What It's Really Like with Molly Burke https://www.mollyburkeofficial.com/ en What It’s Really Like is a podcast hosted by Molly Burke, who draws on her lived experience as a blind woman to go beyond the superficial and uncover the unexpected stories behind fascinating lives. Each episode features honest, revealing conversations with people whose experiences challenge assumptions and change the way we see the world. Prepare to drop the stereotypes, forget the taboo, and open your mind. It’s a show for thoughtful listeners who know every story is more complicated than it appears. For people who listen with empathy, think with openness, and always leave room to be surprised. Expect funny, intimate, and unpredictable stories that are impossible to pause. From pop-culture personalities and remarkable public figures to people who have lived through the unimaginable, every guest brings unexpected turns and unforgettable revelations. Molly built her career by being raw and vulnerable, and she has seen the real-world impact that can have. Now, she is creating a space that empowers others to share with that same openness. Molly believes that when we understand one another better, we build compassion, bridge divides, and realize we have far more in common than we think. Raw, captivating, and deeply human, What It’s Really Like is for people who are more curious than certain—and who know the most fascinating stories begin when we make room for the awkward question. https://megaphone.imgix.net/podcasts/140417b4-8f49-11f1-9eff-f3473d548aa3/image/958b7d608cd5a552773f7f56d718ff7a.png?ixlib=rails-4.3.1&max-w=3000&max-h=3000&fit=crop&auto=format,compress What It's Really Like with Molly Burke https://www.mollyburkeofficial.com/ no episodic Molly Burke What It’s Really Like is a podcast hosted by Molly Burke, who draws on her lived experience as a blind woman to go beyond the superficial and uncover the unexpected stories behind fascinating lives. Each episode features honest, revealing conversations with people whose experiences challenge assumptions and change the way we see the world. Prepare to drop the stereotypes, forget the taboo, and open your mind. It’s a show for thoughtful listeners who know every story is more complicated than it appears. For people who listen with empathy, think with openness, and always leave room to be surprised. Expect funny, intimate, and unpredictable stories that are impossible to pause. From pop-culture personalities and remarkable public figures to people who have lived through the unimaginable, every guest brings unexpected turns and unforgettable revelations. Molly built her career by being raw and vulnerable, and she has seen the real-world impact that can have. Now, she is creating a space that empowers others to share with that same openness. Molly believes that when we understand one another better, we build compassion, bridge divides, and realize we have far more in common than we think. Raw, captivating, and deeply human, What It’s Really Like is for people who are more curious than certain—and who know the most fascinating stories begin when we make room for the awkward question. What It’s Really Like is a podcast hosted by Molly Burke, who draws on her lived experience as a blind woman to go beyond the superficial and uncover the unexpected stories behind fascinating lives. Each episode features honest, revealing conversations with people whose experiences challenge assumptions and change the way we see the world.

Prepare to drop the stereotypes, forget the taboo, and open your mind. It’s a show for thoughtful listeners who know every story is more complicated than it appears. For people who listen with empathy, think with openness, and always leave room to be surprised. Expect funny, intimate, and unpredictable stories that are impossible to pause. From pop-culture personalities and remarkable public figures to people who have lived through the unimaginable, every guest brings unexpected turns and unforgettable revelations.

Molly built her career by being raw and vulnerable, and she has seen the real-world impact that can have. Now, she is creating a space that empowers others to share with that same openness. Molly believes that when we understand one another better, we build compassion, bridge divides, and realize we have far more in common than we think. Raw, captivating, and deeply human, What It’s Really Like is for people who are more curious than certain—and who know the most fascinating stories begin when we make room for the awkward question.

]]> Lemonada Media hey@lemonadamedia.com What It's Really Like Being A Guide Dog Puppy Raiser What It's Really Like Raising a Guide Dog Puppy for Guide Dogs of AmericaIn this episode of What It's Really Like, we sit down with a guide dog puppy raiser to talk about what it actually takes to raise a future guide dog — from the very first wobbly days as a tiny puppy to the bittersweet moment of handing them off for formal training. We dig into the highs, the heartbreak, the training milestones, and why fostering a pup with a purpose is one of the most rewarding (and hardest) things you can do.Guide Dogs of America provides expertly trained guide dogs, service dogs, and facility dogs to people in need — completely free of charge. None of it is possible without volunteer puppy raisers and the generosity of donors. Want to get involved?Donate or learn about volunteering as a puppy raiser with Guide Dogs of America: [insert GDA website link] Pre-order my children's book, Eltie Takes the Lead!A heartwarming story inspired by the journey of a guide dog puppy, perfect for young readers who love animals and big hearts.Barnes & Noble: https://www.barnesandnoble.com/w/eltie-takes-the-lead-molly-burke/1149412262?ean=9781419778230 Amazon: https://www.amazon.com/dp/1419778234?lv=shuf&channelId=500&plpRedirect=mhFallbackThank you for supporting this episode and the incredible work of guide dog puppy raisers everywhere!  Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices Fri, 11 Sep 2026 07:00:00 -0000 full 27 Molly Burke What It's Really Like Raising a Guide Dog Puppy for Guide Dogs of AmericaIn this episode of What It's Really Like, we sit down with a guide dog puppy raiser to talk about what it actually takes to raise a future guide dog — from the very first wobbly days as a tiny puppy to the bittersweet moment of handing them off for formal training. We dig into the highs, the heartbreak, the training milestones, and why fostering a pup with a purpose is one of the most rewarding (and hardest) things you can do.Guide Dogs of America provides expertly trained guide dogs, service dogs, and facility dogs to people in need — completely free of charge. None of it is possible without volunteer puppy raisers and the generosity of donors. Want to get involved?Donate or learn about volunteering as a puppy raiser with Guide Dogs of America: [insert GDA website link] Pre-order my children's book, Eltie Takes the Lead!A heartwarming story inspired by the journey of a guide dog puppy, perfect for young readers who love animals and big hearts.Barnes & Noble: https://www.barnesandnoble.com/w/eltie-takes-the-lead-molly-burke/1149412262?ean=9781419778230 Amazon: https://www.amazon.com/dp/1419778234?lv=shuf&channelId=500&plpRedirect=mhFallbackThank you for supporting this episode and the incredible work of guide dog puppy raisers everywhere!  Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices What It's Really Like Raising a Guide Dog Puppy for Guide Dogs of AmericaIn this episode of What It's Really Like, we sit down with a guide dog puppy raiser to talk about what it actually takes to raise a future guide dog — from the very first wobbly days as a tiny puppy to the bittersweet moment of handing them off for formal training. We dig into the highs, the heartbreak, the training milestones, and why fostering a pup with a purpose is one of the most rewarding (and hardest) things you can do.Guide Dogs of America provides expertly trained guide dogs, service dogs, and facility dogs to people in need — completely free of charge. None of it is possible without volunteer puppy raisers and the generosity of donors. Want to get involved?Donate or learn about volunteering as a puppy raiser with Guide Dogs of America: [insert GDA website link] Pre-order my children's book, Eltie Takes the Lead!A heartwarming story inspired by the journey of a guide dog puppy, perfect for young readers who love animals and big hearts.Barnes & Noble: https://www.barnesandnoble.com/w/eltie-takes-the-lead-molly-burke/1149412262?ean=9781419778230

Amazon: https://www.amazon.com/dp/1419778234?lv=shuf&channelId=500&plpRedirect=mhFallbackThank you for supporting this episode and the incredible work of guide dog puppy raisers everywhere! 

Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

]]> 4794 yes What It's Really Like Building A DIY Empire Online from Your College Dorm LaurDIY on Growing Up an Only Child, Turning Broke College Dorm Struggles into a DIY Empire, and Accidentally Going Viral In this episode of What It's Really Like, we sit down with LaurDIY (Lauren Riihimaki) to talk about the winding road from a quiet only-childhood in the Canadian suburbs to becoming one of the internet's original DIY icons. Lauren opens up about growing up in the 90s and early 2000s as an only child, and how her parents never boxed in her creativity — always encouraging her to explore, make, and express herself. We dig into how her signature DIY style was actually born out of necessity: unable to afford everything she wanted to deck out her college dorm, she started thrifting and upcycling instead, documenting it all on a blog. What started as a way to save money turned into video tutorials she uploaded almost as an afterthought — and before she knew it, she was YouTube famous in the platform's earliest days. Lauren shares what it was like moving to LA to chase this new, undefined career, and how she's built a lasting creative empire from a blog and thrifted dorm decor. This is a conversation about creativity born from constraint, following curiosity without a roadmap, and building something real out of "just for fun." 🎥 Follow LaurDIY: Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/laurdiy TikTok: https://www.tiktok.com/@laurdiy YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/@UCap97Ue8K_BpKlrvQRYd6JA 🐾 Check out her dog brand, Fuzz Boy: Website: https://fuzzboyoriginals.com Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/fuzzboyoriginals #LaurDIY #DIY #YouTuber #CreativeJourney #Podcast Go to Quince.com/MollyBurke for free shipping on your order and 365-day returns. Go to OSEAMalibu.com/MollyBurke and get 10% off your first order. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices Fri, 04 Sep 2026 17:53:00 -0000 full 26 Molly Burke LaurDIY on Growing Up an Only Child, Turning Broke College Dorm Struggles into a DIY Empire, and Accidentally Going Viral In this episode of What It's Really Like, we sit down with LaurDIY (Lauren Riihimaki) to talk about the winding road from a quiet only-childhood in the Canadian suburbs to becoming one of the internet's original DIY icons. Lauren opens up about growing up in the 90s and early 2000s as an only child, and how her parents never boxed in her creativity — always encouraging her to explore, make, and express herself. We dig into how her signature DIY style was actually born out of necessity: unable to afford everything she wanted to deck out her college dorm, she started thrifting and upcycling instead, documenting it all on a blog. What started as a way to save money turned into video tutorials she uploaded almost as an afterthought — and before she knew it, she was YouTube famous in the platform's earliest days. Lauren shares what it was like moving to LA to chase this new, undefined career, and how she's built a lasting creative empire from a blog and thrifted dorm decor. This is a conversation about creativity born from constraint, following curiosity without a roadmap, and building something real out of "just for fun." 🎥 Follow LaurDIY: Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/laurdiy TikTok: https://www.tiktok.com/@laurdiy YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/@UCap97Ue8K_BpKlrvQRYd6JA 🐾 Check out her dog brand, Fuzz Boy: Website: https://fuzzboyoriginals.com Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/fuzzboyoriginals #LaurDIY #DIY #YouTuber #CreativeJourney #Podcast Go to Quince.com/MollyBurke for free shipping on your order and 365-day returns. Go to OSEAMalibu.com/MollyBurke and get 10% off your first order. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices LaurDIY on Growing Up an Only Child, Turning Broke College Dorm Struggles into a DIY Empire, and Accidentally Going Viral In this episode of What It's Really Like, we sit down with LaurDIY (Lauren Riihimaki) to talk about the winding road from a quiet only-childhood in the Canadian suburbs to becoming one of the internet's original DIY icons. Lauren opens up about growing up in the 90s and early 2000s as an only child, and how her parents never boxed in her creativity — always encouraging her to explore, make, and express herself. We dig into how her signature DIY style was actually born out of necessity: unable to afford everything she wanted to deck out her college dorm, she started thrifting and upcycling instead, documenting it all on a blog. What started as a way to save money turned into video tutorials she uploaded almost as an afterthought — and before she knew it, she was YouTube famous in the platform's earliest days. Lauren shares what it was like moving to LA to chase this new, undefined career, and how she's built a lasting creative empire from a blog and thrifted dorm decor. This is a conversation about creativity born from constraint, following curiosity without a roadmap, and building something real out of "just for fun." 🎥 Follow LaurDIY: Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/laurdiy TikTok: https://www.tiktok.com/@laurdiy YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/@UCap97Ue8K_BpKlrvQRYd6JA 🐾 Check out her dog brand, Fuzz Boy: Website: https://fuzzboyoriginals.com Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/fuzzboyoriginals #LaurDIY #DIY #YouTuber #CreativeJourney #Podcast

Go to Quince.com/MollyBurke for free shipping on your order and 365-day returns. Go to OSEAMalibu.com/MollyBurke and get 10% off your first order.

Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

]]> 6868 yes What It’s Really Like Being A Disabled Supermodel In this episode of What It’s Really Like, I sit down with model, actress, and disability advocate Jillian Mercado to talk about growing up with immigrant parents, being misdiagnosed before finding out she actually had muscular dystrophy, and finding her way into an industry that had rarely made space for people like her. We talk about the Diesel campaign that went viral and launched Jillian’s modeling career, her work with major brands, breaking barriers in fashion and entertainment, and what authentic representation looks like both on and off screen. We also talk about being Latina in the media, the importance of seeing yourself represented, and Jillian’s experiences navigating an industry where disability and difference have historically been overlooked. Follow Jillian:Instagram: @jillianmercadoTikTok: @thejillianmercado  LISTEN TO WHAT IT’S REALLY LIKE: Spotify: https://open.spotify.com/show/3blYuCo2n6CkXsEfu7o31e Apple Podcasts: https://podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/what-its-really-like-with-molly-burke/id6798020654 YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/@MollyBurkeOfficial Amazon Music: https://music.amazon.com/podcasts/b6328833-8f84-4a8f-a675-867c81a01538/what-it's-really-like-with-molly-burke iHeart: https://www.iheart.com/podcast/269-what-its-really-like-with-340307302 Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices Fri, 28 Aug 2026 07:00:00 -0000 full 25 Molly Burke In this episode of What It’s Really Like, I sit down with model, actress, and disability advocate Jillian Mercado to talk about growing up with immigrant parents, being misdiagnosed before finding out she actually had muscular dystrophy, and finding her way into an industry that had rarely made space for people like her. We talk about the Diesel campaign that went viral and launched Jillian’s modeling career, her work with major brands, breaking barriers in fashion and entertainment, and what authentic representation looks like both on and off screen. We also talk about being Latina in the media, the importance of seeing yourself represented, and Jillian’s experiences navigating an industry where disability and difference have historically been overlooked. Follow Jillian:Instagram: @jillianmercadoTikTok: @thejillianmercado  LISTEN TO WHAT IT’S REALLY LIKE: Spotify: https://open.spotify.com/show/3blYuCo2n6CkXsEfu7o31e Apple Podcasts: https://podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/what-its-really-like-with-molly-burke/id6798020654 YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/@MollyBurkeOfficial Amazon Music: https://music.amazon.com/podcasts/b6328833-8f84-4a8f-a675-867c81a01538/what-it's-really-like-with-molly-burke iHeart: https://www.iheart.com/podcast/269-what-its-really-like-with-340307302 Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices In this episode of What It’s Really Like, I sit down with model, actress, and disability advocate Jillian Mercado to talk about growing up with immigrant parents, being misdiagnosed before finding out she actually had muscular dystrophy, and finding her way into an industry that had rarely made space for people like her.

We talk about the Diesel campaign that went viral and launched Jillian’s modeling career, her work with major brands, breaking barriers in fashion and entertainment, and what authentic representation looks like both on and off screen. We also talk about being Latina in the media, the importance of seeing yourself represented, and Jillian’s experiences navigating an industry where disability and difference have historically been overlooked.

Follow Jillian:
Instagram: @jillianmercado
TikTok: @thejillianmercado 


LISTEN TO WHAT IT’S REALLY LIKE:
Spotify: https://open.spotify.com/show/3blYuCo2n6CkXsEfu7o31e
Apple Podcasts: https://podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/what-its-really-like-with-molly-burke/id6798020654
YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/@MollyBurkeOfficial
Amazon Music: https://music.amazon.com/podcasts/b6328833-8f84-4a8f-a675-867c81a01538/what-it's-really-like-with-molly-burke

iHeart: https://www.iheart.com/podcast/269-what-its-really-like-with-340307302

Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

]]> 5502 yes What It’s Really Like Raising an Autistic Daughter as a Single Mom What’s it really like raising an autistic child as a single mom? In this episode, I sit down with Christine Romeo, mom of Abbey Romeo from Netflix’s Love on the Spectrum, for an honest conversation about parenting, autism, advocacy, and navigating the journey from childhood diagnosis to adulthood. Christine shares what she learned raising Abbey, the challenges of navigating therapies, education and support systems, and how she learned to let go of expectations and create a life built around Abbey’s strengths, interests and goals. We also talk about Abbey’s experience on Love on the Spectrum, their mother-daughter relationship, and what Christine wishes more parents understood about raising an autistic child. Follow Christine and Abbey! Christine's IG: @ChristineAbbeysMom Abbey's IG & TikTok: @HatsByAbbey LISTEN TO WHAT IT’S REALLY LIKE: Spotify: https://open.spotify.com/show/3blYuCo2n6CkXsEfu7o31e Apple Podcasts: https://podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/what-its-really-like-with-molly-burke/id6798020654 YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/@MollyBurkeOfficial Amazon Music: https://music.amazon.com/podcasts/b6328833-8f84-4a8f-a675-867c81a01538/what-it's-really-like-with-molly-burke iHeart: https://www.iheart.com/podcast/269-what-its-really-like-with-340307302 Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices Fri, 21 Aug 2026 07:00:00 -0000 full 24 Molly Burke What’s it really like raising an autistic child as a single mom? In this episode, I sit down with Christine Romeo, mom of Abbey Romeo from Netflix’s Love on the Spectrum, for an honest conversation about parenting, autism, advocacy, and navigating the journey from childhood diagnosis to adulthood. Christine shares what she learned raising Abbey, the challenges of navigating therapies, education and support systems, and how she learned to let go of expectations and create a life built around Abbey’s strengths, interests and goals. We also talk about Abbey’s experience on Love on the Spectrum, their mother-daughter relationship, and what Christine wishes more parents understood about raising an autistic child. Follow Christine and Abbey! Christine's IG: @ChristineAbbeysMom Abbey's IG & TikTok: @HatsByAbbey LISTEN TO WHAT IT’S REALLY LIKE: Spotify: https://open.spotify.com/show/3blYuCo2n6CkXsEfu7o31e Apple Podcasts: https://podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/what-its-really-like-with-molly-burke/id6798020654 YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/@MollyBurkeOfficial Amazon Music: https://music.amazon.com/podcasts/b6328833-8f84-4a8f-a675-867c81a01538/what-it's-really-like-with-molly-burke iHeart: https://www.iheart.com/podcast/269-what-its-really-like-with-340307302 Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices What’s it really like raising an autistic child as a single mom? In this episode, I sit down with Christine Romeo, mom of Abbey Romeo from Netflix’s Love on the Spectrum, for an honest conversation about parenting, autism, advocacy, and navigating the journey from childhood diagnosis to adulthood. Christine shares what she learned raising Abbey, the challenges of navigating therapies, education and support systems, and how she learned to let go of expectations and create a life built around Abbey’s strengths, interests and goals. We also talk about Abbey’s experience on Love on the Spectrum, their mother-daughter relationship, and what Christine wishes more parents understood about raising an autistic child.

Follow Christine and Abbey!

Christine's IG: @ChristineAbbeysMom

Abbey's IG & TikTok: @HatsByAbbey


LISTEN TO WHAT IT’S REALLY LIKE:
Spotify: https://open.spotify.com/show/3blYuCo2n6CkXsEfu7o31e
Apple Podcasts: https://podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/what-its-really-like-with-molly-burke/id6798020654
YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/@MollyBurkeOfficial
Amazon Music: https://music.amazon.com/podcasts/b6328833-8f84-4a8f-a675-867c81a01538/what-it's-really-like-with-molly-burke

iHeart: https://www.iheart.com/podcast/269-what-its-really-like-with-340307302

Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

]]> 7333 yes What It’s Really Like When your Disability is Someone’s Fetish The What It’s Really Like podcast is now available on all major podcast platforms! If you love the show, please subscribe wherever you prefer to listen so you never miss a new episode. What’s it really like to become paralyzed after a car crash, navigate relationships as a disabled woman, and discover that some people are sexually attracted to your disability in your teens? In this episode of What It’s Really Like, I sat down with Tara Shetterly for an honest, unfiltered conversation about becoming paralyzed, relationships, disability and sexuality, disability devotees, and navigating a world that isn't always designed with disabled people in mind. Tara shares the story of the car crash that changed her life, what it was like going through her paralysis and recovery during the COVID-19 pandemic, and what happened when her boyfriend was told to leave after she became paralyzed. Tara also opens up about dating and intimacy as a disabled woman, what it's like to have people fetishize your disability, disability parking, accessibility, ableism, and some of her biggest hot takes about living with a disability. This conversation is about so much more than paralysis. It's about love, identity, sexuality, resilience, independence, and challenging the assumptions people make about disabled people. Subscribe to What It’s Really Like with Molly Burke for new episodes every Friday. FOLLOW TARA SHETTERLY: Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/tara_shett/?hl=en TikTok: https://www.tiktok.com/@tara_shett YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/@ParaTara   LISTEN TO WHAT IT’S REALLY LIKE: Spotify: https://open.spotify.com/show/3blYuCo2n6CkXsEfu7o31e Apple Podcasts: https://podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/what-its-really-like-with-molly-burke/id6798020654 YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/@MollyBurkeOfficial Amazon Music: https://music.amazon.com/podcasts/b6328833-8f84-4a8f-a675-867c81a01538/what-it's-really-like-with-molly-burke iHeart: https://www.iheart.com/podcast/269-what-its-really-like-with-340307302 Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices Fri, 14 Aug 2026 07:00:00 -0000 full 23 Molly Burke The What It’s Really Like podcast is now available on all major podcast platforms! If you love the show, please subscribe wherever you prefer to listen so you never miss a new episode. What’s it really like to become paralyzed after a car crash, navigate relationships as a disabled woman, and discover that some people are sexually attracted to your disability in your teens? In this episode of What It’s Really Like, I sat down with Tara Shetterly for an honest, unfiltered conversation about becoming paralyzed, relationships, disability and sexuality, disability devotees, and navigating a world that isn't always designed with disabled people in mind. Tara shares the story of the car crash that changed her life, what it was like going through her paralysis and recovery during the COVID-19 pandemic, and what happened when her boyfriend was told to leave after she became paralyzed. Tara also opens up about dating and intimacy as a disabled woman, what it's like to have people fetishize your disability, disability parking, accessibility, ableism, and some of her biggest hot takes about living with a disability. This conversation is about so much more than paralysis. It's about love, identity, sexuality, resilience, independence, and challenging the assumptions people make about disabled people. Subscribe to What It’s Really Like with Molly Burke for new episodes every Friday. FOLLOW TARA SHETTERLY: Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/tara_shett/?hl=en TikTok: https://www.tiktok.com/@tara_shett YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/@ParaTara   LISTEN TO WHAT IT’S REALLY LIKE: Spotify: https://open.spotify.com/show/3blYuCo2n6CkXsEfu7o31e Apple Podcasts: https://podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/what-its-really-like-with-molly-burke/id6798020654 YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/@MollyBurkeOfficial Amazon Music: https://music.amazon.com/podcasts/b6328833-8f84-4a8f-a675-867c81a01538/what-it's-really-like-with-molly-burke iHeart: https://www.iheart.com/podcast/269-what-its-really-like-with-340307302 Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices The What It’s Really Like podcast is now available on all major podcast platforms! If you love the show, please subscribe wherever you prefer to listen so you never miss a new episode.

What’s it really like to become paralyzed after a car crash, navigate relationships as a disabled woman, and discover that some people are sexually attracted to your disability in your teens?

In this episode of What It’s Really Like, I sat down with Tara Shetterly for an honest, unfiltered conversation about becoming paralyzed, relationships, disability and sexuality, disability devotees, and navigating a world that isn't always designed with disabled people in mind.

Tara shares the story of the car crash that changed her life, what it was like going through her paralysis and recovery during the COVID-19 pandemic, and what happened when her boyfriend was told to leave after she became paralyzed. Tara also opens up about dating and intimacy as a disabled woman, what it's like to have people fetishize your disability, disability parking, accessibility, ableism, and some of her biggest hot takes about living with a disability.

This conversation is about so much more than paralysis. It's about love, identity, sexuality, resilience, independence, and challenging the assumptions people make about disabled people.

Subscribe to What It’s Really Like with Molly Burke for new episodes every Friday.


FOLLOW TARA SHETTERLY:
Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/tara_shett/?hl=en
TikTok: https://www.tiktok.com/@tara_shett

YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/@ParaTara  


LISTEN TO WHAT IT’S REALLY LIKE:
Spotify: https://open.spotify.com/show/3blYuCo2n6CkXsEfu7o31e
Apple Podcasts: https://podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/what-its-really-like-with-molly-burke/id6798020654
YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/@MollyBurkeOfficial
Amazon Music: https://music.amazon.com/podcasts/b6328833-8f84-4a8f-a675-867c81a01538/what-it's-really-like-with-molly-burke

iHeart: https://www.iheart.com/podcast/269-what-its-really-like-with-340307302

Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

]]> 6425 yes What It's Really Like with Molly Burke Trailer We're excited to announce, What It's Really Like with Molly Burke is officially available anywhere you watch your podcasts! New episodes come out every Friday! Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices Fri, 07 Aug 2026 07:30:00 -0000 trailer Molly Burke We're excited to announce, What It's Really Like with Molly Burke is officially available anywhere you watch your podcasts! New episodes come out every Friday! Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices We're excited to announce, What It's Really Like with Molly Burke is officially available anywhere you watch your podcasts! New episodes come out every Friday!

Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

]]> 194 What It’s Really Like to Outlive Your Life Expectancy Roman Perkins was born with Hurler syndrome (MPS I), one of the rarest genetic disorders in the world. Doctors didn't expect him to live into adulthood, but today he's defied those expectations and is sharing what life is really like living with a rare disease.In this episode of the What It's Really Like podcast, Roman opens up about growing up with a life-limiting diagnosis, navigating disability, overcoming assumptions about what he's capable of, and building a life on his own terms. He also shares the realities of living with a condition most people have never heard of, the challenges he's faced, and why representation and understanding matter. Follow Roman:Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/romanperkyyy/ TikTok: https://www.tiktok.com/@romanperkyyy Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices Fri, 31 Jul 2026 19:16:00 -0000 full Molly Burke Roman Perkins was born with Hurler syndrome (MPS I), one of the rarest genetic disorders in the world. Doctors didn't expect him to live into adulthood, but today he's defied those expectations and is sharing what life is really like living with a rare disease.In this episode of the What It's Really Like podcast, Roman opens up about growing up with a life-limiting diagnosis, navigating disability, overcoming assumptions about what he's capable of, and building a life on his own terms. He also shares the realities of living with a condition most people have never heard of, the challenges he's faced, and why representation and understanding matter. Follow Roman:Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/romanperkyyy/ TikTok: https://www.tiktok.com/@romanperkyyy Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices Roman Perkins was born with Hurler syndrome (MPS I), one of the rarest genetic disorders in the world. Doctors didn't expect him to live into adulthood, but today he's defied those expectations and is sharing what life is really like living with a rare disease.In this episode of the What It's Really Like podcast, Roman opens up about growing up with a life-limiting diagnosis, navigating disability, overcoming assumptions about what he's capable of, and building a life on his own terms. He also shares the realities of living with a condition most people have never heard of, the challenges he's faced, and why representation and understanding matter.

Follow Roman:Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/romanperkyyy/ TikTok: https://www.tiktok.com/@romanperkyyy

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]]> 3796 no From Malibu to Homeless - What It's Really Like Sammy Carroll grew up in Malibu, attended private school, and never imagined she'd one day be living on the streets. In this episode of What It's Really Like, she shares how experimenting with drugs slowly spiraled into severe addiction, leading to homelessness, arrests, and even the loss of her teeth before she finally found sobriety.We talk about the realities of surviving on the streets as a woman, how addiction impacts entire families, what recovery actually looks like, and the long process of rebuilding a life after rock bottom. Today, Sammy is clean and sober, using her story to prove that no matter how far you've fallen, recovery is possible. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices Sat, 25 Jul 2026 17:58:00 -0000 full 1 21 Molly Burke Sammy Carroll grew up in Malibu, attended private school, and never imagined she'd one day be living on the streets. In this episode of What It's Really Like, she shares how experimenting with drugs slowly spiraled into severe addiction, leading to homelessness, arrests, and even the loss of her teeth before she finally found sobriety.We talk about the realities of surviving on the streets as a woman, how addiction impacts entire families, what recovery actually looks like, and the long process of rebuilding a life after rock bottom. Today, Sammy is clean and sober, using her story to prove that no matter how far you've fallen, recovery is possible. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices Sammy Carroll grew up in Malibu, attended private school, and never imagined she'd one day be living on the streets. In this episode of What It's Really Like, she shares how experimenting with drugs slowly spiraled into severe addiction, leading to homelessness, arrests, and even the loss of her teeth before she finally found sobriety.We talk about the realities of surviving on the streets as a woman, how addiction impacts entire families, what recovery actually looks like, and the long process of rebuilding a life after rock bottom. Today, Sammy is clean and sober, using her story to prove that no matter how far you've fallen, recovery is possible.

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]]> 4909 yes She Got A Cochlear Implant as an Adult to Please Her Family - What It’s Really Like What is it really like growing up Deaf in a hearing family? In this episode of What It’s Really Like, Chrissy Marshall shares her personal journey navigating deafness, family expectations, identity, and the complicated emotions surrounding cochlear implants.Chrissy opens up about getting a cochlear implant as an adult, the pressure she felt from her family, and what it was like being told that choosing not to hear was “selfish.” Together, we unpack the meaning behind that word, the impact of being made to feel like your disability is a burden, and the importance of understanding Deaf culture, communication, and personal choice.This is an honest conversation about the realities of growing up Deaf, navigating relationships with hearing family members, and finding confidence in who you are. Follow Chrissy Marshall:Website: https://www.chrissymarshall.com Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/chrissymarshall_ YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/channel/UCfEalJW91FE9BDH9xUVDvvg TikTok: https://www.tiktok.com/@chrissymarshall_ Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices Fri, 17 Jul 2026 20:36:00 -0000 full Molly Burke What is it really like growing up Deaf in a hearing family? In this episode of What It’s Really Like, Chrissy Marshall shares her personal journey navigating deafness, family expectations, identity, and the complicated emotions surrounding cochlear implants.Chrissy opens up about getting a cochlear implant as an adult, the pressure she felt from her family, and what it was like being told that choosing not to hear was “selfish.” Together, we unpack the meaning behind that word, the impact of being made to feel like your disability is a burden, and the importance of understanding Deaf culture, communication, and personal choice.This is an honest conversation about the realities of growing up Deaf, navigating relationships with hearing family members, and finding confidence in who you are. Follow Chrissy Marshall:Website: https://www.chrissymarshall.com Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/chrissymarshall_ YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/channel/UCfEalJW91FE9BDH9xUVDvvg TikTok: https://www.tiktok.com/@chrissymarshall_ Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices What is it really like growing up Deaf in a hearing family? In this episode of What It’s Really Like, Chrissy Marshall shares her personal journey navigating deafness, family expectations, identity, and the complicated emotions surrounding cochlear implants.Chrissy opens up about getting a cochlear implant as an adult, the pressure she felt from her family, and what it was like being told that choosing not to hear was “selfish.” Together, we unpack the meaning behind that word, the impact of being made to feel like your disability is a burden, and the importance of understanding Deaf culture, communication, and personal choice.This is an honest conversation about the realities of growing up Deaf, navigating relationships with hearing family members, and finding confidence in who you are.

Follow Chrissy Marshall:Website: https://www.chrissymarshall.com Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/chrissymarshall_ YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/channel/UCfEalJW91FE9BDH9xUVDvvg TikTok: https://www.tiktok.com/@chrissymarshall_

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]]> 8410 no Fame, Breakups and Growing Up Online: What It’s Really Like Feat. Joey Graceffa What’s it really like to grow up, fall in love and experience heartbreak in front of millions of people?This week, I sit down with Joey Graceffa to talk about nearly 20 years of sharing his life online. Joey opens up about moving to Los Angeles as a teenager, coming out publicly, competing on The Amazing Race, creating Escape the Night and navigating the pressure of having fans deeply invested in his personal relationships.We also discuss the reality of going through a public breakup, how Joey’s relationship with his ex has evolved, dating in Los Angeles, rescuing animals and what he wants the next chapter of his life and career to look like.Joey's Channel: https://www.youtube.com/@JoeyGraceffa Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices Fri, 10 Jul 2026 20:02:00 -0000 full Molly Burke What’s it really like to grow up, fall in love and experience heartbreak in front of millions of people?This week, I sit down with Joey Graceffa to talk about nearly 20 years of sharing his life online. Joey opens up about moving to Los Angeles as a teenager, coming out publicly, competing on The Amazing Race, creating Escape the Night and navigating the pressure of having fans deeply invested in his personal relationships.We also discuss the reality of going through a public breakup, how Joey’s relationship with his ex has evolved, dating in Los Angeles, rescuing animals and what he wants the next chapter of his life and career to look like.Joey's Channel: https://www.youtube.com/@JoeyGraceffa Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices What’s it really like to grow up, fall in love and experience heartbreak in front of millions of people?This week, I sit down with Joey Graceffa to talk about nearly 20 years of sharing his life online. Joey opens up about moving to Los Angeles as a teenager, coming out publicly, competing on The Amazing Race, creating Escape the Night and navigating the pressure of having fans deeply invested in his personal relationships.We also discuss the reality of going through a public breakup, how Joey’s relationship with his ex has evolved, dating in Los Angeles, rescuing animals and what he wants the next chapter of his life and career to look like.Joey's Channel: https://www.youtube.com/@JoeyGraceffa

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]]> 5177 no Her Attacker Was Sentenced to Life in Prison - What It’s Really Like (2/2) This is Part 2 of my conversation with the incredible Leigh Collins.After surviving a violent home invasion that changed her life forever, Leigh shares what happened next. We talk about living with PTSD, navigating the criminal justice system, facing her attacker in court, the trial, the life sentence that followed, and what it has really taken to rebuild her confidence, sense of safety, and life after unimaginable trauma.If you haven't watched Part 1 yet, head to last week's episode first. Leigh walks us through the terrifying 13 minutes that changed her life forever, from waking up to find a stranger standing in her apartment holding a knife to the moment she escaped and fought for her survival.Whether you've experienced trauma yourself or want to better understand what life looks like after surviving violent crime, I hope Leigh's story reminds you that healing is possible, even when the road is long.Watch Part 1 here: https://open.spotify.com/episode/5HwEQCkFyLV0gaivrRbW9j?si=_7fQmCZ5RV2KfUFycEytBQ Follow Leigh Collins:Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/heymisscollins/?hl=enTikTok: https://www.tiktok.com/@heymisscollinsListen to Leigh's podcast, Extraordinary: A First-Hand Story of Survival:https://www.extraordinary-podcast.com/https://podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/extraordinary-a-first-hand-story-of-survival/id1565762620Listen to What It's Really Like on Spotify:https://open.spotify.com/show/3blYuCo2n6CkXsEfu7o31e?si=VPQy_0g_Twam20aPuDEfJwWatch more full episodes:https://www.youtube.com/playlist?list=PL_Xm8PicNxr335yjxP1bjR6Uq2KfgrM14Subscribe for new episodes of What It's Really Like every Friday, where we go beyond the headlines and stereotypes to have honest conversations about the experiences that shape our lives. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices Fri, 03 Jul 2026 20:19:00 -0000 full Molly Burke This is Part 2 of my conversation with the incredible Leigh Collins.After surviving a violent home invasion that changed her life forever, Leigh shares what happened next. We talk about living with PTSD, navigating the criminal justice system, facing her attacker in court, the trial, the life sentence that followed, and what it has really taken to rebuild her confidence, sense of safety, and life after unimaginable trauma.If you haven't watched Part 1 yet, head to last week's episode first. Leigh walks us through the terrifying 13 minutes that changed her life forever, from waking up to find a stranger standing in her apartment holding a knife to the moment she escaped and fought for her survival.Whether you've experienced trauma yourself or want to better understand what life looks like after surviving violent crime, I hope Leigh's story reminds you that healing is possible, even when the road is long.Watch Part 1 here: https://open.spotify.com/episode/5HwEQCkFyLV0gaivrRbW9j?si=_7fQmCZ5RV2KfUFycEytBQ Follow Leigh Collins:Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/heymisscollins/?hl=enTikTok: https://www.tiktok.com/@heymisscollinsListen to Leigh's podcast, Extraordinary: A First-Hand Story of Survival:https://www.extraordinary-podcast.com/https://podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/extraordinary-a-first-hand-story-of-survival/id1565762620Listen to What It's Really Like on Spotify:https://open.spotify.com/show/3blYuCo2n6CkXsEfu7o31e?si=VPQy_0g_Twam20aPuDEfJwWatch more full episodes:https://www.youtube.com/playlist?list=PL_Xm8PicNxr335yjxP1bjR6Uq2KfgrM14Subscribe for new episodes of What It's Really Like every Friday, where we go beyond the headlines and stereotypes to have honest conversations about the experiences that shape our lives. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices This is Part 2 of my conversation with the incredible Leigh Collins.After surviving a violent home invasion that changed her life forever, Leigh shares what happened next. We talk about living with PTSD, navigating the criminal justice system, facing her attacker in court, the trial, the life sentence that followed, and what it has really taken to rebuild her confidence, sense of safety, and life after unimaginable trauma.If you haven't watched Part 1 yet, head to last week's episode first. Leigh walks us through the terrifying 13 minutes that changed her life forever, from waking up to find a stranger standing in her apartment holding a knife to the moment she escaped and fought for her survival.Whether you've experienced trauma yourself or want to better understand what life looks like after surviving violent crime, I hope Leigh's story reminds you that healing is possible, even when the road is long.Watch Part 1 here: https://open.spotify.com/episode/5HwEQCkFyLV0gaivrRbW9j?si=_7fQmCZ5RV2KfUFycEytBQ Follow Leigh Collins:Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/heymisscollins/?hl=enTikTok: https://www.tiktok.com/@heymisscollinsListen to Leigh's podcast, Extraordinary: A First-Hand Story of Survival:https://www.extraordinary-podcast.com/https://podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/extraordinary-a-first-hand-story-of-survival/id1565762620Listen to What It's Really Like on Spotify:https://open.spotify.com/show/3blYuCo2n6CkXsEfu7o31e?si=VPQy_0g_Twam20aPuDEfJwWatch more full episodes:https://www.youtube.com/playlist?list=PL_Xm8PicNxr335yjxP1bjR6Uq2KfgrM14Subscribe for new episodes of What It's Really Like every Friday, where we go beyond the headlines and stereotypes to have honest conversations about the experiences that shape our lives.

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]]> 6470 no What It’s Really Like to Survive A Violent Home Invasion In Part 1 of this special two-part episode of What It's Really Like, I sit down with survivor, speaker, advocate and podcast host Leigh Collins to hear the unbelievable true story of the violent home invasion that changed her life forever.Leigh found herself fighting for her life when an intruder broke into her home. In this episode, she takes us through that night minute by minute, sharing what happened from the moment she realized something was wrong through the terrifying attack that nearly killed her. It's a gripping firsthand account of survival, resilience and the instincts that helped save her life.This conversation contains discussions of stalking, violent assault and trauma. Viewer discretion is advised.Part 2 premieres next Friday. Be sure to subscribe and turn on notifications so you don't miss the next chapter of Leigh's story. In Part 2, we explore the aftermath of surviving extreme violence, living with PTSD, rebuilding her life, navigating the criminal justice system, and the long road toward healing and justice.Follow Leigh Collins:Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/heymisscollins/?hl=enTikTok: https://www.tiktok.com/@heymisscollinsListen to Leigh's podcast, Extraordinary: A First-Hand Story of Survival:https://www.extraordinary-podcast.com/https://podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/extraordinary-a-first-hand-story-of-survival/id1565762620Listen to What It's Really Like on Spotify:https://open.spotify.com/show/3blYuCo2n6CkXsEfu7o31e?si=VPQy_0g_Twam20aPuDEfJwWatch more full episodes:https://www.youtube.com/playlist?list=PL_Xm8PicNxr335yjxP1bjR6Uq2KfgrM14 Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices Fri, 26 Jun 2026 20:20:00 -0000 full Molly Burke In Part 1 of this special two-part episode of What It's Really Like, I sit down with survivor, speaker, advocate and podcast host Leigh Collins to hear the unbelievable true story of the violent home invasion that changed her life forever.Leigh found herself fighting for her life when an intruder broke into her home. In this episode, she takes us through that night minute by minute, sharing what happened from the moment she realized something was wrong through the terrifying attack that nearly killed her. It's a gripping firsthand account of survival, resilience and the instincts that helped save her life.This conversation contains discussions of stalking, violent assault and trauma. Viewer discretion is advised.Part 2 premieres next Friday. Be sure to subscribe and turn on notifications so you don't miss the next chapter of Leigh's story. In Part 2, we explore the aftermath of surviving extreme violence, living with PTSD, rebuilding her life, navigating the criminal justice system, and the long road toward healing and justice.Follow Leigh Collins:Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/heymisscollins/?hl=enTikTok: https://www.tiktok.com/@heymisscollinsListen to Leigh's podcast, Extraordinary: A First-Hand Story of Survival:https://www.extraordinary-podcast.com/https://podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/extraordinary-a-first-hand-story-of-survival/id1565762620Listen to What It's Really Like on Spotify:https://open.spotify.com/show/3blYuCo2n6CkXsEfu7o31e?si=VPQy_0g_Twam20aPuDEfJwWatch more full episodes:https://www.youtube.com/playlist?list=PL_Xm8PicNxr335yjxP1bjR6Uq2KfgrM14 Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices In Part 1 of this special two-part episode of What It's Really Like, I sit down with survivor, speaker, advocate and podcast host Leigh Collins to hear the unbelievable true story of the violent home invasion that changed her life forever.Leigh found herself fighting for her life when an intruder broke into her home. In this episode, she takes us through that night minute by minute, sharing what happened from the moment she realized something was wrong through the terrifying attack that nearly killed her. It's a gripping firsthand account of survival, resilience and the instincts that helped save her life.This conversation contains discussions of stalking, violent assault and trauma. Viewer discretion is advised.Part 2 premieres next Friday. Be sure to subscribe and turn on notifications so you don't miss the next chapter of Leigh's story. In Part 2, we explore the aftermath of surviving extreme violence, living with PTSD, rebuilding her life, navigating the criminal justice system, and the long road toward healing and justice.Follow Leigh Collins:Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/heymisscollins/?hl=enTikTok: https://www.tiktok.com/@heymisscollinsListen to Leigh's podcast, Extraordinary: A First-Hand Story of Survival:https://www.extraordinary-podcast.com/https://podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/extraordinary-a-first-hand-story-of-survival/id1565762620Listen to What It's Really Like on Spotify:https://open.spotify.com/show/3blYuCo2n6CkXsEfu7o31e?si=VPQy_0g_Twam20aPuDEfJwWatch more full episodes:https://www.youtube.com/playlist?list=PL_Xm8PicNxr335yjxP1bjR6Uq2KfgrM14

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]]> 5190 no What It’s Really Like to Lose Your Father and the Use of Your Arm at Nine Years Old In this episode of What It's Really Like, I sit down with disability advocate, entrepreneur, and author Tiffany Yu for an honest conversation about identity, belonging, and creating change.Tiffany shares how growing up as an Asian American woman shaped her experience with disability, the challenges of navigating multiple identities, and the journey from self-acceptance to empowering others. We discuss the importance of community, representation, disability pride, and the lessons behind her groundbreaking book, The Anti-Ableist Manifesto. Along the way, Tiffany opens up about her personal story, advocacy work, and what it really takes to build a more inclusive world.Whether you're disabled, an ally, or simply curious about how identity shapes our experiences, this conversation offers valuable insights, practical takeaways, and plenty of inspiration.Follow Tiffany:Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/imtiffanyyu TikTok: https://www.tiktok.com/@imtiffanyyuYouTube:  @imtiffanyyu  LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/tiffanyayu/ Website: tiffanyyu.com And if you enjoyed this episode, be sure to subscribe, leave a review, and share it with someone who would love the conversation 💚 Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices Fri, 19 Jun 2026 21:11:00 -0000 full Molly Burke In this episode of What It's Really Like, I sit down with disability advocate, entrepreneur, and author Tiffany Yu for an honest conversation about identity, belonging, and creating change.Tiffany shares how growing up as an Asian American woman shaped her experience with disability, the challenges of navigating multiple identities, and the journey from self-acceptance to empowering others. We discuss the importance of community, representation, disability pride, and the lessons behind her groundbreaking book, The Anti-Ableist Manifesto. Along the way, Tiffany opens up about her personal story, advocacy work, and what it really takes to build a more inclusive world.Whether you're disabled, an ally, or simply curious about how identity shapes our experiences, this conversation offers valuable insights, practical takeaways, and plenty of inspiration.Follow Tiffany:Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/imtiffanyyu TikTok: https://www.tiktok.com/@imtiffanyyuYouTube:  @imtiffanyyu  LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/tiffanyayu/ Website: tiffanyyu.com And if you enjoyed this episode, be sure to subscribe, leave a review, and share it with someone who would love the conversation 💚 Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices In this episode of What It's Really Like, I sit down with disability advocate, entrepreneur, and author Tiffany Yu for an honest conversation about identity, belonging, and creating change.Tiffany shares how growing up as an Asian American woman shaped her experience with disability, the challenges of navigating multiple identities, and the journey from self-acceptance to empowering others. We discuss the importance of community, representation, disability pride, and the lessons behind her groundbreaking book, The Anti-Ableist Manifesto. Along the way, Tiffany opens up about her personal story, advocacy work, and what it really takes to build a more inclusive world.Whether you're disabled, an ally, or simply curious about how identity shapes our experiences, this conversation offers valuable insights, practical takeaways, and plenty of inspiration.Follow Tiffany:Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/imtiffanyyu TikTok: https://www.tiktok.com/@imtiffanyyuYouTube:  @imtiffanyyu  LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/tiffanyayu/ Website: tiffanyyu.com

And if you enjoyed this episode, be sure to subscribe, leave a review, and share it with someone who would love the conversation 💚

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]]> 7615 no What It’s Really Like Being a Black Disabled Woman in Hollywood In this episode of the What It’s Really Like podcast, I'm joined by actress, writer, and disability advocate Lolo Spencer for a candid conversation about identity, representation, dating, and life as a disabled woman in the entertainment industry.We discuss intersectionality, Lolo's experience as a Black disabled woman, navigating relationships and dating, breaking stereotypes around disability and sexuality, and her role on HBO Max's The Sex Lives of College Girls. We also dive into acting, advocacy, accessibility in Hollywood, and the importance of authentic representation both on and off screen.Whether you're interested in disability advocacy, intersectionality, entertainment, dating, or representation in media, this conversation offers honest insights, plenty of laughs, and an important perspective that isn't heard nearly enough.Follow Lolo Spencer:Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/itslolospencer/TikTok: https://www.tiktok.com/@itslolospencer YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/channel/UCKhnl8iyRPa1TNJrMO-UN-Q Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/itslolospencer Threads: https://www.threads.com/@itslolospencer Be sure to subscribe for more conversations about disability, accessibility, advocacy, beauty, fashion, relationships, and the experiences that shape our lives. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices Fri, 12 Jun 2026 19:39:00 -0000 full Molly Burke In this episode of the What It’s Really Like podcast, I'm joined by actress, writer, and disability advocate Lolo Spencer for a candid conversation about identity, representation, dating, and life as a disabled woman in the entertainment industry.We discuss intersectionality, Lolo's experience as a Black disabled woman, navigating relationships and dating, breaking stereotypes around disability and sexuality, and her role on HBO Max's The Sex Lives of College Girls. We also dive into acting, advocacy, accessibility in Hollywood, and the importance of authentic representation both on and off screen.Whether you're interested in disability advocacy, intersectionality, entertainment, dating, or representation in media, this conversation offers honest insights, plenty of laughs, and an important perspective that isn't heard nearly enough.Follow Lolo Spencer:Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/itslolospencer/TikTok: https://www.tiktok.com/@itslolospencer YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/channel/UCKhnl8iyRPa1TNJrMO-UN-Q Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/itslolospencer Threads: https://www.threads.com/@itslolospencer Be sure to subscribe for more conversations about disability, accessibility, advocacy, beauty, fashion, relationships, and the experiences that shape our lives. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices In this episode of the What It’s Really Like podcast, I'm joined by actress, writer, and disability advocate Lolo Spencer for a candid conversation about identity, representation, dating, and life as a disabled woman in the entertainment industry.We discuss intersectionality, Lolo's experience as a Black disabled woman, navigating relationships and dating, breaking stereotypes around disability and sexuality, and her role on HBO Max's The Sex Lives of College Girls. We also dive into acting, advocacy, accessibility in Hollywood, and the importance of authentic representation both on and off screen.Whether you're interested in disability advocacy, intersectionality, entertainment, dating, or representation in media, this conversation offers honest insights, plenty of laughs, and an important perspective that isn't heard nearly enough.Follow Lolo Spencer:Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/itslolospencer/TikTok: https://www.tiktok.com/@itslolospencer YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/channel/UCKhnl8iyRPa1TNJrMO-UN-Q Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/itslolospencer Threads: https://www.threads.com/@itslolospencer Be sure to subscribe for more conversations about disability, accessibility, advocacy, beauty, fashion, relationships, and the experiences that shape our lives.

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]]> 7758 no What It’s Really Like Being the Only Tall Person in a Family of Little People In this episode of What It's Really Like, I sit down with Peet Montzingo to talk about growing up as the only average-height person in a family of little people, navigating family dynamics, and what it feels like to not quite fit into the world around you. Peet shares stories from his childhood, his experience auditioning for The X Factor, life on the road as a member of a boy band, living with ADHD, building a career as a creator, and the lessons he's learned about identity, confidence, and belonging. If you enjoyed this conversation, be sure to follow Peet and check out his music! YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/c/PeetMontzingo TikTok: https://www.tiktok.com/@peetmontzingo Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/peetmontzingo Spotify: https://open.spotify.com/artist/7hyTKV3jmNLZ2yVSodG2uq New episodes of What It's Really Like every week. Subscribe so you never miss a conversation! Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices Fri, 05 Jun 2026 19:30:00 -0000 full Molly Burke In this episode of What It's Really Like, I sit down with Peet Montzingo to talk about growing up as the only average-height person in a family of little people, navigating family dynamics, and what it feels like to not quite fit into the world around you. Peet shares stories from his childhood, his experience auditioning for The X Factor, life on the road as a member of a boy band, living with ADHD, building a career as a creator, and the lessons he's learned about identity, confidence, and belonging. If you enjoyed this conversation, be sure to follow Peet and check out his music! YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/c/PeetMontzingo TikTok: https://www.tiktok.com/@peetmontzingo Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/peetmontzingo Spotify: https://open.spotify.com/artist/7hyTKV3jmNLZ2yVSodG2uq New episodes of What It's Really Like every week. Subscribe so you never miss a conversation! Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices In this episode of What It's Really Like, I sit down with Peet Montzingo to talk about growing up as the only average-height person in a family of little people, navigating family dynamics, and what it feels like to not quite fit into the world around you. Peet shares stories from his childhood, his experience auditioning for The X Factor, life on the road as a member of a boy band, living with ADHD, building a career as a creator, and the lessons he's learned about identity, confidence, and belonging.

If you enjoyed this conversation, be sure to follow Peet and check out his music!

YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/c/PeetMontzingo

TikTok: https://www.tiktok.com/@peetmontzingo

Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/peetmontzingo

Spotify: https://open.spotify.com/artist/7hyTKV3jmNLZ2yVSodG2uq

New episodes of What It's Really Like every week. Subscribe so you never miss a conversation!

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]]> 7292 no What It’s Really Like to Be Hospitalized for 4 Years Without a Diagnosis Keely Cat-Wells spent 4 years in and out of hospitals with no diagnosis, lost her dream career in dance, and underwent life-changing surgeries before rebuilding her life as a disability advocate, entrepreneur, and founder of Making Space.In this episode of What It’s Really Like, Keely opens up about chronic illness, medical trauma, ableism in Hollywood, getting an ileostomy at a young age, and how she turned some of the hardest years of her life into a global mission for disability inclusion.Follow Keely:Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/keely_cat_wells Making Space: https://www.instagram.com/_making_space__ Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices Fri, 29 May 2026 21:20:00 -0000 full Molly Burke Keely Cat-Wells spent 4 years in and out of hospitals with no diagnosis, lost her dream career in dance, and underwent life-changing surgeries before rebuilding her life as a disability advocate, entrepreneur, and founder of Making Space.In this episode of What It’s Really Like, Keely opens up about chronic illness, medical trauma, ableism in Hollywood, getting an ileostomy at a young age, and how she turned some of the hardest years of her life into a global mission for disability inclusion.Follow Keely:Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/keely_cat_wells Making Space: https://www.instagram.com/_making_space__ Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices Keely Cat-Wells spent 4 years in and out of hospitals with no diagnosis, lost her dream career in dance, and underwent life-changing surgeries before rebuilding her life as a disability advocate, entrepreneur, and founder of Making Space.
In this episode of What It’s Really Like, Keely opens up about chronic illness, medical trauma, ableism in Hollywood, getting an ileostomy at a young age, and how she turned some of the hardest years of her life into a global mission for disability inclusion.
Follow Keely:Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/keely_cat_wells Making Space: https://www.instagram.com/_making_space__

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]]> 7306 no What It’s Really Like Being Queer & Disabled On today’s episode of What It’s Really Like, I sat down with Brandon Farbstein to talk about his experience navigating life as both queer and disabled. We discuss identity, bullying, self-acceptance, dating, representation, and the unique challenges that come with existing at the intersection of multiple marginalized communities. Brandon also opens up about growing up with dwarfism, finding confidence, and what he wishes more people understood about disability and LGBTQ+ experiences.Follow Brandon: @BrandonFarbstein Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices Fri, 22 May 2026 19:30:00 -0000 full 1 12 Molly Burke On today’s episode of What It’s Really Like, I sat down with Brandon Farbstein to talk about his experience navigating life as both queer and disabled. We discuss identity, bullying, self-acceptance, dating, representation, and the unique challenges that come with existing at the intersection of multiple marginalized communities. Brandon also opens up about growing up with dwarfism, finding confidence, and what he wishes more people understood about disability and LGBTQ+ experiences.Follow Brandon: @BrandonFarbstein Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices On today’s episode of What It’s Really Like, I sat down with Brandon Farbstein to talk about his experience navigating life as both queer and disabled. We discuss identity, bullying, self-acceptance, dating, representation, and the unique challenges that come with existing at the intersection of multiple marginalized communities. Brandon also opens up about growing up with dwarfism, finding confidence, and what he wishes more people understood about disability and LGBTQ+ experiences.
Follow Brandon: @BrandonFarbstein

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]]> 8388 no What It’s Really Like to Be Put Up for Adoption Because You’re Disabled On today’s episode of What It’s Really Like, I sat down with Jen Montzingo to discuss her extraordinary journey of living with dwarfism, being put up for adoption by her wealthy birth parents at just three months old, growing up in a group home before being adopted by loving parents with dwarfism, and later navigating a life-changing spinal cord injury that left her paralyzed. Jen shares her lived experience with disability, abandonment, adoption, resilience, identity, and rebuilding her life through unimaginable challenges. This powerful conversation explores ableism, family rejection, trauma, perseverance, and what it truly means to overcome adversity while redefining your own story.Follow Jen on: Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/jenmontzingo/ TikTok: https://www.tiktok.com/@jenmontzingoYouTube: https://www.youtube.com/jenmontzingo Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices Fri, 15 May 2026 19:57:00 -0000 full 1 11 Molly Burke On today’s episode of What It’s Really Like, I sat down with Jen Montzingo to discuss her extraordinary journey of living with dwarfism, being put up for adoption by her wealthy birth parents at just three months old, growing up in a group home before being adopted by loving parents with dwarfism, and later navigating a life-changing spinal cord injury that left her paralyzed. Jen shares her lived experience with disability, abandonment, adoption, resilience, identity, and rebuilding her life through unimaginable challenges. This powerful conversation explores ableism, family rejection, trauma, perseverance, and what it truly means to overcome adversity while redefining your own story.Follow Jen on: Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/jenmontzingo/ TikTok: https://www.tiktok.com/@jenmontzingoYouTube: https://www.youtube.com/jenmontzingo Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices On today’s episode of What It’s Really Like, I sat down with Jen Montzingo to discuss her extraordinary journey of living with dwarfism, being put up for adoption by her wealthy birth parents at just three months old, growing up in a group home before being adopted by loving parents with dwarfism, and later navigating a life-changing spinal cord injury that left her paralyzed. Jen shares her lived experience with disability, abandonment, adoption, resilience, identity, and rebuilding her life through unimaginable challenges. This powerful conversation explores ableism, family rejection, trauma, perseverance, and what it truly means to overcome adversity while redefining your own story.
Follow Jen on:

Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/jenmontzingo/

TikTok: https://www.tiktok.com/@jenmontzingoYouTube: https://www.youtube.com/jenmontzingo

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]]> 6496 no What It’s Really Like Going Blind as a Teenager Lucy Edwards and I got real and vulnerable about our shared experience of going blind in our teens. You can follow the What It’s Really Like podcast on Spotify to listen to more conversations like this one!Follow Lucy:Instagram: @LucyEdwardsOfficialTikTok: @LucyEdwardsEtia’s Instagram: @EtiaLondonLearn more about Etia London and sign up to get 10% off! https://etialondon.com/ Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices Fri, 08 May 2026 19:05:00 -0000 full 1 10 Molly Burke Lucy Edwards and I got real and vulnerable about our shared experience of going blind in our teens. You can follow the What It’s Really Like podcast on Spotify to listen to more conversations like this one!Follow Lucy:Instagram: @LucyEdwardsOfficialTikTok: @LucyEdwardsEtia’s Instagram: @EtiaLondonLearn more about Etia London and sign up to get 10% off! https://etialondon.com/ Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices Lucy Edwards and I got real and vulnerable about our shared experience of going blind in our teens. You can follow the What It’s Really Like podcast on Spotify to listen to more conversations like this one!
Follow Lucy:
Instagram: @LucyEdwardsOfficial
TikTok: @LucyEdwards
Etia’s Instagram: @EtiaLondon
Learn more about Etia London and sign up to get 10% off! https://etialondon.com/

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]]> 6857 no What It’s Really Like Raising A Child Who’s Slowly Going Blind In this episode, Molly interviews her own parents about their experience raising her as a child slowly going blind. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices Fri, 01 May 2026 20:22:00 -0000 full 1 9 Molly Burke In this episode, Molly interviews her own parents about their experience raising her as a child slowly going blind. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices In this episode, Molly interviews her own parents about their experience raising her as a child slowly going blind.

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]]> 6765 no What It's Really Like to Survive Third-Degree Burns at 9 Years Old I’m so grateful to have been able to sit down and have this powerful conversation with the beautiful and wise Shalom Blac! She is such an icon and an incredible woman, content creator, and mama! Make sure to follow her journey:Youtube: ‪@SHALOMBLAC‬ IG: https://www.instagram.com/shalomblac/...TikTok:   / shalomblac   Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices Sat, 25 Apr 2026 06:10:00 -0000 full 1 8 Molly Burke I’m so grateful to have been able to sit down and have this powerful conversation with the beautiful and wise Shalom Blac! She is such an icon and an incredible woman, content creator, and mama! Make sure to follow her journey:Youtube: ‪@SHALOMBLAC‬ IG: https://www.instagram.com/shalomblac/...TikTok:   / shalomblac   Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices I’m so grateful to have been able to sit down and have this powerful conversation with the beautiful and wise Shalom Blac! She is such an icon and an incredible woman, content creator, and mama! Make sure to follow her journey:Youtube: ‪@SHALOMBLAC‬ IG: https://www.instagram.com/shalomblac/...TikTok:   / shalomblac  

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]]> 7480 yes What It’s Really Like Growing Up Gay in a Strict Religious Community In this episode of What It’s Really Like, host Molly Burke welcomes her best friend of ten years, Bradon Schwartz, for a deeply personal and vulnerable conversation. Braden shares his complex journey growing up in a hyper-insular Seventh-day Adventist community, where homeschooling and strict religious rules defined his early world. The discussion takes a raw turn as Bradon reflects on the sexual abuse he suffered as a child. He candidly describes how his family initially framed this trauma as the "reason" for his sexuality, leading him to spend years suppressing his true self. Bradon details the highs and lows of his slow coming-out process, including a phase of dating women—and even Miss Idaho—to prove he was straight before finally owning his identity at 19. Molly and Bradon revisit the "lore" of their friendship, from their initial bonding hike to Bradon’s eventual marriage. A major highlight of the episode is the reconciliation with Bradon’s family. After years of tension and a legal threat involving a former employer, Bradon’s father apologized and chose his son over bigoted expectations, leading to a beautiful moment where his parents walked him down the aisle. Now entering his "gay rancher era," Bradon is co-owning a business with his parents and working to sustain Extreme Mobility, a nonprofit providing adaptive athletics for the blind. It’s an episode defined by the power of grace, authenticity, and the strength of a decade-long friendship. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices Fri, 17 Apr 2026 21:32:00 -0000 full Molly Burke In this episode of What It’s Really Like, host Molly Burke welcomes her best friend of ten years, Bradon Schwartz, for a deeply personal and vulnerable conversation. Braden shares his complex journey growing up in a hyper-insular Seventh-day Adventist community, where homeschooling and strict religious rules defined his early world. The discussion takes a raw turn as Bradon reflects on the sexual abuse he suffered as a child. He candidly describes how his family initially framed this trauma as the "reason" for his sexuality, leading him to spend years suppressing his true self. Bradon details the highs and lows of his slow coming-out process, including a phase of dating women—and even Miss Idaho—to prove he was straight before finally owning his identity at 19. Molly and Bradon revisit the "lore" of their friendship, from their initial bonding hike to Bradon’s eventual marriage. A major highlight of the episode is the reconciliation with Bradon’s family. After years of tension and a legal threat involving a former employer, Bradon’s father apologized and chose his son over bigoted expectations, leading to a beautiful moment where his parents walked him down the aisle. Now entering his "gay rancher era," Bradon is co-owning a business with his parents and working to sustain Extreme Mobility, a nonprofit providing adaptive athletics for the blind. It’s an episode defined by the power of grace, authenticity, and the strength of a decade-long friendship. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices In this episode of What It’s Really Like, host Molly Burke welcomes her best friend of ten years, Bradon Schwartz, for a deeply personal and vulnerable conversation. Braden shares his complex journey growing up in a hyper-insular Seventh-day Adventist community, where homeschooling and strict religious rules defined his early world.

The discussion takes a raw turn as Bradon reflects on the sexual abuse he suffered as a child. He candidly describes how his family initially framed this trauma as the "reason" for his sexuality, leading him to spend years suppressing his true self. Bradon details the highs and lows of his slow coming-out process, including a phase of dating women—and even Miss Idaho—to prove he was straight before finally owning his identity at 19.


Molly and Bradon revisit the "lore" of their friendship, from their initial bonding hike to Bradon’s eventual marriage. A major highlight of the episode is the reconciliation with Bradon’s family. After years of tension and a legal threat involving a former employer, Bradon’s father apologized and chose his son over bigoted expectations, leading to a beautiful moment where his parents walked him down the aisle.


Now entering his "gay rancher era," Bradon is co-owning a business with his parents and working to sustain Extreme Mobility, a nonprofit providing adaptive athletics for the blind. It’s an episode defined by the power of grace, authenticity, and the strength of a decade-long friendship.


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]]> 8797 no What It’s Really Like Being a D1 Athlete Battling Binge Eating Join me for my conversation with Victoria Garrick Browne, a Forbes 30 Under 30 recipient, TEDx speaker, and former Division I athlete turned mental health advocate, creator, podcast host, and speaker.  Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices Fri, 10 Apr 2026 19:55:00 -0000 full Molly Burke Join me for my conversation with Victoria Garrick Browne, a Forbes 30 Under 30 recipient, TEDx speaker, and former Division I athlete turned mental health advocate, creator, podcast host, and speaker.  Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices Join me for my conversation with Victoria Garrick Browne, a Forbes 30 Under 30 recipient, TEDx speaker, and former Division I athlete turned mental health advocate, creator, podcast host, and speaker. 

Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

]]> 5691 no What It’s Really Like to Lose An Eye! In this episode, I talk to the dynamic and unstoppable Chan Plante. Learn about her journey going from being a young, healthy woman to having two strokes and losing an eye in her 20’s! Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices Sat, 04 Apr 2026 21:24:00 -0000 full Molly Burke In this episode, I talk to the dynamic and unstoppable Chan Plante. Learn about her journey going from being a young, healthy woman to having two strokes and losing an eye in her 20’s! Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices In this episode, I talk to the dynamic and unstoppable Chan Plante. Learn about her journey going from being a young, healthy woman to having two strokes and losing an eye in her 20’s!

Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

]]> 8147 no What It’s Really Like to Win Miss Teen USA as a Black Woman Join me for this in-depth conversation with the one and only Kamie Crawford. You can follow Kamie here:Official website: https://www.kamiecrawford.com/Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/kamiecrawford/TikTok: https://www.tiktok.com/@kamiecrawford Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices Wed, 25 Mar 2026 17:50:00 -0000 full Molly Burke Join me for this in-depth conversation with the one and only Kamie Crawford. You can follow Kamie here:Official website: https://www.kamiecrawford.com/Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/kamiecrawford/TikTok: https://www.tiktok.com/@kamiecrawford Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices Join me for this in-depth conversation with the one and only Kamie Crawford. You can follow Kamie here:
Official website: https://www.kamiecrawford.com/
Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/kamiecrawford/
TikTok: https://www.tiktok.com/@kamiecrawford

Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

]]> 7992 no Surviving a Life Changing Tragedy Molly sits down with Ross Minor, an award winning accessibility consultant in gaming, media, and technology, for a candid conversation about the night that changed his life 20 years ago. In this episode, they discuss the horrific day Ross lost his sight, reintegrating back into society, and his healing journey to discover the person he has become 20 years later. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices Sat, 14 Mar 2026 04:04:00 -0000 full 1 3 Molly Burke Molly sits down with Ross Minor, an award winning accessibility consultant in gaming, media, and technology, for a candid conversation about the night that changed his life 20 years ago. In this episode, they discuss the horrific day Ross lost his sight, reintegrating back into society, and his healing journey to discover the person he has become 20 years later. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices Molly sits down with Ross Minor, an award winning accessibility consultant in gaming, media, and technology, for a candid conversation about the night that changed his life 20 years ago.

In this episode, they discuss the horrific day Ross lost his sight, reintegrating back into society, and his healing journey to discover the person he has become 20 years later.

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]]> 7003 yes What It's Really Like To Be Paralyzed After A Car Crash What It's Really Like To Be Paralyzed After A Car Crash, featuring Chelsie Hill. Chelsie is a professional dancer, community leader, content creator, wife, and mother. She is also a serial entrepreneur. She founded Rollettes, a Los Angeles–based wheelchair dance team committed to education, disability representation, and female empowerment; Rollettes Experience, the largest women’s empowerment weekend for women and children with disabilities; and the Boundless Talent Showcase, a showcase competition for all genders, disabilities, and talents. She also launched the Boundless Babe Society, a virtual mentorship program designed to help women around the world level up in life by providing tools, community, and leadership development. At 17 years old, Chelsie was involved in a drunk driving accident that resulted in a spinal cord injury and paralysis from the waist down. When doctors told her she would not be able to walk again, her response was simple: she didn’t care about walking — she just wanted to dance. That moment became the beginning of everything that followed. While adjusting to her new reality after the injury, Chelsie wanted to connect with other young women like herself and build meaningful friendships. In 2012, she turned to social media and invited six women to her hometown of Monterey, California to put on a performance for friends, family, and the local community. Through rehearsals, sleepovers, and plenty of bonding time, the group quickly formed a deep connection and became a team. That is how the Rollettes were born. From the beginning, Chelsie’s dream was to become a professional dancer. In 2014, she moved to Los Angeles, the dance capital of the world, and began taking able-bodied dance classes at top studios. The journey was not easy. She was often the only dancer in a wheelchair in rooms full of able-bodied performers, working to adapt choreography to fit her wheelchair while many choreographers initially overlooked her. But her love and passion for dance outweighed any obstacles. She remained determined to prove that dance is dance, whether you’re walking or rolling. As social media began to grow, Chelsie noticed dancers creating fun videos and participating in dance challenges online. She wondered why she didn’t see dancers in wheelchairs doing the same thing. Instead of waiting for representation, she decided to create it. Together with the Rollettes, she began making dance videos and experimenting with content online, simply to explore what was possible. Through social media, she discovered the power of showing the world what people with disabilities can do on their own terms. Chelsie later surprised her biggest fan, Mayli, on the hit show Little Big Shots hosted by Melissa McCarthy, and appeared on the Sundance Channel’s award-winning television series Push Girls. She has also partnered with numerous major brands including Aerie, Target, Love Beauty and Planet, Wells Fargo, Clorox, Tommy Hilfiger, Athleta, Gymshark, Reebok, TikTok, Facebook, and Instagram. Together with her team, Chelsie has helped build one of the largest networks of women with disabilities across the United States and around the world. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices Wed, 04 Mar 2026 01:05:00 -0000 full 1 2 Molly Burke What It's Really Like To Be Paralyzed After A Car Crash, featuring Chelsie Hill. Chelsie is a professional dancer, community leader, content creator, wife, and mother. She is also a serial entrepreneur. She founded Rollettes, a Los Angeles–based wheelchair dance team committed to education, disability representation, and female empowerment; Rollettes Experience, the largest women’s empowerment weekend for women and children with disabilities; and the Boundless Talent Showcase, a showcase competition for all genders, disabilities, and talents. She also launched the Boundless Babe Society, a virtual mentorship program designed to help women around the world level up in life by providing tools, community, and leadership development. At 17 years old, Chelsie was involved in a drunk driving accident that resulted in a spinal cord injury and paralysis from the waist down. When doctors told her she would not be able to walk again, her response was simple: she didn’t care about walking — she just wanted to dance. That moment became the beginning of everything that followed. While adjusting to her new reality after the injury, Chelsie wanted to connect with other young women like herself and build meaningful friendships. In 2012, she turned to social media and invited six women to her hometown of Monterey, California to put on a performance for friends, family, and the local community. Through rehearsals, sleepovers, and plenty of bonding time, the group quickly formed a deep connection and became a team. That is how the Rollettes were born. From the beginning, Chelsie’s dream was to become a professional dancer. In 2014, she moved to Los Angeles, the dance capital of the world, and began taking able-bodied dance classes at top studios. The journey was not easy. She was often the only dancer in a wheelchair in rooms full of able-bodied performers, working to adapt choreography to fit her wheelchair while many choreographers initially overlooked her. But her love and passion for dance outweighed any obstacles. She remained determined to prove that dance is dance, whether you’re walking or rolling. As social media began to grow, Chelsie noticed dancers creating fun videos and participating in dance challenges online. She wondered why she didn’t see dancers in wheelchairs doing the same thing. Instead of waiting for representation, she decided to create it. Together with the Rollettes, she began making dance videos and experimenting with content online, simply to explore what was possible. Through social media, she discovered the power of showing the world what people with disabilities can do on their own terms. Chelsie later surprised her biggest fan, Mayli, on the hit show Little Big Shots hosted by Melissa McCarthy, and appeared on the Sundance Channel’s award-winning television series Push Girls. She has also partnered with numerous major brands including Aerie, Target, Love Beauty and Planet, Wells Fargo, Clorox, Tommy Hilfiger, Athleta, Gymshark, Reebok, TikTok, Facebook, and Instagram. Together with her team, Chelsie has helped build one of the largest networks of women with disabilities across the United States and around the world. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices What It's Really Like To Be Paralyzed After A Car Crash, featuring Chelsie Hill.

Chelsie is a professional dancer, community leader, content creator, wife, and mother. She is also a serial entrepreneur. She founded Rollettes, a Los Angeles–based wheelchair dance team committed to education, disability representation, and female empowerment; Rollettes Experience, the largest women’s empowerment weekend for women and children with disabilities; and the Boundless Talent Showcase, a showcase competition for all genders, disabilities, and talents. She also launched the Boundless Babe Society, a virtual mentorship program designed to help women around the world level up in life by providing tools, community, and leadership development.

At 17 years old, Chelsie was involved in a drunk driving accident that resulted in a spinal cord injury and paralysis from the waist down. When doctors told her she would not be able to walk again, her response was simple: she didn’t care about walking — she just wanted to dance. That moment became the beginning of everything that followed.

While adjusting to her new reality after the injury, Chelsie wanted to connect with other young women like herself and build meaningful friendships. In 2012, she turned to social media and invited six women to her hometown of Monterey, California to put on a performance for friends, family, and the local community. Through rehearsals, sleepovers, and plenty of bonding time, the group quickly formed a deep connection and became a team. That is how the Rollettes were born.

From the beginning, Chelsie’s dream was to become a professional dancer. In 2014, she moved to Los Angeles, the dance capital of the world, and began taking able-bodied dance classes at top studios. The journey was not easy. She was often the only dancer in a wheelchair in rooms full of able-bodied performers, working to adapt choreography to fit her wheelchair while many choreographers initially overlooked her. But her love and passion for dance outweighed any obstacles. She remained determined to prove that dance is dance, whether you’re walking or rolling.

As social media began to grow, Chelsie noticed dancers creating fun videos and participating in dance challenges online. She wondered why she didn’t see dancers in wheelchairs doing the same thing. Instead of waiting for representation, she decided to create it. Together with the Rollettes, she began making dance videos and experimenting with content online, simply to explore what was possible. Through social media, she discovered the power of showing the world what people with disabilities can do on their own terms.

Chelsie later surprised her biggest fan, Mayli, on the hit show Little Big Shots hosted by Melissa McCarthy, and appeared on the Sundance Channel’s award-winning television series Push Girls. She has also partnered with numerous major brands including Aerie, Target, Love Beauty and Planet, Wells Fargo, Clorox, Tommy Hilfiger, Athleta, Gymshark, Reebok, TikTok, Facebook, and Instagram.

Together with her team, Chelsie has helped build one of the largest networks of women with disabilities across the United States and around the world.

Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

]]> 6740 no She Had a Surgery Every Six Months Until She Was 17 - Cassidy’s Story Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices Wed, 11 Feb 2026 03:43:46 -0000 full 1 1 Molly Burke Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices I’m so excited to share the very first episode of my new interview series, What It’s Really Like with Molly Burke! In this series, I sit down with incredible people to hear their stories and uncover what it’s really like to live their lives — the parts you don’t always see.For our first episode, I couldn’t have asked for a better guest than Cassidy Huff — one of just 150 people in the world with her rare diagnosis and someone who has had a surgery every six months until she was 17. Cassidy’s honesty, sass, and perspective make this the perfect way to kick off the series.I hope you enjoy this conversation as much as I did — and I’m working on uploading the full audio to podcast platforms soon, so stay tuned!Follow Cassidy and learn more about her story here:Instagram:   / cass_huff  TikTok:   / casshuff  

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