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Artwork for Always Looking Up

Always Looking Up

Jillian Curwin
Dwarfism
Disability Rights
Disability
Mental Health
Disability Advocacy
Disability Representation
Accessibility
Paralympics
Identity
Media Representation
Representation In Media
Social Media
Fashion Industry
New York City
Fashion
Ableism
Advocacy
Representation
Turning 30
Chronic Illness

A podcast dedicated to telling honest and real stories about living in a world that was not necessarily designed for us.

PublishesWeeklyEpisodes241Founded5 years ago
Number of ListenersCategories
Personal JournalsSociety & Culture

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Artwork for Always Looking Up

Latest Episodes

In this week’s episode I sat down with Lillian Carrier. Lillian is an autistic actress and advocate from Los Angeles, best known for her breakout role in Freeform’s Everything’s Gonna Be Okay. In 2025, Lillian starred in her first leading film role i... more

In this week’s episode I sat down with Carrie Gillispie. Carrie is the Early Development & Disability Project Director in New America’s Education Policy program, where she focuses on equity in education for young children and students with disabiliti... more

In this week’s episode I sat down with Jameisha Prescod FRSA. Jameisha is a multidisciplinary artist and writer from South London. With work grounded in a research-based practice, Jameisha explores how culture, identity, black history and colonialism... more

In this week’s episode I sat down with Emily Gerhardstein. Emily is the CEO and Co-Founder of LS Adaptive™, a mission-driven minority and female owned company utilizing proprietary magnetic technology, Hana Fasteners™, to restore independence and dig... more

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Recent Guests

Carrie Gillispie
Early Development and Disability Project Director, New America Education Policy Program
New America
Episode: Carrie Gillispie On The Changes To Disability Education Policy And Its Impact On Students With Disabilities
Jameisha Prescod
Multidisciplinary artist and writer from South London
Independent artist and journalist
Episode: Jameisha Prescod FRSA On Disability, Art, The Artists And The Storytellers
Emily Gerhardstein
CEO and co-founder of LS Adaptive (Magnetic Technology for Adaptive Apparel)
LS Adaptive
Episode: Emily Gerhardstein On Creating At The Intersection Between Fashion and Technology
Belle Bakst
Freelance fashion editor and content creator based in New York City; visual disability advocate
Little Fashion Stylist / The Fun Eye Fund (as referenced)
Episode: Belle Bakst On The Fashion Media, Disability, Who Is Being Seen And Who Should Be
Sonia Vera
Venezuelan-born model and fashion designer advocating disability inclusion in fashion
Independent designer and model
Episode: Sonia Vera On Weaving The Threads Between Fashion And Disability
Kate Robinson
Advocate for creative expression and voice amplification; former Nike employee
Nike (former)
Episode: Kate Robinson On Finding Yourself Through Finding Community
Julie Forrest Wyman
Filmmaker, writer, associate professor of cinema and digital media at UC Davis
UC Davis
Episode: Julie Forrest Wyman On "The Tallest Dwarf" And How Culture Shapes Reality
Maegan Blau
Founder and principal designer of Blue Copper Design
Blue Copper Design
Episode: Maegan Blau On Designing An Accessible Home
Melanie Waldman
Disability Reality advocate and host of Disability Reality
Disability Reality Media
Episode: Melanie Waldman On Disability As A Costume As Seen On TV

Hosts

Jillian Curwin
Host with deep involvement in disability representation, fashion, and advocacy.
Gillian Curwin
Co-host with emphasis on storytelling, community, and disability advocacy.
Jillian Kirwan
Contributor and host with focus on disability culture and media representation.

Reviews

4.8 out of 5 stars from 48 ratings
  • Beautiful

    This is a new favorite!! So interesting and important to understand the challenges people with disabilities face. I love your positive vibe!!

    Apple Podcasts
    5
    J Dawe
    United States4 years ago
  • Life ain’t fair…

    You know it sister…

    Apple Podcasts
    5
    healbone96
    United States4 years ago

Listeners Say

Key themes from listener reviews, highlighting what works and what could be improved about the show.

Thoughtful, eye-opening discussions on disability representation.
Guests bring lived expertise and actionable insights.
A welcoming yet critical voice in media and fashion circles.
High-quality conversations with clear impact goals.
Strong emphasis on authentic inclusion, not tokenism.

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Talking Points

Recent interactions between the hosts and their guests.

Carrie Gillispie On The Changes To Disability Education Policy And Its Impact On Students With Disabilities
Q: What can parents and local communities do right now to protect their children's rights under IDEA and Section 504?
Engage locally with school boards and district leaders, demand plans to mitigate funding cuts, raise awareness, participate in advocacy coalitions, and file complaints when rights are not being followed, while staying informed about legal protections still in place.
Carrie Gillispie On The Changes To Disability Education Policy And Its Impact On Students With Disabilities
Q: What are the practical risks to students and families if the federal oversight shifts to HHS and OCR moves to DOJ?
Risks include reduced enforcement of civil rights protections, potential loss of experienced staff who understand education law, uneven funding distribution across states, and less timely responses to discrimination or access issues in schools.
Carrie Gillispie On The Changes To Disability Education Policy And Its Impact On Students With Disabilities
Q: Can you explain, in plain terms, why the administration says this change is necessary and what the potential benefits might be?
The administration argues that states should have more control over schooling and that it would be cheaper and more efficient if the federal government stepped back, but critics worry this ignores the need for consistent federal standards and protections across states.
Kate Robinson On Finding Yourself Through Finding Community
Q: How do you define being a little person, and how has that definition evolved?
Kate explains that being a little person is tied to her lived experience, visibility, and the way she uses fashion and community to assert presence. Over time, she emphasizes owning the space, leveraging public moments to advocate for herself and others, and recognizing that her identity intersects with confidence, creativity, and resilience.
Maegan Blau On Designing An Accessible Home
Q: How do you define being disabled?
Maegan explains that disability is a spectrum of physical or mental limitations that affect daily life, and her personal experience has shaped her understanding of disability as more than a medical label—it's about how spaces work for real people.

Audience Metrics

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Frequently Asked Questions About Always Looking Up

What is Always Looking Up about and what kind of topics does it cover?

Across recent episodes, the show centers on disability inclusion across fashion, media, design, sports, and healthcare, with candid conversations about representation, authentic storytelling, and systemic change. Guests span designers, actors, athletes, advocates, and filmmakers who bring lived experience to discussions about accessibility, inclusion in brands and media, and practical solutions for real-world environments. Noteworthy are the depth of personal journeys, critiques of tokenism, and calls for sustained industry accountability, making it a compelling listen for listeners who want to understand how culture, policy, and design intersect in disability experiences.

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Which podcasts are similar to Always Looking Up?

These podcasts share a similar audience with Always Looking Up:

1. Crime Stories with Nancy Grace
2. Smash Boom Best: A funny, smart debate show for kids and family

How many episodes of Always Looking Up are there?

Always Looking Up launched 5 years ago and published 241 episodes to date. You can find more information about this podcast including rankings, audience demographics and engagement in our podcast database.

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Where can I see ratings and reviews for Always Looking Up?

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What guests have appeared on Always Looking Up?

Recent guests on Always Looking Up include:

1. Carrie Gillispie
2. Jameisha Prescod
3. Emily Gerhardstein
4. Belle Bakst
5. Sonia Vera
6. Kate Robinson
7. Julie Forrest Wyman
8. Maegan Blau

To view more recent guests and their details, simply upgrade your Rephonic account. You'll also get access to a typical guest profile to help you decide if the show is worth pitching.

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