FULL SHOW NOTES, COMING SOON -

Please welcome my dear friend Emily Ladau, who honestly felt like a warm and cozy cup of activist self-care. I, who also happens to be a killer-advocate for Disability rights, as well as the author of one of my (non-biased but) absolute favorite books on the subject: "Demystifying Disability: What to Know, What to Say, and How to be an Ally."

Our episode begins with a closer look and a bit of a story-time, of my very own "one short day" at the premiere of "Wicked: For Good".Rounding out my interview with Emily, I share my gratitude for all of you, sweet audience of ours!

Content alert: If blubbering and happy-tears are at all a trigger to you, please keep scrolling and bless your sweet heart for getting thru today, alone! BELIEVE ME, that alone can be HEAVY some days, and big feelings are okay. Moments unacknowledged on-air:

1. Emily, thank you for loving my nub heart and for thinking “it’s way cuter!!!”
2. In my outro, I sadly forgot to mention and thank you to all of my OG’s & previous podcast guests, you know who you are from this podcast AND the last—you’re truly the real ones!
3. Shout out as always to NBC Universal —
4. All photos and images are and shall remain the property of Melanie Waldman LLC
5. Theme song courtesy of Artlist “Who’s That” Ty simon

To purchase Emily’s work:“Demystifying Disability” by Emily Ladau on Audible, Kindle & paperback: ⁠https://amzn.to/4pTpeiY⁠ #DisTeaPod #DisabilityReality #DisabilityRealityPodcast #DisabilityActivism #DemystifyingDisability

To make a generous donation in honor of my “Nub-Mitzvah-Project” 12th alive day, here are the links to the organizations that you can donate to:

Lucky Fin Project

https://www.paypal.com/donate?token=l_FTChWGfw3FX4_7VKLOacCDZj085DBvihrS-QiTre-15qyOnaopPFhLlzVZu7Oj9IfyH7EupTR7aRe7

AAPD American Association for Person with disabilities

https://secure.everyaction.com/Yc3t1__vREStfq6WbSGV5w2

Rounding out July 2025's Disability Pride Month with an absolute BANG is the one and only Grammy Recording Academy member (and friend of the podcast) Austin Halls.

TRUST that this episode is nothing but the most joyous of ALL joys.

Share in the laughter, love, and knowledge DROPPED along Austin’s incredible career journey and how both the one and only Lachi @rampd_up and even Gavin Degraw's music producer, all became involved, along the way!

We adore you big time, king!!!

The latest podcast episode, hosted by Melanie Rivera Waldman is out and streaming wherever you get your podcasts, NOW!

For more on the podcast & our host:

Host Melanie Rivera Waldman https://linktr.ee/onairmelaniewaldman

Disability Reality Podcast Linktree

https://linktr.ee/Disabilityrealitypod?utm_source=linktree_profile_share

Interested in becoming a Substack Producer?

Subscribe Here:

https://substack.com/@disabilityreality

#DisabilityPride #AustinHalls #Disabled #DisabledIcon #RAMPD #RAMPDup