Props No More: Reclaiming Disability Representation in Media

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 clips00:35 – Welcome & introductions01:12 – Why Kristen wrote Popcorn Disabilities02:46 – Representation, community, and internalized narratives04:11 – Gender, disabled women, and “pretty disabilities”08:03 – Sexuality, safety, and erased identities11:16 – Representation in Coming Home and Forrest Gump15:34 – LP representation, Freaks, and CGI erasure20:31 – Snow White, casting debates, and studio fear23:55 – Hollywood gatekeeping and avoiding ableism31:37 – Disability rights under threat today35:08 – Imagining authentic representation and disabled leadership39:05 – Self-identifying, workplace barriers, and access41:28 – Closing reflections & resourcesKristen's Links & Upcoming Events:Website (The Film Maven): https://thefilmmaven.com/Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/kristenlopez88/X (Twitter): https://x.com/kristenklopezBluesky: https://bsky.app/profile/kristenklopez.bsky.socialOC 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.orgGADIM – 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 clips01:02 – Welcome & introductions03:45 – Why autism? Fear, politics, and the “boogeyman” narrative07:25 – Mother-blaming, “refrigerator moms,” and ableism in diagnosis11:10 – The harm of misinformation: policy contradictions & stigma15:30 – Correlation is not causation: What the research really says18:05 – Autistic humor and resilience in the face of stigma21:20 – Pain, pregnancy, and the “just tough it out” message25:15 – Finding community & rejecting shame after diagnosis28:10 – Why the world needs autistic thinkers and voices33:00 – “Props No More”: How disabled people are used as political props37:20 – 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.orgExplore GADIM at gadim.org00:00:04 – Opening: “Our lives aren’t worth living” narrative00:00:35 – Show intro & series overview00:01:43 – Guest intro: Leah Smith (GADIM)00:02:08 – What is “Props No More”? (film + platform)00:02:58 – What “prop” means in disability representation00:04:20 – Impact on kids: stigma, erasure, and villains00:06:10 – Why creators with disabilities must shape stories00:07:46 – How the project evolved & went global00:09:39 – Leah’s path into comms, PR, and policy00:14:33 – Barriers: skills training & “what sells” in media00:17:37 – Against the “inspiration” trope (buying milk ≠ heroic)00:20:46 – The feedback loop & naming disability00:23:19 – Misconceptions, pregnancy reactions, job bias00:25:59 – Accessibility: captions, audio description, ASL00:29:20 – Journalism pitfalls: headlines & mental health stigma00:33:31 – Politics & policy00:37:43 – GADIM’s vision: toolkits, style guide, documentary00:39:48 – Momentum, UN conversations, global learning00:41:31 – Outro & where to learn more