In this episode of What It’s Really Like, I sit down with model, actress, and disability advocate Jillian Mercado to talk about growing up with immigrant parents, being misdiagnosed before finding out she actually had muscular dystrophy, and finding her way into an industry that had rarely made space for people like her.

We talk about the Diesel campaign that went viral and launched Jillian’s modeling career, her work with major brands, breaking barriers in fashion and entertainment, and what authentic representation looks like both on and off screen. We also talk about being Latina in the media, the importance of seeing yourself represented, and Jillian’s experiences navigating an industry where disability and difference have historically been overlooked.

Follow Jillian:
Instagram: @jillianmercado
TikTok: @thejillianmercado 

LISTEN TO WHAT IT’S REALLY LIKE:

iHeart: https://www.iheart.com/podcast/269-what-its-really-like-with-340307302

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What’s it really like raising an autistic child as a single mom? In this episode, I sit down with Christine Romeo, mom of Abbey Romeo from Netflix’s Love on the Spectrum, for an honest conversation about parenting, autism, advocacy, and navigating the journey from childhood diagnosis to adulthood. Christine shares what she learned raising Abbey, the challenges of navigating therapies, education and support systems, and how she learned to let go of expectations and create a life built around Abbey’s strengths, interests and goals. We also talk about Abbey’s experience on Love on the Spectrum, their mother-daughter relationship, and what Christine wishes more parents understood about raising an autistic child.

Follow Christine and Abbey!

Christine's IG: @ChristineAbbeysMom

Abbey's IG & TikTok: @HatsByAbbey

LISTEN TO WHAT IT’S REALLY LIKE:

iHeart: https://www.iheart.com/podcast/269-what-its-really-like-with-340307302

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The What It’s Really Like podcast is now available on all major podcast platforms! If you love the show, please subscribe wherever you prefer to listen so you never miss a new episode.

What’s it really like to become paralyzed after a car crash, navigate relationships as a disabled woman, and discover that some people are sexually attracted to your disability in your teens?

In this episode of What It’s Really Like, I sat down with Tara Shetterly for an honest, unfiltered conversation about becoming paralyzed, relationships, disability and sexuality, disability devotees, and navigating a world that isn't always designed with disabled people in mind.

Tara shares the story of the car crash that changed her life, what it was like going through her paralysis and recovery during the COVID-19 pandemic, and what happened when her boyfriend was told to leave after she became paralyzed. Tara also opens up about dating and intimacy as a disabled woman, what it's like to have people fetishize your disability, disability parking, accessibility, ableism, and some of her biggest hot takes about living with a disability.

This conversation is about so much more than paralysis. It's about love, identity, sexuality, resilience, independence, and challenging the assumptions people make about disabled people.

Subscribe to What It’s Really Like with Molly Burke for new episodes every Friday.

FOLLOW TARA SHETTERLY:

YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/@ParaTara  

LISTEN TO WHAT IT’S REALLY LIKE:

iHeart: https://www.iheart.com/podcast/269-what-its-really-like-with-340307302

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We're excited to announce, What It's Really Like with Molly Burke is officially available anywhere you watch your podcasts! New episodes come out every Friday!

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Roman Perkins was born with Hurler syndrome (MPS I), one of the rarest genetic disorders in the world. Doctors didn't expect him to live into adulthood, but today he's defied those expectations and is sharing what life is really like living with a rare disease.In this episode of the What It's Really Like podcast, Roman opens up about growing up with a life-limiting diagnosis, navigating disability, overcoming assumptions about what he's capable of, and building a life on his own terms. He also shares the realities of living with a condition most people have never heard of, the challenges he's faced, and why representation and understanding matter.

Follow Roman:Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/romanperkyyy/ TikTok: https://www.tiktok.com/@romanperkyyy

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Sammy Carroll grew up in Malibu, attended private school, and never imagined she'd one day be living on the streets. In this episode of What It's Really Like, she shares how experimenting with drugs slowly spiraled into severe addiction, leading to homelessness, arrests, and even the loss of her teeth before she finally found sobriety.We talk about the realities of surviving on the streets as a woman, how addiction impacts entire families, what recovery actually looks like, and the long process of rebuilding a life after rock bottom. Today, Sammy is clean and sober, using her story to prove that no matter how far you've fallen, recovery is possible.

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What is it really like growing up Deaf in a hearing family? In this episode of What It’s Really Like, Chrissy Marshall shares her personal journey navigating deafness, family expectations, identity, and the complicated emotions surrounding cochlear implants.Chrissy opens up about getting a cochlear implant as an adult, the pressure she felt from her family, and what it was like being told that choosing not to hear was “selfish.” Together, we unpack the meaning behind that word, the impact of being made to feel like your disability is a burden, and the importance of understanding Deaf culture, communication, and personal choice.This is an honest conversation about the realities of growing up Deaf, navigating relationships with hearing family members, and finding confidence in who you are.

Follow Chrissy Marshall:Website: https://www.chrissymarshall.com Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/chrissymarshall_ YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/channel/UCfEalJW91FE9BDH9xUVDvvg TikTok: https://www.tiktok.com/@chrissymarshall_

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What’s it really like to grow up, fall in love and experience heartbreak in front of millions of people?This week, I sit down with Joey Graceffa to talk about nearly 20 years of sharing his life online. Joey opens up about moving to Los Angeles as a teenager, coming out publicly, competing on The Amazing Race, creating Escape the Night and navigating the pressure of having fans deeply invested in his personal relationships.We also discuss the reality of going through a public breakup, how Joey’s relationship with his ex has evolved, dating in Los Angeles, rescuing animals and what he wants the next chapter of his life and career to look like.Joey's Channel: https://www.youtube.com/@JoeyGraceffa

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This is Part 2 of my conversation with the incredible Leigh Collins.After surviving a violent home invasion that changed her life forever, Leigh shares what happened next. We talk about living with PTSD, navigating the criminal justice system, facing her attacker in court, the trial, the life sentence that followed, and what it has really taken to rebuild her confidence, sense of safety, and life after unimaginable trauma.If you haven't watched Part 1 yet, head to last week's episode first. Leigh walks us through the terrifying 13 minutes that changed her life forever, from waking up to find a stranger standing in her apartment holding a knife to the moment she escaped and fought for her survival.Whether you've experienced trauma yourself or want to better understand what life looks like after surviving violent crime, I hope Leigh's story reminds you that healing is possible, even when the road is long.Watch Part 1 here: https://open.spotify.com/episode/5HwEQCkFyLV0gaivrRbW9j?si=_7fQmCZ5RV2KfUFycEytBQ Follow Leigh Collins:Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/heymisscollins/?hl=enTikTok: https://www.tiktok.com/@heymisscollinsListen to Leigh's podcast, Extraordinary: A First-Hand Story of Survival:https://www.extraordinary-podcast.com/https://podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/extraordinary-a-first-hand-story-of-survival/id1565762620Listen to What It's Really Like on Spotify:https://open.spotify.com/show/3blYuCo2n6CkXsEfu7o31e?si=VPQy_0g_Twam20aPuDEfJwWatch more full episodes:https://www.youtube.com/playlist?list=PL_Xm8PicNxr335yjxP1bjR6Uq2KfgrM14Subscribe for new episodes of What It's Really Like every Friday, where we go beyond the headlines and stereotypes to have honest conversations about the experiences that shape our lives.

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In Part 1 of this special two-part episode of What It's Really Like, I sit down with survivor, speaker, advocate and podcast host Leigh Collins to hear the unbelievable true story of the violent home invasion that changed her life forever.Leigh found herself fighting for her life when an intruder broke into her home. In this episode, she takes us through that night minute by minute, sharing what happened from the moment she realized something was wrong through the terrifying attack that nearly killed her. It's a gripping firsthand account of survival, resilience and the instincts that helped save her life.This conversation contains discussions of stalking, violent assault and trauma. Viewer discretion is advised.Part 2 premieres next Friday. Be sure to subscribe and turn on notifications so you don't miss the next chapter of Leigh's story. In Part 2, we explore the aftermath of surviving extreme violence, living with PTSD, rebuilding her life, navigating the criminal justice system, and the long road toward healing and justice.Follow Leigh Collins:Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/heymisscollins/?hl=enTikTok: https://www.tiktok.com/@heymisscollinsListen to Leigh's podcast, Extraordinary: A First-Hand Story of Survival:https://www.extraordinary-podcast.com/https://podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/extraordinary-a-first-hand-story-of-survival/id1565762620Listen to What It's Really Like on Spotify:https://open.spotify.com/show/3blYuCo2n6CkXsEfu7o31e?si=VPQy_0g_Twam20aPuDEfJwWatch more full episodes:https://www.youtube.com/playlist?list=PL_Xm8PicNxr335yjxP1bjR6Uq2KfgrM14

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