Dating with Disabilities: Breaking Barriers with Emily Goodson

In this powerful episode of Love, Laughs, and Lessons, Dr. Frankie and Denise sit down with disability advocate and upcoming author Emily Goodson for a raw, funny, and deeply honest conversation about dating, desire, and self-worth.After a childhood brain injury left her partially paralyzed, Emily spent years hiding that part of herself—until the isolation of the pandemic and a heartbreak cracked her wide open. “I realized I was waiting for someone who walks like me to be on the red carpet... and then it hit me: I’m the one who has to do it.”Together, they explore the desexualization of disabled people, the emotional labor of interabled dating, and the healing power of self-acceptance. “Dating isn’t a dealbreaker unless you make it one,” Emily shares, reflecting on the moment she stopped making herself small.Whether you're single, partnered, or somewhere in between, this episode will challenge assumptions and inspire you to embrace the beautiful, complex gray area where real connection lives.Guest bio:Emily Goodson is a speaker, strategist, and author whose personal journey fuels her mission to rewrite how the world sees disability, intimacy, and inclusion. After a brain injury at age eight led to partial paralysis, Emily spent decades navigating an ableist culture that often ignores or desexualizes people with disabilities. Today, she’s a sought-after workplace consultant and advocate who helps organizations and individuals build cultures of empathy, curiosity, and belonging.Her debut book, Dating Disability, is now available for presale through Amplify Publishing and will be released in Fall 2025. Her writing has been featured in the L.A. Times, and her storytelling continues to open doors—for herself and countless others.Links: www.ecgoodson.comhttps://www.linkedin.com/in/ecgoodson/This episode is brought to you in partnership with Olivia Travel, the nation's leading LGBTQ+ travel company. Ready for sunshine, connection, and community? Join us at the 2025 Dreams Tulum Resort & Spa—and be sure to use code LGB100 for $100 off your booking. Come hang out with us in paradise!