What can 250 conversations teach us about disability, connection, and belonging? Mike Bolland celebrates the 250th episode of We’re Not Stumped with the person who helped start it all—his first-ever guest, Nicole Marti.
Now Event Support Manager at the Amputee Coalition, Nicole turns the questions on Mike as they reflect on four years of sharing stories about limb loss, limb difference, and the broader disability community.
Mike discusses how the podcast has changed his perspective, why mental and emotional challenges deserve more attention, and what returning to competitive bowling after cancer taught him about taking the shot anyway.
Nicole also previews the 2027 Amputee Coalition National Conference in Las Vegas, including a Story Slam hosted by Mike and plans for live podcast recordings.
The episode opens with a tribute to former guests Dr. Eric Gabriel and Karlene Martinez, honoring their lives and the stories they shared.
In this episode:
• Remembering Dr. Eric Gabriel and Karlene Martinez
• Welcoming back our first guest, Nicole Marti
• Lessons from 250 episodes of honest conversations
• Limb loss, limb difference, peer support, and belonging
• Disability representation and “inspiration porn”
• Competitive bowling and facing the fear of failure
• Building connections through the Amputee Coalition
Hear the stories of our remembered guests:
Dr. Eric Gabriel: https://youtu.be/eOz9JGHyQYc
Karlene Martinez: https://youtu.be/i1ILaBBAIB4
Thank you to every guest and listener who has helped us reach 250 episodes. Follow We’re Not Stumped for more conversations about living with limb loss, limb differences, and disabilities.
Listen on Apple Podcasts
Watch on YouTube
Listen on Spotify
Tom Lenoble’s story is a powerful combination of leadership, resilience, and personal transformation. In this inspiring interview, Tom reflects on his remarkable career leading global customer operations for major brands like MCI, Walmart.com, Palm, and Facebook, where he helped build the company’s first customer operations organization during its explosive early growth. Beyond his Silicon Valley leadership achievements, Tom opens up about surviving two life-threatening illnesses, living with HIV, and battling metastatic cancer for 13 years while continuing to lead, inspire, and thrive. His bestselling memoir, My Life in Business Suits, Hospital Gowns, and High Heels, reveals the deeply human side of his journey — from corporate success to vulnerability, healing, and purpose.
In this deeply moving episode of We’re Not Stumped, host Mike Bolland welcomes Scott Martin, a bilateral hand amputee, soccer coach, and author of the upcoming memoir Play From Your Heart. Scott opens up about the life-altering infection in 1993 that led to the loss of both hands and parts of his feet, and the emotional aftermath that followed. He speaks honestly about denial, detachment, and the five-year struggle with depression that tested his identity, confidence, and purpose.
This special Christmas episode of We’re Not Stumped is a heartfelt reflection from host Mike Bolland on resilience, community, and gratitude during the holiday season. Instead of an interview, Mike takes a few minutes to acknowledge the realities many people in the limb loss and disability community face during the holidays — from accessibility challenges and family dynamics to grief, growth, and adapting to change — all with warmth and a touch of humor. Mike also shares what this podcast has taught him over the past year and gives a heartfelt shout-out to some incredible guests who trusted him with their stories.
