Pushing Forward with Alycia | A Disability Podcast

Pushing Forward with Alycia | A Disability Podcast

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.

Episodes

September 25, 2025 35 mins
In this episode of 'Pushing Forward with Alycia,' host Alycia Anderson sits down with Izzy Grimmer, a remarkable high school student and disability advocate in honor of Pediatric Cancer Awareness Month. Izzy shares her inspiring journey, including her recent battle with cancer, her work establishing a disability advocacy and awareness week at her school, and her efforts with initiatives like Accommodate Me and Magical Bridge. As an...
Mark as Played
In this episode of 'Pushing Forward with Alycia,' host Alycia Anderson welcomes Dr. Jessica Stavale, also known as Dr. Jes, a clinical trauma psychologist and founder of The Fascia Movement. Both a disabled vet and a survivor of significant trauma, Dr. Jes shares her healing journey and how it led her to integrate Fascia Medicine, psychology, and integrative practices. She discusses the importance of the fascia system in healing ph...
Mark as Played
In this episode of 'Pushing Forward with Alycia,' host Alycia Anderson discusses the revolutionary concept of beauty with Zian Chavez, a Spanish indigenous, queer, non-binary neurodiverse artist and film producer. Diagnosed with multiple sclerosis, Chavez shares insights from her groundbreaking documentary, 'We Are The Most Beautiful People,' which highlights the intrinsic beauty of adults with disabilities worldwide. Together, the...
Mark as Played
In this episode of 'Pushing Forward with Alycia,' Alycia Anderson welcomes Sarah Crawford, CEO of TLC and a North Carolina state representative, to discuss her extensive work in supporting individuals with intellectual and developmental disabilities (IDD). Sarah shares her inspiring journey from a service-oriented family to her impactful roles in both nonprofit and government sectors. They delve into the services TLC provides, such...
Mark as Played
In this episode of 'Pushing Forward with Alycia,' host Alycia Anderson welcomes Roderick Sewell, an inspirational figure who has shattered barriers and made history as an athlete representing Team USA. Roderick shares his journey from an early childhood marked by disability and living in shelters, to becoming the first bilateral above-knee amputee to compete in the IRONMAN World Championship. He discusses the impact of receiving su...
Mark as Played
In this episode of 'Pushing Forward with Alycia,' host Alycia Anderson interviews Treasa Praino, a legally blind disability advocate, university instructor, and human rights and inclusion specialist. Treasa shares her journey from facing discrimination in her youth to becoming a scholar finishing her PhD at Syracuse University. The discussion covers her experiences working in federal probation, education inequities, and her transfo...
Mark as Played
In this episode of 'Pushing Forward with Alycia,' host Alycia Anderson welcomes Cecilia Elizalde, a passionate advocate for disability inclusion. Cecilia shares her transformative journey from a successful TV producer to a dedicated advocate after her daughter, Valentina, was born with Down syndrome. She discusses her impactful work with Best Buddies International and the launch of Eunie's Buddies, a program offering support and me...
Mark as Played
In this episode of 'Pushing Forward with Alycia,' host Alycia Anderson welcomes Miracle Pelayo, a dynamic actor, model, and fashion content creator redefining disability representation. Miracle shares her incredible journey, from being born a 23-week preemie with cerebral palsy to becoming UCI Irvine's first preemie survivor. She discusses her groundbreaking work, including voicing the first American Girl Doll with cerebral palsy a...
Mark as Played
In this milestone 100th episode of Pushing Forward with Alycia, hosts Alycia Anderson and Marty Anderson celebrate both their centennial episode and the culmination of Disability Pride Month. Reflecting on their journey, their impact within the disability community, and their personal growth, they share stories of past guests, listener feedback, and the mission behind their podcast. The episode is filled with heartfelt gratitude, p...
Mark as Played
In this episode of Pushing Forward with Alycia, host Alycia Anderson welcomes Jonathan Kaufman, a business strategist, licensed psychotherapist, and disability advocate. Jonathan shares his journey of living with cerebral palsy, discussing key moments that have shaped his perspective on disability. He highlights his extensive academic background and work with influential figures like the Obamas and Mihály Csíkszentmihályi. Jonathan...
Mark as Played
In this episode of 'Pushing Forward with Alycia,' host Alycia Anderson interviews Avery Roberts and Kelly Berger, two formidable advocates living with congenital muscular dystrophy (CMD). They discuss their journeys in advocacy, the challenges of living with CMD, and the significant role Medicaid plays in their lives. They also touch on the importance of disability representation in media and the arts, with Avery sharing her experi...
Mark as Played
In this episode of 'Pushing Forward with Alycia,' host Alycia Anderson welcomes the radiant and unstoppable Marsha Elle, a bionic model, songwriter, actress, and disability advocate. They discuss the transformative power of turning adversity into artistry, the importance of self-acceptance, and the challenges of representation in fashion and entertainment. Marsha shares her journey of embracing her prosthetic leg, the viral success...
Mark as Played
In this episode of 'Pushing Forward with Alycia,' host Alycia Anderson kicks off Disability Pride Month with guest Tiffany Yu, a prominent disability advocate and founder of Diversability. Tiffany shares her powerful journey from a car accident at age nine that left her with multiple disabilities to becoming a celebrated para-climber and author of 'The Anti-Ableist Manifesto' The conversation delves into the significance of disabil...
Mark as Played
In this heartfelt episode of Pushing Forward with Alycia, Alycia celebrates her and her twin sister Regina's monumental 50th birthday. They reflect on their magical trip to Playa Mujeres, Mexico, where they were joined by 22 close friends and family members for an all-inclusive celebration filled with laughter, dancing, and relaxation. The sisters discuss the significance of turning 50, the personal growth and confidence that comes...
Mark as Played
In this episode of 'Pushing Forward with Alycia,' Alycia welcomes Gigi Robinson, a creator, speaker, strategist, and chronic illness advocate. Gigi discusses her journey with Ehlers-Danlos Syndrome and endometriosis, highlighting her resilience and hope. She shares insights on navigating dynamic disabilities, balancing health and hustle, and the importance of self-advocacy. Gigi also details her path to becoming a published author ...
Mark as Played
In this episode of ‘Pushing Forward with Alycia,’ host Alycia engages in a powerful conversation with Kristen Anderson, an accomplished global leader and advocate for inclusive leadership, currently serving as a global advisor for How Women Lead. Kristen shares her extensive career journey across multiple countries and industries, emphasizing the importance of resilience, self-awareness, and learning from mistakes. She offers valua...
Mark as Played
Empowering Advocacy: A Deep Dive with Isaac Harvey In this episode of 'Pushing Forward with Alycia,' host Alycia Anderson welcomes Isaac Harvey MBE, an influential disability advocate, entrepreneur, and content creator. Isaac shares his inspiring journey from East London, living with limb pelvic hypoplasia and other conditions, to becoming a leading voice in the disability community. The conversation explores Isaac's accomplishmen...
Mark as Played
Mental Health Advocacy and Embracing Authenticity: From Social Work to Sheep Farming In this episode of 'Pushing Forward with Alycia' for Mental Health Awareness Month, host Alycia Anderson welcomes Kellie Burke, a social worker and expert in trauma-informed leadership. Kellie shares her journey from aspiring nun to social work with a focus on mental health advocacy. She explains trauma-informed leadership, which acknowledges the ...
Mark as Played
Marty Anderson: A Journey of Resilience and Advocacy in Adaptive Sports In this episode of 'Pushing Forward with Alycia,' Alycia Anderson highlights the remarkable journey of her husband, Marty Anderson, in honor of National Tennis Month. Marty's story begins with a spinal cord injury at just 22 months old and evolves into a life dedicated to adaptive sports, particularly wheelchair tennis. He shares his experiences growing up wit...
Mark as Played
Navigating Chronic Illness and Advocacy with Kathryn Swaim In this episode of 'Pushing Forward with Alycia,' host Alycia Anderson welcomes guest Kathryn Swaim, a PhD student from North Carolina State University focusing on lifespan development psychology. Kathryn shares her personal journey with chronic migraines and her unexpected diagnosis of a benign brain tumor. They discuss the challenges of self-advocacy in the healthcare sy...
Mark as Played

Popular Podcasts

    I’m Jay Shetty host of On Purpose the worlds #1 Mental Health podcast and I’m so grateful you found us. I started this podcast 5 years ago to invite you into conversations and workshops that are designed to help make you happier, healthier and more healed. I believe that when you (yes you) feel seen, heard and understood you’re able to deal with relationship struggles, work challenges and life’s ups and downs with more ease and grace. I interview experts, celebrities, thought leaders and athletes so that we can grow our mindset, build better habits and uncover a side of them we’ve never seen before. New episodes every Monday and Friday. Your support means the world to me and I don’t take it for granted — click the follow button and leave a review to help us spread the love with On Purpose. I can’t wait for you to listen to your first or 500th episode!

    Stuff You Should Know

    If you've ever wanted to know about champagne, satanism, the Stonewall Uprising, chaos theory, LSD, El Nino, true crime and Rosa Parks, then look no further. Josh and Chuck have you covered.

    The Joe Rogan Experience

    The official podcast of comedian Joe Rogan.

    True Crime Tonight

    If you eat, sleep, and breathe true crime, TRUE CRIME TONIGHT is serving up your nightly fix. Five nights a week, KT STUDIOS & iHEART RADIO invite listeners to pull up a seat for an unfiltered look at the biggest cases making headlines, celebrity scandals, and the trials everyone is watching. With a mix of expert analysis, hot takes, and listener call-ins, TRUE CRIME TONIGHT goes beyond the headlines to uncover the twists, turns, and unanswered questions that keep us all obsessed—because, at TRUE CRIME TONIGHT, there’s a seat for everyone. Whether breaking down crime scene forensics, scrutinizing serial killers, or debating the most binge-worthy true crime docs, True Crime Tonight is the fresh, fast-paced, and slightly addictive home for true crime lovers.

    The Clay Travis and Buck Sexton Show

    The Clay Travis and Buck Sexton Show. Clay Travis and Buck Sexton tackle the biggest stories in news, politics and current events with intelligence and humor. From the border crisis, to the madness of cancel culture and far-left missteps, Clay and Buck guide listeners through the latest headlines and hot topics with fun and entertaining conversations and opinions.

Advertise With Us
Music, radio and podcasts, all free. Listen online or download the iHeart App.

Connect

© 2025 iHeartMedia, Inc.