The Game Plan: A Disability Rights California Podcast

It’s Just Healing | The Game Plan Episode 13

As a grassroots production, we greatly value your support. Please subscribe, comment, rate, review, and share The Game Plan. In honor of May Mental Health Awareness Month, we’re proud to present Eric’s conversation with Jason Robison, the Director of Advocacy at SHARE!, the Self-Help and Recovery Exchange. SHARE is a very special and impactful peer-run organization in Los Angeles County. Together, the two discuss Jason’s 30-year journey in recovery from drug abuse and mental health, they talk about how the peer-to-peer model is an antidote to shame, and break down how the CARE Act is a step in the wrong direction for California. Jason brings his sage-like energy to everything he does, from mental health and recovery advocacy to gardening, creative writing, and surfing. This episode is one big wave, and we hope you enjoy the ride. Links: * SHARE! [https://www.shareselfhelp.org/] * Disability Rights California’s Peer Self Advocacy (PSA) Unit [https://www.disabilityrightsca.org/what-we-do/programs/peer-self-advocacy-psa] * Other mental health resources [https://www.usa.gov/features/the-988-lifeline-and-other-mental-health-services]

I Love This About Voters | The Game Plan Episode 12

As a grassroots production, we greatly value your support. Please subscribe, comment, rate, review, and share The Game Plan. It’s a special election episode on The Game Plan! This time, Eric is joined by Michelle Bishop, the manager for voter access and engagement at the National Disability Rights Network (NDRN). The two talk about what California gets right about accessible voting, and how to prepare for our state’s upcoming primary election on June 2nd, 2026. Michelle discusses how the 2020 pandemic election shifted voter accessibility for the better, uplifts the need for people with disabilities be included at the start of any state's election plans, and shares her roots as a “voting nerd.” Get ready for practical voting tips, honest clarity, and good-natured humor. Links: * Michelle Bishop’s Biography [https://www.ndrn.org/team/michelle-bishop/] * California Primary Election information [https://www.sos.ca.gov/elections/upcoming-elections/primary-election-june-2-2026] * DRC’s voter hotline [https://www.disabilityrightsca.org/latest-news/your-rights-as-a-voter-with-a-disability]

One Layer at a Time | The Game Plan Episode 11

As a grassroots production, we greatly value your support. Please subscribe, comment, rate, review, and share The Game Plan. This time on The Game Plan, Eric is joined by two incredible disability leaders. First, Eric speaks to intrepid self-advocate Lisa Cooley, who discussed her long and rich career advocating on a variety of disability issues and reflects on the role that family plays in her journey. Then, Eric is joined by Marisa Hamamoto - choreographer, advocate, and founder of Infinite Flow Dance. Infinite Flow is a renowned professional dance company with a mission to advance disability inclusion and innovative, disability-led choreography. We’re proud to showcase these conversations with two dynamic leaders in our movement. Links: * https://www.infiniteflowdance.org/ [https://www.infiniteflowdance.org/] * https://thekelsey.org/stories/lisa-cooleys-housing-story/ [https://thekelsey.org/stories/lisa-cooleys-housing-story/]

In Most People’s Wildest Dreams | The Game Plan Episode 10

As a grassroots production, we greatly value your support. Please subscribe, comment, rate, review, and share The Game Plan. Eric Harris is joined by his old friend Shay Arigbede, filmmaker and former competitive sled hockey player, to talk two big recent cultural events -- the 2026 Paralympic Winter Games and the 98th Annual Academy Awards. The two reminisce about their time as teenagers trying to find a channel that broadcast the Paralympics and reflect on how far the presence of the games has come today. They also discuss the Oscars, looking into some of the biggest wins, coolest allies, and some thoughts on disability representation on screen. It’s a conversation that sits at the cross-section of athletics and art, with disability square at the center. Links: · 2026 Paralympic Winter Games [https://www.paralympic.org/milano-cortina-2026] · 2026 Academy Awards [https://www.oscars.org/oscars/ceremonies/2026] · Paralympic sled hockey team [https://www.teamusa.com/milano-cortina-2026/paralympics/sports/sled-hockey]

The Paradox of The Entire Universe | The Game Plan Episode 9

As a grassroots production, we greatly value your support. Please subscribe, comment, rate, review, and share The Game Plan. This time on The Game Plan, Eric interviews an old friend-- Emily Ladau, national disability rights activist, speaker, and author of the incredible Demystifying Disability, the practical guide that has rapidly grown to an essential tome of our movement. Emily reflects on her childhood experience guest-starring on Sesame Street, advocate origin stories alongside Eric in the AAPD internship program, and serves some breaking news from the publishing world(!) For those just coming to understand disability, how it lives in our culture and societies, and how to embrace it throughout your life with kindness, you could not find a better starting place than Emily’s work. Links: · Demystifying Disability [https://emilyladau.com/book/] · Sesame Street episodes [https://muppet.fandom.com/wiki/Emily_Ladau] · American Association of People with Disabilities (AAPD) [https://www.aapd.com/] · Article: Wheelchair? Hearing Aids? Yes. ‘Disabled’? No Way. [https://www.nytimes.com/2025/11/15/health/older-people-disability.html]