Kim Rutledge was appointed Deputy Director of the Office of Legislation and Communications at the California Department of Rehabilitation by California Governor Gavin Newsom in April 2022. In this role, Rutledge oversees all external affairs for the nation’s largest vocational rehabilitation and independent living programs, which advance employment and independence for people with disabilities. Previously, Rutledge held multiple positions at the California Department of Social Services, including policy director of the nation’s largest program that provides in-home care to older adults and people with disabilities.

Before entering state government, she was Assistant Legislative Director at the United Domestic Workers of America/AFSCME Local 3930, which represents nearly 200,000 in-home caregivers throughout California. She was the Sweeney Graduate Intern on Disability Policy at the National Academy of Social Insurance in Washington, D.C., and a Graduate Policy Intern at the Disability Community Resource Center in Los Angeles.

Earlier in her career, Rutledge worked as a newspaper reporter and editor at several publications, including the Sacramento Bee and the Oakland Tribune.

She earned a Bachelor of Journalism degree from the University of Missouri-Columbia and a Master of Social Welfare degree from the University of California-Los Angeles. Rutledge was born with a significant physical disability and has been a wheelchair user since she was a toddler. This lived experience informs her work as a nationally recognized leader in the disability community.

Song = Style by Taylor Swift 

I know this week's guest as @TheBrimTruthReviews from TikTok, and if you don't follow him today is your lucky day! You're welcome! 

Matthew Dickey is a Content Creator, podcast host, and music artist who is originally from Rockville, MD in the DC area. Matthew is an only child (just like me), and he feels that being an only child taught him self-reliance (also GenX and the 80s were bananas). 

Song = Tracy, CA by Larry June 

Chef Katy Turner says people see her life and sometimes believe she has taken some "wrong paths," but she doesn't see it that way. From serving in the military, battling with an eating disorder, overcoming alcohol addiction, becoming a chef, and everything in between, Katy's choices have been intentional. As she says, "I am a person of principle."

The song = Porcelain by Moby

Krista Gano has over 25 years in the entertainment industry. She started her career producing and acting in the feature Chicks, Man. She then immersed herself in the business aspect of Hollywood by spending the next five years as an assistant to Dustin Hoffman. Krista eventually moved back to theater, working with Tony Award-winning producers Steven Eich and Randall Arney at the Geffen Playhouse. In 2002, Krista took on the role of Executive Director for the World Famous Groundlings Theatre where she worked with actors, such as Kristen Wiig, Annie Mummolo, Jim Rash, Nat Faxon, Michaela Watkins, Will Forte, Edi Patterson, Mikey Day and more. In 2014, she founded The Working Artist Group, offering Business, Coaching and Management Services to the working artist. She directed and produced the award-winning Dime Short, The Family Hood & Losing Antonia. Krista recently started Firefly Rev Studios and co-wrote features Invisible (Stage 32 Comedy Screenplay Semifinalist and 6% Overall Script on Coverfly - Will Forte, Jim Rash & Tony Cavalero attached) and The Crusader (currently packaging). Krista is a long-time partner with SeriesFest’s Pitch-A-Thon where she mentors artists as they take their projects out for the all-important pitch. She's slated to co-direct her first feature, Comfort Food, this year.

Song = Let's Go Crazy by Prince

It was suggested that I answer a few of my own questions, plus a couple from past guests, so here you go! 

Questions by John W. Gibbons and Kathy Nagler.

Song = All-American Bitch by Olivia Rodrigo

Known for his Sandwich Story Times, Gay Math series, and constantly calling his husband his “Current Husband,” Uly from @ulyandernesto brings on the laughs! Whether it’s football commentary or rating baby’s outfits, no one’s safe from Uly’s clueless, chaotic commentary. Not even Jennifer Hudson, who recently had him on her show as a football and dating expert. Also, when he’s not running his mouth online, Uly can be seen as Jeremy in ABC’s Not Dead Yet. He has also appeared on shows This is Us, 9-1-1, and Hacks.

Song = Break My Soul by Beyoncé

Chad Fifer is a podcaster, musician, writer, and actor. He is the co-host of the fiction podcast Strange Studies of Strange Stories alongside Chris Lackey, with whom he wrote the film The Chosen One as well as the graphic novel Deadbeats. Fifer co-wrote the 2021 science fiction film The Time Capsule and records music with his reunited high school goth band, Pitch Black Manor. Born in Illinois, Fifer lived in Los Angeles for 25 years until recently relocating to Madison, WI, where he continues to podcast and is designing a roleplaying game.

Song = Into the Gears by Pitch Black Manor

Jeff Johnson is the co-creator, producer, and Co-Host of the A Film By... podcast. Additionally, he leads the lively conversations on the limited series "1986," "1976," and the spoiler-free reviews of "Back to the Box Office." Jeff is a worthy opponent at 6 Degrees of Kevin Bacon, citing his days working for Suncoast Motion Picture Co. as "higher learning." His favorite films of all time include "Casablanca," "Rocky," and "Raiders of the Lost Ark." His favorite director is Steven Spielberg.

The song = Wishlist by Pearl Jam

I have known Dr. Naomi since we were 8! We also had an amazing Hall and Oates podcast, and she loves cocktails and dancing to Prince. 

AND she's a fancy medical grown-up person...

Medical anthropologist and public health nurse practitioner in San Francisco. Her areas of expertise include medical anthropology, STS, pharmaceuticals, vaccines, postsocialism, social medicine, and critical public health. She has conducted ethnographic research examining (post)socialist technoscientific formations through Cuban cancer vaccines. Additionally, her research examined a novel program providing thousands of rooms in tourist hotels to persons experiencing homelessness during the COVID19 pandemic. 

Song = Baby I'm a Star by Prince

Anna Przy, the viral role model of boundary-setting and self-acceptance, shares relatable realness for anybody who feels burnt out from a lifetime of hustle culture. Often concluding with her iconic "Keep it up, cutie. I'm so frickin' proud of you," these videos have exploded on TikTok and Instagram, garnering more “likes” than there are cups of coffee at a tech startup (More than 24 million . . .but who’s counting).  Whether you're in desperate need of a pick-me-up on those rough days, a break during the never-ending ones, or a pep talk that can lift your spirits, Anna Przy is your girl. 

Song = Run the World (Girls) by Beyoncé