Alycia Anderson Blog

Ali Stroker Refused to Wait for Permission and Made Broadway History


Published: Thursday April 30, 2026
pushing forward with alycia a disability podcast episode one hundred thirty nine featuring ali stroker listen now

Tony Award winner Ali Stroker joins Alycia Anderson for a powerful conversation on Broadway, disability representation, and owning your story. From reclaiming the public gaze through theater to making history on Broadway, Ali shares how she built confidence, purpose, and success on her own terms. This episode explores resilience, identity, motherhood, and the courage to stop waiting for permission and start creating your own path forward.

Episode 139 Transcript


Published: Thursday April 30, 2026
pushing forward with alycia podcast tile logo

Tony Award winner Ali Stroker joins Alycia Anderson to share her journey from early dreams to making Broadway history. In this powerful conversation, Ali opens up about disability representation, confidence, and learning to be seen on her own terms. From navigating the gaze to owning the spotlight, this episode is a reminder that you do not need permission to create a life that is bold, visible, and fully yours.

The Concussion That Changed Everything


Published: Thursday April 23, 2026
pushing forward with alycia a disability podcast episode one hundred thirty eight featuring molly gaudry listen now

In Episode 138 of Pushing Forward with Alycia, author and professor Molly Gaudry shares how a concussion reshaped her identity, creativity, and sense of self. From sensory overload and vision disruption to redefining hustle culture, Molly explores what it means to live and create in a body that has changed. This powerful conversation reimagines storytelling, resilience, and the journey back to yourself.

Episode 138 Transcript


Published: Thursday April 23, 2026
pushing forward with alycia podcast tile logo

In this Episode 138 transcript of Pushing Forward with Alycia, Molly Gaudry shares her journey as an author and professor navigating life after a concussion that disrupted her vision, identity, and creative process. From being told she might never read again to redefining hustle culture and boundaries, this conversation explores resilience, sensory processing challenges, and what it means to rebuild a life and voice through storytelling.

She Found Her Voice and Her TEDx Talk Is Changing How We Hear Disability


Published: Thursday April 16, 2026
pushing forward with alycia a disability podcast episode one hundred thirty seven featuring peri finkelstein listen now

Peri Finkelstein is changing how the world understands voice, disability, and visibility. Living with muscular dystrophy, she transformed communication challenges into a powerful platform, culminating in her TEDx talk and growing advocacy. In this episode, we unpack stigma, assistive technology, resilience, and the courage to step out of line. It’s a bold conversation about being heard, redefining identity, and why accessibility is innovation in action.

Episode 137 Transcript


Published: Thursday April 16, 2026
pushing forward with alycia podcast tile logo

Peri Finkelstein is redefining what it means to be heard. Born with muscular dystrophy, she turned communication barriers into a platform for impact, using voice technology to amplify her message on the TEDx stage and beyond. In this powerful conversation, we explore stigma, accessibility, resilience, and why stepping out of line can unlock purpose, visibility, and lasting change for the disability community and far beyond.

Opening Keynote at DDNC 2026: A Disability & Neurodiversity Speaker on Turning Inclusion into Action


Published: Sunday April 12, 2026
Alycia Anderson speaking on stage in her wheelchair, gesturing while delivering her keynote.

Opening the Room: Why These Moments Matter Netflix’s Love on the Spectrum.An opening keynote slot (my favorite)A room full of advocates and allies. Honestly… a perfect event. Last Friday, I had the honor of opening the DDNC 2026 Developmental Disability and Neurodiversity Conference, hosted by Special Care Services. And from the moment I rolled in, … read more… Opening Keynote at DDNC 2026: A Disability & Neurodiversity Speaker on Turning Inclusion into Action

Moving Inclusion Forward: A Q&A with Alycia Anderson – SETWorks Interview


Published: Sunday April 12, 2026
alycia on stage giving a keynote speech at SETworks

An interview at SETWorks Disability advocate and keynote speaker: Alycia Anderson shares her journey, lessons from leadership, and what it takes to make inclusion real, not just aspirational. When it comes to inclusion, most organizations have the right intentions. But as globally recognized TEDx keynote speaker, disability advocate, and inclusion superwoman Alycia Anderson points out, intention doesn’t always translate … read more… Moving Inclusion Forward: A Q&A with Alycia Anderson – SETWorks Interview

ReelAbilities Is Changing Disability Representation in Media | Lawrence Carter-Long


Published: Thursday April 9, 2026
pushing forward with alycia a disability podcast episode one hundred thirty six featuring lawrence carter-long listen now

Lawrence Carter-Long, Director of Engagement at ReelAbilities, shares how living with cerebral palsy led him from “poster child” to reshaping disability representation in film and media. This episode explores how storytelling influences perception, why disability narratives remain misrepresented, and how ReelAbilities is driving cultural change through authentic voices, inclusive filmmaking, and community. A powerful conversation on visibility, identity, and the future of disability in media.

Episode 136 Transcript


Published: Thursday April 9, 2026
pushing forward with alycia podcast tile logo

Lawrence Carter-Long shares how growing up with cerebral palsy shaped his life’s purpose in storytelling and media. From poster child to leading ReelAbilities, he explores how film influences perception, why disability representation is still misaligned with reality, and how authentic stories can shift culture faster than policy. This conversation reveals the power of visibility, lived experience, and who gets to tell the story.