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.
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Join congenital right hand amputee host Mike Bolland in this episode of "We're Not Stumped," where we dive into three incredible stories of amputees who have defied the odds and achieved remarkable feats: The First Female Double Amputee to Earn a Colorado CDL, 12-Year-Old's Journey After 30 Surgeries and A Race Champion’s New Journey.
In this episode: Lively Limbs Amputee Support Group in Mesa Celebrates 22 Years, Against All Odds: Baker County's Jay Wilson Thrives as Double Amputee Firefighter and Business Owner and Dream Home in 10 Days: Ground Broken on a Home for Quadruple Amputee. Tune in to "We're Not Stumped" for inspiring stories of triumph, support, and innovation in the limb difference community. Don't miss an episode—subscribe now!
