Actor, model, and disability-fashion advocate Miracle Pelayo joins Alycia Anderson to recount her extraordinary journey from 23-week preemie to entertainment trailblazer. Pelayo shares how surviving cerebral palsy fueled her breakthrough roles, including voicing the first American Girl doll with CP, and how she uses style to empower “wheelchair baddies.” Tune in for candid insights on resilience, representation, and rewriting Hollywood’s narrative while offering hope to families worldwide and allies.

Born at 23 weeks with a 5 % survival chance, Miracle Pelayo defied the odds to blaze a new path in Hollywood.
Alycia Anderson
In this candid conversation with Alycia Anderson, she reveals how modeling adaptive fashion and voicing the first American Girl doll with cerebral palsy fuel her mission to “make CP beautiful.” Pelayo calls out casting barriers—only 4 % of on-screen talent has disabilities—and urges relentless visibility to spark change for future storytellers.

From a single USB mic on their kitchen table to a global platform, Alycia and Marty Anderson’s “Pushing Forward with Alycia” podcast rolls into triple digits with Episode 100. Launched June 29 2023, the weekly show now spans 45-plus hours, 80 diverse guests, and listeners in over 70 countries. This celebratory episode spotlights disability pride, community, and the unstoppable momentum that has transformed Thursday conversations into a movement for inclusion and empowered storytelling.

Relive the landmark 100th episode of Pushing Forward with Alycia through this complete, searchable transcript. Follow host Alycia Anderson and producer-husband Marty as they reflect on two years, 80 guests, 45 hours of stories, and the global disability-pride movement their Thursday conversations inspired. Ideal for readers, researchers, and accessibility advocates seeking quotable insights on inclusion, resilience, and the future of empowered storytelling.

In Episode 99 of Pushing Forward with Alycia, host Alycia Anderson speaks with strategist and psychotherapist Jonathan Kaufman about transforming disability pride into corporate advantage. Kaufman shares how living with cerebral palsy shaped his worldview, explains why he calls disability a “language of innovation,” and outlines ways companies can embed inclusion, mental-health awareness, and authentic storytelling into business strategy during Disability Pride Month and beyond. Listen to spark actionable, inclusive leadership insights.

In this full transcript of Episode 99 of Pushing Forward with Alycia, strategist and psychotherapist Jonathan Kaufman joins Alycia Anderson for a deep dive into transforming disability pride into a business advantage. Kaufman recounts moments with Judy Heumann, studies at Oxford and Chicago, advisory work with President Obama, and how his lens shapes leadership, mental-health awareness, and innovation. The conversation offers actionable strategies for embedding disability inclusion across corporate culture.

Beyond Diagnoses: Congenital Muscular Dystrophy from Capitol Hill to Center Stage 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 … read more… Episode 98 – Avery Roberts & Kelly Berger | CMD Advocacy Warriors

Fierce rare disease advocates and friends Avery Roberts and Kelly Berger join Alycia to spotlight congenital muscular dystrophy (CMD)—from Capitol Hill policy fights to artistic breakthroughs and accessible travel adventures. They unpack Medicaid’s lifesaving role, misdiagnosis challenges, breathing support needs, and why authentic disability representation on stage and screen matters. Hear how advocacy, dance, and 40-state road trips fuel community, pride, and action ahead of the ADA’s 35th anniversary milestone.

Marsha Elle, a bionic model, singer-songwriter, and disability advocate, shares her journey of embracing her prosthetic leg and redefining beauty standards. In this episode of ‘Pushing Forward with Alycia,’ she discusses turning adversity into artistry, the importance of self-acceptance, and the challenges of representation in fashion and entertainment. Marsha emphasizes the power of community, creativity, and self-expression in advancing inclusivity.

Marsha Elle, a congenital amputee, shares her transformative journey from concealing her prosthetic leg to embracing it as a symbol of strength. Coining the term “bionic model,” she redefined beauty standards by unveiling her prosthesis on her album cover, challenging societal norms and inspiring self-acceptance. Her story underscores the power of vulnerability in fostering authenticity and revolutionizing perceptions of disability.