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Joe Stone grew up playing volleyball, skateboarding, and breakdancing. Then, in 2012, a car crash left him paralyzed. 

Doctors told him he would likely never move anything below his chest again. But five weeks after leaving the hospital, Joe found wheelchair rugby. This violent, fast, full-contact sport helped him rebuild strength, process anger, and feel alive in a changed body. 

In this conversation recorded at a live tournament in New Haven, Joe talks about the crash, falling in love after paralysis, being a father, faith, adaptive sports, and what people misunderstand when they assume athletes with disabilities are fragile.

Suggested episodes:
Multiple sclerosis tried to bench her. Karen Smith won gold instead 
Stunt performers David Holmes and Jonathan Goodwin on life after paralysis 
A marathon swimmer and ultrarunner: surviving cancer, breaking records 
New ways to see, new ways to move: The tech that’s changing disability 

 

GUEST: 
Joe Stone: Wheelchair rugby player and adaptive athlete who became paralyzed after a 2012 car crash fractured his C6 and C7 vertebrae. He plays with the Gaylord Warriors

Joe Stone grew up playing volleyball, skateboarding, and breakdancing. Then, in 2012, a car crash left him paralyzed.&nbsp;
Doctors told him he would likely never move anything below his chest again. But five weeks after leaving the hospital, Joe found wheelchair rugby. This violent, fast, full-contact sport helped him rebuild strength, process anger, and feel alive in a changed body.&nbsp;
In this conversation recorded at a live tournament in New Haven, Joe talks about the crash, falling in love after paralysis, being a father, faith, adaptive sports, and what people misunderstand when they assume athletes with disabilities are fragile.
Suggested episodes:
<ul>
<li aria-level="1"><a href="https://www.ctpublic.org/show/audacious-with-chion-wolf/2026-03-06/multiple-sclerosis-tried-to-bench-her-karen-smith-won-gold-instead">Multiple sclerosis tried to bench her. Karen Smith won gold instead&nbsp;</a></li>
<li aria-level="1"><a href="https://www.ctpublic.org/show/audacious-with-chion-wolf/2024-05-02/stunt-performers-david-holmes-and-jonathan-goodwin-on-life-after-paralysis">Stunt performers David Holmes and Jonathan Goodwin on life after paralysis&nbsp;</a></li>
<li aria-level="1"><a href="https://www.ctpublic.org/show/audacious-with-chion-wolf/2026-01-23/a-marathon-swimmer-and-ultrarunner-surviving-cancer-breaking-records">A marathon swimmer and ultrarunner: surviving cancer, breaking records</a>&nbsp;</li>
<li aria-level="1"><a href="https://www.ctpublic.org/show/audacious-with-chion-wolf/2025-03-21/new-ways-to-see-new-ways-to-move-the-tech-thats-changing-disability">New ways to see, new ways to move: The tech that&rsquo;s changing disability</a>&nbsp;</li>
</ul>
&nbsp;
GUEST:&nbsp;
<ul>
<li aria-level="1">Joe Stone: Wheelchair rugby player and adaptive athlete who became paralyzed after a 2012 car crash fractured his C6 and C7 vertebrae. He plays with the <a href="https://sportsassociation.gaylord.org/wheelchair-rugby-team">Gaylord Warriors</a></li>
</ul>

Audacious with Chion Wolf spotlights the stories of people whose experiences, professions, or conditions defy convention or are often misunderstood. Guided by deep curiosity and genuine compassion, the team behind Audacious creates space for the kinds of stories that rarely get told - and the kinds of questions we're often afraid to ask. From those speaking publicly for the very first time to voices already known around the world, every guest is met with care, and every story is honored as both deeply personal and profoundly human.

For more: ctpublic.org/audacious

Audacious with Chion Wolf spotlights the stories of people whose experiences, professions, or conditions defy convention or are often misunderstood. Guided by deep curiosity and genuine compassion, the team behind Audacious creates space for the kinds of stories that rarely get told - and the kinds of questions we're often afraid to ask. From those speaking publicly for the very first time to voices already known around the world, every guest is met with care, and every story is honored as both deeply personal and profoundly human.
For more: <a href="https://www.ctpublic.org/show/audacious-with-chion-wolf">ctpublic.org/audacious</a>

Audacious with Chion Wolf spotlights the stories of people whose experiences, professions, or conditions defy convention or are often misunderstood. 

Audacious with Chion Wolf

Audacious with Chion Wolf spotlights the stories of people whose experiences, professions, or conditions defy convention or are often misunderstood.

Guided by deep curiosity and genuine compassion, the team behind Audacious creates space for the kinds of stories that rarely get told - and the kinds of questions we’re often afraid to ask. From those speaking publicly for the very first time to voices already known around the world, every guest is met with care, and every story is honored as both deeply personal and profoundly human.

Listen at ctpublic.org/audacious

Support is provided by a generous contribution from Suzanne Hopgood, in Memory of Frank Lord.

Audacious with Chion Wolf spotlights the stories of people whose experiences, professions, or conditions defy convention or are often misunderstood.
Guided by deep curiosity and genuine compassion, the team behind Audacious creates space for the kinds of stories that rarely get told - and the kinds of questions we&rsquo;re often afraid to ask. From those speaking publicly for the very first time to voices already known around the world, every guest is met with care, and every story is honored as both deeply personal and profoundly human.
Listen at <a href="http://ctpublic.org/audacious">ctpublic.org/audacious</a>
Support is provided by a generous contribution from Suzanne Hopgood, in Memory of Frank Lord.

Joe Stone, wheelchair rugby, and the full-contact art of resilience

When someone tells you they’ve survived sexual abuse, the conversation can feel tender for everyone involved: the person choosing what to share, and the person trying to respond with care. How can we make those moments feel safer, more honest, and less lonely? 

Beth Hamilton, executive director of the Connecticut Alliance to End Sexual Violence, offers guidance on how to respond with steadiness, care, and humility. 

Then Drew John Ladd shares his story as a male survivor of childhood sexual abuse. He reflects on silence, family response, masculinity, justice, shame, survival, and joy. 

This episode is about how to integrate trauma, what disclosure asks of a survivor, and how the rest of us can learn to listen better

Resources:
RAINN’s National Sexual Assault Hotline
1in6 offers support, information, and community specifically for male survivors


Suggested episodes:
Forgiveness: How we define it and how it defines us
What two suicide attempt survivors want you to know about staying alive


GUESTS: 
Beth Hamilton: Executive director of the Connecticut Alliance to End Sexual Violence, where she works on advocacy, prevention, survivor support, and public policy. She is also a survivor of childhood sexual abuse, which informs the care and clarity she brings to conversations about disclosure and healing
Drew John Ladd: Writer, musician, and teacher. He shares his experience as a male survivor of childhood sexual abuse, and reflects on silence, family response, masculinity, justice, and what better conversations can make possible

When someone tells you they&rsquo;ve survived sexual abuse, the conversation can feel tender for everyone involved: the person choosing what to share, and the person trying to respond with care. How can we make those moments feel safer, more honest, and less lonely?&nbsp;
Beth Hamilton, executive director of the Connecticut Alliance to End Sexual Violence, offers guidance on how to respond with steadiness, care, and humility.&nbsp;
Then Drew John Ladd shares his story as a male survivor of childhood sexual abuse. He reflects on silence, family response, masculinity, justice, shame, survival, and joy.&nbsp;
This episode is about how to integrate trauma, what disclosure asks of a survivor, and how the rest of us can learn to listen better
Resources:
<ul>
<li aria-level="1"><a href="https://rainn.org/help-and-healing/hotline">RAINN&rsquo;s National Sexual Assault Hotline</a></li>
<li aria-level="1"><a href="https://1in6.org/">1in6 offers support, information, and community specifically for male survivors </a></li>
</ul>
Suggested episodes:
<ul>
<li aria-level="1"><a href="https://www.ctpublic.org/show/audacious-with-chion-wolf/2022-03-24/forgiveness-how-we-define-it-and-how-it-defines-us">Forgiveness: How we define it and how it defines us</a></li>
<li aria-level="1"><a href="https://www.ctpublic.org/show/audacious-with-chion-wolf/2026-01-16/what-two-suicide-attempt-survivors-want-you-to-know-about-staying-alive">What two suicide attempt survivors want you to know about staying alive </a></li>
</ul>
GUESTS:&nbsp;
<ul>
<li aria-level="1">Beth Hamilton: Executive director of the <a href="https://endsexualviolencect.org/">Connecticut Alliance to End Sexual Violence</a>, where she works on advocacy, prevention, survivor support, and public policy. She is also a survivor of childhood sexual abuse, which informs the care and clarity she brings to conversations about disclosure and healing</li>
<li aria-level="1">Drew John Ladd: Writer, musician, and teacher. He shares his experience as a male survivor of childhood sexual abuse, and reflects on silence, family response, masculinity, justice, and what better conversations can make possible</li>
</ul>

A survivor of childhood sexual abuse speaks his truth. We’re listening.

What happens when a Brooklyn woman who identifies as queer, liberal, vegan, and an atheist donates her kidney to a conservative Christian man from Virginia?

Kerry Kennedy and Joey Shervey tell the story of what it looks like when compassion outvotes everything else. Their transplant crossed party lines and personal beliefs to create an unexpected friendship.

Then, Lindsay Vigue describes how a small flyer on the wall of a diner led her to become a living kidney donor, and then to becoming the executive director of Donate Life Connecticut.

Resources:
Donate Life Connecticut
National Kidney Foundation
National Kidney Registry
OrganDonor.gov
Former Middletown mayor Dan Drew's TED Talk about why he donated his kidney 

Suggested episode:
The Story Of The First African American Face Transplant 

GUESTS: 
Joey Shervey: Kidney transplant recipient from Moneta, Virginia
Kerry Kennedy: Living kidney donor from Brooklyn, New York
Lindsay Vigue: Living kidney donor and the executive director of Donate Life Connecticut 

What happens when a Brooklyn woman who identifies as queer, liberal, vegan, and an atheist donates her kidney to a conservative Christian man from Virginia?
Kerry Kennedy and Joey Shervey tell the story of what it looks like when compassion outvotes everything else. Their transplant crossed party lines and personal beliefs to create an unexpected friendship.
Then, Lindsay Vigue describes how a small flyer on the wall of a diner led her to become a living kidney donor, and then to becoming the executive director of Donate Life Connecticut.
Resources:
<ul>
<li><a href="https://www.donatelifect.org/">Donate Life Connecticut</a></li>
<li><a href="https://www.kidney.org/transplantation">National Kidney Foundation</a></li>
<li><a href="https://www.kidneyregistry.com/">National Kidney Registry</a></li>
<li><a href="http://organdonor.gov/">OrganDonor.gov</a></li>
<li><a href="https://www.ted.com/talks/dan_drew_the_truth_about_organ_donation">Former Middletown mayor Dan Drew's TED Talk about why he donated his kidney&nbsp;</a></li>
</ul>
Suggested episode:
<ul>
<li><a href="https://www.ctpublic.org/health/2021-07-09/the-story-of-the-first-african-american-face-transplant">The Story Of The First African American Face Transplant</a>&nbsp;</li>
</ul>
GUESTS:&nbsp;
<ul>
<li>Joey Shervey:&nbsp;Kidney transplant recipient from Moneta, Virginia</li>
<li>Kerry Kennedy:&nbsp;Living kidney donor from Brooklyn, New York</li>
<li>Lindsay Vigue:&nbsp;Living kidney donor and the executive director of Donate Life Connecticut&nbsp;</li>
</ul>

The kidney was just the beginning: Unexpected gifts after transplants

How do you play the violin without a right hand? How do you drum after losing a leg? How do you rap and create beats when you can only move your head and shoulders? 

Adrian Anantawan was born without his right hand and most of his right forearm, and learned violin using a custom bow adaptation attached to his arm. Billy Brimblecom Jr., a drummer who lost his left leg to cancer, shares how he returned to music and now helps other amputees get prosthetic limbs. And Pheez, a rapper and producer who became paralyzed after a diving accident, explains how he records using breath control, memory, and accessible technology. 

 

Suggested episodes:
New ways to see, new ways to move: The tech that’s changing disability
Stunt performers David Holmes and Jonathan Goodwin on life after paralysis
Multiple sclerosis tried to bench her. Karen Smith won gold instead
Joe Stone, wheelchair rugby, and the full-contact art of resilience

 

GUESTS: 
Billy Brimblecom Jr.: Drummer, nonprofit leader, and amputee who turned the support he received after cancer into help for others through Steps of Faith Foundation
Corey Lee, AKA “Pheez“: Rapper, producer, and Navy veteran who became a quadriplegic after a diving accident. He's a disability advocate and the host of The Super Adaptables podcast
Adrian Anantawan: Violinist born without his right hand and most of his right forearm. Using a custom bow adaptation, he has built a career as a performer, teacher, and advocate for musicians with disabilities

How do you play the violin without a right hand? How do you drum after losing a leg? How do you rap and create beats when you can only move your head and shoulders?&nbsp;
Adrian Anantawan was born without his right hand and most of his right forearm, and learned violin using a custom bow adaptation attached to his arm. Billy Brimblecom Jr., a drummer who lost his left leg to cancer, shares how he returned to music and now helps other amputees get prosthetic limbs. And Pheez, a rapper and producer who became paralyzed after a diving accident, explains how he records using breath control, memory, and accessible technology.&nbsp;
&nbsp;
Suggested episodes:
<ul>
<li aria-level="1"><a href="https://www.ctpublic.org/show/audacious-with-chion-wolf/2025-03-21/new-ways-to-see-new-ways-to-move-the-tech-thats-changing-disability">New ways to see, new ways to move: The tech that&rsquo;s changing disability</a></li>
<li aria-level="1"><a href="https://www.ctpublic.org/show/audacious-with-chion-wolf/2024-05-02/stunt-performers-david-holmes-and-jonathan-goodwin-on-life-after-paralysis">Stunt performers David Holmes and Jonathan Goodwin on life after paralysis</a></li>
<li aria-level="1"><a href="https://www.ctpublic.org/show/audacious-with-chion-wolf/2026-03-06/multiple-sclerosis-tried-to-bench-her-karen-smith-won-gold-instead">Multiple sclerosis tried to bench her. Karen Smith won gold instead</a></li>
<li aria-level="1"><a href="https://www.ctpublic.org/show/audacious-with-chion-wolf/2026-06-26/joe-stone-wheelchair-rugby-and-the-full-contact-art-of-resilience">Joe Stone, wheelchair rugby, and the full-contact art of resilience</a></li>
</ul>
&nbsp;
GUESTS:&nbsp;
<ul>
<li aria-level="1"><a href="https://www.billybrimblecom.com/">Billy Brimblecom Jr.</a>: Drummer, nonprofit leader, and amputee who turned the support he received after cancer into help for others through <a href="https://www.stepsoffaithfoundation.org/">Steps of Faith Foundation</a></li>
<li aria-level="1"><a href="https://linktr.ee/PHEEZ83?utm_source=linktree_profile_share&amp;ltsid=405ae276-9815-4fae-b283-ea47ceda34a7">Corey Lee, AKA &ldquo;Pheez&ldquo;</a>: Rapper, producer, and Navy veteran who became a quadriplegic after a diving accident. He's a disability advocate and the host of The Super Adaptables podcast</li>
<li aria-level="1"><a href="https://www.adriananantawan.com/">Adrian Anantawan</a>: Violinist born without his right hand and most of his right forearm. Using a custom bow adaptation, he has built a career as a performer, teacher, and advocate for musicians with disabilities</li>
</ul>

Joe Stone, wheelchair rugby, and the full-contact art of resilience

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