After experiencing sudden hearing loss following the birth of her first child, Tiffany Storrs faced a new reality: navigating motherhood, family life, and an acting career while becoming bilaterally deaf.
In this episode of We’re Not Stumped, actor, author, and speaker Tiffany Storrs joins Mike Bolland for an honest conversation about deafness, cochlear implants, self-advocacy, and adapting to unexpected change.
Tiffany shares why she explored cochlear implants while learning American Sign Language with her family, what people misunderstand about hearing technology, and why successful adaptation doesn’t erase the need for accessibility.
She also recounts a life-threatening heart arrhythmia discovered during surgery that led to a pacemaker—and a new perspective on accepting support, surrendering control, and living in the present.
We discuss:
• How hearing loss affected Tiffany and her family
• Learning to hear through cochlear implants
• The challenges of living with a hidden disability
• Advocating for accommodations as a deaf actress
• Accessibility and disability representation in entertainment
• The experiences behind her book, Adaptability
Tiffany’s story offers a personal look at finding new ways forward while acknowledging the challenges that remain.
Learn more about Tiffany: https://www.tiffanystorrs.com
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Here’s the actual quote from a company called the LN4 Hand Project: "A prosthetic hand is an invaluable asset to an individual without an upper limb. An upper limb prosthesis can determine whether or not an individual is able to be employed, contribute to household duties, or provide an increased sense of independence." As a successful one-handed person—a podcaster, speaker, nonprofit founder, and former pro bowler—I have to say, that sentence overlooks the truth: people with limb differences are capable with or without a device. And it’s not just the language. Companies like Taska Prosthetics create videos that show one-handed people doing things like washing apples, as if that’s the pinnacle of independence. While I love and appreciate prosthetics, we can do better. In this podcast, I break down the problem with this kind of messaging, share my lived experience, and challenge the assumption that a prosthesis defines your ability to succeed.
Host Mike Bolland welcomes Brittany Dejean, founder of Inclusion Jumpstart and former Airbnb accessibility leader. Brittany opens up about how her father’s spinal cord injury at age 12 inspired her lifelong passion for disability inclusion. She shares insights from her 6.5 years at Airbnb working on accessibility and diversity initiatives, her nonprofit work with Able Thrive, and her current mission as an entrepreneur and advocate. Brittany’s training programs help people overcome awkwardness around disability and build more inclusive, empathetic spaces in both personal and professional settings.
In this episode of We’re Not Stumped, host Mike Bolland gets real about the challenges of finding a job while living with a disability. Born without his right hand, Mike has firsthand experience navigating interviews, workplace bias, and the self-doubt that can creep in during the job search. He shares tips that helped him—and that can help you—stand out for the right reasons, from understanding your rights under the ADA to deciding when (or if) to disclose your disability. If you’ve ever felt overlooked, underestimated, or unsure where to start, this episode offers encouragement, strategies, and real-world advice from someone who’s walked the walk. 🛠️ Topics include: How to highlight your strengths, not your limitations Disability-friendly job boards and resources Why owning your story is your greatest strength Whether you were born with a disability or acquired one later in life, this episode is for anyone ready to pursue meaningful work and thrive.
