Lets talk about life with a disability

April 5, 2026 · 1h 31m

About this episode

Emily Ava Gillespie discusses their experiences and insights as a disability activist and author.

Emily Ava Gillespie (they/she) is an author, disability activist, and professional daydreamer. They won the 2021 Dr. James Jamieson Influential Alumni Award from Nipissing University. Gillespie has a BA in Gender Equality and Social Justice and an MA in Critical Disability Studies. They earned a certificate in Creative Writing from Concordia University. They have volunteered and worked in the disability community as an activist, researcher, peer support and facilitator for fifteen years. Gillespie is also an author and performance artist. Her work explores themes of memory, identity and mental health journeys. They enjoy working in community spaces and examining individual and collective experiences. Dancing with Ghosts (Leaping Lion Books, 2017) is her first novel. Their poetry and short-stories can be found in several journals and anthologies. She co-edited Mighty: an Anthology of Disabled Superheroes by Renaissance Press published fall 2023. Her most recent novel is titled Wait With Me and was released in 2025. Emily's contact: https://www.facebook.com/Gillespie.Em/ Instagram: ava.emily.gillespie…

People in this episode

Host: Michael Clogs

Guest: Emily Ava Gillespie

Topics covered

disability
activism
mental health
identity
community

Keywords

disability
activism
mental health
identity
community
author
performance artist

Mentioned in this episode

Organizations: Nipissing University

Books & works: Dancing with Ghosts, Mighty: an Anthology of Disabled Superheroes, Wait With Me