In this interview, Emmy Award-winner Dan Watt joins Teisha for an exciting and heartfelt conversation about his journey from dancer to director, producer, and documentary filmmaker–and all the pivots and setbacks in between.

We begin by exploring Dan’s love for performance, recalling childhood memories of putting on neighborhood shows, learning ballroom dance in his parents’ basement, and having his natural rhythm discovered by his dance teacher during a freshman talent show—early experiences that planted the seeds for his future in the arts.

Next, we dive into the depths of his incredible career, including the early challenges he faced such as fierce competition and personal rejection like being told he was “too masculine” for a Janet Jackson video; his transition to director in which he choreographed 100+ sold-out performances like Annie and Foot Loose, and worked to increase access of lesser known productions by bringing them to the L.A. market where they became unexpected hits; and his break into TV and film in which he spent 10 years working with Columbia Pictures and Simon Cowell realizing the value of transferable skills and age-based wisdom–but not before he experienced a discriminating rejection by the Dr. Phill Show.

Then, we zoom in on his greatest challenge—and most rewarding project—producing the Emmy Award-winning documentary, Everybody Dance, a film that follows children with disabilities who find joy and empowerment through dance; discuss how spending 10 months filming these families profoundly changed Dan forever, opening his eyes to the daily challenges these kids face and the incredible strength and resilience they show; and highlight how the experience deepened his understanding of disability inclusion and inspired him to continue creating projects that give a voice to underrepresented communities.

Packed with humor, insight, and real-life lessons on overcoming adversity, this episode is a must-listen for anyone passionate about storytelling, the arts, and making a difference.

Resources:

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From his roots in the Longsdale housing projects of Knoxville, TN to obtaining his Ph.D and championing educational equity, Dr. Bryan Samuel's journey is a testament to the transformative power of perseverance. 

Bryan and I dive into his childhood and the experiences he had growing up in poverty, his health challenges including prone-belly syndrome,  an incarcerated father, and the numerous resulting obstacles he faced–including the heartbreaking Christmas of 1978 when he received no presents and a greuling four-mile walk to school every day no matter the weather.

Despite these hardships, Bryan was determined to pursue higher education, but would end up having to overcome a punishing ACT score of 12, academic probation during under-grad, and five rejections from Doctoral programs because discriminating admissions officers claimed he would never be able to write a dissertation–that is, until he squashed their skepticism by presenting a briefcase with dozens of A+ research papers.

We then explore Bryan's 30-year career in higher education, marked by his dedication to helping students overcome similar barriers. He shares inspiring stories of his impact, like assisting NFL quarterback Ben Roethlisberger in completing his degree by challenging rigid residency requirements, and helping a student obtain a degree in a program they weren't officially admitted to due to GPA restrictions, showcasing his commitment to looking beyond traditional metrics.

Now a leader in diversity and inclusion, Bryan's mission is to increase educational access for all students, including those with disabilities or from disadvantaged backgrounds. Throughout, we emphasize the importance of flexible policies and recognizing diverse perspectives in higher education. Bryan’s story is a powerful reminder that personal struggles can fuel a passion for creating equitable opportunities, making this episode a must-listen for anyone interested in the life-changing potential of education and the impact of unwavering determination.

Resources:

Finding Myself: A Journey from the Projects to the Ph.D

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“I lost my sight, but I gained vision.”
This week, I sat down with Lonnie Bedwell to explore his extraordinary journey from military veteran to motivational speaker–with a life-changing accident sandwiched in between.
We dive into Lonnie’s free-spirited childhood and experiences as a Navy Petty Officer; recount the tragic hunting accident that led to his sudden loss of sight in 1997, an experience that turned his world upside down and dropped him into a pit of depression, and navigate his journey to rediscovering his value and abilities through a fierce five-year-old girl and a lawn mower; explore the thrilling passion and purpose he found in extreme adaptive sports like rock climbing, highlight the daring kayaking expedition through the Grand Canyon that led him to becoming the first blind person to navigate the treacherous Colorado River and be named National Geographic’s 2015 Adventurer of the Year, and spotlight his complementary award-winning memoir “226”; and dive into his proudest feat of raising three daughters as a single father–teaching them all to drive, hunt and play baseball.
Throughout, we discuss resilience, the power of community, and the importance of finding new purposes in life. Lonnie’s story is a compelling reminder that even the toughest challenges can be met with courage and determination.

Resources:

This week, Teisha sits down with Elle Billing, a chronically ill artist and former educator,

We dive into Elle’s childhood, including her experiences with hyperlexia, anxiety, and vivid nightmares; highlight the medical misogyny she faced over the years, recount her experiences with Alice in Wonderland Syndrome and explore her journey to finally receiving a proper diagnosis years after a 23-day non-stop migraine attack in 2013; talk about her 13-year career teaching at a school for the Deaf, emphasizing the remarkable language flexibility and adaptability of her students; and explore Elle’s life as a chronic pain sufferer, and discuss the stigma and misconceptions surrounding addiction and pain management.

Additionally, Elle and I challenge the complexities of disability representation in the media, illuminating the tendency to portray disabled individuals as either superhuman or lacking agency and advocate for more nuanced and authentic portrayals. Throughout, we showcase the creativity and resilience of people with disabilities and chronic illnesses with the hope of fostering a more inclusive and understanding society.

Resources:

Check out Hoorf podcast at https://www.elleandwink.com/podcast/#hoorf

Please consider supporting us by subscribing to the show, leaving a 5-star rating and review, and becoming a patron on Patreon by visiting https://www.patreon.com/notyouraveragegoat

In part two of this episode, Tricia opens up about the joys and challenges of raising her son, Robert, who manages multiple conditions and disabilities, including dyslexia, tourrettes, bipolar disorder and more; shares the emotional rollercoaster of his medical journey, from misdiagnoses to breakthroughs; and discusses how his experiences have shaped their family.

Tricia Waechter is not just the CEO of a fashion design company, she is also a woman of many passions and unwavering resilience.

The season three line-up of stories feature a slew of incredible personal journeys showcasing resilience, inspiration and stigma fighting at their best. Check out this preview and get ready to tune into the full episodes this June.