Podcast Empowers Creatives with Disabilities in Entertainment Careers

(SANTA CLARITA, CALIF. – April 15, 2024) – Success in the entertainment industry often relies heavily on who you know. Building a network of contacts within the industry can be challenging, especially for those who are just starting out, and building a network is particularly challenging for creatives with disabilities due to societal stereotypes. The team at Yes I Can Unity Through Music and Education (YIC), a nonprofit organization dedicated to providing training and employment services to creatives with disabilities pursuing careers in the entertainment industry, understands that creating opportunities for disabled creatives requires breaking down barriers and stereotypes to help connect them with the industry.

Breaking the Biz Podcast originated from the nonprofits’ weekly industry guest speaker sessions that provide creatives with disabilities in the program the chance to interact and network with industry professionals and ask questions directly. Available on all major podcast platforms, including iHeartRadio, Amazon Music, Spotify, and Apple Podcasts, Breaking the Biz Podcast features candid discussions with industry veterans, with and without disabilities, sharing personal experiences and advice for aspiring actors, musicians, writers, filmmakers, animators, and creatives alike.

“Creating networking opportunities for creatives with disabilities in the entertainment industry is crucial for equal access and promoting inclusivity, diversity and equal representation.” said Kirsten Fitzpatrick, deputy director of YIC. “Breaking the Biz Podcast shatters stereotypes and helps with promoting equal opportunity, which will ultimately result in enhancing diversity in storytelling and changing perceptions within the entertainment industry.”

Breaking the Biz Podcast aims to empower creatives with disabilities, showing them that their creativity and capabilities are valuable and worthy of recognition. The podcast provides a platform for advocacy and offers opportunities for disabled creatives to demonstrate their skills, ultimately challenging misconceptions and promoting inclusivity in the industry.

Voiceover artist and YIC student, William Felber, is actively involved in Breaking the Biz Podcast, contributing to its production and serving as the voice for its intro and outro. Felber believes that creatives with disabilities can find inspiration and hope in the podcast, and that having a disability does not have to limit one’s success. “As an introvert with autism, I myself find it highly difficult to make connections.To have people in your life who will advocate for you, support your dreams, and motivate you to go outside your comfort zone can really bring out the better part of you that you didn’t even know you had,” says Felber.

“I’ve gone farther in my voiceover career through YIC then I would’ve gone on my own at this point in my life,” continued Felber. “Through YIC, I’ve met a number of other voice actors and I’ve also made connections with two audio engineers, one of which is currently mentoring me. The second is an audio engineer for Disney, and through him I was able to audition at a Disney studio in Burbank. After my audition, the casting directors recommended me to Innovative Artists, a very popular voiceover agency, and they are now my agent. I couldn’t be happier. YIC has given me many opportunities to learn and connect with people in the entertainment industry and for that I am truly grateful.”

If you are an entertainment industry professional interested in being a guest on Breaking the Biz, please email blieberman@yicunity.org. For more information on YIC and its programs, visit yicunity.org.