What does it mean to tell a story about limb loss… when you haven’t lived it yourself?
In this episode of We’re Not Stumped, host Mike Bolland—born without a right hand—sits down with author Jim Roberts to explore the decision to create a one-arm protagonist in his novel And Your Bird Can Sing.
This conversation goes beyond writing. It’s about representation, authenticity, and what it truly means to feel seen.
Jim shares how limb loss in his story became a powerful metaphor for grief, guilt, and forgiveness, set within a Southern Gothic coming-of-age journey through 1960s and 70s East Texas.
Together, Mike and Jim dive into:
• Writing characters with experiences different from your own
• The responsibility of representation in storytelling
• Using physical loss as emotional metaphor
• Balancing authenticity with creative freedom
• The challenges of publishing meaningful literary fiction
Jim also reflects on his late-in-life writing journey and why telling stories that matter is worth the uphill battle.
This is a thoughtful and honest discussion about voice, visibility, and the impact of storytelling—especially for communities that don’t always see themselves represented.
🔗 Learn more about Jim Roberts: https://jimrobertsfiction.com/
Listen on Apple Podcasts
Watch on YouTube
Listen on Spotify
Abram Baker is many things, including a welder and massive car enthusiast. In 2019, he suffered a horrific industrial accident that took his left hand. That hasn’t stopped him from continuing with his welding or stopped him from working [...]
Hillary has been a physical therapist for over 24 years in the Philadelphia area, working primarily in the home care setting with the geriatric population. She was inspired to write a story to help young children overcome their fears [...]
In this episode of the We're not Stumped podcast, I get to speak to the inventor of the TheraV Elix and company founder Amira Radović. As a child, Amira was inspired to become a biomedical engineer by her father, [...]
