In this episode, Joy and Jenelle invite their husbands, Benjamin and Torrey, to join them in an insightful conversation about access intimacy... a term coined by disability justice advocate Mia Mingus. Together, they explore what it means to give and receive help in ways that honor autonomy, trust, and interdependence.

The foursome reflects on how overhelping can stem from fear or anxiety, and how practicing attunement—being tuned in to someone’s needs—creates deeper connection. They share stories of laughter, vulnerability, and growth, showing how humor can ease hard moments and strengthen relationships.

Drawing inspiration from Sitting Pretty: The View from My Ordinary Resilient Disabled Body by Rebekah Taussig (https://rebekahtaussig.com/sitting-pretty), the conversation touches on universal design, accessibility, and the creativity that disability invites. To learn more about the origins of access intimacy, visit Mia Mingus’s blog at https://leavingevidence.wordpress.com

Have a question for us or a topic you'd like us to discuss? Leave us a voicemail at 949-414-8336

Chapters

00:00 Introduction to Access Intimacy

02:44 Empathy and Anticipating Needs

07:03 The Subtlety of Helping

10:24 Awareness and Responsiveness in Public

15:28 Navigating Partnership Dynamics

21:33 The Quest for Accessibility Superpowers

28:15 Finding Your Voice and Humor in Vulnerability