoming spaces for LGBTQ+ youth and their families. Through fashion, writing, and community outreach, He blends creativity with purpose to inspire change and foster acceptance. The most important job he has is being an open and supportive father.

FOLLOW JEFF

Instagram: @lionandowlapparel

Facebook: facebook.com/thelionandtheowl

TikTok: @lionandowlapparel

LinkedIn: linkedin.com/in/thelionandtheowl

Lion+Owl Store: www.lionandowl.us

Sean's links:

https://linktr.ee/authorseangold

Hey, welcome to an episode of Crippled by Culture, where we talk about everything in life and relate it to the disability and chronically ill community. My name is Sean Gold and I am an author, advocate, and nonverbal public speaker for the disability community.

Before we jump in, I just want to give a quick shoutout to Isabella Christine for being my voice transcriber for this episode—thank you so much. Today we’re talking about the intersections of invisible disabilities and navigating from trauma to triumph, and I’m really excited for this one.

Guest bio: Rev. Dr. Xenia Barnes is a Motivational Speaker, Co-Author of Triumph in the Trenches, Keynote Speaker, and a Social & Behavioral Scientist. As a passionate Empowerment Advocate, she inspires individuals and organizations to unlock their potential and choose resilience. With a focus on Transformational Leadership and Personal Development, she delivers dynamic workshops and seminars designed to foster growth and ignite change.

FOLLOW DR. BARNES

https://www.patreon.com/RDBSpeaks

https://youtube.com/channel/UC8JSipA2AreaSKdODtn6vDQ

https://www.rdbspeaks.com/

https://www.instagram.com/rdb_speaks/

https://www.youtube.com/channel/UC8JSipA2AreaSKdODtn6vDQ

Sean's links:

https://linktr.ee/authorseangold

Hey, welcome to an episode of Crippled by Culture, where we talk about everything in life and relate it to the disability and chronically ill community. My name is Sean Gold and I am an author, advocate, and nonverbal public speaker for the disability community.

I just want to give a quick shoutout to Brandon Lingle for being my voice transcriber for this episode—thank you so much. Today we’re talking about the intersections of disability, self-advocacy, women with ADHD, and centers for independent living

Guest bio: Jodi Hausen, an award-winning journalist and storyteller with decades of media experience. After being diagnosed with ADHD later in life, she began focusing her work on amplifying the voices of people often left out of mainstream media. Jodi serves on the board of a Center for Independent Living in Montana and volunteers with organizations like Special Olympics and Eagle Mount Bozeman. She also writes the Substack newsletter More Than Normal, where she explores powerful stories and insights around disability and access.

FOLLOW JODI

jodihausen.com

jodihausen.substack.com

Sean's links:

https://linktr.ee/authorseangold

Hey, welcome to an episode of Crippled by Culture, where we talk about everything in life and relate it to the disability and chronically ill community. My name is Sean Gold and I am an author, advocate, and nonverbal public speaker for the disability community.

Guest bio: Derek Canas (AKA D-REK), born a sweet, cute, seemingly healthy baby, had everything going for him until the age of 3 months, when he was surrounded by many doctors talking about transposition of the great arteries, pacemakers, and blood transfusions. His parents now had, what they called a “battery operated son”. This was a scary scenario for his parents with so many touch-and-go moments. 16-years later another illness that Derek had been living with started to show symptoms: HIV. This only brought on a more terrifying roller-coaster ride. With courage, unconditional love and sheer determination, Derek was not going to let any one of his health issues get in the way of his dream of becoming a DJ! Spinning music is the passion of his soul. Today, taking his fight against HIV to new hope, He can be found on WEGO health as a patient leader. A survivor of both open heart surgery and HIV, his doctors refer to him as "The Terminator." And that he is!! He is also the creator of the #EndTheStigma Campaign and D-REK's Angels and Warriors. On the weekends he turns into the crazy DJ – living his dreams!!

FOLLOW DEREK

https://www.angelsandwarriors.org/

https://www.facebook.com/DREKSANGELSANDWARRIORS

https://www.instagram.com/dreksangelsandwarriors_/

https://x.com/DREK912

https://www.tiktok.com/@angelsandwarriors

Sean's links:

https://linktr.ee/authorseangold