Leah Smith talks with entertainment journalist and author Kristen Lopez about her upcoming book Popcorn Disabilities, which examines how film has shaped public understanding of disability. They explore why disabled women and girls rarely see themselves portrayed with depth, how “pretty disabilities” distort real experiences, and what it means to grow up without disabled role models in media. 

Their conversation moves through the complicated history of little-person representation, the ongoing erasure created by CGI, and the industry’s discomfort with addressing ableism directly. They also discuss the need for disabled people behind the camera, the political moment threatening disability rights, and what authentic storytelling could look like when disabled creators and allies share real power.

00:00 – Cold open preview clips

00:35 – Welcome & introductions

01:12 – Why Kristen wrote Popcorn Disabilities

02:46 – Representation, community, and internalized narratives

04:11 – Gender, disabled women, and “pretty disabilities”

08:03 – Sexuality, safety, and erased identities

11:16 – Representation in Coming Home and Forrest Gump

15:34 – LP representation, Freaks, and CGI erasure

20:31 – Snow White, casting debates, and studio fear

23:55 – Hollywood gatekeeping and avoiding ableism

31:37 – Disability rights under threat today

35:08 – Imagining authentic representation and disabled leadership

39:05 – Self-identifying, workplace barriers, and access

41:28 – Closing reflections & resources

Kristen's Links & Upcoming Events:
Website (The Film Maven): https://thefilmmaven.com/

Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/kristenlopez88/

X (Twitter): https://x.com/kristenklopez

Bluesky: https://bsky.app/profile/kristenklopez.bsky.social

OC Book Fair on 11/14: https://www.theocbookfair.org/

Freaks Screening at the Los Feliz 3 on 11/15:
https://www.americancinematheque.com/now-showing/kristen-lopez-presents-freaks-11-16-25/

GADIM and Props No More links:

Props No More Documentary: https://propsnomore.org

GADIM – Global Alliance for Disability & Media: https://gadim.org

In this episode of Props No More, Leah Smith is joined by Dr. Kara Ayers, Jason Harris, and Matt Shedd to unpack the political claim linking Tylenol use during pregnancy to autism. Together, they explore why autism has become a cultural and political “boogeyman” and how misinformation harms autistic people, women, and new parents. The conversation delves into the lingering “refrigerator mother” myth, the persistence of ableism, and the ways autistic humor and culture challenge stigma.
The panel also highlights why research literacy matters, the importance of finding community and rejecting shame after a new diagnosis, and why we need autistic people’s perspectives to help shape a better world.
00:00 – Cold open preview clips
01:02 – Welcome & introductions
03:45 – Why autism? Fear, politics, and the “boogeyman” narrative
07:25 – Mother-blaming, “refrigerator moms,” and ableism in diagnosis
11:10 – The harm of misinformation: policy contradictions & stigma
15:30 – Correlation is not causation: What the research really says
18:05 – Autistic humor and resilience in the face of stigma
21:20 – Pain, pregnancy, and the “just tough it out” message
25:15 – Finding community & rejecting shame after diagnosis
28:10 – Why the world needs autistic thinkers and voices
33:00 – “Props No More”: How disabled people are used as political props
37:20 – Closing reflections & where to learn more (Props No More, GADIM)

Welcome to the Props No More Podcast, a production of the Global Alliance for Disability and Media and Entertainment (GADIM) and Disability Rights Podcasts.
In this first episode, host Matt Shedd speaks with Leah Smith, Director of Public Relations for GADIM, about the forthcoming Props No More documentary. They discuss how disabled people have too often been used as “props” in media, why authentic representation matters, and how accurate portrayals can shape public attitudes, reduce stigma, and even influence life-or-death policy decisions.
Learn more at propsnomore.org
Explore GADIM at gadim.org
00:00:04 – Opening: “Our lives aren’t worth living” narrative
00:00:35 – Show intro & series overview
00:01:43 – Guest intro: Leah Smith (GADIM)
00:02:08 – What is “Props No More”? (film + platform)
00:02:58 – What “prop” means in disability representation
00:04:20 – Impact on kids: stigma, erasure, and villains
00:06:10 – Why creators with disabilities must shape stories
00:07:46 – How the project evolved & went global
00:09:39 – Leah’s path into comms, PR, and policy
00:14:33 – Barriers: skills training & “what sells” in media
00:17:37 – Against the “inspiration” trope (buying milk ≠ heroic)
00:20:46 – The feedback loop & naming disability
00:23:19 – Misconceptions, pregnancy reactions, job bias
00:25:59 – Accessibility: captions, audio description, ASL
00:29:20 – Journalism pitfalls: headlines & mental health stigma
00:33:31 – Politics & policy
00:37:43 – GADIM’s vision: toolkits, style guide, documentary
00:39:48 – Momentum, UN conversations, global learning
00:41:31 – Outro & where to learn more