In this week’s episode I am sitting down with Alexis Barber. Alexis is a content creator here in New York City and is someone I have been following for quite some time, and am continually inspired and empowered by the work she does. We discuss ableism in diet culture, why disability needs greater representation in the health and wellness spaces and what it truly means to live in and love a disabled body. Follow Alexis: Instagram: @alexisbarber TikTok: @alexisbarber_ YouTube: Alexis Barber Website: https://www.alexisbarber.com  Follow Me: Instagram: @jill_ilana , @alwayslookingup.podcast Website: https://www.jillianilana.com Email: [email protected]  This episode was edited and produced by Ben Curwin.

In this week’s episode I am sitting down with Angela Singletary, the founder and owner of A Little Perspective and Purpose by Ang. We discuss finding her place and purpose in LPA, our thoughts on the proposed "cure" for dwarfism, and how A Little Perspective came to be.

Follow Angela: Instagram: @purposebyang Facebook: Purpose by Ang YouTube: Coach Ang Website: https://www.purposebyang.com

Follow Me: Instagram: @jill_ilana , @alwayslookingup.podcast Website: https://www.jillianilana.com Email: [email protected]

This episode was edited and produced by Ben Curwin 

In this week’s episode I am sitting down with Rance Nix. Rance is a New York based actor who can be seen in the upcoming series Kings of Napa on the Oprah Winfrey Network. We discuss how he came to be Dana King, the changes we are seeing in the entertainment industry, and tell the story of how we met at a party in Atlanta.

Follow Rance: Instagram: @rancenix Twitter: @RanceNix Website: https://www.rancenix.com/home

Follow Kings Of Napa: @kingsofnapa

Follow Me: Instagram: @jill_ilana , @alwayslookingup.podcast Website: https://www.jillianilana.com Email: [email protected]

This episode was edited and produced by Ben Curwin

To start, I would like to issue a trigger warning. This week’s episode talks about body image and disordered eating. If these are triggers for you, please feel free to skip this episode.

This week it is just me and the microphone talking about my new year's resolutions for 2022. I explain why I'm not resolving to change my body and what I am looking forward to in the year to come.

Follow Me: Instagram: @jill_ilana , @alwayslookingup.podcast Website: https://www.jillianilana.com Email: [email protected]

This episode was edited and produced by Ben Curwin. 

To start, I would like to issue a trigger warning. This week’s episode talks about self harm and suicide. If these are triggers for you, please feel free to skip this episode. 

I sat down with Danielle Gray, model and founder of the app Train Like A Gymnast. We discuss how Train Like A Gymnast came to be, our mental and physical health journeys, and how we turn our perceived limits into our greatest assets.

Follow Danielle: Instagram: @daniellegrayfit , @trainlikeagymnast

Websites: www.daniellegrayfit.com ; www.trainlikeagymnast.com ;

www.trainlikeagymnastapp.com   Secret Link for Podcast Listeners to get 30% off an annual subscription for my app before 12/31:  https://my.playbookapp.io/danielle-gray/checkout?promo=daniellegray21    10% off TLAG Merch Orders Over $50 Discount Code: LISTEN    Follow Me: Instagram: @jill_ilana , @alwayslookingup.podcast Website: https://www.jillianilana.com Email: [email protected]   This episode was edited and produced by Ben Curwin

 

This week's episode is part two of my conversation with fashion designer Kathy D. Woods and her husband, actor Dana Michael Woods where we continue to discuss family, faith, fashion and adversity. 

Follow Kathy: Instagram: @kathydwoods Website: www.kathydwoodsstore.com 

Follow Dana: Website: Oh So Small - Dana Michael Woods IMDb: Dana Michael Woods

Follow and Support Grace 4 Champions: Instagram: @grace4champions Website: https://www.grace4champions.org 

Follow Me: Instagram: @jill_ilana , @alwayslookingup.podcast Website: https://www.jillianilana.com Email: [email protected]

This episode was edited and produced by Ben Curwin

This week's episode is extra-special because it is part one of a two-part episode. I sat down with fashion designer Kathy D. Woods and her husband, actor Dana Michael Woods. Over the next two weeks we discuss family, faith, fashion and adversity.

Follow Kathy: Instagram: @kathydwoods Website: www.kathydwoodsstore.com 

Follow Dana: Website: Oh So Small - Dana Michael Woods IMDb: Dana Michael Woods

Follow and Support Grace 4 Champions: Instagram: @grace4champions Website: https://www.grace4champions.org 

Follow Me: Instagram: @jill_ilana , @alwayslookingup.podcast Website: https://www.jillianilana.com Email: [email protected]

This episode was edited and produced by Ben Curwin 

In this week’s episode I sat down with Martino Cartier. Martino is a celebrity hair stylist and philanthropist. We discuss the impact he and his non-profit Wigs and Wishes has made over the last ten years and how we are both striving to make the world a better and more beautiful place.

 

Follow Martino: Instagram: @martinocartier 

Follow Wigs And Wishes: Instagram @wigsandwishes Website: https://wigsandwishes.org

Support Wigs And Wishes: Text DONATE or VOLUNTEER to (856) 582-6600

Follow Me: Instagram: @jill_ilana ; @alwayslookingup.podcast Website: https://www.jillianilana.com Email: [email protected]

This episode was edited and produced by Ben Curwin 

In this week’s episode I am sitting down with Maria Town. Maria is the President and CEO of the American Association of People With Disabilities. Prior to joining AAPD, Maria served as the Senior Associate Director in the White House Office of Public Engagement under President Obama where she managed the White House’s engagement with the disability community and older Americans. We discuss her work at the American Association of People With Disabilities, disability identity, how everyone can help fulfill the promise of the ADA and why it's important to know about our past in order to create future change.  

 

Follow Maria: Instagram: @maria_town Twitter: @maria_m_town 

AAPD: https://www.aapd.com

Follow AAPD: Instagram: @aapdofficial Twitter: @AAPD

Follow Me: Instagram: @jill_ilana ; @alwayslookingup.podcast Website: https://www.jillianilana.com Email: [email protected]

This episode was produced and edited by Ben Curwin

In this week’s episode I am sitting down with Gabi though you may know her as Lil Gabi D. Gabi is a digital content creator, using her platforms to advocate for dwarfism awareness. We discuss the portrayal of little people in the media, the perpetuation of certain stereotypes, and why representation matters.

Follow Gabi: Instagram: @lilgabid Twitter: @lilgabid TikTok: @lilgabid YouTube: Lil Gabi D

Follow Me: Instagram: @jill_ilana ; @alwayslookingup.podcast Website: https://www.jillianilana.com Email: [email protected]

This episode was edited and produced by Ben Curwin.