In this Season One finale, host Jenna highlights the diverse experiences of her guests, emphasizing Disabled resilience and humour, as well as the importance of authentic representation and intersectionality in disability narratives. She speaks about her passion for storytelling and priority to celebrate and center diverse Disabled voices for both education and empowerment in this 20 episode podcast.
In a touching conclusion, Jennifer dedicates the podcast toher beloved late grandmother, who lived with disabilities and chronic pain.
In summarizing the first season of the podcast, Jenna explains, "With Finding Avalon, I was determined to stop the all-too-common tropes of disabled stories being polarizing tragedies or uplifting inspirations. The vibrant picture this indie, Disabled-led , feminist podcast paints is the kind of representation and authenticity that modern media needs right now. Disabled is human. Disabled is diverse. Disabled stories must be told by disabled voices.”
Sailing Beyond Limits: Empowerment and Adventure withAdapted Sailing
In this episode of the Finding Avalon podcast, host JenniferBarnable speaks with Paul Tingley, a three-time Paralympic medallist and chair of Canada's AbleSail Network.
They discuss Paul's journey into adaptive sailing following a skiing accident, his experiences in competitive sailing, and the importance of adaptive sailing for people with disabilities.
Paul shares insights on how sailing can be inclusive foreveryone, the role of the Able Sail Network in promoting adaptive sailing in Canada, and the personal and community-related benefits of engaging in this exciting sport.
Episode Title: Risk, Trauma and Abuse: Disabled Women's Reality with Kristina Kyser
In this episode, host Jennifer (Jenna) Barnable speaks with Kristina Kyser, a former psychotherapist and now a psychospiritual teacher, about her journey through trauma, motherhood, and the systemic issues surrounding disability and abuse.
Kristina shares her personal experiences withintergenerational and childhood trauma, domestic violence, and the risk and inequity disabled women face.
Together, they discuss the importance of recognizing warning signs of abuse, the impact of trauma on mental health, and the need for societal change in how we view male violence against women as well as disability in general.
The conversations shines a light on the repeating cycles ofgenerational abuse and trauma, which disabled or neurodivergent women often witness growing up in the family home, only to be further exploited by predators and abusers, whether in the community and in future intimate partner relationships.
Kristina emphasizes the strength and wisdom ofneurodivergent individuals and the importance of creating a supportive environment for healing and growth.
Navigating Online Accessibility and Safety: Guidance for the Disability Community
In this episode of Finding Avalon, Jenna Barnable speaks with Ionatan Waisgluss, a private investigator and cybersecurityprofessional, about the intersection of online accessibility and safety.
They discuss the importance of accessibility in digital spaces, the risks faced by Disabled people online, and practical advice for protecting privacy.
The conversation also touches on cyberbullying and cyberstalking and the growing issue of digital hate andharassment of women, gender diverse and other marginalized people in Canada.
Ionatan emphasizes the need for allyship and understanding in creating safer online environments for all.
"Autism and Invisible Illness: Removing the Mask and Embracing Joy " with Láyla Messner
In this episode, Jenna Barnable speaks with Láyla Messner, a Canadian autistic art activist, about her journey with multiple invisible disabilities, the challenges of masking, and the impact of burnout on autistic individuals.
She talks about things that non-disabled people can learn from Disabled people, in a society built upon ableism thatdevalues disabled people and their humanity and promotes individualism and independence over healthy human interdependence.
They discuss the intersection of feminism and disabilityrights, the misconceptions surrounding invisible disabilities, and the importance of advocating for disabled joy.
Láyla shares her experiences and insights on the need for support and understanding within society, emphasizingthat disabled lives are valuable and worth living authentically.
Listen to a compilation of short previews of each guest episode from Season 1, with a quick word from each guest.
The Finding Avalon Podcast is a diverse collection of interviews showing the world a more accurate, empowered view of Disabled life and leadership.
It’s always a good time to learn from Disabled, chronically ill and neurodivergent advocates and leaders.
Whose stories will you listen to and share with others?
"Wellness and Allyship"
In this episode of Finding Avalon, Jenna Barnable interviewsAngel Reyes-Giacalone, a registered acupuncturist and ally to the disability community.
They discuss Angel's personal journey as a daughter of a disabled mother and as a wellness practitioner, the importance of listening to patients, the impact of ableism, and the need for anti-ableism in healthcare.
The conversation highlights the challenges faced bypeople with disabilities, the significance of allyship, and the necessity for compassion and understanding in the healthcare system.
Angel shares her experiences advocating for accessibility and the importance of creating a more inclusive society for all.
Episode 12: "Living and Leading with MS"
In this episode, host Jenna Barnable speaks with Candice Colwell, an MS Canada ambassador, about her journey with Multiple Sclerosis (MS) and her advocacy work.
They discuss the complexities of living with MS, the importance of community support, and the misconceptions surrounding disabilities. Candice shares her personal experiences, the challenges of navigating life with a chronic illness, and the role of social media in shaping perceptions of disability.
The conversation emphasizes the need for compassion and understanding within the disabilitycommunity and beyond.
From Autism in Girls to Autism in Menopause with Gemma Gray
In this episode of Finding Avalon, host Jenna Barnable speaks with Gemma Gray, a PhD student, researcher, and advocate for autistic women. They discuss Gemma's journey to diagnosis, the challenges of masking, the importance of intersectionality in understanding autism, and the unique experiences of raising autistic girls to thrive.
They also explore the impact of menopause on neurodivergent people and challenge misconceptions about autism and disability. The conversation emphasizes the need for awareness, education, and support for autistic people and their families.
From girlhood to womanhood, building resilience is facilitated through family, peer-to-peer and community support - and backed by #ActuallyAustistic research.
"Anti-Ableism and Advocacy: Not a Solo Mission" with host Jennifer (Jenna) Barnable.
In this bonus episode mid-way through Season 1, Jenna shares more about her personal journey with disability, the profound impact of ableism, and what drives her advocacy and activism.
Jenna speaks about the complex, systemic environmental and attitudinal barriers she has faced and witnessed in a society that disables people further with its stigma, barriers and inaccessibility.
She discusses the challenges faced by people living with non-apparent disabilities, the societal stigma surrounding disability, chronic illness and neurodivergence, and the importance of community allyship in dismantling ableism (also known as disability discrimination).
Through her experiences, Jenna highlights the need for greater awareness and education around disability and calls for collective action to join together in advocacy to create a more inclusive world for all people, regardless of their abilities or health status.
Navigating Adaptability in Disabled Pet Care with Feline Diabetes Ambassador Adonis Sugar Kitty and mom Roxy Velez
In this episode, Roxy Velez shares her journey with her diabetic cat, Adonis, and how their family navigates the challenges of feline diabetes.
She discusses the importance of commitment and personal adaptability, as well as the emotional impact of managing a diabetic cat's health. Roxy also highlights the empowering value of community support, the role of social media in raising awareness, and what she does to help other families managing feline diabetes.
She emphasizes the need for empathy and understanding in caring for diabetic pets and how Adonis has become an ambassador for both feline and human diabetes awareness.
Roxy also offers practical advice for new pet owners and reflects on the balance between her online presence and personal life. Adonis even chimes in at the end!
Disabled Nurse & Service Dog: A Dynamic Duo Breaking Barriers with Chloe Hammond and Ocho
In this episode of Finding Avalon, host Jenna Barnable speaks with Chloe Hammond, a pioneering disabled nurse and disability advocate from the UK. Chloe shares her complex disability journey, including her diagnoses and the challenges she faced in accepting her identity.
She discusses the vital role of her assistance dog, Ocho, in her life and work, and the impact of ableism on her experiences. Chloe also highlights her advocacy efforts to promote visibility and empowerment for disabled professionals, her recent achievements, and her aspirations for the future,including an exciting opportunity to perform at Carnegie Hall.
Above all, Chloe believes in the importance of being true to oneself and embracing one's full identity.
Canada's Opioid Poisoning Crisis: See the Person,Stop the Stigma with Kathryn Dunmore
"Addiction is a fatal disease. We need to talk about it and livewith empathy." – Kathryn Dunmore, advocate for addiction awareness.
In this episode of Finding Avalon, host Jenna Barnable speaks with ally Kathryn Dunmore about her personal journey through the opioid crisis, the stigma surrounding addiction, and the importance of empathy and community support forrecovery from substance use disorder.
Kathryn shares about navigating grief following the loss of her sister Samantha whose chronic pain disability led to opioid addiction. She talks about her commitment to raising awareness about Canada’s opioid crisis, with itsundeniable links to lack of societal support due to ableism and its connection to the current homelessness epidemic.
This episode's conversation emphasizes the need for compassion, education, and understanding in addressing substance use disorders, chronic pain disability, the prescription of opioids, and the impact a resulting addiction can have on individuals and families.
"Making Room for Mental Health at Dragonfly HavenTherapeutic Farm"Charlotte Paul is an Indigenous woman from Glooscap First Nation in Nova Scotia, Canada. In this episode, she shares her personal experiences with mental health disability and the innovative ways she manages her wellness, including opening a therapeutic, sensory friendly farm, Dragonfly Haven to offer healing and peace to her community.
Charlotte's story is an impressive one - and she overcame her fear of public speaking to be a guest on the podcast. Wela'lin Charlotte! ("Thank you" in Mi'kmaq)
Spiritual Awakening or Neurodivergent Self-Discovery? Not a coincidence, says Jenniva, a first-generation Jamaican American intuitive guide, content creator, and spiritual entrepreneur.
Jenniva’s built a large TikTok following and a vibrant community committed to self-discovery, spiritualawakening, authenticity and healing – especially powerful for late-discovered neurodivergent people like herself.
Find out for yourself the kind of wisdom and refreshing real talk that a conversations with Jenniva has in store!
Jenna is joined by Ashley King, a visually-impaired actor, playwright and accessibility consultant.
We’ll learn about Ashley's awareness raising efforts around methanol poisoning, accessibility in the arts, and her sensational autobiographical play, Static: A Party Girl’s Memoir.
Be sure to check out her podcast of the same name here on Spotify or wherever you get your podcasts.
Award-winning Canadian artist and podcaster Kristen Herrington talks tinnitus, hearing loss, building an innovative, accessible and sensory-friendly community gallery in rural Nova Scotia.
Listen as Jenna and Kristen connect as kindred spirits as creative East Coast women living with invisible disabilities, exploring advocacy issues with sincerity, punctuated by bursts of levity.
Check out the Mike & Kristen Podcast!
Dietician and doctor-in-training Fernand Vedrenne joins us from Mexico City to discuss fatphobia in healthcare and other ableist and sexist barriers to patient care
He discusses his experience navigating med school with ADHD, and shares his approach to dignified patient care and communication.
This episode is especially enlightening as Fernand is a person living with disability while advocating for patients with disabilities, with one foot in both worlds.
Canadian musician and activist Naomi Kavka shares her journey with disability, how music helps her process, express and connect through her experiences with mental health, chronic pain, neurodivergence and alcoholism.
She vulnerably shares her experiences with generational trauma, including supporting family members with disabilities and chronic illness.
Naomi also talks frankly about barriers to support and care as a woman with disabilities and how she discovered the powerful revelation of self-compassion on her path to sobriety.
The Finding Avalon podcast centers and celebrates authentic Disabled representation.
Disabled advocate, creator and educator Jennifer (Jenna) Barnable has curated a collection of remarkable stories from disabled, chronically ill and neurodiverse people, and our community allies.
Jenna introduces herself as host and explains why she started this podcast before giving a quick preview of the season ahead.
This grassroots, indie, feminist podcast is a one-woman production without funding or assistance, and therefore truly a labour of love. As such, it was launched on February 14th, 2025 as a Valentine to the Disability community xoxo
