Finding Avalon: Amplifying Disabled Voices

Finding Avalon: Episode 18 Finale

In this Season One finale, host Jenna highlights the diverse experiences of her guests, emphasizing Disabled resilience and humour, as well as the importance of authentic representation and intersectionality in disability narratives. She speaks about her passion for storytelling and priority to celebrate and center diverse Disabled voices for both education and empowerment in this 20 episode podcast. In a touching conclusion, Jennifer dedicates the podcast toher beloved late grandmother, who lived with disabilities and chronic pain. In summarizing the first season of the podcast, Jenna explains, "With Finding Avalon, I was determined to stop the all-too-common tropes of disabled stories being polarizing tragedies or uplifting inspirations. The vibrant picture this indie, Disabled-led , feminist podcast paints is the kind of representation and authenticity that modern media needs right now. Disabled is human. Disabled is diverse. Disabled stories must be told by disabled voices.”

Finding Avalon Episode 17: Paul Tingley

Sailing Beyond Limits: Empowerment and Adventure withAdapted Sailing In this episode of the Finding Avalon podcast, host JenniferBarnable speaks with Paul Tingley, a three-time Paralympic medallist and chair of Canada's AbleSail Network. They discuss Paul's journey into adaptive sailing following a skiing accident, his experiences in competitive sailing, and the importance of adaptive sailing for people with disabilities. Paul shares insights on how sailing can be inclusive foreveryone, the role of the Able Sail Network in promoting adaptive sailing in Canada, and the personal and community-related benefits of engaging in this exciting sport.

Finding Avalon Episode 16: Kristina Kyser

Episode Title: Risk, Trauma and Abuse: Disabled Women's Reality with Kristina Kyser In this episode, host Jennifer (Jenna) Barnable speaks with Kristina Kyser, a former psychotherapist and now a psychospiritual teacher, about her journey through trauma, motherhood, and the systemic issues surrounding disability and abuse. Kristina shares her personal experiences withintergenerational and childhood trauma, domestic violence, and the risk and inequity disabled women face. Together, they discuss the importance of recognizing warning signs of abuse, the impact of trauma on mental health, and the need for societal change in how we view male violence against women as well as disability in general. The conversations shines a light on the repeating cycles ofgenerational abuse and trauma, which disabled or neurodivergent women often witness growing up in the family home, only to be further exploited by predators and abusers, whether in the community and in future intimate partner relationships. Kristina emphasizes the strength and wisdom ofneurodivergent individuals and the importance of creating a supportive environment for healing and growth.

Finding Avalon Episode 15: Ionatan Waisgluss

Navigating Online Accessibility and Safety: Guidance for the Disability Community In this episode of Finding Avalon, Jenna Barnable speaks with Ionatan Waisgluss, a private investigator and cybersecurityprofessional, about the intersection of online accessibility and safety. They discuss the importance of accessibility in digital spaces, the risks faced by Disabled people online, and practical advice for protecting privacy. The conversation also touches on cyberbullying and cyberstalking and the growing issue of digital hate andharassment of women, gender diverse and other marginalized people in Canada. Ionatan emphasizes the need for allyship and understanding in creating safer online environments for all.

Finding Avalon Episode 14: Láyla Messner

"Autism and Invisible Illness: Removing the Mask and Embracing Joy " with Láyla Messner In this episode, Jenna Barnable speaks with Láyla Messner, a Canadian autistic art activist, about her journey with multiple invisible disabilities, the challenges of masking, and the impact of burnout on autistic individuals. She talks about things that non-disabled people can learn from Disabled people, in a society built upon ableism thatdevalues disabled people and their humanity and promotes individualism and independence over healthy human interdependence. They discuss the intersection of feminism and disabilityrights, the misconceptions surrounding invisible disabilities, and the importance of advocating for disabled joy. Láyla shares her experiences and insights on the need for support and understanding within society, emphasizingthat disabled lives are valuable and worth living authentically.