John Feal On Speaking Truth To Power And Making Sure No Responders Are Left Behind
Always Looking Up
10/14/25
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In this week’s episode I sat down with John Feal. John is best known for his work with the FealGood Foundation (“FGF”), a 9/11 First Responder advocacy group that has provided both economic aide and individual comfort to countless First Responders, as well as his tireless efforts on behalf of those Responders in the passage of the James Zadroga 9/11 Health and Compensation Act. Today, John remains steadfast 24/7 in his activism on behalf of First Responders and continues his grass roots efforts to help all those in need. To his core, John knows his mission of advocacy will never cease to be needed; it is, has been and always will be about one thing.... “The Responders”. He shares his story and we discuss how to be an effective advocate and why it is imperative that we keep trying.
Join The Patreon: HERE
This episode is available for purchase on the Patreon without membership. All of those proceeds will be donated to the FealGood Foundation.
Follow The FealGood Foundation: Website: https://fealgoodfoundation.com
Follow John: Instagram: @johnfeal9117
Follow Me: Instagram: @jill_ilana , @alwayslookingup.podcast TikTok: @jillian_ilana Website: https://www.jillianilana.com Email: alwayslookingup227@gmail.com
Read With Me:
RSVP: Celebrating Dwarfism in the Arts
Support Immigrant Communities (all links came from @chnge):
The Coalition for Humane Immigrant Rights of Los Angeles (@chirla_org): https://www.chirla.org/donatenow/
Immigrant Defenders Law Center (@immdef_lawcenter): https://www.immdef.org
Inland Coalition 4 Imm Justice (@ic4ij): https://secure.actblue.com/donate/jornaleros
Relief For Disabled People Impacted By The Los Angeles Fires:
Richard Devylder Disaster Relief Fund: https://disabilitydisasteraccess.org/rd-relief-fund/
United Spinal Disaster Relief Grant: https://unitedspinal.org/disaster-relief-grant/
Inevitable Foundation Emergency Relief Fund: https://www.inevitable.foundation/erf
Previous Episode
In this week’s episode I welcomed back Aubrey Smalls. Aubrey is an actor, filmmaker, and content creator with dwarfism who uses his platforms to educate people about what it means to be a little person and dwarfism history. October is a month for celebration in the dwarfsim community, so we wanted to take the time to discuss how we will be celebrating as well as have a conversation about how being a person with dwarfism is perceived and defined in 2025. Oh, and my mom, Audrey Curwin, makes a cameo appearance to highlight a little person who has left a lasting legacy in our family and our community.
Join The Patreon: HERE
Follow Aubrey: Instagram: @aubreysmalls TikTok: @aubreysmalls
Follow Dwarfism History: Instagram: @dwarfismhistory TikTok: @dwarfismhistory
RSVP: Celebrating Dwarfism in the Arts
Dear Average Height People: Instagram: @dearaverageheightpeople Website: https://www.dearaverageheightpeople.com
Follow Me: Instagram: @jill_ilana , @alwayslookingup.podcast TikTok: @jillian_ilana Website: https://www.jillianilana.com Email: alwayslookingup227@gmail.com
Read With Me:
Support Immigrant Communities (all links came from @chnge):
The Coalition for Humane Immigrant Rights of Los Angeles (@chirla_org): https://www.chirla.org/donatenow/
Immigrant Defenders Law Center (@immdef_lawcenter): https://www.immdef.org
Inland Coalition 4 Imm Justice (@ic4ij): https://secure.actblue.com/donate/jornaleros
Relief For Disabled People Impacted By The Los Angeles Fires:
Richard Devylder Disaster Relief Fund: https://disabilitydisasteraccess.org/rd-relief-fund/
United Spinal Disaster Relief Grant: https://unitedspinal.org/disaster-relief-grant/
Inevitable Foundation Emergency Relief Fund: https://www.inevitable.foundation/erf
Next Episode
In this week’s episode I sat down with Jake Stimell. Jake is a disability inclusion and accessibility specialist at New York Road Runners, who is on a mission to make the sports world more accessible for and inclusive of people with disabilities. Jake advocates for people with disabilities to be involved in the sports world as athletes, spectators, employees and community representatives, and he firmly believes that the sports world is stronger when it includes people with disabilities. In the excitement and anticipation of the TCS New York City Marathon we discuss how New York Road Runners has made their races, including the marathon, accessible, what we can look forward to seeing and experiencing at this year’s Marathon, why we should be celebrating the first and final finishers on race day and much, much more.
Join The Patreon: HERE
Follow New York Road Runners: Instagram: @nyrr TikTok: @newyorkroadrunners Strava: New York Road Runners Facebook: New York Road Runners Website: https://www.nyrr.org
Watch the 2025 TCS NYC Marathon: https://www.nyrr.org/tcsnycmarathon/race-day/watch-the-race
Follow Jake: LinkedIn: Jake Stimell
Watch the trailer for Final Finishers: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=F1gdy0KC6w4
Watch Becky Curran's Journey To The Start Line: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=fK6UG0112jw&t=2s
Learn More About The Economic Impact of the TCS NYC Marathon: https://www.nyrr.org/media-center/press-release/2025_0930_nyrrfy25impact
Follow Me: Instagram: @jill_ilana , @alwayslookingup.podcast TikTok: @jillian_ilana Website: https://www.jillianilana.com Email: alwayslookingup227@gmail.com
Read With Me:
Support Immigrant Communities (all links came from @chnge):
The Coalition for Humane Immigrant Rights of Los Angeles (@chirla_org): https://www.chirla.org/donatenow/
Immigrant Defenders Law Center (@immdef_lawcenter): https://www.immdef.org
Inland Coalition 4 Imm Justice (@ic4ij): https://secure.actblue.com/donate/jornaleros
Relief For Disabled People Impacted By The Los Angeles Fires:
Richard Devylder Disaster Relief Fund: https://disabilitydisasteraccess.org/rd-relief-fund/
United Spinal Disaster Relief Grant:
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